Importance

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Abstract

A method and a system for seating and unseating cassette lids from cassettes include utilizing two upright guides that are spaced apart by a distance that causes each guide to project between a cassette and a flap of a cassette lid. Outwardly facing surfaces of the guides are sloped such that the guides have an increasing cross sectional area with approach toward a base of the device. In an unseating operation, downward pressure is applied to the cassette lid, causing the flaps of the cassette to follow the sloped contour of the outwardly facing guide surfaces. The configuration of the guides causes the flaps to separate from the downwardly moving cassette. When the pressure is relaxed, material memory causes the lid to return to its original shape, sliding up the guides while the cassette remains in place. For some cassettes, structure for retaining the cassette in position may be beneficial. In a seating operation, the cassette is placed on the base and the lid is positioned above the cassette with the flaps in contact with the sloped outwardly facing guide surfaces. Downward pressure is applied to the lid, causing the flaps to follow the contour of the sloped surfaces. Again, the lid is deformed. However, when the cassette and cassette lid are raised in unison, the flaps are brought into a position of engagement with the cassette.

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First Claim