Importance

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Abstract

A sipper tube insertion and removal apparatus is provided for easily and consistently inserting a sipper tube into a stopper with a hole and for also easily and consistently removing a sipper tube from a hole in a stopper. For insertion of a sipper tube into the hole of a stopper, the apparatus includes a sipper tube insertion head for holding the sipper tube, a stopper insertion platform for holding the stopper, and an actuator. The stopper insertion platform holds the stopper such that the hole of the stopper is aligned with the sipper tube, and the platform is disposed at a predetermined distance apart from the sipper tube insertion head. The actuator closes the predetermined distance between the sipper tube insertion head and the stopper insertion platform so as to cause the sipper tube to be inserted into the hole of the stopper. For removing a sipper tube from a hole in a stopper, the apparatus includes a sipper tube removal bit, a stopper removal platform for holding the stopper with the sipper tube inserted in the hole of the stopper, and an actuator. The stopper removal platform is disposed at a predetermined distance apart from the sipper tube removal bit, and the actuator closes the predetermined distance between the sipper tube removal bit and the stopper removal platform so as to drive the sipper tube removal bit into the hole of the stopper to thereby push the sipper tube out of the hole of the stopper.

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First Claim