AU736194B2 - Device for facilitating removal of container closures - Google Patents

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE NO-15430/99 This specification does not contain page 1.

DEVICE FOR FACILITATING REMOVAL OF CONTAINER CLOSURES FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a device for facilitating the removal of container closures and in particular a device for facilitating the removal of screw-on container closures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many people the removal of closures from containers including jars and bottles is a very difficult task.

There are many proposals as to how this task may be made easier, and the prior art is directed to various such devices for this purpose. However, for persons with a weak grip or a physical handicap such as have arthritis sufferers, such prior art devices where they require that the user hold the device with one hand and the container with the other are not suitable.

The present inventor has recognised that a more adequate solution for such persons is a device which needn't be held in use, so that the user is able to perform the opening task using both hands if necessary.

Further desirable characteristics in a device which aids container opening have been identified. For convenience and economics it is considered preferable that the device be adapted to perform it's removal function on a range of variably sized container closures. Also, it is preferable that the container be of simple and affordable design and manufacture. The device should provide for the quick and easy positioning of the container relative thereto to enable efficient container 3 opening. It is also preferred that in use of the device, the container is positioned upright to ensure container contents are not spilled following closure removal.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome, at least to some extent, the aforementioned problems of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative thereto.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION In one aspect therefore the invention resides in a device for facilitating the removal of a range of variably sized screw closures from containers fitted therewith, the device comprising:attachment means for fixing said device to a surface; two opposed mutually convergent sections converging along imaginary lines to a point of intersection of said lines and arranged to define an opening at their greatest spacing within which a screw closure of a container may be received; one of said two opposed sections including high friction engagement means :biassed in the direction of convergence of said opposed sections; the other of said two opposed sections including low friction engagement means; wherein said two opposed sections are configured and arranged so that in use the container is held by engagement at spaced locations on an edge surface of said closure by respective said high and low friction engagement means so that rotation of the container in a direction opposite to said bias of the high friction engagement means urges the closure laterally toward said intersection to increase said frictional hold while the closure is loosened.

Preferably, said device further includes a top section attaching said two opposed mutually convergent sections.

In preference, the opening between said opposed sections accommodates lateral insertion of the closure.

Suitably, rotation of the container is within a rotary plane between said two opposed sections that is substantially parallel to the top section of the device.

As the device is adapted to be used for the opening of a range of variably sized container closures, the sizing and arrangement of the device can be modified for the particular size range of closure intended for use therewith, as would be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art having reference to the following.

Preferably, the device is attached to the underside surface of a bench, shelf 4 or the like horizontally extending fixture. For example, a suitable location for accessibility and ease of use of the device is the underside surface of a wall Smounted kitchen cupboard.

Preferably, the attachment means comprises a plurality of holes at spaced locations in said top section of the device, which holes are adapted to receive screws, dowels, pins, rivets or the like for the secure attachment of the device to a surface. The attachment means, though not restricted to the aforesaid types, must be appropriate to support the device when a contents filled container is held thereby. Auxiliary attachment means may be provided.

In preference, the device top section is adapted to lie flush with a surface to which it is adapted to be mounted, and therefore is suitably of planar configuration.

Preferably, said two opposed sections are fixedly connected to said top section or formed integral therewith. The said opposed sections may be formed in a substantially v-shaped arrangement, whether as a single piece, pieces connected at the convergent ends thereof, or alternatively, as separate pieces which converge but do not connect.

The said two opposed sections suitably define the size range of closures suitable for use with the device. The maximum closure size is defined by the 10 maximum spacing comprising the opening between the said sections, whereas *o conversely, the minimum closure size is defined essentially by the minimum spacing between the said sections.

The length of the said opposed sections can be modified to accommodate different size ranges of closures, wherein greater section lengths correspond with greater closure size ranges, and conversely, smaller section lengths correspond to :more limited closure size ranges, usable with the device.

The opposed sections each include engagement means, said engagement means suitably extending substantially as horizontal projections into said space between the sections, and extending at least substantially along the length of the inside surfaces thereof.

Preferably, the engagement means are arranged parallel with the said top section, though spaced sufficiently therefrom to facilitate use of the device with, for example, rounded closures.

Suitably, the respective engagement means are adapted to contact the side edge surface of a closure laterally positioned in said opening at a point where the spacing between said opposed sections corresponds substantially with the closure diameter. Suitably, the closure contact surface of said respective engagement means comprises the side edge of the said projection.

One of said opposed sections includes high friction engagement means, whereas the opposite section includes low friction engagement means.

Suitably, said high friction engagement means comprises serrations on said contact surface. The serrations extend at least substantially along and preferably the entire length of the said projection. The said serrations, which may comprise teeth go. or the like, are biassed in the direction of convergence of the said opposed sections.

The spacing and size of the teeth or any alternative serrations may be constant or variable along said projection length and depend particularly on end use requirements as would be appreciated by persons skilled in the art. The inventor has found a distribution of eight teeth per 25mm of projection to work well.

The configuration and arrangement of said biassing means is suitably S**o adapted so that upon rotation of the container in said rotary plane, the biassing urges the closure, which is engaged by the respective engagement means, laterally in the direction of bias to increase the frictional engagement of the said closure by forcing it between more closely spaced opposed teeth.

Preferably, the low friction engagement means comprises a blunt contact surface.

The high and low friction engagement means co-operate in use of the device to facilitate removal of the closure from the container upon rotation of the latter in the direction opposite said bias.

As would be appreciated by the skilled person, the arrangement of the respective engagement means can be adapted so that following loosening of the container closure, the closure is released from the device, or alternatively is retained by the engagement means until extracted by the user, such as by rotating the closure in the direction corresponding to the bias of the high friction engagement means during removal.

10 It will be appreciated that the device can be manufactured from any suitable ago• material such as metal, wood, plastic or combinations thereof. The inventor has found an ideal and economical construction to comprise wood for the top and side sections of the device, whilst metal, and preferably steel, for the respective engagement means and the screws or the like for the attachment means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompany drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:- Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front section view through line 2-2 of the device as illustrated in Figure 1; 8 Figure 3 is a rear section view through line 3-3 of the device as illustrated in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views and initially to Figure 1 there is shown a device for removal of a range of variably sized screw-type closures from containers fitted therewith.

The device 10 comprises a top section 12 of pie-shaped cross section and planar configuration for attachment to a surface (as later described), and two opposed mutually convergent sections in the form of downwardly extending walls 14 and 16 disposed on the top section in substantially V-shaped arrangement.

t .t There is defined a lateral opening 18 in the device 10 where walls 14 and 16 have 9.

their greatest spacing 20. This opening is provided for the lateral insertion of a screw closure of a container to be frictionally held between the said walls.

*o 9o Referring also to Figure 2, the attachment means as shown comprises a plurality of spaced holes 22 into which is inserted screws orthe like 24 for securely attaching the device to the said surface. Auxiliary attachment means comprising further holes 26 are provided for extra support.

As further shown in Figure 3, it is seen that the respective side walls 14 and 16 each incorporate engagement means extending as horizontal projections, 28 and respectively, substantially along the length of the inside surfaces 32, 34 of the walls, projecting into space 36 defined there between.

The edge surfaces of horizontal projections 28 and 30 provide the closure contact surfaces 38 and 40 of the engagement means. Surface 40 is adapted for high frictional contact with the closure, being formed with serrations in the form of teeth 42 which are biassed in the direction of wall convergence Contact surface 38 is blunt.

Although not illustrated, in use, the device facilitates removal of a screwclosure from a container, wherein the diameter of the closure is substantially within the size range corresponding to the size of minimum and maximum spacing, and 44 respectively, between walls 14 and 16.

To facilitate container closure removal, the container closure is inserted Goes so, laterally through opening 18 until engaged by the contact surfaces 38 and 40 of opposed walls 14 and 16. The user then, holding the container optionally with two hands, rotates the container in the rotary plane (which is parallel to, but spaced from, the device top section) in the direction opposite bias causing the closure seat*: to be urged further in the direction of bias, thereby increasing the frictional engagement thereof whilst loosening the container closure. Following loosening of the closure, the closure, still attached to the container, is removed from the see device and closure removal completed by the user. In a non-illustrated embodiment, the respective contact surfaces 38 and 40 of the device can be configured and arranged so as to retain the closure following loosening thereof so that removal from the container is effected entirely by the device. In this alternative embodiment, extraction of the removed closure from the device wou Id be effected by simultaneously rotating, if necessary, the closure in the direction of bias whilst extracting it therefrom.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

.5 So

Claims (23)

1. A device for facilitating the removal of a range of variably sized screw closures from containers fitted therewith, the device comprising:- attachment means for fixing said device to a surface; two opposed mutually convergent sections converging along imaginary lines to a point of intersection of said lines and arranged to define an opening at their greatest spacing within which a screw closure of a container may be received; one of said two opposed sections including high friction engagement means biassed.in the direction of convergence of said opposed sections; 10 the other of said two opposed sections including low friction engagement S* means; wherein said two opposed sections are configured and arranged so that in use the container is held by engagement at spaced locations on an edge surface of said closure by respective said high and low friction engagement means so that 15 rotation of the container in a direction opposite to said bias of the high friction to engagement means urges the closure laterally toward said intersection to increase said frictional hold while the closure is loosened.

2. The device according to claim 1 further including a substantially planar top section having a top surface including said attachment means and a bottom surface including said two opposed mutually convergent sections. &ST OFF\

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein each of the said two opposed sections are of longitudinally extended configuration including a top longitudinal surface and an inner side longitudinal surface.

4. The device according to claims 2 and 3 wherein the top longitudinal surfaces are in communication with said top section.

The device according to claims 2 and 3 wherein said inner side longitudinal surfaces are mutually opposed.

6. The device according to any of the preceding claims wherein said two opposed mutually convergent sections are in substantially v-shaped arrangement. o o S 10

7. The device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein said high and low friction :.eo *.engagement means comprise projections extending longitudinally on said inner side gee •i S* longitudinal surfaces of the opposed sections.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the engagement means project s substantially horizontally into the space between said sections. eoeo

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein each of the said horizontal projections extend substantially along the length of the said section inner side S•longitudinal surface.

The device according to claims 7, 8 or 9 wherein said high friction engagement means includes a serrated surface adapted to be in contact with an edge surface of said closure.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein said serrations comprise teeth. V 1 13

12. The device according to claim 11 wherein said teeth may be distributed constantly or variably along said longitudinally extending projection.

13. The device according to claims 11 or 12 wherein said teeth may be of constant or variable size along said longitudinally extending projection.

14. The device according to claim 11 wherein said high friction engagement means comprises a distribution of eight teeth arranged per 25mm of said longitudinally extending projection.

The device according to any one of claims 7 to 13 wherein said low friction engagement means includes a blunt surface adapted to be in contact with an edge 10 surface of said closure. 3:

16. The device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the opening •between said opposed sections accommodates lateral insertion of the closure.

17. The device according to claim 16 wherein the container is upright during closure insertion.

18. The device according to claim 2 wherein said rotation of the container is within a rotary plane formed between said two opposed sections.

19. The device according to claim 18 wherein the rotary plane is substantially parallel to said top section.

The device according to claim 19 wherein said opposed sections space the rotary plane from said top section.

21. The device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the device is fixed by said attachment means to an underside surface of a fixture. 6 1 J" 14

22. The device according to claim 21 wherein the attachment means comprises a spaced arrangement of holes adapted to receive screws or the like.

23. A device for facilitating the removal of a range of variably sized screw closures from containers fitted therewith, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 1 5 th day of May 2001 ALAN PATRICK TILLEY AND JENNY ROSINA TILLEY By their Patent Attorneys INTELLPRO 9 .9 9 9 9 9 9* 9 9 9 **999* 9 9 9 0990 9 9 9 9 9 o *oo ••go