CA1329010C - Can opener - Google Patents
Can openerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1329010C CA1329010C CA 613968 CA613968A CA1329010C CA 1329010 C CA1329010 C CA 1329010C CA 613968 CA613968 CA 613968 CA 613968 A CA613968 A CA 613968A CA 1329010 C CA1329010 C CA 1329010C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- opener
- slot
- lift tab
- open
- tab
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B7/00—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers
- B67B7/40—Devices for engaging tags, strips, or tongues for opening by tearing, e.g. slotted keys for opening sardine tins
- B67B7/403—Devices for engaging tags, strips, or tongues for opening by tearing, e.g. slotted keys for opening sardine tins adapted for engaging the ring of a pull tab for opening an aperture
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Devices For Opening Bottles Or Cans (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to a can opener for assisting in the opening of an easy opening can, such as a soft drink or beer can. The opener comprises an elongate handle portion having an end portion adapted to receive and engage an easy opening can tab such that the opener, when in engagement with the easy opening can tab, acts as an extension of the tab and provides a mechanical advantage, reducing the force necessary for opening of the can.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end portion adapted to receive the tab is bevelled and has a slot-like opening. The bevelling defines a guideway for easing of the tab into the slot.
The present invention relates to a can opener for assisting in the opening of an easy opening can, such as a soft drink or beer can. The opener comprises an elongate handle portion having an end portion adapted to receive and engage an easy opening can tab such that the opener, when in engagement with the easy opening can tab, acts as an extension of the tab and provides a mechanical advantage, reducing the force necessary for opening of the can.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end portion adapted to receive the tab is bevelled and has a slot-like opening. The bevelling defines a guideway for easing of the tab into the slot.
Description
WH-7798-89 - 1 - 311~HiO078F
TITLE: CAN OPENER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to can openers ano, in particular, to can openers for use in combination with easy opening cans having a lift tab which when moved upwardly, causes a weakened portion of the easy opening can to be opened and pushed into the can.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Easy opening cans for beverages such as beer, soft drinks and juices have gained wide popularity and one of the most popular type of opening systems uses a lift tab in combination with a weakened portion where the lift tab must be moved upwardly causing the weakened portion to be forced into the can, resulting in a pouring spout at the end of the can. With this arrangement, the consumer has the advantage that the can, if necessary, can be opened without any tools. The tab portion prior to opening of the can lies in close proximity to the end of the can and some difficulty ; can be experienced in initially separating of the tab from the end portion to allow the user to exert the required force to move the tab upwardly and cause the weakened , .
portion to be forced into the can. In opening several cans, one after another, a problem can result, as the user typically places their fingernail beneath the tab and after a number of times or if a particular stiff tab is experienced, tearing of the fingernail can result. Thus, the easy opening can of this type is not entirely convenient in all applications.
.~
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A can opener, according to the present invention, comprises an elongate handle portion having an end portion adapted to receive and engage an easy opening can lift tab such that the opener, when in engagement with the easy ,~ ~
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opening can lift tab, acts as an extension thereof and provides a mechanical advantage, reduciny the force necessary for opening of the easy opening can. This mechanical advantage, by means of a tool, separates the user from the can and allows the user to use additional force in initially engaging the lift tab, and the mechanical advantage reduces the force necessary for opening the can.
Thus, a user who has to open a single or a number of cans can do so more quickly and without any fear of personal damage.
According to an aspect of the invention, the can opener, at the end portion adapted to receive and engage the easy opening can lift tab, has a flat slot with a bevelled mouth which acts as a guide for introducing the lift tab into the opener.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the can opener has a generally flat portion within the handle portion for use in advertising.
The can opener of the present invention can also be made in a simplified manner. The rnethod for making of the ` can opener comprises cutting tubing to appropriate lengths, flattening of the cut tubing to define an open, generally flat slot at at least one end of the tubing, with the slot being of sufficient depth in the longitudinal direction of the tubing for receiving an end portion of a lift tab of an easy opening can.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the ; method includes the step of bevelling at at least the one end of the tubing to provide a guideway through which a tab can be introduced to the opener.
The invention is also directed to the combination -~ of an easy opening can and a can opener, both of which are generally of the structure described above.
WH-779&-~9 - 3 - 311~l/007~F
r Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is partial perspective view showing an easy opening can and a can opener;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a length of pipe cut to the appropriate length;
Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the operation to flatten the cut length of pipe; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of the can opener when appropriately flattened.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI~ENTS
An easy opening can, generally shown as 2, has a lift tab 4 in combination with a weakened area 6. End ~ portion 8 of the lift tab 4 is received in the can opener .. ~ 10, generally shown in Figure 1. The can opener has an ~ elongate handle 12 and an end portion 14 adapted to receive ~ ~.
, the lift tab and form an extension thereof. End portion 14 includes a slot 16 into which the lift tab is received and to assist this operation, the slot has bevelled edges 18 ~ which generally act as a guideway for receiving the lift }~ tab. The opener can be inserted on the end of the lift tab 4 by generally aligning the opener with the lift tab and forcing the end of the lift tab of the can with the bevelled sur~aces 18 guiding the end of the tab 4 into the slot 16.
This can be a very quick operation and the user can carry it ,~ out quickly, as there is no possibility of damage to the : fingers. Once the lift tab 4 is engaged by the can opener .' 30 10, the user merely lifts upwardly on the opener in a fast ;~ pivotting action to quickly open the can. A mechanical advantage is provided by the opener which forms an extension of the lift tab and acts as a lever. With this mechanical advantage, the weakened area 16 is quickly force~ into the can. Once the can has been opened, the can opener can be ~: quickly removed from the lift tab merely by withdrawal.
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1 3~901 0 A method for manufacturing of the opener is generally shown in Figures 2 through 4. In Figure 2 7 a pipe section 3û has initially been cut to length and the end portion thereof has been bevelled to provide the bevelled guideway surfaces 18. After this operation, which can be carried out quickly on a circular pipe, the pipe section can undergo a flattening operation 9 generally indicated in Figure 3 by arrows 3~. This flattening operation deforms the pipe to the elongate configuration, generally shown in Figure 4 and indicated by numeral lû, which is the same shape as that shown in Figure 1. Thus, it can be appreciated that two large planar surfaces are provided either side of the opening which can be used for advertising. If desired, the product can also be stamped to provide an embossed configuration on the flat surfaces.
The low cost opener as generally taught herein is particularly useful if one is to open a number of cans and ` this can be carried out relatively quickly.
Although the invention has been described in its 2û preferred form, the opener need not define a complete slot a~d various stamp configurations at the end of the handle of the opener could be used for suitably engaging of the tab.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
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TITLE: CAN OPENER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to can openers ano, in particular, to can openers for use in combination with easy opening cans having a lift tab which when moved upwardly, causes a weakened portion of the easy opening can to be opened and pushed into the can.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Easy opening cans for beverages such as beer, soft drinks and juices have gained wide popularity and one of the most popular type of opening systems uses a lift tab in combination with a weakened portion where the lift tab must be moved upwardly causing the weakened portion to be forced into the can, resulting in a pouring spout at the end of the can. With this arrangement, the consumer has the advantage that the can, if necessary, can be opened without any tools. The tab portion prior to opening of the can lies in close proximity to the end of the can and some difficulty ; can be experienced in initially separating of the tab from the end portion to allow the user to exert the required force to move the tab upwardly and cause the weakened , .
portion to be forced into the can. In opening several cans, one after another, a problem can result, as the user typically places their fingernail beneath the tab and after a number of times or if a particular stiff tab is experienced, tearing of the fingernail can result. Thus, the easy opening can of this type is not entirely convenient in all applications.
.~
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A can opener, according to the present invention, comprises an elongate handle portion having an end portion adapted to receive and engage an easy opening can lift tab such that the opener, when in engagement with the easy ,~ ~
.~ .
,',: , , , , : . ~
, .
,- 1 32qO 1 0WH-~798-89 - 2 - 311~HiO~7~F
opening can lift tab, acts as an extension thereof and provides a mechanical advantage, reduciny the force necessary for opening of the easy opening can. This mechanical advantage, by means of a tool, separates the user from the can and allows the user to use additional force in initially engaging the lift tab, and the mechanical advantage reduces the force necessary for opening the can.
Thus, a user who has to open a single or a number of cans can do so more quickly and without any fear of personal damage.
According to an aspect of the invention, the can opener, at the end portion adapted to receive and engage the easy opening can lift tab, has a flat slot with a bevelled mouth which acts as a guide for introducing the lift tab into the opener.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the can opener has a generally flat portion within the handle portion for use in advertising.
The can opener of the present invention can also be made in a simplified manner. The rnethod for making of the ` can opener comprises cutting tubing to appropriate lengths, flattening of the cut tubing to define an open, generally flat slot at at least one end of the tubing, with the slot being of sufficient depth in the longitudinal direction of the tubing for receiving an end portion of a lift tab of an easy opening can.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the ; method includes the step of bevelling at at least the one end of the tubing to provide a guideway through which a tab can be introduced to the opener.
The invention is also directed to the combination -~ of an easy opening can and a can opener, both of which are generally of the structure described above.
WH-779&-~9 - 3 - 311~l/007~F
r Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is partial perspective view showing an easy opening can and a can opener;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a length of pipe cut to the appropriate length;
Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the operation to flatten the cut length of pipe; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of the can opener when appropriately flattened.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI~ENTS
An easy opening can, generally shown as 2, has a lift tab 4 in combination with a weakened area 6. End ~ portion 8 of the lift tab 4 is received in the can opener .. ~ 10, generally shown in Figure 1. The can opener has an ~ elongate handle 12 and an end portion 14 adapted to receive ~ ~.
, the lift tab and form an extension thereof. End portion 14 includes a slot 16 into which the lift tab is received and to assist this operation, the slot has bevelled edges 18 ~ which generally act as a guideway for receiving the lift }~ tab. The opener can be inserted on the end of the lift tab 4 by generally aligning the opener with the lift tab and forcing the end of the lift tab of the can with the bevelled sur~aces 18 guiding the end of the tab 4 into the slot 16.
This can be a very quick operation and the user can carry it ,~ out quickly, as there is no possibility of damage to the : fingers. Once the lift tab 4 is engaged by the can opener .' 30 10, the user merely lifts upwardly on the opener in a fast ;~ pivotting action to quickly open the can. A mechanical advantage is provided by the opener which forms an extension of the lift tab and acts as a lever. With this mechanical advantage, the weakened area 16 is quickly force~ into the can. Once the can has been opened, the can opener can be ~: quickly removed from the lift tab merely by withdrawal.
,i~
~.
.
''"
' ., ' .
~ :.
1 3~901 0 A method for manufacturing of the opener is generally shown in Figures 2 through 4. In Figure 2 7 a pipe section 3û has initially been cut to length and the end portion thereof has been bevelled to provide the bevelled guideway surfaces 18. After this operation, which can be carried out quickly on a circular pipe, the pipe section can undergo a flattening operation 9 generally indicated in Figure 3 by arrows 3~. This flattening operation deforms the pipe to the elongate configuration, generally shown in Figure 4 and indicated by numeral lû, which is the same shape as that shown in Figure 1. Thus, it can be appreciated that two large planar surfaces are provided either side of the opening which can be used for advertising. If desired, the product can also be stamped to provide an embossed configuration on the flat surfaces.
The low cost opener as generally taught herein is particularly useful if one is to open a number of cans and ` this can be carried out relatively quickly.
Although the invention has been described in its 2û preferred form, the opener need not define a complete slot a~d various stamp configurations at the end of the handle of the opener could be used for suitably engaging of the tab.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
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Claims (7)
1. A can opener comprising:
an elongated handle portion and an end portion adapted to engage an easy open can lift tab such that said opener, when in engagement with the easy open can lift tab, acts as an extension of the lift tab and provides a mechanical advantage, reducing the force necessary for opening of an easy opening can, said end portion defining an open ended, generally flat slot sized to receive an end portion of the lift tab of the easy open can, and wherein the open end of the slot is shaped to initially guide the lift tab into aligned registration in said slot.
an elongated handle portion and an end portion adapted to engage an easy open can lift tab such that said opener, when in engagement with the easy open can lift tab, acts as an extension of the lift tab and provides a mechanical advantage, reducing the force necessary for opening of an easy opening can, said end portion defining an open ended, generally flat slot sized to receive an end portion of the lift tab of the easy open can, and wherein the open end of the slot is shaped to initially guide the lift tab into aligned registration in said slot.
2. A can opener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open end of said flat slot is bevelled, defining a larger area of the slot at the end of said handle portion which guides the lift tab into aligned registration in said slot.
3. A can opener as claimed in claim 2, wherein the can opener is of a generally flattened tube section.
4. A can opener as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slot of said opener is of a width slightly greater than the width of the lift tab of an easy open can.
5. A method of making a can opener comprising:
cutting tubing to appropriate lengths, bevelling one end of said tube to provide a guideway through which a lift tab can be introduced to the opener, and flattening the cut tubing to define an open, generally flat slot with the guideway at one end of said slot, said slot having sufficient depth in the longitudinal direction of said tubing for receiving and engaging an end portion of lift tab of an easy open can.
cutting tubing to appropriate lengths, bevelling one end of said tube to provide a guideway through which a lift tab can be introduced to the opener, and flattening the cut tubing to define an open, generally flat slot with the guideway at one end of said slot, said slot having sufficient depth in the longitudinal direction of said tubing for receiving and engaging an end portion of lift tab of an easy open can.
6. In combination an easy open can and a can opener, said easy open can having a lift tab secured to an end of the can with a weakened area associated therewith to be forced into said can when an upward pivoting force is applied to one end of said lift tab, said can opener comprising:
an elongate handle portion and an end portion adapted to provide an initial guide for a slot area of said handle which slot is sized to receive and engage an easy open can lift tab in aligned registration in said slot, such that said opener, when in engagement with the lift tab provides a mechanical advantage, reducing the force necessary for opening of an easy opening can.
an elongate handle portion and an end portion adapted to provide an initial guide for a slot area of said handle which slot is sized to receive and engage an easy open can lift tab in aligned registration in said slot, such that said opener, when in engagement with the lift tab provides a mechanical advantage, reducing the force necessary for opening of an easy opening can.
7. In combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein the open end of said flat slot is bevelled, defining a larger area of the slot at the end of said handle portion which acts as the guide for introducing the lift tab into said opener.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 613968 CA1329010C (en) | 1989-09-28 | 1989-09-28 | Can opener |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 613968 CA1329010C (en) | 1989-09-28 | 1989-09-28 | Can opener |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1329010C true CA1329010C (en) | 1994-05-03 |
Family
ID=4140753
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 613968 Expired - Fee Related CA1329010C (en) | 1989-09-28 | 1989-09-28 | Can opener |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1329010C (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-09-28 CA CA 613968 patent/CA1329010C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |