EP1832546A1 - Semi-professional can opener - Google Patents

Abstract

Manually operated can opener comprises a cylindrical functional part (1) for opening cans, a crank (2), a cylindrical axle (15), a stop ring (12), a fixing ring (4) and a housing (3). A stand (5) can be fixed to a vertical wall or horizontal surface using a fixing device. Preferred Features: The housing comprises locking ribs pointing radially inward. The functional part comprises threaded sections (11) pointing radially from the casing surface of the functional part to form a bayonet connection with a threaded section on the fixing ring.

Description

Technical area

The present invention describes a manually operated can opener whose functional part is attachable to a tripod.

State of the art

Today, manually operable can openers are found in almost every household, and many steps have been taken in recent years to increase user-friendliness.

Classically, the functional portion of a can opener has a cutting wheel which severed the can on the can lid within the rotating wheel while a drive wheel on the can outlet edge supported the cutting mechanism. The cutting wheel and the drive wheel were coupled together by intermeshing gears. The cut in the can lid created sharp edges on the edge of the can and on the separate lid, which could easily injure the user. In addition, a cut-open can only be resealed if the lid was not completely removed from the can.

Newer can openers such as in EP0541620 discloses utilizing a cutting wheel which cuts through the edge on the can edge as the drive wheel travels along the inside and top of the rim. A support element holds the can to be opened in a predetermined, desired angular position to the can opener. These can openers are called safety can openers and are mechanically more complex than the can openers with the classic cutting mechanism. The advantages are in the Reclosability and safer cutting edges of the cans.

Another idea to increase usability was to tune the cutting mechanism to right-handed and left-handed. Also for embodiments of can openers where the handedness is variable there are some examples.

Like in the DE19619989 described, came up with the idea to form the functional part of the manually operated can opener for left and right handed people in the way that the functional part in two positions offset by 180 ° positions on the handle can be plugged. This change in the handedness of the can opener can be done quickly and easily with a few simple steps. Thus, these can openers by left and right handed people are usable.
Also in the US6119352 a can opener is described, which is adjustable before use with a lever on a left-handed or right-handed.

The ease of use of can openers has been further improved by the developments mentioned above. However, the mentioned and known can openers are all characterized by a one- or multi-part shaped handle, in which the can is held and the cutting mechanism is actuated.

As a portable handle trained can openers have the disadvantage that they can be moved due to their maneuverability, which can lead to hectic and stress in catering establishments, if there are several employees use a can opener in common.

One disadvantage of the can opener associated with a portable handle is that the user must always make sure that the handle and the can to be opened are horizontal during opening is held so that no can content escapes unintentionally from the partially opened can. Especially high-weight cans are therefore difficult to open, as the user must hold the heavy can with its can opener throughout the opening process. If the user, as in catering establishments, has to open many can heavyweights, a handle is extremely impractical. For some employees in commercial kitchens, the opening of large and heavy cans for the above reason is sometimes impossible.

In order to eliminate the drawbacks of keeping the can and the can opener constantly in place, devices have also been provided in which the can is opened on a support surface.

One way describes GB 2059908 , There is a support surface, which is equipped with a vise and is placed on a work surface revealed. The can to be opened must be laboriously clamped in the vise. To open the can, a bar with a Hakenausformung on one side and a handle on the opposite side is used. An insert near the handle is pushed through the can lid after the hook molding is hooked into the can rim. With a blade on the cutting plate, the can, by moving the rod, cut open. This type of can opener requires a variety of settings of the can attachment, before the actual can opening can be performed.

Since this can opener consists of several parts, there is also the risk that the rod is laid with the handle to open. In addition, a lot of space is needed for this multi-part can opener because of the support surface with integrated vise.

The British patent application GB 2309018 discloses a conventional hand-held can opener attached to a tripod, is mounted adjustable in height. A can opener can be used for right-handed or left-handed people. The can is placed on the support surface between two blocks arranged in a V-shape and the can opener on the stand is adjusted to the can height and connected to the edge of the can.

This device requires a stable and large support surface on which the can, the blocks and the stand for the can opener can be accommodated. If such a device is stationarily mounted in a kitchen, then much area for the can opener is lost because the support surface must be arranged horizontally. Especially in tight restaurant kitchens such a can opener is impractical.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention has for its object to provide a manually operable can opener for semi-professional use with today's usual comfort, which saves space, for example, in restaurant kitchens and food stalls, attachable and facilitates the opening of heavy cans.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a way that allows handicapped people to independently open cans with one hand.

These objects are achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

• Figur 1 zeigt eine Frontalansicht auf den erfindungsgemässen Dosenöffner mit Blick auf das Schneidrad des im Gehäuse eingesetzten Funktionsteiles.
• Figur 2 zeigt einen Achsialschnitt des Gehäuses, des Stativs und der Stützfläche des Dosenöffners, wobei der eingebaute Funktionsteil samt Befestigungsring und Kurbel in der Seitenansicht dargestellt ist.
• Figur 3 zeigt eine Ansicht des leeren Gehäuses und des Stativs
• Figur 4 zeigt Achsialschnitt des Stativs und des leeren Gehäuses.
• Figur 5 a zeigt eine Ansicht des Befestigungsringes und Figur 5 b zeigt einen Achsialschnitt durch den Befestigungsring entlang der Linie A-A aus Figur 5a.
• Figur 6 zeigt den Funktionsteil in Seitenansicht und
• Figur 7 zeigt den Funktionsteil in der Aufsicht auf die Seitenfläche aus der das Treibrad austritt.

The invention will be described below in conjunction with the drawings.

• FIG. 1 shows a front view of the can opener according to the invention with a view of the cutting wheel of the functional part inserted in the housing.
• Figure 2 shows an axial section of the housing, the tripod and the support surface of the can opener, wherein the built-in functional part including fastening ring and crank is shown in the side view.
• Figure 3 shows a view of the empty housing and the tripod
• Figure 4 shows an axial section of the tripod and the empty housing.
• FIG. 5 a shows a view of the fastening ring, and FIG. 5 b shows an axial section through the fastening ring along the line AA from FIG. 5 a.
• FIG. 6 shows the functional part in side view and
• Figure 7 shows the functional part in the plan view of the side surface from which the drive wheel exits.

description

The cutting mechanism for opening cans is integrated into a cylindrical functional part 1. In the embodiment described below, the functional part 1 of a safety can opener is described. In other embodiments of the present invention, other, for example, conventional, cutting mechanisms can be used.

The functional part 1 shown in the figures traverses a drive shaft 10 (FIG. 6) indicated by dashed lines centrally and parallel to the cylinder axis 15 between two side surfaces of the functional part 1 which are thus arranged perpendicular to the cylinder axis 15. A crank 2, consisting of a crank arm 20 and a crank handle 21, is connected to the drive shaft 10 in the vicinity of a side surface of the functional part 1. The crank 2 may be formed on the drive shaft 10, or be releasably connected to the drive shaft 10. It is also conceivable that instead of a crank 2, a rotary handle is attached. A drive wheel 16 is thus driven via the drive shaft 10 by means of the crank 2.

On the side opposite the crank 2, side surface of the functional part 1, the drive shaft 10 exits. The drive wheel 16 is rotatably mounted on the exiting drive shaft 10, so that the drive wheel 16 participates in any rotational movement of the drive shaft 10. An openable box is clamped with the upper can bead between the drive wheel 16 and a cutting wheel 18 of the functional part 1. A two-point support sheet 17 rests on the upper edge of the can bead for stabilization. By the rotation of the crank 2, the drive wheel 16 is driven and the jammed can rotated.

Below the drive wheel 16, slightly below the can bead is the cutting wheel 18, whose axis is aligned perpendicular to the drive shaft 10 and which includes an acute angle with the two-point support arc 17. As is known, inter alia, from the above-mentioned document on safety can opener, the cutting wheel 18 moves during opening along the outside of the can, more precisely on the can bead, and cuts through the same, wherein an upward separation force is applied. To open cans, the crank 2 and thus the drive wheel 16 must be rotated in one direction so that the can is cut open. Depending on the subsequent installation direction of the functional part 1, the can opener can be adapted to left-handed or right-handed people. A mechanism not explained here pulls the driving wheel 16 in the cutting operation in the direction of the cutting wheel 18, whereby the can is held securely. A slight rotation of the crank 2 in the opposite direction pushes the drive wheel outwards, so that the clamping of the can is canceled.

On the crank-side side surface of the functional part 1, a stop ring 12 is formed, which increases the diameter of the functional part 1 and serves as a stop when installing the functional part 1 in a housing 3. On the lateral surface of the functional part 1 in the vicinity of the side surface from which the drive shaft 10 exits, four threaded portions 11 are formed radially outwardly from the lateral surface of the functional part 1, which are distributed uniformly on the circumference of the functional part 1. Other embodiments are contemplated that may be differently configured screw-in or snap-in connection means.

For the present invention, at least one threaded portion 11 is necessary so that the functional part 1 can be fixed in the housing 3.

Since the connection of the functional part 1 with a mounting ring 4 bayonet-like manner, only one flank of the threaded portion 11 comes to rest. This flank must bring about a resulting displacement of the functional part 1 to the fastening ring 4.

In the stop ring 12 of the functional part 1 at least one stop ring recess 13 must be recessed on the lateral surface 19, so that the functional part 1 rotatably in the housing 3 can be fixed. The preferred embodiment has four Anschlagringaussparungen 13, which are positioned offset to the threaded portions 11 and on a circumferential line on the lateral surface 19 parallel to the circulation line on which the threaded portions 11 are located, are arranged. Other embodiments of the inventive can opener may have different numbers, at least one stop ring recess 13.

Parallel to the cylinder axis 15 in the lateral surface 19 of the functional part 1 is a Einfädelfräsung 14, which preferably extends from the driving wheel side side to the stop ring 12, which traverses at least one stop ring recess 13 and has the shape of a T-slot. This Einfädelfräsung 14 is aligned on the lateral surface of the functional part 1 in the way that it is located below the drive wheel 16 and the cutting wheel 18 and is at approximately right angles to the two-point support sheet 17.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1-4, the functional part 1 is mounted in the already mentioned housing 3, which has a hollow cylindrical ring and is fastened to a stand 5. The annular housing 3 has a central axis 32 and has at least one radially inwardly directed through hole 31. Explained in more detail are two through holes 31, at the passage points of the central axis 32 through the cylindrical housing 3 are arranged and whose positions are referred to below with 12 o'clock position and 6 o'clock position. In addition to these two through-holes 31, another through-hole 31 at the level of the center of the housing is arranged on the axis perpendicular to the central axis. The position is referred to below as the 3 o'clock position, analogous to the view from FIG. 1.

The inner surface of the cylindrical housing 3 has four locking ribs 30, which are integrally formed with respect to the depth on the inside of the housing, are directed radially inwardly to the center of the housing and have approximately the same wall thickness as the housing 3. The locking ribs 30 in the 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions are divided into two, since they are penetrated by the respective through-hole 31. The fourth locking rib 30 is in one piece in the embodiment presented here. The surfaces of the four locking ribs 30 form a broken ring in the interior of the housing, which reduces the inner diameter of the housing 3.

As with the number of threaded sections 11 and the number of stop ring recesses 13, the number of locking ribs 30 is variable, but at least one locking rib 30 must be formed. It should be noted that the number of stop ring recesses 13 must be equal to the number of locking ribs 30 and these fit together form fit.

The functional part 1 is with the side surface, which has the drive wheel 16, through one of the opposite openings of the housing 3, the same transverse, pushed through. In this case, the cylindrical functional part 1 must be rotated so that the threaded portions 11 can pass through the tapered inner diameter of the housing 3 at the level of the locking ribs 30. The at least one locking rib 30 engages in the at least one Stop ring recess 13 a form-fitting, whereby the functional part 1 rotatably mounted in the housing 3. In the embodiment shown here four locking ribs 30 and four stop ring recesses 13 were selected to ensure high stability.

In order to fix the functional part 1 in the housing 3 also axially, so that it can not slide out of the housing 3 in the direction of the cylinder axis 15, the already mentioned fastening ring 4 is used, the means of a bayonet lock a positive connection of the mounting ring 4 with the functional part 1 creates and the functional part 1 thus anchored in the housing 3. Instead of a bayonet closure other types of closure are conceivable, such as a screw cap.

The fastening ring 4 comprises a ring central axis 41, at least one outer gripping cam 42, an outer end surface 43, an inner end surface 44 and at least one counter-threaded portion 40 pointing radially inwardly toward the annular central axis 41. In the embodiment shown here, four counter-threaded portions 40 are perpendicular to the lateral surface and in FIG Formed in the direction of the ring center axis 41.

The inner diameter is selected such that the fastening ring 4 can be slipped over the region of the functional part 1 projecting out of the housing 3 and engages in the housing 3 as far as an annular shoulder. On the mounting ring 4 are formed perpendicular to the lateral surface and in the direction of the central axis counter-threaded portions 40. Analogous to the increase in the thickness of the threaded portions 11, the thickness of the counter-threaded portions 40 increases in the direction of rotation of the mounting ring 4, so that in the bayonet-like screwing together of fastening ring 4 and Function part 1 holding the two parts against each other pulling force and positive fit in the housing 3.

When the fastening ring 4 is slipped over the cylindrical functional part 1, the fastening ring 4 is aligned in such a way that the threaded portions 11 can slide between the counter-threaded portions 40. The fastening ring 4 is inserted so far on the functional part 1 until the annular shoulder 45 abuts the side surface of the functional part 1, on which the driving wheel 16 is mounted.
Now, if the mounting ring 4 is rotated, the counter-threaded portions 40 engage behind the threaded portions 11, the distance between the mounting ring 4 and the functional part 1 is reduced by the rotation, whereby the functional part 1 is fixed in the housing 3. The functional part 1 is pressed in the direction of the fastening ring 4 to the housing 3, so that the rotating shoulder 110 bears against the edge of the housing, while the fastening ring 4 is pressed with its annular shoulder 45 against the opposite side of the housing 3.

The advantage of a bayonet catch is the small angle of rotation, which must be covered for attachment. Depending on the length of the threaded portions 11 and the counter-threaded portions 40 varies this angle.

The stand 5 is shown bipedal in the present advantageous embodiment and comprises at the end of both tripod legs 52 a tripod foot 50 by means of which the stand 5 can be mounted on a vertical wall or a horizontal surface. For mounting, for example, a fastening means 51 is provided, which may for example be a screw clamp. With such a screw clamp a quick attachment and detachment of the tripod 5 is possible. If more space is available, the tripod can of course be permanently bolted to a surface. For this purpose, a mounting plate 53 is detachably held in the stand base. This mounting plate 53 has a groove 54 in which an arm 55 of the screw clamp according to the FederNut principle can be inserted. The mounting plate 53 also has some through holes, so that the mounting plate 53 can be screwed by means of screws on a surface and then the tripod 5 can be pressed to get into a snap-hold position.

For mounting on a surface vertically standing, the functional part 1 is aligned so that the two-point support sheet 17 is approximately horizontal and the cutting wheel 18 in approximately the 6 o'clock through hole 31 has. In order to avoid falling of an opened can, a support rod 6, on which a support surface 60 is held vertically adjustable, is used. When attaching the functional part 1 in the housing 3, provided with an annular groove 61 beginning of the support rod 6 is inserted through the vertical downwardly facing through hole 31 and threaded into the T-shaped Einfädelfräsung 14 of the functional part 1, so that the support rod from the Housing 3 protrudes and is firmly anchored in the functional part 1. The distance of the support surface 60 from the through hole 31 can be varied by known means and the support surface 60 at variable intervals, adapted to the respective can height, are attached. If the can comes loose from the seat in the drive wheel 16, it sinks onto the support surface 60.

Since the functional part 1 is pluggable on both sides by the housing 3 and can be fixed, the presented can opener for left-handers and right-handers can be mounted, whereby a higher comfort is achieved.

To open cans, the functional part 1 must each be aligned and secured in the housing 3 so that the threading cut 14 is vertical is directed downward and below the cutting wheel 18 and the drive wheel 16, otherwise the support rod 6 and the attached support surface 60 can not be positioned below the can.

Thanks to the versatile mounting options, the can opener according to the invention can also be mounted in particular in professional or semi-professional small kitchens, where there are usually enormous space problems. The assembly of the can opener is by no means limited to a work surface, but can be fixed under a wall unit or on a wall by means of the mounting plate 53. Under or on a countertop mounting can also be done with the fastener 51 in the form of a screw clamp. In each mounting position, the support bar can be mounted in the correct position so that the can to be opened can always be supported. Accordingly, one-handed operation is always possible.

For the mounting of the support rod 6 in all required positions, it is necessary that the stand 5 has two distanced from each other tripod legs 52, so that the support rod 6 can be arranged therebetween. The support surface 60 is preferably made of a plastic grate which is pivotally held about an axis 63 on a slider 62. In the swung-out state, the support surface 60 presses against the support rod 6. By pivoting the support surface 60 upwards, the clamping with the support rod 6 is released and the support surface 60 can be adjusted in height. However, presses the weight of an open box on the support surface 60, so the clamping effect is automatically increased.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. 1 functional part

   10

   Drive shaft (indicated)

   11

   threaded sections

   12

   stop ring

   13

   Stop ring recess

   14

   Einfädelfräsung

   15

   cylinder axis

   16

   pinion

   17

   Two-point support arch

   18

   cutting wheel

   19

   Sheath wall of the functional part

   110

   circumferential shoulder

2. 2 cranks

   20

   crank

   21

   crank handle

3. 3 housing

   30

   Locking ribs (one-piece or two-piece)

   31

   Through Hole

   32

   central axis

4. 4 mounting ring

   40

   Mating threaded sections

   41

   Ring central axis

   42

   handle cam

   43

   outer end surface

   44

   inner end surface

   45

   annular shoulder

5. 5 tripod

   50

   stand foot

   51

   Fastening means (for example screw clamp)

   52

   tripod legs

   53

   tripod plate

   54

   groove

   55

   Arm of the screw clamp

6. 6 support rod

   60

   support surface

   61

   ring groove

   62

   skid

   63

   axis

Claims (15)

Manually operated can opener whose function part (1) on a stand (5) can be fastened, characterized in that the functional part (1) for opening cans is cylindrical, a crank (2), a cylinder axis (15), a stop ring (12 ) and a fastening ring (4) and by two opposite sides of a hollow cylindrical housing (3) which is fixed to the stand (5), is push-through and rotationally secured in at least one orientation relative to the cylinder axis (15) positively in the housing (3) can be stored and by a bayonet lock with a mounting ring (4) in the housing (3) axially secured securable, wherein the stand (5) with a fastening means (51) on a vertical wall or a horizontal surface can be fastened. Can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (3) comprises at least one radially inwardly facing locking rib (30). Can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylindrical functional part (1) has at least one threaded section (11) pointing radially outward from the lateral surface (19) of the functional part (1) and having at least one counter-threaded portion (40) on the fastening ring (11). 4) forms a bayonet-type connection. Can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop ring (12) comprises at least one stop ring recess (13). Can opener according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the at least one locking rib (30) in the at least one stop ring recess (13) positively engages, whereby the functional part (1) secured against rotation in the housing (3) can be stored. Can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (3) comprises at least one radially arranged through hole (31). Can opener according to claim 6, characterized in that the through hole (31) traverses a locking rib (30). Can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional part (1) in the outer jacket surface (19) parallel to the cylinder axis comprises a T-slot-shaped Einfädelfräsung (14). Can opener according to claim 8, characterized in that the threading cut (14) traverses the at least one stop ring recess (13). Can opener according to claim 6 or 7 and 8 or 9, characterized in that a support rod (6) through the at least one through hole (31) can be pushed through and by means of an annular groove (61) in the Einfädelfräsung (14) can be threaded. Can opener according to claim 10, characterized in that along the support rod (6) a support surface (60) for holding open cans at variable distances from the through hole (31) can be fastened. Can opener according to claim 11, characterized in that the support surface (60) via an axis (63) on a so on the support rod (6) slidable slider (62) superimposed that at Pressure on the support surface a clamping on the support rod (6). Can opener according to claim 10, characterized in that the stand (5) comprises two tripod legs (52) and a stand base (50), wherein the tripod legs (52) are spaced apart and therebetween at least one through hole (31) passes through the housing (3) while the support rod extends between the tripod legs (52). Can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (51) is a screw clamp. Can opener according to claim 13, characterized in that a tripod plate (53) is held in a fixable manner in the stand base (50), by means of which the stand is held screwed onto a surface.

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