GB729645A - Improvements in or relating to can openers - Google Patents

Abstract

729,645. Can-openers. FARANDATOS, D. Nov. 16, 1951 [Nov. 21, 1950], No. 26847/51. Class 66. A can-opener is provided with a readily removable cutter blade and built-in electromagnetic means for magnetizing the blade. The opener comprises a base portion 12 for attachment to a table top 10, or the like, and having bosses 15, 16 which constitute bearings for vertically movable standards 17 supporting a head portion containing the cutter blade 66, solenoid 87, means for rotating the cam 8, and associated gear within a cover 40. When not in use the head portion rests on the base portion and is locked there by a spring-pressed bolt 98 on the head engaging with a latch 29 in the base. At the same time a vertically slidable member 100 on the head enters an opening 101 in the base 12 and passes behind latch 29 to prevent it being disengaged from bolt 98. To use the opener the switch 83 must be closed to energize the solenoid 87 which by its pole-pieces 91 and 93, attracts a plate armature 36 so that lifting the head tends to operate bell-crank 32<SP>1</SP> to disengage latch 29 from bolt 98 against the action of spring 31. But this is prevented by the member 100 behind latch 29 ; so the finger grip 67 must be pulled back to turn levers 104, 1.03 about pivot 57 and thereby lift member 100. The finger grip 67 also serves to retain the blade 66 in position in its guide 70 by means of the bolt 63 and the release operation therefore reminds the operator to lift out blade 66 (by means of its handle 68) and clean it. The head may then be raised by means of handle 49 to enable a can 8 to be positioned on the base where its rests on flanged wheel 24 and radial rollers 22. The handle 49 is pivotally connected to shaft 46 and in lifting the head of the opener the handle is automatically raised from the position in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1, and cam surface 51 depresses a sleeve 52 against spring 56 and liy means of the arm 54 turns a casting 60 about pivot 57. The casting 60 carries the blade 66 in its guide 70 so this latter action moves the point of the blade 66 away -from a traction wheel 47, mounted on the end of shaft 46, and allows the rim of the can to enter therebetween. A sharp blow on the head causes the bla,de to pierce the can top and the handle is brought to the horizontal position (Fig. 2) and turned to perform the cutting operation. The spring 56 maintains firm pressure on the can rim between the blade 66 and traction wheel 47. Besides magnetizing the blade to attract small particles of metal, the solenoid 87, by means of its poles 91 and 93, serves to hold the top of a can after it has been severed. Copper bands 92 and 94 are placed around parts of the two poles respectively, making them into shaded poles. The solenoid and wiring is encased in waterproof plastic so that the head portion of the opener may be spray-washed.