JPH05170286A - Can opener - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a can opener enabling one to open a lid of the can with less labor. CONSTITUTION: A can opener consisting of a cutter wheel 40 contacting and cutting the outside part of a rim part 29 of can 30, a driving wheel 26 engaging in the inside of the rim 29, means to adjust the gap between the cutter wheel 40 and the driving wheel 26 and hold the rim 29 in the gap, and lever means 33 to drive a one way crutch mechanism for the driving wheel 26 to turn.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a can opener.
In particular, the present invention relates to a can opener of the type in which the can lid is removed by forming a notch on the outer periphery of the joint between the can sidewall and the lid.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Examples of can openers of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,986 and WO 90/05108. The can openers shown in these specifications form a narrow cut through the lid material around the rim at the location where the lid material wraps the top of the upright wall of the can all around. The lid is removed from the rest of the can by a pinching mechanism that removes the lid from the rest of the can according to the principle of leverage.

This type of can opener has various advantages over previous can openers, such that the top edge of the opened can is less sharp. Thus, what is actually exposed to the outside is the folded top edge of the side wall of the can, and it is smooth and does not cause injury to the user by holding or contacting it.
Also, the top edge is still sufficiently reinforced by the remaining folded back can material to maintain its shape when the can is gripped. Furthermore, since the incision is made only on the outside of the side wall of the can and there is no penetration into the inside of the can, metal filling does not contaminate the contents of the can and it is also non-hygienic. There is no possibility that a conventional cutting knife will come into contact with the contents of the can.

The problem found by the inventors regarding the above-mentioned can opener is that it requires a great deal of effort to drive the can opener around the rim portion. In general, users of this type of can opener are housewives, and it is often very labor intensive for them as described above, so that this can opener is not a very attractive product. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved can opener in that the effort for driving the can opener around the rim portion can be suppressed within a reasonable limit.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, for opening a can having a lid connected to a main body by a rim portion,
The following can opener is provided. That is, this can opener is configured so that the can can be opened by cutting the outer portion of the rim portion that connects the lid to the main body portion of the can. A rotatably supported cutter wheel for engaging and cutting a portion, a rotatable drive wheel for engaging an inner portion of the rim, and rotation of the drive wheel causes the can opener to rotate. To circulate around the rim of the can and to clamp the rim between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel so that the cutter wheel can cut the entire circumference of the outer portion of the rim. Means of
And a lever means for driving a one-way clutch mechanism for rotating the drive wheel so that the can opener advances around the can.

The inventors of the present application have found that when the can opener as described above is used, the cutter wheel can be efficiently advanced by giving a relatively small force to the lever means. The lever means is reciprocated so that during each forward movement the cutter wheel makes a relatively small amount of rotation to advance the can opener and during each return movement. A one-way clutch mechanism allows the return movement of the lever means without driving the cutter wheel in the opposite direction.

[0007] Preferably, the means for sandwiching the rim portion between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel includes a pair of pivotally connected body members which are pivotable. It has an arm that extends away from the center. Then, when the arms are rotated so as to approach each other, the cutter wheel and the drive wheel move closer to each other, thereby holding the rim portion. Similarly, when the arms are rotated so as to be separated from each other, the cutter wheel and the drive wheel are separated from each other, and the clamped state is released.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lever means is rotatable about the axis of rotation of the drive wheel and is free to rotate between a closed position and an open position by means of a one-way clutch mechanism. It has a third arm that can move. As a result, when the arm moves toward the open position, the drive wheel is not rotated, while when the third arm moves toward the closed position close to one of the arms of the body member, the clutch mechanism operates as described above. Starts to rotate the drive wheel.

The lever arm is preferably elastically biased toward the open position by spring means to take a preparatory position for rotating the drive wheel. Also, in the preferred embodiment, locking means are provided which lock the lever arm in a closed position proximate one of the arms of the body member. Thus, when the arms of the body member move relative to each other in the opening and closing directions to cause the rim portion of the can to be clamped or unclamped, the lever arm is flush with the one arm. Overlap and
Moved with the arm. This avoids the lever arm complicating the handling or use of the entire can opener.

A single one-way clutch mechanism is driven by the lever means and resiliently incorporated to engage ratchet teeth formed on or attached to the shaft for the drive wheel. Equipped with ratchet claws. The ratchet pawl engages the ratchet tooth in one direction of relative rotation while free-sliding around the ratchet tooth in the opposite direction.

In order to further reduce the effort required to rotate the drive wheel, the drive wheel is provided with a metal shaft rotatably supported in a metal sleeve supported by the body of the can opener. It is preferable to support the metal shaft. In this case, it is preferable that the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the sleeve are in mating contact with each other at positions near both ends of the sleeve, and as a result, rotational support for the shaft is obtained. In addition, it is preferable that an intermediate portion between the both end portions forms a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, so as to avoid contact between the shaft and the sleeve. Gaps are formed. This reduces the frictional force acting on the rotation of the shaft relative to the sleeve.

With this construction, the frictional force between the two parts on the metal shaft engaging with the sleeve and the sleeve itself is maintained at a very small value, and the shaft and the above-mentioned By forming a gap between them in the central portion of the sleeve, generation of unnecessary frictional force is avoided. Thus, it is not necessary to contact the central portion of the sleeve in order to form a good rotational support for the shaft at both ends of the sleeve. In addition, the resulting gap can be filled with a lubricant such as grease, which can further reduce the frictional resistance in the sliding area.

The inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the shaft are preferably formed of hardened steel to ensure that frictional forces are kept to a minimum. For example, both the sleeve and shaft should be heat set to a hardness of 45 to 56 on the Rockwell hardness C scale.

According to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the sleeve has a uniform inner diameter, while the shaft has a region of reduced diameter between the regions intended to contact the sleeve. By doing so, the above-mentioned gap is formed.

As described in the above-mentioned WO 90/05108, it is preferable that the cutter wheel forms a notch at a position located substantially a predetermined distance above the lower edge of the rim portion. As explained in the above-mentioned specification, this includes elastic means for allowing the cutter wheel to move elastically in the axial direction along its axis of rotation, and connected to the cutter wheel and This can be achieved by providing cam means axially spaced from the cutter wheel by a certain amount. In this case, the cam means is arranged so as to engage with the lower edge of the rim portion, and the engagement with the lower edge of the rim portion causes the cam means and the cutter wheel to oppose the elastic means, The cutter wheel is moved to a position where a notch can be formed at a position where the cutter wheel is raised by a predetermined constant height from the lower end of the rim portion.

As a result, good results can be obtained. This is because the cutting is performed at the optimum position for removing the lid regardless of the shape and size of the can or the size and vertical width of the rim portion. And this means that the cam means engages the lower edge of the rim and, if necessary, the cutter wheel against the elastic means in the set position raised above the lower edge of the rim. This is because it will be moved. Further, even if the can opener has a change in the vertical width of the rim portion that surrounds the can, the above is similarly achieved.

In one preferred embodiment, the cam means includes an annular flange which is slightly tilted from a plane extending radially with respect to its axis and which engages the lower edge of the rim. It has an upper surface that is placed to fit. In this case, the beveled upper surface is the rim portion when the rim portion is clamped between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel and the cutting edge of the cutter wheel is pressed to push the outer portion of the rim portion. When the flange is forced into the lower edge, the annular flange and associated cutter wheel can be moved against the elastic means. The annular flange has a larger outer diameter than the cutter wheel. This is because the annular flange contacts and engages the upstanding wall of the body of the can, which should have a smaller outer diameter than the rim. However, such a difference in outer diameter can be selected such that the cutting edge of the cutter wheel does not penetrate much beyond the thickness of the outer portion of the rim.

The annular flange and the cutter wheel may be formed of a single member, or they may be formed separately and then connected so as to rotate together with the same axis of rotation. It should be noted that it is convenient that these two members are attached by being coupled around a common axis about which they should rotate.

The elastic means can be constructed as an elastic rubber washer interposed between the cam means and the fixed support. When the cutter wheel is moved downward by fitting the cam means to the lower edge of the rim portion, the elastic rubber washer is compressed and deformed, and when the cutting operation is finished, the washer deformed by compression is Move the cutter wheel back to its normal position along its axis of rotation.

There are problems in providing the tight tolerances required in supporting the cutting knife of a can opener, as described in the above-referenced US patents, and the above patents
The aim is to provide one way to achieve this. However, the above-mentioned WO 90/0510
As explained in the specification No. 8, it is preferable to do the following. That is, the cutter wheel is rotatably supported on a shaft standing upright from one of the main body members, an annular flange having an outer diameter larger than that of the cutter wheel is provided on the shaft, and the cutter wheel stands up from one main body member. The arc-shaped support wall is formed so as to have the same center as the rotation axis of the cutter wheel, the annular flange is arranged to be bearing-supported by the arc-shaped support wall, and Positioned to assist in supporting the shaft and cutter wheel during the cutting operation,
Is said to be preferable.

The inventors also relate to such an arrangement,
It has been found that the axis of rotation of the cutter wheel can be accurately maintained even under high cutting loads. Typically,
The main body member is made of a synthetic resin material, and the axis line of the shaft, which is integrally formed with the one main body member or is a separate member, may be flexibly deformed under a load. This is because the resin material of the main body member has no ability to resist such flexural deformation. It is undesirable for this to happen. This is because the tight cutting tolerances required are lost. However, such flexural deformations are kept at a minimum level by adding a shaft-supporting arrangement. Thus, the arcuate support wall supports an annular flange on the shaft and helps prevent bending of the shaft under load. This is especially true if the annular flange is formed with a larger diameter than the cutting edge.

The inventors have found that it is important that there are tight tolerances in the positioning of the cutting knife with respect to the can to be opened. Therefore, one of the pair of main body members that are rotatably connected to each other and that have an integral handle that extends in a direction away from the rotation axis has a substantially flat surface in the sandwiching region between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel. And that the handle integral with the other body member is substantially flat and has a bottom surface that is flush with the substantially flat surface of the one body member. When the members and their integral handle are pivoted relative to each other to allow the can opener to be mounted on the rim of the can, these two surfaces ride on the top of the rim of the can,
And the axis of the cutter wheel is oriented so that it lies parallel to the axis of the can in a plane containing at least the two faces.

This means that the annular cutting edge of the cutter wheel is precisely oriented in the direction of the incision to be made and that the body member and its handle grip the drive wheel and the cutter wheel so as to clamp the rim. When the two are rotated relative to each other, there is the advantage of ensuring that the cuts in the rim by the initial cutting edges are precisely oriented in the desired direction of the cut to be made. As a result,
Improved cutting integrity for each can is achieved.

The body member supporting the cutter wheel is also preferably provided with a contact surface on the side opposite to the cutter wheel with respect to the drive wheel. The contact surface should be separated from the substantially flat surface of the one body member by a length substantially equal to the inner height of the rim portion. That is, they should be separated by a distance corresponding to the height of the rim with respect to the center of the top surface of the lid. This additional contact surface rides on the top surface of the lid and ensures that the axis of the cutter wheel is oriented parallel to the axis of the can. By virtue of such an additional contact surface, each body member is pivoted to its open position and when the can opener is mounted on the rim of the can to be opened, it will move relative to the can. You will come into contact at the points. This will allow the user to hold the cutter wheel in the correct position to cut the rim as each handle is closed.

As described in WO 90/05108, the drive wheel makes positive contact with the material of the rim and helps drive the can opener around the can. For providing a serrated cylindrical outer peripheral surface and chamfering the lower edge of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel, that is, the edge adjacent to the can lid in use. desirable.

By providing the chamfer, although the contact area between the drive wheel and the rim portion of the can is actually reduced by the chamfer, a more reliable driving effect can be obtained. Is finding. In particular, when the corners of the can are tightened, the rim is often distorted and not upright, which is why a drive wheel with a perfectly cylindrical outer peripheral surface is inevitable. However, with a can opener according to the above aspect of the invention, the area between the rim of the can and the drive wheel at the clamped radial corner is greater. The mutual contact made is achieved.

Furthermore, it has been found that it is desirable to maintain tolerances so that the depth of cut is very close to the desired amount. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cutter wheel from biting into the rim portion beyond the outer layer of the rim portion. Furthermore, the clamping force between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel should preferably be set so as not to distort and deform the rim of the can. The provision of the chamfer further has the advantage that the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel can be brought into closer contact with the inner surface of the rim without significantly deforming the rim.

The angle of the chamfer is preferably 45 ° with respect to the axis of the drive wheel, but for example
It can be in the range of 30 ° to 50 °. The chamfer also preferably extends radially inward from the lower edge of the drive wheel by at least an amount equal to the depth of serration.

It has also been found that the serrations on the outer periphery of the drive wheel are preferably relatively shallow. This is because if the serrations were too deep, the serrations would bite and damage the rim of the can, further locking the layers that make up the rim to one another to facilitate the cut lid to be removed. This is because the result is that it cannot be removed.
Therefore, the maximum radial depth of the serrations or teeth is preferably 1.5 mm or less, more preferably the radial depth is 1 mm or less. Generally speaking, these serrations are a relatively large number of convex shapes arranged closely spaced.

When the cutting operation is complete, the cut lid must be removed from the rest of the can. According to another aspect of the present invention, the can opener includes a tip portion elastically biased toward the fixed contact wall on one side thereof. The point can be inserted into the notch, and the body of the can opener can be used to pry the lid to lift one side of the lid. The pointed portion is provided on a rotatable member elastically attached to urge the pointed portion toward the contact wall, and between the pointed portion and the contact wall. There are arms that can be manually moved against the elastic forces so that they can be initially mounted on the rim of the can by opening the gap.

[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A can opener 10 shown in the drawings of the present application.
Is provided with a pair of handles 12 and 14, and the handles are formed integrally with the body portions 18 and 16, respectively. The main body portions 18 and 16 are rotatable with respect to each other around a bulging shaft 20 (see FIG. 5) integrally formed with the main body portion 16, and the bulging shaft 20 is connected to the main body portion 1.
It is fitted in the corresponding opening hole 22 in 8. A shaft 24 is passed through the bulging shaft 20.
4 has a drive wheel 26 at one end thereof. The drive wheel 26 has serrations or teeth 27 on its outer surface so that the can opener 10 can be opened when the drive wheel is rotated.
The inner surface of the rim portion 29 of the can can be grasped so as to drive around. A chamfer or beveled surface 26 is formed on the lower edge of the drive wheel 26, i.e., the edge adjacent the can lid in use.
The chamfer or bevel 26 has an angle of about 45 ° and has a slightly larger forming depth than the serrations or teeth 27.

On the other side of the drive wheel, a ratchet gear 31 is connected to the shaft 24, and the ratchet gear 31 is repeatedly actuated by the movement of a lever arm 33, as will be described later. Driven by.

The drive shaft 24 is rotatably supported in a steel sleeve 28 embedded in the bulging shaft 20. In the regions 28a and 28b which are adjacent to both ends of the sleeve 28 and are spaced apart, the shaft 2
The diameter of 4 is set so that the shaft fits properly in the sleeve. This provides good rotational support for the shaft.

However, in the central region 28c, the diameter of the shaft is reduced, and the shaft 24 and the sleeve 2 are
A gap 28d is formed between the gap 28 and the groove 8. The gap may have a radial distance of about 0.4 mm. Therefore, since there is no contact between the shaft and the sleeve in this central region, friction does not occur in the region during rotation of the shaft. Then, in order to lubricate the sliding surface in each of the end regions 28a and 28b, lubricating grease can be filled in the gap 28d. Further, in the end regions 28a and 28b, the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the shaft fit well,
Good rotational support is obtained. Preferably, the outer surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the shaft are made of H to reduce frictional force.
It is heat-cured so that the RC hardness becomes about 56.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the axis 34 of the shaft 24 is offset from the axis 36 of the bulging shaft 20. As a result, each body part 1
The drive wheel 26 moves away from the cutter wheel 46 when each handle 12,14 is opened to the position shown in FIG. This allows the drive wheel 26 to be mounted on the rim portion 29 of the can whose lid is to be opened. On the contrary, the above-mentioned handles 12, 1
When the four are brought close to each other and gripped by the user's hand as shown in FIG.
Moves closer to the cutter wheel 40, and the rim portion 29 of the can is clamped between the drive wheel and the cutter wheel.

It is a lever arm 33 that is rotatably mounted around the shaft 24 and is held by the head portion 24a of the shaft 24. In the position shown in FIG. 3, the lever arm 33 is flush with the arm 14 and extends substantially on the same line as the arm 14. In relation to this, the arm 14 is formed with a groove 14a (see FIG. 11) extending in the longitudinal direction, and the lever arm 3 is formed in this groove.
The 3 fits snugly. The arm 33 has spring means (not shown) whose both ends are engaged with the lever arm 33 and the body portion 16, respectively.
Is urged in a direction away from the arm 14. The lever arm 33, however, can be restricted in the position shown in FIG. 3 by means of a lock ring 34 pivotally connected to the end of the arm 14. The lock ring 34 is therefore the handle 14
And the arm 33 are held in such a position, at which time they will move together. When the lock ring 34 is disengaged from the arm 14, the arm 33 can elastically move towards the open position, which is more clearly shown in FIG.

As described above, the ratchet gear 31 is connected to the end of the shaft 24 by the key means 31a. The ratchet gear 31 engages with a ratchet pawl 32 that is elastically mounted in a recess 33 a provided in the arm 33. This ratchet claw
End portion 3 that engages with teeth 31b on the outer circumference of the ratchet gear
2a, and a spring 35 urges the ratchet pawl 32 such that its end 32a always engages with the tooth 31b. Therefore, the arm 33 is moved away from the arm 14 by removing the lock ring 34, and the arm reciprocates between the open position shown in FIG. 11 and the closed position shown in FIG. When moved, the ratchet pawl 32 engages the teeth, thereby driving the shaft 24. Therefore,
When the lever arm moves from its open position, the drive wheel 26 is rotated, and when the arm moves toward the open position, the ratchet slides over the teeth of the ratchet gear and the drive wheel 26 moves. Will not be rotated.

The degree to which the arm can be moved in the opening direction to drive the drive wheel 26 can be appropriately selected by the user. For example, a user may grasp this can opener with only one hand and then in FIG.
A small amount of movement indicated by can be applied to the lever. Alternatively, using the can opener with both hands, one hand holds the handles 14 and 16 while the other hand holds the lever arm 33 at, for example, 180 ° as shown by arrow 37 in FIG. You can also move the maximum range of motion.

The body portion 18 has an upright shaft 44 (see FIG. 8).
(See) is integrally formed, and the upright shaft 44 has
The cutter wheel 40 is rotatably attached. The cutter wheel 40 has an annular cutting edge 46 and an integral annular flange 48. The outer diameter of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 49 of this annular flange is slightly larger than the cutting edge 46 so that the cylindrical surface 49 can abut against the upright side wall 50 of the can 30. The flange also has a slightly beveled cam edge 51 on the upper surface designed to engage the lower edge of the rim portion 29 of the can. The cam edge 51 makes an angle of about 80 ° with respect to the axis of rotation of the cutter wheel. In addition, this angle is 7
It can be set in the range of 5 ° to 85 °. However, it is important for this edge 51 to enter under the rim portion 29, which is usually 1 to 1.5 mm larger in diameter than the side wall 50, and to cause the cutter wheel 40 to move as described below. The cutter wheel 40 is properly retained on the shaft 44 by an end cap 52 that is riveted or screwed to the shaft 44. However, an elastic washer 54 made of an elastic material is interposed between the end cap 52 and the wheel 40, and a thin metal washer 55 is provided between the washer 54 and the wheel 40. Intervened.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, these figures show the structure of the can 30 rim portion 29 in detail.
The top of the side wall 50 of the can is folded into a "U" shape, while the edge of the lid 62 is folded upwards along the inner surface of the side wall and beyond the top of the folded side wall, In the region 63, the outside of the bent portion is extended downward, and the end portion is inserted upward into the inside of the bent side wall. As a result, the edge of the lid is fixedly held by the bent top of the side wall. It is the bent portion of the lid 62 in the area 63 that is cut by the cutting edge 46.

Cutter wheel 40 and drive wheel 2
The surface 64 on the main body portion 18 located between the wheel 6 and 6 is flat, and is orthogonal to the rotation axis of each wheel. Additionally, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lower surface 65 of the handle 14 is in the same plane as the surface 64. Therefore, the rim portion 29 of each main body portion and each handle is the drive wheel 2
6 is opened so that it can be inserted between the cutter wheel 40 and the cutter wheel 40, the surface 64 is the rim portion 29.
You can get on the top of. This surface 64 is the main body 1
Since it is flat over the entire width of 6, the direction of the axis 45 can be made to coincide with the direction of the axis of the can by placing this surface on the rim portion. In addition, by opening each handle 12, 14 as shown in FIG. 10 or further, the surface 65 can additionally ride on the rim portion 29 (schematically indicated by phantom line 29 in FIG. 10). ), And help ensure that each axis is aligned as described above.

A protrusion 76 having a flat contact surface 78 at the lower end is integrally formed on the outer end of the main body portion in the downward direction. The protrusion 76 extends downwardly by a length substantially equal to the height of the rim portion 28 from the upper surface of the lid 62. Thus, when the can opener is mounted on the rim portion 29 of the can whose lid is to be opened, by placing the contact surface 76 on the lid 62, the rotation axis 45 of the cutter wheel 40 can be more accurately adjusted. It can be parallel to the axis.

When the lid 62 is removed, first, the handles 12 and 14 are rotated to the positions shown in FIG. 10 by rotating them in the direction of arrow 70 (FIG. 2). The lever arm 33 is restricted by the lock ring 34 so as to move together with the arm 14. As a result, the gap between the drive wheel 26 and the catwheel 40 is enlarged as described above. In addition, in this can opener, the rim portion has the wheels 2
It can be mounted on the top of the can 30 such that it lies between 6, 40. Then, the respective handles are brought close to each other as shown in FIG. As a result, the rim portion 29 is sandwiched between the wheels 26 and 40, and the teeth or serrations 27 on the outer periphery of the drive wheel are tightly engaged with the inner surface of the rim portion 29. At the same time, the cutting edge 46 is forced into the material of the lid in the region 63.

As described above, the surfaces 64 and 65 are
It ensures that the cutting edge 46 is oriented exactly in the circumferential direction of the rim 29 where an annular cut is to be made.
Further, the contact of the contact surface 78 with the upper surface of the lid 62 is
It ensures that the cutting edge 46 fits exactly into the lid material in a direction orthogonal to the upright side wall 60 of the can.

The drive wheel 26 is then rotated to orbit the can opener around the can and to complete the annular cut in the lid material in region 63. This can be accomplished by removing the lock ring 34 from the lever arm 33 and allowing the arm to open as shown in FIG. The arm is then repeatedly moved from the open position shown in FIG. 11 to the closed position shown in FIG. As described above, when the arm moves toward its closed position, the drive wheel 26 rotates, while when the arm elastically springs back outwards, the drive wheel 26 rotates in the opposite direction. Is not given.

In addition, from FIG. 5, when the handles are fully closed, the edge 51 of the flange 48 engages the underside of the lower edge of the rim portion 29, and the cylindrical outer surface 49 of the flange 48. It will be appreciated that the contacts the outer surface of the side wall 50 of the can. The vertical width d of the rim portion 29 varies greatly depending on the can, and may even vary depending on the circumferential position of the independent can. Although this leads to irregular cutting, in order to avoid such a thing, it is configured as follows. That is, if the vertical width d is larger than the minimum value shown in FIG. 7, that is, FIG.
In this state, since the cam surface 51 is still engaged under the lower edge of the rim portion 29, this engagement relationship pushes the cutter wheel 40 downward, and at this time, the washer 5 is pressed.
4 is compressed and deformed. The cutting edge 46
The distance a between the lower edge of the rim portion 29 and the rim portion 29 is maintained constant, and of course, is fixed by the positional relationship between the flange 48 and the cutting edge 46.

Once the entire circumference has been cut, the lever arm 33 is returned to the closed position shown in FIG. 3, and the lock ring 34 holds this state. Then, the handles 12 and 14 are opened to each other and the can is opened.
At the same time, when the cutter wheel 40 has been moved to the state shown in FIG. 8, the elastic washer 54 returns the cutter wheel 40 to the original state.

An upright arcuate wall 66 is integrally formed with the body portion 18. The center of this arc is
An extension of a line that is aligned with the axis of the shaft 44 and connects the axes of the cutter wheel 40 and the drive wheel 26 when the can opener takes the position shown in FIG. 2 (see FIG. 2). It is formed with a central angle of about 180 ° so as to be distributed to both sides of the reference A). The central angle of the arcuate wall 66 can be made larger or smaller in the range of about 45 ° to about 220 ° so as to be distributed to both sides of the line A. In fact, if the central angle of the arcuate wall is larger than 180 °, it becomes difficult to assemble the can opener. Therefore, it can be said that 180 ° is a preferable center angle. As a result, the arcuate wall not only supports the shaft to prevent bending in the direction connecting the axes of the cutter wheel and the drive wheel,
It supports the shaft to prevent lateral bending when the can opener is in the process of cutting.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the diameter of the inner surface of this arcuate wall is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 49 of the flange 48. The cylindrical outer peripheral surface 49 thus contacts the inner surface 48, and this allows the wall to bear the shaft 40 during the cutting action. Then, the strain of the shaft is substantially prevented, and the displacement of the cutting edge 46 with respect to the rim portion 48 that should be caused by the strain is prevented. The same applies to the case where the body portion 18 and the shaft 44 integral therewith are made by molding a synthetic resin material.

Even if the can opener 10 is removed, the lid 62
It may still remain on the can. This lid can be removed by the leverage principle using a mechanism 80 provided on one side of the can opener 18.

As best shown in FIG. 13, the mechanism 80 includes a fixed contact wall 82 and an elastically incorporated holding member 84. The contact wall 82 is
It is fixed to the body portion 18 and has an upright wall 86. The holding members 84 are attached to each other so as to be rotatable around a small upright bulge shaft 90 in a recess 92 formed in the main body portion 16. This member also includes a lever arm 94 and a forwardly projecting tip 96.
Has. A spring 98 biases this member 84 so that the point 96 is directed toward the wall 86.

The mechanism 80 is mounted on the rim of the can as shown in FIG. 12, and the arm 94 is attached to the tip 96.
It pushes so that the gap between the wall and the wall 86 may be opened. This state is the state shown by the solid line in FIG. The upper end of the rim of the can can thus fit between the point 96 and the wall 86. Next, the arm 94 is opened. Then, the spring 98 causes the tip 96 to move to the wall 86.
Elastically towards, so that the tip is in the region 6
At 4, the cut is made in the notch formed in the material of the lid 62. This state is the state shown by the broken line in FIG. The elastic force of the spring 98 elastically presses the tip and the wall against each other and ensures that the tip enters and is retained in the notch.

Next, both handles 12 of this can opener,
14 is lifted upwards in a lever-like manner, and the point 96 engaging the lower part of the notch forces the cut portion of the lid away from the rest of the can and opens the can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a can opener.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the can opener.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a can opener.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the can opener viewed from the opposite side to FIG. 1.

5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the first stage in use of the can opener.

7 is an enlarged detailed view of a region surrounded by a circle indicated by reference numeral 7 in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detailed view similar to FIG. 7, showing a can different from the case of FIG. 7;

9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the can opener in its open state.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the can opener showing the lever arm in an open state.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second step in the can lid removing operation.

13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Can Opener 12 Handle 14 Handle 16 Main Body Part 18 Main Body Part 26 Drive Wheel 29 Rim Part 30 Can 33 Lever Means 40 Cutter Wheel 62 Lid

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 7, 1992

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

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[Fig. 2]

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[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

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[Figure 9]

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FIG. 11

[Fig. 13]

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A can opener for opening a can having a lid connected to a main body by a rim portion by cutting an outer portion of a rim portion connecting the lid to the main body of the can. A rotatably supported cutter wheel for engaging and cutting the outer portion of the rim, and a rotatable drive wheel for engaging the inner portion of the rim. The rotation of the drive wheel causes the can opener to orbit the rim of the can and the cutter wheel to cut the entire rim of the outer portion of the rim. Means for pinching between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel, and a lever for driving a one-way clutch mechanism for rotating the drive wheel to advance the can opener around the can. Characterized in that it comprises a stage, a can opener. 2. The clamping means includes a pair of body members pivotable relative to each other, each body member comprising an arm extending in a direction away from the pivot center. Can opener. 3. The third lever means is rotatable about a rotation axis of the drive wheel and movable between a closed position and an open position via a one-way clutch mechanism. The one-way clutch mechanism includes an arm or a lever, and when the third arm moves toward the open position, the one-way clutch mechanism does not rotate to rotate the drive wheel, and the third arm does not rotate the drive member. Can opener according to claim 1 or 2, adapted to rotate the drive wheel when moving towards a closed position proximate one of the arms. 4. The can opener of claim 3, wherein the lever arm is resiliently biased toward an open position by spring means so that it assumes a ready position for rotating the drive wheel. 5. A can opener according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising locking means for locking the lever arm in a closed position proximate one of the arms of the body member. 6. The one-way clutch mechanism comprises a ratchet pawl that is driven by the lever means and is resiliently incorporated to engage ratchet teeth integrally formed or attached to the shaft of the drive wheel. The ratchet pawl is adapted to engage and lock the ratchet tooth in one direction of rotation and to rotate freely while sliding on the ratchet tooth in the opposite direction of rotation. The can opener according to claim 1. 7. The drive wheel is supported by a metal shaft rotatably supported in a metal sleeve supported by the body of the can opener, and the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the sleeve are separated from each other. Fitted at both ends of the sleeve to provide rotational support for the shaft, between the mating portions between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the sleeve. The can opener according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a gap is formed to avoid contact. 8. The can opener of claim 7, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the shaft are hardened steel. 9. The inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the shaft are
The can opener according to claim 8, which has been heat-set so that the Rockwell hardness thereof is within a range of 45 to 56. 10. The sleeve has a constant inner diameter, while the shaft has a region of reduced diameter to provide the gap between two regions intended for contact with the sleeve. Can opener of any of 9. 11. The cutter wheel is provided with elastic means for allowing the cutter wheel to elastically move in the axial direction along the rotation axis thereof, and is separated from the cutter wheel by a predetermined amount in the axial direction. Connected cam means are provided, the cam means being arranged to engage a lower edge of the rim portion, the engagement of the cam means and the cutter wheel by the lower edge of the rim portion
11. The cutter wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cutter wheel is moved against the elastic means so as to cut a portion above a lower edge of the rim portion by a predetermined distance. Can opener. 12. The cam means comprises an annular flange having an upper surface, the upper surface being slightly inclined with respect to a radial plane with respect to the axis of the flange and adapted to engage under the rim portion. The sloping upper surface is disposed when the rim portion is sandwiched between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel and the cutting edge of the cutter wheel forcibly cuts the outer portion of the rim portion. 12. The can of claim 11, wherein said flange is adapted to be forced under said rim to move said annular flange and said cutter wheel associated therewith against said resilient means. Opener 13. The annular flange and the cutter wheel are formed of a single metal member.
2 can opener. 14. The can opener according to claim 12, wherein the annular flange and the cutter wheel are separately formed, and are connected so as to rotate together and move together along an axis of rotation. .. 15. A can opener according to claim 12, wherein the annular flange and the cutter wheel are mounted in connection with respect to a common axis about which they rotate. 16. The can opener according to claim 11, wherein the elastic means includes an elastic rubber washer interposed between the cam means and the fixed support. 17. The cutter wheel is rotatably supported on a shaft standing upright from the gripping means, and an annular flange having an outer diameter larger than that of the cutter wheel is provided on the shaft. An arcuate support wall standing upright from the holding means is formed, and the center of the arc of this support wall is aligned with the rotation axis of the cutter wheel.
The annular flange is arranged to be embraced by the support wall to assist in supporting the shaft and cutter wheel during cutting of the can rim.
Can opener of any of 6. 18. The can opener according to claim 1, wherein the gripping means is made of a synthetic resin material. 19. The can opener according to claim 17, wherein an axis of the shaft is made of synthetic resin and is integrally formed with the grip means. 20. The can opener according to claim 17, wherein the axis of the shaft is separate from the grip means. 21. The can opener of any of claims 17-20, wherein the annular flange is mounted outside the cutting edge. 22. The gripping means comprises a pair of body members that are rotatable with respect to each other, each having an integral handle extending in a direction substantially away from the center of rotation. One of the members has a substantially flat surface in the nipping region between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel and the integral handle of the other body member is substantially flat and the A bottom surface that is coplanar with a substantially flat surface such that when the body members and their integral handles are pivoted so that the can opener can be mounted on the rim of the can, Two surfaces ride on the top of the rim of the can to orient the axis of the cutter wheel parallel to the axis of the can in a plane containing at least the surfaces. A can opener according to any one of claims 1 to 21. 23. The can opener of claim 22, wherein the one body member supporting the cutter wheel has an additional contact surface on the opposite side of the drive wheel from the cutter wheel. 24. The contact surface is spaced downwardly from the substantially flat surface of the one body member by a distance substantially corresponding to the height of the rim from the central top surface region of the lid. The can opener of claim 23. 25. The drive wheel has an outer peripheral cylindrical surface with serrations formed around the can, the serration being in close engagement with the material of the rim to assist in driving the can opener. 25. A can opener according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein a chamfer is formed on the lower edge of the outer cylindrical surface adjacent the can lid in use. 26. The can opener of claim 25, wherein the chamfer angle is in the range of 30 to 60 ° with respect to the axis of the drive wheel. 27. The can opener of claim 25 or 26, wherein the chamfer extends radially inward at a lower edge of the drive wheel by at least a depth corresponding to the depth of the serration. 28. The can opener of claim 27, wherein the maximum radial depth of the serrations is less than or equal to 1.5 mm. 29. A can opener having a pointed portion on one side thereof which is elastically biased toward a fixed contact member, the pointed portion being capable of entering a notch and When the main body of this can opener is used to pry open the lid according to the principle of leverage, the can opener is configured so that one side of the lid can be lifted from the can. 30. The pointed portion is provided on a rotatable member that is elastically attached such that the pointed portion is biased toward the abutting member, and the pointed portion is in contact with the contacting member. An arm that can be manually moved against the elastic force is provided to open the gap between the contact members so that they can be mounted on the rim of the can in the initial stage.
30. The can opener of claim 29.