KR20080004162U - Mechanism for Can Opener - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for use in can openers, comprising: a body; A drive wheel mounted to the body to be rotatable about a first axis and coupled to an outer ring of the can; A cutter wheel mounted to the body to be rotatable about a second axis, the cutter wheel being driven to rotate by the drive wheel; A cutting knife which is eccentrically mounted to the cutter wheel and moves to a cutting position according to the rotation of the cutter wheel, wherein a collecting portion is formed in a related structure together with the driving wheel so that when the opener rotates relatively along the can, An electronic sensor that includes a cutting knife that cuts through the wall and can be used to reverse the position of the cutting wheel to return to the starting position, and can be used with the locking bar prior to the cutting wheel returning to the starting position. It provides a can opener mechanism provided with a mechanical sensor.

Can opener

Description

Can opener mechanism {Mechanism for Can Opener}

The present invention is directed to a mechanism for use in a can opener with manual or automatic drive means.

Metal cans are a well known form for the packaging of storage products and generally have a cylindrical outer wall which is closed at both ends by a circular lid. The lid is fixed in place with an upright outer ring around its end, which is bent in an inverted U-shape to be fixed to the end of the cylinder.

Two basic types of can openers are common. The first form is generally to form a circular incision around the lid near its border into the upright outer ring. The second form is to form an incision using a circular cutter knife along the cylinder wall of the can. The incision is generally formed near the end of the cylinder portion of the can, but just below the lid, so that when a circular cut is made completely, a small portion of the lid and the cylinder end of the can and the outer ring can be removed. One advantage of this second type of can opener is that the cutter knife is designed to enable a clean cutting operation, as opposed to the normal tearing operation of the first type of can opener.

British patent application GB 2 118 134 A1 discloses a second type of can opener, the can opener comprising: a pair of handles hinged to each other to be operable between an open position and a closed cutting position for mounting to the can; A manually driven drive wheel that engages the outer ring of the can and advances the opener around the can upon rotation; And a circular cutting wheel that is in the cutting position with respect to the drive wheel as the handle is in the closed position. The circular cutting wheel is mounted so that its axis is rotated on one handle and spaced apart from the hinge axis. The other handle has an upright cylinder plug extending into the corresponding hole of one handle through which the handles hinge each other. The axis of rotation of the drive wheel is spaced apart from the axis of the stopper so that the support of the drive wheel is rotated through the stopper.

The general type of can opener described in GB 2 118 134 A1 has been widely sold over the years under the name Lift Off. Several refinements of such can openers are described in the post-applications including Canadian application CA 1 200 086 A1 and European application EP 0 193 728 A1, EP 0 202 790 A1 and EP 0 574 214 A1.

One problem with GB 2 118 134 A1 and later variants of can openers is that two separate operations are required to achieve the cutting function. The first is that the two handles should generally be joined by manual tightening operation. Next, rotational drive must be applied to the drive wheels. The Applicant has determined that these two separate operations make it difficult to fully automate this type of can opener. In fact, the GB 2 118 134 A1 is only intended for manual operation.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention aims to provide a can opener mechanism which operates only by providing a rotational driving force, preferably by providing only a single drive wheel. This rotational driving force can be provided by manual or automatic (ie powered) drive means.

According to one feature of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for use in a can opener, each end comprising a cylindrical wall closed by a circular lid, the lid being formed around the lid to clamp at each end of the cylindrical wall. It is fixed to the cylindrical wall by an upright outer ring.

The apparatus,

Body;

A drive wheel mounted to the body to rotate about a first axis and for engaging the outer ring of the can;

A cutter wheel mounted to the body to rotate about a second axis and driven and rotated by the drive wheel;

A cutting knife which is eccentrically mounted to the cutter wheel and moves to a cutting position according to the rotation of the cutter wheel, wherein a collecting portion is formed in a related structure together with the driving wheel so that when the opener rotates relatively along the can, A cutting knife for cutting through the wall, the cutting position being determined by a cutting interval corresponding to the rotational section of the cutter wheel, and forming the collecting portion in proximity to the drive wheel; And

Intermittent drive provides intermittent drive force between the drive wheel and the cutter wheel when the cutting knife is in the cutting position and maintains the gripping portion during the cutting interval such that a complete circular incision is made around the wall of the can. Way

It includes.

In the present invention there is provided a mechanism provided for the use of the can opener. The cans are of standard form and generally comprise a cylinder wall closed at both ends with a circular lid, which lid is secured to the cylinder wall by an upstanding outer ring about its end.

The device of the present invention includes a body, the main function of which is to provide a base or surface for mounting the drive wheel and the cutter wheel. The body is thus of a relatively simple planar shape, on the one hand, which can be reinforced with features for storing the can and / or for user convenience.

The body is equipped with a drive wheel coupled with the outer ring of the can to rotate about a first axis of rotation of the body.

The body is provided with a cutter wheel mounted to rotate about a second axis of rotation that is distinct from the first axis of rotation. The cutter wheel is mounted to be rotationally driven by the drive wheel. In general, the gears of the driving wheel and the cutter wheel are directly engaged with each other, but it is also possible to change the indirect driving method.

The cutting knife is mounted eccentrically on the cutter wheel. "Eccentrically mounted" means that the cutting knife is mounted in a manner that is eccentric (ie "spaced") with respect to the second axis of the cutter wheel. Generally, the cutting knife is circular in cross section, so eccentric mounting means that the center point of the circular cutting knife is rotated about the axis as the cutter wheel rotates so that the ends of the circular cutting knife are spaced apart.

In particular, the cutter wheel is rotated to the cutting position, where the cutter knife is moved to the position forming the drive wheel and the collecting portion, the cutting knife penetrates through the cylinder wall of the can and the opener rotates around to cut.

The cutting position is defined as the cutting interval corresponding to the rotating portion of the cutter wheel, and is close enough to the drive wheels so that the cutting knife forms the collecting portion. That is, the cleavage to be cut is in place during the rotational portion of the cutter wheel, which is determined between the rotation points of the cutting wheel, wherein the cutting knife is close enough to the drive wheel to form the cutting force at the rotation point of the cutting wheel, where the cutting knife Is sufficiently spaced apart from the drive wheels to allow the cutting catches to be released.

In order to fully open the can, the cutting operation of the cutting knife on the cylindrical wall of the can must be held in place for a cutting interval corresponding to more than the rotating portion of the can. Indeed, full opening requires a cutting gap that corresponds at least to the entire trajectory of the can (ie 360 degree rotation).

An intermittent drive means is provided on the cutter wheel to apply an intermittent drive between the drive wheel and the cutter wheel when the cutting knife is in the cutting position, allowing the catch to be in place for a sufficient cutting interval, around the cylinder wall of the can. Provide complete rotary cutting as needed.

In practice, the function of the intermittent drive means is to extend the cutting interval to be sufficient for the required one-turn cutting. The intermittent drive means performs this function by providing only intermittent (eg stepwise) drive between the drive wheel and the cutter wheel when the cutting knife is in the cutting position. If a one-turn cut is made on the wall of the can, the cutter wheel is rotated further beyond the cut position and normal (ie non-intermittent) drive is restored between the cutter wheel and the drive wheel. It is appropriate that the intermittent drive means comprise a Geneva mechanism or similar mechanism.

Preferably the cutter wheel is arranged such that the general drive relationship between the drive wheel and the cutter wheel is released at the cutting position. This can be done, for example, by removing the gear teeth at the portion of the cutter wheel that corresponds to the cutting interval (i.e., corresponding to the rotating portion of the cutter wheel where the cutting knife is close enough to the drive wheel to form the cutting gutter).

The required intermittent drive means (which provide an intermittent drive between the drive wheel and the main drive gear of the cutter wheel) are equipped with drive pegs (pegs, gears or equivalent arrangements) on the drive wheels, which are mounted on the cutter wheel. Intermittent drive with drive element Preferably the intermittently driveable element comprises a curved rack of the drive gear teeth (for example a part of the full circumference of the intermittent drive gear teeth) which is suitably positioned on the cutter wheel. Clearly, the drive pegs should not work with the main drive gear of the cutter wheel, and the drive pegs and the intermittent drive gears are arranged to rotate in a plane of rotation spaced apart from the plane of rotation of the drive wheel and the cutter wheel. Preferably, however, the drive peg and the intermittent drive gear share the axis of rotation of the drive wheel and the cutter wheel, respectively.

Preferably the intermittent drive means further comprises control means for preventing intermittent rotation (reverse, forward or preferably bidirectional) of the cutter wheel other than by engagement of the drive pegs and the intermittent drive gear. The control means may further function to align the drive pegs with the intermittent drive gear teeth for a smooth drive action.

Preferably, the control means is arranged to move so that the control gear provided on the cutter wheel is coupled / disengaged with a curved rack (for example, a part of a full circle of the control gear), and the control pegs (or Gear teeth or similar members). Engagement / disengagement of the control pegs with the curved rack can be effected, for example, by means of a suitable engagement / disengagement member (one or more cams, or other control surfaces), just prior to engagement of the drive pegs with the intermittent drive elements. The control peg is provided to be separated from the curved rack and then coupled to the curved rack.

One or more cams are used for engagement / disengagement, which may be on the same or separate axis of rotation of the drive wheel. The cutter wheel is therefore never free to move, for example to avoid cutting the can or asynchronous operation with the drive wheel.

In another embodiment, the control means comprise a control surface (for example an upright incision circular wall) mounted to the drive wheel, which comprises one or more (eg a pair of spaced apart) control pegs mounted to the cutter wheel. It is installed to be combined with / separated from. By engagement / disengagement operation of one or more control pegs with a control surface, for example, the control surface is separated from one or more control pegs just prior to the engagement of the drive pegs with the intermittent drive elements, and the one or more control pegs And then combine. Thus the cutter wheel also cannot have free motion, which for example avoids cutting the can or making aperiodic operation with the drive wheel. This type of control mechanism is known as 'rotating wall Geneva'. The advantage of this approach is its simplicity.

In another aspect, the control means includes a spacer member mounted to the drive wheel, which allows the cutter wheel to be intermittently spaced apart to allow the drive peg to be spaced apart from the intermittent drive gear (thus driving other than the required intermittent drive position). To prevent). Thus, the separation operation between the drive peg and the intermittent drive gear is maintained until just before the drive peg and the intermittent drive member are engaged, and the separation is subsequently maintained. The spacing is generally maintained along the axis of rotation of the drive wheel and cutter wheel.

In one aspect, the spacer comprises an upstanding curved wall (for example a cut circular wall) mounted to the drive wheel and acts with the base of the cutter wheel to provide the required intermittent drive position (for example a recess in the circular wall). Other than corresponding), the cutter wheel is arranged to push (ie to space away) from the drive wheel (eg upwards).

The mechanism according to the present invention requires the movement of the cutter wheel to the cutting position, where the cutter knife forms the drive wheel and the collecting portion. The collecting portion should be as efficient as possible.

Preferably a spacer washer is installed on the cutter wheel and shares the same second axis of rotation. The spacer washer is provided with a connector for connecting with the cutter wheel, it can rotate together in the cutting operation. Spacer washers generally consist of an elastic material such as, for example, rubber or a suitable synthetic polymer. This elastic material is used to obtain a wider grip. This can also maximize the angle of the cut site.

Preferably, the connector of the spacer washer has an upright non-circular (eg square) plug which is inserted into a corresponding non-circular (eg square) hole provided in the cutter wheel.

According to another feature of the present invention, a can opener comprising a drive means for driving a mechanism and a drive wheel as described above is presented. The can opener generally includes a housing for storing the can and / or increasing user usability. Thus, for example, the grip mechanism can be installed for the convenience of manual operation.

On the other hand, the drive means may be applied to manual drive and may comprise suitable means for manually providing a rotary drive to the drive wheel. The drive means may also be adapted for automatic (ie power driven) drive and may include suitable means for automatically providing rotational drive to the drive wheel.

Appropriate manual or automatic drive means can provide direct drive force, or drive force through suitable gears (eg gearboxes) or other parts (eg levers, cams or pulleys) that can provide mechanical advantages. I can deliver it.

Suitable automatic drive means can be driven by a suitable motor or engine, but are generally driven by an electric motor, which can be driven by a mains or battery.

The initial actuation of the drive means preferably rotates the cutter wheel to the cutting position, the cutting knife penetrates through the cylinder wall of the can, and by the further actuation of the drive means, the drive wheel is rotated so that the opener moves around the can. To form a cut.

Preferably, the cutter wheel is rotated by another actuation of the drive means to be spaced apart in the cutting position after completion of the cutting.

As another feature of the present invention, the use of a can opener for removing the lid of a can is proposed.

An additional feature of the present invention is that the can opener can be rotated slightly to reverse the can opener from the can by employing an eccentric reversing mechanism. Reverse rotation can occur by manual or multiple sensor inputs. Sensor inputs may include a reduction in can position, cutter resistance or drive current, and the like. Such a mechanism may be employed where it is desirable to replace the feed forward mechanism programmed to provide cutting for a given length of can outer diameter.

As an additional feature of the present invention, the locking eccentric mechanism provides a mechanical set and reset based on the use of a physical sensor that detects the presence of a can that is not completely cut. The locking bar moves to a fixed socket that locks the cutter wheel to keep the blade in place during cutting. When the can lid is fully cut, the sensor can be replaced by pushing the can against other mechanical components by pushing. This pushing action causes the locking bar to change to the cutter non-locked position, which unlocks the locking bar from the fixed socket to free the cutter wheel, as well as the other end of the locking bar with the cutter wheel. The position is moved to a position where it will be pushed to restart the engagement of the gear, which is where the opposite gear of the drive wheel recombines and rotates another 1/2 turn so that the cutter wheel is now separated from the cut can lid. By moving it.

At the point where the 1/2 turn has been turned so that the cutter wheel is now separated from the cut can lid, the cutter wheel is in the starting position. The starting position can be maintained by simply stopping the rotation of the drive gear or by electronically sensing the progress of the drive gear, in which the motor is stopped in standby for reactivation. Upstands can be used to define the start when reverse rotation to the start point is desired.

According to the can opener mechanism of the present invention described above, a complete circular incision can be made around the cylinder wall of the can by allowing the collecting portion to be in place for a sufficient cutting time. In addition, the operation of the can opener is easy because the operation is not performed in two operations as in the conventional can opener, but in a manner of providing rotational drive to a single drive wheel.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 4 show a first can opener mechanism according to the present invention in a start (can separated) position. The mechanism comprises a drive wheel 10 mounted to a drive spindle 12 arranged to rotate about a drive shaft 14 and geared. In addition, the drive spindle 12 is equipped with a drive gear 16, the drive gear 16 is a cutter drive provided in the cutter wheel 20 to drive rotation in the cutter spindle 21 around the cutter wheel axis 24 It is meshed with the external gear tooth 23 of the gear 22. As shown in FIG. 2, a few outer gear teeth 23 are omitted on the left side of the cutter drive gear 22 and the curved rack gears 26 which are upright with the inner gear teeth 25 are replaced by two. The function of will be described later.

The cutter wheel 20 is additionally provided with a circular cutting knife 28, the circular cutting knife 28 is mounted eccentrically to the cutter wheel 20, as the cutter wheel 20 rotates about its axis 24 The cutting knife 28 comes closer to the drive wheel 10 to form a catch therebetween. The formation of this catch is a cutting position such that the cutting knife 28 penetrates through the cylindrical wall 2 of the can 1 (see FIG. 4) as the opener rotates around the can in use. Corresponds to. As will be described later, the cutting position is defined as the cutting interval corresponding to the rotating section of the cutter wheel 20, where the cutting knife 28 is sufficiently close to the drive wheel 10 to form a collecting portion.

1 and 4, spacer washers 30 and connectors 31 are mounted to the cutter wheel 20, which share the axis of rotation 24 of the cutter wheel 20. The connector 31 includes an upright non-circular stopper, which stops corresponding to the non-circular hole formed in the cutter wheel 28 and is covered with the end washer 32. The function of the spacer washer 30 is primarily to provide a cavity 34 for the receipt of the protruding lid 4 of the can. Applicants have found that the holding of the can is improved when the spacer washer 30 is made of an elastic material (eg rubber or synthetic fiber).

The cutter wheel 20 further has intermittent drive means to provide an intermittent drive force between the drive wheel 10 and the cutter wheel 20 when the cutting knife 28 is in the cutting position, which can 1 Ensure that the catches are properly maintained for sufficient cutting spacing so that a complete circular cut is made around the cylindrical wall of.

The intermittency of the drive is substantially provided by the gap ('abbreviated gear tooth') in the outer gear 23 of the cutter drive gear 22, which is the drive gear 16 of the drive wheel 10. Stop engagement with The drive pegs 18 then interact with the upright curved rack gears 26 so that for each revolution of the drive wheel 10 the cutter wheel 20 is kicked on by the individual gears of the curved rack 26. Receives. Ultimately, when the cutter wheel 20 is sufficiently recoiled so that the drive gear 16 meshes again with the external gear teeth 23 of the cutter drive gear 22, the drive wheel 10 and the cutter wheel 20 may be separated. Normal drive relationship is resumed. The intermittent driving can be understood as a kind of Geneva mechanism. For efficient operation of the opener, the period of intermittent drive must substantially correspond to the cutting spacing required for complete circular cutting around the cylindrical wall 2 of the can 1.

As an improved configuration for the basic intermittent drive means, there is further provided a control function for controlling (ie fixing) the cutter wheel 20 during the cutting interval. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, a control bar 40 mounted to the drive spindle 12 and the cutter spindle 21 (and laterally movable relative to each) is installed in the control peg 42, the control pegs 42. 42 intermittently engages with the internal gear teeth 25 of the cutter wheel 20 during the cutting interval. More specifically, the control peg 42 is arranged to engage / disengage the internal gear 25 of the cutter wheel 20. Engagement / disengagement operation with the inner gear 25 of the control peg 42 is achieved by the interaction of the two cams 43, 44. The cam 44 separates the control peg 42 from the inner face 41 of the control bar 40, and the cam 43 engages the control peg 42 by the action of the wall 45. The cam 43 may be replaced with a spring in an embodiment. The arrangement is arranged such that the control peg 42 is separated from the internal gear blade 25 just before the drive peg 18 engages with the upstanding curved rack gear 26 of the intermittent drive means. Thus, the cutter wheel 20 does not perform any free operation, for example otherwise it may not cut the can 1 or may be asynchronously engaged with the drive wheel 10.

The function of the intermittent drive means and the associated control means can be better understood with reference to FIGS. 5A-5G, 6A-6G and 7A-7G, which well illustrate the successive stages of the can opening operation. do. For simplicity, numbers are assigned to the operating parts concerned in each figure.

5a, 6a, 7a show the can 1 opening mechanism in the starting position of FIGS. 1 to 4, wherein the circular cutting knife 28 of the cutter wheel 20 is sufficiently spaced apart from the drive wheel 10. In the related structure, no collecting part is formed therebetween. The external gear teeth 23 of the cutter wheel 20 are engaged with the drive wheel 10 to enable normal drive rotation of the cutter 20 by the drive wheel.

In FIGS. 5B, 6B and 7B, the drive wheel 10 is rotated to drive the cutter wheel 20 to rotate, and the cutting knife 28 is brought close to the drive wheel 10 to form a collecting portion in an associated structure. In the meantime, the wall 2 of the can 1 is gripped and accommodated therein. This position therefore corresponds immediately before the beginning of the cutting interval.

In FIGS. 5C, 6C and 7C, the drive wheel 10 is further rotated past the last tooth 27 of the external gear 23, and the external gear 23 of the drive wheel 10 and the cutter wheel 20. The normal driving action between) ends. This corresponds to the start of the cutting interval and the intermittent drive mechanism is now activated. As shown in FIG. 6C, the drive pegs 18 are engaged with the first gear 29 of the upright curved rack gear 26. In addition, a control peg 42 on the control bar 40 cooperates with the internal gear 25 of the cutter wheel 20 to control (eg lock) unnecessary operation.

5D, 6D and 7D, the rotation of the cutter wheel 20 does not occur even if the drive wheel 10 is rotated further, which means that the drive pegs 18 are no longer with the upright curved rack gear 26. It is not in a coupled state. In addition, the locking operation between the control peg 42 and the internal gear 25 of the cutter wheel 20 prevents other unnecessary operations.

5E, 6E, 7E, the drive wheel 10 is rotated, and again the drive pegs 18 are driven to engage with the upright curved rack gear 26, further rotation of the drive wheel 10. Kick back on this cutter wheel 20 to be rotated. Just before this kickback action occurs, the connection of the control peg 42 with the internal gear 25 of the cutter wheel 20 responds to the operation of the cam 44 acting on the inner side 41 of the control bar 40. Is released, which pushes the control bar 40 away from the drive wheel 10 to allow the control peg to disengage from the internal gear 25, thereby enabling the recoil action required for the cutter wheel 20.

5F, 6F 7F show the position of the instrument at the end of the cutting interval (ie, at the end of the intermittent drive cycle and just before the cutting knife 28 is separated from the cutting interaction with the can 1). do. The drive wheel 10 is further rotated such that the drive pegs 18 are operatively engaged with the upright curved rack gear 26 with the last edge of the 26, such that further rotation of the drive wheel 10 is achieved by the cutter wheel 20. Give the last recoil turn. As before, in order for this 'rebound' action to take place, the control peg 42 and the inner gear 25 of the cutter wheel 20 are separated (again on the inner rim 41 of the control bar 40). By actuating cam 44). However, the drive gear 16 is brought into engagement with the first gear 33 of the external gear 23, so that a typical drive relationship of the drive wheel 10 and the cutter wheel 20 is shown in Figs. 5g to 7g. Resume as shown.

5G, 6G, and 7G show positions after the end of the cutting interval. The cutting knife 28 moves away from the wall 2 of the can 1 and the collecting portion is dismantled together with the drive wheel 10 so that the can 1 (the lid is cut off and removed) is removed from the cutter device.

8 and 9 show a second can opener mechanism according to the present invention, wherein the basic intermittent drive corresponds to that of the first can opener mechanism of FIGS. 1-7G, but other control devices are used.

8 and 9 a second can opener mechanism according to the present invention in the cut position is thus shown. The mechanism includes a drive wheel 110 mounted on a drive spindle 112 arranged to rotate about a drive shaft and geared. In addition, a drive gear 116 is mounted on the drive spindle 112. The drive gear 116 is provided with a cutter drive gear 122 provided in the cutter wheel 120 for driving rotation at the cutter spindle 121 around the cutter wheel axis. Is engaged with the external gear (123). As shown in FIG. 8, some external gear teeth 123 are omitted on the left side of the cutter drive gear 122, and an upright curved rack gear is replaced by 126, which constitutes a first can opener mechanism. Is the same as

The cutter wheel 120 is also provided with a circular cutting knife 128, which is mounted eccentrically to the cutter wheel 120 so that the cutting knife 128 is driven by the driving wheel (as the cutter wheel 120 rotates about its axis). Closer to 110, forming a collecting part therebetween. The formation of this collecting portion corresponds to the cutting position, where the cutting knife 128 penetrates the cylinder wall of the can and forms an incision as the opener pivots around it. In addition, the cutting position is defined as a cutting interval corresponding to the rotational section of the cutter wheel 120, the cutting knife 128 is close enough to the drive wheel 110 to form a collecting portion. A spacer washer 130 is also provided on the cutter wheel, which has the same function as in the first can opener mechanism.

The cutter wheel 120 also has intermittent drive means to provide an intermittent drive force between the drive wheel 110 and the cutter wheel 120 when the cutting knife 128 is in the cutting position, which is the Ensure that the retaining portions are properly maintained for sufficient cutting spacing so that a complete circular cut is made around the cylindrical wall.

Interruption of the drive is substantially provided by a gap ('abbreviated gear name') in the outer gear 123 of the cutter drive gear 122, which interrupts engagement with the drive gear 116 of the drive wheel 110. Let's do it. At this time, the driving pegs 118 interact with the upright curved rack gear 126, so that the cutter wheel 120 is recoiled by the individual gears of the curved rack 126 for each rotation of the drive wheel 110. Ultimately, the cutter wheel 120 is sufficiently recoiled so that the drive gear 116 is engaged with the outer gear teeth 123 of the cutter drive gear 122 again, and thus, between the drive wheel 110 and the cutter wheel 120. Normal drive relationship is resumed.

As an improved configuration for the basic intermittent drive means, there is further provided a control function for controlling (ie fixing) the cutter wheel 120 during the cutting interval. The control function is provided on the drive wheel 110 and is provided with an upright incision circular wall 125 (which forms a control surface) arranged to engage / disengage with a plurality of spaced apart control pegs 142a-d. More specifically, two of these pegs 142a and 142d are positioned outside the wall 125 and two 142b and 142c are positioned inside the wall 125. The interaction of several peg pairs (e.g., 142a and 142b; 142b and 142c; 142c and 142d; or 142d and 142a) with the curved wall 125 on the drive wheel provides the desired engagement with the cutter wheel 120 can do. The engagement / disengagement operation of the various control pegs 142a-d and the incision circular wall 125 is such that the wall 125 has several control pegs 142a-just before the drive pegs 118 engage with the curved rack 126. d) is separated and then the various control pegs 142a-d are coupled. Thus, the cutter wheel 120 does not perform any free operation, for example it may not cut the can 1 or may be asynchronously engaged with the drive wheel 110.

10 shows a manual can opener 250 according to the present invention, which may include the first or second can opener mechanism described with reference to the previous figures.

The can opener 250 includes a body 252 constituting the handle 254, a jaw 256 for accommodating a portion of the lid 4 of the can 1, and a support member for supporting the lid 4. 258). The can opener mechanism 200 is located in an empty space formed in the body 252. A twist handle 260 is mounted to the drive shaft 214 for rotation, thereby generating a rotational drive provided to the drive wheel of the can opener mechanism 200. This type of can opener 250 has an open body 252. In other variations, a closed or half-closed body having the instrument 200 therein is also possible. The body 250 may be made of a rigid body (e.g., a thermoplastic-to-metal material) suitable for receiving and placing the instrument 200, and is ergonomically appropriate in use.

11A-13 show another portion of an automatic can opener 350 according to the present invention, which includes a first can opener mechanism 300 described with reference to the previous figures. In another embodiment, it may be replaced with the second can opener mechanism of FIGS. 8 and 9. An automatic can opener 350 of this type is positioned above the can 1 to bring the cutter wheel to the cutting position once it has started (by the button 360) and the cutting knife penetrates the cylindrical wall of the can. The drive means rotates the drive wheels so that the opener rotates around the can for cutting.

After one turn, the lid 4 is cut and the cutter wheel is moved from its cutting position. The automatic can opener 350 is then lifted and the cut lid 4 can also be removed by lifting.

The automatic can opener 350 is formed by the combination of the upper body 352 and the lower body 353 and forms a cigar-shaped body (another shape may be possible in other embodiments) forming the handle 354 for the user's grip. Include. The upper body 352 has a power button 360 that is elastically supported, which can be used to operate the drive motor 362, which drives the battery 363a, for automatic operation of the opener mechanism. Power is supplied by 363b). The lower body portion 353 is formed to accommodate the lid portion of the can (not shown) inside the jaw 356. Protruding into the jaw 356, the drive wheel 310 and the circular cutting knife 328 is visible, forming a collecting portion in the can during the cutting operation.

In use, drive motor 362 provides drive force to can opener mechanism 300 through drive train 364a-c to drive wheel 310. The drive motor 362 responds to the operation of the power button 360, which in turn may actuate the switch contact 368 directly (or indirectly as a micro switch in another embodiment, for example). have. The can opener 350 is configured to be automatically switched off by the stop cam 369 mounted to the cutter wheel 320 at the end of the can opening operation. Other sensors or switches may be provided to prevent starting, for example in the absence of a can or when the lower body portion 353 has been removed for cleaning. The drive motor 362 can in another embodiment be controlled by other logic, such as a microprocessor, for example, to speed up the start or end of one cycle, or to operate two or more cycles for larger cans. Additional functions such as monitoring the battery status, monitoring the current consumption, and / or detecting the end of the cutting operation.

The main features of the can opener mechanism are as described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7G. The mechanism thus comprises a drive wheel 310 which is geared and mounted to a drive spindle 312 arranged to rotate about a drive shaft. In addition, the drive spindle 312 is equipped with a drive gear 316, the drive gear 316 is a cutter drive gear 322 provided in the cutter wheel 320 to drive rotation in the cutter spindle 321 around the cutter wheel axis Is engaged with the external gear tooth 323. In some of the cutter drive gears 322 some external gears 323 are omitted and internal gears (not shown) and upright curved rack gears 326 are replaced.

A circular cutting knife 328 having a circular cutting knife 328 on the cutter wheel 320 is mounted eccentrically to the cutter wheel 320 so that the cutting knife 328 is driven as the cutter wheel rotates about its axis. Closer to 310 to form a collecting portion therebetween. The formation of this collecting portion corresponds to a cutting position that allows the cutting knife 328 to penetrate through the cylindrical wall of the can as the opener rotates relatively around the can in use. In addition, the cutting position is determined by the cutting interval corresponding to the rotational section of the cutter wheel 320, the cutting knife 328 is close enough to the drive wheel 310 to form a collecting portion. A spacer washer 330 with a square plug connector 331 and an end washer 332 is also installed in the cutter wheel, which has the same function as the first can opener mechanism. As shown, the control bar 340 is mounted to both the drive spindle 312 and the cutter spindle 321 (and can also move laterally respectively), and the control bar 340 is a portion of the cutter wheel 320. An internal gear has a control peg 342 intermittently engaged with the 325 during the cutting interval (as previously described).

Additional spring-attached gears or worm gears may be provided in the gear trains 364a-c in front of the drive wheels 310, which are coupled to the mechanism and manually rotated by applying pressure to the springs when the battery power is stopped. Can be used.

There are several variations of embodiments that provide accurate feed-forward of the automatic can opener 350 shown in FIGS. 11-13. In the canning process of the can 1, manual control can be based on visual observation, where the user can take action once the can opening process is complete. Automatic control can be based on physical changes in the cut can 1 as well as indications from the energy involved in the can cutting process.

14 shows a perspective view of a can opener mechanism independent of a number of components including a geared drive wheel 510 operably connected to a drive wheel 516 geared by a shaft 518. The cutter wheel 520 is mounted to the shaft 524. The cutter wheel 520 supports the shaft 528 spaced apart from the shaft 524 on which the cutter wheel 520 rotates. Circular cutting knife 528 is mounted to freely rotate about the axis 525. The specialized mechanism 530 is mounted on top of the cutter wheel 520 and has a smooth outer wall 532. A left side of the smooth outer wall 532 is provided with a series of gear teeth 550.

15 is a top plan view of the instrument shown in FIG. 14. Two axes 524, 525 are shown. Additionally, to the right of the smooth outer wall 532 is a curved stop 551 having a face on the drive wheel 516 with a surface having the same curvature as the distal end. Immediately next to the curved stop 551 is a pair of protruding ratchet gears 552, 553, which are deep into the specialized instrument 530 and are angled to form a ratchet operation. To achieve. The depth of the gears 552, 553 to the specialized mechanism 530 depends on the material of which the specialized mechanism 530 is made. The ratchet effect is that the gears 552, 553 are driven by the drive wheel 516. It needs to be able to deform as much as it moves gears close to 552, 553, and the gears engage with 552, 553 when the pivoting motion of specialized instrument 530 is stopped by the curved stop 551. To be able.

In the direction shown in FIG. 15, as the geared drive wheel 516 rotates continuously, very low friction acts on the curved stop 551 or the ratchet gears 552, 553, and the drive wheel 516. ) Or the cylindrical wall surface adjacent to the gear continuously rotates with respect to these structures.

As the curved stop 551 and the ratchet gears 552 and 553 are provided, the specialized mechanism 530 is secured to reach a stable end position. Simply removing the gear teeth adjacent to the curved stop 551 does not secure a stable and fixed position. When the drive wheel 516 reverses, the ratchet gears 552, 553 are in a perfect position to allow the specialized mechanism 530 to reverse in that direction without delay or restraint. This is because of the position along the direction of the gears 552 and 553. In this configuration, stable forward cutting can be maintained for a time during which the drive wheel 516 travels long enough to cut the can 1 in all directions, with the reverse rotation of the drive wheel 516 being specialized. The time required for the structure 530 to return to its 180 position from its original position, that is, the position shown in FIG. The second stop 555 may be provided to form a stable and accurate position in such a reverse rotation position.

There are a variety of operations and controls that can be made in connection with the present invention according to FIGS. 14 and 15. As one such use, the automatic can opener 350 starts from the rest or open position with the circular cutter knife 528 away from the geared drive wheel 510. This is the approximate position where the opener is placed in the can, similar to the starting position of the original patent. Once placed on the can, the drive gear 516 rotates (by means such as manual, geared electric motors, etc.), preferably electrically. This rotates the cutter wheel 520 by approximately 180 degrees to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is the position where the can 1 is cut and opened to engage. In this position, the drive gear rotates continuously (in the same direction), the can rim is hung and the lid is cut as before. Due to the fact that the protruding ratchet gears 552, 553 are present in front of the drive gear 516 and the stop 551 prevents further rotation of the cutter wheel 520, the drive gear 516 is in the same direction. The instrument continues to be in this position as long as it rotates continuously, and can cutting continues. In the position of the cutting wheel shaft 525 mounted eccentrically with the cutting direction, the sum of the force from the cutting process and the other force off the other center is arranged to keep the cutter wheel 520 in the 'cut' position.

When the can lid 4 is completely cut, the rotation of the geared drive gear 516 is reversed, either by reversing the polarity of the drive gear or by simply reversing the direction of rotation for the user to drop the lid 4. Can be done. When a DC motor is used, changing its polarity reverses its direction of rotation. In order for this automatic reversal to occur, a 'cutting end sensor' can be used. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as by sensing the drop in current when the can is opened.

Referring to Fig. 16, there is shown a graph that approximates time (horizontal axis) of current consumption (vertical axis) to a motor used during can cutting operation. The first part shows that less current is expected when the cutter wheel starts to rotate. As the cutting knife 528 penetrates the can, a sharp increase occurs and passes through the highest point when the penetrating is made. The end of the plateau represents a state where the current drop is sharp, which is expected to occur when the can lid 4 is completely cut. The black dots shown represent potential trigger points.

Reversal of the electric motor can also be done mechanically. Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown a schematic diagram including a battery and a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch S1, which contacts the side of a can 1 with a lid 4 attached thereto. Mechanically connected to the plunger 559 (shown in dashed lines). The motor 561 is shown to operate in all directions when the negative electrode of the battery B is connected to the left terminal of the motor 561.

Referring to FIG. 18, in the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 17, the can 1 is separated from the lid 4 such that the combination of the can lid 4 and the automatic can opener 350 moves away from the cut can 1. As shown, the plunger 559 is shifted to the right. The movement of the plunger 559 causes the position of the switch S1 to be changed so that the negative electrode of the battery B is connected to the right terminal of the motor 561 to reverse the rotation of the motor 561.

As another embodiment, relays, mechanical idler gears, distance sensors, electronic control chips, optical sensors or the like may be used. The same mechanism may be operated as a manual switch. Regardless of the mechanism for achieving reverse rotation, once the geared drive gear 516 begins to rotate in the reverse direction, a free-wheel is connected to reengage the gear teeth 550 of the cutter wheel 520. do. The freewheel operation is formed integrally with the protruding ratchet gears 552, 553, which are formed as cantilever pawls acting directly on the gears of the drive gear 516, or the cutter wheel 520. And may be formed integrally in various vertical positions using the illustrated or separate components located somewhere between the drive gear 516. Freewheels are a common mechanism and can be produced in various ways, such as wedges, detents, spring wraps. Once the cutter wheel 520 returns to the starting position, it is desirable to strike an optional end stop, such as the second detent 555. In the electrical embodiment, the power supply is interrupted at this start position. The advantage of this method is that the can can be opened automatically regardless of the cutting distance. Once opened, the can opener immediately disconnects from the can and returns to start.

The passive embodiment is particularly useful because it includes a few components, such as geared drive gear 516 and cutter wheel 520 components. The action of reversing the drive also drops the lid, which does not have to be touched when placed over the trash can.

Referring to Fig. 19, a perspective view of another embodiment of an automatic can opener mechanism is shown, illustrating a structure for employing a continuous, one-way operation of a cutter wheel using a spring loaded locking bar and can sensor combination. In addition to the components shown previously, the geared drive wheel 516 may be in contact with a structure that extends close to the outer end of the geared drive wheel 516 and may be sufficiently close to the shaft 518. And a locking bar 580 set to be.

Vertical bolts 583 (which may be part of the rotary cutter wheel mounting) engage the slots 584 of the clip-shaped can sensor 585, which vertical bolts 583 move back and forth along the direction of the slots 584. Can be moved. Also referring to FIG. 20, the can sensor 585 is connected to a locking bar 586, with the distal end of the locking bar 586 corresponding to the corresponding fixed socket 588, which may be part of the housing or another fixed corresponding opening. Is connected to. The locking bar 586 is supported through the interior of the through hole penetrated to both ends of the cutter wheel 590.

Referring also to FIG. 21, although the locking bar 586 is spaced apart from the axis 524 of the cutter wheel 590, the axis 525 supporting the axis 524 of the cutter wheel 590 and the cutting knife 528. It can also be seen that they are also located in the spaced apart direction from the parallel lines connecting. The position shown in FIG. 21 is the cutting position, which is the position returned to the slot or socket 588 to which the locking bar 586 is fixed. As shown, a series of gears 595 on the cutting wheel are removed in the area 596 directly opposite the drive wheel 516. Also shown in dashed lines is a spring pressed position 597, which is the position where the locking bar 586 leads if it is not pressed due to the presence of the can 1.

The operation is best shown by referring to Figs. 19 to 21 simultaneously. In the stop or start position, the locking bar 586 is located above the axis 524 in FIG. 21, toward the pressed position 597 pointing to the left, and spaced apart from the top of the geared drive wheel 516. It is in a state. The user places the can lid in a position between the geared drive wheel 516 and the circular cutting knife 528, which cuts the circular cutting knife 528 from the drive wheel 516. This is because they are in a spaced position.

Once the automatic can opener 350 starts to operate, the drive wheel 516 rotates clockwise when referring to FIG. 21. Just before starting to rotate, it should be noted that the elbow of the sensor 585 is located above and adjacent to the drive wheel 516 shown in FIG. 21 and does not collide with the geared drive wheel 510. This is because the eccentric shaft 525 is spaced from the sensor and the cutting knife is spaced apart from the drive wheel 510. Clockwise rotation of the drive wheel 516 causes the cutter wheel 590 to rotate counterclockwise, and with reference to FIG. 21, the instrument reaches the position shown in FIG. 21. The sensor 585 rotates with the cutter wheel 590 to reach the position shown in FIG. 19, which can be adjusted as the curved distal end of the sensor 585 aligns with the can and is pushed by the can. Is performed until the sensor 585 moves away from the can 1. This is shown in FIG. As long as the sensor 585 and the locking bar 586 are elastically supported by the spring 599, the presence of the can 1 pushes the sensor 585 and the locking bar 586 into the locking socket 588 for locking engagement. give. In this position, the cutter wheel is locked by the area 596 where the gears are not formed directly facing the drive wheel 516. In this direction, the presence of the can 1 allows for the continuous locking of the locking bar 586, such that the drive wheel 516 is continuously rotated so that the geared drive wheel 510 continues the can 1. Continue cutting. Note that the locking bar 586 is located inside the cutter wheel 590 and is well received in the pressed position 597, and that passage of the bar 580 has no effect on the cutter wheel 590.

Once the can 1 completes the cutting operation, the can 1 moves to the right relative to FIG. 20 to unlock the cutter wheel 590 and thus the sensor 585 and locking bar 586 It is moved to the right with respect to 20 and occupies the compressed position 597. The drive wheel 516 rotates briefly within the area 596 until the bar 580 contacts the end of the locking bar 586 at the location 597. The bar 580 then pushes the cutter wheel 590 to engage the gear 595 with the gear of the drive wheel 516 so that the cutter wheel 590 rotates counterclockwise.

As the elbow between the sensor 585 and the locking bar 586 approaches, the circular cutting knife 528 moves away from the geared drive wheel 510 so that the sensor 585 and the locking bar 586 move. Allow elbows between to pass between the circular cutting knife 528 and the drive wheel 510. As soon as the elbow passes the geared drive wheel 510, the instrument reaches its starting position and is ready to insert a new can 1 to cut. The sensor 585 appears relatively wide, but depending on the material selected and the extent to which the locking bar 586 is spaced from the central axis 524 of the cutter wheel 20, its width may be narrowed or widened as needed or allowed. Can be.

As with the embodiment of Figures 15-18, the advantage obtained is that once the automatic can opener 350 is actuated, no matter what the diameter of the can is, it can be opened. Once opened, the can opener is removed from the can almost immediately and returns to the starting position. The advantage of this method is particularly useful because the end of the cut can be caused by the mechanical end of the cut sensor 585. This eliminates the need to reverse a powered drive motor and enables operation without the need for an electrical sensor or polarity switch. Although this method uses more parts, it still works by simply rotating the drive gear 516 in the same direction. Thus, the ability to perform opening without duplicating cuts or restarts is a useful improvement.

Although illustrated and described with respect to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

1 is a side view at a start position (a state in which a can is separated) of a first can opener mechanism according to the present invention;

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 1;

3 is a top view showing the action of the start position (the can is separated) and the can of the first can opener mechanism of FIG. 1;

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG.

5a-5g are views from below of the first can opener mechanism of FIG. 1 showing the interaction of the can with the first can opener mechanism during a continuous portion of the can opening operation, FIG.

6A-6G are cross-sectional views viewed from below along the Y-Y of the first can opener mechanism of FIG. 1, illustrating the interaction of the can with the first can opener mechanism during successive portions of the can opening operation;

7a-7g are cross-sectional views from below along Z-Z of the first can opener mechanism of FIG. 1, illustrating the interaction of the can with the first can opener mechanism during a continuous portion of the can opening operation, FIG.

8 is a perspective view from below of a second can opener mechanism according to the present invention in a cut (can coupled) position;

9 is a cross-sectional view looking downward toward the drive wheel of the second can opener mechanism according to the present invention in a cut (can coupled) position;

10 is a view showing the interaction between the can opener and the can including the can opener mechanism according to the present invention,

11A and 11B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of an automatic can opener including a can opener mechanism according to the present invention;

12 is a perspective view with the upper housing portion removed from the automatic can opener of FIGS. 11A and 11B;

13 is an exploded perspective view of the automatic can opener of FIGS. 11A and 11B;

14 is a perspective view of an automatic can opener mechanism that is easily structured to receive a reverse rotation drive gear;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 14, including a detailed configuration of a ratchet actuating gear and protrusion that enables the cutter wheel to operate only half a turn;

FIG. 16 shows a graph of current Amp over time t that can be used to sense a parameter that performs polarity reversal of a motor when reverse rotation operation is used to reverse the cutting wheel;

17 is a diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration and an electrical configuration in which a sensing switch enables polarity reversal of a motor;

FIG. 18 is a half cross-sectional view of the side of the instrument shown in FIG. 17, illustrating a state in which the switch achieves reversal after sensing the movement of the can; FIG.

19 is a perspective view of an automatic can opener mechanism having a structure for enabling continuous and one-way operation of the cutter wheel using a locking bar and can sensor combination in which the cutter wheel is spring loaded, and including a bar rotating with the drive gear;

FIG. 20 shows a half cross section on the side of the instrument shown in FIG. 19, including one embodiment of a connection between a can sensor and a locking bar, FIG.

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 showing the operation of the locking bar and the bar rotating with the drive wheel.

Claims (12)

Each end comprising a cylindrical wall closed by a circular lid, the lid being used in an opener of a can fixed to the cylindrical wall by an upstanding outer ring formed around the lid to clamp to each end of the cylindrical wall. In the apparatus, Body; A drive wheel mounted to the body to rotate about a first axis and for engaging the outer ring of the can; A cutter wheel mounted to the body to rotate about a second axis and driven and rotated by the drive wheel; A cutting knife which is eccentrically mounted to the cutter wheel and moves to a cutting position according to the rotation of the cutter wheel, wherein a collecting portion is formed in a related structure together with the driving wheel so that when the opener rotates relatively along the can, A cutting knife which cuts through the wall, wherein the cutting position is determined by a cutting interval corresponding to the rotational section of the cutter wheel, and forms the collecting portion in proximity to the driving wheel; Intermittent drive provides an intermittent drive force between the drive wheel and the cutter wheel when the cutting knife is in the cutting position and maintains the gripping portion during the cutting interval such that a complete circular incision is made around the wall of the can. Way; And Sensor for sensing the separation of the can while the collecting portion is formed Can opener mechanism comprising a. The method of claim 1, And the drive wheel and the cutter wheel are in direct drive relationship. The method of claim 1, And the cutting knife is circular. The method of claim 1, And the intermittent drive means comprises a Geneva mechanism. The method of claim 1, At the cutting position, a can opener mechanism, characterized in that the normal drive relationship between the drive wheel and the cutter wheel is separated. The method of claim 5, wherein The cutter wheel is a can opener mechanism, characterized in that the gear is omitted in a particular portion. The method of claim 1, And the sensor is a mechanical sensor. The method of claim 1, And the sensor is an electronic sensor. The method of claim 1, And the cutter wheel rotates in a forward and reverse cycle at an angle of less than 360 degrees. The method of claim 1, And the cutter wheel rotates in only one direction. The method of claim 8, And a locking bar for locking the cutter wheel when the mechanical sensor is in operation. The method of claim 1, And the intermittent drive means reversely rotates to sense and separate the can.

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