US2421589A

US2421589A - Can puncturing spout

Info

Publication number: US2421589A
Application number: US454270A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ozro N Wiswell
Original assignee: Swingspout Measure Co
Current assignee: Dyson Kissner Moran Corp; Swingspout Measure Co
Priority date: 1942-08-10
Filing date: 1942-08-10
Publication date: 1947-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 1964-06-03

Description

June 3, 1947. I o. N. WISW'ELL CAN PUNCTURING SPOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 10, 1942 llllllllllll'llllll June 3, 1947. LL 2,421,589

CAN PUNCTURING SPOUT Filed Aug. 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @QMW Patentecl'June 3, 1947 CAN PUNCTURING 'sPoUT Wis'well Lois: Angele s, Ca lifl, assignorit o poiitj Mea'siire 00., Los" Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Applicatibn'iiugust 10, 1942, Serial N014542707 a 1 'I hisiinvention relatesto-devices for opening containers and relates more particularly to devices for opening cans and for dispensing the contents therefrom. A general object of this invention is to provide a device of this-character thatis adapted to handle or dispense very light penetrating fiuids'without leaking. Many products are marketed in sealed containers or cans and are adapted or intended to be usedor dispensed directly from the can. For example, the anti-freeze compounds for use in automobile and truck radiators are commonly sold in sealed cans to be directly poured into the radiator when the can is opened. Can opening and pouring devices which I will herein refer to as can spouts arewidely used to open sealed cans of oil a ti-freeze compounds and the like. The can spouts will handle or 'dispense the contents of a can of oil andlike without leakingbut lir f me ade arev y li a d pe trating and' v h'e 'n they aredispensed from the ularcan spouts there is considerable leakage. important objectof this invention is to P v a mi l bii l hela s edePt d qh n le r dispense very light penetrating fluids without fifil, ,v a

th j t fties inv nt n i t ov d a an sr ibf. e. cha ct e re t mb v;

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the contents. The latch, in addition to maintaining the sealing means effective, prevents detachment and dislocation of the can spout even when the can spout is employed as a handleto lift, carry and manipulate the unemptied can.

Another object of this invention is to provide a can spout embodying meansfor effectively sealing with the end walls of containers or cans of substantial capacity and When-such end walls novel an'd very efiective rneans for holding the device h lf h P et cs vWher w t e wash is co'mpressed and in tight engagement withthe can so that there'is no leakage of even very light liquids.

i e j ct of h ev p 'fli .idnrd id a can" opening and dispensing device of the char acte'r mentioned in which the means for holding e a spout in "fiu1l-i1ib liqnte n. th form of alatch hav positive depen'dable co operation 'with'th adof th ecan 'Ihelatch is pqfi vgi li .5 1 .t i fii f j b l. lthfi 931 03 Oil the Cal! 'Wh'i iE i's ie idy' ti) d i S p ense cream are corrugated or irregular. It has been found that when the cutter of a can spout is forced through the end wall of a can of substantial capacity or diameter the wall distorts or'bends in many cases and the can spout does'not obtain effective sealing cooperation with the bent wall. Thepresent invention provides a yielding conformable sealing; washer that effectively seals with and; coniormsto can walls that are distort e d corrugated, beaded or otherwise non-fiat to ma nta n, a e f i s a with the c n another olqjectof this invention is to provide a can sipout of the character-referred to in which e-latc lenqen h or h d th e e in "t e position wherethesealing washer is in tight c9; o e fationwith the can wall is adapted to latch with the" can bead in two or more positions of the can spout so that the sealingwasher is held e ii e evefi thl l i elsen pou is ot m ed. to'its' full Ifdown position and even though the beadfof the can may var in thickness or bear.

diiiere'nt relationships to theto'p can wall, 1 The t h, means e vcho 'ed n e d ice, Of them: t t'ii rli veiw rcvmore rt a s ace latchlr'iosefs' orlatch tongues for cooperating with an ea s i d e ent Po i i ns t e an i b t a sur the, c lre fi'tmainte eof, t e sifwe s f n seel nsen nt with th can wall under practically all operating conditions.

Another ohjct of this invention is to provide a can spout of th e characterreferred to in which thei'latch' automatically latches with the can head to thereafter maintain thesealing means effectivf but may be readily released from thebead toipierrr'iitwithdrawal of the can spout from the can. K

a ated t characte ment n n which the sealing ms ai ej nd l h me n are imple and'i v an d' are readily embodied in the can i t??? t. v-

c a The Ye i e biscis and, fea res of'my inven:

W1 li l y un er t od vir mt e rfol'l n a, d tai ed cdQSClii R iQ A Q .;ty ca1 re erred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the can or container with the can spout of the invention in position thereon. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the can spout in the operative position on the can. Fig. 3 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 33 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an edge or side elevation of the latch removed from the can spout. Fig. 5 is a top or plan View of the latch taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of another form of latch that may be embodied in the device. Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of still another form of latch which has series of noses or tongues for latching with the bead. Fig. 9 is an elevation View of the inner side of the latch shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a horizontal detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line Iii-II] on Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an edge or side elevation of still another form of latch and Fig. 12 is an elevation view of the inner side of the latch shown in Fig. 11.

The device of the present invention may be said'to include, generally, a body comprising a combination handle and spout IB and a guide II, a cutter I2 adapted to beforced through the end wall X of the can C to cut a pouring opening therein, a sealing washer I3 on the body for sealing with the can around the pouring opening and releasable means I4 for maintaining the body in the position where the washer l3 tightly seals with the can C.

The body of the device is an elongate element made up of the combined handle and spout III and guide II. The handle and spout III is longitudinally curved upwardly and outwardly considering the device to be in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The handle and spout I is shaped and proportioned to be readily grasped and held and to be readily inserted in the filling openings of radiators, crank cases, etc. The outer or convex side of the spout III has a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves or depressions I and the inner or concave side of the spout has spaced ribs I6 to provide a better grip and to prevent the spout from slipping or tipping when engaged in the liquid receiving opening. The handle and spout ID is generally cylindrical in transverse cross section and is preferably of slightly outwardly diminishing fluid capacity. In the form of the invention illustrated the handle and spout is sectional, being formed of inner and outer sections A and B joined or connected along their longitudinal edges by suitable latch joints II.

The guide II continues cr extends from the lower end of the handle and spout I0 and is operable to engage or cooperate with the side wall of the can C during the cutting of the pouring opening to guide the cutter I2 so that it forms the pouring opening immediately adjacent the bead D which connects the end wall X and the side wall of the can. In the preferred construction the guide I I is an integral extension of the inner section A of the combination handle and spout I0. The guide I I is shaped to conform generally to the side walls of the cans for which the device is intended. In the case illustrated, the guide is an elongate transversely curved part suiting the device for opening the usual cylindrical cans. The device is not restricted for use on cylindrical cans but is adapted to open square cans and cans of other shapes. When employed to open polygonal cans the cutter I2 is forced through the top can wall at one of its corners and the guide formed as above described rides down the corner of the can. In practice, the guide I I is of substantial length and its width is somewhat greater than the diameter of the spout II) so that a shoulder I8 occurs where the guide joins the section A. The lower end of the guide I I is rounded or bevelled.

The cutter I2 is adapted to be forced or driven through an end wall X of the can C to cut the pouring or draining opening therein. In the preferred construction the cutter I2 is substantially U-shaped in transverse cross section and is provided with downwardly and outwardly inclined longitudinal edges I9 which merge with the entering point portion 20 of the cutter. The curved outer portion or side of the U-shaped cutter I2 opposes and is spaced from the can engaging inner face of the blade or guide II. The side walls 2| of the cutter are vertical and generally parallel and are provided near their upper ends with lateral windows or openings 23 to permit the fluid in the can C to readily drain out through the U-shaped cutter into the spout Ill. The entering point portion 20 of the cutter I2 converges to a sharp point for piercing the can wall X and this point portion 20 preferably slopes downwardly and inwardly so that it starts through the wall X at a point a short distance from the bead D. A shank 24 extends from the upper end of the cutter I2 and enters the combination handle and spout III. As best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings the side walls 2I of the U- shaped cutter I2 extend some distance into the spout and the shank 24 is a reduced extension continuing upwardly from the side walls to extend a substantial distance into the curved spout. The shank 24 is longitudinally curved to correspond to the curvature of the handle and spout II A screw 25 is passed through registering openings in the spout III and shank 24 and a nut 26 is threaded on the screw to engage in the shank 24 and thus secure the cutter to the body. A lock washer or the equivalent may be engaged under the nut 26 to prevent its unthreading. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings the extreme lower end of the combination spout and handle III has flat parallel side wall portions 21 and the side walls H of the cutter I2 tightly engage between these wall portions 21 to secure the cutter I2 against lateral forces. The lower end of the spout section B is further provided with a lip 28 which extends inwardly between the parallel side walls of the cutter I2.

The washer I3 is provided to seal with the walls of the can C around the pouring opening, cut therein by the cutter I2, to prevent the liquid from leaking and running down the exterior of the spout II) when the can C is inverted to dispense or pour out the contents. The washer I3 is arranged at-the base of thehandle and spout III to be at or adjacent the portion of the device where the blade-like guide II joins the spout. The body of the device is constructed to effectively retain the sealing washer I3. A transverse or generally horizontal flange orshoulder 29 is provided on the lower end of the spout Ill. The flange 29 may be a separately formed part secured to the spout section Bby a lip or flange 30 that is soldered, welded or otherwise fixed to the exterior of the spout section B. The flange 29 straddles thespout IIlto rest on the above mentioned flange I8.-- The shoulder ZIJ may-be soldered, welded, or otherwise sea-led: toand: secured to the shoulder I8. :The; outline or shape of the shoulder 29-may vary in different applications ofthe invention. In the. case-illustrated, the flange 29has straight parallel endsanda straight outer edge, the ends being spaced from and-parallel with=thewall portions' 210i thespoutsection B. A lip 3I extends along the-edges of -the flange 29: and projects downwardly to: assist inretaining the washer 'I 3; In: theepreferred construction I the flange 29 and its-llipdtI=-slope downwardly and inwardly toward the center of the can C.

The 'washer. I3 is 'a yielding resilient member engaging-'aroundthe upperend of thecutter I2 to seal with the cutter andto seal with the top ofrthe can-C. It' is ipreferredto-construct the washer. I3. of a soft yielding material havinga substantial degree of resiliency.- For example; the washermay-be formed of sponge rubber; synthetic sponge rubber, or the like; The washer I3 is--shaped" t'0 seat on and bear upwardly against the .shoulder 29, toiit closely within the flange 3.I Iand to'bear'against theinner face-of the guide I I; 1 An .open-ing :32 :is provided in the Washer I3 and closely receives the upper portion of the cutter I I 2-1andlthe: .wall parts Z'I and-lip 29 of the spout section 3. Fig.3 of the drawings illustrates the manner in which the washer I3 closely fits within the flange- BI .and closelyfits about'the cutter I2 andwthepa-rts Z-Land ZB; The upper portion'of the guide I! has a central longitudinal internal groove 33.vvhich continues into the lower portion of. the spout. I8. The upper side andg'the outer surfaceof the washer l3 have a projection or rib- I3P- hichoccupies the upper portion of the groove 33. The washer I3 is tightly fitted orpressed-into the. flange 3i and the upper portion of the-groove 33 -.'Il'1isservesto secure or retain the washer I3 inplace although; the washer may be cemented, vulcanized or-otherwise secured if desired.

In accordancewith the invention the washer I3 is of substantial thickness and projects downwardly. beyond :the flange 3I to have a broad-flat face which: seals with the top wall X and bead D of the. can. The sealing washer I 3 has a sufiicient degree'of give ior yieldability to conform to the bead D and yet seal with-the wa-llX right'upto the bead..

Itwill .be seen that whenthe cutter I2-is driven or. forced throughthecan wal1- X that thewasher I3-is pressed against the end of the can. The

forcerrequiredto drive the cutter I2 throughthe carriwalll-X carries the-washer I3 into tight cooperation. :with. thecan. However, when the downward movement and thrust on the device is I stopped, at the. completion of the can opening operation, the resiliency of thewasher I3 tends to backstheidevice off that is, it tends to slightly raisethedeviceand thus release the pressure with whichthe washerbears n the can.

The means I4 acts to automatically lock or latch the device in the position on the'can wherethe washer I 3'istightly compressed against theendiof the can to have effective sea-ling cooperation therewith so thatthere will be no-leakageof .fluid from-around the pouring opening or iromaroundIthe-spout I 5 when the can is inverted to pour out-its.-contents;-. The means-I4 comprises a simplelatchM "in the form of a lever. The latch. 34-is arrangedatthe inner side of the'gulrle I i tobe within. or partially within its groove-33. As. illustrated the latch- 34 extends longitudinally of the-groove 33and has-its upper end at or adj acent the cane-bead D, assuming the-device to be in the final position on the can C." The'latch': '34 is "preferably channel-shapedin cross section 'to' increase :its strength and tobetterconform to the groove 33' and'the exterior of a cylindr'i'ca-l can or the-corner of a polygonalcan. The longitudinal edges of the latch 34"are downwardly convergent sothat the latch is of downwardlydim'inishing width. These convergent longitudinaledges ofthe latch 34 are preferably b'evelled or-pitched 'i-n' such a way that they generally conformto the external surface of the ean C. The above-mentioned roove 33 is shaped and proportioned to substantially entirely receive the latch sa wneir the latch'is pressed outwardly through its engage; ment with thecanC. The latch 34 is provided with a dent, dimple or-raise'd partwhich forms a fulcrui'n 35-adapt'edto bear in the groove 33 6f the guide II; The fulcrum 35-for" the lever-like latch 34 -is spaced a short distance above the lower end of the latch;

Means is provided for yielding-lyurging the majorportion or upper armof the latch 34 i'nwardly' or toward the can C. 'Ihismeans'includes' a stem 35 which proj ects outwardly from the lower endof the latch 34; The stern'36 'anay-be'an integral part of the latch and projects outwardly through an opening-3'! in the guide I I. The stem fifiis preferably flat or polygonal in transverse cross section-and the opening 3'! is correspondingly'sh'aped so-that the cooperation of the stern with theopening assis'tsin holding the latch 34in theverticalor upright' positio'n.= A cotter key-"38 or the equivalent is passed through opening in'the outer I portion of the'stem 36 -and-a washer 39 is engaged on the stem-36 at the inner side of the cotter key. A coiled-spring 40"is arranged aroundth'estem' 36 and is held under compression between the washer 39-and the outer surface of the guide II. It will be seen that the spring 40- actin'g outwardly on the washer 39 urges the upper arm or portion of the latch 34 inwardly or-toward the can C.

The latch 34 is formed to have eiie'ctive latching engagement with the bead D of the can C. The upper end of thelatch 34- is prov'id'edw'ith up-- wardly projecting fingers 4| for engaging under the bead D. -The fingers 4I arepoin'ted and pitched upwardly and inwardly to effectively bite or look under the bead D. When the cutter I2 is forced through the wall X of the can-C the inwardly so that the fingers ll are 'm'o've'd 'under the bead-D to latch the same. The finge'rs I I are positioned'and related to the'other partsso that" theircooperatioh with the under side of the bead D holds the washer I3 compressed against the top of the-canes illustrated in Fig. 2; I A

Means is provided for releasing-the latch 34 so thatthe can spout maybe removed from the-can 0 when the contentshave'been drained from the can A handle42 is provided on the upper end of the latch 34. The handle 42 projects outwardly from between the spaced-fingers II and passes out through an opening 43in th'e guide I'I.-: l

The handle 42 is flat or polygonalin transverse cross section andthe-openin- 43 is the forr'n' of a horizontal 810M receive the flat-'handle -so that 'the'cooperation-of the handle with tn open ing prevents excessive tilting of the latch and maintains the latch in its vertical position. In this connection it should be observed that the engagement of the stem 36 and the handle 42 in their

respective openings

31 and 43 effectively retains the latch 34 in its operative position. The handle 42 may project some distance from the outer side of the guide H and is shaped to be readily pressed downwardly by the thumb or a finger of the hand which grips the spout If),

It is believed that the operation of the can spout provided by this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. In opening the can the lower portion of the guide H is engaged against the bead at the top of the can C to bring the cutter point 20 against the top can wall. The operator grasping the handle and spout I then presses the device down with considerable force. This drives the cutter I2 through the can wall X to form the pouring opening therein. When the cutter I2 is piercing the can wall X the guide H is moved downwardly at the outer side of the can and the latch 34 is likewise moving downwardly at the exterior of the can. The upper portion of the latch 34 rides down on the bead D and the can wall. When the device approaches its final position the washer l3 comes into engagement with the top of the can and is compressed against the can wall X and the bead D. The final downward movement of the device moves the latch fingers 4| below the bead D and the spring 40 swings the upper end of the latch inwardly so that the latch fingers 4| are moved under the bead D. When the downward pressure or force is removed from the device the resiliency of the compressed washer l3 tends to raise the device or back it away from the can. The fingers 4| engaged under the bead D prevent this. Accordingly, the washer I3 is maintained compressed, that is, it is held tight against the top can wall X and bead D. The compressed washer I3 effectively prevents the leakage of even the very lightest of fluids from around the cutter l2 and when the can 0 is inverted or tipped to pour out its contents through the spout there is no leakage around the pouring opening or down around the spout It). It will be apparent how the washer l3 held in tight pressural engagement with the can prevents the leakage of the fiuid.

The washer l3 held in compression-engagement with the top Wall of the can effectively seals with the can even though the wall may be bent or distorted or may have ridges or corrugations.

When the can spout is to be removed from the can C the operator grasps the handle and spout l0 and presses downwardly on the handle 42. The downward pressure of the handle 42 swings the upper portion of the latch 34 outwardly to free the latch fingers M from the bead D. The latch 34 pivots on its fulcrum 35. With the fingers 4| released from the bead D the device is moved upwardly to withdraw the cutter l2 and free the device from the can C. While the device is shown used on a cylindrical can it is to be understood that it may be employed to open square or polygonal cans, in which case the cutter I2 is forced through a corner portion of the can top.

Fig. 7 illustrates a slightly modified form of latch 34 The latch 34 is designed to obtain effective latching engagement with the can bead D in either one of two slightly different vertical positions. The latch 34 may be substantially the same as the latch 34 described above havin an elongate body portion that is arcuate or channel-shaped in transverse cross section and provided at the lower end with a stem 36 and at its upper end with a handle 42. An outwardly projecting fulcrum 35 is pressed or otherwise provided in the lower portion of the latch body. The upper end of the latch 34 is provided with upwardly projecting somewhat sharpened latch noses or fingers 4| for latching under the can bead D. The parts of the latch 34 thus far described have functions corresponding to the corresponding elements of the above described latch 34.

The latch shown in Fig. '7 is characterized by a latch tongue 50. The tongue 50 may be formed by making a substantially U-shaped cut in the latch adjacent its upper end and striking or pressing the material inwardly at the opening to project from the inner side of the latch and thus constitute the tongue 50. The upper edge of the tongue may be somewhat sharpened or bevelled. As clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings the latch tongue 50 projects inwardly to the same extent or to a greater extent than the latch fingers 4M and is designed to latch under the bead D. Further, as clearly illustrated, the latch tongue 50 is spaced below the latch fingers 4| The tongue 50 is provided to latch with the bead D in the event that the latch fingers M do not obtain latching engagement with the bead.

The operation of the latch shown in Fig. 7 is substantially the same as that of the latch 34. When the cutter I2 is driven down through the end wall X of the can the latch 34 rides down past the bead D. Near the end of the canopening operation the washer I3 is forced against the upper wall of the can and the tongue 50 moves downwardly below the bead D. In most cases the latch fingers ll will also be moved down past the bead D to obtain latching engagement with the bead when the can-opening operation terminates. However, in some cases, the latch fingers M may not reach positions where they can engage under the bead D. In such cases the latch tongue 59 comes into engagement with the under side of the bead D to latch the can spout on the can in a position where the Washer I3 is in effective sealing engagement with the can.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings illustrate a form of latch for embodiment in the can spout of the invention, which latch i constructed to obtain effective latching engagement with the can bead D at a plurality of difierent elevations, that is, when the can spout is forced downwardly to varying extents in the process of opening the can. The latch 34 of Figs. 8, 9 and 10 is generally the same as the above described latch 34 having an elongate body portion that is channelshaped or arcuate in transverse cross section. A stem 36* projects outwardly at the lower end of the latch and a handle 42 projects outwardly at the upper end of the handle. A fulcrum projection 35 is provided on the outer side of the latch body adjacent its lower end. The longitudinal edges 5| of the channel-shaped or armate latch body are preferably bevelled ofi or fiattened to lie substantially flush against the side wall of the can 0 when the latch is in its operative position against the can. In this form of the invention each longitudinal edge portion of the arcuate latch body is provided with two or more spaced niches 52 which provide or define teeth 53. The niches 52 are shaped so that the teeth 53 are sharp and project upwardly and inwardly. In practice, the teeth 53 may resemble saw teeth. :LWhile I "have shown only .two'teeth '53 "on "each longitudinal .edgei'of' the" latch "34 it is to be'understood' that :a largernumberlof teeth may ,be'provided. i The teeth53 at the opposite sides "of the latchlie in corresponding planes.

Where the latch Mb'o-fFigs; 8; 9 and lllis employed'the operation. of the device is the same asabove'describ'ed. except thatthelatch. 35 is effective even though theuppermost pairo'fteeth 3..fails toobtain latching engagement underthe can be'adiDj. .In the usejiof thecan. spoutlthe operator may exert xinsufiicient downward force to compress. the washer1l3 against the canto a sum-- cient extentto bring the uppermostte'eth'Munder; the beadD or to aposition. Iwhereithey can obtain proper .latchingengagement with the-bead. Furthermore, the construction ofthecanCmay be suchthat the uppermost teeth 53 Will not obtain full holding engagement with the bead D. In such cases-thelowerteeth 53 c'ome into effective latching engagement with the under side of the bead D when the cutter actuating downward pressure is removed from the device. The lower teeth 53 are positioned .so'thata their. engagement with the bead D maintains th washer l3 in firm sealing. engagement with the can C, with, .the washercompress'ed to be' fullyefi'ective. -.Where the latch "3 3 of Figs; '8", 9 and .10. is embodied in the .canspout'the can spouthas. a. widerange of utility, being adapted for use. on. cans .vaizy-ing ccnsidera bly' in constructionar'id, assuring. the efiective dependable sealing action. of the washer l3 in-instances where'the cutter has not been completely actuated.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a form of latch M 1 adapted to be embodied in the can spout. The latch 34 has an elongate generally vertical body of arcuate or channel-shaped cross section with a stem 36 projecting outwardly from its lower end and a suitable handle 42 projecting outwardly from its upper end. A fulcrum 35 is formed on the outer side of the latch body adjacent its lower end. The parts just described have functions corresponding to the functions of the corresponding parts fully described above. The longitudinal edges 55 of the curved or channellike latch body are bevelled or flattened to better conform to the external wall of the can 0. The upper ends of the latch side walls terminate at abrupt shoulders 55 and. 51. These shoulders 58 and 5'! are operable to engage or latch under the bead D of the can. In accordance with this form of the invention one shoulder, say the-shoulder 55, occurs at a higher elevation than the shoulder 5?. When the can spout is used the latch 35 moves down past the bead D, as above described, and when the cutter I2 approaches the end of its movement the shoulders 56 and El approach or pass the bead D. If the cutter C is completely actuated, that is, forced down to its extreme low ermost position the highest shoulder 56 is moved to a position below the bead B. When the downward pressure is removed from the device the resiliency of the washer 53 tends to raise or back: the device off and the engagement of shoulder 55 with the bead D limits and stops this action and holds the Washer it under compression against the upper can wall X to preserve a tight sealing engagement. On the other hand, the cutter i2 may not be fully actuated or the can structure may be such that the cutter does not assume an extreme down position. In this latter case the shoulder 5'6 may not reach a position to engage under the bead D but the lower shoulder 51 will have assumed a position to engage under the bead D. Accordingly, when the downward actuating pressure is relieved from thedevic'e' the shoulderlS'l automatically engages under the-bead Dto latch thexdevice on the can in a position where the washer I3 is compressed againstthe uppercan wall. The fulcrum '3 5? is such that the latch 34 may have I limited rocking .or til-ting movement providing for the automatic engagement of the individual shoulders'ifi and"?! with the bead-'D.

It is to be understood thattheI-latches illustrated in Figs. 7to 12, inclusive, areautOmatiCaIIy actuated or urged to their .operativeposi-tionsby thespring. Ail and maybe readilywreleased Jay the user or operator by pressing against their respective handles" 42 12 and 42, theseope'rations being'the same. as..described .in connection with the formjillustrated. in Figs; 1 -to'6,.inclusive.

' Having. described typical preferred-forms and applications of my invention, I do notwish to be limited orrestricted .to the specific detailsherein set forthjbut wish-toreserveto myselrlanyvariationsof. modifications that. may appear to those skilled inthe art or -fall withinthe scope-.01 the following claims.

Having described my invention, Iclaim:

1. A device: for opening a can .which'has a side wall and top joined by ahead, the devic including a sheet metal. body having a.-pouring-'spout and. a guide continuous withlthe spoutror coopcrating withthe wall of the cam-the spoutand guidei being ..in.. substantial. alignment and r the spout being in the form of a handl for manipulating the device and projecting up from the top of the can when the device is applied to a can, a cutter on the body substantially parallel with the guide and spout adapted to cut an opening in the top of the can from which the contents may be poured through the spout, a resilient compressible sealing member on the body surrounding the base of the spout so it is compressed against the top to seal around the cutter when th cutter is forced to its final position, a flange on the body overlying the sealing member and confinin it to an operating position, a rigid latch arranged at the inner side of the guide to project upwardly between the guide and cutter, means connecting the lower end of the latch with the body for movement relative thereto, the latch having a fulcrum for bearing on the guide, spring means at the lower end of the latch for urging the latch to a position where its upper end latches under the bead when the cutter approaches its final position so that the latch holds the devicein the position where the sealing member is compressed, and means for releasing the latch including a part projecting from the upper end portion of the latch so it is accessible at the exterior of the guide.

2. A device for opening a can which has a side wall and top joined by a bead, the device including a body having a pouring spout and a guide for cooperating with the wall of the can, a cutter on the body adapted to cut an opening in the top of the can from which the contents may be poured through the spout, a resilient compressible sealing member on the body that is compressed against the top to seal around the cutter when the cutter is forced to its final position, a flange on the body overlying the sealing member, a lip on the flange confining the sealing member to the flange, a rigid latch extending upwardly at the inner sid of the guide, means pivotally mounting the latch on the guide including a projection on the lower end of the latch carried in an opening in the guide, spring means at the lower end portion of the latch for urging the latch to a position where its upper end latches under the bead when the cutter approaches its final position so that the latch holds the device in the position where the sealing member is compressed, and a releasable handle on the latch extending from the upper end of the latch through an opening in the guide to project laterally from the guide so it is accessible at the ex terior of the guide. I

3. A device for opening cans including a cutter adapted to be forced through the top of the can to form a pouring opening therein, a, spout extending from the outer end of the cutter to be parallel therewith for conducting away the contents of the can, means at the outer end of the cutter adapted to have sealing engagement with said wall around said opening, including an annular sealing member and a flang located where the cutter joins the spout and overlying the sealing membe and latch means in connection with the cutter and spout for cooperating with the can to hold the sealing means in engagement with said wall, the latch means comprising a vertically disposed latch having vertically spaced upwardly facing shoulder parts at its upper end for latching with the can in difierent vertical positions of the device relative to the can.

4. A device for opening a can which has a side wall and top joined by a bead, the devic including a body having a pouring spout and a guide for cooperating with opposite sides of the side wall of the can, a cutter on the body substantially parallel with the guide and adapted to cut an opening in the top of the can from which the contents may be poured through the spout, a sealing member on the body around the base of the spout for sealing with said other wall around the cutter including an annular sealing member and a flange located Where the cutter joins the spout and over,- lying the sealing member, the flang having a lip confining the sealing member and means on the body for latching the bead to hold the sealing member in sealing engagement with said other wall, said means including a rigid Vertically disposed latch pivotally supported at the inner side of the guide and adapted to ride down past the bead when the cutter is forced through the top of the can, and vertically spaced upwardly facing shoulder parts on the latch for latching under the head with the device at different elevations on the can.

OZRO N. WISWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,344,801 Kitaoka June 29, 1920 2,102,978 Slining Dec. 21, 1937 2,025,450 Higbee Dec. 24, 1935 1,245,333 Goldberg Nov 6, 1917 2,040,586 Wiswell May 12, 1936 1,006,623 Barrett Oct, 24, 1911 1,059,231 Storey Apr. 15, 1913