US2540541A - Punch type can opener - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, 1951 F. MYERS PUNCH TYPE CAN OPENER Filed July 25, 1949 Fred Myers 1 N V ENTOR.

Patented Feb. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,540,541 PUNCH TYPE CAN OPENER Fred Myers, Fallbrcok, Calif.

Application July 25, 1949,, Serial No. 160,642

r 2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to can openers of the type wherein the top of a milk or juice can is punctured, by penetrating punch means, at either one or'two points to facilitate pouring of the contents of a can into a glass or equivalent container. It will be evident from the introductory statement of my invention that I am aware that there are many and varied types of so-called can punches and that some are used to puncture two holes at diametrically opposite points, while others punch a single hole. Usually, there is a suitable frame in which the can is racked and securely held, and a pivoted lever on the frame, said lever being provided with a prong or equivalent punch to make a hole in the top of the can whenpressure is brought to bear on the punchequipped lever. Having experimented with countless types of can punches in the category under consideration, I have discovered the need for what I believe to be a more satisfactory construction wherein novelty has to do with the point at which the hinged end of the lever is pivoted in respect to the top and body of the can and wherein the punch is situated ideally in relation to the pivot point to swing in an are which results in expeditious opening of the can.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that my primary object is, therefore, to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon known types of lever-equipped can-top punches and to attain the wanted ends through the medium of an especially shaped frame structure and a novelly pivoted lever which carries the punch.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a can holding and can-top punch constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view with parts in section and elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the lever hinging arrangement, parts being in elevation and in section.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the appearance of the opening which has been struck in the top of the can.

Referring now to the views of the drawings by reference numerals and accompanying lead lines,

the frame structure for supporting the can 5 is characterized primarily by a relativelystationary upright. l. The upper end of this is bifurcated and the. furcations have straight portions 8 8 and downturned free end portions 9-9, the latter being at oblique angles tothe body portion of said upright. The bends defining th straight and angular portions 8-8 and 99, respectively, are

" denoted by the numerals Ill. The terminals of the angularly bent portions 9-9 are formed into bearing eyes lI-ll toaccommodateahinge pin l2 which, in turn, serves to hingedly mount the eye 13 of the lever M in place. Lever l4 terminates in a suitable finger ring or grip l5 and it will be noticed that the lever extends through the slots whichexist between furcations B- -B and therefore works, let us say, outwardly of-.-the

wall l6 of the can. I On the other hand; the pivoted end of the lever is suspended in a suitably elevated position over the top I! of the can. The rim of the can top is denoted at I8. The can which is to be punctured is seated on a supporting arm l9 having a slot 2|] which slidably surrounds said upright l. The slotted end portion of the arm has an inturned or suitably curved hook 2| which, in turn, is provided with a setting and retaining prong or detent 22. The detent is, in effect, a keeper and is adapted to be selectively seated in any one of the recesses 23 forming selectively usable keeper seats for said keeper. It follows, therefore, that the can resting or seating arm 19 may be adjusted up and down to put the can top at the proper level for puncturing purposes. The pressure of the puncturing element is in a direction from the rim l8 toward the center of thetop. This necessitates using a special puncturing element which I broadly identify as a wedge-type punch 24. The punch has diverging walls 25 and a curvate cutting edge 26 and a penetrating point 21. Obviously, therefore, the outer or left-hand end of the lever is lifted up to a position above that shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 3 so that the penetrating point is above the level of the can top. Then, the lever is swun down (down in relation to the views of the drawing) and the point 21 first enters the top I! just inwardly of the rim, let us say at the point A. Then, the cutting edge sweeps through an are determined by the pivot which overhangs the can top. Not only does the punch slice but it wedges too, and thus provides a pair of substantially semi-triangular downbent flanges 28. It follows that the finished opening is V-shaped with the vertex of the V facing toward the radial center of the can top. This idea of slicing" from the rim inwardly toward the center utilizes to best advantage the leverage principle which I have adopted and is such that my frame is specifically distinct, the manner of hinging oi the lever is new, and the principle of applyin the forces of a wedge-shaped punch is of significance. Collectively, these features define what I believe is a unique instrumentality in this art.

In practice, the .frame structure may be attached t'o a wall or ot'her support, and to accomplish this, I have adopted L- shaped brackets 29 and 30 with laterally bent apertured attaching ends 3| and 32. Bracket 30 is bolted in place at 33 and bracket29 is riveted in place *at'3'4.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those .skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accord ingly deemed unnecessary.

"It is to be understood, however, that even thoug-h there is herein shown "and described a "preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes iully comprehended by the spirit of the invention 'as herein described and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having "described the invention, what :is claimed "as new is:

1. In a-can holding and punching device of the "downwardly in respect to said body, said free end "portions terminating in hinge pin knuckles, a

hinge pin mounted in said knuckles, alever having a portion extending between the furcations and terminating in an eye, said eye being connected with said hinge pin, the" opposite end por'-" tion of the lever extending between and beyond the furcations to a. point, remote from said knuckles, and a can punch carried by the eyeequipped end of said lever.

2. In a can holding and punching device of the class described, a frame structur embodying an upright, said upright having one end bifurcated, the f-urcations of said .0118 end having straight portions in a plane with the body of the upright and having free end portions bent laterally and downwardly in respect to said body, said free end portions terminating in hinge pin knuckles, a hinge pin mounted in said knuckles, a lever having .:a portion extending between the furcations and terminating in an eye, said eye being connected with said hinge pin, the opposite end portion 'of the lever extending between and beyond the furcations to a point remote from said knuckles, and a can punch carried by the eyeequipped end of said Zlever, said .can punch being -wedge-shaped in cross-section and having va curvate cutting edge and penetrating point,.s aid ,point entering thecan top to initiate the incision and said curvate edge serving to slice through an arcuate path to complete :the incision and to spread the edge portions of the walls thereof apart.

FRED MYERS.-

REFERENCES CIT-ED The following references are of record in 'the "iii-e of this patent:

UNIT-ED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 579,084 Stewart Mar. 16,1837 2,043,654 'Donat 3111169, .1936

Sha'fier Nov. .1, v1938

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