US2588731A

US2588731A - Opener for canned liquids

Info

Publication number: US2588731A
Application number: US27373A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicholas J Kabanuck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-05-17
Filing date: 1948-05-17
Publication date: 1952-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 1969-03-11

Description

March 11, 1952 N. J. KABANUCK OPENER FOR CANNED LIQUIDS Filed May 17, 1948 Nicholas J. Kabanuck INVENTOR.

BY WWW 3% Patented Mar. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE OPENER FOR CANNED LIQUIDS Nicholas J. Kabanuck, San Rafael, Calif. Application May 117, 1948, Serial No. 27,373

2 claims. (01. 30 -641) f \1 Th s invention rela es t improved ,rna s f piercing the usual non-rimmed cans whereb the device can readily be applied to s c cansor th like to permit convenient handling thereof, although it is to be undertsood that wherever de sired, the present device may be used on other types of cans as well, being able to function thereon.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a piercing means for puncturing the tops of such cans so that they are made ready for dispensing of the fluids contained therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is adjustable to accommodate various sized cans and thereby eliminate the necessity for employing separate can piercing means for the different types in use.

Another object of the invention is to enable the opener to be collapsed when not in use and thereby take up a minor amount of storage space.

Features of the invention reside in the provision of stop means to retain the device on a can, platform support means for actuation by the user thereof and means to grasp the opener while the can is being pierced and prevent slipping.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like characters of reference denote like parts throughout,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention in position on a can to be pierced;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device positioned on a can;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the piercing device in position on a can, and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the piercing device in collapsed position ready for storing.

Referring to the figures, the can puncturing means is identified generally by numeral l and is retained on a can l2 by can engaging means 14 and stop means I 6.

Can gripping means I4 is constructed of two members, namely a spring clip l8 adapted to seat on the outer diameter of can 12 and is of flexible steel construction and includes a pair of oppositely disposed guide ears 2!} on the open ends thereof. Clip [8 is reinforced by a guard 22 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto and extends around a substantial portion thereof. Guard 22fassists clip 18 in retention on can l2. A Y-shaped stop I6 assists in preventing any further downward travel of the piercing device 01.1 cam l2 by means of laterally extending stop ears 24. As is clearly seen in Figures 1 and 3, stops 24 rests on the upper surface 26 of can J2 and thereby limit any further travel of the'device. Stop 16 is riveted to a lever member 28 by suitable flat headed rivets 30. Lever 28 is in turn, secured to spring clips [4 by means of a headed rivet 32 on the depending leg of lever 28.

Lever 28 is preferably constructed of spring steel and consists of a longitudinally elongated leg 34 integral with an outwardly bowed laterally extending depending leg 36. As is best illustrated in Figure 2, leg 34 includes an elongated slot 38 near the free end thereof and seats therein in 2. depending relation a prong or punch 40. Thus, it is clearly apparent that piercing prong 49 is adjustable within the confines of slot 38 from the forwardly extended position shown in full lines in Figure 3 to the rear position shown in dotted lines in the same figure. Piercing point 40 is thereby capable of being adjusted to accommodate various sized cans, such as milk cans or beer cans, or the like. A second punch 42 is mounted in non-movable relation on the rear portion of lever 28 at a point adjacent to depending leg 36 and provides the second piercing means necessary in the operation of such devices. It is to be noted that prong 40 is of somewhat longer length (Figure 3) than prong 42, so that when the device is mounted on a can,

prongs

40 and 42 are adjacent the top thereof. A short support bar 44 is mounted below leg 34 and is of such length of approximately the distance between

prongs

40 and 42. Strengthening bar 44 is 1ongitudinally slotted at 46 in the manner of slot 38 for admission of punch 49 therethrough and is retained on leg 34, together with an actuating platform 48 on the upper surface of leg 34 by suitable rivets or the like 50.

In use, spring clip [4 is separated and slid into engagement with the sides of a can l2, guide ears 20 serving as the guide means for admission of can I2. Spring clip [4 is then slid downwardly on the sides of the can until further movement is prevented by stop ears 24. This places the actuating lever or handle in the position indicated in Figure 1, and the housewife or other user, grips ears 2!! to retain the device firmly on can I2 while the palm of the hand is placed on platform 48 and lever 28 is urged downwardly, thereby enabling

punches

40 and 42 to pierce the top of thecan. When lever 28 is released; the resilience ofthe spring construction will cause it to move upwardly again and the device is ready to be removed. Prong 40 is adjustable laterally to accommodate various types and sizes of cans.

When the piercing device has been removed from a can, lever 28 is pivoted on swivel means 32 until it overlies the closed portion of spring clip 14, as is illustrated in Figure 4, and the device is now ready to be stored. The surface of spring [4 acts as a guard against accidental engagement of the hand of the user with the

pointed prongs

40 and 42.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes in size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

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

1. Means for venting and opening a can comprising gripping means adapted for detachable concentric positioning on the side wall of a can, a forked member extending upwardly from said gripping means and including a pair of stop ears for engaging the edge of the top of the can and limiting downward movement of the gripping means, a lever pivotally secured at one end thereof to said gripping means whereby said lever may be swung upwardly from a position adjacent said gripping means to a position overlying the top of the can, a fixed prong depending from said lever adjacent the lateral end and a longitudinally adjustable prong depending from said lever.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said member for limiting downward movement of the gripping means is secured to said one end of the lever.

NICHOLAS J. KABANUCK.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,215,821 Larger Feb. 13, 191'? 1,230,344 Tweeddale June 19, 1917 2,292,766 Molander Aug. 11, 1942