US2677881A - Can opener - Google Patents

Description

y 1954 E. w. ANDERSON 2,677,881

CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 17, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l y 11. 1954 E. w. AN ERSON 2,677,881

CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 17 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 11, 1954 E. w. ANDERSON 2,677,331

CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 17 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M 1954 E. w. ANDERSON 2,677,881

CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 17 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.5.

Patented. May 11, 1954 2,677,881

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAN OPENER Eric W. Anderson, Chicago, 111., assignor to Dohm and Nelke Incorporated, St. Louis, .Mo., accr poration of Missouri Application August '17, 19.49, Serial No. 110,791

6 Claims. (Cl. 30-55) 1 This invention relates to a can opener for '2, there is shown at numeral-I a cabinet whichis conveniently opening a variety of sizes of filled supported at the rear on casters 3 and at the cans. front on legs 5. When "upright, the legs 5 pre- Briefly, the invention consists in apparatus for vent the device from creeping, but it may be commercial can-opening operations in quantity, 5 tilted backward on casters 3 for trundling moveand consists of a portable cabinet which is tiltment to any desired position. To the top of the able from an upright position on supporting legs, cabinet is bolted a yoke 7 which has other priand casters, to a tilted position on the casters for mary functions but is also used as a handle for movement, the whole unit being adapted conconveniently eifecting the stated tilt and moveveniently to be grasped and tilted by a cutter- 10 ment. In the left-hand portions 'of the cabinet holding yoke. The cabinet contains pedal-op- I is certain mechanism described below for re erated mechanism for moving cans into cooperacipmcating a upp rt or table 9, this mechtion with the cutter on the yoke which is selecanism being under control 'of a left-foot pedal tively controlled from a conveniently operable II. This mechanism is also adjustable from a hand lever to make its pedal-operatedcomponent manual operating lever 13 on the left side of effective for various types of cutters which are the cabinet. This adjusts the mechanism operiequired for various sizes of cans accommodated. ated by pedal H to force small cans into associa- Other features will be in part apparent and in m n w h n yp f cutter h a shown n npart painted t hereinafter eral at numeral [5 (Fig. '1), or for adjusting the The invention accordingly comprises the eleechanism to force large cans into association merits and combinations of elements, features of With another type of cutter head shown in genconstruction, and arrangements of parts which eral at numeral ll (Fig.2)

will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter On the right side of the cabinet I is a repta l c e I9 having a top opening 2| conveniently Fig. 1 is a perspective view of themachine from t dal Cans wh ch are dropped into the its left front, showing the use of a cutter mechao receptacle l9 through pen n 2| are retained nism for smaner cans; therein until flattened by the crushing mecha- Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the which Operative m pedal 23. The remachine from the right front, showing the use of ceptaele s a lower s cted openin at l 29 a cutter mechanism for larger cans; I which does not show in Figs. 1 and 2, but, does Fig. 8 is a front elevation in orthographic pro: :1; j'ection, showing the machine with a cutter for Scribed- This Opening is O positioned and is large cans and parts in retracted positions; of such limited width and elongate shape that Fig. 4 is a left-side view of Fig. 3; w p

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5 5 I 3" Was e p le Such as suggested'at 21. of Fig. 4, but showing the crusher parts in ex- It's'hould be noted before giving further detended crushing position; tailed description, that the parts of the appa- Fig 5 is a cross section taken on line 5 of ratus are arranged for convenient operation by Fig 3 b t showing parts in position for .operaan operator standing in front of it. He may tion upon small cans; employ one or the other for operation of the Fig. 7 is a detail section taken on line .'I 7 pedals H and 23, h left hand for operating the of Fig. 6;

Fig. Sis a-detail longitudinal section. of a cutter ns c s to and from the table 9 and for phead for smaller cans; ping cans into the receptacle [9. Crushed cans F159 is a plan View of Fig and, need not be handled until removed from the pile Fig. 10 is a detail section taken online lfi-l0 2 The pedals II and 23 extend from an openof Fig 9 ing 29 in such a way that; the reactions required Similar reference characters indicate correr Operating them are Substantially pp ed to sponding parts throughout the several views of the legs 5, So that the Ina-Chine does n creep the drawings. during operation. On the other hand, the ma- Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and chine'may be easily m v d by grasping the'yoke 1 and tilting it backward, whereupon it trundled on the casters 3 to any desired new cation.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3-6, it will be seen that the can table 9 is carried upon a stem 3| which is vertically movable in a hearing 33 extending down from the top 35 of the cabinet. The lower end of the stem 3| is hollow for the rocking reception of a push rod 31, the latter being pivoted at 39 to a rocker 4|. At its other end, the rocker is pivoted at 43 to the clevis of a connecting rod 45, the latter being pivoted at 41 to an operating pedal arm 49 which carries the pedal The pedal arm is pivoted at 5| to a bracket 53 attached to a bottom piece 55 at tached to the cabinet I. A spring 51, which is anchored at 59 and attached to the pedal arm 49 at 41, serves to bias the pedal arm 49 upward to let down the table 9. i

The rocker 4| is unusual in that it does not rock on a fixed pivot. The rocking arrangement is shown best in Figs. 4, 6 and '1. It consists in a fixed bracket 5| which is braced by a rod 63. This bracket carries an arcuate slot 65 for accommodating the movement of a cross pin 61, on which is a pivot roller 59. The pin 91 is carried upon coordinate arms 1|, keyed to a rock shaft 13, the latter being carried in bearings of the bracket 6!. Rock shaft 13 passes to the outside of the cabinet I, where it is provided with the lever l3 keyed thereto. These parts 1|, 13 and I3 constitute a lever assemblyfl Thus when the lever I3 is oscillated, the coordinate levers 1| oscillate, to move the pin 61 in the slot 65. Therefore, the pivot roller 59. may assume selected positions at opposite ends of the slot 65 which may be compared in Figs. 4 and 6.

Selective positioning of the pivot roller 69 controls the manner in which the rocker arm 4| will operate in response to depression of the pedal arm 49. This is accomplished by arranging a slot 11 in the rocker 4| within which the pivot roller 69 fits. Bracket 9| has two side cheeks 19 sandwiching the rocker arm 4| thus determining its plane of motion. The pivot roller 99 in its position in slot 11 is also sandwiched between the cheeks 19 and is held captive, the slots 65 being narrower than the roller diameter. When the pivot roller 69 takes up a rearward position (handle l3 back) such as shown in Fig. 4, italso takes up a rearward position in the slot 11. When the pivot roller 69 takes up a forward position in the slot 65 (handle l3 forward), it also takes up a position at the front end of the slot 11. In the former position (Fig. 4), rocker 4| when oscillated by depression of the pedal arm 49 will provide a high lift for the pivot 39 and hence for the table 9. In the latter position (Fig. 6) the same rocker 4| when oscillated by depression of the pedal arm 49 will provide a low lift for the pivot 39 and hence for the table 9. In proceeding between its extreme positions the pivot means 51, 69 may move rapidly. It is held in either of its extreme positions by the overcentering detent means constituted by the slots 65 and 61. The end of rocker 4| at pin 43 is detained against lateral shift when in upward position. This is ef fected by detent recesses 42 in the cheeks 19, which recesses act as holding sockets for the upper clevis-end of link 45. This detent means prevents the rocker 4| from moving back and forth with the movement of levers 1|. The form of the slot 11 is concave upward, thereby causing its ends to act also as detents so that once the lever I3 is thrown either backward or formay be overhang and the ward it will so remain, with the result that the desired pivot position of roller 69 will be retained. Hence the linkage 49, 45, 4|, 31, controlling table 9, will after setting retain either of its two positions for high lift of table 9 (Fig. 4) or lowerlift of that table (Fig. 6). For the high-lift operation, the table starts from a lower elevation (Figs 3 and 4) than the starting elevation for the lowlift operation (Fig. 6). This in effect increases the can-receiving throat of the machine between table, which is for accommodating larger cans.

The purpose of the variable-lift operation of the table 9 is to lift a small can a short distance when the lever H1 is forward (Fig. 1) or a large can a greater distance when the lever I3 is rearward (Fig. 2). As stated, the lowering of the starting position of table 9 for large-stroke operation provides for acceptance of longer cans. The greater stroke of movement for larger cans is desired by reason of the fact that a cutter is re quired for these which requires a longer actuating stroke than is the case for smaller cans. The cutter assemblies |5 (small can) and I1 (large can) are interchangeable, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Each assembly includes a supporting rod 8| or 82 adapted to be fastened in an opening 03 in the overhang 85 of the yoke 1. The rods may be interchangeably fastened by a hand screw The cutter assembly l5 for small cans will first be described, this being shown in detail in Figs. 8-10. It consists of a head 09 recessed as shown at 9|. On the one side of the recess is a semicircular positioning and guide shoe 93. In the recess 9| is a flexible band type saw blade which is held in position from the inside by a split spring ring 91. A screw-operated wedge 99 under control of an adjusting nut |0| cooperates with the split I03 in the ring 91. When the nut |0| is turned so as to draw up the wedge 99, the ring 91 is expanded radially to wedge the cutter blade 95 against the sides of the recess 9|. Passing through an opening I05 in the head 89 is a springretracted hand punch I01, by means of which any heads removed from the cans by the cutter blade 95 may be punched out of the latter. As will appear, cutting action occurs when a can properly positioned on the table 9 by guide 93 is lifted by rising action of the table, to have its head pushed into the cutter 95. It will be seen that the cutter blade 95, for small cans, has several relatively shallow teeth, which require for complete lid removal only a short-stroke action for the can lift, which corresponds to the arrangement of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The form of opener for large cans is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, wherein the shorter supporting rod 82 is provided with a head I09, the rim of which is recessed as shown at Ill to accept two semicircular spade-type cutters H3, the cutting edges of which are deep and angular, as indicated in Fig. 4. A split holding ring is shown at 5 adapted to be expanded by the expansion bolt 1. This bolt is of the same general type as that described in connection with Fig. 10, and consequently requires no further explanation beyond the showing in the drawings. After inserting the cutters H3 into the recess Ill and the expansion ring H5, the cutters are held in place by drawing up the expansion bolt H1 so as to expand the split ring H5, thus anchoring the cutters.

A semicircular positioning and guide shoe H9 also depends from the head I09. No knockout means is shown. in connection with this-form of coverybut it will. be understood that one may be used. With the cutter described, knockout" 3; and 4, wherein the pivot roller 69 is-back in the groove 65, thus providing a greater stroke of'lifting. action for the. table 9.

After oneend ofa can is removed, it will be emptied. Itzmay then be inverted andthe other end removed, after'which the-can is dropped into the: receptacle I9:. This receptacle isconstituted by. spaced walls I2I, I23, a ribbed end wall I25.

and a bottom I 21, the latter extending to an open slot. or narrow discharge opening I29. Movable to and fromthe opening I29 is a ram I3I- carried on rollers I33. This ram is supported also by guiding pins I35'which slide in fixed cylindric guides I31, the latter being: rigidly supportedin bosses I39 attached to the framework of the cabinet I. The ram I3! is operated by a toggle linkage consistingof a link I II pivoted to the ram by means of pin I 43, and a second link I 45 pivoted to a bracket I41 on the cabinet I by the pivot pin I49. These two links are pivoted by apin I 51 at a knee joint. Depending from the pin I5: is a pull link I53 to which, at I55, is pinned a pull rod I51. The latter at its lower end is pinned as at. I59 to a second pedal'arm I$I which carries a pedal 23, the latter being also pivoted on the pin 5JI already described. This arm is biased upward by a spring I63. When the pedal 23 and arm ISI are. depressed, the pull rod i5? and link I55 pull down the pin i'5I so as to straighten the toggle MI, I 45, thus driving the rain I 3i. through the receptacle I9 to crush against the ribbed end wall I25. any empty container therein. The container will be crushed into a flat plane over the opening I29 so that when (by releasingthe pedal ,23) the spring I63 causes retraction of the ram, gravity will force the flattened can through the narrow opening I29 to the pile I21.

Complete operation is as follows:

By grasping the yoke 1 and tilting the cabinet I backward on wheels 3, it may be trundled into any desired position and then permitted to gravitate back into upright position. Assuming that of the hand screw 81. This cutter assembly, having the shallow-tooth blade 95, calls for setting the lever I3 in its forward position, which provides a forward pivot point for the rocker M and a short lift stroke for the table 9. This also places the table 9 in its upper initial position so as to minimize the amount of extension required in the rod BI for supporting the cutter at the proper distance above the table 9.

Next acan is placed on the table in contact with the positioning shoe 93 and pedal I I is depressed. This elevates the table 9 to force the can into the cutter, which removes the top. Thereafter the pedal I I is released, whereupon the can descends. The can may then be removed and emptied and the top knocked out of the cutter assembly I5. The can may then. if desired, be inverted and have its bottom out out. Upon this removal, the can is dropped into the opening ZI and into the compartment I9. The pedal 23 is depressed, with the result already described, the flattened can finally dropping through the opening I29.

To operateupon large cans, the lever I3 is placed" inits rearwardposition (Fig. 4). Thisdepresses the tabler9lto a new and lowerstartingposition and pivots the rocker 4| for greater table lift. Thecutter assembly I1 is then applied and operation proceeds as before, except that knockout of the can lids is-accomplished by pushing with any handy rod between the spokes of'the-head I99;

Ifthe' contents: of. a can spill during any openingoperation, they are caught in a depression lli'formed inthe top. 35 and drained out rearwardly over a lip I13.

, The apparatus-has. certain advantages by reasonof its arrangements of parts. The arrangement. of theyoke for supporting the assembly I5 or I1. and its. relationship to the casters 3 so that it-may be used as an arm to trundle the apparatus about when it is tilted on the casters 3. Operation of the lever I3 is conveniently performed by the left hand when an operator is standing in front of the machine in order totread on the pedals II and 23 with his left and right feet, respectively. His right hand canv con,- veniently drop the containers into the. compartment; it. Both hands may be used to position the container on the table 9.. Because of the nonwheel'ed legs 5. and the. position of the. pedals II and 2:3; operative reactions on the floor serve to holdthe apparatus in position,

The means for changing the throw of pivot.

point 39 on rocker 4i isa. mechanically convenient one for adapting the table lift to various sizes of cans. Moreover, it is of such a nature that for the larger sizes of cans the table 9 is dropped into. a position to accommodatecans of maximum length for a given throat distance provided by the yoke 1i with its attached assemblyv I1. cutter assemblies may be conveniently stocked for simple application to the yoke by means of the hand-wheel 81. The toggle links MI and I 45 buckle upwardly in retracting the ram, and straddle both their own operating linkages and the elevating rocker linkage for the table 9, both of the latter linkages extending downward in the cabinet I. This makes a compact arrangement wherein only the receptacle I9 forms an extension; and this extension is advantageous in positioning the outlet I29 for a convenient dropout of the meshed cans to one side of the cabinet, where a pile of such cans will not interfere with the actions of the operator standing in front of the machine.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a can opening device of the type comprising a support, a downwardly directed cutter fixed to the support, and table for holding a can carried by the support for vertical movement below and in line with the cutter, said table being adapted for upward movement toward the cutter for cutting the top of a can on the table, and for downward retrastive movement away from the cutter; means for determining high and low initial positions of the table and for moving the table from either of said positions toward the cutter comprising a bracket fixed to the support Various 7 having a slot formed to have its ends offset in one direction, a pin shiftable in the slot between a first position at one end of the slot and a second position at the other end of the slot, means carried by the support for shifting the pin between its said positions, a rocker having a slot formed to have its ends offset in the opposite direction with respect to the ends of the slot in the bracket and mounted on said pin for rocking movement on the axis of the pin, the pin being shiftable from one end of the slot in the rocker to the other, means coupling one end of the rocker and the table, and a foot pedal and means coupling the foot pedal to the other end of the rocker for moving the table toward the cutter, the pedal having a raised retracted position wherein the table occupies either its high or low initial positions depending upon whether the pin is at one end or the other of the slots.

2. In a can opening device as set forth in claim 1, detent means operative between the rocker andthe support for preventing; the rocker from moving endwise when the pedal is in its retracted position.

3. A can opening device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bracket has a recess receiving the coupling means between the foot pedal and the rocker when the pedal is in its retracted position for preventing the rocker from moving endwise.

4. A can opening device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slots are formed with the ofiset ends by being made arcuate, with the slot in the bracket and the slot in the rocker reversely curved.

5. A can opening device comprising a cabinet, a cutter yoke extending upward from the top of the cabinet and carrying a downwardly directed cutter spaced from the top of the cabinet, a stem extending through an opening in the top of the cabinet and adapted for vertical movement in alignment with the cutter, a can table on the upper end of the stem, a bracket mounted inside the cabinet, a horizontal rock shaft journalled in said bracket extending out of the cabinet through an opening in the cabinet, an operating lever on the outer end of the rock shaft, the bracket having an arcuate slot centered generally in the axis of the shaft and concave downward, a radial arm fixed on the rock shaft carrying a horizontal pin extending through said arcuate slot, the pin being shiftable from one end of the slot to the other by rocking the shaft by means of the lever, a rocker having an upwardly concave arcuate slot receiving the pin and being adapted for rocking movement on the axis of the pin, the

pin being shiftable from one end of the slot in the rocker to the other, a foot pedal pivoted at one end inside the cabinet and extending out of the cabinet at its other end through an opening in the cabinet, a coupling between one end of the rocker and the stem, a coupling between the foot pedal and the other end of the rocker for lifting the stem and table when the pedal is pushed down, and spring means biasing the pedal upward to a raised retracted position wherein the table occupies either a high or low initial position depending upon whether the pin is at one end or the other of the slots.

6. A can opening device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the bracket has a recess receiving the end of the coupling between the foot pedal and. the rocker where it is connected to the rocker when the pedal is in its retracted position for preventing the rocker from moving endwise on the pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 234,527 Brock Nov. 16, 1880 266,398 Stoddard Oct. 24, 1882 418,877 Salisbury Jan. 7, 1890 508,332 Morgan Nov. 7, 1893 627,752 Herron June 27, 1899 969,720 Pickett Sept. 6, 1910 1,080,636 Johnson Dec. 9, 1913 1,317,001 Clymer Sept. 23, 1919. 1,376,798 Courtney May 3, 1921 1,505,833 Wells Aug. 19, 1924 1,780,713 McEwan Nov. 4, 1930 2,012,955 Cabot Sept. 3, 1935 2,178,461 Apprill Oct. 31, 1939 2,212,047 Ross Aug. 20, 1940 2,548,807

Morgan et al. Apr. 10, 1951

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