US2730729A - Holding devices for ribbon-type can-opening keys - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 17, 1956 G. COPLEN 2,730,729

HOLDING DEVICES FOR RIBBON-TYPE CAN-OPENING KEYS Filed Jan. 5, 1955 Fig .5

INVENTOR. 650%: 60am BY M %TTORIYEY United States Patent HOLDING DEVICES FOR RIBBON-TYPE CAN-OPENING KEYS George Coplen, Cripple Creek, Colo.

Application January 3, 1955, Serial No. 479,612;

1 (Zlaim. (Cl. 7-l) This invention relates to a device for facilitating the opening of cans of the type having a metal ribbon adapted to be wound about a winding key. The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, neat, inexpensive device which can be used for supporting the winding key of a ribbon type can in accurate alignment with the path of severance of the ribbon so as to prevent accidental tearing off of the ribbon before the can is fully opened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winding key support for cans of this type which will be adaptable to any ribbon type can, and which will facilitate loosening the starting end of the ribbon from the can so that it may be readily inserted in the winding key.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efi'iciency. These will become more ap parent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is bad to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top view of the improved Winding key holding device, illustrating it substantially full size and in the closed position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, illustrating the device in the open position;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, illustrating the improved winding key holding device as it would appear in use.

In Fig. 4 a typical can of the ribbon opening type is indicated at with its lid at 11, lid bead at 21, and ribbon winding key at 12. Cans of this type are opened by winding a relatively narrow metallic ribbon 13 from between the can 10 and the lid 11 about the winding key 12, the key being provided with a slot 20 for receiving the extremity of the ribbon.

This invention is designed to support the winding key 12 and maintain it accurately at right angles to the path of the winding ribbon 13 so as to prevent accidental tearing of the ribbon and misalignment of the ribbon coil upon the key.

The device comprises two relatively flat, arcuately bent leg members 14 and 15 which curve downwardly and diminish in thickness toward their rear extremities so as to terminate in relatively sharp edges 19. Each leg member is formed with a sidewardly projecting foot portion 16 at its rear extremity. The two foot portions project oppositely outward in alignment with each other. The forward extremities of the two leg members are hinged together in overlapping relation upon a suitable hinge rivet 17. The two leg members are mortised where they overlap so as to fit into each other to preserve the uniform thickness of the device. Each leg contains a semi-circle lar notch 18 adjacent the hinge rivet 17. When the legs 2,730,729 Patented Jan. 17, 1956 are in the closed position of Fig. 1, the notches 18 cooperate to form a cylindrical key-receiving opening.

The curvature of the leg members 14 and 15 is such as to place the rear edges 19 thereof below the plane of the lower surfaces of the legs a distance substantially equal to the height of the lid head 21.

In use, the relatively sharp rear edges 19 are inserted beneath the free extremity of the ribbon 13 to pry it outwardly from the can so that the slot 20 of the key 12 can be readily slipped over the projecting extremity of the ribbon and the key is given suflicient turns to lock it to the projecting ribbon extremity.

The two leg members 14 and 15 are separated, slipped about the key and closed to the position of Fig. 1 so that the shaft of the key 12 will be rotatably contained within the key opening formed by the cooperating notches 18. The device is now rested on the top of the can lid and held lightly closed with one hand while the key is rotated with the other hand. As the key travels around the can, the relatively wide base of the device, formed by the projecting foot portions 16, will rest upon the can top to accurately maintain the key at right angles to its intended path so that a perfect separation will be had between the can 10 and its lid 11.

After the ribbon has been fully separated from the can, it is only necessary to separate the two legs 14 and 15 and allow the key, with its wound ribbon, to drop therefrom.

The device may be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic or die-casting metal. It should, however, be of some corrosion-resistant metal so that it will resist moisture, tarnish, etc.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is:

A device for supporting a winding key on a ribbonsealed container of the type having a raised bead surrounding a circular lid, comprising: two leg members; means hinging said leg members together adjacent one extremity thereof; cooperating notches formed in said leg members adapted, when the latter are pressed together, to form a guide opening for receiving the shaft of a winding key, said leg members being arcuately formed so that when their first extremities adjacent the hinge means are rested upon the raised bead of the can, their second extremities, distant from the hinge means, will lie on the lid of the can to maintain the first extremities horizontal with the axis of the guide opening parallel to the vertical axis of the can; an outwardly projecting foot portion formed on the second extremity of each leg member and adapted to rest upon the lid of said can to resist lateral tilting of the leg members, said leg members diminishing in vertical thickness as said second extremities are approached; and a relatively sharp, horizontal terminal edge extending across the second extremities of the leg members and across said foot portions so as to lie upon said lid and adapted for use in separating the projecting extremity of a can ribbon from a can.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 69,563 Herde Oct. 8, 1867 546,361 Taekaberry Sept. 17, 1895 838,706 Fuller Dec. 18, 1906 993,128 Uhrnell May 23, 1911 1,456,928 Lake, Ir. May 29, 1923

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