US2828884A

US2828884A - Can opening device

Info

Publication number: US2828884A
Application number: US475900A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard P Mcdaniel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-12-17
Filing date: 1954-12-17
Publication date: 1958-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 1975-04-01

Description

April l, 1958 L.. P. MGDANIEL. 2,828,884

CAN OPENING DEVICE Filed Deo. 1'7. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Figi ATT-clamav;

April 1, 1958 L. P. MCDANIEL. 2,828,884

CAN OPENING DEVICE 8 Filed Deo. 17. 1954 VI2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO 2M EVS CAN OPENDIG DEWCE Leonard P. McDaniel, Marion, 1nd.

Application December 17, 1954, Serial No. 47 5,906

4 Claims. (Cl. 220-52) This invention relates to openers for cans, and more particularly to a device for removing the tear-strip from a can, such as a vacuum packed coffee can, or similar can having a horizontal tear-strip located subjacent to the top rim of the can.

The main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved key device for use in removing the tearstrip from a can, said key device being able to be used repeatedly, being simple in construction, and eliminating the necessity of providing each can with its individual key.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved reusable key device for removing a horizontal tear-strip from a container, such as a coiee container, or the like, wherein the tear-strip is located subjacent to the top rim of the can, said device being inexpensive to manufacture, being durable in construction, being easy to use, and being provided with means for removing the coiled up tear-strip therefrom without requiring the operator to touch the tear-strip at any time, thus preventing the operator from cutting or scratching his hand by contact with the tear-strip.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary top view of a container on which is engaged an -improved can opening device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view or" the can opening device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional View similar to Figure 3 but showing the shaft member of the device in elevated position and being actuated to remove the coiled up tear-strip from the lower portion thereof.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a modified form of can opening device according to the present invention.

Figure 7 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view showing the device of Figures 6 and 7 with its shaft member elevated to remove the coiled up tear-strip from the lower end portion thereof.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures l to 5, one form of can opening device according to the present invention is designated generally at 11. The device 11 comprises a main support member 12 which may be of suitable rigid material, such as metal, plastic, or the like, said main body 12 being formed at its outer end with the handle portion 13, said handle portion having a top stiffening flange 14, and being inclined outwardly from the intermediate portion of the body 12. The intermediate portion of the body 12 is formed with the relatively large horizontal flange 15 which is adapted to overlie and engage the upstanding rim portion 16 of a States Patent RCC conventional container 17. The body 12 is formed at its forward end with the inwardly inclined curved container bearing portion 18 of substantial vertical height adapted to engage beneath the rim 16 of the container to resist downward rotation of the flange 15 around said rim, and is formed with a horizontal, inwardly directed tab element 19 adapted to overlie the container rim 16 and to slide therealong. The tab 19 is formed at its inner corner portion with a depending triangular lug element 2t) which is adapted to hook over the upstanding top rim 16 of the container and to guide the body 12 along the rirn of the containeras the container is rotated relative to the device 11, as will be presently described.

The intermediate portion of the flange 15 is formed with the vertical upstanding sleeve element 21 which has an internally threaded upper bore portion 22 reduced in diameter with respect to the lower bore portion 23 thereof. Designated at 24 is a vertical shaft member which has an enlarged externally threaded intermediate portion 25 which is normally received in the enlarged lower bore portion 23 of the sleeve 21 and which is freely rotatable therein. The lower portion of the shaft member 2d extends through an aperture provided in the flange 15, said aperture being shown at 26 in Figure 3. As is D clearly shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, the lower end portion of the shaft 24 is provided with the vertical openended slots 27 of substantial height.

As shown in Figure 4, the shaft member 24 is of tubular construction and the slots 27 are arranged in respective pairs which are diametrically opposed and which are spaced apart by equal angles, there being thus provided four slots 27 spaced apart by angles of 90 around the axis of the shaft 24.

Secured to the top end of the shaft 24 is the horizontally extending handle bar 28 which is provided at its outer end with the knob 29` for rotating the bar 2S, and for hence rotating the shaft 24.

in using the device, the flange 15 and the tab 19 are engaged over the top rim 16 of the can, the forward bearing portion 18 of the body 12 being engaged against the wall of the can subjacent to the top rim 16 thereof. The slotted lower end of the shaft 24 is engaged with the end tab 29 of the tear-strip, said tab 29 passing through a pair of diametrically opposed slots 27. The handle bar 28 is then rotated clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, the operator using one hand to hold the handle portion 14 and using the other hand to grasp the knob 29 to rotate the bar 28 clockwise. This causes the tearstrip to be coiled up on the lower end portion of the shaft 24, causing the container 17 to be rotated as the tear-strip is coiled up, the process being continued until the tear-strip is completely removed from the container. At this point the shaft 24 is elevated to bring the externally threaded shaft portion 25 into threaded engagement with the internally threaded reduced bore portion 22, after which the shaft 24 is rotated, fas by means of the knob 29 to cause the shaft to be elevated in the sleeve 21 by the cooperating threaded engagement of the shaft portion 25 with the threads in the upper bore portion 22. This raises the lower portion of the shaft and brings the coiled up tear-strip into abutment with the flange 15. By elevating the shaft suiciently the coiled up tear-strip will be forced olf the lower end of the shaft and may be dropped into a suitable waste receptacle.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 8, and designated generally at 11', the flange 15 has secured thereon the vertical upstanding sleeve 21 in which is disposed the vertical shaft 24', the lower portion of the shaft extending through an aperture provided in the intermediate portion of the flange 15. As in the previously described form of the invention, the

3 lower end portion of the shaft is provided with the vertical slots 27 of substantial height and spaced apart 90 from each other around the axis of the shaft.

The shaft 24 is provided with the enlarged plunger portion 30 which is engaged by the lower end of a coiled spring 31 surrounding the shaft 24 and extending through the upper portion of the sleeve 21', the top end of the spring engaging an arm 32 which is rigidly secured to the top end of the sleeve 2l' and which extends a substantial distance laterally therefrom, as is clearly shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. The arm 32 is provided at its outer end with the rounded upper corner portion 33, defining a fulcrum element for a purpose presently to be described.

Designated at 34, is a handle bar which is provided with the upstanding, inwardly convergent side flanges 3d, 35, said bar member 34 being provided at its inner end with a slot 35 located between the side flanges 3S, 3S, as is clearly shown in Figure 6. The upper end portion of the shaft 24 extends through the slot 36 and is pivotally connected to the

anges

35, 35 by a tranverse pivot pin 37. The connecting pin 37 provides a rigid connection between the bar 34 and the shaft 24 insofar as rotation of the shaft 24' is concerned, since by rotating the handle bar 34 `of the shaft, the shaft 24 will be positively rotated around it own axis. However, by employing the arm 32 as a bearing or support, the bar 34 may be utilized as a lever pivoted on the rounded fulcrum edge 33 of the end of the bar 32, whereby the shaft 24 may be at times elevated, as shown in Figure 8.

In using the device of Figures 6l, 7 and 8, the body i2 is engaged with a can in the same manner as in the case of the device of Figures 1 to 5, and the slotted lower end portion of the shaft 24 is engaged with the tab at the end of the tear-strip. The handle bar 34 is then rotated, as by means of its knob 38, the operator using one hand to grasp the body handle 14 and using the other hand to rotate the handle bar 34. As in the previously described form of the invention, this causes the tear-strip to be coiled up on the lower end of the shaft 24. After the tear-strip has been thus detached from the can, the handle bar 34 is pivoted on the rounded edge 33 of the `arm 32 in the manner illustrated in Figure 8, whereby the coiled up tear-strip is brought into abutment with the flange i5, and whereby said tear-strip is forced olf of the lower end of the shaft 24', said shaft being elevated 'against the biasing force of the coiled spring 31. After the tear-strip has been removed, the spring 31 forces the plunger element 3@ downwardly to its normal position, shown in Figure 7, returning the parts to their normal relative positions.

While certain specific embodiments of an improved device for removing a tear-strip from a container have been ydisclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Jhat is claimed is:

l. A device for removing a horizontal tear-strip from a container comprising a horizontal plate-like support member engageable on the rim of the container above the tear-strip, a depending flange secured to a side margin of said support member and extending a substantial distance forwardly thereof and being formed at its forward end with a vertical, curved bearing lug of substantial height, said bearing lug being formed and arranged to engage the side of the container subjacent its rim a substantial distance forwardly of said support member and to resist downward rotation of said support member around said rim, a hook-like member on the forward end of said flange engageable over the container rim, a vertical shaft member rotatably mounted on said support member and being movable upwardly relative thereto, a handle secured to the top end of said shaft member, the lower end of said shaft member extending below said support member and being formed with a vertical slot engageable with the end tab of the tear-strip, and means for elevating said shaft member after the tear-strip has been wound thereon to bring the coiled tear-strip into abutment with said support member and disengage the coiled tear-strip from the shaft member.

2. A device for removing a horizontal tear-strip from a container comprising a horizontal plate-like support member engageable on the rim of the container above the tear-strip, a depending ange secured to a side margin of said support member and extending a substantial distance forwardly thereof and being formed at its forward end with a vertical, curved bearing lug of substantial height, said bearing lug being formed and arranged to engage the side of the container subjacent its rim a substantial distance forwardly of said support member and to resist downward rotation of said support member around said rim, a hook-like member on the forward end of said ange engageable over the container rim, a vertical bearing sleeve on said support member, a shaft member rotatably mounted in said sleeve and being movable upwardly therein, a handle secured to the top end of said shaft member, the lower end of said shaft member extending below said support member and being formed ,'it'n a vertical slot engageable with the end tab of the tear-strip, and means for elevating said shaft member after the tear-strip has been Wound thereon to bring the coiled tear-strip into abutment with said support member and to disengage the coiled tear-strip from the shaft member.

3. A device for removing a horizontal tear-strip from a container comprising a horizontal plate-like support member engageable on the rim of the container above the tear-strip, a vertical bearing sleeve on said support member, a shaft member extending vertically through said sleeve and having an enlarged portion rotatable in said sleeve and being movable upwardly therein, said enlarged portion being engageable against said support member, a laterally extending handle secured to the top end of said shaft member, the lower end of said shaft member extending below said support member and being formed with a vertical slot engageable with the end tab of the tear-strip, a depending flange secured to a side margin of said support member and extending a substantial distance forwardly thereof and being formed at its forward end with a vertical, curved bearing lug of substantial height, said bearing lug being formed and arranged to engage the side of the container subjacent its rim a substantial distance forwardly of said support member and to resist downward rotation of said support member around said rim, a hook-like member on the forward end of said flange engageable over the container rim forwardly of said shaft member, and means for elevating said shaft member after the tear-strip has been wound thereon, to bring the coiled tear-strip into abutment with said support member and to disengage the coiled tear-strip from the shaft member.

4. A device for removing a horizontal tear-strip from a contained comprising a support member engageable on the rim of the container above the tear-strip, a vertical shaft member rotatably mounted on said support member and being movable upwardly relative thereto, a handle secured to the top end of said shaft member, the lower end of said shaft member extending below said support member and being formed with a vertical slot engageable with the end tab of the tear-strip, and interengageable threads on said support member and shaft member, the threads on the support member being normally located above the threads on the shaft member, and the shaft member being vertically movable sufficiently to interengage the threads, whereby to elevate the shaft member vertically responsive to rotation thereof after the tear-strip has been wound thereon and to bring the coiled ber.

References Cited inlthe le of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS Dazey Dec. 13, 1938 6 Reynolds June 9, 1942 Sebell Feb. 20, 1945 Lyle Aug. 25, 1953 Johnson et al. Nov. 9, 1954 Reeves Nov. 8, 1955 Pollard Mar. 20, 1956 Gehweiler Aug. 21, 1956