US3074160A

US3074160A - Can puncturing device

Info

Publication number: US3074160A
Application number: US175532A
Authority: US
Inventors: John P Burns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-02-26
Filing date: 1962-02-26
Publication date: 1963-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-22

Description

Jan. 22, 1963 J. P. BURNS CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE Filed Feb. 26, 1962 United States Patent 3,074,160 CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE John P. Burns, 537 Magie Ave., Elizabeth, NJ. Filed Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 175,532 3 Claims. (Cl. 30-6.1)

This invention relates to a can puncturing device of the kind particularly adapted for use in generating a pouring opening in a can within which beer or another liquid has been sealed under gaseous, superatmospheric pressure. It relates particularly to a can puncturing device of the kind described which is adapted further for use in generating a pressure balancing or vacuum breaking opening in a can such as a beer can in the same stroke of the device as that in which the pouring opening is generated. It relates more particularly to a can puncturing device of the kind particularly adapted for use in generating both pouring and pressure balancing openings in a can such as a beer can in a single operating stroke which is both portable and manually operable; that is, a can puncturing device which does not require any wall or table mounting or any extra-human source of operating power such as an electric motor.

Portable and manually operable can puncturing devices of the kind known to the prior art which are adapted for use in generating both pouring and pressure balancing openings in a can such as a beer can in a single operating stroke are broadly typified by the puncturing device or can opener described and illustrated in US. Patent No. 2,195,253 issued to E. Meier et al. on March 26, 1940. This device, formed of strip material, has its puncturing elements bent out of its main body portion in such a manner that when the device is used for a puncturing uperation force is applied essentially normally to its wide surface, as contrasted to its narrow or edge surface, at or close to one end thereof. This means that as the device is used it is subjected to deflection as a cantilever in its most limber or least rigid mode of bending.

Application of force in the course of use to cause de flection as a flat or strip type cantilever in its weakest mode of bending is generally characteristic likewise of those can puncturing devices known to the prior art which are adapted to generate only a single opening in a can in a given operating stroke as well as of those such as that of Meiers et al. which are adapted to generate two openings per stroke.

The can puncturing device of Meiers et al. is broadly typical further of the devices known to the prior art which are adapted to generate two openings in a can per operating stroke in that its puncturing element which acts to generate the pouring opening in the can also effects the initial puncture or penetration in the can wherethrough pressurizing gas is allowed to escape. This is done very early in the operating stroke of the device. As the stroke is continued, the initial puncture or penetration for gas escape is enlarged to the size of a pouring opening.

In the cases of those can puncturing devices known to the prior art which are adapted to generate only a single opening in a can in a given operating stroke, any initial puncture or perforation effected in the can is customarily enlarged to the size of either a pouring opening or a pressure balancing or vacuum breaking opening.

An object of this invention is to provide a can puncturing device of substantially fiat or strip type in its main body portion having any and every one of its puncturing Another object of this invention is to provide a can puncturing device having a puncturing element which functions solely to generate a small initial puncture, perforation, or vent opening in a can wherethrough pressurizing gas is allowed to escape, this puncturing element being separate and distinct from any other puncturing element of the device which functions to generate another, customarily larger opening in the can such as a pouring opening or a pressure balancing opening.

The nature and substance of this invention as well as its objects and advantages will be more clearly perceived and fully understood by referring to the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 represents a plan view of the assembled can puncturing device of this invention;

FIG. 2 represents a side elevation view of the assembled can puncturing device of this invention; I

FIG. 3 represents a front end elevation view of the assembled can puncturing device of this invention;

FIG. 4 represents a view in transverse sectional elevation through the can puncturing device of FIG. 2 taken along line 44 therein looking in the direction of the arrows-toward the front of the device;

FIG. 5 represents a View in transverse sectional elevation through the can puncturing device of FIG. 2 taken elements so disposed to its main body portion that when along line 5-5 therein looking in the direction of the arrows toward the rear of the device;

FIG. 6 represents a side elevation view of a fragmentary front section of the main body portion of the can puncturing device of this invention, this section having removed from itself the puncturing element of the assembled can puncturing device particularly adapted to generate pouring openings in cans;

FIG. 7 represents a front elevation view of the puncturing element of the assembled can puncturing device of this invention particularly adapted to generate pouring openings in cans, this element being viewed by itself;

FIG. 8 represents a view in sectional elevation through a fragmentary upper section of a can with which the can puncturing device of this invention is engaged, this device being in such position that the initial puncture in the can top to allow the escape of pressurizing gas has been partially generated, and generation of the pouring opening is about to be started;

FIG. 9 represents a view in sectional elevation through a fragmentary upper section of a can with which the can puncturing device of this invention is engaged, this device being in such position that the initial puncture in the can top to allow the escape of pressurizing gas has been fully generated; the pouring opening has been largely, although not completely, generated, and generation of the pressure balancing opening is about to be started;

FIG. 10 represents a view in sectional elevation through a fragmentary upper portion of a can with which the can puncturing device of this invention is engaged, this device being in such position that the initial puncture in the can top to allow the escape of pressurizing gas, the pouring opening, and the pressure balancing opening have all been fully generated;

FIG. 11 represents a plan view of the can of FIG. 10 after the disengagement and removal therefrom of the can puncturing device of this invention, and

FIG. 12 represents a view in transverse sectional elevation through the can of FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12 therein looking in the direction of the arrows toward the portion of the can top sheared and bent down to generate the pouring opening.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, especially to FIGS. 1 through 7' thereof as a group, the illustrated em- -bodimentof the can puncturing device of this invention is generally designated 20. Thi device comprises a main body portion generally designated 22,

handle grip elements

24 and 26 secured to the main body portion by rivets 28 and 3d, and a pouring opening puncturing element generally designated 32 which is secured to the main body portion by soldering, brazing, welding, or other suitable means.

Main body portion 22 of vcan puncturing device 20 is generally of fiat, striplike form. On its upper surface near its left hand or front end, the main body portion is relieved and finished to a point 3 in a manner suitable that it may be engaged with bottle caps to pull them off of bottles such as those containing soda water, ginger ale, or other carbonated beverages. of can puncturing device 24) does not, however, constitute any part of the present invention and is illustrated and described only because in the course of development of the prior art it has become well known, if not customary, to provide cap pulling and can puncturing features together in a single device. Such a combination of features is shown by Meier et al., for example.

On its lower surface near its left hand end, main body portion 22 of can puncturing device 29 is relieved and finished to a point 36 in a manner suitable that it may be engaged with and pivot around the beaded or rolled edge of a can such as a beer can. Integral with main body portion 22 and extending downwardly from it principal lower edge near the left hand end thereof is a generally triangularly shaped section 38 which serves as a backup support and mounting means for pouring opening puncturing element 32 disposed substantially transversely to the principal plane of main body portion 22. Extending forwardly from the front edge of triangularly shaped section 38 and likewise being integral with main body portion 22 is a longitudinally hook shaped puncturing element 4% which functions solely to generate an initial puncture or perforation in a can being punctured by device 20, through which initial puncture pressurizing gas is allowed to escape.

Pouring opening puncturing element 32 is a fiat element of generally triangular shape. As it is fabricated as a single element, it is provided with an opening 42. This opening serves to allow the passage of puncturing element 40 through puncturing element 32 when the latter element is set in place against its backup section 33 of main body portion 22 in the course of assembling can puncturing device 26. When puncturing element 32 is in fact in place against backup section 38 it is attached fixedly thereto by soldering, brazing, weIding, or other suitable means. Beads of hard solder can, for example, be run all along the essentially right angle corner formed between puncturing element 32 and backup section 38 on the right hand or rear side of this puncturing element. Hard solder can be used also to fill up any volume of opening 42 in puncturing element 32 not occupied by puncturing element 40. Such filling will have at least some effect to stiffen puncturing element 40.

Integral with main body portion 22 and extending downwardly from its principal lower edge substantially within the principal plane of this portion in appropriately spaced relation to backup section 38 is a generally triangularly shaped section 44 which serves as a puncturing element to generate pressure balancing or vacuum breaking openings in cans being punctured by device 20. The particular spaced relation existing between backup section 38 and pressure balancing opening puncturing element 44, which in efiect establishes the spaced relation between the pouring opening and pressure balancing opening puncturing elements in the assembled can puncturing device, will be determined for the main body portion of any particular device according to the diameter or range of diameters of the cans with which the device is intended to be used.

Referring next to FIGS. 8 through 12 as a group, a metal can such as a beer can shown therein is generally The cap pulling feature designated 46. This can includes a side wall portion 48 and a top 5%) which are joined along a beaded or rolled edge 52. For the purpose of clarity of illustration of mechanical interaction of can puncturing device 20 with can 46, the can is shown in FIG. 8 and succeeding figures as being empty of liquid contents.

Referring next to FIG. 8 particularly, can puncturing device 20 is shown in pivotedengagement with edge 52 of can 46 at its, the devices, point 36, and as having been swung down far enough toward the can that puncturing element 40 has penetrated can top 50. As shown in FIG. 8, a clear passage through the can top to the right of puncturing element 40 exists from the interior region of the can to the outside atmosphere. It is through this passage as indicated by a curved arrow that pressurizing gas within the can in its, the cans, filled condition is allowed to escape before any heavy puncturing of the can is done to generate either the pouring or the pressure balancing opening. This early escape of gas through the relatively small opening generated by puncturing element 40 has significant effect to reduce objectionable foaming of the can contents when the other, larger openings in the can top are generated.

Note is to be taken that as pressurizing gas and some entrained liquid escape through the small opening gen erated by puncturing element 40 a beneficial bafiiing or shielding effect is provided by pouring opening puncturing element 32, this element being located almost directly above puncturing element 40' as can puncturing device 20 is oriented in FIG. 8. Escaping gas and its entrained liquid impinge almost immediately upon puncturing element 32 at or below the level of can edge 52, and are prevented by it from spraying out widely around can 46.

Referring next to FIG. 9 particularly, can puncturing device 20 has been swung down toward can 46 sufiiciently far from its, the devices, position shown in FIG. 8 that penetration of can top 50 by puncturing element 40 has been completed, and puncturing element 32 has penetrated the can top to an extent that the pouring opening in the top has been generated in substantial part. In the course of generation of the pouring opening, a flap of metal 54 sheared out of can top 50 has been bent down ahead of puncturing element 32 within'the interior region of can 46.

Referring next to FIG. 10 particularly,- can puncturing device 21) has been swung down toward can 46 as far" as it will go, its motion being limited by its striking against the portion of can edge 52 diametrically opposite to that wherewith the device is engaged at its, the devices, point 36. In the course of this motion the pouring opening in can top 50 generated by puncturing element 32 has been enlarged to its fullest and final extent, and the pressure balancing or vacuum breaking opening has been fully generated by penetration of puncturing element 44 through the can top.

Considering FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 as a group, it is to be noted that the orientation of can puncturing device 20 with respect to can 46 is such that at all times the narrow or edge surface of the main body portion of the device is directed toward the top of the can. Accordingly, force exerted on the can puncturing device to effect penetration of can top 50 by its, the devices, several puncturing elements must be applied essentially normally to the devices narrow or edge surface with the result that the device is subject to deflection as a cantilever in its least limber or most rigid mode of bending. Said in other words, can puncturing device 20 is a very stifr" and positively acting tool in the hand of a user.

Referring finally to FIGS. 11 and 12 particularly, the several openings generated in top 50 of can 46 by action of the puncturing elements of canpuncturing device 20 are clearly and individually distinguishable. Gas escape or initial vent opening 56 is the one generated by action of puncturing element 40. Pouring opening 58 is the one generated by action of puncturing element 32. Pressure balancing or vacuum breaking opening 60 is the one generated by action of puncturing element 44. It is to be noted especially that while opening 56 occurs in flap 54 sheared out of can top 50 by action of puncturing element 32 in the course of generation of pouring opening 58, the identity of gas escape opening 56 is maintained entirely distinct from that of the pouring opening.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that resort may be had to at least some changes in the details of construction of its illustrated apparatus embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended to secure protection by Letters Patent for this invention in all its aspects to the broadest extent that the prior art allows.

I claim as my invention:

1. A can puncturing device comprising 1) a main body portion of substantially flat, striplike form, and characterized by (i) a length dimension, (ii) a width dimension, (iii) a thickness dimension substantially less than its width dimension, (iv) upper and lower surfaces each defined by its length and thickness dimensions, and (v) a relieved region opening through its lower surface near its front end, the bounding material of this relieved region on the front underside thereof being finished to a point directed toward the rear end of the device whereby the device may be engaged with and pivot about the edge of a can; (2) a pouring opening puncturing element attached to said main body portion and extending below the lower surface thereof at about the rear end of the opening of the relieved region through the lower surface of said main body portion, said pouring opening puncturing element having a front surface disposed substantially transversely to and extending beyond either side of the plane of said main body portion defined by the length and width dimensions thereof, and (3) a vent opening puncturing element attached to said main body portion and extending forwardly from the front surface of said pouring opening puncturing element, said vent opening puncturing element being located substantially centrally with respect to said pouring opening puncturing element and having a mean dimension measured normally to the plane of said main body portion defined by the length and width dimensions thereof which is substantially less than the corresponding mean dimension of said pouring opening puncturing element.

2. A can puncturing device according to claim 1 in which said vent opening puncturing element is longitudinally hook shaped with its front end being directed downwardly.

3. A can puncturing device according to claim 1 which further comprises a pressure balancing opening puncturing element attached to said main body portion in rearwardly spaced relation to said pouring opening puncturing element and extending below the lower surface of said main body portion substantially within the plane thereof defined by its length and width dimensions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,651,923 Kenney Dec. 6, 1927 2,090,085 Wegner Aug. 17, 1937 2,195,253 Meier et a1. Mar. 26, 1940 2,232,123 Luppert Feb. 18, 1941 2,568,612 Cullen Sept. 18, 1951 2,750,662 Kubik et a1. June 19, 1956 2,845,702 Kopal Aug. 5, 1958 2,880,502 Besecker Apr. 7, 1959 2,983,040 Araujo May 9, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 556,853 Belgium May 15, 1957

Claims

1. A CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE COMPRISING (1) A MAIN BODY PORTION OF SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT, STRIPLIKE FORM, AND CHARACTERIZED BY (I) A LENGTH DIMENSION, (II) A WIDTH DIMENSION, (III) A THICKNESS DIMENSION SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN ITS WIDTH DIMENSION, (IV) UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES EACH DEFINED BY ITS LENGTH AND THICKNESS DIMENSIONS, AND (V) A RELIEVED REGION OPENING THROUGH ITS LOWER SURFACE NEAR ITS FRONT END, THE BOUNDING MATERIAL OF THIS RELIEVED REGION ON THE FRONT UNDERSIDE THEREOF BEING FINISHED TO A POINT DIRECTED TOWARD THE REAR END OF THE DEVICE WHEREBY THE DEVICE MAY BE ENGAGED WITH AND PIVOT ABOUT THE EDGE OF A CAN; (2) A POURING OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT ATTACHED TO SAID MAIN BODY PORTION AND EXTENDING BELOW THE LOWER SURFACE THEREOF AT ABOUT THE REAR END OF THE OPENING OF THE RELIEVED REGION THROUGH THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION, SAID POURING OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT HAVING A FRONT SURFACE DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY TO AND EXTENDING BEYOND EITHER SIDE OF THE PLANE OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION DEFINED BY THE LENGTH AND WIDTH DIMENSIONS THEREOF, AND (3) A VENT OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT ATTACHED TO SAID MAIN BODY PORTION AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM THE FRONT SURFACE OF SAID POURING OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT, SAID VENT OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT BEING LOCATED SUBSTANTIALLY CENTRALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID POURING OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT AND HAVING A MEAN DIMENSION MEASURED NORMALLY TO THE PLANE OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION DEFINED BY THE LENGTH AND WIDTH DIMENSIONS THEREOF WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE CORRESPONDING MEAN DIMENSION OF SAID POURING OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT.