US3289880A

US3289880A - Container with integral opener

Info

Publication number: US3289880A
Application number: US400448A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilkich John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-09-30
Filing date: 1964-09-30
Publication date: 1966-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-06

Description

J. wlLKlCH 3,289,880

` CONTAINER WITH INTEGRAL OPENER Dec. 6, T966 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed sept. 30, 1964 I 24' 23' I2 w |g I4 Y C 2 f/ le 2 |9 l Nwe 27 22 8 i. ze 1|l J'OHN WILKICH .s BY awu /Jo Dec. 6, 1966 J. wlLKlcl-i CONTAINER WITH INTEGRAL OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 30, 1964 FIG.I2

FIGJI FIG.I7

I NVENTOR.

FIG.I9 FIG.ZO FIG.ZI

Dec. 6, 1966 J. wlLKlcH 3,289,880

CONTAINER WITH INTEGRAL OPENER Filed Sept'. 50, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 JOHN WILKICH INVENTOR.

BYw/JM@ Dec. 6, 1966 J. wlLKlcH 3,289,880

CONTAINER WITH INTEGRAL OPENER Filed Sept. 30, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOHN wlLKICH NVENTOR,

United States Patent() 3,289,880 CONTAINER WITH INTEGRAL OPENER .Iohn Wilkich, 136 Forest St., Kearny, NJ. Filed Sept. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 400,448 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) This invention relates generally to the method of opening a container or can, and more particularly to the arrangement of means adapted to be securely affixed to the upper end or side of the container or can such that it can be pivotally moved or rotated so as to puncture the can and thus provide the means for emptying its contents.

It will be understood that the invention is not to -be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown but that they may be widely modified within the invention defined by the claims.

Prior art shows that various types of devices for opening containers or cans have been formed on and affixed to containers so as to be integral therewith. Many of these devices appear to be less desirable and inconvenient for various reasons.

The present invention is so designed as to pr-ovide `a container with an integral opener such that the opener will function satisfactorily at all times and overcome prior art problems.

The present invention covers a container with an integral opener constructed to permit a moderate force to be exerted yin -one directionfnamely the opening direction, for effectively puncturing holes in the container. This is `accomplished by means of establishing a weakened section in the portion of the yopener between the elements which do the puncturing and the lever which actuates the puncturing element during the opening operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container with a relatively simple and inexpensive integral part for puncturing the container at one or more points thereon.

It is another object of the present invention t-o provide a container opener which may be permanently aixed to a portion of a container so as to form a unit of structure therewith and aptly perform the opening operation thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide uniform and desirable sized openings that are most advantageous in effecting the satisfactory pouring and ventingl of the container or can.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an opener which is shaped by stamping from sheet material and is easily joined to the container on which it will be used.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description of several embodiments of the invention and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in the claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred form of an opener in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the opener shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top view showing the first preferred form of an opener attached in position on top of a container.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a fragmentary portion of the opener shown in FIGURE 1 embodying one of the puncturing elements.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged top view of a fragmentary portion of the first preferred form of an opener in assembled position embodying one of the puncturing elements.

FIGURE 6 is a section taken lon line 6-6 of FIG- URE 5.

ice

FIGURE 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 of FIG- URE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of FIG- URE 5.

FIGURE 9 is an offset vertical section taken on line 9 9 of FIGURE 3 showing in phantomized form the opener moved to puncturing position.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary portion in vertical section of one of the puncturing elements showing the fully intended puncturing position in the associated can to which it is connected.

FIGURE 11 is a partial perspective view of the opener and can shown in FIGURE 3 before the opener has been operated to puncture the top of the can.

FIGURE 12 is a partial perspective view of the opener and can shown in FIGURE 11 after the opener has been operated to puncture the top of the can.

FIGURE 13 is a partial perspective view of the opener and can shown in FIGURE 12showing the lever portion ofthe opener bent back after puncturing has been effected.

FIGURE 14 is a side view partly in vertical section showing the respective top and bottorn portions of two containers stacked together with an opener in assembled position on the top of the lower container.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a second form of an opener in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 16 is a top view showing the second form of an opener attached to position on the top of a container.

FIGURE 17 is an offset vertical section taken on line 17--17 of FIGURE 16 showing in phantomized form the second opener moved to puncturing position.

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged fragmentary portion in vertical section of the second opener shown in puncturing position.

FIGURE 19 is a partial perspective view of the opener and can shown in FIGURE 16 before the opener has been operated to puncture the top of the can.

FIGURE 20 is a partial perspective View of the opener and can shown in FIGURE 19 after the opener has been operated to puncture the top of the can.

FIGURE 21 is a partial perspective view of the opener and can shown in FIGURE 20 showing the lever porti-on of the opener bent after puncturing has been effected.

FIGURE 22 is a perspective View of a third form of an opener in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 23 is a side view of the opener shown in FIGURE 22.

FIGURE 28 is a section taken on line 28-28 of A FIGURE 27 showing in phantomized form the opener moved to puncturing position.

FIGURE 29 shows a top view of a modified form of an opener in accordance with the invention in assembled position on the top of a can.

FIGURE 30 shows a side view of the form of opener shown in FIGURE 29 with the associated can in vertical section.

FIGURE 31 shows a top view of another modified form of an opener in accordance with the invention in assembled position on the top of a can.

FIGURE 32 shows a side View of the form of opener shown in FIGURE 31 with the associated can broken away and shown in partial vertical section.

FIGURE 33 is a top view of a form of the invention having spaced single puncturing openers.

FIGURE 34 is a side view of the single-hole puncturing opener shown in FIGURE 33 and showing the fully punctured position in phantomized form.

FIGURE 35 is a top view of another form of the invention having spaced single-hole puncturing openers.

FIGURE 36 is a side view of the single puncturing opener shown in FIGURE 35 and showing the fully punctured position in phantor'nized form.

While the drawings represent various forms of the invention, its basic character whether in the multi-hole puncturing form as shown in FIGURES 1, 15 and 22, the multi-hole puncturing forms modified in FIGURES 29 and 31 or the single-hole puncturing forms as shown in FIGURES 33 and 35 is characterized by the fact that the opener is affixed to the can and constructed to permit the operating handle to actuate the puncturing portion of the opener and to be returned to assembled position.

Further, while the forms of the invention illustrated are dominated by the multi-hole puncturing forms it is believed clear that the single-hole puncturing form of opener has equal application and may be applied to the can in single or plural fashion as may be desired.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art, that while the opener is illustrated as afixed to a conventional metal can, it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize the opener on other containers for example, plastic or paper containers to which the opener can be fafxed as by an epoxy resin or the like type of cement and in any case whether the container holds liquids, crystals, powders, etc., it is immaterial as the opener is applicable equally to nearly all substances and fluids.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that while the opener of the present invention is illustrated as affixed to the top of the container, itis only for illustration and that lthe opener could -be affixed to the sides Ior bottom of the container or likewise, the container could be adapted for attachment at the top, sides or bottom as by a shaped indentation to receive the opener.

In the-description that follows the multi-hole puncturing forms of the invention will first be described other than the modified forms of the multi-hole puncturing form and the single-hole puncturing forms.

FIGURE l form of the invention Referring to FIGURES 1 to 14, this multi-hole puncturing form of the invention consists of a U-shaped opener preferably struck 0r formed from a suitable piece of sheet metal which is relatively light and simple but effective forV the desired puncturing operation to tbe effected because of the channels and the bends which are formed in the metal to strengthen the opener.

The

legs

11 and 12 of the U-shaped opener 10 each have a puncturing element as at 13 and 14 which are generally triangular in shape to provide sharp pointed ends and 16 which ends are operatively associated with the other points of the triangle to give a claw-like appearance as indicated clearly at FIGURES 1 to 3 of the drawings, the sharpened condition of the puncturing

elements

13 and 14 being desired to facilitate the puncturing operation of the container to Which the opener 10 is aixed as hereinafter described.

At least two puncturing elements are provided because one punctures a pouring opening and the other a venting opening as is illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 13 of the drawings and it will :also be noted that the puncturing element 13 is smaller than the puncturing element 14 so that the openings of different size will be made during the puncturing operation, the larger opening serving as a pouring opening and the smaller .as the venting opening.

It is of course understood that the puncturing means could be the same size and that this is clear within the scope of the -present invention.

The portion of the U-shaped opener connecting the legs forms an actuating or operating handle 17 which includes the hollowed portion 18 and a wide flat lifting tab 19 offset slightly at the end remote from the puncturing means as indicated by the ligted portion 20 so that in assembled position the fingers or other operating device can be easily inserted between the outer edge of the tab 19 and the surface of the container to which the opener is aiixed.

At `a point along each of the

legs

11 and 12 between the puncturing

elements

13 and 14 and the operating handle 17 weakened or

grooved portions

21 and 22 are formed as is clearly shown in FIGURES 1 to 14 of the drawings.

The weakened

portions

21 and 22 must first be constructed barely sufciently thin yet strong enough to permit the necessary leverage to be exerted by the operating handle 17 to effect puncturing of the surface of the container to which the opener 10 is affixed, and still further to be capable of permitting the operating handle to be removed or bent back to a position which will not interfere with the pouring operation from the container.

In this form of the invention, illustrated in FIGURES l to 14, the weakened

portions

21 and 22 are struck so that

angled surfaces

23, 23', 24 and 24 are formed which co-act when the operating handle 17 is raised during the puncturing operation. These angled surfaces operate to increase the effective leverage obtained after the operating handle 17 is raised to bring them into contact and effectively aid in puncturing the container surface to which the -opener is attached.

FIGURES 3, 5, 11, 12 and 13 show the opener above described in assembled position on the top of a container generally designated C of the conventional type used for beer or soda and other liquids.

As can be readily seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, the yopener 1t) is attached to container C by aixing the respective puncturing elements as by welding at

points

25 and 26 fairly close or adjacent to the weakened

portions

21 and 22 and on the side of the opener remote from the operating handle 17. Small transverse indentations 27 as shown in FIGURE 8 of the drawings are formed on the under side of the weakened

portions

21 and 22 to act as the limit boundaries during the welding of the opener to the container surface.

In Iassembled position as shown in FIGURES 3 and 9 of the drawings, the operating handle 17 can be lifted or pivoted so `as to puncture the top portion of the can as is now more fully described.

Operation of FIGURE 1 form of the invention The operation of the device is indicated clearly in FIGURES 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.

In FIGURES 9, 11, and 14, the opener is shown in an integrated position on the container before it has been placed into a puncturing operation with surface of the container. Y

When it is desired to open the container either the thumb or finger or some suitable tool may be inserted under the lifted portion 20 of the operating handle 17 to exert pressure on the operating handle lifted slightly away from the surface of the container.

As the operating handle 17 is moved away from the container surface, it will move the angle surfaces 23 and 23 on one side of the weakened portions'21 and 22 into abutment with the angle surfaces 24 and 24 on the opposite side of the weakened portions as is clearly shown in FIGURE 9 of the drawings. Since in this position, the operating handle 17 is sufficiently clear of the container top or side of which it is connected and further pressure can now be easily exerted and the abutting relationship of the angled surfaces gives the necessary strength 4to permit the exertion of a moderate amount of force for making a clear, clean puncture of the container as illustrated in FIGURES l0, 12 land 13 of the drawings.

FIGURES 9 and l0 illustrate the non-puncturing posi- 55 tion and the puncturing position where the puncturing has been completed with the phantomized View showing the intermediate position prior to the puncturing operation.

Actual puncturing occurs through the whole sweep of the operating handle as illustrated in FIGURES 11, 12 and 13.

After puncturing, the operating handle 17 is bent back to a position on the container where it will not be in the way when pouring the contents as is clearly shown in FIGURE 13 of the drawings.

FIGURE I form of the invention FIGURES 15-21 show a second type of the multi-hole puncturing form of the invention. This configuration differs from the FIGURE 1 form of the invention in that it shows a different technique for establishing the weakened portion or groove between the operating handle and the puncturing elements.

Thus, the opener shown in FIGURE 15 and generally designated is `also U-shaped in form which may be stamped or cast and further machined to form the necessary groove therein to provide the weakened portions and the angled operating surfaces as was above described for the FIGURE l form of the invention.

The

legs

31 and 32 of the U-shaped opener 30 each have a puncturing element as at 33 and 34.

As in the case of the FIGURE 1 form of this invention at least two puncturing elements are provided, one to form a pouring opening and the other to form a venting opening as illustrated in FIGURES 20 and 21.

The puncturing elements will also be of diierent sizes for these respective operations.

The puncturing

elements

33 and 34 `are also generally triangular in shape and accordingly are pointed at the ends thereof as indicated at 35 and 36. The inner aspects of the respective puncturing elements is thickened as at 37 and 38 to permit yboth the sharpening of the puncturing elements and to strengthen the puncturing elements for the puncturing of the surface of the container as is described here and after.

The portion of the U-shaped opener 30 connecting the legs forms an actuating or operating handle generally designated 39 which includes the inner curved portion 40 and a wide dat lifting tab portion 41 which tab portion is raised slightly as at 42 more clearly shown at FIGURE 17 of the drawings. This lifted portion of 42 is remote from the puncturing elements and in assembled position as shown in FIGURE 17 serves to permit the thumb, finger or any other device to be easily inserted between the lifting tab and the surface of the container to which the opener is axed.

At a point along each of the

legs

31 and 32 inwardly of the ends of the puncturing means, there are` provided weakened portions generally designated 43 and 44 on each of the legs.

In this form of the invention, the weakened portions are established by developing heavy thickened sections at the points where they are to be formed on the legs so as to permit the thickened portions to be milled or formed by the cutting of grooves on each of the thickened portions at 45 and 46 as clearly shown in FIGURES 15, 16 and 17 to form thin portions 48 and 4S' between the puncturing elements and the operating handle of the opener.

The weakened

portions

43 and 44 must first be constructed barely suiciently thin and strong enough to permit the exertion of the necessary leverage by the op' erating handle 39 to effect puncturing the surface of the container to which the opener 30 is affixed and then capable of permitting the operating handle to be returned to its original position as shown in FIGURE 21 of the drawings.

I-n order to increase the necessary leverage therefor, I

the

respective grooves

45 and 46 are provided with angled surfaces as at 49, 49', 50 and 59 illustrated in FIGURES 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the drawings which angled surfaces coact when the operating handle is raised into position for puncturing the container surface to which the opener is attached as is described here and after.

FIGURES 16 and 17 and 19 show the opener 30 above described in an assembled position on the top of a container C.

The opener is aiiXed to the top of the can by any suit- Operation of FIGURE 15 form of the invention FIGURES 17 and 18 and 19 and 2() and 2l show the opener as held in integrated position on the top of the container and the various positions as the handle 39 is raised to force the puncturing elements into punctured position with the container surface.

Thus similar to the FIGURE 1 form of the invention, when it is desired to puncture the surface of a can, either the thumb, nger or a suitable tool may be inserted under the raised portion 42 of the operating handle 39 and pressure can be exerted against the operating handle 39 forcing it slightly away from the surface of the can.

As the operating handle 39 is moved away from the container surface, the

angled surfaces

49 and 49 will be brought into contact with the angled surfaces 5? and 50 Von the respective sides of the

grooves

45 and 46.

This is more clearly shown in the phantornized view of the opener in FIGURES 17 and 18 of the drawings.

As above indicated it is because of this abutting relai tionship that the operating handle 39 gains suicient strength to permit the exertion of a moderate amount of force for making a clear, clean, puncture of the surface of the container and FIGURES 17, 18, 19, 2O and 21 illustrate the respective non-puncturing positions and the punctured position when the operation has been completed.

FIGURE 21 shows that after puncturing has been effected that the operating handle 39 can be bent back to the position as shown in FIGURE 21 so it will not interfere with the pouring operation from the openings provided therefor in the can.

FIGURE 22 form of the invention FIGURES 22-28 show a third type of the multi-hole puncturing form of the invention. This form differs from the forms of the invention shown at FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 15 in two particulars. First it illustrates a more novel form of aflixing or welding the opener to the surface of the associated container on which it will operate. Secondly, it shows another means of forming the weakened portion or joint between the puncturing elements and the operating handle.

Thus, similar to the forms of the invention shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 15, the FIGURE 22 is also a U-shaped opener generally designated which can be struck or formed from stock sheet material and machined to the finished operative form.

The

legs

61 and 62 of the U-shaped element 60 have puncturing elements as at 63 and 64 which are generally triangular in shape to provide sharp pointed ends 65 and 66 which ends are operatively associated with the other points of the triangle and the

puncturing elements

63 and 64 are sharpened to facilitate the puncturing operation of the cpntainer to which the opener 6i) is aixed as hereinafter described.

At least two puncturing elements are provided because one punctures a pouring opening and the other a venting opening as has been clearly illustrated in the FIGUR-E 1 and the FIGURE 15 forms of the invention. It will also be noted that the puncturing element 63 as in the prior described forms of the invention is smaller than the puncturing element 64 so that openings of different size will be made during the puncturing operation, the larger opening serving as a pouring opening and the smaller opening as the venting opening.

It is of course understood that the puncturing means could be the same size and that this is within the scope of the present invention.

The portion of the U-shaped opener connecting the legs forms an actuating or operating handle 67 which includes the hollowed inner curved portion 68 and a wide flat lifting tab 69 offset slightly at the end remote from the puncturing elements as indicated by the lifted portion 70 so that in assembled position the thumb, finger or other operating device can be easily inserted between the edge of the tab 69 and the surface of the container to which the opener is affixed.

At a point along each of the

legs

61 and 62 between the puncturing

elements

63 and 64 and the operating handle 67, weakened or

grooved portions

71 and 72 are formed as is clearly shown in FIGURES 22, 23, 24, 26, 27 and 28 of the drawings.

The weakened

portions

71 and 72 must first be constructed barely sufficiently strong enough to permit the necessary leverage to be exerted by the operating handle 67 to effect puncturing of the surface of the container to which the opener 60 is axed, and then capable of permitting the operating handle to be bent back to its original position so as not to interfere with the pouring operation from the container to which the opener is aiiixed.

In this form of the invention, illustrated'in FIGURES 22 to 28, the weakened

portions

71 and 72 are cut or struck so that

angled surfaces

73, 73', 74 and 74 are formed which coact when the operating handle is raised during the puncturing operation. These angled surfaces operate to increase the effective leverage obtained after the operating handle 60 is raised to bring them into contact and effectively aid the operating handle for puncturing the container surface for which the opener is attached.

FIGURES 26 and 28 show the opener above described in assembled position on the top of a container generally designated C which container is one of the conventional types used for beer or soda and other liquids.

The opener is affixed to the top of the container by welding or other suitable means with tabs 75 a-nd 76 which are formed centrally on the innermost sides of the puncturing

elements

63 and 64 remote from

points

65 and 66 and having suiiiciently strong thicknesses which will permit the exercise of the necessary leverage between the operating handle 67 and the

puncturing elements

63 and 64.

However, this construction also permits proper sizing of the weakened

sections

71 and 72 as indicated by the depth of the portions forming the

angled surfaces

73, 73', 74, and 74' as clearly shown in FIGURE 28.

Operation of FIGURE 22 form of the invention The operation of the form of the invention is substantially identical to that described above for forms of the invention shown at FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 15.

In FIGURE 26 the opener 60 is shown in an integrated position on the container before it has been placed into puncturing operation with the surface of the container to which it is aixed.

When it is desired to open the container either the thumb, finger or some suitable tool may be inserted under the lifted portion 70 of the operating handle 67 to exert pressure on the operating handle so as to lift it slightly away from the surface of the container.

As the operating handle 67 is moved away from the f container surface, it will move the angle surfaces 73 and 73 on one side of the weakened

portions

71 and 72 into abutment with the angle surfaces 74 and 74 on the opposite side of the weakened portions Since in this position, the operating handle 67 is sufficiently clear of the container top or side to which it is connected further pressure can now be easily exerted and the abutting relationship of the angled surfaces permits the exertion of a reasonable amount of force for making a clear, clea-n puncture of the container as illustrated in the phantomized view in FIGURE 28 of the drawings.

Actual puncturing occurs through the whole sweep of the operating handle as illustrated in FIGURE 28 with the

welding tabs

75 and 76 serving as anchoring points on top of the container.

Modified type of multi-hole puncturng form of the invention FIGURES 29, 30, 31 and 32 show a modified form of the FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 15 form of the invention in that in place of the raised portion on the lifting tab of the operating handles 17 and 39 respectively, an auxiliary means is provided to facilitate the raising of the operating handles into pre-puncturing position.

Thus, at FIGURES 29 and 30, the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings'is illustrated diagrammatically .as including the operating handle 17' having a iiat extension 19 remote from the curved hollowed portion 18 of the opener 10. The flat extension 19' is connected in turn to an L shaped lifting taib 20 which as Iis clearly shown in FIGURE 30 is molded to fit in snug engagement yabout the top .and side of the container C to which the opener 10 is taixed.

Similarly in FIGURES 31 and 32 illustrating the form of the invention shown yat FIGURE \15, the operating band-le 39 is provided with a flat extension 41' remote from the curved portion connecting the legs, which fiat extension 41 is connected in turn to an L shaped lifting tab 42 also disposed to fit snugly to the top .and sides of the surfaces of the container C to which ,the opener 30 is affixed.

'Phe L shaped lifting

tabs

20 and 42 respectively serve to amplify the forces exerted by the operating handle 17' and 39 respectively.

Single hole puncturng forms of the invention In Ithe drawings as shown at FIGURES 33, 34, 35 and 36 a relative-ly simple form of the present invention is illustrated as embodying a single elongated member or a plurality of spaced single elongated members each afiixed to a container as illustrated in FIGURES 33 and 35 of the drawings.

FIGURE 33 illustrates a simple form or a single legged form of the opener described as in the FIGURE 1 form of the invention and FIGURE 35 is the single legged form of t-he opener des-cribed 'above as in the FIGURE 15 form of the invention.

In each of these single forms, the puncturing means and the operating handle are 'held .together by a weakened joint or groove and the opener is `affixed to the container yas in the case of the FIGURE 1 -form and FIGURE 15 form of the invention.

In FIGURE 33, the opener includes la single body portion 81 and a puncturing me-ans 82 which is connected thereto by means of a weakened or grooved portion 83 having angled surfaces ras at 84 and 85.

The ope-ration handle 87 on the 'body portion 81 is raised as at 88 to permit easy -access Afor lifting the body member to the prepuncturing position.

Actual puncturing occurs when the operating handle is forced across the top of the container .by hand pressure.

In FIGURE 35, the opener 90 includes a single body member 91 and a puneturing means 92 formed integrally with a thickened portion 93 therebetween. 'Ilhe thickened porti-on is weakened by cutting la groove 94 nea-rly the full thickness as is clearly shown in FIGURE 36.

The groove 94 will -have angleco-actin-g surfaces as at 95 and 96 to provide the desired leverage.

The opener 90 is aiiixed to the container as by welding at 97 and the body portion 91 has an operating handle 98 which is raised as at 99 to facilitate the puncturing operation as in the prior forms of the invention described.

Operation is illustrated by the solid and phantomized view in FIGURE 36 which shows the opener 90 in integrated position and in positions after puncturing has been effected.

A plurality of single hole puncturing openers are show-n in FIGURES 33 and 35 to illustrate that the pouring and venting openings can be made other than by the multihole puncturing forms of the invention illustrated.

While all the puncturing elements shown in FIGURES 3, 16, 26, 29 and 31 are shown located close Ato the edge of the container, they can also be placed near or on the centerline of the container.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrange-ment of parts shown but that they may bewidely modified within the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An opener to be afiixed to a container comprising:

(a) a lever means having a plurality of legs :formed thereon,

(b) each of said legs having a puncturing means at the end remote from the lever means,

(c) said opener aiixed to the container at a point adjacent each puncturing means,

(d) means on each leg between each of said puncturing means and the lever means including a pair of co-acting angular surfaces on the side of the point where the opener is aixed to the container remote from the puncturing means to increase the force exerted in one direction |by the lever means during operation of the opener,

(e) and means operatively associated with said force increasing means to provide a point of weakness whereby said lever means can be bent into loperative position and after operation returned to a non-obstructing position relative the punctured opening in the container.

2. An opener to be `aiixed to a container comprising:

(a) a member,

(b) means at one end of said member for puncturing the surface of the container,

(c) lever means on said member remote from the puncturing means,

(d) said member affixed to the container near the puncturing means,

(e) means forming a weakened portion on said member disposed between the puncturing means and the lever means and on Ithe side of the point where the member is aixed to the container remote from the puncturing means,

(f) said means forming the weakened portion including a pair of :co-acting angular surfaces formed intermediate said' member,

(g) said co-acting angular surfaces to permit the effective exertion of a 4heavy force in one direction by said lever means during operation of the opener, and

(h) and said weakened means to permit said lever means to .be moved to a non-obstructing position after the puncturing operation.

3. In the opener as claimed in claim 2 wherein said lever means includes a lifting tab to facilitate raising the lever means to force the angular surfaces into co-acting relationship.

4. An opener to be axed to a container comprising:

(a) a member,

(b) means at one end of said member for puncturing the surface ofthe container,

(c) lever means on said member remote from the puncturing means,

(d) said opener aixed to the container near the puncturing means,

(e) a V-shaped groove in said member between the puncturing means and the lever means forming a pair of co-acting angular surfaces on the side of the member remote from the point where the member is affixed to the container to permit the lever means to increase the forces exerted in one direction by the lever means during operation of the opener,

(f) yand the thin section of the member formed at the apex of the said V-shaped groove acting to permit said lever means to be moved to a non-obstructing position after the container has been punctured.

5. An opener to be affixed to a container comprising:

(a) a lever means having a plurality of legs formed thereon,

(c) said opener afiixed to the container at a point adjacent each puncturing means,

(d) a V-shaped groove on each of said legs between the puncturing means and the lever means on each respective leg and on the .side of the point where the opener is affixed to the container remote from the puncturing means to permit the lever means to increase the forces exerted in one direction during operation of the opener,

(e) said V-shaped grooves each forming a pair of coacting angular surfaces,

(f) and means operatively associated with said V- shaped groove in each of said legs including a thin portion between the puncturing portion of the leg and lever means thereof at the apex of the V-shaped groove to provide a point of weakness whereby said lever means can be bent after operation of the opener to a non-obstructing position relative the punctured opening in the container.

6. An opener to be afxed to a container comprising:

(a) a lever means having a plurality of legs formed thereon,

(c) said opening aixed to the container at a point adjacent each puncturing means,

(d) a V-shaped section forming a pair of coacting angular surfaces on each of said legs between the puncturing means and the lever means and on the side of the opener remote from the point aixed to the container to permit said lever means to increase the forces exerted in one direction during operation of the opener,

(e) an open throat at the apex of said V-shaped section,

(f) tab means in the open throat to provide means for iixing the opener to the container,

(g) and means operatively associated with said force Vincreasing means to provide a point of weakness whereby said lever means after operation can be returned to anon-obstructing position relative to the punctured opening in the container.

7. In the opener as claimed in claim 6 wherein said lever means includes a lifting tab to facilitate raising the lever means until the coacting angular surfaces are in operative contact with each other.

8. In the opener as claimed in claim 6 wherein the lifting tab comprises an L-shaped arm, said L-shaped arm disposed to extend snugly over the edge of the container.

9. An opener to be ailiXed to a container comprising,

(a) a lever means having a plurality of legs formed thereon,

(c) said lever means and said legs formed as an integral member,

i I 12 (d) said opener aiixed to the container at a point ad- References Cited by the Examiner jacent each puncturing means, UNITED STATES PATENTS (62mg iorretggclrlfengesdla Sald lever means 1,856,543 5/1932 Ericsson 220-48 (f) a V-shaped groove in each of said thickened por- 5 '2085200 6/1937 L ]ungstrom ""'w`" 22o- 48 tions each forming a pair of coacting angular sur- References Cited by the Applicant faces on the side of each of said leg means remote UNITED STATES PATENTS from point where the leg means is aixed to the con- 1 843 806 2/1932 Compton tainer to permit said lever means to increase the forces 2102365 12/1937 Lloyd. exerted in one direction during operation of the 10 2165715 7 /1939 Mi1ne Opener, n 2,569,905 10/1951 Schwark. (g) and means operatively associated with said force .2,642,203 6 /1953 Seemullen increasing means to provide a point of weakness 2,801,765 2/1957 Butler.

whereby said lever means can be bent to anon 15 2,828,883 4/1958 Holler. obstructing position relative the punctured opening in 2,899,100 8/ 1959 Wolkenberg. the container after operation. 10. In the opener as claimed in claim 9 wherein each LOUIS G- MANCENE, Primary Examine"- V-shaped groove on said opener forms a weakened sec- THERON E CONDON, Examiner, tion on said opener to facilitate bending of the lever 20 G. T. H ALL, Assist am Examn er. means from operative to non-operative position.

Claims

1. AN OPENER TO BE AFFIXED TO A CONTAINER COMPRISING: (A) A LEVER MEANS HAVING A PLURALITY OF LEGS FORMED THEREON, (B) EACH OF SAID LEGS HAVING A PUNCTURING MEANS AT THE END REMOTE FROM THE LEVER MEANS, (C) SAID OPENER AFFIXED TO THE CONTAINER AT A POINT ADJACENT EACH PUNCTURING MEANS, (D) MEANS ON EACH LEG BETWEEN EACH OF SAID PUNCTURING MEANS AND THE LEVER MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF CO-ACTING ANGULAR SURFACES ON THE SIDE OF THE POINT WHERE THE OPENER IS AFFIXED TO THE CONTAINER REMOTE FROM THE PUNCTURING MEANS TO INCREASE THE FORCE EXERTED IN ONE DIRECTION BY THE LEVER MEANS DURING OPERATION OF THE OPENER, (E) AND MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FORCE INCREASING MEANS TO PROVIDE A POINT OF WEAKNESS WHEREBY SAID LEVER MEANS CAN BE BENT INTO OPERATIVE POSITION AND AFTER OPERATION RETURNED TO A NON-OBSTRUCTING POSITION RELATIVE THE PUNCTURED OPENING IN THE CONTAINER.