US3570027A - Combination device for opening of bottles, cans, containers and casks of all types - Google Patents

Abstract

THERE IS DISCLOSED A MULTIPURPOSE UTENSIL OR COMBINATION DEVICE READILY SUITABLE FOR OPENING BOTTLES, CANS, CONTAINERS, AND CASKS OF ALL TYPES, OR THE LIKE, WHICH IS OF THE TYPE INCORPORATING A GRASPABLE BODY MEMBER AT WHICH THERE IS ACCOMMODATED A CAN OPENER MECHANISM AND ALSO A CORK PULLER MECHANISM. THE CAN OPENER MECHANISM INCLUDES A TRANSPORT WHEEL AND THE CORK PULLER MECHANISM INCLUDES A PRESSURE GENERATING DEVICE. BOTH THE TRANSPORT WHEEL OF THE CAN OPENER MECHANISM AND THE PRESSURE GENERATING DEVICE OF THE CORK PULLER MECHANISM CAN BE ACTUATED BY A SINGLE LEVER WHICH IS PIVOTABLY MOUNTED TO THE GRASPABLE BODY OR HOUSING.

Description

March 16, 1971 w, s m 3,570,027

COMBINATION DEVICE FOR OPENING OF BOTTLES, OANs, CONTAINERS AND GASKS OF ALL TYPES Filed Nov. 4, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet l [19' I (la INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 16, 1971 w. STEINER 3,570,027

COMBINATION DEVICE FOR OPENING OF BOTTLES, CANS, CONTAINERS AND CASKS OF ALL TYPES Filed Nov. 4. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 64147;; $727224 y zp g ATTORNEY March 16, 1971 Filed Nov. 4, 1968 CONTAINERS AND CASKS OF ALL TYPES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 3

INVENTOR BY I ATTORNEY;

March 16, 1971 W. STEINER COMBINATION DEVICE FOR OPENING OF BOTTLES, CANS; CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 4, 1968 AND CASKS OF ALL TYPES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 7 M44 722? flaw-e ATTORNIEU United States Patent Office US. Cl. 714.2 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a multipurpose utensil or combination device readily suitable for opening bottles, cans, containers, and casks of all types, or the like, which is of the type incorporating a graspable body member at which there is accommodated a can opener mechanism and also a cork puller mechanism. The can opener mechanism includes a transport wheel and the cork puller mechanism includes a pressure generating device. Both the transport wheel of the can opener mechanism and the pressure generating device of the cork puller mechanism can be actuated by a single lever which is pivotably mounted to the graspable body or housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention broadly relates to a multipurpose utensil and, in its more specific aspect, deals with a combination device which serves to open bottle, cans, containers, casks of all types, and similar type articles.

Different type utensils or devices are utilized for opening packages or receptacles of the most varying type in the household and commercial enterprises such as hotels, restaurants, inns, rooming houses, and so forth. Accordingly, can openers have become known to the art by means of which tin or sheet metal cans can be opened. On the other hand, in order to open bottles, cork pullers have been used, or for the opening of bottles with metal closures, special hook-shaped keys or other types of implements have been employed. Moreover, different devices are used if it is desired to punch a pouring opening in the can or container or the like.

The use of such different type utensils or devices has associated therewith different drawbacks. On the one hand, in order to store these various utensils a relatively large amount of place is required and, on the other hand, it is easy to misplace such devices so that at the exact moment that it is necessary to use them they are not always immediately available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved multipurpose utensil or combination device of the type described which effectively overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

Another, more specific object of the present invention, relates to an improved combination device for opening bottles, cans, casks, containers and the like in a relatively simple and reliable manner, wherein the same device can be used for the opening of these sundry type receptacles, and where the changeover in the use of such device for one purpose to another is very simple and can be carried out quickly and easily by the user.

Still a further noteworthy object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose utensil or combination device of the aforementioned type which combines into a single unit mechanism for opening various types of containers or receptacles, such as bottles, cans, casks,

3,570,027 Patented Mar. 16, 1971 and the like, all with a minimum of effort and ease, and wherein the use of the device presents no great difiiculty since simple manipulations permit the user to selectively bring into play a desired type of opening mechanism provided at the combination device.

A further significant object of the present invention relates to a multipurpose utensil for opening different types of bottles, receptacles, containers as specified herein, wherein the multipurpose utensil itself is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, quite efficient in the performance of its intended use, can be easily operated by the user, is not readily subject to breakdown, and provides in a single unit multifarious tools for carrying out various desired opening operations as such bottles, containers, receptacles, and the like.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates the provision of a multipurpose utensil or socalled combination device which incorporates a housing or body member which can be readily gripped by the user. A can opener mechanism as well as a cork puller mechanism are accommodated at the housing. The can opener mechanism has a transport or drive wheel and the cork puller mechanism has a pressure generating device for popping the cork. Both the transport wheel of the can opener mechanism and the pressure generating device of the cork puller are actuated by a single lever which is pivotably mounted at the graspable housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better undertsood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

:FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive multipurpose utensil or combination device incorporating the graspable housing and the actuation lever which is secured at such housing, and wherein the cork popping needle unit is detached, in other words not shown mounted in its operable position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the combination device depicted in F161 1, but this time viewed from the opposite side thereof, and showing the threadably mounted cork puller needle unit and the actuation lever located in its operable position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the combination device or multipurpose utensil shown in FIG. 2 but without the threadably mounted cork puller needle unit being shown; and

FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in cross section, of the combination device depicted in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Describing now the drawings, in FIG. 1 reference numeral 1 designates the graspable housing or body member which can be conveniently held in the hand of the user. As will be more fully explained hereinafter, a cork puller mechanism, a can opener mechanism as well as further utensils, all of which will be considered shortly, are conveniently accommodated at the graspable housing 1. As best evident by referring to FIG. 4, at the one narrow side In of the graspable housing 1 there is provided a slot 1b out of which there can extend the actuation lever mechanism 2. The latter advantageously incorporates a safety catch or slide 3 by means of which the actuation lever 2 can be fixed at the graspable housing or body member 1. As will 'be observed by referring to FIG. 1, when the actuation lever mechanism 2 is fixed in this manner it bears fiushly at the housing 1 and closes the opening or slot 112 provided at the narrow side of such housing.

As already alluded to above, the inventive multipurpose utensil or combination device embodies a cork puller or cork popping mechanism which, in the exemplary embodiment, incorporates a needle valve unit 4 which can be threaded, as will be explained more fully hereinafter, onto the upper end face of the graspable housing 1, as best shown by referring to FIG. 2. This needle valve unit 4 possesses threading 5 at the side thereof which is opposite the side which is threaded into the housing 1. This threaded portion or threading 5 can be used, as will be described more fully hereinafter, for screwing the needle valve unit 4, if desired, into the cork which is to be removed. Furthermore, the cork popping needle 6 is mounted at the needle valve unit 4. As also evident by inspecting FIG. 2, a selector switch or lever 7 is located at the region of the lower end face of the housing 1. This selector switch or level 7 has been shown in an operational position wherein the combination device can be used as a can opener for instance, whereas if the selector switch 7 is moved into the operational position towards the right of FIG. 2 the device has then been manipulated so that it is prepared to serve as a cork puller.

Considering initially the can opener mechanism it will be seen that such incorporates a transport or drive wheel 8 and a cutting wheel 9. A pair of roller members which are disposed to each side of the cutting wheel 9 cooperate with the transport or driving wheel 8 and this cutting wheel 9. These roller members 10 are advantageously provided with a spring arrangement which will be considered more fully shortly.

The components of the multipurpose utensil or combination device which are located internally of the graspable housing 1 are best seen by referring to FIG. 3. Thus, for instance, it will be apparent that a recess 11 has been provided within the graspable housing 1. A conical portion 12 merges with the recess 11 and, a channel 13, in turn, merges with the lower end of the conical portion 12. The hollow compartment constituted by the recess 11, the conical portion 12 and the channel 13 serves to house the needle valve unit 4 together with the needle 6 during non-use of the cork puller.

Furthermore, internally of the housing 1 there is located a cylinder 14 which is closed at its upper end by an insert member 15. A piston 16 travels within the compartment of the cylinder 14, the lower region of this piston 16 being extended downwardly to provide a piston rod 17. The piston member 16 and the piston rod 17 are provided with a longitudinally extending bore 17a serving to receive a portion of the spring member 18. The other portion, namely the upper portion of the spring member 1 8, is guided by a cylindrical projection 19 provided at the insert member 15. In the position of the spring member 18 shown in FIG. 3 it possesses a certain bias or prestress and urges the lever 2 into its operational position. In order to secure the operating lever 2 at the graspable housing 1 the safety catch or slide 3 is displaced into engagement with the bore 20 provided at the upper end face of the housing 1.

The insert member 15 possesses a threaded recess portion 21 at its upper face or end, into which the needle valve unit 4 can be threadably attached. The needle valve unit 4 operably communicates with the inner compartment of the cylinder 14 through the provision of the channels 22 and 23. A suction valve 24 is arranged at the piston rod 17, whereas the conventional pressure valve is provided at the needle valve unit 4 and is not visible in the drawings.

A link member 25 is pivotably mounted to the piston rod 17 by a bolt member 26 or equivalent fastener. The opposite end of this link 25 is connected with the actuation lever 2 by means of another bolt 27 or the like. This actuation lever 2 is mounted by means of a bolt member 28 in a bracket member 29- This bracket member 29 possesses a substantially U-shaped configuration, wherein the base portion 30 forms a downwardly extending closure portion and both of the bracket-like leg members 31 thereof extend upwardly. Both of these bracket-like leg members 31 of the bracket 29 form two walls in which there are mounted the bolt or shaft member 28 and the transport wheel 8 of the can opener mechanism. The actuation lever 2 is rotatably mounted by means of this bolt or shaft member 28. Additionally, the bracket legs 31 are provided with slot means 32. A bolt member 33 piercingly extends through both of the slot means 32, this bolt member 33 being fixedly mounted in the wall portions of the graspable housing 1. Furthermore, the bolt member 31 piercingly extends through a recess or cutaway portion 34 provided at the actuation lever 2, this recess 34 possossing an approximately triangular configuration, as shown.

Turning attention further to the construction of the actuation lever 2 it will be recognized that such incorporates a toothed segment 35 at the end which is located in the graspable housing 1. This toothed segment or gear segment 35 meshes with a pinion or gear 36. Pinion 36 is mounted upon the shaft member 37 of the transport or driving wheel 8. Furthermore, this pinion 36 has an internal bore possessing a number of notches or teeth 38 with which engage a pawl 40 subjected to the action of a spring 39. The notches or teeth 38 provide a ratchet structure for the pawl 40. Due to this construction it is possible for the pinion 36 to only entrain the transport wheel shaft 37 and therefore the transport wheel 8 in one direction corresponding to the direction required for the proper functioning of the can opener mechanism.

At the region of the lower end face of the graspable housing 1 there is arranged a slide mechanism 41. This slide mechanism 41 travels in two grooves or ways 42 provided at the side walls of the graspable housing 1. Furthermore, slide mechanism 41 is provided with a structural steel member 43, which is flexed or bent at one side to form a tool 44 for opening bottles having a metal closure as well as bottle caps which can be cut and then lifted away. At the opposite ends of the structural steel member 43 there is provided a portion which possesses a substantially triagular tip 45, this tip 45 being downwardly bent, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, when the slide mechanism 41 is displaced to the left of FIG. 3, it is possible to use this tip portion 45 to press a pouring opening out of the bottom of a can or other type of cask or container. A screw 46 which is mounted at the slide mechanism 41 extends into a slot 47 so that the lateral displaceability of the slide mechanism 41 is conveniently limited. A spring member 48 generates a certain friction to thereby fixedly retain in this manner the slide mechanism 41 at the momentarily assumed operational position.

By referring to FIG. 4 it will be apparent that the cutting wheel 9 of the can opener mechanism is surrounded by a collar 49 which is inclined with respect to the walls of the graspably housing 1. The clamping rollers 10 which are arranged to each side of the cutting wheel 9 are rotatably mounted at the roller support member 50. This roller support member 50 is conveniently formed of sheet metal which bears from the outside against the wall of the housing 1 and, furthermore, by means of two substantially hook-shaped flexed fingers or flaps 51 engages with a respective recessed portion 52. Spring members 53 are arranged in the recessed portions 52, these spring members serving as pressure springs which urge the roller support member 50 against a stop means 54.

The heretofore described multipurpose utensil or combination device functions in the following manner:

(1) Operation of device as cork puller Initially, the security catch 3 is retracted out of engagement with the bore 20 so that the operating or actuation lever arrives at the position shown in FIG. 3 under the action of the spring member 18. At the same time the selector switch or lever 7 is placed into the position corresponding to the working position for the cork puller mechanism. Consequently, the substantially U-shaped bracket 29 is displaced into the lower position depicted in FIG. 3, which is defined by the elongated slot 32 and the bolt member 33. Now the needle valve mechanism 4 together with the cork popping needle 6 is removed from the hollow compartment defined by the components 11, 12 and 13 and is threaded via its threaded portion 4a into the cooperating threaded recessed portion 21 of the upper end face of the insert member 15. The cork puller or cork popping device is now ready for operation. The needle 6 is then pushed through the cork of a bottle or the like, whereafter one hand is used to carry out pumping motions by means of the operating or actuation lever 2. Thus, due to pressing of the actuation lever 2 against the graspable housing 1 the piston member 166 will be displaced until it reaches the lower end of the insert member 15. In so doing, the air is conveyed through the channels 22 and 23 via the pressure valve located in the needle valve unit 4 through the hollow needle 6 into the air compartment of the bottle to be opened. The pumping motion previously described is continued for such time until sufficient pressure is available to pop out the cork.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that during operation of the multipurpose utensil for popping a cork a particularly large stroke is produced which is composed of two components, namely, in the one instance, the stroke which results due to the rotation or pivoting of the lever member 2 about the bolt member 28 and, on the other hand, due to the lifting of the bracket member 29 until the bolt 33 is located in the lower position of the elongated slot 32. This partial stroke is provided in that during the movement of the actuation lever 2 the cutaway or recess portion 34 moves along the contour of the bolt 33.

In the event that the cork cannot be removed in this manner, which could occur if the cork has not been sufiiciently rigidly fixed into the bottle, then the threading located at the needle valve mechanism 4 can be threaded into the cork. As a result, a sufficient sealing action is achieved so that also a satisfactory pressure can be generated for popping out the cork. However, the threading 5 of the needle valve unit 4 which has been threaded into the cork can also be advantageously used as a corkscrew in order to completely remove a cork which has not been entirely pulled out of the bottle.

The graspable housing 1, the operating or actuation lever 2, the insert member 15, the needle valve body unit 4, the piston 166 with its piston rod 17, and the link 25, are all advantageously formed of a plastic possessing sufficient hardness. This renders possible, for instance, in the case of the piston member 16 that its sealing collar 16a can be formed of one piece together with the piston member 16.

(2) Operation of the device as a can opener In this instance the selector switch or lever 7 is brought into the appropriate position which corresponds to the working position of the can opener mechanism. Now, if the actuating lever 2 is actuated then the bracket member 29 is raised and remains in this upper position during use of the device as a can opener. During this time the bolt member 33 will be located at the lower end of the elongated slot 32. In this position the transport or driving wheel 8, as best shown in FIG. 4, engages beneath the cutting wheel 9. At the same time the roller members bear upon the indicated can edge portion and thus, under the spring action of the spring members 53, press the can against the transport wheel 8 so that it will be positively entrained, This transport or driving Wheel 8 possesses a number of notches 660 at its periph- 6 ery, which are not symmetrical, rather are inclined towards one direction so that they intensely fixedly hook themselves in one direction at the can.

The resilient roller members 10 impart to the can opener mechanism especially advantageous characteristics, so that also cans with pronounced variations in direction or contour can likewise be opened without difficulty. Furthermore, in order to be able to open very small cans an opening 55 can be provided at the transport wheel 8 into which there can be inserted a suitable key or the like so that the cover of such cans can be rolled up. The rotation of this key likewise occurs through the movements with the actuation lever 2.

Also, the can opener mechanism of this combination device or multipurpose utensil can be operated with one hand. It is completely sufi'lcient, after properly positioning the selector switch or lever 7, to carry out movements with the lever 2 in order to achieve an effortless opening of the can.

(3) Operation of the device for carrying out further functions In order to open bottles which are sealed with a metal cap the slide mechanism 41 is displaced into the righthand terminal position of FIG. 3 until the screw 46 impacts against the edge of the slot 47. Now, it is possible to remove the metallic closures from the bottles. In so doing, operation of the actuation lever 2 is not necessary, and therefore, it is advantageously brought into its rest position where it bears snugly or flushly against the graspable housing 1 and retained in this position by means of the securing catch 3.

In the same position of the slide member 41 it is possible to use the working edge 44, which has been sharpened for this purpose, to cut away the head portion of a cap arranged over the neck of the bottle for protecting the cork. Then the upper portion of the cap can be removed and the cork is rendered accessible for pulling out of the bottle.

If the slide member 41 is placed into the left-hand terminal position, then the flexed or bent tip portion 45 can be pushed into the floor of cans and other casks or containers to provide a pouring-or aeration opening.

A further possibility for cutting away a protective cap or hood for the bottle or the like is provided by the arrangement of a rotatably mounted cutting wheel 57 at the back of the operating lever 2. When this operating lever 2 assumes its effectual or operable position the cutting Wheel 57 is located at the region of the graspable housiig 1, shown in FIG. 3. The neck of the bottle is now placed and turned in the angular area defined by the intersection of the back or rear portion of the graspable housing 1 and the extended lever 2. Consequently, the cutting wheel 57 cuts into the cap or hood enclosing the neck of the bottle which can then be removed. The cutting Wheel 57 is advantageously formed of material which can be hardened to be glass hard so that the cutting Wheel 57 also does not tend to become dull even during intensive use. This manner of cutting away bottle cap closures or protective hoods or seals has proven itself to be exceptionally simple and easy to perform.

As already explained, the multipurpose utensil or combination device of the invention is essentially formed of plastic components. Only the elements which are intensively used or subjected to stress, such as the needle 6, the cutting wheels 9 aid 57, the rollers 10, the roller support 50, the springs 53, 18, and 39, the pinion 36, the transport Wheel shaft 37 as well as a number of the bolts, are formed of partially hardened steel for instance.

The inventive multipurpose utensil or combination device of the invention renders possible the performance of different types of Work in the household and hotel and restaurant type commercial enterprises, by utilizing a single device which, however, is still capable of being easily manipulated without requiring the exertion of any large amount of force and can be operated with one hand. Furthermore, the individual multipurpose units possess particularly advantageous properties, for instance, the special construction for the stroke of the cork puller mechanism in order to obtain for each piston stroke as large as possible quantity of air, and through the features of th resilient roller members for the can opener mechanism by means of which the can can be pressed against the transport wheel.

It should be apparent from the foergoing detailed description, that the objects set forth at the outset to the specification have been successfully achieved.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A combination device for opening bottles, cans, casks of all types, and the like, comprising a graspable housing means, a can opener mechanism and a cork puller mechanism provided at said graspable housing means, said can opener mechanism incorporating a transport wheel and said cork puller mechanism including pressure generating means for popping a cork, and a common lever member pivotably attached at said graspable housing means for actuating said transport wheel and said pressure generating means.

2. A combination device as defined in claim 1, further including selector means arranged at said graspable housing means and movable into at least two selective positions, one of said selective positions corresponding to the working position for said can opener mechanism and the other selective position corresponding to the working position for said cork puller mechanism.

3. A combination device as defined in claim 1, further including a toothed segment provided at said lever member, a shaft member for mounting said transport wheel of said can opener mechanism, a pinion seated upon said shaft member and meshing with said toothed segment.

4. A combination device as defined in claim 3, further including a pawl entrainment mechanism operable in one direction provided for said pinion in order to rotate said transport wheel.

5. A combination device as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressure generating means embodies a cylinder arranged in said graspable housing means and a piston member operable in said cylinder, said common lever member being provided with an inclined pivotably mounted link member for operating said pressure generating means.

6. A combination device as defined in claim 3, further including bracket means for rotatably mounting said lever member and said pinion, and means for mounting said bracket means so as to be displaceable in lengthwise direction in said graspable housing means.

7. A combination device as defined in claim 6, wherein said mounting means for said bracket means includes a pin member secured at said housing means, said bracket means including a slot into which engages said pin member, in order to limit the lengthwise displacement of said bracket means.

8. A combination device as defined in claim 7, wherein said lever member is provided with a recess with which engages said pin member, said recess providing guide means for said lever member when said bracket means is in its lower position, whereby upon actuation of said lever member said recess slides along said pin member and therefore raises said bracket means.

9. A combination device as defined in claim 8, further including a pivot shaft member for rotatably securing said lever member at said bracket means, said pivot shaft member providing the axis of rotation for said lever member in the raised position of said bracket means.

10. A combination device as defined in claim 9, wherein the raised position of said bracket means corresponds to the operating position for said can opener mechanism and the lowered position of said bracket means corresponds to the operating position for said cork puller mechanism.

11. A combination device as defined in claim 1, wherein said cork puller mechanism incorporates a needle valve unit having a needle member, said graspable housing means including a hollow compartment for accommodating said needle valve unit with its needle member, said needle valve unit and housing means having cooperating means for threadably connecting said needle valve unit with its needle member in an operable position and for permitting detachment of said needle valve unit and needle member during non-use thereof, wherein said needle valve unit and needle member is accommodated in said hollow compartment of said housing means.

12. A combination device as defined in claim 11, wherein said needle valve unit is provided with cork withdrawal threading at the side thereof facing said needle member.

13. A combination device as defined in claim 1, wherein said grasping housing means includes a recess portion for retractably receiving said lever member during non-use, and means for fixedly retaining said lever member in its inoperable position at said housing means.

14. A combination device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing means includes a narrow side portion, additional tool means displaceably mounted at said narrow side portion, said additional tool means including a tool member which is bent at one end and tapers into a point for pressing an opening in the cover of a can member, the opposite end of said tool member having a hook shaped end portion for removing bottle closures and for cutting away bottle protective caps.

15. A combination device as defined in claim 1, wherein said can opener mechanism further includes a cutting wheel mounted at an inclination at said graspably housing means, and support rollers arranged at each side of said cutting wheel.

16. A combination device as defined in claim 15, further including a roller support member secured flushly for lengthwise displacement at the exterior of said housing means, said support rollers being attached to said roller support member, and spring means acting upon said lengthwise displaceable roller support member and acting in the direction of said transport wheel.

17. A combination device as defined in claim 1, wherein said lever member includes a back portion, a cutting wheel member mounted at said back portion of said lever member, said cutting wheel member being rotatably arranged at said back portion of said lever member and being placed into an operable position when said lever member is brought into its operable position externally of said housing means in order to cut bottle closures or caps away from a bottle by means of said rotatable cutting wheel member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,921,811 8/1933 Eger 81-32 2,561,758 7/1951 Sneckner 7-14.6X 2,729,124 l/1956 Farandatos 81-3.2 3,135,144 6/1964 Cameron 813.1

LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner I. C. PETERS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 81-32

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