WO2014191881A2

WO2014191881A2 - Manual can-opener of the type including a rotating shaft provided with a wheel and an operating handle

Info

Publication number: WO2014191881A2
Application number: PCT/IB2014/061658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Pitoux; Pierrick DURET
Original assignee: Jensen Industrial Limited
Priority date: 2013-05-29
Filing date: 2014-05-23
Publication date: 2014-12-04
Also published as: FR3006302B1; FR3006302A1; WO2014191881A3; CN104211002A; CN104211002B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a manual can-opener, of the type including a rotating shaft (11) of longitudinal axis (L), bearing a wheel (17), and a free end (12) of which is provided with means (13) for its attachment to a rotating operating handle (14). According to the invention, said means (13) for attachment between said rotating shaft (11) and said rotating operating handle (14) include at least one ratchet device (33, 38, 47; 34, 38, 47) arranged to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft (11) about said longitudinal axis (L) only in a first rotation direction, by the operation of said rotating handle (14).

Description

MANUAL CAN-OPENER OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A ROTATING SHAFT PROVIDED WITH A WHEEL AND AN OPERATING HANDLE TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The present invention relates to the field of can-openers intended to open cans. It more particularly relates to a manual can-opener of the type including a rotating shaft provided with a wheel and a rotating operating handle.

It even more particularly relates to a clamp-type can-opener, comprising two arms articulated to each other about an axis of articulation, and provided, for the one, with a notched driving wheel, and for the other, with a cutting wheel.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Different types of can-openers can be used to open cans.

Among them are found manually operated can-openers, including a rotating handle that actuates a rotating shaft equipped with a wheel.

More precisely, some of these can-openers are of the clamp type, comprising two arms articulated to each other about an axis of articulation.

One of these two arms serves as a support for the rotating shaft equipped with the rotating operating handle, at one of its ends. Its other end is equipped with a notched wheel that serves for the progression of the cutting on the can the opening of which is desired; this notched driving wheel is rotationally integral with the rotating shaft and is associated to a first toothed pinion, also rotationally integral with said rotating shaft. The other of the two arms includes a cylindrical axis or stud on which are mounted - a second toothed pinion, arranged so as to be engaged with said first toothed pinion, and - a cutting wheel rotationally integral with said second toothed pinion.

The cutting wheel and the second toothed pinion are mounted with a possibility of rotation on their cylindrical support axis. The cutting wheel is driven in rotation by the operating handle, that through the first and second toothed pinions.

To open a can, the user operates the can-opener by means of the operating handle, through a succession of rotation movements, generally in the clockwise direction, so as to ensure its displacement and the cutting of the lid over at least a portion of its periphery.

In case of jamming, or when the opening is completed, the user can move the handles apart to extract the device and in particular the cutting wheel from the metal parts clamped on either side.

The major drawback of this type of can-opener is that, during opening operations, the user is brought to intermittently loose and hold the rotating operating handle, at each rotation movement, for example of half a turn, which makes the operation complex, relatively long and uneasy.

Such devices do not allow opening completely a can without having to loose the operating handle.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has for object to propose an original can-opener, of simple structure, allowing the above-mentioned drawbacks to be solved.

This object is achieved by designing a can-opener including a ratchet mechanism that allows the opening of a can without having to loose the operating handle during the use thereof.

For that purpose, the manual can-opener according to the invention, of the type including a rotating shaft of longitudinal axis L, bearing a wheel, and a free end of which is provided with means for its attachment to a rotating operating handle, is characterized by the fact that said means for attachment between said rotating shaft and said rotating operating handle include at least one ratchet device arranged to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft about said longitudinal axis L only in a first rotation direction, by the operation of said rotating handle.

According to a preferred embodiment, this can-opener is of the clamp type, comprising two arms articulated to each other about an axis of articulation; one of these arms serves as a support for said rotating shaft, said operating handle being integral with one of the ends of this rotating shaft through said ratchet device(s); furthermore, a wheel, of the driving wheel type, as well as a first toothed pinion, are born by the other end of the rotating shaft, rotationally integral with the latter.

For its part, the other of said arms includes a cylindrical axis on which are mounted - a second toothed pinion, arranged so as to be engaged with said first toothed pinion, and

- a cutting wheel, rotationally integral with said second toothed pinion.

According to another feature, said means for attachment between the rotating shaft and the rotating operating handle also comprise means arranged to allow the deactivation of the ratchet device and the driving into rotation of the rotating shaft about its longitudinal axis L, in the second direction of rotation, opposite to the first one.

In a preferred embodiment, said shaft/handle attachment means include:

- a first ratchet device arranged to allow the driving into rotation of the rotating shaft about its longitudinal axis L, only in a first direction of rotation, by the rotational operation of said handle,

- a second ratchet device, arranged to allow the driving into rotation of the rotating shaft about said longitudinal axis L, only in the second direction of rotation, opposite to the first one, by the rotational operation of said handle, and

- means for selecting the activation of said first or of said second ratchet device. According to still another characteristic, the can-opener includes at least one ratchet device comprising:

- a toothed crown, centred on said longitudinal axis L, provided with a plurality of teeth defining between them a plurality of grooves, which teeth each include a driving flat and a retracting flat,

- a transversal axis, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis L, extending diametrically with respect to said toothed crown,

said toothed crown being mobile with respect to said transversal axis, along said longitudinal axis L, to allow either the cooperation of said transversal axis with the teeth of said toothed crown, by introduction within said grooves, for the activation of said ratchet device, so as to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft only in one direction of rotation, or the separation of said axis from the teeth of said toothed crown, for the deactivation of said ratchet device.

Still advantageously, the can-opener includes a transversal axis that is arranged between two toothed crowns, opposite to each other and separated from each other, said transversal axis being mobile along said longitudinal axis L, with respect to said toothed crowns, to allow the cooperation thereof with one of said toothed crowns, so as to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft only in a first direction of rotation, or with the other of said toothed crowns, to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft only in the second direction of rotation, opposite to said first one.

According to still another feature, the toothed crown(s) are arranged on one of the end faces of a bearing cylinder, whose central orifice extends coaxially to the longitudinal axis L, the opposite end face of said bearing cylinder forming a resting face.

Within this framework, the rotating shaft extends advantageously through the central orifice of said bearing cylinders of said toothed crowns, and bears said transversal axis, said rotating shaft being mobile into translation, with respect to said toothed crowns, along said longitudinal axis L, over a limited distance, defined by the cooperation of said transversal axis with said toothed crowns.

In a particularly interesting manner, elastic return means are arranged so as to tend to make said transversal axis cooperate with one of said toothed crowns.

According to still another particularly interesting embodiment, the can-opener includes a tubular body provided with means for attachment to said operating handle. This tubular body extends coaxially to said longitudinal axis L, and integrates said bearing cylinders of said toothed crowns, fixed by any suitable means, coaxially to each other and coaxially to said tubular body. This tubular body also integrates a part of said rotating shaft, with said transversal axis located between said bearing cylinders; elastic return means in the form of a helical spring are also provided so as to tend to make said transversal axis cooperate with said toothed crown of one of said bearing cylinders.

Within this framework, the rotating shaft advantageously includes a shoulder and receives, successively, from said shoulder: a first bearing cylinder provided with a toothed crown, said transversal axis and a second bearing cylinder provided with a toothed crown, an axial screw, received in the free end of said rotating shaft, being adapted to maintain the mobile tubular body on said rotating shaft.

In a first embodiment, said elastic return means are in the form of a helical spring that is interposed between the shoulder of said rotating shaft and the resting face of the opposite bearing cylinder, adapted to tend to make the toothed crown of said bearing cylinder cooperate with said transversal axis.

In an alternative embodiment, said elastic return means are in the form of a helical spring that is interposed between a head of the axial screw fixed to the end of the rotating shaft and the resting face of the opposite bearing cylinder, said helical spring being adapted to tend to make said transversal axis cooperate with the toothed crown of said opposite bearing cylinder.

According to still another characteristic, said tubular body is attached to said rotating operating handle by means of at least one fixation screw.

The present invention thus proposes a can-opener of very simple structure, that allows the opening of a can without the need for the user to remove the hand from the operating handle. The user can hold permanently the rotating operating handle during the forward rotation movement, linked to the opening of the can, and also during the rearward rotation movement, possibly required to extract the can-opener clamped onto the metal sheets, at the end of the procedure.

This invention allows simplifying the using of can-openers and reducing the time required for opening cans. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENT

The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited thereby, by the following description of a particular embodiment, given only by way of exemple and represented on the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic exploded overview of a can-opener with ratchets according to the invention ;

- Figure 2 is a bottom view of the can-opener illustrated in Figure 1 , once the various constitutive parts thereof assembled together;

- Figure 3 is a side view of the can-opener illustrated in Figure 2 (seen from the side of its driving and cutting wheels);

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the can-opener, according to the cutting plane 4-4 of Figure 2;

- Figure 5 is schematic partial view showing the structure of one of the elements of the tubular body in which is integrated the ratchet mechanism;

- Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a bearing cylinder for the ratchet mechanism, revealing the detail of the shape of the teeth of its toothed crown;

- Figure 7 is a side view of the bearing cylinder illustrated in Figure 6.

The can-opener 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 is of the clamp type.

It conventionally includes a main arm 2, formed of a handle 3 extended by a head 4, and a secondary arm 5, formed of a handle 6 extended by a head 7, these two arms 2 and 5 being articulate to each other about an axis 8.

This axis of articulation 8 is located approximately between the handles 3, 6 and the heads 4, 7 of the two arms 2 and 5.

This axis of articulation 8 is materialized by a screw or a rivet 8a, visible in Figures 2 and 3.

The head 4 of the main arm 2 is of generally flat shape and includes an orifice 9 receiving an added cylindrical ring 10, for the passage and the guiding of a rotating through-shaft 1 1 of longitudinal axis L.

This rotating shaft 1 1 extends on either side of the flat head 4.

On one side of this flat head 4, the free end 12 of the rotating shaft 1 1 includes means 13 for its attachement to a rotating operating handle 14, these attachement means 13 integrating ratchet devices, according to the invention, as detailed hereinafter in the description.

On the other side of this flat head 4, the free end 15 of the rotating shaft 1 1 receives, still conventionally, a first toothed pinion 16 and a notched driving wheel 17, separated from each other by a washer 18.

This first toothed pinion 16 and the notched wheel 17 each include a central orifice for their fitting to the end 15 of the shaft 1 1 . They are kept tightened on this shaft 1 1 and rotationally integral with the latter by any suitable means, such as embossing, crimping or screwing.

Between its two ends 12 and 15, the rotating shaft 1 1 includes a shoulder 20 arranged on the side of the operating handle 14 with respect to the flat head 4.

This shoulder 20 comes in rest against the opposite end of the ring 10.

It will be noted that the ring 10 comes in rest against the flat head 4, on the side of the pinion 16 and of the wheel 17, through a shoulder, and that, on the side of the operating handle 14, its end protruding with respect to the flat head 4 is associated with an added ring 21 , which is forcibly fitted, to ensure the locking thereof.

For its part, also in a known manner, the head 7 of the secondary arm 5 is of generally flat shape and includes a cylindrical axis 22 on which is mounted a second toothed pinion 23 and a cutting wheel 24.

The second toothed pinion 23 and the cutting wheel 24 each include a central orifice for their mounting on a support ring 25 that makes them rotationally integral with each other.

This support ring 25 itself includes a central orifice for its fitting on the axis 22. The ring 25 (with the second toothed pinion 23 and the cutting wheel 24) is held on this axis 22 by the head of an axial screw 26. It can turn about the axis 22.

Furthermore, the second toothed pinion 23 is engaged with the first toothed pinion 16, so that a rotation of this first pinion 16 (driven by the rotating shaft 1 1 actuated by the operating handle 14) causes the rotation of the second toothed pinion 23 and that of the cutting wheel 24.

During the opening of a can by means of the can-opener 1 , the progression of the cutting is obtained by means of the notched wheel 17.

Still conventionally, the axis 22 is slightly inclined to optimize the cutting by the wheel 24.

It will also be noted, still in a known manner, the presence of opener members 27 formed at the end of the flat head 4, in particular to open the lid of certain glass containers or the like.

The operating handle 14 is herein in the form of a U-shaped section structure formed of a base 14a extended by two parallel lateral wings 14b.

The attachement means 13 between the operating handle 14 and the rotating shaft 1 1 (more precisely the free end 12 thereof) includes a tubular body 30 in which are integrated two bearing cylinders 31 and 32 that each bear, on their faces located opposite to each other, a toothed crown 33 and 34.

The tubular body 30 is herein formed of two cylinders, an outer one 30a, made for example of embossed stainless steel, and an inner one 30b, made for example of injected plastic, which are coaxial to each other and fitted into one another.

Each of the bearing cylinders 31 and 32 includes a central orifice 35, 36 allowing the introduction of the free end 12 of the rotating shaft 1 1 , this free end 12 being provided with a diametral through-orifice 37, in which a transversal axis 38 is forcibly inserted.

The transversal axis 38 born by the rotating shaft 1 1 protrudes on either side of the latter, so that the protruding ends thereof can cooperate with the toothed crowns 33 and 34 of the bearing cylinders 31 and 32.

Each toothed crown 33 and 34 of the bearing cylinders 31 and 32 is intended to cooperate with the ends of the transversal axis 38 to form a ratchet device, in association with elastic return means, as described hereinafter in the description.

The free end 12 of the rotating shaft 1 1 includes an axial orifice 39 that opens in its end face.

The two bearing cylinders 31 and 32 have an outer diameter that corresponds, to within the clearance, to the inner diameter of the tubular body 30 (and more particularly of the inner cylinder 30b).

They are inserted in this latter with their toothed crowns 33, 34 opposite to each other and separated from each other by a certain distance. These two bearing cylinders 31 and 32 are fixed to the tubular body 30 by any suitable means. For example, fixation screws 40 that come into orifices 41 and 42 for attaching the bearing cylinder 31 to the tubular body 30 and fixation screws 43 that come into orifices 44 and 45 for attaching the bearing cylinder 32 to the tubular 30 are used (wherein the fixation screws 40, 43 in question do not extend within the central orifice 35, 36 of the bearing cylinders 31 and 32).

The transversal axis 38 is arranged between the two bearing cylinders 31 and

32.

For that purpose, the bearing cylinder 32 is fitted on the free end 12 of the rotating shaft 1 1 before the fitting of the axis 38 into its diametral receiving orifice 37, and before the attachement of this bearing cynlinder 32 with the tubular body 30.

An helical compression spring 47 is interposed between the flat face 48 of the bearing cylinder 31 (opposed to its toothed crown 33) and the head of an axial screw 49 introduced into the axial end orifice 39 of the rotating shaft 1 1 .

The head of this axial screw 49 can be associated to a washer.

This helical spring 47 is herein adapted to tend to make the ends of the transversal axis 38 cooperate with the toothing of toothed crown 33 of the bearing cylinder 31 located on the side of the operating handle 14.

For its part, the face 50 of the bearing cylinder 32, opposed to its toothed crown 34, forms a planar face that comes in rest against the shoulder 20 of the rotating shaft 1 1 .

The tubular body 30 is inserted by one of its ends into the operating handle 14, between the two lateral wings 14b thereof.

This tubular body 30 is attached to the handle 14 by means of two screws 51 that come, opposite to each other, on either side of the handle 14, each - in an orifice 52 arranged in one of the lateral wings 14b of the handle 14, - in an orifice 53 arranged in the tubular body 30, and - in an orifice 54 arranged in the bearing cylinder 31 , all adapted accordingly.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 5 to 7, advantageously, the bearing cylinders 31 and 32 includes two lateral lugs 55, diametrically opposed to each other, arranged so as to cooperate with notches 56 arranged in the tubular body 30 (and more particularly within its inner cylinder 30b), so as to ensure their guiding within the latter, during the mounting, and their correct angular positioning for the placement of the above- mentioned fixation screws 40, 43.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 5, these notches 56 are made by couples, on generating lines parallel to the axis of the tubular body 30, and are diametrically opposed to each other.

It can be observed that these notches 56 open at the ends of the cylinder 30b, but they do not extend over the whole length thereof. They are indeed interrupted in the central portion 57 of said cylinder 30b (and thus of said tubular body 30), to form a positioning stop, function of the desired relative positioning of the bearing cylinders 31 and 32, and of the desired spacing of the opposite toothed crowns 33 and 34, for the cooperation thereof with the transversal axis 38, as described hereinafter.

The two bearing cylinders 31 and 32 are identical. Their structure is detailed in

Figures 6 and 7.

As can be seen in these two Figures 6 and 7, the bearing cylinders 31 and 32 are in the form of a cylinder of axis A, provided with a central orifice 35, 36.

One of the end faces of this cylinder 31 , 32 includes the toothed crown 33, 34, centred on the axis A, and that extends in a plane perpendicular to said axis A.

The other end face 48, 50 is planar and extends also in a plane perpendicular to said axis A.

On the perimeter of the cylindrical envelop of the cylinders 31 , 32, the presence of the two guiding lugs 55, diametrically opposed to each other, can be observed.

The bearing cylinders 31 , 32 also include the above-mentioned orifices that open in the cylindrical envelop thereof, perpendicular to the axis A, i.e.:

- the orifice 44 for the fixation to the tubular body 30 (for the bearing cylinder 32),

- orifices 54 for the fixation to the handle 14 (for the bearing cylinder 31 ), and

- the orifice 41 for the fixation to the tubular body 30 (for the bearing cylinder 31 ).

The presence of these different orifices allows having a single part serving for the two bearing cylinders 31 or 32.

The toothing of the toothed crown 33, 34 include a juxtaposition of teeth 60, for example 6 to 10 teeth, preferably 8.

These teeth 60 are identical and their shape is adapted to obtain the desired ratchet function.

For that purpose, each tooth 60 includes a flat 61 that extends in a radial plane parallel to the axis A (to form a rotation driving flat, by the cooperation with the transversal axis 38 during the rotation of the handle 14 in a direction of rotation), and a flat 62 that extends in a plane that is substantially radial, but inclined with respect to the axis A (forming a retracting flat, to allow the sliding or the passage of the transversal axis 38, without driving cooperation with the bearing cylinder 31 , 32, during rotation of the handle 14 in the other direction).

Between the different juxtaposed teeth 60, the presence of the grooves 63 for the reception and the positioning of the ends of the transversal axis 38 can be observed.

Once the can-opener 1 assembled, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the handle 14, the tubular body 30, the two bearing cylinders 31 and 32, and the rotating shaft 1 1 extend coaxially to each other.

The handle 14, tubular body 30 and bearing cylinders 31 , 32 unit is axially mobile within the rotating shaft 1 1 , this mobility being limited over a certain distance, defined by the cooperation of the transversal axis 38 with the toothed crown 33, 34 of the two bearing cylinders 31 , 32.

The two toothed crown 33, 34 of the two bearing cylinders 31 , 32 are separated from each other by a suitable distance. The transversal axis 38 extends diametrically with respect to said toothed crowns 33, 34.

In the rest position, the helical spring 47 forces the transversal axis 38 to cooperate with the toothed crown 33 of the bearing cylinder 31 located on the handle 14 side.

The toothing of the toothed crown 33 of the bearing cylinder 31 located on the handle 14 side is adapted to allow the driving into rotation of the rotating shaft 1 1 , when this toothing cooperates with the transversal axis 38, this in a single direction of rotation of the handle 14, herein in the clockwise direction; and the toothing of the toothed crown 34 of the bearing cylinder 32, located on the shoulder 20 side, is adapted to allow the driving into rotation of the rotating shaft 1 1 , when this toothing cooperates with the transversal axis 38, this when the handle 14 is operated in the other direction of rotation (herein, in a direction opposite to the clockwise direction).

Therefore, it is understood that a rotation of the operating handle 14 in the clockwise direction ensures the rotation of the rotating shaft 1 1 and allows the opening of a can by the cutting wheel 24.

This opening is made through a succession of rotational and counter-rotational movements, without loosing the operating handle 14, wherein the counter-rotational movements (opposite to the clockwise direction) do not cause the rotation of the shaft 1 1 , due to the ratchet device 33, 38, 47 and the passage of the transversal axis 38 on the inclined flats 62 of the toothed crown 33.

Once the opening of the can performed, the operator can pull on the operating handle 14, against the return force exerted by the helical spring 47, to made the transversal axis 38 cooperate with the toothing 34 of the bearing cylinder 32, so as to allow a rotation of the rotating shaft 1 1 in the other direction, in particular to allow the extraction of the cutting wheel 24 if it is jammed or clamped in the metal sheets of the open can.

In an alternative embodiment, the helical spring 47 may be eliminated, and a new helical spring (possibly the same) may be interposed between the resting face 50 of the bearing cylinder 32 and the shoulder 20 of the rotating shaft 1 1 .

In this case, the head of the screw 49 is adapted to serve as a stop for the bearing cylinder 31 (through its resting face 48), or this screw 49 is associated to an end washer.

The double-ratchet mechanism then operates similarly to the above-described embodiment (in rest position, this is then the toothed crown 34 of the bearing cylinder 32 that cooperates with the axis 38).

In still another alternative embodiment, it can be provided a single toothed crown, adapted to cooperate with the transversal axis 38, to form a single ratchet device, possibly in association with means that allow the deactivation of this ratchet device and that allow the driving of the rotating shaft into rotation in the other direction of rotation.

Claims

1.- A manual can-opener, of the type including a rotating shaft (11) of longitudinal axis (L), bearing a wheel (17), and a free end (12) of which is provided with means (13) for its attachment to a rotating operating handle (14),

characterized in that said means (13) for attachment between said rotating shaft (11) and said rotating operating handle (14) include at least one ratchet device (33, 38, 47; 34, 38, 47) arranged to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft (11) about said longitudinal axis (L) only in a first rotation direction, by the operation of said rotating handle (14).

2.- The can-opener according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is of the clamp type, comprising two arms (2, 5) articulated to each other about an axis of articulation

(8),

one of these two arms (2) serving as a support for said rotating shaft (11), said operating handle (14) being integral with one of the ends (12) of said shaft (11) through said ratchet device(s) (33, 38, 47; 34, 38, 47), and said wee I (17), of the driving wheel type, as well as a toothed pinion (16), being born by the other end (15) of said shaft (11), rotationally integral with the latter,

the other of said arms (5) including a cylindrical axis (22) on which are mounted - a second toothed pinion (23), arranged so as to be engaged with said first toothed pinion (16), and - a cutting wheel (24), rotationally integral with said second toothed pinion (23).

3. - The can-opener according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said attachment means (13) also comprise means arranged so as to allow the deactivation of said ratchet device (33, 38, 47; 34, 38, 47) and the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft (11) about said longitudinal axis (L), in the second direction of rotation, opposite to the first one.

4. - The can-opener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said means (13) for attachement between said rotating shaft (11) and said operating handle (14) include:

- a first ratchet device (33, 38, 47) arranged to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft (11) about its longitudinal axis (L), only in a first direction of rotation, by the rotational operation of said handle (14),

- a second ratchet device (34, 38, 47) arranged to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft (11 ) about said longitudinal axis (L), only in the second direction of rotation, opposite to the first one, by the rotational operation of said handle (14), and

- means (14, 47) for selecting the activation of said first or of said second ratchet device.

5. - The can-opener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes at least one ratchet device (33, 38, 47; 34, 38, 47) comprising:

- a toothed crown (33, 34), centred on the longitudinal axis (L), provided with a plurality of teeth (60) defining between them a plurality of grooves (63), which teeth (60) each include a driving flat (61 ) and a retracting flat (62),

- a transversal axis (38), perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (L), extending diametrically with respect to said toothed crown (33, 34),

said toothed crown (33, 34) being mobile with respect to said transversal axis (38), along said longitudinal axis (L), to allow either the cooperation of said axis (38) with the teeth (60) of said toothed crown (33, 34), by introduction within said grooves (63), for the activation of said ratchet device (33, 38, 47; 34, 38, 47), so as to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft (1 1 ) only in one direction of rotation, or the separation of said axis (38) from the teeth (60) of said toothed crown (33, 34), for the deactivation of said ratchet device (33, 38, 47; 34, 38, 47).

6.- The can-opener according to claim 5, characterized in that said transversal axis (38) is arranged between two toothed crowns (33, 34) opposite to each other and separated from each other, said transversal axis (38) being mobile along said longitudinal axis (L), with respect to said toothed crowns (33, 34), to allow the cooperation thereof - with one of said toothed crowns (33, 34), so as to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft (1 1) only in a first direction of rotation, or - with the other of said toothed crowns (33, 34), to allow the driving into rotation of said rotating shaft (11 ) only in the second direction of rotation, opposite to said first one.

7,~ The can-opener according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the toothed crowns (33, 34) are arranged on one of the end faces of a bearing cylinder (31 , 32) whose central orifice (35, 36) extends coaxially to the longitudinal axis (L), the opposite end face (48, 50) of said bearing cylinder (31 , 32) forming a resting face.

8. - The can-opener according to claims 6 and 7, taken in combination, characterized in that the rotating shaft (1 1 ) extends through the central orifice (35, 36) of said bearing cylinders (31 , 32) of said toothed crowns (33, 34), and bears said transversal axis (38), said rotating shaft (1 1 ) being mobile into translation, with respect to said toothed crowns (33, 34), along said longitudinal axis (L), over a limited distance, defined by the cooperation of said transversal axis (38) with said toothed crowns (33, 34).

9. - The can-opener according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it includes elastic return means (47), arranged so as to tend to make said transversal axis (38) coorperate with the or one of said toothed crowns (33, 34).

10. - The can-opener according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that it includes a tubular body (30) provided with means (51) for attachment to said operating handle (14), which tubular body (30) extends coaxially to said longitudinal axis (L), and integrates said bearing cylinders (31 , 32) of said toothed crowns (33, 34), fixed by any suitable means (40, 43), coaxially to each other and coaxially to said tubular body (30), which tubular body (30) also integrates a part of said rotating shaft (1 1 ), with said transversal axis (38) located between said bearing cylinders (31 , 32), elastic return means in the form of a helical spring (47) being also provided so as to tend to make said transversal axis (38) cooperate with said toothed crown (33, 34) of one of said bearing cylinders (31 , 32).

11. - The can-opener according to claim 10, characterized in that the rotating shaft (11) includes a shoulder (20) and receives, successively, from said shoulder (20): a first bearing cylinder (32) provided with a toothed crown (34), said transversal axis (38) and a second bearing cylinder (31) provided with a toothed crown (33), an axial screw (49), received in the free end of said rotating shaft (11), being adapted to maintain the mobile tubular body (30) on said rotating shaft (11).

12. - The can-opener according to claim 11 , characterized in that said elastic return means are in the form of a helical spring that is interposed between the shoulder (20) of said rotating shaft (11) and the resting face (50) of the opposite bearing cylinder (32), adapted to tend to make the toothed crown (34) of said bearing cylinder (32) cooperate with said transversal axis (38).

13. - The can-opener according to claim 11 , characterized in that said elastic return means are in the form of a helical spring (47) interposed between a head of the axial screw (49) fixed to the end of the rotating shaft (11) and the resting face (48) of the opposite bearing cylinder (31), said helical spring (47) being adapted to tend to make said transversal axis (38) cooperate with the toothed crown (33) of said opposite bearing cylinder (31).

14. - The can-opener according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that said tubular body (30) is attached to said rotating operating handle (14) by means of at least one fixation screw (51).