WO2018162490A1

WO2018162490A1 - Device for opening a container

Info

Publication number: WO2018162490A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/055485
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Karlsson
Original assignee: Jan Karlsson
Priority date: 2017-03-08
Filing date: 2018-03-06
Publication date: 2018-09-13

Abstract

The present inventive concept relates to a utensil (100) for opening a container, said utensil (100) comprising: a main body (102) extending in a main direction (A) from a proximal end to a distal end; a pivot portion (104) extending in a first direction (B) perpendicular to said main direction (A), wherein said pivot portion (104) comprises a front surface (112), a lower surface (114), and a back surface (116); a hook portion (106) arranged at said distal end, said hook portion (106) arching towards said pivot portion (104) in substantially said first direction (B) and comprising an engaging element (110) configured to engage with an opening element of said container; and a gripping portion (108) arranged at said proximal end; wherein said pivot portion (104) extends further away from said main body (102) in said first direction (B) compared to said engaging element (110) of said hook portion (106). The present inventive concept also relates to a method for opening a container.

Description

DEVICE FOR OPENING A CONTAINER

Technical field

The inventive concept described herein generally relates to the field of utensils, and more particularly to devices and methods for opening a container. Background

Container openers designed to remove bottle caps, lids and tab-tops, have been known for some time. These separate implements are found in the kitchens of many homes and are used on an almost daily basis. No kitchen would be considered complete without these types of openers. In an effort to provide a single, easy-to-use structure having the most commonly used opening devices, several different types of container openers have been combined into a single device. Examples of such devices include jack knives with fold-out bottle openers or multi-purpose closure openers in which several features are combined. However, such devices are merely an assemblage of several tools, resulting in a single device having several hooks, holes, slots, protrusions and the like in order to perform the functions of the individual tools assembled. Further, such devices are often compact in an effort to make them easy to store. However, smaller devices may be difficult to use for users having disabilities, and may also cause the device to slip in use.

Consequently, there is a need for improved opening devices with respect to functionality, user friendliness, and production efficiency.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present inventive concept to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and

disadvantages singly or in combination.

According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, these and other objects are achieved in full, or at least in part, by a device for opening a container, the device comprising: a main body extending in a main direction from a proximal end to a distal end; a pivot portion extending in a first direction perpendicular to the main direction, wherein the pivot portion comprises a front surface, a lower surface, and a back surface; a hook portion arranged at the distal end, the hook portion arching towards the pivot portion in substantially the first direction and comprising an engaging element configured to engage with an opening element of the container; and a gripping portion arranged at the proximal end; wherein the pivot portion extends further away from the main body in the first direction compared to the engaging element of the hook portion.

The device referred to above and throughout the present disclosure may be a utensil. Such a utensil may be used to open e.g. cans, bottles, jars, and the like. In particular, the utensil may be configured for household use. The device may allow a user with decreased grip strength or hand function to open cans, bottles, jars, and the like. In particular, the device may be possible to operate with one hand.

Hereby, when the hook portion and/or the engaging element of the hook portion is engaged with a peripheral edge of a container, e.g. when the device is placed in an operating position ready to open a container, the device may be tilted with respect to a top surface of the container. Consequently, the device, and in particular the gripping portion of the device, may be able to pivot in a downwards pivoting motion without colliding with the top surface of the container. Further, there may be provided sufficient space for a hand of a user between the gripping portion and the top surface of the container while engaging the device in the operating position ready to open the container and/or while performing the downwards pivoting motion.

At least part of the back surface of the pivot portion may extend substantially in the first direction, and the back surface may be configured to shield the gripping portion from the pivot portion. In particular, the back surface may be configured to shield the gripping portion from the lower surface.

The front surface may be substantially flat, and inclined with respect to the main direction.

The front surface may be inclined at least 30 degrees with respect to the main direction. In other words, the front surface may be inclined at least 30 degrees with respect to the main body. Further, the front surface may advantageously be inclined a maximum of 90 degrees with respect to the main body. In other words, the front surface may be inclined a maximum of 90 degrees with respect to the main direction. The main body may extend less than 20 cm in the main direction, such as less than 15 cm in the main direction. Hereby, the device may be easily handled by one hand of a user. The front surface may be configured to gradually transcend into a curvature of the hook portion. The device may further comprise a screw cap removing element arranged at the proximal end.

The screw cap removing element may form part of the gripping portion.

The screw cap removing element may comprise two opposite surfaces forming a v-shaped channel. At least one of the two opposite surfaces may comprise serrated cap gripping elements.

The hook portion may advantageously be configured such that the engaging element, arranged at an end of the hook portion, does not cross an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the front surface from the onset of the curvature of the hook portion. This may provide for that, if the device is laid flat with the front surface abutting a surface of a cover and the device is subsequently slid towards a center of the cover in a first direction, the curvature of the hook portion will reach an edge of the cover at least at the same time, if not before, the engaging element of the hook portion reaches the edge of the cover and/or a side wall of a container having the cover.

The device may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of metals, and plastics, such as thermosetting polymers, or any combination thereof.

According to a second aspect of the inventive concept, these and other objects are achieved in full, or at least in part, by a method for opening a container comprising an opening element, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device according to the first aspect; placing the front surface of the pivot portion on the container; sliding the device towards a first peripheral edge of the opening element, such that the hook portion engages a second peripheral edge of the opening element, the first peripheral and second peripheral edges being opposite edges; and moving the gripping portion in a downwards pivoting motion, such that access to the container is achieved. Other objectives, features and advantages of the present inventive concept will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims as well as from the drawings.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of different embodiments of the present inventive concept, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a device for opening a container;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a top view of a device for opening a container;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a top view of an example of a device for opening a container;

FIGS. 4a-4d schematically illustrates a side view of an example of how a device for opening a container can be used;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a side view of a device for opening a container. Detailed description

The present disclosure describes a device for opening a container. Initially, some terminology may be defined to provide clarification for the following disclosure.

Throughout the present disclosure, references are made to "containers". The term "container" should be understood to refer to a can, a bottle, a jar, or the like. Such containers may hold a food product. Such a container may comprise an opening element. The opening element may be a bottle cap, a lid, or the like, which closes the container and when being removed provides access to the contents of the container. Such opening elements may be removed by a bending or lifting motion of the opening element. However, it is to be understood that some covers may require a rotating motion. Further, an opening element may also refer to a tab of a can. The tab may be used to penetrate a weakened portion of the can. However, the tab itself may be retained by the can. In the context of the present disclosure, the device for opening a container may be used to lift the tab in order to penetrate the weakened portion of the can. In some cases, the opening device may be used to equalize a pressure within the container. In other words, by bending, lifting, or in any other way breaking a seal between the opening element and the container covered by the opening element, a sub-atmospheric pressure within the container may be equalized, such that the opening element may be removed. After equalizing the pressure within the container, the opening element may be removed by the opening device, and/or by the hand of a user.

The term "operating position" should be understood to refer to a position wherein the device is engaging an opening element of a container.

Throughout the present disclosure, for the sake of clarity, the device for opening a container may be referred to as a device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a device 100 for opening a container. The device 100 may comprise a main body 102 extending in a main direction A from a proximal end to a distal end; a pivot portion 104 extending in a first direction B perpendicular to the main direction A, wherein the pivot portion 104 comprises a front surface 1 12, a lower surface 1 14, and a back surface 1 16; a hook portion 106 arranged at the distal end, the hook portion 106 arching towards the pivot portion 104 in substantially the first direction B and comprising an engaging element 1 10 configured to engage with an opening element of the container; and a gripping portion 108 arranged at the proximal end; wherein the pivot portion 104 extends further away from the main body 102 in the first direction B compared to the engaging element 1 10 of the hook portion 106. In other words, a closest first distance Di in the first direction B from a tip of the pivot portion 104 to the main body 102 may be equal to or greater than a closest second distance D2 from the engaging element 1 10 of the hook portion 106 to the main body 102. In yet other words, a closest first distance Di in the first direction B from the lower surface 1 14 to the main body 102 may be equal to or greater than a closest second distance D2 from the engaging element 1 10 of the hook portion 106 to the main body 102 Hereby, when the hook portion 106 and/or the engaging element 1 10 of the hook portion 106 is engaged with a peripheral edge of a container, e.g. when the device is placed in an operating position ready to open a container, the device 100 may be tilted with respect to a top surface of the container. Consequently, the device 100, and in particular the gripping portion 108 of the device, may be able to pivot in a downwards pivoting motion without colliding with the top surface of the container. Further, there may be provided sufficient space for a hand of a user between the gripping portion 108 and the top surface of the container while engaging the device 100 in the operating position ready to open the container and/or while performing the downwards pivoting motion.

For the sake of clarity, it may be noted that the terms "proximal" and "distal" are defined with respect to a user gripping the device 100 by its gripping portion 108. However, as will be understood from the following sections, the device may also be gripped by its distal end.

With regards to the hook portion 106 and the term "arching towards the pivot portion 104", it should be understood that the hook portion 106 comprises a curvature curving towards the pivot portion 104 in substantially the first direction B. With respect to the first direction B, the hook portion may curve a maximum of 135 degrees.

At least part of the back surface 1 16 of the pivot portion 104 may extend substantially in the first direction B. The back surface may 1 16 be configured to shield the gripping portion 108 from the pivot portion 104. The back surface 1 16 may be configured to shield the gripping portion 108 from the hook portion 106. The back surface 1 16 may be configured to shield the gripping portion 108 from the lower surface 1 14. Hereby, a user gripping the gripping portion 108 may be prevented from interfering with the lower surface 1 14, and/or the hook portion 106, by the back surface 1 16 of the pivot portion 104. The front surface 1 12 may be substantially flat, and inclined with respect to the main direction A. The front surface 1 12 may be inclined at least 30 degrees with respect to the main direction A. In other words, the angle a may be at least 30 degrees. Hereby, the front surface 1 12 may be placed on a container and the device 100 may subsequently be moved into a position wherein the hook portion 106 engages an opening element of the container. When moving the device 100, the device 100 may slide on said front surface 1 12 along the opening element of the container. An advantage of this arrangement is that the device 100 can be easily placed in an operating position. The front surface 1 12 may be defined as a surface extending from the pivot portion 104 to the onset of the curvature of the hook portion 106.

The pivot portion 104 may comprise a convex shape. The convex shape may be configured to transcend into the front surface 1 12.

The front surface 1 12 may advantageously be configured such that the front surface 1 12 comprises no surface facing towards the main body 102. A surface is defined as facing towards the main body 102 if an imaginary line drawn from the surface, perpendicular to the surface, intersects the main body and/or intersects an axis drawn along the main direction A in which the main body 102 extends. Stated differently, starting from a part of the pivot portion 104 being arranged furthest away from the main body 102, the front surface 1 12 is configured such that all surfaces of the front surface 1 12 have a positive vector component in the main direction A, and/or a vector component in the main direction A being zero, i.e. all surfaces of the front surface 1 12 have a vector component in the main direction A being equal to or greater than zero.

The front surface 1 12 may be configured to gradually transcend into a curvature of the hook portion. An advantage of this arrangement is that the device 100 can be easily placed into an operating position.

The opening device according to the present inventive concept may provide for that opening elements of containers, such as lids, bottle caps, and tabs, may be opened and/or removed by the same engaging element of the device, and/or by substantially the same opening motion. Such an opening motion may be a downwards pivoting motion. Further, the device may, when opening lids, bottle caps, and tabs, pivot around the same pivot portion.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a device 200 for opening a container is illustrated in a top view. The device 200 comprises a main body 202 and a hook portion 206. The device 200 may comprise any of the features disclosed in conjunction with device 100 and FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a device 300 for opening a container is illustrated in a top view. The device 300 may comprise a main body 302 and a hook portion 306. The device 300 may comprise a screw cap removing element 318 arranged at the proximal end. When using the screw cap removing element 318, a user may grip the device 300 by its distal end. Thus, a distal end of the main body 302 may be configured to be gripped by a user. The screw cap removing element 318 may form part of the gripping portion referred to in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. The screw cap removing element 318 may comprise two opposite surfaces 320, 322 forming a v-shaped channel. At least one of the two opposite surfaces 320, 322 may comprise serrated cap gripping elements 324. The device 300 may comprise any of the features disclosed in conjunction with device 100 and FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 4a-4d, an example of how the opening device may be used to open a container is illustrated in a side view. The front surface 412 of the pivot portion may be placed on the container. More specifically, the front surface 412 of the pivot portion may be placed on an opening element of the container. The device may subsequently be slid towards a first peripheral edge of the opening element (not illustrated). The sliding direction is illustrated in the figures by the vector S. As the device is moved closer to the first peripheral edge, an onset of a curvature 426 of the hook portion is moved closer to a second peripheral edge 428 of the container. As the onset of the curvature 426 contacts the second peripheral edge 428, the sliding motion of the device forces the device to tilt with respect to the container. As the device tilts, the second peripheral edge 428 may travel along at least part of the curvature of the hook portion until the engaging element 410 engages with the second peripheral edge 428 or until the hook portion is securely engaged to the opening element of the container. The gripping portion 408 may now be moved in a downwards pivoting motion, such that access to the container is achieved. The opening element may act as a fulcrum during the downwards pivoting motion. Access to the container is to be understood as at least partly removing a cover from the container, and/or equalizing a pressure within the container, and/or pressing a tab into the container such that the container is punctured.

By sliding the device along the container as described above, the curvature of the hook portion may guide the second peripheral edge, and thus also the hook portion, into a position wherein the hook portion and/or the engaging element of the hook portion assumes a position with respect to the second peripheral edge which is advantageous for opening the container. Such a position may for example be when the hook portion and/or the engaging element of the hook portion is engaged with the second peripheral edge of the container. Further, the hook portion may be prevented from damaging a side wall of the container, since the hook portion is guided by the second peripheral edge of the container away from the side wall of the container.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a device 500 for opening a container is illustrated. Here, the hook portion 506 is configured such that the engaging element 510, arranged at an end of the hook portion 506, does not cross an imaginary line 532 drawn perpendicular to the front surface 512 from the onset 530 of the curvature of the hook portion 506. The onset 530 of the curvature of the hook portion 506 may here be defined as a point which deviates from the substantially flat front surface 512. The engaging element 510 may preferably be arranged such that a gap exists between the imaginary line 532 drawn perpendicular to the front surface 512 from the onset 530 of the curvature of the hook portion 506. Hereby, a tolerance to containers having sidewalls which extend further radially than the cover, cap, or bottle of the container is achieved. In other words, the cover, cap, or bottle of such a container may impact the curvature of the hook portion 506, and thus be guided by the curvature of the hook portion 506, before the engaging element 510 impacts the side wall of the container.

The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.

List of reference signs

A Main direction

B First direction

S Vector

Di First distance

D₂ Second distance

100 Device

102 Main body

104 Pivot portion

106 Hook portion

108 Gripping portion

110 Engaging element

112 Front surface

1 14 Lower surface

1 16 Back surface

200 Device

202 Main body

206 Hook portion

300 Device

302 Main body

306 Hook portion

318 Screw cap opening device

320 Surface

322 Surface Serrated element Gripping portion Engaging element Front surface

Curvature

Second peripheral edge Device

Hook portion

Engaging element Front surface

Onset of curvature Imaginary line

Claims

1 . A utensil (100) for opening a container, said utensil (100) comprising: a main body (102) extending in a main direction (A) from a proximal end to a distal end;

a pivot portion (104) extending in a first direction (B) perpendicular to said main direction (A), wherein said pivot portion (104) comprises a front surface (1 12), a lower surface (1 14), and a back surface (1 16);

a hook portion (1006) arranged at said distal end, said hook portion (106) arching towards said pivot portion (104) in substantially said first direction (B) and comprising an engaging element (1 10) configured to engage with an opening element of said container; and

a gripping portion (108) arranged at said proximal end;

wherein said pivot portion (104) extends further away from said main body (102) in said first direction (B) compared to said engaging element (1 10) of said hook portion (106).

2. The utensil (100) according to claim 1 , wherein at least part of said back surface (1 16) of said pivot portion (104) extends substantially in said first direction (B), and wherein said back surface (1 16) is configured to shield said gripping portion (108) from said pivot portion (104).

3. The utensil (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said front surface

(1 12) is substantially flat, and inclined with respect to said main direction (A).

4. The utensil (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said front surface (1 12) is inclined at least 30 degrees with respect to said main direction (A).

5. The utensil (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said front surface (1 12) is configured to gradually transcend into a curvature of said hook portion (106).

6. The utensil (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a screw cap removing element (318) arranged at said proximal end.

7. The utensil (100) according to claim 6, wherein said screw cap removing element (318) forms part of said gripping portion (108).

8. The utensil (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said screw cap removing element (318) comprises two opposite surfaces (320, 322) forming a v- shaped channel.

9. The utensil (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, being made from a material selected from the group consisting of metals, and plastics, such as thermosetting polymers, or any combination thereof.

10. A method for opening a container comprising an opening element, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a utensil (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; placing said front surface (1 12) of said pivot portion (104) on said container;

sliding said utensil (100) towards a first peripheral edge of said opening element, such that said hook portion (1006) engages a second peripheral edge of said opening element, said first peripheral and second peripheral edges being opposite edges; and

moving said gripping portion (108) in a downwards pivoting motion, such that access to said container is achieved.