Can opener

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to manually operable can openers, and in particular to can openers of the vertical-cutting and of a laterally-cutting type. More specifically, the invention relates to a can-opener according to the preamble of claim 1.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Manually operable can openers have been known for many years and may be broadly categorised into three types: a first type having a cutter blade which cuts directly into the top wall of a can - known as a vertical-cutting type can opener, and a second type having a cutter blade which cuts into the side wall of the can below the rim cuts partially into the rim of a can - known as laterally-cutting type can openers.

[0003] A typical can opener comprises first and second elongate operating elements pivotally connected to each other. Each operating element has a handle portion. One operating element has a rotatable traction wheel pivotally opposite its handle, and the other operating element has a cutter blade pivotally opposite its handle. Movement of the handles relative to each other moves the traction wheel and cutter blade between an inoperative position to receive a rim of a can therebetween and an operative position in which the traction wheel and cutter blade engage the rim of the can. During operation of the can opener the two handles must be firmly held together in one hand while an operating handle is turned (to move the can rim between the cutter and traction wheel) with the other hand.

[0004] Two problems with the above can opener are that the best position for holding the handles together is often not the most comfortable position for using the opener, and it can be difficult for persons with a weak grip to squeeze the handles together with sufficient force during operation of the can opener to properly engage the can rim between the cutter and traction wheel.

[0005] EP1657214 discloses a lateral-cutting can opener according to the preamble of claim 1 having a body with a handle. A cutter is mounted with the body and is rotatable about a first axis. A traction wheel is positioned on a shaft rotatable about a second axis perpendicular to the first. The shaft is moveable in a direction lateral to the second axis between an inoperable position for receiving a rim of a can between the traction wheel and cutter and an operative position for engaging the rim of the can. The shaft is biased by a spring in its inoperable position.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Generally, the invention provides a can opener comprising a body having an head and a handle extending from the head, a cutter blade mounted with the body on or adjacent the head and a traction wheel mounted with the body on or adjacent the cutter blade. One of the cutter blade or traction wheel is movable with respect to the other between an inoperative position in which the traction wheel and the cutter blade are spaced apart so that a rim of a can to be opened may be located between the traction wheel and the cutter blade and an operative position in which the traction wheel and the cutter blade engage a can for opening the can. The can opener also comprises an operating element that is operable by a user of the can opener for turning the traction wheel. Operation of the operating element moves the cutter blade and traction wheel from the inoperative position to the operative position.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a can opener comprising:

a body having an head and a handle extending from the head,

a cutter blade mounted with the body on or adjacent the head,

a shaft located in an arcuate slot in the head, the shaft being moveable in an arc

a traction wheel provided at a first end of the shaft,

the shaft being rotatable about an axis and movable in a direction lateral to the axis between an inoperative position in which the traction wheel and the cutter blade are spaced apart so that a rim of a can to be opened may be located between the traction wheel and the cutter blade and an operative position in which the traction wheel and the cutter blade engage a can for opening the can, the shaft being biased in the inoperative position and rotation of the shaft moving the shaft to the operative position

an operating element on one side of the can opener and supported by the body,

drive means for coupling the operating element and the shaft, for rotating the shaft by operation of the operating element,
characterised in that

the drive means comprises a first gear driven by the operating element and a second gear located on the shaft and engaged with the first gear for rotation of the shaft, an axis of the first gear being located at a centre of the arc; and in that

the operating element is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a rotational axis of shaft, the drive means further including a first bevel-gear coupled to the operating element and a second bevel-gear engaging the first bevel-gear and coupled to first gear, the first bevel-gear having fewer teeth than the second bevel-gear, providing a mechanical advantage for said operating element.

[0008] Preferably, the can opener further includes a cam engagement surface and a cam located with the shaft, wherein rotation of the shaft engages the cam with the cam engagement surface thereby moving the shaft to the operative position.

[0009] Preferably, the shaft moves in an are of between 25 and 30 degrees.

[0010] Preferably, the shaft is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle, and the operating element is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.

[0011] Preferably, the shaft is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle, and the operating element is rotatable about an axis oblique to the longitudinal axis of the handle and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.

[0012] Preferably, the cutter blade is rotationally mounted with the body on a cutter axis oblique to the axis of the shaft.

[0013] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only.

Brief Description of the Drawing

[0014] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a front side of a can opener according to a first aspect of the invention, shown in an inoperative condition,

Figure 2 shows the head of the can opener of Figure 1 with the traction wheel removed to show features there below,

Figure 3 shows the internal drive means of the can opener from the back side in the inoperative condition,

Figure 4 shows the head portion with the can opener in the operative condition,

Figure 5 shows the internal drive means of the can opener in the operative condition,

Figure 6 shows the front side of a can opener according to a second embodiment of the invention in an inoperative condition,

Figure 7 shows the internal drive means of the can opener Figure 6,

Figure 8 shows the drive means of the can opener in the inoperative position with a bevel-gear removed to show features there below,

Figure 9 shows the head portion of the can opener in the operative condition, and

Figure 10 shows the drive means of the can opener in the operative position.

Description of the Preferred Examples

[0015] The following description is given by way of example only to illustrate the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of use for functionality of the invention. In particular, the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0016] Referring to the drawings, the present invention relates to a can opener having a body with a head portion 10 and a single handle member 11 extending from the head 10. The single handle 11 of the current invention is in contrast to many can openers in the art in which the handle comprises a pair of elongate handle elements pivotally connected so as to form "scissor" type handle arrangement. Can openers of the current invention do not have a handle that comprises a pair of pivotally connected elongate handle elements. As is known in the art a cutter blade 12 and traction wheel 13 are rotatable mounted with the body on or adjacent the head 10. The cutter blade 12 is a circular cutter wheel type blade that is rotationally mounted on an oblique shaft 37 such that its axis of rotation is inclined at an angle of between 5° and 8° to the axis of rotation of the traction wheel 13. The traction wheel 13 is of generally cylindrical configuration providing an outer face having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axially-extending teeth or serrations of substantially equal radius. The traction wheel 13 is coupled to a rotational operating element 14, 15 provided on one side of the can opener and supported by the head 10. The operating element 14, 15 is operable by a user of the can opener for turning the traction wheel 13 either directly where the traction wheel 13 and operating element are on ends of the same stub-shaft or indirectly via coupling gears 22, 23, 18, 19 located internally within the head 10. The operating element may be of various suitable types including, but not limited to, a butterfly-knob type element 14 or a crank-handle type element 15.

[0017] In various alternative embodiments of the invention in addition to being rotatably mounted one of the cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13 is movable laterally with respect to the other between an inoperative position and an operative position. In the inoperative position the traction wheel 13 and the cutter blade 12 are spaced apart from each other by a distance or clearance D1 which is sufficient to accommodate a rim of a can to be opened being located between the traction wheel 13 and the cutter blade 12. In the operative position the distance or clearance between the traction wheel 13 and the cutter blade 12 is less that D1 such that both the traction wheel 13 and the cutter blade 12 engage the can for opening the can. The can opener may be either a rim cutting or end cutting type. In a rim cutting type the cutter blade 12 and traction wheel 13 are positioned in use either side of the can rim to cut an outer metal layer of the can rim to release the (top) end of the can. In the end cutting type the traction wheel 13 engages the rim or can wall while the cutter pierces and end (notionally the top end) of the can to cut the end out of the can.

[0018] The cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13 is made laterally movable by rotationally mounting the blade or wheel on a shaft movable within a slotted journal or opening within the face of the head 10, or by rotatably mounting the blade or wheel to a lever or plate pivotally mounted to the face of the head, or by other suitable means. The cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13 is biased in the inoperative position such that in an inactive state or prior to use the cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13 are ready to receive the can between them without fiddling or adjusting by the user. Operation of the operating element 14, 15 by the user is also arranged to cause the cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13 to move to the operative position as it rotates the traction wheel 13. An eccentric cam 30 is rotationally coupled with the traction wheel 13 such that as the traction wheel 13 is rotated by operation of the operating element 14, 15 the cam 30 is caused to rotate. A cam surface or cam-follower is arranged in contact with the cam 30 and translates rotational movement of the traction wheel 13 and cam 30 into lateral movement of the cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13. Movement of the cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13 from the inoperative position to the operative position is caused when the lobe 31 of the cam 30 is in contact with the cam surface or cam-follower. The cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13 is prevented from returning to the inoperative position during the rotational phase when the lobe 31 is out of contact with the cam surface or cam-follower by way of the bite of the can between the cutter and traction wheel 13 as the user continues to operate the operating element 14, 15 to cut the can rim or end. The biasing spring 20 is provided with sufficient strength to return the cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13 to the inoperative position when the can rim or end of cut through or no can is engaged between the cutter blade 12 or traction wheel 13, but with insufficient spring strength to overcome the bite of the can between the cutter and traction wheel 13 during the can opening operation.

[0019] Figures 1 - 5 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the can opener comprises a body having a head 10 and a handle 11 extending from the head 10. The cutter blade 12 is mounted with the body on or adjacent the head 10. An arcuate slot 16 is located in the face of the head 10 adjacent the cutter wheel. A shaft 17 is rotationally located within the slot 16 and is movable in a lateral direction within the slot 16. A traction wheel 13 is fixedly attached to a first end of the shaft 17 on the face of the head 10 so is to be movable between an inoperative position and an operative position with respect to the cutter blade 12. The second end of the shaft 17 located within the head 10. A cam 30 and a first traction wheel driving gear 18 are affixed to the second end of the shaft 17. Adjacent the cam 30 is an abutment 32 forming a cam surface against which the cam 30 contacts. The shaft 17 is biased in the inoperative position as shown in Figure 2 by a spring such as a spiral torsion spring or torsion spring 20. As the traction wheel rotates the cam lobe 31 contacts the cam surface 32 moving the shaft 17 and traction wheel 13 laterally within the arcuate slot 16 towards the cutter blade 12 to the operative position.

[0020] An operating handle 14 is located on the side of the head 10 and is engaged with a first bevel-gear 22 located within the head 10. The first bevel-gear 22 engages with a second bevel-gear 23 which in turn engages with an intermediary flat gear 19. The traction wheel gear 18 is engaged with the intermediate gear 19 such that rotation of the operating handle 14 transmits rotational movement to the traction wheel shaft 17 via the chain of gears 22, 23, 19 and 18. The first bevel-gear 22 has fewer teeth than a second bevel-gear 23 to provide a mechanical advantage for the operating handle 14.

[0021] The intermediate gear 19 is located on a rotational axis 21 that is located to be concentric with the arc-centre C of the arcuate slot 16. As the shaft 17 moves within the arcuate slot 16 the traction wheel gear 17 moves in an arc centred about the axis of rotation 21 of intermediate gear 19 and thus maintains a constant state of mashed engagement with intermediate gear 19 as shaft 17 moves laterally. In the preferred embodiment the shaft 17 moves trough an arc of 25 and 30 degrees, although the arc maybe larger or smaller. A larger arc causes the cutter and blade to move further apart makes it more convenient to receive a can rim between the cutter and blade. An arc of 25 and 30 degrees reflects a compromise between convenience, cost and design constraints.

[0022] In the second preferred embodiment the traction wheel shaft 17 is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 36 of the handle 11, and the operating element 14 is rotatable about an axis 35 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 36 of the handle 11 and perpendicular to the axis of the traction wheel shaft 17.

[0023] Figures 6-10 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the can opener comprises of body having a head 10 and a handle 11 extending from the head 10. A traction wheel 13 is mounted on the face of the head 10 and is rotational by an operating handle 15 located on the side of the head 10 via a pair of engaging bevel-gears 22, 23. the first bevel-gear 22 is directly coupled to a shaft of the operating element 15. The second bevel-gear 23 is directly coupled with a shaft 24 mounting the traction wheel 13. The first bevel-gear 22 has fewer teeth and a second bevel-gear 23 providing a mechanical advantage to the operating element 15. A cam 30 is also engaged with the shaft 24 and is rotational with the traction wheel 13.

[0024] A cutter blade 12 is rotationally mounted on a pivoting plate 25 located on the face of the head 10. The plate pivots above the axis 26 through an arc of between 25 and 30 degrees, preferably 27.5 degrees, to move the cutter blade 13 from the inoperative position with respect to the traction wheel 13 and the operative position with respect to the traction wheel 13. The pivot shaft 26 extends through to the inside of the head 10. A cam-follower plate 33 is fixed to the pivot shaft 26 and pivots internally to the head 10 with the pivoting plate 25 to which the cutter blade 12 is mounted. A torsion spring 20 engages with the cam-follower plate 33 to bias the plate 33, and thus pivoting plate 25 and cutter blade 12, towards the inoperative position. The cam-follower plate 33 engages with the cam 30. During rotation of the cam the cam-lobe 31 moves the cam-follower 33 and thus pivot plate 25 and cutter blade 12 from the inoperative position to the operative position engaging a can rim between the blade 12 and traction wheel 13.

[0025] In the second preferred embodiment the traction wheel 13 is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle, and the operating element is rotatable about an axis oblique to the longitudinal axis of the handle and perpendicular to the axis of the traction wheel.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention have been described, however it is understood that variations, improvements or modifications can take place without departure from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A can opener comprising:

a body having a head (10) and a handle (11) extending from the head,

a cutter blade (12) mounted with the body on or adjacent the head (10),

a shaft (17) located in an arcuate slot (16) in the head (10), the shaft (17) being moveable in an arc

a traction wheel (13) provided at a first end of the shaft (17),

the shaft (17) being rotatable about an axis and movable in a direction lateral to the axis between an inoperative position in which the traction wheel (13) and the cutter blade (12) are spaced apart so that a rim of a can to be opened may be located between the traction wheel (13) and the cutter blade (12) and an operative position in which the traction wheel (13) and the cutter blade (12) engage a can for opening the can, the shaft (17) being biased in the inoperative position and rotation of the shaft (17) moving the shaft (17) to the operative position

an operating element (14) on one side of the can opener and supported by the body,

drive means for coupling the operating element (14) and the shaft (17) for rotating the shaft (17) by operation of the operating element (14),
characterised in that

the drive means comprises a first gear (19) driven by the operating element (14) and a second gear (18) located on the shaft (17) and engaged with the first gear (19) for rotation of the shaft (17), an axis of the first gear (19) being located at a centre of the arc; and in that

the operating element (14) is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a rotational axis of shaft (17), the drive means further including a first bevel-gear(22) coupled to the operating element (14) and a second bevel-gear (23) engaging the first bevel-gear (22) and coupled to the first gear (19), the first bevel-gear (22) having fewer teeth than the second bevel-gear (23), providing a mechanical advantage for said operating element.

2. The can opener of claim 1 further including a cam engagement surface (32) and a cam (30) located with the shaft (17), wherein rotation of the shaft (17) engages the cam with the cam engagement surface (32) thereby moving the shaft (17) to the operative position.

3. The can opener of claim 1 wherein the shaft (17) moves in an arc of between 25 and 30 degrees.

4. The opener of claim 1 wherein the shaft (17) is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle (11), and the operating element (14) is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle (11) and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft (17).

5. The opener of claim 1 wherein the shaft (17) is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle (11), and the operating element (14) is rotatable about an axis oblique to the longitudinal axis of the handle (11) and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft (17).

6. The opener of claim 1 wherein the cutter blade (12) is rotationally mounted with the body on a cutter axis oblique to the axis of the shaft (17).

Ansprüche

1. Dosenöffner, der aufweist:

einen Körper mit einem Kopf (10) und einem Griff (11), der sich vom Kopf aus erstreckt;

ein Schneidmesser (12), das mit dem Körper am oder benachbart zum Kopf (10) montiert ist;

eine Welle (17), die in einem bogenförmigen Schlitz (16) im Kopf (10) angeordnet ist, wobei die Welle (17) in einem Bogen beweglich ist;

ein Traktionsrad (13), das an einem ersten Ende der Welle (17) vorhanden ist,

wobei die Welle (17) um eine Achse drehbar und in einer Richtung seitlich zur Achse zwischen einer nicht arbeitsfähigen Position, in der das Traktionsrad (13) und das Schneidmesser (12) so beabstandet sind, dass ein Rand einer zu öffnenden Dose zwischen dem Traktionsrad (13) und dem Schneidmesser (12) angeordnet werden kann, und einer Arbeitsposition beweglich ist, in der das Traktionsrad (13) und das Schneidmesser (12) mit einer Dose für das Öffnen der Dose in Eingriff kommen, wobei die Welle (17) in der nicht arbeitsfähigen Position vorgespannt wird und die Drehung der Welle (17) die Welle (17) in die Arbeitsposition bewegt;

ein Betätigungselement (14) auf einer Seite des Dosenöffners und vom Körper gestützt;

ein Antriebsmittel für das Verbinden des Betätigungselementes (14) und der Welle (17) für das Drehen der Welle (17) mittels der Betätigung des Betätigungselementes (14),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

das Antriebsmittel ein erstes Zahnrad (19), das vom Betätigungselement (14) angetrieben wird, und ein zweites Zahnrad (18) aufweist, das auf der Welle (17) angeordnet ist und mit dem ersten Zahnrad (19) für eine Drehung der Welle (17) in Eingriff gebracht wird, wobei sich eine Achse des ersten Zahnrades (19) in einer Mitte des Bogens befindet; und dadurch, dass

das Betätigungselement (14) um eine Achse senkrecht zu einer Rotationsachse der Welle (17) drehbar ist, wobei das Antriebsmittel außerdem ein erstes Kegelrad (22), das mit dem Betätigungselement (14) verbunden ist, und ein zweites Kegelrad (23) umfasst, das mit dem ersten Kegelrad (22) in Eingriff gebracht und mit dem ersten Zahnrad (19) verbunden wird, wobei das erste Kegelrad (22) weniger Zähne als das zweite Kegelrad (23) aufweist, wodurch eine Hebelübersetzung für das Betätigungselement bewirkt wird.

2. Dosenöffner nach Anspruch 1, der außerdem eine Nockeneingriffsfläche (32) und einen Nocken (30) umfasst, der zusammen mit der Welle (17) angeordnet ist, wobei die Drehung der Welle (17) den Nocken mit der Nockeneingriffsfläche (32) in Anlage bringt, wodurch die Welle (17) in die Arbeitsposition bewegt wird.

3. Dosenöffner nach Anspruch 1, bei dem sich die Welle (17) in einem Bogen von zwischen 25 und 30 Grad bewegt.

4. Öffner nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Welle (17) um eine Achse senkrecht zu einer Längsachse des Griffes (11) drehbar ist, und bei dem das Betätigungselement (14) um eine Achse senkrecht zur Längsachse des Griffes (11) und senkrecht zur Achse der Welle (17) drehbar ist.

5. Öffner nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Welle (17) um eine Achse senkrecht zu einer Längsachse des Griffes (11) drehbar ist, und bei dem das Betätigungselement (14) um eine Achse schräg zur Längsachse des Griffes (11) und senkrecht zur Achse der Welle (17) drehbar ist.

6. Öffner nach Anspruch 1, bei dem das Schneidmesser (12) drehbar mit dem Körper auf einer Schneidachse schräg zur Achse der Welle (17) montiert ist.

Revendications

1. Ouvre-boîte, comprenant :

un corps comportant une tête (10) et une poignée (11) s'étendant à partir de la tête ;

une lame de coupe (12), montée avec le corps sur la tête (10) ou près de celle-ci ;

un arbre (17), agencé dans une fente arquée (16) dans la tête (10), l'arbre (17) pouvant être déplacé dans un arc ;

une roue de traction (13), agencée au niveau d'une première extrémité de l'arbre (17) ;

l'arbre (17) pouvant tourner sur un axe et pouvant être déplacé dans une direction latérale par rapport à l'axe entre une position non opérationnelle, dans laquelle la roue de traction (13) et la lame de coupe (12) sont espacées, de sorte qu'un rebord d'une boîte devant être ouverte peut être agencé entre la roue de traction (13) et la lame de coupe (12), et une position opérationnelle, dans laquelle la roue de traction (13) et la lame de coupe (12) s'engagent avec une boîte pour ouvrir la boîte, l'arbre (17) étant poussé dans la position non opérationnelle et la rotation de l'arbre (17) entraînant le déplacement de l'arbre (17) vers le position opérationnelle ;

un élément opérationnel (14) sur un côté de l'ouvre-boîte, et supporté par le corps ;

un moyen d'entraînement pour accoupler l'élément opérationnel (14) et l'arbre (17), en vue d'une rotation de l'arbre (17) par l'intermédiaire de l'élément opérationnel (14);
caractérisé en ce que

le moyen d'entraînement comprend un premier engrenage (19), entrainé par l'élément opérationnel (14), et un deuxième engrenage (18), agencé sur l'arbre (17) et engagé avec le premier engrenage (17), en vue de la rotation de l'arbre (17), un axe du premier engrenage (19) étant agencé au niveau d'un centre de l'arc ; et en ce que

l'élément opérationnel (14) peut tourner sur un axe perpendiculaire à un axe de rotation de l'arbre (17), le moyen d'entraînement englobant en outre un premier engrenage conique (22) accouplé à l'élément opérationnel (14), et un deuxième engrenage conique (23) s'engageant avec le premier engrenage conique (22) et accouplé au premier engrenage (19), le premier engrenage conique (22) comportant moins de dents que le deuxième engrenage conique (23), présentant ainsi un avantage mécanique pour ledit élément opérationnel.

2. Ouvre-boîte selon la revendication 1, englobant en outre une surface d'engagement à came (32) et une came (30), agencée avec l'arbre (17), la rotation de l'arbre (17) entraînant l'engagement de la came avec la surface d'engagement à came (32), déplaçant ainsi l'arbre (17) dans la position opérationnelle.

3. Ouvre-boîte selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'arbre (17) se déplace dans un arc compris entre 25 et 30 degrés.

4. Ouvre-boîte selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'arbre (17) peut tourner sur un axe perpendiculaire à un axe longitudinal de la poignée (11), l'élément opérationnel (14) pouvant tourner sur un axe perpendiculaire à l'axe longitudinal de la poignée (11) et perpendiculaire à l'axe de l'arbre (17).

5. Ouvre-boîte selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'arbre (17) peut tourner sur un axe perpendiculaire à un axe longitudinal de la poignée (11), l'élément opérationnel (14) pouvant tourner sur un axe oblique par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de la poignée (11) et perpendiculaire à l'axe de l'arbre (17).

6. Ouvre-boîte selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la lame de coupe (12) est montée de manière rotative avec le corps sur un axe de coupe oblique par rapport à l'axe de l'arbre (17).

Drawing