Opener/closure for screw type container caps
OwnerRichard Weisbandinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The opener/closure of the present disclosure relates to devices permitting the opening or closing of twist cap containers. It comprises a rectangular housing in which a pair of cap gripping jaws are slidably mounted for movement toward and away from each other, and in which the jaws are interconnected by a cable in a manner whereby movement of one jaw in one direction is effective to move the other jaw in the opposite direction, whereby when moved toward each other both cooperate to grip a container twist cap either for loosening or tightening the cap to open or close its container. A standard positions the container below the housing by a strap tightly holding it securely against rotation as the jaws grip the cap, and the housing is manually rotated to loosen or tighten the cap on the container.
Claims15
A opener/closure for containers having twist cap closures comprising:
- a substantially rectangular housing having side and end flanges and an open bottom;
- a pair of interconnected jaws slidably mounted within said housing for sliding movements between and parallel with said side flanges and selectively toward and away from each other and said end flanges;
- said jaws having cap gripping edges facing each other:
- a handle secured to one of said jaws for manually moving said jaws simultaneously toward or away from each other whereby said gripping edges of said jaws are effective to grip or release container twist caps positioned between said jaws;
- and
- means for simultaneously rotating said housing and said jaws for loosening or tightening a container twist cap.
An opener/closure for twist caps on containers comprising:
- a rectangular housing having downturned side edge and end edge flanges;
- a pair of jaws each having pins projecting into slots in said side flanges for slidably mounting said jaws upon the inner surfaces of said side flanges;
- said jaws having cap gripping edges facing each other, and formed with a central V-shaped notch with small teeth for gripping small diameter caps, and the remaining edges on opposite sides of said central V-shaped notch being formed with different radii and having larger teeth for gripping larger diameter caps;
- cable means interconnecting said jaws for slidingly moving them toward and away from each other;
- accordian springs positioned between said jaws and said end flanges normally urging said jaws toward each other;
- a first handle connected to one of said jaws for moving it and the other jaw apart against the pressure of said springs whereby the force of said springs is increased to move the jaws toward each other and in contact with and gripping a cap positioned between them when said first handle moving them apart is released and/or manually moved in that direction;
- striker means mounted on said housing at one thereof and operable for jarring said housing in a rotating direction to loosen a cap when gripped between said jaws;
- said striker comprising:
- an anvil attached to said housing;
- a pivotally mounted striker plate;
- a cam having a plurality of high points on its circumference and positioned adjacent one end of said striker plate;
- a shaft upon which said cam is mounted;
- a second handle for rotating said shaft and consequently said cam;
- resilient means urging one end of said striker plate against said cam whereby when said cam is rotated by said handle against the successive high points of the cam forcibly rotating the opposite end of said striker plate successively against said anvil to impart successive jarring forces against said housing sufficient to break the initial seal of and loosen a twist cap for opening of its container:
- said opener/closure further including a U-shaped member slidably mounted upon and with its legs parallel with the side edge flanges;
- a third handle attached to said U-shaped member for sliding it in directions toward or away from said housing thereby increasing or decreasing the leverage for rotating said housing by said handle in the hands of users of different strength;
- a ring upon which said housing is mounted for its rotational movements, and having hinged portions;
- means for positioning a container beneath said housing with its cap in position to be grasped by said jaws;
- said last means comprising a telescoping standard having one end slidably and pivotally connected to said ring and depending therefrom, and an adjustable length strap at its opposite end operable tightly to grip a container and hold it securely against rotation as the rectangular housing is rotated in a direction to loosen or tighten a twist cap to open its container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.