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US 7,373,858 B1Granted
Opener for pull top-type cans
OwnerKerry L. Hawkinsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A can opener for a pull top-type can includes a body comprising a forward surface, a rear surface, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is curved to define a rounded heel. The opener includes a starting notch and a finishing notch. The notches are both located along the front of the opener, and the finishing notch is spaced above the starting notch. The can opener is provided with a retainer to maintain the can lid on the opener after the lid has been removed from the can. The retainer can be a fixed or moveable retainer. The can opener can be provided with a vertically or horizontally cutting can opener mechanism to enable the opener to function as a dual purpose opener.
Claims35
A can opener for a pull top-type can, the opener comprising:
- a body comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bottom surface, said body defining a heel;
- said heel having a curved edge comprising a curved front surface, said bottom surface, and at least a portion of said body rear surface;
- said curved front surface and said bottom surface defining a continuously curving edge with a smooth transition between said heel front and bottom surfaces to define a fulcrum about which said body can be pivoted;
- said fulcrum being shaped to enable the opener to lift a tab of a pull-top type can off a top of the can and to remove the top of the can from the can;
- said curved surface defining a first radius at a forward portion of said heel and a second radius at a back portion of said heel;
- said first radius being larger than said second radius;
- a tab engaging lip having a flat surface extending rearwardly from an upper, forward end of said heel front surface;
- said lip flat surface forming an acute intersection with said heel front surface to enable said lip to be inserted under a can tab;
- said lip having a length less then the diameter of a ring of a pull-top can opening tab, said lip flat surface being angled relative to said forward end of said heel front surface to form an acute angle therewith and such that an imaginary line extending from, and collinear with, said lip flat surface intersects a back of said heel at said rear surface of said body;
- and
- a starting notch generally above said heel forward portion at an end of said flat surface opposite said intersection between said flat surface and said heel front surface, said starting notch being defined by a forward surface, a bottom surface, and a back surface;
- said starting notch forward surface intersecting said lip flat surface and extending toward said heel to define an angle with said lip flat surface to form an abrupt transition between said flat surface and said notch.
9 more elements
A can opener for a pull top-type can, the opener comprising:
- a body comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bottom surface, said body defining a heel;
- said heel having a curved edge comprising at least a curved front surface, said bottom surface, and at least a portion of said rear surface;
- said curved front surface and said bottom surface of said heel defining a continuously curving edge with a smooth transition between said front and bottom surfaces;
- a tab engaging lip having a flat surface extending rearwardly from an upper, forward end of said heel front surface, said lip flat surface being angled relative to said forward end of said heel front surface to form an acute angle therewith such that an imaginary line extending from, and collinear with, said lip flat surface intersects a back of said heel along said body rear surface;
- and
- a starting notch at an end of said flat surface opposite said intersection between said flat surface and said heel, said starting notch having a forward edge intersecting with said flat surface and extending toward said heel;
- a generally upwardly facing finishing notch;
- said finishing notch being spaced above said starting notch and being positioned forward of said bottom surface;
- and
- a movable retainer selectively movable between a closed position in which said finishing notch is closed to maintain a can lid on said opener after said can lid has been removed from a can and an open position in which said finishing notch is opened to allow a tab to be placed on said finishing notch or removed from said finishing notch.
7 more elements
A can opener for a pull top-type can, the opener comprising:
- a body defining a heel;
- said heel having a front edge, a bottom edge, and a back edge;
- at least said front edge and said bottom edge defining a continuously curving edge;
- a tab engaging lip having a flat surface extending rearwardly from an upper, forward end of said heel front edge;
- said lip flat surface forming an acute intersection with said heel front edge;
- said lip flat surface being angled relative to said forward end of said heel front edge such that an imaginary line extending from and collinear with said lip flat surface intersects a back of said heel at said back edge of said body;
- a starting notch along said lip flat surface spaced inwardly from said heel front edge, said starting notch having a forward edge intersecting with said flat surface and extending toward said heel;
- said starting notch is below said lip flat surface and forward of said body bottom edge;
- a generally upwardly facing finishing notch spaced above said starting notch and being positioned forward of said body bottom edge;
- said finishing notch being accessible from a position above said finishing notch;
- and
- a movable retainer proximate said finishing notch;
- said retainer being movable between a first position in which said finishing notch is substantially closed and a second position in which said finishing notch is substantially opened.
10 more elements
A can opener for a pull top-type can, the opener comprising:
- a substantially planar body having a front surface, a rear surface, and a bottom surface, said body defining a heel;
- said heel comprising a front edge, a bottom edge and rear edge;
- at least said heel front edge and bottom edge defining a continuously curved edge;
- said body having a vertical axis extending through said bottom edge;
- a first handle fixed to and extending rearwardly from said body;
- said handle being generally perpendicular to said vertical axis;
- a second movable handle pivotal relative to said body and said first handle;
- said movable handle having a gripping end and a forward end;
- said second handle being pivotally connected to one of said body and said first handle intermediate said second handle gripping end and forward end;
- a tab engaging lip having a flat surface extending rearwardly from an upper, forward end of said heel front surface;
- said lip flat surface forming an acute intersection with said heel front surface;
- said lip flat surface being angled relative to said forward end of said heel front surface such that an imaginary line extending from and collinear with said lip flat surface intersects a back of said heel at said rear surface of said body;
- a starting notch in said flat lip surface and spaced inwardly from said front edge of said heel, said starting notch having a forward edge intersecting with said flat surface and extending toward said heel;
- a generally upwardly facing finishing notch spaced vertically, with respect to said vertical axis, above said starting notch and a finishing notch lip proximate said finishing notch;
- said finishing notch being positioned forward of said body bottom surface and being accessible from a position above said finishing notch;
- and
- a retainer proximate said finishing notch;
- said retainer comprising a retainer lip;
- said finishing notch being positioned on one of said opener body and said second handle forward end and said retainer being positioned on the other of said opener body and said second handle forward end;
- whereby, said second handle is pivotal between a first position in which said retainer lip is proximate said finishing notch lip to place said retainer in said closed position and a second position in which said retainer lip is spaced from said finishing notch lip to place said retainer in said open position.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.