CAN OPENER
20220017344 · 2022-01-20
Inventors
Cpc classification
B67B7/32
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A can opener (1) for opening a can (2) comprises a rotating device (4), a body (5), a traction device (6), a removal device (8) comprising at least one engagement element (9), and a cutting device (7). The traction device (6) is configured to adapt at least a traction device cutting position (tc) and a traction device lifting position (tl). The traction device (6) in the traction device cutting position (tc) and the cutting device (7) are arranged so as to open a can (2). The traction device (6) in the traction device lifting position (tl) and the engagement element (9) in a removal device lifting position (rl) are arranged such as to engage a lid (3) of an opened can (2). An actuation of the removal device (8) t removes an engagement between the traction device (6) and the engagement element (9) with the lid (3).
Claims
1. A can opener for opening a can comprising: a rotating device, a body, a traction device, and a cutting device, wherein the rotating device is rotatably arranged on the body and is configured to rotate about a rotation axis along a first rotation direction and along a second rotation direction running opposite to the first rotation direction, wherein the traction device is arranged on the body and is configured to adapt at least a traction device cutting position upon rotation of the rotating device along the first rotation direction and to adapt a traction device lifting position upon rotation of the rotating device along the second rotation direction, wherein the traction device in the traction device cutting position and the cutting device are arranged so as to open a can, wherein the can opener further comprises a removal device comprising at least one engagement element, wherein the traction device in the traction device lifting position and the engagement element in a removal device lifting position are arranged such as to engage a lid of an opened can, and wherein the can opener is further configured such that an actuation of the removal device transfers the traction device into a traction device release position and the removal device into a removal device release position, whereby an engagement between the traction device and the engagement element with the lid is removed.
2. The can opener according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: i) the engagement element is movably arranged on the body and is movable with respect to the body upon rotation of the rotating device about the rotation axis along the first rotation direction when the removal device is transferred into a removal device cutting position, wherein the engagement element is arranged such as to act on the can to be opened by the traction device in the traction device cutting position and the cutting device; ii) the engagement element is movably arranged on the body and is movable with respect to the body upon rotation of the rotating device about the rotation axis along the second rotation direction when the removal device is transferred into the removal device lifting position; or iii) the engagement element is movable with respect to the body within a plane running perpendicularly to the rotation axis.
3. The can opener according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: i) a lateral distance between the cutting device and the engagement element in the removal device cutting position is larger than a lateral distance between the cutting device and the engagement element in the removal device lifting position; or ii) a lateral distance between the cutting device and the engagement element in the removal device lifting position is smaller than a lateral distance between the cutting device and the engagement element in the removal device release position.
4. The can opener according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: i) a lateral distance between the traction device in the traction device lifting position and the engagement element in the removal device lifting position is smaller than a lateral distance between the traction device in the traction device cutting position and the engagement element in the removal device cutting position; or ii) a lateral distance between the traction device in the traction device lifting position and the engagement element in the removal device lifting position is smaller than a lateral distance between the traction device in the traction device release position and the engagement element in the removal device release position.
5. The can opener according to claim 1, wherein the removal device is swivably arranged on the body and is configured to swivel about a swivelling axis running parallel to the rotation axis.
6. The can opener according to claim 1, wherein the removal device comprises a lever that is operatively connected to the engagement element such, that a swivelling of the lever moves the engagement element with respect to the body.
7. The can opener according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of: i) a removal device biasing means that biases the removal device at least one of a) into the removal device cutting position and b) into the removal device lifting position; or ii) a traction device biasing means that biases the traction device into the traction device release position.
8. The can opener according to claim 1, further comprising an abutment device, wherein at least one of: i) when the traction device is in its traction device release position, the abutment device adapts at least a first abutment position and abuts against the removal device, whereby the removal device remains in its removal device release position; or ii) wherein, upon rotation of the rotating device about the rotation axis along the first rotation direction the abutment device adapts an unblocking position, whereby the removal device is transferable into its removal device cutting position.
9. The can opener according to claim 8, wherein at least one of: i) the abutment device is rotatable about a further rotation axis extending parallel to the rotation axis; or ii) the abutment device is non-displaceable with respect to the body.
10. The can opener according to claim 8, wherein at least one of: i) the abutment device is configured and arranged such, that the traction device is transferable from its traction device lifting position into its traction device release position upon actuation of the removal device; or ii) wherein the abutment device is configured and arranged such, that it adapts a second abutment position when the traction device is in its traction device lifting position, whereby the abutment device prevents the traction device from being transferred into its traction device release position.
11. The can opener according to claim 8, further comprising an abutment device biasing means that biases the abutment device into its abutment position in the absence of a rotation of the rotating device.
12. The can opener according to claim 8, wherein the abutment device comprises a trigger element that is in connection with the traction device when the traction device is in its traction device release position, and wherein at least one of: i) the traction device presses against the trigger element upon rotation of the rotating device along the first rotation direction so as to displace the trigger element, whereby the abutment device is moved out of its abutment with the removal device; or ii) the trigger element abuts against the traction device when the traction device is in its traction device lifting position.
13. The can opener according to claim 1, wherein the removal device comprises an actuating element, and wherein the actuating element is configured and arranged such that, when the traction device is in its traction device lifting position, it presses against the traction device upon actuation of the removal device.
14. The can opener according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: i) the traction device is movably arranged on the body and is movable with respect to the body upon rotation of the rotating device about the rotation axis along at least one of i) the first rotation direction into the traction device cutting position and ii) along the second rotation direction into the traction device lifting position, ii) the traction device is movable with respect to the body within a plane running perpendicularly to the rotation axis, and; or iii) at least one of a) the cutting device is rotatably arranged on the body and is configured to rotate about a further rotation axis or b) the cutting device is non-displaceable with respect to the body.
15. A method of producing a can opener, the method comprising the steps of: providing a rotating device, providing a body, providing a traction device, and providing a cutting device, wherein the rotating device is rotatably arranged on the body and is configured to rotate about a rotation axis along a first rotation direction and along a second rotation direction running opposite to the first rotation direction, wherein the traction device is arranged on the body and is configured to adapt at least a traction device cutting position upon rotation of the rotating device along the first rotation direction and to adapt a traction device lifting position upon rotation of the rotating device along the second rotation direction, wherein the traction device in the traction device cutting position and the cutting device are arranged so as to open a can, wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a removal device comprising at least one engagement element, the traction device in the traction device lifting position and the engagement element in a removal device lifting position are arranged such as to engage a lid of an opened can, and wherein the can opener is further configured such that an actuation of the removal device transfers the traction device into a traction device release position and the removal device into a removal device release position, whereby an engagement between the traction device and the engagement element with the lid is removed.
16. The can opener according to claim 8, wherein the abutment device adapts at least a first abutment position and abuts against the lever, whereby the removal device remains in its removal device release position.
17. The can opener according to claim 11, wherein the abutment device biasing means is attached to the body and the abutment device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,
[0030]
[0031]
[0032]
[0033]
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
[0038]
[0039]
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
[0044]
[0045]
[0046]
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] With respect to the figures various aspects of a can opener 1 for opening a can 2 are discussed.
[0048] In particular, the can opener 1 according to the invention comprises a rotating device 4 in the form of a handle, a body 5; a traction device 6 comprising a serrated traction wheel 22, a cutting device 7 comprising a cutting wheel 25, and a removal device 8. The body 5 is here of an essentially oval shape and defines an upper side 23 and an opposite lower side 24, wherein the rotating device 4 is arranged on the upper side 23 and the traction wheel 22 and the cutting wheel 25 are arranged on the lower side 24, respectively. An elongate grip 26 extends laterally from the body 5, which grip 26 is configured to be graspable by the hand of a user. As best seen in
[0049] The can opener 1 can adapt several positions, namely at least a cutting position, a lifting position, and a release position. The cutting position of the can opener 1 is depicted in
[0050] The rotating device 4 is rotatably arranged on the upper side of the body 5 and is configured to rotate about a rotation axis R along a first rotation direction r1 and along a second rotation direction r2 running opposite to the first rotation direction. As best seen in
[0051] The engagement element 9 corresponds here to an essentially cylindrical pin that is arranged within a through-opening 16 of the lever 15 as well as within a curved elongated hole 14 provided in the body 5. Because of this arrangement a swivelling of the lever 15 can be transferred to the engagement element 9, wherein the engagement element 9 travels along the curved elongated hole 14. The displacement performed by the traction device 6 upon rotation of the rotating device 4 takes place within a plane p running perpendicularly to the rotation axis R. Likewise, the swivelling movement of the lever 15 and consequently the displacement of the engagement element 8 takes place within a plane running perpendicularly to the rotation axis R.
[0052] Because the traction device 6 and the removal device 8 are movably arranged on the body 5 these components adapt different positions upon a rotation of the rotating device 4 and/or upon an actuation of the removal device 8. These different positions shall be illustrated by means of
[0053] As best seen in
[0054] As follows from
[0055] In particular, the abutment device 19 is configured to adapt an abutment position and an unblocking position upon rotation of the abutment device 19 about the further rotation axis R1, Namely, the abutment device 19 is configured and arranged such that, when the traction device 6 is in its traction device release position tr, the abutment device 19 adapts its abutment position and abuts against the removal device 8, in particular against the lever 15, whereby the removal device 8 remains in its removal device release position rr. To this end an abutment is established between an abutment surface 35 on the abutment device 19 and a corresponding abutment surface 36 on the removal device 8, in particular on the lever 15. These abutment surfaces 35, 36 are provided here by means of a recess 37 formed in the lever 15 and a projection 38 formed on the abutment device 19 and being receivable in the recess 37 of the lever 15. This situation is depicted in
[0056] The abutment device 19 is furthermore configured and arranged such that, upon rotation of the rotating device 4 about the rotation axis R along the first rotation direction r1, the abutment device 19 adapts an unblocking position, whereby the removal device 8 is transferred into its removal device cutting position rc. To this end the engagement between the abutment device 19 and the removal device 8 is released and, due to the biasing force exerted by the removal device biasing means 17, the removal device 8 is transferred from its removal device release position rr into the removal device cutting position rc. This situation is depicted in
[0057] Moreover, and as follows from
[0058] In order to assist a transfer of the traction device 6 from its traction device lifting position tl into its traction device release position tr the removal device 8 comprises an actuating element 18 in the form of a protruding arm that protrudes from the lever 15 towards the traction device 6, see
[0059] When the traction device 6 is in its traction device cutting position tc and the removal device 8 is in its removal device cutting position rc the can opener 1 is in its cutting position, see
[0060] Upon completion of the cutting process, the rotating device 4 is rotated about the rotation axis R along the second rotation direction r2, whereby the can opener 1 is transferred from its cutting position into its lifting position, see
[0061] Upon actuation of the removal device 8 the traction device 6 is transferred into its traction device release position tr and the removal device 8 is transferred into its removal device release position rr, see
[0062] As follows from a comparison between
TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 1 can opener 2 can 3 lid 4 rotating device 5 body 6 traction device 7 cutting device 8 removal device 9 engagement element 10 hole 11 eccentric 12 eccentric sheave 13 rotating axle 14 hole 15 lever 16 opening 17 biasing means 18 actuating element 19 abutment device 20 biasing means 21 trigger element 22 traction wheel 23 upper side 24 lower side 25 cutting wheel 26 grip 27 top 28 distal end 29 proximal end 30 plate 31 recess 32 free end 33 aperture 34 biasing means 35 abutment surface 36 abutment surface 37 recess 38 projection R rotation axis R1 rotation axis R2 rotation axis r1 first rotation direction r2 second rotation direction S swivelling axis tc cutting position tl lifting position tr release position rc cutting position rl lifting position rr release position dc-rc lateral distance dc-rl lateral distance dc-tr lateral distance dc-rr lateral distance dtc-rc lateral distance dtl-rl lateral distance dtr-rr lateral distance ct center point cc center point ce center point p plane