US3129509A

US3129509A - Wedge action can opener improvement

Info

Publication number: US3129509A
Application number: US179398A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert E Mclean
Original assignee: Rival Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Rival Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1962-03-13
Filing date: 1962-03-13
Publication date: 1964-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1981-04-21

Description

April 21', I1964 R, El MCLEAN 3,129,509

WEDGE ACTION CAN OPENER IMPROVEMENT File@ March 13, 1962 2 shets sheet 1 26 Z/d 25 Z/a 27 a? ZQ 35 40 j 22 4,3 47

2 2da 1: 7 a 22a 9b 57g? Z 4022?;

404g/ 37 a6 $6/ 36 22C M ,H g. 46 l INVENTOR. ULI I j @abe/ McLea/f y A TTORNEYS.

April 21, 1964:, i R. E. McLEAN 3,129,509

WEDGE ACTION CAN OPENER IMPROVEMENT Filed March 13, 1962 H 2 Sheets-Sheet 2v United States Patent O `ce 3,129,509 WEDGE ACTION CAN OPENER IMPROVEMENT Robert E. Mclean, Raytown, Mo., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Rival Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Missouri Filed Mar. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 179,398 11 Claims. (Cl. Sil-15.5)

This invention relates to can openers and refers particularly to improvements in can openers of the rotary drive wheel type. Yet further, the invention relates to can openers in which the cutter wheel of the can opener employs a coaxial cone or thrust wheel integral therewith and in which the can opener feed wheel employs a second cone or thrust wheel coaxial with itself, these parts cooperating in action to provide a wedge action wherein the side wall of the can, the can feed wheel and the cone or thrust wheel coaxial therewith are resiliently but yieldably wedged between the cutter wheel and the coaxial cone or thrust wheel integral with the latter.

This invention is an improvement over the constructions employing such wedge action disclosed in the following U.S. patents issued to the instant inventor: 2,592,934, issued April 15, 1952; 2,592,937, issued April 15, 1952; 2,644,228, issued July 7, 1953, and 2,866,263, issued December 30, 1958. A principal object of the instant invention is to provide improved can opener construction with improved operating features over those disclosed in the above listed U.S. patents, wherein are disclosed structures incorporating a cutter wheel of the can opener with a coaxial cone or thrust wheel integral therewith, a can feed wheel having a cone or thrust wheel coaxial therewith also, wherein the said can feed wheel and cone or thrust wheel coaxial therewith, together with a side wall portion of a can engaged in the can opener, are yieldably squeezed between the said cutter wheel and its integral coaxial cone or thrust wheel to maintain the can feed wheel under the lower edge of the can rim or flange at all times in such manner that the results obtained are not dependent on the bearings of the shaft carrying the cutter wheel or the bear-ings for the shaft carrying can feed wheel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wedge action construction as described in which the cone or thrust wheel which is coaxial with the can feed wheel also serves as a can guiding wheel which resiliently but yieldably bears on the rim or flange of the can engaged in the can opener at points both forward and rearward of the axis of the can feed wheel and likewise forward and rearward of the axis of the cutter wheel whereby to maintain the axis of the engaged can substantially in line with the axis of the can feed wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wedge action construction as previously described in which a smooth periphery can supporting wheel may be substituted for the heretofore disclosed and employed toothed periphery can feed wheel wherein the cone or thrust wheel coaxial with the smooth periphery can supporting wheel is provided with suitable teeth to laterally engage the rim or ange of the can for the purpose of feeding the can in relation to the cutter wheel.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide such a wedge action construction in which a smooth periphery can supporting wheel is employed in conjunction with a coaxial cone or thrust wheel having suitable teeth to laterally engage the rim or ange of a can whereby said toothed coaxial cone or thrust wheel serves as the can feed wheel in place of the previously known toothed periphery can feed wheel whereby to provide an operating combination wherein the rim or flange of an engaged can is resiliently but yieldably squeezed between the cutter wheel and the toothed portion of the cone or 3,129,509 Patented Apr. 21, 1964 thrust wheel and additionally the said toothed cone or thrust wheel is urged toward the cutter wheel by reason of its engagement with the overlying cone or thrust wheel which is integral with the cutter wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wedge action construction employing a smooth periphery can supporting wheel in conjunction with a toothed coaxial cone or thrust wheel therewith wherein the said smooth periphery can supporting wheel is resiliently but yieldably urged toward the cutter wheel and this action is not dependent on the bearings of the cutter wheel or the can supporting wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wedge action can opener construction as above described in which the cone or thrust wheel coaxial with the can feed wheel serves additionally as a can guiding wheel. This modification is employed with a toothed can feed wheel as opposed to the abovedescribed smooth periphery can feed or supporting wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a variety of improved wedge action can opener constructions as described above wherein all end thrust in the bearings of the cutter wheel is eliminated whereby to not only assure greater ease of operation in the can opener, but also to assure and insure rotation of the cutter wheel under all conditions of operation by virtue of reduced friction in the bearings thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a variety of improved wedge action type can openers wherein all end thrust in the bearings of the can feed wheel is eliminated, at least in those constructions wherein the axis of the said can feed wheel parallels the axis of the cutter wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of wedge action type can opener constructions in which the axes of the cutter wheel assembly and the feed wheel assembly may be paralleled with one another or canted with respect to one another.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of improved wedge action type constructions of the type set forth previously wherein either the can feed wheel or the thrust cone or Wheel associated therewith may be toothed, or both, whereby to achieve improved results in can control in the can opener and improved opening and gripping action.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description thereof.

In the drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, embodiments of the invention are shown and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a hand-operated can opener employing one of the instant improved wedge action constructions.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken in a plane extending vertically through the axes of the cutter wheel and the can feed wheel of a rst embodiment of the can opener, showing the positions of the various parts of the wedge action constructions when a can is engaged in the can opener and in the process of being opened.

FIG. 3 is a three-quarter perspective view of a sleeve and a driving washer which, in each of the constructions of FIGS. 2, 4-6 and 8-9, inclusive, are employed pressed into the can guiding wheel.

FIG. 4 is an end view of a can opener, taken from the right in FIG. l, of a variation on the embodiment of the subject invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, the View showing the position of the various parts while a can is engaged in the opener and being opened, this variation differing from the construction of FIG. 2 only in that the axis of the can feed wheel in FIG. 4 parallels the axis of the can cutter wheel and the can feed wheel and can guiding wheel associated therewith are positioned at a much greater angle in relation to the side wall of an engaged can.

FIG. 5 is a view like that of FIG. 4 but showing a second modification of the instant invention, with parts cut away to better illustrate the inventive construction, also with the positions of the various parts when in engagement with a can and opening of the same. Unlike the structure of FIG. 4, the axis of the feed wheel of the present modification does not parallel that of the cutter wheel.

FIG. 6 is a view like those of FIGS. 4 and 5 showing a variation of the second modification of the invention, with portions thereof cut away for better illustration of the construction, differing from the construction of FIG. 5 only in that the axis of the feed wheel parallels that of the cutter wheel whereby the can supporting wheel and feed wheel coaxial therewith engage at a much greater angle the side wall of a can.

FIG. 7 is a view of the types of FIGS. 5 and 6 but illustrating a third modification of the instant invention, the feed wheel assembly sectioned for greater clarity, the parts of the opener in those positions taken when a can is engaged and in the process of being opened.

FIG. 8 is a view analogous to those of FIGS. 4-7, inclusive, the feed wheel assembly being sectioned to better illustrate the construction, illustrating a fourth modification combining the features of FIGS.` 2 and 5, in that both elements of the can feed assembly are toothed, whereby each said element engages and simultaneously feeds an engaged can.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged end view of an alternate can feed Wheel, generally corresponding to the wheels of FIGS. 5, 6, 7 or S when viewed from the left, except that the teeth of this alternate feed wheel are angled in such manner as to not be truly radial with respect to the axis of said wheel.

FIGS. 1-3 Structure Referring particularly to FlGS. 1-3 wherein is illustrated a first embodiment of the instant invention, upper supporting member 21 and lower supporting member 22 are hinged together at one end thereof by pin which engages mating portion 21a with portions 22a and 22d by openings therethrough (not shown). Holding handles 2lb and 22h are provided on the nonhinged ends of supporting

members

21 and 22 in such manner that the said supporting members may be pivoted toward and away from one another by motion of one or both of the holding handles. It is considered that holding handles 2lb and 2217 are of sufiicient length and strength to afford sucient leverage to enable the user of the can opener to force the cutter wheel to be described through the end of a can without undue effort.

In lieu of being a pair of holding handles, one of the members 2l or 22 could be a support extending from a wall or other vertical surface with the other member pivoted with respect to the first described member. ln such case, suitable conventional leverage and mechanism such as may be seen in my Patent No. 3,010,203, issued November 28, 1961; No. 2,879,590, issued March 3l, 1959; No. 2,814,103, issued November 26, 1957, or the patent to H. I. Talge et al. No. 2,694,855, issued November 23, 1954, or any other suitable conventional mechanism and leverage must be provided for moving one member toward the other and maintaining it substantially in the position illustrated in FG. 2 under suitable spring load which would simulate the pressure resulting from manually gripping a pair of hinged holding handles having suitable leverage. It should be emphasized that the details or precise arrangement of the

members

21 and 22 and the means for urging one toward the other under suitable spring load or the lever means employed' for accomplishing all this form no part of the instant invention. Accordingly, the invention will be described in respect to the construction illustrated, namely, the two supporting members hinged at one end with a pair of gripping handles at the other ends thereof.

Pressed into an opening 21C in one face of supporting member 21 is bushing 23, knurled on the outside surface thereof, which serves as one of the bearings for aiirst shaft 24. Bracket 26 is secured to the upper surface of member 21 by screws 25 or other suitable conventional means. Bracket 26 has an opening 26a in the downwardly curved free end thereof opposing the member 21 side face carrying opening 21C whereby to receive the free end of shaft 24 and serve as a bearing for the other journal of shaft 24. Cutter wheel 27 is mounted on shaft 24 adjacent the free end of bracket 26, while cone or thrust wheel 28 is also mounted on shaft 24 adjacent member, 21. Shaft 24 thus has inner journal 29 received in bushing 23 and outer journal 3i) received in opening 26a of bracket 26. A cylindrical band or shelf 31 is formed on shaft 24 outboard of cutter 27 whereby to limit the longitudinal movement of shaft 24 toward the free end of bracket 26 or to the left in FIG. 2. A curved spring washer 32. is telescoped over inner journal 29 and is interposed between cone 28 and bushing 23 at all times. This washer urges, with a relatively light pressure, shaft 2.4 to the left in FIG. 2 whereby to tend to seat shelf 3f against the free end of bracket 26.

C designates a can (only a portion shown) that has been engaged in the can opener, the illustration showing the can top as it would appear after the can end had been completely severed therefrom, whereby the sheared top or remaining edge thereof has been rolled down by the action of the can opener parallel with the side wall portion of the can by means of the shearing operation.

Referring to lower suporting member 22,

knurled bushings

33 and 34 are pressed into the opposed ends of a passage 22C communicating between the side walls of member 22 whereby to serve as bearings receiving can feed Wheel drive shaft 35.

Bushings

33 and 34 are provided with

flanges

36 and 37, respectively. Shaft 35 is preferably cast in operating crank or handle 3S, the outer or free end of handle 3S being provided with a suitable knob 33a to be grasped by the hand of the user.

Can feed Wheel 40 has an internally threaded passage lila axially thereof which is threadedly engaged with lesser outer diameter externally threaded portion 35a of shaft 35, The periphery of feed wheel 40 is toothed as seen at 4%. Combination cone and can guiding wheel 39 is received on the full outer diameter portion of shaft 35 by means of a passage 39a in one end thereof and has greater internal diameter passage 39h next passage 39a leading into a pie-shaped recess 39e at the other end thereof.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, drive sleeve 41 comprises a hollow cylindrical sleeve having diametrically opposed slots 42 formed therein running parallel to the axis of the sleeve. Driving washer 44 comprises a ring-shaped member having diametrically opposed keys 43 thereon so sized as to it into slots 42. In assembly of the feed wheel 4d and cone 39 on shaft 35, keys 43 of washer 44 are first slid into slots 42 of sleeve 41. Thereafter, sleeve 41 is pressed into wheel 39 as seen in FIG. 2. Wheel 39 is then installed on drive shaft 35, washer 44 being telescoped over the reduced diameter externally threaded portion 35a of shaft 35 until it seats against the shoulder of the greater diameter portion of shaft 35. A curved spring washer 45 is then telescoped over the hub portion 46c of feed Wheel 40, following which feed wheel 40 is threaded onto portion 35a of shaft 35 and securely tightened thereon. The internal diameter of sleeve 41 is sufficiently great to permit the external portion of the. hub portion 40e to pass therethrough and abut with the: free end thereof washer 44 which slides within sleeve 41.. Thus the feed wheel hub 40C free end tightens washer 44 between itself and the shoulder end of shaft 35 with the keys 43 remaining free in slots 42 of sleeve 41.

After the above-described assembly, sleeve 41 may slide freely longitudinally to and fro on the hub portion 46c of feed wheel 4t), while the inner end of cone 39 as represented by the portion containing passage 39a is free to slide longitudinally to and fro on the shaft 35. Curved spring Washer 45, which exerts relatively light pressure, urges the inner end of crank 38 at all times toward a seat against ange 37 of bushing 34. This same pressure urges feed wheel 40 toward a position in which it extends a maximum distance out of can guiding wheel 39 (cone), this maximum distance position existing when crank 38 seats against ange 37 of bushing 34.

Further, when a can is not engaged in the can opener, the pressure of washer 45 maintains cone or guiding wheel 39 seated against frange 36 of bushing 33 while additionally maintaining or tending to maintain crank 38 seated against flange 37 of bushing 34.

The outer end (that portion defining pie-shaped recess 39e) of guiding wheel or cone 39 bears against the rim or flange of the can and, as illustrated, is preferably of substantially greater diameter than that of the can feed wheel. This outer end is preferably provided with a radius contour 46. These relationships operate to maintain an engaged can in the most desired position whereby to provide most efficient cutting by the cutter wheel and most eicient feeding by the can feed wheel. This most efficient position is that in which the longitudinal axis of the can is substantially intersecting and normal to the axis of the can feed wheel.

Can rest 47 is secured to the under side of member 22 by screws 48 or other suitable means and operates to maintain the side wall of an engaged can at a predetermined, selected angle with respect to the outer face or free end of the can feed wheel 40.

FIGS. 1-3 Operation In operation of the construction shown in FIGS. 1 3, when a can is not engaged in the can opener, spring washer 32 urges first shaft 24 to the left in FIG. 2 in its bearings whereby shelf 31 tends to seat or seats against the free end of bracket 26. Likewise, spring Washer 45 urges feed wheel 40 to the left in the view of FIG. 2 until the inner end of operating crank 3S seats against fiange 37 of bushing 34. With the parts in such described position, the lateral spacing between the free end of feed wheel 40 and the opposing portion of cutter wheel 27 must be such as to permit the insertion of the can rim therebetween whereby feed wheel 4? will engage the under edge of the rim or flange of the can and the cutter wheel 27 will contact the can top immediately inside the same rim. This relationship permits and provides for efficient piercing of the end of the can by cutter wheel 27 when feed wheel 46 is elevated to the position illustrated in FIG. 2 with respect to cutter wheel 27. Obviously, in lieu of the described elevation, cutter wheel 27 may be lowered to the illustrated position with respect to feed wheel 4t) to accomplish the same results. Or, yet alternatively, both wheels may be moved with respect to each other to achieve the same result.

In the particular hand operated can opener mechanism illustrated, with member 21 the upper of a pair of holding handles and member 22 the lower of same and

members

21 and 22 hinged together at a point spaced from the two

shafts

24 and 35, the am's of the hinge is provided in a horizontal plane substantially the same as that of the uppermost point of the periphery of the feed wheel 40 and also paralleling the axis of the feed wheel drive shaft 35. The user grasps holding handles 2lb and 22h and moves them together thereby providing the leverage which moves feed wheel 4G and cutter wheel 27 together to effect piercing of the end of the can by the cutter wheel.

Either as the end of the can is being pierced by cutter wheel 27 or upon initial rotation of can feed wheel thereafter as driven by the motion of the can top thereunder upon actuation of handle 38 by the user, the converging of the

shafts

24 and 35 causes shaft 24 to move to the right in the View of FIG. 2 to approximately the illustrated position against the relatively light pressure of spring washer 32. Such longitudinal translation of shaft 24, by means of force exerted through the side wall of the engaged can, also moves feed wheel 40 to the right in the View of FIG. 2 against the relatively light pressure of spring washer 45 to approximately the illustrated position. Further longitudinal movement of feed wheel 40 is prevented by engagement of the rim or flange of the can with the guiding periphery 46 of cone or guide wheel 39. This guiding periphery 46 of wheel 39 engages the rim or flange of the can at two points which are equidistant, fore and aft, of a vertical line extending through the axes of the cutter wheel 27 and feed wheel 40.

After the end of the cam has been pierced by cutter wheel 27 as the result of the initial squeezing of holding handles 2lb and 22b by the user, the user continues to squeeze the pair of holding handles together. While continuing this squeezing action, he then rotates the operating crank 3S to effect feeding of the can with relationship to cutter wheel 27 to effect cutting of the end of the can by the cutter wheel. The initial movement of shaft 24 to the right in FIG. 2 upon engagement of the can was caused by the contact of the bevelled Surfaces of rst cone 28 and second cone 39. Also as previously noted, this movement to the right of shaft 24 was translated to feed wheel 4t) through the side wall of the cam by cutter wheel 27 whereby feed wheel 40 moved against the action of spring washer 45 toward the pie-shaped recess 39C of cone 39. This action, namely, the exertion of thrust on first cone 28 from second cone 39 with resultant thrust exerted on feed wheel 40 by cutter wheel 27 through the can side wall continues to be exerted as the user continues to press the handles 2lb and 22!) together. The relative longitudinal thrust imparted to shaft 24 may be varied by varying the angle of bevel of first and

second cones

28 and 39. When the base of upper supporting member 21 carrying opening 21C to mount shaft 2d is angled as seen in FIG. 2, a greater angle of bevel may be employed on rst cone 28 relative to a lesser angle of bevel on cone 39 whereby to achieve a greater thrust along the axis of shaft 24 than in the case where the face of member 2l was not canted and the cone angles were in each case equal to the cone 39 angle in FIG. 2. At any rate, however, the relative quantity of thrust along the line of shaft 24 is achieved, the total longitudinal urging of shaft 24, as the can end is being sheared, should be only slightly greater than the amount of force required to firmly maintain the rim or flange of the can seated against the guiding periphery 46 of second cone or can guiding wheel 39.

The can guiding arrangement is preferably such as t0 maintain an engaged can of any diameter in a position in which the longitudinal axis thereof is substantially normal to the axis of feed wheel 49, which position is that one effecting most efficient shearing of the end of the can by the cutter wheel and most efiicient feeding of the can by feed wheel 46 in respect to cutter wheel 27. When a can is maintained in such position, the downward thrust resulting from resistance of the end of the can to shearing by the cutter wheel is approximately sufficient to provide adequate traction of the teeth 4b of feed wheel 40 with the under edge of the can rim for eflicient feeding of the can by feed wheel 40. In addition, feeding of the can by feed wheel 40 is also supplemented by the frictional drive resulting from lateral wedging of the can rim between cutter wheel 27 and the outer periphery 46 of can guide wheel or cone 39.

The usual can guide (not shown) as seen at 2) in FIGS. 2 and 3 of my Patent 2,879,590, supra, for preventing tilting of the can while the end is being sheared therefrom, may be secured to member 21 whereby to extend over the can rim of an engaged can fore and aft of the cutter wheel 27. Can rest 47 maintains the engaged can side wall at a predetermined angle in relation to the free end of feed wheel 4t) for most eflicient feeding of the can.

Pressure of spring washer 45 is such as to maintain feed wheel 40 firmly seated under the lower edge of the can rim, but permits the thickened side seam portion of the can to pass between the overlapping portions of feed wheel 4t) and cutter wheel 27 without difficulty.

Although the hub portion of feed wheel 46 is free to move longitudinally through sleeve 4l (which is securely pressed into can guiding wheel 39) and can feed drive shaft 35 is free to move longitudinally through second cone 39, cone 39 is positively rotated in unison with drive shaft 35 through the connection provided by driving washer 44 in sleeve 4l.

After the end of an engaged can has been pierced by cutter wheel 27, the maintenance of can feed wheel 4th under the rim of the can is not dependent on the maintenance of any preselected fixed lateral spacing between the free end of feed wheel 4i? and the adjacent overlapping portion of cutter wheel 27 through the bearings of

shafts

24 and 35, but, instead, the side wall portion of the can is firmly wedged between the free end of feed wheel 4t) and the adjacent overlapping portion of cutter wheel 27 at all times. This assures maintenance of feed wheel 4l) under the rim of the can at all times for most eflicient feeding of the can irrespective of the tit had in the bearings of the cutter wheel carrying shaft 24 and the can feed wheel carrying shaft 35.

Inasmuch as cone 39 has exceptionally good alignment with the axis of feed wheel 4t), and since an engaged can of any diameter is maintained in such position that the axis thereof is substantially normal to the axis of the feed wheel 4t?, any can is not permitted to cant from the position affording maximum feeding elciency. With respect to this point, the advantages of maintaining an engaged can in such position with respect to the axis of the feed wheel 4d probably can best be understood by contrasting same with the disadvantages experienced with means employed in conventional can openers wherein a can guide for the rim or flange of the can to seat laterally against is xedly positioned laterally in respect to the face or end of the can feed wheel, but ahead of the periphery of the cutter wheel.

At best, the latter arrangement must be a compromise, inasmuch as it is not possible to laterally position such a ixedly positioned can guide where it will operate correctly for cans of diameters other than a single selected diameter. Thus, for example, when this guide is positioned correctly for a can having a substantially intermediate diameter, one result is that a can of lesser diameter is permitted to cant in such manner that the axis thereof will be ahead of the axis of the can feed wheel with the result that the can feed wheel is cramped into the side wall of the can. This results in decreased feeding emciency. Additionally, such canting of lesser diameter cans permits the side wall portion of the can adjacent the point of shearing by the cutter wheel to cant away from this point, thereby causing shearing to take place sufficiently remote from the side wall of the can that absence of proper support of the end by the side wall of the can results in a spongy, inefficient cutting action, actually resulting in skipping of the cutting action in aggravated cases. This means that the cutter wheel merely rolls on the end of the can and does not penetrate therethrough.

Yet further, and conversely, when positioned correctly for a can having substantially an intermediate diameter, the conventional can guide referred to causes a can of relatively greater diameter to be canted in such manner that the axis thereof is beyond the axis of the feed wheel, with the result that the can feed wheel is maintained at such tangency with respect to the rim of the can that it tends to escape from under the can rim, thereby resulting in decreased feeding efficiency or even failure to feed in aggravated cases. Likewise, such canting of greater diameter cans cramps the side wall portion of the can adjacent the point of cutting by the cutter wheel against the cutter wheel at the point of cutting, thereby causing cutting to take place at a point too near the rim of the can. This results in scraping i.e., the excessive production of slivers, as well as requiring additional and unnecessary torque for rotating the can feed wheel. Also, a can feed wheel which has adequate traction and eiciently feeds a can which is properly aligned with respect to the can feed wheel and cutter wheel, can fail to feed a can when same is so improperly aligned as to require appreciably more torque on the can feed wheel.

To turn to another advantage of the construction of FIGS. 1 3, it should be noted that, whenever the cutter wheel shaft 24 is being rotated, there is no end thrust whatsoever in the bearings of said shaft. This fact, together with the fact that the journals of said shaft 24 are of relatively small diameter, minimizes friction which tends to impede rotation of the cutter wheel, thus contributing to assurance that the cutter wheel will always rotate when intended. Additionally, the frictional driving imparted to shaft 24 by the wedging of the can rim and second cone 39 between cutter 27 and first cone 2S tied thereto provides additional assurance that cutter wheel 27 will always rotate when intended.

After the end has been completely cut from the can, the can -is released from the can opener by separating the can feed wheel, vertically, from the cutter wheel the required amount by separating handles 2lb and 22b. The amount of are which may separate the handles 2lb and 22h may be controlled or limited by means of shelf 21d above and outside of engaging portion 21a of member 21 which will abut against the left-hand end of member 22 in FIG. 1 upon suicient separation of handles 2lb and 22h.

FIG. 4

Referring to FlG. 4, therein is shown a construction identical to that of FlG. 2 with certain exceptions which will be listed. A first exception is that the axis of the cutter wheel carrying shaft 24 parallels the axis of the feed wheel shaft 3S. (in FIG. 4, all parts corresponding to like parts in FIG. 2 are numbered the same, but primed.) This is achieved by having the face of member 21 which mounts the shaft 24' made parallel to the face of the member 22' which carries the feed wheelsecond cone combination thereon. Additionally, the can feed wheel dil is preferably provided with double bevelling at its periphery as seen at 49 and 50. The teeth 4Gb', however, may be machined parallel with the axis of the feed wheel 4d', as also shown.

Due to the greater angle between the side wall of an engaged can C and the guiding periphery 46 of second cone 39', some downward thrust is imparted to the rim or ange of the can by said guiding periphery 46 of second cone 35V. Such downward thrust supplements the downward thrust imparted by cutter wheel 27 to the can end, whereby to provide adequate traction of teeth 4% of feed wheel 4G' with the under edge of the can rim for efficient feeding of the can.

It should be additionally observed in this embodiment, that there is no end thrust in the bearings of either the cutter wheel carrying shaft or the can feed wheel carrying shaft while these elements are being rotated and a can is engaged in the device. Except as above recited, structure and operation of the modified device of FIGS. 1-3, as seen in FIG. 4, are precisely the same as that of the previously-described FlGS. l-3 construction.

Referring to FG. 5, again, parts like the parts in FIGS. 1-3, inclusive, are numbered the same, but double primed. The differences between this modification and the first construction as seen in its two variations in FIGS. 2 and 4 may be essentially comprised in (l) the provision of a smooth periphery can feed wheel 4t?" (here a can supporting wheel) and (2) the provision of feeding teeth 45a on the beveled end 46" of the cone or thrust wheel 39". These teeth engage with the rim or flange of a can,

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, it will be seen that the outer face teeth of the can guide and feed wheels 39", 39"' and 390, respectively, extend radially from the axis of said wheels. FIG. 9 shows how the teeth of any of these three can be angled in such manner that counterclockwise rotation of the can guide and feed wheels (toothed), when viewed as in FIG. 1, will not only feed the engaged can with respect to the cutter wheel, but will impart an upward thrust to the rim or ange of the can. Although the angularity for these teeth can be varied somewhat, it would be preferable that the angularity selected be such as will result in a minimum downward thrust of the rim or flange of the can on the underlying can supporting Wheel (which thrust is caused by resistance of the end of the can to cutting by the cutter Wheel), but not suicient as to prevent the rim or flange of the can from seating at all times on the said underlying can supporting wheel. Angling of the teeth of the can feed wheel for such purpose has been taught in my prior U.S. Patent No. 2,386,490, issued October 9, 1945. However, in the can opener disclosed in that patent, the axis of the can feed wheel substantially parallels the axis of a can engaged therein.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention 1s one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a can opener of the rotary drive wheel type, a first bearing means carried by a first can opener body portion, a first shaft carried by the first bearing means, a disc cutter carried on said first shaft in spaced relationship to the first bearing means, a first cone on the first shaft slightly spaced from the disc cutter and between it and the said first can opener body portion, a second bearing means carried by a second can opener body portion, a second shaft rotatably carried by the second bearing means, the second shaft having a slight longitudinal play in its bearing means, a cam rim engaging wheel carried on one end of the second shaft adjacent to the disc cutter, a second cone on the second shaft coaxial with and adjacent the can rim engaging wheel and between it and the second can opener body portion, the first and second cones having their cone faces oppositely disposed whereby to be engageable with one another when the first and second bearing means are adjacent one another, at least one of the bearing means movable toward and away from the other to permit insertion of a can rim between the Wheel and cutter, and means for moving at least one of said bearing means relative to the other and engaging and disengaging a can rim between the disc cutter and can rim engaging wheel and the first and second cones with one another, the second cone positioned next to the can rim engaging wheel and normally receiving at least a portion of same in a recess in the face thereof.

2. Apparatus as in claim l wherein a first of said bearings in said first bearing means is on the can opener body portion and a second is on a bracket fixed thereto with the disc cutter adjacent the bracket bearing and the cone adjacent the body bearing, and spring means between the cone and can opener body portion adjacent thereto tending to force the disc cutter toward the bracket bearing.

3. In a can `opener of the rotary drive wheel type, a first bearing means carried by a first can opener body portion, a first shaft carried by the first bearing means, a disc cutter carried on said first shaft in spaced relationship to the first bearing means, a first cone on the first bearing means, a first cone on the first shaft slightly spaced from the disc cutter and between it and the said first can opener body portion, a second bearing means carried by a second can opener body portion, a second shaft rotatably carried by the second bearing means, the second shaft having a slight longitudinal play in its bearing means, a can rim engaging wheel carried on one end of the second shaft adjacent to the disc cutter, a second cone on the second shaft coaxial with and adjacent the can rim engaging wheel and between it and the second can opener body portion, the first and second Cones having their cone faces oppositely disposed whereby to be engageable with one another when the first and second bearing means are adjacent one another, at least one of the bearing means movable toward and away from the other to permit insertion of a can rim between the wheel and cutter, and means for moving at least one of said bearing means relative to the other and engaging and disengaging a can rim between the disc cutter and can rim engaging wheel and the first and second cones with one another, the second shaft having an externally threaded reduced diameter portion thereof at the end thereof mounting the second cone and the can rim engaging wheel, the second cone slidably mounted on the second shaft between the can rim engaging wheel and the second bearing means, the can rim engaging wheel threaded on the lesser diameter portion of the second shaft, the second cone having a recess in the larger diameter face thereof next the can rim engaging wheel to receive at least a portion of the same and resilient means positioned between the can rim engaging wheel and the second cone to tend to separate same.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the second cone, although slidably mounted on said second shaft, is provided with means cooperating between it and the said second shaft that cause the said second cone to be positively driven or rotated by, and in unison with, the said second shaft.

5. In a can opener of the rotary drive wheel type, a first bearing means carried by a first can opener body portion, a first shaft carried by the first bearing means, a disc cutter carried on said first shaft in spaced relationship to the first bearing means, a rst cone on the rst shaft slightly spaced from the disc cutter and between it and the said first can opener body portion, a second bearing means carried by a second can opener body portion, a second shaft rotatably carried by the second bearing means, the second shaft having a slight longitudinal play in its bearing means, a can rim engaging wheel carried on one end of the second shaft adjacent to the disc cutter, a second cone on the second shaft coaxial with and adjacent the can rim engaging wheel and between it and the second can opener body portion, the first and second cones having their cone faces oppositely disposed whereby to be engageable with one another when the first and second bearing means are adjacent one another, at least one of the bearing means movable toward and away from the other to permit insertion of a can rim between the wheel and cutter, and means for moving at least one of said bearing means relative to the other and engaging and disengaging a can rim between the disc cutter and can rim engaging wheel and the first and second cones with one another, the greatest circumference of the second cone wheel substantially greater than that of the can feed wheel and the said greatest circumference of the said second cone wheel, when a can is engaged in the can opener, engaging the rim or fiange of the can at equidistant points fore and aft of the axis of the disc cutter and the axis of the can feed wheel.

6. In a can opener of the rotary drive wheel type, a first bearing means carried by a first can opener body portion, a first shaft carried by the first bearing means,

9 'substantially on the side thereof, as seen in FIG. 5. The same driving connection is employed between the can feed Wheel drive shaft 35" and the can thrust and feed Wheel 39" as is employed between the drive shaft 35 and the thrust wheel 39 of FIG. 2.

FIG.

Referring to operation of the second embodiment as seen in FIG. 5, when a can is not engaged in the can opener, cutter wheel shaft 24 assumes a position in which ledge 3l seats longitudinally against bracket end 26a. Can supporting wheel 40 extends slightly further out of the can feed wheel 39 than is shown in FIG. 5, longitudinal movement of wheel 4Q being limited in the same manner as longitudinal movement of the feed wheel all of FIG. 2. In this position, then, the lateral spacing between the end of the can supporting wheel All and the adjacent portion of cutter wheel 27" will be such as to permit proper engagement of supporting wheel 4G under the under edge of the can rim or flange and also for efficient piercing of the end of the can by cutter wheel 27 when the supporting wheel 40 is elevated to approximately the illustrated position with respect to said cutter wheel Z.

As soon as the can feed wheel 39 and cone or thrust Wheel 23 are brought together under pressure the rim or flange of the engaged can will be laterally squeezed between cutter wheel Z7 and the toothed beveled surface 46a of feed wheel 39". Against the relatively light pressure of spring washer 45", this wedging action moves can supporting wheel dit further into the can feed wheel 39" until the parts are approximately in the positions illustrated. This slight longitudinal movement permits portion 3l of cutter Wheel shaft 24 to unseat from against the supporting bracket, thereby positioning the cutter wheel assembly in such manner that there will be no end thrust in its shaft mounting bearings at any time while it is rotating. Pressure of spring washer 55 firmly maintains can supporting wheel du" under the under edge of the rim or flange of the can.

The cone or thrust Wheel 28 and the cooperating cone portion of can feed wheel 39 are preferably bevelled at such angle that the predetermined pressure urging them together will provide a proper wedging of the rim or flange of the can between cutter wheel 27" and the teeth of can feed wheel 39" for most ecient feeding of the can and also for maintaining the can in good alignment for most efficient feeding thereof and yet also for most efficient shearing of the end of the can by cutter wheel 27". Can rest 47" maintains the side wall of the can at the predetermined angle of relation to the face or end of the can supporting wheel 40".

FIG. 6

Referring to FIG. 6, wherein is shown a variation of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, it will be seen that this variation is substantially the same as the second embodiment with the exception that the axis of the can supporting Wheel and can feed Wheel parallels that of the cutter wheel. This results in the can supporting wheel and can feed wheel being positioned at a much greater angle in relation to the side wall of an engaged can than in function of the FIG. 5 showing. Parts the same between the structures or embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 2 are numbered the same but triple primed in the latter.

Can supporting wheel 49" is preferably provided with double bevelling on its periphery as shown at 51 and 52.

It may be observed that, in this embodiment, there is no end thrust in the bearings of either the cutter wheel mounting shaft or can feed wheel mounting shaft while these elements are being rotated and a can is engaged in the device.

Can rest 47" operates to maintain the side wall of the can at the predetermined angle in relation to the face or end of the can supporting wheel 40"'.

itl Except as above recited, operation of this variation of the second embodiment of the invention is the same as that of the said second embodiment.

FIG. 7

With reference to FIG. 7, showing a third embodiment of the inventive construction, a reversal in the mounting of the cone thrust and feed Wheel and the can supporting wheel is achieved. In this view, parts similar to those in FIG. 2 are numbered the same but in the hundred series.

Thus, on mounting shaft 350 received at one end in bearing 360, externally threaded lesser diameter portion 350d is provided of but limited length with a yet lesser diameter nonexternally threaded portion 53 provided outwardly thereof with retaining washer 54 threaded into and internally recessed in the end thereof (not shown) or attached thereto by spinning or other conventional means. The cone thrust and feed wheel 390 is threaded onto the shaft portion 3500,', against the shoulder of shaft 350, by an internally threaded portion 394m and has a relatively deep recess 390C to receive the can supporting wheel 400, which is slidably mounted on the smooth shaft portion 53. A coil spring S5 resiliently biases the can supporting wheel 4th) relative to the cone thrust and feed wheel 390. Thus can supporting wheel 400 has its longitudinal movement into the can feed wheel 390 limited by engagement of its hub portion with the said can feed wheel 390 and its longitudinal movement out of the can feed Wheel 390 limited by engagement with retaining washer S4.

Operation of this modification is substantially the same as the operation of the construction shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a fourth embodiment, broadly analogous to those of FIGS. 4-7, inclusive, and generally corresponding to FIG. 5, but providing teeth on the can supporting wheel in addition to teeth on the cone thrust and feed wheel. All of the parts similar to those in FIG. 2 are numbered the same, but in the hundred series and primed. Additionally, there are provided the teeth 460a on the bevelled portion 460 of the can guide or cone thrust Wheel 390. This construction provides for simultaneous feeding of the engaged can by the feed wheel 400 having teeth 400b for engagement with the under edge or rim of the flange of the can and by the can guide wheel 390 having teeth 460e for engagement with the side of the rim or flange of the can.

It should be understood that the exact form and angle of the conical portion of the cutter wheel that overlaps either the can feed wheel or can supporting wheel, in any form of the invention, when a can is engaged in the can opener, is not limited to the form and angle illustrated, but may be formed and angled as desired. Accordingly, for example, it should be understood that one other form of cutter wheel could be that illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 of my U.S. Patent No. 2,644,228, issued July 7, 1953.

FIG. 9

FIG. 9 is an enlarged end view of the can feed wheel 400 and can guide and feed wheel 390 showing the teeth of each member with the teeth 460a' of the can guide and feed wheel angled in such manner that they are not aligned with the true radius extending from the axis of the can feed wheel 400'.

Except for the additional feeding eiliciency adorded by the teeth on the outer face of the can guide and feed wheel 390', operation of the construction shown in FIG. 8 is essentially the same as described relative to FIGS. 2 and 5.

It is evident that the double bevelled can feed Wheel 40 of FIG. 4 can be substituted for the can supporting wheel 40 of FIG. 6, thereby providing a second feed Wheel for such structure in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 8.

a disc cutter carried on said first shaft in spaced relationship to the first bearing means, a first cone on the first shaft slightly spaced from the disc cutter and between it and the said first can opener body portion, a second bearing means carried by a second can opener body portion, a second shaft rotatably carried by the second bearing means, the second shaft having a slight longitudinal play in its bearing means, a can rim engaging wheel carried on one end of the second shaft adjacent to the disc cutter, a second cone on the second shaft coaxial with and adjacent the can rim engaging wheel and between it and the second can opener body portion, the first and second cones having their cone faces oppositely disposed whereby to be engageable with one another when the first and second bearing means are adjacent one another, at least one of the bearing means movable toward and away from the other to permit insertion of a can rim between the wheel and cutter, and means for moving at least one of said bearing means relative to the other and engaging and disengaging a can rim between the disc cutter and can rim engaging wheel and the first and second cones with one another, the axis of the disc cutter shaft substantially paralleling the axis of the feed wheel shaft in such manner that the greatest circumference of the second cone wheel engages the rim or ange of the engaged can at its top edge and at such angle fore and aft of the axis of the disc cutter and axis of the can feed wheel as to impart some downward thrust on the said rim or flange of the can.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the face of the second cone away from the second bearing is toothed and the same overlies and is circumferential to the can rim engaging wheel.

8. Apparatus as in claim l wherein the radial periphery of the can rim engaging wheel is toothed and the face of the second cone away from the second bearing is toothed and the same overlies and is circumferential to the can rim engaging wheel.

9. ln a can opener of the rotary drive wheel type, a first bearing means carried by a first can opener body portion, a first shaft carried by the first bearing means, a disc cutter carried on said first shaft in spaced relationship to the first bearing means, a first cone on the first shaft slightly spaced from the disc cutter and between it and the said first can opener body portion, a second bearing means carried by a second can opener body portion, a second shaft rotatably carried by the second bearing means, the second shaft having a slight longitudinal play in its bearing means, a can rim engaging wheel carried on one end of the second shaft adjacent to the disc cutter, a second cone on the second shaft coaxial with and adjacent the can rim engaging wheel and between it and the second can opener body portion, the first and second cones having their cone faces oppositely disposed whereby to be engageable with one another when the first and second bearing means are adjacent one another, at least one of the bearing means movable toward and away from the other to permit insertion of a can rim between the wheel and cutter, and means for moving at least one of said bearing means relative to the other and engaging and disengaging a can rim between the disc cutter and can rim engaging wheel and the first and second cones with one another, the inner and outer edges of the can rim engaging wheel are beveled and the face of the second cone away from the second bearing is toothed and the same overlies and is circumferential to the can rim engaging wheel and also is beveled.

1t). In a can opener of the rotary drive wheel type, a first bearing means carried by a first can opener body portion, a first shaft carried by the first bearing means, a disc cutter carried on said first shaft in spaced relationship to the first bearing means, a rst cone on the first shaft slightly spaced from the disc cutter and between it and the said first can opener body portion, a second bearing means carried by a second can opener body portion, a second shaft rotatably carried by the second bearing means, the second shaft having a slight longitudinal play in its bearing means, a can rim engaging wheel carried on one end of the second shaft adjacent to the disc cutter, a second cone on the second shaft coaxial with and adjacent the can rim engaging wheel and between it and the second can opener body portion, the rst and second cones having their cone faces oppositely disposed whereby to be engageable with one another when the first and second bearings are ladjacent one another, at least one of the bearing means movable toward and away nom the other to permit insertion of a can rim between the wheel and cutter, and means for moving at least one of said bearing means relative to the other and engaging and disengaging a can rim between the disc cutter and can rim engaging wheel and the first and second cones with one another, the second shaft having a relatively short externally threaded reduced diameter portion thereof adjacent the end thereof mounting the second cone and the can rim engaging wheel with a yet lesser diameter portion, not externally threaded outwardly thereof, the second cone threaded onto the said externally threaded reduced diameter portion, the can rim engaging wheel slidably mounted on the yet lesser diameter nonexternally threaded portion, stop means provided to retain the can rim engaging wheel thereon, and spring means provided between the can rim engaging wheel and the second cone, the latter having a recess therein to receive at least a portion of the said can rim engaging wheel.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the edges of the can rim engaging wheel are beveled, and the outwardly extending face of the said second cone is both beveled and toothed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,592,934 McLean Apr. '15, 1952 2,592,937 McLean Apr. 15, 1952 2,866,263 McLean Dec. 30, 1958

Claims

1. IN A CAN OPENER OF THE ROTARY DRIVE WHEEL TYPE, A FIRST BEARING MEANS CARRIED BY A FIRST CAN OPENER BODY PORTION, A FIRST SHAFT CARRIED BY THE FIRST BEARING MEANS, A DISC CUTTER CARRIED ON SAID FIRST SHAFT IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO THE FIRST BEARING MEANS, A FIRST CONE ON THE FIRST SHAFT SLIGHTLY SPACED FROM THE DISC CUTTER AND BETWEEN IT AND THE SAID FIRST CAN OPENER BODY PORTION, A SECOND BEARING MEANS CARRIED BY A SECOND CAN OPENER BODY PORTION, A SECOND SHAFT ROTATABLY CARRIED BY THE SECOND BEARING MEANS, THE SECOND SHAFT HAVING A SLIGHT LONGITUDINAL PLAY IN ITS BEARING MEANS, A CAM RIM ENGAGING WHEEL CARRIED ON ONE END OF THE SECOND SHAFT ADJACENT TO THE DISC CUTTER, A SECOND CONE ON THE SECOND SHAFT COAXIAL WITH AND ADJACENT THE CAN RIM ENGAGING WHEEL AND BETWEEN IT AND THE SECOND CAN OPENER BODY PORTION, THE FIRST AND SECOND CONES HAVING THEIR CONE FACES OPPOSITELY DISPOSED WHEREBY TO BE ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE ANOTHER WHEN THE FIRST AND SECOND BEARING MEANS ARE ADJACENT ONE ANOTHER, AT LEAST ONE OF THE BEARING MEANS MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OTHER TO PERMIT INSERTION OF A CAN RIM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND CUTTER, AND MEANS FOR MOVING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID BEARING MEANS RELATIVE TO THE OTHER AND ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING A CAN RIM BETWEEN THE DISC CUTTER AND CAN RIM ENGAGING WHEEL AND THE FIRST AND SECOND CONES WITH ONE ANOTHER, THE SECOND CONE POSITIONED NEXT TO THE CAN RIM ENGAGING WHEEL AND NORMALLY RECEIVING AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAME IN A RECESS IN THE FACE THEREOF.