GB2071600A - Container-cutting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for cutting open the ends 3 of sealed containers comprises a ring cutter 5 which is formed with a plurality of angularly spaced apart cutting teeth. The teeth are arranged in three sets of three with the sets staggered in height so that, in cutting, the teeth of the different sets successively pierce the container and effect a clean cut without jagged edges. The severed end 3 is retained in the cutter 5 until ejected by a pin 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An improved cutting device The present invention concerns a device for cutting open sealed containers.

According to the present invention a device for cutting open sealed containers comprises a ring cutter cooperable with an end of a container and having a plurality of angularly spaced apart cutting teeth about its periphery, the teeth being arranged in sets with the sets staggered in height whereby in cutting the teeth of the different sets successively pierce the end and effect a clean cut without jagged edges.

The invention will be described in further detail and by example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation, in cross-section, of a sealed container and an embodiment of a cutter device according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a cutter ring and Fig. 3 is a development of the teeth profile on the ring.

Toxic and hazardous materials are generally stored in sealed containers comprising an inner bottle 1 to receive the material which is housed within an outer can 2 sealed with a lid 3. The lid can have a peripheral lip 4 which can be seam welded to the end of the can 2 to form a recessed end.

To remove the lid the invention provides an annular or ring cutter 5 having a plurality of cutting teeth 6 angularly spaced apart at substantially equidistant intervals at one end of the cutter 5. In the illustrated embodiment the cutter has nine teeth and the teeth are arranged in three sets of three as denoted by the letters A, B and C in Figs. 2 and 3. The sets are staggered in height, that is the three teeth of set A are at one level, the three teeth of set B are at a higher level and the three teeth of set C are at a still higher level. In other words, during cutting operation the teeth of set A first contact the lid, followed by set B and finally set C.

Means, not shown which can be power operated or a hand press, are provided for either pressing the can and its lid against the cutter or alternativeiy for pressing the cutter against the lid to sever the lid from the end of the can. The cutter produces a clean cut without jagged edges and the cut lid is received within the end of the cutter.

After removal of the cutter containing the cut lid from the end of the can the lid can be ejected, for example, by means of a pin 7 journalled in the cutter and movable longitudinally for this purpose.

Although not shown, the pin 7 or a plurality of such pins, can terminate in a plate or the like in order to spread the load applied to the lid upon ejection from the cutter.

The cutter can operate in a vertical mode, as illustrated, or it can function in a forizontal mode.

By way of example only, in a cutter having nine teeth in three sets A, B and C, the teeth of set A which are angularly spaced at 1200 are at the same level. The teeth of set B can be at a level which is 0.02 inches higher than set A. The teeth of set C can be at a level which is 0.02 inches higher than set B, i.e. 0.04 inches above set A. The cutter angle of the teeth can be in the range 300 to 700 with an angle of 450 being suitable for cutting stainless steel. The included angle between successive teeth can be between 75 100.

By employing nine teeth arranged in three equal sets of three it is possible for the cutter to contact the lid initially without rocking on the lid, i.e. the teeth of each set function as a tripod.

It is possible to employ cutters having a different number of teeth in staggered sets. Thus a cutter can have eight teeth arranged in four pairs with the teeth in each pair being staggered in height so as to contact the lid in succession during a cutting operation. Other configurations and numbers of teeth can likewise be arranged in sets having cutting points at staggered levels.

1. A device for cutting open sealed containers comprising a ring cutter cooperable with an end of a container and having a plurality of angularly spaced apart cutting teeth about its periphery, the teeth being arranged in sets with the sets staggered in height whereby, in cutting, the teeth of the different sets successively pierce the end and effect a clean cut without jagged edges.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the sets comprise an equal number of teeth.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 comprising nine teeth arranged in three sets of three, the teeth of each set being angularly spaced at 1200.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the cutter angle of the teeth is in the range 300 to 700.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the cutter angle is 450.

6. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the included angle between the teeth is in the range 750 to 1100.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cutter includes an ejector operable to eject the end of the container from the cutter after a cutting operation.

8. A device for cutting open sealed containers substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An improved cutting device The present invention concerns a device for cutting open sealed containers. According to the present invention a device for cutting open sealed containers comprises a ring cutter cooperable with an end of a container and having a plurality of angularly spaced apart cutting teeth about its periphery, the teeth being arranged in sets with the sets staggered in height whereby in cutting the teeth of the different sets successively pierce the end and effect a clean cut without jagged edges. The invention will be described in further detail and by example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation, in cross-section, of a sealed container and an embodiment of a cutter device according to the invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a cutter ring and Fig. 3 is a development of the teeth profile on the ring. Toxic and hazardous materials are generally stored in sealed containers comprising an inner bottle 1 to receive the material which is housed within an outer can 2 sealed with a lid 3. The lid can have a peripheral lip 4 which can be seam welded to the end of the can 2 to form a recessed end. To remove the lid the invention provides an annular or ring cutter 5 having a plurality of cutting teeth 6 angularly spaced apart at substantially equidistant intervals at one end of the cutter 5. In the illustrated embodiment the cutter has nine teeth and the teeth are arranged in three sets of three as denoted by the letters A, B and C in Figs. 2 and 3. The sets are staggered in height, that is the three teeth of set A are at one level, the three teeth of set B are at a higher level and the three teeth of set C are at a still higher level. In other words, during cutting operation the teeth of set A first contact the lid, followed by set B and finally set C. Means, not shown which can be power operated or a hand press, are provided for either pressing the can and its lid against the cutter or alternativeiy for pressing the cutter against the lid to sever the lid from the end of the can. The cutter produces a clean cut without jagged edges and the cut lid is received within the end of the cutter. After removal of the cutter containing the cut lid from the end of the can the lid can be ejected, for example, by means of a pin 7 journalled in the cutter and movable longitudinally for this purpose. Although not shown, the pin 7 or a plurality of such pins, can terminate in a plate or the like in order to spread the load applied to the lid upon ejection from the cutter. The cutter can operate in a vertical mode, as illustrated, or it can function in a forizontal mode. By way of example only, in a cutter having nine teeth in three sets A, B and C, the teeth of set A which are angularly spaced at 1200 are at the same level. The teeth of set B can be at a level which is 0.02 inches higher than set A. The teeth of set C can be at a level which is 0.02 inches higher than set B, i.e. 0.04 inches above set A. The cutter angle of the teeth can be in the range 300 to 700 with an angle of 450 being suitable for cutting stainless steel. The included angle between successive teeth can be between 75 100. By employing nine teeth arranged in three equal sets of three it is possible for the cutter to contact the lid initially without rocking on the lid, i.e. the teeth of each set function as a tripod. It is possible to employ cutters having a different number of teeth in staggered sets. Thus a cutter can have eight teeth arranged in four pairs with the teeth in each pair being staggered in height so as to contact the lid in succession during a cutting operation. Other configurations and numbers of teeth can likewise be arranged in sets having cutting points at staggered levels. CLAIMS

1. A device for cutting open sealed containers comprising a ring cutter cooperable with an end of a container and having a plurality of angularly spaced apart cutting teeth about its periphery, the teeth being arranged in sets with the sets staggered in height whereby, in cutting, the teeth of the different sets successively pierce the end and effect a clean cut without jagged edges.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the sets comprise an equal number of teeth.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 comprising nine teeth arranged in three sets of three, the teeth of each set being angularly spaced at 1200.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the cutter angle of the teeth is in the range 300 to 700.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the cutter angle is 450.

6. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the included angle between the teeth is in the range 750 to 1100.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cutter includes an ejector operable to eject the end of the container from the cutter after a cutting operation.

8. A device for cutting open sealed containers substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.