US1609063A - Receptacle opener - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 30 1926. 1,609,063

J. M/CLOSSON RECEPTACLE OPENER Filed Jan. 26. 1923 Inventor:

John M. C/osson,

His Attorne yv Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

JOHN M. CLOSSON, OF SCHENEGTADY, NEW YORK.

BECEPTACLE OPENER.

Application filed January 26, 1923. Serial No. 615,1 l8.

The object of my present invention is to provide a convenient, elficient and easily operable device for removing covers from receptacles such as metal cans and like, which are ordinarily provided with smooth closely fitting covers.

In the construction of such receptacles a flange is commonly provided upon the body portion and the cover is formed to telescope over the open end of the body portion, the movement of the cover being sometimes limited by the flange on the body portion. Because of the fact that the cover is ordinarily made to fit tightly to prevent its acc dental removal and to prevent air from freely circulating over the contents of the rr-xcwotacle, difllculty is usually experienced in removing the cover. Many attempts have been made in the past to overcome this difficulty in rentioving the cover. Various forms of devices have been employed which are secured to the cover and so formed that they can be rotated to bear against the flange on the body portion of the receptacle and exert a lifting action on the cover. In practice, however, such devices have been expensive in manufacture and have not been tl'iorougl'lly successful as they have been easily bent or disarranged in such a way that they have become incapable of performing their desired function. These difiiculties have been somewhat due to the fact that receptacles of the type under consideration are usually made of quite thin metal which is readily bent and with an opening device which is fastened to the cover of the receptacle, so that no adjustment can readily be made to render the device operative after it has once become inoperative. It is also difficult to fatten such devices to the cover in so secure a manner that they will not become detached therefrom.

In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a separate key or opening device which is not secured to the receptacle, or is at least adjustable with respect to the receptacle in any desired manner so that any accidental bending of the cover, receptacle, or opening device, such as would prevent the operation of previously used devices,will in no way interfere with the operation of my improved device.

The novel features which I believe to be haracteristic of my invent-ion are set forth in the appended claims. My invention itself however both as to its organization and method of operation will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. l is a perspective view of a receptacle to which my invention has been applied; Figs. 2 and 3 are perspec tives of portions of the receptacle illustrating the operation of my invention. in removing the cover from the receptacle; and

Figs. t to 8, inclusive, are views of different forms of opening devices or keys which may be employed in connection with my invention.

The receptacle indicated in the drawing comprises a body portion 1 provided with an annular flange 2 and a cover 3, which telescopes over the body portion 1, and the movement of which is limited by the flange 2. The cover 3 is provided with an upwardly extending ear e having an opening therein for the insertion of the opening device 5. This ear may be made integral with the cover and formed at the same time that the cover is stamped. V

In operating my opening device, the portion 6 of the key is inserted in the opening in the car ll as indicated in the drawing. The key 5 is then turned around an axis substantially tangent to the cover until the projection 7 on the key can be pressed toward the cover 3 above the flange 2. The key then may be rotated downwardly about an axis on the ear 4:, which is substantially oerpendicular to the cover 3, and in so doing the cover will be raised as indicated in 3. During the turning of the key to raise the cover the key which is held in a position substantially at a right angle to the cover may be pressed toward the box to prevent the projection 7 on the key from slipping off the flange 2. With the forms of keys shown in all figures of the drawing except- Fig. 4:, this result may be obtained merely by pressing the lower portion of the key toward the receptacle.

It will be seen that with the construction which I have shown, the key may be rotated around an axis substantially tangent to the cover, as well as around an axis at substantially a right angle to the cover.v The first of these movements permits the adjustment of the key to positively engage the flange on the body portion of the receptacle. As a result the opening device may be operated even though'the ear or the flange should become bent out of its proper shape. Because of this positive engagement of the key with the flange it is not necessary to provide as wide a flange as with opening devices previously employed. The operation of lifting the cover may be carried out by turning the key either clockwise or counter-clockwise. If desired, the key may be so made that it may be secured to the cover instead of being detachable, provided it is arranged so that the key may be moved around the two different axes as described.

W hile I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent that my invention is by no means limited to the particular embodiments shown, but that many other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth, in the appended claims.

Vi hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. The combination with a receptacle having a body portion with an annular flange thereon and a telescoping cover, of means on said cover adapted to serve as apivot for an opening key, and a key adapted to be detachably connected to and to rotate around the pivot on said cover, said key having projection thereon which is adapted to enthe flange 0:1 the body portion of said receptacle when "do key is rotated around said pivot on a hot? sontal axis perpendicular to the plane of the key and substantially tangent to the cow 1'.

The combinat. on with a receptacle hav ing a body portion with an annular flange thereon and a telescoping cover, of a lug on said cover having an opening thereon for the insertion of an opening key, and an opening key having a portion adapted to be inserted in said opening, and a portion adapted to engage the flange on said body portion, and, when the key is turned, pass between the lug on said cover and said flange and by such turning movement cause the cover to be lifted.

The combination with a receptacle having a body portion with a flange thereon, and a telescoping cover of a key adapted to engage a pivoting means on said cover, said key engaging the pivoting means being adapted to rotate about an :ris substantially tangent to saie cover and about an axis substantially at a right angle to the first named axis.

4t. The combination with a receptacle hav ing a body portion with a flange thereon and a telescoping cover, of a key having a portion adapted to engage a pivoting means on said cover and a portion adapted to engage the flange on said body portion when the key is rotated about an axis substantially tan gent to said cover, the portion of said key engaging said flange being adapted to hit said cover when the key is rotated about an axis substantially at a right angle to the first named axis.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of January, 1923.

JOHN M. CLOSSON.

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