US2501205A - Removing tool for vacuum jar caps - Google Patents

Description

March 21, 1950 BOUCHER 2,501,205

REMOVING TOOL FOR VACUUM JAR CAPS Filed June 21, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 In ven for p Elm file BOUCILBIT March 21, 1950 E. e. BOUCHER 2,501,205

REMOVING TOOL FOR VACUUM JAR CAPS Filed June 21,1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Efllile BOLLC/Zl'.

March 1950 E. G. BOUCHER ,501,

REMOVING TOOL FOR VACUUM JAR CAPS Filed June 21, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I' ILQ', 11.

LARGE j 'Jnvenior EnL ile G. Bout/Z81. I

attorneys Etflamh 21,, 119% E. G. BOUCHER 9 U REMOVING TOOL FOR VACUUM JAR CAPS Filed June 21, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fziai 11 I N V EN TOR. Eadie G. Bouclzer BY March 21, 1950 ouc 2,501,205

REMOVING TOOL FOR VACUUM JAR CAPS Filed June 21, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Enuile G BOuC/ZQP attorneys Patented Mar. 21 1950 UNITED: STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOVING TOOL FOR VACUUM J AR CAPS EmileeG. Boucher, Baltimore, Md.

Application "June 21, 1946; Serial No. 678,435

6 Claims. (Cl. 1 81--3.46)

This invention relates to "devicessfor removing caps'and'lids of jars and'other containers and more-particularly to a tool which is especially adapted to remove caps orclosures of the pressedon typefrom glass jars; tumblers and other types of containers;

In myprior application Serial Number 647;.900, file'd"February-15,-1946; entitled -'Jar cap remover, there are disclosed several types of prying tools which are readily adaptable 'for the quick and eflicien't removal of jar caps orclosures from jars of different sizes: The present invention constitutesan improvementover the inventions of the prior application and includes a novel construction whichnot only -retainsall of thedesir-able features 'of the prior inventions," but also adds anarrangementfor "efiiciently removing caps or-closures from' -jelly glasses and similar types-of containers without marring and bending such caps or closures out of shape.

The principal object of-the present invention is to provide anovel unitary tool which-is capable of quickly removing caps and lids" from jars, bottles; tumblers and "other types of containers of various sizesrwithout-marring or bendingthe cap or lid, and :withoutachipping 'orcracking thecontain'erp" Aa-further object is to provide a tool of the above character which includesa novel-arm construction which is adaptedto-fit beneath the lower edge "of'the rlm'of the cap and whichinclude's "cam surfaces "which 'cooperate with the shoulder or flange of the-jar to secure'a powerful camming action to remove-the cap upon manipulation'of the'tool'with a minimum 'of effort Another object" is to provide anovel arrangement" in atool of the foregoing type whichincludes a tooth 'or' book which'is adapted to fit beneath the skirtor flange-of a cap of the jelly glass type, I and which cooperates with the arms of-the tool: to quickly removethe cap with little efiortandWithout bending the cap.

A stillfurther obj ect" resides in providing -a universal tool or integral and unitary construetion which includes a number of cooperating parts for removing caps and 'lids ofvarious sizes from glass or-metal'containers, the invention be-= ing particularly useful in'connection with those containers wherein the caps are securely maintained' insealingposition by partially evacuating the interior of thecontainers.

Anothenobject'is to provide a tooliof the above type which=is relatively simple in construction and which may bemanufactured at a. relatively low cost: r

Other objects and novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings. It is to. be expressly understood however, that the *drawingsrare utilized for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition rof'therlimits.oitheinvention, reference being had'for thiszpm'pose to the appended claims;

Referring: to :the drawings iwherein similar reference characters.;. refer to:- similar parts throughout: the several views:

Fig-.11 isi a'planzview of..a tool constructedcin accordance with-the principles'of the present in-' vention;

Fig. 2 is aside view of thetool of Fig. 1;.

Fig 3 is a sectional view of the too10-taken.substantially along .line -3--3 of Fig.1;

Figs; 4 and 4a are side views of .the' tool associated with two differenttypes of conventional glass jars;

Fig 5 is apartial sectional view-of thearm 28 taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig.1;

Fig. 6 is a partial side view (of one of the arms of the tool, when the eap of. Fig. 4a has been partially removed;

Fig. '7 is-a plan view of one end of the 'tool shown as being associated with the eap of a jar of the jelly glass type;

Fig. 8 is apartial' side view of one of the arms of the tool of'Figt- 7;"

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the other end of thetool shown associated with' 'the- 'caplo f a jelly glass type of container;

Fig. 10 isa partial side'view of one of the arms of the tool of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1'1 is a diagrammatic viewshowing the relationship of the teeth on the arms of the tool for jars and capsof different sizes;

12 is a partial side'view of-one of the arms showing a modified type of cap-remover;

Fig. 13 is a front'viewof the tool'of Fig-12;

Fig 14 is a plan I view of 1 a slightly modified:

form of cap removing tool;

Fig. -15 is a sectional.viewtakenalong line Fig. 16 is'a side view of the modified tool as sociatedwith "a conventional glass jar 'of the typehaving-a rounded shoulder and used for packing coffee and other commodities Fig. 17 isa' side view of a modified form of arm arm-construction taken on line 7 I 8l 8 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the under side of one of the arms of the tool of Fig. 14;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of still another type of cap removing tool;

Figs. 21 and 22 are sectional views taken respectively along lines 2l2l and 22-22 of Fig. 20;

Figs. 23 and 24 are plan views of modified forms of single arm cap removing tools, and

Fig. 25 is a constructional view of the arms of the tool of Fig. 14.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a cap removing tool 20 embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated therein as including a handle part 22 provided at its opposite ends with spaced-apart pairs of arms 24, 26 and 28, 38, each of said arms being preferably form d integrally with the handle part 22. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the arms 24 and 26 are adapted to remove caps of the pressed-on type from bottles of different sizes, such as those presently used for packaging chili sauce, fruit juices, etc. Arms 28 and 30, on the other hand are employed for removing caps from conventional types of glass jars of different sizes used at the present time to package canned vegetables, fruits, etc.

More particularly, and referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the tool 20 is preferably formed at one end with a downwardly curved portion 32 which includes the spaced-apart arms 28 and which extend forwardly of the tool and which are arranged in a plane substantially parallel to but spaced below the plane of the handle part 22. The opposite end of the tool is similarly formed with a downwardly curved portion 34 which includes the spaced- apart arms 24 and 26, these latter preferably projecting slightly upwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, although they can be arranged in a plane parallel to but spaced below the plane of the handle part 22, if desired,

In order to adapt the arms 28 and 30 for removing caps from different size jars, each of the arms are provided with one or more teeth, projections or prongs which are automatically and selectively operable depending upon the size of the cap to be removed. As illustrated, the arm 28, for example, may be provided with three teeth 36, 38 and 40 which cooperate respectively with the lower rims of the flanges of the large, medium and small sizes of caps. Arm 30 on the other hand, may be provided with teeth 42 and 44, the former being for use with the larger sizes of caps while the latter is employed for the intermediate and smaller sizes. In each instance, the teeth 38, 4D and 44 are formed by curved cut-away portions, as shown in Fig. 1 while the teeth 36 and 42 are formed on the remote corners of the arms. In this manner, the arms are readily adapted for the removal of difierent size caps without the necessity of making any adjustments whatever.

In using the tool for removing the caps, the arms are applied beneath the lower rim of the jar cap as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 4a. In these latter figures the jars shown are of conventional type. For example the jar 46 of Fig. 4 is provided with a reduced neck 4'! having a beaded rim 48 for receiving the cap 58, and a shoulder 52 with which the arms 28 and 30 cooperate. In Fig. 4a, the jar 54 is likewise provided with a reduced neck 41 having a beaded rim 56 for receiving the cap 58, but is formed with an outwardly directed flange, shoulder or bead 58 with which the arms 28 and 38 cooperate. It is desired to point out that the front edges 60 and 62 of the arms 28 4 and 38 are generally curved, as shown in Fig. 1 and that when such edges are projected beneath the rim of the cap they come into contact with the neck of the jar. However, the curvature of the edges and the location of the teeth on said edges are such that irrespective of the size of the cap to be removed, the teeth will not project too far beneath the flange or skirt of the cap, during removal thereof, as to engage and become locked with the lower edges of the rims 48 or 56 of the jars. Preferably, a pair of stops 64 and 66 in the form of integral lugs are respective- 13 formed on the remote edges of the arms 28 and 30 in order to limit the movement of the arms beneath the flange of the cap so as to likewise prevent the teeth from becoming locked with the lower edges of the rims 48 or 56 of the jars, when using the tool with the larger sizes of jars.

In operation, after application of the arms beneath the cap rim, as shown in Figs. 4 and 4a, it is only necessary to press the handle part 22 downwardly whereupon a powerful camming or levering action betweenthe arms 28, 3D and the shoulders 58 or 52 will ensue. More particularly, as the handle is moved downwardly, the inner or adjacent edges 29 and 3| of the respective arms 28 and 38 will rest upon the shoulders 52 or 58 while certain of the teeth on the arms will project beneath the flange of the cap, depending upon the size ca to be removed. The cooperation between said adjacent edges and the jar, during the downward movement of the handle produces the camming action referred to, and the cap is removed with very little effort and without marring or bending the same. The action of the arms, in removing the cap is shown more par ticularly in the partial view of Fig. 6, and from this figure it will be readily seen that each of the arms pivots or fulcrums about either the innermost corners of the arms Y28 and 30 or along the adjacent edges 29 or 3|, depending upon the size or type of jar from which the cap is being removed. This action causes an automatic effective twisting of each arm about its fulcrum in order to remove the cap with a powerful levering or camming force. During the above operation, it is pointed out that as the cap is removed, the operative teeth for the particular size of cap will move in toward the jar during the pivotal movement of the arms and this causes a firmer fulcrum to be secured between the adjacent edges of the arms 28 and 30 andthe shoulders 52 or 58. Such inward movement also compensates for the natural outward movement of the teeth due to the are of travel-of the arms 28 and 30, and thus a firmer contact between the operative teeth and rim of the cap is secured. Moreover, the aforesaid inward movement achieves a substantially vertical camming lift of the cap to avoid any distortion of the cap skirt which would cause the skirt to be sprung outof-round and which would prevent removal of the cap due to the binding of the distorted skirt of the cap around the mouth of the jar.

Referring to the arms 24 and 26 at the opposite end of the tool, it willbe observed that the outer edges thereof are generally curved to approximate the curvature of the necks of jars of the smaller sizes as well as conventional bottles for packaging fruit juices, chili sauces, etc. In order to adapt the arms for different size jars and bottles, arm 24 is provided with a pair of teeth 68, 18 while arm 26 is formed with a pair of teeth 12 and 14. In use, the arms arepro- .tl'es of:v larger sizes.

;ferent. size jars.

.aiaoigaoc 1 iected beneath therimcofxtheshottleicapand teeth It; and 11 lz-will become operativesto. remove reaps from .small necked bottles. while teeth -;68 sand '12 will function to removeicapsxfrom.jarswandbot- The; 'camming; action durv ingroperation is: precisely thesamelas; heretofore described, itybeing. understood; that conventional .biottles.havingipressed-oncaps are provided with beadsor flanges. similar to 58 of Figs-4a, and that during the'removalof the cap, the adjacent edges 16 and-v18; of the arms fulcrum upon. such bead orqfiange. It,is;: desired to.pint out: thatthe .outenedgesofrthe :arms 2 4 and 2.6 are formed with curved cuteaway portions. 80;and 82' which function :as-stops :when .the. teeth ,68 and 12 are .coop- "era-ting togremove .a .cap .More particularly, such portions "engagethe; lowerwedge of..the skirt: of

;the.--:cap; and. prevent. the;teeth 68.. and .12 from projectingr too far beneathxthe rim of. the: cap during the cap :removing operation -as tobecome. locked beneath ;,the :lowerzedge of. the beaded rim of:the jar.

One of the: features of. the .present invention is torlocate. the teeth.36,:,38 ,;40, 42. and, in such position, .that when;they cooperate. in removing A caps of difierent sizes, a minimum of effort will be required. Referring more particularly to Fig. 11;;tiiere is disclosed therein, the angular relationship-.bettveen the cooperative teeth fordif- For example, for large caps,.-. denoted by thelegend .Large, with teeth 42 and -,36-.cooperating, itzis seen that theincluded angle therebetween' isshown .ata. On the other, hand,

.80.? to 9.0" and preferably about;85. With such .:an angularity, aminimumofzeffortis requiredto;

remove the caps.

A':.further:important .feature of :theapresent in vention resides in the; incorporationiin the tool heretofore described, of. av novel construction for quickly and efiiciently removing caps from,con-- tamerssofztherjelly glass typegwithout marring or bending the.-cap. Heretofore; caps-of this type haveebeenopened with a hook-type of opener, whichfrequently breaks the tumbler or so multilatestthe cap that replacement on 1 the glass is.

impossible. This: is quite undesirable since in the;,.case:.of dnany commodities, such as jellies and jams, the entire contents are not used at once and in order'to properly preserve the rest of the contents,- it is necessary to transfer'the-same to a' different type of container having a closable lid.

More particularly-and referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 'Iand 8, the present invention includes a hook 82 of substantial breadth, which is preferablyformed integrally with the tool 20 and is positioned between the arms 28 and 30. Asshownin Fig. 1,

.the outer. edge vfi iiof the h0ok. 82.is slightly, curved .in plan, from one side to theother, andv as shown in-.Eig. .3, .may be projected slightly. downwardly inorder to;more readily fit beneath the rim of a cap; It willalso be understood that the hook .82kmay be; thicker whereit joins-the body of "the tooLand may be:tapered. ;toward. itsouter edger 84;; so as; to; permit? theahook'; 82.- .to:,. enter easily the space-between; the-.rskirtiv'ora flanges of the: cap and the outside .:of.: the: tumbler:

In:.Figs. '7 and. 8 e the tool .20 :isi illustratedi-ias applied to a cap 88 of a jelly glass or. tumbler type oficontainer.x8'l; which; asistwellknown, is

not provided .With aeneck iorffiange I as.;in theicase ofthexjars Mirror '54 of Figs; 4. and 4a. .=As:.wil1 readily appear' from: these figures; when .therrtool is applied, the outer-edge284 ofthe hoolc'r82 projects: beneath. the. skirt I or: flange? 86'. of: the

- captBBwhiletheadjacenttedges.29-andi3fl of the arms 28 and30' engage the upper peripheral portion-or edge'tltofthe cap, at'spaced apartapoints,

.1see particularly Fig.27. withqthe partssinzthis position, it'will be obserVedfrom*-Fig. '7, thatzthe included angled betweenthe adjacentedgeszrZB and 3| is the sameas-theanglesmbandclof'Fig.

.11. -and applicantv has found that this-"angle is also such as :to readily and. quickly remove'rcaps ofthe typesof: the cap..88=;-fromrdifferentisizescon- 'tainerswith a minimum of effort.

: Inoperation, and with the. tool assembledJ-as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, it is only necessaryui-to raise the handle part22 of the tool toieffect removalz-of the cap. Moreparticularly, as the' tool is raised, the hook 82 springsrthe lower. portion of the flange 86- outwardly, and'the-portiOn of the-cap between the adjacent edges-29 and 3110f .theaarmsis sprung upwardly; This action-breaks the. sealbetween the cap gasket and :the rim of the container and 'consequently destroys the partial-vacuum within the container. A'sthis action takes place, the hook slides further between" the flange of the cap and the wall 'of-thejar'and-per- :mits the edges ES-and 3! of the: arms 28wand Iitrespectively, to slide-outwardly on the/edge 89.0fthe cap 88. Continuedmovementiof the tool removes ."the cap from thet'container"andz the 'sprung portion' above referred to, springs back iintoiits former shape and:1eaves:the; cap:in,.its

' original condition for recappingrtheacontainer:

It will be noted: from-the 'abovesexplanation: of the operation orthetool, that the edges ,291and 3| of the arms bear directly upon the edge 89iof the cap at; spaced: apart points; This; action is highly, advantageous since the -:force :reaction"L is :taken by the reinforcedbeaded rim'of the econtainerzimmediately beneath such points. Aimtheradvantage accrues from the operation of, the hook 82in springing out a. portionofthe: flange 85-, duringremoval-of the-cap. Thisaction ensuresthat the edge 84 ofrthe hookwill not engage the reinforced beaded rim 'of the containerror the surface ofthe containerto scratch or::crack the same. From the above it will readilybe seen that; the. angularity. of; the arms 28 and -30;j:to-

.getherwith-the shape and location of. thehhook -82"enables.caps of differentvsizes to,1be..-qu.iokly and readilyv removed withaminimumcof effort and without damagingthe cap.,-or; the rim: oirthe container.

If desired the-tool 20 maybe ,iprovided -.with a pair ofspaced apart hooks and 92 on its upper side, see Figs. 1 and 2, which maybe used 'tOTI'E" move caps fromjelly, glass typencontainers; in lieu-off. the hook.82. In such event, the:t0o1 is turned over, whenapplied to. the containerecap 88- andthe hooks--90 and 92" fitted beneath'the lower-edge of the flange 86 and with'the upper portions of thearms28- and 30, as viewed in Fig. 1,

:in contact with thetop surface. of thecapmSB. Upward movementof the tool will again' spring the-flange 86L-ofjthe cap-88- outwardlyxand; up-

wardly to break the seal andremovezthebap.

.Itrwill .besunderstood :that zone hookimayibe used 'in'the'manner of the two hooks 90 and 92, in

which event, the single hook is positioned between the points where hooks 90 and 92 are positioned in Fig. 1.-

A further type of cap remover for containers of the jelly glass type includes the provision of a hook 94 formed integrally with the opposite end of the tool and positioned intermediate the arms 24 and 26. In using this form of the invention, the hook 94 is placed beneath the rim 86 of the cap 88, with the arms resting on the top of the cap at the peripheral portion 89 thereof, see Figs. 9 and 10. Here again, upward movement of the handle part 22 will serve to spring the flange 86 outwardly and upwardly and the top may be readily removed without permanently bending the same out of shape.

A further form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. In this form, each of the arms 28 and 30 are provided with hooks 86 and 98 which are directed forwardly and adapted to cooperate with the lower rim of the flange 86 in the manner shown in Fig. 12. In this case, due to the use of a pair of hooks, the flange is gripped and sprung at two spaced apart points, and the cover is readily removed.

Figs. 14 through 19 illustrate a further modified form of the invention wherein the arms 28 and 30 are provided with additional teeth in order to accommodate the tool to a wide variety of jar caps of different sizes, and wherein a novel construction is employed for eifectively removing caps from jars of the type having a substantially wide shoulder spaced a substantial distance below the cap rim and which jars are at present utilized for packing coffee and like commodities. Here again, the construction is such that the caps are quickly removed with very little effort and with no damage to the rim of the cap or to the neck of the jar. Thus, in the event that only a portion of the contents of the jar are to be used, the cap may be readily pressed back on the jar and the freshness of the contents maintained.

More particularly, and referring to Figs. 14-16, the modified form of tool I includes the substantially wide and spaced-apart arms 28 and 30 at one end of the handle 22 and the substantially wide and spaced-apart arms, 24 and 26 positioned at the other end of the handle. Each of the arms 28 and 30 are provided with a plurality of teeth in order to adapt the tool for removing caps of diiferent sizes, and for example, arm 28 may include teeth I02, I04, I06 and I08 while arm 30 may be formed with teeth IIIJ, II2 and H4. Each of these teeth is preferably formed by cutting away a curved portion of the outer edge of the arms in order to provide a definite hooked tooth formation, as clearly illustrated. The teeth are moreover formed in such manner that the sides thereof, at I I6, H8, I20, I22 and I24 limit the distance the teeth may project under the rims of caps of various sizes during the removal of the caps from the jars, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

As in the case of the tool of Fig. 1, it will be understood that in use, the tool I00 may be applied to the jars of Figs. 4 and 4a in substantially the same manner, that is, the forward edges of the arms are positioned in the space between the lower edge of the skirt or rim of the cap and the shoulders 52 or 58, following which the handle 22 is pressed downwardly to effect the camming action heretofore referred to and the ready removal of the cap. This action produces an effective' twisting or pivotal movement of each arm about the edges 29 and 3| which latter rest upon the'parts 52 or 58. It will be understood that the stops 64 and 68 prevent the teeth I02--I I0 from projecting too far beneath the rim of the cap, with certain of the larger sizes of jars, as to engage and become locked beneath the glass rim of the jar, but does not prevent the teeth I02-I In from positively hooking the lower edge of the cap, which these teeth do, so that the lower edge of the cap does not slide out of engagement with these teeth while the cap is being removed from the jar. With respect to jars having caps of a size which cooperate with the teeth I04, I06, I08, I I2 and H4, the sides of such teeth serve to limit the distance the teeth may project under the rims of the caps when the latter are being removed. For example, when the teeth I04 and H2 engage the rim of a cap of a size for which they are designed, as the tool is pivoted in the manner indicated in Fig. 6, the sides I24 and H6 at first clear the outer periphery of the rim of the cap. As the tool is further pivoted and the outer edges of the arms are further fulcrumed or twisted about the inner edges 29 and SI, the sides I24 and H6 engage the outer periphery of the cap and thereby limit the distance the teeth I04, I06, I08, I t2 and I I4 project under the rim of the cap during the removal operation. Such limiting action is very important to the proper functioning of the tool inasmuch as catching or locking of the teeth beneath the rim or bead of the glass jar is prevented. It will also be understood that with the smaller sizes of jars, the corners MI and I43 01' the teeth 108 and H4 engage the neck of the jar and function as stops to prevent any of the remaining teeth of the arms 28 and 30 from projecting too far under the cap and locking under the rim of the jar when the cap is being removed.

The arms 28 and 30 are cut away at 29 and 3I, respectively, so that the innermost corners MI and I43 engage the shoulders of jars of certain types throughout substantially the entire lifting action of the tool and slide inwardly over the shoulder of the jar toward the neck of the jar as the handle is pivoted downwardly. That is, the arms 28 and 30 are cut away sufficiently and are curved sufficiently so that no other portions than the innermost corners MI and I43 engage the jar shoulder at the start of the cap removing operation. Hence, the powerful starting leverage of the tool is not diminished at the start of the cap removing operation. However, the distance between the innermost corners HI and I43 from the respective teeth I02 and H0 is sufficient to provide ample lifting movement of the teeth I02 and H0 to easily force the cap off the jar.

It will be noted from Fig. 14 that the forward portion of the tool between the arms 28 and 30 is cut away at I45 to provide sufiicient clearance so that when the tool is in operation the pivoting movement of the tool will not be limited through contact with the shoulder of the jar.

With respect to the arms 24 and 26, it will be observed that they are provided with curved front edges I25 and I2! which generally approximate the curvature of the necks of jars of the smaller sizes as well as jars and bottles usually employed for bottling fruit juices, chili sauce and similar commodities. The arms however are provided with teeth I26 and I28 adjacent the outer-or remote corners thereof while stops I30 and I32, preferably formed integrally with the arms and extending upwardly therefrom, see Fig. 15;.are

asomo-s provided for:preventing.;movement:.of :the teeth I26 and I28 too far beneath theirimof'the' cap when: the-tool is in use, in order-.toprevent catching the teeth under the rim :or extended portion of 'the mouth of the jar soreneck ofthebottle.

Such a construction :enables ready removal of caps from jars 'of'thesmaller sizes while the edges I 25 and I 2"! come into play when removing .the

relatively. small. caps from bottles of the type bevelled notches I34: and I36 which are provided jar neck beneath the'cap I35, see'Figs. 14 and 16.

The handle 22 may theni'be raised in order to engage the-bevelled notches "I34 and I36 with .the

lower edge I3'I 'oftherimofthe cap and'to'bring the1edgesl38 and I40 into contact with the-inner periphery'of the lower edge oftherim of the cap;

At this time the outermost. or most remote teeth I02 and IIO of'the arms 28 and.30 rest upon :the wide shoulder l42 of the jar I33. is only necessary to raisethe handle of the tool Thereafter, it I in order to pry off the cap,'it being understood that during this'operation,:the teeth IIIZandI II? will slidealongthe shoulder I42; .the .rim of the cap 135 being firmly heldffrom slipping away from'the arms 28 and'tll by. the hooking action of the ledges I38-a1'1dI I49." It. will .beobserved from the above operation,:that the outer. teeth: I 02 and H6 function as: fulcrum pointszwhile the ledges I38 and .Mfiare located sufficiently close to the iulcrumpoints, to getan exceedingly powerful cammingt'action upon the :cap when the handle is raised, and the arms .28 and. 30 are pivoted for twisted about such fulcrum points,

I-Ioweven'the ledges I38.=and I40 are, sufliciently far irom'the'se fulcrumpointsthatthe ledges are r'aisedsufiiciently to remove the cap fromthe 10 may. bepositionedradjacent the innercorners MI and ;I43 ofthe arms 28 and 3Ilfor positively engagingtheinnerperiphery of the cap rim in the samemanner as the ledges I38 and I40. For ex- ;ample, the inner edges-of the arms may-be provided-with short upstanding lugs or hooks I44 adjacent to the inner corners I4! and I43, see Fig. 17, or the outer edgeof each arm mayinclude a short upstanding lug I46 atthe inner corner rthereof, see Fig. :18; In all of theseconstructions, theledge orlug islocated at orclosely adjacent theinneror adjacent corners of the arms 28" and 30in order to obtain the powerful camming action heretofore referred-to and to preventthe... :cap rimifrom slipping ofi such corners during removal'cf the cap.

In addition to .the foregoing, the tool may-if desired, beturned overandtheunder sidesof the...

armsiliand 39 employed. forremoving the cap I35,-in .which event, theunder suriacesof each arm .28.andv30.may be..provided with abutments similar to.,I44 .or I46; Preferably a notch I48 similar. tothe notches I34 and is cut out of the adjacent sides of the under surface of .each.

:arm 28 and.3fl and located near the. innercorners thereof, see Fig. 19, when the tool is to be used in this manner, such notches engaging the cap rim and preventing any slipping action during removal .of. the .cap. It will. be understood that when the .tool is employed in such fashion the top surfaces of the lugs or stops 64 and t6 engage and slide along the shoulder I42 of the jar I33 during raising of the handle to pry OK the cap. If desired, the stops 54 and 66 may be shortened, in which event the extreme outer portions or corners of the arms 28 and st or the teeth I82 and HG will engage and slide along the shoulder I42 during operation of the tool in the above described manner.

As in the case of Fig. 1, the tool IIlll'is provided with a hook 82 for removing caps from jars or containers of the tumbler or jelly glass type.

This type of container is provided with a beaded rim and lacks any shoulder beneath the lower edge of the beadedrim. It will be noted from Fig. 15, that the hook projects outwardly from the curved portion or flange 32 and is arranged in a plane-substantially parallel to theplane of the arms 28' and '30 and in a plane above the plane of'said arms when the latter are positioned in a horizontal plane. This constructionis important since when the tool is applied to a jar inthe manner shown in Figs. 7 andS, the hook will readily slip between the skirt of the cap and the exterior Wall of'the jar, and will occupy a plane closely approaching the vertical plane of the skirt '86 of the cap 88. Thus, as the'handle 220i the tool is 'movedupwardly to remove the cap, the hook 82 will spring the skirt 86' outwardly and the forward edge of the book will readilyclear the beaded rim of the jar. Hence,'anyjdan-.

ger oi-the'hook interlocking beneath thebead'rim of the'jar is avoided.

A further form of :the invention is illustrated in Figs. 20-22.;and-includes ahandle I50 provided. witha pair'of diverging-arms I52and I54 having edges I56 and use respectively which are adapted toffitrinthespace between therimof the-capandtheifiangezor shoulder ofjars ofv the 7 general typeshown in Figs. 4 and 4a. Preferably tain a firm and non-slipping contact with the rim of the cap, and preferably the lower edges of the saw teeth are cut away at I62 to permit the lower edges to have a firm hold on the glass flange of the jar in removing the cap. Each arm is provided with a stop I64 which functions to prevent the edges I56 and I58 from projecting too far beneath the rim of the cap and locking with the rim 48 or 56 on the glass jar.

In operation, after the edges I56 and I58 are positioned between the rim of the cap and the bead or flange of the jar, the handle I50 may be either raised or lowered to easily and effectively pry off the cap. Should the handle be lowered, it will be understood that the stops I64 of the arms prevent the edges I56 and I58 from projecting too far beneath the rim of the caps as to interlock beneath the glass flange of the jar. However, if the handle is raised, it will be understood that the cap itself acts as a stop to prevent the edges and the saw teeth from projecting too far beneath the cap rim. The use of the upwardly projecting saw teeth I60 on one or both of the edges I56, I58 serves to secure a firm grip upon the cap rim so that during operation of the tool, there will be no danger of slipping.

Figs. 23 and 24 illustrate further modifications of the invention wherein the tools are provided with a single arm which is adapted to be twisted. raised, or lowered in order to remove jar and bottle caps of different sizes. For example, in Fig. 23, the tool I66, of fiat metal stock, is provided with a single arm I 88 having a curved front edge I10, to fit the neck of bottles to prevent the arm I68 slipping off the bottle when removing the cap and also to allow the opposite extremities which are provided with cutaway portions I12 and I14 defining corner teeth I16 and I18 to get deeper under the cap and getting a firm hold while removing the cap. Rounded shoulders I80 and I82 are also provided on the arm while upstanding lugs I 84, I86, similar to the lugs 64 and 66 of Fig. 1, serve as stops to prevent the teeth from projecting too far beneath the cap rim.

In the case of the tool I61 of Fig. 24. the cutaway portions I12 may be deeper than in the case of the tool of Fig. 23, in order to define stop edges I 88 and I90, which function in the same manner as the stops I84 and I86. The tool I61 is moreover provided with curved portions I92 and I94 for a purpose which will appear more fully hereinafter.

In using the tool I66. the edge I is placed between the lower edge of the skirt of the cap and the flange or shoulder of the jar or bottle and given a twisting motion whereupon the rim of the cap 50, see Figs. 4 and 4a. will be received within the cutaway portion I14, for example, while the tooth I16 will rest upon the flange or bead of the bottle or jar. The twisting motion referred to takes place about the longitudinal axis of the tool, and a continuance of this motion will readily remove the cap, it being noted that the stops I84 and I86 will prevent the teeth I16 and I18 from projecting too far beneath the cap rim.

The tool I61 of Fig. 24 is applied to the jar in like manner and when twisted, the cap rim will be received within the cutaway portion I14, for example, while the tooth I16 will rest upon the flange or shoulder of the jar. Further twisting movement will readily effect the removal of the cap, it being noted that during this operation the stop edges I88 and I90 function as stops to limit 12 the distance the teeth I18 and I18 may project beneath the cap rim.

In using either the tool I66 or the tool I61 to remove caps from jars of the type shown in Fig.

:16, it will be understood that after the front edge H0 is placed beneath the cap rim and the tool twisted, shoulders I80, I82, or the curved portions I92, I94 will rest upon the shoulder I42 of the jar in order to obtain a higher lift of the cap during the removal operation.

Referring to Fig. 25, the tool I00 is shown as being associated with one size of cap I96 for the purpose of illustrating the camming action of the camming portions defining the teeth. From this figure it will be readily observed that upon depressing of the handle of the tool to raise the arms 28 and 30 upwardly about the under curved portions 32 of the arms as fulcrums, the portion H6 will engage the rim of the cap and cam the rim upwardly. As downward movement of the handle is continued, the cap rim will slide downwardly on the surface I I6 and finally rest within the cutaway portion where the portion II6 joins the tooth II2. Further downward movement of the handle will result in removal of the cap, it being understood that one of the appropriate teeth of the arm 28 also engages the cap rim. In like manner the portions II8, I20, I22 and I24 also function as camming portions, depending upon the size of the caps to be removed. It will also be seen from the above, that such camming portions effectively prevent the teeth of the arms from projecting too far beneath the cap rim as to engage and look under the glass flange of the ar.

From the foregoing, it will be readily understood that the present invention provides a unitary prying type of tool, which is adapted to a variety of uses. For example, the tool may be used for effectively removing jar caps of different sizes from jars, bottles, and containers of the type having pressed-on caps and which jars and bottles possess a neck, flange or shoulder which functions as a fulcrum support for the camming action of the arms when the tool is in use. In operations of this character, the spacing of the teeth on the various arms insures complete and efficient adaptability to caps of different sizes. and removal thereof easily effected without damaging the cap in any manner whatsoever and without breaking or chipping the glass. This is decidedly advantageous. when only a portion of the contents of the container are used and it is desired to recap the container for future use.

In addition to the foregoing, the tool is also capable of eflicient operation in removing caps from containers of the jelly glass type which are not provided with a flange or neck which could function as a fulcrum support for the camming arms of the tool. For such use, several different arrangements have been provided, all of them involving one or more hooks or projections which are adapted to fit beneath the rim of the flange of the cap. The action of the hook or hooks, in springing the flange and edge of the cap without marring the top surface of the cap is decidedly advantageous in that the cap is removed with entire absence of permanent bends or folds. Hence the container may be readily recapped for subsequent use.

While several forms of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, with considerable particularity, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein, without popularly-known as Mason,,Ball, Kerr, Atlasand other types of preserving jars are included in.

this category. It is also .intended to include such containers for packagingcheese, fish and other commodities where no .shoulder orrfiange is provided. While it is preferred to depress or lower the tool in removing capsfrom jarsof the.

type shown in Figs. 4 and 4a, it will be understood that the caps'rnayv hes-removed by raising the tool if desired. Also, if desired, the tool may be lowered instead eof'raised, in removing caps from jars of the typeshown in Fig.1.16.

Reference will therefore be had to the appended claims fora definition of *thetlimits-bf the invention;

This application is a continuation in part of my application, Serial Number 658,802,'filed- 'April' 1, 1946, issued January -3, .1950, Patent .No. 2,493,438, for Jar cap removing tool.

What is claimed is:

l. A tool for removing jar caps from jars of the type having an annular shoulder, and wherein the cap is vacuum sealed and is provided with an annular rim, the loweredge of which is spaced above said shoulder, comprising a substantially fiat handle member formed at one end thereof with a pair of spaced apart, substantially flat arms projecting outwardly from one end of the handle in a plane offset with respect to the plane of the handle, the handle being also formed at said end with a curved flange having opposite ends thereof connecting the arms with the handle, said arms being provided with forward edges lying at symmetrical acute angles to the axis of the handle member so as to be substantially tangent to the neck of a jar when said arms are inserted between the lower edge of the rim of a cap and the jar shoulder in cap removal position, and being also provided with adjacent side edges lying at symmetrical acute angles to the axis of the handle member so that prolongations of said side edges would meet at a point within the confines of the jar, and the lower edge of said flange and the adjacent side edges of said arms defining the boundaries of an open space to allow the tool to clear the jar shoulder as the tool is moved downwardly to remove the cap.

2. A tool for removing jar caps from jars of the type having an annular shoulder, and wherein the cap is vacuum sealed and is provided with an annular rim the lower ed e of which is spaced above said shoulder, comprising a handle member having a pair of spaced apart arms projecting outwardly from one end thereof for insertion between said shoulder and the lower edge of the cap rim, to occupy an initial position, said arms being provided with front edges, outer edges and inner or adjacent edges defining inner and outer corners at the opposite ends of each front edge, said outer corners engaging the jar shoulder and forming fulcrums about which each arm is pivoted when the handle member is raised from its initial position to remove the cap, the front edges of the arms lying at symmetrical acute angles with respect to the handle axis so as to be substantially tangential to the neck of the jar when the arms occupy sai'd initial position, an'd a notch formedsomeachfr arm adjacent the inner'corners thereof f0Ifp0Si tively engaging the lower edge' of thecap rim and for positively preventing disengagementbf' the rim edge from=the notch when the handle member is raised to remove the capr 3. A tool for removing jar caps from jars ofr the type having "a beaded rim at the'top of the jar, an annular shoulder spaced below said rim, and wherein the cap-is vacuum sealed and is provided withan annular rim having its lower edge spaced above said 'shoulder, comprising a handle member formed at one end-'thereofwith a pair of spacedapart, substantially flat arms 1 projecting outwardly and forwardl from said s end, each arm'beingprovided'witha front edge which lies at an acute angle to the axis of the handle member and-is substantially tangential to the neck of a 'jar when said arms are pro= jected' between the jar shoulderand'thelower edge of the cap rim in cap removal position, and being also provided with adjacent side edges to engage the'jar shoulder andserve as fulcrums about whichthe arms are'pivoted as'the'handle =member is moved downwardly to remove the cap, and stop means formed on each arnrfor limiting the distance'the arms-may project between said edge of the rim and said shoulder during pivotal movement of each of the arms, to prevent the front edges from interlocking with the beaded rim of the jar as the cap is removed.

4. A tool for removing jar caps from jars of the type having a beaded rim at the top of the jar, an annular shoulder spaced below said rim, and wherein the cap is vacuum sealed and is provided with an annular rim having its lower edge spaced above said shoulder, comprising a handle member formed at one end thereof with a pair of spaced apart, substantially flat arms projecting outwardly and forwardly from said end, each arm being provided with'front, and outer and inner or adjacent side edges, said side edges forming inner and outer corners with each front edge, each front edge lying at an acute angle to the axis of the handle member so as to be substantially tangential to the neck of a jar when said arms are projected between the jar shoulder and the lower edge of the cap rim in cap removal position, and the adjacent side edges serving as fulcrums about which the arms are pivoted as the handle member is moved downwardly to remove the cap, each of said front edges being formed between the inner and outer corners with a projecting tooth positioned beneath the edge of the cap rim when the tool is placed in said cap removal position, the portions of the front edges between the teeth and the outer corners of the arms engaging the lower edge of the cap rim to limit the distance the teeth may project beneath said rim edge during pivotal movement of each of the arms, to prevent the teeth from interlocking with the beaded rim of the jar as the cap is removed.

5. A tool for removing jar caps from jars of the type having a beaded rim at the top of the jar, an annular shoulder spaced below said rim, and wherein the cap is vacuum sealed and is provided with an annular rim having its lower edge spaced above said shoulder, comprising a handle member formed at one end thereof with a pair of spaced apart, substantially fiat arms projecting outwardly and forwardly from said end, each arm being provided with front, and outer and inner or adjacent side edges, said side edges forming inner and outer corners with each 15 front edge, each front edge lying at an acute angle to the axis of the handle member so as to be substantially tangential to the neck of a jar when said arms are projected between the jar shoulder and the lower edge of the cap rim in cap removal position, and the adjacent side edges serving as fulcrums about which the arms are pivoted as the handle member is moved downwardly to remove the cap, each of said front edges being formed between the inner and outer 10 corners with a pair of projecting teeth lying in the plane of each respective arm, the adjacent teeth being positioned beneath the edge of the cap rim when the tool is placed in said cap removal position, and the adjacent sides of the remote teeth engaging the lower edge of the cap rim to limit the distance the adjacent teeth may project beneath said rim edge during pivotal movement of each of the arms to prevent the adjacent teeth from interlocking with the beaded rim of the jar as the cap is removed.

6. A tool as defined in claim 5 wherein said adjacent side edges lie at acute angles to the axis of the handle member so that prolongations of said side edges would meet at a point within the confines of the jar.

EMILE G. BOUCHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 47,850 Hutter Sept. 21, 1915 278,192 Stanwood May 22, 1883 1,014,529 Slusser Jan. 9, 1912 1,256,883 Drysdale Feb. 19, 1918 1,641,152 Burleigh Sept. 6, 1927 2,431,550 Gary Nov. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 311,889 Germany Apr. 26, 1919 94,409 Switzerland May 1, 1922 116,925 Switzerland Oct. 1, 1926 41,341 Denmark Dec. 12, 1929 690,191 France -1 June 16, 1930 339,516 Italy Apr. 23, 1936 517,142 Great Britain Jan. 22, 1940

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