Patent Application
20180265341
The present invention relates generally to a can opener. Specifically, the present invention relates to an electric operated can opener to satisfy an ambidextrous, senior user and to be ergonomically friendly.
The present invention of an electric can opener is suited for opening the lid from any size and any shape of the can.
The present invention of the electric can opener offers a simplified design and maximizes operational performance.
In general, an electric can opener consists of a housing, which is fitted with a cutting blade for removal the lid from a can, a transport wheel for rotating the can relative to the cutting blade, and a mechanism for rotating the transport wheel. Most that are portable include batteries for the powering an electric motor and a battery charger.
A process for constant battery charge is necessary to provide the proper electricity level in the battery. Such a process raises the concern of battery life storage and can opener operational readiness.
The battery operated portable electric and free-standing can openers are mostly useful for use on small and medium size cylindrical cans, but they have operational limitations for their use on large and non cylindrical shaped cans.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved electric can opener, whose the principle operational mechanism is as disclosed by commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,352.
One aspect of the present invention resides in an electric can opener for removal a lid from a can, to satisfy an ambidextrous and senior user.
Another aspect resides in an electric can opener in which the operational process is facilitated by the electric AC voltage motor.
A further aspect resides in an electric can opener for removal of a lid from a can of any size and any shape.
An additional aspect resides in an electric can opener whose operational elements form a spherical joint assembly.
Still another aspect resides in an electric can opener with a cam for the operational engagement with to motorized driver and a blade holder to facilitate the tilt and the rotating motion with the spherical joint assembly.
Yet another aspect resides in an electric can opener in which the rotation of the motorized driver automatically moves a cutting blade and a transport wheel into the proper position to cut the can. Further rotation of the transport wheel forces the can against the cutting blade to cut the end, such as a top, from the can.
A further additional resides in an electrical can opener with a simplified design, and with an agronomical shape of the housing, for providing a user-friendly grip by senior user.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be further understood with reference of the appended drawings listed as follows and their subsequent related description.
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Upon a can insertion into the electric can opener 1, the lid 77 is pressed against the suction cup 51 and the magnet 52. The transport wheel 45 is also pressed against the bottom of the can rim 76, thus securing the can 75 for an operation. The cutting blade 25 is then operated with transport wheel 3 to cut the lid 77 from the can 75. Suction cup 51 and/or magnet 70 holds lid 77 after the lid 77 is cut from the can 75.
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[a] the cam follower 43, 44 slides in the helical slot 32 and forms the engagement of the driver 40 and the cam 30;
[b] the roller 21 rotates around the roller track 11;
[c] the selector guides 29 and 30, resting upon on the inner conical surface 34, pushes/rotates down the cam 30;
[d] the selector guides 29 and 30 slides simultaneously on the inner conical surface 34 and tilts blade holder 20 around the convex surface 48 in a direction downward to the can 75; and
[e] the blade cutter 25, attached to the blade holder 20, contacts the can lid 77.
As the blade holder 20 is tilted further:
[f] the blade cutter 25 moves in the downward direction to pierce the top of the lid 77.
As shown on
[a] the cam 30 rotates in an outer concave surface 23 of the blade holder 20;
[b] the cam 30 has an inner conical surface 35 that rotates on a convex surface of the selector guides 29 and 30;
[c] the cam followers 43 and 44 slide on the side surface of the declined or helical slot 32 to create a dragging force in the cam 30;
[f] the driver 40, as a part of the partial spherical joint, rotates in the inner blade surface 28 of the blade holder 20, and in the bearing 14 of the housing 10;
[g] the selector guides 29 and 30 rotate in the inner conical surface 34 of the cam 30;
[h] the transport wheel 45, which is attached to the driver 40, rotates around under the rim 76 of the can 75; and
[i] the cutting blade 25 cuts the lid 77 until completing a full circle.
During the cutting process of the can 75, the position of the cutting blade 25 is maintained by the constant dragging force that is exerted on the spherical surface 48 of the driver 40 by sliding in the helical slot 32 of the cam 30. Upon completion of the cutting, the cutting blade 25 disengages from the top of the can 75, and the cut lid 77 disengages the transport wheel 45 by switching the rotating of the driver 40 in direction opposite to the cutting direction. The cut lid 77 is lifted by the suction cup 51 and the magnet 52.
It should be understood that foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of appended claims.
