Tools – Receptacle closure remover – Levering or prying type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-11-06
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Receptacle closure remover
Levering or prying type
C081S003090
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311580
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flip top can opener. More particularly, it relates to a tool for opening flip top cans which minimizes the effort required to open the cans.
STATEMENT OF THE PRIOR ART
Openers for pop top or flip top cans are well known in the art. In addition to implements designed specifically for opening flip top cans, it is known to use spoon or fork handles, or other similarly shaped metal instruments designed for other purposes. The reason for such widespread use of such makeshift flip top can openers is that many people have difficulty opening flip top cans with their hands. These people include the elderly, the very young, handicapped persons, persons with very long fingernails, or persons suffering from arthritis.
The prior art openers are generally relatively large or bulky, as they are typically used for more than one purpose, and suffer from several drawbacks. The openers usually require a fair amount of force. The prior art devices may also require a fairly long travel, that is, the users hand must travel a considerable distance along an arc in order to effect opening of the can. Furthermore, as these implements allow for more force to be applied to the lift tab of the flip top can than it was designed to handle, the implement may force the lift tab off of the can entirely, making the can extremely difficult to open. Also, the instrument, especially if it is designed for other purposes, may slip off of the top of the can resulting in injury to the user. Finally, the surface of the instrument may become marred from repeated use as a flip top can opener.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,898 issued to Tricinella discloses a combination pop top can and bottle opener. As with many of the prior art devices, it is relatively large, and has a plurality of gripping elements and fulcrum elements. The lift tab of the pop top can must be positioned between two elements which are spaced very close together. In addition to being much bulkier than the present invention, the close spacing of the gripping elements designed to hold the lift tab during use makes for difficult maneuvering for persons with unsteady hands who will have to “aim” the device carefully in order to effect use.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,842 issued to Yang discloses another combination opener device. This device while possibly effective for its stated purpose, does not have gripping elements for securely engaging the flip top can opening tab. This could lead to tab failure rates even higher than that associated with manual opening since more force can be generated with an implement than by hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,860 issued to Cantales discloses a combination can opener tool. Typical of prior art devices, it has numerous projections and grasping members, and is excessively large, complex, and unwieldy for performing any single task.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a flip top can opener having a lift tab securing portion and a protruding force application member. The lift tab securing portion is defined by an arcuate indentation formed at one end of the opener and having upper and lower projections and a central tab receiving region for engaging the tab mechanism of the flip top can. The force application member extends in a generally opposing direction and is spaced from the lift tab securing portion in accordance with the size of the tab mechanism, and can apply sufficient force to break open the seal of the can when the tab is engaged with the tab receiving region. The hook shaped portion and the force application member are connected to a lever arm, and the entire assembly is of unitary construction.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved flip top can opener.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a flip top can opener which minimizes the force required to open a flip top can.
It is another object of the invention to provide a flip top can opener which is reliable and inexpensive to manufacture.
It is another object of the invention to provide a flip top can opener which has no moving parts.
It is another object of the invention to provide a flip top can opener having a lift tab securing portion which is easily positioned.
Finally, it is a general object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 461688 (1891-10-01), Scott
patent: 4120216 (1978-10-01), Goldberg
patent: 4253352 (1981-03-01), O'Neal
patent: 4287794 (1981-09-01), Kubach et al.
patent: 4412464 (1983-11-01), Cook
patent: 4463631 (1984-08-01), Barnes et al.
patent: 4563919 (1986-01-01), Sellars
patent: 5277083 (1994-01-01), Madonia
patent: 5911794 (1999-06-01), Nordhoff
patent: 2221668 (1990-02-01), None
Hail III Joseph J.
Hoyle, Jr. Alfred F.
Thomas David B.
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