GB897663A - Electric can opener - Google Patents

Abstract

897,663. Can openers. BURGESS VIBROCRAFTERS Inc. May 6, 1960 [May 8, 1959], No. 16099/60. Class 66. A can opener operated by an electric motor (not shown) comprises a toothed wheel 30 for rotating a can 33 to be cut open by a blade 38 which is pivoted into engagement with the can, through intermediate mechanism, by lowering a handle 53, the resistance force applied to the blade 38 when it is pressed on to the can operating an electric switch so causing the wheel 30 to rotate the can, the switch connection being broken only when sideways pressure on the blade 38 caused by cutting the rotating can has ceased. The handle 53 carries rigidly between its arms 54 a shaft 59 having a throw 62 which operates on spaced lugs 63 of a follower plate 64 provided with a horizontal slot 69. The front panel 22 of a housing 21 for the can opener has a curved slot 52, a similar slot 49 being formed in a plate 36 which is screwed to the panel 22 and supports the cutter blade assembly. A stud 41 with enlarged rear portion 51 holds the blade 38 between guide shoulders on a crank 44 pivoted on a pin 46 journalled in the plate 36, and passes through the slots 49, 52 ,and 69. With the arms 54 of the handle 53 raised as in Fig. 6, the throw 62 of the shaft 59 holds the follower plate 64 at the top of its travel in a recess 65 formed in the rear face of the panel 22. As the handle is lowered, the blade 38 pivots downwards to touch the top of the can 33 which transmits a resistance force through the stud portion 51 to cause the follower, plate 64 to pivot slightly about the stud portion 51 thereby closing switch contacts 77, 82 by the pressure of a lug 67 rigid with the follower plate 64, Fig. 7 (not shown). Thereupon the electric motor is actuated to drive the wheel 30 and so rotate the can 33 causing the blade 38 to first puncture and then cut out the can lid. As the blade 38 sinks into its cutting position the stud portion 51 pivots to the position shown in Fig. 8, carrying with it the crank 44. When the can lid is severed the force exerted by the stud portion 51 on the follower plate 64 is relieved and the electrical circuit is reopened by a spring which moves the lug 67 on the plate 64 away from the switch. The cut out lid of the can is held by a magnet, Fig. 2 (not shown) on the underside of the handle 53.