US2411344A - Opener for liquid containers - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 19, 1946. H, smGER 2,411,344

OPENER FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 14, 1944 Hang Sin er.

Patented Nov. 19, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OPENER FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Henry Singer, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii Application August 14, 1944, Serial No. 549,400

T Claims.

. 1 This invention relates to an opener for liquid containers, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which can be employed with safety and with speed.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which constitutes a single unit and wherein, in its use to a considerable extent, it is under control of the thumb grasping the container With which the device is being used.

Furthermore, the invention has for an object to provide a device of this kind which is entirely free of any projecting parts which, during the use of the device, may inflict injury to the hands of the person and wherein the construction is such as to assure effective protection against any pricks to the person by the penetrating members.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of this kind including penetrating members of a character and in such relation one with respect to the other as to permit effective escape of gas from the container and increased inflow of air for greater outflow pressure and which is particularly advantageous for substantially eliminating the liquid within the container foaming over.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which, when used, operates in a manner to substantially prevent ebullition and spilling of the liquid within the container.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which comprises a safety hand guard and which allows for the use of interchangeable puncturing members and wherein the device operates to provide a container with an extremely speedy outlet, together with an air inlet.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved opener for liquid containers whereby certain important advantages are attained, as Will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing,

wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an opener for a liquid container constructed in accordance with my invention and in initially applied position with respect to a can;

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the puncturing member or element which is secured to the plate of the device for use in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, the plate being indicated by broken lines;

Figure 3 is a view in bottom plan of the punc turing member or element as illustrated in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a'view in top plan of a can showing This curved face a has extending therefrom an elongated fiat guard plate G herein disclosed as of a width equal to the width of the plate P and which, in practice, overlies the side wall of the container or can C when the device is. in. applied position and to an extent to allow the thumb of the hand, as indicated by broken lines in Figure 1, grasping the container or can to exert requisite pressure on the plate G to effectively hold or clamp the device in working position. This plate G throughout its length is transversely curved to provide an inner substantially convex face in cross section to allow for close contact of the plate G with the side wall of the container or through which pass from above the headed members or bolts 3 which thread into the upper portion of the puncturing element or member M. The member M has a top fiat face for close contact from below with the plate P and is provided with the properly positioned sockets in its top face into which the members 3 are adapted to thread.

' The element or member M comprises: a body plate i in which the sockets 5, hereinbefore referred to, are produced, and depending from the substantially flat under surface of the body plate 1 and substantially at right angles thereto are the puncturing or penetrating members 8, 9, l0 and I I. These members 8, 9, l0 and H are arranged in groups and spaced apart in a. direction along the body plate 1 with the member 9 positioned centrally of the members 8 and included in the same group. The groups of members successively decrease in practice with the members of one group staggered with respect to the mem bers of each adjacent group and with the group ber 9 in the group with the members 8 of a length materially in excess of the length of the members 8.

This handle member I i By having the members 8, 9, l and I I of varying lengths, a structure is provided wherein the members do not all simultaneously penetrate or puncture and, therefore, require less down pressure at the same instant of operation, thus allowing the element or member M to be employed with ease and facility. The member 9 is provided in order to permit the puncturing of a single hole when desired.

After the puncturing members carried by the plate 1, have penetrated the top of the ,can to a predetermined extent to form the discharge apertures 12, the top of the can will be punctured at the opposite side from the apertures l2 by the pointed punch 6 which is struck from and depends from the plate P, forming the air vent opening l3 as shown in Figure 4.

In the use of the device, there is very little chance of injury by slippage or sliding due to the firm grip that may be had by the pressure of the thumb on the guard plate .G and also on account of the protection afforded by the top or surface plate P. It is to be emphasized that the entire action in the use of the device is accomplished yvithout lessening the thumb pressure on the plate G or shifting around the handle member -l as only direct downward pressure is required to efiect the desired puncturing of the escape opening and the air vent.

In use, it may be advisable to so operate the device as to press the back end of the plate P or that portion carrying the element or member M to first puncture the liquid outlet or escape opening and then manipulate the device to puncture the air vent. While this operation is not essential, it has been found, in practice that by following this procedure, the gas in carbonated .containers readily escapes and thereby prevents foaming over.

It is believed to be clearly apparent from the foregoing that the device as herein embodied is one which does not require any projecting rim on the container or can 0 in order to secure a proper hold as it is only necessary for the user to grasp the handle member I and exert the requisite downward pressure and at the same time maintain the device ineffective position by pressure of the thumb upon the plate G of the hand of the user grasping the container or can C.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an opener for liquid containers constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it :may be assembledand operated.

Iclaim:

1. A punching device of the class described, comprising a plate to overlie an end of a con. tainer, a guard plate extending from the first plate and of a length to overlie the side Wall of the container to which the device is to be applied, and puncturing -;mernbers of different lengths depending from the first plate to punch the end of the container when-the first plate is pressed toward the end of the container, said puncturing members being'ar-ranged in groups, the members of each group being spaced apart in ,a direction lengthwise of the first plate and the groups being spaced apart transversely of the first plate the members of each inner group being of a length less than the length of .the member .ofthe out.- ward adjacent group.

2. A punchin device of the class described, comprising a plate to .overlie'an end of a .container, a guard plate extending from the first plate and of a length to overlie the side Wall 01 the container to which the device is to be applied, and puncturing members of difierent lengths depending from the first plate to punch the end of the container when the first plate is pressed toward the end of the container, said puncturing members being arranged in groups, the members of each group being spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the first plate and the groups being spaced apart transversely of the first plate, the members of each inner group being of a len th less than the length of the members of the outward adjacent group, the outermost group including a member of a length materially greater than the length of the members of all of the groups.

3. A punching device of the class described, comprising a plate to overlie the end of a con.- tainer, a guard plate extending from the first plate and of a length to overlie the side wall of the container to which the device is to be applied, and puncturing members of difierent lengths depending from the first plate to punch the end of the container when the first plate is pressed toward the end of the container, said puncturing members bein arranged in groups, the members of each group being spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the first plate and the groups being spaced apart transversely of the first plate, the members of each inner group be-. ing of a length less than the length of the members of the outward adjacent group, one of the groups including a member of a length greater than the lengths of the members of all of the groups.

4. A punching device of the class described, comprising a plate to overlie the end of a container, a guard plate extending from the first plate and of a length to overliethe side wall oi the container to which the device is be 7.8.13, plied, and. puncturing members ,of different lengths depending from the first plate to punch the end of the container when the first plate is pressed toward the .end of the container, said puncturing members being arranged in groups, the members of each group being spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the first plate and the groups being spaced apart transversely pf the first plate, the members of each inner group "be: ing .of .a length less than the length of the men bers of the outward adjacent group, the members in the groups successively decreasing in number with the group of the smallest number being innermost. i

5. ,A punching device of the class described, comprising a plate to overlie the end of a 001'}? tainer, a guard plate extending from the first plate and of a length to overlie the side of the container to which the device is tobeapplied, and puncturing members ,of different lengthsd epending fromthe first plate to punch the end of the container When the first plate is pressed toward the end r the container, aidpurict m memb rs b n arrang d n ups them mb r of each group being spaced apart a direction lengthwise of the first plate ,and thegroupsbeing spaced apart transversely of the first plate, the members of each inner group being of a length less than th length of the members ofthe out.- ward adjacent group-the members in theroups successively decreasing in number with thegroup 0 t e m est u e si n pst the 'members of the groups bein g in staggered relation.

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