Abstract: A can opener includes a body with a handle, a traction wheel rotatably mounted on the body, an operating element for turning the traction wheel, and a cutter. The cutter is moveable between an inoperative position for receiving a rim of a can between the traction wheel and cutter, and an operative position for engaging said rim of the can between the traction wheel and cutter. A cam with a lobe engages the cutter and moves it between the inoperative and operative positions. The cam is operated by a lever.

Abstract: A manually operable can opener includes elongate first and second operating elements pivotally connected to each other intermediate their ends and having first and second handle members respectively. The can opener has a traction wheel rotatably mounted on the first operating element and a cutter blade rotatably mounted at an inclined angle on the second operating element. At least two abutment surfaces provided on the can opener for engagement with the axially outer edge of the rim of a can. The first abutment surface is operatively forward of the cutter blade and the second abutment surface operatively follows the cutter blade. In use the axially outer edge of the rim can convexly deform proximate the cutter blade. The traction wheel has a radial surface with teeth orientated to engage the radially inner surface of the can rim and an axial surface with teeth orientated to engage the axially outer rim of the can.

Abstract: A can opener includes a pair of handles, a traction wheel, and a cutter blade for removing a lid of a can. An operating knob is supported at one side of the can opener and rotates about an axis transverse to a central axis of a can being opened. The knob is coupled by step-down gearing to the traction wheel. For a left-handed user, the knob is mounted on the opposite side of the can opener.

Abstract: A manually operable can opener includes elongate first and second operating elements pivotally connected to each other intermediate their ends and having first and second handle members respectively. The can opener has a traction wheel rotatably mounted on the first operating element and a cutter blade rotatably mounted at an inclined angle on the second operating element. At least two abutment surfaces provided on the can opener for engagement with the axially outer edge of the rim of a can. The first abutment surface is operatively forward of the cutter blade and the second abutment surface operatively follows the cutter blade. In use the axially outer edge of the rim can convexly deform proximate the cutter blade. The traction wheel has a radial surface with teeth orientated to engage the radially inner surface of the can rim and an axial surface with teeth orientated to engage the axially outer rim of the can.

Abstract: A can opener (100) comprising a pair of handles (10 and 11), a traction wheel (13) and a cutter blade (14) for removing a lid of a can in the conventional laterally-cutting manner. Embodiments of the invention include an operating knob (16) that is supported, at one side (right side as shown) of the can opener (100), to rotate about an axis transverse to a central axis of the can. The knob (16) is coupled by means of step-down gearing (17 and 18) to the traction wheel (13). This construction renders the use of the can opener (100) much more comfortable for a user. For left-handed use, the knob (16) is fitted to the opposite (left hand) side of the can opener.

Abstract: A manually operable can opener of the rim-cutting type comprises a rotatable traction wheel (22) of generally cylindrical configuration and a freely rotatable circular cutter blade (48) wherein the rotational axis of the cutter blade is inclined to the rotational axis of the wheel at an angle of substantially 6.degree.. In their operative position, the cutter blade (48) penetrates a radially outer thickness of metal material comprising the rim but does not cut completely through the rim whereby the can end (62) may be cut leaving a smooth edge both to the end (62) and the side wall (68) of the can. Complete separation of the cut end from the can body is facilitated by gripper jaws (70, 72) movable by the user to grip that part of the rim attached to the can end to hold and detach it from the remainder of the rim attached to the can body.