Abstract: There is provided a mechanism for use in a can opener comprising a body; rotationally mounting to the body about a first axis, a drive wheel for engaging the rim of the can; rotationally mounting to the body about a second axis and drivably rotatable by the drive wheel, a cutter wheel; eccentrically mounting to the cutter wheel, a cutting knife movable on rotation of the cutter wheel to a cutting position in which the cutting knife forms a nip with the drive wheel such that the cutting knife penetrates through the cylindrical wall of the can, and in which an electrical sensor can be used to reverse the position of the cutting wheel back to a start position and in which a mechanical sensor can be used in conjunction with a locking bar to advance the cutting wheel back to a start position.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanism for use in a can opener comprising a body; rotationally mounting to the body about a first axis, a drive wheel for engaging the rim of the can; rotationally mounting to the body about a second axis and drivably rotatable by the drive wheel, a cutter wheel; eccentrically mounting to the cutter wheel, a cutting knife movable on rotation of the cutter wheel to a cutting position in which the cutting knife forms a nip with the drive wheel such that the cutting knife penetrates through the cylindrical wall of the can, and in which an electrical sensor can be used to reverse the position of the cutting wheel back to a start position and in which a mechanical sensor can be used in conjunction with a locking bar to advance the cutting wheel back to a start position.

Abstract: A can opener that automatically opens a can and then signals when the can has been opened, upon the insertion of a can into the can opener and pressing a start button. The automatic can opener is useful for physically challenged individuals and/or individuals who are sight challenged.

Abstract: A fiber drum chime removing system for disassembling fiber or paperboard drums having metal chimes has a stationary cutting assembly and a movable cutting assembly. The stationary cutting assembly cuts the upper edge of the fiber sidewall of the drum to remove the upper drum chime from the drum. Contemporaneously, the movable cutting assembly cuts the lower edge of the fiber sidewall of the drum. A chime cutter mounted to the movable cutting assembly then cuts the lower drum chime to remove from the drum. Air cylinders automatically engage the stationary and movable cutting assemblies, and electric DC motors automatically drive the cutting assemblies. The chime cutter is automatically actuated by an air cylinder. The position of the movable cutting assembly is also adjusted automatically with an air cylinder so that the movable cutting assembly can be located in the proper position for cutting engagement.

Abstract: A portable drum opener tracks around a cover rim of a drum while cutting through an outer lip of the cover rim. It includes a rotatably driven drive wheel for engaging a radially inward facing surface of the cover rim for advancing the opener around the drum. A shaft that is movable toward and away from the outer lip of the cover rim carries a cutter wheel for pressing against and cutting through the outer lip in a region opposite the drive wheel. A pair of guide wheels are mounted for rolling against the outer lip of the cover on opposite sides of the drive wheel to support the opener during cutting, and a spring biased bracket urges the guide rollers against the outer lip of the cover. A lost motion coupling between the movable shaft and the guide roller bracket lets the guide rollers press independently against the drum rim during the cut but retracts the guide rollers away from the cutter rim when the cutter is retracted at the end of a cut.

Abstract: An electric motor-driven can opener having a push button-operated switch to close the energization circuit for the motor is disclosed. The can-opening mechanism includes a cutter blade and can-turning gear combination, a vertically reciprocatable slide member supporting the cutter blade and a cam follower, and a power gear and box cam combination driven by the motor for vertically displacing the cam follower. In operation, after a can to be opened has been loaded into the cutting mechanism without the lid being penetrated by the cutter blade, the motor is started by depression of the push button to effect rotation of the gear, the switch being held in its "closed" position by a latch even after the button is released. The cam initially forces the cam follower and therewith the slide member downwardly slightly, so that the cutter blade is forced through the lid of the can at the beginning of the cycle and is then held there while the can turns to sever the lid from the body of the can.