Abstract: This invention relates to a novel direct drive can opener. More particularly, the invention is directed to a novel direct drive can opener which can be operated by hand or by motor, accommodates various sizes of cans and cuts the outer seam wall of a can, rather than the top lid of the can. A can opener comprising: (a) a rotatable cutting wheel having a serially notched cutting edge for severing a first side of a can seam of a can; (b) a rotatable traction wheel having a gripping surface for engaging a second side of the can seam opposite the cutting wheel; (c) a rotary handle associated with said traction wheel for rotating said traction wheel; and (d) a second member for engaging or disengaging said cutting wheel and said traction wheel, on said can seam, the cutting wheel axis and the traction wheel axis being substantially parallel when the first member is engaged with the second member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel can lid lifter for a hand operated can opener. More particularly, the invention is directed to a novel can lid lifter for a hand operated can opener that cuts the outer seam wall of a can, rather than the top interior lid of the can, in order to remove the lid. A can opener comprising: (a) a handle; (b) a clamping lever; (c) a hand crank; (d) a wheel cutting blade; (e) a traction wheel which rotates when the hand crank is rotated; (f) a can lid top contact member mounted on an exterior of the can opener; (g) a can lid lifting pin associated with the can lid top contact member for releasably catching the edge of a cut can lid.