Abstract: An apparatus for a single feeding of an unattended pet out of an initially hermetically sealed can of pet food is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electric motor-driven can opener arranged in a housing, and a presettable timer which operates a switch to close the energization circuit for the motor at the time the feeding is to take place. 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, when the motor is started to effect rotation of the gear, the cam 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.

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.