Side Cut Patents (Class 30/417)
  • Patent number: 10314437
    Abstract: A can opener has a cutter blade mounted with a body and a traction wheel mounted with the body on or adjacent the cutter blade. One of the cutter blade or traction wheel is movable with respect to the other between an inoperative position and an operative position. In the inoperative position the traction wheel and the cutter blade are spaced apart so that a rim of a can to be opened may be located between the traction wheel and the cutter blade. In the operative position the traction wheel and the cutter blade engage a can for opening the can. The can opener has an operating element that is operable by a user of the can opener for turning the traction wheel. Operation of the operating element also moves the cutter blade and traction wheel from the inoperative position to the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: UNION LUCKY INDUSTRIAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Shun So
  • Patent number: 8955227
    Abstract: A can opener includes a housing, a driving gear, a reduction transmission device, a cutting wheel, a slide, an idling wheel, a first driven gear, a second driven gear, a torsion spring, a third driven gear, and a cam. The driving gear rotates the cutting wheel and the first driven gear. The first driven gear drives the second driven gear which rotates the third driven gear which rotates the cam which moves the slide which moves the idling wheel, so that the idling wheel is moved toward the cutting wheel to clamp the rim of the lid between the idling wheel and the cutting wheel. The idling wheel and the cutting wheel are moved along the rim of the lid to cut the rim of the lid and to separate the lid from the can to open the can automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Hui-Ling Lee
  • Patent number: 7437825
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided 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 a can; rotationally mounting to the body about a second axis and drivably rotatable by the drive wheel, a cutter wheel; eccentrically mounting to said cutter wheel, a cutting knife movable on rotation of the cutter wheel to a cutting position in which the cutter knife forms a nip with the drive wheel such that the cutting knife penetrates through the cylindrical wall of the can, to provide a cut therein as the opener orbits relatively therearound, wherein the cutting position is defined by a cutting interval corresponding to a segment of rotation of the cutter wheel in which the cutting knife is sufficiently proximal to the drive wheel to form the nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Daka Research Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sanders, Pat Yin Mah
  • Patent number: 6829832
    Abstract: A can opener has a shaft for effecting rotation of a traction wheel for moving a can relative to a cutting wheel to sever an upper annular lateral side of the can, and is equipped with an adjustment element, which is screwed onto a threaded outward end portion of the shaft, and which has two wing portions in contact with corresponding sloping portions of a hexagonal member so that when the shaft is turned together with a rotary lever in the cutting direction, the hexagonal member is first turned relative to the adjustment element for a small angle for the higher portions of the sloping portions to be pressed against the wing portions to cause reduction to the space between the traction wheel and the cutting wheel; thus, the wheels can clip an annular wall of a end cover of a can in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Alston Technologies Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 6691419
    Abstract: A can opener includes a first lever, and a second lever pivotally connected to the first lever. The levers are in laid down position when a cutting wheel of the can opener is cutting a can. The first lever is equipped with a first wheel having domed protrusions spaced around the center. The second lever is equipped with a second wheel having main round recesses spaced around the center. Smaller round recesses and curved trenches are formed between the main recesses; the curved trenches are similar to annular trenches provided on trust block seating of thrust ball bearings. The first, and the second wheels are disposed face to face so as to help prevent change of position of the pivotal axis of the levers in the course of one of the levers moving relative to the other, helping the can opener operated with precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Alston Technologies Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Jen Chang
  • Publication number: 20040006877
    Abstract: A can opener includes a first lever, and a second lever pivotally connected to the first lever. The levers are in laid down position when a cutting wheel of the call opener is cutting a can. The first lever is equipped with a first wheel having domed protrusions spaced around the center. The second lever is equipped with a second wheel having main round recesses spaced around the center. Smaller round recesses and curved trenches are formed between the main recesses; the curved trenches are similar to annular trenches provided on trust block seating of thrust ball bearings. The first, and the second wheels are disposed face to face so as to help prevent change of position of the pivotal axis of the levers in the course of one of the levers moving relative to the other, helping the can opener operated with precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Kun-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 6675487
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Shun So
  • Patent number: 6671970
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: CanPacific Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Wun C. Chong
  • Patent number: 6647631
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Shun So
  • Publication number: 20030121162
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Shun So
  • Patent number: 6477775
    Abstract: A device for opening a sealed container, the device comprising, a first arm having a proximal and distal end, a second arm having a proximal and distal end, a cutting device, and at least one guiding device, wherein the guiding device is disposed on one of the first and second arms. Furthermore, the guiding device is adapted to receive a double seam of a sealed container, thereby preventing the device from slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Dale Scribner, John Schwaner
  • Patent number: 6374502
    Abstract: A hand-held can opener having a grip handle, a grip block pivotally mounted to the forward end of the grip handle, a scissors handle pivotally mounted to the grip block, and having a unique improved one way clutching assembly. The clutching assembly employs a pinion gear having slanted notches. A toothed ring has circumferentially spaced slanted teeth that mesh in the slanted notches. During driving rotation of the toothed ring, right angle surfaces of the slanted notches on the pinion gear and right angle surfaces on the teeth of the toothed ring mesh so that the toothed ring is rotated. This rotation is carried into rotation of a cup through mating non-circular square periphery on the toothed ring fitted in a square recess in the cup. The cup is then connected to an axle to rotatably drive the axle and thus drive the can rim drive wheel. A latch has a stop to maintain the cutter spaced from the can rim drive wheel until rotary motion of the drive wheel is halted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Chef'n Corporaton
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Joshua R. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20020026719
    Abstract: Apparatus for opening a can includes an upwardly extending guide column, an upper platform assembly which includes an upper platform slidably mounted to the column for guided movement along the column, and a counterbalance mechanism connected to the upper platform for neutralizing the weight of the upper platform assembly. As well, the upper platform assembly includes a cutting mechanism carried by the upper platform for opening the can when the can is aligned beneath the upper platform in a can opening position. The cutting mechanism includes a rotatable circular cutting blade for cutting a seam wall of a rim of the can, and a rotatable traction wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 6189221
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a can opener appliance with a side cutting mechanism. The can opener appliance includes housing portions, which include a cutter support mounted therein. A cutter wheel is mounted at least partially within the cutter support and has a cutting edge for severing a can wall. A traction wheel is also positioned inside the housing portions of the can opener appliance. The traction wheel has a gripping surface to engage the can. The cutter wheel and the traction wheel are rotatable and the axes of rotation of the wheels are substantially perpendicular to each other. The wheels are positioned adjacent and spaced apart from each other to define a gap to accept a can to be opened. One of the wheels is moveable towards the other to engage and lock the can between the wheels. The cutter wheel then acts to sever the can wall and the traction wheel acts to move the can past the cutter wheel The cutter wheel is formed of a drawn tool steel with a Rockwell C hardness from about 53 to about 57.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Rival Company
    Inventors: Mary K. Barrow, Eric S. Wall
  • Patent number: 6158130
    Abstract: A heavy duty industrial can opener operated by hand or by motor which accommodates various sizes of cans and cuts the outer seam wall of a can rather than the top lip of the can. The can opener includes a cutting wheel with a cutting edge and a traction wheel with a gripping surface. The cutting and traction wheels each have associated gears for rotating the wheels. The gear for the traction wheel is releasably engageable with the gear of the cutting wheel. One of the gears is driven to rotate both the cutting and traction wheels. A cam lock provides a series of levers and link pins the ability to releasably engaged and disengaged the gears. The distance between the cutting wheel and the traction wheel is automatically adjusted while the cam is locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Wun C. Chong
  • Patent number: 6148527
    Abstract: A can opener has two relatively pivotable body portions (1,2), one carrying a rotary cutting wheel (8) and the other a rotary traction wheel (12) having parallel axes, the opener being arranged to receive the rim (R) of a can (C) between the two wheels and to orbit the can as the traction wheel is rotated while the cutting wheel makes a peripheral cut, the traction wheel (12) being shaped to distort the rim during cutting and the cutting wheel (8) having an outwardly angled body portion (10c, 10d), adjacent its cutting tip (10a, 10b), the angled body portion being adapted to contact the outside of the rim below the cut to exert a force in the opposite direction to the traction wheel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: William Levene Limited
    Inventor: Joseph Augustine Terence Pereira
  • Patent number: 6108917
    Abstract: Disclosed is a safe and reliable method and apparatus for opening cylindrical metallic containers which cuts into the side of the cylindrical body of the can below the upper annular rim. The device of the present invention employs a specially adapted, angularly-positioned, tapered rotatable blade for performing the cutting operation. The use of a rotatable blade results in a clean non-jagged cut around the circumference of the container. The use of a rotatable, tapered blade to cut below the annular rim or seam of the container results in an inwardly-bent edge on the newly-cut lid having no sharp edges. This facilitates easy and worry free removal of the lid. In use, a can is placed in the device such that the knurled edge of an upper disc rests upon the top of the can. The rotatable side cutting blade is then moved such that it pierces the side of the can, just below the lip seal. The side cutting blade is locked into place, and the upper disc is rotated, thereby rotating the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: Mark G. Bellis, Marla J. Bellis
  • Patent number: 6101727
    Abstract: A dual-handle pump-action can opener that can be operated by either hand and cuts the exterior wall of the seam of a can, rather than the top lip of the can. The dual-handle pump-action can opener includes: (a) a housing having a first handle; (b) a cutting wheel associated with the housing and the first handle and having a cutting edge for severing the exterior wall of the can seam; (c) a traction wheel associated with the housing and the first handle and having a gripping surface for engaging the interior wall of the can seam; and (d) a second handle which is movable towards and away from the first handle. When the second handle is initially moved towards the first handle after the can opener is installed on the seam of the can, it causes the traction wheel to contact the interior wall of the can seam and the cutting wheel to contact the exterior wall of the can seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Wun C. Chong
  • Patent number: 6094828
    Abstract: An improved outer wall can opener includes a retractable and extendable traction wheel which selectively grips a can to be opened between it and an outer seam wall cutting wheel. The cutting wheel is a ring which is supported by a generally cylindrical stepped bearing which steps outward in increments and also mounts an abutment ring with an outside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the cutting ring. The stepped bearing with the attached cutter ring and abutment ring rotates around a stationary shaft, thus preventing overwear of the cutting ring and allowing wear that does occur to the cutting ring to be uniform and gradual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Wun C. Chong
  • Patent number: 6009623
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a wet shave shaving system which contains an in situ sensor within the razor cartridge or razor handle. The sensor preferably comprises either a piezoelectric or a piezoresistive material which produces an electrical signal or resistance change when it is strained. In an active feedback system, the signal would be transferred from the cartridge to the razor handle where an electronically-active actuator would extend or retract as necessary to position the cartridge to produce a shave with a constant shave force. In a passive feedback system, the signal would be transferred from the cartridge to the handle where an electronically-activated element, such as an indicator light, would be activated to produce an indication to the user that he or she should reposition the razor to produce a constant shave force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Glennis J. Orloff
  • Patent number: 5970831
    Abstract: The method for detecting an oil deficiency of oil lubricating a driven cutting blade of a haircutting machine includes measuring either drive motor current consumption, cutting blade vibration noise, haircutting machine sound level, cutting blade temperature, a force acting on one of the cutting blades or drive motor rotation speed and determining whether or not the oil deficiency has occurred from a change of the chosen measured variable from a standard value occurring during normal operation without the oil deficiency. The electrical haircutting machine includes an electric drive motor, cutting blades driven by the drive motor and a device (20) for detecting the oil deficiency which advantageously includes a device for measuring one of the above-mentioned measurement variables and also a comparator for comparing the measured variable with a predetermined temperature-dependent threshold value to determine whether the oil deficiency has occurred or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Wella AG
    Inventors: Detlef Mattinger, Martin Liebeck
  • Patent number: 5956850
    Abstract: A disposable razor with means for recording usage including a blade cartridge portion and a handle portion, the handle portion including a sidewall with an inner and outer surface. A plurality of push tabs are located on the sidewall of the handle, the push tabs being bordered by one or more grooves formed into the inner and/or outer surface of the sidewall; or the push tabs are bordered by one or more grooves formed into one or both surfaces of the sidewall and one or more slits extending all the way through the sidewall. Pressure applied onto the outer surface of a push tab causes a portion of the push tab to break away from the remainder of the sidewall, leaving a visible "breakline", and so providing a means for recording a limited numerical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Poulsen
  • Patent number: 5946811
    Abstract: A side cutting can opener with a double grip includes an upper and a lower grip. When the two grips are closed, a cutter and a pull wheel can clamp a lip of a can and cut an outer edge of the lip off with the cutter rotated by a rotatable grip. The upper and the lower grip respectively has a combine end facing each other and provided with a ratchet wheel. The two grips are easily closed vertically from an open position to force the cutter and the pull wheel clamp the lip of a can. Then the rotatable grip at the right side of the grips can be easily rotated to force the cutter move along and cut the outer edge of the lip of a can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Alston Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 5920988
    Abstract: An electric shaver including a display that indicates when it is time to clean the shaving debris accumulated on a shaving debris receiving part that is covered by an outer cutter frame of the shaver. A counting device of the shaver counts the use time (or the load current) of the motor that drives the inner cutter so that a control device compares the counted use time with a preset reference value; and when the counted use time reaches the preset reference value, the control device judges that the time for cleaning has arrived and actuates the display so that the display shows that it is time for cleaning. Thus, the user detaches the outer cutter frame and removes the shaving debris from the shaving debris receiving part in which a light-receiving devices is embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Izumi Products Company
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Momose
  • Patent number: 5915791
    Abstract: A shaving system that includes a housing, one or more blades mounted on the housing, a cap behind the blades on the housing, and a guard structure in front of the blades on the housing, the guard structure including flexible skin-engaging protrusions that engage a user's skin in front of the blades and a water leachable shaving aid composite positioned to deliver a shaving aid to the skin behind the flexible skin-engaging protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Yuling Yin, Alfred Porcaro, Mingchih Michael Tseng, Philip John Sweeney
  • Patent number: 5802725
    Abstract: Portable metal drum openers allow the use of a cutting head with a relatively small diameter so that most metal drum covers can be removed without having to beat down or remove bungs in the cover. The cutting head is spring mounted so that the small diameter cutting head will not slip or stall when encountering a kink in the chime. The cutting head is tilted downward in the direction of cutting so that the cutting head would tend to move downward along the chime when making the cut, however, the cutting head is physically restrained from moving downward past a selected chime cutting height. The selected chime cutting height is preferably adjusted by adjusting the position of a shaft collar along threads on a cutting shaft that projects perpendicularly from the cutting head. It is preferred that the drum opener be driven either manually, or by an electric DC motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Hydro-Thermal Corporation
    Inventors: Brian N. Drifka, Bruce A. Cincotta, Arthur L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5794353
    Abstract: A can opener has a lower seat, an upper seat disposed on the lower seat, a swivel button disposed on the upper seat, a swivel wing disposed on the upper seat, and a slide block disposed between the lower seat and the upper seat. The lower seat has a slide recess to receive the slide block. The upper seat has an insertion hole, a slide groove, a threaded hole, a channel, a circular hole, a post, a protrusion, a pillar, and a protruded bar. A shaft is disposed on a rotor. The swivel wing has a center hole to receive the shaft. The rotor is inserted in the insertion hole. The slide block has a rod, a column, a slot and a cone-shaped recess hole. A blade holder and a blade are inserted in the hollow slide block. The swivel button has a threaded shank passing through the threaded hole and a tip end inserted in the cone-shaped recess hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Zi-Xiu Lin
  • Patent number: 5692309
    Abstract: A can opener has two relatively pivotable body portions, one carrying a rotary cutting wheel and the other a rotary traction wheel having parallel axes, the opener being arranged to receive the rim of a can between the two wheels and to orbit the can as the traction wheel is rotated while the cutting wheel makes a peripheral cut, the traction wheel being shaped to distort the rim during cutting and the cutting wheel having an outwardly angled body portion, adjacent its cutting tip, then angled body portion being adapted to contact the outside of the rim below the cut to exert a force in the opposite direction to the traction wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: William Levene Limited
    Inventor: Joseph Augustine Terence Pereira
  • Patent number: 5651183
    Abstract: A portable fiber drum chime remover allows the disassembly of fiber or paperboard drums on location. The height of the cutting head is adjustable so that the portable chime remover can remove both the upper metal chime and the lower metal chime during the fiber drum disassembling process. The cutting head height can be selected among predetermined settings using a grooved cutter shaft and a spring-loaded stop, or can be self-setting using the fiber drum geometry as a guide. The fiber drum chime remover preferably has a restraint element to prevent the cutting head from coming in direct contact with the drive wheel when the cutting head is engaged to cut the fiber sidewall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Hydro-Thermal Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Cincotta, Raymond G. Sweeney, Charles J. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5603161
    Abstract: A visual wear indicator which may incorporate a shaving aid, such that the visual wear indicator corresponds to released shaving agents, wear or oxidation of a cutting edge. The visual wear indicator may include a shaving aid composite which exhibits a first color to the user during an initial use and a different color during a subsequent use, wherein the transition from the first color to the second color is designed to correspond to a predetermined parameter of the shaver. The visual wear indicator may also include a metallic surface having an oxidation rate which parallels the oxidation rate of a cutting edge and provides a sufficient surface area to exhibit a second color upon detrimental oxidation of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Christopher A. Welsh
  • Patent number: 5600888
    Abstract: An electric razor having a cutter foil and a cutter head, which interacts with the cutter foil and is driven by a motor which is electronically pulsed. An indicating device is provided which is connected to an operating time counter and/or to a device for detecting the load on the cutter foil and to an evaluation circuit, as a result of which increased safety can be achieved in use of the razor by timely indication of cutter foil wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Payer Elecktroprodukte Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Klaus Becker
  • Patent number: 5421286
    Abstract: A disposable shaver having a shaving head and handle equipped with blister bubbles positioned along the handle of the shaver. The blister bubbles are depressible from convex to concave and are provided to count the number of times the shaver is used. The method comprises the use of the inventive shaver to compute the useful life of a particular brand of disposable shaver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Scott McLean
  • Patent number: 5388331
    Abstract: A wear indicator is located on the head or frame of a disposable razor or razor cartridge, in close proximity to the shaving edge of the blade. The wear indicator comprises a mass of material that gradually wears away as the disposable razor or cartridge is used in shaving, the amount of material wearing away being correlated with the amount of wear on the blade edge to provide a visual indication of the relative wear on the blade. Preferably, the wear indicator comprises two strips of material, one atop the other, the upper strip wearing away to reveal the contrastingly-colored lower strip. Alternatively, the material may wear away to reveal indicia or lettering on the lower strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Doroodian-Shoja Siamak
  • Patent number: 5367776
    Abstract: A can opener comprising a housing having a handle. A cutting wheel having a cutting edge for severing a can wall is mounted in the housing. There is a traction wheel having a gripping surface to engage the can. The traction wheel are rotatable and the axis rotation is substantially perpendicular to each other. The wheels are positioned adjacent and spaced apart from each other to define a gap to accept a can to be opened. One of the wheels is movable towards the other to engage and lock the can between the cutting wheel and the traction wheel. The cutting wheel then acts to sever the can wall and the traction wheel acts to move the can past the cutting wheel. There is a first thrust surface associated with the housing and a space, adjacent, second thrust surface associated with the movable wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Wun C. Chong
  • Patent number: 5347715
    Abstract: A blade shave counter is disclosed which counts the number of shaves for which an interchangeable shaving blade has been used, and displays the count on an LCD display mounted preferably on the shaving handle of a shaving instrument. Optionally, an audible alarm sounds or an LED is activated when the count reaches a predetermined or user selectable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Donald H. Friedland
  • Patent number: 5313708
    Abstract: A can opener of the type having a housing, a motor, a feed wheel for rotating a can about its axis, a gear assembly connecting the motor and the feed wheel, and a cutter for severing a can lid from a can includes a cutter control associatively connected to the cutter and operable to bias a switch contact to a closed position while the cutter is severing the can lid from the can and to automatically open the switch contact after the can lid has been severed, the cutter control comprising an integrally formed spring operable to engage an armature mounted on the housing, and a cutter support plate supporting the cutter and associatively connected to the cutter control, the cutter support plate operable to lower a magnet assembly into contact with the can lid when the cutter is moved into contact with the can lid and to raise the magnet assembly and the can lid when the cutter is raised from the can after the can lid has been severed from the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: The Rival Company
    Inventors: Billie R. Edwards, Mary K. Barrow
  • Patent number: 5289638
    Abstract: A can opener for opening cans of the type having a lid joined to the main body by a rim formed of inner and outer lid surfaces folded onto the upper edge of a can wall. A toothed drive wheel rotatably mounted on a housing engages the inner surface of the rim and forces the outer rim surface against a cutter wheel when a drive shaft is rotated by a turning handle. The turning handle is threaded onto the drive shaft so that rotating the handle both rotates the drive wheel and pulls it tightly against the housing which holds a rotatably mounted cutting wheel. This cuts through the outer lid surface to free the lid from the can. The cutting wheel has an outwardly flaring upper cutting edge and the drive wheel has a curved surface for contacting the inner margin of the rim. The two surfaces coact to force the upper cut surface outwardly and the lower cut surface inwardly. Consequently, as the lid is cut free, it is flared outwardly from the can wall for ease of manual removal and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Jack Chase
  • Patent number: 5240107
    Abstract: A razor holder having an automatic shave counter responsive to each use of a razor. The razor holder includes a delay circuit to permit short term use of a razor without advancing the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: James Casale
  • Patent number: 5228203
    Abstract: An automatic can opener having a motor-driven cutter wheel which cooperates with two stabilizing wheels or runners for performing a can-opening or cutting operation on two cans simultaneously. The single cutting wheel is directly inline with the motor armature axis and acts as the sole driving element for both rotating and cutting into the two cans that are held in rotational stability by the respective stabilizing wheels acting on opposite sides of the cans from the cutting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Perry Hahn
  • Patent number: 5121546
    Abstract: A can opener comprising a housing having a handle. There is a cutting wheel with a cutting edge for severing a can wall, the cutting wheel defining a cutting wheel axis. There is a traction wheel having a gripping surface to engage a can, the traction wheel defining a traction wheel axis. A pair of spindles rotatably mount the traction wheel and the cutting wheel in the housing such that their axes are substantially perpendicular and the wheels are positioned adjacent and spaced apart from each other to define a gap adapted to accept a can to be opened. One of the wheels is movable toward the other to close the gap thereby engaging and locking the can between the cutting wheel and the traction wheel such that the cutting wheel acts to sever the can wall and the traction wheel acts to move the can past the cutting wheel. In order to close the gap, a fixed thrust surface associated with the housing, and a spaced, adjacent movable thrust surface associated with the movable wheel are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Wun C. Chong
  • Patent number: 5119557
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety razor having a blade, a handle mounted to the blade, and counting means attached to the handle for keeping track of the number of uses of a particular blade. The counter can be adapted for use on a disposable razor or on a razor having a replaceable blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: John Kaiko
  • Patent number: 5111580
    Abstract: An electric shaving apparatus is provided which comprises a housing, a switch for activating switching cycles in which the apparatus is switched on and off, a holder for at least one external shaving member with hair-entry apertures, and an internal shaving member adapted to be driven by the external shaving member, the housing having a collecting space for shaving particles, which collecting space has a closing member with a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism comprises an actuating member, the apparatus comprising means for counting the number of switching cycles and a signalling device for signalling that cleaning of the collecting space is desirable in response to a predetermined or selected number of switching cycles. The signalling device comprises a light-emitting element in combination with the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.
    Inventors: Geert J. Bosscha, Andries C. Pasma
  • Patent number: 5062209
    Abstract: A disposable razor comprising a blade holder, a blade in the blade holder, a handle connected to the blade holder and a blade cover. In order to indicate the number of times the blade has been used, tabs are integrally formed on the handle, blade holder or the blade cover and bendable about a pivot line from a first position indicating non-use to a second position indicating one use and indicia associated with each tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: Elliot Rais
  • Patent number: 4825554
    Abstract: A can opener providing a circular cut around the cylindrical wall of a can below the lid and rim which are severed by the cut from the rest of the can. A pair of body members having integrally formed handles are pivoted to one another. A rotatable spindle attached to a driving wheel drives the can opener. A cutting wheel forms a nip with the driving wheel in an operating position to force the cutting edge to penetrate through the wall of the can. A mounting plate carrying the cutting wheel is slidably supported by one body member and is movable by cam means between the operating position and a retracted position as the body members are pivoted between their limits of pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Mike & Kremmel Limited
    Inventor: Hong W. V. Koo
  • Patent number: 4782594
    Abstract: In a can opener having a traction wheel (18) for driving the end seam (26) of a can past the opener, and a cutter wheel (16) for severing the outer seaming wall of the seam, the axes (36,38) of the wheels being mutually perpendicular, the working parts are carried in a common cartridge (58) of metal, mounted removably in the housing (10) of the opener, the cutter wheel and its spindle (74) being integral with each other and mounted in a separate bearing cup (66) fixed in the body (60) of the cartridge and having a thrust bearing (68) remote from the cutter wheel. The housing carries a projecting abutment (54) having a forwardly curved seam-engaging surface which enables a variety of shapes and sizes of cans to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Metal Box Limited
    Inventors: Paul Porucznik, Keith Longstaff
  • Patent number: 4754550
    Abstract: A can opener providing a circular cut around the cylindrical wall of a can below the lid and rim which are severed by the cut from the rest of the can. A pair of body members having integrally formed handles are pivoted to one another. A rotatable spindle attached to a driving wheel drives the can opener. A cutting wheel forms a nip with the driving wheel in an operating position to force the cutting edge to penetrate through the wall of the can. A mounting plate carrying the cutting wheel is slidably supported by one body member and is movable by cam means between the operating position and a retracted position as the body members are pivoted between their limits of pivoting. To prevent twisting of the body members and their integral handles, cooperating flanges and recess are provided between the body members and their handles. In the retracted position the wheel withdraws into an upstanding guard whose edge abuts the severed top and displaces it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Mike & Kremmel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong W. V. Koo
  • Patent number: 4604806
    Abstract: A drum opener for severing a metal clamping band on a drum to enable the cover to be removed from the drum. The drum includes a cylindrical metal wall having a plastic liner and the upper edge of the wall and liner are rolled outwardly along with the peripheral edge of the cover to form a chime. A metal clamping band is secured around the chime to seal the cover to the drum. The drum opener includes a base which supports a power source such as an electric gear motor and a drive wheel is journaled on the base and is disposed to engage the upper portion of the clamping band. A rotatable cutter is disposed in engagement with the lower portion of the band and is out of direct alignment with the drive wheel. The cutter can be manually adjusted to bring the cutter into engagement with the clamping band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Hydro-Thermal Corp.
    Inventor: John F. Pelczynski
  • Patent number: 4563818
    Abstract: A can opener providing a circular cut around the cylindrical wall of a can below the lid and rim which are severed by the cut from the rest of the can. A pair of body members having integrally formed handles are pivoted to one another. A rotatable spindle attached to a driving wheel drives the can opener. A cutting wheel forms a nip with the driving wheel in an operating position to force the cutting edge to penetrate through the wall of the can. A mounting plate carrying the cutting wheel is slidably supported by one body member and is movable by cam means between the operating position and a retracted position as the body members are pivoted between their limits of pivoting. In the retracted position the wheel withdraws into an upstanding guard whose edge abuts the severed top and displaces it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Mike & Kremmel Limited
    Inventors: Julis Kreth, Alfons Schreiber, Willi Steinko
  • Patent number: 4251917
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: Peres Machines Division Honeoye Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony R. Peres