Open Cylindrical Can Contents Ejecting Device

Abstract

A device for ejecting the dimensionally stable contents of an opened cylindrical can as an integral unit, and one that is particularly adapted to be included as a part of an electrically operated can opener, with both the device and the can opener being powered by the same electric motor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Device for ejecting the dimensionally stable contents of an opened cylindrical can as an integral unit.

2. Description of the Prior Art

During the past few years power operated can openers have come into widespread use. Such devices, as is well known, slowly rotate a cylindrical can, and as the can rotates a cutter severs a first circular end piece therefrom.

An operational disadvantage of such devices is that dimensionally stable contents thereof, such as dog food, meat products, jell-like products and the like, are only with great difficulty removed as an integral unit from the opened can, or sequentially moved outwardly from the can in segments that may be sliced and separated from the balance of the contents. Prior to the present invention dimensionally stable contents of a can could only be removed therefrom as an integral unit by removing both end pieces from the can, and then applying sufficient pressure to the contents to cause the latter to slide outwardly from the enveloping side wall. The last mentioned method has the disadvantage that a person may be cut or injured in removing the contents from the can.

A major object of the present invention is to supply a device in which air at low pressure is discharged into the interior of an opened cylindrical can adjacent a second end piece thereof, and the air ejecting the dimensionally stable contents of the can therefrom as an integral unit. By regulating the flow of air into the opened can, the contents may be discharged therefrom at a desired rate.

Another object of the invention is to supply a device for ejecting the dimensionally stable contents of an opened cylindrical can therefrom that is particularly adapted for inclusion as a part of a conventional power operated can opener, and one that is actuated by the same electric motor that is used to power the can opener.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A prong having an air passage therein and a clip that may removably engage a second beaded end of an open cylindrical container that are so related that as the can is pivoted towards the prong, the prong is forced into the interior of the can adjacent the second end piece thereof. An electric motor-driven air pump is provided that has the air discharge thereof convected by a conduit to said air passage. Upon the motor being energized the pump is driven to discharge air into the interior of an opened cylindrical can that has been pivoted on said clip to cause the prong to penetrate into the interior of the can, with the air pressure on the interior forcing the dimensionally stable contents of the can outwardly through the open end of the can.

The clip and prong combination is particularly adapted for mounting on the housing of a conventional electric motor-operated can opener, with the same motor used in powering the can opener also being used to drive the air pump.

A major object of the present invention is to supply a device that is particularly adapted for inclusion as a part of a conventional power-operated can opener, and one that permits the dimensionally stable contents of an opened cylindrical container to be discharged therefrom as an integral unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional power-operated cc can opener that includes the device for ejecting the dimensionally stable contents of an opened cylindrical can therefrom as an integral unit; 27

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the can opener shown in FIG. 1, with the clip and prong so arranged that the prong penertrates the cylindrical sidewall of the can;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1, after the prong has penetrated the cylindrical sidewall of the can adjacent the second end piece thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a can opener in which the can contacts a pivotally supported handle that completes an electric circuit to the motor when the handle is pivoted to a second position either by manually exerted pressure or by pressure contact with the can.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A conventional electrically operated can opener A is shown in FIG. 1. The can opener A includes a housing B that may vary in shape, but is illustrated as having a front wall 10, side walls 12, top wall 14, and a projecting housing portion 16. The housing B also includes a base 18 that is preferably supported on a number of spaced legs 20 formed from rubber or other nonmarring material, as shown in FIG. 2.

An electric motor 22 is situated within the confines of housing B and has a drive shaft 24 that projects from opposite sides thereof. A first end portion 24a of drive shaft 24 is connected to a gear 26 that transmits rotary power to a train of gears 28 and 30. Gear 30 is rigidly connected to a transverse shaft 32 that is journalled in the housing B. The shaft 32 drives a toothed wheel 34 that is adjacently disposed to the exterior surface of front wall 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

Each can C that is to be opened includes a cylindrical sidewall 36 that has first and second identical end pieces 38 secured thereto by circumferential, outwardly extending first and second beads 40 and 42, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

A cutter 44 is supported from an elongate handle 46. The handle 46 is pivotally supported by a pin or shaft 48 from the front wall 10 of the can opener A. When the handle 46 is pivoted clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, from a first to a second position, the cutter 44 may be caused to pierce the first end wall 38 and force the surface 40a of first bead 40 into pressure contact with the toothed wheel 34. Can C is now rotated due to pressure contact with toothed wheel 34, and cutter 44 severs the first end piece 38 from the can. When handle 46 is in the second position, the handle closes a normally open electric switch 50 that by a conventional electric circuit (not shown) supplies electric power to the motor 22.

A portion 24b of drive shaft 24 is connected to an air pump 52 that is preferably situated within housing B. The air pump 52 has an air discharge 54 that by a conduit 56 is connected to an air passage 58 that is formed in a prong 60 that extends upwardly from top wall 14. Prong 60 has a sharpened end portion 60a to permit the easy penetration of the prong through the sidewall 36 or second end piece 38.

In FIG. 2 it will be seen that a clip 62 is mounted on top wall 14 and so situated relative to prong 60 that the prong may be forced through sidewall 36 when the clip is in engagement with surface 42a of second bead 42, and the can C is pivoted towards the prong. After the prong 60 has penetrated the sidewall 36 as seen in FIG. 4, the handle 46 is moved to the second position to close switch 50. Closing of switch 50 causes the electri motor 22 to drive pump 52, with the air discharging under pressure into can C through passage 58, causing the dimensionally stable contents 64 therein to be ejected therefrom as an integral unit, as shown in FIG. 5. It will be particularly noted that the air passage 58 terminates in the sidwall of prong 60 to minimize the possibility of the contents 64 obstructing the air passage.

If desired, the handle 46 may be so arranged that when the Can C has been pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 5 it pressure contacts handle 46 to automatically move the handle to the second position. Movement of handle 46 to the second position closes switch 50, with air automatically being discharged into the can C to eject the dimensionally stable contents 64 therefrom as an integral unit. After the contents 64 are discharged the can is pivoted to allow spring means (not shown) to return handle 46 to a first position.

Although the device has been described and illustrated with the prong 60 penetrating the sidwall 36, it will be apparent that the prong 60 and clip 62 may be so arranged that the prong penetrates the second end piece 38.

Claims

I claim:

1. In an electrically operated can opener for removing a first end piece from a can having a cylindrical sidewall to which first and second end pieces are joined by circumferential, outwardly extending first and second beads, said can opener being of the type that includes a rigid hollow housing, a toothed wheel rotatably supported from said housing for drivingly engaging a surface portion of said first bead, an electric motor having a drive shaft, transmission means in said housing for transferring rotary motion from said drive shaft to said toothed wheel, a cutter capable of piercing said first end piece adjacent said first bead and thereafter severing said first end piece from said sidewall as said first end piece and sidewall are rotated relative to said cutter, first means for movably supporting said cutter in first and second positions from said housing, said first means when in said first position causing said cutter to move from said first to said second position to pierce said first end piece and said toothed wheel to drivingly engage said first bead, an electric circuit for supplying electric power to said motor, a normally open switch in said circuit, which switch when closed energizes said motor to drive said toothed wheel to rotate said can and said cutter to sever said first end piece therefrom when said first means is in said second position, the improvement for moving a dimensionally stable mass from said can as an integral unit after said first end piece has been removed from said can, said improvement comprising:

a. a prong having an air passage therein, said prong mounted in a fixed position on the exterior of said housing;

b. second means on said housing for guiding said prong into the interior of said can adjacent said second end piece when said can is moved in a direction to exert pressure on said prong, and after said first end piece is removed from said can;

c. An air pump having an air discharge, said air pump driven by said drive shaft; and

d. conduit means connecting said air discharge to said air passage for air under pressure from said pump to discharge into the interior of said can to discharge said mass therefrom as an integral unit.

2. An improved can opener as defined in claim 1 in which said prong has a sidewall and a sharpened end, and said air passage in communication with a discharge orifice in said sidewall to minimize said mass in said can obstructing said orifice and air passage.

3. An improved can opener as defined in claim 1 in which said second means is a clip that is so disposed relative to said prong that said prong is forced through said second end piece when said can is pivoted relative to said clip in a direction to exert a force on said prong.

4. An improved can opener as defined in claim 1 in which said second means is a clip that is so disposed relative to said prong that said prong is forced through said sidewall adjacent said second end piece when said can is pivoted relative to said clip in a direction to exert a force on said prong.

5. An improved can opener as defined in claim 4 in which said first means is an elongate handle pivotally mounted on said housing and operatively associated with said switch, with said handle actuating said electric switch, and said handle being pressure contacted by said can after said prong has penetrated said sidewall, and said pressure contact moving said handle to close said electric switch to energize said motor to drive said pump to discharge air under pressure into said can to discharge said mass therefrom as an integral unit.

6. In combination with a power driven can opener that includes an electric motor, an assembly for ejecting the dimensionally stable contents of the can as an integral unit after said can, which includes a cylindrical sidewall and first and second end pieces, has had said first end piece severed therefrom by said can opener, said assembly including:

a. a prong mounted on said can opener, said prong having an air passage therein;

b. means for forcing said prong through said second end piece or through a portion of said sidewall adjacent said second end piece;

c. an air pump driven by said motor, said pump having an air discharge;

d. conduit means connecting said air discharge to said air passage; and

e. electric circuit means connected to said motor, said circuit means including a normally open switch, with said switch when closed energizing said motor to drive said pump to discharge air under pressure to the interior of said can to eject said contents therefrom as an integral unit.