Patent ID: 11873202
Assignee: ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV S.A.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 8:
9. An opening tool for creating an opening in a beverage can, the opening tool comprising:
a hollow housing having a top end, a bottom end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the hollow housing defining an open cavity configured to allow the beverage can to pass therethrough; and
an opening mechanism configured to extend within the open cavity of the hollow housing, wherein the opening mechanism is configured to create an opening in the beverage can upon the beverage can being moved upwardly through the open cavity of the hollow housing;
wherein the opening mechanism includes at least one claw and a tab orienting mechanism for orienting a tab portion of the beverage can in a position adjacent to the claw; and
wherein the tab orienting mechanism includes a friction wheel configured to rotate the beverage can and a switch idler configured to sense an orientation of the tab portion of the beverage can.