Patent ID: 7373858
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: B67B

Abstract:
1. A can opener for a pull top-type can, the opener comprising: a body comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bottom surface, said body defining a heel; said heel having a curved edge comprising a curved front surface, said bottom surface, and at least a portion of said body rear surface; said curved front surface and said bottom surface defining a continuously curving edge with a smooth transition between said heel front and bottom surfaces to define a fulcrum about which said body can be pivoted; said fulcrum being shaped to enable the opener to lift a tab of a pull-top type can off a top of the can and to remove the top of the can from the can; said curved surface defining a first radius at a forward portion of said heel and a second radius at a back portion of said heel; said first radius being larger than said second radius; a tab engaging lip having a flat surface extending rearwardly from an upper, forward end of said heel front surface; said lip flat surface forming an acute intersection with said heel front surface to enable said lip to be inserted under a can tab; said lip having a length less then the diameter of a ring of a pull-top can opening tab, said lip flat surface being angled relative to said forward end of said heel front surface to form an acute angle therewith and such that an imaginary line extending from, and collinear with, said lip flat surface intersects a back of said heel at said rear surface of said body; and a starting notch generally above said heel forward portion at an end of said flat surface opposite said intersection between said flat surface and said heel front surface, said starting notch being defined by a forward surface, a bottom surface, and a back surface; said starting notch forward surface intersecting said lip flat surface and extending toward said heel to define an angle with said lip flat surface to form an abrupt transition between said flat surface and said notch.