Patent ID: 6094828
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: B67B

Abstract:
A can opener including a housing, a traction wheel which is selectively movable toward a cutting assembly to grip a can therebetween, the traction wheel being rotatable to thereby rotate the can such that a portion of the can moves past the cutting assembly, said cutting assembly comprising:(a) a stationary shaft positioned within the can opener housing;(b) a bearing surrounding said stationary shaft such that said bearing is freely rotatable about said shaft, said bearing being a stepped bearing with a substantially constant inner diameter surrounding said shaft and an outer diameter which includes a plurality of steps with each successive step increasing in diameter from the one above it; and(c) a cutting ring carried by and being rotatable with said bearing said cutting ring having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and being positioned with its inner diameter surrounding said bearing on the topmost one of said steps.