Patent ID: 7409768
Filing Date: 2008-08-12
Classification: B67B

Abstract:
1. A can opener for movement along the circumference or other similar boundary of a lid of a can, and which, selectively, can punch cut the lid so that liquid contents in the can can be drained, or can clear cut the lid so that it can be removed for full access to the contents in the can, comprising: a frame; a rotating, toothed wheel cutting blade mounted to the frame, which can be driven through the lid through application of pressure against a counterpoised drive wheel that is applied under a lip of the can just outside the lid, and can be moved along an outer boundary of the lid by rotation of the drive wheel; and the counterpoised drive wheel, which is mounted to the frame; wherein a first perforating relationship can be established at a first distance between the cutting blade and the drive wheel such that the lid of the can can be provided with perforations about its outer boundary, the first distance established and limited by a mechanism being in a first position; and a second, lid boundary-releasing relationship can be established at a second distance between the cutting blade and the drive wheel less than the first distance such that the can lid can be cut to completely sever it from the remainder of the can adjacent the outer boundary for a distance greater than a single perforation, the second distance established by moving said mechanism to a second position.