Can top opener and sealer

A punch member is provided sized to span the top of a can. The punch member includes a pair of spaced blades for piercing the can top and after use is adapted to be re-inserted into the pierced holes to provide a seal for the can top. In an alternative embodiment, means are provided for clamping the punch into secure sealing engagement with the pierced can top. In yet still another alternative embodiment, means are provided operative when the can top opener is in sealing engagement with the can top to indicate the level of the can's contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to can opening devices, and more 
particularly, to a reusable can top opener capable of sealingly engaging 
the pierced holes in the can top. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Devices for opening an aluminum or steel can having a sealed end or top 
(e.g. a beer can) are well known. The familiar "church key" comprises a 
simple lever arm terminating in a sharply pointed tip and a catch for 
engaging the can's rim. Rotation of the lever arm about the pivot defined 
by the catch punctures holes in the can top whereupon the contents may be 
poured. In the case of this well known device, however, the can top cannot 
be sealed after initial use and while there still remain contents in the 
can container without using separate sealing means. 
In another class of can opener, the can top is provided with a 
self-contained tab or removable section which may be peeled away from the 
remainder of the can top leaving suitable openings therein. Examples of 
such arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,434,622; 3,435,977; 
3,441,169; 4,200,198; and U.S. Pat. No. 305,734. Here again however, once 
the tab or removable section is severed from the can top, separate means 
must be employed if it is desired to seal the can with a portion of its 
original contents still remaining therein. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Against the foregoing background of prior art, it is apparent that a need 
exits for a can top opener capable of sealing the holes in the can top to 
help preserve or protect any of the contents remaining in the can after 
initial use. This need is met by the present invention which briefly 
described comprises an opener for sealed metal cans in the form of a plate 
member sized to span the diameter of the can's top or end and from which 
depends a pair of piercing blades. The plate member is positioned on the 
can top and by applying weight pressure via the palm of the hand the plate 
member is caused to move downwardly against the can top with the piercing 
blades thereby forming a corresponding pair of holes in the can top. After 
initial use, and while a portion of the can's original contents remains, 
the plate member may be re-inserted on top of the can with the blades 
thereof being placed in the pierced holes in sealing engagement therewith. 
In an alternative embodiment, a pair of pivotal clamp members are provided 
at the opposed ends of the plate member respectively, activatable to 
secure the plate in its sealing engagement atop the can. 
In yet still another alternative embodiment, means are provided for forming 
an additional perforation in the can top and level indicator means are 
further provided accessible to the interior of the can through the 
additional hole to indicate the relative volume of the contents remaining 
in the can after the plate member has been secured atop the can in sealing 
engagement therewith. 
The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important 
features of the present invention in order that the detailed description 
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the 
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of 
course, additional features of the invention that will be described 
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended 
hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least three embodiments of the 
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not 
limited in its application to the details of construction and to the 
arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or 
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments 
and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be 
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for 
the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for 
designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms of phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define 
the invention of the application, which only is measured by the claims, 
nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any 
way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved can top opener and sealer which has all the advantages of the 
prior art and none of the disadvantages thereof. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
can top opener and sealer which may be easily and efficiently manufactured 
and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved can top opener and sealer which is of a durable and reliable 
construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved can top opener and sealer which is susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such can top opener and sealer economically available to the buying 
public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved can top opener and sealer which provides in the apparatuses and 
methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while 
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated 
therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved can top opener and sealer having means for securing the opener in 
sealing engagement with a can top after initial use and while a portion of 
the original contents of the can still remains therein. 
It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a new 
and improved can top opener and sealer capable of indicating the relative 
volume of the contents remaining in the can after initial use. 
These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the 
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed 
out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had now to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which 
there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, a new and improved can top opener and 
sealer embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will 
be described. 
Turning initially to FIGS. 1-5, a first preferred embodiment of the present 
invention is shown comprising a flat plate or punch member 10 of generally 
rectangular shape having a top surface 12, a bottom surface 14, opposed 
end edges 16, 18, and opposed side edges 20,22. Integrally attached to 
plate member 10 on the bottom surface 14 thereof in a suitable manner is a 
pair of downwardly depending blade members 24,26 each of which has a 
beveled cutting or knife edge 28,30 terminating in a sharp puncturing 
point 32,34 at the distal end thereof substantially as shown. Each knife 
edge 28,30 faces inwardly toward each other as shown and makes 
approximately a 45.degree. angle with a straight flat outwardly facing 
edge 36,38. In addition, each blade outwardly facing edge 36,38 is 
positioned slightly inwardly from corresponding end edges 16,18 the 
purpose of which will be made apparent below. 
In use, the plate member 10 is positioned on the sealed end or top 42 of an 
aluminum or steel can 40 (FIG. 1) and with the weight of the palm bearing 
against upper surface 12, the plate member is urged in the downward 
direction so that knife blade points 32,34 puncture the top 42. Because of 
the wedge shape of each blade member 24,26 and the sharpness of beveled 
knife edges 28,30 further downward pressure on plate member top surface 12 
causes the flat plate to come to rest against the rim 44 of the can top 
with the bottom surface 14 engaging the rim in the spaces provided by 
offsetting the flat outer edges 36,38 of each blade inwardly with respect 
to plate end edges 16,18 as described above. By this same action, knife 
edges 28,30 form perforations in the can top permitting the contents of 
the can to be poured therefrom upon subsequent removal of the plate 
member. The size of the perforations thus formed in the can top will 
approximate the maximum cross-sectional shape of each blade member which 
latter is indicated by the broken-line rectangles 46,48 in FIG. 3. After 
pouring a portion of the contents from the can, the plate member 10 may be 
placed on the top of the can with the blade members seated within the 
perforations originally formed thereby (i.e. the position shown in FIG. 1) 
to sealingly engage the can and thus provide in accordance with the 
invention, an effective means for sealing the opened can and preserving 
the contents therein from spoilage, spillage, or the like. This 
advantageously facilitates storage of the can as in a refrigerator, for 
example, for use at a later time. 
It will be appreciated that the size of the plate member or punch 10 will 
depend upon the size of the can with which it is to be used. Generally 
speaking, the longitudinal dimension of the plate member will be equal to 
or slightly greater than the outside diameter of the can, and the blade 
members will be spaced apart sufficiently to form the perforations 
proximal to the inside of the rim on the can's top or end. 
For safety sake, the plate member 10 when not in use may be housed within a 
protective guard member (not shown) having a pair of perforations 
substantially the same size and shape as blade members 24,26 as will occur 
to those of ordinary skill. 
In the event a more secure seal is desired between the can top opener of 
the present invention and the can with which it has already been used to 
form openings or perforation therein, the alternative preferred embodiment 
of FIGS. 6 through 8 may be employed. Thus, turning now to the latter 
figures, where like reference numerals denote similar parts already 
described, there is shown a pair of clamping assemblies 48,50 at either 
opposed end thereof. The clamping assemblies 48,50 are identical, hence, a 
description of one will suffice for both. 
Each clamping assembly comprises an upstanding support member 52 integrally 
formed at the end of plate member 10 substantially as shown and includes a 
central rectangular cut-out or recess 54 which recess defines an axle 56 
spanning the upper extremity of support member 52. A crank arm 58 is 
provided having a right angle bend therein to define an upper section 60 
and a lower section 62. Upper section 60, in turn, is integrally joined to 
a tubular bushing 64 which has extending therefrom a U-shaped loop member 
66. The crank arm bushing 64 is suitably supported for rotation about an 
axis defined by axle 56 and thus both the crank arm and the U-shaped loop 
66 are rotatable about this axis. Suitably coupled to the outermost arm of 
the U-shaped loop member via an eyelet 68 is a transfer arm 70 which 
extends at an angle through central opening 54 thence downwardly in the 
direction of lower section 62 of the crank arm 58 substantially as shown. 
Transfer arm 70 at its other end opposite eyelet 68 is integrally joined 
in a suitable manner to a curved clamping jaw 72 extending laterally to 
either side thereof. By this arrangement, when crank arm 58 is caused to 
rotate about axle 56 in a clockwise direction (arrow 74, FIG. 7), clamping 
jaw member 72 will be urged toward the left as viewed in FIG. 7. To 
facilitate such rotation, the distal end of lower section 62 of the crank 
arm is suitably provided with a finger tab 76. 
In use, the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 6-7 is employed as before. 
However, as the plate member 10 moves into engagement with the rim of the 
can being opened (and then sealed), the side of the can will urge clamping 
jaw 72 outwardly therefrom (to the right as viewed in FIG. 7) causing the 
crank arm to rotate counterclockwise. Pressure against finger tab 76 to 
the left, i.e. in the clockwise direction, will then cause the clamping 
jaw to engage the side of the can and the crank arm will snap into place 
in the position shown in FIG. 7 providing a secure grip between the 
clamping jaw and the can sufficient to securely maintain the plate member 
10 in sealing engagement with the can with the blade members seated within 
the perforations previously formed in the can. To release this engagement, 
all that is necessary is to rotate the crank arm to the right 
(counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 7) via finger tab 76 and the clamping 
jaw member 72 will disengage permitting easy removal of plate member 10. 
In order to provide an even more effective seal of the perforations formed 
in the can top when using the present invention, a resilient O-ring seal 
78 may be suitably fixed to undersurface 14 surrounding the base of each 
blade member 24,26 substantially as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is shown yet still another alternative 
embodiment of the present invention wherein plate member 10 further 
includes a pair of right angle extensions 80,82 whereby the shape of the 
plate member is that of a cruciform substantially as depicted with the 
longitudinal dimension of extension 80,82 being substantially the same as 
the longitudinal dimension of plate member 10. Downwardly depending from 
the underside of extension 80 is a conical punch member 84 adapted to form 
a round shaped perforation in top of the can being opened when the plate 
member 10 is employed as before to open the sealed top or end of a can. 
Located in extension 82, the same distance from the central axis (not 
shown) of plate member 10 as conical punch 84 is a hollow "level 
indicator" tube 86 of transparent material; preferably plastic or the 
like. An indicator 88 visible through the tube wall is supported on a thin 
connecting rod 90 which latter extends through a narrow opening 92 between 
the interior of the tube 86 and an enlarged cylindrical opening 94 in the 
base 96 upon which tube 86 is supported. Opening 94, in turn, communicates 
with a similar sized opening 98 in extension 82. Connecting rod 90 is 
attached at its opposite end to a float member 100 of suitable buoyant 
material. The diameter of float member is slightly less than the diameter 
of the hole formed by conical punch 84. Indicator 88 thus will slide up or 
down within tube 86 as float member 100 and connecting rod 90 slide up or 
down. Disposed on tube 86 is a series of equally spaced indicator markings 
102 which may be calibrated to indicate the level of the fluid remaining 
inside can 40 as will be further explained. 
In use, the plate member 10 is used as described above to form a pair of 
sealable perforations in the top 42 of can 40. However, at the same time a 
round hole will also be formed therein via conical punch 84. When the 
alternative exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 is ready for use to 
seal an already opened can still retaining a portion of its contents, the 
plate member 10 is rotated 180.degree. degrees before being replaced on 
the can top and sealed thereagainst via the action of clamping assemblies 
48,50. When this is done, the float member 100, connecting rod 90, and 
indicator 88 will fall under the influence of gravity through openings 92 
and 98 and into the interior of can 40. The falling float member and 
therefore the indicator 88 will come to rest depending upon the amount of 
contents still remaining in the can. The indicator marks 102 on tube 86 
will thus indicate the relative volume of contents still remaining in the 
can. Preferably, these marks are used to represent FULL, 3/4 FULL, 1/2 
FULL, 1/4 FULL, but any other convention may be used instead. 
Finally, it will be noted that after the plate member 10 is rotated 
180.degree. to place the indicator tube 86, indicator 88, connecting rod 
90, and float 100 in alignment with the hole formed by the conical punch 
84, and the device used to seal the can 40, a second conical hole, 
180.degree. out of phase with the first conical hole will be formed in the 
can top. Thereafter, less care need be taken to rotate the plate member 10 
before sealing emplacement because the necessary hole or perforation in 
the top 42 of can 40 will be present in the can top under both extensions 
80 and 82. 
In summary, there has been fully described above a new and improved can top 
opener and sealer having means for securely clamping the opener to a 
previously opened can and effectively sealing same. In addition, novel 
level indicator means are provided enabling the user to discern at a 
glance the level of or relative volume of the contents remaining in the 
previously opened, sealed container. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully 
described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is 
presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of 
the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art 
that many modifications thereof may be made without departing form the 
principles and concepts set forth. Hence, the proper scope of the present 
invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the 
appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalents.