Abstract:
The invention provides a novel, easy to use, hand-operated apparatus for effortlessly loosening the threaded lid of ajar or bottle having a screw-on lid and readily accommodates jars or bottles of different sizes. One form of the invention includes a base having a jar supporting surface, a generally vertically extending guide column connected to the base and a carriage assembly connected to the guide for movement relative to the guide between a first raised position and a second lowered position. Novel features of the invention include the provision of a helical drive screw which drives a jar lid engaging assembly and a novel safety clutch mechanism which prevents the exertion of excessive force on the jar being opened.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to devices for opening sealed containers. More particularly the invention concerns a manually operated apparatus for removing screw-on lids from jars. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Jars and bottles, commonly made of glass and plastic have long been employed to contain and store various types of foods and materials. Typically, such containers are provided with screw-type closure lids, which attach to the jars by cooperating threads. In order to properly seal the container, the lid is generally tightly fitted to its associated jar often making it difficult to remove the lid from the container. Entrapment of small amounts of the contained material within the threads may also contribute to difficulty in loosening the jar lid as will corrosion of the lid with the passage of time. Even under the best of conditions, the very young, the elderly and persons with arthritis and like infirmities often find it extremely difficult to accomplish the task of removing the threaded lid from its associated container. 
   A wide variety of jar opening devices have been suggested in the past. For example, several container opening devices of the strap wrench type have previously been designed and marketed. Generally these devices include a friction buckle arrangement along with an elongated handle for removing the lid. In other prior art under the counter type devices a cam lock principle is used such as “V” notch and cam-lock for gripping the jar lid. These devices generally require the user to hold the container in position while turning it. When the container is made of glass, breakage of the container is possible, resulting in the possibility of severe lacerations to the hand of the user. 
   A more sophisticated type of container opening device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,923 issued to Parent et al. The Parent et al., device includes a mechanical drive for causing relative rotation to occur between the container cap and a cap-engaging unit. The mechanical drive brings the cap unit into engagement with the cap and then slips to permit the cap to be unscrewed from the container. A control unit senses the torque created by the relative rotation between the cap and the cap engaging unit and when a drop in torque is sensed, the control unit causes the drive to move the cap and the cap-engaging unit out of operable engagement. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,158 issued to Morita discloses a jar lid remover which comprises a jar base clamp that is adjustable into a clamping relationship with the base of the jar and a jar lid clamp that is adjustably positioned directly above the base clamp for vertical adjustment. The jar lid clamp is power driven in a manner such that the motorized application of lid unscrewing torque increases the extent of the clamping engagement of the clamp means on the lid so as to prevent torsional slipping during the jar lid unscrewing operation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   By way of summary, one form of the novel jar opening apparatus of the invention for opening a jar having a screw-on lid comprises a base having a jar supporting surface, a generally vertically extending guide column connected to the base and a carriage assembly connected to the guide for movement relative to the guide between a first raised position and a second lowered position. The carriage assembly uniquely comprises a carriage; a lid-engaging assembly operably associated with the carriage for engaging the screw-on lid when the carriage is in the second position, the lid-engaging assembly including a lid-engaging member; and rotating means operably associated with the lid-engaging member for imparting rotation thereto. The rotating means here comprises a helical drive screw connected to the carriage and a cooperating drive disk connected to the lid-engaging member. Operating means are operably associated with the carriage for moving the carriage between the first and second positions. This novel operating means of the invention comprises a handle assembly connected to the carriage for movement between a first elevated position and a second lowered position, the handle assembly including a driving drum for engagement with the vertically extending guide column to move the carriage toward said second position. 
   With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to use, hand-operated apparatus for effortlessly loosening the threaded lid of a jar or bottle. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a jar lid removing apparatus of the aforementioned character, which is designed to readily accommodate jars of different sizes. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a jar lid removing apparatus, which can be easily and effortlessly operated by persons lacking hand and arm strength, such as the elderly and the infirm. 
   Another object of the invention to provide a jar lid removing apparatus of the character described in the preceding paragraphs which is of simple construction, is inexpensive to manufacture, is dependable in use and requires minimum maintenance. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a jar lid removing apparatus which has a pleasing appearance, can be easily cleaned and takes up a minimum kitchen counter surface area. 
   These and other objects of the invention will become readily apparent from the discussion, which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a generally perspective view, partly in phantom, to show internal construction of one form of the jar-opening device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a generally perspective view of one form of the handle assembly of the invention for moving the carriage of the device upwardly and downwardly. 
       FIG. 3  is a side-elevational view of the jar opening apparatus illustrating the operation of the apparatus to remove ajar lid. 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side view illustrating in greater detail the construction of the operating arm of the invention and the vertically extending guide column thereof. 
       FIG. 5  is a generally perspective view of one form of the driven disc of the apparatus, which is driven by the helical drive shaft of the device. 
       FIG. 6  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the helical drive assembly, the driven disc, a portion of the device carriage and the jar lid-engaging assembly of the apparatus of one form of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a generally perspective view similar to  FIGS. 6  but showing the components of  FIG. 6  in an assembled configuration. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 8 , but showing the carriage assembly and helical drive shaft moved into a downward lid opening position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , one form of the jar opener apparatus of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  20 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus here comprises a base  22  having an elastomeric jar supporting and gripping surface  24 . Connected to base  22  is a generally vertically extending guide  26 . Guide  26  comprises a generally rectangular-shaped, hollow tube having a roller drum engaging surface  26   a.    
   Connected to guide  26  for vertical movement relative thereto between a first position shown in  FIG. 1  and a second jar lid opening position, is a carriage assembly generally designated by the numeral  30 . Carriage assembly  30  comprises a carriage  32 , which includes a hollow housing  32   a  having an interior space  34  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). 
   Operably associated with carriage assembly  30  is a lid-engaging assembly  36  which functions to frictionally engage the screw-on lid “L” of a jar “J” when the carriage is in the second lowered position. As best seen in  FIG. 6 , lid-engaging assembly  36  here includes a lid-engaging member  40  having a hollow neck portion  40   a  ( FIG. 9 ) and a jar lid-engaging, flange-like portion  40   b  which is adapted to engage lid L. 
   In the present form of the invention, novel rotating means are provided for controllably rotating the lid-engaging assembly  36 . This important rotating means here comprises a helical drive screw  42 , which is connected to carriage  32  by threaded connector  38 . As best seen in  FIG. 8 , helical drive screw  42  is provided with an elongated helical groove  42   a . Also forming a part of the rotating means of the invention is a disc-like driven member  46  ( FIG. 5 ), which is here threadably connected to lid-engaging member  40  ( FIG. 6 ). More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 6 , hollow neck portion  40   a  is provided with internal threads  40   c  which threadably receive external threads  46   b  formed on a reduced diameter portion  47  of driven member  46 . As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, as the carriage assembly is moved into its lowered position by the operating means of the invention, the elastomeric gripping component  40   d  of the lid-engaging member  40  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) will be brought into frictional contact with the screw top lid of the jar and the helical drive screw  42  will then impart controlled rotation to driven member  46  and to the lid-engaging member to which it is connected so as to expeditiously loosen the lid. In this regard, it is to be noted that driven disk  46  has a central aperture  46   a  which is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart driven teeth  68  which are receivable within the helical groove  42   a  of helical drive screw  46  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
   The important operating means of the invention, the character of which will next be described, is operably associated with carriage assembly  32  and functions to controllably move the carriage assembly between the first and second positions. In the present form of the invention, the operating means comprises a handle assembly  52  which is pivotally connected to carriage  32  for movement between a first position shown by the solid lines in  FIG. 3  and a second position shown by the dotted lines in  FIG. 3 . 
   As best seen by referring to  FIG. 2 , handle assembly  52  includes a generally yoke-shaped handle  52  having a bight portion  52   a  and spaced-apart leg portions  52   b  and  52   c . A drive drum  54  is connected to the central portion of a spanner member  56 , which spans legs  52   b  and  52   c . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , drive or roller drum  54  is provided with a flat portion  55  and with a multiplicity of drive teeth  57 , which, in a manner presently to be described, are engageable with a multiplicity of driven teeth  59  provided on surface  26   a  of guide  26  ( FIG. 4 ) when the handle assembly is moved toward the second position shown by the dotted lines in  FIG. 3 . To assist in gripping the handle assembly, the bight portion and a portion of the spaced-apart legs of the handle are covered by an elastomeric gripping sleeve  60  ( FIG. 1 ). Provided proximate the extremities of legs  52   b  and  52   c  ( FIG. 2 ) are counterweights  62  which function to continuously urge the handle assembly into the upraised, starting position shown by the solid lines in  FIG. 3 . 
   Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 6  of the drawings, disposed within carriage  32  is a box-like clutch housing  64 . Clutch housing  64 , which is positioned within the interior space  34  of carriage  30  in the manner indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , functions to interconnect the rotating means of the invention with the carriage. More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , clutch housing  64  is provided with a central chamber  66  having a clutch engaging sidewall  66   a , the purpose of which will presently be described. 
   Forming an important aspect of the jar opening apparatus of the present invention is the provision of safety release means for preventing the exertion of undue forces on the jar lid during the lid opening operation. In the present form of the invention, this novel safety release means uniquely functions to permit counter rotation of helical drive screw when, in a manner presently to be described, a predetermined amount of rotational force is exerted on driven member  46  by drive screw  42 . 
   In operating the device of the present form of the invention, with the various operating components interconnected in the manner shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  8  and  9 , and with the jar to be opened in position on base  22 , the jar opening process can begin. It is to be observed that, when the handle assembly is in the upward position shown in  FIG. 3 , the flat  55  ( FIG. 2 ) formed on roller drum  54  is disposed proximate guide surface  26   a  of guide  26 . With the roller drum  54  in this position, the handle and carriage assemblies can move freely upwardly and downwardly along the guide column  26 . 
   With the flange portion  40   b  of the jar engaging assembly resting on the lid L of the jar to be opened, the exertion of a downward force on the handle assembly  52  in the manner indicated by the dotted lines in  FIG. 3  will cause the handle assembly to pivot about the axis  56   a  of member  56  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). As indicated in  FIG. 4  of the drawings, this pivotal movement of the handle assembly will bring the multiplicity of drive teeth  57  formed on drive drum  54  into engagement with the multiplicity of driven teeth  59  formed on guide  26  (see  FIG. 4 ) causing a downward movement of the carriage assembly  30 . This downward movement of carriage assembly  30  will cause a downward movement of helical drive member  42  relative to driven member  46  from the position shown in  FIG. 8  into the position shown in  FIG. 9 . Due to the cooperative interaction of the teeth  68  of driven member  46  with the helical groove  42   a  formed in helical drive member  42  within which the teeth  68  are received, this downward movement of the drive member will cause the driven member  46 , along with lid-engaging member  40 , to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow  73  of  FIG. 3 . This combination of a downward force and a simultaneous counterclockwise rotational force exerted on the jar lid will effortlessly loosen the jar lid permitting it to be easily removed from the jar. 
   As indicated by the arrow  75  of  FIG. 9 , at the same time a counterclockwise rotational force is exerted on driven member  46  a clockwise, or counter rotational force will be experienced by helical drive member  42 . However, this clockwise rotational force experienced by the drive member will be resisted by the clutch means of the apparatus until such time as the downward, counterclockwise rotational force reaches a predetermined level. 
   In the present form of the invention, the novel clutch means comprises a friction clutch member  76  which is here provided in the form of a generally annular-shaped elastomeric friction member of the character best seen in  FIG. 6 . Clutch member  76  includes an outer friction surface  76   a  and an inner friction surface  76   b . As indicated in  FIG. 9  of the drawings, when the apparatus of the invention is fully assembled, outer friction surface  76   a  is disposed in frictional engagement with inner surface  66   a  of housing chamber  66  of the clutch housing  64 , while inner surface  76   b  of the friction member is disposed in frictional engagement with a reduced diameter portion  42   b  formed on helical drive member  42 . Clutch member  76  is strategically constructed so that it will effectively resist the tendency of the helical drive member  42  to rotate in a clockwise direction until such time as the combined downward and counterclockwise rotational forces being exerted on the lid-engaging assembly reach a level sufficient to risk crushing, breaking or otherwise damaging the jar being opened. Once such levels are reached, the frictional forces exerted by the clutch member  76  on the reduced diameter portion  42   b  of the helical drive member which resist clockwise rotation of the helical drive member, will be overcome, thereby permitting the helical drive member to rotate in a clockwise direction relative to the carriage assembly  30 . This clockwise rotation of drive member  42  will immediately relieve the downward forces being exerted on the lid L by the handle assembly via the rotating means of the invention and will effectively prevent damage to the container being opened. 
   Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.