Patent Abstract:
A hand held, one touch jar opener can be placed on a jar and activated with a momentary touch of a button. An epicyclic gear train is set to sequentially provide a grip on a jar, and on a lid, followed by development of torque needed to move the lid in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the jar. The principles embodied in the opener shown can be realized in an opener which can be manually powered, or preferably motorised and possibly highly automated. A differential geartrain provides reduction of speed and increase in torque and then provides two balanced and opposing forces through the epicyclic gear assembly having sun and planet gears. This configuration enables a wide variety of screw-on lids and jars to be automatically closed to match the correct diameters, apply a gripping force and then apply torque in an opposing direction.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to improved technology in the field of reliable automatic jar openers which can be employed for convenience to an aid for individuals who may have trouble focussing the strength necessary to open a jar, and more particularly to improvements in Jar and Bottle screw top opening devices which enable a light, portable device operable with one touch, essentially hands free operation over the whole of lid loosening process which, from the user&#39;s perspective, involves nothing more than simply placing the device atop a jar to be opened and then pressing a button. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Screw on Lids have been used on food and drink containers for over 100 years, with screw threads being an effective way of giving a high sealing force between lid and container, usually sealed by an elastomer seal. However, a combination of factors cause contemporary containers to be more difficult to first open than ever. Sometimes the contents are sealed with an internal vacuum for more security, which increases the force necessary to unseal the container. Other containers have a security mechanism or other additional structure. To overcome these sealing, friction and vacuum forces, Jar and bottle lids often require users with significant strength and manual dexterity to break the grip of the seal and loosen the lid. Once the lid is initially loosened, the loose lid can easily be removed by hand. 
         [0003]    Jar and bottle openers which aid unscrewing tight lids by giving user extra grip and mechanical leverage on the lid date back to 1900 and prior. Of the various methods of gripping jars and Lids, an “Edlund” has been utilized in which one structure which is turned in one direction can be used to grip and rotate simultaneously. A central turning handle includes a pinion which operates a rack to compress around a lid. The same direction of turning of the handle which causes the members to compress around the lid also enable turning of the lid once the maximum compression for a non turning lid is achieved. 
         [0004]    The use of this mechanism has also been accomplished using a force gradient across the height of a container in a device which holds the bottom of the container and the top of the container, possibly using two separate “Edlund” devices, or one “Edlund” device and a static holder. One of the problems with this arrangement is that such a device is significantly large and occupies significant shelf space, and it takes time to load and secure the container to be opened, and compressive forces at the bottom of the container can cause container damage and breakage in the case of a glass container. Containers are not necessarily weakest adjacent their bottom support surface. Further, the device has to be unloaded after the opening process has completed. The lack of ease of use from loading and unloading, as well as counter space occupation makes these devices ineffective. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a product which will not occupy significant shelf space, which is small, portable and will not subject containers to opening forces across the height of the container and which are simple to use. The needed device should not be wed to one size or configuration of container to be opened. The needed device should be cyclical and provide an automatic reset action after opening. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The container opening device, hereafter “jar opener” device of the present invention is a self contained device which can be held in one open hand and which can be gently placed atop a jar to be opened and operated with a single touch of a button. A pair of grippers, including a larger outer gripper and a smaller inner gripper act sequentially to grasp a container near the lid, and then grasp the lid and urge it in a direction to be opened. 
         [0007]    The jar opener employs a mechanism which lends itself to being employed in either a manual or automatically powered device for containers which can range from a jar to a bottle. The range of sizes over which the jar opener can be employed may depend upon its size and range of grasping. The jar opener mimics the action of a pair of human hands by adjusting the grip on both the Jar and its lid to avoid slipping and applying an opposing torque without slipping. There are several methods for gripping a jar and lid, and applying the torque necessary to open the lid from the jar. It is understood that the invention is centered upon applying the force necessary to overcome an initial sealed condition or overly tightened condition, and generally the operation to turn multiple revolutions of the lid to provide ultimate physical separation of the lid from the container is not necessarily contemplated. 
         [0008]    The preferred method of the invention and its methods disclosed works by using a differential gear train to cascade the application rotation input energy into a jar gripping body and a lid gripping body and secondly into the application of an opposing torque between the two gripping devices. The forces can be applied in any sequence to the jar gripping body and lid gripping body. A differential gear train uses a little used application of an epicyclic or planetary gear train. This gear arrangement includes the principle that when input rotation is applied to the sun gear, the planet carrier and annulus share and balance the output torque (as in a differential gear train). For the mechanism disclosed, it means that 2 gripping mechanisms, one for the container body, and one for the screw-on lid, can be first automatically closed to match the correct diameters and apply a gripping force and then continue in a manner which will apply torque in opposing directions. 
         [0009]    As a result, the preferred embodiment of the invention operates by placing it on the flat topped lid of a screw top container, and pressing the start button. This one-touch feature means that other activities can be carried out while the jar opener is operating. The start button can activate switches, such as a latching switch which can reset the drive direction, and the other which can start a geared electric motor (probably battery operated). The sun gear of the epicyclic gear train can then be actuated as will be shown in the detailed description to begin the opening operation. (Finish) 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from the right side of the hand held jar opener of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the hand held jar opener seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective isolated view of the rotation housing and covering thin planar upper portion which supports a pair of cam operated structures surrounding a rotational fitting, and shown in a position ready to start a jar opening cycle; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective isolated view of the rotation housing and covering thin planar upper portion after it has gone through a one hundred eighty degree rotation and at the end of its jar opening cycle which corresponds to the beginning of a subsequent jar opening cycle; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates an electro-mechanical realization of the power and switching circuitry for accomplishing a change of polarity which enables a single series of forward cycles and which could also be realized in a micro controller embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of two components which move past each other and use a lever mounted terminus which interfits with a notch; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates the two components of  FIG. 6  after movement has occurred and illustrating the compression of the cam operated structures into an accommodation space; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative for providing an energy “bump” or momentary energy differential by providing a pair of split teeth which are compressed to form an energy differential; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative for providing an energy “bump” or momentary energy differential by providing a slightly longer tooth  245  urged forward by a spring against a pinion gear to provide a point resistance; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates another structure which can enable transmission of jar grasping forces to lower regions using vertical shafts and transfer gears, and also which illustrates a different orientation of structures within an epicyclic gear chain; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates jar opener using a belt topology and which is seen as having an off center design and which can be used equally as well for a slender cylindrical bottle as well as a large cylindrical jar; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side plan view of the jar opener seen in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the jar opener seen in  FIGS. 11-12 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a gear schematic illustrating how a single power source input can urge upper and lower drive belts in opposite directions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0025]    The description and operation of the invention will be best initiated with reference to  FIG. 1 , which is a perspective view of a jar opener  21 . Jar opener  21  has a main housing  23  which may include an upper housing  25  and a lower housing  27 . Below the lower housing  27  is a rotation housing  29 . A button  31  is seen through an aperture of the upper housing  25  and for locational reference is located nearer what will be referred to as the front of the jar opener  21 . In use, the jar opener  21  will be grasped about its main housing  23  in a position to steady the jar opener  21  and to press the one touch button  31  with the user&#39;s index finger to operate the jar opener  21 . 
         [0026]    The jar opener  21  is shown with the underside of the rotation housing  29  supported atop a lid  35  which is threadably engaged to close a jar  37 . A pair of main gripping members, herein after for the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-10  which will be referred to as jaws, including a first main jaw  41  at the front of the jar opener  21  and a second main jaw  43  at the rear of the jar opener  21 . The first and second main jaws  41  and  43  each have a rack portion  45  a curved portion  47 , and a grip member  49 . The grip member  49  may be flexible, coated or may pivot. Grip member  49  may be made of a soft material to create a high coefficient of friction with respect to the surface of jar  37 . 
         [0027]    Below the lower housing  27 , and from the rotation housing  29  a pair of lid jaws, including a first lid jaw rack  51  at the front of the jar opener  21  and a second lid jaw rack  53  at the rear of the jar opener  21 . The first and second lid jaw racks  51  and  53  each have a rack portion  55  and a downwardly extending lid grip member  59 . The lid grip member  59  may be flexible, coated or may be angled slightly inwardly to insure that jar lid  35  is positively engaged. Grip members  59  are also made of high coefficient of friction material. Generally, the position of the jar opener  21  with respect to the jar  37  and lid  35  is a position as it would be placed, just before activation by pressing the button  31 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the jar opener  21  seen in  FIG. 1  is illustrated. A general recitation of the component parts will be followed by a more in-depth discussion of the force principals involved. From the top of  FIG. 2 , a button aperture  61  is seen through which button  31  extends. Button  31  may have structures which enable manual reach of switches to be shown. 
         [0029]    A motor clamp  67  is seen in a position somewhat saddling a motor  69 . The motor  69  may have a shaft  71  and pinion gear  73 . A series of reduction gears are mounted on two axes in an offset fashion to capture the high speed force from the pinion gear  73  into a lower speed higher torque force for use in the final gear sequence of the jar opener  21 . In its operating position, the motor  69  is angled to the approximate degree seen in  FIG. 2 . The pinion gear engages a series of downwardly directed radially arranged teeth in an angle gear  75 . Note that the top of the angle gear  75  has an upper ridge and a downwardly angled portion circumferentially outward of the upper ridge. Underneath this downwardly angled portion are downwardly angled teeth which match the teeth of the pinon gear  73 . 
         [0030]    The angle gear  75  may have a generally conical inside portion and a series of reinforcement ribs, if necessary. Angle gear  75  rotates about a first axis  77 , even though the off set exploded view of  FIG. 2  may not appear to align the components common to first axis  77 . The rotation of the angle gear  75  with an integrated smaller diameter central pinion gear (not seen in  FIG. 2 ) which is located near the center of the angle gear  75  and is on axis  77 , and engages outer teeth of a second gear  79  which rotates about an axis  81 . 
         [0031]    Second gear  79  rotates about an axis  81  which may be spaced apart from the axis  77 . Likewise, the rotation of the second gear  79  about axis  81  causes an integrated smaller diameter central underlying pinion gear (not seen in  FIG. 2 ) to engages an outer gear teeth set of a third gear  83  which may rotate about the axis  77 . Likewise, the rotation of the third gear  83  about axis  77  causes an integrated smaller diameter central underlying pinion gear (not seen in  FIG. 2 ) to engage an outer gear teeth set of a fourth gear  85  which may rotate about the axis  81 . Further, the rotation of the fourth gear  85  about axis  81  causes an integrated smaller diameter central underlying pinion gear (not seen in  FIG. 2 ) to engage outer gear teeth set of a fifth gear  87  which may rotate about the axis  77 . 
         [0032]    The fifth gear  87  is the final stage of the gear train and includes a lower sun gear portion (not seen in  FIG. 1 ) of an epicyclic gear assembly which will be hereinafter described. Below the fifth gear is seen a separator fitting  89  which helps to distribute loads and reduce the wear of a set of three planetary gears  91 . Planetary gears  91  are each rotationally supported by a planet gear carrier  93 . The drive force from the planet gear carrier  93  is utilized to drive the first and second lid jaw racks  51  and  53 . 
         [0033]    The separator fitting  89 , three planetary gears  91  and planetary gear carrier  93  are all upwardly supported and partially enveloped within an annular and main jaw drive  95 . The drive force from the planet gear carrier  93  is utilized to drive the first and second lid jaw racks  51  and  53 . The fifth gear  87  imparts its force to the planetary gears  91  and moves independently of any direct fixation with respect to the annular and main jaw drive  95 . To the extent that the fifth gear  87  and annular and main jaw drive  95  may touch, their movement based on such touching may involve some, but preferably minimal friction. One function of the separator fitting  89  is to set the height of the annular and main jaw drive  95  with respect to the fifth gear  87 , so as to control the forces and set separation heights along with the integral bearing surface of fifth gear  87  against drive shaft  127 . 
         [0034]    The important result of the system shown is that movement of the fifth gear  87  in one direction will cause the planet carrier  93  to move in the same direction, but should the planet carrier  93  experience a resistance to movement, the opposite motion will result in the annular and main jaw drive  95 . Thus, the planetary gear system enables the splitting of force and motion output from the gear system which is useful in the opposite motion and forces developed in removing lid  35  from the jar  37 . 
         [0035]    Other components seen in  FIG. 2  is an internal support insert  99  which has a number of shapes and surfaces. A pair of cylindrical shaped openings  101  are seen to support battery carriage and insertion. A battery door  103  may be provided to interfit with the main housing  23  and to enclose batteries within the cylindrical shaped openings  101 . Electrical contacts  105  may be provided to control the series or parallel connection of the batteries which will fit into the cylindrical shaped openings  101 , which may be “AA” type batteries, for example. 
         [0036]    Internal support insert  99  can also be seen as supporting a number of other components, including switches  107  and stop/reverse switch  109 . A low friction annulus support area  111  has a shape and surface made for rotationally supporting the annular and main jaw drive  95  with stable rotation and low friction. As can be seen, the internal support insert  99  fits within the inside open area of the lower housing  27 . The lower housing  27  can be seen as having a pair of rack openings  113 , only one of which can be seen in the perspective of  FIG. 2 . A main opening  115  is provided for transmission of rotational power to the first and second lid jaw racks  51  and  53 . Other structures are seen in the lower housing  27  to facilitate registry, support and attachment of both the internal support insert  99  and upper housing  25 . 
         [0037]    Outboard, fore and aft of the lower housing  27  is a better and more complete view of the first and second main jaws  41  and  43 . The rack portions  45  can be seen as having an open slot with a set of teeth  117  on one side. The teeth sets are oppositely oriented with respect to each other to engage the main jaw drive pinion gear  95 , (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) so that when the pinion is turned in one direction, the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  open and when turned in the other direction the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  close. As can be seen, the portions of the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  outboard of the main slot have cutaway portions  119  so that the rack portions  45  of the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  can move more closely together in a more mutually supported relationship, especially during closure/grasping. 
         [0038]    Below the lower housing  27  the rotation housing  29  is seen has having a rotational fitting  121  which is vertically fixed within the lower housing  27  but freely rotatable. Below the rotational fitting  121  a pinion gear  125  is shown in an exploded relationship and which fits much more closely to the rotational fitting  121 , and rotation housing  29  and can be seen from the bottom of the jar opener  21  as assembled. Rotational fitting  121  operates within a defined space and enables the pinion gear  125  to turn freely by a shaft  127 . The pinion gear  125  engages teeth  129  on one side of each of the first lid jaw racks  51  and  53 . The arrangement is such that the turning of the pinion gear  125  in one direction causes the first lid jaw racks  51  and  53  move their downwardly extending lid grip member  59  away from each other, and where movement of the pinion gear  125  in the other direction causes the first lid jaw racks  51  and  53  move their downwardly extending lid grip member  59  towards each other to form a grip on the lid  35 . 
         [0039]    As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , and as will be explained, the rotational fitting  121  is used both for a force threshold differentiator and for a rotational position indicator. In the exploded view, and seen above and seeming to cover the rotation housing  29  is a thin upper planar portion  131  which will be attached to the bottom of the lower housing  27  and which does not rotate with respect to the rotation housing  29 . The thin upper planar portion  131  supports, or may simply cover, a force arm  141  which has a cam extension  143  which extends into a curving cam slot (not clearly seen in  FIG. 2 ) which is carried by the rotational fitting  121 . At the other side of the thin upper planar portion  131  a switch arm  145  also has a cam follower  147  which operates stop/reverse switch  109  based upon the position of the rotational fitting  121 . 
         [0040]    Alternatives to the output from the epicyclic system which also shares torque between two gripping mechanisms with the relative sequence of outputs controlled by these include slipping clutches, spring loaded grips and meshing gears. The epicyclic gear train is preferred because it has few loses, it is very efficient, it also gives a gearing ratio, as a useful by-product of the differential. This means that less torque is needed to power it, and so a lower gearing ratio from a motor/gearbox power source is needed, which is both more efficient and uses fewer parts. 
         [0041]    Generally, slipping clutches waste a lot of energy, as they often slip for a long period in a mechanical cycle, representing lost energy. Spring loaded grips can only give a gripping force proportional to the spring rates, which may not match the gripping force required to avoid slipping. Meshing gears may work where one or both the gripping mechanisms are belt-like, but such devices are not as easy to mount on containers and lids. 
         [0042]    The preferred embodiment of the jar opener  21  operates by placing it on the flat topped lid  35  of a screw top container or jar  37 , and pressing the start button  31 . This one-touch feature means that other activities can be carried out by the user while the opener is operating. The start button  31  presses switches  107 , one of which is latching and resets the drive direction, and the other starts the geared electric motor  69  to drive the sun gear underneath the fifth gear  87  of the epicyclic gear train. The two sets of gripping jaws including first and second main jaws  41  and  43  first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  are connected to the epicyclic gear assembly, including separator fitting  89 , three planetary gears  91 , planet gear carrier  93 , annular and main jaw drive  95  and shaft  127 . The diameters of the drive gears of the epicyclic gear assembly are adjusted to balance the different output torques of the annular and main jaw drive  95  (higher torque), and the planet gear carrier  93  (lower torque), such that the gripping forces can be more evenly distributed. 
         [0043]    Generally, motion of the fifth gear  87  might act to close both the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  and the first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  simultaneously, but the gear sizes and friction of the fittings can be adjusted to cause the closure of the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  to occur first, and then the first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  to close after the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  have engaged the jar  37 . 
         [0044]    An even more positive gripping force of the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  and the first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  is created by the action of the force arm  141  and cam extension  143  into the rotational fitting  121  (the force created also being shared back through the differential epicyclic gear assembly). Initial rotation of the pinion gear  125  proceeds until the first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  are closed around the lid  35 , either just after or simultaneous to the closing of the first and second main jaws  41  and  43 . Once all jaws are closed, additional force transmitted to the pinion  125  through the shaft  127  will result in a rotational force on the rotational fitting  121  sufficient to cause the rotational fitting  121  to overcome the resistance to its rotational motion imparted to it by the force of the force arm  131  urging the cam extension  133  into a curved cam slot. Once this occurs, the rotation housing  29  proceeds to rotate, along with the first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  which have already been urged into a high compression relationship against the lid  35 . As the pinion gear  125  continues to rotate, the rotation of the rotation housing  29  with lid  35  grasped in place, occurs with respect to the lower housing  27  and first and second main jaws  41  and  43  which remain in place with respect to the grasped jar  37 . 
         [0045]    The result is the opening of the jar  37  once enough torque force is applied between the jar  37  and lid  35 . Once the initial opening force resistance is overcome, the rotational housing  29  continues to turn one hundred eighty degrees with respect to the lower housing  27  and the planar upper portion  131 . The control can be accomplished by sensors, stop switches, latching switches and the like, but it is preferred for a reversal of the motor  69  to occur in combination with the force components set up to sequentially reverse the actions, but a complete understanding of reversal can be best understood by further illustrations. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a closeup perspective is seen of the rotational fitting  121 , and surrounding structures and with respect to a jar  37  and lid  35 . First, the rotational fitting  121  is made up of two portions, an outside portion  151  includes a pair of oppositely located cam slots  153 , the left cam slot being obscured by the presence of an overlying cam follower  147  which extends over and across it. The inside portion has two cam slots  153  so that it can turn one hundred eighty degrees and then reset for a further activation. 
         [0047]    An inside portion  155  is continuous with and rotates along with the outside portion  151 , and has a slightly higher profile than the outside portion  151 . The inside portion has a radially inwardly displaced cylindrical surface  157  to enable switch  109  to achieve one position when such inwardly displaced cylindrical surface  157  is in contact with the switch arm  145 . The inside portion has a radially outwardly displaced cylindrical surface  159  to enable switch  109  to achieve another position when such outwardly displaced cylindrical surface  159  is not in contact with the switch arm  145 . 
         [0048]    As will be seen, the combination of switch  109  operating as a reversing switch will allow the jar opener  21  to operate in a series of single, one hundred eighty degrees cycles in which the first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  need only rotate one hundred eighty degrees during its forward lid  35  loosening action with reversal and re-set not involving a reverse one hundred eighty degree movement. This single cycling enables the jar opener  21  to be more convenient, eliminate the force and energy needed to move the first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  in a reverse direction. This also means that the jar opener  21  will be automatically returned to a position ready to again operate at the end of each cycle. 
         [0049]    Also seen in  FIG. 3  is an upper structure  161  which is used to physically actuate the switch  109 . A first spring  163  is used to connect between the upper structure  161  and a suitable non-moveable fixing point on lower housing  27  (not shown) or the pivot of the force arm  141 . This does not impede the movement of the force arm  141 , but enables quick action by the cam follower  147  from cam walls  157  to  159  and back by a relatively light spring to enable quick action by the switch arm  145 . A second spring  165  is used to connect between the end of the force arm  141  and a suitable non-moveable fixing point on lower housing  27  (not shown), or a pivot of the switch arm  145 . This does not impede the movement of the switch arm  145 . The spring  165  enables a more deliberate, force overcoming action by the torque in the turning movement of the rotational fitting  121  causing the cam slots  153  to act against the cam extension  143 . Other spring arrangements can be realized. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a view following the same perspective as was seen in  FIG. 3  with respect to the planar upper portion  131 , but with rotation housing  29  having been rotated relative to the planar upper portion  131 , is shown. The aspects which appear changed is that the rotational fitting  121  has turned one hundred eighty degrees such that the radially inwardly displaced cylindrical surface  157  and radially outwardly displaced cylindrical surface  159  have changed places. This has caused the cam follower  147  to have only just been moved outward due to the presence of the radially outwardly displaced cylindrical surface  159 . This has in turn caused the switch arm  145  to move such that the upper structure  161  has contacted and activated stop/reverse switch  109  to cause the main circuitry to reverse and instantly switch the drive motor  69  from moving forward to moving backward. 
         [0051]    However, at this point where the motor  69  has reversed itself, it should be noted that the cam extension  143  has engaged the other cam slot  153  on the other side of the rotational fitting  121  and thus stabilized the rotational fitting  121  during the reversal. Cam extension  143  will not leave the other cam slot  153  into which it is resting until the positive rotation of housing  29  on the next jar opening sequence. 
         [0052]    Further, and as can be seen by the rotation of the arrow (since rotation housing  29  only moves in one direction), the switch arm  145  will remain in a position urged outwardly by the cam follower  147  engagement with radially outwardly displaced cylindrical surface  159  for the next one hundred eighty degree rotation of the rotation housing  29 . As will be seen, polarity reversal by the stop/reverse switch  109  will remain so reversed throughout the next one hundred eighty degree cycle and will only be reversed again at the end of such next one hundred eighty degree cycle when the mechanism assumes the position seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , one possible electrical schematic is illustrated, along with the mechanical actions associated with various switches. The circuit enables the forward moving nature of the mechanism which avoids reverse movement of the rotation housing  29  on reset. A battery “B” may preferably be two “AA” size batteries for a relatively small hand held jar opener  21 . A pair of series disabling switches  181  may be used to isolate the battery. Disabling switches may be tilt switches to disable the jar opener  121  when it is not lying flat on a jar, or they might be trip switches which will not allow operation unless the jar opener  21  is sitting atop a flat lid. These disabling switches may be optical, mechanical or proximity type switches, to name a few. 
         [0054]    Switches  107  are each actually two double throw double pole switches which are setup to provide polarity reversal and momentary contact override. In terms of pole reversal, the switches  107  somewhat “chase” the pole reversal which occurs with respect to switch  109 . As described above, the cam action effect of the turning of the rotational fitting  121  reverses the motor polarity at the end of each opening cycle. This pole reversal is not automatically re-reversed at the end of the cycle. The user in essence re-reverses the polarity each time the user starts the jar opener  21 . 
         [0055]    Button  31  is mechanically attached to both of switches  107 , including a momentary override switch  107 A and a pole reversal switch  107 B. Switch  107 A is spring loaded and returns to the position seen in  FIG. 5  after being depressed. Switch  107 A is a latch switch which changes the switch state each time it is depressed. A stop switch  183  may be mechanically connected to one of the first and second main jaws  41  and  43 , in this case shown to be main jaw  41 . The outward extension of the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  at the end of their cycle is used to open stop switch  183  to stop the motor  69  after the reversal cycle is complete. 
         [0056]    When the next cycle is started, depressing the button  31  does two things. First, it reverses the polarity of the motor from its last action in opening the jaws, and it does this via switch  107 B. Secondly, the effect of switch  107 A in its momentary contact, drives the motor  69  forward by overriding all of the other switches, regardless of polarity to start the motor  69  moving forward. Such forward movement will first begin to activate the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  to begin to close and thus immediately close switch  183 . Switch  183  is open only when the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  (or one of them) is fully outwardly retracted. As a result, even a momentary forward powering of the motor  69  which moves the first or second main jaws  41  and  43  even a little, will cause switch  107  be to be closed. 
         [0057]    As the user lifts his finger from the button  31 , the power from Battery B flows through the switch  107 A as seen in  FIG. 5 , then through switch  183  and switch  109  and into the motor to continue driving motor  69  in the same forward direction. As before, the motor drives through gear box “G” and causes the cammed radially inwardly displaced cylindrical surface  157  and radially outwardly displaced cylindrical surface  159  to change places which then change the polarity of switch  109 . At the beginning of the next cycle, the pressing of the button  31  momentarily starts motor  69  as before, due to the override of switch  107 A, and when the button  31  is released, the switch  107 B will be in the opposite position (matching the changed position of switch  109  and again cause the motor to be driven forward. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7  there is shown some other detent structures which can be used with any component of the can opener which moves. Generally speaking, any member  201  which has any other member  203  sliding past it can use a detent system to provide a small force to be overcome before member  201  is allowed to move relative to a member  203 , such as first and second main jaws  41  and  43  first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  and especially their rack portions. In  FIG. 6 , the member  203  has an indent  205  having a shape and depth formed in accord with the amount and type of action desired. Member  201  has an arm  207  having a terminus  209  for interacting with the indent  205 . An accommodation space  211  is formed to enable the arm  207  to move freely out of the path of portions of member  203  not having the indent  205 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 7  illustrates that as member  203  moves with respect to member  201  that the arm  207  bends and the terminus  209  is pushed out of the way. In total, the force necessary to overcome the locking position seen in  FIG. 6  will depend upon the materials chosen, shape of the terminus  209  and indent  205  and the thickness and shape of the arm  207 . 
         [0060]    Other structures can be provided to cause a continuously movable rack to experience an energy or force gradient versus other structures connected in a competitive power train. Referring to  FIG. 8 , a Rack  221  has a series of even teeth  223 . A split tooth  225  is actually made up of two half teeth  227  having outside edges which are spaced slightly wider apart, and about a slot  229  to provide clearance for compression, so that the regular teeth  223 , so that when a pinion gear  231  attempts to roll past the split tooth  225 , additional energy has to be spent to compress the two half teeth  227  toward each other. Where a competitive power train is present, energy and motion will be more readily used someplace else. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a Rack  241  has a series of even teeth  243 . Space is provided in place of one of the teeth  223 . In its place, a slightly longer tooth  245  is placed as a replacement tooth. The slightly longer tooth  245  has a base  247  against which a spring  249  urges the slightly longer tooth  245  outward so that when a pinion gear  251  attempts to roll past the protruding tooth  245 , additional energy has to be spent to compress the spring  249 . Again, where a competitive power train is present, energy and motion will be more readily used someplace else. 
         [0062]    One of the aspects of the jar opener  21  is the fact that the operability of the jar grasping mechanism is above the lid grasping mechanism. The “reach around” of the jar grasping mechanism enables it to have the lower grasping extent. Other structure which enable the jar  37  grasping structures to move below the lid  35  grasping structures can be utilized. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the same numbering will be shown with respect to that seen in  FIGS. 1-5  except where new structure is present. 
         [0063]    A cover  281  has an internal gear  283  with which a motor  69  and pinion  73  may power. A pinion  285  is introduced to operate between the planet gears  91  such as was underneath the fifth gear  87 , the difference here is that pinion  285  rotates with the cover  281 , but in  FIG. 2 , the pinion underneath fifth gear  87  is rotated with respect to internals gears  95  located in an annulus below the fifth gear  87 . As before, a planet carrier  93  has a shaft  127  terminating in a pinion gear  125 . As before, underneath the lower annulus  95 , an integral gear  291  is used to take power off through gears  293  and the gears  295  before power is passed through shafts  297  in order to activate rack portions  55 . As before, pinion  125  actuates rack portions  45 . A metal structure  299  by be used to circularly support the components, including the gears  293 ,  295 , and shafts  297 , and give a lower center of gravity, which improves the balance on smaller jar lids. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 11  a jar opener  301  wherein the gripping members using a belt topology is seen, as having an off center design and which can be used equally as well for a slender cylindrical bottle  303  as well as a large cylindrical jar  305 . A button  307  controls a lower gripping member hereinafter referred to as belt  311  and an upper gripping member which is a tension link hereinafter referred to as belt  311 , which will be more clearly seen as a toothed or ribbed belt  311 , with the lower belt  311  engaging the bottle  303  or jar  305  and the upper belt  315  engaging a lid  317 . Can opener  301  has a general “L” shaped housing  319  which either fits over a bottle or on the side of a jar  305 . 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a side plan view illustrates the two belts  311  and  315  with some separation between them. It is not necessary that the lid  317  and jar  305  or bottle  303  be of exactly the same diameter. Referring to  FIG. 13 , a top view illustrates that the belt  315  has ribs  321  which are used to assist in grasping and pulling or pushing the belt in a driven manner. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , one possible power input scheme is illustrates one possible power input method. A single shaft  325  terminates in a bevel gear  327 . A counterclockwise turning of the bevel gear  327  results in a clockwise turning of an upper bevel gear  329  with a shaft  331  connected to an upper sprocket gear  333 . Likewise, the counterclockwise turning of the bevel gear  327  results in a counterclockwise turning of a lower bevel gear  335  with a shaft  337  connected to an lower sprocket gear  339 . 
         [0067]    With a belt set, several options are available. The lower belt can simply tighten and the upper belt can be tightened and then moved in a counterclockwise direction. Further, tightening of the upper belt can occur prior to movement. Further, in the upper belt, one sprocket can tighten and then another sprocket can move against a take-up reel with a given (high) tension. For example, upper belt  315  can be taken up from the left until the belt is tight. A supply reel could be set to supply belt only beyond a threshold spring tension of fifty to one hundred pounds. Then the upper belt would tighten and continue to tighten until it exceeded, say a fifty pound tension at which time the upper belt acts to move the lid  317  in a counterclockwise direction until the upper lid is removed. 
         [0068]    In general it is preferable for the first and second main jaws  41  and  43  first and second lid jaws  51  and  53  to have built in initial resistance so that they operate in a given, expected sequence each time. For example the devices shown in  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 9  can be used to control this sequence, and ensure that main jaws move first and reset last, to provide power for automatic movement by closing switch  183  throughout. This ensures that the button starts the sequence in one touch. 
         [0069]    As has been shown, the epicyclic mechanism builds and shares the grip forces and utilizes excess torque forces as applied for to move the rotation housing  29  along with the lid  35 . Adjusting the strength of the spring  165  can preset torque at which the opening operation begins. This is so that the friction between grips  49  and  59  and lid  35  and container body  37  will be large enough to avoid slippage. The seal between the jar  37  and lid  35  usually releases (with any destruction of vacuum) within the first quarter turn of unscrewing the lid  35 . 
         [0070]    In addition to the embodiment shown, a micro controller or chip can be used to provide the switching function, as well as other sensors for providing additional control. 
         [0071]    Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, the utilization of the epicyclic force and torque balancing, control and single cycle forward principles can be applied to any number of appliances to achieve advantages embodied in the specification. It is clear many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1