Improvements in Devices for Protecting the Hands while Opening Cans.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 15th Aug.. 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Protecting the Hands while
Opening Cans.
1, WILLIAM MILLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at 5 West
132nd Street, of the City, County and State of New York, U.S.A. Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to means for opening cans or to devices for protecting
the hand or hands in the process of cutting out the heads thereof, and the invention
is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying
drawing forms a part, in which :-
Fig. 1, is a plan view of the device which I employ; and,
Fig. 2, a side view of one end of the can showing my improvement connected
therewith, the improvement being shown in section.
In the practice of my invention, I provide two disks or plates A, and B, which
are pivotally connected at C, and each of which is provided with a segmental
flange or rim D, which extend part way around the same.
Formed in the sides of the disks or plates A and B, adjacent to their pivotal
connection C, is a shoulder or projection E, and the sides of the disks or plates to
which the rims or flanges D, are secured are of slightly different curvature from
the sides opposite the pivotal connection thereof, and said disks or plates opposite
the pivotal connection are each provided with a jaw G, which is formed integrally
therewith, and adapted to over-lap the other disk or plate on the edge thereof,
and said disks or plates are free to move upon each other, and the upper one is
provided with a ring or loop H, which is connected therewith, by means of a
keeper h, and disks or plates cannot be moved outwardly beyond a predetermined
point for the reason that the jaws G, come in contact and prevent the separation
thereof, and the shoulders or projections E, also assist in this operation.
In the practice this device is placed over or on the head of a can and the separate
disks or plates may be contracted or drawn together so that the flanges or rims D,
will encircle and strike against the sides of the can as shown in Fig. 2, and while
being held in this position with one hand a suitable can opener or opening device
may be operated by the other hand to cut out the head of the can, said head
being cut out by passing the cutting device upon the outer edges of the can in
front of the extended edges of the rims D, the protector being held upon the can
by the other hand and being rotated on the head of the can as the cutting device
is moved around the rim of the can, thereby preventing the necessity of holding
the cut and ragged edges of the head of the can as is usually the custom which
affords discomfort and inconvenience, and in this manner the entire head of the
can can be cut out.
This device is preferably made of sheet metal and is well adapted to accomplish
the result for which it is intended, and my invention is not limited to the ex-
material of which the same is composed or to the exact form, construction and
arrangement of the parts thereof; and 1 reserve the right to make all such
alterations in, and modifications of the construction herein described as fairly come
within the scope of the invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The device herein described, for use in cutting out the heads of cans, the
same being composed of two pivotally connected disks or plates, each of which are
provided on one side with a depending flange or rim, said device being constructed
as herein described and as shown in Figs. 1, and 2, of the drawing.
2. A device for protecting the hands while cutting out the heads of cans which
consists of two similar disks or plates, which are partially circular in form and
which are pivotally connected at one side and which are provided with a segmental
flange or rim, and said plates, being provided opposite their pivotal connection each
with a clamp or jaw which is adapted to over-lap the other, substantially as shown
and described.
Dated this 15th day of April 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.