An Improved Device for Facilitating the Opening of Tin Cans or the like Receptacles
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 26th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 26th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Facilitating the Opening of Tin Cans or
the like Receptacles.
We, THOMAS FAWCETT BENNISON, Grocer, and PHILIP BENNISON, Clothier,
both of 23, Northgate, East Hartlepool, in the County of Durham, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to means or apparatus employed for opening sheet metal
cans or other like receptacles such as are used for packing meats, fish, paints,
and the like substances; the lid or cover being soldered onto the sides of such
receptacles and are required to be cut open by a sharp instrument to gain access
to the interior thereof.
The object of our invention is to employ an instrument which will facilitate.
the opening of tin cans in a manner which involves much less time and a much
less laborious operation than the instruments as hitherto employed for this
purpose.
In carrying out our invention we employ a piece of iron or the like material
of any convenient size having a handle formed at one end and a spike at the
other, between this spiked end and the handle is formed a recess or slot having
its sides notched for the insertion of a small knife or blade which is adjustable
by a thumb screw to fix the said blade in position, and also to enable the device
When the spiked
to be adapted to tin cans of any diameter to be ript open.
end which acts as the fulcrum is inserted into the centre of the tin can the
small blade enters the tin and is swept round in a circle by aid of the handle
which thus rips the cover open. The advantage of this method is that a true
cut is obtained which does not leave the edges of the tin ragged.
1
G. J. CLARKSON,
Stockton-on-Tees, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Facilitating the Opening of Tin Cans or
the like Receptacles.
We, THOMAS FAWCETT BENNISON, of Scorton, in the North Riding of the
County of York, Grocer, and PHILIP BENNISON, of Fern Villas, West
Hartlepool, Clothier and Outfitter, in the County of Durham, 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 :-
The instrument consists of a flat metal bar A, one end of which is made to
fit into a wooden socket or handle. At the other end is a specially curved spike B
which acts as a fulcrum and pivot when pierced through the centre of the lids
of tins and cans and brought into position for cutting round tins and cans at top
or side. Along the centre of the bar A is a slot hole which extends to half
an inch within the ends of bar A. Through the slot hole is the square neck
of blades or cutters C and D, onto which fits the blade or cutter E. All the
blades or cutters are fastened together by means of a thumbscrew F. The
three blades or cutters C D E are reversible and are arranged to move along
slot hole of bar A so as to be easily adjusted and fixed in any position by means
of the thumbscrew F thus allowing each blade or cutter to be placed at the radius
of the particular sized tin or can to be opened.

page_text: :-
The instrument will open tins and cans in three different ways namely:-
Fig. I. To open a round tin or can at the top:-Pierce spike B into the
centre of the tin or can-at the same time fix blade or cutter C into proper
position by piercing the can or tin where it is required to be opened-then cut
round in a circular manner.
Fig. II. To open a round tin or can at the side:-Reverse the blades or
cutters by bringing blade D into position as shewn by Fig. 2-put spike B
into centre of tin or can as before described-at the same time pierce blade D
into side of tin or can just beneath the lid-then cut round in like circular
manner.
Fig. III. To open a square or oval tin or can or to open a tin' or can of any
shape-Pierce spike B into tin or can either at top or side where it is pro-
posed to open then insert blade or cutter E (as shewn in Fig. III) and cut
in usual manner. Blade or cutter E being sharpened at both sides the tin or
can may be opened without the use of spike B after having pierced an opening.
Blade or cutter E may be reversed when very small tins or cans are opened
so as not to interfere with blades or cutters C and D when opening a tin or
can at top or side.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. That it is absolutely safe when in operation.
2. It is of simple construction.
3. It may be used for tins and cans of all shapes and sizes.
4. It is more effective and expeditious when in operation than other instruments
of its kind now in use.
5. Features of novelty. It possesses three distinct blades or cutters. Each of
them can be used separately and will cut the lids of tins and cans without leaving
a ragged edge.
Dated this Twenty-fourth day of November One thousand eight hundred and
ninots
THOMAS FAWCETT BENNISON.