An Improved Device for Opening Tin Cans.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Opening Tin Cans.
I, ERNEST LOUIS RANKIN, of 10 and 11, Stonecutter Street, Farringdon Street,
London, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to an improved can opening device and has for its
object to provide a means for cutting the thin tagger tin or other metal tops form-
ing the end of sealed circular boxes, cans or tins in which are stored goods such as
tobacco, and which tins are usually provided with an outer or loose lid.
In carrying the invention into effect I construct a cutter of any suitable metal
and having a cutting edge, or cutting edges, formed at one end, such cutting
edge or edges being turned over at a right angle to the body of the cutter. The
cutter body has formed at its inner end, near the cutting edge, on both sides
slots which are designed to engage with the edges of the outer lid or cover
of the box which has a portion removed from the flange thereof of sufficient width
to permit of the cutter being inserted therein and then turned, when not in use,
so that the cutting edge will be between the outer or loose lid and the end of the
box, the body of the cutter being situated upon the outside of the lid and lying
in the same plane as the sides of the body of the box.
When it is desired to open the box the cutter body is raised to a horizontal
position bringing the knife into position to allow of the same when the lid is
pressed down, piercing the thin inner cover, when it is possible to cut the same by
rotating the lid either by means of the projecting outer end of the cutter or by
turning the lid itself.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1898
I, ERNEST LOUIS RANKIN, of 10 and 11, Stonecutter Street, Farringdon Street,
London, Merchant, 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 a device for opening tin cans and has for its object to
provide a means for cutting thin tagger tin or other metal tops forming the end
of sealed circular boxes or cans in which are stored goods such as tobacco and
which tins are usually provided with an outer or loose lid or cover.
n'..0.1

page_text: In order that the invention may be the better understood drawings are appended
in which:
Fig. 1 is an elevational view of top of can with cover thereon showing the position
of the cutter.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the cutter when not required for use.
Fig. 3 is a view of the lid showing the opening formed therein to receive the
cutter.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the cutter in position for cutting
the tagger top.
Fig. is an enlarged front view of the cutter.
Fig. 6 is an end view of the cutter.
Fig. 7 is a plan of the lid showing the position of the cutter body when ready
for cutting.
A, is the cutter formed from thin sheet steel and having cutting edges B, of
the form shown in Fig. 6 and turned over at or approximately at a right angle
to the body of the cutter A. The cutter just above the cutting edges B, has
formed on both sides slots C, C1, the upper edges of which are bevelled and which
are designed to engage with the edges of the outer lid or cover D, of the box E,
the lid being cut or punched upon its flange G, as shown at F, Fig. 3, from which
it will be seen that an opening is formed in the said flange, the upper part of
which F, is triangular in shape, the base of the triangle being parallel with the
plane of the top of the lid D and having formed at its apex a narrow downwardly
extending slit F. The cutter when it is desired to insert it in the lid, is turned
so that it will enter the slit F, up which it is drawn until within the triangular
part F¹, when it is turned so as to permit of the cutting edges lying between the
jagger top and the top of the lid as shown in Fig. 2, the slots C, C, then engaging
with the sides of the opening. The shape of the slots C, C1, is such as to permit
of the cutter being readily caused to assume either of the positions indicated in
the drawings. To prevent the cutter being accidentally displaced when the boxes
or cans are being packed, the paper usually employed to secure the outer or loose
lid to the box may be pasted over the body or external portion of the cutter A.
When it is desired to use the cutter, the paper securing the lid is cut around
the edge of the flange G, and the portion A, caused to assume an approximately
horizontal position, bringing the cutting edges B, into position so that upon
pressing the lid down they will perforate the top H, as shown in Fig. 4, when the
lid may be revolved, the cutter being kept in position by the fingers, and the
tagger end aforesaid removed, when, if desired, the cutter may be withdrawn
from the lid.
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:
The improved device for opening tin cans consisting of a cutter having suitable
cutting edges turned at an angle to the body of the cutter and provided with slots
adapted to engage with the sides of an opening formed in the flange of the lid or
cover and whereby the said cutting edges may be caused to assume a position for
perforating and cutting the tagger or other top provided for sealing the end of
the can, substantially as described and shown by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 16th day of June 1898.
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.