An Improved Can Opening Device.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Oct., 1899-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1899
An Improved Can Opening Device.
We, JOHN DANE PLAYER, of Castle Tobacco Factory, Nottingham, Gentleman,
and JoHN PLAYER AND SONS LIMITED, of Castle Tobacco Factory, Nottingham,
Tobacco Manufacturers, 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 an improved device for cutting away the thin tagger
or other metal ends usually employed to protect and preserve the contents
of cans or tins in which are packed tobacco, cigarettes or other goods.
In carrying the invention into effect a cutter is formed from thin sheet
metal consisting of a circular disc or plate provided upon its under side with
a downwardly projecting piece tapering gradually to a point and provided with
cutting edges at the side. Diametrically opposite to the projection aforesaid is
a second projection shorter than the first, which may be of any convenient
cross section but is preferably square. When in use the cutter is placed in a
recess formed in the lid or, it may simply lie upon the upper face of the lid
in which are formed suitable apertures the two projections upon the cutter
projecting therethrough and one, the cutter proper being so positioned that
when the lid is pressed down upon the tagger top the said cutter will pierce
the end, and, when the lid is revolved, will cut the said end close to the side
of the body of the can. To keep the cutter in position for piercing and cutting
the index or other finger of the person using same is pressed thereon.
In order that the invention may be the better understood drawings are
appended in which:-
Fig. 1, is a plan of the underside of the cutter.
Fig. 2, is a side elevation thereof.
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Fig. 3, is a plan of part of the lid of a can to which the cutter is to be
attached.
Fig. 4, is a section of the lid with the cutter ready for the actions of piercing
and cutting.
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Fig. 5, is a sectional view showing the position occupied by the cutter when
not in use. a is the cutter body formed of thin sheet metal and preferably of
circular outline having formed on the underside two projections bc, one b being
of greater length than the other and gradually tapering to a point so as to
readily pierce the thin metal end of the tin and being in addition provided
with cutting edges. The other c is simply a short stud or projection preferably
square in section and designed simply to act a means to steady the cutter when
the same is in operation. When required for use the cutter is placed upon
the outside of the lid d which may be slightly recessed as shown in the drawings
at a¹ to receive the body of the cutter, and the parts b and c then project
through the respective openings formed in the lid, the position of the
opening being such as to permit of the cutter perforating the thin metal
top near to the edge of the mouth of the tin. A finger placed upon the cutter
body a keeps the cutter in its position during the actions of piercing and cutting

page_text: which latter operation is effected by simply revolving the lid with one hand
whilst the body of the can is held in the other. When not required the cutter
is placed between the outer or loose lid and the end f of the can e the cutter
proper lying between the peripheral flange of the lid d and the side of the
can as shown in Fig. 5.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
The improved device for opening cans or the like consisting of a circular
body of thin sheet metal preferably circular in outline and provided with two
peripheral projections be at right angles to the body of the cutter and serving
respectively the functions of a cutter proper and a means for steadying the
cutter during the action of cutting the whole constructed actuated and acting
substantially as hercin set forth and illustrated by the appended drawings.
2. The improved device for opening cans or the like substantially as herein
described and illustrated by the appended drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1899
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.