An Improved Tool for Opening Meat and other Tins.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Jan., 1895-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Tool for Opening Meat and other Tins.
I, THOMAS JOHN JEWELL, of 295, Gloucester Road, Bristol, Ironmonger,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists in an improved tool for cutting open tins such as are used
for preserving meat, fruit and other food or substances. The improved tool in
which this invention consists is furnished with a circular cutter free to rotate on a
pivot provided on the handle of the instrument. The edge of the rotary cutter
overlaps the edge of a knife adjustably attached to the handle and extending
forwards beyond the rotary cutter. In practically applying the tool to the purpose
for which it is designed, the tin is first punctured with the point of the fixed knife,
or by other means. The point of the fixed knife having been inserted, the tool is
then forced along in the required direction and the tin is cut between the fixed
and rotary cutting edges without necessitating a reciprocating or see-saw movement
of the arm of the operator.
Dated this 8th day of March 1894.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol, Chartered Patent Agent.
An Improved Tool for Opening Meat and other Tins.
I, THOMAS JOHN JEWELL, of 295, Gloucester Road, Bristol, Ironmonger,
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 consists in an improved tool for cutting open tins such as are
used for preserving meat, fruit and other food or substances. The improved tool
in which this invention consists is furnished with a circular cutter free to rotate on
a pivot provided on the handle of the instrument. The edge of the rotary cutter
overlaps the edge of a knife adjustably attached to the handle and extending
forwards beyond the rotary cutter. In practically applying the tool to the purpose
for which it is designed, the tin is first punctured with the point of the fixed knife,
or by other means. The point of the fixed knife having been inserted, the tool is
then forced along in the required direction and the tin is cut between the fixed
and rotary cutting edges without necessitating a reciprocating or see-saw movement
of the arm of the operator.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings, Fig. 1 thereon represents, in
side view, the improved tool or instrument for cutting open tins which constitutes
this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan.
.
Loosely centred on the pivot pin a secured in the handle 6 is a circular cutter c
the outer face of which is preferably concave, as seen in the section shown at
Fig. 3. Attached to the handle 6 by the screw pin d, or its equivalent, is a
knife e preferably countersunk in the handle b. The knife e is slotted as at e' for
adjustment on the screw or pin d. The cutting edge of the knife e overlaps the

page_text: cutting edge of the rotary cutter c and extends beyond it towards the front of the
instrument, as shown.
In applying the tool or instrument to cutting open meat, fruit and other tins,
the tin is first punctured with the point of the knife e, or by other means. The
nose of the knife is then inserted in the puncture and the tool is then forced along
forwards. The circular cutter c rotates as the tool advances, and the tin is cut
between the cutting edge of the knifee and the cutting edge of the circular rotating
cutter c without necessitating a rocking, reciprocating or see-saw movement of the
instrument. A clean unjagged cut is obtained and the operation of cutting is
performed with increased facility and rapidity.
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 :-
In an instrument for cutting open meat, fruit and other tins or cans, the com-
bination of a circular cutting disc such as c, preferably concave on the outer face,
free to rotate on a pivot carried on the handle or shank of the instrument with a
rigid knife such as e preferably adjustable on the handle and so disposed that the
cutting edge of the said knife overlaps a part of the cutting edge of the circular
cutter aforesaid, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the
accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.
Dated this 1st day of January 1895.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol, Chartered Patent Agent.