An Improved Tin Opener.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1893
An Improved Tin Opener.
We WILLIAM HEALD of 17, Percy Street, Cleveland Road, near Crumpsall,
Manchester Engineer, and JOHN FORSTER HEALD of 17 Percy Street, Cleveland
Road, near Crumpsall Manchester Undergraduate, 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 tin opener intended to provide an instrument
which will open the tins in a neater and more expeditious manner than the opener
commonly in use. The opener instead of being applied from and bearing on the
side of the tin, as in the ordinary case, it works from the centre, a pivot being
forined by the point, thrust through the centre of the cover or end.
On the bar forming a continuation of the handle an adjustable blade is placed of
curvilinear triangular or heart shape, which blade is placed so that it bears on the
cover near the edge, and is worked up and down by the handle, cutting the tin in an
even manner.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete instrument,
Fig. 2 an end view of cutting blade, and
Figs. 3 & 4 perspective views of the instrument applied to the tin.
A is the handle of any suitable form with the blade or extension B, forming a
lever as hereinafter described, the end of the said extension being pointed and
bent downwards as shown. On the bar is placed the blade C preferably of
triangular form and pointed at the lower end, with a perforation allowing it to be
slidden backwards and forwards on the bar B. In order that it may be retained in
the desired position a spring D is furnished fitted to the handle and extending for
some distance on top of the bar. This spring passes through the perforation in
the blade C and bears against its upper side holding it in position, but at the same
time allowing it to be moved freely by hand.
To use the instrument, the point b is pushed through the middle of the cover as
in Fig. 3, and the handle turned down. The peculiar form of the end b allows the
instrument when in the position shown in Fig. 4 to be turned freely without
releasing it from the tin, and on the handle being pressed down the blade C
penetrates the lid, and cuts it in a circular direction as the instrument is moved up
and down.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is ;-
1. An improved tin opener, consisting of a handle with extension, having a
pointed and turned down end, and a transverse blade adjustable on the said
extension, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
2. An improved tin opener consisting of a handle with extension having a pointed
and turned down end, and a transverse triangular blade, sliding on the said
extension and retained in place by a spring, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.

page_text: 3. The improved tin opener constructed and operating substantially in the manner
described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of July 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.