Improvements in Tin Openers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1896-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tin Openers.
We, FRANCIS PHELAN SMITH, of 68 Hadfield Street, Commercial Traveller,
and JOSEPH ROBERT WRIGHT of the Don Saw Works Penistone Road,
Manufacturer, both in the City of Sheffield, do hereby delare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same has to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to improvements in the construction of appliances for
cutting open meat tins, preserved fruit tins and other tins, and more particularly
those of a round or cylindrical form.
The object is to produce an implement of simple construction, suitable for many
sizes of ting, and that will perform its work quickly and perfectly and without
danger to the user.
The annexed sheet of drawings illustrates our invention, and similar letters of
reference refer to similar parts in any of the figures.
Fig. 1, shows the implement in the act of cutting out the lid of a tin.
Fig. 2, shows the cutter.
Fig. 3, shows the implement in the act of opening a tin with a side cut.
Fig. 4, three views of the cutter as used in side cutting.
This tin opening implement consists of a bar B, preferably made from square
steel, but it may be of any other suitable cross-sectional configuration.
The end of the square bar B, is rounded and tapered to a point D, and it is then
bent to the form shown in the drawing.
The cutter C, is made from flat steel, and is provided with a hole E, through
which the bar B can be passed; it has also two sharp edges and a point F.
If desirable the hole E, may be enlarged to receive a short sleeve or socket
through which the bar is passed as before described, and a set screw may
be used to secure the cutter in any desired position upon the bar, but not of
necessity.
To use the opener press the point D, through the lid T, as near the centre as
possible, then press down the handle A, forcing the point F, of the cutter C,
through the lid T, of the tin, close to the edge, then hold the tin firmly and draw
the cutter C, round by means of the handle A.
When it is preferred to cut off the top of the tin instead of cutting through the
lid as before described, we make a special cutter shown in Fig. 4, the point F,
being bent at a right angle or thereabouts, the method of using it being shown in
Fig. 3, the poiut D, of the bar B, being first inserted in the centre of the lid; the
cutter is then drawn round the tin, or the cutter may be held stationary and the
tin be caused to revolve.
It will be understood that the cutter C, fits loosely upon the bar B, and can be
moved by the fingers to suit any different diameters of tins.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A tin opener constructed substantially as herein before described and

page_text: 2. A tin opener consisting of a bar B, provided with a piercing point. D, and
carrying a sliding adjustable cutter C, as hereinbefore described with reference to
the drawings.
Dated the 6th day of July 1896.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicants.