Improvements in Can Openers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1896-Accepted; 21st Nov.; 1896
COMPLETE 'SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Can Openers.
I, JAMES ALLEN HASKETT, a citizen of the United States residing at Parsons, in
the County of Labette, and State of Kansas, United States of America Farmer,
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 can openers, and the object thereof is to provide an
effective device of this class which is simple in construction and operation and by
means of which the head of a can of any size, or any desired, portion thereof may
be quickly and easily cut out.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the
:ccompanying drawing forms a part, in which :-
Fig. 1 is a side view of my improved can opener.
Fig. 2 a transverse section on the line 2, 2.
In the practice of my invention, I provide a can opener which comprises a
handle A which is provided with a shaft B, the end of which is angular and
pointed as shown at b, said pointed end being curved downwardly and outwardly,
and mounted on the shaft B is a sliding head D which may be adjusted to any
desired position on said shaft by a set screw d. The shaft B is angular in
Cross section, and the hole or opening in the head D through which said shaft
passes is similar in form and said head D is provided with a downwardly directed
blade G which is pointed as shown at g, and in one side of which adjacent to the
head is formed a slot g² which communicates with a circular opening g³ and the said
circular opening g³ is provided with a cutting edge.
The operation will be readily understood from the foregoing description, when
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and the following statement
thereof.
When it is desired to cut out the head of a can, or a portion thereof, the point b
of the shaft B is inserted through the central portion of the head of the can, and
the blade G or the head D to which it is attached is adjusted to the proper
position.
The handle A is then depressed so as to force the blade G through the head of
the can, and said plate is forced through the head of the can until the edge of the
latter will enter the slot g².
The handle and shaft B are then moved around the can, the portion 62 of the
shaft serving as a pivot, and the head of the can or the desired portion thereof will
be cut out by the circular edge of the opening g³.
The slot and the cylindrical opening 9 serve as will be understood, to prevent
the upward movement of the handle or shaft B in opening or cutting round the
head of the can or a portion thereof, and it will be understood that the portion of
the head of the can cut out will always be circular in form.
This device is simple in construction and operation readily adapted to accomplish
the result for which it is intended, while being comparatively inexpensive.
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 :-
1. The herein described can opener, which comprises a handle, a shaft secured to

page_text: the end thereof, the end of which is angular in form and pointed, and a movable
head mounted on said shaft and provided with a set screw, and a blade which projects
downwardly therefrom, said blade being provided with a pointed end, and being also
provided with a slot in one side thereof, which communicates with a circular
opening therein, said circular opening being provided with a cutting edge substantially
as shown and described.
2. The herein described can opener, which comprises a handle, a shaft secured
to one end thereof the end of which is angular in form and pointed, and a movable
head mounted on said shaft, and a blade which projects downwardly therefrom, said
blade being provided with a pointed end, and being also provided with a slot in one
side thereof which communicates with a circular opening therein said circular opening
being provided with a cutting edge, and said movable head being provided with a
set screw, whereby it may be secured at any desired point on the shaft, substantially
as shown and described.
Dated this 21st day of September 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.