Patent ID: 7596874

Claim:
A mechanism for use in an opener for a can, said can comprising a cylindrical wall closed at each end with a circular lid fixed thereto by means of an upstanding rim around the edge of said lid that clamps onto said each end of said cylindrical wall, said mechanism comprising a body; a drive wheel rotationally mounted to said body about a first axis for engaging the rim of the can; a cutter wheel rotationally mounted to said body about a second axis and drivably rotatable by said drive wheel; a cutting knife eccentrically mounted to said cutter wheel the cutting knife movable on rotation of the cutter wheel to a cutting position in which the cutting knife forms a nip with the drive wheel such that the cutting knife penetrates through the cylindrical wall of the can to provide a cut therein as the opener orbits relatively therearound, wherein said cutting position is defined by a cutting interval corresponding to a segment of rotation of the cutter wheel in which the cutting knife is sufficiently proximal to the drive wheel to form said nip; intermittent drive means provided to the cutter wheel for providing intermittent drive between the drive wheel and the cutter wheel when the cutting knife is in the cutting position to maintain the nip in place for a sufficient cutting interval and to provide a full orbital cut around the cylindrical wall of the can; and a sensor, associated with said mechanism, for sensing separation of the can while said nip is formed; a locking bar actuatable to a locked position upon sensing the presence of a can to be cut; and a bar associated with said drive wheel to advance said cutter wheel to a starting position when said locking bar is unlocked and said bar associated with said drive wheel engages said unlocked locking bar.