Opening tool for beverage cans

US11332355B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Robert Gaafar · New York, US
• Maisie Devine · New York, US
• Patrick O'Riordan · New York, US
• Hilary Farnsworth · Hauppauge, US
• Peter Daily · Hauppauge, US
• Doreen Swift · Hauppauge, US
• Ralph Cassara · Smithtown, US
• Glenn Drost · Hauppauge, US
• Rodney McGaugh · Hauppauge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 2018
• Grant date: May 17, 2022
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B67B7/403
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention discloses an opening tool (100, 200) for opening and/or removing a tab portion (314) of a beverage can (300). The opening tool includes a hollow housing (110, 210). The hollow housing includes a generally cylindrical housing body (112, 212) having a top end (ET), a bottom end (EB), an outer surface (114, 214), an inner surface (116, 216) and an open cavity (118, 218) extending from a top end towards a bottom end of the housing body. The opening tool further includes one or more claws (120, 220), having a claw body (121, 222) extending between a claw end portion (123, 224) and a claw tip (122, 226) such that the tip of each of the claws is adapted to be hangingly disposed within the open cavity of hollow housing. In operation, when a beverage can is passed through the hollow housing from the bottom end towards the top end, the claw tip of at least one of the claws engages and pulls-opens the tab portion while the beverage can moves out of the housing.