Opening tool for beverage cans

US11873202B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV S.A. · BE

Inventors

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

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2022
• Grant date: Jan 16, 2024
• Expiry date: Jun 9, 2042

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 for opening and/or removing a tab portion of a beverage can. The opening tool includes a hollow housing. The hollow housing includes a generally cylindrical housing body having a top end, a bottom end, an outer surface, an inner surface and an open cavity extending from a top end towards a bottom end of the housing body. The opening tool further includes one or more claws, having a claw body extending between a claw end portion and a claw tip 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.