摘要 |
<p>The invention provides an improved can opener adapted to separate an end wall (E) from a can body (C) by cutting from the outside into the upstanding rim (R) formed at the end of the can, the rim (R) comprising overlapped portions (T, U) of the perimeter of the end wall (E) and the side wall (S) of the can, the can opener comprising two body portions (1, 3) arranged for relative pivotal movement about an axis, one body portion (3) carrying a rotary cutting wheel (7) and the other body portion (1) carrying a rotary traction wheel (12), the opener being arranged, in use, to receive the rim (R) of the can (C) between the two wheels (7, 12) and to orbit the can as the traction wheel (12) is rotated while the cutting wheel (7) makes a peripheral cut into the outside of the rim (R), the body portions (1, 3) carrying a pair of spaced abutments positioned to provide contact points (23, 24) on the rim when the rim is received between the two wheels, the contact points (23, 24) being located one on each side of the cutting point and in use exerting a downward force across the traction wheel (12) to counterbalance the upward force incurred during cutting and ensuring that the axis of the traction wheel (12) lies normal to the end wall (E) of the can.</p> |