Norman Maxwell Robbins

US Patent:

44636318, Aug 7, 1984

Filed:

Nov 4, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/439070

Inventors:

James E. Barnes - Fort Wayne IN
James G. Morkoetter - Fort Wayne IN
Norman M. Robbins - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

Custom Tool, Inc. - Ft. Wayne IN

International Classification:

B67B 744

US Classification:

81 31R

Abstract:

A multipurpose can opener is provided for opening bottles having caps, cans having pull-off tabs, and cans having stay-on tabs. Only one end of the opener is utilized for opening bottles and cans, the opposite end being used solely as a handle or lever. The operating end of the multipurpose opener has three hooks extending downwardly therefrom at predetermined points and a pair of projections extending downwardly therefrom along its side edges. A first hook and the projections are utilized in removing pull-off tabs wherein the hook engages the ring of the tab and the projections abut against the can shell to act as a fulcrum during the removal of the tab. A second hook is utilized for opening stay-on tabs and it is engaged with the tab and in conjunction with the distal end of the operating end separates the scored section of the can shell when the user lifts upwardly on the handle. For removing caps from bottles, a third hook is disposed below the edge of the cap, and the second hook is positioned on the top of the cap to act as a fulcrum during the removal of the cap by the third hook upon upward movement of handle.