US3812742A

US3812742A - Jar opener

Info

Publication number: US3812742A
Application number: US00279506A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Polasek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-08-10
Filing date: 1972-08-10
Publication date: 1974-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 1991-05-28

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for mechanically rotating lids of jars wherein a jar is placed on the frame of the apparatus and a pair of cupped opposing arms, attached to the frame, are forced by resilient means to clamp the jar tightly against movement while a lid rotating means, having a high coefficient of friction and mounted on the frame and disposed above the pair of cupped opposing arms, engages the lid of the jar for rotation.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Polasek 1 May 28, 1974 JAR OPENER FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 lnvemo" Polasefi Route BOX 2783, 966,34] 3/1950 France 8l/6 Corpus Chr1sti, Tex. 78415 Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith [22] 1972 Assistant Examiner-Roscoe V. Parker [2]] Appl. No.: 279,506 Attorney, Agent, or FirmW. F. Hyer, Marvin B.

Eickenroht [52] US. Cl 81/332 81/333, 81/6 1511 1:11.01 B67b 7/14 [57] ABSTRACT 1581 Field 01 Search 81/32, 3.31, 3.32, 3.33, An apparatus is disclosed for meshamcaliy rotating 31 53 3 1 R lids of jars wherein a jar is placed on the frame of the apparatus and a pair of cupped opposing arms, at- [56] References Cit d tached to the frame, are forced by resilient means to UNTED STATES PATENTS clamp the jar tightly against movement while a lid rol 313 271 8/1919 D 81 6 tating means, having a high coefficient of friction and l4714l5 10/1923 a mounted on the frame and disposed above the pair of 11856182? 5/1932 Carruthers.......,. .17231/333 x CUPPFid arms engages the of the Jar for 2,656,084 1953 Filander 81/32 x 2,897,699 8/1959 Anderson, Jr. 81 332 10 Claims, '7 Drawing Figures J iI '1 11- 13g 29 g g I 29 2 ---{HL-:: :2 1: 1-

r I 33 -3 3-"15 I 4 2 E -L 1 "r" 1 E I E 1 S i J i D d l z i E 27 I0 E 1 E 5 i 5 z I I l 1 5 i j JAR OPENER This invention relates to apparatus for mechanically rotating lids of jars to facilitate their placement or removal.

There are many instances where manual placement or removal of a jar lid is not desirable, such as where a housewife encounter a jar with a stuck lid or where she is opening and closing a large number of jars during a canning operation. Thus, there is a need for a relatively small and reliable electrically operated home appliance which can be used by a housewife for automated jar lid removal or placement when needed. In the prior art numerous mechanical apparatus have been suggested to rotate lids of jars, both to fasten or loosen them. However, these prior art apparatus have been deficient in one or more respects. For example, many of the prior art apparatus, such as US. Pat. No. 1,856,827, issued to E. H. Carrothers; US. Pat. No. 2,897,699, issued to O. D. Anderson, Jr.; and US. Pat. No. 2,005,186, issued to H. T. Griswold are limited as to the size jar lid which can be rotated because the lidengaging portion of the apparatus are designed to fit over the top of the jar and grasp the side part of the jar lid before the lid is torqued. Thus, these devices are limited as to how far the lid-engaging portion can extend inwardly or outwardly to accomodate very large or very small jar lids.

Also, although the prior art discloses clamping devices for holding a jar while the lid is being rotated by the device, these devices generally do not provide an even holding force. In some cases there is no way to regulate the amount of force being applied to the jar and it is conceivable that excessive pressures might be applied, thereby breaking the jar. Also, some of the prior art holding devices require that the person operating the clamp continue to hold the clamp, because there was no way to lock the clamp in position about the jar. Examples of such are US. Pat. No. 2,879,699, issued to O. D. Anderson, Jr.; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,856,827, issued to Carrothers. Also, many of these holding devices are further limited in that they cannot accomodate a wide range of sizes of jars.

It is the object of this invention to provide apparatus for mechanically rotating jar lids which can clamp and hold various sizes of jars and rotate a wide range of sizes of jar lids without adjustment or change of the apparatu's.

It is also the object of this invention to provide such apparatus in which jars can be securely held with a substantially even force and without exerting too great a pressure on the jar, and in which the jars being held can be locked in place until the jar lid has been loosened or tightened by a desired amount.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus in which only a relatively small amount of pressure need be applied by the operator to engage the lid with sufficient holding force to permit it to be rotated, and in which the complete operation can be completed by use of only one hand.

It is further an object of this invention to provide such apparatus that can be operated electrically and automatically, and can be used as a home kitchen appliance.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon the review of the drawings and detailed description of the specification.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters are used throughout to designate like parts:

Wherein FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the jar lid rotator of this invention with a lid-engaging means in one position shown in solid lines and in dotted lines in another position on the lid of a jar;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the jar lid remover of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the jar lid rotator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the jar lid remover of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken at 5-5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken at 66 in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevation view showing one embodiment of the lid-engaging means of the invention in engagement with the lid of a jar.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1, the preferred form of lid rotating apparatus of this invention is illustrated as including a frame 10 having a base plate 11 supported by suction cup feet 12 to prevent inadvertent skidding of the frame. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 a resilient pad 13, made of, for example rubber, is mounted on a front portion (i.e. the left side in FIGS. 3 and 4) of frame 10 to support a jar J on which a lid L is to be placed or removed. Frame 10 also includes four upstanding support rods 14, two of which are mounted on base 11 on each side of pad 13, and two of which are mounted on base 11 towards the rear of frame 10. Also mounted on base 11 is a pair of clamping

arms

15 and 16. As shown in FIG. 4,

arms

15 and 16 are each pivotally mounted on one end of base 11 by bolts 17 so that they can move from an open position, such as shown in dotted line in FIG. 4, to a closed position, such as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4, in which a jar J is clamped between them. The other ends 15A and 16A of clamping

arms

15 and 16 respectively are cupped in opposite directions to conform with the outside diameter of jar J. Cupped ends 15A and 16A include resilient pads 18, preferably of rubber, mounted thereon to cushion the holding of the jar J and to prevent breaking of the jar.

Actuating means is provided for moving

arms

15 and 16 between the positions described with respect to FIG. 4 and to permit the arms to firmly grip various sizes of jars without the need of adjustment for each different jar diameter. The preferred form of this means is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 as including a slide 19 mounted in a track member 20, which is an inverted box-like member including an elongated slot 21 and mounted on base 11. Slide 19 is guided in slot 21 by laterally extending

wing members

22 and 23, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and is movable back and forth along slot 21. Slide 19 may also include a roller 24. which extends to base plate and rolls on plate 11 as the slide moves. The extent of roller 24 should be such that the vertical weight of the slide is supported on the roller and the

wlngmembers

22 and 23 have some clearance with respect to the edges of the walls of member 20 forming slot 21, so that slide 19 can move without any, substantial interference. A stop, such as screw 20A is provided in slot 21 to limit the backward movement of slide 19.

A pair of symmetrical lever arms 24 pivoted at each end, are connected between slide 19 and

arms

15 and 16 as shown in FIG. 4. Arms 24 are connected together and to slide 19 by a pivot pin 25, and the other end of each of levers 24 are connected by pivot pins 26 to arms and 16. Thus, as slide 19 moves in slot 21,

arms

15 and 16 will be moved between the positions of FIG. 4.

Also, a handle 27 is mounted on base 11 and is connected through a Z shaped extension 27A to a spring 28 which is also connected to slide 19. Spring 28 provides a resilient tensioning means to resiliently urge the clamping arms against jar J when slide 19 is in the rearward, solid line position of FIG. 4. The tension of spring 28 should be sufficient so that the holding force on jar J (provided by the coefficient of friction of pads 18) is large enough to preventjar J from rotating when the lid is rotated, but should not be so large that the jar would be crushed when the spring is actuated. Also, the Z shaped extension 27A has an angular relation with respect to handle 27 so that when handle 27 is all the way down and back (as shown in FIG. 3) spring 28 is extended in a substantially horizontal plane (preferably such to slightly tension handle downwardly when in the rearmost position) and does not urge handle 27 out of the FIG. 3 position.

A second plate 29 is slidably mounted on rods 14 above and spaced from base plate 11, so that plate 14 moves up and down the rods, parallel to base plate ll. Plate 29 may be mounted on rods 14 by hollow bushings 30 which may be made of plastic and which freely slide up and down. rod 14, or on rollers, if desired. A handle 31 may also be provided on plate 29 for moving it up and down on rods 14. As illustrated in FIG. 3, handle 31 is pivotally mounted on plate 29 and fixedly con nected to a pair of linkage arms 32A, which are in turn fixedly connected to a pair of linkage arms 328. The last-mentioned linkage arms are pivotally connected to a pair of linkage arms 32c, which are in turn pivotally connected to the base.

As shown in FIG. 3, when plate 29 is raised to its uppermost position linkages 32B and 32C are substantially in line and help to support plate 29 in this position. However, when plate 29 is lowered substantially parallel with plate 11, this linkage takes the dotted line position of FIG. 3. To aid in the raising of plate 29, two rods 33 with coil springs on them may be provided between base ll and plate 29 (with plate 29 sliding down the rods) so that plate 29 when lowered is urged upwards.

As shown in FIG. 1, a motor M and gear box 0 are also mounted on plate 29 to drive a shaft 34 on which is mounted a lid engaging and rotating rubber member 35. An importantfeature of this invention is that this member has a high coefficient of friction and may exten'd radially beyond'the top of lid L, as shown in FIG. 7, or the lid may extend radially beyond it, and it will still rotate the lid from the jar. Thus, many different sizes of jar lids may be rotated with just one member 35. It is preferred that member 35 be a suction cup so that an evacuated space 36 is formed between lid L and member 35, which further serves to aid in rotating the lid with enough force to remove it from the jar.

It is preferred that the motor M and gear box G combination be such that a low rpm and high torque is provided. Also, a switch S may be conveniently mounted on handle 31 to operate motor M as the handle is utilized.

In operation, a jar J, such as a Mason jar or the like, is placed on pad 13 with handle 27 and

arms

15 and 16 in the dotted line position of FIG. 4. Handle 27 is then moved towards the solid line position of FIG. 4 moving slide 20 towards stop 20A and pulling

arms

15 and 16 about jar J. When

arms

15 and 16 are securely around jar J which will be before handle 27 is fully in the solid line position (such as shown in FIG. 3), further movement of handle 27 toward the solid line position of FIG. 4 will expand spring 28 until handle 27 is back and locked in the position shown in FIG. 3. Handle 31 is then pushed down moving plate 29 and member 35 downward until member 35 engages firmly against lid L. Switch S is then activated to rotate lid L in the desired direction until it is either loosened from or tightened on jar J. Handle 31 is then released, and plate 29 returns to its up position, and handle 27 is then moved to the dotted line position of FIG. 4, moving slide 20 forward and releasing jar J from

arms

15 and 16.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth (or shown in the accompanying drawings) is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is: v

1. An apparatus for rotating a lid with respect to a jar, comprising, in combination: a base; a pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said base, said arms having opposed cupped portions adapted to clamp a jar between them to hold it tightly against movement; resilient tensioning means connected to said clamping arms to resiliently urge said opposed cupped portions on said clamping arms against a jar when disposed therebetween; actuating means for engaging and disengaging said clamping arms to respectively hold and release a jar, and for actuating said tensioning means when said clamping arms are engaged to hold a jar; lid rotating means mounted on said base and disposed to engage only the top of a lid of a jar supported by said clamping arms, said lid rotating means adapted to be in substantially uniform engagement with said lid and being movable between a first'position in which a jar may be placed between said clamping arms to a second position wherein said lid rotating means is in such engagement with the lid of such a jar; means for moving said lid rotating means between said first and second positions; and means for rotating said lid rotating means when engaged with the lid of a jar to cause the lid to be rotated in a desired direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lid rotating means in substantially a flat surface and is made of a material which has a relatively high coefficient of friction.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lid rotating means is a suction cup.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lid rotating means is mounted on a plate guidably mounted on the base for movement toward and away from the base so as to move the lid rotating means between its first and second positions.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further including a resilient means to urge said plate away from said base and thus the lid rotating means to its first position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a handle for moving said lid rotating means substantially horizontally down said guide means to engage a lid.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including means connecting said handle to said base, including pivotally connected linkage arms which are adapted to assume fully extended, aligned positions when said lid rotating means has been moved to its first position.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said lid rotating means comprises an electric motor, and a switch is mounted on the handle for starting and stopping the motor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including symmetrical lever arms pivotally attached at one end to said clamping arms with the other end of said symmetrical lever arms pivotally attached to said resilient means such that when said resilient means is put in tension, the tensioning force is equally divided between said symmetrical lever arms to provide equal clamping forces on said clamping arms.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a yoke which is mounted on the base for sliding to and fro along a predetermined path and said resilient means and said symmetrical lever arms are pivotally attached thereto such that tensioning said resilient means causes said yoke to evenly tension said symmetrical lever arms.

Claims

1. An apparatus for rotating a lid with respect to a jar, comprising, in combination: a base; a pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said base, said arms having opposed cupped portions adapted to clamp a jar between them to hold it tightly against movement; resilient tensioning means connected to said clamping arms to resiliently urge said opposed cupped portions on said clamping arms against a jar when disposed therebetween; actuating means for engaging and disengaging said clamping arms to respectively hold and release a jar, and for actuating said tensioning means when said clamping arms are engaged to hold a jar; lid rotating means mounted on said base and disposed to engage only the top of a lid of a jar supported by said clamping arms, said lid rotating means adapted to be in substantially uniform engagement with said lid and being movable between a first position in which a jar may be placed between said clamping arms to a second position wherein said lid rotating means is in such engagement with the lid of such a jar; means for moving said lid rotating means between said first and second positions; and means for rotating said lid rotating means when engaged with the lid of a jar to cause the lid to be rotated in a desired direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lid rotating means is a suction cup.