Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
_1 _
Title: RING OPENER
Meld of the Invention
[1 ] The present invention relates to container openerr:,, and more
particularly to a ring
for opening tab-top cans and capped containers.
Background of the Invention
[2] Bartenders and waiters often require to open a large number of beverage
containers in a fast and expeditious manner. IVlost beverage containers are in
the form
of a bottle having a removable top cap, or cans including a frangible top
portion and a
tab hingedly attached to the top of the can above the frangible portion, such
that upon
lifting the tab, the tab levers the frangible portion downwardly, thereby
allowing access to
the contents of the can.
[3] A number of opening devices currently exist to assist bartenders and
waiters in
opening beverage containers. However, known opener;> have a number of
problems. R
primary difficulty associated with existing openers is that they can be easily
lost or
misplaced, for a professional bartender must intermittently place down the
opener, mix
or serve a drink, charge the customer, and look for the opener again in order
to serve
another customer.
[4] Furthermore, known hand-held openers typically have a long handle, which
may
be burdensome to manipulate and carry around, as the operator must remove
other
items such as money held in his or her hand in order to manipulate the opener.
[5] Various hand wearable container opening devices have been proposed in the
past to address the foregoing problems. However, the proposed wearable
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
openers are generally cumbersome to use, are not ergonomically designed, and
have
sharp edges which may break fingernails or cause cuts to the hand of the
operator.
Brief Summar~r of the Invention
[6] The present invention provides a ring opener for opening tab-top and
capped
containers which addresses the shortcomings associated with known openers.
[7] The present invention arises from the realization that existing openers
are
cumbersome to use and generally cannot be used to open both tab-top and capped
containers in an expeditious manner. Accordingly, the present invention
provides a ring
opener wearable on a hands' finger, wherein the ring is configured and shaped
to assist
the operator in removing a bottle cap or lift-opening a container tab.
Advantageously, a
removable bezel including an insignia or a trademark could be attached to the
ring to be
used as corporate advertisement or prize. The ring can be worn on any finger
by either
right handed or left handed users and can be adjusted to accommodate fingers
of
differing thicknesses. Conveniently, the ring includes a rubber comfort
linking to absorb
some of the pressure exerted by a container cap or tab against the operator's
finger to
prevent injuries. A number of ventilation holes may also be included on the
ring to
prevent liquid or sweat built-up between the ring and the operator's finger.
[8] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a ring opener comprising
a ring
opener for opening a tab-top container or a capped container including a ring-
shaped
body favorably sized for accommodating an operator's finger. The ring shaped
body
comprises a tab-lifting component for removing a tab-top c>ontainer's tab, as
well as cap-
removing component for de-capping the capped container's cap. The tab-lifting
component is substantially parallei t~ a center iine of the operator's finger
when the ring-
shaped body is on the finger.
[9] In another aspect, the present invention provides a ring opener comprising
a ring
for opening a tab-top container or a capped bottle. The ring comprises a body
portion
favorably s ized f or accommodating an operator's finger t herein. The body
portion
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
further defines.a recess area having opposed edges for engaging a container's
cap, as
well as a lip extending outwardly from the body portion for engaging a
container's tab.
[10) In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a ring wearable on
a finger
for opening tab-top or capped containers, such that the ring includes a body
having a
first portion thereof forming a lip for removing a container's tab when
engaged with the
container's tab, and a second portion thereof forming a fiooth for removing a
container
cap from the container's mouth when applied to the container cap.
[11) In a further aspect, the present invention provides a ring for opening a
capped
bottle wherein the ring comprises a body portion favorably sized for
accommodating an
operator's finger therein wherein the body portion defines a cap receiving
area having
opposed edges for engaging a container's cap, and a comfort insert for
substantially
absorbing the pressure exerted on the operator's finger' by the body portion.
[12) In yet a further aspect, the present invention also provides a ring for
opening a
tab-top container or a capped bottle wherein the ring comprises a body portion
favorably
sized for accommodating an operator's finger therein wherein the body portion
further
defines a cap receiving area having opposed edges for engaging a container's
cap, as
well as a lip extending outwardly from the body portion for engaging a
container's tab
wherein the lip terminates in a hook member.
[13] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent
to
those ordinarily skilled in fihe art upon review of the following description
of specific
embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[14] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show, by
way
of example, embodiments of the present invention, and in which:
[15] Fig. 1 is a p erspective view of t he ring o pener worn on an o perator's
hand
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
[16) Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ring opener in position during de-
capping of a
capped container according to the present invention;
[17] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ring opener in position during
removal of a tab-
top container's tab according to the present invention;
[18) Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a size-adjustable embodiment of the present
invention;
[19] Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the present
invention
having ventilation holes;
[20) Fig. 6 a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention having a
bezel;
[21) Fig. 7 is a front plan view thereof; and
[22) Fig. 8 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention
having
comfort linking.
[23] Fig. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention having a
hook
member as worn on an operator's hand;
[24] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of f an embodiment of the present invention
having
a hook member;
[25] Fig. 11 A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention
having
a comfort insert.
[26] Fig.11 B is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present
invention
having a comfort insert.
Detailed Description of the Embodiment
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
CJ
[27] The presenfi invention is now described with reference to accompanying
drawings, wherein like constituent elements are designated by like reference
numerals
throughout the drawings.
[28~ Fig. 1 illustrates a ring opener worn on an operatorgs finger in
accordance with an
embodiment of the current invention. The ring opener 10 includes a generally
ring-
shaped body 12 to fractionally engage an operator's finger. The ring opener
body 12
includes a lip 16 for grasping a container tab, and a generally arcuate tooth
14 for
engaging a container cap. The ring opener body 12 can be made of different
sizes to
accommodate fingers of various sizes and can be conveniently worn in any
finger of the
right or left hand.
[29] The lip 16 projects circumferentially from the upper edge of ring opener
body 12
and is substantially parallel to the centerline a-a' of the operator's finger.
Advantageously, the lip 16 terminates in a tapered portion as illustrated in
Fig. 5 to ease
the insertion of the lip 16 between a container tab and l:I~e container top.
[30~ The cap-engaging tooth 14 protrudes into a recess area 18, also referred
to
herein as a "cap receiving area", in the ring body 12 which is adapted to
accommodate a
container cap therein. The tooth 14 extends substantiality parallel to the
centerline a-a'
of the operator's finger and may extend in an offset plane with respect to
tf~e plane of
the lip 16. As can be appreciated from Fig. 1, the tooth 14 extends from a
lower edge
86 of the recess area 18, and terminates at an end that is spaced apart from
an upper
edge 88 of the recess area18.
[31 ~ For ease of fabrication, the lip 16 and the tooth 1 ~4 are an integral
part of the ring
opener body 12. Advantageously, the ring body 12 is made of hard plastic or
non-
corrosive metals such as aluminum or stainless steel in order to prevent the
ring body
12 from rusting, which may cause irritation the operator°s skin.
Advantageously, the ring
body 12 may be magnetized in order to attract opened tabs or caps or coins.
[32~ Reference is now made to Figs. 2 and 3 wherein the ring opener 10 is
shown in
operation. The ring opener 20 is first inserted over the operator's finger,
such that the
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
-6-
lip 16 and tooth 14 face the palm of the operator. Referring to Fig. 2, when
opening a
capped-top container 11 having a mouth 19 sealed by a cap 15, the toothl4 is
first
inserted between the cap 15 and the container mouth 19, such that the reces s
area 18
houses the cap and the upper edge 88 of the recess 18 engages the top of the
cap 15
therein while at the same time the tooth 14 engages or "bites" the lower edge
of the cap
15. The operator can then de-cap the container 11 by flexing his or her hand
upwardly
while at the same time exerting pressure on the cap 15, causing the ring
opener 10 to
first pivot about its upper edge 88 to loosen a portion of the edge of the cap
15, and
then collectively pivot the opener 10 and the cap 15 against the container
mouth 19 to
pry off or remove the cap 15 from the mouth 19. Referring now to Fig. 3, when
opening
a container 13 having a tab17, the lip 16 is gently slid under the tab 17 to
position it
between the tab 17 and the container top 21. Upward movement of the operator's
hand
causes the lower end of tab 17 to lever downwardly and pierce the frangible
portion of
the container top 21, thereby providing access to the container's 13 content.
[33] Reference is now made to Fig. 4 which illustrates another embodiment of
the
present invention which is similar to ring opener 10 except that the ring
opener 40
includes a body 42 having overlapped end portions 43, 45, and the ring is made
of a
rigid but pliable material to allow variation in the effective ring opener
body 42 size by
varying the overlap of the end portions 43, 45 in order to accommodate fingers
of
varying sizes ~r shapes.
[34] There is shown in Fig. 5 a further embodiment of the present invention.
The ring
opener 50 varies from ring opener 10 in that it includes a body 52 defining a
plurality of
ventilation holes 55 to prevent built-up of liquid or sweat between the ring
and the
operator's finger.
[35] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, there is shown a ring opener 60 according to
yet
another embodiment of the present invention. The ring opener 60 is similar to
ring
opener 10, with the addition of a custom bezel 64 is attached to the ring
opener body
62. The bezel 64 could be removable, or permanently afFixed to the ring opener
body
62 by soldering, adhesive, press-tab, or like methods as known in the art.
Alternatively,
the bezel 64 may form an integral part of the ring opener body 62. The bezel
62
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
preferably includes an insignia or a trademark to prom~ate a produet, or a
decorative
design in order to give the ring opener a jewelry-like appearance.
Furthermore, the
bezel 64 may be iridescent for enhanced visual effects.
[36] Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, a ring opener
80 having
a ring body 82 similar to that of the ring opener 10, however, the ring body
82 is covered
by a layer of comfort linking 87 generally substantially along its length. The
comfort
linking 87 may be located over the part of the ring opener 80 that passes over
the
outside of the operator's finger. The comfort linking may be pliable, made of
plastic,
rubber, leather, or other similar material to absorb some of the pressure
exerted on the
operator's finger while opening a capped or tab-top container.
[37] Reference is now made to Fig. 9 which shows a ring opener, indicated
generally
by reference 70, according to another example embodiment of the invention.
Ring
opener 70 is similar to ring opener 10 except for differences which will be
apparent from
the Figures and the present description. The body portion 12 includes a crown
100
joined to an arcuate band member 72. Preferably, the crown 100 and the band
member
72 are integrally joined.
[38] The ring opener 70 has a central plane x'-x'. Band member 72 is comprised
of
diverging band members 74 and 76. The crown is composed of a first part 102
and a
second part 104. By way of orientation, the first part of the crown 102 and
diverging
band member 102 are located to one side of the central plane x'-x' and the
second part
of the crown 104 and diverging band member 76 are located to the other side of
the
central plane x'-x'.
[39] The diverging band members 74 and 76 extend outwardly from each other in
a
curved path with the ends of each of the diverging band members 74 and 78
converging
at opposite sides of the crown 100. Together, the diverging band members 74
and 76
define the cap receiving area 18 as described above in relation to Fig. 1,
with the tooth
14 extending from diverging band member 74 and with the lip 16 extending from
diverging band member 76.
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
.. $ _
[40] When the ring opener 70 is worn, the band member 72 wilt wrap around the
underside and sides of the operator's finger and the crown 100 vdill be
oriented on the
topside of the operator's finger.
[41 ] A bezel can be attached to the crown 100 or alternatively, a design or
lettering
can be engraved directly into the exterior surface of the crown 100.
[42] Ring opener 70 includes a hook member 30 adapted for engaging a container
21
having a tab 17. Preferably, the hook member 30 is an integral extension of
the lip 16
wherein the terminus of the lip 16 is curled or bent upwards towards the
underside of the
operator's finger to form the hook member 30. The hook member 30 defines a tab
receiving area 32 which is adapted to accommodate a container tab 17. The hook
member 30 allows the lip 16 to securely engage the container tab 17 and
prevents the
lip 16 from slipping off of the container tab 17. ~y allowing more steadfast
engagement
of the lip 16 with the container tab 17, leverage is improved thereby
facilitating the ease
in which the operator can open the container 21. In use, as shown in Fig. 9,
the lip 16 is
first slid through the opening 36 of the container tab 1'~ and then pulled
back and
upwards such that the hook member 30 catches the top portion 34 of the
container tab
17. With the container tab 17 securely held by the hook member 34, the
operator can
then open the container 21 as described above in relation with Fig.3.
[43] As compared to ring opener 10, ring opener 70 is lighter in weight, and
thus more
comfortable to wear, as less material is required to construct the diverging
band
members 74 and 76 of ring opener 70 as compared to the solid ring body 12 of
ring
opener 10. The use of diverging band members 74 and 76 also increases operator
comfort by distributing the pressure exerted by the ring opener 70 over a
larger area of
the operator's finger. Use of diverging band members 74 and 76 further
increases
operator comfort by allowing improved air flow between the ring opener 70 and
the
operator's finger.
[44] Ring opener 70 includes a comfort insert 106 to provide a protective
cushion
between the operator°s finger and the ring opener 70. During the
opening of a capped
bottle or a tabbed container, the operator experiences localized areas of
pressure as the
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
_g_
result of the ring opener 70 pressing on certain parts of the operator's
finger. The
repetitive engagement of the ring opener 70 with the operator's finger can
result in
discomfort and user fatigue. The majority of discomfort experienced by the
operator is
caused by the pressing of the first part of the crown 102 into the topside of
the
operator's finger.
[45] Reference is now made to Fig. 11 A which illustrates the underside of the
first part
of the crown 102 of ring opener 70. The comfort insert 106 can be located on
any
portion of the ring opener 70 which exerts pressure on the operator's finger.
The
comfort insert can be located on an interior surtace of the ring such that the
comfort
insert 106 is hidden or partially hidden from view when the ring opener 70 is
worn.
Preferably, the comfort insert 106 is located on the underside of the first
part of the
crown 102 as shown in Fig. 11 B. The comfort insert 106 can be mounted within
the first
part of the crown 102 such that the interior surface of the crown 100 and the
comfort
insert 106 are adapted to match the contours of the operator's finger.
Usually, the
comfort insert 106 is a resiliently deformable material and preferably, the
comfort insert
106 is a waterproof rubber which provides suitable cushioning against the
pressure
exerted by the ring opener 70 and which is adapted for use in the wet
environment of a
bar. Other materials with similar cushioning properties can also be used,
including
plastic or feather. The comfort insert 106 can be attached to the ring opener
70 with a
suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the comfort insert 106 can be inset into a
portion of the
ring opener 70 and held in place by way of mechanical force.
[46] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing
from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and
modifications
of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. For instance,
the size of the
ring opener may be adjusted by other ring size adjustment techniques known in
the art.
Moreover, the portions that form the lip 16 and tooth14 could have shapes
other than
those shown in the figures. In some embodiments, the tooth 14 could be absent,
with
the lower edge 86 of the recess area 18 being used to engage the lower edge of
a cap
15 to lever it off the bottle 11. Therefore, the presently discussed
embodiments are
considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention
being
indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and
all changes
CA 02450889 2003-11-25
-10-
which come within the meaning and range of equivaienc,/ of the claims are
therefore
intended to be embraced therein.
