Area of technology of the invention

The present invention relates to the area of technology of devices to assist individuals having various impairments, such muscular weakening, motor impairment, etc. More specifically, the invention is in its first aspect a device for opening screw caps. In its second aspect, the invention comprises use of a device for opening screw caps according to the first aspect.

Background of the invention: For decades, special storage containers have been used to store and preserve food. One such container is a metal can, which is sealed in a manner such that the can must be cut open to access the contents. Another type of container for storing food is a glass jar closed off with a screw cap on its top. Among the foods so stored are, e.g., jams, marmalades, various fruits (e.g. in syrup), and vegetables. Another type of food packaging means is a container used for various liquid foodstuffs, such as milk, juice, yogurt, etc.

It is well known that opening of food containers can present difficulties even for quite strong individuals, given that sometimes the screw cap can be held tightly on the container such that it is difficult to twist the cap loose from the thread on the container. The difficulties with tightly held screw caps are particularly acute for persons with impaired muscle strength or with motor impairment, which interferes with their control over their motor functions. Accordingly, particularly elderly people may often find it very difficult to remove a screw cap from a food container.

A number of devices are available on the market for assisting with this problem. One type of device is a tool designed for opening of glass containers. This device is configured to be pressed in between the upper edge of the glass container and the cap, following which insertion the tool is twisted in order to release the vacuum existing inside the container. Then the user will often be able to unscrew the screw cap.

Another type of device serves to increase the torque acting to loosen the cap. The torque increase is achieved in that the device increases the effective radius for rotation of the cap.

An example of this type of device is known from WO 99/41187 Al. In that application, an opener is described which comprises an elongated body, having a cylindrical member at one end which cylinder is of a size adapted to a screw cap for a bottle. In use, the cylindrical member is pressed down over the cap of the bottle, and the elongated body assists in achieving increased torque during rotation to unscrew the bottle cap. A third type of device serves to provide increased contact area between the user's hand and the element, which is to be rotated.

An example of this type is illustrated in US 4 766 781. This patent describes a device for opening of caps. The device is comprised of a conically shaped element with an elastomeric lining on the inside of the cone. In use, the cone placed over a screw cap, in such a way that the elastomeric lining contacts the edge of the screw cap. Then the screw cap is twisted off. The conical shape ensures that the device will be able to adjust to a number of different sizes of caps.

Although this type of device provides improved contact with the cap during rotation of the cap, this known type of device has certain drawbacks and deficiencies. Among these drawbacks and deficiencies are that this type of device does not provide enhanced compressive force around the cap of the container, beyond the user's muscle force. This may result in inability to use this type of device to screw off a cap, which is particularly strongly held.

Accordingly, there is a strong unmet demand for a device to assist in opening the cap on a food storage container, which device provides improved ability to rotate a firmly held cap for removal from a container for, e.g., milk, juice, yogurt, etc.

It is the object of the present invention to provide such a device.

Brief description of the invention

This object is achieved by the present invention, in its first aspect, as set forth in claim 1, and by use as set forth in claim 20 [sic— i.e. 12]. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in dependent claims 2-11 and 13. Thus, the present invention, in its first aspect, comprises a device (implement) to assist in opening (and closing) a screw cap, comprised of:

- a first element; and

- a second element; wherein the first element has an elongated shape, with a first end and a second end; wherein the said first end of the first element has a throughgoing opening, said opening being at least partially surrounded by a ring-shaped part comprised of material of the first element; wherein the said second end of the first element is smaller than the first end of the first element; wherein the first element has a first attachment point on its ring-shaped part; wherein the second element has an elongated shape, with a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the second element has a first projection and a second projection, and has a concavely shaped edge disposed between the two projections; wherein the second end of the second element is smaller than the first end of the second element; wherein the first projection of the second element has a second attachment point; [and] wherein the first attachment point, on the first element, is attached to the second attachment point, on the second element, with the two elements being rotatably so attached by attachment means which are disposed at the attachment points of the two elements.

The present invention, in its second aspect, comprises use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention, for opening of screw caps.

As result of its particular design, the inventive device improves the grip on the cap of a food container, by providing a clamping function on the cap when force is applied. Further, due to its particular design, the device assists in removing a cap from a food container with application of an increased torque.

Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 illustrates a plan view of the inventive device.

Fig. 2 illustrates a plan view of the inventive device in a disassembled state. Fig. 3 illustrates a plan view of a second embodiment of the first element of the inventive device.

Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating the mode of operation of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention In its first aspect, the invention is comprised of a device (implement) to assist in opening (and closing) a screw cap, comprised of:

- a first element; and

- a second element; wherein the first element has an elongated shape, with a first end and a second end; wherein the said first end of the first element has a throughgoing opening, said opening being at least partially surrounded by a ring-shaped part comprised of material of the first element; wherein the said second end of the first element is smaller than the first end of the first element; wherein the first element has a first attachment point on its ring-shaped part; wherein the second element has an elongated shape, with a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the second element has a first projection and a second projection, and has a concavely shaped edge disposed between the two projections; wherein the second end of the second element is smaller than the first end of the second element; wherein the first projection of the second element has a second attachment point; [and] wherein the first attachment point, on the first element, is attached to the second attachment point, on the second element, with the two elements being rotatably so attached by attachment means which are disposed at the attachment points of the two elements.

Considering that the second end of each of the two elements can function as a handle, and that the two members are mutually rotationally attached via attachment means, these two ends will both contribute to [force] transmission when the manual application of force results in compressive (clamping) action on the cap. Furthermore, these handles, as a result of their distance from the cap, help to increase the torque applied for unscrewing the cap from the food container.

Considered overall, the device according to the first aspect of the invention improves the possibilities for opening tightly held caps on food containers.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the throughgoing opening of the first element is completely surrounded by the ring-shaped part. According to another embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the throughgoing opening of the first element is partially surrounded by the ring-shaped part.

These two embodiments represent different engineering design, which have been found to be advantageous. According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the throughgoing opening of the first element has a circular shape.

A circular shape of the throughgoing opening allows the device to adapt to any cap geometry.

According to another embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the throughgoing opening of the first element extends over an area of 2-45 square centimeters, e.g. 5- 40 cm ² or 10-35 cm ² or 15-30 cm ² or 20-25 cm ² .

Such areas will allow one to adapt the device to the cap sizes of most beverage containers.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the first element and/or the second element has an essentially flat configuration.

This facilitates secure attachment of the two elements to each other, and allows economical means of fabrication.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the attachment points of the two elements each have a throughgoing attachment opening, and the attachments means comprise a bolt or a rivet, disposed in the attachment openings of the two elements. According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the attachment point of one of the elements has a projection, and the attachment point of the other element has a throughgoing attachment opening, with the dimensions and shapes of said projection and said opening being adjusted such that the one element is rotatably attached to the other element by means of said projection and said attachment opening. In this embodiment, the two elements are strongly and durably attached to each other.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the two elements are fabricated of metal or hard plastic.

This provides for a device which is strong and durable.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, a projection on the second element has a pointed feature which assists in increasing the friction between the first end of the second element and the screw cap, when the device is being used.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the invention, a hook is provided on the first end of the first element, e.g. on the outer side of the ring-shaped part. Such a hook can assist in removing seal means which may be provided underneath the screw cap in certain cartons containing juice or the like.

The second aspect of the invention relates to use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention for opening of screw caps. According to an embodiment of the use according to the second aspect of the invention, the use occurs in a professional kitchen or a kitchen in a public or private institution.

Reference will now be made to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating certain preferred embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a device 100 to assist in opening (and closing) a screw cap, according to the first aspect of the invention. In Fig. 1 the device is shown assembled and ready to use. In Fig. 2 the device is shown in a disassembled state.

The device is comprised of a first element 2 and a second element 4. As seen, the first element has an elongated shape, with a first end 6 and a second end 8.

The first end of the first element has a throughgoing opening 10, which opening is at least partly surrounded by a ring-shaped part 12 comprised of the material of the first part. The second end 8 of the first element 2 is smaller than the first end 6 of the first element. Said second end 8 of the first element functions as a handle.

The ring-shaped part of the first element has a first attachment point 14.

The second element has an elongated shape, with a first end 16 and a second end 18.

The first end 16 of the second element has a first projection 20 and a second projection 22 (in Fig. 1 the first projection 20 is hidden behind the first element), and has a concavely shaped edge 24 disposed between the two projections.

The second end 18 of the second element 4 is smaller than the first end 16 of the second element 4. Said second end 18 of the second element functions as a handle.

The first projection of the second element has a second attachment point 26 (in Fig. 1 the second attachment point 26 is hidden behind the first element).

In Fig. 1 it is seen that the first attachment point 14 of the first element 2 is attached to the second attachment point 26 of the second element 4, with the two elements being rotatably attached via attachment means 28 disposed in the attachment points of the two elements.

Fig. 2 also shows a hook 38, which is disposed on the back side of the ring-shaped part 12. This hook can assist in removing a seal means located beneath a screw cap on certain types of containers, e.g. juice cartons. Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the first element 2 according to the first aspect of the invention. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped part 12 only partially surrounds the throughgoing opening 10, the ring-shaped part thus being open in the farthest end of the first end region of the first element. Fig. 3 also illustrates what is meant by describing the ring-shaped opening 10 as "covering an area" in the case where the ring-shaped part 12 only partially surrounds the throughgoing opening 10. This is shown by the crosshatched area A.

Fig. 4 illustrates the operating mode of the device 100 according to the first aspect of the invention. The upper view in Fig. 4 shows the device in an open configuration, wherein the second ends 8 and 18 of the two elements 2 and 4 have been pulled apart from each other. Since the two elements are pivoted at points 14 and 26, the second projection 22 of the second element 4 extends into only a minimal part of the throughgoing opening 10 of the first element. In this configuration, the throughgoing opening 10 of the first element is still large enough to allow a screw cap of a container to pass through the opening 10. Once this has occurred, each of the two second end elements 8 and 18 is pressed toward the other, wherewith the first projection 20 of the second element is moved toward the screw cap, and ultimately will become clamped around the screw cap.

At that stage, the user will have a firm grip on the screw cap, and each of the two second end elements 8 and 18 will be at a certain distance from the screw cap, wherewith the user will be able to apply a substantial torque in the process of unscrewing the screw cap, making it easy to perform the unscrewing.

List of reference numerals:

2 First element.

4 Second element.

6 First end of the first element.

8 Second end of the first element.

10 Throughgoing opening in the first element.

12 Ring-shaped part.

14 First attachment point, in the first element.

16 First end of the second element.

18 Second end of the second element.

20 First projection on the first end of the second element.

22 Second projection on the first end of the second element.

24 Concavely shaped edge.

26 Second attachment point, in the second element.

28 Attachment means.

30 Attachment opening.

32 Bolt or rivet.

34 Projection at the attachment point.

36 Pointed feature, at the projection on the second element.

38 Hook.

A Area of the throughgoing opening in the first element.

100 Device (implement).