Patent US3988978A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3988978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beverage can folder
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-05-30
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A bending foot is placed in the middle of an aluminum beer can laying on the roadside and the foot is pushed down by a stalk extending upward from the foot. This causes the ends of the can to angle inward as the center of the can is flattened out; then, the ends of the can are folded over the foot by stepping on a platen which is telescoped to the stalk. With the can folded around the foot, the tool with the can is lifted and the can slipped off.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Flick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:27
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/32; B30B9/321; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of flattening and picking up empty beverage cans on a surface with a tool having a. an upright stalk with i. a handle on one end and ii. a horizontal bending foot on the other, and b. a horizontal moveable platen on the stalk above the foot, c. COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: d. placing the bending foot on and across the can at about the middle, e. bending the can down at the middle with the bending foot and f. folding the ends of the can down over the bending foot by downward movement of the platen, and, then, g. lifting the tool with the can thereon, and h. sliding the can from the bending foot.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of flattening and picking up empty beverage cans on a surface with a tool having a. an upright stalk with i. a handle on one end and ii. a horizontal bending foot on the other, and b. a horizontal moveable platen on the stalk above the foot, c. COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: d. placing the bending foot on and across the can at about the middle, e. bending the can down at the middle with the bending foot and f. folding the ends of the can down over the bending foot by downward movement of the platen, and, then, g. lifting the tool with the can thereon, and h. sliding the can from the bending foot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
207 words
A tool for flattening empty beverage cans against a surface comprising: a. a bending foot having a planar sole adapted to bend the middle of a can flat against the surface, b. the foot having a length and a width, the width being about six-tenths times the length and the length being at least as long as the diameter of the beverage can to be flattened, c. means connected to the foot for moving the foot toward the surface, d. a platen connected to the bending foot and located on the opposite side of the foot from the sole, e. said platen overlaying the foot with the foot centered beneath the platen, f. the platen having a length at least as long as the diameter of the beverage can to be flattened, g. the platen having a width at least three times the width of the foot, which is to say the platen extends to each side of the foot a distance equal to the width of the foot, h. said platen parallel to the planar sole, j. said platen mounted for movement toward and away from said foot, and k. means interconnecting the foot and platen for moving the platen away from the surface and foot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
207 words
A tool for flattening empty beverage cans against a surface comprising: a. a bending foot having a planar sole adapted to bend the middle of a can flat against the surface, b. the foot having a length and a width, the width being about six-tenths times the length and the length being at least as long as the diameter of the beverage can to be flattened, c. means connected to the foot for moving the foot toward the surface, d. a platen connected to the bending foot and located on the opposite side of the foot from the sole, e. said platen overlaying the foot with the foot centered beneath the platen, f. the platen having a length at least as long as the diameter of the beverage can to be flattened, g. the platen having a width at least three times the width of the foot, which is to say the platen extends to each side of the foot a distance equal to the width of the foot, h. said platen parallel to the planar sole, j. said platen mounted for movement toward and away from said foot, and k. means interconnecting the foot and platen for moving the platen away from the surface and foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 with additional limitations of m. the foot being 7 cm long and 4 cm wide and n. the platen being 7.5 cm long and 12.5 cm wide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for moving the foot includes h. a stalk attached to the foot at right angles thereto, extending opposite said sole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said platen is mounted for movement by j. a sleeve on the platen telescoped around said stalk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for moving the platen away from said foot includes k. a spring extending from said sleeve to said stalk attached to said foot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 6 with additional limitations of p. the foot being 7 cm long and 4 cm wide and q. the platen being 7.5 cm long and 12.5 cm wide.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |