Patent US4038746A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4038746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Opener for a coin package
Assignee: PROMARK COMMUNICATIONS Inc
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Filing: 1975-12-24
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1995-12-24
Abstract
Abstract Opening device for a package of coins. For the opening of packages of coins, there is provided a keylike device having a handle portion and two prongs at one end thereof spaced from each other and projecting from such end in generally parallel relationship to each other. One of said prongs is straight-sided and adapted for lying against the outside of a coin package when the device is in use. The other of said prongs is relatively shorter, is spaced from the first prong a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the rim of the packages with which said device is to be used and has a portion projecting from the end thereof in the direction remote from said first prong. In use, said device is placed with said first prong outside of the package and the second prong adjacent the inside of the rim of said package and the key is twisted to bring said projection against or under the free edge of said rim. Said key is then rocked to lift said rim and simultaneously further twisted to tear said package open.
Inventors
- 👤 Meryl L. Bromley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:05
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26B; B26B27/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/364
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
In an opening device for a coin package, said package having an end closure portion and an axially extending turned-over rim retaining said end closure portion, the combination comprising: a manually graspable handle terminating in a rigid plate-like portion divided into only two prongs; the first said prong extending in one direction from said handle; the second said prong extending from said handle in the same said direction and flanked at one side thereof by said first prong and spaced therefrom by a gap, the second prong having a free end locatable adjacent the end closure piece of said package in response to straddling of the rim of said package by said prongs, said first prong being several times longer than said second prong, said first prong having a linear inside edge facing toward said second prong and protruding several second prong lengths beyond said second prong, so as to lie snugly in axially extended contact with the coin package periphery, the inside edge of said second prong having a portion extending toward said first prong; rim releasing means projecting from said second prong adjacent said free end thereof in a direction away from the first prong and responsive to twisting of said handle for pushing the opposed part of said rim out of its normal retaining position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
In an opening device for a coin package, said package having an end closure portion and an axially extending turned-over rim retaining said end closure portion, the combination comprising: a manually graspable handle terminating in a rigid plate-like portion divided into only two prongs; the first said prong extending in one direction from said handle; the second said prong extending from said handle in the same said direction and flanked at one side thereof by said first prong and spaced therefrom by a gap, the second prong having a free end locatable adjacent the end closure piece of said package in response to straddling of the rim of said package by said prongs, said first prong being several times longer than said second prong, said first prong having a linear inside edge facing toward said second prong and protruding several second prong lengths beyond said second prong, so as to lie snugly in axially extended contact with the coin package periphery, the inside edge of said second prong having a portion extending toward said first prong; rim releasing means projecting from said second prong adjacent said free end thereof in a direction away from the first prong and responsive to twisting of said handle for pushing the opposed part of said rim out of its normal retaining position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
197 words
An opening device for a tearable coin package of the type having a peripheral wall and a turned-over rim extending from the end of said package, said device comprising in combination: a handle; a longer prong means extending from said handle for placement lengthwise along the outside of said package; a substantially shorter prong means extending from said handle alongside said longer prong means for placement endways substantially against the end of said package; said longer and shorter prong means being transversely spaced by a gap for free but close reception of said end rim therein, the free end of said shorter prong means having a rim releasing point means extending transversely thereof and responsive to progressive twisting of said handle substantially about the longitudinal axis of said gap for pressing transversely outward against and loosening said package rim, said device being a rigid plate with one corner portion omitted to leave said longer and shorter prong means, and a central portion between said prong means omitted to define said gap, said longer prong means being a blunt prong, said gap ending in an enlarged opening of diameter exceeding the width of the mouth of said gap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
197 words
An opening device for a tearable coin package of the type having a peripheral wall and a turned-over rim extending from the end of said package, said device comprising in combination: a handle; a longer prong means extending from said handle for placement lengthwise along the outside of said package; a substantially shorter prong means extending from said handle alongside said longer prong means for placement endways substantially against the end of said package; said longer and shorter prong means being transversely spaced by a gap for free but close reception of said end rim therein, the free end of said shorter prong means having a rim releasing point means extending transversely thereof and responsive to progressive twisting of said handle substantially about the longitudinal axis of said gap for pressing transversely outward against and loosening said package rim, said device being a rigid plate with one corner portion omitted to leave said longer and shorter prong means, and a central portion between said prong means omitted to define said gap, said longer prong means being a blunt prong, said gap ending in an enlarged opening of diameter exceeding the width of the mouth of said gap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said shorter prong means is provided with a recess in the edge thereof facing said longer prong means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said rim releasing means is defined by a recess cut into said shorter prong on the side thereof remote from said longer prong means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 2 in which said shorter prong means includes a rim lifting ramp means for insertion under and lifting of said rim at the free inboard rim edge, said lifting means being immediately inboard of said point means, said point means being shaped by said ramp and by the free end of said shorter prong means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 5 in which said shorter prong means is a flat plate-like element of thickness substantially less than width.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |