| A hand-held can opener is a tool that uses a | | | | through the surface of the can lid which also |
| wheel, a wedge or cutter and a lever to | | | | should be avoided. |
| accomplish the task of opening cans. The first tin | | | | The serrated wheel drags the metal across the |
| can was invented just to find a way to preserve | | | | cutting edge while pressure is to be applied |
| food. However, the first cans were so thick that | | | | strongly on the handles. |
| it was necessary to use a hammer in order to | | | | Once the tool has traveled through the |
| open the cans completely and that required big | | | | circumference of the can, the lid separates |
| support from the openers. | | | | perfectly from the can. Maintaining a consistent |
| Hence to overcome the difficulty of opening cans, | | | | level of pressure against the handles ensures a |
| can openers were invented which used a cutting | | | | continuous and beautiful cut. The turning can |
| wheel to cut the lid of the can. Further to the | | | | causes the cutting wheel to turn as it cuts |
| development, Can Opener Company improved | | | | through the lid of the can. |
| the designs of the previously designed can | | | | It was not until another Company added a pair of |
| openers by adding a serrated wheel to work as a | | | | plier-like handles to grip the can which are similar |
| turning gear. | | | | to the ones used today. A sharp edge on the |
| The person opening the can uses the handles as | | | | cutting wheel would make the process easier as it |
| levers to position the rim of the can between the | | | | does not require large amount of energy. |
| cutting wheel and the serrated wheel. The user | | | | Although most can have standardized opening |
| who needs to open the can applies pressure to | | | | procedures of the lid, there are occasions when |
| the handles to draw the handles together. | | | | the lid is too high or too rounded which makes |
| As the handles move together, the two wheels | | | | the opening too tough. |
| are drawn together. The serrated wheel grips the | | | | A punch style or key opener might work very |
| can tightly avoiding the danger of dropping the | | | | well too. |
| can or sometimes the cutting wheel breaks | | | | |