Pliers

Abstract

The present invention relates to an opening clamp comprising a first element (1) and a second element (2) connected by a pivot axis (3) at one end of each element, defining an approach angle, wherein the first and second elements (1, 2) comprise a face opposite to the other element (1, 2), wherein the opposite faces of the first and second elements (1, 2) have a contact surface intended for the product to be broken, characterized in that the opening clamp (10) further comprises a pressure regulator (5) contained in a housing (6) disposed on the opposite faces of the first and second elements (1, 2), between the pivot axis (3) and the contact surface (4) of the product to be broken.

Description

Title of the invention: Opening pliers technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a kitchen accessory, in particular tongs for opening hard objects, such as crustaceans or nuts. PRIOR TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The use of metal pliers to break the legs, shells and other hard parts of crustaceans as well as various nuts is known.

[0003] These grippers are formed by two facing elements connected by a pivot axis at one end, defining an acute angle configured to limit the movement of the gripper elements. In use, the free end of each element can be used as a handle by the user, preferably in such a way that it can be used with one hand.

[0004] Thus, each element has a contact surface located inside the acute angle, where a product to be broken or opened can be placed. This contact surface can be configured to handle several products, by presenting several zones designed for different product sizes. By moving the gripper elements closer together, along the pivot axis at the end, the user can, by reducing the distance between the contact surfaces of the two elements, apply a force to the product to be processed, which is placed in one of the zones of the gripper's contact surface.

[0005] An opening clamp may include certain features in the contact surface area, configured to improve grip on the product to be broken. An example of this type of feature is the presence of saw-toothed projections or notches, common in currently existing clamps.

[0006] However, these tongs have the disadvantage that, in most cases, the part of the crustacean to be broken is completely crushed, wasting the crustacean's flesh, splashing its internal fluid, and occasionally staining the clothing of the person using the tool as well as those nearby. Another disadvantage of these tongs is that, due to the poor pressure control in known solutions, with the fluid coming from inside the crustacean, they become very slippery in the user's hands, and there is an increased risk of slippage, imprecision in the maneuver, and that uncontrolled pressure could damage the user's own fingers.

[0007] Furthermore, with the use of metal clamps, it is common for a break greater than intended to occur, because these clamps do not allow A gradual application of pressure force leads instantly from the application of high pressure to the breaking of the part. Finally, an additional danger during the breaking operation is the risk of flying fragments that can cause minor cuts and more serious eye injuries.

[0008] So far, only manual opening pliers for crustaceans and nuts have been offered on the market.

[0009] It has therefore become necessary to study other possible solutions for opening tongs for pieces of crustaceans and nuts, which are easier and safer to handle, and which, at the same time, do not present high investment costs and do not complicate the usual home cleaning processes.

[0010] In this context, it is necessary to design an alternative solution for an opening clamp which, in a simple and economical way, makes it possible to overcome all the previous disadvantages. Summary of the invention

[0011] Thus, according to the present invention, a new development of an opening clamp is proposed. Similar to known designs, the opening clamp according to the present invention comprises two elements, a first element and a second element, facing each other, connected by a pivot axis at one end of each element, defining an acute angle. The first and second elements have a contact surface which includes at least one recess for holding the product to be processed.

[0012] Unlike previous solutions, the gripper further includes a pressure regulator disposed between the pivot axis and the contact surface. The regulator is housed in a recess that prevents it from coming out during the movement of the opening gripper elements.

[0013] Thanks to the presence of said pressure regulator, an opening of hard bodies is obtained without risk of impacts, cuts, projection of particles or pinching for the user, without splashing of liquid and without bursting of the parts handled, in order to extract the flesh or the nut in the most complete way possible.

[0014] In other words, the existence of a regulator included in a metal clamp according to the present invention ensures the opening of a hard body (crustaceans, nuts, etc.) with great ease and safety, with good pressure control, avoiding slippage, impacts, particle projections, splashes and other types of inconveniences. List of references

[0015] 10 opening pliers

[0016] 1 first element

[0017] 2 second element

[0018] 3 pivot axis

[0019] 4 contact surface of the product to be broken

[0020] 5 pressure regulator

[0021] 6 regulator housing Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the opening clamp according to the present invention, which includes a pressure regulator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Thus, according to the present invention, a new development of an opening pliers (10) is proposed. Similar to known designs, the opening pliers (10) according to the present invention comprise two elements, a first element (1) and a second element (2).

[0024] In each of these elements (1,2), an outer face and an inner face can be defined, in which the inner face of the first element (1) is opposite the inner face of the second element (2). For its part, the outer face of each element (1,2) is configured to be in contact with a user's hand.

[0025] Furthermore, the first and second elements (1, 2) are connected to each other by a pivot axis (3) located at one end of each element (1, 2), defining an approach angle. Both the first element (1) and the second element (2) have a contact surface (4) on their opposite face, which includes at least one area for placing the product to be broken. This area may have a set of notches to facilitate the placement of the product to be broken, so that the opening is carried out more securely.

[0026] The outer face of the first element (1) can be configured to be in contact with the user's thumb or palm, while the outer face of the second element (2) would be configured to be in contact with the rest of the user's fingers. Bringing these fingers closer to the thumb or palm applies a force to a product between the inner faces of the first and second elements (1, 2), causing the product to open.

[0027] Unlike previous solutions, the opening gripper (10) also includes a pressure regulator (5) disposed in the inner corner of the opening gripper (10), between the pivot axis and the contact surface of the product to be broken. The pressure regulator (5) is received so as to be contained in a housing (6), disposed on the opposite faces of the first and second elements (1, 2), which prevents the pressure regulator (5) to come out during the movement of the elements (1, 2) of the opening clamp (10).

[0028] Thanks to the presence of said pressure regulator (5), the opening of hard bodies is obtained without risk of impacts, cuts, projection of particles or pinching for the user, without splashing of liquid and without bursting of the parts handled, in order to extract the flesh or the nut in the most complete way possible.

[0029] In other words, the existence of a pressure regulator (5) included in an opening clamp (10) as described in the present invention ensures the opening of hard bodies, such as crustaceans and nuts, with great ease and safety, with good pressure control, avoiding slippage, impacts, particle projections, splashes and other types of inconveniences, such as can actually occur in known solutions of the art.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, the pressure regulator (5) comprises a body, preferably in the form of a ball. Regardless of the shape used, in a particular embodiment, the pressure regulator (5) has a diameter of less than 10 mm. Choosing a regulator (5) in the form of a ball simplifies assembly, as it does not require placing the accessory in a specific position; it can be positioned without regard to this aspect.

[0031] In another embodiment, the pressure regulator (5) comprises a body made of nitrile rubber (NBR). Nitrile rubber (NBR) is a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile. It has been widely used in various industrial applications due to its excellent resistance to oils, greases, and hydrocarbons.

[0032] However, NBR has other technical characteristics. Among these characteristics, this compound exhibits good elasticity, allowing it to return to its original shape after being deformed. This property is essential in applications requiring repetitive movement, as described in the present invention. Nitrile rubber exhibits excellent compression resistance, maintaining its shape under static loads. Furthermore, NBR is distinguished by its high resistance to abrasion, tearing, and tensile stress, making it a durable material in demanding environments.The hardness of NBR can vary depending on the proportion of acrylonitrile in its composition, but it is generally classified as medium hardness, which provides a good balance between elasticity and strength, ideal for the opening application according to the present invention, where the durability of NBR depends to a large extent on the service conditions.

[0033] On the other hand, NBR has a limited temperature range under operating conditions. At low temperatures, it becomes rigid and loses its elasticity, while at high Temperature can cause it to degrade. Furthermore, although resistant to many chemicals, NBR can be attacked by certain polar solvents and strong oxidizing agents. Finally, NBR exhibits some gas permeability, which may limit its use in applications requiring absolute sealing. These limitations should not be a hindrance to the development of the application proposed in the present invention.

[0034] In conclusion, nitrile rubber (NBR) is a versatile material with excellent mechanical and chemical properties, making it the best option for the development of a pressure regulator (5) for an opening clamp (10) as described in the present invention.

[0035] The incorporation of a body made of nitrile rubber, preferably with a diameter less than 10 mm, acting as a pressure regulator (5), allows for better adjustment and precision when opening the products, reducing the risk existing in known solutions of the prior art.

[0036] Alternatively, other materials could be used, depending on the specific conditions of the application. If higher resistance to high temperatures and atmospheric agents is required, EPDM or silicone can be used for the development of the pressure regulator body (5), although these are more expensive alternatives, as can be seen in the following table.

[0037] For applications requiring extreme chemical resistance, fluoropolymers are the ideal choice, and polyurethane can be a good option when high resistance to abrasion and tearing is required. Material Temperature Range (°C) Oil and Grease Resistance High Temperature Resistance Relative Cost NBR -30 to 100 Excellent Moderate Low EPDM -50 to 150 Good Excellent Medium Silicone -50 to 250 Good Excellent High Fluoropolymers -200 to 250 Excellent Excellent Very High Polyurethane -30 to 100 Moderate Good Medium

[0038] EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer)

[0039] In a particular embodiment, the housing (6), configured to receive the pressure regulator (5), has a shape corresponding to the pressure regulator (5) it is intended to contain. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the housing (6) has a spherical shape, ensuring a better fit and preventing the exit of a ball, for example made of nitrile rubber (NBR), acting as a pressure regulator (5).

[0040] Similarly, the solution described here is a very simple and economical solution, adapted to known industrial manufacturing processes. More specifically, the manufacturing processes for existing metal grippers can be used, to which the pressure regulator (5) can be integrated as an addition, or the manufacturing process for an opening gripper (10) can be adapted so that it includes the pressure regulator (5) already integrated as standard.

[0041] In particular, in existing pliers, the existence of a first zone, intended for small objects on the contact surface of the product to be broken, could be utilized. This first zone can be adapted to act as a housing (6) for a pressure regulator (5). In this context, it is advisable to eliminate any notches or other anterior features that could affect the durability of the pressure regulator (5) upon impact with the contact surfaces (4) of the elements (1, 2). In this way, a housing (6) with dimensions of approximately 10 mm is created, in which the regulator (5) is housed under pressure.

[0042] Thus, the solution proposed in the present invention makes it possible to improve the known solutions relating to opening pliers for hard bodies, such as pieces of crustaceans or nuts, thanks to the presence of a pressure regulation generated by the user of the opening pliers.

Claims

Demands

1. - Opening pliers comprising a first element (1) and a second element (2) connected by a pivot axis (3) at one end of each element, defining an approach angle, wherein the first and second elements (1,2) comprise a face opposite to the other element (1,2), wherein the opposite faces of the first and second elements (1,2) comprise a contact surface intended for the product to be broken, characterized in that the opening pliers (10) further comprise a pressure regulator (5) contained in a housing (6) disposed on the opposite faces of the first and second elements (1,2), between the pivot axis (3) and the contact surface (4) of the product to be broken.

2. - Opening clamp according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulator (5) is made of nitrile rubber (NBR).

3. - Opening clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the pressure regulator (5) has a diameter of less than 10 mm.

4. - Opening clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure regulator (5) has the shape of a ball.

Images