Title: Lid perforator

The invention relates generally to a set and method for perforating a surface. The invention relates more specifically to a household set and method for perforating a surface, usually a lid, of a food container.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Perforating a surface of container, such as a food container, can be required to allow an appliance, such as a vacuum stopper, to be inserted into the hole. By perforating a surface of the container, a hole or an opening can be made in the surface through which the appliance can be inserted. The surface of the container can e.g. be a lid of the container, or a side wall of the container. By doing so a standard container can be retrofitted to a vacuum container. A typical household container comprises a pot for receiving e.g. food, and a lid for closing of the pot. For a household, retrofitting a standard container to a vacuum container prevents having to buy a, possibly expensive, integrated vacuum container, in which a vacuum valve is integrated to e.g. the lid, while already having a decent amount of standard containers available in the household. A step in the process of retrofitting a standard container to a vacuum container is to perforate a hole in a surface of the container. Perforating a hole in a surface, usually a lid, of the container usually requires tools such as a hole punch, or a drill and a hole saw. Several drawbacks are known about these tools. A hole punch requires additional tools such as wrenches to be able to apply sufficient force on the hole punch. A hole punch and wrenches can therefore be cumbersome to use. A drill and a hole saw might not be readily available in every household. A drill also commonly requires electricity. The aforementioned tools can also be quite expensive and require a certain amount of skill to be used properly. The aforementioned tools are also not commonly found near the kitchen or the pantry where food containers are usually stored. There is therefore a need for a set for perforating a surface of a container that improves at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided for a set for perforating a plate material including a punching part comprising a punching element arranged to punch through the plate material and a cutting element arranged to cut through the plate material, wherein the punching element and the cutting element are arranged such that a punching tip of the punching element extends beyond a cutting edge of the cutting element, and a tightening arm comprising a cooperation element arranged to cooperate with the punching element in a tightening condition such that a movement of the tightening arm tightens the punching element and the cutting element towards the arm allowing the cutting element to engage the plate material.

The plate material can for example be a metal or synthetic plate material of a container such as a food container, such as e.g. a hd. The plate material forms the surface of the food container that is suitable for being perforated. The plate material can also be an other surface of the container, such as a side wall, for example when the lid is unfeasible to be perforated.

The punching element may allow a user to punch a perforation in a plate material, such as in a lid of a container. Punching a perforation in a plate material may relatively simple be done by moving the punching element towards the plate material, which does not require a lot of strength or technical expertise by the user. The punching element can be punched through the plate material, causing a tip of the punching element to protrude through the plate material, and as such, to make a perforation.

Arranging the punching element such that a punching tip of the punching element extends beyond a cutting edge of the cutting element allows the user to punch a perforation in the plate material before the cutting element engages the plate material. The cutting element may thus be seen to be positioned above the punching tip when the punching tip is facing downwards. In an advantageous manner, first the punching element makes a perforation and then the cutting element may contact the plate material to enlarge the perforation and to make it a hole through which an appliance is insertable.

The perforation set comprises two parts, a first part, the punching part, that is arranged for making a perforation in the plate material, and a second part, the tightening arm. The two parts are separate components that can be engaged and disengaged to each other. In a tightening mode, the tightening arm is engaged to the punching element. In use, the two parts will each be at another side of the plate material, such that the tightening arm engages the tip of the punching element protruding through the plate material.

The tightening arm comprises a cooperation element for cooperation with the punching part, in the tightening condition. The cooperation element can cooperate with the protruding tip of the punching element such that movement of the tightening arm tightens the punching element towards the tightening arm, thus the punching element moving further through the plate material. The tightening arm movement is induced by a user holding the tightening arm. Since the cutting element is positioned above the punching tip of the punching element, the movement of the punching element further through the plate material, also moves the cutting element towards the plate material until the cutting element engages the plate material with its cutting edge to cut out a perforation in the plate material. The tightening arm can function as a lever transferring and amplifying a force exerted by the user onto the tightening arm to the cutting element in order to cut the plate material. As such, the user does not need to use additional tools such as a wrench. The set can therefore be seen as a self-contained set, no other tools are required for making the hole in the plate material. The punching part can be relatively compact, for example when the punching element and the cutting element are arranged concentrically with each other. The punching element may be arranged inside of the cutting element, with the punching tip extending beyond the cutting edge of the cutting element. The punching part may then be operated by the palm or the ball of the hand or by a single finger, that can push the punching tip in or through the plate material. The punching part may have an engagement surface to which a hand, or part of a hand of a user can engage. The punching element typically may extend from the other side of the engagement surface. Advantageously, the engagement surface is sufficiently large for a user to contact it and exert a force onto it allowing the punching element to protrude the plate material. As such a compact configuration of the punching part may be obtained, resulting in a relatively small, manageable punching part.

Preferably, the tightening arm is sufficiently large such that a user can handle and operate it with a single hand. The tightening arm can thus be relatively compact as it has been found by the inventors that a rather short tightening arm can already sufficiently multiply a force exerted by the user in order to cut the plate material. As such the set can be small enough to be stored in, for example, a kitchen drawer.

Advantageously, the punching element and the cutting element are comprised by the punching part and the cooperation element is comprised by the tightening arm. It will however be appreciated that the cutting element can just as well be comprised by the tightening arm, such that upon tightening of the punching element towards the tightening arm, the cutting element of the tightening arm moves towards the plate material to cut it. The functionality of the set remains the same as long as the punching element is comprised by one of the punching part and the tightening arm and the cooperation element is comprised by the other of the punching part and the tightening arm, regardless of which part comprises the cutting element. The cutting element can be fixedly mounted to the cutting part, for example via a threaded connection with the punching element. Alternatively, the cutting element can be rotationally free mounted to the cutting part, for example can be axially mounted between the cutting part, in particular an arm thereof, and a stop element such as a shoulder on the punching element. Then, the cutting element is freely rotatable around the punching element, reducing the cutting resistance, and improving the user friendliness of the cutting part.

The set can also be used to enlarge an opening already present on a plate material by inserting the punching element in the opening and engaging the punching element with the cooperation element, and tightening it such that the cutting element can cut the plate material to enlarge the already present opening.

Optionally or additionally, the punching part may comprise an arm wherein one end of the arm comprises the punching element and the cutting element and another end of the arm comprises a support element for supporting onto the plate material. The arm can act as a grip for the user to hold on to the punching part, or to prevent the punching part from moving. The support element can act as a support in an embodiment wherein the punching part is used during the punching of the plate material. In this embodiment the support element supports the punching arm on one side of the plate material. By providing the support element at another side of the arm than the punching element, and by engaging the support element onto the plate material, the position of the punching element may be kept more precisely during the punching movement. Also, the user may, with his hand, partly engage the support element and partly the other side of the arm with the punching element to push the punching element downwardly towards the plate material. This may allow a more precise positioning.

Optionally or additionally, the punching part and the tightening arm may be engageable to each other in a punching condition in which the cooperating element of the tightening arm cooperates with the support element of the punching part, such that the tightening arm engages the plate material for the punching of the plate material. In this embodiment, the support element acts as a connection element with the tightening arm and the tightening arm supports the punching arm on one side of the plate. Engaging the tightening arm with the punching part in the punching mode for the punching movement, the tightening arm may act as a support onto the plate material, thereby reducing any possible damage to the plate material during the punching movement. Also, engaging the tightening arm to the punching part may provide for a more stable positioning of the punching part to the plate material, in particular during the punching movement.

Optionally or additionally, the punching element may comprise an external thread. More particularly, the punching element may comprise a punching tip for punching the plate material, and a body comprising the external thread. The body may be fixed to the punching part at an end of the body, and the punching tip may be arranged at an other, free, end of the body. The external thread may allow the punching element to cooperate with the cooperating element of the tightening arm.

Optionally or additionally, the cooperating element of the tightening arm may comprise an internal thread for cooperation with the punching element, in particular with the thread of the punching element. As such, the cooperating element may cooperate with the punching element through a screwing movement. The tightening arm may act as a lever for the screw movement, as the user can use the tightening arm as a handle. The movement of the tightening arm may then be a rotational movement to pull the punching element towards the tightening arm by engaging the threads. The user may thus tighten the cutting element towards the plate material by rotationally moving the tightening arm. A rotational movement can require less space for the tightening arm to move than a translational movement. A rotational movement may also allow the set to functionally operate regardless of the initial position of the tightening arm as opposed to a translational movement, wherewith the user might find himself in a situation wherein the tightening arm is unable to continue its translational movement due the plate material blocking its path before the cutting element has cut through the plate material. A rotating tightening arm can easily continue to rotate until the cutting element has cut through the plate material.

A possible alternative for the threaded connection can for example be a rack-and-pinion connection, wherein the punching element comprises a rack and the cooperation element comprises a pinion. Such a rack-and- pinion cooperation would not require a rotational movement of de tightening arm but an up-and-down movement. Every downward movement of the tightening arm may move the pinion with respect to the rack of the punching element and thus move the cutting element towards the plate material. The tightening arm freely returns to an up position from where it may be moved downwards again, once again tightening the cutting element towards the plate material. A ratchet-like movement may be obtained. The up-and-down movement is repeated until the cutting element has cut through the plate material. The up-and-down movement can still be relatively compact to be used in an household environment. The up-and- down movement can be easier for some users due to the user being able to support a little bit of his weight on the tightening arm to provide enough force for the down movement of the tightening arm. The set, according to an embodiment comprising a rack-and-pinion connection, may further comprise a release arranged to disengage the rack from the pinion. The user may use the release to disengage the rack from the pinion, and thus the tightening arm from the punching part, after the cutting element has cut through the plate material. Optionally or additionally, the cooperating element may further comprise a skirt arranged at an outer side of the cooperating element, wherein the skirt is arranged to engage with the support element of the punching part in the punching mode. The skirt can be arranged to engage with the support element in a number of ways. The support element can for example comprise a magnet, and the skirt can be made of a magnetic material. The support element can also for example be arranged to receive the skirt to form a detachable connection, for example by a tight fit between the skirt and the support element. The skirt may be arranged to, in the punching condition wherein the skirt engages the support element of the punching part, provide for sufficient distance of the punching arm from the plate material, allowing the punching element to be pushed with sufficient impact into, and preferably through, the plate to make a perforation. In the tightening condition, the skirt engages the opposite side of the plate material, as the cooperation element tightens the punching element. The skirt may thus support the plate material in the region where the cutting takes place, thereby reducing or preventing deformation of the plate material around the opening cut. The skirt may have internal dimensions that are slightly larger than the external dimensions of the cutting edge of the cutting element, allowing for a small play between the two components during cutting. The skirt may be e.g. cylindrical having an internal diameter allowing for a small play between the skirt and the cutting element. Due to the hmited play, the cutting of the plate material may be improved, as the cutting edge may make a scissor-like movement with respect to the skirt. The small play may allow the cutting element and the skirt to rotate freely in relation to each other, especially when the cutting element extends partly into the skirt. The small play may also improve the cutting of the plate material between the skirt and the cutting element.

The skirt may, in the tightening condition, extend further towards the punching part than the cooperation element. As such the cutting element can cut the plate material before being tightened up to the cooperation element. The skirt may otherwise not extend further towards the punching part than the cooperation element. In this case a further limited play may be present between the cooperation element and the cutting element. The second small play may allow the cutting element and the cooperation element to rotate freely in relation to each other, especially when the cooperation element is tightened partly inside of the cutting blade.

Optionally or additionally, the skirt may be rotatable arranged to the tightening arm. By rotatable arranging the skirt, the skirt can be prevented from rotating along with for example the tightening arm. This can allow the skirt to rotate freely with the plate material thus preventing damage which could otherwise be caused by the skirt scraping over the plate material. Alternatively, the skirt can be fixedly mounted to the tightening arm 14, and can be rotationally locked with the cooperating element. Advantageously, when the skirt is fixedly mounted to the tightening arm, the cutting element of the cutting part is rotationally free mounted around the punching element. Then, the cutting element can freely rotate and is receivable inside the skirt during use, and during the cutting and tightening. A threaded point of the punching element can cooperate with an internal thread of the cooperating element, that is rotationally fixed to the skirt and the tightening arm, thereby the cutting and tightening of the cutting element to the plate material may be subject to less resistance, thus increasing the user-friendliness of the set.

Optionally or additionally, the support element of the punching part may comprise a recess, wherein the recess may be arranged to receive the skirt to detachably connect the punching part to the tightening arm in the punching condition. Aside from using the tightening arm as support in the punching condition, the tightening arm can also be connected to the punching part when the set is not needed, e.g. for storage purposes. The two parts of the set can then be stored together with a high probability of the punching part and the tightening arm to remain connected, lowering the chance of the user losing one of the parts.

Optionally or additionally, the arm of the punching part may comprise a flexible region between the end with the punching element and the cutting element and the end comprising the support element. The flexible region allows the punching part to be supported at one end, comprising the support element, whilst also allowing movement of the punching element towards the plate material at the other end. Thereto, the flexible region can bend, stretch or twist. The flexible region may also allow the set to be used on curved plate materials.

Optionally or additionally, the tightening arm may comprise a guide opening arranged at an end of the arm opposite of the cooperating element, for guiding the punching element during the punching movement, when the tightening arm is engaged to the punching part in the punching condition. The guide opening can for example guide the punching element when the set is in the punching condition according to the embodiment wherein the tightening arm supports the punching part onto the plate material. Here the guide opening can guide the punching element at least towards the plate material, preferably in a direction substantially transverse to the plate material. As such, slipping of the punching element over the plate material as a result of a inadequate positioning of the punching element on the plate material by the user may be obviated. Uncontrolled, accidental shpping of the punching element may injure the user and/or may damage the plate material.

Optionally or additionally, the guide opening can be a slit, preferably oriented in a longitudinal direction of the arm. By providing the guide opening as a slit, the tightening arm can be detached and removed from the punching part after the punching of the plate material without disengaging the punching element from the plate material. Otherwise the user might need to remove the punching element from the freshly punched perforation to detach the tightening arm, after which the punching element may be reinserted in the perforation for the further cutting and enlarging of the perforation to form an opening.

Optionally or additionally, the cutting element may comprise a round cutting edge having at least two cutting teeth, preferably having at least three cutting teeth. A circular cutting edge is well suited to cut a round hole, which is feasible as vacuum stoppers usually require a round hole to fit in. Alternative types of cutting elements are also possibly, for example when a polygonal, such as a triangular or rectangular hole is required. The use of a type of cutting element can however depend on the type of cooperation between the punching element and the cooperation element. A round cutting edge can be well combinable with a threaded cooperation, as the rotation of the threaded punching element may be transferred to the round cutting edge. A rectangular cutting edge may be better suited for use with a rack-and-pinion cooperation, as the linear movement of the rack can be transferred to the rectangular or triangular cutting edge.

Optionally or additionally, the punching element may be arranged at least partly inside of the cutting element. The punching element may preferably be arranged substantially concentric with regard to the cutting element.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for making a hole in a plate material, the method comprising providing a set of a punching part and a tightening arm as described hereinabove, positioning the punch part on one side of the plate material, making a punch perforation in the plate material by pushing a pin of the punching element towards the plate material, engaging the tightening arm to a part of the punching element protruding through the plate material at the other side of the plate material, moving the tightening arm with respect to the punching element to tighten the punching element into the tightening arm such that the cutting element moves towards the plate material for cutting the plate material. By providing the set with the two parts, the punching part and the tightening arm, a compact self-contained device is available for easily making a hole in a plate like lid of a container. By positioning the punching part on one side of the plate material, then pushing the punching element through the lid and tightening the punching element, by engaging it with the tightening arm at the other side of the plate material, in a relatively convenient manner, the user can make an opening in the plate material himself.

Optionally or additionally, the method may further comprise engaging the tightening arm to the punching part in the punching condition for the punching movement, and disengaging the tightening arm from the punch part after the punching movement. By engaging the tightening arm to the punching part in the punching condition for the punching movement, the tightening arm can support the punching part on the plate material during the punching movement. After disengaging the tightening arm from the punching part, the tightening arm is engaged to the pin of the punching part at the other side of the plate material.

Further aspects of the disclosure are represented in the sub claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

The disclosure and various aspects of the disclosure are elucidated with reference to the drawing. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a set according to an aspect of the disclosure in a tightening condition.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the set of Fig. 1 in a punching condition.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the set of Fig. 1 in a punching condition. Figs. 4A-4G show steps of a method to perforate a hole in a hd using the set according to the disclosure.

Figs. 5A-5C show an exemplary application of a vacuum stopper in a hole perforated in a hd.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of a set according to an aspect of the disclosure.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-section of the set of Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

In the figures are like reference numerals used to refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures serve to further illustrate embodiments of aspects that include the claimed invention. The figures are not to scale.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a set 1 according to an aspect of the disclosure in a tightening condition, and a plate material 3, such as a lid 3. The lid 3 of a pot or jar usually comprises a plate material with a rim or edge at the circumference which rim or edge is provided with engaging elements, such as a thread, for engaging with the pot or jar to close the container. The set 1 comprises a punching part 2 and a tightening arm 14. The punching part 2 comprises a punching element 4 and a cutting element 6. The punching element 4 is shown here as a threaded screw 4 having a tip 5. The screw 4 can for example have an hexagonal head 8, arranged to be received in an hexagonal recess 10 in the punching part 2. As such, the screw 4 is rotationally fixed to the punching part 2. The cutting element 6 is shown here as having a cutting blade 7 having a threaded bore 12 at the centre of the cutting element 6 for receiving the screw punching element 4 therethrough. The cutting element 6 can thus be screwed on the screw 4 until both the element 6 and the screw 4 are fixedly connected to the punching part 2. The blade 7 advantageously has one, two or more cutting teeth 7a. On an upper side 32 of the punching part 2 a user can engage, e.g. with his hand or a part of its hand, to exert a force to push the punching element 4, extending away from the side 32, towards the plate material 3.

The tightening arm 14 comprises a cooperation element 16. The cooperation element 16 is shown here as a threaded bushing 16, having an internal thread, arranged to receive the screw 4. The set 1 is shown in the tightening condition, wherein the screw 4 cooperates with the bushing 16. Rotation of the tightening arm 14 causes the screw 4, and thus also the blade 7, and the bushing 16 to tighten. In Fig. 1 is shown that a part 3’ of the lid 3 has been cut off the lid 3 by the blade 6. Rotation of the tightening arm 14 in the opposite direction causes the screw 4, and thus also the blade 7, and the bushing 16 to loosen. The cutting element 6 is arranged such that the cut-off part 3’ of the lid 3 remains loosely attached to the punching part 2 when disengaging the punching part 2 from the tightening arm 14. This prevents the user from having to fumble the cut-off part of the lid 3 out the tightening arm 14.

The punching part 2 further comprises an arm 22 and a support element 26. The support element 26, as illustrated in fig. 1, supports the punching part 2 on the plate material 3. The support element 26 comprises a recess 30. The arm 22 provides for a distance between the screw 4 and blade 6 at one side of the arm 22 and the support element 26 at an other side of the arm 22. The arm 22 can also act as a grip for the user to hold on to the punching part 2, or to prevent the punching part 2 from moving. In another example, the punching part 2 can be provided without the support element 26. The support element 26 may engage on the lid 3, as shown here, but may, in use, also extend beyond the surface of the lid 3. The punching part 2 can for example be of a length larger than the hd 3. The support element 26 may then extend beyond the rim of the lid 3. In both situations, the punching part 2 can be used to engage the lid 3 and the punch a perforation in the lid 3 with the punching element 4 by pressing or pushing onto the surface 32 of the punching part 2. The tightening arm 14 further comprises a skirt 18. The skirt 18 is, advantageously, rotatable arranged with respect to the cooperating element, here bushing 16, thereby preventing that during the tightening movement the skirt 18 damages the lid. The skirt 18, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, has an internal diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the blade 7. The skirt 18 thus acts to support the lid 3 as the blade 7 engages the hd 3. The small play between the inner diameter of the skirt 18 and the blade 7 allows the blade 7 to cut the lid 3 like a scissor, supported by the skirt 18. The play also allows to blade 7 and the skirt 18 to freely rotate with regards to each other even when the blade 7 extends partly inside the skirt 18. The amount of play can be between around 0,1 mm and around 0,4 mm, more preferably around 0,2 mm. As illustrated here, the skirt 18 extends towards the punching part than the cooperation element 16. As such the blade 7 can cut the plate material 3 before being tightened up to the cooperation element 16. As illustrated here, the skirt 18 is rotatable connected to the tightening arm 14 by a bearing 20. This allows the skirt 18 to rotate freely with the lid 3 thus preventing damage which could otherwise be caused by the skirt 18 scraping over the lid 3. The bearing 20 can for example be a nylon bush or a ball bearing. The bearing 20 further comprises a shoulder 20a and a chck finger 20b to axially lock the skirt 18 with respect to the tightening arm, while allowing rotational movement of the skirt 18 with respect to the tightening arm 14. The bearing 20 thus also allows easy assembly of the skirt 18 to the tightening arm 14.

The arm 22 of the punching part 2 further comprises a flexible region 24 approximately in the middle of the arm 22. The flexible region 24 can bend, stretch and/or twist and allows the screw 4 to move without moving the support element 26. Here, the flexible region 24 is arranged as a corrugated region to provide for the flexibility. Other embodiments of the flexible region are possible, e.g. a region in which the material may be thinner, or a line hinge may be provided in the material, etc. Many variants are possible.

The tightening arm 14 further comprises a guide opening 28. The guide opening 28 shown here as a sht 28 oriented in a longitudinal direction of the tightening arm 14, which can be seen for example in Fig. 4C. The guide opening 28 may provide for the guiding of the punching element 4 during the punching movement, when the parts 2, 14 are engaged in the punching condition. In an other embodiment, the slit 28 can be oriented in a transverse direction of the tightening arm 14. The sht 28 can also be oriented in an angle with regards to a longitudinal axis of the tightening arm 14. The slit 28 can have a constant width, or a width increasing towards the open end 28a of the slit 28 forming a V-like guide opening 28. Figs. 4A-4F show the slit 28 with a slightly increasing width towards the open 28a of the sht 28. The closed end 28b of the slit preferably has a rounded shape with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the screw 4. Preferably, the closed end 28b of the slit 28 guides to screw 4 towards the plate material 3.

The punching part 2 and/or the tightening arm 14 can be made of metal, synthetic materials, composites or combinations thereof.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the set 1 of Fig. 1 in a punching condition. In the punching condition, as shown here, the skirt 18 is engaged to the recess 30 of the support element 26, preferably in a clamping engagement such that a user can relatively easily engage and disengage both parts 2, 14. The tightening arm 14 supports the punching part 2 on the plate material 3. The screw 4 now extends through the slit 28. The sht 28 guides the screw 4 to the plate material 3 during the punching movement. The flexible region 24 allows the screw 4 to be pressed in the plate material 3 whilst the rest of the set 1 remains in place. Once the screw 4 is punched through the plate material 3, the flexible region 24 allows the tightening arm 14 and the support element 26 to be moved whilst the screw 4 remains punched through the plate material 3. The sht 28 allows the tightening arm 14 to be detached from the punching part 2 without having to pull the screw 4 out of the plate material 3.

The set 1 can easily be stored in the cooperation condition shown in Fig. 1 or in the punching condition shown in Fig. 2. Storing the set 1 in the punching condition allows the set 1 to be used quickly when needed, as the set 1 can be positioned on the lid 3 and perforating the lid 3 can be possible without needing to rearrange the set 1. The screw 4 and the blade 7 are somewhat covered by the tightening arm 14. Storing the set 1 in the cooperation condition is also possible, the screw 4 can then be screwed in the bushing 16 before storing the set 1 and the screw 4 needs to be screwed out of the bushing 16 before using the set. The screw 4 and blade 7 are well covered within the skirt 18. As such, storing the set 1 in the cooperation condition may reduce the risk of the screw 4 or the blade 7 damaging other household appliance and the risk of physical harm caused to the user or a kid of the user by cutting themselves on the blade 7 when looking for an other household appliance stored near the set 1.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the set 1 of Fig. 1 in the punching condition. Fig. 3 shows the set 1 with the screw 4 of the punching part 2 pushed through the lid 3. A user pushes onto the end of the punching part 2 with the punching element 4 to push the punching element towards the lid to perforate the lid 3. Due to the pushing movement of the user, the arm 22 bends at the flexible region 24. The flexible region 24 is shown in a bent position. The flexible region 24 allows the screw 4 to be pushed through the lid 3 without displacing the rest of the set 1. The slit 28 guides the screw 4 towards the lid 3. A tip 5 of the screw 4 may punch a perforation in the lid 3. The threaded body of the screw 4 might provide some extra grip in between the screw 4 and the lid 3. The extra grip might facilitate some of the steps shown in Figs. 4A-4G. The tightening arm 14, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises a tab 15.

The tab 15 may provide the user with extra grip when disengaging the tightening arm 14 from the punching part 2 after the screw 4 has punched a perforation in the lid 3.

Figs. 4A-4G show steps of a method to perforate a hole in a hd 3. Only the reference numerals relevant the step are shown in order to keep the figures clear. Fig. 4A shows a lid 3 of a container and a set 1 in the punching condition. The lid 3 is illustrated having a radius smaller than the length of the set 1. It will be appreciated that the hd 3 can be larger than the set 1. The tightening arm 14 of the set 1 is detachably connected to the punching part 2 of the set 1. The tightening arm 14 supports the punching part 2 onto the lid 3. The punching element 4 is positioned substantially above the centre of the lid 3. Albeit not shown, the hd 3 can still be attached to the container. This can provide more support during the punching of the lid 3. The lid 3 can just as well be removed from the container beforehand. The tightening arm 14 is engaged to the punching part 2, to provide support of the punching part 2 onto the lid 3 during the punching movement. This may allow a more accurate positioning and perforation of the punching element 4 onto the lid 3.

Fig. 4B shows the punching movement. The screw 4 is pushed down on the lid 3 by a user pushing onto the end of the punching part 2 with the punching element 4, causing the screw 4 to punch a perforation through the lid 3. The flexible region 24 allows the screw 4 to be pushed down onto the lid 3 by bending. The rest of the set 1 remains supported onto the lid 3. The sht 28 guides the screw 4 towards the lid 3 and provides stability to the screw 4 be keeping the screw 4 in a substantially upwards position. Without the slit 28, the screw 4 might slip and slide away over the lid 3 instead of punching through the lid 3 due to inadequate positioning of the screw 4 on the lid 3 by the user. Fig. 4B can be seen as a perspective view of set 1 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4C shows the detachment of the tightening arm 14 from the punching part 2. The punching part 2 is thereto lifted from the skirt 18 whilst keeping the screw 4 into the lid until the skirt 18 of the tightening arm 14 can be detached from the recess 30 of the support element 26. The sht 28 allows the tightening arm 14 to be detached from the punching part 2 without having to retract the screw 4 from the lid 3. The guide opening 28 is here shown as a slit 28, but can have many different shapes, such as an circular opening or a V-shaped opening that is also open to a side of the tightening arm. An advantage of a guide opening such as a slit that is open sidewards, is that the tightening arm can relatively easy be removed from the punching part, when engaged in the punching condition, and after the punch movement with the punching element protruded through the plate material. The guide opening 28, as illustrated in Fig. 4C, is oriented in a longitudinal direction of the tightening arm 14. In an other embodiment, the sht 28 can be oriented in a transverse direction of the tightening arm 14.

The sht 28 can also be oriented in any angle with regards to a longitudinal axis of the tightening arm 14, as long as the tightening arm 14 can be detached from the punching part 2 without having to retract the screw 4 from the lid 3. After detaching and/or removing the tightening arm 14 from the punching part 2, the lid 3 has to be removed from the container if this hasn’t been done so already, as the next step requires the opposite side of the lid 3 to be accessible.

Fig. 4D shows the screw 4 protruding the lid 3. The tightening arm 14 is moved towards the screw 4 protruding from the lid 3. The screw 4 can be inserted in the skirt 18 of the tightening arm 14 to be engaged with the cooperation element 16, shown here as a threaded bushing 16, inside of the skirt 18. The set 1 will then be in the tightening condition. In an embodiment comprising a rack- and-p inion cooperation, the step shown in Fig. 4D would comprise engaging the rack to the pinion. Fig. 4E shows the set 1 in the cooperation condition with the hd 3 in between the punching part 2 and the tightening arm 14. Rotation of the tightening arm 14 will cause the screw 4 to be tightened in the bushing 16, as such tightening and engaging the blade 7 towards the hd 3. The user rotates the tightening arm 14 until the blade 7 with its cutting teeth 7a has completely cut through the lid 3 to remove portion 3’ of the lid 3 and provide an opening. Afterwards, the tightening arm is rotated in the opposite direction to loosen the screw 4 from the bushing 16, eventually releasing the screw 4 from the bushing 16. As mentioned hereinabove different cooperation types, such as a rack-and-pinion cooperation, can be used instead of a threaded connection. Generally, the movement required to tighten the elements cooperation element is repeated until the opening is provided after which the two parts of the set are disengaged. The disengagement can for example happen by a movement opposite to the tightening movement or a release mechanism.

Fig. 4F shows the set 1 in a disconnected condition. The tightening arm 14 is disengaged from the punching part 2. Both the tightening arm 14 and the punching part 2 are disengaged from the lid 3.

An opening 3a is now perforated in the hd 3. A tool, such as a vacuum stopper, can now be inserted in the hole 3a of the lid 3. The diameter of the hole 3a corresponds to a diameter of the tool to be inserted in the hole 3a. The diameter of the hole 3a may be approximately the same or shghtly larger than the diameter of the tool. In case of a none-circular opening, the shape of the opening may be approximately the same as the shape of the tool whilst the size of the opening may be approximately the same or shghtly larger than the size of the tool. Fig. 4F illustrates the blade 7 as having three cutting teeth 7a. Having three cutting teeth 7a can be advantageous to the effectiveness of the blade 7 while also optimizing aspects such as, for example, the price, durability and ease of manufacturing of the blade 7. The blade 7 may however have more or less cutting teeth 7a or a toothless cutting edge.

Fig. 4G shows an optional additional step. The opening 3a is made in the hd 3 using the set 1 according to the steps shown in Figs. 4A - 4F.

The opening 3a can receive further treatment before inserting a vacuum stopper. Fig. 4G shows how the opening 3a can be flanged using the punching part 2. A ridge of the support element 26 of the punching part 2 can for example be provided as a metal ridge to allow the punching part 2 to be used to flange the opening 3a.

Figs. 5A-5C show an exemplary application requiring a hole 3a perforated in a hd 3. Fig. 5 A shows a vacuum stopper 40 inserted in the hole 3a perforated using a set 1 according to the disclosure. The diameter of the hole 3a preferably corresponds to a diameter of the vacuum stopper 40 the be inserted in the hole 3a. The diameter of the hole 3a is shown here to be shghtly larger than the diameter of the vacuum stopper 40. The relatively loose fitting between the hole 3a and the vacuum stopper 40 still allows for an airtight connection to be formed once the vacuum stopper 40 is pulled towards the inside of the container due to a vacuum present in the container. Fig. 5B shows a vacuum pump 42 creating a vacuum in the container (not shown) connected the lid 3. Fig. 5C shows a vacuum sealed hd 3, wherein the container of the lid 3 is not shown. With this example of a vacuum stopper, a visual indication (low/high) is possible to detect whether there is a vacuum in the container. Other examples of stoppers can be inserted in the opening 3a of the hd 3. The application shown in Figs. 5A-5C is to be seen as an example and does not hmit to the applications in which a hole perforated in the lid 3 is required.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a set 1 according to an aspect of the disclosure in a tightening condition. The use and operation of the this set 1 is similar as of the set of figs. 1 - 5C, and is for reasons of conciseness not repeated. Similar as in Figs. 1 - 5C, the set 1 comprises a punching part 2 and a tightening arm 14. The punching part 2 comprises an arm 22, a punching element 4 and a cutting element 6. The punching element 4 is shown here as a threaded screw 4 having a tip 5, and a thread 4’. The head 8 of the screw 4 is shaped correspondingly to the recess 10 in the punching part 2. As such, the screw 4 is rotationally fixed to the punching part 2.

Here, a sleeve 101 of the recess 10 is provided with a pattern of grooves and ribs, the head 8 of the screw 4 is provided with a corresponding pattern of ribs and grooves such that the head 8 fits in the recess 10 to rotationally fix the screw 4 to the punching part 2. The head 8 is further provided with an internal thread 81 to receive a screw 82 and to fixate the screw 4 to the punching part 2. The screw 4 is further provided with a shoulder 84 extending radially outwardly from the screw stem. The punching part 2 comprises, here too, an arm 22 and a support element 26 with the opening, or recess 30 provided in it, and a flexible region 24 between the arm 22 and the support element 26.

The cutting element 6 has a central bore 12 and a cutting blade 7 with one or more cutting teeth 7a. The cutting teeth 7a can have various shapes, e.g. a cutting edge 7b can have a wave-like shape, or a saw-blade shape, etc. The cutting element 6 is substantially ring shaped of which the cutting blade 7 extends at an outer side thereof downwardly. When mounted to the punching part 2, the cutting element 6 is arranged between the arm 22 and the shoulder 84 of the punching element 4, which can be seen in fig.

7. As such, the cutting element 6 is axially locked, but rotationally free. The cutting element 6 can freely rotate around its longitudinal axis, in particular around the sleeve 101 surrounding the recess 10. The opening 12 of the cutting element 6 fits around the sleeve 101.

Similarly as the embodiment of fig. 1, on the upper side 32 of the punching part 2 a user can engage, e.g. with his hand or a part of its hand, to exert a force to push the punching element 4, extending away from the side 32, towards plate material 3.

The set 1 further comprises the tightening arm 14. The tightening arm 14 comprises a cooperation element 16 for cooperation with the screw 4 and the cutting blade 7. The cooperation element 16 is arranged inside the skirt 18 of the tightening arm 14. In particular, the cooperation element 16 here is rotationally fixed inside the skirt 18 and provided with an inner threaded bore 16’ to receive the corresponding thread 4’ of the screw 4. The cooperation element 16 is here cross-shaped and provided with grooves 16a that engage with ribs 18a on the skirt 18 of the tightening arm 14. Additionally, legs 16b of the cooperating element 16 fit in corresponding recesses 18d of the skirt 18 to further rotationally fix the cooperating element 16 to the skirt 18. The cooperating element 16 rests on a seat 18f inside the skirt 18. The skirt 18 itself is fixed to the tightening arm 14, or can even be integrally part of the tightening arm 14, and the cooperation element 16 is rotationally fixed to the skirt 18, and thus to the tightening arm. Further, at an upper end of the skirt 18, a support ring 118 is provided. The support ring 118 is rotationally fixed to the skirt 18 as well, by means of slits 18b that cooperate with the ribs 18a on the skirt 18. Further, circumferential grooves and/or ribs 18c are provided to allow easy mounting of the support ring 118 in the skirt 18. The support ring 118 and the skirt 18 have an inner diameter that is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the cutting element 6, and thus, can easily receive the cutting element 6 during use. Also, a part 3’ that has been cut off of the plate 3, can be received in the support ring 118 for easy removal afterwards.

Contrary to the embodiment shown in figs. 1 - 5C, the cutting element 6 is here rotationally free around the punching element 4, and the skirt 18 is rotationally fixed to the tightening arm 14. By providing the cutting element 6 rotationally free around the punching element 4, and the skirt 18 rotationally fixed to the tightening arm 14, the set 1 becomes more user friendly. There is less cutting resistance, and there is more space created for fingers of a user to hold the arm 22 during the cutting and tightening. Also, the manufacturing of the parts of the set 1 and the assembly of the parts to form the cutting part and the tightening arm becomes more simple and more easy. Due to the more simple construction, automation of, in particular the assembly, becomes possible and may be more cost effective.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, many variants are possible. One of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

Throughout the specification, the terms “hole”, “opening”, “perforation” may be seen as interchangeable and the use of one of said terms does not limit the applicabihty of any other of said terms.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

It may be understood that the embodiments shown have the same or similar components, apart from where they are described as being different. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage. Many variants will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. All variants are understood to be comprised within the scope of the disclosure defined in the following claims.

Herein, the invention is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications, variations, alternatives and changes may be made therein, without departing from the essence of the invention. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, alternative embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisaged and understood to fall within the framework of the invention as outlined by the claims. The specifications, figures and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense. Further, many of the elements that are described may be functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination and location. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the appended claims.