I assume they are two separate patents by two separate companies, but once those are both on the same can opener, there will be no reason to buy any other manual can opener. So when is the first one expiring?
I assume they are two separate patents by two separate companies, but once those are both on the same can opener, there will be no reason to buy any other manual can opener. So when is the first one expiring?
The patent for the safety can opener, US5289638A, filed on February 19, 1993, expired on February 19, 2013, due to non-payment of maintenance fees. Google Patents
Regarding the long crank mechanism, US7574808B2, filed on August 10, 2005, is set to expire on December 12, 2025. Unified Patents
Therefore, a combined safety can opener with a long crank could be produced without infringing on these patents after December 12, 2025.
Thank you, hopefully it won’t be a long wait after.