Abstract: An automatic blade and conveyor gap adjustment assembly for a blade portioning conveyor machine having a blade assembly and a conveyor assembly with an infeed conveyor and an outfeed conveyor includes a blade adjustment assembly suitable for moving the blade assembly between at least first and second positions relative to the conveyor assembly and a first automatic conveyor gap adjustment assembly. The first automatic conveyor gap adjustment assembly is configured to define a first gap between an interior nose of the infeed conveyor and an interior nose of the outfeed conveyor to correspond to the first position of the blade assembly, and it is configured to define a second gap between the interior nose of the infeed conveyor and the interior nose of the outfeed conveyor to correspond to the second position of the blade assembly.

Abstract: An automatic blade and conveyor gap adjustment assembly for a blade portioning conveyor machine having a blade assembly and a conveyor assembly with an infeed conveyor and an outfeed conveyor includes a blade adjustment assembly suitable for moving the blade assembly between at least first and second positions relative to the conveyor assembly and a first automatic conveyor gap adjustment assembly. The first automatic conveyor gap adjustment assembly is configured to define a first gap between an interior nose of the infeed conveyor and an interior nose of the outfeed conveyor to correspond to the first position of the blade assembly, and it is configured to define a second gap between the interior nose of the infeed conveyor and the interior nose of the outfeed conveyor to correspond to the second position of the blade assembly.

Abstract: An elongated blade (22) is mountable to a mounting assembly (29) of a portioning apparatus (10). The blade (22) uniformly tapers from the heel (70) to the tip (72) of the blade and is substantially straight along its entire length. The cutting edge (76) of the blade (22) extends substantially the full length of the lower edge of the blade and is of substantially constant profile. The heel end (78) of the blade is blunt, as is the spine (79) of the blade at the heel end, whereby compression forces are applied to these blunt surfaces by a blade holder (80) to secure the blade against the holder. An aperture (82) extends through the cheek portion (74) of the blade to engage with a pin or stud (116). The aperture (82) is held tightly against the pin or stud by a retainer (140), which is loadable against the holder (80), also causing the spine (79) of the blade to be pressed against the holder.

Abstract: An integrated anti-rebound mechanism with stop feature for a rail assembly. Two stop/anti-rebound pieces are individually attached at the forward end of a first rail and a second rail of the rail assembly. The stop/anti-rebound pieces engage one another when the first and second rails are in a closed position to prevent the first and second rails from moving beyond a closed position from an extended position. The stop/anti-rebound pieces also cooperate to resist movement of the first and second rails from a closed position. A third rail may be included in the rail assembly including a stop mechanism and an anti-rebound mechanism. The stop and anti-rebound mechanisms cooperate with on of the stop/anti-rebound pieces of the other rail to prevent the third rail from moving beyond a closed position, and to resist movement of the third rail from a closed position in relation to the other rail.

Abstract: An integrated interlock and homing device for a rail assembly. The interlock includes a number of stacked locking bars located adjacent to the rails and a separate locking slide mounted adjacent to each rail in alignment with the locking bars. The homing device includes a separate pivot arm mounted to each rail that moves between open and closed positions when the corresponding rail is extended or retracted. The pivot arm includes an actuator pin that operates the corresponding locking slide. When the homing device is opened, the arm and actuator pin move the locking slide into a locked position thereby locking the locking bars and preventing additional rails from being opened. When the homing device is closed, the arm and actuator pin move the locking slide into an unlocked position thereby releasing the locking bars.

Abstract: An integrated anti-rebound mechanism with stop feature for a rail assembly. Two stop/anti-rebound pieces are individually attached at the forward end of a first rail and a second rail of the rail assembly. The stop/anti-rebound pieces engage one another when the first and second rails are in a closed position to prevent the first and second rails from moving beyond a closed position from an extended position. The stop/anti-rebound pieces also cooperate to resist movement of the first and second rails from a closed position. A third rail may be included in the rail assembly including a stop mechanism and an anti-rebound mechanism. The stop and anti-rebound mechanisms cooperate with on of the stop/anti-rebound pieces of the other rail to prevent the third rail from moving beyond a closed position, and to resist movement of the third rail from a closed position in relation to the other rail.