Abstract: A power pack for a power tool. The power pack includes an electric motor configured to drive a power tool. The power pack also includes a motor controller with a relay circuit communicating with the electric motor. The relay circuit has a switch that may be connected to a power supply, whereby the power supply powers the electric motor. The power pack also comprises non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions for monitoring operation of the power pack. When executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: monitor input data relating to operation of the power pack; determine, based at least in part on the input data, that operation of the power pack deviated from an ideal state; and, based on the determination of deviation, cause the switch to electrically disconnect the electric motor from the power supply.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning food processing equipment, which can include a plurality of individual containers, a plurality of conduits, fluid control components, and a manifold. The individual containers contain different cleaning solutions (e.g., caustic, acid, and/or sanitizer). The conduits are each fluidly connected to either one of the plurality of individual containers or a water source, and the fluid control components are each configured to individually and selectively control when fluid flows through each of the conduits from one of the plurality of individual containers and/or the water source. The manifold has a plurality of inlets each fluidly coupled with one of the plurality of conduits and one outlet fluidly coupled with the plurality of inlets. The cleaning solutions mix with each other and/or with water within the manifold before being dispensed therefrom into food processing equipment.

Abstract: A tool for steeling a knife includes a frame and first and second steeling components. Each of the components is shiftably mounted relative to the frame for movement between a first position and a second position. The steeling components cooperatively define a knife interface configured to engage and thereby steel the knife. The steeling components are resiliently biased into the first position, with the knife interface moving as the steeling components shift between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A vacuum rotary knife is fluidly connectable to a vacuum source conduit. The rotary knife includes an annular blade and a knife head. The knife head supports the blade for rotation about a rotational axis. The knife head presents a vacuum port fluidly connectable to the conduit. The vacuum port is spaced from the blade such that the knife head defines a suction pathway extending between the blade and the vacuum port.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a power tool. The system includes a handpiece having a power tool, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and a wireless transceiver. The system also includes a power pack having an electric motor driving the power tool. The power pack also includes a wireless transceiver, an RFID reader, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions for pairing the handpiece to the power pack. When executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: interrogate the RFID tag with the RFID reader; receive an RFID signal from the RFID tag including identifying information for the handpiece; store the unique identifying information for the handpiece at the power pack; and, based on receipt of the unique identifying information, complete wireless pairing of the handpiece to the power pack.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a power tool. The system includes a handpiece having a power tool, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and a wireless transceiver. The system also includes a power pack having an electric motor driving the power tool. The power pack also includes a wireless transceiver, an RFID reader, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions for pairing the handpiece to the power pack. When executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: interrogate the RFID tag with the RFID reader; receive an RFID signal from the RFID tag including identifying information for the handpiece; store the unique identifying information for the handpiece at the power pack; and, based on receipt of the unique identifying information, complete wireless pairing of the handpiece to the power pack.

Abstract: A power pack for a power tool. The power pack includes an electric motor configured to drive a power tool. The power pack also includes a motor controller with a relay circuit communicating with the electric motor. The relay circuit has a switch that may be connected to a power supply, whereby the power supply powers the electric motor. The power pack also comprises non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions for monitoring operation of the power pack. When executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: monitor input data relating to operation of the power pack; determine, based at least in part on the input data, that operation of the power pack deviated from an ideal state; and, based on the determination of deviation, cause the switch to electrically disconnect the electric motor from the power supply.

Abstract: A power pack for a power tool. The power pack includes an electric motor configured for driving engagement with the power tool. The power pack also includes a motor controller having a relay circuit connected a electric motor. The relay circuit includes has a switch selectively connected to a power supply. The power supply powers the electric motor. The motor controller also includes non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions for monitoring operation of the stored power pack. When executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: monitor input data relating to operation of the power pack; determine, based on the input data, that operation of the power pack deviated from an ideal state; and, based on the determination of deviation, cause the switch to electrically disconnect the electric motor from the power supply.

Abstract: A rotary knife includes a frame, an annular blade, and a blade housing mounted to the frame. The housing presents a circumferential mounting surface in contact with the frame. The housing supports the blade on the frame for rotation about a central axis. The housing includes a blade-supporting race defined along a circle centered on the central axis. The mounting surface is defined along a circular arc with a center point spaced from the central axis, such that the blade-supporting race and mounting surface are eccentric relative to one another. The housing presents opposite inner and outer annular faces. At least one of the faces presents a proximal-most end in contact with the frame and a distal-most end spaced from the frame. The proximal-most end is spaced from the central axis a first distance. The distal-most end is spaced from the central axis a second distance. The distances are different.

Abstract: A rotary knife includes a rotatable annular blade. The blade includes a blade wall presenting an annular inner surface terminating at a cutting edge. The annular inner surface includes a first section and a second section, with the first section extending from the cutting edge and the second section being located further from the cutting edge than the first section. The first and second sections define first and second angles, respectively, relative to an imaginary plane transverse to the axis about which blade rotates. The second angle is greater than the first angle.

Abstract: A vacuum rotary knife is fluidly connectable to a vacuum source conduit. The rotary knife includes an annular blade and a knife head. The knife head supports the blade for rotation about a rotational axis. The knife head presents a vacuum port fluidly connectable to the conduit. The vacuum port is spaced from the blade such that the knife head defines a suction pathway extending between the blade and the vacuum port.

Abstract: A vacuum rotary knife is fluidly connectable to a vacuum source conduit. The rotary knife includes an annular blade and a knife head. The knife head supports the blade for rotation about a rotational axis. The knife head presents a vacuum port fluidly connectable to the conduit. The vacuum port is spaced from the blade such that the knife head defines a suction pathway extending between the blade and the vacuum port.

Abstract: A combination chamber and external suction vacuum packaging machine is operable to evacuate a vacuum bag and seal closed an open margin of the bag. The vacuum packaging machine includes a base and a lid that define a vacuum chamber operable for use in a chamber packaging operation, where the bag is entirely received within the vacuum chamber, and an external packaging operation, where only part of the bag is received within the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A powered rotary knife includes a handle, a blade housing, an annular blade, and a blade bushing for rotatably mounting the blade within the housing. The blade housing includes an inner groove that is operable to receive the blade bushing therein. The blade housing and blade bushing are split in order to expand and receive the blade. The blade includes an outer groove that is also operable to receive the blade bushing. Thus, the blade bushing is spaced between the blade housing and blade and rotatably secures the blade within the blade housing.

Abstract: A vacuum rotary knife is fluidly connectable to a vacuum source conduit. The rotary knife includes an annular blade and a knife head. The knife head supports the blade for rotation about a rotational axis. The knife head presents a vacuum port fluidly connectable to the conduit. The vacuum port is spaced from the blade such that the knife head defines a suction pathway extending between the blade and the vacuum port.

Abstract: A fidget spinner designed to spin in a user's hand includes a body having a central body portion and a plurality of arms. Each of the arms projects outwardly from the central body portion to present a distal end. A bearing assembly is coupled to the central body portion of the fidget spinner. In addition, a plurality of spherical components are included. Each of the spherical components is rotatably supported adjacent the distal end of a respective one of the arms.

Abstract: A powered rotary knife includes a handle, a blade housing, an annular blade, and a blade bushing for rotatably mounting the blade within the housing. The blade housing includes an inner groove that is operable to receive the blade bushing therein. The blade housing and blade bushing are split in order to expand and receive the blade. The blade includes an outer groove that is also operable to receive the blade bushing. Thus, the blade bushing is spaced between the blade housing and blade and rotatably secures the blade within the blade housing.

Abstract: A tripes cleaning apparatus includes a rotatable drum presenting a tripes-supporting surface and an integrated fluid valve and nozzle assembly operable to selectively discharge fluid from a source into the tripes as the drum is rotated. The assembly includes a valve base fixed relative to the tripes-supporting surface and a valve body rotatable relative to the valve base into and out of a closed position. Fluid flow to the tripes is at least substantially prevented when the valve body is in the closed position. The assembly also includes a nozzle rigidly fixed to the valve body. The nozzle is elongated to present a fluid discharge opening spaced from the valve body, with swinging of the nozzle controlling rotation of the valve body into and out of the closed position.

Abstract: A tripes cleaning apparatus includes a rotatable drum presenting a tripes-supporting surface and a nozzle associated with the tripes-supporting surface and operable to discharge fluid from a fluid source into the tripes as the drum is rotated. The tripes cleaning apparatus also includes an automatic valve configured to cyclically control flow from the fluid source to the nozzle in coordination with rotation of the drum.