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 to a electric motor. The relay circuit includes 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 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 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 method of cleaning an intestine includes attaching the intestine to a rotatable drum and rotating the drum at a first rotation speed to load the intestine onto the drum. A cleaning fluid is discharged into the intestine during rotation of the drum. The rotation speed of the drum is reduced to a second rotation speed, which is then maintained during a crawl phase. The intestine is detached from the drum during the crawl phase.

Abstract: An intestine cleaning machine includes a rotatable drum presenting an intestine-supporting surface, a nozzle assembly coupled to the drum, and an intestine squeeze conveyor assembly. The nozzle assembly is operable to discharge a cleaning fluid into the intestine as the drum is rotated. The squeeze conveyor assembly includes a frame assembly, and first and second spaced apart intestine-conveying elements configured to receive the intestine therebetween. The intestine-conveying elements cooperatively define opposed intestine-engaging surfaces that are moveable in a common direction. At least one of the intestine-conveying elements is adjustably supported relative to the frame assembly to permit adjustment of a spacing between the intestine-conveying elements, such that adjustment of the spacing between the intestine-conveying elements permits pressure to be exerted against the intestine as the intestine is moved by and between the intestine-engaging surfaces.

Abstract: The rotary knife for cutting trimmings from a material includes a frame, a blade housing, an annular blade, and a trimming deflection element. The annular blade is rotatably supported on the blade housing for rotation about a rotational axis. The annular blade defines an outer circumferential margin. The trimming deflection element is coupled to the frame. The trimming deflection element extends radially from a location within the outer circumferential margin of the annular blade to at least the outer circumferential margin, such that the trimming deflection element is configured to direct trimmings radially outward relative to the rotational axis.

Abstract: An intestine cleaning machine includes a rotatable drum, a fluid supply line, and a nozzle assembly fluidly coupled to the fluid supply line. The fluid supply line is configured for fluid connection with a source of fluid. The nozzle assembly includes an elongated outlet tube presenting a fluid discharge opening. The nozzle assembly also includes an intestine retainer assembly shiftable relative to the outlet tube into and out of an intestine-securing position. The outlet tube is configured for insertion into the open intestine end so that the fluid discharge opening is located within the intestine. The intestine retainer assembly is operable to secure the open intestine end to the outlet tube when in the intestine-securing position so that, when the open intestine end is received and secured on the outlet tube, fluid may be emitted into the intestine as the drum is rotated.

Abstract: A rotary knife includes a blade housing and an annular blade. The blade housing includes a housing race. The annular blade includes a blade race. One of the housing race and the blade race defines a wear band. The other of the housing race and the blade race defines an annular groove. The annular groove receives the wear band such that the annular blade is rotatably supported by the blade housing. The wear band has an annular surface. The wear band includes a plurality of surface features formed in the annular surface.

Abstract: A rotary knife includes a blade housing, an annular blade, and a grease cup assembly. The blade housing includes a housing race, a first inlet bore, a first lubricant channel, a second inlet bore, and a second lubricant channel. Each lubricant channel extends from the housing race to the respective inlet bore. The annular blade includes a blade race engaging the housing race so that the annular blade is rotatably supported by the blade housing. The grease cup assembly is coupled to the blade housing so as to selectively be in communication with one of the first and second inlet bores. The grease cup assembly is configured to inject a lubricant to the housing race through the lubricant channel.

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 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 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 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.