Abstract: Clamping assemblies for securing knives to slicing machines, slicing machines equipped therewith, and tools for removing and installing knives on slicing machines. Such a clamping assembly may include a knife holder, a knife supported on a surface of the knife holder, and a clamp that clamps the knife to the knife holder. The clamp has a knife-engaging portion and a base portion. A cam rod applies a clamping load to the clamp to secure the knife to the knife holder. The cam rod has a camming surface that engages the base portion of the clamp when the cam rod is rotated to a clamping position to clamp the knife against the knife holder, and a radial concavity sized to accommodate the base portion of the clamp such that the base portion is loosely received within the radial concavity when the radial concavity faces the clamp in an open position thereof.

Abstract: Knife assemblies for securing knives to slicing machines, slicing machines equipped therewith, and methods of operating knife assemblies for securing knives to and releasing knives from slicing machines. Such a knife assembly includes a knife holder having a knife support surface, a knife supported on the knife support surface, and a clamp having a base portion adjacent a trailing edge of the clamp and a knife-engaging portion adjacent a leading edge of the clamp. The knife assembly applies a clamping load to the clamp to secure the knife to the knife holder. The clamp is prevented from translating relative to the shaped knife in a leading direction of the knife assembly as the clamping load is applied and/or permits removal of the clamp by being translated in the leading direction.

Abstract: Knife assemblies for securing knives to slicing machines, slicing machines equipped therewith, and methods of operating knife assemblies for securing knives to and releasing knives from slicing machines. Such a knife assembly includes a knife holder having a knife support surface, a knife supported on the knife support surface, and a clamp having a base portion adjacent a trailing edge of the clamp and a knife-engaging portion adjacent a leading edge of the clamp. The knife assembly applies a clamping load to the clamp to secure the knife to the knife holder. The clamp is prevented from translating relative to the shaped knife in a leading direction of the knife assembly as the clamping load is applied and/or permits removal of the clamp by being translated in the leading direction.

Abstract: Machines for cutting products and impellers therefor. Such an impeller is adapted to be coaxially mounted within a cutting head for rotation therein. The impeller includes a lower plate having a paddle that directs material placed on the lower plate in a radially outward direction of the impeller when the impeller is rotated. A recess in the lower plate is continuous between upper and lower surfaces of the lower plate and contiguous with the perimeter of the lower plate to define a passageway to enable debris at the upper surface to exit the impeller therethrough. A chute is located at an outer radial extent of the paddle and defines a first opening adjacent the paddle, a second opening adjacent the recess, and a passageway within the chute and between the first and second openings through which the debris passes before exiting the impeller through the passageway of the recess.

Abstract: A modular unit configured for mounting to a cutting head of a slicing machine and for securing a knife to the cutting head, and slicing machines equipped with one or more of such modular units. The modular unit includes mounting blocks adapted to be spaced apart in an axial direction of the cutting head, and a clamping assembly assembled with the mounting blocks so as to extend between the mounting blocks. The clamping assembly is configured to secure a knife to the cutting head, and at least portions of the clamping assembly may be removable from the cutting head by disassembling the clamping assembly from the mounting blocks without removing the mounting blocks from the cutting head.

Abstract: A modular unit configured for mounting to a cutting head of a slicing machine and for securing a knife to the cutting head, and slicing machines equipped with one or more of such modular units. The modular unit includes mounting blocks adapted to be spaced apart in an axial direction of the cutting head, and a clamping assembly assembled with the mounting blocks so as to extend between the mounting blocks. The clamping assembly is configured to secure a knife to the cutting head, and at least portions of the clamping assembly may be removable from the cutting head by disassembling the clamping assembly from the mounting blocks without removing the mounting blocks from the cutting head.

Abstract: A modular unit configured for mounting to a cutting head of a slicing machine and for securing a knife to the cutting head, and slicing machines equipped with one or more of such modular units. The modular unit includes mounting blocks adapted to be spaced apart in an axial direction of the cutting head, and a clamping assembly assembled with the mounting blocks so as to extend between the mounting blocks. The clamping assembly is configured to secure a knife to the cutting head, and at least portions of the clamping assembly may be removable from the cutting head by disassembling the clamping assembly from the mounting blocks without removing the mounting blocks from the cutting head.