Abstract: A rolling bearing strip for a power operated rotary knife providing bearing support for rotation of a rotary knife blade with respect to a blade housing. The rolling bearing strip includes: a plurality of rolling bearings disposed in spaced apart relation; and a flexible separator cage for positioning the plurality of spaced apart rolling bearings, the flexible separator cage including interlocking first and second ends, the first end of the separator cage including a wall defining a projecting member and the second end of the separator cage including a wall defining a receiving member, the first end projecting member and the second end receiving member being in opposed facing relationship and the first end projecting member extending into the second end receiving member to secure the first end to the second end and form an annular, continuous rolling bearing ring.

Abstract: A power operated rotary knife (100) including: an annular rotary knife blade (300) including a knife blade bearing surface (319); a blade housing (400) defining a blade housing bearing surface (459); and a blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) disposed between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459). The blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) includes a rolling bearing strip (502) having a plurality of rolling bearings (506), such as ball bearings, disposed in spaced apart relation in a flexible separator cage (508). The rolling bearing strip (502) traverses through an annular passageway (504) defined between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459) to secure the knife blade (300) to the blade housing (400) and support the knife blade for rotation about a central axis (R) with respect to the blade housing (400).

Abstract: A power operated rotary knife (100) including: an annular rotary knife blade (300) including a knife blade bearing surface (319); a blade housing (400) defining a blade housing bearing surface (459); and a blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) disposed between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459). The blade-blade housing bearing structure (500) includes a rolling bearing strip (502) having a plurality of rolling bearings (506), such as ball bearings, disposed in spaced apart relation in a flexible separator cage (508). The rolling bearing strip (502) traverses through an annular passageway (504) defined between the knife blade bearing surface (319) and the blade housing bearing surface (459) to secure the knife blade (300) to the blade housing (400) and support the knife blade for rotation about a central axis (R) with respect to the blade housing (400).

Abstract: A power operated knife comprises a blade supporting structure supporting an annular blade for rotation about a central axis. The blade and blade supporting structure are engagable along bearing contact locations that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis so that the blade is stabilized both radially and axially as the knife operates. The blade supporting structure comprises a split blade housing member that is radially expandable and contractible to receive the blade. The split blade housing member and blade engage along relatively short lines of bearing contact that serve to minimize friction and blade heating when the knife operates. The bearing locations are spaced apart both circumferentially around the blade perimeter and in the direction of the axis so that the blade position is stabilized during operation of the knife.

Abstract: A power operated knife comprises a blade supporting structure supporting an annular blade for rotation about a central axis. The blade and blade supporting structure are engagable along bearing contact locations that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis so that the blade is stabilized both radially and axially as the knife operates. The blade supporting structure comprises a split blade housing member that is radially expandible and contractible to receive the blade. The split blade housing member and blade engage along relatively short lines of bearing contact that serve to minimize friction and blade heating when the knife operates. The bearing locations are spaced apart both circumferentially around the blade perimeter and in the direction of the axis so that the blade position is stabilized during operation of the knife.

Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a reusable handle assembly and disposable blade support assembly including a head portion and a blade support portion extending from the head portion, wherein upon completion of a tissue debriding operation on a donor, the used blade support assembly is removed from the handle assembly and disposed of, the handle assembly is autoclaved/sterilized and a new, sterilized blade support assembly is affixed to the handle assembly prior to a subsequent use. The knife includes an attachment assembly to releasably attach the disposable blade support assembly to the handle assembly and a retainer structure positioned in an annular groove formed in a bottom surface of the blade housing portion, the retainer structure bearing against an annular rotary knife blade and the blade housing portion to permanently retain an annular body section of the blade in the annular groove.

Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a large diameter, annular rotary knife blade and interfitting blade housing wherein the rotary knife blade includes notched bearing race providing for an enhanced or enlarged area of bearing contact between the blade bearing race and the corresponding blade housing bearing structure. The enhanced area of bearing contact is offset radially inwardly of and axially from a radial outer surface of a drive gear region of the blade thereby reducing wear on the radial outer surface of the blade drive gear region.

Abstract: A breading machine has first and second combination battering/breading units positioned in close proximity to each other. Certain features of the invention have utility with machines having only a single battering/breading unit. Each of the combination units has a battering unit for applying a fluent batter to a food product. The battering unit includes a batter reservoir and a battering unit conveyor system for delivering food products from said batter reservoir to a battering unit conveyor discharge section that propels the food product from the battering unit. The combination units also include a breading unit for receiving food product from an associated battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading reservoir and breading unit conveyor system for applying particulate breading to the food product at a breading station by moving breading material from the breading material reservoir and food product coated with the batter to the breading station.

Abstract: A breading machine has a battering unit for applying a fluent batter to a food product. The battering unit includes a batter reservoir and a battering unit conveyor system for delivering food products from said batter reservoir to a battering unit conveyor discharge section that propels the food product from the battering unit. The combination units also include a breading unit for receiving food product from an associated battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading reservoir and breading unit conveyor system for applying particulate breading to the food product at a breading station by moving breading material from the breading material reservoir and food product coated with the batter to the breading station. A conveyor drive system includes a machine housing and a drive unit rotatably supported by the machine housing that provides motive power to the breading unit conveyor.

Abstract: A support table assembly for a food product breading machine. The support table assembly includes a support table defining an upper support surface for supporting a breading machine, a guide coupled to the support table assembly and a slide assembly that is slidable beneath the support table along the guide between a first and a second position. The slide assembly defines an opening sized to receive a lug. In the first position of the slide assembly, the finished product lug is aligned with a first end of the breading machine such that finished products discharged from the breading machine drop into the lug and, in the second position of the slide assembly, the lug is aligned with a second end of the breading machine such that materials discharged from the breading machine during a cleaning operation drop into the lug.

Abstract: A split blade housing adapted to support an annular knife blade for rotation in a power operated rotary knife. The blade housing includes a mounting section and a body section extending from the mounting section and forming a ring. The mounting section of the split blade housing is adapted to be mounted to a handle assembly of the rotary knife and includes a recess providing clearance for a pinion gear that extends from the handle assembly to engage and drive the knife blade. The split blade housing includes an annular groove for rotatably supporting the knife blade, the groove defining a rotational plane of the knife blade. The split blade housing includes a split defining first and second end portions adjacent the split to facilitate removal of the knife blade from the housing. The housing split is peripherally offset from the mounting section recess and the split is transverse with respect to a center vertical axis of the blade housing.

Abstract: A power operated knife comprises a blade supporting structure supporting an annular blade for rotation about a central axis. The blade and blade supporting structure are engagable along bearing contact locations that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis so that the blade is stabilized both radially and axially as the knife operates. The blade supporting structure comprises a split blade housing member that is radially expandible and contractible to receive the blade. The split blade housing member and blade engage along relatively short lines of bearing contact that serve to minimize friction and blade heating when the knife operates. The bearing locations are spaced apart both circumferentially around the blade perimeter and in the direction of the axis so that the blade position is stabilized during operation of the knife.

Abstract: A breading machine has first and second combination battering/breading units positioned in close proximity to each other. Certain features of the invention have utility with machines having only a single battering/breading unit. Each of the combination units has a battering unit for applying a fluent batter to a food product. The battering unit includes a batter reservoir and a battering unit conveyor system for delivering food products from said batter reservoir to a battering unit conveyor discharge section that propels the food product from the battering unit. The combination units also include a breading unit for receiving food product from an associated battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading reservoir and breading unit conveyor system for applying particulate breading to the food product at a breading station by moving breading material from the breading material reservoir and food product coated with the batter to the breading station.

Abstract: A breading machine has first and second combination battering/breading units positioned in close proximity to each other. Certain features of the invention have utility with machines having only a single battering/breading unit. Each of the combination units has a battering unit for applying a fluent batter to a food product. The battering unit includes a batter reservoir and a battering unit conveyor system for delivering food products from said batter reservoir to a battering unit conveyor discharge section that propels the food product from the battering unit. The combination units also include a breading unit for receiving food product from an associated battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading reservoir and breading unit conveyor system for applying particulate breading to the food product at a breading station by moving breading material from the breading material reservoir and food product coated with the batter to the breading station.

Abstract: A support table assembly for a food product breading machine. The support table assembly includes a support table defining an upper support surface for supporting a breading machine, a guide coupled to the support table assembly and a slide assembly that is slidable beneath the support table along the guide between a first and a second position. The slide assembly defines an opening sized to receive a lug. In the first position of the slide assembly, the finished product lug is aligned with a first end of the breading machine such that finished products discharged from the breading machine drop into the lug and, in the second position of the slide assembly, the lug is aligned with a second end of the breading machine such that materials discharged from the breading machine during a cleaning operation drop into the lug.

Abstract: A rotary knife with an improved drive transmission. The knife includes a tubular handle assembly, an annular blade, a blade housing, a pneumatic motor, and a drive transmission assembly. The transmission includes a drive or pinion gear, a drive shaft, and a connector assembly that inhibits axial movement of the pinion gear into the blade housing by the force of air pressure.

Abstract: A rotary knife having a ring blade that defines a closed loop cutting surface for cutting material which the ring blade contacts during rotation. Materials cut using the blade such as meat cut from a carcass or trimmed from a piece of meat are suctioned away from the blade. The material is drawn into a blade housing which supports the ring blade. A housing body has a wall that defines a housing interior into which material separated by the cutting surface of the ring blade moves as it is cut. The blade housing body defines a bearing surface that is defined by a wall of the housing body that supports the ring blade and allows the ring blade to rotate with respect to the blade housing. Alternate coupling designed of the housing body allow the blade housing to be coupled to a suction tube for withdrawing meat from the interior of the blade housing.

Abstract: Picking fingers suitable for use in automatic defeathering machines. The picking fingers are suitable for mounting to circular openings in a mounting plate. The picking finger includes an elastomeric picking finger body and a retainer for securing the picking finger to the mounting plate. Three embodiments are disclosed which provide for installation of the picking finger body from a back side of the mounting plate. Each embodiment features a different retainer component. A fourth embodiment is disclosed which provides for installation of the picking finger body from a front side of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A power operated knife comprises a blade supporting structure supporting an annular blade for rotation about a central axis. The blade and blade supporting structure are engagable along bearing contact locations that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis so that the blade is stabilized both radially and axially as the knife operates. The blade supporting structure comprises a split blade housing member that is radially expandible and contractible to receive the blade. The split blade housing member and blade engage along relatively short lines of bearing contact that serve to minimize friction and blade heating when the knife operates. The bearing locations are spaced apart both circumferentially around the blade perimeter and in the direction of the axis so that the blade position is stabilized during operation of the knife.

Abstract: A rotary knife with an improved drive transmission. The knife includes a tubular handle assembly, an annular blade, a blade housing, a pneumatic motor, and a drive transmission assembly. The transmission includes a drive or pinion gear, a drive shaft, and a connector assembly that inhibits axial movement of the pinion gear into the blade housing by the force of air pressure.