Abstract: A food product breading machine comprising a breading material reservoir, a breading station, a food product loading location, a discharge location from which breaded food products are discharged from the machine, and a perforate conveyor belt extending through the reservoir, the loading location, the breading station, and the discharge location. Breading material exiting the breading station falls through the conveyor and a reservoir intake opening below the conveyor belt between the breading station and the discharge location. Breaded food products remain on the belt and are conveyed to the discharge location. A breading support member is movable to a position beneath the conveyor belt between the breading station and the discharge location for preventing breading material from falling from the conveyor through the reservoir intake opening so that breading material is conveyed to the discharge location and the reservoir is emptied.

Abstract: A food product breading machine having a battering unit supported by a breading unit. A battering unit conveyor system delivers food products to the breading unit. The breading unit has a breading reservoir, a breading station and a breading unit conveyor system. The battering unit conveyor system propels the food products in a generally horizontal direction to the breading unit. The breading unit conveyor system propels food products toward the breading station in a generally opposite direction. The breading unit conveyor system has first and second sections, one adjacent and below the battering unit conveyor end that conveys food products downwardly and horizontally toward the breading station, the other delivering food products from the first section through the breading station and discharging the breaded products. The second section has two tiers with breaded products from the first tier falling onto the second tier before being discharged from the machine.

Abstract: A food product breading machine comprising a breading material reservoir, a breading station, a food product loading location, a discharge location from which breaded food products are discharged from the machine, and a perforate conveyor belt extending through the reservoir, the loading location, the breading station, and the discharge location. Breading material exiting the breading station falls through the conveyor and a reservoir intake opening below the conveyor belt between the breading station and the discharge location. Breaded food products remain on the belt and are conveyed to the discharge location. A breading support member is movable to a position beneath the conveyor belt between the breading station and the discharge location for preventing breading material from falling from the conveyor through the reservoir intake opening so that breading material is conveyed to the discharge location and the reservoir is emptied.

Abstract: A rotary knife having a blade with an annular body rotatable about a central axis and an annular blade section projecting away from the body. The blade section comprises a first radially inner surface, a second radially outer surface and, a cutting edge defined along the projecting end of the blade section and extending about the central axis. The cutting edge defines a sinuous line extending about the central axis forming first curved segments having radii of curvature centered radially inwardly from the edge, second curved segments interposed between adjacent first segments and having radii of curvature centered radially outwardly from the edge, and a blade edge curvature inflection location between each adjacent first and second segments.

Abstract: A hand knife is disclosed comprising a handle assembly, a ring-like blade housing carried by and projecting from the handle assembly, a ring blade carried by the housing, a blade drive transmission, and a blade retention assembly. The housing defines an annular blade receiving groove opening in an axially facing side. The ring blade is supported in the housing with a cutting edge projecting from the groove. The blade retention assembly comprises a flexible blade keeper extending along the axially facing housing side and about the blade and a connector for securing the blade keeper to the housing and handle assembly. The keeper is disposed in supporting relationship with the blade along the housing face diametrically opposite the handle assembly. The keeper flexes to facilitate ring blade removal and replacement.

Abstract: A rotary knife blade comprising an annular body rotatable about a central axis, gear teeth projecting away from the body to form a ring gear, and an annular blade section projecting away from the body. The blade section comprises a first frustoconical, radially inner surface, a second frustoconical, radially outer surface, a third annular surface extending between the first and second surfaces remote from the body and an array of shallow flutes formed in the blade section. The flutes are disposed circumferentially about the blade section, extending from the projecting blade section end toward the body and opening in the first and third surfaces. The junctures of the third surface with the first surface and the flutes define a cutting edge.

Abstract: A hand held slicing knife comprises a handle assembly, a ring-like blade housing carried by the handle assembly and having a central axis and first and second opposite axial sides, a ring blade supported by the housing about the axis and projecting from the first axial blade housing side, a blade drive transmission for rotating the blade about the axis, a gage member disposed radially inwardly from the ring blade and supported for adjustable axial movement relative to the blade to control the thickness of material cut by the knife, and a cut material directing cover comprising a base wall spaced from the second axial blade housing side and a side wall projecting from the base wall in the general direction of extent of the axis, the side wall disposed radially outwardly of the blade housing and extending axially from the base wall at least to a location radially adjacent the second blade housing side.

Abstract: A rotary knife for slicing thin strips from comestible product comprising a handpiece, a blade housing removably secured to the handpiece and an annular blade supported for rotation by the blade housing. A rotary driver is carried by the handpiece and engaged with the blade. A power drive is connected to the rotary driver. An annular gauge is detachably secured to the handpiece and blade housing for controlling the thickness of the strips sliced by the knife. The gauge includes a portion substantially concentric with and at least partially encircled by the blade and the blade housing for controlling the depth of cut and an end portion that flares radially outward and is located beyond the axial extent of the blade housing to direct the cut strip. A deflector on the handpiece directs fluid separated from the comestible product in a direction away from the handpiece.