Abstract: Sharpening device for sharpening blades mounted on cutting machines, comprising two grinding wheels (2, 3) supported by respective movable supports (20, 30) adapted to move said grinding wheels (2, 3) from a standby or rest configuration in which the grinding wheels (2, 3) are positioned at a predetermined distance from the blade (4) to an active configuration in which the grinding wheels (2, 3) are in contact with a cutting edge (40) of the blade (4) and vice-versa along a predetermined trajectory (R2, R3). The movable supports (20, 30) are adapted to move said grinding wheels (2, 3) along respective arcuate trajectories, such that the contact of each grinding wheel (2, 3) with a respective side of the cutting edge (40) of the blade (4) is progressive, whereby the contact between the grinding wheels and the blade increases progressively when the device passes from the standby rest configuration to the active configuration.

Abstract: A food slicer has a support member including a base portion and an upstanding portion integrally formed with the base portion. The upstanding portion includes a rotating cutting blade for slicing food product. The base portion includes a food product table slidably secured thereto for movement across the cutting blade for holding product while it is being sliced. An adjustable gage plate is provided for determining the thickness of a food product to be sliced. A sharpening mechanism for sharpening the cutting blade as needed is removably secured to a portion of the product table to provide accurate sharpening of the cutting blade. The sharpening mechanism includes a first rotating sharpening member and a second deburring member where the first and second members are mounted independent from each other.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed food slicing machine including a rotatable blade (800, 2800) for slicing bulk food product, a motor (1400, 3400) operably connected to the rotating blade (800, 2800), and a base (100) portion located below the rotatable blade (800, 2800) which defines a food slice receiving area. The machine may be provided with a sliced food receptable operably connected to a scale (3900), a visible indicia (3502) correlating to the distance between the gauge plate (2500) and rotatable blade (2800), a blade sharpening assembly (900, 2900), a sled (200) for securing the food product and an operator adjusted optimum stroke setting system for automatic operation of the slicing machine.

Abstract: A retaining ring is made of two generally annual portions. One portion has depressions and the other portion has projections that extend into the depressions when the two portions are brought together. The projections can have a cross section with two outwardly sloped sides.

Abstract: The invention is a sharpener for a knife of a food slicer. The sharpener includes a base assembly and a sharpener assembly. The base assembly includes a lever mounted thereto on a pivot; the lever carrying a cam member which extends therefrom. The sharpener assembly includes a housing and a longitudinal cavity, a sharpening wheel mounted for rotation on an axle which reciprocates lengthwise in the cavity, a compression spring positioned in the cavity at the base of the axle, and an actuator which reciprocates in the cavity portion on the side of the spring opposite the axle. Upon moving the lever about its pivot, the cam contacts the actuator and moves the actuator in the direction of the axle and compresses the spring. The spring moves the plunger lengthwise within the cavity and urges the sharpening wheel against the knife.