Patent ID: 7107887
Filing Date: 2006-09-19
Classification: B26B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a rotary knife having a handle and a drive system supported by the handle comprising: a) providing a blade housing having a blade housing body that defines a generally cylindrical interior, the blade housing body defining a bearing surface for rotatably supporting a ring blade and a coupling portion spaced from the bearing surface for attachment of a suction tube, the blade housing body including a notch permitting the bearing surface to be expanded for insertion/removal of the ring blade from the blade housing; b) expanding the bearing surface of the blade housing body, inserting the ring blade into the blade housing body and rotatably supporting the ring blade on the bearing surface of the blade housing body, the ring blade comprising a closed loop cutting surface for cutting material and gear teeth for rotating the ring blade, the bearing surface of the blade housing body sized to engage a surface of the ring blade with the gear teeth of the ring blade engaged with the drive system; c) attaching a suction tube to the coupling portion of the blade housing body; and d) rotating the ring blade and applying suction to the suction tube to move meat cut by the ring blade through the generally cylindrical interior of the blade housing body and into the suction tube as a user manipulates the knife.