Patent ID: 6971277

Claim:
A gear drive casing apparatus for enclosing a gear drive used in a hygienic and sanitary environment, said gear drive casing apparatus comprising: a member having an external contoured surface, said member enclosing the gear drive; a further member having a further external contoured surface, said surface and said further surface cooperating with each other to define therebetween a smooth uninterrupted intersection such that such contoured surfaces and said intersection therebetween are easily cleaned, said surfaces and intersection presenting a self-draining configuration which inhibits the entrapment therein of any unhygienic and unsanitary materials that would support the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold and other microorganisms; said gear drive including: an input shaft having a first and a second end, said input shaft defining a worm disposed between said first and second ends of said input shaft; a bearing for bearingly supporting said second end of said input shaft; an output shaft disposed angularly relative to said input shaft, said output shaft having a first and a second extremity, said output shaft defining a worm gear disposed between said first and second extremity of said output shaft; a second bearing for bearingly supporting said first extremity of said output shaft; a third bearing for bearingly supporting said second extremity of said output shaft; said worm gear cooperating with said worm such that said worm gear is driven by said worm; a closure defined by said further member; said closure being recessed into said further external contoured surface; said closure being sealed such that escape of lubricant from within said members is prevented and so that ingress of washdown liquids into said members is inhibited; an interference fit flush plug disposed within said closure; a breather secured to said further member such that a build up of pressure within said members due to generation of heat during operation of the gear drive is prevented; said breather including: a housing secured to said further member, said housing defining an enclosure, said enclosure being in fluid communication with a further enclosure defined by said members, said further enclosure being occupied by said input and output shafts; and a diaphragm disposed within said enclosure such that said enclosure is divided by said diaphragm into an internal and an external chamber, said diaphragm moving within said enclosure so that said internal chamber expands commensurate with an increased temperature within said further enclosure due to operation of said gear drive and a resultant increased pressure within said further enclosure so that a pressure within said further enclosure remains substantially constant.