Replaceable knife insert

A knife carrier for use with a knife insert, the knife carrier comprising:

• a receiving portion configured to receive a corresponding retention portion of the knife insert;
• and
• force exertion means configured to exert a preload onto the knife insert, wherein the preload is configured to force the retention portion against the receiving portion along a length of a blade portion of the knife insert and thereby removably hold the knife insert in place in the knife carrier,
• wherein the receiving portion is configured to allow for a predetermined alteration of an initial curvature of the blade portion at a maximum and to counteract any further alteration.

A knife insert for use with a knife carrier, the knife insert comprising:

• at least one blade portion;
• a retention portion configured to interface with a corresponding receiving portion of the knife carrier;
• and
• a force transmission means configured to introduce a preload from the knife carrier to the knife insert, wherein the preload is configured to force the retention portion against the receiving portion along a length of the blade portion and thereby removably hold the knife insert in place in the knife carrier;
• wherein the force transmission means is configured to introduce the preload into the blade portion such that the preload acts to alter an initial curvature of the blade portion.

A knife insert for use with a knife carrier, the knife insert comprising:

• at least one blade portion;
• a retention portion configured to interface with a corresponding receiving portion of the knife carrier;
• and
• a force transmission means configured to introduce a preload from the knife carrier to the knife insert, wherein the preload is configured to force the retention portion against the receiving portion along a length of the blade portion and thereby removably hold the knife insert in place in the knife carrier;
• wherein the blade portion substantially extends from a first end to a second end of the knife insert and wherein the force transmission means includes a first force transmission means at or near the first end and a second force transmission means at or near the second end.

A method of installing a knife insert to a knife carrier, the knife insert comprising a retention portion and force transmission means, the knife carrier comprising a receiving portion and force exertion means, the method including the steps of:

• engaging the retention portion of the knife insert and the receiving portion of the knife carrier;
• engaging the force transmission means of the knife insert and the force exertion means of the knife carrier;
• activating the force exertion means to force the retention portion against the receiving portion along a length of a blade portion of the knife insert and to exert a preload on the force transmission means and thus on the blade portion of the knife insert;
• and
• locking the force exertion means to maintain the preload and to removably hold the knife insert in place in the knife carrier;
• wherein the preload is introduced into the knife insert such that the preload acts to alter an initial curvature of the blade portion.

A method of installing a knife insert to a knife carrier, the knife insert comprising a retention portion and force transmission means, the knife carrier comprising a receiving portion and force exertion means, the method including the steps of:

• engaging the retention portion of the knife insert and the receiving portion of the knife carrier;
• engaging the force transmission means of the knife insert and the force exertion means of the knife carrier;
• activating the force exertion means to force the retention portion against the receiving portion along a length of a blade portion of the knife insert and to exert a preload on the force transmission means and thus on the blade portion of the knife insert;
• and
• locking the force exertion means to maintain the preload and to removably hold the knife insert in place in the knife carrier;
• wherein the force exertion means includes a tensioner and a stop member;
• and
• wherein the tensioner is a rotary eccentric.