Sanitary wear button

A wear button comprising:

• a. a first portion comprising a lip and a neck having a distal end and a proximal end;
• and
• b. a second portion comprising a lip and a cylindrical member having a distal end and a proximal end, said cylindrical member defining a recess therein,
• wherein the proximal end of said neck of said first portion seats in the recess defined within said second portion.

A guillotine blade assembly for use within a cheese block former, said blade assembly comprising:

• a. guillotine blade having a cutting edge, a first edge, a second edge, an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein said first and second edges are each provided with at least one through bore extending between said upper and lower surfaces;
• and
• b. a wear button disposed in each of said through bores, each wear button comprising:
• (1). a first portion comprising a lip and a neck having a distal end and a proximal end, said neck tapering from a larger diameter at its distal end to a smaller diameter at its proximal end, wherein said first portion is inserted into said through bore at said lower surface of said blade such that said neck extends into said through bore and said lip abuts the lower surface of said blade;
• and
• (2) a second portion comprising a lip and a projection extending from said lip, said projection having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a recess within said projection, wherein said recess tapers from a smaller diameter at the distal end of said projection to a larger diameter at the proximal end of said projection,
• wherein said second portion is inserted into said through bore at said upper surface of said blade such that said projection extends into said through bore and said lip abuts the upper surface of said blade allowing the proximal end of said neck of said first portion to seat in the recess defined within said second portion.

A wear strip comprising:

• a. a first elongated portion comprising a lip and a neck extending at least partially along the length of said first portion, said neck projecting out from said lip and having distal end and a proximal end, said neck tapering from a larger width at its distal end to a smaller width at its proximal end;
• and
• b. a second elongated portion comprising a lip and a projecting member extending at least partially along the length of said lip, said member having a distal end and a proximal end, and said member defining a recess therein in which said recess tapers from a smaller width at the distal end of said member to a larger width at the proximal end of said member,
• wherein the proximal end of said neck of said first portion seats in the recess defined within said second portion.