Abstract: A zero-point adjustment unit for a weighing device is comprised of a rough adjustment circuit, a fine adjustment circuit and a central processing unit. The central processing unit adjusts the zero-point of the weighing device by receiving a no-lead weight signal outputted from the weighing device and controls the output signals from the rough and fine adjustment circuits.

Abstract: An automatic weigher with a plurality of article batch handling units arranged in a circular formation is controlled by a single computer to perform two or more mutually independent combinational weighing operations. In order to allow different articles to be weighed, a dispersion feeder separable into individually vibrating table units with adjustable partition walls is provided at the center. For improving the efficiency of combinational weighing operations, each article batch handling unit is provided with a memory hopper and the computer is programmed to generally give higher priority to memory hoppers than to weigh hoppers such that memory hoppers are generally more likely to be selected by the combinational computations. The computer is also programmed to identify article batch handling units in which the total weight of article batches in the memory hopper and weigh hopper is less than a critical value and to combine their article batches.

Abstract: For a system such as a combinational weighing system that requires a large number of parameters to be set for its operation, groups of parameters which frequently assume same sets of values are identified and each of such sets is assigned a reservation number. Memory space for storing values assumed by the parameters can be reduced if these values are grouped by such frequently occurring combinations and the user specifies a single reservation number instead of specifying values of the individual parameters. Selection of operating condition is effected by an input device with a touch screen. For some parameters, currently set values are displayed as a bar graph and a user can set or reset a value directly on the screen by moving a cursor on the bar graph. Operating conditions can be changed in each cycle of the combinational calculation without stopping the overall operation of the system.

Abstract: Data from weighing devices of a combinational weighing system are transmitted through a multiplexer and sample-and-hold circuits and are converted into digital signals by an analog-to-digital converter. Values of these digital signals are constantly monitored and a specified number of these values are used to determine stability conditions of the weighing devices. Only the weight data from stabilized weighing devices are used for combinational calculation.

Abstract: A combinational weighing system with a plurality of weighing devices employs at least three central processing units such as microprocessors. One keeps monitoring the weight information from the weighing devices and analyzes stability of weight data. Another one controls the charging and discharging of the weighing devices. The third performs combinational computation to select a combination. The system has increased flexibility regarding operation and adjustments, and allows efficient methods of zero-point and span adjustment of weighing devices. Its compact unitized input-output unit allows the user to operate the system interactively.

Abstract: A combinational weighing system with a plurality of article batch handling means has an article feeding means for feeding articles to be weighed into the individual article batch handling means, and after a desired combination or weights within a preselected range is determined by a computer, the article batches from the selected article batch handling means are discharged together to be made into a package. The system also includes a means for measuring the weight of the article accumulated on the article feeding means and the output signal from such a weight-measuring means is transmitted to control the operation of a conveyor for supplying the articles to the article feeding means.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit for a weighing apparatus comprises an amplifier circuit for amplifying a weight signal outputted from a weighing device, an active filter which serves to attenuate noise components in the weight signal from the amplifier circuit, and switches for selecting whether the active filter should function as a filter or a buffer according to a predetermined timing schedule.

Abstract: A combinational weighing system with a plurality of weighing devices employs at least three central processing units such as microprocessors. One keeps monitoring the weight information from the weighing devices and analyzes stability of weight data. Another one controls the charging and discharging of the weighing devices. The third performs combinational computation to select a combination. The system has increased flexibility regarding operation and adjustments, and allows efficient methods of zero-point and span adjustment of weighing devices. Its compact unitized input-output unit allows the user to operate the system interactively.

Abstract: A combinational weighing system with a plurality of article batch handling units is controlled so that a high-speed dual or multiple packaging unit can be coupled and its capability can be utilized advantageously. For each cycle of the system operation, three or more combinations are selected by combinational computations on the weight values of article batches and they are discharged to the packaging unit through two discharge routes or more but fewer than the number of the selected combinations. This has the effect of discharging through each discharging route more than once per cycle.

Abstract: An automatic weighing apparatus with a dispersion feed apparatus comprising a plurality of feed troughs adapted to be separately vibrated and radially arranged around the outer periphery of a dispersion table which performs spiral reciprocating vibratory motion, the feed troughs being separately vibrated at predetermined times to feed articles to associated weighing units.

Abstract: A compact combinational weighing apparatus comprises a compact housing structure for weighing devices and a remote control unit which are connected only by an elongate signal-transmitting cable. Inside the housing are a number of article batch handling units disposed in a linear array. Each article batch handling unit includes a pool hopper of a double-gate structure for receiving an article batch from an article feeder and two weigh hoppers for weighing received article batches. The article batch in the pool hopper is selectably discharged into either of the weigh hoppers below by opening the gate corresponding to the selected weigh hopper. The two gates of each pool hopper are closed by a single spring and opened by individual rotary solenoids. Load cells for weighing the article batches in the pair of weigh hoppers belonging to each article batch handling unit are disposed in mutually lined-symmetrical relationship with respect to a horizontal line.

Abstract: A combinational weighing system with a plurality of weighing devices employs at least three central processing units such as microprocessors. One keeps monitoring the weight information from the weighing devices and analyzes stability of weight data. Another one controls the charging and discharging of the weighing devices. The third performs combinational computation to select a combination. The system has increased flexibility regarding operation and adjustments, and allows efficient methods of zero-point and span adjustment of weighing devices. Its compact unitized input-output unit allows the user to operate the system interactively.