Abstract: A waterproof automatic weighing apparatus comprising a case hermetically sealed by means of sealing members, internal components lodged in this case, and external components arranged outside this case. The internal components include weight sensing elements, driving sections for opening and closing hopper gates, electromagnetic vibrator sections, and a control unit having an electrical circuit. The external components include a dispersion table, feed troughs, pool hoppers, weighing hoppers, and, as needed memory hoppers. Each of the internal components is hermetically connected to the corresponding external component.

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 the 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.

Abstract: Strain gages are attached to respective strain sensing areas of the strain generator of a load cell. Those strain gages which are mounted on expansive sides of the strain generator are connected in series with each other, and those strain gages which are mounted contactive sides of the strain generator are connected in series with each other, forming first and second series-connected circuits. The first and second series-connected circuits are connected in series with each other as a half bridge. A load applied to the strain generator is detected by an output signal produced from the junction between the first and second series-connected circuits. A temperature compensating resistor for compensating for a temperature-dependent change in the output signal due to a change in the temperature of the strain generator is connected in a circuit separate from the half bridge.

Abstract: A double-gated pool hopper is disposed above a pair of single-gated weigh hoppers such that articles in the pool hopper can be selectably discharged into either of the weigh hoppers by opening and closing the corresponding one of the two gates of the pool hopper. A single stepping motor controls the selective opening and closing of the two gates of the pool hopper by rotating in one direction or the other and another single stepping motor controls the selective opening and closing of the gates of the pair of weigh hoppers by rotating in one direction or the other.

Abstract: An electronic scale system having a plurality of electronic scales each having a device for entering and storing merchandise data with respect to many articles of merchandise. The stored merchandise data are automatically transmitted successively to the electronic scales in which the data are registered. The electronic scale system also includes a first memory for totalling and storing data such as prices obtained from the electronic scales according to codes, and a large-capacity memory for totalling and storing totals stored by the first memory for each prescribed period of time, so that the data can automatically be totalled. The electronic scale system further includes a computer for preparing merchandise data to be loaded in the electronic scales, and a transfer device for transferring the merchandise data prepared by the computer to the electronic scales either on-line or off-line.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus has chutes for distributing articles selected and discharged by combinatorial weighing operation to prescribed discharge positions. At least one means is coupled to the chutes for distributing articles discharged from weighing hoppers in a plurality of directions. A plurality of timing hoppers are provided which are capable of temporarily storing the articles distributed by the distributing means. Article receiving means is disposed for receiving the articles which have passed through paths selected by control means. The timing hoppers may temporarily store the articles to reduce the speed at which the articles pass.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system includes a combinatorial weighing apparatus, a packing machine and master/slave changeover switch. The combinatorial weighing apparatus has a plurality of weighing machines for sensing the weight of articles supplied thereto, and a calculation control unit for performing a combinatorial calculation, based on weight data from the weighing machines, to obtain an optimum combination, and for causing weighing machines corresponding to the optimum combination to discharge their articles. The articles are then packed by the packing machine. The master/slave changeover switch switches between a mode in which the packing machine is the master of the weighing and packing operation and a mode in which the weighing apparatus is the master of the weighing and packing operation. The arrangement results in a combinatorial weighing apparatus which has greatly simplified hardware and which can operate in association with either a master- or slave-type packing machine.

Abstract: A region where a load cell and a weighing hopper or a scale plate are coupled to each other is surrounded by a radio wave inhibiting member. When a weighing apparatus is used in a place subjected to extraneous radio waves of a high electric field intensity, and a high-frequency voltage is induced in the weighing hopper or the scale plate which serves as an antenna, the radio wave inhibiting member prevents a high-frequency current produced by the high-frequency voltage from flowing into the load cell. Therefore, the weighing apparatus is completely protected against any weighing errors which would otherwise result from radio interference with the load cell.

Abstract: A manual combinatorial weighing apparatus having one or more weighing devices housed in a casing with each weighing device having a scale plate for placing articles thereon, and indicators associated with the weighing devices for indicating selected weighing devices. As many weighing devices in casings as desired by the user are provided in a desired layout. Weight data items of the articles put on the scale plates are combined to find a weight combination giving a desired total weight. The selected weighing devices are indicated by the indicators, which are held energized until the articles are removed from the selected weighing devices.

Abstract: An automatic article sorting apparatus sorts out articles by their sizes. The apparatus includes a conveyor mechanism for conveying the articles, and an image pickup unit for producing images of the articles as they are conveyed by the conveyor mechanism. An image memory stores the images of the articles one frame at a time, and a sorting device masks an unnecessary portion of the image of an article. The size of the article is derived from the number of pixels in the unmasked portion of the image of the article, and the size of the article is compared with a preset range of grades to produce selection information. A sorting apparatus sorts out the article in accordance with the selection information.

Abstract: In a volume determination process, a slit pattern is projected obliquely downwardly, or slit patterns are projected obliquely downwardly and upwardly, onto an article which is at rest or in motion. The slit pattern or patterns are in the form of a parallel stripe pattern or a grid pattern. The surface or surface onto which the slit pattern or patterns are projected are imaged by a television camera, and the heights of slit positions on the article are computed on the basis of the image or images picked up by the television camera. The volume of the article is computed on the basis of the computed heights of the slit positions. The weight of the article can be derived by multiplying the volume by the specific gravity of the article. It is determined whether there is a surface flaw or not by determining whether differentials of the slit pattern or patterns are discrete or not.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a double integral type A/D converter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. The A/D converter (includes), as circuit elements an integrator having its one terminal made receptive of one of an unknown input voltage and a reference voltage; a comparator connected with the output of the integrator and including a transistor having its collector or drain opened; and an offset correction circuit connected between the output of the comparator and another terminal of the integrator for feeding back the output of the comparator. The offset correction circuit including a series circuit of a switch, a resistor R.sub.0 and an auto-zero capacitor C.sub.0. The converter also includes a flip-flop made responsive to the output signal of the comparator for switching the operational mode of the integrator from an integration mode to an offset correction mode; and a counter for counting the inverse integration period of the reference voltage.

Abstract: A control system for a combinatorial weighing or counting apparatus includes a main central processing unit for effecting a combinatorial arithmetic operation, and a plurality of individual drive unit central processing units. The drive unit central processing units are associated respectively with driver units of the weighing machines and connected to the main central processing unit for controlling the drive units, respectively. Operation commands delivered from the main central processing unit to the individual drive unit central processing units, are set by interrupt processes of the individual drive unit central processing units at all times.The control system for the combinatorial weighing or counting apparatus includes a main computer for chiefly effecting a combinatorial arithmetic operation on weight data from a plurality of the weighing machines to select a combination of weighing machines including articles having an optimum added value with respect to a target value.

Abstract: A weighing system for computing the prices of articles purchased by customers includes cards (4) containing codes for discriminating the customers. The card (4) is inserted in a card reader (16) attached to an electronic scale (1), and the prices of articles weighed by the electronic scale (1) are totaled for each of the codes of the cards (4).

Abstract: An electronic weigher includes a load cell for producing as an output an electric signal proportional to a load, an operational amplifier for amplifying the electric signal produced by the load cell, A/D converter for converting an output signal produced by the operational amplifier into a digital signal, a bias circuit for delivering a dummy signal for test purposes to the operational amplifier, and a switch disposed between the bias circuit and the proportional amplifier for applying the dumy signal to the operational amplifier, wherein amplification circuitry from the operational amplifier to the A/D converter is diagnosed by operating the switch.

Abstract: A composite-motion drive unit comprises an electromagnet and a drive shaft extending through a hole defined in the electromagnet. The electromagnet and the drive shaft are energized and actuated independently of each other for driving distribution tables coupled respectively thereto in a composite motion pattern. A combinatorial weighing apparatus incorporating the composite-motion drive unit has sweep conveyors for transferring articles from the distribution tables, and a guide chute rotatable in a horizontal plane for distributing articles to be supplied to the distribution tables.

Abstract: An automatic combinatorial weighing apparatus includes a double collection chute assembly disposed in delivery paths for passage of articles to be weighed. The double collection chute assembly includes an inner collection chute having an outlet and a pair of outer collection chutes having respective outlets, the outlets being connected to timing hoppers, respectively. Articles flow down the inner and outer collection chutes at as equal speeds and in as equal times as possible, the speeds being increased as much as possible, due to valleys created by flat plates which form the chutes. To prevent an increase in noise produced by hitting engagement of the articles with the chutes as the articles flow down the chutes at high speeds, a vibration damper having a vibration-restriction damping capability is disposed in an area of the delivery paths for damping the vibration to suppress the noise.

Abstract: A weighing system includes a weighing apparatus composed of distributive table, a plurality of radial supply troughs disposed around the peripheral edge of the distributive table for being supplied with articles to be weighed from the distributive table, a plurality of weighing units supporting respective openable weighing hoppers for weighing articles supplied to the weighing hoppers, at least one of the distributive table and the radial supply troughs having a slide surface slanted radially outwardly to a large extent for allowing the articles to slide thereon, each of the radial supply troughs having a radially outer distal end disposed over one of the weighing hoppers, and a collection chute disposed below the weighing hoppers. A liquid drain device is disposed at the distal end of each of the radial supply troughs. A shutter is interposed between each of the radial supply troughs and a corresponding one of the weighing hoppers.

Abstract: A system for packaging, weighing and labeling articles has a packaging device and a weighing and labeling device which are disposed parallel to each other. A turn conveyor connects an article outlet of the packaging device to an article inlet of the weighing and labeling device for turning the article substantially through 90 degrees.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus for weighing elongate articles such as spaghetti strings or macaroni tubes, for example, includes a primary weighing machine for measuring the weight of articles to within a preset target weight, a plurality of secondary weighing machines for measuring a weight shortage with respect to the preset target weight which is the difference between the preset target weight and the weight measured by the primary weighing machine, a control unit for effecting a combinatorial weighing operation on the weights from the secondary weighing machines with the shortage employed as a combinatorial target weight to select one weight combination which is equal to the combinatorial target weight or closest thereto within an allowable range, and a combining unit such as a packaging machine for combining articles discharged from the primary weighing machine and those secondary weighing machines which give the weight combination.