Abstract: A timing hopper supporting apparatus in an automatic weighing system includes a pair of frame members constituting a support frame provided on a base, a pair of support pieces attached to respective ones of the frame members so as to form a predetermined clearance with the lower surface thereof, and a pair of supported pieces attached to outer sides of the timing hopper. The supported pieces include insertion tabs which, when inserted into the clearances, enable the timing hopper to be supported in detachable fashion.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus in which an operator manually supplies a combinatorial weighing apparatus with articles to be weighed is provided with hopper sets each of which has two weighing hoppers and a single movable pool hopper for supplying the articles to the two weighing hopper in the hopper set. An article supply table is capable of being swung open by virtue of a hinge mechanism, and a plate constituting the top of the supply table is capable of being removed. This arrangement allows detachable pool hoppers and weighing hoppers to be easily removed from the combinatorial weighing apparatus.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing or counting method and apparatus in which a plurality of articles are weighed to provide a plurality of weight values, or to provide a plurality of discrete numbers found from the weight values, the weight values or numbers are combined, and the optimum combination thereof is found whose sum is equal or closest to a set target value.

Abstract: A system having a combinatorial weighing apparatus for obtaining an optimum weight of a batch of articles that exhibit a variable apparent specific gravity, and for packaging the weighed out articles in a packaging vessel. The system includes a volume detecting unit for detecting the volume of the articles supplied, a density detecting unit for detecting the density of the articles based on the volume value obtained from the volume detecting unit and a weight value obtained from the weighing apparatus, and a target weight adjusting unit for adjusting a target weight value within preset allowable limits on the basis of the detected density in such a manner that the volume of the articles discharged into the packaging vessel becomes substantially constant. The system is also provided with a crusher for adjusting the size of individual articles on the basis of the detected density in such a manner that the density of the articles becomes substantially constant.

Abstract: A hopper for use in an automatic weighing apparatus, including a hopper body having a discharge port at a lower end of the hopper body, and a gate, swingably supported at an upper edge of the hopper body, for opening and closing the discharge port. The gate has a main body of which at least the left, right and lower edge portions are formed of a flexible material so that the edge portion comes into resilient contact with the inner surface of the discharge port.

Abstract: There is provided a system for adjusting the span of an electronic scale having a double-integrating A/D converter for converting a weight signal into a digital signal. The double-integrating A/D converter has a software-implemented timer for controlling a primary integrating time. The operation time of the software-implemented timer is adjusted linearly or in steps so that a digital value at the time a weight is placed on the scalepan of the scale will correspond to the weight. The adjustment of the operation time of the software-implemented timer is utilized to adjust the differences between gravitational accelerations corresponding to different weights in geographical areas on the earth.

Abstract: A cover apparatus comprising a plurality of peripherally divided and interconnecting cover sections positioned around and outside a plurality of weighing machines, that are arranged in turn in a predetermined array or pattern, the cover sections encircling conjointly the weighing machines in their entirety. The apparatus is so designed that a large space for opening or closing the cover sections is not required and a sufficient open area may be afforded when opened so as to permit the inspection of the weighing machines and other components.

Abstract: A unit for supplying articles to be weighed is supported on a supporting platform above the central portion of an automatic weighing apparatus, a plurality of weighing machines are arranged on the outer periphery of the supporting platform, and a plurality of circularly arranged hoppers are provided, each hopper corresponding to one of the weighing machines. A plurality of radially extending hopper gate opening devices are attached to the bottom side of the supporting platform inwardly of the hoppers, each hopper gate opening device corresponding to and opposing one of the hoppers. The hopper gate opening device is adapted to be detached from the weighing apparatus by pulling it outwardly of the apparatus, and reattached to the apparatus from the outside thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically weighing out articles of a type having an apparent specific gravity which is not constant includes means for weighing out the articles into a batch having a target weight, means for filling a constant volume with the weighed out batch of articles, a pressure sensor for sensing pressure that develops when the articles have been introduced into the constant volume, and means responsive to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor for automatically adjusting the target weight value within preset allowable limits so that the weighed out batch of articles will have a fixed volume. The weighed out batch of articles introduced by the filling means are shaped into the fixed volume. The weight of the batch and the volume thereof within a package are both within preset allowable limits.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for discharging weighed articles in a combinatorial weighing system, weighed articles discharged from a plurality of weighing hoppers are selectively released into first and second collecting routes of a collecting chute. The outlet of each collecting route is provided with a timing hopper having a gate. The gates of the two timing hoppers are opened and closed by respective drive units. The arrangement is such that one of the gates can be opened while the other gate is in the closed state or by the time the other gate is completely closed. Control is effected in such a manner that when weighed articles are released into one of the collecting routes from the weighing hoppers, the timing hopper corresponding to this collecting route is opened to completely discharge weighed articles previously released into the timing hopper. The discharge of previously released weighed articles is accomplished during the time needed for the weighed articles just released to reach the timing hopper.

Abstract: A span adjustment method includes applying a known load to a weighing machine and converting an output value from the weighing machine into a digital value by using an analog-to-digital converter. The characteristic of the analog-to-digital converter is sequentially varied automatically by a span adjustment value, which is produced as an output by a control unit, so that the digital value resulting from the analog-to-digital conversion becomes a digital value set in the control unit and conforming to the known load.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus for weighing out articles includes a base having a top surface which is quadrangular in shape, and a plurality of weighing hoppers mounted on the base, side by side, horizontally along a substantially straight line. Mounted on the base are weighing mechanisms for measuring the weights of articles introduced in corresponding weighing hoppers, and a hopper drive mechanism for obtaining a combination of the articles giving a total weight closest to a target weight and for actuating prescribed ones of the weighing hoppers. A chute for receiving articles discharged from each of the weighing hoppers, and a collecting hopper for collecting the articles from the chute are also mounted on the base. The weighing hoppers, chute and collecting hopper are disposed on the front side of the base. The combinatorial weighing apparatus is ideal for use in combination with others of the same construction.

Abstract: A plurality of weighing data are combined to find a total weight combination closest to a preset value within an allowable preset range. Articles are discharged from those weighing machines which give such a total weight combination. For such a combinatorial computation, the empty weighing machines are first detected from among the weighing machines for which the combinatorial computation has been carried out, and then articles are supplied to the empty weighing machines. Weighing data from a number of weighing machines, selected from a plurality of weighing machines, are combined to allow selection of a weight combination equal or closest to the preset value. If a total weight combination given by the selected weighing machines falls within the allowable preset range, then articles are discharged from those weighing machines which give such a total weight combination during a first cycle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a movable timing hopper in an automatic weighing apparatus. The timing hopper is movable between an operating position below a chute of the automatic weighing apparatus and a nonoperating position remote from the operating position in which the timing hopper can be inspected or cleaned to remove any deposited articles.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing or counting method of the type in which weight data items from a plurality of weighing machines are combined to find an optimum combination giving a total combined value equal or closest to a target value within preset allowable limits, and the weighed articles are discharged from the weighing machines constituting the optimum combination. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a first storage device provided individually for each of the weighing machines. The method includes the steps of clearing the status of the first storage device corresponding to those weighing machines that participate in the optimum combination and updating by a predetermined quantity the status of the first storage device corresponding to those weighing machines that do not participate in the optimum combination. The clearing and updating are carried out each time an optimum combination is found, and it is discriminated whether the status of each of the first storage devices exceeds a preset value.

Abstract: A hopper for an automatic weighing apparatus has a link mechanism for opening and closing a hopper gate and an attachment mechanism for attaching a hopper body to the automatic weighing apparatus. The link mechanism includes a drive link pivotably mounted on a bracket, a follower link angularly movable in unison with the gate, and an intermediate link interconnected between the movable ends of the drive and follower links. When the gate is closed, the drive and intermediate links are aligned along a substantially straight line to prevent the weight of articles in the hopper from opening the gate.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system having N weighing machines for weighing out articles to a final target weight value P which is greater than the maximum weighing capacity of the system. The system operates by discharging articles from all N weighing machines, discharging articles from some of the N weighing machines one time at most, and obtaining a difference value between the final target weight value P and the total weight of articles discharged in the foregoing steps. A combinatorial computation is then performed using the difference value as a target weight value Y, and articles are discharged from a combination of weighing machines selected by the combinatorial computation. The total weight value of articles discharged in the foregoing steps attains a value equal to the final target weight value P or closest to the final target weight value P within preset allowable limits.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing method for obtaining a mixture of articles of plural categories, wherein the articles in each category are contained in the mixture at a number ratio equal or closest to a target number ratio, and wherein the mixture has a total weight equal or closest to a target weight. The method includes setting a number for each category of articles so as to provide a number ratio closest to a target number ratio, and measuring the total weight of a primary mixture obtained by extracting the set number of articles in each category and mixing these articles. A weight shortfall, which is the difference between the total weight of the primary mixture and the target weight, is computed, and a plurality of weighing machines are supplied with supplemental articles to make up for the shortfall.

Abstract: A weighing and packaging system operates by combining weight data from a plurality of weighing machines, obtaining a combination of weighing machines giving a total combined weight value equal to a target value or closest to the target value within preset allowable limits, discharging articles from those weighing machines belonging to the combination obtained, and packaging the discharged articles. In performing combinatorial weighing, the articles discharged from the combinatorial weighing machine are temporarily retained in a cylinder, and light-emitting and light-receiving elements are arranged to detect the level of the retained articles, thereby making it possible to detect the volume of the articles charged into a package.

Abstract: A unit for supplying articles to be weighed is supported on a supporting platform above the central portion of an automatic weighing apparatus, a plurality of weighing machines are arranged on the outer periphery of the supporting platform, and a plurality of circularly arranged hoppers are provided, each hopper corresponding to one of the weighing machines. A plurality of radially extending hopper gate opening devices are attached to the bottom side of the supporting platform inwardly of the hoppers, each hopper gate opening device corresponding to and opposing one of the hoppers. The hopper gate opening device is adapted to be detached from the weighing apparatus by pulling it outwardly of the apparatus, and reattached to the apparatus from the outside thereof.