Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a feeder to a vibrator, such as incorporated in a combinational weighing machine for transporting articles to a weighing device, includes a pair of lower and upper engaging members attached respectively to the vibrator and to the feeder, the latter being placed on top of the former. A generally annular clamp is wrapped around and engages with the peripheral parts of the engaging members, and a diameter control device is provided to it for reducing its diameter and to thereby apply an inwardly oriented force on peripheral parts of the engaging members. At least one of the surfaces of the engaging members or the clamp across which the engaging members and the clamp are in contact is tapered such that this inward force will cause the engaging members to be pressed against each other and hence to attach the feeder firmly to the vibrator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a precision distributive supply device for use in a combinatorial weighing apparatus. The distributive supply device includes tubular chutes disposed at article discharging portions of an article supply container and having lower ends spaced a suitable distance from the bottom plates of supply troughs.

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 combinatorial weighing method for a computerized weighing apparatus employs those combination patterns, in which only one weighing machine from a pair of weighing machines is included to participate in those combinatorial computation, and a combination patterns, in which both machines of a single pair are part of the combination pattern. These combination patterns are used to compute a total combined weight value so that, when both weighing machines of one pair are selected as part of an optimum combination and discharge their articles, at least one of the machines in the pair is caused not to participate in a subsequent combinatorial computation but is subjected to a zero-point adjustment.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system for combinatorially weighing articles by obtaining an optimum combination of weight values produced by a plurality of weighing machines each of which contains a supply of the articles. The system includes a circuit for detecting a malfunction in any of the weighing machines, and a circuit for excluding weighing machines, detected as having malfunctioned, from participation in combinatorial weighing, and for executing combinatorial weighing using weighing machines other than the excluded weighing machine. When the number of excluded weighing machines exceeds a predetermined number, however, the weighing operation is halted. Even if several of the weighing machines malfunction, therefore, operation is allowed to continue, without terminating the overall weighing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying linear articles while maintaining the specific orientation thereof. The apparatus includes a supply station for supplying linear articles having a specific orientation to a plurality of locations, a weighing station for weighing the linear articles deposited in the weighing scales of weighing machines, a pair of walking beams provided along the direction of conveyance with a multiplicity of first holders for taking up the linear articles and with a multiplicity of second holders for taking up the linear articles deposited in the weighing scales of the weighing machines, an electronic computing unit for forming combinations of weight values of the linear articles deposited in the weighing scales of the weighing machines, and for selecting the best combination of weight values whose sum is closest to a preset target weight, and holder drive for actuating those first and second holders which correspond to the weighing machines that give the best combination of weight values.

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: 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: 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: In a combinatorial weighing system in which weight data from a plurality of weighing machines containing articles are combined to obtain an optimum combination of weighing machines giving a total combined weight value of articles equal to a target value or closet to the target value within preset allowable limits, and in which the articles are discharged from the obtained optimum combination of weighing machines, the number of weighing machines is increased over that provided in the conventional apparatus, and the number of weighing machines that participate in combinations is varied in accordance with the target value. Further, a limit value for a number of combinations giving at least one total combined weight value within the preset allowable limits is predicted, and it is determined after a combinatorial computation, whether a number of combinations in excess of the limit value remain.

Abstract: A weighing method and apparatus for charging articles to be weighed into a plurality of weighing hoppers, measuring the weights of batches of the charged articles by weight sensors, selecting, based on the measured weight of each article batch, a combination of the articles batches giving a total weight closest to a target weight value, and discharging the selected article batches from the weighing hoppers. In charging articles into the weighing hoppers, the weighing method includes a step of controlling a dispersing feeder so as to charge the articles into the weighing hoppers with a target charge quantity which is determined on the basis of the number of weighing hoppers and the target weight value, and which serves as the target of the charging operation. The result is a highly accurate weighing operation.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus has a distribution table adapted to distribute a material to be weighed and supplied thereto, a plurality of distribution supply devices arranged radially around the distribution table and adapted to receive the material distributed by the distribution table, hoppers disposed below respective distribution supply devices and adapted to receive the material from the distribution supply devices, weight sensors annexed to said hoppers and adapted to weigh the material in respective hoppers, computing means adapted to compute the total weight of the material and to select the best combination of hoppers which provides a total weight most closely approximating a preset target weight, and a hopper drive means adapted to selectively drive the hoppers to make the hoppers constituting the selected best combination discharge the material therefrom. The hopper drive means is disposed so as to be surrounded by the hoppers.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus, having a plurality of juxtaposed weighing machines each of which is provided with a scale, for weighing articles supplied to the weighing machine scales, selecting the combination of articles that gives a total weight equal or closest to a preset target weight, and discharging the articles so selected.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus of the type which weighs articles through use of a load cell having strain gauges attached thereto, the apparatus including a sealed vessel filled with a liquid of a specific gravity greater than unity for housing the load cell which is immersed in the liquid, a diaphragm provided on the sealed vessel so as to close an opening formed in a portion of the vessel, a supporting member for supporting a container carrying the articles to be weighed, and a connecting member for mechanically connecting the supporting member with a load-receiving portion of the load cell through the intermediary of the diaphragm.

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.