Abstract: The present invention provides a combination weighing apparatus that can rapidly supply articles to the weighing units side by rapidly supplying articles to a plurality of supply units. Combination weighing apparatus (1) is provided with a plurality of weigh hoppers (71), a conveyor (2), and a plurality of individual supply apparatuses (3). The weigh hoppers (71) measure the weight of the articles. The conveyor (2) is arranged alone the plurality of weigh hoppers (71), and conveys articles. An individual supply apparatus (3) is provided for each of the plurality of weigh hoppers (71), and supplies articles conveyed by the conveyor (2) to the weigh hooper (71).

Abstract: A removable material hopper assembly for gravimetric batch blenders including a hopper, a metering assembly and a releasable securing assembly. The hopper is removable from the blender, and includes a metering slide gate that can be used to tightly seal off the bottom of the hopper during the removable operation. The releasable securing assembly incorporates a tongue and groove subassembly and a pin and bracket subassembly to properly align and secure the hopper to the blender during operation, but also enables easy removal of the hopper when necessary.

Abstract: A hopper for a weighing machine which has a tubular body and a closing valve which is comprised of several plates which are pivotably mounted around the bottom of the hopper for movement in a plane transverse to the axis of the hopper. The plates are simultaneously driven between open and closed positions by a common belt or chain so that the closing forces of the plates are balanced. The belt is coupled to a driving mechanism through a lever mounted on the hopper which disconnects from the driving mechanism when the plates are fully closed so that the hopper is freely suspended for weighing purposes. The plates scrape against the bottom of the hopper when opening so that material clinging to the plates is scraped off.

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 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.