Abstract: A container distributing and charging apparatus has a plurality of weighing machines for computing weights of articles supplied to the weighing machines, selecting a combination of articles the total weight of which is equal to or closest to a target weight, and discharging the selected articles. One of containers which contain articles to be weighed and are ready for being supplied onto the weighing machines serves as a dummy container for taking up a dimensional difference between the containers and the weighing machines.

Abstract: A device for weighing eggs is disclosed which is usable with a two element egg supporting conveyor and is particularly usable for the weighing of eggs while they are moving through a conveying system. The present invention actually places the eggs upon two rail members which are positively secured with respect to a high speed weighing means such as an electronic weighing means to very quickly determine the proper grade. The egg weighing device includes a delivery ramp for lifting the egg out of the egg receiving recess defined by the supporting members of the conveying configuration. The delivery ramp actually delivers the egg through a descending ramp section to the weighing platform. This weighing platform is positively secured with respect to the electronic weighing device to facilitate a high speed determination of the weight of the egg while the egg is traveling over the weighing platform.

Abstract: A container for material such as fertilizer or seeds which delivers same to an underlying distributing device is mounted on a tractor so that the weight of the container and associated equipment is indicated to the operator of the tractor whereby the amount of material remaining in the container is specifically indicated. The weighing apparatus includes a spring, pointer and scale incorporated in the supporting structure extending from the tractor for the container and associated equipment and the pointer and scale may be interconnected to the spring and mounted on the tractor for the convenience of the operator. In one embodiment the spring is a tension spring at the top of the supporting structure and in another embodiment it is a compression spring near the bottom of the supporting structure. Instead of a spring, the weight may be indicated by hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic system for the supporting structure.

Abstract: A bulk material weighing apparatus 10, according to the present invention, includes a weigh frame 12 that is suspended within a conveyor frame 20 by three load cells 14, 16, and 18. The weigh frame has idler rollers 50, 52, 54, and 56 that are so positioned to be level with respect to corresponding rollers 34 and 36 of the conveyor frame. A conveyor belt 22, for transporting the bulk material 24 to be weighed, is supported by the rollers of both the conveyor and the weigh frames. The weight of the material conveyed by the conveyor belt is transferred to the load cells by the weigh frame. Material weight is found by summing the force outputs of the three load cells. The load cells are preferably positioned such that each load cell reacts one third of the weight of the material when uniformly distributed upon the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combinatorial weighing apparatus for combining weight values of articles to-be-weighed respectively placed on a plurality of juxtaposed weighing machines, selecting a combination of the articles having a weight equal or closest to a target weight and delivering the selected articles. Such combinatorial weighing apparatus comprises pushing members which can move frontward and backward on respective bowls of the plurality of juxtaposed weighing machines, a driver unit which selectively moves the pushing members frontward and backward, these pushing members corresponding to the weighing machines with the selected batches of the articles placed thereon, and a conveyor which is disposed along the juxtaposed weighing machines and which conveys the batches delivered by the pushing members.

Abstract: There is disclosed a commodity transport conveyor mounted on a weighing device; the conveyor being powered by a drive roller housing an electric motor. The stator of the motor is fixed to the conveyor frame and the rotor of the motor drives the roller and is in dynamic balance therewith.

Abstract: An automatic continuous weighing machine of the belt conveyer type which can weigh a number of articles successively fed thereto, the improvement of which is that plural pairs of endless chains and corresponding weighing units are included, each of the weighing units being operatively coupled to each pair of chains, so that the articles to be weighed are successively put on the different pairs of chains and weighed by the corresponding weighing units without interference with the measurement of the adjoining articles, thereby enabling reduction of the feeding interval of the articles and a corresponding increase of weighing speed and efficiency.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sorting fruits, vegetables or the like by weight. An electronic weighing device is used in combination with a basket conveyer system arranged by mounting evenly spaced receiving or weighing baskets on a chain conveyer. The basket are loosely mounted on the mounting metal members of the chain conveyer. Each time a basket is conveyed over a weighing stand of the weighing device, the basket is detached from the mounting member and is pushed so as to slide over a measuring rail by a freely rotatable pushing member which has small frictional resistance and is arranged to be in pushing contact with a vertical face of the basket.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus which has a plurality of lines for conveying and weighing including means for continuously conveying a group of articles to be weighed, and which are thrown in either automatically or manually, means for sequentially weighing the group of articles on the means for conveying, means for storing the weight values of the group of articles in predetermined numbers in each conveying and weighing line, means for adding any of, or a predetermined different combination of, the stored weight values, and means for discriminating the set weight nearest to the set weight. This weighing apparatus can automatically weigh even articles which cannot be automatically supplied.

Abstract: An article carrying cup transfers an article along a continuous conveyor from a load zone through a weighing zone to a discharge zone where the article is discharged into areas according to weight. The cup is pulled along by a transverse tow bar loosely pivoted to the cup. At the weighing zone the cup is supported front and rear by weighing pegs which ride on front and rear weigh bars to hold the cup in a horizontal position and with the center of gravity between the weighing pegs to insure accurate weighing of asymmetrical articles. The front and rear weigh bars are positioned so the front and rear pegs transfer onto the corresponding weigh bars at the same time, and transfer off the weigh bars at the same time to maximize the weighing time of a moving cup.

Abstract: A weighing device for fluent materials, for example grain, enables a flow of the material to be weighed.The device includes a sensor member with an inclined surface over which the flow passes. The member is supported in cantilever and the force on the member due to the flow of material is sensed by sensing means.The sensing means senses the bending forces, or other physical characteristic of the member at two positions along the member and the resulting signals are compared to give an output signal corresponding to the weight of material passing over the member.The sensing means may be strain gauges arranged in a Wheatstone bridge circuit the output from which is passed to integrating means.

Abstract: A scale testing cart for transporting and positioning weights to effect the calibration of a platform scale is disclosed. The cart includes a frame with two opposed wheels located at one end of the frame. A rotatable driven wheel is located at the opposite end of the frame for steering and driving said cart. A hydraulically operated lifting hook is provided on the frame for engaging and lifting said scale testing weights.

Abstract: A handling and weighing machine for fruits and the like, characterized by a feed entry having various channels terminating in structure for retaining the product to be weighed and allowing it to rest there, followed by a horizontal transport device for carrying the product from the retention structure to a weighing device and, following this, from the weighing device to a vertical transport which carries the product to a number of ramps which are superposed at differing heights, which ramps discharge into respective storage areas.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing continuously moving articles, and particularly useful for grading produce, comprises a plurality of parallel lines of trays for receiving the articles to be weighed, a weighing device at a weighing station in each line, and drive means for moving the trays in each line one-at-a-time longitudinally across the weighing device in its line. Each weighing device comprises two pairs of rails; one pair at each of its two opposite ends; and each tray comprises two rods extending transversely across the tray, one rod at each of its two opposite ends, engageable with the two weighing device rails, the arrangement being such that each tray is supported by its two rods engaging the two pairs of weighing device rails for a substantial portion of the movement of the tray across the weighing device in its respective line.

Abstract: In an automatic weighing apparatus wherein a weight measurement is performed by passing a commodity on a weighing conveyor which is coupled so as to become a load of a load cell, and a label on which data based on the measured value are printed is automatically stuck to the commodity, while a print fixing label in which a print content is fixed can also be issued; the zero-point setting is automatically performed at times when the commodity does not exist on the weighing conveyor, so as to execute in a stable state a measurement having an accurate reference point.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining weight of a container moving along a path past a weighing zone with radioactive source and detector mounted on opposite sides of the path for directing a radiation beam through the container passing through the weighing zone. Counters for counting radiation detector output pulses and reference timing pulses, with position sensors providing a gating for the counters so as to count when a container is moving past the radiation beam. The quotient of the two counts provides a measure of weight of a container.

Abstract: A device, particularly suited for weighing loads carried on pallets, featuring a low-profile, non-platform, U-shaped, shear-beam load cell scale adapted to receive a load moved by a pallet mover. The forks on the pallet mover can be lowered to the point where they are free of contact with the loaded pallet, so that the pallet mover is being supported by the floor in an opening defined by horizontally-extending legs of the U-shaped frame while the pallet and its load are supported by the legs of the U-shaped scale frame. This allows the weighing operation to be accomplished without moving the pallet mover away from the scale.

Abstract: A high-speed weighing and conveying system, suitable for use in filling soup cans and weighing each as it passes over a weigh platform to a can closer. The open-topped cans slide smoothly and in positive index at all times through a filler and then, in sequence, to an accelerating screw conveyor, to a weigh conveyor which guides them as they slide over the weighing platform, to another screw conveyor, and to a further conveyor which delivers them at the proper times to a closer; an automatic rejector is preferably positioned between the second screw conveyor and the closer to remove from the train of cans, prior to the closer, any can which with its contents has an unacceptable weight. The top portion of the weighing platform is in the form of a longitudinally extending channel member, and the weigh conveyor comprises a pair of rails extending through the channel to support a pair of roller chains having outwardly-extending spaced lugs.

Abstract: A combination weighing machine, which is typically used for packing a plurality of articles in each bag or the like, including a plurality of weighing balances for weighing a plurality of articles each at the same time, and arithmetic means for selecting some of these weighing balances so that the total weight of the articles thereon falls within a predetermined allowable range, the machine also includes zero-point correction means arranged such that, by applying a zero-point correction command signal from the outside, the loading operation of a selected balance is inhibited and, after the unloading operation, this balance is left vacant, and that, under such condition, the weight signal output from this balance is cancelled or nullified prior to arrival at the arithmetic means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic checkweighing of containers during the process of their manufacture, and particularly relates to the checkweighing of hot glass bottles during their transmit from a molding machine to a lehr where they are annealed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for detecting the weight of an article by measuring the amount of pressure required to support the article. The weighing device is characterized by a weighing table having a plurality of apertures for receiving compressed air. The pressure required to support the gross weight of an article passing over the apertures is sensed by a pressure transducer and translated into an electrical signal used to derive the actual numerical weight of the article.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing fowl hanging from shackles of a continuously moving overhead conveyor, having a plurality of balance arms extending radially outwards from the vertical central axis of the apparatus and being pivotably supported by slide blocks mounted on vertical guide bars rotating about the central axis and driven by the overhead conveyor. The outer ends of the balance arms are adapted, while moving along with the conveyor at the same speed, to catch and lift the shackles so that they are no longer connected with the conveyor, by moving the slide blocks upwards, and the inner ends of the balance arms are adapted to come to bear on a load cell located in the central axis when released by a locking member.

Abstract: A densitometer apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for accurately measuring the density of a liquid and particularly of a slurry flowing in a pipeline. The apparatus includes a pipe section which is coupled to the rest of the pipeline by substantially friction and resistance free hydrostatic bearings in such a manner that the pipe section is able to move, at least to a limited extent, in a direction parallel with the earth's gravitational field. The weight of the pipe section is accurately measured together with the weight of the slurry or liquid contained therein by load cells, strain gauges or the like. A unique flow velocity meter is also disclosed. The flow velocity meter includes two densitometers positioned at a predetermined distance from one another on the pipeline, and measures the time it takes a density fluctuation pattern to travel from one densitometer to another.

Abstract: An under bed scale which is comprised of a support frame, a load frame mounted on the support frame for receiving a load and for moving vertically relative to the support frame upon receiving the load, a pair of beam arms connected to the load frame to pivot about a respective horizontal axis in response to movement of the load frame, springs mounted on the support frame and secured to each beam arm to proportionally restrain movement of the beam arm relative to the support frame and a pair of means mounted on the support frame for emitting a signal corresponding to the displacement of each respective beam arm relative to the support frame.

Abstract: This invention concerns a weighing device to measure the weight of a sample of powder supplied by a suitable feed-mechanism.This weighing device comprises at least one sample-holder vessel and a taring vessel, connected to a transfer mechanism which moves the sample-holder vessel from a filling position where it is directly under the feed-mechanism, to receive the sample, to an emptying position, and which also sets the taring vessel and the vessel containing the sample on a weighing mechanism in turn, to measure their weight.The invention concerns this weighing device and an installation comprising such a device, used in particular for volumetric analysis of a sample of powder, such as raw material for cement-making.

Abstract: Automatic apparatus for the weighing and emptying of a product contained in a container equipped with a cover, wherein it comprises means for bringing the container onto a manipulating area, means for grasping the container, bringing it onto a weighing apparatus and placing it in front of a cover manipulating mechanism, said means being controlled by jacks, means for placing the container in a cover manipulating mechanism and for engaging it in a product emptying mechanism, said means being controlled by jacks and the emptying of the product being effected by turning over the container, electrical synchronization means able to control the means and mechanisms described hereinbefore in a first direction in such a way that the container is brought onto the manipulating area, grasped so as to bring it onto a weighing area, placed in the manipulating mechanisms so that the cover is removed, engaged in the product emptying mechanism, then so that the said means and mechanisms are controlled in a second direction o

Abstract: Document weighing apparatus is provided which includes a scale having a channel-shaped document weighing platform. The platform defines a passageway for receiving vertically oriented documents serially fed to the platform. In addition, the apparatus includes document decelerating instrumentalities comprising a pair of flexure springs mounted for movement between a passageway restricting position and a non-passageway restricting position. The flexure springs are oriented with respect to each other, when disposed in the passageway restricting position, for cooperatively progressively restricting the passageway in the direction of downstream movement of documents; thereby to exert decelerating forces on the opposed major surfaces of documents in the passageway. In addition, the apparatus includes instrumentalities for moving the flexure springs.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus including a supporting stand, a balance scale disposed on the supporting stand, the balance scale having a beam pivotally supported on a fulcrum and a weighing receptacle suspended from the beam adjacent one end thereof, powder-supplying means disposed on the supporting stand above the weighing receptacle, unit dispensing means associated with the powder-supplying means, and powder delivery means disposed on the supporting stand below the weighing receptacle; the weighing receptacle including a conical portion tapering to a bottom opening, a conical plug disposed within the opening with the point of the plug extending upwardly toward the powder-supplying means, the powder delivery means including a conical portion tapering downwardly into a cylindrical portion, actuating means disposed adjacent the cylindrical portion and extending upwardly through the conical portion with the upper end thereof bearing against the underside of the conical plug, stop means associated with the actuating means

Abstract: An adaptor includes a frame having tab elements arranged to releasably fit the adaptor to a support platform of a weighing scale. The frame of the adaptor is formed and configured to have removably mounted thereto a wheelchair weighing ramp to thereby allow the weighing ramp to be attached to and used with the weighing scale.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor type scale with a stand. A carrier attached to the stand and a conveyor belt rests on the carrier. A mechanism for measuring a load is provided. A transmitting means places the carrier in operational contact with the load-measuring mechanism. The carrier includes two tables, which are connected to each other. A first link mechanism connects the two tables to one another and a second link mechanism connects each table to the stand.

Abstract: A weighing system for articles in a production line. The system intermittently transports the weighed articles by means of pushing flights away from the weighing scale to a lateral position at which the article is either picked off of the article transporter or is left on the transporter for ultimate disposition by dumping off of the end of the transporter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically weighing and separating specific individual quantities of a bulk material such as tobacco is disclosed. The weighing container is separated from the carrier and from the measuring system of a scale during the phase in the operating cycle during which no measuring is taking place so as to avoid operationally induced vibrations.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically sorting fruit and the like by weight or color, or both, using conveyance system to move objects to be sorted past an electromechanical weighing station and an optical color sensing station which, in conjunction with sequential and combinational logic, compare the color and weight of the item to a predetermined criteria and sort according thereto.

Abstract: A metallurgical tilting vat, such as a steel mill converter, which, by means of vat extensions or projections, rests on a surrounding tilting mechanism, so that it can be tilted 360.degree., and where radial and axial heat expansion and contractions are accommodated. The tilting mechanism is equipped with dynamic test cells for weighing the vat and/or vat contents. This type of metallurgical tilting vat equipped with weighing devices serves to ascertain the vat contents in order to observe the steel production process based on differing weights of the vat contents, and, in turn, to regulate the decarbonization process based on the weight data and/or data graphs thus obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing a billet adapted for use in conjunction with a billet manipulator. The weighing apparatus includes two or more cooperating billet weighing arms pivoted at one end to the billet manipulator which support the billet at their opposite end for weighing. Each arm has two planes of measurement spaced apart by fixed predetermined distance and the apparatus includes instrumentation which measures the bending moment on each arm at the two planes. The weight of the billet is proportional to the summation of the difference between the bending moments at the two planes for each arm and is independent of billet geometry or positioning of the billet on the apparatus.

Abstract: A charge metering system for a shaft furnace is disclosed. The furnace charging apparatus includes means for continuously measuring the charge material in a supply hopper and a metering valve for controlling the material flow rate from the supply hopper. In order to permit accurate charge weight measurement the supply hopper is isolated from dimensional displacements which may be induced in the furnace and associated equipment during operation by means of an articulated suspension system comprising a three hinged arch construction.

Abstract: The scale rail of a weighing mechanism is interposed in axial alignment with the spaced adjacent ends of an elevated fixed trolley rail, and means are provided for advancing a wheeled trolley onto the scale rail after which the initial trolley-advancing means is physically disengaged from the trolley thereby permitting it to stop on the scale rail where it remains until the trolley is next engaged by second trolley advancing means which advance it along and off of the scale rail onto an adjacent section of the trolley rail. Means are provided for selectively disposing the second trolley advancing means in operative or in inoperative relationship relative to a trolley.

Abstract: A portable scale is provided, to be used in conjunction with the jack tube on a trailer hitch, to provide trailer tongue weight. The tongue weight scale is constructed to accept the trailer tongue support and guide it directly onto a weighing device. The scale is formed with an elongated housing surrounding the jack tube guide and a weighing device. The jack tube guide receives the trailer jack tube and guides it onto the weighing device. The jack tube guide is formed to have an inner dimension just slightly larger than the outer dimension of the jack tube so that during a weighing operation when a load is applied from the jack tube to the weighing device, the jack tube guide sleeve functions to maintain alignment and keep the scale and jack tube together. A scale, disposed on the outside of the elongated housing, operates in conjunction with an indicator connected to the weighing device, to provide a visual indication of the trailer tongue weight.

Abstract: A price labeling system employs a highly linear weight-responsive transducer. Two weight measurements are taken with respect to each incoming article, one representing the unladen weight of the scale platform and the other representing the laden weight of the scale platform. Data representing these two measurements are subtracted to provide gross weight of the article and thereby relieving the system of the need to provide a stable "zero" reference when the scale is unladen. The data representing the outputs of the transducer are expanded in range, are subtracted and are divided by the range expansion factor to provide decreased uncertainty in resolution of the analog-to-digital conversion of the transducer outputs. A central processing unit computes the net weight and price of the article on the basis of tare weight and price per pound entries.

Abstract: A portable bee-hive scale includes a housing, a power source, and a probe having a tongue extending from one end of the probe which is adapted to be removably inserted at predetermined locations in a bee-hive. The probe is designed to respond to the placement of weight on the tongue and a gauge is electrically connected to the probe to read the response. The reading is electrically stored and displayed.

Abstract: This scale is primarily intended for the weighing of a hospital bed containing a patient. It may weigh an empty bed or any wheeled load. The scale is mounted on a frame which rests on the floor during a weighing operation, and is lifted off the floor onto a set of casters for moving the scale from one location to another. A detachable handle is provided for pulling the scale on its casters. The scale frame is oblong. The bed being weighed is supported on two channel-shaped rails, which are upwardly open. A pair of upwardly open, channel-shaped ramps are provided for rolling a bed onto the weighing rails from either side of the scale. The rails are provided with retractable blocking bars at both ends to prevent a bed from accidentally rolling off the rail. The ramps are removable. Provision is made for mounting the ramps on the scale during movement of the scale from one location to another.

Abstract: A railroad car dumping apparatus is disclosed which has a weighing device for weighing the contents of the car prior to dumping. The apparatus includes an invertible cradle and a weighing table fixed to the cradle and being invertible therewith. A platen is mounted on the table and is laterally shiftable along the table. The weighing device includes load cells fixed to the cradle and bearing against the table so that the load cells are compressively engaged by the table when the cradle is in its upright position and are under zero tension when the cradle is inverted.

Abstract: A recording scale, for the recovery of used materials such as waste paper. It is provided with weighing means for determining the weight of materials presented and for recording weight which are associated with the weighing means. The means aforesaid are contained in a closed casing having an opening which is accessible from the exterior for the introduction of materials to be recovered, this opening being located opposite to the weighing means for bringing the materials to be weighed onto the means, provision being made for ejecting means operable from the exterior by means of an operating member for releasing the weighing means and transferring the weighed materials into a storage chamber, the operation of the weight-recording means being made dependent on the operation of the ejecting means.

Abstract: A chair including a backrest and lateral arm rests is attached to a scale. At least one of the arm rests can be opened to provide lateral access to the chair by pivoting it about a vertical axis through an arc of 180.degree. to enable the positioning of the chair in close proximity with beds and the like for the transfer of disabled patients. Details of the construction of the openable arm rests and the mechanism for moving the arm rest and locking it in place are described.

Abstract: A method of and device for feeding into the charging funnel of a worm machine strip-shaped or irregularly formed partial pieces of material, especially rubber, dosed by weight as components of a mixture, according to which the pieces are weighed individually and are conveyed to the worm machine in a cycle sequence time compensating for the difference of the rated value or preselected weight and the actual value of the weight of the individual piece. The device for practicing the method according to the invention has an electric scale preferably connected to an analog converter, which scale feeds a starting voltage proportional to the actual weight of the partial pieces to a rated value -- actual value comparator and to an electric calculator which latter determines the change in the cycle sequence time in conformity with the deviation from the preselected weight of the respective partial piece.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the specific gravity of a plurality of samples of solid water-insoluble materials which apparatus comprises a means for storing samples in spaced relationship, a means for weighing samples first in air and then in water, and a means for transferring samples, one at a time, from storage to the weighing means and returning each sample to storage after the weighing is completed, in which the transfer means and weighing means retain the same relative positions but the storage means and transfer means are movable so that the transfer means selects and transfers each sample in turn to the weighing means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a platform which can be displaced relatively to the frame side members of a load-carrying vehicle and which in the unloaded state is situated at the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load. A load placed on the platform results firstly in an increase in pressure in a tipping cylinder disposed at the center of gravity of the vehicle load and secondly a torque about the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load if the center of gravity of the load does not lie thereat. A signal proportional to such torque then controls a platform-displacing system to displace the platform towards the theoretical center of gravity of the vehicle load. The pressure rise occurring in the tipping cylinder forms an indication of the weight of the load and can then be noted and recorded.

Abstract: A portable housing for a weighing system for monitoring the weight of a non-ambulatory patient comprises an elongated box-like apparatus having a central section and two end sections. Each of the two end sections carries an operatively positioned weight responsive element and is formed to provide a receptacle for the leg of the bed and an entrance for the leg of the bed. Also included with each end are means for releasibly retaining the leg of the bed therein.The device is particularly useful with wheeled beds and the receptacles formed in the ends allow easy excess for said wheels. Further, the device is adjustable to accommodate beds of different widths.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly adapted for weighing spools of yarn without subjecting the yarn to physical contact, which features an expansible mandrel depending from a weigher and having a lower end adapted to be releasably locked within the core tube of the spool. The mandrel is capable of undergoing movement independently of the weigher to accommodate for axial misalignments of the core tube when presented to the mandrel and to isolate the weigher relative to shocks produced as an incident to alignment and/or pickup of the spool by the mandrel.