Abstract: A berry harvester includes a chassis, a berry removal system, a berry delivery system, an inspection station and a container filling station. The container filling station includes a berry delivery apparatus that conveys berries to containers on a container support. A container weighing system includes a container fill indicator generating a weighing signal. A processor is in communication with the weighing system and incorporates a filter for cancelling vibrations from the weighing signal. A method uses the container weighing system and the processor to indicate when a container is filled to contain a desired amount of berries and automatically reset when the filled container is removed.

Abstract: A scale with a weighing system (14), a weighing chamber (16) that is delimited by a windshield (18), and a drive for opening and closing the windshield (18). The scale has a load transferring part (32, 34) with which the weight of the load is transferred onto the weighing system (14). A decoupling mechanism is mechanically connected to the drive for rotating the windshield (18) such that the weighing system (14) is mechanically decoupled from the load transferring part in the load direction if the windshield (18) is open in order to not introduce transverse forces into the weighing system (14) during loading of the weight.

Abstract: A link apparatus supplies objects discharged from a weighing machine to package bags being conveyed successively at a high speed and comprises plural hopper groups each including n hoppers; and plural arms configured to convey an associated hopper group along a revolving path including a first area where the objects are supplied to the hopper group and a second area under which package bags are conveyed successively. The arms convey the hopper groups from the first area to the second area in a predetermined order, the n hoppers sequentially conveyed to the second area are located above the n package bags conveyed to a region under the second area; the hoppers are located above the package bags in the second area, and the hopper groups are stopped in the first area. The hopper groups discharge the objects, when the hopper groups are conveyed in the second area.

Abstract: A filling system for containers that are supplied to a filling device via a supplying device and that are removed from the filling device via a removal device, said filling system includes a measuring device for weighing the filled containers. The measuring device is formed by circulating measuring sensors that convey containers from an inlet side to an outlet while concurrently weighing the containers, and circulating synchronously with the container flow. The measuring sensors are oriented at right angles to a direction along a horizontal belt along which the containers are conveyed. Each one has measuring fingers that collectively form a multi-fingered measuring device.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making articles of semiconducting material and semiconducting material articles formed thereby, such as semiconducting material that may be useful in making photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A machine for filling and closing containers comprises: a conveyor, step-activated in an advancement direction, laterally provided with a plurality of gripping devices which grip containers at an active branch of the conveyor. A filling station has a plurality of nozzles for filling the containers, and weighing devices for detecting a correct filling of the containers. A closing station has capping devices for closing the filled containers with caps, and sensors to detect correct closure. A release station, located downstream of the closing station has manipulators which are either de-activated to allow transit of incorrectly filled and/or closed containers, which are released onto a reject conveyor downstream and in line with the active branch; or activated transversally to the advancement direction to collect correctly filled and closed containers and release them onto an outlet conveyor, adjacent and parallel to the reject conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering a plurality of different liquid or pasty masses to a receiving container including: first support for supporting containers for the masses in fixed positions; a fixedly disposed annular frame bearing a number of dispensing nozzles controllable by a fixedly disposed control device and each individually connectable to said containers via respective conduits; a second support controllable by the control device for supporting a receiving container such that this receiving container is displaceable in an annular path corresponding with the annular form of the frame and can be placed temporarily beneath a chosen dispensing nozzle for receiving mass dispensed by this dispensing nozzle; a weighing device on which a receiving container can be placed, which weighing device can supply weight signals to the control device; wherein the weighing device is disposed fixedly and supports the second support.

Abstract: A machine for filling fruit or other items into containers, and including a conveyor for feeding items to a location from which they are dropped into a container, with a member being provided near the discharge end of the conveyor for contacting the items as they fall downwardly from the conveyor and preventing or reducing damage thereto. The member may be actuable between an active position for contacting the falling items and a retracted position. The member may be inclined to deflect the falling items along an inclined path into the container, and is preferably cushioned. The mentioned conveyor fills the container up to a predetermined partially filled condition, with the final few items being delivered to the container by a second conveyor. The second conveyor is adjacent the first, and delivers items to the container at a second location along its path of movement, and is driven at two speeds to deliver items first at a relatively fast pace and then at a slower rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a substantially precise, predetermined weight of articles, such as fruit and the like, providing a frame mounting a first station, a second station, and a third station disposed serially of each other; an article-diverting assembly having a fast-fill chute adapted to direct articles toward a container supported on the second station and a slow-fill chute adapted to direct articles toward a partially-filled container on the second station; means for sensing the weights of the containers on the second and third stations; and means for moving the containers from the first to the second and third stations.

Abstract: A dosing system for filling a receptacle with a predetermined desired weight of flowable bulk material. The system has a main dosing apparatus for charging the receptable to an extent less than the predetermined weight and an additional dosing apparatus for complementally charging each receptacle to an extent equal to the deviation between the desired weight and the actual weight resulting from the charging by the main dosing apparatus. The additional dosing apparatus has a dispensing wheel having a plurality of cells of predetermined volume. There is further provided a movably supported shroud member having a shroud face extending along a circumferential portion of the wheel and separating an inlet chamber from an outlet chamber. The position of the shroud member is adjustable for determining a minimum clearance between the shroud face and the periphery of the wheel. A spring urges the shroud member towards the wheel for allowing a resilient yielding movement of the shroud member away from the wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bagging bruisable discrete articles, such as apples. The apples are fed single file to a weighing device, and the feed of articles is terminated just before the desired predetermined weight of apples to be bagged. The weighing device is allowed to reach equilibrium, and then the weight of the apples is compared to the desired predetermined weight. If the weight is less than the desired amount, the apples are fed one by one to the weighing device until the predetermined weight is reached or exceeded, at which time the apples in the weighing device are dumped onto a pair of spiral brushes which convey the apples to a bagging station. At the bagging station, a bag is clamped and blown open, and is filled with apples being fed one at a time. The bag full condition is automatically sensed, at which point one of the clamps is released, and an arm supporting the other clamp is pivoted to swing the bag into operative association with an automatic tying machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying empty boxes to a plurality of filling and weighing stations for filling boxes at said stations each independently of other filling stations, and removal of filled boxes from said filling and weighing stations along a common discharge path without box interference. The filling and weighing stations are arranged in a line. Parallel to this line for at least the length of the filling station line is an empty box feed conveyor. Empty boxes are moved along said box feed conveyor so that an empty box is in ready position opposite a filling and weighing station for immediate replacement of a filled box, the empty box being utilized to displace the filled box from the filling and weighing station and to move the filled box onto a discharge conveyor arranged along a line parallel to said filling and weighing station line and on the side opposite from the box feed conveyor.