Abstract: A rotary measuring device includes a measuring unit, a centrifugal force error calculation block, and a weight value calculation block. The measuring unit includes a measuring plate and a load cell. The load cell has a fixed end and a free end on which the measuring plate is disposed. The centrifugal force error calculation block calculates, on the basis of a first measured value outputted from the load cell in a state where the measuring unit is rotating, an angular displacement ? with respect to a horizontal plane of the load cell in the vicinity of the free end. The weight value calculation block calculates a weight value of the object on the basis of the angular displacement value and a second measured value outputted from the load cell in a state where the measuring plate is receiving the load resulting from the object.

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 method, apparatus, and system for separating and distributing food product bits provided in bulk form from a supply source to a packager. The present invention is particularly suitable for a combination weighing machine, such that the apparatus includes an inlet chute, a dispersion table, a driving mechanism, and a plurality of batch handling units. The inlet chute directs a stream of food product bits from the supply source to the dispersion table. The driving mechanism is coupled to the inlet chute for raising and lowering the inlet chute relative to the dispersion table, for example, in response to a controller-supplied signal. The plurality of batch handling units receive, accumulate, and selectively dispense charges of the food product bits from the dispersion table to the packager. During use, the inlet chute is directed to a lowered position to facilitate food product bit accumulation on the dispersion table.

Abstract: A weighing device dedicated for use on a rotary table of rotary machine such as a rotary fluid filling machine. The weighing device includes a load cell arranged perpendicular to a radial line emanating from the center of rotation, in tangential orientation to the direction of table rotation. Due to this orientation, deflection of the load cell beam under load will not produce errors resulting from centrifugal forces acting on the rotary machine, so that an accurate weight reading is provided.

Abstract: A weighing device which is dedicated for use on a rotary table of a rotary machine such as a rotary fluid filling machine. The weighing device includes a symmetrical load cell. The symmetry of the load cell when installed in place on the rotary table is such that it is symmetrical about a line which is perpendicular to a radius line emanating from the center of rotation. The load is applied directly or indirectly at the center point of the load cell. It is then understood that this load point is also on the line of symmetry.

Abstract: A weighing device which is dedicated for use on a rotary table of rotary machine such as a rotary fluid filling machine. The weighing device includes a pair of load cells arranged in reverse symmetry with respect to a radial line emanating from the center of rotation. Due to the reverse symmetry, the deflection of each of the load cells will produce errors resulting from the centrifugal forces that will cancel each other, providing accurate weighing.

Abstract: A device for feeding and distributing material which is loose or in single pieces to a plurality of collection points peripheral to the device itself comprising a main fixed support framework, a plurality of radial channels for transporting the material to the collection points supported by the framework, and a part for distributing the material to the transport channels, supported rotatably above the channels, whereto the material is fed and transferred by the latter through falling and distributed by rotation to the radial transport channels.

Abstract: A kind of automatic rotary weighing and packing machine having a plurality of weighers radially or annularly arranged on a circular rotary table for automatically effecting such processes as filling of product, weighing and judgement at respective positions around the table, which is especially suitable in the case where the product to be packed is sticky granular or powdered bulk material and the packing container is a bag or the like. This machine uses no weigh hopper or bucket in which sticky product is liable to remain to cause weight error, and the packing container is held by a holding mechanism attached to each weigher and directly filled with product, which is then weighed and sealed. A fixed amount feeding device is used for feeding product into the container and its throughput is controlled based upon the result of a subsequent weighment for keeping the weight of product packed in each container always at a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention device relates to a distribution table structure wherein the base end portion of a radiation trough of each head of a combination weighing system having a predetermined number of heads, each having a radiation trough and a weighing hopper connected to the tip of the radiation trough from below through a weighing hopper, are arranged circularly, is connected to the distribution table in the circumferential direction. More particularly, the present device relates to a distribution table structure wherein a tapered cone-like table main body is divided into a plurality of fan-like mutually independent segments in the circumferential direction, each of the segments is supported to a base frame through leaf springs and arranged to be independently vibrated by vibrator means such as an electromagnetic vibrator and moreover, each segment is equipped with separator flanges for its adjacent segments and provided with an independent distribution and supply function.

Abstract: A novel combination weigher for producing a product charge of precise weight by combining the contents of a plurality of scales each of which contains a portion of the product charge is characterized by an auxiliary or standby weighing scale or hopper which provides a product charge if a controller determines that there is no combination of the scales which will provide a product charge within a specified weight range.

Abstract: A weighing machine for food products comprises a frame, a machine operating means, a product feeding means, a weighing means, temporary storage areas having means for discharging the product down into a means for conducting the product towards the machine exit, and a programmer processing unit which controls, activates and regulates the machine operation, characterized in that the product feeding means discharges the product down onto a series of troughs circularly arranged and linked to its respective weighing means, mounted on a horizontal platform rotating with respect to a central vertical axis, with the product of each trough being discharged into a selected stationary storage area from among a series of them, until the programmer processing unit orders the selective discharging of a corresponding storage area, after a batch of units of the product having a final predetermined weight has been deposited for storage into each selective storage area.

Abstract: A product feeding device suitable for use with a combination weighing machine having a plurality of weighing hopper. The device comprises a central vibrating dispersion table for dispersing product fed to the center of the table outwardly toward the periphery of the table, and a plurality of retaining hoppers corresponding to the weighing hoppers disposed at the periphery of the table for receiving product directly from the table. Each retaining hopper is equipped with a suitable mechanism for discharging products therefrom.

Abstract: A weighing system includes a weighing apparatus composed of distributive table, a plurality of radial supply troughs disposed around the peripheral edge of the distributive table for being supplied with articles to be weighed from the distributive table, a plurality of weighing units supporting respective openable weighing hoppers for weighing articles supplied to the weighing hoppers, at least one of the distributive table and the radial supply troughs having a slide surface slanted radially outwardly to a large extent for allowing the articles to slide thereon, each of the radial supply troughs having a radially outer distal end disposed over one of the weighing hoppers, and a collection chute disposed below the weighing hoppers. A liquid drain device is disposed at the distal end of each of the radial supply troughs. A shutter is interposed between each of the radial supply troughs and a corresponding one of the weighing hoppers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying articles in an automatic weighing system in which a number of weighing hoppers are arranged in sets composed of two weighing hoppers each. The weighing hoppers in each set provide weight values indicative of the weight of the articles contained in the hoppers, and a combinatorial computation is performed based on the weight values. Those of the weighing hoppers that correspond to an optimum combination of the weight values are selected and are caused to discharge their articles. These weighing hoppers are resupplied with articles from pool hoppers, with one pool hopper being provided for each set of weighing hoppers.

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 apparatus includes a plurality of weighing machines for weighing supplied articles, and a plurality of storage hoppers for storing articles weighed and supplied respectively by the weighing machines. A computer determines an optimum weight combination through combinatorial computations based on weight data items corresponding to the articles charged in the storage hoppers respectively from the weighing machines, controls the storage hoppers to discharge the articles, and supplies the weighing machines with new articles.

Abstract: A combination measuring apparatus including a plurality of heads provided on a machine frame. The discharge plates of the pool hoppers provided in these heads are opened and closed to throw a predetermined material to be measured into the measuring hoppers provided on the lower side of the pool hoppers. The weight of the material in each measuring hopper is measured with a weight-measuring device, such as a load cell. A combination of measuring hoppers, the weight of the material in which is the closest to a target weight set by the combination computation of the detected weights in all of the heads, are determined. The discharge plates of the selected measuring hoppers are opened to discharge the material therefrom, and supply the material to a subsequent stage, for example, a stage provided with a packaging machine.

Abstract: A distributing table construction in a combinatorial weighing apparatus includes a conical main table mounted on a vibrator and slanted at a relatively small angle for distributing and supplying articles to be weighed, such as pieces of cheese or jelly, into a number of radial troughs, and a smaller-diameter conical subtable disposed over the conical main table and connected thereto by a bolt, the conical subtable being slanted at an angle larger than the small angle of the conical main table. The conical subtable is adjustable in height by the bolt and a weld nut threaded thereover and attached to the subtable. The conical subtable serves to supply articles from an article charger easily onto the main table and allow the supplied articles to be deposited sufficiently on the main table so that the articles can stably be supplied to the radial troughs.

Abstract: A dispersion feeder for distributively feeding product to a plurality of weighing units arranged circularly about a common axis, comprising a plurality of conveyer troughs arranged radially about the axis for communicating by their outer ends respectively with the weighing units, and a plurality of vibrating units attached respectively to the conveyer troughs for subjecting each conveyer trough to independent vibration. Each conveyer trough is provided with a projection inclined upwardly and radially inwardly toward the common axis. These projections are arranged radially about the axis without mutual contact to form a conical or domed substantially continuous central dispersion surface, and each projection and its corresponding conveyor trough is adapted to be subjected to independent vibration to feed product supplied directly onto the dispersion surface to the corresponding conveyer trough.

Abstract: A collection chute in an automatic weighing apparatus including a pair of first and second upper chutes each having semicircular inner and outer collection members, and a pair of first and second lower chutes having upper ends connected to lower ends of the upper chutes and outlet ports. The first lower chute is connected to the first outer collection member and the second inner collection member. The second lower chute is connected to the second outer collection member and the first inner collection member.

Abstract: A combination weighing machine having a plurality of weighing units and being adopted to load at least one of the weighing units with articles having a predetermined volume, to compare the weight signal from this weighing unit with a predetermined reference weight signal and to deliver the articles of the predetermined weight if their weight is greater than the reference weight. If the weight of such articles is less than the reference weight the machine is operable to generate combinations of the aforesaid; weight signal and the weight signals from the other weighing units to select a combination having a weight greater than the reference weight, for the purpose of forming batches of articles each having volume and weight greater than predetermined values.

Abstract: A device, so-called dispersion feeder, for feeding product to be weighed from a single source to a plurality of weighing units of a combination weighing machine which are arranged in a circular array. The device, which is generally of a circular shape, is disposed in the center of the circular array of weighing units and distributes the product fed from the source to its central portion, to the respective weighing units towards the radial direction. The improvement in this device is that entangled aggregates of the product can be automatically dispersed before leaving outlet ports provided on the periphery for the respective weighing units.

Abstract: A distribution table for distributing supplied articles to a supply trough in order to be weighed. The distribution table has an upper surface which is shaped to conform to the mobility of the articles to be supplied. In embodiments of the invention, distribution tables are provided having a surface in the form of a truncated cone for articles with poor mobility, a surface provided with a centrally located hemispherical projection and a surrounding flat portion for articles having ordinary mobility, and a surface provided with a centrally located projection and an annular projection formed along the outer periphery of the table for articles which exhibit excellent mobility.

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 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: Rotary weighsorter comprising a frame, a driving turret supported on a vertical shaft, a plurality of containers, each connected by a radial arm to the turret, a pivot connection between the arm and both the turret and the container having horizontal pivot axes, at least two weighing devices supported in the frame at different angular positions for independently weighing the containers on passing across, the weighing devices being connected to a computing device which is also connected to a motor actuating a guide cooperating with a lever attached to the containers, so that the containers may be tilted to remove articles from the containers.

Abstract: A combinatorial automatic weighing apparatus has a plurality of weighing machines each including a pool hopper and a weighing hopper which are removable from a driver unit and a weighing mechanism, respectively. The pool hopper has removable guide plates for guiding articles as supplied from a dispersing table of the weighing apparatus, and also has on its outer sidewall guide members removably held in sliding engagement with a support bracket attached to the driver unit mounted on a tiltable stand supported on a frame. The pool hopper has a bottom cover drivable by the driver unit through a lever mechanism composed of disengageable levers. The weighing hopper has on its outer sidewall guide members removably held in sliding engagement with a support bracket secured to the weighing mechanism. The pool hopper and the weighing hopper can easily be removed for easy and thorough cleaning thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed in a span adjusting device for an automatic weighing apparatus of the type in which the load of a weighing hopper containing articles to be weighed is applied to a corresponding weighing mechanism through means of a support member adapted for supporting the weighing hopper, and in which the weight is derived as the magnitude of the output signal from a displacement sensor provided on the weighing mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic weighing apparatus in which a plurality of weighing mechanisms, each having a load cell composed of a strain gauge attached to the upper and lower beams of a rectangular main body, are arrayed on the circumference of a circle concentric with the weighing apparatus, each weighing mechanism being operatively associated with a correspnoding weighing hopper for receiving articles to be weighed. Each weighing mechanism is so arranged that the beams of the load cell lie parallel with a tangent line drawn to the circumference of the circle at the location of the mechanism, whereby the load cell can be inspected and repaired with facility and the overall apparatus reduced in size.

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 device for grouping solid articles so as to have a predetermined total number by combination selection technique, in which a plurality of sub-groups of articles are prepared, the number of articles in each sub-group is detected, some of these sub-groups are successively extracted in accordance with a predetermined mathematical combination, the numbers of articles in the extracted sub-groups in each combination are summed to obtain the total number of said combination, the total numbers of the successive combinations are sequentially compared with a predetermined reference number and, when coincidence is obtained between both, the combination of sub-groups is selected to be packed together, so that each pack or bag contains the predetermined number of articles.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system designed for weighing out a desired number or weight of articles, wherein groups of articles are respectively weighed by a plurality of weighing machines, combinatorial addition is performed on all or a fixed number of possible combinations for weighed values obtained, a particular combination whose combination value is equal or the closest to a set value is selected, and articles are discharged from the weighing hoppers corresponding to the selected combination. It is contemplated to improve performance of this system by ensuring that groups of articles successively discharged from the weighing hoppers are collected separately one from the other without intermingling. To that end, an intermediate shutter is provided in a collecting chute.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of sequentially taking containers filled in a multi-station filling machine, of weighing each of said taken containers, of comparing said weighing to a preset value for the filling devices of the filling machine and of establishing a correlation between each taken and weighed filled container and the corresponding filling station of the filling machine. In a filling machine comprising a rotation filling apparatus having n filling stations, the control device comprises at least a rotating transfer apparatus arranged in series with the rotating filling apparatus with interposition of at least an intermediary transfer wheel. The rotating transfer apparatus comprises n.sub.1 stations among which n.sub.1 -1 passive stations and a control weighing station provided with a balance, numbers n and n.sub.1 being incommensurable numbers.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system designed for weighing out a desired number or weight of articles, wherein groups of articles are respectively weighed by a plurality of weighing machines, combinatorial addition is performed on all or a fixed number of possible combinations for weighed values obtained, a particular combination whose combination value is equal or the closest to a set value is selected, and articles are discharged from the weighing hoppers corresponding to the selected combination. It is contemplated to improve performance of this system by ensuring that groups of articles successively discharged from the weighing hoppers are collected separately one from the other without intermingling. To that end, an intermediate shutter is provided in a collecting chute.