Abstract: A weighing apparatus for weighing a flowable material being conveyed along a distribution system from a source downstream towards a user location, comprises a product carrying surface which has an upstream end and a downstream end, a first axis extending from the upstream end in the intended direction of product flow, and side walls upstanding on the product carrying surface. A base is also provided for supporting the product canying surface. A support supports the product carrying surface on the base to allow flexing of the downstream end of the product carrying surface in a vertical direction about a second axis extending transversely of the first axis, in response to weight of product on the product carrying surface. A load cell monitors the amplitude of flexing of the product carrying surface and provides a signal representative of the weight of the product on the surface in dependence on the amplitude.

Abstract: A vibratory distribution system for flowable material such as bulk food products has a number of vibratable cascaded elongate primary conveyor channel sections tilted to one side about their longitudinal axes to cause the product to gravitate towards the lower side wall of each section. Each side wall has an opening through which product falls into a respective secondary conveyor section which carries the product to packaging. The flow rate of product can be precisely controlled by selective activation of the conveyor section, and by varying the vibration amplitude of the operating conveyor sections.