Abstract: A load-sensing mat comprising a pair of superposed spaced capacitance plates held together in a mat by resilient material. The load-sensing mat also contains a conductive loop for inductance dependent load detection.

Abstract: A combination weighing system searches a plurality of scales for a combination which provides a minimum total weight of product not less than a pre-established target weight. The search for the best combination is performed on the basis of an ordered search sequence of all combinations, and certain steps of the sequence and corresponding combinations are omitted from the sequence if they involve subcombinations previously searched and found to be at or above the target weight. The scales produce signals representative of the product weight, and the signals are calibrated and processed to eliminate measurement errors.