Abstract: Incorporated in a tensile member by which a hopper or the like is suspended from a ground-supported frame is an electronic load cell which is constructed and arranged to report to a convenient control location a signal which corresponds to the tension in tensile member as a measure of the weight of the material such as sand, crushed stone, cement or ore in the hopper. In order to prevent lightning which may strike the hopper or support frame from travelling along the tensile member and damaging or destroying the load cell, the tensile member is electrically isolated from both the hopper and the support frame by bushed connectors wherein the insulating bushing portion is stressed in compression. These bushed connectors simultaneously provide this electrical shock isolating function and both carry the static load and accommodate mechanical shock produced upon sudden changes in load, as when a load of stone is dumped into or dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: This specification discloses an imagewise information processing method and apparatus in which imagewise information is stored in a memory, the imagewise information is read out and reproduction-processed and after the reproduction processing is all completed, the imagewise information stored in the memory can be automatically erased.

Abstract: A process is described for converting an image in one digital format to a second digital format by considering both horizontal and vertical values of pixels to generate output pixels of intermediate value.

Abstract: The invention of this application relates to a weighing machine in which a weighing member such as a weighing saucer or hopper holding or accommodating the materials to be weighed is provided on one side of a load cell through a support, and the load cell is supported on the other side thereof on a frame directly or indirectly through an elastic body for absorbing vibrations. The weighing machine is basically constructed so that the load cell is supported on the other side thereof on the frame through a strain generator for allowing damping in the fixed direction and, at the same time, through an anti-vibration damper for improving a damping characteristic, whereby vibrations of the load cell is damped promptly.

Abstract: Halftone transparencies can be used in electromechanical etchers for gravure platemaking if a reflective layer is in optical secure contact with one side of the half-tone transparency. The halftone transparency may than be used on the scanning drum of the electro-mechanical etcher.

Abstract: A produce weighing and selecting mechanism is disclosed where the feed system 8 is driven by a single drive means. The feed system 8 contains roller conveyors made up of rollers of discontinuous diameter alternating with rollers of constant diameter where the discontinuous rollers are rotated in a direction opposite the direction in which the conveyed objects are driven in order to sort the objects by size, before their presentation to a second transport means which presents the sorted objects singly to a third transport means. The third transport means possesses arms which gather up the singulated objects and transport them to a weigher, which possesses a slotted plate to support the object to be weighed as the arms of the third transport means pass through the slotted plate. Weighed objects are then ejected to a packaging apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle weighing device is described which is comprised of an elongated monolithic concrete slab containing a plurality of lateral supports. Each of the lateral supports is comprised of a pair of substantially vertically arranged end plates having their lower portions positioned contiguous to a plurality of crossbars which supply tension between the plates. Preferably the crossbars are connected to the plates. A zone of compressed concrete is positioned between the upper portions of the end plates. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the lateral supports may be considered to be a composite having a crossbar lower portion and a compressed concrete upper portion.

Abstract: A multi-range weight scale which includes an adjustable cam that changes the weight arms-mechanism so that the scales will weigh a normal weight load or twice the normal weight load.

Abstract: A driving method for an optical printer and an optical printer having a liquid-crystal light switching element including a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of plates provided with electrodes on adjacent surfaces thereof. The liquid-crystal light switching element is disposed between a light source and a movable photosensitive surface and controlled so as to at least one of transmit and block light from the light source to the photosensitive surface for enabling a printing operation. Voltages v.sub.1 and v.sub.2 are applied to the liquid-crystal switching element substantially in accordance with the equation ##EQU1## and the intensity of light from the light source incident on the liquid-crystal switching element is controlled so that incident light intensity during a period T.sub.2 is weaker than the incident light intensity during a period T.sub.1, where t.sub.0, t.sub.1, t.sub.2 and t.sub.3 represents times, T.sub.1 (=t.sub.1 -t.sub.

Abstract: An optical display is provided to guide the operator during metering of a substance to a desired value. The desired value is entered into a computer and the substance to be metered is applied to a balance. The display is in the form of a clock having a coarse and fine indicator hand. During the coarse metering at the start of the metering cycle, the coarse metering hand is rotated at a first rotational speed relative to the metering rate, i.e. the rate at which the substance is being applied to the balance. During the fine metering phase, namely when the weight on the balance approaches the desired weight, either the same or another hand moves at a rotational speed relative to the metering rate which exceeds the first rotational speed, thereby expanding the sector over which the hand moves while a given amount of the substance is being applied. This greatly facilitates the operator's control over the process and decreases the possibilities that excess weight is added.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method in which a scanner scans a document and prduces an image signal. The image signal is stored in a memory. Image formation and control are provided so that the first copy is produced from the scanner output and subsequent copies are produced from the signal stored in memory. For forming a color image, the image signal is converted into at least two color component signals. The full color copy is formed by superposing a plurality of single color images on each copy paper. The first single color image is produced from the scanner output and the subsequent single color images are produced from the color component signals stored in memory. Where more than one copy of color image is desired, the subsequent copies are all formed from single color images produced from the color component signals stored in memory.

Abstract: A printer for printing multi-standard T.V. signals achieved by an arrangement in which the starting point of time for the horizontal and vertical writing is controlled by varying set values corresponding to the respective multi-standard signals. The set values are varied by a central processing unit which also controls the read-out of T.V. signals from a video memory and the printer.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing method and apparatus which operates by weighing plural groups of articles of various weighs by a plurality of weighing machines, finding the sums of all conceivable combinations of these weight values or of given combinations thereof, selecting the combination whose sum is equal or closest to a set value, and discharging the articles from those weighing machines corresponding to the selected combination to obtain articles of a desired weight or number. Between the discharge of the articles from the weighing machines and the following supply of fresh articles to the same weighing machines, an operation of determining the best combination by performing the same combinatorial computations with respect to the weight values of the remaining weighing machines which have not discharged their articles, is performed two or more times to improve weighing capability.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting a load including a load shaft connected to a pan receiving rod and extending vertically, a first arm plate having integrally formed arms whose one ends are connected to each other, a second arm plate having integrally formed arms whose one ends are connected to each other, and a vertical link connected between the one ends of the arms of first and second arm plates, the other ends of the arms of first and second arm plates being connected to the load shaft and to a fixed member. When a load is applied to the load shaft, the load shaft is moved linearly in the vertical direction without being affected by a force exerted to the load shaft in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A continuous tone image recording system comprises a solid state laser diode capable of sending out an analog signal-controlled pulsed beam of light, a continuous feedback circuit for stabilizing the laser diode light output, and an optical system for changing the path of the beam of light. The laser beam scans across a photosensitive receptor surface to provide scanned lines, which are positioned along the length of the receptor surface so as to provide images containing at least 64 levels of gray on transparent recording media or at least 32 levels of gray on opaque media.

Abstract: A weigh scale apparatus in which forces caused by the applied load are transformed into moments of opposite sense and applied to opposite ends of a substantially rigid beam. Bending deflection of the beam is measured by centrally disposed strain gauge resistors to produce an electrical signal quantity proportional to the applied load. The conversion of applied load to moments of opposite sense is accomplished by a pair of spaced parallel pivot members which are suspended between the load receiving pan and the base such that the pivots tend to rotate in opposite directions. The beam is mechanically connected between the pivots such that it is subjected to the bending moment over substantially its entire length.

Abstract: Bulk materials are supplied on to a conveyor one after another with the supply port filled with the material. Since the pressure applied to the conveyor surface by the material is constant, what is called the fall error is eliminated. In one embodiment the conveyor is moved while in another embodiment the material is carried by scrapers secured to a chain conveyor.

Abstract: A talking electronic scale for encouraging the use of and adherence to a preset diet program is disclosed. A user on the scale actuates a mechanism whose movement is transformed to electrical pulses to provide a digital readout of his present weight on a display. A microprocessor provides an electronic memory for storing a goal weight for the person and his weight each time he weighs, along with the date of each stored weight as well as a series of comments to be voiced. The microprocessor also compares the goal weight with the present weight to actuate a voice synthesis device connected to the microprocessor to provide preselected comments appropriate to the comparison. Audio means connected to the voice synthesis device provides for such comments to be audibly spoken to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved scale arrangement comprising three or more load cells which are compensated for both lateral and longitudinal displacement of the load on the scale platter or platform and to a method of accurately compensating the scale so that the output of the scale is independent of the position of the weight on the scale. Only two strain gages are provided for each load cell which gages are connected in a single bridge circuit. Compensating resistor networks are connected to at least certain of the strain gages.

Abstract: Disclosed in a combinatorial weighing apparatus having a plurality of weighing hoppers, a plurality of weighing machines, associated with respective ones of the weighing hoppers, for weighing or counting articles introduced into each of the weighing hoppers, and a chute for collecting the articles discharged from the weighing hoppers. The apparatus operates by computing combinations based on weight values provided by the weighing machines, and causing weighing hoppers, belonging to a combination selected as a result of the combinatorial computations, to discharge their articles into the chute one hopper at a time with a predetermined time delay intervening between the discharge operations.