Abstract: A cover apparatus comprising a plurality of peripherally divided and interconnecting cover sections positioned around and outside a plurality of weighing machines, that are arranged in turn in a predetermined array or pattern, the cover sections encircling conjointly the weighing machines in their entirety. The apparatus is so designed that a large space for opening or closing the cover sections is not required and a sufficient open area may be afforded when opened so as to permit the inspection of the weighing machines and other components.

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 dispersing feeder for dispersively feeding articles, supplied by a supply device, to a plurality of weighing machines where the articles are weighed. The feeder includes a turntable or conical projection for receiving and temporarily retaining the articles supplied by the supply device, a dispersing bowl disposed concentrically with respect to the turntable or conical projection and having a number of exits on its outer circumferential portion, and an electromagnetic vibrator for subjecting the dispersing bowl to torsional reciprocative oscillation. The surface of the turntable and/or dispersing bowl is provided with a multiplicity of raised and recessed portions to minimize the contact area between the surface and the articles so that the articles may be transferred without adhering to the surface.

Abstract: A cover apparatus comprising a plurality of peripherally divided and interconnecting cover sections positioned around and outside a plurality of weighing machines, that are arranged in turn in a predetermined array or pattern, the cover sections encircling conjointly the weighing machines in their entirety. The apparatus is so designed that a large space for opening or closing the cover sections is not required and a sufficient open area may be afforded when opened so as to permit the inspection of the weighing machines and other components.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for discharging weighed articles in a combinatorial weighing system, weighed articles discharged from a plurality of weighing hoppers are selectively released into first and second collecting routes of a collecting chute. The outlet of each collecting route is provided with a timing hopper having a gate. The gates of the two timing hoppers are opened and closed by respective drive units. The arrangement is such that one of the gates can be opened while the other gate is in the closed state or by the time the other gate is completely closed. Control is effected in such a manner that when weighed articles are released into one of the collecting routes from the weighing hoppers, the timing hopper corresponding to this collecting route is opened to completely discharge weighed articles previously released into the timing hopper. The discharge of previously released weighed articles is accomplished during the time needed for the weighed articles just released to reach the timing hopper.

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.