Abstract: A weighing pan 17 for weighing subportions of products to be packaged batchwise, in particular for use in combination weighing of irregularly shaped and comparatively fragile commodities of fruits and vegetables. The pan has a discharge opening covered by a front wall and which is opened by a pivot movement of a bottom flap (1) between a products collecting position and a discharging position. The weighing pan is designed to collect individual product units substantially arranged in a single row on the bottom flap (1) and the bottom flap (1) extending throughout the length of the weighing pan slopes downwardly in the discharging position towards the discharge opening at such an angle that the collected product units are discharged by a substantially sliding movement.

Abstract: The weighing pan comprises a pair of opposed sidewalls and at least one pivotable closure flap which is coupled to one sidewall in such a way that the pivoting movement of the closure flap between closed and open position is accompanied by a displacement of the associated sidewall relative to the opposite sidewall. Articles, which might have got jammed between the sidewalls, are likely to be released in response to the relative movement of the sidewalls and drop out through the open bottom of the pan. A combination weighing machine including a plurality of weighing pans and means for reopening a pan, if necessary in order to ensure complete emptying thereof, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an inclined chute to which the articles are delivered in portions and from which they slide down into a tray which oscillates in a horizontal direction together with the chute. The tray is open at its end remote from the chute and at the top, but closed on its remaining sides. The tray is pivotally supported in extensions of the chute side walls so that it can pivot between a horizontal loading position and a vertical discharge position. In front of the open end of the tray there is provided a vertical plate which is coupled to the chute and the tray in such a way that in the horizontal position of the tray it closes the open tray end while in response to the pivoting of the tray to vertical position it is moved some distance down into the mouth of a subjacent bag, substantially retaining its vertical orientation. During the emptying of the tray the plate functions as one of the walls defining a discharge opening through which the articles are transferred to the bag.

Abstract: Apparatus for batchwise transfer of articles to a receptacle comprises an elongate, upwardly open tray which is longitudinally reciprocable between a loading position and an unloading position. An article receiving compartment within the tray is defined rearwardly by a pusher and forwardly by a hinged flap. When a portion of articles has been loaded into the compartment, the tray is subjected to a longitudinal shaking action. The tray is then moved to its unloading position wherein the compartment therein is located within a receptacle. During this movement the flap hits against a stationary abutment whereby it is pivoted clear of the front end of the compartment. Subsequently, the tray is withdrawn to its loading position and simultaneously the pusher is moved forward relative to the tray whereby the articles are transferred gently from the compartment to the receptacle.