Abstract: A combinational weighing machine, for combining a plurality of packaged products to be boxed in by selecting a combination of products such that the total of net weights of the products exclusive of their tare weights will be close to a given target weight, includes many weight detecting devices for measuring and detecting the gross weight of one or more packaged products, a subtractor or subtractors for obtaining net weights by subtracting tare weights from gross weights and a combination calculator for combining a plurality of the weight detecting devices and selecting an optimum combination out of them of which the total net weight is equal to or the closest to the target value.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system for combinatorially weighing articles by obtaining an optimum combination of weight values produced by a plurality of weighing machines each of which contains a supply of the articles. The system includes a circuit for detecting a malfunction in any of the weighing machines, and a circuit for excluding weighing machines, detected as having malfunctioned, from participation in combinatorial weighing, and for executing combinatorial weighing using weighing machines other than the excluded weighing machine. When the number of excluded weighing machines exceeds a predetermined number, however, the weighing operation is halted. Even if several of the weighing machines malfunction, therefore, operation is allowed to continue, without terminating the overall weighing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying linear articles while maintaining the specific orientation thereof. The apparatus includes a supply station for supplying linear articles having a specific orientation to a plurality of locations, a weighing station for weighing the linear articles deposited in the weighing scales of weighing machines, a pair of walking beams provided along the direction of conveyance with a multiplicity of first holders for taking up the linear articles and with a multiplicity of second holders for taking up the linear articles deposited in the weighing scales of the weighing machines, an electronic computing unit for forming combinations of weight values of the linear articles deposited in the weighing scales of the weighing machines, and for selecting the best combination of weight values whose sum is closest to a preset target weight, and holder drive for actuating those first and second holders which correspond to the weighing machines that give the best combination of weight values.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system which, using a combinatorial weighing apparatus for combining weight data obtained from a plurality of weighing machines to find a combination giving a total combined weight value equal or closest to a target weight value, is capable of performing combinatorial weighing in a case where the target weight value is greater than the maximum load of the weighing apparatus. When such is the case, the system operates by first discharging articles from all of the weighing machines, and then computing the difference between the target weight value and the total weight of the articles discharged from all of the weighing machines in the preceding step.

Abstract: A system having a combinatorial weighing apparatus for obtaining an optimum weight of a batch of articles that exhibit a variable apparent specific gravity, and for packaging the weighed out articles in a packaging vessel. The system includes a volume detecting unit for detecting the volume of the articles supplied, a density detecting unit for detecting the density of the articles based on the volume value obtained from the volume detecting unit and a weight value obtained from the weighing apparatus, and a target weight adjusting unit for adjusting a target weight value within preset allowable limits on the basis of the detected density in such a manner that the volume of the articles discharged into the packaging vessel becomes substantially constant. The system is also provided with a crusher for adjusting the size of individual articles on the basis of the detected density in such a manner that the density of the articles becomes substantially constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically weighing out articles of a type having an apparent specific gravity which is not constant includes means for weighing out the articles into a batch having a target weight, means for filling a constant volume with the weighed out batch of articles, a pressure sensor for sensing pressure that develops when the articles have been introduced into the constant volume, and means responsive to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor for automatically adjusting the target weight value within preset allowable limits so that the weighed out batch of articles will have a fixed volume. The weighed out batch of articles introduced by the filling means are shaped into the fixed volume. The weight of the batch and the volume thereof within a package are both within preset allowable limits.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system having N weighing machines for weighing out articles to a final target weight value P which is greater than the maximum weighing capacity of the system. The system operates by discharging articles from all N weighing machines, discharging articles from some of the N weighing machines one time at most, and obtaining a difference value between the final target weight value P and the total weight of articles discharged in the foregoing steps. A combinatorial computation is then performed using the difference value as a target weight value Y, and articles are discharged from a combination of weighing machines selected by the combinatorial computation. The total weight value of articles discharged in the foregoing steps attains a value equal to the final target weight value P or closest to the final target weight value P within preset allowable limits.

Abstract: In a combinatorial weighing system in which weight data from a plurality of weighing machines containing articles are combined to obtain an optimum combination of weighing machines giving a total combined weight value of articles equal to a target value or closet to the target value within preset allowable limits, and in which the articles are discharged from the obtained optimum combination of weighing machines, the number of weighing machines is increased over that provided in the conventional apparatus, and the number of weighing machines that participate in combinations is varied in accordance with the target value. Further, a limit value for a number of combinations giving at least one total combined weight value within the preset allowable limits is predicted, and it is determined after a combinatorial computation, whether a number of combinations in excess of the limit value remain.

Abstract: A weighing method and apparatus for charging articles to be weighed into a plurality of weighing hoppers, measuring the weights of batches of the charged articles by weight sensors, selecting, based on the measured weight of each article batch, a combination of the articles batches giving a total weight closest to a target weight value, and discharging the selected article batches from the weighing hoppers. In charging articles into the weighing hoppers, the weighing method includes a step of controlling a dispersing feeder so as to charge the articles into the weighing hoppers with a target charge quantity which is determined on the basis of the number of weighing hoppers and the target weight value, and which serves as the target of the charging operation. The result is a highly accurate weighing operation.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus, having a plurality of juxtaposed weighing machines each of which is provided with a scale, for weighing articles supplied to the weighing machine scales, selecting the combination of articles that gives a total weight equal or closest to a preset target weight, and discharging the articles so selected.