Abstract: A visual display of the trend of a data source is provided through the use of bar-graph techniques and digital display means controlled by a computer system which analyzes the output of the data source in accordance with criteria established by an operator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a machine for transporting and weighing or checkweighing articles passing in succession thereon at high speeds, such as for use in conjunction with a rapid article feeding and take-away conveyor system or the like and with weight-signal transmitting/converting/calculating printout devices for visual display and price labeling operations or the like. The machine includes a stationary machine base and a vertically flexible weight-measuring means supported by said base. A rigid cage-like structure encompasses and is supported by said weight-measuring means, and an article conveying device and a power supply means therefor is carried by said cage-like structure and comprises in combination therewith the minusculely vertically shifting tare weight component of the machine.

Abstract: An improved motorized conveying and weighing or checkweighing machine is disclosed for use such as in between article feeding and take-away conveyors. The machine comprises essentially a machine support member; a compression type strain gage transducer mounted upon said support member; an angularly configured structure including a vertically standing side wall portion and a bottom sidewise extending bracket portion which is so fixed upon the top portion of said transducer as to dispose said side wall portion to extend in parallel offset relation to the plan view longitudinal profile of said transducer. Conveyor belt driving rollers are rotatably mounted upon and extend in cantilever relation away from said side wall portion and an endless conveyor belt trains about said rollers.

Abstract: There is herein disclosed an improved system for rapidly filling containers precisely to prescribed load weights with articles of the so-called pellet/pill/tablet type; employing in combination, a high speed bulk-loading means and supplementary loading means operable to "polish off" the finalizing loading operation. Incidental thereto, the supplementary loading means is operated to contribute to the bulk-loading operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a commodity transport conveyor mounted on a weighing device; the conveyor being powered by a drive roller housing an electric motor. The stator of the motor is fixed to the conveyor frame and the rotor of the motor drives the roller and is in dynamic balance therewith.

Abstract: There is disclosed, in combination with a conveyor for moving packages or other objects of different sizes and shapes from an input station via a customer charge-calculating and labeling station, an improved printed label transport system carrying the labels to the applicator. The label transport and applying system is of a swinging "elbow" type and is of such geometry as to obviate previous problems concerning labeling of articles of varying sizes and shapes as they are being transported on a continuously delivering high speed product line conveyor. The label print system applies all pertinent data on a single label, and the mechanism provides an improved "final touch" pressure against each label incidental to the applying operation. The label transport system includes a sidewise label scanning device which monitors for correctness the indicia printed thereon.

Abstract: A conveyor system adapted to receive a random flow of discrete items from a plurality of sources at its infeed end and to discharge an evenly distributed flow of items to a multiplicity of stations at an output end. Provision is made for skipping one of the multiplicity of stations if it is not capable of accepting additional items. Provision is also made for avoiding interruptions of the flow of distributed items when the inflow of items from one of the plurality of sources is interrupted.

Abstract: A conveyor with laterally deflectable article transporting pallets is disclosed in which the pallets are mounted on a carriage-like structure having wheels which run in and are guided by heavy duty channels.

Abstract: A label applying apparatus and method is disclosed which rotates the label through a desired number of degrees of rotation before its application to an article in order that the label may be applied in a preferred orientation. A label dispenser delivers the label to a first vacuum foot which holds the label substantially parallel to the surface of the article upon which the label is to be placed. The label is then transferred to a second, reciprocating vacuum foot which rotates while it moves into contact with the article.

Abstract: A weighing system for articles in a production line. The system intermittently transports the weighed articles by means of pushing flights away from the weighing scale to a lateral position at which the article is either picked off of the article transporter or is left on the transporter for ultimate disposition by dumping off of the end of the transporter.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a label to an article while the article is being transported along a path of travel by a conveyor, including a vertically movable applicator foot operable to pick up a label from a source and apply such label to the surface of an article and a vertically movable compressor foot operable to engage the applied label to cause it to conform to the contour of the article surface. The applicator foot and compressor foot are independently supported for conjunctive movements with the article in the direction of conveyor travel, while operably engaged therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly adapted for weighing spools of yarn without subjecting the yarn to physical contact, which features an expansible mandrel depending from a weigher and having a lower end adapted to be releasably locked within the core tube of the spool. The mandrel is capable of undergoing movement independently of the weigher to accommodate for axial misalignments of the core tube when presented to the mandrel and to isolate the weigher relative to shocks produced as an incident to alignment and/or pickup of the spool by the mandrel.

Abstract: A continuously driven endless belt type conveyor is disclosed as being employed to transfer packages successively through a weighing station having a weighing platform on which packages rest during weighing thereof and a package labeling station. A flight of the conveyor passing through the weighing station is adapted to be lowered and raised for the purpose of removably placing a package in resting engagement with the weighing platform, while concurrently having its speed of travel relative to the platform varied to effect deceleration of the package prior to weighing and acceleration of the weighed package prior to discharge.