Abstract: An intermediate transfer belt including: a base layer; and an elastic layer, the elastic layer being laid on the base layer to form a laminated structure, wherein the elastic layer is an acrylic rubber-elastic layer with flame retardancy where the acrylic rubber-elastic layer has VTM-0 grade according to the UL94VTM burning test, wherein the elastic layer has a Martens hardness of 0.2 N/mm2 to 0.8 N/mm2 when indented to a depth of 10 ?m, wherein the elastic layer has a uniform concavo-convex pattern in a surface thereof, and the uniform concavo-convex pattern is formed by arranging individual spherical resin particles in the surface of the elastic layer in a plane direction thereof, and wherein the intermediate transfer belt is configured to receive a toner image formed by developing, with a toner, a latent image on an image bearing member.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus includes a distribution unit, a plurality of conveying units and a plurality of weighing hoppers. At least one of the conveying units has a trough and a plurality of spiral members. The trough has an inside edge positioned below the distribution unit and an outside edge positioned above the weighing hopper. The spiral members are placed above a bottom surface of the trough with each of the spiral members defining an external peripheral surface. The spiral members are configured and arranged to be rotatably driven to convey the product material supplied from the distribution unit in a vicinity of the inside edge, along the external peripheral surfaces toward a vicinity of the outside edge. The spiral members are configured and arranged to stop movement of the product material on the external peripheral surfaces when the spiral members are not rotatably driven.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus includes a distribution unit, a plurality of conveying units and a plurality of weighing hoppers. At least one of the conveying units has a trough and a plurality of spiral members. The trough has an inside edge positioned below the distribution unit and an outside edge positioned above the weighing hopper. The spiral members are placed above a bottom surface of the trough with each of the spiral members defining an external peripheral surface. The spiral members are configured and arranged to be rotatably driven to convey the product material supplied from the distribution unit in a vicinity of the inside edge, along the external peripheral surfaces toward a vicinity of the outside edge. The spiral members are configured and arranged to stop movement of the product material on the external peripheral surfaces when the spiral members are not rotatably driven.

Abstract: Plural composite panels are aligned in multiple horizontal rows. Each composite panel includes a titanium panel (anode), an electrical insulating member and a stainless-steel band member. The titanium panels (also, stainless-steel band members) of horizontally adjacent panels overlap each other to be in face-to-face contact. The stainless-steel band members are horizontally connected at different levels to form long negative electrodes (cathode) extending in seawater-flowing direction in an inlet channel. Each stainless-steel band member is exposed to seawater through a gap between vertically adjacent composite panels.

Abstract: Plural composite panels are aligned in multiple horizontal rows. Each composite panel includes a titanium panel (anode), an electrical insulating member and a stainless-steel band member. The titanium panels (also, stainless-steel band members) of horizontally adjacent panels overlap each other to be in face-to-face contact. The stainless-steel band members are horizontally connected at different levels to form long negative electrodes (cathode) extending in seawater-flowing direction in an inlet channel. Each stainless-steel band member is exposed to seawater through a gap between vertically adjacent composite panels.

Abstract: The present invention device relates to a distribution table structure wherein the base end portion of a radiation trough of each head of a combination weighing system having a predetermined number of heads, each having a radiation trough and a weighing hopper connected to the tip of the radiation trough from below through a weighing hopper, are arranged circularly, is connected to the distribution table in the circumferential direction. More particularly, the present device relates to a distribution table structure wherein a tapered cone-like table main body is divided into a plurality of fan-like mutually independent segments in the circumferential direction, each of the segments is supported to a base frame through leaf springs and arranged to be independently vibrated by vibrator means such as an electromagnetic vibrator and moreover, each segment is equipped with separator flanges for its adjacent segments and provided with an independent distribution and supply function.

Abstract: An automatic weigher with a plurality of article batch handling units arranged in a circular formation is controlled by a single computer to perform two or more mutually independent combinational weighing operations. In order to allow different articles to be weighed, a dispersion feeder separable into individually vibrating table units with adjustable partition walls is provided at the center. For improving the efficiency of combinational weighing operations, each article batch handling unit is provided with a memory hopper and the computer is programmed to generally give higher priority to memory hoppers than to weigh hoppers such that memory hoppers are generally more likely to be selected by the combinational computations. The computer is also programmed to identify article batch handling units in which the total weight of article batches in the memory hopper and weigh hopper is less than a critical value and to combine their article batches.

Abstract: An automatic weighing apparatus with a dispersion feed apparatus comprising a plurality of feed troughs adapted to be separately vibrated and radially arranged around the outer periphery of a dispersion table which performs spiral reciprocating vibratory motion, the feed troughs being separately vibrated at predetermined times to feed articles to associated weighing units.

Abstract: First and second compound chutes constituting a collecting chute assembly each comprises an outer chute of inverted, bisected frusto-conical shape having a semicircular upper opening and a semicircular lower opening, and an inner chute of inverted, bisected conical shape disposed within the outer chute via a partitioning plate. The overall chute assembly is of inverted frusto-conical shape and is constructed by uniting the compound chutes by bringing their respective partitioning plates into face-to-face contact, the assembly defining two discharge routes. At the lower ends of the chutes, one discharge route communicates the inner chute of the first compound chute with the outer chute of the second compound chute, and the other communicates the inner chute of the second compound chute with the outer chute of the first compound chute.

Abstract: This invention then relates to a measuring apparatus wherein a plurality of measuring machines are provided transversely for continuous measuring on a lower side of a feeding hopper enclosing a long size such as dried noodle or the like in alignment, which is subjected to a combined measuring accurately by a predetermined weight as conveyed continuously crosswise.

Abstract: A collecting chute assembly including first and second compound chutes. The first and second compound chutes have an outer chute of inverted, bisected frusto-conical shape with a semicircular upper opening and a semicircular lower opening, and an inner chute of inverted, bisected conical shape disposed within the outer chute via a partitioning plate. The overall chute assembly is of inverted frusto-conical shape and is constructed by uniting the compound chutes by bringing their respective partitioning plates into face-to-face contact, the assembly defining two discharge routes. At the lower ends of the chutes, one discharge route communicates the inner chute of the first compound chute with the outer chute of the second compound chute, and the other communicates the inner chute of the second compound chute with the outer chute of the first compound chute.

Abstract: A distribution table for distributing supplied articles to a supply trough in order to be weighed. The distribution table has an upper surface which is shaped to conform to the mobility of the articles to be supplied. In embodiments of the invention, distribution tables are provided having a surface in the form of a truncated cone for articles with poor mobility, a surface provided with a centrally located hemispherical projection and a surrounding flat portion for articles having ordinary mobility, and a surface provided with a centrally located projection and an annular projection formed along the outer periphery of the table for articles which exhibit excellent mobility.

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 unit for supplying articles to be weighed is supported on a supporting platform above the central portion of an automatic weighing apparatus, a plurality of weighing machines are arranged on the outer periphery of the supporting platform, and a plurality of circularly arranged hoppers are provided, each hopper corresponding to one of the weighing machines. A plurality of radially extending hopper gate opening devices are attached to the bottom side of the supporting platform inwardly of the hoppers, each hopper gate opening device corresponding to and opposing one of the hoppers. The hopper gate opening device is adapted to be detached from the weighing apparatus by pulling it outwardly of the apparatus, and reattached to the apparatus from the outside thereof.

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 unit for supplying articles to be weighed is supported on a supporting platform above the central portion of an automatic weighing apparatus, a plurality of weighing machines are arranged on the outer periphery of the supporting platform, and a plurality of circularly arranged hoppers are provided, each hopper corresponding to one of the weighing machines. A plurality of radially extending hopper gate opening devices are attached to the bottom side of the supporting platform inwardly of the hoppers, each hopper gate opening device corresponding to and opposing one of the hoppers. The hopper gate opening device is adapted to be detached from the weighing apparatus by pulling it outwardly of the apparatus, and reattached to the apparatus from the outside thereof.

Abstract: A container distributing and charging apparatus has a plurality of weighing machines for computing weights of articles supplied to the weighing machines, selecting a combination of articles the total weight of which is equal to or closest to a target weight, and discharging the selected articles. One of containers which contain articles to be weighed and are ready for being supplied onto the weighing machines serves as a dummy container for taking up a dimensional difference between the containers and the weighing machines.

Abstract: A device for preventing sticking of weighed material in an automatic weighing apparatus. The device including a material contacting member which is adapted to reduce the area of contact of the weighed material is detachably secured to the material contacting inner surface of at least one of a trough, hopper and a collecting chute constituting the material path of the automatic weighing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic weighing apparatus in which a plurality of weighing mechanisms, each having a load cell composed of a strain gauge attached to the upper and lower beams of a rectangular main body, are arrayed on the circumference of a circle concentric with the weighing apparatus, each weighing mechanism being operatively associated with a correspnoding weighing hopper for receiving articles to be weighed. Each weighing mechanism is so arranged that the beams of the load cell lie parallel with a tangent line drawn to the circumference of the circle at the location of the mechanism, whereby the load cell can be inspected and repaired with facility and the overall apparatus reduced in size.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing system designed for weighing out a desired number or weight of articles, wherein groups of articles are respectively weighed by a plurality of weighing machines, combinatorial addition is performed on all or a fixed number of possible combinations for weighed values obtained, a particular combination whose combination value is equal or the closest to a set value is selected, and articles are discharged from the weighing hoppers corresponding to the selected combination. It is contemplated to improve performance of this system by ensuring that groups of articles successively discharged from the weighing hoppers are collected separately one from the other without intermingling. To that end, an intermediate shutter is provided in a collecting chute.