Abstract: A combination weighing machine includes a plurality of cups (20) into which articles (21) are put, a weigher (62) for measuring the sum weights of cup (20) and the articles (21) in the cups (20), or measuring the weights of the articles (21) while the articles (21) are held in the cups (20), a retention conveyor (63) for receiving from the weigher (62) and causing to wait the plurality of cups (20) containing articles (21) of which weights have been measured by the weigher (62), combination computing means for combining respective weight values developed by the measurement by the weigher (62) in various ways, and selecting articles (21) forming a combination of articles the sum weight of which is within a predetermined weight range, and a transfer conveyor (66) for conveying the cups (20) containing the articles (21) which form the combination selected by the combination computing means to a discharge position where the articles (21) forming the selected combination are discharged.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a softened solid rapidly and precisely, wherein no excessive force is exerted on, and no shock is given to, the load cell. The apparatus has a simplified structure including 1/4 cylindrical weighing containers so that the apparatus is easy to disassemble and clean.The inventive apparatus comprises a load cell for transmitting signals; a pair of weighing containers each having a cross-section of approximately 1/4 of a cylinder, arranged closely, and installed on the load cell rotatably around center axis of rotation; a scraping member installed closely to the inner surface of the weighing containers; and a driving unit, which is not connected to said load cell, for opening and closing the weighing containers by reversely rotating them around their axes. This apparatus for weighing a softened solid discharges the weighed substance as it is scraped from the sides of the containers by the scraping member.

Abstract: A three mass, two trough feeder transfers articles on first and second troughs by vibrating the troughs. First and second leaf springs support the troughs on a base with the troughs in line with each other and with one trough overlapping the other. The ratio of the spring constant of the first leaf springs to the first trough mass equals the ratio of the spring constant of the second leaf spring to the second trough mass. An electromagnetic driver between one of the troughs and the base is excited with a signal having a frequency with an angular velocity equal to the square root of the ratio. A plurality of feeders may be positioned radially outwardly about the periphery of a conical head for distributing articles.

Abstract: A weighing and packing device for successively producing packages of product each of which is conformable with a predetermined weight condition. The device comprises a pair of combination weighing and packing machines mounted on a common frame as a single unit. Each machine includes a combination weigher and an associated packer which are mechanically interlocked so that the batches of product successively delivered from the combination weigher are packed by the packer in tubular bags fabricated successively from a sheet material. The combination weighers of both machines have their own control units electronically interlocked so that both machines can operate in mutually synchronized or nonsynchronized fashion with or without time lag.

Abstract: A combination weigher of the type having a plurality of weigh hoppers arranged in a circle. Each weigh hopper has inner and outer discharge gates, the inner gate being adapted to discharge product inside of the circle and the outer gate being adapted to discharge the the product outside of the circle. A plurality of auxiliary hopper structures underly respective weigh hoppers, and a common collection chute underlies the auxiliary hopper structures. In order to reduce the diameter of the collection chute and the overall outer diameter of the weigher, each auxiliary hopper structure comprises an auxiliary hopper disposed under the outer discharge gate of a respective weigh hopper for receiving product discharged therefrom through the outer discharge gate, and a chute mechanism for directing product discharged through the inner gate of a respective weigh hopper to the collection chute and for direction product discharged from the auxiliary hopper to the collection chute.

Abstract: A weighing and packing device including a weighing section for successively weighing out quantities of product each having a predetermined weight and a packing section for successively packing the quantities of product delivered from the weighing section. The device further includes a metal detector for detecting a metallic substance included in each quantity of product and means for enabling removal of defective packages containing metallic substances from the normal conveying line.

Abstract: A combination weighing machine, which is used typically for packing a plurality of articles in each bag or the like so as to render the total weight of each bag to satisfy a predetermined weight condition, including a plurality of weighing units for weighing the articles each at the same time, arithmetic means for selecting some of these units the total weight of which satisfies the predetermined weight condition, means for unloading the selected weighing units for delivery of the articles for packing and then loading them with new articles, and, especially, means for adding a small quantity of articles to this system and resuming combination selecting operation when no desired combination has been obtained with the original weighing units.

Abstract: A combination weighing machine, which is used typically for packing a plurality of articles in each bag or the like so as to render the total weight of each bag to satisfy a predetermined weight condition, including a plurality of weighing units for weighing the articles each at the same time, arithmetic means for selecting some of these units the total weight of which satisfies the predetermined weight condition, and means for unloading the selected weighing units for delivery of the articles for packing and then loading them with new articles; each adjoining pair of weighing units being provided with a common auxiliary hopper for receiving weighed articles from either unit of the pair and keeping them for participating in the combination selecting operation together with those articles on the weighing units, thereby improving weighing accuracy without increasing the number of expensive weighing units.

Abstract: A dispersion feeder for distributively feeding product to a plurality of weighing units arranged circularly about a common axis, comprising a plurality of conveyer troughs arranged radially about the axis for communicating by their outer ends respectively with the weighing units, and a plurality of vibrating units attached respectively to the conveyer troughs for subjecting each conveyer trough to independent vibration. Each conveyer trough is provided with a projection inclined upwardly and radially inwardly toward the common axis. These projections are arranged radially about the axis without mutual contact to form a conical or domed substantially continuous central dispersion surface, and each projection and its corresponding conveyor trough is adapted to be subjected to independent vibration to feed product supplied directly onto the dispersion surface to the corresponding conveyer trough.

Abstract: An automatic combination weighing machine, having a plurality of weighing units, weighing batches of product or articles by the respective units at the same time and selecting some of the batches exhibiting the total weight meeting a predetermined condition, is provided, wherein each weighing unit is provided with automatic loading and unloading devices and the weighing units are arranged side by side in a line so that the respective loading and unloading paths are parallel to each other, in contrast to the prior machine wherein the weighing units are arranged circularly. This linear type of machine occupies less area than the circular type and can be cleaned easily, and it is more convenient for use in conjunction with soft small product for food, such as meat cutlets and vegetables.

Abstract: A continuous processing system for loading trays containing materials to be processed on carriages carried by a conveyor for processing said materials, the carriages have a removable cover or lid with at least one side open and the tray feeding device is synchronized with intermittent motion of the carriage conveyer and aligns the tray or stacks of trays with each carriage and automatically opens and closes the cover or lid of each carriage during the period of intermittent motion to permit insertion of a tray or stack or trays.