Abstract: A method is provided for feeding small items, for example pills, that does not require tooling changes or position adjustment regardless of the size or shape of the pills. A first hopper supplies small items to a second hopper that separates the small items. The method incorporates sensors to detect the presence, size and travel time of the pills in the separating bowl hopper. The method uses the sensed values for setting vibration amplitude and the duration of an air flow to discharge pills from the apparatus.

Abstract: In a combination weighing device, weight measurement devices are respectively connected to pool hoppers and weighing hoppers. When the results of a combination calculation indicate that a combination is not complete, a control unit determines whether or not a total value of a weight value from predetermined weighing hoppers and a weight value from pool hoppers that supply articles to the weight hoppers exceeds a predetermined value. Thus, an over-scale state in the weighing hoppers can be avoided by supplying additional articles stored in the pool hoppers to the weighing hoppers. The present invention—provides a combination weighing device that is capable of improving operational efficiency.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for measuring the flow rate of spoil from a drilling brought to the surface by means of a drilling fluid. The device comprises means of collecting the spoil and means of continuously measuring the weight of spoil collected. The means of collecting the spoil comprise a receptacle in the shape of bucket articulated about a spindle and means of tilting the receptacle in such a way that the bucket is emptied. The measurement means comprise a measuring cell connected to the tilting means in order to measure a stress proportional to the weight of the spoil collected. The invention also relates to a method for the application of a measurement of the spoil flow rate from a drilling.

Abstract: A product feeding device suitable for use with a combination weighing machine having a plurality of weighing hopper. The device comprises a central vibrating dispersion table for dispersing product fed to the center of the table outwardly toward the periphery of the table, and a plurality of retaining hoppers corresponding to the weighing hoppers disposed at the periphery of the table for receiving product directly from the table. Each retaining hopper is equipped with a suitable mechanism for discharging products therefrom.

Abstract: An automatic combinatorial weighing apparatus includes a double collection chute assembly disposed in delivery paths for passage of articles to be weighed. The double collection chute assembly includes an inner collection chute having an outlet and a pair of outer collection chutes having respective outlets, the outlets being connected to timing hoppers, respectively. Articles flow down the inner and outer collection chutes at as equal speeds and in as equal times as possible, the speeds being increased as much as possible, due to valleys created by flat plates which form the chutes. To prevent an increase in noise produced by hitting engagement of the articles with the chutes as the articles flow down the chutes at high speeds, a vibration damper having a vibration-restriction damping capability is disposed in an area of the delivery paths for damping the vibration to suppress the noise.