Abstract: A viscous material processing system comprises a feed system controller having a set of instructions to store an input set point weight or amount; sense a progressing weight or amount of material fed by the feed system; compare the progressing weight with the set point weight or amount and terminate feed from the system when the compared progressing weight is substantially equal to the set point weight or amount; and a vicious material compounding system connected to the feed system to receive material fed by the feed system.

Abstract: A viscous material processing system comprises a feed system controller having a set of instructions to store an input set point weight or amount; sense a progressing weight or amount of material fed by the feed system; compare the progressing weight with the set point weight or amount and terminate feed from the system when the compared progressing weight is substantially equal to the set point weight or amount; and a viscous material compounding system connected to the feed system to receive material fed by the feed system.

Abstract: 22A temperature and/or pressure compensated microbalance is disclosed. Temperature compensation is achieved by applying heat to at least a part of the microbalance, measuring a temperature-dependent variable, and controlling the amount of heat applied to the microbalance to keep the temperature-dependent variable substantially constant. In one embodiment, the heat is applied to the microbalance by passing electrical current through a resistive element provided on or embedded in the oscillating element of the microbalance. Pressure compensation is achieved by taking into account the variation in the mass or density of fluid passing through the microbalance. Various materials and methods of construction are also disclosed, including micro-machining and electroforming.

Abstract: A continuous stream of tobacco leaves is equalized on the endless belt of a weighing device which receives an unequalized stream from a carded conveyor forming part of a tobacco feeding device. The belt is pivotable with an arm of the weighing device in response to changes in the weight of successive increments of tobacco thereon. Such changes in weight are ascertained by a potentiometer and signals denoting the weight are transmitted to a function generator by way of an adding circuit as well as to a multiplying circuit which further receives signals denoting the speed of successive increments on the belt. Signals which are transmitted by the multiplying circuit are used to regulate the speed of the belt so that the product of signals denoting the weight and of corresponding signals denoting the speed of successive increments of tobacco on the belt remains constant.