Combinatorial Scales Patents (Class 177/25.18)
  • Patent number: 12103189
    Abstract: The article discharge system includes plural grippers, weight acquisition units, and a control unit. The grippers grip the articles. The weight acquisition units acquire weight values of the articles that each of the plural grippers grips. The control unit causes the plural grippers to grip the some articles from the article group disposed in the placement unit and, based on the result of a combination calculation using the weight values of the articles that each of the plural grippers grips, causes a predetermined combination of the grippers to release and discharge the articles. During the period after the control unit has caused the grippers to release the articles and before the control unit next causes the grippers to grip the articles, the control unit implements a zero correction process on the weight acquisition units corresponding to the grippers that were caused to release the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kousuke Watanabe, Masaaki Hojo
  • Patent number: 12038318
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism (1) includes: a trough (10) that conveys an article; a support member (20) to which the trough is detachably coupled, the support member including a vibrator that vibrates the trough; and a coupling member (30) that couples the trough and the support member. The trough includes a first abutting member (11) that is located on a back side of a conveyance face for conveyance of the article and abuts on the support member. The support member includes a second abutting member (21) that is plate-shaped and has a second circumferential edge (22) vertically identical to a first circumferential edge (12) that is a circumferential edge of the first abutting member. The coupling member couples the trough and the support member by fastening the first abutting member and the second abutting member with the first circumferential edge and the second circumferential edge in superposition. The second abutting member (21) is provided with a through hole (23) passing through the second abutting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideshi Miyamoto, Mikio Kishikawa, Shinya Enami
  • Patent number: 12018967
    Abstract: A device for dispensing and dosing materials includes a plurality of containers connected to a plurality of pumps, and a dispensing apparatus that includes a rotary table and a drive assembly for actuating each pump. A pump mechanism includes a pump screw housed in a first pump chamber having an upward facing inlet and in a second pump chamber having an outlet hole facing downwards. The actuator includes a first driver and a second driver releasably connected to heads of the pump mechanism having a first delivery capacity and a second delivery capacity, respectively, of each pump. A movable hollow cylinder having port opens and closes the outlet hole. The port is connected to a second pump chamber based on adjustment of the rotary table of the dispensing apparatus with respect to each pump and a compressed state of an elastic spring after positioning the dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Hero Europe S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alessandro Sacchet
  • Patent number: 11913824
    Abstract: A combination weighing device is provided that discharges, from a hopper, an article oversupplied into and received by the hopper and that collects the article using the collection container. The combination weighing device includes an oversupplied article retainer disposed at a position on a discharge path for the article to be discharged from the hopper and collected by the collection container. The oversupplied article retainer has a collection chute and a blocking shutters and temporarily retains the article guided to flow downward using the collection chute and the blocking shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Suemichi, Naho Uno
  • Patent number: 11912449
    Abstract: To provide an article gripping system that reduces the installation area of the apparatus and further shortens the amount of time from when it grips to when it feeds articles. An article gripping system (110) switches between a first positional relationship in which a container (50) obstructs discharge of articles gripped by a first gripping unit (15A) but does not obstruct discharge of articles by a second gripping unit (15B) and a second positional relationship in which the container (50) obstructs discharge of articles gripped by the second gripping unit (15B) but does not obstruct discharge of articles gripped by the first gripping unit (15A), so the gripping units do not move while they are holding the articles, and the articles can be prevented from falling out of the gripping units (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okano, Shuichi Maeda, Yuki Furukawa, Masaaki Hojo, Akihito Suzuki, Kousuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11828643
    Abstract: The present invention deals with a filling device (1) and a weighing device, wherein at least one 3D sensor (2) is provided to capture at least a partial area of the transport surface, virtually dividing the detected area into a plurality of sectors (3) and zones (4). The at least one sensor (2) is adapted to determine a distance to the measuring point as well as a respective angle of incidence at which the measuring point of the detected surface is measured, The filling device (1) is adapted to make a division into sectors (3) and zones (4) dynamically as a function of at least one influencing variable (E) to derive relevant information for the regulation of the control parameters therefrom in order to achieve a controlled product distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: MULTIPOND Wägetechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Hien, Florian Hübel, Lars Schulna, Robert Wagner, Wolfram C. Zeck
  • Patent number: 11613435
    Abstract: An article supplying apparatus includes a retention unit configured to retain an article, a robot hand configured to insert the article retained in the retention unit into a container, and a control unit configured to control operation of the robot hand. The robot hand has a holding portion for holding the article. The control unit executes holding control in which the article is held by the holding portion; and stand-by insertion control in which after the holding portion is temporarily disposed at a stand-by position different from a position immediately above an article insertion port in the container and set on a movement path from a start position of the holding through the holding control to the position immediately thereabove, the holding portion is moved to the position immediately thereabove, and the article is inserted into the container via the article insertion port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Yamamoto, Seisaku Iwasa
  • Patent number: 11460338
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a combination weighing apparatus that reduces power consumption during opening and closing operations of a hopper gate. [Solution] In a combination weighing apparatus 1, a control unit 70 controls a stepping motor 60 via a control signal that is input to the stepping motor 60. The control signal that is input to the stepping motor 60 is a voltage value corresponding to a desired current value. The control unit changes the control signal to the stepping motor 60 in conjunction with a change in the settings of the opening and closing speed of the gate 20. As a result, it becomes possible to supply power needed for the operation of the gate 20, and power can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Yaoi
  • Patent number: 11402255
    Abstract: A weighing apparatus includes a rough-charge weigher and a combination weigher. A plurality of weighing hoppers of the combination weigher are, when seen in a plan view, arranged in a manner to form a line that constitutes a part of a virtual circle. The plurality of weighing hoppers include a one-end weighing hopper disposed at one end of the line, an other-end weighing hopper disposed at the other end of the line, and a plurality of middle weighing hoppers arranged on the line between the one-end weighing hopper and the other-end weighing hopper. The rough-charge weigher is, when seen from the one-end weighing hopper and the other-end weighing hopper, disposed at an opposite side to the middle weighing hoppers, and at least a part of the rough-charge weigher is disposed inside the virtual circle or on the virtual circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Shozo Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 11338990
    Abstract: By swinging a collating chute supplied with items, the items are held in a plurality of holding cells formed in a holding array. After all of the holding cells are filled with the items, a diving funnel array is moved downward to a position so as to contact the upper surface of a container. Then, discharge gates of the holding array are opened to discharge the items from the holding cells into a plurality of pockets formed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Yamato Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph Kieselhorst
  • Patent number: 11340107
    Abstract: A multihead weigher with a collector for feeding, weighing and collecting solid food products with a sticky coating. The multihead weigher has a number of receptacles for weighing the solid food products and discharging the solid food product to the collector. Each receptacle having a scraper for scraping the surface of the receptacle when the solid food product is being discharged from the receptacle into the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CABINPLANT INTERNATIONAL A/S
    Inventor: Henning Ingemann Hansen
  • Patent number: 11248948
    Abstract: When a combination calculator has selected both a first weighing hopper and a second weighing hopper corresponding to one feeding hopper, a controller drives a feeder so as to increase an amount of objects to be weighed that are held in the one feeding hopper, and then causes the one feeding hopper to discharge the objects to be weighed in both a first direction and a second direction concurrently to distribute the objects to be weighed to the first weighing hopper and the second weighing hopper that have been emptied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Shozo Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 11015971
    Abstract: A combination weighing device 1 includes: a plurality of weighing hoppers 6 which receive articles supplied from an outside, weigh the articles, and discharge the articles; a plurality of booster hoppers 7 which are respectively disposed right below the plurality of weighing hoppers 6 and receive the articles discharged from the weighing hoppers 6; and a control unit 20 which calculates a combination of weighed values so that a total value becomes a target value from a plurality of weighed values respectively correlated with the weighing hoppers 6 and the booster hoppers 7, in which the control unit 20 extracts the weighing hopper 6, corresponding to the booster hopper 7 having the article existing therein and capable of using the weighed value of the article in next combination calculation, as a zero-correction target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Kamigaito
  • Patent number: 10962403
    Abstract: A weighing device includes a conveyance unit which conveys an article, a hopper which receives the article conveyed by the conveyance unit, temporarily holds the article, and then discharges the article downstream, a detection unit which detects the article between a conveyance end of the conveyance unit and the hopper, and a control unit which controls driving of the conveyance unit. When the detection unit does not detect the article at a start of driving of the conveyance unit, the control unit drives the conveyance unit for a first period. When the detection unit detects the article at a start of driving of the conveyance unit, the control unit drives the conveyance unit for a second period longer than the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroe Konishi
  • Patent number: 10899556
    Abstract: A slaughtered animal meat handling device and a method for transporting meat products from a receiving area to a discharge area device are provided. The device includes at least one supply conveyor, a suction transporter and at least one return conveyor. Meat products that are not engaged by the suction transporter are transported away from the transfer area towards the receiving area by the return conveyor. The meat products are reintroduced onto the supply conveyor away for the transfer area, for again being transported towards the transfer area. The supply conveyor and the return conveyor provide a circulation of meat products. By reintroducing the meat products onto the supply conveyor away from the transfer area, the chance of getting the meat products correctly positioned on the supply conveyor with respect to a suction opening of the suction transporter is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MAREL POULTRY B.V.
    Inventors: Magnus Blondahl Kjartansson, Elias Halldor Bjarnason
  • Patent number: 10858127
    Abstract: In a combination weighing apparatus, a control unit executes combination weighing processing with a second value used as a target weighing value after controlling all of the hoppers so as to discharge the article while leaving the article in the conveying unit when the second value is less than a first value in a case where the target weighing value is changed from the first value to the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Kageyama, Hideshi Miyamoto, Michihiko Yonetsu
  • Patent number: 10837821
    Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus including a plurality of units arranged to form a circumference in a horizontal direction, wherein the plurality of units include weighing hoppers, each of which holds, weighs and discharges the object. The combination weighing apparatus comprises at least one small unit and at least one large unit, and: each of the weighing hoppers is a single-chamber weighing hopper or a double-chamber weighing hopper, the small unit includes the single-chamber weighing hopper and does not include the double-chamber weighing hopper, and the large unit includes the double-chamber weighing hopper and does not include the single-chamber weighing hopper; and/or some of the plurality of units include memory hoppers each of which is disposed below the weighing hopper, holds the objects discharged from the weighing hopper and discharges the objects, the small unit does not include the memory hopper, and the large unit includes the memory hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: YAMATO SCALE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shozo Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 10790685
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes first and second sensors, first and second processors, a multiplexer, and an A/D converter. The first and second sensors are configured to detect an identical physical quantity, and respectively output analog signals according to the physical quantity. The first processor performs an offset process on an analog signal from the first sensor using a first offset value to output a first analog signal. The second processor performs an offset process on an analog signal from the second sensor using a second offset value, which is different from the first offset value, to output a second analog signal. The A/D converter converts the first analog signal to output a first digital signal when the multiplexer outputs the first analog signal, and converts the second analog signal to output a second digital signal when the multiplexer outputs the second analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Chizuwa, Naoyuki Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 10699511
    Abstract: Systems and methods that perform automated selection and delivery of a fastener. The system or apparatus may include a fastener inventory portion that retains a plurality of fasteners; a user delivery portion; a transfer assembly that affords physical transport of a fastener selection from the fastener inventory portion to the user delivery portion; a fastener attribute assembly that inputs desired fastener attribute data (DFA data) regarding a desired fastener; a computer system that interfaces with the fastener attribute assembly to input the DFA data; maps the DFA data to at least one fastener candidate; determines a fastener selection amongst the at least one fastener candidate; determines a number of discrete units of the desired fastener that comprise the fastener selection; and controls the transfer assembly to retrieve the fastener selection from the fastener inventory portion and physically transport the fastener selection to the user delivery portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: INDIE LLC
    Inventor: Adam Rossi
  • Patent number: 10669053
    Abstract: A weighing and packaging system includes a combination weighing apparatus including a plurality of weighing units that accumulates and weighs supplied articles, a combination calculator that performs combination calculation using weighing values weighed by the weighing units and selects a combination of corresponding articles, and a collecting chute that collects and discharges the articles pertaining to the combination and a packaging apparatus including a former that receives the articles discharged from the combination weighing apparatus disposed on an upper side and forms a belt-shaped package into a cylindrical shape such that the articles fill an inside thereof, a seal portion disposed below the former to seal the cylindrical package, thereby forming a bag, and a discharge portion that discharge the bag formed by the seal portion, wherein a first opening that opens to a lateral side of a discharge direction of the bag and exposes the collecting chute and the former on the lateral side is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Kishikawa, Yoshiki Horitani, Naomi Imaaki
  • Patent number: 10564028
    Abstract: A combination weigher includes: a dispersion unit adapted to radially disperse food products dropped in from above and onto the dispersion unit; a plurality of V-shaped like guide structures extending radially away from a center of the dispersion unit and arranged such that a narrower end of the V-shaped like guide structures face a center point of the dispersion unit; a plurality of hoppers associated to each of the trenches arranged below the outfeed ends of the trenches; and a control unit; and screw feeders arranged in each of the trenches operated by the control unit. The space between adjacent V-shaped like guide structures at a distance R1 defines a buffer zone for radially dispersed food products from the dispersion unit. The screw feeders in the adjacent trenches have opposite orientation and rotate in opposite directions such that upper part of the screw feeders are rotating away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: MAREL A/S
    Inventors: Anne Broager, Michael Tjornelund, Ole Kaastrup
  • Patent number: 10520350
    Abstract: A method of generating batches of food items, includes transferring food items to a weight determination means where the weight of the food items are obtained for single food items and/or food items in groups, and generating a plurality of batches based on the obtained weight of the single food items and/or food items in groups. The step of generating batches is controlled such that the weight of batches is within a pre-defined weight range, and such that the distribution of the batches within the weight range is pre-defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MAREL A/S
    Inventor: Henning Skrædderdal
  • Patent number: 10422687
    Abstract: A method of delivering a set of nonuniform cannabis inflorescences (“buds”) that fit within a target weight range. The method includes iteratively weighing a bud and automatically placing the weighed bud into one holding bin, out of a set of holding bins and automatically determining if the weight of any combination of the contents of the set of holding bins fits within the target weight range. When a combination of the contents of the holding bins fits within the target weight range, combining these holding bin contents together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: GREEN VAULT SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Arnar Kristjan Olgeirsson, Robert Dennis Smith, Birgir Johannesson
  • Patent number: 10156471
    Abstract: A combination scale is provided that includes a combinatorial computation unit and two operation modes; a normal operation mode, and a corrective operation mode in which correction values are decided. The correction values are for use in correcting errors of measured weight values calculated from weight signals of weight sensors. In the normal operation mode, the combinatorial computation unit corrects the measured weight values using the correction values decided in the corrective operation mode. Then, the combinatorial computation unit executes combinatorial computations based on the corrected measured weight values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: YAMATO SCALE Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nagai, Masafumi Takimoto
  • Patent number: 10151622
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a combination weighing device in which supply of articles at an article conveyance part is controlled with good precision. A combination weighing device (100) is provided with article conveyance parts (10, 20) having loading parts (11, 21) of articles and driving parts (12, 22) for driving the loading parts, the article conveyance parts (10, 20) driving the driving parts and thereby causing the articles to be conveyed to hoppers (30) arranged downstream in a conveyance direction, a sensing part (60) for sensing, in non-contact manner, a state of the articles on the loading parts, and a supply control part (82c) for controlling supply of the articles by controlling driving of the article conveyance parts based on a sensing result of the sensing part. The sensing part sense, for a plurality of regions along the conveyance direction, the state of the articles for each of the regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Hirose, Toshiharu Kageyama, Takuyu Kubo, Yoshito Inazumi, Shinya Ikeda, Satoshi Konishi
  • Patent number: 10132675
    Abstract: Provided is a combination weighing device whereby a physical quantity for assessing the quantity of articles loaded on a conveyance path for conveying articles to a weighing part can be accurately sensed in non-contact manner in order to appropriately control the supplying of articles to the weighing part, without the sensing being affected by a structure above the combination weighing device and/or side walls provided to sides of the conveyance path. A combination weighing device (10) is provided with cameras (60) and a plurality of radial feeders (30) for conveying articles to weighing hoppers (50). The radial feeders (30) have side walls (31a) for surrounding sides of an article conveyance path. The side walls (31a) extend upward and along a conveyance direction of the articles. The cameras (60) sense, in non-contact manner, a physical quantity for assessing a quantity of articles loaded on the radial feeders (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Kageyama, Yoshito Inazumi, Yuji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10005622
    Abstract: A hopper insert is provided for an asphalt paving machine. The hopper insert has an outlet which has first and second lateral outlet opening edges which converge toward each other from front to rear along at least a majority of the outlet length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Wirtgen America, Inc.
    Inventor: Laikram Narsingh
  • Patent number: 9906960
    Abstract: A method for gaining access beyond a restricted access gateway includes an access key sequence stored on memory of a device. The access key sequence includes a sequence of key entries and key touch movements. An entered request sequence including keys activated by touch on a keyboard of the device and directions of touch movements made on the keyboard is recorded. With an access controller, it is determined whether the recorded entered request sequence matches the access key sequence. Access beyond the restricted access gateway is granted to functions when the recorded entered request sequence matches the access key sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keith A. Jenkins, Barry P. Linder
  • Patent number: 9752922
    Abstract: A scale and associated method automatically identify when a food product pricing scale is in an offline condition and changes a color condition on the scale display to alert scale operators of the offline condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Carla A. Monnier, Mark Edward Eberhardt, Jr., David Scott Miller, James Carl Meyer
  • Patent number: 9533775
    Abstract: A high speed particle packaging machine comprises a weighing station, operable to weigh a cluster of particles. A densification station is positioned downstream of the weighing station and is operable to collect a cluster of particles recently released from the weighing station to densify the cluster of particles. The densification station includes an openable gate operable to instantaneously release the cluster of particles collected at the densification station. A bagging station is positioned downstream of the densification station and is operable to receive the densified cluster of particles after being released by the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MATRIX PACKAGING MACHINERY LLC
    Inventors: C. Marcel Willden, Michael Paul Krummey
  • Patent number: 9523602
    Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus comprises a distributing table having a conical vibrating surface, a cap disposed above an apex portion of the distributing table, a plurality of supply troughs arranged radially around the distributing table with a downward gap S interposed therebetween, and a rotary stirrer for stirring articles supplied from the distributing table to the plurality of supply troughs. The rotary stirrer includes a stirring arm extending from the apex portion of the distributing table along the vibrating surface and a leading end stirring plate disposed on the leading end side of the stirring arm. The leading end stirring plate is arranged in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Otoshi, Hideshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9464931
    Abstract: A combination weigher comprises hoppers divided into a first group and a second group; an inner funnel which collects objects discharged inward from the hoppers and discharges the objects through an opening; a first outer funnel which is placed along a first side of the inner funnel, and collects objects discharged outward from the hoppers in the first group; a second outer funnel which is placed along a second side of the inner funnel, and collects objects discharged outward from the hoppers in the second group; and a partition plate which separates an inner region of the inner funnel into a first region corresponding to the hoppers in the first group and a second region corresponding to the hoppers in the second group, and separates the opening into a discharge outlet corresponding to the first side and a discharge outlet corresponding to the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: YAMATO SCALE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Kikuchi, Kazuo Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 9459134
    Abstract: A combination weigher according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of weighing conveyors which are manually fed with objects and conveys the objects fed manually; a plurality of weight sensors to correspond to the weighing conveyors to measure weights of the objects; a control section which finds a discharge combination including a combination of the weighing conveyors holding the objects in which a total weight thereof falls within a target weight range, and activates the weighing conveyors selected to make up the discharge combination to convey the objects on the weighing conveyors in a first direction and discharge the objects from the weighing conveyors; and a collecting conveyor which is fed with the objects discharged from the one ends of the weighing conveyors, conveys the objects in a direction, and discharges the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: YAMATO SCALE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaaki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9421578
    Abstract: A separation device according to the invention has a separation means, for separating one part of a product stream, and at least one separation groove for transporting the separated product stream. Further, a reservoir is provided, wherein the separation groove is arranged in a way, that the separate product stream is transferrable into the reservoir. The reservoir is thereby formed in a way that the product stream can be transported, which is supplied from the separation groove into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: MULTIPOND WÄGETECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Günther Sickinger, Andreas Peters
  • Patent number: 9417115
    Abstract: A combination weighing device includes a dispersing table, a plurality of radial feeders, a plurality of cameras, an image processing unit, and a touch panel. The dispersing table receives a supply of a large number of articles and disperses the articles. The radial feeders are arranged to extend radially from the dispersing table, receive the articles dispersed by the dispersing table, and convey the articles in a direction away from the dispersing table. The cameras are disposed at a position other than a space directly above the dispersing unit and capture images of the dispersing table and the radial feeders. The image processing unit generates a projection plan view image of the dispersing table and the radial feeders by synthesizing the images captured by the cameras. The touch panel outputs the plan view image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Tamai, Hideshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9183106
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed in which the buses and physical characteristics of a server computer are monitored through server management software. A data structure for a monitored characteristic or group of characteristics is created and stored in a repository of data structures for other monitored devices and attributes within the server computer. As events, such as failure and pre-failure events, occur on one or more of the monitored attributes, the event is recorded in an event log. Using the server management software, monitoring commands can be issued by the baseboard management controller to each monitored bus to check the status of the attribute or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Anil V. Rao, Chandrasekhar Mugunda
  • Patent number: 9135142
    Abstract: A performance projection system includes a test IHS and a currently existing IHS. The performance projection system includes surrogate programs and user application software. The test IHS employs a memory that includes a virtual future IHS, currently existing IHS, surrogate programs, and user application software for determination of runtime and HW counter performance data. The user application software and surrogate programs execute on the currently existing MS to provide designers with runtime data and HW counter or microarchitecture dependent data. Designers execute surrogate programs on the future IHS to provide runtime and HW counter data. Designers normalize and weight the runtime and HW counter data to provide a representative surrogate program for comparison to user application software performance on the future IHS. Using a scaling factor, designers may generate a projection of runtime performance for the user application software executing on the future IHS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Bell, Jr., Luigi Brochard, Donald Robert DeSota, Venkat R. Indukuru, Rajendra D. Panda, Sameh S. Sharkawi
  • Patent number: 9079721
    Abstract: A combination weigher comprises a collecting conveyor which conveys objects and discharges the objects; a plurality of weighing conveyors configured to convey the objects fed thereto and discharge the objects, to feed the objects to the collecting conveyor apparatus; a plurality of weight sensors for measuring weights of the objects held on the weighing conveyors; and a control section which finds a discharge combination including a combination of the weighing conveyors holding the objects in which a total weight thereof falls within a target weight range, based on the measured weight values of the weight sensors and activates the weighing conveyors selected to make up the discharge combination to convey the objects on the weighing conveyors and discharge the objects, wherein a conveying speed of the collecting conveyor apparatus is set higher than a conveying speed of the weighing conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: YAMATO SCALE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shozo Kawanishi, Takeyoshi Nagao, Takaaki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9033129
    Abstract: A weighing machine (10) that may be scales employed in the packaging industry to deliver batches of product to a packaging machine below the weighing machine (10). The weighing machine (10) has a plurality of troughs (19) along which the product passes and that extend downwardly away from a generally central upright longitudinal axis (11). Each trough (19) extends downwardly from an inlet portion (21) to an outlet portion (22), with the outlet portion (22) spaced radially and angularly from the inlet portion (21) relative to the axis (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TNA Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Alfred Alexander Taylor, Darren Ken Alchin
  • Publication number: 20150129323
    Abstract: A combination weighing device facilitates the performance of operation using optimal operational settings. The combination weighing device includes a dispersion feeder, a plurality of radial feeders and a plurality of weighing hoppers. The dispersion feeder is disposed in an upper portion, and conveys and disperses supplied articles. The radial feeders are arranged radially on the periphery of the dispersion feeder, and convey the articles that are discharged from the dispersion feeder. The weighing hoppers receive the articles discharged from the radial feeders. The combination weighing device performs a combination weighing based on the weight of the articles in the weighing hoppers. In the combination weighing device, the operational settings are performed automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: ISHIDA CO., Ltd
    Inventors: Yutaka Tamai, Toru Hiratsuka, Mikio Kishikawa, Toshikazu Shotsu, Hideshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9010073
    Abstract: The main objective of this invention is a Mobile plant for dosing, mixing and packaging of powdery products, characterized because it is comprised of a carrying structure and several areas for: reception and weighing, loading, mixing, sack filling, sewing and labelling, metal detection, palletizing and cleaning. This invention is included within the industrial plants technical sector of manufacturing and mixing of powdery products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Inversiones HIK16, S.L.
    Inventors: Henrik Stamm Kristensen, M. Maravillas Martinez Lopez
  • Patent number: 8985388
    Abstract: Present invention discloses a dispenser having means to dispense desired number of pills from a bulk supply of pills contained in the dispenser. The dispenser comprises of storage compartment having bulk supply of pills and having a discharge port emptying into counting compartment. The counting compartment contains first and second conveyors moving at first and second speed; wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed thereby enabling pill separation; the second conveyor discharges pills into dispensing compartment. Sensors are strategically placed along the conveyors to count pills discharged into dispensing compartment. A pill recovery system and apparatus is disposed inside the dispenser having means to recover pills remaining on first and second conveyors upon completion of a dispensation cycle and there after deposit recovered pills back into the storage compartment for use in future dispensation cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Nitesh Ratnakar
  • Publication number: 20150021103
    Abstract: A combination weighing device includes a dispersing table, a plurality of radial feeders, a plurality of cameras, an image processing unit, and a touch panel. The dispersing table receives a supply of a large number of articles and disperses the articles. The radial feeders are arranged to extend radially from the dispersing table, receive the articles dispersed by the dispersing table, and convey the articles in a direction away from the dispersing table. The cameras are disposed at a position other than a space directly above the dispersing unit and capture images of the dispersing table and the radial feeders. The image processing unit generates a projection plan view image of the dispersing table and the radial feeders by synthesizing the images captured by the cameras. The touch panel outputs the plan view image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Yutaka Tamai, Hideshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8866028
    Abstract: A combination weighing device and an operating method thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Guangdong Highdream Intellectualized Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinkang Zheng
  • Patent number: 8851269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of conveying and selectively discharging food products by providing a feeding system. The feeding system (14) comprises an inlet end (20), an outlet end (22), a receptacle (24) below the outlet end, a determination unit at the outlet end (22) and a feeder (18) for conveying the food products from the inlet end to the outlet end. When no food product is present at the outlet or in the receptacle (24), the food products are conveyed at a first average velocity. When a food product is present at the outlet end (22) and no food product is present in the receptacle (24), the food products are conveyed at a second average velocity. The second average velocity is lower than the first average velocity. When the food product is leaving the outlet end or is received within the receptacle (24), the feeder (18) is stopped until the individual food product has left the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cabinplant International A/S
    Inventor: Henning I. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140262553
    Abstract: A surgical sponge and fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system (100) includes a support ring (104) for securely supporting a container (101) with at least one port opening (206) for placing sponges (204) into the container through the at least one port opening. The support ring includes RFID communication circuitries (305, 307) that interrogate an RFID device (205) in the sponge (204) and an RFID device in the container. The support ring is mechanically linked to a load cell (706, 1329) in the system. The processor (1302) reliably detects when a sponge is placed into the container through the at least one port opening, identifies the type of sponge placed into the container, counts the number of sponges in the container, sorts the types of sponges, and calculates fluid loss for a patient in a surgical procedure. A user interface (1308, 114) keeps the medical professionals informed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SURGITRAC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard A. POLLOCK, Mahmood S. KASSAM
  • Publication number: 20140238754
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a quantifying packaging balance for weighing according to the number of the goods, characterized in that the balance includes a storage funnel, unit particle weight obtaining unit and a quantifying packaging unit, wherein the unit particle weight obtaining unit comprises a sampling device (2), a feeding device (3), multiple line vibrator (4), a storage channel (7), a camera (5), a camera control device, a light source (6) and an input device, wherein the quantifying packaging unit is a one-head quantifying packaging balance or a multiple-head quantifying packaging balance, and comprises a dividing channel (9), a feeding device (10), quantifying funnels (8, 11) and a weight control device, wherein the unit particle weight obtaining unit and all the components of the quantifying packaging unit are coordinated by PLC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SHANGHAI YAMATO SCALE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Youjun Liao, Aoxing Ge, Yingxin Cui, Bin Zong
  • Patent number: 8729410
    Abstract: A weighing arrangement includes an infeed for product material to be weighed and at least one dosing mechanism for controlled conveying of product material portions from the infeed to a weighing system. The dosing mechanism includes a motor-driven transport screw positioned in an open trough for conveying the product material from the infeed to the weighing system, and a control unit for controlling the motor in order to deliver a desired portion of product material to the weighing system. This weighing arrangement provides a gentle, well-defined conveyance of product materials that are not suited for vibrational conveyance or conveyance by a screw conveyor in a tubular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cabinplant International A/S
    Inventor: Henning Ingemann Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140027186
    Abstract: A combination weigher according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of weighing conveyors which are manually fed with objects and conveys the objects fed manually; a plurality of weight sensors to correspond to the weighing conveyors to measure weights of the objects; a control section which finds a discharge combination including a combination of the weighing conveyors holding the objects in which a total weight thereof falls within a target weight range, and activates the weighing conveyors selected to make up the discharge combination to convey the objects on the weighing conveyors in a first direction and discharge the objects from the weighing conveyors; and a collecting conveyor which is fed with the objects discharged from the one ends of the weighing conveyors, conveys the objects in a direction, and discharges the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: YAMOTO SCALE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaaki Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20140027187
    Abstract: A combination weigher includes a collecting conveyor, a plurality of weighing conveyors, a control section which finds one combination of the weighing conveyors in which a total weight of the objects falls within a target weight range, and a manipulation setting display device which pre-inputs a desired value of a conveying length of the objects, and the control section finds start timings of conveying operation of the weighing conveyors selected to make up the discharge combination such that the conveying length of the objects becomes the desired value pre-input by the input unit and the objects discharged from the weighing conveyors selected to make up the discharge combination are at different positions on the collecting conveyor, and causes the weighing conveyors to start the conveying operation at the found timings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: YAMATO SCALE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taichi Kosaka