Abstract: A system is provided for dispensing a cosmetic container, comprising: a conveyer belt configured to transport a receiver container along a fill line; a robotic arm disposed at an ingress position of the fill line; a sensor disposed at an egress position of the fill line; circuitry configured to receive an order having a container type; control the robotic arm to obtain a container corresponding to the container type and place it a predetermined position on the conveyor belt at an entrance of the fill line; transit information of a sequence position of the container and the container type to the sensor; verify that the correct container is at the sequence position at the egress of the fill line after the container has been filed with a cosmetic product.

Abstract: A system for continuously monitoring an apron feeder in real-time, the apron feeder having a plurality of units. The system includes a plurality of sensor modules of different types, wherein each sensor module includes at least one sensor configured to measure an individual condition of a unit of the apron feeder, to generate sensor data representing the measured individual condition, and to transmit the generated sensor data. A base station is configured to collect the sensor data from the plurality of sensor modules, and to transmit outbound data, which is based on the collected sensor data. A processing unit receives the outbound data from the base station, analyses the outbound data for determining whether or not any of the unit of the apron feeder needs to be replaced or readjusted based on its individual condition, and generates a result of the determination for continuously indicating an overall state of the apron feeder.

Abstract: A filling machine for filling containers with fruit or vegetables products includes a transportation system for step-by-step conveying the containers to be filled along a horizontal predetermined direction; a primary plain belt conveyor system for products fed parallel to the horizontal direction and adapted to generate a main bulk filling of the containers; a secondary belt conveyor system for single products fed parallel to the horizontal direction and adapted to cooperate simultaneously with the primary belt conveyor system so as to complete the entire final filling of the containers; a motion system applied to both the principal and the secondary belt conveyor systems for a reciprocating motion of the primary and secondary belt conveyor systems in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction; and at least one weighing station for constant weighing the containers during filling.

Abstract: A crop elevator for a combine harvester includes an ascending section and a descending section and a housing enclosing the ascending section and the descending section. The elevator further comprises an elevator loop arranged inside the housing which includes a plurality of paddles for elevating a harvested crop. The elevator also includes a weighing system configured to determine a weight of harvested crop that is present on at least one of the paddles during an ascending movement of the at least one of the paddles in the ascending section. The weighing system includes a weight sensor configured to output a weight signal representative of the weight of the harvested crop. The ascending section of the elevator comprises a measurement section, wherein the weighing system is configured to retrieve the weight signal when the at least one of the paddles is in the measurement section of the elevator.

Abstract: An automated continuous or near-continuous system for sorting and combining varying density payloads comprises a buffer area including a work surface having a plurality of holes for storing a plurality of cups with weighed payloads, a shuttle, and scale system configured for weighing and near continuously or continuously delivering the plurality of cups with the payloads, to the buffer area, at least one robot provided within the buffer area, wherein the at least one robot is configured for picking a cup carrying a payload, from either one of the shuttle and scale system and the work surface, and transporting the payload from the cup into an accumulator. The at least one robot is configured for delivering one or more of the payloads into the accumulator to achieve a predetermined Target Weight Range (TWR).

Abstract: A combined weighing apparatus 1 includes: a dispersion feeder 3 which conveys an article A supplied from the outside; a load cell 3b which detects an amount of the article A loaded on the dispersion feeder 3; and a control unit 14 which sets a force of conveying the article A in the dispersion feeder 3 on the basis of a detection result of the load cell 3b and controls an operation of the dispersion feeder 3 and the control unit 14 sets the conveying force of the dispersion feeder 3 to be smaller than a current conveying force when a state in which a change amount of the loading amount of the article A on the dispersion feeder 3 is smaller than a threshold value is maintained for a predetermined time or more in the detection result of the load cell 3b.

Abstract: A filling device for filling nested containers, which are arranged in at least one row in a nest and are conveyable by means of a conveying device, having a filling station for simultaneously filling the containers of one row, having at least one weighing station for weighing a row of containers, having a first gripping device for simultaneously removing a row of containers to be filled and for transferring said containers to a first weighing station of the at least one weighing station and for transferring the weighed containers from the at least one weighing station back into the nest or into a different nest.

Abstract: A load sensing system having at least one load sensing assembly, each assembly including a flexure plate with an upper region extending along a longitudinal length of the flexure plate, a lower region disposed below the upper region, and at least one flex region disposed between the upper region and the lower region. The lower region defines a mounting feature for an end of a weigh idler and is capable of substantially only lateral movement relative to the upper region. Each assembly further includes a load cell and a bracket having a first end rigidly connected to a force transmission surface of the load cell and having a second end rigidly connected at a plurality of areas to the upper region of the flexure plate to rigidly capture the upper region while suspending the remainder of the flexure plate.

Abstract: A method of filling by weight containers having respective bottoms standing on a conveyor. The method comprises the steps of: grasping each container in order to separate it from the conveyor and to bring it up to a substance dispenser spout; weighing the container while it is held separated from the conveyor under the dispenser spout and while simultaneously filling it in order to reach a desired weight; and putting the container back onto the conveyor. An installation for performing the method.

Abstract: The invention proposes a system for gravimetrically combining individual bulk material components in one or a plurality of transport container(s). The system comprises a plurality of storage containers for storing the bulk material components equipped with one dosing unit each in order to transfer a respective bulk material component into the transport container. Each of the storage containers is associated with a weighing means disposed below each storage container. The transport containers can be moved between the dosing units of the supply containers along a guidance and cooperate with the weighing means.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling portions of products, in particular food products, having a product conveyor which conveys the portions after one another to at least one main conveyor track along a direction of conveying and having at least one sensor for recognizing portions of incorrect weight. A correction track is provided which has a first conveying section and a second conveying section. The first conveying section serves to branch off portions of incorrect weight from the main conveying track and to convey them to a weight correction station. The second conveying section serves to supply weight-corrected portions back to the main conveying track. The first conveying track and the second conveying track are separated from one another in the region of the weight correction station by an interruption of the correction track which prevents a transfer of portions of incorrect weight from the first conveying section to the second conveying section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and a checkweigher for weighing individual products moved along a production line. In various embodiments, the method compromises transferring at least one product from the production line to a checkweigher comprising at least one weighing cell; placing at least one product in a first position on a first support above a corresponding weighing cell; displacing the at least one product by means of said first support and placing said at least one product in a second position on a second support on the weighing cell; weighing the at least one product; displacing the at least one product back to the first position by means of said first support; and transferring the at least one product from the checkweigher back to the production line.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for weighing elongate containers (5) supplied along a conveyor line (4) comprises: weighing means (2); a support member (6) suitable for restingly receiving at least a container (5); a first articulated system (7) and a second articulated system (12); the apparatus (1) being configured such as to impart, by means of the first articulated system (7) and the second articulated system (12), a translating and rotating motion to the support member (6) such as to transfer the containers (5) from a first position (K1), in which the support member (6) is arranged at the conveyor line (4) such as to receive therefrom the containers (5) to be weighed, and a second position (K2) in which the support member (6) engages with the weighing means (2) such as to enable the containers (5) to be weighed in an inclined position, and vice versa.

Abstract: A combination weigher including a dispersion unit adapted to radially disperse product material dropped in from above onto the dispersion unit, plurality of weighing hoppers, plurality of conveyor units arranged around and below a periphery of the dispersion unit. The conveyor units include troughs having infeed ends positioned below the dispersion units and outfeed ends positioned above the weighing hoppers, and spiral shaped members extending from the infeed ends towards the outfeed ends. Spiral shaped members being operable connected to an operation unit for operating a rotational movement of the spiral shaped members conveying the product material from the infeed ends towards the outfeed ends into the weighing hoppers. Conical shaped members are arranged within the spiral shaped members.

Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring a profile of a food product for use in subsequent processing of the food product includes a scanning area and one or more product drives for driving a product through the scanning area in a longitudinal direction. First line lasers project one first transverse laser line transversely to the longitudinal direction on the first surface and two first cameras arranged to capture different, overlapping first transverse image portions of the first transverse laser line. A reference laser projects a beam on the first surface that indicates a transverse reference position, and the two first cameras also capture the reference position. A control system uses the transverse reference position to combine the different first transverse image portions captured by the two first cameras to calculate a first profile of the first surface at multiple positions along a length of the first surface as the product is driven through the scanning area.

Abstract: An electronic belt scale with multiple accumulative quantities comprises: multiple groups of weighing units (12), an accumulator (10) and a speed measuring sensor (11). The weighing unit (12) includes a weighing sensor bracket (5), a cantilever type weighing sensor (4) provided on the weighing sensor bracket (5), a support (2) hinged at the suspending arm side of the weighing sensor (4), and a limiting body (9) connected with the weighing sensor bracket (5) under the weighing sensor (4). A weighing signal wire of the weighing sensor (4) and a speed measuring signal wire of the speed measuring sensor (11) are connected with the accumulator (10). Weighing signals and speed signals are accumulated and combined to one group of main accumulative quantities and at least two groups of auxiliary accumulative quantities by the accumulator (10) so as to display and control the main and the auxiliary accumulative quantities of weight.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and a checkweigher for weighing individual products moved along a production line. In various embodiments, the method compromises transferring at least one product from the production line to a checkweigher comprising at least one weighing cell; placing at least one product in a first position on a first support above a corresponding weighing cell; displacing the at least one product by means of said first support and placing said at least one product in a second position on a second support on the weighing cell; weighing the at least one product; displacing the at least one product back to the first position by means of said first support; and transferring the at least one product from the checkweigher back to the production line.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling portions of products, in particular food products, having a product conveyor which conveys the portions after one another to at least one main conveyor track along a direction of conveying and having at least one sensor for recognizing portions of incorrect weight. A correction track is provided which has a first conveying section and a second conveying section. The first conveying section serves to branch off portions of incorrect weight from the main conveying track and to convey them to a weight correction station. The second conveying section serves to supply weight-corrected portions back to the main conveying track. The first conveying track and the second conveying track are separated from one another in the region of the weight correction station by an interruption of the correction track which prevents a transfer of portions of incorrect weight from the first conveying section to the second conveying section.

Abstract: The station for weighing containers comprises a line for transporting containers to be filled with a predetermined product, a zone for dosing and filling the containers with the product, a first transferring organ for picking up and transferring an individual empty container to a weighing organ, a second transferring organ for picking up and transferring the container to the weighing organ after filling. The transferring organs respectively comprise an oscillating arm which is activated with alternating motion between a pick-up and release position of the container to be weighed in proximity of the transport line and a position of release and pick-up of the container nearby the weighing organ.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling system (1) for containers (2) fed into a filling device by means of a feeder device (3) and removed by means of a removal device (4), wherein at least one measurement device (5) is provided at least for weighing the filled container (2). The invention further relates to a measurement device (5) at least for weighing filled containers (2). In order to achieve that each container (2) can be subjected to fill level monitoring without interrupting the flow of containers, wherein reliable measurement data can be obtained at the same time regardless of foaming or of container tolerances, for example, the invention proposes that the at least one measurement device (5) is formed of a plurality of circulating measurement sensors (6) on which the containers (2) are transported from an inlet side (7) to an outlet side (8) while standing on the base thereof, and are simultaneously weighed, wherein the measurement sensors (6) circulate synchronously with the container flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of forming portions of tobacco, and of removing the same by an conveyor having at least one path of holders for a respective portion, in which the holders are filled with individual portions of the contents at least two filling lines of one or more filling stations, and, prior to the individual filling operations, individual portions of the contents are weighed and weighed portions that satisfy the predetermined conditions—acceptable portions—are filled cyclically into the holders and weighed portions that do not satisfy the predetermined conditions are detected and ejected as defective portions, characterized by components and steps of (a) following detection of a defective portion, that holder which the filling line originally predetermined for filling this holder would have filled with the contents portion, on which the defective portion is based, had the contents portion satisfied the predetermined conditions—defective-portion holder—is sensed, and a filling line other than that ori

Abstract: A weight-checking apparatus is adapted to check weight of an object while conveying the object in a predetermined direction. The weight-checking apparatus includes a conveying part, a weighing part and a control part. The conveying part is configured and arranged to convey the object in the predetermined direction. The weighing part is configured and arranged to weigh the object. The control part is configured to control the conveying part so that a conveying speed of the conveying part is reduced to a predetermined conveying speed according to a conveyance condition of the object being conveyed in an upstream of the weighing part.

Abstract: A checkweigher for the in-motion weighing of objects being transported along a conveyor line. A checkweigher of the present invention employs a plurality of scales each having its own set of weighing conveyor elements. For example, a first scale may be associated with a set of lighter weight chains to convey and weigh smaller objects, while a second scale may be associated with a set of heavier weight chains to convey and weigh larger objects. This design essentially allows the incorporation of a lightweight and heavyweight checkweigher within one common checkweigher frame. The problem of noise caused by one set of conveyor elements associated with one scale affecting the accuracy of the other scale(s) is eliminated by locating the conveying surfaces of the conveyor elements associated with the individual scales in different planes. Thus, objects transported by one weighing conveyor exert no load on the conveyor elements of the other weighing conveyor(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the weighing of successive filled packs, in which the packs are sequentially transferred, without their conveyance being stopped and without them suddenly decelerating, to the holding means of a weighing device which holds them and transports them in suspension to a delivery position; the process comprising the operation of measuring by means of a scale the weight of the assembly formed by the holding means of the weighing device and that of the conveyed pack or packs, the average speed of the conveyance of the packs and/or the length of the conveyed distance being selected such that at least during a predetermined time period a single pack is being held and conveyed in suspension by the mentioned holding means. The mentioned holding means for the packs comprise first and second endless belts between which holding portions of the packs to be weighed are introduced, the suspended packs being conveyed by the movement of the endless belts.

Abstract: A device for weighing the colorants used in the preparation of hair dyes, including a plurality of collecting bins (2) for the individual colorants, as well as an automatic system for automatically picking up the colorants from each bin, in quantities in accordance with the formulation of the dyes. Compared with the prior art methods of the field, the device of the invention offers the advantage of mechanising the operations of weighing and metering the colorants in the mixture, thus avoiding direct intervention by the operator.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for dynamically check weighing objects (18a-c) that are guided across a weight-sensitive zone (14) of a weighing device (12) by a conveying mechanism (20a-c). At regular intervals, the weight-sensitive zone (14) supplies individual measured weight values (E1, . . . , En) from which resulting weight values are derived in a digital evaluation unit (16) by calculating mean values. The evaluation unit (16) includes a plurality of cascading mean value filters (24a-e) that have different filter lengths which are varied by a common scaling value in accordance with a spatial dimension of the objects (18a-c).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for dynamically checking the weight of objects (18a-c) which are guided across a weight-sensitive zone (14) of a weighing device (12) at an adjustable conveying rate by a conveying mechanism (20a-c). At regular intervals, the weight-sensitive zone (14) supplies individual measured weight values (E1, . . . , En) from which resultant weight values are derived in a digital evaluation unit (16) by averaging. The evaluation unit (16) includes a plurality of cascaded averaging filters (24a-e) which have different filter lengths that are varied by a common scaling factor depending on the conveying rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring articles includes a conveying part, a plurality of measuring parts and a determining part. The conveying part includes a plurality of conveyers placed adjacently in series for conveying articles successively in a straight line. The plurality of measuring parts measure weight or dimensions of the respective articles successively conveyed by the conveying part. The determining part determines the weight or the dimensions of the respective articles based on the measured values by the plurality of the measuring parts.

Abstract: A system and method for weighing varying throughput of conveyed particulate material. The system has a weighing unit for measuring weight of material conveyed on a span of the conveyor and a speed monitoring unit to monitor the speed of the conveyor. A control module is programmed to calculate the instant value of material conveyed per unit length of the conveyor. An output from the control module reduces conveyor speed in response to a reduction in measured weight of material conveyed and increases conveyor speed in response to an increase in measured weight of material conveyed. High accuracy of measurement of the weight of particulate material being conveyed even when the conveyor is lightly loaded.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus is described having a product transport surface (24) for transporting products thereon in a transporting direction (26). The product transport surface (24) has a plurality of grooves (28) which extend substantially parallel to each other and transversely to the transporting direction (26). In a cross section along the transporting direction (26), the upward sloping edges (32) and the downward sloping edges (30) of the grooves (28) form a saw tooth profile, wherein, when viewed in the transporting direction (26), each transition from the upward sloping edge (32) to the downward sloping edge (30) of two adjacent grooves (28) is sharp-edged. The product transport surface is particularly adapted for the transport of products having a soft, flexible and/or sticky surface. Also described are product transporting members in a weighing apparatus which are provided with such a product transport surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for weighing a product flow, comprising an endless conveyor belt for transporting the product flow thereon in a transport direction, wherein a width direction extends in an imaginary transport plane substantially transversely of the transport direction, and wherein a carrying direction extends substantially transversely of the transport plane, wherein one or more transition parts are arranged slightly inward of the outer edges in the width direction, wherein a middle part is situated between the transition parts, and wherein the transition part is adapted to provide the middle part with a substantially flexible suspension in the carrying direction and/or the transport direction of the conveyor belt relative to the outer edges.

Abstract: A load cell unit which can satisfactorily measure the weight of a measured object if ambient temperature changes, and a weight checker and an electric balance using the load cell unit, are provided. A strain generating element includes plural strain generating portions. Each of strain gauges is a gauge of a temperature/sensitivity compensated type and is placed in a position on a corresponding strain generating portion. A bridge circuit includes the strain gauges. A zero compensation element compensates the zero of the bridge circuit in accordance with the temperature of the strain generating element, to roughly correct an output of the bridge circuit. A thermal sensitive resistor is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the strain generating element. The zero compensation element and the thermal sensitive resistor are provided on a thick portion interposed between adjacent strain generating portions. A signal processor minutely corrects a roughly-corrected output of the bridge circuit.

Abstract: A weighing device includes a weighing unit, a conveying unit, a plurality of discharge parts, a discharging unit and a controlling part. The controlling part is configured to set an order of priority for the discharge parts, to sort the objects weighed by the weighing unit into a plurality of predetermined weight ranks, to select a combination of a plurality of the objects in the same weight rank so that the combination has a total weight equal to a final target weight, and to control the discharging unit to discharge the objects selected for the combination into one of the discharge parts having the highest priority among the discharge parts that are not being used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for batching of supplied objects in batches in such a manner that a batch fulfils predefined criteria as regards for example the total weight range and optionally the number of objects, weight, orientation and/or type(s) of objects. A selective transferal of the objects from means for object transport to batching means is performed by means of one or more handling means of the robot type in as a batch of objects is produced in consideration of said predefined criteria. The batches are produced on said batching means that are moved around said one or more handling means of the robot type.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes several feeding mechanisms, a conveying mechanism, and receiving barrels as many as the feeding mechanisms; each feeding mechanism includes a storage barrel, a conduit connected to an outlet of the storage barrel, an elastic element in the conduit, and a transmission for rotating the elastic element so as to convey material forwards along the conduit; the conveying mechanism includes a guiding and bearing board for supporting the receiving barrels, a platform, a conveying machine for pushing the receiving barrels forwards, a propping power source for propping the platform upwards, and scales; the board has slots, and the scales are positioned on the platform for weighing materials added into the receiving barrels; each scale has propping rods thereon such that the scales will weigh materials added into the receiving barrels when moved up for the propping rods to pass through the slots and prop the receiving barrels.

Abstract: According to a method for statistical weighing of a product supplied by a plurality of nozzles into containers, an empty container, belonging to a withdrawing group, is withdrawn to define an empty seat in the withdrawing group. The withdrawn empty container is weighed by a scale, to determine a tare weight, and then introduced in an empty seat made in a test group of containers, is a position designed to match with a selected nozzle to be tested. After introducing product into the weighed, empty container, by the selected nozzle, the filled container is withdrawn and weighed by the same scale to determine a gross weight. The exact quantity of product introduced into the filled container is thus determined by difference between the tare and gross weights.

Abstract: A molding resin tablet feeding apparatus may have a tablet weighing unit for weighing a molding resin tablet to sort out a faulty molding resin tablet. The weighing unit may be elastically deformed according to the weight of the molding resin tablet, and may further include a strain gauge for outputting an electric change caused by the elastic deformation. A controller may compare the electric change to tablet weight information to determine the validity of the molding resin tablet.

Abstract: The invention proposes a weighing device for a production machine or installation and a method for weighing piece goods from a production machine or installation, which can be implemented in a space-saving manner and/or permit processing of piece goods within a large belt width in the format of the piece goods. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the weight of two or more piece goods (7?, 7?) and the weight which is varied by subsequent feeding or discharge of an individual piece good (7?) or a number of piece goods to be jointly weighed are detected, it being possible to determine the weight of an individual piece good (7?) or a number of piece goods to be jointly weighed from the difference between the weights ascertained in this way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding fixture for the drive unit of a transport device that transports products to be weighed, wherein, for transferring the weight force to be detected, the holding fixture is arranged between the transport device and the weighing cell detecting the weight.

Abstract: A weighing device includes a supply unit, a weighing unit, a stock unit, a discharge unit, a transfer unit, and a revolving mechanism. The supply unit supplies a target object to a container revolving in the weighing unit. The weighing unit weighs the container while revolving the same. The stock unit stocks a plurality of containers while holding the plurality of containers three-dimensionally and revolving them. The discharge unit discharges the target object from the container while revolving the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a first item in a series of items traveling on a conveyor in which a first item is downstream of a second item in the series of items. The apparatus may comprise: (1) a scale; (2) an item repositioning mechanism that is adapted to move (e.g., slide) the first item from the conveyor into weighing engagement with the scale; and (3) a braking mechanism that is adapted to limit the forward progress of the second item while the item repositioning mechanism moves the first item from the conveyor into weighing engagement with the scale, and to thereby prevent the second item from passing the first item while the first item is in weighing engagement with the scale. In other embodiments, the braking mechanism may release to allow the second item to pass the first item while the first item is in weighing engagement with the scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gravimetric calibration of multi-channel pipettes contains a balance that has a load receiver configured to support receptacles containing a substance to be weighed. The apparatus has a holder device to support a certain number of the receptacles into which a test liquid is dispensed from the multi-channel pipette. The apparatus further has a transport device for advancing the holder device towards the load receiver. The receptacles are seated in the holder device at equally spaced positions and are one by one delivered to and subsequently removed from the measuring device.

Abstract: A distributor unit (D) includes a stepwise moving conveying line (L) for conveying containers (C) through one filling unit (G), where the containers (C) are filled with a predetermined filling liquid or powder substance. In a weighing station (15,16), associated to the conveying line (L), two weighing groups (11,12) are situated on opposite sides of the conveying line (L) and have one weighing area (14a,14b) for weighing a container (C). One transfer group (30) is associated to the weighing station (15,16) and moves crosswise to the conveying line (L). The transfer group (30) transfers containers (Ci) to be weighed from the conveying line (L) to the weighing area (14b) of one of the weighing groups (12), and transfers at the same time an already weighed containers (C*i−1) from the area (14a) of the other weighing group (11) to the conveying line (L).

Abstract: In the case of playing cards such as playing cards and the like, the switching of cards have been conventionally performed using automatic switching apparatuses in a place such as a casino where there are many participants. Many of such conventional apparatuses, however, need a technical skill in operation of the apparatuses themselves, or have a complicated structure themselves. In such conventional apparatuses, moreover, there has been no switching apparatus which is enjoyable to game participants when they see the apparatus.

Abstract: An apron weigh feeder for use in the heavy bulk materials industry includes a feeder frame, a head drive shaft, a pair of tail traction wheels, and a plurality of carry and return rollers. A pair of drive sprockets is mounted on the head drive shaft. The tail traction wheels are aligned with the drive sprockets, respectively. A pair of endless crawler chains is reeved about the drive sprockets and tail traction wheels, respectively. A plurality of flights is fixed to the crawler chains to define a carrying surface of the apron weigh feeder. The carry rollers support the crawler chains and carrying surface. The carry rollers are supported rotatably by a plurality of carry roller support frames, which are mounted on the feeder frame. The weigh scale assembly is substituted in place of at least one of the carry roller support frames.

Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes a terminal base having (i) a user side on which a user is positioned during operation of the self-service checkout terminal, (ii) a rear side which is opposite the user side, (iii) an upstream end portion, and (iv) a downstream end portion which is opposite the upstream end portion. The self-service checkout terminal includes a scanner for scanning a product code associated with an item for purchase. The scanner is secured to the upstream end portion of the terminal base. The self-service checkout terminal also includes a printer secured to the user side of the terminal base. The self-service checkout terminal further includes an item collection surface for supporting the item for purchase subsequent to scanning thereof. The item collection surface being secured to the downstream end portion of the terminal base.

Abstract: A weight filler 6 is provided which allows a bottle 16 to be conveyed while gripping its neck 16a. Load cell 58 is mounted around the outer periphery of a revolving body 54 in order to detect a vertical load. A horizontal rod or load applicator 64 projects radially outward from the load cell 58. A gripper 50 which grips the bottle 16 under the resilience of tension springs 82 is mounted on the free end 64a of the rod 64. As the bottle 16 is urged into the gripper 50 in a direction opposite from the direction in which, the rod 64 projects, the gripper 50 is once opened against the tension springs 82 and then closed to grip the neck 16a of the bottle 16. A filling nozzle 52 is disposed above the bottle 16 which is gripped by the gripper 50, and fills the bottle 16 with liquid. During the filling operation, the load cell 58 detects a load applied, thus allowing a filling of a given amount in accordance with the detection.

Abstract: Container capacity control system, which is comprised of a first horizontal linear guide (3) where there is a clamp head (13), which can move horizontally and rotate on the horizontal plane and which holds a first clamp (1) and a second clamp (2) for the input and output of an empty container (b1) respectively; a second horizontal linear guide (4) where means for the total filling or predetermined partial filling move; some weighing scales (5), which weigh the container (b1) empty and totally full or partially full with the predetermined amount, sending the weight data to a microprocessor, which controls the programmed system, so that it distinguishes between full-to-the-brim containers and containers partially filled, calculating the capacity based on the weighing data.

Abstract: Based on a non-orderly flow of supplied articles, which may also be sticky articles of food, there is effected in a compulsory manner an isolation of mutually separated small article portions, which are moved through a weighing station (20) and thereafter brought together selectively into larger portions, e..g, with a predetermined weight. In a preferred system according to the invention use is made of an endless row of carrier trays (12) which, in two straight runs, pass along a number of receiver containers (22), into which they are selectively emptied after having passed the weighing station. In front of this station distributor means (14, 18) are provided above a horizontal reversing path of the tray chain for ensuring that the supplied articles are distributed to the trays without overlapping therebetween. Various advantageous embodiments of the single parts of the system to work with a desirably high capacity.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus for dispensing, weighing and automatically filling a container with a predetermined weight of material. The container filling apparatus includes an optical load cell for measuring the weight of an object. A microprocessor controls the dispensing, weighing and automatic filling of the container.