Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus comprises weighing receptacles (5), a distributing device (1) for distributing products to be supplied, a feeding device (2) for feeding the products from the distributing device (1) to a respective one of the weighing receptacles (5), a driving device (3) for oscillating the feeding device (2) and a coupling device (4) for detachably coupling the feeding device (2) to the driving device (3) with a first coupling piece (12) and a second coupling piece (8), a slide (23) which is displaceably connected to the first coupling piece (12), one of the coupling pieces (8, 12) being connected with the feeding device (2) and the other coupling piece (12, 8) being connected to the driving device (3), a tension member (33) connected to the slide (23) for displacing the slide (23) along a displacement direction from a first position into a second position in which the slide (23) can be locked against displacement into the first position, a support bolt (19) having a shaft (20) and a head

Abstract: Unit for filling containers with powders, said unit comprising a measuring device envisaged for introducing a predetermined quantity of powder into a container located on a support equipment sustained by a weighing unit provided for controlling the measuring device during the filling phase of the container itself; said support equipment being provided with a shaking device which moves the container on a substantially orbital plane, in alternate directions or according to substantially orbital oscillations, in such a way as to tamp the powder inside the container itself during its filling.

Abstract: A quartz crystal resonator is excited in two different modes at the same time such that the mass change and the temperature change can be measured independently. In using such a quartz crystal the change in mass can be calculated accurately and in real time, independent of temperature effects.

Abstract: A device for feeding and distributing material which is loose or in single pieces to a plurality of collection points peripheral to the device itself comprising a main fixed support framework, a plurality of radial channels for transporting the material to the collection points supported by the framework, and a part for distributing the material to the transport channels, supported rotatably above the channels, whereto the material is fed and transferred by the latter through falling and distributed by rotation to the radial transport channels.

Abstract: A product distribution system includes a cone shaped member for receiving a mass of solid flowable product thereon and a pair of concentric downwardly extending cylindrical walls. A top portion of the first of the downwardly extending cylindrical walls is adjacent to and abutting the base of the cone shaped member. A plurality of circularly arranged electromagnetic feeders which extend outwardly in a radial direction from the cone shaped member are disposed below the cone shaped member at the bottom of the first cylindrical wall, and in close proximity thereto, for moving product away from the first cylindrical wall and toward a plurality of circularly arranged weigh hoppers. The second cylindrical wall or retaining member has a diameter which is greater than the first cylindrical wall and together with the first wall forms a circular trough at the base of the cone shaped member.

Abstract: In a method of dosing fibers, such as steel fibers to be mixed in concrete, a supply of fibers (5) is stored in first vibration feeder (2) and is moved from this by means of a second vibration feeder (3). For each dosing operation, a proportioned quantity of fibers (5) is transferred at a stepless rate or a stepwise declining rate from the first to the second vibration feeder (2, 3) while the second vibration feeder (3) stands still. This vibration feeder (3) then transports the transferred fiber quantity further on to the subsequent process while the first vibration feeder (2) stands still. The fibers can hereby be dosed more accurately and uniformly than known before.

Abstract: A combination weighing machine has a plurality of weigh scales for weighing quantities of product, and the scales are selectively dumped and loaded in a cyclic operation to form a package containing a number or weight of product that closely approximates a target amount. The machine includes a plurality of feeders and corresponding accumulators that are associated respectively with the scales for loading product into the scales after they are dumped. To ensure a more accurate feeding of product to a scale, a sensor is provided for detecting the pieces of product as they are loaded into the associated accumulator from a feeder, and the feeder is regulated in accordance with the pieces of product detected to control the duration of feeder operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for densifying a flexible bulk container with dry or semi-moist flowable material broadly includes a method and apparatus whereby the container and its contents are relatively gradually lifted and then relatively rapidly dropped onto a stop member such as an impact anvil, serving to densify the material contents of the container, or by alternatively compressing the contents thereof for maximum concentration of the container's contents. The apparatus broadly includes a frame which is positioned on top of a load cell or other weighing apparatus, a container supporting member such as a deck, and an impact member such as a post which serves to isolate the load cell from the impact of the container on the impact member. The filling apparatus is constructed whereby the contents of the container may be weighed during densification thereof so that the container may be rapidly and accurately filled without the need to remove it for weighing or to interrupt the densification process.

Abstract: The disclosed commerical coin-operated scale-platform massager has a frame, and a foot platform supported by a weight cell movably relative to the frame. The weight cell provides the primary support for the foot platform, and is distorted by the weight of a person standing on the foot platform and calibrated to determine the weight of the person. A driving vibrator in the form of an electric motor having an eccentric weight keyed to its output shaft is mounted on snubber means relative to the frame, and linking means connect the driving vibrator and foot platform together, operable when the driving vibrator is activated to vibrate the foot platform relative to the frame, as a platform massager.

Abstract: An inexpensive, reliable, accurate, high speed powder dispensing apparatus is disclosed which includes a barrel for transferring powder from a first retainer to a second retainer. The barrel is vibrated to cause the powder to translate on a surface thereof. The vibration is controlled to cause a measured amount of powder to be dispensed. In a specific embodiment, two barrels are included to provide coarse and fine rates of powder dispensation. A specific embodiment includes a scale for weighing the discharged powder. The scale is equipped with a sensor, the output of which is used to control and limit the rate of powder flow up to a preselected amount. A additional novel feature of the invention is the use of a mechanism to assist in overcoming the inertia of the scale.The invention provides an inexpensive, reliable, accurate, high speed powder dispensing apparatus. As the need to rotate barrels of the prior art is eliminated, the likelihood of occasional jamming is minimized.

Abstract: There is disclosed a precision distributive supply device for use in a combinatorial weighing apparatus. The distributive supply device includes tubular chutes disposed at article discharging portions of an article supply container and having lower ends spaced a suitable distance from the bottom plates of supply troughs.

Abstract: An inexpensive, reliable, accurate, high speed powder dispensing apparatus is disclosed which includes a barrel for transferring powder from a first retainer to a second retainer. The barrel is vibrated to cause the powder to translate on a surface thereof. The vibration is controlled to cause a measured amount of powder to be dispensed. In a specific embodiment, two barrels are included to provide coarse and fine rates of powder dispensation. A specific embodiment includes a scale for weighing the discharged powder. The scale is equipped with a sensor, the output of which is used to control and limit the rate of powder flow up to a preselected amount. An additional novel feature of the invention is the use of a mechanism to assist in overcoming the inertia of the scale.The invention provides an inexpensive, reliable, accurate, high speed powder dispensing apparatus. As the need to rotate barrels of the prior art is eliminated, the likelihood of occasional jamming is minimized.

Abstract: A dispersion feeder used in a combination weighing machine for distributively feeding product to be weighed out to a plurality of weighing units arranged around it. The feeder is characterized in that it includes a mechanism for effecting rotational movement of the center or apex of its dispersion table. This movement exerts a centrifugal force on product fed onto the table, including product in and near the center of the table, thereby ensuring that such product is removed from the table.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously vibrating and weighing a bulk container, as it is being filled, and for automatically modulating the intensity of the vibrating motion during the filling operation as is being filled, to insure complete settling and compaction of the product without having product spilled out of the container by excessive vibration, especially during the latter stages of the filling operation.

Abstract: A combinational weighing system with a plurality of article batch handling means has an article feeding means for feeding articles to be weighed into the individual article batch handling means, and after a desired combination or weights within a preselected range is determined by a computer, the article batches from the selected article batch handling means are discharged together to be made into a package. The system also includes a means for measuring the weight of the article accumulated on the article feeding means and the output signal from such a weight-measuring means is transmitted to control the operation of a conveyor for supplying the articles to the article feeding means.

Abstract: A dispersing supply device in an automatic weighing apparatus includes a base plate, a vibrator supported on the base plate by a pair of springs, and a trough supported on the vibrator by groups of leaf springs, the trough being vibrated by the vibrator so as to convey articles from one end to the other thereof. The dispersing supply device, one provided for each of a plurality of weighing machines, is disposed between the corresponding weighing machine and a dispersing table so as to receive articles from the table and supply them to the weighing machine via the trough. The base plate is formed to include a mounting slot having a first portion of prescribed width and an elongate second portion narrower in width than the first portion. A mounting table to which the dispersing supply device is attached is provided with a projecting pin having a head portion.

Abstract: A container filler and weighing system is disclosed. The weighing system is made up of a scale with a support for a container supported on the scale. A vibrator connected to the support so that the material fed into the container from a feeder is packed and settled in the container. An electronic readout is connected to the scale and a digital readout connected to the electronic circuit whereby the readings can be recorded and an annunciator is connected to the electronic circuit to signal when the container is full. The vibrator connected to the container support delivers a vertical component of force that has an especially good and efficient packing reaction on the material in the container.

Abstract: A levelling apparatus for a combination weighing system comprises a first, rotating tine assembly supported adjacent to a vibrating feed chute to rake product, a second, stationary tine assembly supported adjacent to the first tine assembly so that as tines of the first tine assembly revolve about a tine assembly axis the tines of the first tine assembly interdigitate with tines of the second tine assembly to strip product from the first tine assembly and participate in the levelling process. The first tine assembly is pivotally supported to a guide means which leads from the chute to an accumulator bucket so that the first tine assembly does not interfere with vibrations of the feed chute and is pivotally moveable away from the chute to facilitate servicing of the chute.

Abstract: A weighing system includes a weighing apparatus composed of distributive table, a plurality of radial supply troughs disposed around the peripheral edge of the distributive table for being supplied with articles to be weighed from the distributive table, a plurality of weighing units supporting respective openable weighing hoppers for weighing articles supplied to the weighing hoppers, at least one of the distributive table and the radial supply troughs having a slide surface slanted radially outwardly to a large extent for allowing the articles to slide thereon, each of the radial supply troughs having a radially outer distal end disposed over one of the weighing hoppers, and a collection chute disposed below the weighing hoppers. A liquid drain device is disposed at the distal end of each of the radial supply troughs. A shutter is interposed between each of the radial supply troughs and a corresponding one of the weighing hoppers.

Abstract: A distributing container (2) has a base (9), which has openings (11 to 18). Inclined sliding surfaces (20, 19) start out from the edges (13a, 13b) of the openings (11 to 18), which sliding surfaces ease the movement of the loose material toward the openings (11 to 18). The fill level in the distributing container (2) is maintained constant with the help of a power-measuring device (29), from where the feeding of loose material into the distributing container (2) is regulated. Conveyors, for example conveyor troughs (3), are arranged below the openings (11 to 18), which forward the loose material which exists through the openings (11 to 18).An especially constant feeding of the conveyor troughs (3) can be achieved with the help of the distributing container (2).

Abstract: A distributing table construction in a combinatorial weighing apparatus includes a conical main table mounted on a vibrator and slanted at a relatively small angle for distributing and supplying articles to be weighed, such as pieces of cheese or jelly, into a number of radial troughs, and a smaller-diameter conical subtable disposed over the conical main table and connected thereto by a bolt, the conical subtable being slanted at an angle larger than the small angle of the conical main table. The conical subtable is adjustable in height by the bolt and a weld nut threaded thereover and attached to the subtable. The conical subtable serves to supply articles from an article charger easily onto the main table and allow the supplied articles to be deposited sufficiently on the main table so that the articles can stably be supplied to the radial troughs.

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

Abstract: A distribution table for distributing supplied articles to a supply trough in order to be weighed. The distribution table has an upper surface which is shaped to conform to the mobility of the articles to be supplied. In embodiments of the invention, distribution tables are provided having a surface in the form of a truncated cone for articles with poor mobility, a surface provided with a centrally located hemispherical projection and a surrounding flat portion for articles having ordinary mobility, and a surface provided with a centrally located projection and an annular projection formed along the outer periphery of the table for articles which exhibit excellent mobility.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting a weight into a frequency by means of a tuning fork vibrator having a pair of elongated plate-like vibrating strips extending in parallel with each other, a lever unit with a power pivot, fulcrum pivot and a load pivot, and a base portion, both ends of the tuning fork vibrator being coupled with the power pivot of the lever unit and the base portion, respectively by means of thin plate-like members. The weight to be converted is applied to the load pivot of the lever unit and is transferred to the tuning fork vibrator by means of the lever unit. All the parts of the mechanism are formed integrally from a single plate.

Abstract: A particulate product is transported on at least one tray vibrated at a pre-determined basic frequency. A product overload on the tray is avoided by monitoring its vibrations and detecting whether the amplitude of at least one harmonic sensitive to the load does or does not exceed a predetermined critical threshold.

Abstract: An electromagnetic force-compensating weigher with a load supporting device resiliently supported by resilient joints and movable between stops, wherein electric circuitry is connected to produce a slowly decaying mechanical oscillation upon the load supporting device, to thereby reduce the spring hysteresis of the resilient joints.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for cutting and metering slabs or bales of unvulcanized rubber to be fed to a single rubber mixing machine. The apparatus includes a conveyor belt and a carriage arranged to transport bales of rubber along parallel paths. A cutting machine is positioned to cut a slice off a bale carried by said carriage. By arranging for the carriage to undergo back and forth movement while intermittently effecting transverse feed of the bale, the cutting machine cuts a succession of slices off the one bale. To make up a load of rubber of a required weight, whole bales are transferred to a hopper via the conveyor belt until a weighing machine indicates that the required weight has almost been reached; thereafter the cut slices of rubber are added to the hopper under the control of the weighing machine to make up the weight required.

Abstract: A machine for the automatic preparation of proportions of different caoutuc blocks for filler mixtures in rubber manufacture has conveyor lines for the different kinds of caoutchouc block, each including a measuring conveyor and a block-weighing conveyor. A movable band saw cuts off portions of the blocks projecting from the measuring conveyors while the latter are stationary, and a storage unit disposed downstream of the conveyor lines stores excess portions of blocks severed in one measuring to deliver them to a collector conveyor during a successive cycle, under control of a processor which memorises the required weights of the different kinds of caoutchouc and controls the conveyors, the cutting unit and the storage unit in dependence upon the stored data and data sent to it by the block weighing conveyors to give the required proportions.

Abstract: A machine for cutting up lumps of crude rubber (synthetic or natural) and weighing out an accurate quantity to be fed to a mixer in accordance with a selected formula, comprising two band saws having special blades with teeth having no "set" and lying entirely within the plane of the blades; crude rubber blocks are fed to a first of two band saws on two conveyor belts which pass one to either side thereof, one of the two conveyors being laterally displaceable and able to convey one of the portions into which the block of crude rubber is cut by the first band saw to be cut by the second band saw, the lateral position to which this portion is conveyed determining the relative size and therefore weight of the two pieces into which this portion is cut; all the cut portions and pieces are fed to an output conveyor which feeds them selectively to a hopper under the control of an automatic weighing machine.

Abstract: Weight monitoring apparatus supports and agitates a fluid collection bag to mix a received flow of fluid with a fluid contained within the bag while simultaneously monitoring the increasing weight of the bag. When a predetermined weight of the bag and its contents is achieved, the inflow of fluid is automatically interrupted.

Abstract: A method of weighing wherein an apparatus conveys irregular pieces of product to a grading device for separating the regular pieces into two fractions respectively containing relatively smaller-sized pieces and relatively larger-sized pieces. A second conveyor conveys the larger-sized pieces to a weighing device until a batch of the product is accumulated having a weight slightly less than the required batch weight, and a third conveyor adds smaller-sized pieces to the batch until the minimum batch weight is achieved.

Abstract: A feed control system, for controlling the operation of a weighing apparatus including two or more conveyors arranged in flow series and arranged to carry product from a feeder to a hopper whereby the product will be separated into batches of predetermined weight, the control system providing adjustment of the feed rate of the conveyors, and adjustment of the rate of feed of product by each conveyor in relation to the weight of product on a succeeding conveyor in the series.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus conveys irregular pieces of product to a grading device for separating the regular pieces into two fractions respectively containing relatively smaller-sized pieces and relatively larger-sized pieces. A second conveyor conveys the larger-sized pieces to a weighing device until a batch of the product is accumulated having a weight slightly less than the required batch weight, and a third conveyor adds smaller-sized pieces to the batch until the minimum batch weight is achieved.