A combinatorial weighing system, wherein swing plate 9 disposed substantially in the middle of the interior of a feed hopper 1 uniformly distributes objects of weighing, particularly those liable to tangle each other, in the bottom of the feed hopper without causing localized gathering of the objects, and the objects are then transferred to conveyors 5 disposed close to each other at one of their respective ends and extending in mutually opposite directions until the other ends thereof are positioned outwardly of the lateral walls of the feed hopper, whereby the objects are fed, in amounts within an allowable range of weighing, to the associated automatic weighing machines.
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).
A combinatorial weighing apparatus for weighing out articles includes a base having a top surface which is quadrangular in shape, and a plurality of weighing hoppers mounted on the base, side by side, horizontally along a substantially straight line. Mounted on the base are weighing mechanisms for measuring the weights of articles introduced in corresponding weighing hoppers, and a hopper drive mechanism for obtaining a combination of the articles giving a total weight closest to a target weight and for actuating prescribed ones of the weighing hoppers. A chute for receiving articles discharged from each of the weighing hoppers, and a collecting hopper for collecting the articles from the chute are also mounted on the base. The weighing hoppers, chute and collecting hopper are disposed on the front side of the base. The combinatorial weighing apparatus is ideal for use in combination with others of the same construction.
A combinatorial weighing system having a row of weighing hoppers provided on corresponding weighing machines, a plurality of tiltable pool trays provided diagonally above corresponding ones of the weighing hoppers, the pool trays being provided at a height where they can be viewed from outside the apparatus, and a collecting conveyor for collecting articles discharged from weighing hoppers belonging to a selected combination. A batch of the articles is placed in each of the pool trays, where the articles are temporarily retained. When a weighing hopper has discharged its articles, the corresponding pool tray is tilted to automatically resupply the weighing hopper with the articles retained by the tray.
To provide a combination weighing apparatus capable of handling articles of various shapes automatically at a high speed, the combination weighing apparatus includes a supply unit (2) having a plurality of supply buckets (20i) each capable of discharging the article onto hoppers (40i) positioned therebelow. The supply buckets (20i) are drivingly supported by a transport unit including an endless support member (10) so as to circulate along a predetermined transport path. A discharge control is provided so that when some of the supply buckets (20i) are brought to a position corresponding to empty weighing hoppers (40i), the articles M within such supply buckets (20i) can be discharged therefrom onto the weighing hoppers (40i).
A timing hopper supporting apparatus in an automatic weighing system includes a pair of frame members constituting a support frame provided on a base, a pair of support pieces attached to respective ones of the frame members so as to form a predetermined clearance with the lower surface thereof, and a pair of supported pieces attached to outer sides of the timing hopper. The supported pieces include insertion tabs which, when inserted into the clearances, enable the timing hopper to be supported in detachable fashion.
