EP0085446A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for combination weighing
Assignee: Kliklok LLC
•
Filing: 1983-01-11
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2003-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A weighing system for making a predetermined weight of a product comprised of individual articles having variable weights by selecting the product stored in a combination of a predetermined number of storage cups (50,52). Quantities of the product having targeted weights are distributed to a plurality of scale-controlled hoppers (32, 34) for accurate weighing. The weighed product is fed from each of the scale controlled hoppers (32, 34) to a plurality of storage cups (50, 52) associated with each of the hoppers (32, 34), and the product weight associated with each storage cup (50, 52) is registered. Specific combinations of storage cups (50, 52) are tested to determine whether the combined product weights therein add to make the desired weight, within acceptable limits. The first combination found to make the weight is used, and the appropriate storage cups (50, 52) are emptied to a container for receiving the product. The appropriate storage cups (50, 52) are refilled from the hoppers (32, 34) and the process repeats. When none of the combinations of the preselected number of storage cups (50, 52) includes a total product wieght within the acceptable limits, the limits are broadened and the cycle repeats. The weighing system includes a programmed microprocessor for controlling operation thereof, for providing the combination to be tested, for calculating the combined weights, and for determining whether the combined weight falls within the acceptable limits. A specific distributor (12) for the product includes a reversing rotating portion (16) for preventing clogging of the product at openings (18, 20) provided for chutes (28) connecting the distributor (14) to the scale-controlled hoppers (32, 34).
Inventors
- 👤 Nelson Robert Henry
- 👤 Duncan B. Cutler
- 👤 William Lewis Warner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/387; G01G19/393; G01G13/00; G01G13/02; G01G13/022; G01G13/024; G01G13/24; G01G13/242; G01G13/243; G01G19/22; G01G19/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for making up a desired weight of a solid flowing product as a combination of contents of a predetermined number of storage cups (50, 52) comprising the steps of; establishing acceptable upper and lower limits for an acceptable range of product weight to be achieved, distributing quantities of the product to a plurality of scale hoppers (32, 34) and terminating the distribution of the product to each hopper (32, 34) in accordance with a determination by the scale (36, 38) associated therewith that a predetermined weight has been distributed thereto; said method being characterized by: a) feeding the product from each hopper (32, 34) to a storage cup (50, 52) associated with that particular hopper (32, 34); b) registering the weight of product stored in each of the storage cups (50, 52) of the system; c) calculating the total weight of successive combinations of the registered product weights of said predetermined number of storage cups (50, 52); and d) making the desired weight by selecting a combination of storage cups (50, 52) having a total product weight within the established acceptable limits.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for making up a desired weight of a solid flowing product as a combination of contents of a predetermined number of storage cups (50, 52) comprising the steps of; establishing acceptable upper and lower limits for an acceptable range of product weight to be achieved, distributing quantities of the product to a plurality of scale hoppers (32, 34) and terminating the distribution of the product to each hopper (32, 34) in accordance with a determination by the scale (36, 38) associated therewith that a predetermined weight has been distributed thereto; said method being characterized by: a) feeding the product from each hopper (32, 34) to a storage cup (50, 52) associated with that particular hopper (32, 34); b) registering the weight of product stored in each of the storage cups (50, 52) of the system; c) calculating the total weight of successive combinations of the registered product weights of said predetermined number of storage cups (50, 52); and d) making the desired weight by selecting a combination of storage cups (50, 52) having a total product weight within the established acceptable limits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of making the desired weight comprises the step of selecting the first combihation of storage cups (50, 52) having a total weight withwin the established acceptable limits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of ordering successive combinatidns of storage cups (50, 52) whose weights are to be totalled in a sequence having a combination of storage cups (50, 52) fed from hoppers (32, 34) of different scales (36, 38) ahead of combinations including plural storage cups (50, 52) fed from. a hopper of a single scale (36, 38), whereby combinations of storage cups (50, 52) fed from different scales (36, 38) are favored over combinations including storage cups (50, 52) fed from a single scale (36, 38).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of ordering successive combinations of storage cups (50, 52) fed from hoppers (32, 34) of scales (36, 38) not used in making the desired weight in an immediately preceding application of the method ahead of combinations including storage cups (50, 52) fed from hoppers (32, 34) of scales (36, 38) used in making the desired weight in an immediately preceding application of the method, whereby combination of storage cups (50, 52) fed from scales (36, 38) not used in making the desired weight in an immediately preceding application of the method are favored over combinations,of storage cups (50, 52) fed from hoppers (32, 34) of scales (36, 38) used in making the desired weight in an immediately preceding application of the method.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: a) determining the occurrence of a situation wherein none of the combinations of product weight have a total weight within the established acceptable limits; b) broadening the acceptable range of product weights to be achieved by changing at least one of the acceptable limits; c) making the desired weight by selecting a combination of storage cups (50, 52) having a total product weight within the changed acceptable limits; and d) repeating steps a, b, and c until a combination of storage cups (50, 52) is found having a total product weight within some acceptable broadened range therefor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
264 words
Apparatus for making up a desired weight of a solid flowing product as a combination of contents of a predetermined number of storage cups (5,0, 52), said apparatus being characterized by: means for distributing quantities of the product to a plurality of scale hoppers (32, 34); scale means (36, 38) for providing a predetermined weighed quantity of the product to a hopper (32, 34) associated therewith; at least one storage cup (50, 52) associated with each of said hoppers (32, 34) for receiving the product therefrom; and a control system (44) including: means for establishing acceptable upper and lower limits for an acceptable range of product weights to be achieved; means for registering the weight of product stored in each of the storage cups (50, 52) in the system; means for calculating the total product weight in a particular combination of said predetermined number of storage cups (50, 52); means for providing successive combinations of storage cups (50, 52) to said means for calculating the total product weight; and selecting means receiving the calculated total product weight in combinations of storage cups (50, 52) and further receiving the upper and lower limits for the acceptable range of product weight from said means for establishing, for selecting the first combination of storage cups (50, 52) having a combined product weight falling within the established upper and lower weight limits for making the desired weight, said selecting means providing a first signal to said means for providing combinations, for providing new combinations to said calculating means for making the next desired weight after selecting a combination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
264 words
Apparatus for making up a desired weight of a solid flowing product as a combination of contents of a predetermined number of storage cups (5,0, 52), said apparatus being characterized by: means for distributing quantities of the product to a plurality of scale hoppers (32, 34); scale means (36, 38) for providing a predetermined weighed quantity of the product to a hopper (32, 34) associated therewith; at least one storage cup (50, 52) associated with each of said hoppers (32, 34) for receiving the product therefrom; and a control system (44) including: means for establishing acceptable upper and lower limits for an acceptable range of product weights to be achieved; means for registering the weight of product stored in each of the storage cups (50, 52) in the system; means for calculating the total product weight in a particular combination of said predetermined number of storage cups (50, 52); means for providing successive combinations of storage cups (50, 52) to said means for calculating the total product weight; and selecting means receiving the calculated total product weight in combinations of storage cups (50, 52) and further receiving the upper and lower limits for the acceptable range of product weight from said means for establishing, for selecting the first combination of storage cups (50, 52) having a combined product weight falling within the established upper and lower weight limits for making the desired weight, said selecting means providing a first signal to said means for providing combinations, for providing new combinations to said calculating means for making the next desired weight after selecting a combination.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 further comprising means for dumping product from the selected combination of storage cups (50, 52) to a container therefor and for reloading the emptied storage cups (50, 52), responsive to an output signal from said selecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said control system (44) further comprises cycling means, responsive to said means for generating successive combinations for providing a second signal to said means for establishing, the second signal indicative of a failure of all combinations of storage cups (50, 52) to provide a weight falling within the established upper and lower limits, said means for establishing including means responsive to said second signal for broadening the acceptable range of product weight to be achieved.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said control system (44) comprises a programmed microprocessor which forms the establishing, registering, calculating, providing, and selecting means, and which further-includes dividing means for forming a first fraction, having a denominator determined by the predetermined number of storage cups (50, 52) to be used in the combination and a numerator determined by the desired product weight, the first fraction provided to the scale means as a target mean weight to be provided to the hopper (32, 34) associated therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as recited in Claim 6, wherein said means for distributing (12) includes structure for receiving the product, including a distributor having a cavity and an opening for receiving the product (14), rotating means within the distributor for dispensing the product to each of the scale hoppers (32, 34), and control means for alternately causing said rotating means to rotate in a first direction and in a second, opposite, direction for dislodging jams of the product.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.