US4642788A
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Combinatorial weighing method and apparatus
Assignee: ISHIDA KOKI SEISAKUSHO 44 SHOGOIN SANNOU-CHO SAKYO-KU KYOTO-SHI KYOTO JAPAN A CORP OF JAPAN KK
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Filing: 1984-04-27
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Granted: 1987-02-10
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Expires: 2004-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A combinatorial weighing method and apparatus wherein a value serving as a target for a combinatorial computation is set so that the mean weight value of batches of articles weighed out selectively by plural weighing cycles becomes equal to a preset weight value within preset allowable limits. Combinatorial computations are performed while diminishing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value, and increasing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is less than the preset weight value.
Inventors
- 👤 Setsuo Haze
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/387; G01G19/393
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A combinatorial weighing method carried out under the control of a control unit for performing combinatorial computations based on weight values produced as outputs by respective ones of a plurality of weighing machines which measure the weights of articles supplied thereto, the control unit selecting a combination of weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value within preset allowable limits, and discharging the articles from the weighing machines belonging to the selected combination, said method comprising the steps of: (a) calculating a mean wieght value for the total combined weight values selected during a plurality of weighing cycles; (b) setting a target weight value, which serves as the target for the combinatorial computations performed by the control unit, so that the mean weight value approaches a preset weight value which is within the preset allowable limits; and (c) performing combinatorial computation while diminishing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value, and increasing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is less the preset weight value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A combinatorial weighing method carried out under the control of a control unit for performing combinatorial computations based on weight values produced as outputs by respective ones of a plurality of weighing machines which measure the weights of articles supplied thereto, the control unit selecting a combination of weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value within preset allowable limits, and discharging the articles from the weighing machines belonging to the selected combination, said method comprising the steps of: (a) calculating a mean wieght value for the total combined weight values selected during a plurality of weighing cycles; (b) setting a target weight value, which serves as the target for the combinatorial computations performed by the control unit, so that the mean weight value approaches a preset weight value which is within the preset allowable limits; and (c) performing combinatorial computation while diminishing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value, and increasing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is less the preset weight value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of setting the initial value of the target weight value to be equal to the preset weight value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of selecting a combination of weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value closest to the target weight value within the preset allowable limits when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of selecting a combination of weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value closest to but not less than the target weight value when the mean value is less than the preset weight value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said step (a) comprises calculating the mean weight value whenever articles are discharged a predetermined number of times.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein said step (a) further comprises: calculating the mean weight value by dividing a sum of the total combined weight values of discharged articles by a discharge number corresponding to the number of times articles are discharged; and clearing the sum and the discharge number to zero at predetermined intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a combination of weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value closest to the target weight value within the preset allowable limits when the means weight value is greater than the preset weight value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of a selecting a combination of weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value closest to but not less than the target weight value when the mean weight value is less than the preset weight value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said step (a) comprises calculating the mean weight value whenever articles are discharged a predetermined number of times.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said step (a) further comprises: calculating the mean weight value by dividing a sum of the total combined weight values of discharged articles by a discharge number corresponding to the nurber of times articles are discharged; and clearing the sum and the discharge number to zero at predetermined intervals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
168 words
A combinatorial weighing apparatus having a plurality of weighing machines for measuring the weights of articles supplied thereto and for outputting respective weight values used for performing combinatorial computations to select a combination of weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value within preset allowable limits, and to discharge the articles from the weighing machines belonging to the selected combination, said apparatus comprising: means for calculating a mean weight value for the total combined weight values selected during a plurality of weighing cycles; means for setting a target weight value, which serves as the target for the combinatorial computations, so that the mean weight value approaches a preset weight value which is within the preset limits; and means for performing combinatorial computation while diminishing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value, and incresing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean wieght value is less than the preset weight value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
168 words
A combinatorial weighing apparatus having a plurality of weighing machines for measuring the weights of articles supplied thereto and for outputting respective weight values used for performing combinatorial computations to select a combination of weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value within preset allowable limits, and to discharge the articles from the weighing machines belonging to the selected combination, said apparatus comprising: means for calculating a mean weight value for the total combined weight values selected during a plurality of weighing cycles; means for setting a target weight value, which serves as the target for the combinatorial computations, so that the mean weight value approaches a preset weight value which is within the preset limits; and means for performing combinatorial computation while diminishing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value, and incresing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean wieght value is less than the preset weight value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for selecting a combination of the weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value closest to the target weight value within the preset allowable limits when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for selecting a combination of the weighing machines whose articles have a total combined weight value closest to but not less than the target weight value when the means weight value is less than the preset weight value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said calculating means comprises means for calculating the mean weight value whenever articles are discharged a predetermined number of times.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said calculating means further comprises: means for obtaining the mean weight value by dividing a sum of the total combined weight values of discharged articles by a discharge number corresponding to the number of times articles are discharged; and means for clearing the sum and the discharge number to zero at predetermined intervals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
183 words
A combinatorial measuring method comprising the steps of: (a) determining, during a weighing cycle, the weights of a plurality of batches of articles, and providing weight values corresponding to the respective weights of the batches of articles; (b) performing, during a weighing cycle, combinatorial computation based on the weight values provided in said step (a) to select the combination of batches having a total combined weight value which is closest to a target weight value within preset allowable limits; (c) selectively calculating a means weight value for the total combined weight values corresponding to the combinations selected in said step (b) during a plurality of weighing cycles; (d) adjusting the target weight value so that the mean weight value approaches a preset weight value which is within the preset allowable limits, said adjusting step comprising the substeps of: (i) diminishing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value; and (ii) increasing the target weight value by the predetermined amount when the mean weight value is less than the preset weight value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
183 words
A combinatorial measuring method comprising the steps of: (a) determining, during a weighing cycle, the weights of a plurality of batches of articles, and providing weight values corresponding to the respective weights of the batches of articles; (b) performing, during a weighing cycle, combinatorial computation based on the weight values provided in said step (a) to select the combination of batches having a total combined weight value which is closest to a target weight value within preset allowable limits; (c) selectively calculating a means weight value for the total combined weight values corresponding to the combinations selected in said step (b) during a plurality of weighing cycles; (d) adjusting the target weight value so that the mean weight value approaches a preset weight value which is within the preset allowable limits, said adjusting step comprising the substeps of: (i) diminishing the target weight value by a predetermined amount when the mean weight value is greater than the preset weight value; and (ii) increasing the target weight value by the predetermined amount when the mean weight value is less than the preset weight value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein said step (b) comprises the step of selecting the combination of batches of articles having a total combined weight value closest to but not less than the target weight value when the mean weight value is less than the preset weight value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein said step (b) comprises selecting the combination of batches of articles having a total combined weight value closest to the target weight value within the preset allowable limits when the sean weight value is greater than the preset weight value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein said step (c) comprises calculating the mean weight value after a predetermined number of weighing cycles have occurred.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 19, wherein said step (c) further comprises: calculating the mean weight value by dividing a sum of the total combined weight values of discharged articles by a discharge number corresponding to the number of weighing cycles; and clearing the sum and the discharge number to zero at predetermined intervals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-09 | 1990-08-11 | 1991-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-09 | 1994-08-11 | 1995-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-09 | 1998-08-11 | 1999-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |