Combinational weighing method and apparatus therefor with multiple selected combinations and multiple discharge paths

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said N-number is 18, said first number is 3 and said second number is 2.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 wherein said determining step comprises obtaining said first number of selected combinations of article batch handling units sequentially.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein said determining step comprises obtaining said first number of selected combinations of article batch handling units simultaneously.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 wherein said discharging step comprises simultaneously discharging said first number of groups of article batches into as many upper discharge routes.

Claim 7

The method of claim 5 wherein said upper discharge routes include intermediate hoppers.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 wherein said discharging step comprises sequentially discharging said first number of groups of article batches.

Claim 9

A combinational weighing system comprising a plurality (N-number) of article batch handling units each serving to receive an article batch, to output a weight value signal indicative of the weight of said article batch, and to discharge said article batch in response to a discharge signal, a control means serving to periodically carry out combinational computation on the basis of inputted weight values, to thereby select a first number of combinations of article batch handling units during each period and to output discharge signals to said selected combinations of article batch handling units, and a chute assembly serving to collect article batches discharged from said article batch handling units and to discharge said collected article batches sequentially through a second number of separate discharge routes, said second number being smaller than said first number, said control means further serving to output route-selecting signals to thereby cause article batches to be discharged from said chute assembly through said second number of separate discharge routes in a predetermined sequence.

Claim 10

A combinational weighing system comprising a plurality (N-number) of article batch handling units each serving to receive an article batch, to output a weight value signal indicative of the weight of said article batch, and to discharge said article batch in response to a discharge signal, a control means serving to periodically carry out combinational computation on the basis of inputted weight values, to thereby select a first number of combinations of article batch handling units during each period and to output discharge signals to said selected combinations of article batch handling units, and a chute assembly serving to collect article batches discharged from said article batch handling units and to discharge said collected article batches sequentially through a second number of separate discharge routes, said second number being smaller than said first number, said control means further serving to output route-selecting signals to thereby cause article batches to be discharged from said chute assembly through said second number of separate discharge routes in a predetermined sequence.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8 wherein said second number is 2 and said control means serves to cause articles discharged from said selected article batch handling units to be discharged alternately through said two separate discharge routes.

Claim 12

The system of claim 9 wherein said first number is 3.

Claim 13

The system of claim 8 wherein said N-number is 18.

Claim 14

The system of claim 8 wherein said plurality of article batch handling units are arranged in an elongated circular formation with two semi-circular sections and a central section.

Claim 15

The system of claim 8 wherein said chute assembly includes a funnel-shaped inner chute, a funnel-shaped outer chute external to said inner chute, a first lower chute and a second lower chute, said inner chute and said first lower chute defining a first discharge route, and said outer chute and said second lower chute defining a second discharge route.

Claim 16

The system of claim 13 wherein each of said article batch handling units is so disposed and structured that articles therein can be selectably discharged through either said first discharge route or said second discharge route.

Claim 17

The system of claim 14 wherein each of said article batch handling units includes a weigh hopper having two gates serving to open in opposite directions.

Claim 18

The system of claim 15 wherein said two gates are operated by a stepping motor.

Claim 19

The system of claim 8 wherein said chute assembly includes a funnel-shaped inner chute, a first outer chute and a second outer chute, each of said outer chutes being disposed to partially surround said inner chute.

Claim 20

The system of claim 17 wherein said article batch handling units are so disposed and structured that articles contained in a first group of said article batch handling units can be selectably discharged either into said inner chute or into said first outer chute and that articles contained in a second group of said article batch handling units can be selectably discharged either into said inner chute or into said second outer chute.

Claim 21

The system of claim 17 wherein said chute assembly further includes a first lower chute and a second lower chute, said lower chutes being connected to said inner, first outer and second outer chutes such that articles in said inner, first outer or second outer chute can be selectably discharged either into said first lower chute or into said second lower chute.

Claim 22

The system of claim 19 wherein said control means further serves to cause articles discharged from said selected article batch handling units to be discharged alternately into said first lower chute and said second lower chute.