Weighing scales – Computer – Electrical
Patent
1997-12-19
1999-10-05
Gibson, Randy W.
Weighing scales
Computer
Electrical
G01G 1300
Patent
active
059628162
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a combinatorial weighing apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.
A combinatorial weighing apparatus of this kind is known from document EP 0 677 460 A2 and used (FIG. 4) for automatically producing equal amounts of product (weight portions). This combinatorial weighing apparatus operates according to the combination principle. The weight portion is combined by several suitable partial combinations. A sufficient number of combinations requires a sufficient number of weighing systems. The weighing systems comprising the weighing receptacles 104 are arranged in a circle around a central distributing device 101. The product is supplied in the center to the central distributing device 101 from above and transported therefrom radially outwardly into supply containers 103 through vibrating channels 102 in timed transport intervals, wherefrom it is discharged into the weighing receptacles 104 therebelow. The partial portions are weighed there at and available for combining a total portion. Finally the partial portions selected for a total portion are brought together in a collection hopper 105 to a common transfer point, the discharge aperture 107 at the lower end of the collection hopper, which opens for example into the filling tube of a packaging machine 106.
A problem exists with delicate lumpy products of fragile consistence and/or sensitive surface condition, such as cakes and pastries with or without a chocolate coating or the like, that in the described portioning process the products dropping in a free fall or sliding over the long inclined wall of the collection hopper are several times accelerated and boltly stopped and may be broken or damaged thereby.
The preamble of claim 1 is known from document EP 0 326 636 A1.
Document DE 37 16 979 A1discloses a combinatorial weighing apparatus wherein the weighing receptacles are arranged one behind the other in a line. A respective feed pan is disposed above each weighing receptacle. Below the weighing receptacles there is a belt conveyor which collects the products discharged from the weighing receptacles and transports the same to a packaging station.
It is the object of the invention to provide a combinatorial weighing apparatus which is able to process sensitive weighing goods without damaging the same.
This object is achieved by the combinatorial weighing apparatus defined in claim 1.
In the inventive combinatorial weighing apparatus the number of drops is reduced by omitting the supply containers. Furthermore, the long sliding movements in the collection hopper are avoided by using the conveyor device which replaces the conventional collection hopper. This also achieves a small overall height of the combinatorial weighing apparatus.
Further developments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.
In the combinatorial weighing apparatus according to claim 8 the unavoidable transfer point from the vibrating channel to the weighing receptacle is more gentle to the products because of a short sliding path in place of the conventional drop.
The following embodiments will be described with reference to the Figures. In the Figures:
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the inventive combinatorial weighing apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the combinatorial weighing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with omitted distributing device;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a part of a second embodiment of the combinatorial weighing apparatus; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a conventional combinatorial weighing apparatus.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the combinatorial weighing apparatus comprises a distributing device 1, fourteen vibrating channels 2 and fourteen vibrating motors 3, fourteen weighing receptacles 4, two first belt conveyors 5, two second belt conveyors 6 and a discharge opening 7.
Seven weighing receptacles 4 are arranged on a respective one of two halves of a circle. The conical distributing device 1 having an axis of symmetry 24 is disposed above the weighing receptacles 4 in such a manner that
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Gibson Randy W.
Multipond Wagetechnik GmbH
Neuner George W.
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