Carton filling and weighing device

An automatic carton filling mechanism comprising:

• a. framework means,
• b. means secured to the framework means for supplying the product to be placed in the cartons on demand, said means including a discharge means,
• c. conveyor means secured to the framework means to supply empty cartons and to remove filled cartons, and
• d. weighing means secured to the framework means adjacent the discharge means of the product supply means, said weighing means including means to impede the progress of an empty carton, means to remove the empty carton from the control of the conveyor means, means to actuate the discharge means filling the carton, means to replace the carton to the control of the conveyor means upon the contents reaching a predetermined weight whereby a continual stream of containers may be automatically and continuously filled to a predetermined weight.

A scale for rapidly and accurately weighing a predetermined amount of material loaded directly onto the scale, comprising:

• a. means providing the material to the scale,
• b. platform means to receive the material and support it during weighing,
• c. flexible strap means having a first end secured to the frame means and a second end supporting the platform means whereby weight loaded onto the platform means causes flexure of the strap, and
• d. detection means mounted to the frame means adjacent the platform means whereby a weight upon the platform means causes flexure of the straps which is registered by the detecting means following a time delay of sufficient magnitude to obviate errors introduced by the inertia of the material being loaded onto the platform means.