Statistical weighing

A method of packing bacon into packages of a predetermined given weight which comprises:

• (1) determining the declared target weight
• (2) determining an actual target weight being a weight higher than the declared target weight
• (3) determining an average bacon slice weight
• (4) determining the number and weight of given make weight pieces
• (5) determining the (k) factor as herein defined
• (6) determining the range of weights above and below the actual target weight which is acceptable for the predetermined package weight (accept band)
• (7) and ascertaining the giveaway weight range being the difference between the mean value of the accept band and the declared target weight.

In a method of preparing packages falling within a predetermined weight range, said packages including a quantity of discrete articles of like composition, the steps comprising:

• (a) providing a plurality of said packages, each package comprising the same quantity of discrete articles of approximately the same weight and size,
• (b) weighing seriatim the packages at a first weigh station to determine whether said packages are within the said predetermined weight range,
• (c) advancing weighed packages which fall within the predetermined weight range to another station for further packaging and advancing weighed packages which do not fall within the predetermined weight range to a second weigh station,
• (d) weighing seriatim the second mentioned weighed packages which do not fall within the predetermined weight range at the second weigh station to ascertain the amount by which the weight of each said package falls short of, or exceeds, the predetermined weight range,
• (e) calculating automatically the correction required to be made to each said package to bring said package within the predetermined weight range and
• (f) based on such calculations, instructing automatically an operator either to add articles or portions thereof to the said package, or to remove articles or portions thereof from said package, thereby to bring the weight of the package within the predetermined weight range.

In a method of preparing packages falling within a predetermined weight range, said packages including a quantity of individually sliced articles of like composition, the steps comprising:

• (a) providing a plurality of said packages, each package comprising the same quantity of sliced articles of approximately the same weight and size,
• (b) weighing the packages at a first weigh station to select those packages which are not within said predetermined weight range,
• (c) then advancing the packages which are not within the predetermined weight range to a second weigh station,
• (d) weighing said packages at the second weigh station to ascertain the amount by which the weight of each package falls short of, or exceeds, the predetermined weight range,
• (e) providing a quantity of make weight pieces of a range of weights less than the average weight of the sliced articles,
• (f) providing a computer to calculate the correction required to be made to each package to bring each said package within the predetermined weight range,
• (g) activating the computer to calculate the corrections and to provide instructions to an operator and
• (h) based on such calculations, instructing an operator either to add make weight pieces to, or to remove sliced articles from, or to remove sliced articles from and then add make weight pieces to, the said package in order to bring the weight of the package within the predetermined weight range.