Combinatorial weighing apparatus

Abstract

A combinatorial weighing apparatus for weighing out articles includes a base having a top surface which is quadrangular in shape, and a plurality of weighing hoppers mounted on the base, side by side, horizontally along a substantially straight line. Mounted on the base are weighing mechanisms for measuring the weights of articles introduced in corresponding weighing hoppers, and a hopper drive mechanism for obtaining a combination of the articles giving a total weight closest to a target weight and for actuating prescribed ones of the weighing hoppers. A chute for receiving articles discharged from each of the weighing hoppers, and a collecting hopper for collecting the articles from the chute are also mounted on the base. The weighing hoppers, chute and collecting hopper are disposed on the front side of the base. The combinatorial weighing apparatus is ideal for use in combination with others of the same construction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.