Combination weighing machine having short search

A combination weighing machine for forming a charge of product closely approximating a target amount in a cyclic machine operation comprising:

• a plurality of weigh scales, each receiving a quantity of product in an amount preferably a fraction of the target amount and providing a data signal indicative of the quantity of product received;
• arithmetic means for receiving the data signals from the scales in various combinations and combining the signals to produce total sums indicative of the total quantity of product in each respective combination;
• combination searching means for supplying the data signals to the arithmetic means is selected combinations in a search sequence during a combination search operation;
• comparator means for determining in the course of a search operation which of the combinations of scales have total sums most nearly approximating the target amount;
• memory means for storing the searched combination most nearly approximating the target amount during the course of the search operation;
• means for terminating the search operation of the combination searching means upon a specified condition whether the search sequence is completed or not;
• and
• utilization means for receiving from the memory means the preferred combination at the termination of a search operation.