Hopper for a weighing machine

A hopper for receiving and discharging product in a weighing machine comprising:

• a hopper container having a charging opening in an upper container portion for receiving product and a discharge opening in a lower container portion for discharging product;
• a first discharge door pivotally mounted on the hopper container adjacent the discharge opening and movable between an open position to discharge product from the container and a closed position to retain product in the container;
• and
• an operating linkage mounted on the hopper container for moving the discharge door between the open and closed positions, the linkage including a pair of toggle links coupled to one another at a common connecting point and extending between a pivot point on the container where one of the toggle links is connected and a pivot point on the door where the other of the toggle links is connected, the toggle links being movable through a toggle position as the door approaches the closed position to a locking position as the door reaches the closed position, in the toggle position the common connecting point of the toggle links passing through a centerline extending between the pivot points and one of the toggle links having a compliant link portion for maintaining the links in the locking position.