Abstract:
Batches of articles are charged randomly into a plurality of weighing heads, respectively, and weighing data items which are generated respectively by the weighing heads, are added in combinations. The weighing data items from those weighing heads fewer than all of the weighing heads, preferably substantially half of the weighing heads, are picked up and repeatedly added together to provide a wide variety of combinations of added weighing data items. One of such combinations which gives the added data items equal or closest to a set value is selected to open the weighing heads for discharging a desired combination of batches of articles.
Abstract:
A combination weighing machine having a plurality of weighing units and being adopted to load at least one of the weighing units with articles having a predetermined volume, to compare the weight signal from this weighing unit with a predetermined reference weight signal and to deliver the articles of the predetermined weight if their weight is greater than the reference weight. If the weight of such articles is less than the reference weight the machine is operable to generate combinations of the aforesaid; weight signal and the weight signals from the other weighing units to select a combination having a weight greater than the reference weight, for the purpose of forming batches of articles each having volume and weight greater than predetermined values.
Abstract:
An apparatus for continuously supplying fine powder at a constant rate comprises a hopper for holding the fine powder, a first piezoelectric transducer disposed on the diaphragm for supplying vibration to cause discharge of the fine powder therefrom, a second piezoelectric transducer for detecting change in the frequency of vibration of the hopper with change in the amount of fine powder contained in the hopper and feeding the detected signal back to a driver for the first piezoelectric transducer so as to supply vibration to the hopper at a frequency determined on the basis of the amount of fine powder contained in the hopper.
Abstract:
A combinatorial weighing or counting method of the type in which weight data items from a plurality of weighing machines are combined to find an optimum combination giving a total combined value equal or closest to a target value within preset allowable limits, and the weighed articles are discharged from the weighing machines constituting the optimum combination. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a first storage device provided individually for each of the weighing machines. The method includes the steps of clearing the status of the first storage device corresponding to those weighing machines that participate in the optimum combination and updating by a predetermined quantity the status of the first storage device corresponding to those weighing machines that do not participate in the optimum combination. The clearing and updating are carried out each time an optimum combination is found, and it is discriminated whether the status of each of the first storage devices exceeds a preset value. Then, from combinations including at least one weighing machine corresponding to whichever of the first storage devices has a status which exceeds the preset value, a combination is selected which has a total combined value closest to the target value within the preset allowable limits. Finally, the weighed articles are discharged from the weighing machines participating in the combination.
Abstract:
In a material handling system having a material feeder, a material container may be configured to discharge material to the material feeder and a process aid may be engaged with the material container, a method including determining a process indicator associated with a material flow characteristic of the feeder during operation of the feeder, determining a difference between the process indicator and an indicator threshold value, adjusting the operation of the process aid based on the value of the difference determined above between the process indicator and the indicator threshold value.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an automated process for performing two or more consecutive reactions in a reaction vessel, said reaction vessel comprising an outlet at the base of said reaction vessel, and said process comprising: i) performing a first reaction is said reaction vessel, said first reaction comprising reacting one or more first reactants in the presence of a first catalyst, ii) uploading the reaction vessel of material therein through the outlet at the base of said reaction vessel and into a collecting vessel, iii) weighing the collecting vessel with the material therein, iv) calculating the mass of material collected, v) comparing the expected mass of material from the reaction to the value from step (iv), and vi) if the values correlate, subsequently performing a second reaction in said reaction vessel, said second reaction comprising reacting one or more second reactants in the presence of a second catalyst.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for feeding, weighing and releasing a predetermined quantity of fiber in reoccurring cycles for use in a fiber blending operation or the like whereby the quantity of fiber released in each cycle is maintained at an essentially constant and preselected level, which includes means for sensing the actual weight of fiber dumped from a weigh pan or container, comparing such weight with a constant preset desired weight setting, and varying the weight of fiber delivered during the next cycle to compensate for any differences between the preset weight and the actual weight dumped during the preceding cycle.
Abstract:
In a material handling system having a material feeder, a material container may be configured to discharge material to the material feeder and a process aid may be engaged with the material container, a method including determining a process indicator associated with a material flow characteristic of the feeder during operation of the feeder, determining a difference between the process indicator and an indicator threshold value, adjusting the operation of the process aid based on the value of the difference determined above between the process indicator and the indicator threshold value.
Abstract:
Provided for preparing thermoplastic polymer blends is (1) an apparatus comprising a grinder, a mixer, at least one material transfer device, a weigh scale, means for addition of additives to the mixer, a storage vessel, a processing device and means for feeding polymer to the processing device; and (2) a process comprising mixing a known amount of a first material with a desired amount of at least one additive based on a predetermined weight ratio of additive to first material to form individual batches of pre-mix, storing the pre-mix batches in a storage vessel, continuously feeding the pre-mix from the storage vessel to a processing device, adding a polymer stream to the processing device at a rate based on the first material feed rate to the processing device, optionally adding at least one vulcanizing agent stream to the processing device at a rate based on the polymer stream feed rate to the processing device and melt mixing all materials in the processing device to form a thermoplastic polymer blend.
Abstract:
In order to improve the metering accuracy, especially with a strongly fluctuating feed material supply, a method and an apparatus for continuous, gravimetric metering and mass flow determination of flowable materials are proposed, wherein the output of the metering device (8) is regulated with a time offset to match the set-point flow rate in dependence on the instantaneous mass flow determined at the flowmeter (4).