초록 ▼

Method and apparatus for weighing a product being moved by a conveyor. When the product is conveyed to be disposed at a weighing station stationarily positioned relative to the moving conveyor, a weighing platform engages the bottom surface of the product and raises the product upwardly so that the

Method and apparatus for weighing a product being moved by a conveyor. When the product is conveyed to be disposed at a weighing station stationarily positioned relative to the moving conveyor, a weighing platform engages the bottom surface of the product and raises the product upwardly so that the bottom surface of the product is disposed above and spaced apart from the conveyor. After the product is raised above the conveyor, the product is weighed, without any interface with the conveyor, and then lowered back down onto the conveyor. Concurrently, the measured weight of the product is compared to a predetermined weight range. If the weight of the product is properly within a predetermined weight range, the product continues down the production line on the conveyor. If, however, the weight of the product is out of tolerance, the unacceptable product is removed from the conveyor.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [9.]9. A weighing apparatus, comprising:a. a conveyor for moving a product in a first direction, the conveyor having a top surface on which the product is disposed;b. a weigher stationarily positioned relative to the moving conveyor, the weigher comprising:1. at least one fing

[ What is claimed is:] [9.]9. A weighing apparatus, comprising:a. a conveyor for moving a product in a first direction, the conveyor having a top surface on which the product is disposed;b. a weigher stationarily positioned relative to the moving conveyor, the weigher comprising:1. at least one finger having an upper surface and a lower surface and being elongated and extending in the first direction;2. a lifter for moving each finger between a raised position, in which a portion of the upper surface of each finger is disposed above the top surface of the conveyor, and a lowered position, in which the upper surface of each finger is disposed below the top surface of the conveyor;3. at least one weighing element operably connected to each finger, in which the weighing element determines the weight of the product when disposed on the finger and when the lifter positions the finger in the raised position; and4. at least one bar, the bar extending in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, the bar having an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface, the uppermost surface extending substantially parallel to the upper surface of each finger, wherein the lower surface of each finger is secured to the uppermost surface of the bar, the weighing element being operably connected to the lowermost surface of the bar; andc. a support platform comprising:1. a frame coupled to each finger, the frame including a plurality of braces extending in the first direction and at least one crosspiece extending in the second direction and oriented substantially parallel to the bar, the braces being fixedly attached to the crosspiece, each brace having a first end; and2. a pivot shaft extending in the second direction and connected to the first ends of the braces, the pivot shaft being stationarily positioned so that when the lifter moves each finger between the raised and lowered positions, each finger and connected frame pivot about the pivot shaft.