Combination weighing method with two discharge paths and two target

Abstract

A combination weighing method using a combination weighing machine comprising a plurality of weighing hoppers for weighing product and a plurality of auxiliary hoppers located under respective weighing hoppers for receiving weighed product discharged therefrom. The weights of product are initially stored in weighing hopper memories corresponding to the respective weighing hoppers and then transferred to auxiliary hopper memories weighed product is discharged into the auxiliary hoppers and the emptied weighing hoppers are automatically reloaded with fresh product to be weighed. At least the weight values stored in the auxiliary hopper memories are combined for selecting from the resultant combinations a combination whose sum weight satisfies a predetermined weight condition. The contents of the auxiliary hoppers corresponding to the selected combination are discharged into a collection chute for packing and the emptied auxiliary hoppers are reloaded from the corresponding weighing hoppers. Before completion of the reloading operation, the next combination selection operation is effected in a similar manner using the weight values not selected in the preceding combination search and the resultant selected combination is discharged into another collection chute. The predetermined weight condition includes two target weights and two kinds of batches having different target weights are alternately delivered via the two collection chutes.