Patent ID: 7282651
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: G01G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for collecting discrete items sequentially delivered by an item feeder to an output location and for discharging a collected quantity of said items when the accumulated weight thereof matches a target weight, said apparatus comprising: a container including an item receiving surface for receiving items delivered by said feeder to said output location, said item receiving surface mounted for movement between a first position whereat said surface is located close to said output location to minimize the drop height to said surface and a second position whereat said surface is located further from said output location to enable the container to accumulate an increased volume of items; means for measuring the weight of items accumulating in said container; means responsive to said weight measuring means for moving said item receiving surface from said first position toward said second position while said container continues to receive items from said output location; and means responsive to said weight measuring means for discharging items accumulated in said container when the measured weight thereof matches said target weight.