COMBINATORIAL WEIGHING APPARATUS

Abstract: Each of weighing units (AM, AS) has one or more weighing devices (#1 to#10) housed in a casing and each having a scale plate (a) for placing articles thereon, and indicators (b) associated with the weighing devices for indicating selected weighing devices. As many weighing units as desired by the user are provided in a desired layout. Weight data items of the articles put on the scale plates are combined to find a weight combination giving a desired total weight. The selected weighing devices are indicated by the indicators, which are held energized until the articles are picked up from the selected weighing devices by the operator.

Description: The present invention relates to combinatorial weighing apparatus. Large-scale supermarkets have packaging plants where articles or commodities are packaged. In some cases, a number of fish, or fish or meat slices are packaged in a prescribed weight range. Normally, fish slices or meat cuts are delivered on a belt conveyor, and a plurality of weighing units including scale plates are disposed on a rack disposed on one side of the belt conveyor or on racks disposed on opposite sides of the belt conveyor. The fish slices or meat cuts are weighed as batches of articles on the scale plates. The detected weight values of the batches of articles are combined in a number of ways, and an acceptable or "optimum" combination of article batches which has a weight value which is the same as, or closest to, a desired weight is selected. The scale plates carrying the selected combination of article batches are indicated, and the article batches are removed from those scale plates. There is known in the art a manual combinatorial weighing apparatus including a control unit which can carry out the above combinatorial weighing procedure, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-35932 and Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model No. 56-170728. Similar manual combinatorial weighing apparatus is disclosed in EP-A-0065820. In the above-mentioned combinatorial weighing apparatus, five to ten, or more, scale plates and weighing units are mounted on a narrow elongate rack or racks, and the belt conveyor for feeding the articles is attached to the rack or racks. Therefore, the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus is elongate and large in size. This is disadvantageous in that the freedom to install the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus in a plant is small, and there are large limitations on the installation of the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus. Each of the weighing units must be kept horizontal, resulting in a complex adjustment process. When weighing units are selected as giving a combination of article batches exhibiting a desired weight, indicator lamps are energized. The indicator lamps are de-energized when the articles are taken away from the scale plates. The timing of de-energizing the indicator lamps is critical. If the indicator lamps were de-energized before the articles are completely removed from the scale plates, e.g. if the indicator lamps were turned off immediately after the articles are grabbed by the operator, the operator would tend to place articles again on the scale plates in error. Some conventional manual combinatorial weighing apparatus have failed to fully control the indicator lamps. In certain manual combinatorial weighing apparatus, when a batch combination giving a desired weight is found, a command signal is applied to the indicator lamps of those weighing units which are selected as providing such a batch combination to hold the indicator lamps energized for a certain period of time. The indicator lamps are de-energized only when all of the articles are completely removed from the selected scale plates so that the weight displays are cleared to zero or a negative value. If a small amount of sticky food materials, such as daily dishes or soft cheese for example, remains on a scale plate, the indicator lamp therefor is not de-energized, and the next weighing cycle cannot be initiated. Articles or commodities to be weighed by manual combinatorial weighing apparatus vary in shape, stickiness, and other properties. For weighing soft elongate articles (such as fish), it is customary for the operator to manually hold the articles, place part of the articles on the scale plate, move them slowly toward the center of the scale plate, and finally release them. Where an article to be weighed is sticky, it takes a considerable time before the sticky articles falling by gravity from article feeders onto scale plates are fully distributed and put on the scale plates. In this case, the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus effects the combinatorial weighing operation several times before a prescribed quantity of articles has been supplied to the scale plates. Therefore, as shown in FIG., 1 of the accompanying drawings, the weight data produced by the weight units tend to vary; they first reach a temporary stable weight value X, and then increase until they reach a true stable weight value Y. If the process for finding a suitable weight combination were effected at the stable point X, then a proper weight combination could not be selected, but an erroneous weight combination might be selected. Another problem with the conventional combinatorial weighing apparatus is that when the apparatus is in use for a long period of time, the zero point may be shifted due to a temperature-dependent drift or a dust deposit. If the zero point is shifted in a direction to increase the detected weights, those weighing units which do not carry any articles take part in a combinatorial weighing process. When this happens, packages with incorrect weights are produced, and the indicator lamps associated with empty scale plates that are selected remain energized. Where the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus has a target weight of 500 g, an upper limit weight of 504 g, and a lower limit weight of 498 g, if no proper weight combination is obtained and weighing units A, B, C are selected as giving a combination weight of 516 g stored in a processing unit, an error or deviation displayed is (516 - 500) = 16 g, and the operator must replace the articles on the weighing units so that the displayed error will fall within a range from - 2 g to + 4 g. It would be quite difficult for the error to fall in that range by replacing the articles only once, and the operator must usually replace the articles several times. Therefore, the efficiency is poor. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combinatorial weighing apparatus, for selecting a desired quantity of articles, which apparatus comprises control means operable to combine respective weight values provided by a plurality of weighing machines of the apparatus, to which machines respective batches of articles to be weighed have been manually supplied by an operator of the apparatus, to find an acceptable combination of weighing machines holding a total quantity of articles whose weight is equal to a preset target weight, or is within a preset range including that target weight, and further comprises a plurality of individually-energisable visual indicators associated respectively with individual weighing machines, the said control means serving also to bring about energisation of those indicators that are associated respectively with the weighing machines belonging to the said acceptable combination, thereby to provide for an operator of the apparatus a visual indication of which batches of articles are to be removed from the weighing machines and brought together to form the said desired quantity of articles; characterised in that the said control means serve also to detect removal of respective batches of articles from the weighing machines belonging to the acceptable combination and include holding means operable in respect of each energised indicator to maintain energisation of that indicator until, but only until, such time as removal of the batch of articles from the weighing machine associated with the indicator concerned is detected, and further characterised in that the said weighing machines are housed within a set of casings, there being at least two casings in the set and at least one of those casings housing more than one of the weighing machines, and each casing being movable relative to the or each other casing of the apparatus. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combinatorial weighing apparatus, for selecting a desired quantity of articles, which apparatus comprises control means operable to combine respective weight values provided by a plurality of weighing machines of the apparatus, to which machines respective batches of articles to be weighed have been manually supplied by an operator of the apparatus, to find an acceptable combination of weighing machines holding a total quantity of articles whose weight is equal to a preset target weight, or is within a preset range including that target weight, and further comprises a plurality of individually-energisable visual indicators associated respectively with individual weighing machines, the said control means serving also to bring about energisation of those indicators that are associated respectively with the weighing machines belonging to the said acceptable combination, thereby to provide for an operator of the apparatus a visual indication of which batches of articles are to be removed from the weighing machines and brought together to form the said desired quantity of articles; characterised in that the said control means serve also to detect removal of respective batches of articles from the weighing machines belonging to the acceptable combination and include holding means operable to maintain energisation of each of those indicators that are associated respectively with the weighing machines belonging to the said acceptable combination until, but only until, such time as removal of the batches of articles concerned from all of those weighing machines is detected, and further characterised in that the said weighing machines are housed within a set of casings, there being at least two casings in the set and at least one of those casings housing more than one of the weighing machines, and each casing being movable relative to the or each other casing of the apparatus. Thus, when articles are removed from the selected weighing devices, the indicators thereof are held energized. The indicators are automatically de-energized when all articles are taken off the selected weighing devices. The efficiency of operation is increased since the operator can know exactly when new articles can be placed on the selected weighing devices. In addition, the casings allow the weighing machines to be laid out with greater freedom, and to be levelled in a simple process. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combinatorial weighing apparatus, for selecting a desired quantity of articles, which apparatus comprises control means operable to combine respective weight values provided by a plurality of weighing machines of the apparatus, to which machines respective batches of articles to be weighed have been manually supplied by an operator of the apparatus, to find an acceptable combination of weighing machines holding a total quantity of articles whose weight is equal to a preset target weight, or is within a preset range including that target weight, and further comprises a plurality of individually-energisable visual indicators associated respectively with individual weighing machines, the said control means serving also to bring about energisation of those indicators that are associated respectively with the weighing machines belonging to the said acceptable combination, thereby to provide for an operator of the apparatus a visual indication of which batches of articles are to be removed from the weighing machines and brought together to form the said desired quantity of articles; characterised in that the said control means include holding means selectively operable in dependence upon a manually-actuable hold key to maintain energisation of each of those indicators that are associated respectively with the weighing machines of the said acceptable combination, and further characterised in that the said weighing machines are housed within a set of casings, there being at least two casings in the set and at least one of those casings housing more than one of the weighing machines, each casing being movable relative to the or each other casing of the apparatus. Combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the present invention is composed of small-size weighing devices with no drive mechanisms. Therefore, the combinatorial weighing apparatus can be installed in a small space, and can be used for weighing articles that can easily be damaged and a small quantity of articles. Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 (described above) is a graph showing time-dependent changes of weight data produced when articles are placed on a scale plate of combinatorial weighing apparatus; Figs. 2(a) through 2(c) are perspective views of components for use in combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a manual combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the present invention; Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) are views showing the layouts of weighing units or use in an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) are block diagrams of electric circuits for use in an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a basic processing sequence for a manual mode to hold an indicator lamp energized, according to the third aspect of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a manual processing sequence for another manual mode, according to the first aspect of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a processing sequence for triggering an automatic mode to hold an indicator lamp energized with a main scale when the main scale is forced to take part in combinatorial weighing operation; Fig. 9 is a flowchart of another processing sequence for another automatic mode; Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a processing sequence according to the second aspect of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a flowchart of a first operation sequence according to the second aspect of the prsent invention; Fig. 12 is a flowchart of a first operation sequence according to the first aspect of the prsent invention; Figs. 13(a) and 13(b) are flowcharts of processing sequences for preventing an error; Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a display panel of a display unit of the combinatorial weighing apparatus; and Fig. 15 is a flowchart of a processing sequence according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 2(a) through 2(c) show in perspective components of combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the present invention. Fig. 2(a) illustrates a basic weighing unit AM comprising a single scale plate a , a weighing device (not shown) coupled to the scale plate a , and a pair of selection indicator lamps b (only one of which can be seen in the Figure) disposed one on each side of the scale plate a. As shown in Fig. 2(b), a weighing unit AS has a plurality of, for example three, scale plates a , a weighing device coupled thereto, and three pairs of indicator b (only one lamp of each pair being shown in the Figure). Fig. 2(c) shows a control unit B housing a control CPU for executing a combinatorial processing operation on weight data provided by the weighing units, comparing the weight data combinations with a target weight stored in a memory, and generating an energizing signal to be applied to those indicator lamps b associated with the weighing units selected as giving an optimum weight combination. The control unit B has an input key pad for entering necessary information, a display unit h for displaying weight combinations, a ten-key pad for setting addresses of the scale plates a, and a printer for printing dates and weights on labels applied to packages of articles which have been weighed and packed. The weighing units AM, AS and the control unit B are interconnected by signal lines for transferring weight signals to the control unit B and signal lines for transmitting control signals from the control unit B to energize the indicator lamps b, as described later. In operation, two operators are located on opposite sides of the weighing units AM, AS in confronting relation to the scale plates a . One of the operators places articles on the scale plates a , whereas the other operator removes the articles from the scale plates a and packages them. Fig. 3(a) schematically shows in block form combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the combinatorial weighing apparatus comprises ten weighing devices #1 through #10. The weighing devices #2 through #10 are divided into three groups, each of which comprises three weighing units AS stored in a casing g . The weighing device #1 is singly stored in the casing of the weighing unit AM. Weighing device baseboards pa support thereon A/D converters, interfaces, and other circuit components for the respective weighing devices. Weight data obtained from each of the weighing devices is transmitted through a signal line (bus line) e to the control unit B. The control CPU in the control unit B can always monitor the weight data from each weighing device by way of polling. Denoted at h is a display unit. Combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the present invention is constructed as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In practice, as mentioned above, the operators are situated on opposite sides of the weighing devices. One operator puts articles to be weighed on the weighing devices, and the other operator removes the articles from those weighing devices which have been selected as having an optimum weight combination, and packages the removed articles. The weighing devices are stored in the casings in groups of 3 : 3 : 3 : 1, because if the weighing devices were stored in a single casing, they could not easily be carried around and the layout of the weighing devices would be subject to limitations, and also because if the weighing devices were stored in respective casings, it would be more complex to level the weighing devices. One main scale, here the weighing device #1, is forced to take part in a combinatorial weighing operation, as when mixing two types of articles and packing them into one package. Any one or more of the other weighing devices may be selected as a main scale. The main scale or scales which are forced to take part in a combinatorial weighing operation are located so that they can be operated by the operator most easily. Where articles to be weighed do not need such forced participation of the main scale, the main scale may be dispensed with, and all of the weighing devices may be ordinary weighing devices. Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) are illustrative of the layouts of weighing units of the invention. Fig. 4(a) shows combinatorial weighing apparatus comprising three weighing units AS each having three scale plates a , weighing devices coupled respectively thereto, and three pairs of indicator lamps b , and one weighing unit AM comprising a scale plate a , a weighing device coupled thereto, and a pair of indicator lamps b . Thus, the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus has a total of ten scale plates a . Fig. 4(b) illustrates combinatorial weighing apparatus comprising three weighing units AS each having three scale plates a , weighing devices coupled respectively thereto, and three pairs of indicator lamps b , two weighing units AS each having two scale plates a, weighing devices coupled respectively thereto, and two pairs of indicator lamps b , and one weighing unit AM comprising a scale plate a , and a weighing device coupled thereto, and a pair of indicator lamps b . Thus, the combinatorial weighing apparatus has a total of fourteen scale plates a . In an embodiment of the present invention, therefore, there are a plurality of weighing units each having one or more sets of a scale plate, a weighing device coupled thereto, and a pair of indicator lamps. The number of scale plates required, and hence the number of weighing units used, are determined in accordance with the installation space available in a plant and/or the desired degree of weighing accuracy. The weighing units are laid out dependent on the positions where operators are located. As a result, the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus can be used with increased freedom or with less limitations. Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) are block diagrams of electrical circuits that can be employed by combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the present invention. The weighing units AS, AM have scale plates a , weighing devices c coupled thereto which comprise load cells or the like, and indicator lamps b . Weight data obtained by each weighing device c is applied to a multiplexer d . In response to a switching signal from the control unit B including a CPU and a memory, the multiplexer d successively reads the weight data items from the weighing devices c and applies digital values of the weight data items to the control unit B through a preamplifier i and an A/D converter j As described with reference to Fig. 2(c), the control unit B has the display unit (CRT) h , the ten-key pad k , the printer m , and the input key pad n . The control unit B is connected through a parallel-to-serial converter p to a host system (not shown) which analyzes the transmitted data. In Fig. 5(a), the weighing units AS,AM and the control unit B are separate from each other. However, the control unit B may be mounted on any one of the weighing units AS, AM, and may be shared by the weighing units AS,AM.Fig. 5(b)shows such an arrangement in block form. In Fig. 5 (b) a number of weighing units AS are connected through a signal line e to a weighing unit AM1 where the control unit B is incorporated. The control unit B operates in the same way as the control unit B shown in Fig. 5(a). Each of the indicator lamps b for indicating participation in a selected weight combination comprises an LED which should preferably be held energized when the articles start being removed after they have been weighed. This is because if the indicator lamp b associated with a weighing device that has took part in the selected weight combination were prematurely de-energized, the operator loading the scale plates a might inadvertently put new articles additionally on the scale plate, and another combinatorial weighing process would be carried out, thus altering the displayed combined weight. According to the third aspect of the present invention, after energisation of the indicator lamps b , those lamps are either automatically or manually held energized, until removal of all articles from the scale plates a has been automatically detected, whereupon the indicator lamps b are automatically de-energized in preparation for the next combinatorial weighing cycle. A basic manual processing sequence for holding the indicator lamps b energized will now be described with reference to Fig. 6. (1) Manual mode is selected by use of a key on the input key pad n of the control unit B. After it is confirmed that weight data items have been received from all of the weighing devices in a step P1, a combinatorial calculation process is carried out in a step P2. Then, a hold flag for the indicator lamps b is checked in a step P3. If the hold flag is not ON, then a step P4 checks whether there is an optimum weight combination or not. If there is an optimum weight combination, then a calculating flag is set in a step P5, and if there is no optimum weight combination, then a calculating flag is reset in a step P6. (2) An ON or OFF command for the indicator lamps b is transmitted in a step P7, and completion of the transmission of ON or OFF commands for all of the weighing devices is confirmed in a step P8. If a hold key for the indicator lamps b is ON in a step P9, a step P10 checks whether the calculating flag is ON or not. If the calculating flag is ON, the hold flag is set in a step P11, and control goes back to the step P1. If the hold key is OFF in the step P9, control returns from the step P9 to the step P1 for a next weighing process. (3) If the hold flag is ON in the step P3, the calculating flag is reset in a step P22 when the hold key is ON in a step P21, and then the hold flag is reset in a step P23. The operator can ascertain whether the apparatus is in a combinatorial calculation process or not by utilizing operation of the hold key to start and stop holding the indicator lamp energized and also by utilizing the hold flag. The present invention is characterized in that operation of the hold key to stop holding the indicator lamp energized is eliminated. Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of another basic manual processing sequence for holding the indicator lamp b energized. The flowchart of Fig; 7 includes steps P1 through P11 which are the same as those of Fig. 6. Therefore, only the other steps different from those of Fig. 6 will be described below. (1) If the hold flag is ON in the step P3, a step P31 ascertains whether the weighing device is selected as giving a desired weight combination. If yes, a step P32 confirms that the weight data is cleared to zero or a negative value, i.e. that all of the articles have been taken away from the scale plate, and a command for turning off the indicator lamp b is transmitted in a step P33. The process of the steps P31 through P33 is effected for all of the weighing devices in a step P34. (2) Then, a step P35 checks if the indicator lamps b of all of the weighing devices are turned off. If not, a step P36 checks if the hold key is ON or not. If it is, the calculating flag is reset in a step P37, and the hold flag is reset in a step P38. If any of the indicator lamps b is energized in the step P35 and the hold key is not ON in the step P36, then control goes back to the step P1 to continue the weighing process. A processing sequence for triggering an automatic mode to hold an indicator lamp energized with a main scale when the main scale is forced to take part in a combinatorial weighing operation will now be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. (1) After the weight data items have been received from all weighing devices in a step S1, a step S2 confirms that articles have been placed on the main scale and the weight of the articles is stable (net stability) based on the weight data from the main scale, and a step S3 checks if a "calculated" flag is ON or not. If not, a combinatorial calculation process is carried out in a step S4. Then, a step S5 checks whether there is an optimum weight combination or not. If there is an optimum weight combination, then a calculating flag is set in a step S6, and if there is no optimum weight combination, then a calculating flag is reset in a step S7. An ON or OFF command for the indicator lamps b is transmitted in a step S8, and upon completion of the transmission of ON or OFF commands for all of the weighing devices in a step S9, control goes back to the step S1. (2) Is net stability of the main scale is not confirmed in the step S2, i.e. if the articles are removed from the scale plate after the combinatorial weighing process, a step S10 checks if a calculating flag is ON or not. If yes, then a calculated flag is set in a step S11. Then, a step S12 checks if the weighing device is selected, and a step S13 confirms that the data is zero or negative, i.e. the articles have been removed from the scale plate, followed by a step S14 in which an OFF command for the indicator lamb b is transmitted. (3) The steps S12 through S14 are repeated in a step S15 until all of the weighing devices are checked. After all of the weighing devices are checked, a step S16 confirms that the articles have been taken off all of the weighing devices which have been selected in the weight combination. Then, the calculating flag is reset in a step S17, and the calculated flag is reset in a step S18. In the above embodiment, the combinatorial calculation process and indications are effected only when the main scale shows a positive weight, not zero, and is stable. Therefore, the automatic mode for holding the indicator lamps energized is achieved. This process is summarized as follows: (a) First, articles are placed on the main scale. (b) Articles are placed on subscales. (c) When weighing devices which give a prescribed weight combination are selected by a combinatorial calculation process that is carried out each time weights are entered, the indicator lamps b of the selected weighing devices are energized. (d) When the articles start being taken off the main scale, the indications of the indicator lamps b are prevented from being altered. That is, the indicator lamps b are held energized, and no combinatorial calculation process is effected even if weight data is entered. (e) The indicator lamps b of the selected weighing devices are successively de-energized when the articles are removed from the scale plates and the weight data items are cleared to zero. When all of the indicator lamps are de-energized and next articles are put on the main scale, a combinatorial calculation process is started again. Where the main scale is forced to take part in a combinatorial weighing operation, any subsequent process is not performed unless articles are placed on the main scale. Accordingly, articles will not be left on the scale plates due to an oversight. Since the automatic mode for holding the indicator lamps energized is triggered by the main scale, the conditions of operation are easier to recognize. Fig. 9 is a flowchart of another automatic mode for holding the indicator lamps energized. This automatic indication holding mode will be described below. In this mode, while the total weight data provided by the weighing devices is increasing, it is determined that the apparatus is in combinatorial weighing operation. When the total weight starts being reduced, it is judged that the articles have begun be removed from the weighing devices. The automatic indication holding mode is controlled on the basis of the above judgement. Any one of the weighing devices is operable to trigger the automatic holding mode, and no weighing device is required to be forced to take part in the combinatorial weighing operation. Only those steps of Fig. 9 which are different from those of Fig. 8 will be described below. First, weight data items from all of the weighing devices are entered in a step S50, and added in a step S51. A step S52 checks if the total weight has increased or not since the last total weight calculation. If the weight has increased, then steps S53 through S59 (which are the same as the steps S3 through S9 in Fig. 8) are executed to effect a combinatorial calculation process. If the weight has not increased in the step S52, then control goes to a step S60. The step S60 and following steps S68 are the same as the steps S10 through S18 in Fig. 8. After confirming that all of the indicator lamps b have been turned off, i.e. the articles have been removed from all of the weighing devices, the calculating flag and the calculated flag are reset. Thereafter, a register storing the total weight is cleared in a step S69, and control goes back to the first step S50. According to the above embodiment, the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus selects those weighing devices which give an optimum weight combination within a prescribed allowable error with respect to a target weight. Now, a manual combinatorial weighing/counting apparatus for selecting weighing devices that give an optimum combination with respect to a target weight and a target count according to another embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, the manual combinatorial weighing apparatus of the type described above is combined with count data storage means for setting a number or count of weighing devices to be selected for an optimum combination and for storing the set count. First, a combination of weighing devices including the set number or count of weighing devices is employed to effect a combinatorial weight calculation process, and those weighing devices among the combination which give an optimum weight combination within a prescribed allowable error from a target weight are selected. Therefore, by placing one article on each weighing device, a combination of articles having an optimum weight and a preset number or count is attained from the same number of weighing devices. Another combinatorial weighing apparatus for selecting weighing devices which provide an optimum combination with respect to a target weight by combining weight data items of a plurality of types of articles will be described. For example, consider that two types of articles A, B are to be processed, and a target weight for mixed articles A, B is preset. The weighing devices used are classified into two groups for the articles A, B, respectively, and the articles A, B are placed on the weighing devices in these two groups. The manual combinatorial weighing apparatus has two weight data storage means for storing weight data obtained by weighing the articles A, B with the weighing devices. A combination of weighing devices, including at least one of the weighing devices in the group for the articles A and at least one of the weighing devices in the group for the articles B, i.e. a combination of weight data items including at least one weight data item from one of the weight data storage means and at least one weight data item from the other weight data storage means, is employed to effect a combinatorial weight calculation process, and those weighing devices which give an optimum weight combination within a prescribed allowable error from a target weight are selected. By providing count data storage means for the respective article types A, B and storing the counts of weighing devices for the respective article types A, B, which are selected as giving an optimum combination, e.g two weighing devices for the article type A and three weighing devices for the article type B, the optimum combination can be selected from among combinations including the total of five weighing devices. Though two types A, B of articles have been described by way of example, any number of types of articles can be processed according to the this embodiment. An example of counting and weighing a prescribed count of articles having a prescribed weight will be described below. To make a 300-g package of three fish, the operator places fish one by one on weighing devices. The control unit effects a combinatorial calculation process according to a combination pattern including three weighing devices. Those weighing devices which give a combination having a weight of 300 g or close thereto within an allowable range are selected, and the indicator lamps of the selected weighing devices are energized. If no desired weight combination is obtained, the operator appropriately replace some of the fish with new fish until the desired weight combination is reached. Weighing apparatus embodying the present invention can also weigh a mixture of plural types of fish, such as horse-mackerel and mackerel pike, up to 600 g and packages the fish in a selected combination. In this case, fourteen weighing devices, for example, are employed with one weighing device thereof being used as a main scale which is forced to take part in combinatorial weighing operation. The other thirteen weighing devices are divided into groups and stored in casings. The main scale is used to weigh horse-mackerels, and mackerel pikes are placed respectively on the other weighing devices. Those weighing devices which gives a total weight of 600 g for a mixture of horse-mackerels and mackerel pikes are selected, and the indicator lamps of the selected weighing devices are energized. In the embodiments described with reference to Figs. 2 through 9, since weighing devices are preferably stored as groups in casings, the weighing devices can be laid out with greater freedom, and can easily be leveled. After a combinatorial weighing process is completed, the indicator lamps b of the selected weighing devices are automatically or manually energized. The articles are removed successively from the selected weighing devices until the weight data items from the weighing devices are cleared to zero or a negative value, indicating that all of the articles have been removed from the selected weighing devices, whereupon the indicator lamps b are successively de-energized automatically. Since new articles can be placed on those weighing devices with the indicator lamps b de-energized even if the articles are not yet removed from all of the selected weighing devices, the efficiency of operation is increased. The control process is facilitated because the indicator lamps b are automatically de-energized. The combinatorial weighing apparatus can have small-size weighing devices with no drive mechanisms, so that the installation space required by the apparatus may be small, and the apparatus can be used to weigh a small quantity of articles or articles which can easily be damaged. The combinatorial weighing apparatus can therefore be used in a wider range of applications. Combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the present invention is preferably arranged such that each indicator lamp is de-energized when the weight of remaining articles on the scale plate reaches a preset value near zero, e.g. 5 g, so that a next process can be effected even when small remains are left on the scale plate. The range of allowable remains on the scale plate, in which the indicator lamp can be de-energized, can be set by the input key pad n . This range is made variable and can be set to any value dependent on the type of articles to be weighed. For example, the higher the unit price, the smaller the range may be to reduce any loss that could happen during the weighing process. The lower the unit price, the greater the range may be to speed up the weighing process. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the above operation involving the allowable range for remains to be left on the scale plate. (1) In a step A1, initialization is effected by establishing a weight setting at which the indicator lamps are to be de-energized. Weight data items are entered from all weighing devices, e.g. ten weighing devices in a step A2. Then, a combinatorial calculation process is executed in a step A3, followed by a step A4 which checks whether an optimum weight combination with respect to a target weight is reached or not. If not, the steps A1 through A4 are repeated until such an optimum weight combination is attained. (2) If an optimum weight combination is achieved, the combined weight is held and the indicator lamps of the weighing devices giving that weight combination are held energized in a step A5, and the articles are removed from those weighing devices in a step A6. (3) The weight data items are entered from the weighing devices which have taken part in the weight combination in a step A7. A step A8 then checks whether the input weight data from a certain weighing device is below a specified weight. If not, the operator removes remains from the certain weighing device, and then the steps A7, A8 are executed again. If the input weight data from the weighing device drops below the specified weight, then a step A9 successively checks whether the weight data items from the weighing devices which have participated, in the weight combination are below the specified weight. If yes, then the indicator lamps are de-energized. The specified weight below which the indicator lamps are de-energized can be selected as desired, dependent on the articles to be weighed, through an input device such as the ten keys. For example, for articles of a higher unit price, the specified weight may be made smaller for higher accuracy, and for articles of a lower unit price, the specified weight may be made greater for increased speed of operation. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, as described above, the indicator lamps which have been energized of those weighing devices that give an optimum weight combination with respect to a target weight can be de-energized on the condition that the weight data from each of the weighing devices drops below a preset weight near zero. Therefore, the problem of continuously holding the indicator lamps energized because of small remains on the scale plates, thus failing to perform any subsequent process, can be eliminated, and the weighing operation can efficiently be carried out. According to an embodiment of the present invention, after weighing devices giving an optimum weight combination have been selected through a combinatorial calculation process, a combinatorial calculation process is effected again to prevent weighing devices from being selected which provide a wrong weight combination due to a combinatorial calculation process effected at the temporary stable point X in Fig.1. This operation is indicated by flowcharts of Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 is a flowchart of a first operation sequence of such a combinatorial weighing operation. (1) Weight data items are entered from all weighing devices, e.g ten weighing devices in a step B1. Then, a combinatorial calculation process is executed in a step B2, followed by a step B3 which checks whether there are weighing devices giving an optimum weight combination with respect to a target weight. If not, the steps B1 through B3 are repeated until such an optimum weight combination is attained. If the optimum weight combination is achieved, a preset time period, e.g. 1 second, is allowed to elapse in a step B4, and the weight data items from the weighing devices are entered again in a step B5. Based on the newly-entered weight data items, a combinatorial calculation process is effected again in a step B6, and a step B7 checks whether the same weighing devices as those found in the step B3 are selected as giving an optimum weight combination or not. If not, all of the articles are removed from the weighing devices, and new articles are placed thereon, followed by the process beginning with the step B1. If the same weighing devices are selected, then the indicator lamps thereof are energized in a step B8. (2) The operator packages those articles removed from the weighing devices with the energized indicator lamps into a container, and enters the weight data of the selected weighing devices in a step B11. If the weight data of the selected weighing devices do not return to zero in a step B12, control goes back to the step B11. If the weight data return to zero in the step B12, the weight data items are entered in the step B1. Fig. 12 is a flowchart of a second operation sequence of such a combinatorial weighing operation. In the second operation sequence, any time period allowed to elapse is not provided, and a combinatorial calculation process is effected at all times to energize the indicator lamps of those weighing devices which give an optimum weight combination. If indicator lamps which are once energized are de-energized freely in a corrective fashion, the operator may be confused. To avoid this, the energization of indicator lamps of those weighing devices which give a weight combination is corrected when a weight combination closer to a target weight is obtained. When the total weight of articles on weighing devices at present is reduced from the total weight of articles on all of the weighing devices at the time an optimum weight combination is found, it is determined that the articles have begun to be removed from the selected weighing devices, and hence the indicator lamps of the selected weighing devices are de-energized. The flowchart of Fig. 12 will now be described. (1) The indicator lamps of all of the weighing devices are de-energized in a step B51, and weight data items from all of the weighing devices, e.g. ten weighing devices, are entered in a step B52. Then, a combinatorial calculation process is executed in a step B53. A step B54 checks whether weighing devices giving an optimum weight combination with respect to a target weight are found or not. If not, the steps B52 and B53 are executed again. If an optimum weight combination is reached, the total weight of all of the weighing devices is stored in a step B55, and the indicator lamps of the selected weighing devices are energized in a step B56. (2) Weight data items are entered from all of the weighing devices in a step B61. Then, a step B62 ascertains whether the total weight is reduced from the total weight at the time the optimum weight combination is found. If not, i.e. the total weight is increased, a combinatorial calculation process is carried out in a step B63, and a step B64 checks if there is established an optimum weight combination or not. If not, the process beginning with the step B51 is repeated. If yes, then a step B65 checks whether the combined weight is closer to the target weight than the previously combined weight. If not, control returns to the step B61 in which the weight data items from all of the weighing devices are entered. If yes, the indicator lamps are energized in a corrective fashion in a step B66, and then control goes back to the step B61. (3) If, in the step B62, the total weight is reduced from the total weight at the time the optimum weight combination is found, it is judged that the articles have begun to be removed from the weighing devices selected as giving the optimum weight combination, and control goes to a return process for de-energizing the indicator lamps. In this process, the weight data items are entered from the selected weighing devices in a step B71, followed by a step B72 which checks whether the weight data items are cleared to zero or not. If the weight data items are not cleared to zero, then control returns to the step B71, and if the weight data items are cleared to zero, then the indicator lamps of the weighing devices giving the weight combination are de-energized in the step B51. If, after an optimum weight combination has been established, the combined weight is varied between the target weight and an upper limit weight, then the energization of the indicator lamps may not be corrected. If the total weight at present time is more largely varied in excess of the upper limit weight than the total weight of the articles on the selected weighing devices at the time the weight combination is found, then the total weight is determined to be excessive, and the indicator lamps are de-energized. If the weight of the articles on the weighing devices giving an optimum weight combination is varied, the displayed weight may be replaced with a new weight. In this embodiment, as described above, after an optimum weight combination has been obtained, a combinatorial calculation process is effected again, and if the present combined weight is the same as the preceding combined weight or closer to a target weight than the preceding combined weight, then the indicator lamps of the weighing devices selected to give the optimum weight combination are energized. Therefore, the weight data items are combined at the true stable point without causing an error in the weighing process. As another embodiment, when the weights of articles are measured by a plurality of weighing devices for effecting a combinatorial calculation process, only those weighing devices which have obtained weights larger than a lower limit weight may be employed to effect a combinatorial calculation process for thereby preventing a combinatorial calculation error. Figs. 13(a) and 13(b) are flowcharts of processing sequences for preventing such an error. In the flowchart of Fig. 13(a), a lower limit is provided for weight data items produced by weighing devices. First, weight data items from weighing devices are read by weight sensors in a step C1. A step C2 then checks whether the weighing devices have become stable. If the weighing devices have become stable, then a step C3 ascertains whether the weight data items are proper or not. If yes, then a step C4 checks if a weight data items is greater than a lower limit. The lower limit can variably be set by the input key pad, and may be 5 g, for example. If the weight data item from a weighing device is higher than the lower limit, a participation flag is set for the weighing device in a step C5, and the weight data item is stored in a step C7. If the weight data item is not higher than the lower limit in the step C4, then the participation flag is reset in a step C6. After the weight data item has been stored in the step C7, a step C8 checks if the weight data items from all of the weighing devices have been entered or not. The process beginning with the step C1 is repeated until all of the weight data items are entered. Fig. 13(b) shows a calculation routine in which a combinatorial calculation process is executed in a step C11 only with respect to those weighing devices which produce weight data higher than the lower limit (step C4 in Fig. 13(a)) and for which the participation flag is ON, so that weighing devices giving an optimum weight combination will be selected. In this embodiment, a lower limit is established for weight data items detected by the weighing devices, and a combinatorial calculation process is executed only with respect to those weighing devices which produce weight data higher than the lower limit. Therefore, those weighing devices which carry no articles will not take part in any combinatorial calculation process. In combinatorial weighing apparatus embodying the present invention, the weight value as measured may not fall within a prescribed weight range dependent on how articles are placed on scale plates. To prevent this, the combinatorial weighing apparatus may have means for determining whether a weight combination outside of and closest to such a prescribed weight range should be indicated or not. Fig. 14 shows in detail a display panel of the display unit h of combinatorial weighing apparatus having the aforesaid means. The display panel includes a combined weight display aa , a target weight display bb , an excess lamp cc , a proper weight lamp dd , a shortage lamp ee , a weighing device number indicator ff , and indicator lamps gg . Operation of the combinatorial weighing apparatus is as follows: When the operator places articles on the main scale and the subscales, or the weighing devices, weight data items as converted to digital values are applied to the CPU of the control unit and stored in the memory. The CPU effects a combinatorial calculation process in a prescribed pattern on the weight data items stored in the memory, and finds an optimum combination pattern with respect to a target weight and also combination patterns under and over and closest to the target weight (proper weight). When a proper weight combination is obtained by the combinatorial calculation process, the indicator lamps b of the corresponding weighing devices that are selected, and the indicator lamps gg corresponding to the weighing device numbers on the display unit are energized, and the operator removes articles from the corresponding weighing devices and packages them. If no proper weight combination is obtained by the combinatorial calculation process, then a pattern of weighing devices closest to the proper weight range is selected, and the weight given thereby, whether it may be lighter or excessive, is indicated, and the indicator lamps of the corresponding weighing devices are caused to flicker. Then, the operator increases or reduces the articles on these weighing devices until a proper weight combination is reached. In an embodiment of the present invention, the input key pad includes a hold key. If the hold key is depressed when no proper weight combination is obtained during a combinatorial calculation process and either a weight combination under and closest to the target weight or a weight combination over and closest to an upper limit weight is indicated and its combined weight is displayed, the indication of the combination pattern is held. The operator now adds, reduces, or replaces articles on any of the weighing devices included in the combination pattern that is held indicated, and only those weight data items from the weighing devices included in this combination pattern are added, and the total weight is displayed. Heretofore, when no proper weight combination is obtained, those weighing devices to or from which articles are to be added or reduced are fixed, and articles should be replaced. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the weighing devices are fixed only when the hold key is pushed, and may selectively be fixed by the hold key when no proper weight combination is obtained. The problem of not obtaining a proper weight combination can be solved by adding, reducing, or replacing articles. This can be done quickly by the operator dependent on the shape, size, and other features of the articles. Fig. 15 is a flowchart of the above operation sequence. Operation of the combinatorial weighing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 15. (1) Articles are placed on all of the weighing devices in a step D1, and weight data items are requested from all of the weighing devices in a step D2. Then, a step D3 ascertains whether the weighing devices are stable or not. A combinatorial calculation process is effected in a prescribed pattern in a step D4, which is followed by a step D5 that checks whether there is a proper weight combination. If there is a proper weight combination obtained, the proper weight combination is indicated, the combined weight is displayed, and the proper weight lamp dd is energized in a step D6. The articles are removed from the corresponding weighing devices in a step D7, and other articles are placed on these weighing devices in a step D8. (2) If no proper weight combination is obtained in the step D5, control goes to a step D9 which checks whether there is a weight combination under a target weight. If yes, then a step D10 checks if there is a weight combination over the target weight. If not, the weight combination under and closest to the target weight is indicated, the combined weight is caused to flicker on the display, and the shortage lamp ee is energized in a step D11. If it is confirmed that the hold key is not depressed in a step D12, articles are added to the corresponding weighing devices in a step D13. At this time, articles may be added, reduced, or replaced on the other weighing devices. (3) If there is a weight combination over the target weight in the step D10, then Wu = (the target) - (the combined weight under and closest to the target), and Wo = (the target + the combined weight over and closest to the upper limit) - (the target + the upper limit) are calculated in a step D14. Then, Wu and Wo are compared in a step D15. If Wu < Wo, control goes to the step D11, and if not control goes to a step D17. (4) If it is confirmed that there is no weight combination under the target weight in the step D9, a step D16 checks whether there is a weight combination over the target weight + the upper limit. If yes, then a weight combination over and closest the target weight + the upper limit is indicated, its combined weight is displayed, and the excess lamp cc is energized in a step D17. After it is confirmed that the hold key is not depressed in a step D18, excessive articles are removed from the corresponding weighing devices in a step D19. At this time, articles may be added, reduced, or replaced on the other weighing devices. (5) If the answer to the decision step D16 is NO, then the weight "0 g" is displayed and the shortage lamp ee is energized in a step D20, and articles are placed on the weighing devices in a step D21. (6) If the hold key is depressed in the steps D12, D18, control goes to a step D51. In the step D51, weight data items are requested from only the corresponding weighing devices. Only these weight data items are added in a step D52. If a proper weight combination is obtained in a step D53, control goes to the step D6, and if not a step D54 checks if the weight is fighter or not. If the weight is lighter, then the shortage lamp ee is energized, the total weight is caused to flicker on the display, and the corresponding combination pattern is indicated in a step D55. Then, articles are added to the corresponding weighing devices in a step D56. When it is confirmed that a hold-release key is pushed in a step D57, control goes back to the step D2 for requesting the weight data items from all of the weighing devices. If the weight is not lighter in the step D54, the excess lamp cc is energized, the total weight is caused to flicker on the display, and the corresponding combination pattern is indicated in a step D58. Then, excessive articles are taken off the corresponding weighing devices in a step D59. According to the above process, where articles with a large unit weight and a fixed shape, such as fish slices, are to be weighed, a proper weight combination can easily be obtained by replacing the articles and effecting a combinatorial calculation process again. Where articles with a small unit weight which can easily be increased or reduced, such as candies, are to be weighed, a proper weight combination can be obtained by not effecting a combinatorial calculation process again but checking the weight data items from the weighing devices and adding or subtracting articles. In this case, a pattern of lighter or excessive weights is not varied inadvertently and a proper weight combination is obtained by fixing weighing devices with lighter or excessive weights and adjusting the weight data items from these weighing devices. With the aforesaid embodiment, as described above, if no proper weight combination is obtained with respect to a target weight, whether weighing devices to or from which articles are to be added or reduced are to be fixed and whether articles are to be removed, added, or replaced are determined dependent on the properties of articles being handled. The operator can therefore easily obtain a proper weight combination. When no proper weight combination is obtained, those weighing devices which produce weight data close to the proper weight range, and the weight data and the combination pattern are caused to flicker on the display, so that the operator can take a suitable action smoothly. Although certain preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it should be understood that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: Combinatorial weighing apparatus, for selecting a desired quantity of articles, which apparatus comprises control means (B) operable to combine respective weight values provided by a plurality of weighing machines (C) of the apparatus, to which machines (C) respective batches of articles to be weighed have been manually supplied by an operator of the apparatus, to find an acceptable combination of weighing machines (C) holding a total quantity of articles whose weight is equal to a preset target weight, or is within a preset range including that target weight, and further comprises a plurality of individually-energisable visual indicators (b) associated respectively with individual weighing machines (C), the said control means (B) serving also to bring about energisation of those indicators (b) that are associated respectively with the weighing machines (C) belonging to the said acceptable combination, thereby to provide for an operator of the apparatus a visual indication of which batches of articles are to be removed from the weighing machines (C) and brought together to form the said desired quantity of articles; characterised in that the said control means (B) serve also to detect removal of respective batches of articles from the weighing machines (C) belonging to the acceptable combination and include holding means operable in respect of each energised indicator (b) to maintain energisation of that indicator (b) until, but only until, such time as removal of the batch of articles from the weighing machine (C) associated with the indicator (b) concerned is detected, and further characterised in that the said weighing machines (C) are housed within a set of casings (AM), there being at least two casings (AS, AM) in the set and at least one of those casings (AS) housing more than one of the weighing machines (C), and each casing (AS, AM) being movable relative to the or each other casing (AS, AM) of the apparatus. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said holding means are selectively operable in dependence upon a manually-actuable hold key. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the said the control means (B) are operable to determine when a batch of articles has been removed from a weighing machine (C) whose associated indicator (b) is energised by detecting whether the weight value provided by the weighing machine (C) concerned is less than or equal to a preselected weight value, and, if so, to bring about de-energisation of that indicator. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the said control means (B) are further operable, before an operator has removed a batch of articles from a weighing machine (C) indicated as belonging to a first acceptable combination, to combine respective updated weight values provided by the said plurality of weighing machines (C) to find a second such acceptable combination and, provided that the total quantity of articles held by the weighing machines (C) belonging to that second acceptable combination has a weight which is closer to the said preset target weight then the weight of the articles held by the weighing machines (C) belonging to the said first acceptable combination, to bring about subsequent energisation of only those indicators (b) that are associated respectively with the weighing machines (C) of the said second acceptable combination. Combinatorial weighing apparatus, for selecting a desired quantity of articles, which apparatus comprises control means (B) operable to combine respective weight values provided by a plurality of weighing machines (C) of the apparatus, to which machines (C) respective batches of articles to be weighed have been manually supplied by an operator of the apparatus, to find an acceptable combination of weighing machines (C) holding a total quantity of articles whose weight is equal to a preset target weight, or is within a preset range including that target weight, and further comprises a plurality of individually-energisable visual indicators (b) associated respectively with individual weighing machines (C), the said control means (B) serving also to bring about energisation of those indicators (b) that are associated respectively with the weighing machines (C) belonging to the said acceptable combination, thereby to provide for an operator of the apparatus a visual indication of which batches of articles are to be removed from the weighing machines (C) and brought together to form the said desired quantity of articles; characterised in that the said control means (B) serve also to detect removal of respective batches of articles from the weighing machines (c) belonging to the acceptable combination and include holding means operable to maintain energisation of each of those indicators (b) that are associated respectively with the weighing machines (C) belonging to the said acceptable combination until, but only until, such time as removal of the batches of articles concerned from all of those weighing machines (C) is detected, and further characterised in that the said weighing machines (C) are housed within a set of casings (AM), there being at least two casings (AS, AM) in the set and at least one of those casings (AS) housing more than one of the weighing machines (C), and each casing (AS, AM) being movable relative to the or each other casing (AS, AM) of the apparatus. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said control means (B) are operable to determine when the batches of articles have been removed from all of the weighing machines (C) whose associated indicators (b) are energised by detecting whether each of the weight values provided by those weighing machines (C) is less than or equal to a preselected weight value, and, if so, to bring about de-energisation of those indicators (b). Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the said control means (B) are further operable, after finding an acceptable combination, to combine respective updated weight values provided by the plurality of weighing machines (C) to find a further such acceptable combination and to compare that acceptable combination with the previously-found acceptable combination, and, provided that the two combinations are identical, to bring about energisation of the indicators (b) associated respectively with the weighing machines (C) belonging to those acceptable combinations. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 6, or in claim 4 when read as appended to claim 3, or in claim 7 when read as appended to claim 6, wherein the said preselected weight value is zero. Combinatorial weighing apparatus, for selecting a desired quantity of articles, which apparatus comprises control means (B) operable to combine respective weight values provided by a plurality of weighing machines (C) of the apparatus, to which machines (C) respective batches of articles to be weighed have been manually supplied by an operator of the apparatus, to find an acceptable combination of weighing machines (C) holding a total quantity of articles whose weight is equal to a preset target weight, or is within a preset range including that target weight, and further comprises a plurality of individually-energisable visual indicators (b) associated respectively with individual weighing machines (C), the said control means (B) serving also to bring about energisation of those indicators (b) that are associated respectively with the weighing machines (C) belonging to the said acceptable combination, thereby to provide for an operator of the apparatus a visual indication of which batches of articles are to be removed from the weighing machines (C) and brought together to form the said desired quantity of articles; characterised in that the said control means (B) include holding means selectively operable in dependence upon a manually-actuable hold key to maintain energisation of each of those indicators (b) that are associated respectively with the weighing machines (C) of the said acceptable combination, and further characterised in that the said weighing machines (C) are housed within a set of casings (AM), there being at least two casings (AS, AM) in the set and at least one of those casings (AS) housing more than one of the weighing machines (C), and each casing (AS, AM) being movable relative to the or each other casing (AS, AM) of the apparatus. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the said control means (B) are operable, when attempting to find an acceptable combination, to combine only those weight values which do not fall below a preselected lower weight limit. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the said control means (B) are operable to bring about energisation of the indicators (b) associated with an "optimum" acceptable combination of weighing machines (C), that hold a total quantity of articles whose weight lies in a preselected range between the said preset target weight and a preselected upper weight limit, in preference to the indicators (b) associated with any other acceptable combination of weighing machines (C) that hold a total quantity of articles whose weight lies outside that range, but are operable selectively, if such an "optimum" acceptable combination cannot be found, to bring about energisation of the indicators (b) associated with an acceptable combination of weighing machines (C) holding a total quantity of articles whose weight is either below and closest to the said preset target weight or above and closest to the said upper weight limit, and to bring about display of the weight of that quantity. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the said control means (B) are disposed separately from at least one of the said casings (AS, AM).

Inventors: GOTO, YASUHIRO, HORIUCHI, KAZUFUMI, KAWAMURA, TAKUMI, MICHIBAYASHI, YASUO, NOBUTSUGU, HIDEO, SATO, HIROKAZU 114, SHIMOSEIZOUGUCHI-CHO
Applicants: ISHIDA SCALES MFG. CO. LTD.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: G01G19
IPC codes: G01G19