Patent Publication Number: US-2007119633-A1

Title: Measuring device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a weighing device, and in particular to a weighing device including a weighing member for weighing an object while moving.  
     BACKGROUND ART  
      Conventionally, devices for weighing an object while moving the object together with a weighing member (see, for example, patent document 1) are known. A weighing device described in patent document 1 circulates a weighing member along a predetermined path and detects the weight of an object in the weighing member from the time in which the object is placed into the weighing member until the time in which the object is discharged therefrom.  
      In the weighing device described in patent document 1, the weighing member includes a solar cell which is charged in the weighing member upon the receipt of light from a lamp light source.  
      Patent document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 4-130230  
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION  
      The weighing device described in patent document 1 supplies power to the weighing member by irradiating the solar cell in the weighing member with light from a lamp light source.  
      When using this type of solar energy power generation (power generation using light), a lamp light source for emitting strong light is required. In order to have the lamp light source continue supplying light, maintenance work that takes the service life and the deterioration of the lamp light source into consideration must be performed on the lamp light source. In addition, in generating power using light, it is assumed that a sufficient power source cannot be ensured unless a rechargeable battery is provided as in the weighing device described in patent document 1, and that a photovoltaic panel having a predetermined area size must be provided. However, these elements are disadvantageous in terms of cost and space. Furthermore, when a rechargeable battery is used, one must consider the fact that the service life of the battery is influenced by the number of times it has been charged and discharged, the ambient temperature, and the like.  
      An object of the present invention is to provide a weighing device in which there is no need to do any maintenance work on a lamp in a power supply mechanism that supplies power to a weighing member that weights an object while moving, and which can be made compact.  
      A weighing device according to a first aspect comprises a weighing member and a power supply mechanism. The weighing member weighs an object while moving. The power supply mechanism includes a fixed section, a movable section, a primary coil, and a secondary coil. The movable section is movable in accordance with the movement of the weighing member. The primary coil is provided on the fixed section. The secondary coil is provided on the movable section and faces the primary coil. The power supply mechanism supplies power to the primary coil, retrieves an induced electromotive force from the secondary coil, and supplies power to the weighing member.  
      According to the above, when power is supplied to the primary coil in the fixed section, an induced electromotive force is generated in the secondary coil facing the primary coil, and the induced electromotive force is supplied to the weighing member as power. Since the primary coil and the secondary coil do not need to be in contact with each other, the movable section may be designed to be freely movable with respect to the fixed section.  
      Since the power supply mechanism uses two coils, it is not necessary to provide a light emitting device such as a lamp. This makes maintenance relatively easy. In addition, a photovoltaic panel having a relatively large area, which is necessary to generate power upon the receipt of light, is not necessary. This easily makes the power supply mechanism compact. Furthermore, a structure which retrieves an induced electromotive force from the secondary coil will achieve a battery-free power supply mechanism more easily than a photovoltaic system.  
      A weighing device according to a second aspect based on the first aspect comprises a plurality of weighing members. The power supply mechanism divides and supplies the power to the plurality of weighing members.  
      According to the above, one power supply mechanism is provided for two or more weighing members. For this reason, the power supply mechanism needs to have a high power supply capability. The power supply mechanism retrieves an induced electromotive force using two coils instead of using the conventional photovoltaic power generation. Therefore, a high power supply capability is easily achieved with a power supply mechanism having a relatively compact structure.  
      In a weighing device according to a third aspect based on the first or second aspect, the power supply mechanism further includes a rectification circuit and a smoothing circuit. The rectification circuit and the smoothing circuit are provided on a power supply path from the secondary coil to the weighing members.  
      According to the above, although the direction of current flow, and the value, of the induced electromotive force (AC) changes moment by moment, the current flow thereof is made uniform by the rectification circuit, and the voltage thereof is kept constant by the smoothing circuit including an electrolytic capacitor or the like. The induced electromotive force can be supplied to the weighing members in this state.  
      A weighing device according to a fourth aspect based on any one of the first through third aspects does not include a charger, and the power is supplied to the weighing member only from the power supply mechanism.  
      According to the above, the weighing device is a so-called battery-free device with no charger. Since the weighing device includes a power supply mechanism capable of reliably supplying power with two coils, the power supply to the weighing members will not be substantially interrupted. Such a battery-free weighing device can easily reduce costs compared to a structure having a combination of a power supply mechanism for performing photovoltaic power generation, and a charging section.  
      With a structure that supplies power to a weighing member via a battery, weighing cannot be performed until the batter is charged to a predetermined capacity, such as immediately after the power is turned on. By contrast, in the battery-free weighing device according to the present invention, weighing is possible immediately after the weighing device is started.  
      In a weighing device according to a fifth aspect based on any one of the first through fourth aspects, the secondary coil spins in accordance with the movement of the weighing member, but does not move in a direction that intersects with the rotational axis of the spinning.  
      According to the above, the secondary coil facing the primary coil spins but does not move in a direction crossing the rotation center axis of the spinning. Therefore, the secondary coil of the rotatable section does not move away from the primary coil of the fixed section. As a result, the electromotive force is constantly and stably induced in the secondary coil. For example, the secondary coil spins around the rotational axis that extends vertically, but does not move on a horizontal plane and does not move away from the primary coil.  
      In a weighing device according to a sixth aspect based on any one of the first through fifth aspects, the weighing members move along a circulating trajectory.  
      According to the above, the weighing members circulate.  
      In a weighing device according to a seventh aspect based on any one of the first through sixth aspects, the weighing members weigh a container containing an object while moving together therewith.  
      According to the above, the object is moved and weighed together with the container.  
      In a weighing device according to an eighth aspect based on any one of the first through seventh aspects, the weighing members outputs weight data wirelessly.  
      According to the above, power is supplied using the primary and secondary coils, which can function even in a non-contact manner. In addition, the weight data is output from the weighing members wirelessly. Therefore, the moving weighing members can be completely separated from the fixed section.  
      In a weighing device according to a ninth aspect based on any one of the first through eighth aspects, wherein each of the weighing members ships in and ships out the containers containing the objects while moving the containers.  
      A weighing device according to a tenth aspect based on any one of the first through ninth aspect further comprises a storage section for storing weight results of the weighing members in association with the container in which objects were placed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a weighing device according a first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the weighing device.  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a supply section included in the weighing device.  
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of a weighing section included in the weighing device, as seen from one side thereof.  
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the weighing section.  
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a stock section included in the weighing device.  
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of the stock section.  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a discharge section included in the weighing device.  
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of the discharge section.  
       FIG. 10 ( a ) through  FIG. 10 ( f ) show a discharge method carried out by the discharge section shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 .  
       FIG. 11 ( a ) is a plan view of a transfer section, and  FIG. 11 ( b ) is a side view of the transfer section.  
       FIG. 12  is a side view of a revolution mechanism.  
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing the operation of the weighing device during supply and weighing steps.  
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing the operation of the weighing device during a stock step.  
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing the operation of the weighing device during a discharge step.  
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram showing a power supply mechanism in the weighing section.  
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a combination weighing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 18  is a plan view showing an operation in which combination weighing is performed by means of the combination weighing device.  
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a holder included in the weighting section shown in  FIG. 4 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       10  Weighing device  
       12  Supply section  
       13  Weighing section  
       20  Control section  
       25   a  through  25   e  Weighing member  
       27  Load cell  
       28  Holder (holding section)  
       28   a  bottom plate (fourth holding member)  
       28   b  U-shaped member  
       28   c  Arm portion (second holding member, arm portion of the U-shaped member)  
       28   d  Rear surface holding section (third holding member)  
       28   e  Arm portion (first holding member, arm portion of the U-shaped member)  
       28   f  Magnet  
       29  External power source  
       50  Power supply mechanism  
       51  Fixed section  
       52  Primary coil  
       55  Rotatable section (movable section)  
       56  Secondary coil  
       58  Rectification circuit  
       59  Smoothing circuit  
      A 11  Rotation center axis  
      C Container  
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
     EMBODIMENT 1  
      Overall Structure of the Weighing Device  
      A weighing device  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention weights a weighing target object to be weighed, such as food or the like, accommodated in a container C having a top opening, retrieves a desired container C among a plurality of stocked containers C, and discharges the target object from the container C. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the weighing device  10  mainly includes a supply section  12 , a weighing section  13 , a stock section  14 , a discharge section  15 , transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c,  a discharge chute  17 , an operation section  18 , a revolving mechanism  19 , and a control section  20  for controlling the entire operation of the weighing device  10 .  
      The container C is a drinking glass-like container having a top opening and a brim portion C 1  around an outer circumference thereof. The container C transports a target object from a supply position to a discharge position while circulating in the weighing device  10 . The container C circulates in the weighing device  10  while constantly being moved in the weighing section  13 , the stock section  14 , and the discharge section  15 . Therefore, with the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, the steps of supplying, weighing, stocking, and discharging a target object are performed on a moving container C. The container C is formed of metal or partially formed of metal, and is held in the weighing section  13 , the stock section  14 , and the discharge section  15  described below by a magnetic force in each of these sections.  
      The supply section  12  puts a target object to be weighed by the weighing device  10  into the moving container C.  
      The weighing section  13  includes a plurality of weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  (see  FIG. 5 ), and weighs an empty container C in which no target object is accommodated and a container C accommodating a target object.  
      The stock section  14  stocks a plurality of containers C each accommodating a target object.  
      The discharge section  15  inverts a desired container C, retrieved from the plurality of containers C three-dimensionally stored in the stock section  14 , while moving the desired container C toward the supply section  12 . Thus, the target object accommodated in the container C can be discharged at a desired position.  
      The transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  are respectively located between the weighing section  13  and the stock section  14 , between the stock section  14  and the discharge section  15 , and between the discharge section  15  and the weighing section  13 . The transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  each transfer a target object between the respective sections.  
      The discharge chute  17  is a funnel-like member having a top opening and a bottom opening  17   a,  and is located in the vicinity of the discharge section  15 . The discharge chute  17  discharges a target object, which is discharged from the container C inverted in the discharge section  15 , from the bottom opening  17   a.    
      The operation section  18  receives a setting value such as a drive rate or the like which is input by the user, and displays various types of information regarding the drive rate or the like.  
      These main elements will be described later in detail.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the weighing device  10  in this embodiment includes a supply and weighing zone R 1 , a container transfer zone R 2 , a stock zone R 3 , a container transfer zone R 4 , a discharge zone R 5 , and a container transfer zone R 6  formed along a moving trajectory of the container C. The container C circulates in the weighing device  10  while moving sequentially from zone R 1  to zone R 6 . In  FIG. 2 , the one-dot chain line represents a track of the center of the container C circulating in the weighing device  10 .  
      The supply and weighing zone R 1  is a zone in the weighing section  13  where a target object is supplied to the container C, and the container C and the target object are weighed. In this zone, an empty container C is first weighed. Then, a target object is put into the container C, and the container C accommodating the target object is weighed. The container transfer zone R 2  is a zone in the transfer section  16   a  where the weighed container C is received from the weighing section  13  and transferred to the stock section  14 . The stock zone R 3  is a zone in the stock section  14  where the container C is received from the transfer section  16   a  and stored three-dimensionally. In this zone, a plurality of weighed containers C are stored three-dimensionally. The plurality of containers C are circulated in the stock section  14 . The container transfer zone R 4  is a zone where a container C selected by the control section  20  from the plurality of containers C stored in the stock section  14  is received and transferred to the discharge section  15 . The discharge zone R 5  is a zone where the container C received from the transfer section  16   b  is inverted while revolving (or traveling on a substantially circular path), and the target object is discharged toward the bottom opening  17   a  of the discharge chute  17  as a discharge target position. The container transfer zone R 6  is a zone where the container C, emptied after the target object is discharged, is received from the discharge section  15  and transferred back to the weighing section  13 .  
      The weighing device  10  in this embodiment circulates the container C therein along the zones R 1  through R 6  as described above.  
      The term “upstream” and “downstream” used below each represent a direction with respect to the above-described circulation direction of the container C.  
      Structure of the Supply Section  
      As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the supply section  12  is a feeder, located above a revolving track of a container C in the weighing section  13 , for placing a target object into the container C revolve by the weighing section  13 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the supply section  12  includes a trough  21  and a motor box  22 . The target object is put into a chute  24  provided below the trough  21 .  
      A target object which is to be put into the container C is placed on the trough  21 . A driving motor in the motor box  22  is rotated to move the trough  21  in an X direction in  FIG. 3  slowly and in a Y direction faster than in the X direction. Thus, the target object which is placed on the trough  21  can be transported toward the chute  24  little by little continuously.  
      The target object is dropped from the trough  21  to the chute  24 , and is placed into a container C that is revolved by the weighing section  13 . Namely, the supply section  12  places a target object in a container C that is revolved around a rotational axis A 11  of a rotational axis body A 1  by the weighing section  13 . In this manner, the operation will be made faster than when the target object is put into a stationary container C.  
      The chute  24  is formed of stainless steel and has a top opening and a bottom opening. The chute  24  collects target objects coming from the trough  21 , and drops the target objects from directly above a container C revolving in the weighing section  13 .  
      Structure of the Weighing Section  
      The weighing section  13  weighs a target object contained in a container C. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the weighing section  13  is located downstream of the discharge section  15  and upstream of the stock section  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the weighing section  13  includes five weighing members  25   a  through  25   e,  and holders  28  provided in correspondence with the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e.  The weighing section  13  causes the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  or the like to revolve around the rotational axis A 11  of the rotational axis body A 1 , which receives a rotational drive force transmitted from the revolving mechanism  19  described below. Namely, the weighing section  13  also functions as a transporting mechanism for a container C. The revolving mechanism  19  for rotating the rotation axis body A 1  and causing the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  to revolve will be described below in detail.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  each have a load cell  27  in a circular box  26 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , each load cell  27  includes a distortable body  27   a,  a distortion gauge  27   b,  and a bridge circuit  27   c.  The distortable body  27   a  has an inner end thereof fixed to the circular box  26  and an outer free end. When a load acts on the free end of the distortable body  27   a , the distortion gauge  27   b  attached to the distortable body  27   a  converts the distortion of the distortable body  27   a  into an electric resistance change, and the bridge circuit  27   c  converts the electric resistance change into a voltage change and outputs the voltage change. Namely, the load cell  27  outputs a load (weight) as a voltage change.  
      The load cell  27  of each of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  is supplied with power by a power supply mechanism  50 . As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 16 , the power supply mechanism  50  mainly includes an external power source  29 , a frequency/voltage conversion circuit  29   a,  a primary coil  52 , a secondary coil  56 , a rectification circuit  58 , and a smoothing circuit  59 .  
      The external power source  29  is, for example, AC200V, AC100V or DC24V. The frequency/voltage conversion circuit  29   a  creates a high frequency AC current by switching, and supplies the high frequency AC current to the primary coil  52 . The primary coil  52  and the secondary coil  56  are provided in order to supply power for operating the load cell  27  in a non-contact manner, and transmitting an output signal from the load cell  27  in a non-contact manner. The primary coil  52  is fixed to a fixed section  51 , and the secondary coil  56  is integrated with a rotatable section (movable section)  55 . The rotatable section  55  rotates together with the above-described rotation axis body A 1  that causes the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  to revolve, and the circular box  26 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the secondary coil  56  is located slightly away from the primary coil  52 , and only the secondary coil  56  rotates around the rotation center axis A 11  vertically extending through the primary coil  52  and the secondary coil  56  (i.e., the secondary coil  56  “spins” around a fixed axis). Namely, the secondary coil  56  spins in accordance with the rotation of the rotation axis body A 1 , but does not separate from the primary coil  52  as a result of such spinning movement. The distance between the primary coil  52  and the secondary coil  56  is kept substantially the same. In other words, the secondary coil  56  spins in accordance with the revolving movement of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e , but does not move in a direction (e.g., in a horizontal direction) that intersects the rotation center axis A 11  around which the secondary coil  56  spins.  
      When power is supplied from the external power source  29  to the primary coil  52  via the frequency/voltage conversion circuit  29   a , an induced electromotive force (AC) is generated in the secondary coil  56 , which faces the primary coil  52 , by means of a magnetic field created by the primary coil  52 . The induced electromotive force is supplied to the load cell  27  of each of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  and an amplifier  27   d  as power. It should be noted that the induced electromotive force generated in the secondary coil  56  is not supplied to the load cell  27  directly, but is supplied via the rectification circuit  58  and the smoothing circuit  59 . Namely, the rectification circuit  58  and the smoothing circuit  59  are located on a power supply path from the secondary coil  56  to the load cell  27  of each of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e . The direction of current flow, and the value of the induced electromotive force, changes moment by moment. Therefore, after leaving the secondary coil  56 , the direction of the current flow of the induced electromotive force will be made uniform by the rectification circuit  58  having a diode, and the voltage thereof will be kept constant by the smoothing circuit  59  having a large capacity electrolytic capacitor. The induced electromotive force is further stabilized as power by a regulator, and then is divided and supplied to the load cells  27  or the like. Since such stable power is provided, the reliability of the activation of the load cell  27  is improved despite the very weak output signal thereof.  
      Owing to the primary coil  52  and the secondary coil  56  constantly facing each other closely, the power supply mechanism  50  can reliably supply power to the load cell  27  or the like even in a non-contact manner. Therefore, the power supply mechanism  50  does not include a charger the like. The weighing section  13  does not include any charger or the like separate from the power supply mechanism  50 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 16 , a signal which is output from the load cell  27  is amplified by the amplifier  27   d , converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter  27   e,  and transferred to the secondary coil  56  via serial communication. At this point, the signal for serial communication is modulated by a modulation circuit  27   f,  is transferred from the secondary coil  56  to the primary coil  52  wirelessly in a non-contact manner, and then is demodulated by a demodulation circuit  27   g.  The signal which is thus recovered into the original serial data is sent to the control section  20  in the weighing device  10 . By sending a signal from the load cell  27  to the control section  20  in this manner, noise is inhibited from being superimposed on the very weak output signal from the load cell  27 . In addition, filtering is also conducted in order to minimize the amount of communication data. The signal may be transferred via serial communication using infrared, instead of being transferred in a non-contact manner using the primary coil  52  and the secondary coil  56 .  
      Owing to the load cell  27  located in the circular box  26 , the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  each weigh a container C held by the holder  28  while revolving. In other words, the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  each revolve around the rotation center axis A 11  together with the rotation axis body A 1  and the circular box  26 , and thus draw a circular trajectory along a horizontal plane. Since weighing is performed while each of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  is revolving toward the stock section  14  for the next step, the process from weighing to stocking can be expedited. Even though weighing is performed while each of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  is moving, the time until each of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  revolves to the transfer position in the transfer section  16   a  provided between the weighing section  13  and the stock section  14  will be sufficient in order to perform weighing.  
      Each holder  28  includes a bottom plate  28   a  for supporting a bottom surface of the container C from below and a U-shaped member  28   b.  The U-shaped member  28   b  covers the brim portion C 1  formed around the outer circumference of the container C to hold the container C between the bottom plate  28   a  and the U-shaped member  28   b.  The bottom plate  28   a  of the holder  28  has a magnet (permanent magnet) embedded therein. Owing to the magnetic force of the magnet, the container C formed of metal can be held. The magnet may be embedded in a side wall instead of the bottom plate  28   a , or may be embedded in both the bottom plate  28   a  and the side wall. This is also applied to holders  31  and  35  described later.  
      Weighing is performed in a state where the container C and each of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  are stationary relative to each other. Namely, weighing is performed where the container C and each of the weighing members  25   a  through  25   e  are moving at the same speed. Thus, even though the container C is moving, weighing can be accurately performed like when the container C is stationary.  
      The container C may be formed of a resin. The holder  28  may hold the container C by an element other than a magnet.  
      The weighing section  13  receives the container C, emptied after the target object is discharged in the discharge section  15 , from the transfer section  16   c,  and moves the empty container C to directly below a bottom opening  24   a  of the chute  24  in the supply section  12  while weighing the empty container C. In this manner, the weighing section  13  receives the container C which has been subjected to the process of weighing to discharging, and sends the container C back to the process of weighing to discharging. Thus, the container C can be circulated in the weighing device  10 . In this embodiment, one chute  24  is provided. Alternatively, the same number of chutes as the weighing sections  13  may be provided. In such a case, each chute  24  revolves around the rotation axis body A 1  together with the corresponding weighing section  13 .  
      Structure of the Stock Section  
      The stock section  14  stores a plurality of containers C which have been weighed in the weighing section  13 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the stock section  14  is located downstream of the weighing section  13  and immediately upstream of the discharge section  15 . Therefore, the stock section  14  can immediately transfer the container C selected by the control section  20  (see  FIG. 1 ) to the discharge section  15 . As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the stock section  14  includes five storage sections  30  each capable of holding five containers C vertically. The storage sections  30  are located at an equal interval in a circumferential direction around a rotation center axis of a rotation axis body A 2 .  
      The storage sections  30  each have five holders  31  arranged vertically in order to hold five containers C vertically. Like the holder  28  in the weighing section  13 , each holder  31  has a bottom plate  31   a  for supporting the bottom surface of a container C from below and a U-shaped member  31   b . The holder  31  also holds a metal container C owing to the magnetic force of the magnet embedded in the bottom plate  31   a.    
      The stock section  14  causes the storage sections  30  to revolve around a rotation center axis of the rotation axis body A 2 . Thus, the stock section  14  also functions as a transporting mechanism of a container C, like the weighing section  13 . The stock section  14  stocks the containers C while constantly causing the containers C to revolve horizontally. Therefore, once a container C is selected by the control section  20 , the selected container C can be immediately transferred to the transfer section  16   b  from the stock section  14 .  
      The stock section  14  also has a mechanism  34  for moving the storage sections  30  vertically.  
      The mechanism  34  includes shafts  32  each having a screw groove formed therein, motors (not shown) for rotating the shafts  32  that are located below the shafts  32 , and coupling members  33  for coupling the storage sections  30  and the shafts  32 . The mechanism  34  rotates the shafts  32  forward and rearward by means of the motors attached to the bottom of the five shafts  32 , so as to move the coupling members  33  attached to the shafts  32  up and down. In more detail, the motor for rotating each shaft  32  constantly rotates the shaft  32  in synchronization with the rotation rate of the rotation axis body A 2 . Therefore, the shaft  32  can be in stationary with respect to the rotation axis body A 2  while revolving around the rotation axis body A 2 . In order to move the containers C vertically, the rotation rate of the motor for constantly rotating the shaft  32  is increased or decreased, so as to rotate the shaft  32  forward or rearward with respect to the rotation axis body A 2 . As a result, the containers C held in each storage section  30  can be moved vertically together with the coupling member  33 .  
      Since the stock section  14  includes the mechanism  34  for moving the containers C vertically, the stock section  14  can store a plurality of containers C three-dimensionally. In addition, containers C which have been horizontally moved from the transfer section  16   a  are stored three-dimensionally, and the containers C which have been stored vertically are moved horizontally and transferred to the transfer section  16   b.  Therefore, the moving direction and the storage direction of the containers C can intersect with each other. At the start of driving, the five storage sections  30  are located between 1F and 5F shown in  FIG. 6 . In response to a request to select a container C from the control section  20 , the five storage sections  30  each move vertically between 1F and 9F while holding five containers C. In  FIG. 6 , 1F through 9F represent floors at which the containers C are located vertically.  
      With the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, the storage sections  30  holding five containers C receive and transfer containers C at the height of 3F, which corresponds to the center of each storage section  30  at the start of driving. Thus, regardless of which floor the container C to be retrieved is located, the vertical moving distance of the storage section  30  can be limited to two floors up or down with respect to 5F.  
      The stock section  14  receives and transfers a container C at the same floor (height). Namely, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a container C is received from the transfer section  16   a  at 5F and transferred to the transfer section  16   b  also at 5F. Owing to the system of receiving and transferring a container C at the same height, after a container C is discharged, a new container C can be added the same position merely by causing the storage sections  30  to revolve around the rotation center axis of the rotation axis body A 2 .  
      Structure of the drischarge Section  
      The discharge section  15  discharges a target object, which has been transported in a container C, from the container C. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the discharge section  15  is located downstream of the stock section  14  and upstream of the weighing section  13 . As shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the discharge section  15  includes five holders  35 , five shafts  36 , an inclining plate  37 , a rotation axis body A 3 , and an inversion mechanism  38 .  
      Like the holder  28  in the weighing section  13  and the holder  31  in the stock section  14 , each holder  35  has a bottom plate  35   a  for supporting the bottom surface of a container C from below, and a U-shaped member  35   b  in order to hold the container C. The holder  35  also holds a container C formed of metal owing to the magnetic force of the magnet embedded in the bottom plate  35   a.  The five holders  35  are located in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis body A 3  at an equal interval, and revolves around a rotation center axis of the rotation axis body A 3 .  
      Each shaft  36  is a hollow metal cylinder extending vertically, and has the holder  35  attached to a top end thereof. Inside the shaft  36 , members including a cam and a gear forming the inversion mechanism  38  for inverting the holder  35  are provided.  
      As shown in  FIG. 10 ( a ) through  FIG. 10 ( f ), guide sections  39  respectively attached to bottom ends of the five shafts  36  are raised along an inclining surface of the inclining plate  37 . The five shafts  36  are provided parallel to each other, and revolve around the rotation center axis of the rotation axis body A 3 . Owing to such a structure, the holder  35  attached to the top end of each shaft  36  and the container C held by the holder  35  can be moved vertically.  
      In order to discharge the target object P from a container C, the inversion mechanism  38  drives the cam and the gear thereof provided inside the shaft  36  to rotate the holder holding the container C at 180 degrees. The timing at which the inversion mechanism  38  rotates the container C is controlled by the control section  20  (see  FIG. 1 ), such that the target object P is discharged toward a desired discharge position in the discharge chute  17 , i.e., toward the bottom opening  17   a.  The container C, which has been inverted by the inversion mechanism  38  so as to open downward, is held by the U-shaped member  35   b  of the holder  35  supporting the brim portion C 1  from below.  
      The rotation axis body A 3  causes containers C to revolve together with the holders  35 . Thus, like the weighing section  13  and the stock section  14 , the discharge section  15  also functions as a transporting mechanism of a container C as a result of receiving a rotation driving force transmitted from the revolving mechanism  19  described below. The rotation axis body A 3  rotates in synchronization with the rotation axis bodies A 1 , A 2  and A 4  owing to a rotation driving force from a rotation motor M 1  included in the revolving mechanism  19  described below.  
      With the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, the discharge section  15  discharges a target object P from a container C while causing the container C to revolve around the rotation center axis of the rotation axis body A 3 . Therefore, the target object P in the container C is discharged from the container C while being supplied with a centrifugal force. As a result, the target object P discharged from the container C can be freely dropped to the bottom opening  17   a  with centrifugal force and gravity, or the vicinity thereof, which is positioned in a central portion of the discharge chute  17  located in a tangential direction of the revolving track of the container C around the rotation axis body A 3 .  
      Structure of the Holder  
      As shown in  FIG. 19 , the holder  28  includes a U-shaped member  28   b,  a rear surface holding section (third holding section)  28   d,  and a bottom plate (fourth holding section)  28   a.    
      The U-shaped member  28   b  holds a container C along a side surface of the container C. The U-shaped member  28   b  is located so as to receive the container C in an open part thereof, i.e., so as to be open outward with respect to the center of the revolving movement of the holder  28 . The U-shaped member  28   b  includes an arm portion (first holding member)  28   c  located upstream in the moving direction of the container C and an arm portion (second holding member)  28   e  located downstream in the moving direction of the container C. The downstream arm portion  28   e  of the U-shaped member  28   b  has a magnet (permanent magnet)  28   f  buried therein. The stainless steel container C magnetized by the magnetic force of the magnet  28   f  is held there. The U-shaped member  28   b  is put on the brim portion C 1  of the container C along the side wall of the container C, and thus the container C is held between the U-shaped member  28   b  and the bottom plate  28   a.    
      At the position where the magnet  28   f  is attached to the arm portion  28   e,  a magnetic force is generated in a whirl from the magnet  28   f . Therefore, as the container C moves closer to the magnet  28   f , an attractive force acting on the container C gradually becomes stronger. The attractive force on the container C is not suddenly generated. Therefore, the container C can be stably received.  
      The rear surface holding section  28   d  holds the container C along the side surface of the container C in a horizontal direction. The rear surface holding section  28   d  is located at a bottom of a root portion of the U-shaped member  28   b , and holds the side surface of the container C received from the transfer section  16   c  at the rearmost position of the U-shaped member  28   b.    
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the container C is not in contact with the rear surface holding section  28   d  having a magnet embedded therein. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the container C is held at two points, i.e., at both of two ends of the U-shaped member  28   b . With a structure that supports the container C at two points, the container C is less likely to bounce in the holder  28  and will be held more stably, and therefore more accurate weighing is possible even when the container C is moved at higher speed, as compared with the case where the container C is supported at three points.  
      The bottom plate  28   a  holds the received container C in a vertical direction. The bottom plate  28   a  has a surface parallel to the U-shaped member  28   b . This surface holds the bottom C 2  of the container C, received from the transfer section  16   c,  from below.  
      The holders  28  each having the above-described structure revolve in the weighing section  13  by the rotational drive force imparted to the rotation axis body A 4  from the drive source shared with the other sections (stock section  14 , the discharge section  15 , etc.) which are also revolving. The holders  28  revolve in synchronization with the stock section  14 , the discharge section  15 , the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c,  and the like. The holders  28  also revolve in the opposite direction from the transfer section  16   c  from which the container C is transferred and the transfer section  16   a  to which the container C is transferred. Therefore, when a container C is transferred from the transfer section  16   c  or to the transfer section  16   a , the container C continues moving generally in the same direction with no sharp curving. Thus, the container C can be transferred smoothly.  
      Structure of the Transfer Sections  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  are respectively located between the weighing section  13  and the stock section  14 , between the stock section  14  and the discharge section  15 , and between the discharge section  15  and the weighing section  13 . The transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  are all located at a height corresponding to 5F shown in  FIG. 6 .  
      The transfer section  16   a  is provided between the weighing section  13  and the stock section  14 , and receives a weighed container C from the weighing section  13  and transfers the container C to the stock section  14 . The transfer section  16   b  is provided between the stock section  14  and the discharge section  15 , and receives a desired container C, selected by the control section  20  (see  FIG. 1 ) and moved to the position of 5F in  FIG. 6 , from the stock section  14  and transfers the container C to the discharge section  15 . The transfer section  16   c  is provided between the discharge section  15  and the weighing section  13 , and receives an empty container C, after the target object is discharged in the discharge section  15 , from the discharge section  15  and transfers the container C to the weighing section  13 . In this manner, the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  transfer the container C between the steps of weighing, stocking, discharging, etc., and therefore the container C can be circulated in the weighing device  10 . When the container C does not discharge the target object, the container C is transferred to the weighing section  13  while storing the target object.  
      As shown in  FIG. 11 , the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  have top plates  41 , bottom plates  42 , and three rotatable bodies A 4 . Each top plate  41  has three arc-shaped portions  44  corresponding to an outer circumferential surface of a container C. Three containers C are held by the three arc-shaped portions  44 . Each bottom plate  42  has six projections  43 . A container C is fit between every two projections  43  and held from below. The three rotatable bodies A 4  receive a rotational drive force transmitted from the revolving mechanism  19  described below, and respectively rotate the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  in synchronization. Thus, the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  each function as a transporting mechanism, and function to transfer containers C between the sections. The rotation direction of the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  is opposite to the rotation direction of the weighing section  13 , the stock section  14  and the discharge section  15 . Therefore, when a container C is transferred from each of the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  to a corresponding section, the container C continues moving generally in the same direction with no sharp curving. Thus, the container C can be transferred smoothly.  
      As shown in  FIG. 7 , a claw member  45  is provided in the vicinity of the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  as a member used for transferring a container C.  
      The claw member  45  has claws  46  projecting in the vicinity of each of the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c . The claw member  45  is fixed substantially at the center of the weighing section  13 , the stock section  14 , and the discharge section  15 , at a height corresponding to 5F shown in  FIG. 6  at which a container C is received and transferred.  
      With the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, for example, a container C selected by the control section  20  from the plurality of containers C revolving in the stock section  14  shown in  FIG. 7  is moved vertically to the height corresponding to 5F. At the height corresponding to 5F to which the container C to be retrieved has moved, the claw  46  of the claw member  45  will project. The container C is guided by the claw  46  so as to be off from the revolving track in the stock section  14 , and the moving direction of the container C to be retrieved is changed toward the transfer section  16   b.  Thus, the container C can be released from the held state in the stock section  14  and guided toward the transfer section  16   b.    
      As described above, the container C is forcibly released from the held state by the claw member  45  so as to move to the transfer section  16   b.  Owing to this, even though the container C is held by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet in this embodiment, the container C can be released easily. Therefore, the container C can be released from the held state by a simple structure and transferred, without being electrically released using an electromagnet.  
      Similar to the other transfer sections  16   b  and  16   c , a container C held in the weighing section  13  and a container C held in the discharge section  15  can be released using the claw  46  of the claw member  45 , and the containers C are transferred between the weighing section  13  and the stock section  14  and between the discharge section  15  and the weighing section  13 .  
      Structure of the Revolving Mechanism  
      The revolving mechanism  19  included in the weighing device  10  in this embodiment imparts a rotational drive force to the weighing section  13 , the stock section  14 , the discharge section  15 , and the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  as described above. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the revolving mechanism  19  is located in a lower part of the weighing device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the revolving mechanism  19  includes the rotation motor M 1  and a transmission section l 9   a.    
      The transmission section  19   a  transmits a rotational drive force of the rotation motor M 1  to the rotation axis body A 1  for rotating the weighing section  13 , the rotation axis body A 2  for rotating the stock section  14 , and the rotation axis body A 3  for rotating the discharge section  15 , and the rotation axis body A 4  for rotating the transfer sections via a gear, a pulley and a belt (not shown). Thus, the rotation axis bodies A 1  through A 4  are rotated such that the weighing section  13 , the stock section  14  and the discharge section  15  are rotated in synchronization. The sections for transferring the containers C are rotated in synchronization, which means that the sections cause the containers C to revolve at the same speed. Therefore, the containers C held in the sections can be transferred smoothly.  
      As described above, the rotation axis bodies A 4  rotate the transfer sections  16   a  through  16   c  in the opposite direction to the weighing section  13 , the stock section  14  and the discharge section  15 . Therefore, with the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, the transmission section  19   a  inverts the rotation direction of the rotation driving force to be transmitted to the rotation axis bodies A 4 .  
      Weighing to Discharging Operation by Means of the Weighing Device in this Embodiment  
      Hereinafter, with reference to flowcharts in  FIG. 13  through  FIG. 15 , the flow of processing performed by the weighing device  10  in an embodiment having the above-described structure will be described. The steps performed in accordance with the flowcharts shown in  FIG. 13  through  FIG. 15  are in a control flow controlled by the control section  20  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
      First, with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 13 , a supplying and weighing step in the weighing section  13  will be described.  
      In the weighing section  13 , in step (hereinafter, referred to simply as “S”)  1 , an empty container C is received from the transfer section  16   c . In S 2 , the empty container C is weighed before a target object is supplied by the supply section  12 . Next in S 3 , the supply section  12  sequentially places target objects into containers C which are caused to revolve by the weighing section  13 . In S 4 , the weighing section  13  weighs each container C accommodating a target object. By subtracting the weight result of the empty container C from the weight result of the container C storing the target object, the weight of the target object can be found. Finally in S 5 , the weighed container C is transferred to the transfer section  16   a . When the container C received in S 1  is not empty, the weight of the target object newly added to the container C is found by subtracting the weight result in S 2  from the weight result in S 4 . By adding the weight of the target object already in the container C to the weight of the newly added target object, the total weight of the target objects in the container C can be found as the weight result.  
      The weighing section  13  sends the weight result to the control section  20 . The control section  20  stores the received weighing results of the target objects in a storage section such as a ROM, a RAM or the like, and thus stores data for performing combination weighing.  
      Next, with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 14 , a step of storing containers C in the stock section  14  will be described.  
      In the stock section  14 , in S 11 , a weighed container C is received from the transfer section  16   a  by the holder  31  in the storage section  30 . Next in S 12 , the container C is circulated (is placed into a wait state) in the stock section  14  so as to be held in the storage section  30  until the container C is selected by the control section  20 . At this point, the position of the container C which is in the wait state in the stock section  14  while containing the target object corresponding to the weight data, is stored in the storage means such as the RAM or the like in association with the weight data obtained as a result of weighing. When a selection request is received from the control section  20  in S 13 , the selected container C is moved vertically in S 14 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the selected container C is moved to the height corresponding to 5F at which the transfer section  16   b  is located. Next in S 15 , the selected container C is transferred to the transfer section  16   b . The container C transferred to the transfer section  16   b  is then processed in S 21  shown in  FIG. 15 . Although not shown in the flowchart, in order to add a new container C from the weighing section  13  to the position in the storage section  30  at which the container C which was transferred had been held, the stock section  14  causes the storage section  30  to revolve around the rotation axis body A 2  to the transfer section  16   a  while keeping the storage section  30  at the same height. Then, a new weighed container C is added from the transfer section  16   a  to the position.  
      With the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the stock section  14  receives and transfers containers C at the same height (at 5F in  FIG. 6 ). Therefore, the operation of transferring a container C to receiving a new container C can be smoothly performed merely by causing the storage section  30  to revolve. In the storage section  30 , the new container C is added at the position where the container C which was transferred had been held. Therefore, the container C can be supplemented without moving the storage section  30  vertically. Since the amount that the container C moves can be reduced, the impact or the like applied to the target object in the container C can be alleviated, and thus the target object can be protected.  
      Finally, with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 10 ( a ) through  FIG. 10 ( f ), a step of discharging a target object from the container C in the discharge section  15  will be described.  
      In the discharge section  15 , as shown in  FIG. 10 ( a ), the selected container C is received by the holder  35  from the transfer section  16   b  in S 21 . In S 22 , as shown in  FIG. 10 ( b ), the container C is elevated while revolving around the rotation axis body A 3 . When the container C starts to be elevated, the rotation of the container C is simultaneously started. The position of the container C on a plane at this point is the “container rotation start” position represented in  FIG. 9  with a two-dot chain line. As shown in  FIG. 10 ( c ), the container C is further rotated as it is being elevated. As shown in  FIG. 10 ( d ), the container C is rotated at 180 degrees and inverted so as to be open downward before arriving the uppermost point. Next, in S 23 , as shown in  FIG. 10 ( e ), after the container C is inverted at 180 degrees, the container C is lowered in that state. The position of the container C on a plane at this point is the “final inverted container” point represented in  FIG. 9  with another two-dot chain line. At this point, the target object is displaced from the revolving track of the container C in the discharge section  15 , and discharged toward the center of the discharge chute  17 , or the vicinity thereof, which is located in a tangential direction of the revolving track. The position of the container C on a plane at this point is the “discharge completion” position represented in  FIG. 9  with yet another two-dot chain line. In S 24 , as shown in  FIG. 10 ( f ), the container C that has discharged the target object is rotated back at 180 degrees to be open upward. Finally in S 25 , the container C is transferred to the transfer section  16   c.    
      As described above, the container C revolves by means of a rotational drive force from the rotation motor M 1  of the revolving mechanism  19  being transmitted to the rotation axis bodies A 1  through A 4 . By contrast, the container C is elevated or lowered, i.e., moved vertically, by the guide section  39  attached to the bottom of the shaft  36  moving along the inclining plate  37 .  
      With the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, as described above, when the target object is discharged from the container C, the discharge section  15  moves the container C vertically and also rotates the container C at 180 degrees. This can give a vertically upward inertial force to the target object. Therefore, even where a plurality of target objects are contained in the container C, the target objects are assembled together at the bottom of the container C. As a result, the target objects are prevented from being discharged from the container C immediately after the container C starts to be rotated and also prevented from being discharged sequentially.  
      With the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, the discharge section  15  inverts the container C at 180 degrees, and then lowers the container C vertically. Usually, where a plurality of target objects, such as potato chips, are contained in the container C, when the container C is merely inverted to discharge the plurality of target objects, there is a delay between the time at which the first target object is discharged and the time at which the final target object is discharged. When this occurs, the target objects are discharged from the container C in the form of a lengthy strip, and the problem of so-called sequential discharge arises. With the weighing device  10  in this embodiment, the discharge section  15  lowers the container C vertically after inverting the container C. This can gives a vertical downward force to the target objects which are to be discharged from the container C with a delay among the plurality of target objects. Therefore, the delay between the time at which the first target object is discharged and the time at which the final target object is discharged from the container C is eliminated, which solves the problem of sequential discharge. The discharge section  15  can also control the container C to be inverted so that the target object is discharged, or not to be inverted and transferred to the weighing section  13  while containing the target object.  
      Features of the Weighing Device in this Embodiment  
      (1) With the weighing device  10 , the power supply mechanism  50  in the weighing section  13  includes two coils  52  and  56 . Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a light emitting device such as a lamp to perform solar energy power generation. This makes the maintenance relatively easy.  
      A photovoltaic panel having a relatively large area, which is necessary to generate power upon receiving light, is not necessary. This makes the power supply mechanism  50  compact.  
      (2) The weighing section  13  of the weighing device  10  includes one power supply mechanism  50  for five weighing members  25   a  through  25   e . Therefore, the power supply mechanism  50  needs to have a high power supply capability.  
      In light of this, the power supply mechanism  50  retrieves an induced electromotive force using two coils  52  and  56  instead of using the conventional photovoltaic power generation. Therefore, a high power supply capability is achieved with the power supply mechanism  50  having a relatively compact structure.  
      In addition, owing to the two coils  52  and  56 , the power supply mechanism  50  continuously provides power without any battery. Owing to such a battery-free structure of the power supply mechanism  50 , the initial installation costs and maintenance costs for the weighing device  10  can be lower than those for a structure having a combination of a power supply mechanism for performing photovoltaic power generation and a charging section. With a structure that supplies power to a weighing member via a battery, weighing cannot be performed while the battery is being charged. In the battery-free weighing section  13 , weighing is possible immediately after the weighing device  10  is started.  
      (3) In the power supply mechanism  50  of the weighing section  13  in the weighing device  10 , the secondary coil  56  facing the primary coil  52  spins, but does not move in a direction (e.g., in a horizontal direction) that intersects the rotation axis A 11  thereof. Therefore, the secondary coil  56  of the rotatable section  55  does not move away from the primary coil  52  of the fixed section  51 . As a result, the electromotive force is constantly and stably induced in the secondary coil  56 .  
     EMBODIMENT 2  
      Another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 .  
      A combination weighing device  60  according to this embodiment separately provides objects such as food items or industrial products to a plurality of containers each having a top opening, selects containers such that the total weight of the target objects accommodated in the selected containers is within a predetermined weight range, and discharges a plurality of objects within the predetermined weight range.  
      As shown in  FIG. 16 , the combination weighing device  60  includes four weighing devices  10  according to Embodiment 1, and a discharge chute  17 .  
      The combination weighing device  60  includes a control section  20  connected to the four weighing devices  10 . The control section  20  is included in one of the four weighing devices  10 .  
      The control section  20  receives data on the weight of a target object, which is weighed in the weighing section  13  of each of the four weighing devices  10  and stored in the stock section  14 , from the weighing section  13 . The control section  20  combines target objects contained in the containers C that are stored in the stock section  14  of each of the four weighing devices  10 , such that the total weight of the combined target objects is within a desired weight. When the control section  20  determines a combination to realize a desired weight, the containers C containing the target objects used for the combination are selected and retrieved from the stock sections  14  of the weighing devices  10 . Then, the desired target objects are discharged from the containers C in the discharge sections  15  and thrown into the discharge chute  17 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 17 , combination weighing by the combination weighing device  60  in this embodiment is performed in a state in which four weighing devices  10   a  through  10   d  are located so as to surround the discharge chute  17 .  
      The weighing devices  10   a  through  10   d  respectively include weighing sections  13   a  through  13   d,  stock sections  14   a  through  14   d,  and discharge sections  15   a  through  15   d,  as described in Embodiment 1. The stock sections  14   a  through  14   d  each include five storage sections  30   aa  through  30   de.  The five storage sections each hold five containers C vertically as described above.  
      In the combination weighing device  60  in this embodiment, the control section  20  included in the weighing device  10  in Embodiment 1 is included only in the weighing device  10   a.  This control section  20  controls the operation of the four weighing devices  10 . Namely, the control section  20  in the weighing device  10   a  combines the weights of the target objects which are contained in the plurality of containers C stored in the stock sections  14   a  through  14   d  in the four weighing devices  10   a  through  10   d.  Target objects are discharged from three or four of the weighing devices  10   a  through  10   d  toward the bottom opening  17   a  of the discharge chute  17 , such that the total weight of the discharged target objects is within a desired weight range.  
      With the combinational weighing device  60  including the four weighing devices  10   a  through  10   d  as described above, containers C containing the target objects having a desired weight among the five containers C held vertically in, for example, the storage section  30   ac  in the stock section  14   a  of the weighing device  10   a  are transferred to the discharge section  15   a.    
      Concurrently, in the other weighing devices  10   b  through  10   d,  containers C containing the target objects having a desired weight for the combination weighing, among the five containers C held in each of the four storage sections  30   bc  through  30   dc  in the stock sections  14   b  through  14   d , are similarly transferred to the discharge sections  15   b  through  15   d.    
      Then, in the weighing devices  10   a  through  10   d,  combination weighing is performed using five containers C held in the four storage sections  30   da  through  30   dd  in the stock sections  14   a  through  14   d , i.e., 20 containers C.  
      After this, combination weighing is similarly performed using  20  containers C of weight data in the storage sections  30   ae  through  30   de,    30   aa  through  30   da,  and  30   ab  through  30   db.    
      With the combination weighing device  60  in this embodiment, as described above, in the storage sections  30   aa  through  30   de  included in the stock sections  14   a  through  14   d , combination weighing is performed using the storage sections  30   aa,    30   ba,    30   ca  and  30   da  as one group, the storage sections  30   ab,    30   bb,    30   cb  and  30   db  as one group, the storage sections  30   ac,    30   bc,    30   cc  and  30   dc  as one group, the storage sections  30   da,    30   bd,    30   cd  and  30   dd  as one group, and the storage sections  30   ae,    30   be,    30   ce  and  30   de  as one group.  
      When, for example, combination weighing is performed by discharging the target objects only from the three weighing devices  10   a  through  10   c  of the four weighing devices  10   a  through  10   d,  the containers C are not inverted in the discharge section  15   d  in the weighing device  10   d  in which no target object is discharged.  
      Combination weighing, which is performed using a plurality of containers C held in the storage sections  30  in the stock sections  14   a  through  14   d , can be performed continuously with no need to wait for each of the stock sections  14   a  through  14   d  to rotate back to the previous position.  
      With this type of combination, the target objects may be discharged from each of the four weighing devices  10 . Alternatively, when one weighing device  10  includes containers C that contain target objects of a desired weight range from the beginning, the target objects may be discharged from one such weighing device  10 .  
      Thus, target objects within a desired weight range can be discharged. By combining four weighing devices  10  in Embodiment 1 in this manner, high speed processing of, for example, over 200 times per minute, is realized.  
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS  
      Embodiments of the present invention have been described. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.  
      (A) In Embodiment 1, the weighing section  13 , the stock section  14 , and the discharge section  15  each function as a transporting mechanism of a container C. For example, the weighing device  10  and the transporting mechanism are provided as one single mechanism. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the weighing section  13  or the like, a transporting mechanism of a container C may be provided as a separate mechanism.  
      (B) In Embodiment 2, a combination weighing device  60  including four weighing devices  10  is described. The combination weighing device according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even one weighing device  10  is capable of functioning as an automatic weighing device or a combinational weighing apparatus. However, it is preferable that a combination weighing device includes a plurality of weighing devices  10  as in Embodiment 2, in order to perform the process from weighing to discharging at high speed. For example, the combination weighing device  60  in Embodiment 2 will ensure that the process can be performed up to 240 times/min. Accordingly, the number of weighing devices  10  to be used for combination weighing may be determined in accordance with the desired discharging capability.  
      (C) In the above embodiments, the weight data on a target object is stored in the storage means such as a RAM or the like in the weighing device  10 . The present invention is not limited to this.  
      For example, an ID tag attached to a container C may store the weight data on a target object contained in the container C. In this case, the weight data moves together with the container C. Therefore, the container C and the weight data on the target object contained therein can be easily and reliably associated with each other.  
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
      A weighing device according to the present invention is designed so as to have a movable section which is freely movable with respect to a fixed section in a power supply mechanism, to make maintenance work relatively easy, and is useful as a weighing device including a weighing member for weighing an object while moving.