Importance

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Abstract

A combination weighing machine for forming a charge of product closely approximating a target amount includes a plurality of weigh scales, each of which receives a quantity of product and produces a signal proportional to the quantity of product received. The quantities are combined according to a combination searching sequence in a search operation, and a combination of scales which closely approximates a target amount is dumped to form the desired charge. The dumped scales are reloaded, and the process is repeated in a cyclic manner. The speed of the cyclic process is improved without significantly sacrificing accuracy by allocating less time than necessary for a complete search of all possible combinations in the search sequence. A search is terminated when the time expires, whether the search sequence is completed or not.

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First Claim