Container packaging or filling machines must operate at a high rate of speed, and must also include, in each package or container, at least the minimum weight specified on the package, hereinafter referred to as the predetermined target weight. It is virtually impossible, from a practical standpoint, to produce exactly the specified weight in high speed packaging or filling machines, and therefore the machines now in use generally produce an excess weight over the target weight. Since such excess weight is a "give-away"loss to the producer, it is important to minimize this excess weight as much as possible.

Two types of weighing or filling machines are now in common use: One type is a linear-feeder machine in which the product is fed via a single feed path to a single weighing device and, when the target weight is reached, the feeder is cut-off. This type of machine may include a bulk feeder which feeds the product at a relatively high rate to a weight slightly less than the target weight, and a dribble feeder which then feeds the product at a slow rate until the target weight is reached. An example of this type of apparatus is illustrated in US Patent 4,100, 984. However, such machines operate relatively slowly because of the relatively large intervals that may be required to operate the dribble feeder in view of the slow rate fed by that feeder. Another drawback in the existing linear-feed machines is the time and effort required for change-over from one product or weight to another product or weight because of the need to preset a number of parameters which include, in addition to the target weight: the cut-off point for the bulk feed; the cut-off point for the dribble feed; the weight of the"falling"product

while in the air; the amplitude of the vibrations for bulk feeding; and the amplitude of vibrations for dribble-feeding.

The second type of weighing or filling machine, which is of higher accuracy and higher operating speed, is the parallel-feeder or combination-type machine, wherein the product is simultaneously fed via a plurality of parallel feed paths to a plurality of weighing devices, each weighing a partial portion of the end product weight. The partial portions are then combined under the control of a computer to produce the target weight.

Such combination-type machines, however, are substantially more complicated, and therefore substantially more expensive, than the linear-feeder machines.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for <BR> <BR> portioning products, e. g. , for filling containers, having advantages in one or more of the above respects. More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for portioning products at a rapid rate and with a minimum excess of the product over predetermined targets weights in order to minimize"give-away" losses, or for otherwise best matching a predetermined target weight according to predetermined constraints.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cyclically producing, during each cycle, a portion of a product based on a predetermined target weight, comprising: utilizing an initial dosing device for producing a plurality of initial doses of the product, each dose having a weight which is less than the predetermined target weight; determining the precise dose weight of each of the initial doses; feeding each of the initial doses to one of a plurality of intermediate receptacles; recording the precise weight of the contents of each of the intermediate receptacles; processing, during each cycle, various combinations of the precise content weights to determine the combination best matching the predetermined target weight within predetermined constraints; and, during each cycle, feeding to an output receptacle the contents of the intermediate receptacles having the precise content weights of the combination determined as best matching the predetermined target weight within the predetermined constraints.

The invention is particularly useful, and is therefore described below, in applications wherein the processing, during each cycle, determines the combination of precise content weights producing the minimum excess over the predetermined target weight.

According to further features in the preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the initial dosing device includes a weighing device for determining the precise dose weight of each of the initial doses before each is fed to its respective intermediate receptacle. Also, the intermediate receptacles are arrayed under the initial dosing device, and selectively communicate with each initial dosing device via a gravity feeding device which is selectively controlled to direct the initial dose to its respective intermediate receptacle.

As will be described more particularly below, such a method combines many of the advantages of the linear-feeder machines and the parallel-feeder or combination-type machines, without many of their respective drawbacks. Thus, the start of the product flow path is a linear or single-feed flowpath, i. e. , from the initial dosing device to the intermediate receptacles, and therefore requires but a single weighing device. From the plurality of intermediate receptacles to the common output receptacle, the flowpaths are parallel flowpaths, thereby permitting higher operating speeds with relatively high accuracy, and substantially reducing the change-over problems involved in linear-feeder machines.

Several embodiments of the invention are described below for purposes of example. In one described preferred embodiment, the gravity feeding device includes a feed conduit selectively positionable into alignment with the intermediate receptacle selected to receive the respective initial dose. A second embodiment is described wherein the gravity feeding device includes a plurality of pivotal feed conduits, one for each of the intermediate receptacles, each of the feed conduits having an output end aligned over its respective intermediate receptacle, and an inlet end selectively movable from a normal non-operative position to an operative position in alignment with the output end of the initial dosing device. A third embodiment is described wherein the gravity feeding device includes a plurality of telescoping feed conduits, one for each of the intermediate receptacles, each of the feed conduits having an output section aligned over its respective

intermediate receptacle, and an inlet section selectively movable from a normal non-operative position to an operative position in alignment with the output end of the initial dosing device. Further embodiments are described wherein the initial dose is fed along a linear path and is directed by a plurality of selectively controlled gates at different locations along the linear path to a selected intermediate receptacle.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for cyclically producing, during each cycle, a portion of a product based on a predetermined target weight, comprising: an initial dosing device for producing a plurality of initial doses of the product, each dose having a weight which is less than the predetermined target weight; a weighing device for determining the precise dose weight of each of the initial doses; a plurality of intermediate receptacles; a feeding system for feeding each of the initial doses to one of the plurality of intermediate receptacles; a processor for recording the precise weight of the contents of each of the intermediate receptacles and for processing, during each cycle, various combinations of the precise content weights to determine the combination best matching the predetermined target weight within predetermined constraints; and an output receptacle for receiving, during each cycle, the contents of the intermediate receptacles having the precise content weights of the combination determined as best matching the predetermined target weight.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates one form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention for cyclically portioning products in accordance with the method of the present invention; Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a second form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a third form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c, taken together, constitute a flow diagram illustrating one manner of operating the apparatus of any one of Figs. 1-3 in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating one manner of implementing the invention in the "auto-oscillating"technique; Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating implementing the invention according to the "bimodal distribution of weights"technique.

Fig. 7 diagrammatically illustrates a further form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention for increasing the production rate of the apparatus; Figs. 7a and 7b are side views from sides A and B, respectively, of Fig. 7; Fig. 8 diagrammatically illustrates a further form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention for increasing the production rate; and Figs. 8a and 8b are side views, from sides A and B, respectively, of Fig. 8.

It is to be understood that the foregoing drawings, and the description below, are provided primarily for purposes of facilitating understanding the conceptual aspects of the invention and various possible embodiments thereof, including what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment. In the interest of clarity and brevity, no attempt is made to provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art, using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the described invention. It is to be further understood that the embodiments described are for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Overall Apparatus of Fig. 1 As indicated earlier, the method and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful, and are therefore described below, in applications for cyclically portioning products when packaging such products according to weights specified on the package. In such applications, it is extremely important not only to simplify the construction of the apparatus and to maximize its throughput, but also to assure that the actual weight of the portion is no less than the weight specified on the package (hereinafter the predetermined target weight), and has a minimum excess weight over the target weight

in order to minimize the"give away"loss to the producer. As will be more apparent from the description below, the apparatus illustrated in the drawings accomplishes these objects by including many of the advantages of the linear-feeder machines and the parallel-feeder machines, without many of the disadvantages of each machine.

With respect to the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, the material to be portioned is fed by a feeder, generally designated 2, to an initial dosing device 3. In the illustrated apparatus, the feeder 2 is a vibratory feeder. It includes a vibrating conduit 2a underlying a supply hopper 2b and overlying the upper open end of the dosing device 3 so as to permit the material fed by the vibratory feeder to fall by gravity into the dosing device.

The weight of the product within the dosing device 3 is measured by a weighing device 4, such as a load cell. This weight is transmitted, via a line 4a, to a processor 5.

When the processor registers a weight approximately equal to a predetermined fraction of the predetermined target weight, it actuates an actuator 6 to cause the portion of the product within the dosing device to be discharged from that device. For example, the predetermined fraction could be one-half the predetermined target weight, or it could be any one of a number of other predetermined fractions, as will be described more particularly below. In addition to controlling the discharge of the dosing device 3 when the dose therein is approximately equal to the predetermined fraction of the target weight, processor 5 records the precise dose weight of material in the dosing device for later use, as will be described more particularly below.

The actuator 6 may be a pneumatic cylinder controlled by the processor 5 when the dose within dosing device 3 is approximately equal to the predetermined fraction of the target weight. For this purpose, the dosing device 3 may be provided with a pivotal bottom 3 a which is normally closed, but which is actuated to its open position at the proper time by the actuator 6.

The illustrated apparatus further includes a plurality of intermediate receptacles 8 arranged in a circular array around a large output receptacle 9. The initial dosing device 3 selectively communicates with each of the receptacles 8, for example via a gravity feeding device, generally designated 10, which is selectively controlled by processor 5 to direct each initial dose to its respective intermediate receptacle 8.

Generally speaking, each receptacle 8 would receive a single dose having a measured weight. In some applications, one or more receptacles may receive a plurality of doses each of which has a precisely measured weight. In any event, the weight of the contents of each receptacle is precisely known at all times and is recorded by the processor 5.

During each cycle of operation of the apparatus, processor 5 processes various combinations of the precise content weights in the various receptacles 8 to determine the combination best matching the predetermined target weight. In the present case, this would be the combination producing the minimum excess over the predetermined target weight.

During the respective cycle, processor 5 controls the intermediate receptacles 8 to feed to the output receptacle 9 the contents in the specific intermediate receptacles 8 of the combination determined by the processor in the respective cycle as best matching the predetermined target weight.

The gravity feeding system 10 includes a funnel 11 underlying the initial dosing device 3, and an inclined conduit 12 having its upper end 12a secured to a rotary shaft 13 driven by a step motor 14. The upper end 12a of the inclined conduit 12 is located to receive the material discharged into funnel 11 from the initial dosing device 3. Shaft 13 is rotatable by step motor 14 so as to selectively bring the lower end 12b of the inclined conduit 12 into alignment with a selected one of the intermediate receptacles 8.

Each of the intermediate receptacles 8 includes a pivotal bottom wall 15 controlled by an actuator 16, which in turn is controlled by the processor 5. Bottom wall 15 of each intermediate receptacle 8 is normally in a closed position so as to retain therein any material fed to it by the gravity feeding device 10. When its actuator 16 is actuated to pivot its bottom wall 15 to its open position, the contents of the respective receptacle 18 are dumped by gravity into the large output receptacle 9.

The processor 5 thus includes the following input lines: 4a from the weighing device 4; 6a from the dosing device actuator 6; 14a from the step motor 14 ; and 16a from each intermediate receptacle actuator 16. The processor 5 controls the various operations of the apparatus via the following output lines: 2c to the vibratory feeder 2; 6b to the dosing device actuator 6; 14b to the step motor 14; and 16b to the actuator 16 of each intermediate receptacle 8.

Operation of the Apparatus of Fig. 1 The operation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 is set forth in the flow chart of Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c, taken together, wherein bucket Ko refers to the initial dosing device 3, and buckets Kl----Kl2 refer to the intermediate receptacles 8. In this example, there are 12 such intermediate receptacles K,----K12 arrayed in a circular array around the open end of the output receptacle 9 which receives the final portion of the product to be packaged.

Thus, when a packaging operation is to be effected (block 20), all the buckets (initial dosing device 3 and intermediate receptacles 8) are emptied (block 21). The weight of the empty dosing device 3 (bucket Ko) is measured (block 22) so that thereafter the net weight of the product within the dosing device can be determined. The first cycle is then started (block 23).

During the first cycle, the initial dosing device 3 (bucket Ko) is loaded with an initial portion of the product, weighed, its net weight calculated, and then its contents are fed to one of the intermediate receptacles 8 (e. g. , bucket Ki) (blocks 24-27). This operation is repeated for all 12 intermediate receptacles (Kl----Ki2) (blocks 28,29).

With all of the intermediate receptacles thus containing a dose of the product whose precise weight has been determined by weighing device 4 and stored in the processor 5, the processor processes various combinations of the precise dose weights to determine the combination representing the minimum excess over the predetermined target weight (blocks 30-33). Assuming that the output receptacle 9, or other package to receive the product, is ready for receiving the product, and that all the weighing operations have been completed (blocks 34-39), the intermediate receptacles 8 (buckets K I-K 12) representing the combination determined to provide the minimum excess weight over the predetermined target weight, are then emptied into the output receptacle 9, e. g. , by operating their respective actuators 16 to pivot open their bottom walls 15.

Those intermediate receptacles 8 which have been emptied are now automatically refilled from the initial dosing device 3, preparatory for a subsequent cycles of operation of the apparatus.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus requires only a single initial dosing device 3 and weighing device 4 since the feeding to the intermediate receptacles 8 is done in a serial manner. However, only those receptacles which have been emptied in a preceding

cycle need be refilled for the next cycle. Also, the refilling of an intermediate receptacle 8 can be done in parallel with the emptying from the other receptacles 8 into the output receptacle 9, since the processor 5 will actuate only those receptacles having the precise content weights in the predetermined combination providing the best match for the target weight. Accordingly, the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 provides many of the advantages of the linear-feeder machine and the parallel-feeder machine without many of the disadvantages of both types of machines.

Examples With certain kinds of products, one such initial feeding device 3 and weighing device 4 would be sufficient to provide a throughput of 20-30 portions per minute.

If throughputs of higher rates are desired for any particular application, the apparatus could include two or more such initial dosing devices, each provided with a weighing <BR> <BR> device, to thereby double, triple, etc. the throughput, e. g. , as described below with respect to Figs. 7,7a and 7b.

According to the application, the apparatus could be provided with a larger or smaller number of intermediate receptacles 8, and the processor 5 could be programmed to determine the best-matching combination from any desired number of dose weights in these receptacles. Preferably, there would be at least ten such intermediate receptacles 8, for example 12 or 14 ; and the best matching weight could be determined by the combination of at least two, and preferably three or four, content weights within the receptacles.

For example, if the best combination in two of the receptacles is to be determined for providing the best match to the target weight, the processor 5 could be programmed to cause the contents of the initial dosing device 3 to be dumped when the weight is approximately one-half the predetermined target weight. Although the dosing, therefore, is based on approximate weights, the actual weight of each dose received in the intermediate receptacles 8 is precisely determined and is taken into consideration in determining the best match with the target weight. In addition, after each cycle, the results of each cycle can be used for optimizing the weighing in the succeeding cycle.

Thus, in order to produce an array of initial portions of the product, and to <BR> <BR> combine them, e. g. , by two, the following criteria can be used: Initial portions of product

are to have a half of target weight each. Reweighing is to work cyclically, in the auto-oscillating regime (Fig. 5) providing for bi-modal distribution of weights (Fig. 6) in the array of initial portions. This allows receiving a proper combination in order to form required weight of the portion. For example: a) Target weight is: 1000g. b) Half of target weight is: 500g. c) Mode"+"is: 510g. d) Mode"-"is: 490g.

[Mode"+"] + [Mode"-"] = Target Eq. 1 510g + 490g = 1000g Eq. 2 In order to produce an array of fourteen initial portions of product, and to combine them by three, for example the following criteria of their weights distribution may be used: a) two initial portions have weights equal to 80... 95 % of target weight; b) three initial portions have weights equal to 0.25... 0.50 % of target weight; c) three initial portions have weights equal to 0.50... 1 % of target weight; d) three initial portions have weights equal to 1... 2 % of target weight; e) three initial portions have weight equal to 2... 4 % of target weight.

A final portion can be received as a combination of the following initial portions: 94% + 4% + 2% =100% Eq. 3 The apparatus is particularly useful for portioning or packaging products of a solid material in the form or fine flowable particles feedable by the vibratory conveyor 2.

However, the apparatus can also be used with respect to solid particles of relatively large-sized pieces, in which cases the pieces could be counted, (e. g. , by an optical

counter) as they are fed to the initial dosing device 3; but the weighing device 4 would still determine their precise actual weights to be used for producing the combination providing the best match to the desired target weight.

For example, in order to produce twelve initial portions of product with large-size pieces each having a weight of approximately 10 grams, with the total target weight being 1,000 grams, the following criteria of weight distribution may be used: a) two initial portions have weights equal to 80-95 % of target weight; b) two initial portions have weights equal to weight of one piece of product; c) two initial portions have weights equal to weight of two pieces of product; d) two initial portions have weights equal to weight of four pieces of product; e) two initial portions have weights equal to weight of six pieces of product; f) two initial portions have weights equal to weight of eight pieces of product.

The following is an example of the sequence of operations that can be implemented to search the optimal combination in the above-mentioned array of initial portions: a) to find out the complimentary number of pieces of product to be added to the initial portion of 880g of weight: (1000-880) : 10-12 pieces Eq. 4 b) to find out the initial portions of product consisting of six, four, and two pieces, and with total weight, which is the best complimentary weight for the said 880g to be equal to the target weight of 1000g : 61g + 39g + 20g + 880g = 1000g Eq. 5

The above processing can be self-adaptive ; that is, the actual results produced in one cycle can be used to optimize the doses to be fed to the intermediate receptacles 8 in the succeeding cycles.

For example, in case of criteria for initial portions of product to be of a half of target weight, automatic correction may be performed in the following manner: a) In the array, starting from the first loaded initial portion, an average weight of initial portion W is determined. b) The average weight of the initial portions in the array is W, and it differs in the amount of A from the criterion W, which is the half of target weight, i. e.: A=W-W Eq. 6 Then, for the net weight to be produced, a correcting value for the said criterion is determined as some function of this deviation, e. g. , a linear one: W, r=W+kA Eq. 7 Where: Wcr-new criterion for weighing initial portions of product in the netweighter; W-criterion equal to the half of target weight, originally assigned to the netweigher; W-an average weight of the initial portion; A-deviation of average weight of the initial portion from the originally assigned criterion; k-coefficient of proportionality, equal, e. g. , to 0.5.

Selecting initial portions in order to combine the amount of product best matching the target weight may be based on first trying the"worst"initial portions, i. e., with the biggest deviations of their weights from criterion, because they can give a good combination. Only when this does not work, initial portions with the lesser deviations of the weights from criterion are included in the combination.

For example, if there is assigned a target weight of 1000g, and this is to be selected by combining two of an array of ten initial portions (see Table 1), each approximately equal to half of the target weight, the precise weight of each portion may be as follows: Table 1 501g 480g I 503g 540g 520g 405g 501g 510g 460g First, try to combine the weights which deviate the most from 500g. That is, at first we do not take the closest weights to 500g (e. g. , 499g, and 501 g) but instead we put<BR> together"the worst"ones (e. g. , 460g, and 540g): 540 + 460 = 1000 (g) Eq. 8 And so on. But if the combination of"the worst"weights combined does not produce a good result, (i. e. , the combination itself deviates from target weight too much), then the initial portions are retained their combinations.

The Apparatus of Fig. 2 Fig. 2 illustrates an apparatus similar to that of Fig. 1, except for the feeding device, generally designated 110 in Fig. 2. In the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2, the initial doses from the dosing device 103 are selectively fed to the intermediate receptacles 108 by a plurality of pivotal feed conduits 112, one for each of the intermediate receptacles 108, which conduits are selectively pivotal by actuators 113 under the control of the processor 105. Thus, each conduit 112 has an output end 112b in alignment with its respective receptacle 108, and is pivotal from a normal non-operative position (shown at 112') to an operative position wherein its upper end 112a is in alignment with the funnel 111 underlying the initial dosing device 103. The initial dosing device 103 also includes a weighing device 104 to weigh the precise dose to be discharged into the respective intermediate receptacle 108 via the funnel 111 and conduit 112, and an actuator 106 which is actuated to cause the dosing device to dump its contents when the weight therein approximates the predetermined fraction of the target weight. The receptacles 108 include

pivotal bottom walls 115 controlled by actuators 116 to dump their contents into the output receptacle 109 under the control of the processor 105.

Fig. 2 also illustrates the vibratory conveyer 102a having an output end overlying the initial dosing device 103 to convey the material thereto, and a hopper 102b for supplying the material to the conveyor.

In substantially all other respects, the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2 is constructed and operates in the same manner as described above with respect to Fig. 1, and therefore corresponding parts carry the same reference numerals except in the "100"series.

The Apparatus of Fig. 3 Fig. 3 illustrates apparatus similar to that of Fig. 2, except that the feeding device, therein generally designated 210, for feeding the doses from the initial dosing device 203 to the intermediate receptacles (not shown), includes a plurality of telescoping conduits, therein designated 212, one for each of the intermediate receptacles. In this variation, each of the conduits 212 is of a telescoping construction, including an upper section 212a and a lower section 212b. Normally, the upper section 212a is telescoped within the lower section 212b, so as not to receive the material fed via funnel 211 from the initial dosing device 203, but is extensible, e. g. , by a pneumatic cylinder actuator 213, to an operative position in alignment with the funnel 211 so as to receive the material from the initial dosing device 203, and to feed same to the respective receptacle, for emptying into the output receptacle 209 under the control of the processor 205.

In all other respects, the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 is constructed and operates in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. To facilitate understanding, the remaining parts in Fig. 3 corresponding to those of Figs. 1 and 2 have been identified by the same reference numerals except in the"200"series.

The Apparatus of Figs. 7 7a and 7b Figs. 7,7a and 7b illustrate another form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. The illustrated apparatus is of a modular construction to enable the apparatus to be expanded, as desired, according to the production rate required in any particular case.

Thus, the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 7,7a and 7b includes a common supply hopper 302b supplying a plurality of vibratory feeders 302. Each feeder 302 includes a vibratory conduit 302a communicating with a dosing device 303 having a separate weighing device 304, all communicating with a common processor 305. Each dosing device 303 includes a pivotal bottom 303a which is normally closed, but which is actuated to its open position at the proper time by an actuator 306 under the control of processor 305.

The illustrated apparatus further includes a plurality of intermediate receptacles 308 selectively controlled for receiving the dose from its respective dosing device 303. In this case, however, the initial dose from each dosing device 303 is fed along an inclined linear conveyor 312, which includes a plurality of gates 312b, one for each intermediate receptacle 308. Each gate is controlled by an actuator 308a which, when actuated, directs the respective dose into its respective intermediate receptacle 308. Each intermediate receptacle 308 further includes a pivotal bottom 315 controlled by an actuator 316 to dump the contents of the respective compartment into a common receptacle 309.

It will thus be seen that each line of intermediate receptacles 308 is supplied by one of the dosing devices 303 via an inclined linear conveyor 312 to the appropriate intermediate receptacle 308. Processor 305 controls the actuators 308a to direct the doses to the intermediate receptacles 308 such as to always maintain the intermediate receptacles 308 filled with contents of known weights. It will also be seen, that during each cycle, processor 305 determines the combination of weights in the various intermediate receptacles best matching the predetermined target weight, and controls the actuators 316 of the intermediate receptacles to selectively open their bottoms and to dump their contents into the common receptacle 309.

The Apparatus of Figs. 8, 8a and 8b Figs. 8, 8a and 8b illustrate apparatus similar to that of Figs. 7,7a and 7b, except in this case, the apparatus includes a single supply hopper 402b, vibratory feeder 402, vibratory conduit 402a, initial dosing device 403, and weighing device 404 controlling a pivotal wall 403a of dosing device 403 via an actuator 406. The illustrated apparatus also includes a plurality (two being shown) of groups of intermediate receptacles 408, each group of receptacles being fed by a linear inclined conveyor 412 from the common dosing

device 403 to the respective intermediate receptacle 408. The illustrated apparatus further includes a steering device 420 controlled by an actuator 421 for steering the material from dosing device 403 to the inlet conduit 422,423 of the conveyor 412 for the respective line of intermediate receptacles 408.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 8,8a and 8b is otherwise constructed in the same manner as described above with respect to that of Figs. 7,7a and 7b, and to facilitate understanding, the corresponding parts have been identified with the same reference numerals but in the"400"series. Thus, processor 405 controls the apparatus such that each initial dose from the common dosing device 403 is steered, via actuator 421 of steering device 420, to the inlet conduit, 422,423 of the appropriate conveyor 412 for the destined intermediate receptacle 408 and is directed to its intermediate receptacle by actuating the actuator 408a of its respective gate 412b. Processor 405 also memorizes the weight of the contents of each intermediate receptacle 408. During each cycle for filling the output receptacle 409, processor 405 determines the combination best matching the target weight, and controls the actuators 416 to pivot open the bottom walls 415 of those intermediate receptacles of the determined best combination to cause them to dump their contents into the output receptacle 408.

While the invention has been described with respect to several preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that these are set forth merely for purposes of example, and that many other variations, modifications and applications of the invention may be made.