Apparatus and method for dispensing batches of articles

摘要

Apparatus and a method for aggregating a desired number of articles without individually counting out each article to achieve the desired number. A stream of the articles is discharged into a weigh hopper until substantially a predetermined weight of articles is in the hopper. The number of articles in the hopper is determined from the total weight of the hopper and the weight of a single article. Additional articles are caused to enter the hopper one-by-one until the desired total number of articles is contained in the hopper. The contents of the hopper are then packaged for distribution.