Weight and form sensing apparatus and a packaging machine using the same

摘要

A weight and form sensing apparatus according to the present invention provides weight sensors on a base, in matrix pattern for instance. Each weight sensor has a load receiving portion on a top. Weight and form can be sensed by single weight and form sensing apparatus according to the present invention. That is, output values of the weight sensors are summed, so that an article put on the weight sensors can be detected. Also, the existence of the load on each weight sensor is determined based on output signal of each weight sensor, so that the bottom form and size of the article can be identified. The weight and form sensing apparatus according to the present invention can be preferably arranged into a feeding stream of the article because an arrangement of the sensors for identifying the form and size of the article does not interfere an arrangement of the feeding mechanism for the article.