Combination weigher with hoppers with actuators

Abstract

There is presented a combination weigher (100) comprising a body (108, 408), such as a cabinet and / or a frame, and a plurality of hoppers (103, 105, 405), wherein each hopper comprises a gate (434), and an actuator (438) for opening and / or closing the gate wherein the hopper (103, 105, 405) is optionally arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate (434), and furthermore a corresponding method of operating the combination weigher is presented.

Description

COMBINATION WEIGHER WITH HOPPERS WITH ACTUATORSFIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a combination weigher, and more particularly relates to a combination weigher with hoppers with actuators and a corresponding method of operating a combination weigher.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA combination weigher, also sometimes referred to as multi-head weigher or associative weigher or combination calculation weigher, may be employed, e.g ., for providing batches of products optionally in the form of particles, such as food products, meeting a predefined weight criterion.The products may for example be delivered to an input part of the combination weigher, wherefrom it may be distributed by, e.g., a central cone, to a plurality of weighing means, such as hopper systems each including a weighing hopper, optionally via a plurality of conveying units, such as vibrating dispersion feeders or screw feeders. Products may after weighing be emptied, e.g ., from respective hopper systems, into a collection chute and delivered from there to post processing, e.g., packaging . In order to achieve a batch that meets the predetermined weight criterion, only portions of products, e.g ., from certain hopper systems, that in combination come closest to meeting such criterion are emptied . A central control unit may monitor each weighing means, and optionally each hopper system, in order to control for each batch, which portions should form part of, e.g ., from which hoppers products should contribute to, a batch and thereby control the establishment of one or more batches meeting the predetermined weight criterion as accurately as possible.Precise weighing may be relevant or important for a combination weigher. However, precision, such as repeatability and / or consistency, may be low for a number of reasons.Furthermore, cleaning of a combination weigher may be important, e.g., in particular if the combination weigher is used for foodstuff, in which case frequent cleaning may be relevant or necessary. For example, cleaning may be relevant at regular intervals, e.g ., with cleaning taking place each night, and / or in between runs with different products.Cleaning of a combination weigher, however, may be time-consuming and / or laborious.The inventors of the present invention have appreciated that it might be desirable to devise a method and apparatus facilitating or enabling a higher precision of a combination weigher, facilitating or enabling faster cleaning and / or facilitating or enabling less laborious cleaning.Hence, an improved combination weigher facilitating or enabling higher precision, faster and / or less laborious cleaning, and a corresponding method, would be advantageous.EP 2 634 545 Al describes a hopper which can reduce its weight and lessen a burden placed on an operator who carries out a work for attaching, detaching, washing, etc., of the hopper and a combination weigher using the hopper.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a combination weigher, and a method for operating a combination weigher, which overcomes one or more of the problems mentioned above. It may be a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.Thus, one or more of the above-described objects and optionally one or more other objects may be intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a combination weigher comprising :• a body, such as a cabinet and / or a frame, and• a plurality of hoppers, wherein each hopper comprises• a gate, and• an actuator for opening and / or closing the gate.An advantage of this may be that it dispenses with a need for a mechanical connection to the hopper, such as from the body, for transferring a force from an actuator (external to the hopper), such as an actuator on the body, for the purpose of opening and / or closing the gate on the hopper.Another possible advantage may be that it dispenses with a need for having one or more actuators for opening and / or closing the gate placed elsewhere (such as on the body) than on the hoppers. This may in particular be advantageous for facilitating cleaning of the body,e.g., due to mechanics, and optionally peripherals, of the actuators being kept away from the body.Another possible advantage may be that there is no need to handle a mechanical link when changing arrangement of the hopper, such as orientation and / or position, relative to the body.By placing the actuator on the hopper, such as outside of the body, a need for ensuring a tight connection (such as for the purpose of avoiding leakage through the connection) through the body is dispensed with.A 'combination weigher' is understood as is common in the art and may alternatively be referred to as a multi-head weigher. A combination weigher may be understood to comprise an inlet for receiving products, such as food products, a plurality of weighing hoppers for weighing portions of the received products, a control device for identifying a certain combination, such as optimum combination, of hoppers, such as wherein said combination of hoppers comprises a preferable total amount of products (i.e., the total, combined amount in the combination of hoppers), such as for the purpose of exceeding a target weight with a minimum surplus (which may be referred to as giveaway).A 'hopper' is understood as is known in the art, such as a container with an opening for allowing products to enter the container, and wherein the hopper is arranged, optionally with a controllable gate, for controllably releasing product(s) in the container. The hopper may be any one of a storage hopper, a weighing hopper, or a booster hopper. The hopper may be a hopper within a 'hopper system'.A 'hopper system' is understood as is common in the art, such as a system comprising one or more (optionally serially arranged) hoppers, such as a weighing hopper and optionally a preceded by an (upstream) storage hopper and optionally succeeded by one or more (downstream) booster hoppers.A 'control device' may be understood as is common in the art, such as a processing unit operatively connected to a storage unit comprising instructions, such as a computer arranged to operate according to stored instructions, such as a computer program, optionally dependent on external input.By 'body', is understood a structural element for carrying the plurality of hoppers during normal use of the combination weigher, such as a cabinet (such as a structure with an interior space, such as a hollow interior space, and / or wherein the cabinet forms a substantially closed structure, such as a closed structure enclosing said interior space, suchas enclosing 50 % or more of a solid angle around said interior space), barrel (such as a round, such as cylindrical cabinet or frame) and / or a frame (such as a structure with an interior space, such as a hollow interior space, and / or wherein the cabinet forms a substantially open structure, such as an open structure enclosing said interior space, such as enclosing 50 % or less of a solid angle around said interior space). It may generally be understood that each hopper is mechanically connected, such as attached, to the body, optionally via a joint.By 'gate' may be understood a door / gate / hatch for controllably allowing (or not allowing) product to move, optionally under the action of gravity, out of the hopper. The gate may preferably be a door / gate / hatch placed at a bottom part of the hopper. By 'gate' may thus be understood an element, which can be in a blocking or non-blocking position in an opening, such as an opening in a hopper, with respect to passage of products, such as food products. The gate can for example be a• flap,• a grid or a net,• one or more rods,• a door,• a hatch, or• another element, which can be blocking or non-blocking.The gate can optionally be moved, such as upon being actuated by an actuator, o translationally, e.g., by sliding, and / or rotationally, such as around a hinge (like a door) and / or around an axis (such as a filter wheel)According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper comprises a hinged connection (wherein the 'hinged connection' is generally understood to be synonymous and technically identical with 'hinge joint', i.e., wherein the wording 'hinged connection' could be replaced with the wording 'hinge joint'), wherein the gate can be moved rotationally around the hinged connection.The hinged connection may be arranged to yield only a single degree of freedom for the gate, such as wherein only rotation around the axis of rotation of the hinged connection is possible, such as wherein no translational movement is allowed.In a further embodiment, the hopper is arranged for and / or comprises means for determining an angular position around the hinged connection of at least a part of the gate, such as an angular position of the gate.By 'actuator', such as a hydraulic, pneumatic and / or electric actuator, may be understood a component responsible for moving and controlling, such as opening and / or closing, the gate.By 'hopper comprises an actuator' may be understood that the actuator is mounted on the hopper, such as follows the hopper upon removal of the hopper and / or so that in case the hopper is a weighing hopper then the actuator is included in the weight when weighing (such as weighing the hopper including the actuator).'Cleaning' is understood as is common in the art, such as free from dirt or contamination, e.g., dust, oils, grease, food parts, etc., such as by washing down with a brush and / or a stream of liquid. Cleaning may in embodiments be understood to comprise, such as consist of, Clean-in-Place (CIP) cleaning, also known as CIP or CIP cleaning. CIP cleaning may be understood as is common in the art, such as semi-automated or automated cleaning of an apparatus. CIP cleaning may be understood to be comprising passing (such as via fixed tubing and / or nozzles) one or more cleaning fluids across a surface to remove contamination without necessitating disassembly of the apparatus and / or manual intervention. By 'semiautomated' may be understood partially manual and partially automated. By 'automated' may be understood fully automated, such as not necessitating human intervention.By 'arrangement' may be understood position and / or orientation relative to a coordinate system, such as a coordinate system defined by arrangement of another element, such as the body.By 'first arrangement' may be understood an arrangement suitable for normal use of the hopper. Normal use may in this context refer to a situation wherein the combination weigher is used for forming one or more batches of products.By 'second arrangement' may be understood an alternative arrangement of the hopper, such as an arrangement, wherein the hopper is (still) connected to the body via the joint.However, the hopper may not necessarily be suitable for normal use (such as participating in forming batches) in the second arrangement).According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper is arranged for determining, such as measuring, a position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of a part of the gate or a position of the gate.An advantage of determining the position of the gate may be that the position of the gate may be known.By having 'the hopper arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate' may be understood that an element within the hopper, such as a sensor or the actuator itself, is arranged for determining a position of the gate. By 'determining' may be understood measuring. The position of the gate may be controlled in a feedback loop, such as wherein the determined position is fed back. This may be beneficial, e.g., for increasing precision of the position of the gate.By 'a part of the gate' may be understood a part of the gate, such as a part of the gate only or the gate as such, such as the gate in entirety. Determining a position of a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, is in embodiments carried out by determining the centre of gravity of the gate.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the plurality of hoppers comprises a plurality of weighing hoppers, and wherein for each of the weighing hoppers the actuator is included in the weight which is weighed when weighing the weighing hopper.When including, such as consistently including, the actuator in the weight, which is weighed, the weight of the hopper including the actuator (tare weight) may be deducted from the gross weight (e.g., where the hoppers are tared), so that the product weight (in the hopper) can be determined (the net weight).By 'included in the weight which is weighed when weighing the weighing hopper' may be understood that 'the weight which is weighed when weighing the weighing hopper' is the weight which is weighed when weighing the weighing hopper during normal operation of the combination weigher, such as when weighing a plurality of hoppers individually for the purpose of determining a weight of product(s) in each hopper, such as for the purpose of batching a (total) weight of product(s).A possible advantage of this, such as of having arranged the combination weigher so that 'for each of the weighing hoppers the actuator is included in the weight which is weighed when weighing the weighing hopper', may be that it enables dispensing with a need of having a connection, such as a mechanical connection, e.g., between the body and the hopper, for the purpose of transmitting a force from the actuator to the (gate of the) hopper. Such connection, such as such a mechanical connection, may be disadvantageous, e.g., because it might interfere disadvantageously with the weighing operation itself (such as possibly introducing a weighing error and / or a weighing uncertainty) and / or because it might complicate a joint between the body and the hopper.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper comprises a sensor for the purpose of enabling the determining of a position of at least a part of the gate.An advantage of this may be that the hopper becomes a self-contained unit with gate, actuator and sensor. The sensor may be external to the actuator.A 'sensor' may be understood as any element for determining a position of a least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, such as a position encoder.It may be understood that a position of a part of the gate may be determined, e.g., a part being in contact with an actuator for opening and closing the gate (such as bringing the gate in a non-blocking position or a blocking position with respect to passage of products through the hopper).It may furthermore be understood that a position and / or orientation of the gate, such as the entire gate, might be derived from the position of the part of the gate, e.g., if the gate is rigid and has only one single degree of freedom.The gate may generally be understood to be rigid and have only one single degree of freedom, e.g., rotation around a hinged connection.It may furthermore be understood that a position of the gate, such as the entire gate, might be determined, e.g., where the position of the gate is defined as the position of the centre of mass of the gate.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator comprises a sensor for the purpose of enabling the determining of a position of at least a part of the gate.An advantage of this may be that it dispenses with the need for having a sensor external to the actuator.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator is:• Electric,• Pneumatic, or• Hydraulic.A possible advantage may be that such actuator enables controlling the force applied for opening and / or closing the gate may be controlled and / or varied, e.g., by means of a control device. Another possible advantage may by that such actuator may be relatively easy to clean.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator is:• linear, or• circular.A possible advantage of a linear actuator may be that it can be small, fast, waterproof (such as having a high IP class), and / or that it may enable feedback (e.g., via a built-in position sensor).A linear actuator, such as an electrical linear actuator, is an actuator that creates linear motion, such as motion in a straight line (along a rectilinear path). A circular actuator, such as conventional electric motor, is an actuator that creates circular motion.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein each of the hoppers within the plurality of hoppers is mechanically connected to the body, and wherein each of one or more or all hoppers within the plurality of hoppers comprises a weighing cell, wherein the weighing cell is positioned outside, such as entirely outside, the body.An advantage of having the weighing cell positioned outside of the body may be that it dispenses with a need for an element, such as a force transducing element, to penetrate the body, such as from a hopper outside the body to a weighing cell inside the body. This may improve simplicity of the construction of the combination weigher. Another possible advantage may be that it facilitates, simplifies, or enables access to the weighing cell (e.g., for repair, maintenance, control and / or cleaning).By placing the weighing cell outside the body, a need for ensuring a tight connection (such as for the purpose of avoiding leakage through the connection) through the body is dispensed with.Another possible advantage of the weighing cell is that it enables registering when enough product has been obtained for further production and / or the amount of product in the hopper for the purpose of enabling the combination calculations in the combination weigher.By 'outside the body' may be understood that the weighing cell is partially or wholly outside of the body (where 'partially' merely implies that at least one point of the weighing cell is outside the body), such as outside of a minimum-volume polygon circumscribing the body.By 'entirely outside the body' may be understood that the weighing cell is wholly outside of the body (such as with no part of the weighing cell being inside the body), such as outside of a minimum-volume polygon circumscribing the body.A 'weighing cell' is understood as is common in the art (also referred to as a load cell), such as a unit for converting a force into a signal, such as an electrical and / or digital signal, that can thus be measured. The weighing cell may be understood to be a force transducer. The weighing cell may be arranged for determining a weight of the hopper (with the force which is being converted into a signal being the gravitational force applied on the mass of the hopper).According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper is arranged so that a duration of a period from a first point in time, wherein the hopper is ready for dispensing a first portion of product until a second point in time, wherein the hopper is ready for dispensing a second portion of product, is equal to or less than 3 seconds, such as equal to or less than 2.5 seconds, such as equal to or less than 2.0 seconds, such as equal to or less than 1.5 seconds, such as equal to or less than 1.2 seconds, such as equal to or less than 1.0 seconds, such as equal to or less than 0.8 seconds, such as equal to or less than 0.5 seconds.A possible advantage may be that it enables a fast cycle time, such as a short period for each cycle wherein product is received and released, which may in turn be beneficial for supporting a high capacity of the combination weigher.The short duration may be facilitated or enabled by having the hopper comprising the actuator, which enables having a short, direct and / or rigid link between the actuator and the gate.It may be understood that during the duration of said period (from the first point in time to the second point in time), the hopper is arranged for opening the gate, releasing the first portion of product, closing the gate and receiving the second portion of product.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator is arranged for being rated at IP67 or better, such as IP68 or better, such as IP69 or better, such as IP69K or better.An advantage of a certain IP rating may be that it confers (ingress) protection against the intrusion of dust or liquids, such as water. This may in turn be advantageous for facilitating or enabling cleaning and / or sanitizing, such as cleaning or sanitizing with liquids and / or detergents, such as water and / or detergents, optionally applied in a stream or jet, such as a powerful (e.g., high-pressure) jet. A certain IP rating may enable simplifying cleaning, e.g., with a water jet, which may be beneficial for time-efficient cleaning.The IP (ingress protection) rating or code is understood to mean a protection rating, code or class given by Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)), such as the IP rating as defined in IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60529, such as as applicable at the date of 31.03.2024 including all amendments and correction sheets up to and including 31.03.2024, and / or such as defined in the applicable equivalent standard in Denmark, such as as applicable at the date of 31.03.2024, such as DS / EN 60529+A1 :2002, including all amendments and correction sheets up to and including 31.03.2024.IP ratings with the letter "K" are defined by ISO 20653 (replacing DIN 40050-9), such as as applicable at the date of 31.03.2024, and are not found in IEC 60529, except for IPx9, which is the same as the IP69K water test.IP69K is the highest protection IP rating. An advantage may be that it provides protection, such as complete protection, against the ingress of both dust and water jets directed at the actuator (such as an enclosure of the actuator), e.g., using both a high temperature and pressureIn this context "or better" is understood to mean that the first and / or second number (in the IP Code) is higher, optionally wherein neither first nor second number is lower, and / or wherein a supplementary letter (such as "K") is provided, e.g., where the supplementary letter is provided to IP69 to form the better rating IP69K.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the combination weigher comprises a connection entity, such as a wire with an appropriate connection unit, for connecting the actuator to one or more peripheral units for the actuator, wherein said one or more peripheral units comprise at least a controller for the actuator and / or a power supplying unit for the actuator and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the hopper, such as outside of the combination weigher.An advantage of this may be that the actuator can be connected to peripheral units, which need not be in the hopper, such as a controller and / or a power supplying unit. The connection entity may be a wire with an appropriate connection unit, such as a plug.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the combination weigher.A possible advantage of this may be that it enables having the one or more peripheral units placed outside of the combination weigher. This may in turn be advantageous for one or more of keeping the combination weigher simple, light and / or small, for simplifying cleaning of the combination weigher, e.g., since the cleaning need not take into account (possibly fragile or delicate peripherals in the combination weigher), and / or for simplifying maintenance or repair, e.g., because it may be less cumbersome to access, repair or replace peripherals outside of the combination weigher.In an embodiment, the connection entity comprises a wire which can extend (such as during normal use of the combination weigher) from the hopper to the one or more peripherals outside of the combination weigher, wherein the wire optionally passes through the body.According to an embodiment, which may be combinable with any other embodiment, in particular embodiments with a connection entity, such as a wire with an appropriate connection unit for connecting the actuator to one or more peripheral units for the actuator, there is presented a combination weigher system comprising the combination weigher and one or more peripheral units for the actuator, such as wherein said one or more peripheral units comprise at least a controller for the actuator and / or a power supplying unit for the actuator, wherein the one or more peripheral units are connected to the actuator via the connection entity, and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the combination weigher.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher, wherein the combination weigher is a circular combination weigher or a linear combination weigher.An advantage of a circular combination weigher may be the simple distribution, e.g., via a cone, which may also be referred to as a conically shaped distribution unit (where 'distribution unit' may be interchangeably referred to as 'dispersion unit'), and / or a rotation element at the inlet. Another possible advantage may be the increased distance between hopper systems and / or receiving sections, e.g., products can be provided at a central input spot, yet the hopper systems / receiving sections being peripherally arranged can be separated with respect to each other.An advantage of a linear combination weigher may be the relatively simple construction, scalability and / or cleaning.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the combination weigher is a circular combination weigher.A circular combination weigher may be advantageous in the context of the present invention, e.g., since having in each hopper an actuator dispenses with a need for having one or more actuators in the body, wherein space is limited, in particular due to the decreasing circumference towards the centre of the combination weigher.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein each hopper is:• mechanically connected to the body via a joint, wherein the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least• a first arrangement, and• a second arrangement, and wherein the hopper in the second arrangement is having a different position and / or orientation relative to the body compared to the hopper in the first arrangement.A possible advantage of the method may be that changing arrangement of the hopper relative to the body, optionally prior to cleaning, and cleaning the body and / or the hopper, may enable cleaning one or more parts of the body and / or hopper, which would otherwise be less accessible or even inaccessible for cleaning. For example, if a body and a hopper are adjoining at a point of contact and / or at a common interface in a first arrangement and then separated in a second arrangement, it may be difficult or impossible to satisfactorily clean the point of contact and / or the common interface in the first arrangement, but cleaning of the point of contact at one or both of the hopper and the body and / or the surface parts of one or both of the hopper and the body (which surface parts were adjoining the interface in the first arrangement), may be facilitated or enabled in the second arrangement, e.g., due to the hopper and the body being spaced apart in the second arrangement so that the parts or surfaces which were adjoining in the first arrangement are spaced apart in the second arrangement, which may in turn facilitate or enable that, e.g., cleaning devices, such as a brush, and / or liquid, such as detergent and / or water can access said parts.Another possible advantage may be that the joint enables that the hopper can stay attached to the combination weigher during cleaning. This may for example be in contrast to asituation wherein a hopper is (completely) detached from the body prior to and / or during cleaning, e.g., for the purpose of enabling cleaning.An advantage of the hopper staying attached to the combination weigher, e.g., during cleaning, may be that it enables that the hopper can stay relatively close to its position on the combination weigher during normal use (which may for example be advantageous compared with a situation wherein the hopper is transported to a rack for storage during cleaning). Thus, the process of cleaning and preparing for cleaning is potentially made less time-consuming and / or less laborious, e.g., because the time and work involved in transporting the hopper is reduced, minimized, or eliminated.Reducing time-consumption spent with cleaning may in particular be relevant when cleaning is taking place during normal production time, e.g., between product runs with different products, such as wherein the cleaning time detracts from production time.Another possible advantage of the hopper staying attached to the combination weigher may be that it enables semi-automated or automated cleaning, e.g., because it dispenses with one or more of the (manual) steps (which steps cannot readily be automated) of disconnecting the hopper, transporting it to a temporary storage device (such as a rack), mounting the hopper in the temporary storage device, transporting it from the temporary storage device, mounting the hopper on the body (optionally in a dedicated position).Furthermore, an advantage of the hopper staying attached to the combination weigher may be that it dispenses with need for space and equipment (e.g., a rack) for holding one or more hoppers, e.g., during cleaning.Another possible advantage of the hopper staying attached to the combination weigher may be that it reduces or eliminates a risk that a hopper is put back onto the body (e.g., subsequent to cleaning) in a misaligned (such as not properly in place even if the right hopper is at the right position), non-optimal or wrong position (such as a hopper being at an erroneous position, such as a position meant for another hopper, e.g., where hoppers have been erroneously interchanged during cleaning). The risk of a wrong position may be relevant for a combination weigher wherein the hoppers have dedicated positions and / or functions.It may be understood, that changing the arrangement, such as from the first arrangement to the second arrangement, can be carried out manually, such as without using any tool, such as wherein changing the arrangement merely requires a pull or jerk in the hopper or a pushon the hopper, which can optionally be provided with the bare hand or hands of a normal person.By 'mechanically connected via a joint' may be understood that separate elements are fixed in a spatial relation, optionally with room for translation and / or rotational movement within a certain, limited angle and / or distance along one or more dimensions, while still being mechanically connected.By 'joint' is understood a mechanical connection between separate elements, which holds the elements together, optionally with limited room for relative rotational and / or translational movement, such as the joint allowing and enabling changing arrangement of one element relative to the other while remaining mechanically connected via the joint.The joint may be a hinge joint, a ball and socket joint, or a prismatic joint. These mechanical joints may be considered advantageous as they allow relative movement between two elements while keeping them mechanically connected.By 'the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement' may be understood that the joint allows that for two elements mechanically connected to each other via the joint, one element may change arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, relative to the other element, within certain limits, while remaining mechanically connected via the joint.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein a minimum distance between at least one point on the hopper, and the body is increased by at least 1 centimetre, such as at least 2 cm, such as at least 3 cm, such as at least 4 cm, such as at least 5 cm, such as at least 6 cm, such as at least 8 cm, such as at least 10 cm, such as at least 15 cm, such as at least 20 cm, such as at least 25 cm, by changing arrangement, such as by the method step comprising changing arrangement, from the first arrangement, to the second arrangement.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the plurality of hoppers comprises a plurality of weighing hoppers.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher comprising a control device.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the plurality of hoppers are controlled by the control device.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein each hopper system comprises a pool hopper, also known as a storage hopper or a buffer hopper, and a weighing hopper and optionally a booster hopper. This may be advantageous for increasing capacity, such as without increasing the number of weighing hoppers.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein products in weighing hoppers and / or in booster hoppers are used in combination calculations to determine which hopper content qualifies as a batch. This may be advantageous for increasing capacity, such as without increasing the number of weighing hoppers.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher comprising : a dispersion unit adapted to disperse food products, such as food products dropped in from above and onto the dispersion unit, a plurality of trenches extending from the dispersion unit to transport the products away from the dispersion unit, and wherein the plurality of hopper systems is arranged so that for each trench, a hopper system, such as a unique hopper system, is arranged to receive products from the trench, such as uniquely from the trench. This may be advantageous for effective operation.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein a screw is located in each of the trenches, and where the screw is configured to controllably forward products in the trench. This may be advantageous for conveying, e.g., sticky products, such as sticky food products.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein one or more vibrators are connected to the trenches to vibrate the trenches. This may be advantageous for conveying, e.g., powdery and / granular products, such as powdery and / granular food products.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein said combination weigher is for batching products. By 'batching' may be understood forming groups of one or more products, wherein the group fulfils a certain criterion, such as a predetermined weight criterion, such as minimum and / or maximum weight.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the control device is arranged for controlling at least the weighing hoppers, such as all hoppers.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper comprises means for determining a position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, relative to the remainder of the hopper.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper comprises a hinged connection, wherein the gate can be moved rotationally around the hinged connection, and wherein the hopper is arranged for and / or comprises means for determining an angular position around the hinged connection of at least a part of the gate, such as an angular position of the gate.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator is a linear actuator, and wherein the hopper is arranged for and / or comprises means for determining a position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator and the position of at least a part of the gate, such as the position of the gate, is given by the position of the linear actuator, such as determined by the built-in position sensor within the actuator.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper is arranged for and / or comprises means for determining a position of at least a part of the gate, such as the gate, and wherein the position of at least a part of the gate is a blocking position or a non-blocking position in an opening of the hopper with respect to passage of products.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper is arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate, and wherein the part of the gate for which the position is determined is the part of the gate in contact with the actuator.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the hopper is arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, relative to the remainder of the hopper.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein at least a part of the gate is the centre of mass of the gate, such as wherein the position of at least a part of the gate is the position of the centre of mass of the gate with respect to the position of the remainder of the hopper.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator, such as the actuator of each hopper, is positioned outside the body, such as the main body, of the combination weigher.An advantage of having the actuator positioned outside of the body may be that it dispenses with a need for an element, such as a force transducing element, to penetrate the body, such as from a hopper outside the body to an actuator inside the body. This may improve simplicity of the construction of the combination weigher. Another possible advantage may be that it facilitates, simplifies, or enables access to the actuator (e.g., for repair, maintenance, control and / or cleaning).By placing the actuator outside the body, a need for ensuring a tight connection (such as for the purpose of avoiding leakage through the connection) through the body is dispensed with.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the combination weigher is arranged so that the actuator, such as the actuator of each hopper, is positioned outside the body, such as the main body, of the combination weigher during normal use of the combination weigher.One or more possible advantage of having the actuator positioned outside the body, such as the main body, of the combination weigher during normal use of the combination weigher, may be similar or identical to one or more of the advantages mentioned above of having the actuator positioned outside the body.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator, such as the actuator of each hopper, is positioned entirely outside the body, such as the main body, of the combination weigher.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the combination weigher is arranged so that the actuator, such as the actuator of each hopper, is positioned entirely outside the body, such as the main body, of the combination weigher during normal use of the combination weigher.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the joint is a hinge joint.A possible advantage may be that a hinge joint offers a mechanically simple, yet effective way of enabling changing an arrangement from a first arrangement to a second arrangement.The hinge joint may be arranged to yield only a single degree of freedom, such as wherein only rotation around the axis of rotation of the hinge joint is possible, such as wherein no translational movement is allowed.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the combination weigher is arranged for each hopper to be mechanically connected to the body via the joint in each of the first arrangement and the second arrangement.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator is placed on the opposite side of the joint with respect to the body, such as the main body of the combination weigher.An advantage of this may be that it dispenses with a need for a mechanical connection to the hopper through the joint, such as from the body, for transferring a force from an actuator, such as an actuator on the body, for the purpose of opening and / or closing the gate on the hopper.Another possible advantage may be that there is no need to handle a mechanical link via the joint when changing arrangement of the hopper, such as orientation and / or position, relative to the body.According to an embodiment, there is presented a combination weigher wherein the actuator is placed entirely on the opposite side of the joint with respect to the body, such as the main body of the combination weigher.According to a second aspect, there is presented a method of operating a combination weigher, the method comprising :• Providing a combination weigher according to the first aspect,• Opening and / or closing the gate with the actuator, and / or• determining a position of at least a part of the gate.According to an embodiment, there is presented a method comprising :• Weighing the hopper including the actuator.According to an embodiment, there is presented a method, wherein each hopper is:• mechanically connected to the body via a joint, wherein the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least• a first arrangement, and• a second arrangement,wherein the hopper in the second arrangement is having a different position and / or orientation relative to the body compared to the hopper in the first arrangement, and wherein the method comprises, such as comprises sequentially (and optionally repeatedly), for each hopper:• Changing the arrangement of the hopper from the first arrangement to the second arrangement,• Cleaning the body and / or the hopper, such as while the arrangement of the hopper is the second arrangement, and• Optionally changing the arrangement of the hopper from the second arrangement to the first arrangement, and optionally forming one or more batches of products using the combination weigher while the arrangement of the hopper is in the first arrangement.Cleaning of the hopper may involve cleaning of the inside of the hopper, such as the side of the walls of the hopper facing the interior of the hopper (such as the interior of the hopper wherein products are temporarily stored by the hopper during use).According to an embodiment, there is presented a method wherein the combination weigher is arranged for weighing products, such as wherein the combination weigher is weighing products, and wherein the products are food products or feed products, and the products are selected from the groups of:■ Pet feed, such as pellets or sticks,■ Snack foods, such as chips or crips,■ Confectionary products,■ Bakery products,■ Vegetable products or vegetable product parts,■ Animal products or animal product parts, such as fish and / or shellfish and / or meat, such as flesh of mammals, such as quadrupeds, and / or poultry products, such as poultry parts, such as poultry fillets,■ Fresh products,■ Frozen products,■ Sticky products, such as liver or fresh meat, such as poultry meat, and / or■ Non-sticky products, such as grain.According to an embodiment, there is presented a method wherein the method comprises determining a position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, such as wherein the gate can be moved rotationally around a hinged connection, and wherein theposition of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, is an angular position of the gate around a hinged connection.According to an embodiment, there is presented a method wherein the method comprises determining a position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator, and wherein the position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, is given by a position of the linear actuator, such as determined by a built-in position sensor within the actuator.According to an embodiment, there is presented a method wherein the method comprises determining if the gate is in a blocking or non-blocking position with respect to the passage of products, such as food products.According to an embodiment, there is presented a method wherein a position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, is a position of the centre of mass of the gate, such as wherein the position of at least a part of the gate is the position of the centre of mass of the gate with respect to the position of the remainder of the hopper.According to an embodiment, there is presented a method wherein the joint is a hinge joint.According to an embodiment, there is presented a method wherein, where each hopper is mechanically connected to the body via the joint in each of the first arrangement and the second arrangement.According to a third aspect, there is presented a system comprising :• The combination weigher according to the first aspect, and• one or more peripheral units for the actuator, wherein said one or more peripheral units comprise at least a controller for the actuator and / or a power supplying unit for the actuator and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the hopper, and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the body, such as outside of the combination weigher, and wherein the combination weigher comprises a connection entity, such as a wire with an appropriate connection unit, connecting the actuator to the one or more peripheral units for the actuator.The first and second and third aspect of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESThe combination weigher, system and method according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.FIG. 1 depicts in a perspective view a combination weigher,FIG. 2 shows a top view of the combination weigher,FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the combination weigher,FIGS. 4-8 illustrate a method for operating a combination weigher,FIG. 9 shows a flow-chart illustrating a method for operating a combination weigher,FIGS. 10-15 shows one or more parts of an embodiment of a combination weigher according to the invention and / or for use with the method according to the invention, comprising a hopper,FIG. 16(a) shows a close-up on the opening and / or closing function of the gate of the hopper as depicted in each of FIGS. 10-15,FIG. 16(b) shows a perspective view of a part of a combination weigher with two serially connected hoppers forming a hopper system, andFIG. 17 shows side views of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 16(b).DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONFigure 1 depicts in a perspective view an embodiment of a combination weigher 100 comprising a conically shaped distribution unit 101, multiple elongated trenches 102 that extend radially away from the periphery of the conically shaped distribution unit 101 with a helical screw 104 placed therein and operated by a motor and a control unit. The combination weigher 100 is a circular combination weigher 100. During operation, the conically shaped distribution unit 101 receives products, such as food objects in the present embodiment, from an infeed unit (not shown), such as an infeed conveyor placed above the conicallyshaped distribution unit and distributes the received products into the elongated trenches102. At the end of and below the trenches 102, there are hopper systems 106, each comprising a weighing hopper 105 and a storage hopper 103, configured to receive products released from the releasing ends of the trenches. When one or more products are released from the hopper systems they come to the chute 110. For the present embodiment, all products released from hopper systems will be received at a receiving section of the chute 110.When generating batches of pre-fixed weight of batches, the optimal combination of weighing hoppers is selected given the minimal giveaway from the target weight and these selected weighing hoppers are then released, where the products from the selected weighing hoppers whose products are meant to form a batch are led via the chute 110 towards and through the lower end 118 of the chute, where a dispatching tool (not shown) may be arranged.FIG. 2 shows a top view of the embodiment of a combination weigher 100 and indicates a section A-A.FIG. 3 shows the cross sectional view A-A in FIG. 2, showing the dispersion unit 101 adapted to radially disperse food products, such as food products dropped in from above and onto the dispersion unit, a plurality of hopper systems, a plurality of feeding systems 120, each feeding system comprising an elongated trench 102 extending radially away from the dispersion unit and comprising a receiving end 122 arranged to receive food products being radially dispersed from the dispersion unit and an outfeed end 124 arranged to release food products from the trench and into a hopper system 106 within the plurality of hopper systems, a transport screw 104 arranged in the trench, wherein operation of the transport screw is controlled by the control device, where controlling of the operation of the transport screw includes controlling a rotational movement of the transport screw, such as thereby controlling conveying of the food products from the receiving end of the trench towards the outfeed end of the trench, such as forward rotational movement arranged for conveying the food products from the receiving end of the trench comprising the transport screw and towards the outfeed end of the trench (as indicated by the thick, open arrows) or stopping rotational movement of the transport screw. The figure furthermore shows a storage hopper103, also known as a buffer hopper or pool hopper, and a weighing hopper 105.Reference is furthermore made to WO 2018 / 130646 Al from which FIG. 13 and the accompanying description (such as page 16, lines 3-19 and / or such as paragraphs

[0087] and

[0088] ) is incorporated by reference.FIG. 3 furthermore shows a body 108, wherein each of the storage hopper 103 and the weighing hopper 105 are attached to the body 108 via connection points 109.The combination weigher comprises a connection entity 126, which is a wire 128 with an appropriate connection unit 130, which is a plug, for connecting an actuator (cf., e.g., the actuator 438 depicted in FIGS. 4-8) to one or more peripheral units (not shown) for the actuator, wherein said one or more peripheral units comprise at least a controller for the actuator and / or a power supplying unit for the actuator and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the hopper. In the present embodiment, the one or more peripheral units are (or could be) placed outside of the body 108, such as outside of the combination weigher 100. In the present embodiment, the connection entity 126, such as the wire 128 of the connection entity 126, is partially inside the body. In an alternative embodiment, the connection entity 126, such as the wire 128 of the connection entity 126, is kept outside of the body. In either case, given that a wire can be waterproof and robust against cleaning, it is possible to clean the body, such as at least the interior of the body, without risk of damaging sensitive peripherals for the actuator.FIGS. 4-8 illustrate a method for operating a combination weigher 100.FIG. 4 is showing a part of a combination weigher, wherein the combination weigher (and the part of the combination weigher) is comprising a body 408 (or a part thereof, which is shown), such as a cabinet and / or a frame, and a plurality of hoppers 103, 105, 405 (wherein a weighing hopper 405 is shown), wherein each hopper is mechanically connected to the body via a joint 432, wherein the joint 432 is a hinge joint, and wherein the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least a first arrangement, and a second arrangement, wherein the hopper in the second arrangement is having a different position and / or orientation relative to the body compared to the hopper in the first arrangement.The first arrangement may be an arrangement as shown in each of FIGS. 4-6 and the second arrangement may be an arrangement as shown in each of FIGS. 7-8.The weighing hopper 405 is furthermore comprising a gate 434, and an actuator 438 for opening and / or closing the gate, wherein the hopper is optionally arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate.The weighing hopper 405 is shown in FIG. 4 to be mechanically connected to the body 408 via a fastener 442, wherein the fastener is arranged for reversibly fastening the hopper to the body at a position of the fastener, and wherein the joint 432 is arranged for allowingchanging an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least an arrangement, such as the first arrangement, wherein the fastener is fastening the hopper to the body at the position of the fastener, and an arrangement, such as the second arrangement, wherein the fastener is not fastening the hopper to the body at the position of the fastener.The position of the fastener 442 is different with respect to the position of the joint 432.The fastener 442 comprises two magnets 444, 446, namely a magnet 444 placed on the hopper 405 and a magnet 446 placed on the body 408.In an alternative embodiment, the fastener is comprising one or more electromagnets, such as controllable electromagnets, such as controllable by a control device of the combination weigher.The hopper 405 comprises a gate 434, and an actuator 438 for opening and / or closing the gate, wherein the hopper is optionally arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate. The actuator is an electric, linear actuator.The hopper 405 is a weighing hopper wherein the actuator 438 is included in the weight which is weighed when weighing the weighing hopper 405 (such as during normal operation of the combination weigher).The hopper 405 comprises a sensor 440 for the purpose of enabling the determining of a position of at least a part of the gate 434, wherein in the present embodiment the actuator 438 comprises the sensor 440 for the purpose of enabling the determining of a position of at least a part of the gate 434.The weighing hopper 405 has an open top, as indicated by the dashed top line, so that products can enter into the hopper, such as under the action of gravity, through the open top from above.In the present FIGS. 4-8, each of the actuator 438 and the magnet 444 placed on the hopper is shown inside the cavity of the hopper. However, it is conceivable that either one or the other or both of the actuator 438 and the magnet 444 placed on the hopper could be placed outside the cavity of the hopper. In any case, the hopper 405 would be understood to comprise the actuator 438.FIGS. 6 and 7 and 8 are illustrating sequential steps of the method comprising for the weighing hopper 405, comprising changing the arrangement of the hopper from the first arrangement to the second arrangement, wherein the weighing hopper 405 is shown (being brought) in the second arrangement from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7 (where the weighing hopper is in the first arrangement in FIGS. 4-6), cleaning the body and / or the hopper, such as while the arrangement of the hopper is the second arrangement, and changing the arrangement of the hopper from the second arrangement to the first arrangement (corresponding to going from the second arrangement shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4-6).FIG. 8 shows specifically a step of cleaning by wherein the cleaning takes place by applying a stream of liquid from a nozzle 448 (such as said stream of liquid 449 being applied to parts of the combination weigher which have been made more accessible by the change from the first arrangement to the second arrangement), which nozzle may be part of the combination weigher and / or may be controlled by a robot, such as wherein the cleaning is automated. Alternatively, cleaning may be carried out by manually controlling the nozzle, such as by manually controlling a hose with a nozzle.FIG. 4 shows a minimum distance 412 between one point on the hopper 405 (such as said one point on the hopper being the upper right corner), and the body 408, wherein the arrangement of the hopper is the first arrangement.FIG. 7 shows a minimum distance 414 between the one point on the hopper 405 (such as said one point on the hopper being the upper right corner), and the body 408, wherein the arrangement of the hopper is the second arrangement.Taken together, FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 shows that a minimum distance 412, 414 between at least one point on the hopper 405, and the body 408 is increased, by at least 1 centimetre, such as at least 2 cm, such as at least 3 cm, such as at least 4 cm, such as at least 5 cm, such as at least 6 cm, such as at least 8 cm, such as at least 10 cm, such as at least 15 cm, such as at least 20 cm, such as at least 25 cm, by changing arrangement, such as by the method step comprising changing arrangement, from the first arrangement, to the second arrangement.In the present embodiment, changing arrangement, such as by the method step comprising changing arrangement, from the first arrangement to the second arrangement, entails that at least one part of the hopper, such as the centre of gravity, is moved radially away from the body, such as in a horizontal direction (wherein a horizontal direction in FIGS. 4-8 is the leftright directions), and wherein a radial distance between the at least one part of the hopper, and the body is increased by at least 1 centimetre, such as at least 2 cm, such as at least 3cm, such as at least 4 cm, such as at least 5 cm, such as at least 6 cm, such as at least 8 cm, such as at least 10 cm, such as at least 15 cm, such as at least 20 cm, such as at least 25 cm, by changing arrangement.FIG. 5 is showing the step of the method comprising opening the gate 434 with the actuator 438. The circular dotted arrow indicates the pivoting of gate 434 around hinged connection 436 (wherein the 'hinged connection' is generally understood to be synonymous and technically identical with 'hinge joint', i.e., wherein the wording 'hinged connection' could be replaced with the wording 'hinge joint', such as wherein the wording 'hinged connection 436' could be replaced with the wording 'hinge joint 436'), which is realized by actuation of linear actuator 438 as indicated by the straight dotted arrow.The weighing hopper 405 is shown in FIG. 5 as having an open bottom (with the gate in an open position), as indicated by the dashed bottom line, so that products can enter out of the hopper, such as under the action of gravity, through the open bottom from within the hopper 405.FIG. 6 is showing the step of the method comprising closing the gate 434 with the actuator 438. The circular dotted arrow indicates the pivoting of gate 434 around hinged connection 436, which is realized by actuation of linear actuator 438 as indicated by the straight dotted arrow.The hopper is arranged so that a duration of a period from a first point in time, wherein the hopper is ready for dispensing a first portion of product until a second point in time, wherein the hopper is ready for dispensing a second portion of product, is equal to or less than 1.5 seconds, such as equal to or less than 1.2 seconds, such as equal to or less than 1.0 seconds.The actuator is arranged for being rated at IP69K (cf., IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60529 as applicable 31.03.2024).The method further comprises determining 962 a position of at least a part of the gate 434, such as an angular position around hinged connection 436 and / or a position as given by the position of the linear actuator 438, such as determined by the built-in position sensor 440 within the actuator 438.The method further comprises weighing 964 the hopper 405 including the actuator 434.Optionally, the method comprises changing the arrangement of the hopper 405 from the second arrangement to the first arrangement.Optionally, the method comprises forming one or more batches of products using the combination weigher while the arrangement of the hopper 405 is in the first arrangement.The joint 432 is bi-stable, such as each of the first arrangement (as shown in each of FIGS. 4-6) and the second arrangement (as shown in each of FIGS. 7-8) is stable, e.g., due to magnetic forces in the first arrangement and gravity in the second arrangement.Fig. 9 shows a flow-chart illustrating a method 900 for operating a combination weigher 100, comprising providing 951 a combination weigher according to the first aspect, such as a combination weigher 100 as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and / or with a weighing hopper 405 as depicted in FIGS. 4-8 and / or wherein the combination weigher is comprising a body 108, 408, such as a cabinet and / or a frame, and a plurality of hoppers 103, 105, 405, wherein each hopper is mechanically connected to the body via a joint 432, wherein the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least a first arrangement, and a second arrangement, wherein the hopper in the second arrangement is having a different position and / or orientation relative to the body compared to the hopper in the first arrangement, and wherein the method comprises, such as comprises sequentially, for each hopper: Changing 952 the arrangement of the hopper from the first arrangement to the second arrangement, cleaning 954 the body and / or the hopper, such as while the arrangement of the hopper is the second arrangement, and optionally changing 956 the arrangement of the hopper from the second arrangement to the first arrangement.Each hopper comprises a gate 434, and an actuator 438 for opening and / or closing the gate, wherein the hopper is optionally arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate, and the method is further comprising opening 958 and / or closing 960 the gate with the actuator, and / or determining 962 a position of at least a part of the gate, and the method is further comprising weighing 964 the hopper including the actuator.Figs. 10-15 shows one or more parts of an embodiment of the combination weigher according to the invention and / or for use with the method according to the invention, comprising a hopper.Fig. 10(a) is showing a side view of a part of a combination weigher, wherein the combination weigher (and the part of the combination weigher) is comprising a body 1008 (or a part thereof, which is shown, where it is understood that the body circumscribes or encompassesa volume, such as a volume to the right of the shown part of the body, e.g., in analogy with an encompassed volume as indicated in FIG. 3), such as a cabinet and / or a frame, and a hopper 1005, wherein the hopper is mechanically connected to the body 1008 via a joint 1032, wherein the joint 1032 is a hinge joint, and wherein the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least a first arrangement, and a second arrangement, wherein the hopper in the second arrangement is having a different position and / or orientation relative to the body compared to the hopper in the first arrangement.The hopper 1005 is a weighing hopper wherein the actuator 1038 is included in the weight which is weighed when weighing the weighing hopper 1005 (such as during normal operation of the combination weigher).FIG. 10(a) furthermore shows a weighing cell 1050 (also referred to as a load cell) for determining a weight of the hopper, wherein the weighing cell is positioned entirely outside the body 1008.The weighing hopper 1005 is furthermore comprising a gate 1034, and an actuator 1038 for opening and / or closing the gate, wherein the hopper is optionally arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate. The actuator 1038 is shown outside of the cavity of the hopper 1005. The gate is shown in an open position, i.e., a non-blocking position in an opening, such as an opening in the hopper, with respect to passage of products, such as food products.The hopper 1005 optionally comprises a sensor (not shown) for the purpose of enabling the determining of a position of at least a part of the gate 1034.FIG. 10(a) also shows a minimum distance 1012 between the one point on the hopper 1005 (such as said one point on the hopper being the upper right corner), and the body 1008, wherein the arrangement of the hopper is the first arrangement.The first arrangement may be an arrangement as shown in each of FIGS. 10-11 and FIG. 15(b) and the second arrangement may be an arrangement as shown in each of FIGS. 12-14 and FIG. 15(a).Fig. 10(b) is showing a front view of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 10(a).FIG. 11(a) shows a side view of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 10(a).FIG. 11(b) shows a side view of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 11(a), except in Fig. 11(b) it is the opposite side shown with respect to the side shown in FIG. 11(a).FIG. 12(a) shows a side view of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 10(a), except in Fig. 12(a) the hopper is in the second arrangement, and except in Fig. 12(a) the gate is shown in a closed position, i.e., a blocking position in an opening, such as an opening in the hopper, with respect to passage of products, such as food products.FIG. 12(a) also shows a fastener, which comprises, such as consists of, two magnets 1044, 1046, namely a magnet 1044 placed on the hopper 1005 and a magnet 1046 placed on the body 1008. The fastener is arranged for reversibly fastening the hopper to the body at a position of the fastener, and wherein the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least an arrangement, such as the first arrangement, wherein the fastener is fastening the hopper to the body at the position of the fastener, and an arrangement, such as the second arrangement, wherein the fastener is not fastening the hopper to the body at the position of the fastener. The position of the fastener is different with respect to the position of the joint 1032.FIG. 12(a) shows a minimum distance 1014 between the one point on the hopper 1005 (such as said one point on the hopper being the upper right corner), and the body 1008, wherein the arrangement of the hopper is the second arrangement.Taken together, FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 12(a) shows that a minimum distance 1012, 1014 between at least one point on the hopper 1005, and the body 1008 is increased, by at least 1 centimetre, such as at least 2 cm, such as at least 3 cm, such as at least 4 cm, such as at least 5 cm, such as at least 6 cm, such as at least 8 cm, such as at least 10 cm, such as at least 15 cm, such as at least 20 cm, such as at least 25 cm, by changing arrangement, such as by the method step comprising changing arrangement, from the first arrangement, to the second arrangement.FIG. 12(b) shows a front view of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 10(b), except in Fig. 12(b) the hopper is in the second arrangement, and except in Fig. 12(b) the gate is shown in a closed position, i.e., a blocking position in an opening, such as an opening in the hopper, with respect to passage of products, such as food products.FIG. 13(a) and FIG. 13(b) show, respectively, side views of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), except in each of FIG. 13(a) and FIG. 13(b), the hopper is in the second arrangement.FIG. 14(a) shows a side view of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 13(b), except in Fig. 14(a) the gate is shown in a closed position, i.e., a blocking position in an opening, such as an opening in the hopper, with respect to passage of products, such as food products.FIG. 14(b) shows a perspective view of the hopper in the configuration (hopper in the second arrangement and gate in the closed position) as also depicted in each of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14(a), yet with no part of the body shown. The magnet 1044 placed on the hopper 1005 is indicated.FIG. 15(a) shows a perspective view of the part of the combination weigher with the hopper in the configuration (hopper in the second arrangement and gate in the closed position) as also depicted in each of FIG. 12 and FIG. 14.FIG. 15(b) shows a perspective view of the part of the combination weigher with the hopper in the configuration (hopper in the first arrangement and gate in the open position) as also depicted in of FIG. 11.FIG. 16(a) shows a close-up on the opening and / or closing function of the gate of the hopper as depicted in each of FIGS. 10-15, which comprises a direct gear connection 1652.FIG. 16(b) shows a perspective view of a part of a combination weigher with two serially connected hoppers 1603, 1606 forming a hopper system 1605, such as wherein the upper hopper 1603 is a storage hopper and the lower hopper 1606 is a weighing hopper. Alternatively, the upper hopper 1603 is a weighing hopper and the lower hopper 1606 is a booster hopper. One or both of the hoppers 1603, 1606 may be similar or identical to the hopper depicted in FIGS. 10-16(a), albeit shown in FIG. 16(b) in a different configuration (hopper in the first arrangement and gate in the closed position). The combination weigher (and the part of the combination weigher) is comprising a body 1608 (or a part thereof, which is shown, where it is understood that the body circumscribes or encompasses a volume, such as a volume to the right of the shown part of the body, e.g., in analogy with an encompassed volume as indicated in FIG. 3), such as a cabinet and / or a frame, wherein each hopper 1603, 1606 is mechanically connected to the body 1608 via respective hinge joints being arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, ofeach hopper relative to the body between at least a first arrangement, and a second arrangement, wherein the hopper in the second arrangement is having a different position and / or orientation relative to the body compared to the hopper in the first arrangement.FIG. 17(a) shows a side view of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 16(b).FIG. 17(b) shows a side view of the part of the combination weigher also depicted in FIG. 17(a), except in Fig. 17(b) it is the opposite side shown with respect to the side shown in FIG. 17(a).Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A combination weigher (100) comprising :• a body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), such as a cabinet and / or a frame, and• a plurality of hoppers (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606), wherein each hopper comprises• a gate (434, 1034), and• an actuator (438, 1038) for opening and / or closing the gate.

2. The combination weigher (100) according to claim 1, wherein the hopper (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) is arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034).

3. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of hoppers comprises a plurality of weighing hoppers (105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606), and wherein for each of the weighing hoppers the actuator (438, 1038) is included in the weight which is weighed when weighing the weighing hopper.

4. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper comprises a sensor (440) for the purpose of enabling the determining of a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034).

5. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (438, 1038) comprises a sensor (440) for the purpose of enabling the determining of a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034).

6. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (438, 1038) is:• Electric,• Pneumatic, or• Hydraulic.

7. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the hoppers within the plurality of hoppers (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) is mechanically connected to the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), and wherein each of one or more or all hoppers within the plurality of hoppers (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) comprises a weighing cell (1050), wherein the weighing cell is positioned outside, such as entirely outside, the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608).

8. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper is arranged so that a duration of a period from a first point in time, wherein the hopper is ready for dispensing a first portion of product until a second point in time, wherein the hopper is ready for dispensing a second portion of product, is equal to or less than 3 seconds, such as equal to or less than 2.5 seconds, such as equal to or less than 2.0 seconds, such as equal to or less than 1.5 seconds, such as equal to or less than 1.2 seconds, such as equal to or less than 1.0 seconds, such as equal to or less than 0.8 seconds, such as equal to or less than 0.5 seconds.

9. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (438, 1038) is arranged for being rated at IP67 or better, such as IP68 or better, such as IP69 or better, such as IP69K or better.

10. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the combination weigher comprises a connection entity (126), such as a wire (128) with an appropriate connection unit (130), for connecting the actuator (438, 1038) to one or more peripheral units for the actuator, wherein said one or more peripheral units comprise at least a controller for the actuator and / or a power supplying unit for the actuator and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the hopper, and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the combination weigher (100).

11. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the combination weigher is a circular combination weigher (100).

12. The combination weigher (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each hopper (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) is:• mechanically connected to the body (108, 408) via a joint (432, 1032), wherein the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least• a first arrangement, and• a second arrangement, and wherein the hopper in the second arrangement is having a different position and / or orientation relative to the body compared to the hopper in the first arrangement.

13. A method (900) of operating a combination weigher (100), the method comprising :• Providing (951) a combination weigher according to any of claims 1-12 and / or according to any of claims 22-36,Opening (958) and / or closing (960) the gate with the actuator, and / or determining (962) a position of at least a part of the gate.

14. The method (900) according to claim 13, the method comprising :• Weighing (964) the hopper including the actuator (438, 1038).

15. The method (900) according to any of claims 13-14, wherein each hopper is:• mechanically connected to the body via a joint (432, 1032), wherein the joint is arranged for allowing changing an arrangement, such as position and / or orientation, of the hopper relative to the body between at least• a first arrangement, and• a second arrangement, wherein the hopper in the second arrangement is having a different position and / or orientation relative to the body compared to the hopper in the first arrangement, and wherein the method comprises, such as comprises sequentially, for each hopper:• Changing (952) the arrangement of the hopper from the first arrangement to the second arrangement,• Cleaning (954) the body and / or the hopper, such as while the arrangement of the hopper is the second arrangement, and• Optionally changing (956) the arrangement of the hopper from the second arrangement to the first arrangement.

16. The method (900) according to any of claims 13-15, wherein the method comprises determining (962) a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034), such as a position of the gate, such as wherein the gate can be moved rotationally around a hinged connection (436), and wherein the position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, is an angular position of the gate around a hinged connection (436).

17. The method (900) according to any of claims 13-16, wherein the method comprises determining (962) a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034), such as a position of the gate, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator (438), and wherein the position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, is given by a position of the linear actuator (438), such as determined by a built-in position sensor (440) within the actuator (438).

18. The method (900) according to any of claims 13-17 wherein the method comprises determining if the gate is in a blocking or non-blocking position with respect to the passage of products, such as food products.

19. The method (900) according to any of claims 13-18, wherein a position of at least a part of the gate, such as a position of the gate, is a position of the centre of mass of the gate, such as wherein the position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034) is the position of the centre of mass of the gate with respect to the position of the remainder of the hopper.

20. The method (900) according to any of claims 13-19, wherein the joint (432, 1032) is a hinge joint.

21. The method (900) according to any of claims 13-20, where each hopper is mechanically connected to the body via the joint (432, 1032) in each of the first arrangement and the second arrangement.

22. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the hopper (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) comprises means for determining a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034), such as a position of the gate, relative to the remainder of the hopper.

23. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or claim 22, wherein the hopper comprises a hinged connection (436), wherein the gate can be moved rotationally around the hinged connection (436), and wherein the hopper (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) is arranged for and / or comprises means for determining an angular position around the hinged connection (436) of at least a part of the gate, such as an angular position of the gate.

24. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-23, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator (438), and wherein the hopper (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) is arranged for and / or comprises means for determining a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034), such as a position of the gate, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator (438) and the position of at least a part of the gate, such as the position of the gate, is given by the position of the linear actuator (438), such as determined by the built-in position sensor (440) within the actuator (438).

25. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-24, wherein the hopper (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) is arranged for and / or comprises means for determining a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034), such as the gate, and wherein the position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034) is a blocking position or a non-blocking position in an opening of the hopper with respect to passage of products.

26. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-25, wherein the hopper (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) is arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034), and wherein the part of the gate (434, 1034) for which the position is determined is the part of the gate in contact with the actuator.

27. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-26, wherein the hopper (103, 105, 405, 1005, 1603, 1606) is arranged for determining a position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034), such as a position of the gate, relative to the remainder of the hopper.

28. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 2, 4, 5, and / or any of claims 22-27, wherein at least a part of the gate is the centre of mass of the gate, such as wherein the position of at least a part of the gate (434, 1034) is the position of the centre of mass of the gate with respect to the position of the remainder of the hopper.

29. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-28, wherein the actuator (438, 1038), such as the actuator of each hopper, is positioned outside the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), such as the main body, of the combination weigher (100).

30. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-29, wherein the combination weigher (100) is arranged so that the actuator (438, 1038), such as the actuator of each hopper, is positioned outside the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), such as the main body, of the combination weigher (100) during normal use of the combination weigher (100).

31. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-30, wherein the actuator (438, 1038), such as the actuator of each hopper, is positioned entirely outside the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), such as the main body, of the combination weigher (100).

32. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-31, wherein the combination weigher (100) is arranged so that the actuator (438, 1038), such as the actuator of each hopper, is positioned entirely outside the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), such as the main body, of the combination weigher (100) during normal use of the combination weigher (100).

33. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-32, wherein the joint (432, 1032) is a hinge joint.

34. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-33, wherein the combination weigher (100) is arranged for each hopper to be mechanically connected to the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608) via the joint (432, 1032) in each of the first arrangement and the second arrangement.

35. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-34, wherein the actuator (438, 1038) is placed on the opposite side of the joint (432, 1032) with respect to the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), such as the main body of the combination weigher (100).

36. The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-35, wherein the actuator (438, 1038) is placed entirely on the opposite side of the joint (432, 1032) with respect to the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), such as the main body of the combination weigher (100).

37. A system comprising :• The combination weigher (100) according to any of claims 1-12 and / or any of claims 22-36, and• one or more peripheral units for the actuator, wherein said one or more peripheral units comprise at least a controller for the actuator and / or a power supplying unit for the actuator and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the hopper, and wherein the one or more peripheral units are placed outside of the body (108, 408, 1008, 1608), such as outside of the combination weigher (100), and wherein the combination weigher comprises a connection entity (126), such as a wire (128) with an appropriate connection unit (130), connecting the actuator (438, 1038) to the one or more peripheral units for the actuator.

Images