With Casing Closure Or Shield Patents (Class 177/180)
  • Patent number: 11932483
    Abstract: An article conveying apparatus (1) according to an embodiment includes: a hopper (60/70) that temporarily stores an article charged from an outside and discharges the article downstream; a driver (10) that dives the hopper; and a main body (100) to be attached with the driver, wherein the main body includes: a top plate (110) that has a plane in a horizontal direction; and a side surface (120) to be attached with the driver, and the side surface has: a first surface (120A) that stands up in a vertical direction and is to be connected to the top plate; and a second surface (120B) that is formed continuously with the first surface, is attached with the driver, and is inclined in a direction of going toward a center axis (0) of the main body as going downward in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuteru Oda, Toshiharu Kageyama, Shinichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11927471
    Abstract: In a combination weighing apparatus (1), a driver (10) is attached to a main body (100) by being inserted into an opening (100A) provided in a lateral surface of the main body, in a direction from an outer side (O) toward an inner side (I) of the main body, a first motor (14), a second motor (13), and a load cell (12) are arranged on the inner side of the main body in relation to a base (11), and in a state where the driver is attached to the main body, at least a portion of the first motor, the second motor, and the load cell is located further on a lower side (L) than a lower edge (E1) of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuteru Oda, Toshiharu Kageyama, Naomi Imaaki
  • Patent number: 11668599
    Abstract: A shelf bracket assembly is mounted on a vertically disposed shelf upright, and has: at least one weighing device; an anchoring device; and a cantilever for supporting a shelf panel. In a condition where the shelf bracket assembly is mounted on the shelf upright, the cantilever projects from the shelf upright in a substantially horizontal direction. The cantilever has a vertically disposed metal plate. In a Cartesian coordinate system, an extent of the cantilever in a horizontal plane defines a Y-direction, a vertical direction defines a Z-direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Y-direction and the Z-direction defines an X-direction. The at least one weighing device includes: a force-introduction section; a linkage section; and a force-supporting section. The linkage section comprises two weighing plates extending horizontally and parallel to each other. The force-supporting section and the force-introduction section are at least partially formed of vertically extending metal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BIZERBA SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Fritsch, Frank Metzger, Harald Witte, Luca Kallmann
  • Patent number: 11506531
    Abstract: A weighing mechanism (1) includes: a hopper (105) configured to store an article; a hanger (2) on which the hopper is hung; a mass weighing instrument (3) configured to weigh the article stored in the hopper; a connection member (4) that connects the hanger and the mass weighing instrument; a main body member (6) having a through hole (5) through which the connection member penetrates; a diaphragm (7) that connects an outer edge of the connection member and an inner edge of the through hole of the main body member; and a waterproof cover (8) that covers at least part of the through hole between the diaphragm and the hanger. The waterproof cover is detachably attached only to the hanger among the main body member and the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Horitani, Mikio Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 11473966
    Abstract: Provided is a balance with a windshield having a door to be smoothly opened and closed either manually or automatically. Provided is an electronic balance with a windshield including a balance main body including a weighing mechanism connected to a weighing pan, a windshield having doors capable of opening and closing by sliding, and configured to form a weighing chamber by covering the weighing pan, and actuators configured to open and close the doors, wherein the actuator includes a double-acting type air cylinder having two ports serving as air intake ports, an air pump-to be connected to the two ports, two valves respectively interposed between the air pump and the two ports and configured to make the ports communicate with and shut off from the atmosphere, and a control device configured to control the two valves-to make the two ports communicate with the atmosphere when the air pump is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: A&D COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Hisanori Oda
  • Patent number: 11118959
    Abstract: A modular off-platter detection assembly for use with a barcode reader includes a housing, a first light source, a first light sensor, and a controller operatively coupled to the first light source and the first light sensor. The housing is configured to be removably mounted to the barcode reader, a frame supporting the barcode reader, or the workstation. The first light source is positioned within the housing and emits a first light along a first lateral edge of a weigh platter. The first light sensor is positioned within the housing, has a first field-of-view along the first lateral edge, and is configured to detect at least a portion of the first light reflected towards the housing. The controller is configured to provide a first alert in response to receipt of a first value from the first light sensor indicating there is an object extending across the first lateral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Barkan, Chinh Tan, Darran Michael Handshaw, Mark Drzymala
  • Patent number: 11013666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a set of scales and to an installation for producing a medical composition using a set of scales. The set of scales comprise interchangeable securing means for a target container, the weight thereof being measured by the set of scales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Biehl, Michael Hock, Ulla Schöbel, Marcel Borgward, Holger Lenkeit, Dirk Lamprecht, Sebastian Maier
  • Patent number: 11002591
    Abstract: A laboratory balance (1) has a base body (2), a weighing chamber (10) with a weighing chamber floor (3), a weighing chamber rear wall (4), and a draft shield (5,5?,5?). The draft shield has a top wall (6), a first side wall (7), a second side wall (8) arranged parallel to the first side wall, and a front wall (9). The weighing chamber floor, the draft shield and the weighing chamber rear wall act together to enclose the weighing chamber. The weighing chamber rear wall has a modular construction, with at least a base module (15) and a top module (16,16?,16?). The base module is connected to the base body, and the top module is connected to the top wall of the draft shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Alice Buchmann, Beat Meister, Marc Zehnder
  • Patent number: 11002592
    Abstract: A laboratory balance (1) has a housing, a base body (2) with an upper side (20) facing a weighing pan (14) and an underside (21) facing in the opposite direction of the upper side (20). A draft shield (5) is mounted on the upper side of the base body. The draft shield has a top wall (6), a first sidewall (7), a second sidewall (8) that is to the first sidewall, and a front wall (9). The first sidewall is operated by a first motor unit (25) which is located in the base body. The underside has a first opening (37) that provides access to the first motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Alice Buchmann, Beat Meister, Marc Zehnder, Martin Vogt
  • Patent number: 10955285
    Abstract: A balance (10) has a mounting unit (30) movably connected to a first side (35) of a rear wall (25) of a weighing chamber. The mounting unit is above a top wall (23) of the weighing chamber. An elongate slot (40) extends from the first side through a second side (36) and receives the mounting unit and the top wall. The elongate slot guides the mounting unit and the top wall in a direction normal to a base body (11) of the balance. A position control unit (50), on the second side, has lower and upper carriages (52, 54). The upper carriage is connected to the mounting unit and the lower carriage is connected to the top wall. A stopper (64) limits the lower carriage at a predetermined position away from the base body, while allowing the upper carriage to advance therebeyond, separating the mounting unit from the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Zehnder, Louis Caglioni
  • Patent number: 10928242
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic scale in disclosed in this disclosure, which is applied to measure and indicate a state of an external force, comprises the following steps. A weight sensor detects the external force, and a controller drives a prompting device to emit a first light with a first optical characteristic when the external force detected by the weight sensor reaches a first weight. The controller drives the prompting device to emit a second light with a second optical characteristic when the prompting device emits the first light for a predetermined period, wherein the prompting device continuously emits the second light until the external force reaches a second weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Kang Chen, Yu Tao Kao, Jiun Lin Wu, Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 10900828
    Abstract: A laboratory balance (1) has a weighing pan (14) in a weighing chamber (10). A rear wall (4) separates the weighing chamber separates from a housing (11) that contains a weighing cell (12) with a load-receiving structure (13). A suspension pin (27) extends in a transverse direction of the load-receiving structure. The weighing pan is engaged with the load-receiving structure through at least one passage opening (31) in the rear wall. Two spaced-apart sidebars (29) of the weighing pan are held together by a connecting member (30). Each sidebar has an L-shaped configuration with a horizontal foot portion (55) and a vertical leg portion (56). A hook-shaped portion (64) of the vertical leg is seated on the suspension pin, through sliding contact between the suspension pin and a guiding portion (65) that extends from the hook-shaped portion away from the horizontal foot portion, sloping upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Beat Meister, Alice Buchmann
  • Patent number: 10876883
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic scale in disclosed in this disclosure, which is applied to measure and indicate a state of an external force, comprises the following steps. A weight sensor detects the external force, and a controller drives a prompting device to emit a first light with a first optical characteristic when the external force detected by the weight sensor reaches a first weight. The controller drives the prompting device to emit a second light with a second optical characteristic when the prompting device emits the first light for a predetermined period, wherein the prompting device continuously emits the second light until the external force reaches a second weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Kang Chen, Yu Tao Kao, Jiun Lin Wu, Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 10843239
    Abstract: A weighing fume cupboard (1) for weighing pharmaceutically active or toxic substances in a laboratory, comprising a housing (10) which defines a working space (19), wherein a front side of the housing (10) has a working opening (11) which is open at all times during intended use of the weighing fume cupboard (1), a working plate (20) which delimits the working space (19) at the bottom side, an armrest (40) in the region of the working opening (11), and a support (30) which bears the weight of the housing (10), of the working plate (20) and of the armrest (40), wherein, during intended use of the weighing fume cupboard, the working plate (20) is decoupled in terms of shocks and vibrations from the housing (10), from the armrest (40) and from the support (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Jürgen Liebsch
  • Patent number: 10823602
    Abstract: A receiving vessel (21) for the gravimetric calibration and verification of pipettes, whose purpose is to be placed on a load receiver (33) of a balance (40) and to receive and hold test liquid (29) discharged from pipettes that are being calibrated or verified, is configured as evaporation-trapping device, wherein the receiving vessel includes a beaker (22), a lid (23) with a passage opening (25), and a receiving tube (28) that is held in place in the passage opening, passing through the latter into the interior of the beaker. The receiving vessel is adapted to mechanically engage the weighing pan or load receiver when the receiving vessel is set on the weighing pan or load receiver. This ensures a secure placement of the receiving vessel in a defined, reproducible position on the weighing pan or load receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Tiemens
  • Patent number: 10809122
    Abstract: Shelves or other fixtures may be used to support items at a facility. Weighing modules including load cells may be used at the fixtures to acquire weight data indicative of changes to the fixture as items are added or removed from the fixture. Weighing modules may be modular and repositionable with respect to a crossbar or other supporting member that provides electrical power and data connectivity. This allows for the fixtures to be easily reconfigured to accommodate items of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Nathan Danenberg, Jeffrey Kevin Feiereisen, Jacob Alex Siegel, Brett Allen Skaloud, Thomas Duester, James Merton Tidman, Dawn Marie Pfund, Jeremy Samuel De Bonet
  • Patent number: 10634548
    Abstract: A wireless, sterilizable scale comprising an upper module, on which an animal sits or explores, and a lower module that measures the weight of the animal. The lower module comprises a flexible membrane, through which the weight of the upper module and the animal is mechanically coupled. The flexible membrane is affixed at its perimeter to the perimeter of the lower module. The lower module is sealed by the membrane and comprises a load cell, batteries and electronics. The upper module removes easily from the lower module leaving the lower module intact and sealed for chemical sterilization. Electronics in the upper module connects to electronics in the lower module via an electrical connector that also penetrates the flexible membrane. IR communications from the upper modules transmits a series of weight values at two different data rates. The scale may be in a sterile cage free of electrical penetrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Vium, Inc
    Inventors: Jonathan Betts-Lacroix, Alexander Izvorksi, Kevin Harada
  • Patent number: 10527485
    Abstract: A weighing device includes at least one weighing cell (3) disposed in a weighing cell housing (5) and a control cabinet (1). The control cabinet (1) includes a gas pressure control (7) to which can be connected a source with gas overpressure (9). The control cabinet (1) includes an outlet opening (11) through which the gas can exit. The control cabinet (1) is connected with the weighing cell housing (5) through a first connection (13) for supplying gas into the weighing cell housing (5), and through a second connection (15) for gas removal from the weighing cell housing (5). The gas pressure connection (7) is connected with the first connection (13) through a flow guide means (17), so that at least one part of a supplied gas first flows through an interior of the weighing cell housing and subsequently it exits through the outlet opening (11) of the control cabinet (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: WIPOTEC WIEGE—UND POSITIONIERSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Schulzki
  • Patent number: 10422689
    Abstract: A weighing scale is provided at a product processing workstation having a horizontal bed for supporting a horizontal bed window and an upright raised tower for supporting an upright tower window. A platter is mounted on the scale for joint movement therewith. The platter has a horizontal platter portion at least partly overlying the horizontal bed, and an upright platter portion at least partly overlying the raised tower. A guard on the upright platter portion overlies parts of the workstation for reducing weighing errors associated with weighing a product on the scale. The guard prevents the product from contacting and resting on the parts of the workstation and from being erroneously weighed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Drzymala, Edward D. Barkan, Darran M. Handshaw
  • Patent number: 10101195
    Abstract: A sterile scale is described suitable for automated use in animal cages. A case is covered by a flexible membrane that provides both sealing against pathogens and mechanical compliance for transfer of weight on an above weighing platform through a single sealed penetration in the membrane to a load cell in the case. The membrane comprises a perimeter that is attached and sealed to the case with a membrane frame, a penetration area, penetrated by a rigid weight-bearing element, and an isolating compliance area. A skirt on the weighing platform surrounds the case, protecting detritus from entering from below onto the membrane, while providing open-air movement. The weighing platform and case are easily separated permitting fluid-based sterilization of both. The weight-bearing element may contain an electrical connection from the case to the platform, through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin Harada, Jonathan Betts-Lacroix
  • Patent number: 10018499
    Abstract: A balance has a draft shield provided therefor. The shield has a base with upper and lower base covers (5, 6). The upper cover has a central hole in the middle thereof. A windproof ring is placed above the upper cover around a weighing pan of the balance. A shield (7) that is placed between the upper cover and the lower cover receives a weighing sensor (8) of the balance. A wind shield is placed above the base and a weighing compartment for receiving the weighing pan is placed between the wind shield and the upper cover. The windproof structure also has an isolation baffle (2) that is placed between the weighing pan and the upper cover. The high-accuracy balance of the present invention may effectively prevent air flow disturbances inside the balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: OHAUS INSTRUMENTS (CHANGZHOU) CO., LTD., OHAUS INSTRUMENTS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fangyuan Zhao
  • Patent number: 10018500
    Abstract: A balance (30) is a single unit with a weighing pan (21) enclosed in a weighing compartment (22). A housing (23) adjoins the weighing compartment. The balance housing contains a weighing cell compartment (24) enclosing a weighing cell, an electronics compartment (25) containing electrical and electronic circuit elements, a thermoelectric heat pump module (27) and a heat flow controller (28). The balance is equipped to determine a net heat flow (Pnet) inside the housing in the direction from the weighing cell compartment to the electronics compartment. The heat flow controller uses the net heat flow as a control input to regulate the the thermoelectric heat pump module, arranged inside the housing. The control input is used to generate an active heat flow (PA) with magnitude and direction for holding the net heat flow at a level equal to the rate of heat dissipation produced inside the weighing cell compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: METTLER-TOLEDO GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Bühler, Daniel Mock, Michael Geiser
  • Patent number: 9903752
    Abstract: A scale includes a display apparatus, a weighing apparatus on which a scale pan assembly and a weight sensor are disposed, and a control apparatus that connects to the weighing apparatus; further including a lower cover and an upper cover that is buckled upside-down on and movably connected to the lower cover; and the display apparatus, the weighing apparatus, and the control apparatus are all disposed in a cavity formed by the upper cover and the lower cover. A groove-shaped protective cover is detachably connected to an interior side of the upper cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: X.J. Electrics (HUBEI) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun Pan
  • Patent number: 9612151
    Abstract: As a weighing device which can not only make water and dust less likely to reach the sensor unit, but also simply discharge water having reached that position if any, and which further can improve the maintenance workability of water-washing of the sensor unit, an electronic balance includes a weighing pan, a load cell that measures a load of a measuring object placed on the weighing pan, and a scale main body case that supports the load cell. The load cell is disposed outside and over the scale main body case, a cylindrical transparent cover that covers the whole side face of the load cell is integrally provided for the weighing pan, and the lower end of the transparent cover is disposed with a clearance over an upper face of the scale main body case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: A&D COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Masaki Tachibana
  • Patent number: 9523603
    Abstract: A weighing compartment (10) having a work surface (22), including a balance which is integrated into the weighing compartment and which has a scale pan (24) arranged on the work surface (22), and at least one operation surface (26) which is arranged within the area of the work surface (22). The work surface (22) is formed by the surface of a smooth, continuous plate (20) and the operation surface (26) is integrated into the work surface (22) and is designed as a sensor panel, wherein a sensor (28) is arranged below the plate which forms the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Feldotte, Michael Laubstein
  • Patent number: 9091585
    Abstract: A weighing assembly (100,500,600) includes a portable computing device (“PCC”) (112) such as a smart phone, pad computer, laptop computer, or the like. The weighing assembly utilizes one or more features of the portable computing device in order to weigh an item, under control of a scale application program or “app” executable in the portable computing device. Some embodiments may utilize an internal barometric pressure sensor of the PCC. Other embodiments may utilize orientation or position sensors of the PCC for weighing an item. Other embodiments may utilize a compressible foot element (1004), all for weighing an item. Preferably, a user interface (114) of the PCC, such as a touch screen, may be used to interact with the scale application program for calibration and other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: RAF Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Turner
  • Patent number: 9024213
    Abstract: The effect of air flow on a weighing dish is minimized by the following relatively simple arrangement. A mounting member (1) having a protection dike (1D), an engaging ridge (1B), and a outermost peripheral engaging wall (1A) formed in a concentric manner about an opening (1C) to insert therethrough a connecting portion (2A) is disposed on an upper casing (3) of a weighing device located on a lower surface of a weighing dish (2). First and second windproof walls (4, 5) are positioned by fitting to an inner peripheral wall of the engaging ridge 1B and the engaging wall (1A), respectively, and can be easily removed when necessary, such as for cleaning. For example, the second windproof wall (5) is formed higher than the first windproof wall (4), thereby enabling effective obstruction of air flow from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: A&D Company, Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Izumo, Hisanori Oda
  • Patent number: 8966273
    Abstract: A lightweight group signature system and method with short signatures according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide security characteristics similar to group signature mechanisms providing the existing known controllable linkability but can make a revocation method simple by outputting a short signature and providing excellent operation efficiency at the time of signature generation, signature verification, and revocation on smart terminals, and can be widely applied to various anonymity-based application environments, making by making operation efficiency excellent at the time of signature generation and verification and outputting very short signature lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jung Yeon Hwang, Dowon Hong, Ku-Young Chang, Jeong Woon Choi, Nam Su Jho, Taek Young Youn
  • Patent number: 8912455
    Abstract: A balance having at least one adjusting device (2, . . . ) having a drive, wherein the drive of the adjusting device is configured as a fluidic drive (4, . . . ), to which pressure can be applied by a pressure source disposed outside the scales via a pressure connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Laubstein, Juergen Lauke
  • Publication number: 20140345955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor package (6) with long design for a WIM (Weigh in Motion) sensor (1), comprising a first receiving plate (7), a plurality of measuring elements (10), which are arranged equally spaced in a row (15) on the upper side (9) of the first receiving plate (7), an electrode (11) covering all the measuring elements (10), insulation (12) completely covering the electrode (11), and a second receiving plate (8), which covers the insulation (12). In particular, each receiving plate (7, 8) consists of a plurality of receiving elements (13) the end faces (14) of which are juxtaposed in a row (15). According to the invention, the inner end faces (14) of the receiving elements (13) of at least one row (15) have profiles (16) which engage in a form fit manner with the profiles (16) of the adjacent end faces (14) of neighbouring receiving elements (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: David Cornu, Adrian Hofmann, Peter Frei
  • Publication number: 20140202775
    Abstract: A method estimates the effect on the weighing result of a balance (1) that is caused by electrostatic charges on an object (2) received on a load receiver (6) thereof. A first predefined positive voltage (U1) and a second predefined negative voltage (U2) of equal magnitude are alternatingly applied to a first electrode (12) in the vicinity of the weighing object. The forces acting on a force-measuring cell (17) are measured and are registered as the first and second measurement results. The difference between the respective measurement results represents the magnitude of the influence that the electrostatic charges residing on the weighing object are having on the weighing result. The difference also represents an essentially proportional part of the force resulting from electrostatic charges on the weighing object which causes a change in the weighing result and is sent as a signal to a processor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Stefan Bühler
  • Publication number: 20140151134
    Abstract: Brackets and are disposed on the back surface of an upper case on which a pair of molded members and constituting a cylindrical structure forming a rear wall of a windproof case are erected. At one end of each of the brackets, the bracket is electrically connected to the molded member and the bracket is electrically connected to the molded member by screws of the upper case, and the brackets are electrically connected to a lower case by screws. Further, a metal plate on the upper case is electrically connected via a metal member fixed to the cylindrical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi IIZUKA
  • Patent number: 8683880
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer metrology technique which corrects for the effect of electrostatic forces on an atmospheric buoyancy compensated weight force measurement of a semiconductor wafer. In one aspect a wafer is weighed in a faraday cage whose is measured independently. A change in the measured weight of the faraday cage can be used to correct the measure weight the wafer. In another aspect a direct electrostatic measurement can be converted into a weight correction using a predetermined correlation between an electrostatic charge measured by the charge meter and a weight error force. In another aspect the electrostatic measurement may be indirect, e.g. derived from varying the distance between the wafer and a grounded plate parallel to the wafer to effect a change in an electrostatic force between the grounded plate and the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Metryx Limited
    Inventor: Robert John Wilby
  • Publication number: 20140008133
    Abstract: A load cell assembly for an electronic scale may include a substantially flat plate having an outer portion and a load cell aperture defining an inner portion having a deflectable member. A sensor may be disposed on the deflectable member responsive to deflection of the deflectable member. A housing may be configured to engage the outer portion of the load cell and hold the load cell. A foot member may include a bottom portion for contacting the surface upon which the electronic scale is sitting and a top portion including an upwardly depending foot member wall for contacting the inner portion of the load cell and foot member snap fit engagement members configured to engage the inner portion of the load cell, the upwardly depending foot member wall and the foot member snap fit engagement members resisting lateral movement of the foot member relative to the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: MEASUREMENT LTD
    Inventor: Po Sang Chan
  • Publication number: 20130292193
    Abstract: A work booth (22) having a work chamber (20) and an integrated scale (10) that includes a load carrier (12) which is arranged in the work chamber (20) of the work booth (22), a weighing system (14) which is arranged outside the work chamber of the work booth (22), and a coupling element (16) which connects the load carrier (12) to the weighing system (14). The work chamber (20) of the work booth (22) has a ventilation opening (28), through which air can be extracted from the work chamber (20) of the work booth (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Winfried GRAF, Michael LAUBSTEIN, Jan VON STEUBEN, Thomas PERTSCH, Dirk AHLBRECHT, Christian SCHRADER
  • Publication number: 20130118816
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer metrology technique comprising performing atmospheric buoyancy compensated weighing of a wafer, in which the wafer is weighed in a substantially upright condition. A vertical or near vertical wafer orientation causes the surface area in the direction of a force (weight) sensor to be reduced compared with a horizontal wafer orientation. Hence, the electrostatic force components acting in the same direction as the wafer weight force component is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: METRYX LIMITED
    Inventor: METRYX LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20130008728
    Abstract: A snow shield for a truck scale for covering the gap between the lower side of the scale deck of the truck scale and a support surface at each side of the truck scale. A first flexible sheet member has its upper end secured to the outer side of the first frame siderail of the truck scale for the length thereof and extends downwardly therefrom outwardly of the gap at one side of the truck scale. A second flexible sheet member has its upper end secured to the outer side of the second frame siderail of the truck scale for the length thereof and extends downwardly therefrom outwardly of the gap at the other side of the truck scale. The lower ends of the sheet members are secured in place to either the supporting surface or the ground adjacent thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Denis L. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120325566
    Abstract: The effect of air flow on a weighing dish is minimized by the following relatively simple arrangement. A mounting member (1) having a protection dike (1D), an engaging ridge (1B), and a outermost peripheral engaging wall (1A) formed in a concentric manner about an opening (1C) to insert therethrough a connecting portion (2A) is disposed on an upper casing (3) of a weighing device located on a lower surface of a weighing dish (2). First and second windproof walls (4, 5) are positioned by fitting to an inner peripheral wall of the engaging ridge 1B and the engaging wall (1A), respectively, and can be easily removed when necessary, such as for cleaning. For example, the second windproof wall (5) is formed higher than the first windproof wall (4), thereby enabling effective obstruction of air flow from the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: A&D COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Naoto Izumo, Hisanori Oda
  • Publication number: 20120279788
    Abstract: A weighing device draft shield having at least one linearly displaceable wall (e.g., side wall) for allowing access into a weighing compartment of the weighing device. Each displaceable wall is provided with a top guide rail that passes through a roller assembly. Each displaceable wall is suspended in a substantially vertical position by engagement of its guide rail with a corresponding roller assembly. An adjustment element may be provided to alter the position of certain rollers of the roller assembly such that the orientation of the corresponding guide rail and attached displaceable wall may be adjusted to account for dimensional variations of the enclosure, etc. The use of a guide rail and roller assembly facilitates displaceable wall movement by substantially eliminating sliding friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: OHAUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Nuzzi, Neil Olesen, Douglas Gardner, Chang Mingli
  • Patent number: 8299375
    Abstract: A draft protection device for a laboratory instrument according to the invention encloses a weighing compartment that surrounds a balance pan and includes a rear wall, a front wall, two sidewalls, a top cover with at least one opening, and a floor that is delimited by border edges. The top cover is connected at least to one of the two sidewalls and/or the front wall and/or the rear wall in an arrangement where the top cover and the walls connected thereto are vertically movable together in relation to the balance pan. In addition, the vertically movable wall(s) are vertically moveable past the adjacent border edge(s) of the floor. In any vertical position of the top cover, at least one of the sidewalls is horizontally slidable relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8294045
    Abstract: A balance (100) has a balance housing (200), a balance pan (300), a weighing compartment (310) that contains the balance pan, a draft shield (400) with a fixed rear wall (210), the draft shield enclosing the weighing compartment, a system of balance electronics (500), a weighing cell (600) arranged below the weighing pan, and a weighing cell compartment (270) that encases the weighing cell. The weighing cell compartment is atmospherically connected by way of a hollow space (240) to the upper third of the weighing compartment. The balance electronics are arranged at the rear wall outside of the weighing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Beat Lüdi
  • Patent number: 8294046
    Abstract: A draft protection device for a laboratory instrument. The device encloses a weighing compartment that surrounds a balance pan. The draft protection device includes a rear wall, a front wall, two sidewalls, a top cover, and a floor that is delimited by border edges. The draft protection device further includes at least one guiding means that is connected to the top cover and serves to guide the movement of at least one horizontally slidable sidewall, and/or a holder means that is connected to the top cover and serves to hold the front wall in place, wherein the guiding means and/or the holder means supports the weight of the at last one sidewall and/or the front wall in such a way that the wall(s) is pushed by a biasing torque against the floor of the weighing compartment. This torque is supported by the border edge facing towards the respective wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8203086
    Abstract: A windshield for attaching and detaching to an electronic scale includes a plurality of mechanism for the attaching and detaching. Each of the mechanisms includes a latch which engages a member generally found on conventional electronic seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: A&D Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Izumo, Hirosi Sigano, Satosi Suzaki
  • Patent number: 8198553
    Abstract: A draft shield for a balance, the draft shield having a rear wall and rails extending forward from the top corners of the rear wall. The rails contain guide tracks for a top cover panel and two sidewalls. A draft shield of this design allows for easy cleaning and also permits the parts to be cleaned to be removed without a tool. To this end, a bottom edge of a front wall of the draft shield is inserted into a seat, such that the front wall can then be pivoted into flush alignment against the top cover panel and the sidewalls and can be secured in this position by locking elements arranged at the front ends of the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Balthasar Dürst, Daniel Mock
  • Patent number: 8178799
    Abstract: A carrier for objects to be sequentially weighed is designed for connection to a load receiver of a weighing cell. The carrier has a supporting structure and a multi-compartment weighing tray. The supporting structure has an element for coupling the supporting structure to the load receiver and an element for connecting the weighing tray to the supporting structure in a guided and constrained manner. The weighing tray is seated or slid into place, leaving it free to perform a defined linear, swiveling, or rotary movement relative to the supporting structure. The weighing tray has at least two receiving compartments, arranged so that each can be sequentially moved into a defined loading position, fixed relative to the supporting structure. A positioning device, arranged between the supporting structure and the weighing tray, precisely aligns with the loading position the receiving compartment that is next to be moved into the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Publication number: 20120111646
    Abstract: A draft shield (31) for a balance (32) has a box-like frame that encases the balance and a housing (40, 40a, 40b) thereof. The draft shield stands by itself on the same work surface (33) as the balance, leaving clear space on at least the sides of the housing. Front and rear walls of the draft shield have bottom edges arranged above the work surface, so that a display- and operating part (42) of the balance protrudes to the outside below the front wall and that the rear part of the housing remains accessible. Side walls and a ceiling wall allow at least portions thereof to be individually opened. A centering and bottom-closure part (43) is adapted to be seated or fastened on a top surface (41a) of the housing, with an outside border contour (45) that matches an inside contour of the box-like frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventor: Alfred Schillig
  • Patent number: 8067705
    Abstract: A lower portion of a slide door of a windshield for a weighing apparatus is located in a guide groove of the main body of the windshield, along which guide groove the slide door opens and closes. A protrusion is protruded in a lower portion of the slide door and the protrusion engages an upper face of a frame in which the guide groove is formed. The protrusion supports weight of the slide door, and is slid on the upper face of the frame while the slide door does not come into contact with a bottom surface of the guide groove, thereby opening and closing the slide door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: A&D Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Naoto Izumo, Hirosi Sigano, Satosi Suzaki
  • Patent number: 7960658
    Abstract: A balance (1) has a balance housing (2), which, when the balance is set up for operation, has an opening at its topside to pass a load-introducing member (4). The housing has a draft shield arrangement (5), separable from, and attachable to, the housing. An opening (7) on a floor (6) of the draft shield arrangement corresponds to the housing opening and allows the load-introducing member to pass. A design that facilitates cleaning while keeping the height of the balance low is achieved with a fastening arrangement (8) for the draft shield arrangement. The fastening arrangement allows the draft shield arrangement to be fastened centrally at the load-introducing member passage. A rim on the housing opening operates as a first part (8?) and provides a form-locking connection with a second part that is attached to the draft shield arrangement at the draft shield floor opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Daniel Mock
  • Patent number: 7923648
    Abstract: A draft protection device for a balance and a balance equipped with the draft protection device, wherein the draft protection device includes front and rear panels, two side panels and a top panel, and four posts which are fixedly mounted on a top cover of the balance, and wherein the posts extend vertically. The front and rear panels rest against the posts and are held in place by grooves provided in front and rear top frames which are connected to the top ends of the posts. The side panels are slidable while the front and rear panels are stationary. A friction reduction device mounted in the scale top cover so that the side panels slide along the friction reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ohaus Corporation USA
    Inventors: Neil Olesen, Felix Holken, Sammy Lee
  • Patent number: 7893368
    Abstract: A weight measurement device is configured and arranged to measure the weight of a measurement object. The weight measurement device includes a container and a wind-guard cover. The container is configured and arranged to receive the measurement object therein. The wind-guard cover is configured and arranged to selectively cover an upper space of the container. The wind-guard cover has a transverse air-blocking part configured and arranged to block an air flow flowing in a transverse direction with respect to the container. The container also is equipped with an air control device that injects temperature-adjusted air into a chamber that accommodates the container and the wind-guard cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Yamamoto, Kenji Kojima