Patents Assigned to Mettler-Toledo GmbH
  • Patent number: 6995323
    Abstract: A device for monitoring an operating condition is incorporated in a balance with a weighing cell, an electronic weighing circuit arrangement (15), an output unit (21, 22, 44), and at least one electronic inclination sensor (13). The circuit arrangement (15) includes a signal-processing device (17), a memory device (19) as well as a time clock (20). Based on a sensor signal received from the electronic inclination sensor (13), the signal-processing device (17) determines a quantity that is indicative of the operating condition of the balance. The signal-processing device (17) also determines the current time and assigns a time value to the quantity that represents the operating condition. The resultant vector-like sets of time and operating condition data are transmitted to and stored in the memory device (19), so that the data are at all times available for transmission to an output unit (21, 22, 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Hansruedi Kunzi, Roger Leisinger, Marc Blochlinger
  • Publication number: 20060016134
    Abstract: A draft protection device for a balance, which encloses a weighing compartment surrounding a weighing pan, has at least one opening that can be closed by a window. The at least one window has at least two slidable window sections which partially overlap each other in any of their positions. According to the invention, a drive mechanism is provided for the opening and closing of the window, which drive mechanism couples the window sections to each other in such a way that all of the window sections move simultaneously and at different speeds during the opening and closing, wherein a fixed ratio between the respective speeds of the window sections can be predetermined by design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Luchinger, Hansjorg Rotach, Roger Leisinger, Eduard Fringeli
  • Publication number: 20060001431
    Abstract: A measuring probe for potentiometric measurements has a housing (2) formed of an electrically insulating material that encloses at least one hollow space (8, 10) containing a half-cell element defining a first electrode. At least one additional electrode (12) is provided on a portion (4) of the housing adapted for immersion in a measuring solution (6) and is connected to a contact terminal (K3) that is arranged outside of the immersible portion (4). Each additional electrode (12) is defined by an electrically conductive coating (14) applied to the outside of the housing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Nicolas Adami, Philippe Ehrismann, Markus Bernasconi
  • Patent number: 6958453
    Abstract: A weighing pan carrier (47) for a balance with a weighing pan and with a weighing cell that includes a load-receiving portion (11) and a stationary portion (12) has an overload protection device against excessive vertically directed forces that is releasably engaged with the weighing pan carrier. The weighing pan carrier (47) is fastened to the load-receiving portion (11) of the weighing cell and has on the other hand a fixed connection to the weighing pan. The weighing pan carrier (47) has a torque safety feature, which is integrated in the overload protection device and provides protection against excessive forces acting tangentially on the weighing pan and/or on the weighing pan carrier (47) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the weighing load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Rudolph Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20050229727
    Abstract: A probe-holder armature contains a sensor probe that is removably arranged in the forward portion of an immersion tube which is axially movable in a housing between a retracted rest position and a deployed working position. The sensor probe in its installed condition forms a medium-tight closure of the immersion tube. The immersion tube contains a removable insert which can be held in a fixed position by means of a closure member. By means of the insert, the sensor probe in its installed position is pushed forward against a forward stop of the immersion tube. A safety device prevents an axial movement of the immersion tube out of its rest position if one or more of the three components sensor probe, insert and closure member are missing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Caderas
  • Publication number: 20050217902
    Abstract: A weighing module with a housing surrounding a weighing cell on all sides has a vertically movable force transfer member designed to be connected to a load-receiving device. The force transfer member extends through a passage opening of a housing wall and is rigidly connected to a vertically movable part of the weighing cell. The weighing module includes a dust-removing device which further includes a means for generating a gas flow directed away from the movable part of the scale for the purpose of preventing an accumulation of dust between the stationary housing and the vertically movable force transfer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Emery, Will Graf
  • Patent number: 6951989
    Abstract: A balance (1) with a weighing pan (3) inside a weighing compartment (2) enclosed by a draft shield (4) has at least one thermoelectric module (16) that is arranged outside of the weighing compartment (2) and thermally connected to a stationary part of the balance (1). At least one vertical wall (8) of the draft shield (4) has a lower end portion in thermal connection with the thermoelectric module (16). The vertical wall (8) is configured in such a way that a temperature gradient develops in the vertical wall (8), wherein the temperature increases from the bottom to the top of the wall (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Nufer, Stefan Buhler, Paul Luchinger, Eduard Fringeli
  • Publication number: 20050211281
    Abstract: A rinsing device for a sensor has a cylinderlike rinsing chamber which has an anterior chamber part connectable to a measuring fluid container and which is configured to receive an immersion tube that contains a sensor and is coaxial with as well as movable along the longitudinal axis L of the rinsing chamber. The rinsing chamber has a rinsing area delimited by an anterior ring groove and a rearward closure. A circumferential wall of the rinsing area has at least one inlet as well as a drainage outlet with an orifice opening for a rinsing medium. The anterior ring groove is aligned at an oblique angle (?) to the longitudinal axis, and the orifice opening borders on the most forwardly positioned location of the circumferential wall. The drainage outlet is directed at a forward angle from the orifice opening, and the circumferential wall has an internal diameter which increases continuously from the rearward end of the rinsing area up to the orifice opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Caderas
  • Patent number: 6945130
    Abstract: An electronic balance with a housing (1) that can be put under an above-ambient pressure, for example for the purpose of using the balance in a hazardous environment where a risk of explosion exists, has an inlet (21) for a gas, in particular compressed air. The balance also has a horizontal passage through the housing (1) for a force-transmitting rod member (6) that is coupled to the load-hanger element (12) of the balance. The housing (1) has an opening (9) through which the force-transmitting rod member (6) passes in a substantially horizontal direction without making contact; and the opening (9) also forms an outlet for the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Rudolf Burkhard
  • Patent number: 6935776
    Abstract: A sample holder for differential thermal analysis has a substrate with a planar surface provided with a sample position for a sample material and a reference position for reference material. The substrate allows heat flow between a heat source thermally coupled to the sample holder and the sample and reference positions. A first thermoelement arrangement in the area of the sample and reference positions is provided for supplying a thermoelectric signal corresponding to a differential between the temperatures at the sample and reference positions. First connectors are formed on the substrate for tapping the thermoelectric signal corresponding to the temperature differential. A second thermoelement arrangement provides a thermoelectric signal corresponding to an absolute temperature of the sample and reference positions. Second connectors are provided on the substrate for tapping the thermoelectric signal corresponding to the absolute temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Hütter
  • Publication number: 20050178591
    Abstract: A weighing cell module with a force-transfer mechanism that includes a parallel-guiding linkage with a vertically movable parallelogram leg and a spatially fixed parallelogram leg, is equipped with a mounting area for a first weighing-pan support device with a single-point connection of a weighing pan, as well as with a mounting area for a second weighing-pan support device with a multiple-point connection, particularly a four-point connection, of a weighing pan, wherein the first and the second mounting area are each connected to the force-transfer mechanism. As a result, the weighing cell module can be used to manufacture different types of balances in a design family of balances, where each different type within the family is designed for a different maximum load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Koppel, Peter Schilling, Ferdinand Schneider, Hans-Rudolph Burkhard
  • Patent number: 6923449
    Abstract: A baffle seal at the opening (31) for the load-transmitting member (20) in a balance housing (30) has at least one sleeve-shaped ring element (11, 110), fastener means (23) attached to the housing (30) and serving to hold the sleeve-shaped ring element in a stationary working position surrounding the opening, and a cover cap (1) with at least one sleeve-shaped ring (10, 10?, 12) that is axially movable relative to the sleeve-shaped ring element. The ring element is releasable so that it can be separated from the balance without dismantling other parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Rudolf Burkhard, Luzi Hess, Willi Graf
  • Publication number: 20050163461
    Abstract: A strain gauge with a strain-sensitive electrical resistor track and connector electrodes for contacting the resistor track arranged on a carrier substrate is provided with a protective coating having inorganic materials and covering at least part of the carrier substrate and/or of the resistor track and/or of the connector electrodes. The build-up structure of the protective coating over the range of the coating thickness is inhomogeneous, and the protective coating is underlaid with a surface-smoothing polymer layer which evens out rough surface portions of the area to be coated. The layer thickness of the surface-smoothing layer is at least equal to the thickness of the protective coating. A strain gauge of this type can be used in a force-measuring cell, where the surface-smoothing layer and the protective coating can be deposited after an uncoated strain gauge has been installed on the deformable body of the force-measuring cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Ziebart, Jean-Maurice Tellenbach
  • Publication number: 20050160830
    Abstract: A coil for an inductive sensor, such as a coil which is used in a sensor that operates according to the principle of electromagnetic force compensation for converting an amount of force generated by a load applied to a force-measuring cell into an electrical signal, is provided with protection against the penetration of moisture. The protection includes a protective covering with a surface-smoothing undercoating applied to the coil, on which a second level of coverage is applied as a protective coating against the penetration of moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Maurice Tellenbach, Volker Ziebart, Hans-Rudolf Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20050160837
    Abstract: In a force-measuring cell with a deformable body and with at least one strain gauge which has a strain-sensitive electrical resistor track arranged on a polymer carrier substrate, the strain gauge is bonded to the deformable body by an adhesive layer of an inorganic-organic hybrid polymer. For the bonding of the strain gauge to the deformable body, an adhesive compound having an inorganic-organic hybrid polymer in solution is applied to the deformable body, whereupon the strain gauge is placed on the hybrid polymer layer, and the adhesive layer is subsequently hardened at a temperature between 80° C. and 130° C. For the hardening of the adhesive layer, the deformable body with the strain gauge is exposed to the increased temperature for a time period between a half hour and three hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Maurice Tellenbach, Volker Ziebart
  • Patent number: 6920781
    Abstract: A gravimetric moisture-determination instrument which is cooled by an air stream includes a housing containing a balance and a radiant heater. The moisture content of a sample placed on the balance pan is determined by measuring the weight loss of the sample while it is being dried under the heater. The gravimetric moisture-determination instrument further includes a heat source located above the balance for heating the sample in order to evaporate the moisture from the sample, so that the moisture content can be determined from the weight loss of the sample. Between the heat source and the weighing cell of the balance, the instrument contains a device for conducting an air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Neil Olesen
  • Patent number: 6916999
    Abstract: A weighing pan for a comparator balance has a surface coated with a polymer lacquer. The coated surface is distinguished by a moderate hardness and increased levels of sliding friction and adhesive friction. By adding anti-static agents, the surface coating can be made sufficiently conductive to avoid electrostatic charges. The coating is resistant to solvents and to the kinds of fluids that are used to perform density determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Renè Weber
  • Patent number: 6913383
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally investigating a material by driving the material through a temperature profile composed of isothermal and non-isothermal segments is disclosed, which enable determination of a kinetic component in a measured heat flow signal caused by the exposure of the material to the temperature profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Urs Jörimann, Thomas Hütter
  • Patent number: D507566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Roger Leisinger, Bruno Mattle, Hansjürg Rotach, Patrik Morf, Hansruedi Künzi, Yves Marmier
  • Patent number: D514966
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Roger Leisinger, Bruno Mattle, Hansjürg Rotach, Patrik Morf, Hansruedi Künzi, Yves Marmier