Patents Examined by George H. Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5610373
    Abstract: An improved scale, including bathroom-type scales, is provided by employing markings on the dial for calibrating the scale using photosensor equipment. The adjusting nut of the scale and the calibration stud of the scale are both accessible for automated mechanical calibration after assembly of the scale. As a result, an iterative calibration procedure is employed by machine as opposed to traditional manual methods. Photosensors read the dial and send a signal to mechanical driver or wrench mechanisms for automated calibration. The improved scale and calibration method reduces labor and production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation
    Inventors: Delbert B. Graves, Michael L. Pyle, Victor Rossol, Paul R. Buhr
  • Patent number: 5463192
    Abstract: A measurement instrument in which, when the initially loaded instrument is partly unloaded in such a fashion that the part load falls in a lower load range with a finer display-scale interval, the instrument continues to use the scale for the larger load until the load is removed completely. When the load is removed completely, however, the display reads "zero" as soon as the result R(m) at calculation stage m satisfies the condition .vertline.R(m).vertline..ltoreq.d.sub.jmax /2 (zero region) where d.sub.jmax is the largest display-scale interval. The next-finer display-scale interval is selected if the difference d.sub.s between two successive results determined at a particular time-interval satisfies the condition d.sub.j .ltoreq.d.sub.2 /10. A zero store is updated to include each result in the zero region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Wirth Gallo Messtechnik AG
    Inventors: Johannes Wirth, Mario Gallo, deceased
  • Patent number: 5434366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in weighing products having circular or oval footprint configuration. A conveyor having a pair of parallel conveyor elements arranged to underengage the footprint only adjacent the periphery thereof transports the products one at a time across a weigh pan or scale device, whose length in the direction of conveyor movement is selected as the lowest value required to achieve a desired settle time for the weigh pan. Preferably, the length of the weigh pan is chosen to be essentially equal to the diameter of products to be weighed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Hi-Speed Checkweigher Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Troisi
  • Patent number: 5416279
    Abstract: Force-releasable elements are used in association with imprinted numerical values of weight to provide a visual indication of the weight of the contents of a receptacle. The system is extremely easy to manufacture and highly affordable, thus enabling it to be used with disposable items such as trash bags. In one embodiment, the numerical weight values are arranged as bands about the girth of the bag, with the imprinted material being gathered in and covered with a force-releasable strip of material. Each imprinted band and its accompanying force-releasable element are associated with a different value of weight, so that when the receptacle is lifted, a user may ascertain an approximate value of the weight of the contents by referring to the indicia associated with released and un-released elements. In alternative embodiments, the force-releasable elements and indicia being positioned along a cord of a strap which may be tied onto the receptacle or provided with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Ling-Yuan Tseng
  • Patent number: 5414225
    Abstract: A portable weighing device comprising two laterally displaced, electrically connection and rigidly aligned weighing modules is disclosed that permits convenient weighing of the mobility-disabled while occupying a conventional manually-operated wheelchair supported by two front caster wheels and two rear main wheels. The portions of the weight of the wheelchair supported by each wheel is successively summed and the tare is electronically subtracted. The weight of the occupant is then displayed. Accordingly with the weighing device wheelchair users can be conveniently weighted at rehabilitation centers, physician's offices or hospital clinics, or alternatively can weight themselves at their residence. The weighing device can be folded for carriage or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Moishe Garfinkle
  • Patent number: 5410109
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for a vehicle on-board weighing system. The system includes sensor housings which may be placed between elements of a load-bearing unit such as the axle and the spring assembly of trucks and tractor-trailers or between the frame and the air-ride housing assembly of vehicles so equipped. A sensor housing is preferably placed at each spring assembly of the vehicle. Each sensor housing contains a weight sensor in the form of a transducer. The electrical output signal of each of the transducers, which is proportional in amplitude to the weight-generated applied, is connected to a monitor module. Total weight of the vehicle load as well as weight distribution of each axle may be indicated by a display on the monitor module. The monitor module contains an eprom that stores information of unsprung weight, installation weight-force, and tare weight of the vehicle. It may also store data from one or more previous readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventors: Ralph E. Tarter, Timothy M. Gerstbauer
  • Patent number: 5410108
    Abstract: A data gathering system including a scanner and scale including one or more of the following features: a construction of compact dimensions with a low profile; integrated construction of the locations of the scanner and scale, and their associated components; modular components that are easily detachable and serviced; a rigid casing which is integrated into the overall data gathering system and which prevents a countertop from contacting the scale; and diagnostic capability incorporated into the data gathering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Spectra-Physics Scanning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Williams, Alexander M. McQueen, James E. Colley, Anthony S. Bailey, Phillip C. Gummeson
  • Patent number: 5408054
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for weighing an object in which the object is moved to, and tipped over, a tip point. A signal representative of the weight of the object is generated as the object is tipped over the tip point. The apparatus may include a conveyor for moving the object toward the tip point, which may be supported by a load sensor that generates the signals representative of the object weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Brandorff, John W. Sussmeier, Steven L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5406035
    Abstract: In a price-calculating electronic shop scale having numeric display fields (9, 10, 11) for displaying the found-out weight of an article and the basic selling and purchase prices, respectively, of the article per unit of weight, an additional optical display unit (12, 13, 14) is provided which displays information evaluating the profit gained by the respective sales transaction. In this way the sales personnel is provided with a constant overview of the profit made by its sales activities without profit figures being revealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo (Albstadt)GmbH
    Inventor: Gebhard Wallisch
  • Patent number: 5406314
    Abstract: A printing ink comprises a clear, transparent, polymeric carrier material and uniform, colloidal size charged color particles evenly dispersed therein. The carrier and the particles are adhesively bonded to one another so as to form a matrix which can collectively respond to an externally imposed electrostatic field to promote co-movement of a "bite" of ink to an imaging medium without change of the bulk particle/carrier ratio. During the printing process, the ink is melted and exposed to electrostatically charged latent image areas on a heated image cylinder, resulting in the transfer of the ink thereto in proportion to the electrostatic field strength. The ink exhibits a relatively sharp liquid-to-solid transition, thereby enabling rapid ink solidification and complete transfer from the imaging medium to the relatively cool printing substrate. Also disclosed is a printing method and apparatus that facilitate continuous, variable and on-demand color printing in conjunction with the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Manfred R. Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 5406036
    Abstract: For modifying the content of a postage rate memory of a franking machine (1) with weight input, which contains the relationship between the weight and the franking value, a loading plug (9) is provided, which for this purpose is plugged into an interface socket (7) of the franking machine. Through the operation of instruction inputting means of the franking machine the content of a memory enclosed in the loading plug (9) can be loaded into the postage rate memory of the franking machine (1). On changing the postage rates the loading plug (9) is sent to the user, so that the latter can update the content of the franking machine postage rate memory, without it being necessary for an authorized person to open the lead-sealed casing of the franking machine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Frama AG
    Inventor: Werner Haug
  • Patent number: 5404157
    Abstract: A solid ion recording head using an ion generation device, capable of realizing a uniform and stable recording and a compact physical configuration. The head includes a head support member in substantially rectangular cross sectional shape for supporting the ion generation device on a lower side of the rectangular cross sectional shape facing against the recording medium and the driving circuits on side faces of the rectangular cross sectional shape. The ion generation device includes control electrodes having ion passing holes which are arranged such that picture dot to be recorded on the recording medium from each one of the ion passing holes is recorded on a spot around which picture dots already recorded by other ion passing holes are distributed symmetrically on both sides. The control electrodes may have a structure in which a plurality of the ion passing holes are provided with respect to each picture dot to be recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuo Hosaka, Hideyuki Nakao, Hitoshi Nagato, Shuzo Hirahara, Yoshikuni Matsumura, Yuzo Koike, Teruki Oitome
  • Patent number: 5404154
    Abstract: A delivery member comprises a substrate and, provided thereon, an electro-deposition coating film containing inorganic powder. The inorganic powder may be selected from the group consisting of a ceramic powder, a metal powder, and a ceramic powder whose particle surfaces are coated with a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tomari, Susumu Kadokura, Masashi Honma, Yasunori Atarashi, Shoichi Shimura
  • Patent number: 5402158
    Abstract: A latent electrical charge pattern of electrical signals is produced by an electrode matrix. Apertures between the electrodes are opened and closed, respectively, to expose electric fields for the attraction of pigment particles of toner against an information carrier. The electrical charge pattern electrostatically controls the transmission of electrical fields through the apertures of the matrix to attract particles of toner against the information carrier. The apertures are opened and closed by generating electrostatic fields between the electrode layer, particle supply and backing electrode. Each electrode is arranged on a carrier to completely surround one aperture and is individually connected to a voltage source to supply the electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Array Printers AB
    Inventor: Ove Larson
  • Patent number: 5402157
    Abstract: A voltage is selectively applied between two electrodes (emitter and gate) disposed at a short distance to create an intense electric field between the electrodes. Electrons emitted by the field emission are accelerated by the intense electric field and collide against a fluorescent layer so that light can be emitted from portions of the fluorescent layer. With a recording head of the above construction, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nagato, Yuzo Koike, Shuzo Hirahara, Masafumi Mori
  • Patent number: 5401915
    Abstract: An identification unit for garbage cans is proposed, which can be emptied by means of emptying devices or dumping into collection vehicles as well as being able to be weighed for determination of the weight of the garbage contained therein on the emptying device before and after the emptying process, wherein the garbage can carries a coding sensor, which can be made to communicate with an identification system on board of the collection vehicle assigned to the emptying device.Since a lasting operationally secure layout of the identification unit is important, the coding sensor is housed in the receptacle in the stiffening collar or dumping engagement grip 6 at the garbage can and/or is enclosed on all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Fritz Schafer Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Gerhard Schafer
  • Patent number: 5399815
    Abstract: Method for on-line process control of yarns wound upon reels intended for yarn package classification and sorting into homogeneous classes of predetermined quality standards. This method consists in the determination of the specific weight of the yarn bundling on the reel. This value is utilized to check the yarn package compliance with preset standard values of the technological properties, in particular of the dyeing affinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Val Lesina S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vito Ballarati
  • Patent number: 5400119
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed having a main body made of resin formed in a monocoque structure. The main body incorporates the functional components and is formed from separable upper and lower casings. The functional components of the apparatus are held by the casings. A document delivery device is located on the upper part of the upper casing. This delivery device includes a pair of delivery rollers for delivering a document along the top surface of the upper casing with the document held by and between the delivery rollers. The image forming apparatus further includes electrical connections which prevent the upper and lower casings from being separated from one another while electrical power is being supplied to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kusuda, Ikuo Makie, Yoshihisa Tanaka, Yukihiro Aikawa, Satoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 5393935
    Abstract: A portable patient scale has a flexible carrier which may be placed under a hospital bed mattress. Pockets in the carrier hold weighing slats. Each slat has an upper beam and lower beam, with load cells interconnecting the beam on opposite ends of the slat. A microprocessor receives load cell signals to calculate the weight applied to the scale. The microprocessor may also produce a moving out of bed alarm by comparing signals from the load cells on opposite sides of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: CH Administration, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron E. Hasty, John A. Carbona
  • Patent number: 5393936
    Abstract: An on-board weigh scale for a vehicle is disclosed. The weigh scale has a transport configuration wherein the weigh scale is substantially protected from damage during transport, and a weighing configuration wherein the weigh scale is in an operative condition for measuring the weight of a material. The weigh scale includes a support-frame capable of being mounted on a frame of a vehicle; a weight-frame mounted above the support-frame, and capable of supporting a quantity of a material. Structural supports are mounted on the support-frame for securely supporting the weigh-frame in the transport configuration. Hydraulic jacks are used to lift the weigh-frame off of the structural supports when said weigh scale is in transition between the transport and the weighing configurations. The weight of material is detected by load cells, via load transfer elements which are installed when the weigh scale is in the weighing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Rancan Fertilizer Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Tyhy, Gordon Pizey, Jean-Paul Simbandumwe