Abstract: A weighing scale and a label printer/applier are cooperatively combined with a wrapping machine to form a packaging machine into which a trayed commodity can be inserted and a wrapped and priced package removed. The weight of a trayed commodity is preferably determined as it is transported into the packaging machine. The tray size, known commodity and weight of the trayed commodity or package are utilized to determine the length and width of a sheet of film to be used to wrap the package. The package weight is passed to a label printer which calculates the price for the commodity being packaged, prints the label and passes it to a labeling head incorporated into a portion of the wrapping machine. The package weight is determined by subtracting a tare weight based on sensed package dimensions from the gross weight of the package to arrive at an accurate net pricing weight.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computing scale system utilizing an integrated circuit microcomputer for computing the value of a product being weighed and for controlling the operation of a label printer associated therewith. The microcomputer operates with 4-bit words, and there is provided a multiplexing network for multiplexing weight, price, and status information into the microcomputer. Weight readings are made by a bank of photosensors, which read the position of a chart moveable in response to weight on the scale platter. Means are provided for performing a parity check on the data read by the weight photocells, and the data so read is converted from Gray code to BCD code by a table lookup routine. The scale system may print labels having weight and computed value, zero weight and fixed value, or weight and fixed value. The scale has both selectable price and weight dead zone capability with adjustable range. There is a motion detection routine employing a variable settling time.

Abstract: A computing weighing scale is disclosed wherein a single multi-digit numerical indicator is driven in real time by the scale microcomputer to display, sequentially, weight of the article, price per unit weight, and total price or value of the article. The indicators are part of a display which also includes function words identifying the nature of the information to the scale operator and customer. The scale also includes weight code generating mechanism, a keyboard for entering numerical information, and the micro-computer.The single multi-digit indicator can also display tare weight, which is entered via the keyboard when there is no weight on the platter. If tare is entered and subsequent weight on the platter is less than entered tare, the calculating function is inhibited. If platter motion is detected with weight on the platter, the display will reset to the weight indicating condition and then sequence to show again price per unit weight (if entered) and total price.

Abstract: A computing weighing scale is disclosed wherein a single multi-digit numerical indicator is driven in real time by the scale microcomputer to display, sequentially, weight of the article, price per unit weight, and total price or value of the article. The indicators are part of a display which also includes function words identifying the nature of the information to the scale operator and customer. The scale also includes weight code generating mechanism, a keyboard for entering numerical information, and the microcomputer.The single multi-digit indicator can also display tare weight, which is entered via the keyboard when there is no weight on the platter. If tare is entered and subsequent weight on the platter is less than entered tare, the calculating function is inhibited. If platter motion is detected with weight on the platter, the display will reset to the weight indicating condition and then sequence to show again price per unit weight (if entered) and total price.

Abstract: Tare adjusting apparatus for a computing scale includes a tare adjustment knob for establishing the no-load reference position of the scale and thus compensating for the weight of the packaging material of the product being weighed. A sensing circuit includes a switch for detecting when the tare adjustment knob is adjusted or set to zero and an oscillator circuit for determining when the tare adjustment knob is manually touched. A tare warning lamp is controlled by a control circuit which is responsive to the sensing circuit for lighting the tare warning lamp if the operator should touch the tare adjustment knob during a weighing operation. The tare warning lamp is lit before each weighing operation by the control circuit and is extinguished only when the tare adjustment knob is adjusted or set to zero. Thus the operator is reminded that the proper tare setting may need to be reset after each weighing operation.