Abstract: A self-weighing expandable bag includes an inner receptacle that can slide vertically within an outer sleeve under the weight of bag contents. One or more springs, which may include coils and/or elastic fabric, connect the inner receptacle to the outer sleeve. One or more bag handles are attached to the sleeve. As the weight of the contents of the receptacle increases, the receptacle slides down within the sleeve and increasingly protrudes under the sleeve, expanding the vertical extent of the bag and revealing graphical markings underneath the sleeve and/or within a window defined in the sleeve.

Abstract: A vessel with a suspension system for a handle assembly are described. For example, an apparatus can include: a hollow vessel having a body which includes one or more walls extending upwardly from a base portion to form an opening in fluid communication with an interior space of the body; a handle assembly movably coupled to the body, the handle assembly configured to slide outwardly or inwardly with respect to the vessel; and a flexible suspension member coupled to the body and to the handle assembly, the suspension member configured to at least partially suspend a weight of the vessel. The suspension member can stretch in response to outward motion of the handle assembly with respect to the vessel and compress in response to inward motion of the handle assembly with respect to the vessel.

Abstract: A luggage bag includes a handle fastened to a carrying case by an attachment member at each end. Each of the attachment members is held against a motion limiting surface within the handle by a compression spring, at a position in which the attachment member can be latched for carrying the bag or released to measure the weight of the bag. The weight of the bag is determined by the position of an indicator moving with one of the attachment members on a scale moving with the other attachment member.

Abstract: An online shopping system is provided for minimizing transportation costs by using a plurality of prestandardized delivery containers to eliminate waste in product delivery, and enhancing the convenience of users by automatically selecting a delivery container in accordance with the size of a selected product and clearly denoting information about an order closing time, a delivery source location, etc. When the user inputs the type and the quantity of a product, a delivery container which is optimal for storing the ordered product is automatically selected based on the volume of the product and an internal capacity of the delivery container, and a price of the selected delivery container is displayed. Thereafter, each time an additional product is ordered, a new delivery container which is optimal for storing all ordered products including the additional product is selected, and a price of the new delivery container is calculated.

Abstract: A scoop has a handle attached thereto by a neck, and a load receiving vessel. The neck has a built in load cell and strain gauge supporting the load receiving vessel, which measures weight in the scoop. An analog-digital converter converts the strain gauge output to a digital signal, which displays the weight as a readout Control switches built into the handle or panel control the functions of the scoop, while indicator/annunciator lights indicate status. Either an inclinometer is provided to correct the weight for tilting, or a visible ball bearing switch is provided to cut off the display at a predetermined angle of tilt. Shock loading protection is provided by a flexmount for the load cell, which gives when a predetermined load is applied, which also provides overload protection. Overload protection is also provided by a check rod or load stop built into the load cell.

Abstract: A scoop has a handle attached thereto by a neck. The neck has a built in strain gauge supporting the scoop which measures weight in the scoop. An analog-digital converter converts the strain gauge output to a digital signal, which displays the weight as a readout (either metric or avoirdupois) on a panel in the handle. Control switches built into the handle or panel control the functions of the scoop, while indicator/annunciator lights indicate status. A level indicator is provided having a ball bearing resting freely on a conducting bottom plate forming a spherical sector of predetermined angle and a cylindrical sidewall having therein conducting elements. When the ball bearing contacts a sidewall conducting element it closes a circuit which switches off a level indicator/annunciator light, which when on shows that the scoop is level. The position of the ball bearing is visible to the operator, allowing correction of tilt.

Abstract: A weighing scale includes a housing having a top opening defined by a top flange. A weighing module is mounted inside the housing for measuring weight. A scale platform is disposed inside the top opening and rests atop the weighing module by gravity. A proximity sensor is mounted inside the housing adjacent to the platform for detecting proximity thereof, and is joined in communication with the weighing module. An elongate lift bar is pivotally mounted atop the platform for movement between a stowed position flush with the platform and a deployed position spaced in part upwardly above the platform for extending size of the platform and for permitting manual lifting of the platform away from the proximity sensor and return adjacent thereto for resetting the weighing module.

Abstract: A scale arranged and constructed of relatively small size to be hand held and portable for use in weighing relatively light articles such as fish and the like. The scale operates on a capacitance measuring concept wherein an initial capacitance between two conductive, spaced and insulated plates is measured with a change in distance between the two plates caused by a load is measured and, through a logic circuit, converted to a digital read-out. The capacitance sensor unit for the measuring of the capacitance caused by the load includes a stationary plate and a moveable plate insulated from each other with proper leads connecting the plates to the logic circuit. The entire capacitance measuring device is provided in a sandwiched arrangement to provide a small and compact unit. The logic circuitry provides for digital readout and provides automatic zeroing.

Abstract: An improved weigh scale and fish landing device wherein the spring scale can be adjusted or zeroed in a tamper-proof manner. In one embodiment the fish landing device is a fish landing net having an elongate handle. The weigh scale includes a cylinder axially journalled on the handle with the handle extending completely through said cylinder. There is an annular chamber within the cylinder exteriorly of said handle with the annular chamber being closed at one end of said cylinder by a bearing end fixed to said cylinder and fitting closely about said handle while allowing free axial movement of said handle. A coil compression spring is positioned in said chamber about said handle and bearing at one end against said bearing end. A transverse pin is disposed slidably in said chamber extending from said handle and protruding therefrom, the other end of said coil spring bearing against said pin.

Abstract: The manual portioning of non-uniform bulk products, such as the bagging of freshly prepared food products in fast-food restaurants, is controlled by a method and means which provide rapid and accurate individual portioning and consistently accurate feedback to the operator. Accurate real time weighing is provided quickly for every portion, and apparatus is disclosed to provide dynamic weighing such that no significant additional time is required for the portioning cycle. Since the feedback to the operator is based on true rather than estimated weight and is presented at the optimum time and location, the operator learns to portion the products accurately, as well as consistently.

Abstract: A device for determining the specific weight of granular products by weighing a fixed volume in a tapered hopper that can be locked in place, filled, unlocked to be weighed, and tipped over to dispense the granular products.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held test weight scale for testing the bushel weight of grains. A slide beam having weight increments marked along its length is joined at one end to a grain cannister of predetermined volume. Means are provided for pivotally suspending the scale at a point of pivotal attachment to the beam, and a weight slidably supported on the beam is slidably adjusted thereon until the scale is balanced. A balanced condition is indicated by the level orientation of the beam as it is pivotally suspended.

Abstract: A contents measuring tea kettle having a pivotally mounted handle which swings relative to a fluid-holding container portion of the kettle for actuating a load indicator assembly in order to permit measurement of the amount of fluid in the container as the container is being filled with the fluid. The load indicator assembly includes a spiral torsion spring connected to a dial member of the assembly and to a stationary portion of the kettle for placing a resistance between the pivotally mounted handle and the container of the kettle and causing a reading on the dial assembly which is a function of the amount of water within the kettle at a particular point in time. Further, the contents may be poured from the container, when the latter is only partially filled, in a controlled manner as though the handle were not pivotally mounted.

Abstract: A spoon-shaped spring scale having a hollow handle on one end and a closed spoon-shaped bowl for the material to be weighed on the other end, a tube-shaped housing telescopically sliding within the hollow handle with a tension spring scale within the hollow handle and housing. The spoon-shaped spring scale may have an exchangeable dial calibrated in grams or in calories or in nutritional value for weighing various materials placed within a spoon-shaped bowl.