Drying balance with temperature calibration disk

Details Drying balance with temperature calibration disk Drying balance with temperature calibration disk

2000-05-22

2001-12-18

Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)

Weighing scales

Combined

C374S001000, C374S014000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06331683

ABSTRACT:

The following disclosure is based on German Patent Application No. 29908892.8, filed on May 20, 1999, which is incorporated into this application by reference.
FIELD OF AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a drying balance with a pan which rests removably on the load receiver of a weighing system, a radiant source for heating and drying a substance on the pan, and a temperature calibrating disk with at least one built-in temperature sensor.
Drying balances of this kind are known, for example from German Patent Application DE 35 08 271 A1 and from German Patent DE 37 06 609 C1 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,252).
In the German Patent Application DE 35 08 271 A1, a plug connection to the load receiver provides the electrical contact of the temperature sensor in the temperature calibrating disk. As a result, the load receiver of the drying balance is exposed to vertical forces during plug-in and during removal of the temperature calibrating disk. These vertical forces can damage the sensitive weighing system. In addition, electrical connections must be provided from the load receiver to the electronics mounted in the housing, without having these conductor connections create feedback on the weighing system. In German Patent DE 37 06 609 C1 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,252), the temperature calibrating disk is therefore connected, through a flexible cable, to a plug connection fixed to the housing. Due to the connected cable, however, the temperature calibrating disk becomes unwieldy and the handling becomes more difficult because of the need to separately insert a plug.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an improved electric contact arrangement for the temperature calibrating disk of a drying balance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one formulation of the invention, the above and other objects are achieved in that the load receiver has a vertical hole into which a pin on the underside of the scale pan protrudes. Thereby, the pan is supported by the load receiver and a radiation source heats and dries a substance on the pan. Herein, the term pin not only encompasses a slender, cylindrical part, but also any other shape, such as a flat or curved piece or pieces, that is or are suited to support the pan over the load receiver. In addition, the housing of the balance has an opening around the hole in the load receiver, which is preferably significantly larger than the diameter of the pin. Furthermore, the temperature calibrating disk includes on its underside a plug with several contacts on the outer edge. The plug projects into the housing opening without contacting the load receiver and establishes an electrical connection with corresponding mating contacts at the housing opening.
As a result, separate cables and plug connections such as those required in German Patent DE 37 06 609 C1 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,252) are rendered unnecessary. In addition, no forces are transferred to the load receiver when plugging and unplugging the temperature calibrating disk, as is the case in German Patent Application DE 35 08 271 A1, since the mating contacts are situated at the housing of the balance. As a result, even tightly fitting contacts with their good electrical conduction properties can be used without endangering the balance system. Further advantageous formulations and embodiments of the invention are described, shown and claimed herein.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4798252 (1989-01-01), Knothe et al.
patent: 3508 271 A1 (1986-09-01), None
patent: 3706 609 C1 (1988-04-01), None

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