Measuring and testing – Moisture content or absorption characteristic of material
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-10-02
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Moisture content or absorption characteristic of material
C073S076000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295865
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to moisture sensors and more particularly pertains to a new moisture level indicator for monitoring a moisture level within a plant.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of moisture sensors is known in the prior art. More specifically, moisture sensors heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,831; U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,633; U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,261; U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,340; U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,799; U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,534; U.K. Patent No. GB 2307560 A; U.K. Patent No. GB 2268594 A; U.K. Patent No. GB 2268593 A; U.K. Patent No. GB 2247321 A; and U.K. Patent No. GB 2229541 A.
In these respects, the moisture level indicator according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of monitoring a moisture level within a plant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of moisture sensors now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new moisture level indicator construction wherein the same can be utilized for monitoring a moisture level within a plant.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new moisture level indicator apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the moisture sensors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new moisture level indicator which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art moisture sensors, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a base having a bottom face with a substantially planar circular configuration. A peripheral side wall of the base is equipped with a substantially frusto-conical configuration. A recess is formed in a top face of the base, as shown in FIG.
3
. The base further includes a substantially disk-shaped plate with a height less than that of the recess. The plate is preferably freely positioned within the recess. As further shown in
FIG. 3
, the bottom face of the base is lined with an elastomeric pad. Inset within the top face of the base is at least one weight sensor with a transducer extending upwardly therefrom. Such transducer is adapted for supporting the plate of the base for determining a current weight supported thereon. Also mounted on the base is a temperature sensor for determining a current temperature. A display is positioned on the peripheral side wall of the base for displaying a plurality of numerals upon the receipt thereof. As shown in
FIG. 4
, a timer is positioned within the base for tracking a predetermined amount of time. Mounted on the peripheral side wall of the base is a reset push button which is spaced with respect to the display by about 90 degrees. In use, the reset button serves to generate a reset signal upon the depression thereof. Associated therewith is a status push button mounted on the peripheral side wall of the base adjacent to the display for generating a status signal upon the depression thereof.
FIG. 4
shows a processor positioned within the base and connected between the weight sensor, temperature sensor, display, timer, and buttons. For powering purposes, the processor is preferably connected to a rechargeable battery and a solar cell which are positioned on the base. In use, the processor serves to record a predetermined set weight on the plate that is received via the weight sensor upon the receipt of the reset signal. The processor further is adapted to display a percent difference between a current weight on the plate and the predetermined set weight and further a current temperature for the predetermined amount of time. It should be noted that such difference and temperature are only depicted upon the receipt of the status signal.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in anyway.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new moisture level indicator apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the moisture sensors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new moisture level indicator which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art moisture sensors, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new moisture level indicator which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new moisture level indicator which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new moisture level indicator which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such moisture level indicator economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new moisture level indicator which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new moisture level indicator for monitoring a moisture level within a plant or the like.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new moisture level indicator that includes a base and at least one weight sensor positioned on the base for determining a current weight supported thereon. Also included is a reset push switch mounted on the base and adapted to generate a reset signal. Next provided is a processor posi
Williams Hezron
Wilson Katina
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