Weighing scales – Computer – Electrical
Patent
1995-12-11
1998-05-05
Gellner, Michael L.
Weighing scales
Computer
Electrical
177253, 177262, 177184, G01G 1940, G01G 2122
Patent
active
057477442
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a weighing device for the point-of-sale of a retail outlet having a scales stand, a load plate for receiving an article to be weighed, a support supporting the load plate, a through-window in the load plate and in the support, a radiolucent plate covering the window, a reading device disposed beneath the plate on the scales stand for detecting codes on the article, a weighing cell loaded by the support, an electronic evaluation circuit for determining the weight of the article and its price, and a display for displaying the weight and the price of the article.
2. Prior Art
A device of this type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,606. In the known device the load plate is supported in the manner of a bridge on two weighing cells. The use of two weighing cells in the weighing device necessitates a relatively high space requirement, which inherently makes the device more expensive. However, the fact that with use of two weighing cells, their joint temperature compensation is difficult and is only achievable by special, in turn, expensive measures, may prove particularly disadvantageous. Reciprocal mechanical twisting of the two weighing cells via the load plate and its support may also give rise to undesired weighing errors. A limitation of the transverse force is also required to avoid weighing errors.
Moreover, the known device does not contain an electronic evaluation circuit for determining the weight and the price of the weighed article. The electrical signals supplied by the weighing cells are instead supplied to an electronic evaluation circuit which is housed at another place, for example, in the check-out or in a special housing with display. Therefore, such weighing devices cannot be calibrated and authorized by the responsible authorities like normal scales, i.e., as independent units in themselves. Calibration and authorization are only possible within the scope of the entire system, i.e., including the electronic evaluation circuit with display, etc., housed separately from the scales. However, such a calibration and authorization procedure is awkward, time-consuming and costly for all concerned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to design a generic weighing device with high error protection and small space requirement, in particular a small overall height and small external dimensions, so that a direct price calculation is possible in the weighing device itself and this device can, therefore, undergo calibration and authorization directly as a unit.
The object is achieved in accordance with the invention in that provided and as far as possible is disposed laterally offset in a stationary manner on the scales stand; its one edge is rigidly connected on one side to the weighing cell such that its window is held cantilevered over the scales stand; electronic evaluation circuit lies on the other side of the weighing cell; and converter carries out an automatic weight determination and price calculation of the weighed article.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves in conjunction with the attached drawings to explain the invention in further detail. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically in a plan view the point-of sale of a retail outlet, in particular, of a supermarket;
FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically a side view of a weighing device for the point-of-sale from FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the weighing device from FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the weighing device from FIGS. 2 and 3 with display device;
FIG. 5 shows a cash desk with installed load plate;
FIG. 6 shows a sensor for sensing the edges of the load plate from FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the weighing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically in a plan view the point-of-sale of a large retail outlet, e.g., a supermarket or consumer market, at which a cashier ascertains and adds up
REFERENCES:
patent: 3985190 (1976-10-01), Kammerer et al.
patent: 4513831 (1985-04-01), Lee et al.
patent: 4700656 (1987-10-01), Cone et al.
patent: 4881606 (1989-11-01), Halfon et al.
patent: 4971176 (1990-11-01), Nojiri et al.
patent: 4971177 (1990-11-01), Nojiri et al.
patent: 5058691 (1991-10-01), Sela
patent: 5086879 (1992-02-01), Latimer et al.
patent: 5139100 (1992-08-01), Brauneis
patent: 5141064 (1992-08-01), Willemsen et al.
patent: 5307281 (1994-04-01), Wollmann
patent: 5521334 (1996-05-01), Freeman
Handbuch des Wagens, Kochsiek, 1989, pp. 231-232.
Technical Drawing 2-86-504-084-00A1, Sauter GmbH, Nov. 24, 1986 for KA15s weighing platform.
Debit note of Mettler-Toledo (Albstadt) GmbH of Dec. 1, 1993 for Sauter KA15s weighing platform.
Engelhardt Edgar
Kraft Horst
Purr Horst
Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG
Gellner Michael L.
Gibson Randy W.
LandOfFree
Weighing device for the point-of-sale of a retail outlet does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Weighing device for the point-of-sale of a retail outlet, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Weighing device for the point-of-sale of a retail outlet will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-56705