Patent US3727706A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3727706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tare setting apparatus and method
Assignee: Franklin Electric Co Inc
•
Filing: 1972-04-21
•
Granted: 1973-04-17
•
Expires: 1992-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A tare setting arrangement and associated control circuitry for a scale system wherein the pan or platform of the system, on which the articles to be weighed are placed,includes means for supporting a plurality of tare weights. The weights have different values which are equivalent to the tare values expected to be encountered during operation of the scale. Before weighing an article, all of the tare weights are placed by an operator in the support means and the system output is set to indicate zero weight. Thereafter, before weighing an article having a known tare value, a tare weight equivalent to the tare value of the article is removed from the support means by the operator, and the article is then weighed. When operated properly, the system gives an accurate indication of the article weight less tare, or net weight, because the removed tare weight offsets or compensates for the tare of the article. To ensure that the operator places all of the weights in the support means when setting the system to zero, and also removes one of the weights before weighing an article, a holder for the removed tare weight is provided, and control circuitry is connected in the holder to sense the presence of a weight. The system is prevented from being set to indicate zero weight if a tare weight is in the holder, and the system is prevented from making normal weighing operations when a tare weight is not in the holder.
Inventors
- 👤 A Streater
- 👤 D Bonness
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G9/00; G01G23/00; G01G23/14; G01G23/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A scale system comprising weight sensing means providing an output signal, circuit means responsive to said signal for computing the total weight and price of articles being weighed, a pan movably connected to said sensing means and adapted to receive an article to be weighed, a plurality of tare weights, said tare weights having different values which are respectively equivalent to different tares of articles to be weighed, a support for said tare weights attached to said pan, zero setting means for setting said signal to represent zero weight with all of said tare weights in said support, and interlock means separate from said pan and operable to receive one of said tare weights to prevent operation of said system after operation of said zero setting means in the presence of a tare weight in said interlock means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A scale system comprising weight sensing means providing an output signal, circuit means responsive to said signal for computing the total weight and price of articles being weighed, a pan movably connected to said sensing means and adapted to receive an article to be weighed, a plurality of tare weights, said tare weights having different values which are respectively equivalent to different tares of articles to be weighed, a support for said tare weights attached to said pan, zero setting means for setting said signal to represent zero weight with all of said tare weights in said support, and interlock means separate from said pan and operable to receive one of said tare weights to prevent operation of said system after operation of said zero setting means in the presence of a tare weight in said interlock means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of setting tare in a scale including a weight sensing cell providing a weight representative signal, and an article receiving pan connected to said cell, said method comprising the steps of positioning a plurality of weights on said pan, said weights having different values approximately equivalent to the tares of different articles to be weighed, determining the tare of an article to be weighed, removing from said pan a weight having a value substantially equivalent to said determined tare, placing said removed weight in a holder, and weighing said articles or duplicates of said articles only while said weight is in said holder.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of setting tare in a scale including a weight sensing cell providing a weight representative signal, and an article receiving pan connected to said cell, said method comprising the steps of positioning a plurality of weights on said pan, said weights having different values approximately equivalent to the tares of different articles to be weighed, determining the tare of an article to be weighed, removing from said pan a weight having a value substantially equivalent to said determined tare, placing said removed weight in a holder, and weighing said articles or duplicates of said articles only while said weight is in said holder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 2, and further including the step of adjusting said weight representative signal to represent zero weight after positioning said weights on said pan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a scale system including weight sensing means providing a weight representative signal, computer means having an input connected to receive said signal and another input connected to receive a price setting, said sensing means and said computer means further including zero setting means for adjusting said weight representative signal to indicate zero weight, the improvement comprising operator adjustable means connected to said weight sensing means for setting tare in said system, and control circuit means connected to sense adjustment of said adjustable means and connected to said computer means to prevent operation thereof if tare is set during operation of said zero setting means and also to prevent operation thereof if said tare is not set during normal weighing operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a scale system including weight sensing means providing a weight representative signal, computer means having an input connected to receive said signal and another input connected to receive a price setting, said sensing means and said computer means further including zero setting means for adjusting said weight representative signal to indicate zero weight, the improvement comprising operator adjustable means connected to said weight sensing means for setting tare in said system, and control circuit means connected to sense adjustment of said adjustable means and connected to said computer means to prevent operation thereof if tare is set during operation of said zero setting means and also to prevent operation thereof if said tare is not set during normal weighing operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said control circuit further includes timing means connected to inhibit operation of said computer means after a predetermined time, and circuit means for enabling operation of said computer means after operation of said zero setting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a scale system including weight sensing means providing a weight representative signal, computer means having an input connected to receive said signal and another input connected to receive a price setting, said sensing means and said computer means further including zero setting means for adjusting said weight representative signal to indicate zero weight, the improvement comprising tare means including a plurality of members, separately connectable manually to said weight sensing means, and a control circuit including switch means sensing the presence of any of said members not connected to said weight sensing means, said control circuit further including means connected to enable operation of said computer means after operation of said zero setting means only when said switch means does not sense one of said mEmbers during said zero setting operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a scale system including weight sensing means providing a weight representative signal, computer means having an input connected to receive said signal and another input connected to receive a price setting, said sensing means and said computer means further including zero setting means for adjusting said weight representative signal to indicate zero weight, the improvement comprising tare means including a plurality of members, separately connectable manually to said weight sensing means, and a control circuit including switch means sensing the presence of any of said members not connected to said weight sensing means, said control circuit further including means connected to enable operation of said computer means after operation of said zero setting means only when said switch means does not sense one of said mEmbers during said zero setting operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said control circuit further includes means connected to enable operation of said computer means during normal weighing operation only when said switch means senses one of said members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
A scale system comprising a weight sensing cell, a pan movably connected to said cell and adapted to receive an article to be weighed, a plurality of removable tare weights, said tare weights having different values which are respectively equivalent to different tares of articles to be weighed, support means for said tare weights attached to said pan, and interlock means separate from said pan and adapted to receive one of said tare weights, said interlock means being connected to prevent a weighing operation in the absence of a tare weight in said interlock means, whereby one of said tare weights must be placed in said interlock means to render said system operable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
113 words
A scale system comprising a weight sensing cell, a pan movably connected to said cell and adapted to receive an article to be weighed, a plurality of removable tare weights, said tare weights having different values which are respectively equivalent to different tares of articles to be weighed, support means for said tare weights attached to said pan, and interlock means separate from said pan and adapted to receive one of said tare weights, said interlock means being connected to prevent a weighing operation in the absence of a tare weight in said interlock means, whereby one of said tare weights must be placed in said interlock means to render said system operable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A scale system as in claim 8, wherein said interlock means comprises a holder for one of said tare weights, and a switch located in said holder, said switch being actuated by said one tare weight when positioned in said holder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A scale system as in claim 9, wherein said holder includes an enclosure having an opening therein in which said one of said tare weights is positioned, and said switch is located in said enclosure a distance from said opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for use in a scale including a weight sensing cell, said scale being used to weigh one or more articles having a known tare, said apparatus comprising a pan adapted to be movably connected to said cell, a plurality of tare weights, said tare weights having different values and there being one tare weight having a value equivalent to said known tare, and support means on said pan for said tare weights, said pan being a generally horizontal article receiving member, and said support means being located at one side of said member, said one tare weight being removed from said support means prior to weighing said article, whereby the removal of said tare weight compensates for or offsets said known tare and said cell produces an accurate indication of the net weight of said article.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for use in a scale including a weight sensing cell, said scale being used to weigh one or more articles having a known tare, said apparatus comprising a pan adapted to be movably connected to said cell, a plurality of tare weights, said tare weights having different values and there being one tare weight having a value equivalent to said known tare, and support means on said pan for said tare weights, said pan being a generally horizontal article receiving member, and said support means being located at one side of said member, said one tare weight being removed from said support means prior to weighing said article, whereby the removal of said tare weight compensates for or offsets said known tare and said cell produces an accurate indication of the net weight of said article.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as in claim 11, and further including holder means for one of said tare weights, said holder means being separate from said pan and said cell, and said holder means including interlock switch means actuated by one of said tare weights in said holder means and connected to control operation of said scale.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein each of said tare weights comprises a container and a relatively heavy material at least partially filling said container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said material is granular.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2010666A
Cited
US2566711A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |