A method for locking out load cells includes dispensing a fluid into a collapsible bag that is supported within a support housing, the support housing resting on a plurality of load cells that sense the weight of the fluid; manipulating a plurality of lockouts located adjacent to corresponding load cells from a first position to a second position so that the lockouts remove at least a portion of the weight of the fluid from the plurality of load cells; moving the support housing containing the collapsible bag with the fluid therein to a new location; and further manipulating the plurality of lockouts from the second position back to the first position so that the plurality of load cells again sense the full weight of the fluid within the collapsible bag.

A method for locking out load cells includes dispensing a fluid into a collapsible bag that is supported within a support housing, the support housing resting on a plurality of load cells that sense the weight of the fluid; manipulating a plurality of lockouts located adjacent to corresponding load cells from a first position to a second position so that the lockouts remove at least a portion of the weight of the fluid from the plurality of load cells; moving the support housing containing the collapsible bag with the fluid therein to a new location; and further manipulating the plurality of lockouts from the second position back to the first position so that the plurality of load cells again sense the full weight of the fluid within the collapsible bag.

A weighing device is disclosed including a motor that can be used to rotate a drive head. The drive head supports a cylindrical spindle having a plurality of holes or recesses. The spindle is configured so that it can be easily removed from the rotatable drive head and placed on a load sensor that can be used for weighing the device. In use a blister strip (not shown) can be loaded onto the spindle. An evacuation unit is provided with a pair of cutting blades. The load sensor can determine a first measurement of weight when the blisters are full of powder and a second measurement of weight after the evacuation unit has been used to evacuate receptacles supported on the spindle.

A weighing device is disclosed including a motor that can be used to rotate a drive head. The drive head supports a cylindrical spindle having a plurality of holes or recesses. The spindle is configured so that it can be easily removed from the rotatable drive head and placed on a load sensor that can be used for weighing the device. In use a blister strip (not shown) can be loaded onto the spindle. An evacuation unit is provided with a pair of cutting blades. The load sensor can determine a first measurement of weight when the blisters are full of powder and a second measurement of weight after the evacuation unit has been used to evacuate receptacles supported on the spindle.

A portable scale for weighing containers, and includes a weighing tray that may be moved from a weighing position to a non-weighing position by a drive mechanism. When in the non-weighing position, the weighing tray is low to the ground, allowing for easy loading and unloading. When in the weighing position, force is transmitted to one or more load cells located between the weighing tray and a scale assembly, which allows for an accurate measurement of the container and/or its contents.

A portable scale for weighing containers, and includes a weighing tray that may be moved from a weighing position to a non-weighing position by a drive mechanism. When in the non-weighing position, the weighing tray is low to the ground, allowing for easy loading and unloading. When in the weighing position, force is transmitted to one or more load cells located between the weighing tray and a scale assembly, which allows for an accurate measurement of the container and/or its contents.

A weighing system fills capsules with a product, each capsule having a body. The weighing system includes a weighing unit with a weighing cell and a gripping element connected to the weighing cell by means of a loading stem and provided with a housing for receiving and/or retaining a capsule or body to be weighed. The weighing system also includes a connecting element rigidly fixed to the loading stem and slidably and elastically supporting the gripping element that is movable between a measuring position, wherein the gripping element is completely supported by the loading stem and spaced from an abutment wall of the weighing unit by an elastic element, and an end-stroke position reached by contrasting the thrust of the elastic element, wherein the gripping element abuts the abutment wall.

A weighing system fills capsules with a product, each capsule having a body. The weighing system includes a weighing unit with a weighing cell and a gripping element connected to the weighing cell by means of a loading stem and provided with a housing for receiving and/or retaining a capsule or body to be weighed. The weighing system also includes a connecting element rigidly fixed to the loading stem and slidably and elastically supporting the gripping element that is movable between a measuring position, wherein the gripping element is completely supported by the loading stem and spaced from an abutment wall of the weighing unit by an elastic element, and an end-stroke position reached by contrasting the thrust of the elastic element, wherein the gripping element abuts the abutment wall.

The invention relates to a device for storing at least one bulk material (35), said device comprising: a container (30) in which said bulk material, selected from the group composed of liquids and powdered materials, can be introduced, said container having a lower face (31) suitable to be able to be subjected to the weight of said bulk material introduced into said container, a force measuring device comprising at least one force sensor (1) arranged beneath the base (31) of said container (30) and in contact with said base (31), each force sensor and the base of the container being arranged such that said force measuring device is only partially subjected to the weight of said bulk material introduced into said container.

A sample-handling-module (10) and an apparatus (1) for calibrating a multi-channel liquid handling device are disclosed. The sample-handling-module cooperates with a weighing balance (11) with a load receiver (16). The sample-handling module has a holding device (20) with holders (22), arranged sequentially and equally spaced apart, configured to receive receptacles (26). A supporting device (30) has an array of tines (32) to laterally support the holders when the holders dismount from the load receiver. An actuating device (44) is operatively connected to the holders through the array of tines. The actuating device mounts the holders onto the load receiver, one at a time, by disengaging the corresponding tines. A system and a method of operating the actuating device are also disclosed. The sample-handling-module of the present invention is modular and compact thus making it easier to manufacture, operate, repair, and service.