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 scale and a load cell assembly therefor, the weighing scale including: (a) a weighing platform; (b) a base; and (c) a load cell arrangement including: (i) a load cell body, disposed below the platform and above the base, the body secured to the platform at a first position along a length of the body, and secured to the base at a second position along the length, the load cell body having a first cutout window transversely disposed through the body, the window adapted such that a downward force exerted on a top face of the weighing platform distorts the window to form a distorted window; and (ii) at least one strain-sensing gage, mounted on at least a first surface of the load cell body, the strain-sensing gage adapted to measure a strain in the first surface; and (d) an at least a one-dimensional flexure arrangement having at least a second cutout window transversely disposed through the body, the second cutout window shaped and positioned to at least partially absorb an impact delivered to a top surface of the load cell body.

A weighing scale and a load cell assembly therefor, the weighing scale including: (a) a weighing platform; (b) a base; and (c) a load cell arrangement including: (i) a load cell body, disposed below the platform and above the base, the body secured to the platform at a first position along a length of the body, and secured to the base at a second position along the length, the load cell body having a first cutout window transversely disposed through the body, the window adapted such that a downward force exerted on a top face of the weighing platform distorts the window to form a distorted window; and (ii) at least one strain-sensing gage, mounted on at least a first surface of the load cell body, the strain-sensing gage adapted to measure a strain in the first surface; and (d) an at least a one-dimensional flexure arrangement having at least a second cutout window transversely disposed through the body, the second cutout window shaped and positioned to at least partially absorb an impact delivered to a top surface of the load cell body.

A modular wireless scale system comprising microscales comprises a master scale that may be configured to be used with one or more slave scales. The master scale includes a heavy load cell and a light load cell disposed on opposite sides of a cuboid master housing. The master scale housing encloses a master computer-based microcontroller, a wireless transceiver, an accelerometer, and a power source, and may optionally include a display. The master scale may be used as a stand-alone scale for weights up to the maximum weight supported by the heavy load cell and the scale housing. Each of the slave scales includes a heavy load cell supported by a cuboid housing that encloses a slave computer-based microcontroller, a wireless transceiver, and a power source.

A modular wireless scale system comprising microscales comprises a master scale that may be configured to be used with one or more slave scales. The master scale includes a heavy load cell and a light load cell disposed on opposite sides of a cuboid master housing. The master scale housing encloses a master computer-based microcontroller, a wireless transceiver, an accelerometer, and a power source, and may optionally include a display. The master scale may be used as a stand-alone scale for weights up to the maximum weight supported by the heavy load cell and the scale housing. Each of the slave scales includes a heavy load cell supported by a cuboid housing that encloses a slave computer-based microcontroller, a wireless transceiver, and a power source.

Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light source disposed in or on a housing of a scanner-scale for producing a light beam along an edge of the weigh platter, the light beam being modulated to contain a defined packet of data; a detector for receiving the data-modulated light beam, the detector being disposed in or on the housing; and a processor coupled with the detector for decoding the defined packet of data responsive to the detector receiving the data-modulated light beam. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

A machine vision camera combined to one of the first storage carrier and the second storage carrier for detecting an offloading event. A sensor for measuring the weight of the material offloaded from the first storage carrier to the second storage carrier. A scale controller in communication with the machine vision camera and the sensor. The scale controller enters a tear mode in response to the beginning of offloading event and records and stores the weight of material offloaded from the first storage carrier to the second storage carrier as measured by the sensor.

A machine vision camera combined to one of the first storage carrier and the second storage carrier for detecting an offloading event. A sensor for measuring the weight of the material offloaded from the first storage carrier to the second storage carrier. A scale controller in communication with the machine vision camera and the sensor. The scale controller enters a tear mode in response to the beginning of offloading event and records and stores the weight of material offloaded from the first storage carrier to the second storage carrier as measured by the sensor.

A balance assembly having an assembled state and an unassembled state. The balance assembly comprises a base configured to receive a portion of a like base in a nesting relation in an unassembled state of the balance assembly, a pedestal coupled to the base in an assembled state of the balance assembly, the pedestal configured to receive a portion of a like pedestal in a nesting relation in the unassembled state, a lever removably and pivotably coupled to the pedestal about a fulcrum centered along a length of the lever in the assembled state, the lever configured to receive a portion of a like lever in a nesting relation in the unassembled state, and a pair of containers removably supported at opposite ends of the lever in the assembled state, each container configured to receive a portion of a like container in a nesting relation in the unassembled state.