SCALE WITH INFORMATION CARRIER

Abstract

A scale with at least one information carrier for providing data in optical, visual, or optoelectronic form, wherein the at least one information carrier is attachable in the viewing area of at least one element of the scale.

Claims

1. A scale, comprising; at least one element; and at least one information carrier for providing data, wherein the at least one information carrier supports optical, visual, or optoelectronic detection of the provided data, wherein the at least one information carrier is attachable in a viewing area of the at least one element of the scale.

2. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one information carrier is attachable in the viewing area to at least one element of the scale so that the optical, visual, or optoelectronic detection of the provided data is supported before and/or during a measurement process.

3. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one element is a base, the at least one information carrier is attachable in the viewing area to the base in an area of a support surface.

4. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one element is a base having a support mat, the at least one information carrier is attachable in the viewing area to the base in an area of the support mat.

5. The scale according to claim 3, wherein the at least one information carrier is attachable in the viewing area to the base in the area of a base body.

6. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one element is a base, the at least one information carrier is attachable in the viewing area to the base in a recess.

7. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one element is a display unit, the at least one information carrier being attachable in the viewing area to the display unit.

8. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one information carrier is attachable in an elevated, flush, or recessed manner.

9. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one information carrier is formed by a curved plate.

10. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one information carrier is formed by an adhesive foil.

11. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one information carrier is configured as an inlay part.

12. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the at least one information carrier is attachable in the viewing area of the at least one element of the scale by melt-bonding, adhesive bonding or by screwing.

13. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the data of the at least one information carrier comprises information relating to startup and/or handling instructions for measurement value detection and/or user information.

14. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the data of the at least one information carrier comprise definitions relating to pre-tare values, zero-position values, or preset measurement accuracy values.

15. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the data of the at least one information carrier comprise instructions for using a measuring instrument, so that the at least one information carrier cooperates functionally with the measuring instrument.

16. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the data of the at least one information carrier comprise information relating to an assigned location, an assigned organizational unit, or ownership or property relationships.

17. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the data of the at least one information carrier are formed by a barcode.

18. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the data of the at least one information carrier are resistant to cleaning agents and/or sterilizing agents.

19. The scale according to claim 1, further comprising a protective cover on the at least one information carrier to protect the data from environmental influences and/or cleaning agents and/or sterilizing agents.

20. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the least one information carrier and/or optically, visually, or optoelectronically detectable data are set reversibly or irreversibly.

21. The scale according to claim 1, wherein the data are individually definable by a user or buyer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0036] In the drawing:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the information carrier 1 according to the invention based on the example of a laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 in a configuration consisting of essentially two separate elements, i.e., a base 20 and a display unit 30, with wireless data transmission between the base 20 and the display unit 30;

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the information carrier 1 according to the invention based on the example of a laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 in a configuration consisting of essentially two elements, a base 20 and a display unit 30 with hard-wired information transmission between the base 20 and the display unit 30 and also with devices 23, 24 for leveling the base 20 to a horizontal position;

[0039] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of the information carrier 1 according to the invention based on the example of a laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 in a configuration consisting of essentially two elements, i.e., a base 20 and a display unit 30 configured as an integrated unit, and with devices 23, 24 for leveling the base 20 to a horizontal position;

[0040] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the information carrier 1 according to the invention based on the example of a laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 in a configuration consisting of essentially two elements, i.e., a base 20 and a display unit 30 configured as an integrated unit; and

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a simplified cross-sectional diagram of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the information carrier 1 according to the invention based on the example of a laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 in a configuration consisting of essentially two separate elements, i.e., a base 20 and a display unit 30, with wireless data transmission between the base 20 and the display unit 30. To ensure that the two elements 20, 30 of the laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 can be reliably assigned even when several such scales are present, it is provided that the information carriers 1 carrying the appropriate assignment information are attached both to the base 20 and to the display unit 30 in nonvolatile, preferably irreversible and mechanical fashion.

[0043] So that the assignment information of the information carriers 1 can be detected or compared preferably visually, optically, or optoelectronically during the measurement process itself, both the information carrier 1 on the base 20 and the one on the display unit 30 are provided in the viewing area. Viewing area in this context means the area in which the information of the information carrier is visually, optically, or optoelectronically accessible.

[0044] In the case of the display unit 30, this means that the information carrier 1 is either arranged on the same side as the measurement value display 31 or at least has a similar orientation, i.e., an orientation in which it is facing the operator, the measurement subject, or an optoelectronic recording unit.

[0045] In the case of the base 20, this means that the information carrier 1 is preferably arranged on the top surface 21 of the base in such a way that it will not be covered by the subject or object to be measured.

[0046] The individual information carrier 1 on the base 1 and/or on the display unit 30 can be configured in various ways according to the invention. For example, the individual information carrier 1 can be realized by the use of suitable permanent ink and possibly provided with a cover for protection against mechanical, chemical, or any other type of effect; it could also be realized as a plate with engravings or stamped-out areas or with partial elevations, color patterns, or barcodes; or it could be provided in the form of a directly lettered adhesive foil or a suitable powder coating.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the information carrier 1 according to the invention based on the example of a laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 in a configuration consisting of essentially two elements, i.e., a base 20 and a display unit 30, with hard-wired data transmission between the base 20 and the display unit 30 and also with devices 23, 24 for leveling the base 20 to a horizontal position. The information carrier 1 in this exemplary embodiment is attached to an upward-facing surface of the base 20 in the viewing area and can in particular comprise handling instructions for leveling the base by means of the height-adjustable feet 24, the correct, i.e., horizontal, position of which is indicated by the bubble level 23 mounted in the top surface 21 of the base and in the support mat 22. In this way, at least one information carrier 1 cooperates functionally and informatively with the bubble level 23 as a scale element.

[0048] Alternatively or in addition, additional information or warnings can form part of the content of the information carrier 1, such as cleaning instructions, warnings, pre-tare values, startup information, property or ownership identification, etc.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of the information carrier 1 according to the invention based on the example of a laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 in a configuration consisting of essentially two elements, a base 20 and a display unit 30, configured as an integrated unit and also with devices 23, 24 for adjusting the level of the base 20 to a horizontal position. This exemplary embodiment shows the information carrier 1 attached to a surface on top of the base 20 in the viewing area and in immediate proximity both to the measurement value display 31 and to the measuring instrument in the form of a bubble level 23.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a highly simplified line diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the information carrier 1 according to the invention based on the example of a laboratory, personal, or home scale 100 in a configuration consisting of essentially two elements, i.e., a base 20 and a display unit 30, configured as an integrated unit. The information carrier 1 according to the invention is arranged here in a depression 25, i.e., a recess inside the support mat 22 on the top of the base 21, in the viewing area, and is configured as an inlay part 3.

[0051] The inlay part 3 can be formed by a lettered plate 2 and optionally can comprise a protective cover (not shown). The depression 25 within the support mart 22 on top of the base 21 is preferably arranged in the first third of the support surface 21, adjacent to the display unit 30, so that it will be viewable even when the measurement is being taken and the subject or object is present. As a result of the preferred arrangement in the first third of the support surface, the information carrier 1 will not be hidden by the subject or object to be measured.

[0052] FIG. 4 also shows an optional, possibly additional or alternative, information carrier 1 in the viewing area of the display unit 30. Two information carriers 1 can be advantageous especially when both reversible and irreversible information, instructions, or operating steps must be communicated visually, optically, or optoelectronicallysuch as irreversible location information and a reversible pre-tare value, which is valid only temporarily.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 as a simplified cross-sectional diagram. What is shown is the information carrier 1 according to the invention in a form in which it is recessed into the depression 25 within the support mat 22 on top of the base 21. The information carrier 1, configured as an inlay part 3 or lettered plate 2, can be recessed as shown; or, depending on the wall thickness, it can be flush with the support mat 22 or even elevated with respect to it in either relative or absolute terms.

[0054] The information carrier 1 can be inserted, for example, into a previously produced recess 25 and fastened there by an adhesive. The carrier can be bonded either to the base body 26 or to the end surfaces of the recess 25 or to both.

[0055] As an alternative bonding method, the invention proposes the method of melt-bonding. For this purpose, the lettered plate 2 is brought to a temperature above the melting temperature of the material of the support mat 22 and possibly also of the base body 26 and then, under the action of mechanical pressure, it is pressed into the support mat 22 and/or into the base body 26. As a result of the local melting and then cooling of the materials of the support mat 22 and/or of the base body 26, a permanent bond is formed, and simultaneously the recess 25 is formed by the displacement of the melted material. In this way, the preparatory step of producing the recess 25 is eliminated, and it is also possible for the information carrier 1 to be positioned very flexibly according to the customer's wish, for example.

[0056] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.