Method for weighing apparatus calibration management

• US 20070073505A1
• Filed: 03/14/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Incorporated (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Incorporated (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.)
• Inventors: Moorman, John, Simmons, Venus, Bliss, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/101
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/01 Testing or calibrating of weighing apparatus

Abstract

A weighing apparatus calibration method uses a test mass, a material and a terminal to calculate and compare the total weight of the test mass and material to determine if the total capacity of the weighing apparatus has been calibrated. A system for managing calibration of a weighing apparatus is also described.

Claims

1. A method for calibrating a weighing apparatus having a predetermined total weighing capacity and being electronically connected to a terminal having a display and a keyboard, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) placing a test mass having a known weight and a material having substantially the same weight as said test mass on said weighing apparatus;

(b) calculating a total weight on said weighing apparatus with said terminal;

(c) calibrating said weighing apparatus to said total weight with said terminal;

(d) comparing said total weight to said predetermined total weighing capacity of said weighing apparatus with said terminal; and

(e) removing said test mass from said weighing apparatus.

2. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

prior to step (a);

placing a test mass having a known weight on said weighing apparatus;

entering said known weight of said test mass into said terminal using said keyboard;

calibrating said weighing apparatus to said known weight of said test mass with said terminal; and

removing said test mass from said weighing apparatus.

3. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

(f) repeating steps (a) through (e) until said weighing apparatus is calibrated substantially to said total weighing capacity.

4. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

(f) repeating steps (a) through (e) until said weighing apparatus is calibrated substantially to said total weighing capacity.

5. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said material having substantially the same weight as said test mass is placed on said weighing apparatus before said test mass.

6. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

while said material having substantially the same weight as said test mass is being placed on said weighing apparatus, continually displaying on said display of said terminal the weight of said material.

7. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of a liquid material and a granular material.

8. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

while said material having substantially the same weight as said test mass is being placed on said weighing apparatus, continually displaying on said display of said terminal the weight of said material.

9. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 8 wherein said material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of a liquid material and a granular material.

10. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said method is performed after a predetermined limit has been reached.

11. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said predetermined limit is at least one limit selected from the group consisting of a time limit, a weighment limit, an overload limit and a zero request limit.

12. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said method is performed after replacement of a portion of said weighing apparatus.

13. The method for calibrating a weighing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

storing said known weight and said total weight in a memory storage device of said terminal.

14. A system for managing the calibration of a weighing apparatus comprising:

a terminal adapted to be electronically connected to said weighing apparatus, said terminal having a display, a keyboard, a calibration management module, a calibration test module and a calibration module;

said calibration management module adapted to alert said calibration test module before a predetermined limit has been reached;

said calibration test module adapted to run a calibration test and to cause an event to occur; and

said calibration module adapted to calibrate said weighing apparatus using a step calibration method after the occurrence of said event.

15. The system for managing the calibration of a weighing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said step calibration method comprises the steps of:

(a) placing a test mass having a known weight and a material having substantially the same weight as said test mass on said weighing apparatus;

(b) calculating a total weight on said weighing apparatus;

(c) calibrating said weighing apparatus to said total weight;

(d) comparing said total weight to a predetermined total weighing capacity of said weighing apparatus; and

(e) removing said test mass from said weighing apparatus.

16. The system for managing the calibration of a weighing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said step calibration method further comprises:

prior to step (a)

placing a test mass having a known weight on said weighing apparatus;

entering said known weight of said test mass into said terminal using said keyboard;

calibrating said weighing apparatus to said known weight of said test mass; and

removing said test mass from said weighing apparatus.

17. The system for managing the calibration of a weighing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said step calibration method further comprises:

(f) repeating steps (a) through (e) until said weighing apparatus is calibrated substantially to said total weighing capacity.

18. The system for managing the calibration of a weighing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said calibration management module is adapted to alert said calibration test module when a predetermined limit has been reached.

19. The system for managing the calibration of a weighing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said calibration module is adapted to calibrate said weighing apparatus using a step calibration method after the occurrence of said event and after replacement of a component of said weighing apparatus.

20. The system for managing the calibration of a weighing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said predetermined limit is at least one limit selected from the group consisting of a time limit, a weighment limit, an overload limit and a zero request limit.