Device for measuring volume

• US 6,189,223 B1
• Filed: 07/06/1999
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Werner Haug
• Original Assignee: Werner Haug
• Inventors: Haug, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US09/180,638
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 33/1.V, 33/1.R, 33/1.M, 332/27, 331/21, 331/22, 331/23, 331/24, 335/03, 335/47, 335/46, 335/45, 338/15, 356/379, 356/380
• US Class Current: 33/1.00V
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00661 Sensing or measuring mailpieces weighing G01G19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00685 Measuring the dimensions of mailpieces

Abstract

A volumeter, for determining a volume of an item by measuring the item in at least one of the three main spatial directions defining a volume, has a support surface on which the item rests and a transparent surface moveable in a first one of the three main spatial directions against the item, wherein the transparent surface extends substantially parallel to the support surface and has a side facing away from the support surface. An optical camera is connected to the side facing away form the surface. The camera moves together with the transparent surface and measures a second and third one of the three main spatial directions. The volumeter is used in particular in connection with self-service postal stations.

Claims

1. A volumeter for determining a volume of an item by measuring the item in at least one of the three main spatial directions defining a volume, the volumeter comprising:

a support surface on which the item rests and a transparent surface configured to be moved against the item in a first one of the three main spatial directions, wherein the transparent surface extends substantially parallel to the support surface and has a side facing away from the support surface;

an optical camera connected to the side facing away from the support surface and configured to move together with the transparent surface and to measure a second and third one of the three main spatial directions.

2. The volumeter according to claim 1, wherein the transparent surface is a solid plate or a perforated plate.

3. The volumeter according to claim 1, comprising a carrier connected to the transparent surface, wherein the optical camera is mounted on the carrier at a fixed spacing relative to the side facing away from the support surface and is configured to be adjusted in the first main spatial direction together with the side facing away from the transparent surface.

4. The volumeter according to claim 3, comprising an illumination device configured to eliminate light reflection on the side facing away from the support surface or on the carrier.

5. The volumeter according to claim 3, wherein the optical camera has a polarization filter configured to eliminate light reflection on the side facing away from the support surface or the carrier.

6. The volumeter according to claim 5, comprising an illumination device configured to eliminate light reflection on the side facing away from the support surface or on the carrier.

7. The volumeter according to claim 3, comprising a mirror connected to the side facing away form the support surface and a measurement scale, provided with a coding in the first main spatial direction relative to the support surface, wherein the mirror is configured to project the measurement scale onto the optical camera.

8. The volumeter according to claim 3, wherein the transparent surface is a part of a transparent glass plate or a transparent plastic plate or a grid plate.

9. The volumeter according to claim 8, wherein the transparent surface is an exchangeable protective layer.

10. The volumeter according to claim 9, wherein the transparent surface is hardened.

11. The volumeter according to claim 9, wherein the transparent surface is hardened.

12. The volumeter according to claim 3, configured to be used in a self-service postal station, wherein the transparent surface has a holder connected to a closing device for closing and opening a mail feed slot of the self-service postal station.

13. The volumeter according to claim 12, wherein the holder is configured to be driven by the closing device.