GB2208941A - Weighing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An article such as a cask (17) is supported with one side of its base on a level surface and an opposite side on weighing apparatus 10 which is calibrated to indicate the full weight of the article, or is tared to indicate the weight and/or volume of the contents of a container (17). The weighing apparatus (10) has a hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement 12,13 connected to a pressure gauge 16. A grooved receptacle (14) for a lower rim of a container such as a beer barrel can be provided. Multiple zeros, different gauge faces, or several scales on one gauge face may be provided to enable different size casks to be weighed. In an alternative embodiment, a cask is supported solely by a pivoted platform connected to a wall mounted piston cylinder arrangement provided with a gauge. <IMAGE>

Description

WEIGHING APPARATUS This invention relates to weighing apparatus.

When filled casks are delivered to licensed premises, it is not unusual for them to be weighed to determine their contents. Such weighing is also useful when stocktaking.

However, existing cask weighing apparatus tends to be complicated and expensive. One known device includes a small"crane" with a dial balance incorporated between cask-engaging hooks and a lifting winch. This device is expensive, bulky, awkward to handle. Many landlords /managers, because of the aforesaid expense, complication and awkwardness of existing weighing machines do not bother to weigh casks upon arrival, and rely on a stocktaker's guesses.

Such practices can lead to significant losses.

It is an object of the present invention to provide weighing apparatus whereby the above disadvantages can be minimised or reduced.

Accordingly the invention provides weighing apparatus including a platform and a hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement between the platform and a pressure gauge, a load on the platform causing an increase in the pressure in the arrangement, which increase in pressure is registered by the gauge.

The gauge can be calibrated to read the load as a weight or as a volume. The gauge can be adapted to be zeroed to allow for casks of different tare.

The platform can be a low structure onto which casks can easily be lifted. The piston/cylinder arrangement can be beneath the platform. Alternatively the platform can be pivoted, and can be connected as a lever to the piston/cylinder arrangement. In this case the piston/cylinder arrangement and the gauge can be wall mounted.

The apparatus as a whole can be a generally flat, box-like article easily portable and robust to stand cellar conditions.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in cross-section, through a first embodiment of apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of apparatus; and Fig. 3 is a front view of a gauge of the apparatus of Fig. 1 or 2.

A first preferred apparatus 10 of the invention is a compact portable device which can be about 0.5 m square or of comparable dimension albeit of different shape. The apparatus 10 comprises a body 11 wherein is a cylinder 12. A piston 13 in cylinder 12 carries platform 14. A line 15 connects cylinder 12 to a gauge (such as a Bourdon gauge) 16. The weight of a cask 17 on the platform increases the pressure in cylinder 12, which pressure increase is related to the cask weight. The gauge 16 can be calibrated in units of weight or volume. For use by a landlord or bar manager calibration by volume, eg litres or gallons will be convenient. As indicated at 18 several zeros can be provided to allow for the tares of different types of cask. The apparatus 10 is simple and robust and suited to use in the damp wet conditions of a cellar.For better protection a boot could seal the gap 19 between platform 14 and body 1.

Fig. 2 shows a larger apparatus 20 suitable for use as a fixture in a larger cellar. Apparatus 20 has a platform 21 pivoted at 22 having a lever arm 23 connected to a piston rod 24 of a ram 25 fixed to a wall 26. A line 27 connects the cylinder of ram 25 to a gauge 16. The apparatus of Fig. 2 operates in the same way as that of Fig. 1, except that the load of a cask on platform 21 is transmitted by lever arm 23 and rod 25 to fluid in ram 25 and thence to gauge 16. Cask positioning stops 28 can be movable to accommodate different cask sizes.

The apparatuses of the invention are reliable, robust and uncomplicated and can stand adverse cellar conditions quite easily.

In either of the embodiments described above the platform 14 or 21 can be adapted to support the barrel 17 completely, as shown in Fig. 2, or only partially, as shown in Fig. 1. In either case the gauge 16 may be calibrated in weight or volume readings. In the case of the platform 14 as shown in Fig. 1 the Vee block shape locates the edge of the barrel or cask 17. Preferably the body 11 is cast in a suitable alloy, for example bronze, for robustness and anti-corrosion purposes. As an alternative to the multiple zeros 18 shown in Fig. 3 differing gauge faces may be provided, each appropriate to a particular barrel or cask size and weight, or several scales may be provided on the one gauge face for the same purpose.

Claims (16)

1. A method of weighing an article resting on a generally level surface, comprising raising one side of the article and placing weighing apparatus between that one side of the article and the surface so that the weight of the article is generally equally supported by the weighing apperatus and the other side of the article, the weighing apparatus being calibrated to indicate the total weight of the article.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article to be weighted is a container with contents, the weighing apparatus being adapted to make allowance for the tare of the container upon weighing.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the contents of the container are fluent and the apparatus is calibrated to indicate the volume of the contents.

4. Amethod as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the apparatus is used in relation to containers of constant size but of varying weights, characterised in that the weighing apparatus is calibrated to take account of the varying innaccuracy introduced due to its not bearing exactly one half of the weight of the container and contents, over the weight range of the type of container.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the apparatus is for use with a limited range of containers and has a connection calibration for each container in the range.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the article is raised and the weighing apparatus placed, manually.

7. A method of weighing an article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim; wherein the weighing apparatus is as claimed in any of the following claims.

9. Weighing apparatus including a platform and a hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement between the platform and a pressure gauge, a load on the platform causing an increase in the pressure in the arrangement, which increase in pressure is registered by the gauge.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the gauge is calibrated to read the load as a weight or as a volume.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gauge is adapted to be zeroed to allow for loads of different tare.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the platform is a low structure onto which a load can be lifted manually.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the piston/cylinder arrangement is beneath the platform.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13 wherein the platform is pivoted, and connected as a lever to the piston/cylinder arrangement.

15. Apparauts as claimed in claim 14, wherein the piston/cylinder arrangement and the gauge are wall mountable.

16. Weighing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.