GB2350829A - Cover for weighing scale on which goods may be wrapped - Google Patents

Abstract

A removable cover 1 for a weighing scale has perforations 3 in its top surface communicating with an interior space of the cover such that vacuum can be applied therethrough via a connector 5. The cover may support goods, eg at a supermarket, during both weighing and wrapping between sheets of film. In use, a perforated film may firstly be placed on the cover 1, followed by the goods placed on a central unperforated area 4 of the cover and then an unperforated film. An adhesive ticket showing the weight of the goods can then be applied to the wrapped goods. The cover 1 has a rubber or plastics seal 2 for contact with edges of the scale plate.

Description

2350829 A DEMOUNTABLE VACUUM BOX COVER FOR WEIGHING SCALES

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for hygienically packing food at supermarket counters and shops BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

Packing and wrapping of food at counters is well known the aim of various dispensers of bags and films is to provide a convenient method for use by store employees for wrapping food items in a hygienic manner However these dispensers are used in conjuction with other dispensers and involve the movement of staff from one section to another to collect film and bags, this consumes time and often contamination of bags and film, The aim of the present invention is to provide a one stop weigh pack and wrap system disposing of the need to use bags, using both perforated and unperformed films.

THE INVENTION The present invention provides a de-mountable top cover comprising means for covering the top plate of weighing scales with a flexible inside seal The top cover having perforations to allow air to be drawn down and through to be expelled by remote vacuum means connected by flexible tube A square located in the top plate remains unperforated as are the edges.

PREFERRED TECHNICAL FEATURES.

The vacuum box may comprise an essentially rectangular or square container deep enough to cover the top plate of weighing scales. A flexible seal attached to the inside edge of the box provides a sealing action. The top plate having perforations at strategic areas. A suitable opening apertures fitted with seal for connection to flexible or static hose. The vacuum box cover may be retained In position by the flexible seal making contact with the sides of the scale plate, thus creating a seal to assist in the vacuum operation the vacuum provided by a remote or integral vacuum unit, In operation the perforated film will be laid over the perforations of the top plate the item to be weighed and packed placed in the centre of the film after weighing the vacuum unit is energised to cause a vacuum to draw perforated film to the top plate, an unperforukd sheet is then laid over weighed item and pulled down over the said item to seal against bottom perforated film. The fi 1 m not coved ng perforations can easi 1 y be 1 i fted and drawn i n an upward and downward movement to fold over said item the printed ticket from the scale printer is then used to seal the package as the item is sealed there is no requirement for a bag to be used.

DRAWINGS OF THE DEMOUNTABLE VACUUM BOX SHOWING A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT BY WAY OF EXAMPLE.

FIGURE I shoes the de-mountable vacuum box cover in perspective and with part of the side wall cut away to show the interior seal 2 the sealing elements are rubber but could equally well be of plastics Figure 1. 3 shows drilled holes to enable air to pass through to the chamber created between the top of scale plate and the de-mountable top cover, Figure 1.5 shows drilled holes for connection to hose and vacuum motor. Figute 1. 4 shows LTN- drilled centre section In practice the user would draw a two part film onto the vacuum cover plate the top film being LJN-perforated and drawn away from plate leaving perforated film on bottom in contact with vacuum cover plate the item to be weighed and packed would be placed on perforated film in line with UN-drilled section of vacuum cover plate, on item being weighed the scale reading and weighing section of scale will end and print a ticket with an adhesive back, at this stage the UNperforated film is drawn back over the weighed item and the vacuum motor started to cause top film to be sucked in a downward motion to surround the item and adhere to the perforated bottom film a simple movement of folding top of film over and under bottom film will result in item being completely covered in an hygienically packed way, the ticket being used to make a final Wrapping, eliminating the need for a bag to be used.

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Claims (6)

1 A de-mountable vacuum cover for weighing scales comprising a body in the form of a box means for releasable securing the body on an existing weighing scale plate. The body being adapted to slide on and off the scale plate from the top thereof an sealant strip on the inside edge of body adjacent to the scale plate edges, perforations provided at intervals on top of de-mountable cover to provide airflow to act as part of vacuum provide by hose connection to sides or through base-plate of scale to remote vacuum motor.

2. A de-mountable vacuum cover for weighing scales as claimed in 1 wherein means are provided on the top plate for drilling holes.

3. A de-mountable cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the seal means on the inside edge makes contact with the outer edge of said scale plate.

4. A de-mountable vacuum cover as claimed in 2 or claim 3 wherein means is provided for attachment of flexible or static hose to integral or remote vacuum motor.

5. A de-mountable cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the body is provided with one UN-perforated section in on near the centre of the vacuum cover top plate.

6. A de-mountable vacuum cover substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-5 ofi the coohipanying drawings.

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