Check weight, method and system to ensure traceability of same

Abstract

A check weight ( 1 ) that is used to check a gravimetric measuring instrument, specifically a balance, or to check a further weight, is provided with a means of identification. This marking which is applied on the outside surface of the check weight includes a permanently affixed machine-readable identification code ( 2 ) which makes the specific weight piece individually recognizable. This opens the possibility for a method whereby an individually identifiable check weight can be traced back in time. A system for tracing check weights back in time includes one or more reader devices ( 6 ) that serve to record the marking, one or more processors ( 10 ) wherein the machine-readable identification code can be converted back into an identification code that can be electronically processed, and one or more data storage units, in particular a database ( 8 ) serving to store at least the data contained in the identification code.

1 . A check weight for a gravimetric measuring instrument, in particular for a balance, comprising:
 a weight piece; and   an identification code, permanently affixed to an outside surface of the weight piece, the identification code providing a unique machine-readable identity to the weight piece individually recognizable.   
     
     
         2 . The check weight of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the identification code is implemented in a binary form of representation.   
     
     
         3 . The check weight of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the identification code is configured as a matrix code.   
     
     
         4 . The check weight of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the identification code is configured as a miniaturized barcode.   
     
     
         5 . The check weight of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a weight number, incorporated into the identification code.   
     
     
         6 . The check weight of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 additional information about the weight piece, incorporated into the identification code, comprising at least one of:
 a production lot number; 
 a production date; 
 a date on which the identification code was applied; and 
 a date of the original calibration. 
   
     
     
         7 . The check weight of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the check weight consists of a metal alloy with an invariant material density.   
     
     
         8 . A check weight of traceable history, comprising:
 a weight piece;   a set of certificate data, stored in an electronic manner on a storage device external of the weight piece, the certificate data set comprising:
 a unique identification code; 
 a set of initial calibration data; and 
 at least one set of recalibration data; 
   a marking formed in the weight piece, such that reading the marking with a processor in communication with the storage device generates a signal to the storage device that associates the weight piece to the set of certificate data.   
     
     
         9 . The check weight of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the check weight consists of a metal alloy with an invariant material density.   
     
     
         10 . The check weight of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the marking is formed in a surface of the weight piece.   
     
     
         11 . The check weight of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the marking is formed in a surface of the weight piece.   
     
     
         12 . The check weight of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the marking is a matrix code.   
     
     
         13 . The check weight of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the marking is a matrix code.   
     
     
         14 . The check weight of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the marking is formed by a metal removing method.   
     
     
         15 . The check weight of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the marking is formed by a metal removing method.   
     
     
         16 . The check weight of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the processor and the storage device are each associated with a balance.   
     
     
         17 . The check weight of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the marking is implemented in a binary form of representation.   
     
     
         18 . The check weight of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the certificate data set further comprises at least one of:
 a production lot number; 
 a production date; 
 a date on which the marking was applied; and 
 a date of the original calibration. 
   
     
     
         19 . The check weight of  claim 8 , wherein:
 each set of recalibration data comprises at least one of:
 a recalibration identification number; 
 a recalibration data; 
 an identity of the person performing the recalibration; 
   conditions under which the recalibration took place;   the weight value at the time of recalibration;   statistical data concerning the recalibration.