Multiple plane weigh platter for multiple plane scanning systems

Abstract

A multi-plane scanner having a dual plane scanner with a horizontal window and a vertical window and a load cell/weigh platter weighing apparatus such that the weigh platter itself is a dual plane object with vertical and horizontal sections. The size and orientation of the planes of the weigh platter correspond to the size and orientation of the scan windows of the dual plane scanner, and each plane of the weigh platter has a transparent area (typically central), or “platter window”, corresponding to a respective scan windows of the scanner for allowing transmission of scanned optical beams and optical barcode signals through each of the planes of the weigh platter. The platter is sufficiently rigid to permit accurate weighing whether the object being weighed is placed solely on the horizontal section of the platter or in part on the vertical section. The vertical and horizontal sections of the platter are sealed together to prevent passage of debris therebetween.

1. A multi-plane optical reader comprising
 a lower housing portion with a horizontal window;  
 a first upper housing portion with a first vertical window positioned above and to one side of the lower housing portion;  
 a removable external cover having (a) a horizontal section, including a window of transparent material disposed over the horizontal window of the lower housing portion, (b) a first vertical section rigidly connected to the horizontal section, the first vertical section including a window of transparent material disposed adjacent the first vertical window of the first upper housing portion.  
 
     
     
       2. A multi-plane optical reader according to  claim 1  further comprising
 a second upper housing portion with a second vertical window positioned above and to one side of the lower housing portion on a side opposite to the first upper housing portion,  
 wherein the external cover includes a second vertical section attached to the first vertical section and extending over the second upper housing portion, and wherein the first vertical section, the second vertical section and the horizontal section are constructed with a one-piece integral frame.  
 
     
     
       3. An optical reader comprising
 a lower housing portion with a horizontal surface;  
 a first upper housing portion with a first vertical opening positioned above and to a first side of the lower housing portion;  
 a second upper housing portion with a second vertical opening positioned above and to a second side of the lower housing portion opposite to the first upper housing portion;  
 a removable external cover having (a) a central horizontal cover section disposed over the lower housing portion, (b) a first upper cover section integral with the central cover section and disposed in front of the first upper housing portion, (c) a second upper cover section integral with the central cover section and disposed in front of the second upper housing portion.  
 
     
     
       4. An optical reader according to  claim 3  wherein the central horizontal cover section, the first upper cover section, and the second upper cover section are constructed with a one-piece integral frame. 
     
     
       5. An optical reader according to  claim 3  wherein the first upper cover section includes a cover portion extending over a top of the first upper housing portion. 
     
     
       6. An optical reader according to  claim 3  wherein the external cover comprises a weigh platter. 
     
     
       7. An optical reader according to  claim 6  further comprising
 a spider connected to at least one load cell for supporting the removable external cover.  
 
     
     
       8. An optical reader according to  claim 7  further comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the weigh platter to the load cell. 
     
     
       9. An optical reader according to  claim 8  wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a pair of precision machined pins attached to the weigh platter and a mating set of precision machined holes in the load cell. 
     
     
       10. An optical reader according to  claim 3  wherein the external cover comprises a weigh platter, the weigh platter being constructed and arranged with sufficient rigidity such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the central cover section and one end on the first upper cover section. 
     
     
       11. An optical reader comprising
 a lower housing portion having a horizontal surface ;  
 an upper housing portion with a vertical window positioned above and to one side of the lower housing portion;  
 a weigh platter disposed over the lower housing portion and  having (a) a horizontal section extending  positioned over the horizontal surface  lower housing portion  (b) a vertical section rigidly connected to the horizontal section, the vertical section including a window of transparent material.  
 
     
     
       12. An external cover for an optical reader, the optical reader having a horizontal surface and a vertical scan window disposed to one side of the horizontal surface, said external cover comprising
 a horizontal section constructed and arranged for positioning over the horizontal surface of the optical reader; and  
 a vertical section rigidly connected to said horizontal section, said vertical section including a window of transparent material constructed and arranged for positioning adjacent the vertical scan window;  
 wherein said external cover is separately removable from the optical reader.  
 
     
     
       13. An external cover according to  claim 12 , wherein said vertical section and said horizontal section are sealed together to prevent passage of debris therebetween. 
     
     
       14. An external cover according to  claim 12  wherein the horizontal section and the vertical section are constructed with a one-piece integral frame. 
     
     
       15. An external cover according to  claim 12  wherein the external cover comprises a weigh platter. 
     
     
       16. An external cover according to  claim 15  further comprising
 at least one load cell;  
 a spider connected to at the least one load cell for supporting the removable external cover.  
 
     
     
       17. An external cover according to  claim 16  further comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the spider to the load cell. 
     
     
       18. An external cover according to  claim 15  further comprising at least one load cell and a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the weigh platter to the load cell. 
     
     
       19. An external cover according to  claim 12  wherein the external cover comprises a weigh platter, the weigh platter being constructed and arranged with sufficient rigidity such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the central cover section and one end on the first upper cover section. 
     
     
       20. An optical reader comprising
 a reader housing including a lower housing portion and a first upper housing portion, the first upper housing portion having a first vertical window positioned above and to one side of the lower housing portion;  
 a scan generating mechanism for projecting a scan pattern out through the first vertical window and into a scan region;  
 a removable weigh platter having (a) a horizontal section disposed over the lower housing portion, (b) a first vertical section rigidly connected to the horizontal section, the first vertical section including an opening disposed adjacent the first vertical window through which the scan pattern from the vertical window is passed.  
 
     
     
       21. An optical reader according to  claim 20  wherein the horizontal and vertical sections of the weigh platter are constructed and interconnected with sufficient rigidity such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on the first vertical section. 
     
     
       22. An optical reader according to  claim 20  wherein the horizontal and vertical sections of the weigh platter are constructed and interconnected with sufficient rigidity such that weight of an object placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on the first vertical section does not cause deformation of the weigh platter to a degree that the first upper housing portion would interfere with movement of the weigh platter during weighing. 
     
     
       23. An optical reader according to  claim 20  wherein the weigh platter comprises stiffening ribs for providing structural rigidity. 
     
     
       24. An optical reader according to  claim 20  further comprising
 at least one load cell;  
 a spider connected to at the least one load cell for supporting the weigh platter.  
 
     
     
       25. An optical reader according to  claim 20  wherein the weigh platter is readily removable from the optical reader by pulling up on the platter. 
     
     
       26. An optical reader according to  claim 20  further comprising at least one load cell and a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the weigh platter to the load cell. 
     
     
       27. An optical reader according to  claim 20  wherein the weigh platter further having (c) a second vertical section rigidly connected to the horizontal section, the second vertical section being disposed on a side of the weigh platter opposite the first vertical section. 
     
     
       28. An optical reader according to  claim 27  wherein the horizontal section and the vertical sections of the weigh platter are constructed and interconnected with sufficient rigidity such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on a vertical section. 
     
     
       29. A weigh platter for an optical reader, the optical reader having a horizontal surface and a vertical scan window disposed to one side of the horizontal surface, said weigh platter comprising
 a horizontal section constructed and arranged for positioning over the horizontal surface of the optical reader; and  
 a first vertical section first  rigidly connected to said horizontal section, said vertical section including an opening constructed and arranged for permitting a scan pattern emanating out from said vertical scan window to pass through said opening.  
 
     
     
       30. A weigh platter according to  claim 29  wherein the horizontal and vertical sections are constructed and arranged with sufficient rigidity such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on the vertical section. 
     
     
       31. A weigh platter according to  claim 29  wherein the opening of the vertical section comprises a window. 
     
     
       32. A weigh platter according to  claim 29  further comprising
 a second vertical section rigidly connected to the horizontal section, the second vertical section being disposed on a side of the weigh platter opposite the first vertical section.  
 
     
     
       33. A weigh platter according to  claim 32  wherein the first and second vertical sections are constructed and interconnected with the horizontal section with sufficient rigidity such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on a vertical section. 
     
     
       34. An optical reader comprising
 a reader housing including a lower housing portion and a first upper housing portion, the first upper housing portion having a first vertical window positioned above and to one side of the lower housing portion;  
 a scan generating mechanism for projecting a scan pattern out through the first vertical window and into a scan region;  
 a removable weigh platter having (a) a horizontal section disposed over the lower housing portion, and (b) a first vertical extension connected to the horizontal section and extending vertically upward from a top surface of the horizontal section, wherein the horizontal section and the vertical extension of the weigh platter are constructed and interconnected such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on the first vertical extension.  
 
     
     
       35. An optical reader according to  claim 34  wherein first vertical extension has an opening between a top portion of the vertical extension and a top surface of the horizontal section of the weigh platter. 
     
     
       36. An optical reader according to  claim 35  wherein the opening in the first vertical extension comprises a window. 
     
     
       37. An optical reader according to  claim 34  wherein the weigh platter is readily removable from the optical reader by pulling up on the platter. 
     
     
       38. An optical reader according to  claim 34  further comprising at least one load cell and a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the weigh platter to the load cell. 
     
     
       39. An optical reader according to  claim 34  wherein the vertical extension is disposed on a side of the weigh platter proximate the first vertical window. 
     
     
       40. An optical reader according to  claim 34  wherein the vertical extension is disposed on a side of the weigh platter opposite the first vertical window. 
     
     
       41. An optical reader according to  claim 34  wherein the reader housing further comprises a second upper housing portion having a second vertical window positioned above and to one side of the lower housing portion opposite the first upper housing portion, wherein the weigh platter having a second vertical extension, wherein the first vertical extension is disposed on a side of the weigh platter proximate the second vertical window and the second vertical extension is disposed on a side of the weigh platter proximate the first vertical window. 
     
     
       42. An optical reader comprising
 horizontal housing portion including a horizontally-oriented scan window,  
 a weigh platter disposed over the horizontal housing portion, the weigh platter comprising 
 a horizontal section constructed and arranged for positioning over the horizontally-oriented scan window; and  
 a vertical extension connected to said horizontal section, said vertical extension including an opening proximate a top surface of the horizontal section,  
 
 wherein the vertical extension and the horizontal section are constructed and interconnected such that an object is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on the vertical extension.  
 
     
     
       43. A weigh platter according to  claim 42  wherein the opening of the vertical extension comprises a window. 
     
     
       44. An external cover for an optical reader, the optical reader having a weighing apparatus, a horizontal housing portion containing an horizontal scan window, and a vertical housing portion containing a vertical scan window, the external cover comprising:
   a vertical section supported on the weighing apparatus and including a first window disposed in front of the vertical scan window; and        a horizontal section supported on the weighing apparatus and including a second window disposed over the horizontal scan window.     
     
     
       45. An external cover according to  claim 44  wherein the vertical section is constructed and arranged such that an item is accurately weighed when placed with one end on the horizontal section and one end on the vertical section. 
     
     
       46. An external cover according to  claim 44  wherein the vertical section is constructed and arranged so as to prevent interference from the vertical housing portion of the optical reader during weighing of an item placed on the horizontal section and in contact with the vertical section. 
     
     
       47. An external cover according to  claim 44  wherein the weighing apparatus includes a load cell, and further comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the vertical section to the load cell. 
     
     
       48. An external cover according to  claim 47  wherein the coupling mechanism includes a pair of pins and a mating set of precision machined holes. 
     
     
       49. An external cover according to  claim 48  wherein the precision machined holes are formed in the load cell. 
     
     
       50. An external cover according to  claim 44  wherein together the vertical section and the horizontal section comprise a two- plane weigh platter.   
     
     
       51. An external cover according to  claim 44  wherein the vertical section is connected to the horizontal section. 
     
     
       52. An external cover according to  claim 44  wherein the vertical section includes a horizontal extension extending over a top of the vertical housing portion. 
     
     
       53. An optical reader comprising:
   a housing including  ( a )  a vertical housing portion including a vertically - oriented scan window and  ( b )  a horizontal housing portion;        a weighing apparatus disposed in the housing;        a horizontal weigh platter supported by the weighing apparatus and disposed over the horizontal housing portion; and        a vertical window section coupled to the weighing apparatus and disposed in front of the vertical housing portion so that an object placed on the horizontal weigh platter and contacting the vertical window section is in part weighed by the vertical window section.     
     
     
       54. An optical reader according to  claim 53  wherein the vertical window section is constructed and arranged so as to prevent interference from the vertical housing portion during weighing. 
     
     
       55. An optical reader according to  claim 53  wherein the vertical window section is constructed and arranged such that an item is accurately weighed when placed on the horizontal weigh platter and in contact with the vertical window section. 
     
     
       56. An optical reader according to  claim 53  wherein the weighing apparatus comprises at least one load cell. 
     
     
       57. An optical reader according to  claim 53  further comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the vertical window section to the weighing apparatus. 
     
     
       58. An optical reader according to  claim 57  wherein the coupling mechanism includes a pair of pins and a mating set of precision machined holes. 
     
     
       59. An optical reader according to  claim 53  wherein the vertical window section is connected to the horizontal weigh platter. 
     
     
       60. An optical reader according to  claim 53  wherein the vertical window section includes a horizontal extension extending over a top of the vertical housing portion. 
     
     
       61. An optical reader comprising:
   a housing including  ( a )  a horizontal housing portion with a horizontally - oriented scan window and  ( b )  a vertical housing portion including a vertically - oriented scan window;        a weighing apparatus disposed in the housing;        a horizontal weigh platter section constructed and arranged for positioning over the horizontally - oriented scan window, the horizontal weigh platter section supported on the weighing apparatus; and        a vertical weigh platter section including a window, constructed and arranged for positioning in front of the vertically - oriented scan window, the vertical weigh platter section being supported on the weighing apparatus,        wherein the vertical weigh platter section is constructed and arranged such that an object is accurately weighed when placed on the horizontal weigh platter section and in contact with the vertical weigh platter section.     
     
     
       62. An optical reader according to  claim 61  wherein the vertical weigh platter section is connected to the horizontal weigh platter section. 
     
     
       63. An optical reader according to  claim 61  further comprising a coupling mechanism including a pair of pins and a mating set of precision machined holes for rigidly but removably connecting the vertical weigh platter section to the weighing apparatus. 
     
     
       64. A weighing system for a scanner- scale, the scanner - scale having a housing with vertical and horizontal scan surfaces, the weighing system comprising:      a weighing apparatus disposed in the housing; and        a weigh platter supported by the weighing apparatus for accepting and weighing items placed thereon, the weigh platter comprising:      a horizontal weigh platter section disposed over the horizontal scan surface and supported by the weighing apparatus, and        a vertical window section disposed in front of the vertical scan surface and supported by the weighing apparatus.       
     
     
       65. A weighing system according to  claim 64  wherein the vertical window section is supported by the weighing apparatus such that an item is accurately weighed when placed on the horizontal weigh platter section and in contact with the vertical window section. 
     
     
       66. A weighing system according to  claim 65  wherein the weighing apparatus comprises at least one load cell, and the weighing system further comprises a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the vertical window section to the load cell. 
     
     
       67. A weighing system according to  claim 66  wherein the counting mechanism includes a pair of pins and a mating set of precision machined holes. 
     
     
       68. A weighing system according to  claim 67  wherein the precision machined holes are formed in the load cell. 
     
     
       69. A weighing system according to  claim 64  wherein the vertical window section is connected to the horizontal weigh platter section. 
     
     
       70. A method of weighing items on a scanner- scale, the scanner - scale having vertical and horizontal scan surfaces, comprising the steps of:      providing a weighing apparatus for accepting items being weighed to be placed on a weigh platter disposed over the horizontal scan surface;        providing a vertical window in front of the vertical scan surface; and        supporting the vertical window on the weighing apparatus such that an item placed on the weigh platter is accurately weighed when contacting the vertical window.     
     
     
       71. A method according to  claim 70  wherein the supporting of the vertical window on the weighing apparatus includes supporting the vertical window via the weigh platter. 
     
     
       72. In a multi- plane optical reader having a first scan window oriented in a generally horizontal plane, a second scan window oriented transversely to and adjacent to the first scan window, and a weighing device, an improved weigh platter for supporting an object being weighed, comprising:      a first platter section supported by the weighing device in substantially horizontal orientation, the first platter section including a first platter window positioned over the first scan window; and        a second platter section supported by the weighing device, the second platter section extending transversely to the first platter section and including a second platter window disposed in front of the second scan window, the second platter section spaced apart from the second scan window to prevent the object from contacting the second scan window, thereby preventing the second scan window from interfering with weighing of the object.     
     
     
       73. A weigh platter according to  claim 72  wherein the weighing device includes a load cell, and further comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the second platter section of the load cell. 
     
     
       74. A weigh platter according to  claim 72  wherein the second platter section is connected to the first platter section. 
     
     
       75. A weigh platter for an optical reader including a housing having a horizontal housing portion and a vertical housing portion, the vertical housing portion including a vertical scan window, comprising:
   a horizontal platter section adapted to be positioned over the horizontal housing portion; and        a vertical platter section adapted to be installed on the optical reader adjacent to and spaced apart from the vertical housing portion so that the vertical platter section extends transversely to the horizontal platter section, the vertical platter section including a vertical platter window that is positioned in front of the vertical scan window when the vertical platter section is installed on the optical reader.     
     
     
       76. A weigh platter according to  claim 75  wherein the vertical platter section is connected to the horizontal platter section. 
     
     
       77. A weigh platter according to  claim 75  wherein the vertical platter section includes a cover portion sized to extend over a top of the vertical housing portion when the vertical platter section is installed on the optical reader. 
     
     
       78. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus comprising:
   a reader means for optically scanning an object from multiple directions including a generally horizontal scanning direction;        means for measuring an applied load; and        a weigh platter positioned over the reader means and supported by the means for measuring, the weigh platter including:      a horizontal first platter section, and        a second platter section positioned adjacent the first platter section and extending transversely to the first platter section, the second platter section including a platter window through which the reader means scans in the horizontal scanning direction.       
     
     
       79. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus according to  claim 78  wherein the means for measuring includes at least one load cell. 
     
     
       80. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus according to  claim 79  further comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the second platter section to the load cell. 
     
     
       81. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus according to  claim 80  wherein the coupling mechanism includes a pair of pins and a mating set of precision machined holes. 
     
     
       82. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus according to  claim 81  wherein the precision machined holes are formed in the load cell. 
     
     
       83. A combination optical reader and weighing apparatus according to  claim 78  wherein the second platter section is connected to the first platter section. 
     
     
       84. A multi- plane scanner scale comprising:      a data reading device;        a housing positioned over the data reading device and including a vertical scan window through which the data reading device scans;        a weighing device; and        a weigh platter including:      a horizontal section, and        a vertical section including a vertical platter window disposed in front of the vertical scan window so that the data reading device scans the object through the vertical platter window, the vertical section supported by the weighing device so that an object placed on the weigh platter in contact with the vertical section is accurately weighed by the weighing device.       
     
     
       85. A multi- plane scanner scale according to    claim 84    wherein the vertical section is connected to the horizontal section.   
     
     
       86. A removable external cover for an optical reader including a vertical scan window, a load cell, and a horizontal weigh platter, comprising:
   a vertical section including a vertical platter window adapted to be disposed in front of the vertical scan window, the vertical section adapted to be supported by the load cell adjacent the horizontal weigh platter and the vertical scan window so as to maintain a separation between the vertical section and the vertical scan window when an object being weighed is placed in contact with the vertical section.     
     
     
       87. A removable cover according to  claim 86  wherein the vertical section is connected to the horizontal weigh platter and supported on the load cell via the horizontal weigh platter. 
     
     
       88. A removable cover according to  claim 86  further comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the vertical section to the load cell. 
     
     
       89. A weigh platter for an optical reader having a housing and a weighing device, the housing including a vertical portion having a vertically- oriented scan window through which the optical reader reads, the weigh platter comprising:      a horizontal section adapted to be supported by the weighing device; and        a vertical section adapted to be supported by the weighing device adjacent the horizontal section, the vertical section including a vertically - oriented platter window positioned in front of the vertically - oriented scan window when the vertical section is supported on the weighing device to thereby prevent an object being weighed from contacting the vertical portion of the housing.     
     
     
       90. A weigh platter according to  claim 89  wherein the horizontal and vertical sections are adapted to be arranged on the optical reader such that an object resting against the vertical and horizontal sections is accurately weighed by the weighing device. 
     
     
       91. A weigh platter according to  claim 89  wherein the vertical and horizontal sections are adapted to be manually installed on and removed from the optical reader. 
     
     
       92. A weigh platter according to  claim 89  wherein the vertical section is connected to the horizontal section. 
     
     
       93. A weigh platter according to  claim 89  further comprising a coupling mechanism for rigidly but removably connecting the vertical section to the weighing device.