Abstract:
An infant scale having a scale pan ( 1 ) for holding an infant, a measuring device which bears the scale pan ( 1 ) and is intended to determine the weight of the infant, and a display ( 2 ) for displaying the weight which has been determined, wherein the measuring device comprises a plurality of weighing cells and is suitable for being on the move, in particular for reducing the amount of space needed to store it, wherein the scale pan ( 1 ) comprises two pan halves ( 3, 4 ) which can be folded against one another and the two pan halves ( 3, 4 )

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the priority filing date of international application no. PCT/DE2007/000206, and German application no. (DE) 10-2006-004962.4 filed on Feb. 1, 2006. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 
       [0003]    Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    The invention relates to an infant scale with a scale pan to hold an infant, a measuring device supporting the scale pan to determine the infant&#39;s weight, and a display to show the weight as determined, with the measuring device comprising several load cells. 
         [0005]    Infant scales of this type have been known for a long time from practical experience. Reference is made to DE 296 11 425 U1 solely as an example. Even though a flat design of the scale pan is possible there, the known infant scale requires considerable storage space which is predetermined by the size of the infant to be weighed and the scale pan necessary therefore. To that extent, the known infant scale is suitable for traveling only to a limited extent. For use at home, the infant scale requires considerable storage space as well, making in-home use problematic not only in light of the required storage space. 
         [0006]    Therefore, the objective of the invention at hand is to design and further develop an infant scale of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that it will be particularly suited for traveling. Requiring the smallest possible storage space, it should be easily transportable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An infant scale with a scale pan to hold an infant, a measuring device supporting the scale pan to determine the infant&#39;s weight, and a display to show the weight as determined, with the measuring device comprising several load cells, designed in such a way that it will be easily transportable and thus particularly suitable for traveling, and requiring the smallest possible storage space. 
         [0008]    The infant scale in question is characterized by the fact that the scale pan comprises two pan halves that can be folded against each other, and that the two pan halves can be folded from an unfolded weighing position to a folded storage position. In other words, the scale pan has the required size in its unfolded state, namely to accommodate the infant to be weighed. In its folded state, the entire arrangement is only half as long which makes the infant scale ideally suitable for traveling. Moreover, the interior side of the scale pan which serves to hold the infant is protected in its folded state, thereby effectively preventing any damage to the usually softer surface material. 
         [0009]    The infant scale comprises feet that are preferably placed on the external surface of the pan halves and, in further advantageous fashion, are positioned in such a way that they will keep the pan halves, and thus the scale pan, in its weighing position when it is set up. The feet contain electric load cells so that they may jointly serve the determination of the weight as a component of the measuring device for the determination of the weight. 
         [0010]    The two pan halves that form the scale pan in their unfolded state form a kind of housing in their folded state that comprises an interior space. This housing formed by the pan halves is at least partially open in the area of the mutual connection of the pan halves. This opening results from the bulging shape of the pan halves. The opening in the housing created in this manner can be closed by a lockable insert, with the insert extending into the housing together with a storage space formed by a circumferential wall. On the one hand, the insert serves to close the housing and, on the other hand, to store infant accessories. To give an example, the insert could be provided with pre-shaped sections to accommodate infant bottles. To this extent it is advantageous if the insert is thermally insulated at least in certain sections. The insert should form the bottom part of the folded-up pan halves to make it possible to set the housing upright. In this way, the housing can be positioned or, respectively, handled similarly to a carrying bag. 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show in a schematic view a first embodiment of an infant scale in accordance with the invention in its unfolded state, 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show the object from  FIGS. 1 and 2  in its folded-up state together with its bottom part, 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows in a schematic view a second embodiment of an infant scale in accordance with the invention in its folded-up state, but with the insert for accessories being pulled out, 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows the object of  FIG. 5  without insert and partially opened, and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows the object of  FIGS. 1 and 6  in its unfolded state, similar to the representation in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In accordance with the invention, the aforementioned task is solved by the characteristics of Patent claim  1 . Accordingly, the infant scale in question is characterized by the fact that the scale pan comprises two pan halves that can be folded against each other, and that the two pan halves can be folded from an unfolded weighing position to a folded storage position. 
         [0017]    The scale pan is critical with regard to the storage space. To that end, the scale pan was divided into two scale halves that can be folded against each other and can be converted from an unfolded weighing position to a folded storage position. In other words, the scale pan has the required size in its unfolded state, namely to accommodate the infant to be weighed. In its folded state, the entire arrangement is only half as long which makes the infant scale ideally suitable for traveling. Moreover, the interior side of the scale pan which serves to hold the infant is protected in its folded state, thereby effectively preventing any damage to the usually softer surface material. 
         [0018]    In principle, it is possible to design the two pan halves independently of each other, with the two halves being stuck together to create the unfolded weighing position, and, if necessary, locked in position. In a preferred embodiment, the pan halves are connected with each other in articulated fashion, allowing them to be unfolded against each other and to be locked in the weighing position. Together, the two pan halves form the scale pan to accommodate the infant. 
         [0019]    As mentioned above, it is preferable if the two pan halves are lockable against each other in their unfolded weighing position as well as in their folded storage position. Both cases result in safe handling, in particular in the unfolded weighing position in which the scale pan serves to accommodate the infant to be weighed. 
         [0020]    From a design point of view, it is preferable if the two pan halves together form a joint line in the unfolded position, with the pan halves—completely or partially—being lockable with each other or, respectively, against each other along this joint line. By realizing such a joint line, in particular in the case of surfaces that abut each other as closely as possible, a homogeneous scale pan can be created without undesirable transitions between the two pan halves. 
         [0021]    At this point it should be noted that the pan halves are preferably made of a synthetic material, preferably of a hard synthetic. One option would be to produce the two pan halves by way of injection molding. It is also conceivable to extrude the pan halves or to manufacture them by means of a cupping process. Particularly within the framework of injection molding production, the interior surface of the pan half could be equipped with a softer synthetic by means of the so-called over molding method so that production is carried out in a single process. 
         [0022]    It is furthermore possible to pad the pan halves on their interior side, with the padding perhaps being installed directly on the surface of the pan halves. It is equally conceivable that the padding is removable. In any event, it should be moisture-repellent and washable. A padding made of a soft synthetic that could be attached permanently or in removable fashion is advisable. 
         [0023]    The infant scale essentially consists of the scale pan which in turn is composed of two pan halves. To set up the scale pan, the outside of the pan halves are provided in further advantageous fashion with feet that may be executed in the form of plastic nubs or the like. The feet are preferably placed on the external surface of the pan halves and, in further advantageous fashion, are positioned in such a way that they will keep the pan halves, and thus the scale pan, in its weighing position when it is set up. A kind of forced positioning of the pan halves relative to each other may be achieved by a suitable arrangement of the feet without the need for a separate arresting or locking mechanism, or at least supporting the latter. In the concrete case, three feet are provided for each pan half, in which context it is advantageous if two feet each are arranged opposite each other near the connecting area between the pan halves. 
         [0024]    At the beginning it has already been stated that the measuring device comprises several load cells. Correspondingly, it is particularly advantageous if the feet contain electric load cells so that they may jointly serve the determination of the weight as a component of the measuring device for the determination of the weight. The processing of the measuring data takes place in an integrated processor. 
         [0025]    The infant scale moreover comprises a display for the weight as determined. A preferred embodiment is to provide for it in one of the pan halves, i.e. preferably on the outside in the rim area of the pan half. The display may be designed as an LCD. 
         [0026]    In addition, an on/off switch is provided which is preferably arranged next to the display. It should be noted that the infant scale in accordance with the invention may also be equipped with a memory function in order to archive or, respectively, to store the weight development of the infant and to be able to record a continuous comparison or, respectively, the development of the child with regard to its weight. Any storage media may be utilized therefore. The weight development can be represented on the display by means of flow numbers, in which context it is quite conceivable that the weight progression is shown in the form of a graph. 
         [0027]    The display and, if necessary, the on/off switch may be arranged in a housing-like bulge of one of the pan halves, with this bulge to be understood in the sense of an integrated housing. In a preferred embodiment, this bulge or, respectively, this housing can be opened from the interior side of the scale pan. 
         [0028]    The area provided for the display or, respectively, the bulge serving this purpose may contain the entire electronic system together with a battery or rechargeable battery. Likewise, a power supply may also be housed there. 
         [0029]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the two pan halves that form the scale pan in their unfolded state form a kind of housing in their folded state that comprises an interior space. Within the framework of a preferred embodiment, this housing formed by the pan halves are at least partially open in the area of the mutual connection of the pan halves. This opening results from the bulging shape of the pan halves. The opening in the housing created in this manner can be closed by a lockable insert, with the insert extending into the housing together with a storage space formed by a circumferential wall. On the one hand, the insert serves to close the housing and, on the other hand, to store infant accessories. To give an example, the insert could be provided with pre-shaped sections to accommodate infant bottles. To this extent it is further advantageous if the insert is thermally insulated at least in certain sections. 
         [0030]    It is furthermore advantageous if the insert forms a bottom part of the folded-up pan halves and thus for the housing that is formed thereby to make it possible to set the housing upright. In this way, the housing can be positioned or, respectively, handled similarly to a carrying bag. To this end, the housing has an upper carrying handle that, in the unfolded state, is formed by the two pan halves or, respectively, by handle parts attached or formed there. 
         [0031]    There are now various possibilities to expand and further develop the doctrine of the invention at hand in advantageous fashion. In this respect, reference must be made, on the one hand, to the patent claims subordinated to Patent claim I and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention by way of the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiment of the invention by way of the drawing, generally preferred designs and further development of the doctrine will be explained as well. 
         [0032]    In the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show in a schematic view an infant scale with a scale pan  1  to accommodate an infant. The scale pan  1  is supported by a measuring device not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the measuring device serving to determine the weight of the infant. In addition, a display  2  is provided to show the weight as determined. The measuring device comprises several load cells that can not be discerned in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show in particularly clear fashion that the scale pan  1  comprises two pan halves  3 ,  4 , with the two pan halves  3 ,  4  being foldable against each other. In this way, the two pan halves  3 ,  4  can be folded from an unfolded weighing position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to a folded-up storage position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , with the pan halves  3 ,  4  forming a housing  5  in their folded-up state as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1 and 2  moreover indicate that the pan halves  3 ,  4  are connected to each other in articulated fashion, namely via hinges  6  arranged on the rim. In between, the two pan halves  3 ,  4  abut each other along a separation gap  7 , whereby the separation gap may follow a meshing of the two pan halves  3 , 4 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 1 and 2  show furthermore that the display  2  is allocated to the pan half  3 , attached in a housing-like bulging  8 . An on/off switch is provided there as well. 
         [0036]    The scale pan  1  or, respectively, the two pan halves  3 ,  4  are made of a hard synthetic material. A padding  10  is provided on the interior side which may be an integral component of the pan halves  3 ,  4  or, respectively, of the scale pan  1 . A removable or, respectively, replaceable form of the padding  10  is conceivable as well. Moreover, it will be possible to spread out the padding  10  on the interior side of the scale pan  1  after the pan halves have been unfolded, with the effect that the separation gap  7  is completely covered by the padding  10 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1 and 2  furthermore show that the pan halves  3 ,  4  are equipped with handle parts  11 ,  12  that form one single handle in the folded-up state as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Moreover, a locking mechanism  14  is provided on the handle part  11  that serves to open and close the two pan halves  3 ,  4 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show the two pan halves  3 ,  4  in their folded-up position, thereby forming the aforementioned housing  5 . This housing  5  is open in the area of the mutual connection, i.e. in the area between the two hinges  6 ; in the representations in  FIGS. 3 and 4  it is closed by a special insert  15 . The insert simultaneously serves as a base or, respectively, as a bottom part so that the housing  5  formed in the closed state of the pan halves  3 ,  4  can be set upright. 
         [0039]    It may furthermore be noted that the insert  15  serves to accommodate any accessories, for example of infant bottles, and may therefore be thermally insulated. Also, the insert  15  is locked in or, respectively, arrested when inserted into the housing  5 , whereby an unintentional sliding out of the insert  15  is effectively prevented. It is also conceivable that the insert is jammed or, respectively, arrested upon the closing of the pan halves  3 ,  4  so that a secure fixed position of the insert  15  is assured by means of the closing action of the pan halves  3 ,  4 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 3 and 4  furthermore clearly show that the pan halves  3 ,  4  are each provided with feet  16  on their undersides that serve a secure positioning of the pan halves  3 ,  4 , particularly in the unfolded state, and thus serve a secure positioning of the scale pan  1 . The feet contain integrated load cells that are part of the measuring device. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  shows a second embodiment of a scale in accordance with the invention that is executed as an infant scale in the transport position, however with the insert removed. The scale has a scale pan  100  that comprises a first scale pan part  30  and a second scale pan part—not visible in this drawing—that bears the reference mark  50  in the subsequent drawings. The first and second scale pan parts  30 ,  50  are executed as half shells of equal size which in their transport position are convex towards the exterior. They are each equipped with a cutout. The cutouts form a handle  70  in the transport position. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows the scale with a pull-out device  90  to store infant care products. The device  90  for the storage of infant care products can be inserted and locked between the two scale pan parts of the folded-up scale pan. In this transport position, the support surface of the scale pan as well as the device  90  for the storage of infant care products are protected from external environmental impacts. Each has a space for a powder bottle  270 , an oil bottle  290 , and for diapers  310 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows the scale pan  100  with the first scale pan part  30  and the second scale pan part  50 . The first scale pan part  30  and the second scale pan part  50  are connected to each other in articulated fashion. When in use, they can be locked with each other in reversible fashion.  FIG. 6  shows the first scale pan part  30  has a first support foot  110  and a second support foot  130 . The second scale pan part  50  has a third support foot  150  and a fourth support foot  170 . The support feet  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  are each equipped with a load cell not shown in the figure. The first scale pan part  30  and the second scale pan part  50  are equipped on the interior with a first concave side  190  or, respectively, with a second concave side  210 . When in use, the first concave side  190 , together with the second concave side  210 , forms the support surface of the scale pan  100 . In addition, a concealable display  250  to show a weight reading is implemented in the first scale pan part. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows the scale in accordance with the invention in its position when in use, i.e. in the unfolded state. It can clearly be seen that the concave interior sides  190 ,  210  of the first scale pan part  30  and of the second scale pan part  50  form the support surface  230  of the scale pan  100 . 
         [0045]    With regard to additional advantageous embodiments of the device in accordance with the invention and for the sake of avoiding any repetitions, reference is made to the general part of the description as well as to the attached patent claims. 
         [0046]    Finally, may it be expressly pointed out that the embodiment of the infant scale in accordance with the invention described above merely serves to discuss the claimed doctrine but does not limit the latter to the embodiment.