Patent · US Active

Sterilizable wireless animal scale

US10634548B1 · kind B1 · utility

0Cited by
5References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 30, 2017
Grant dateApr 28, 2020
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 30, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04Q2209/40
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A wireless, sterilizable scale comprising an upper module, on which an animal sits or explores, and a lower module that measures the weight of the animal. The lower module comprises a flexible membrane, through which the weight of the upper module and the animal is mechanically coupled. The flexible membrane is affixed at its perimeter to the perimeter of the lower module. The lower module is sealed by the membrane and comprises a load cell, batteries and electronics. The upper module removes easily from the lower module leaving the lower module intact and sealed for chemical sterilization. Electronics in the upper module connects to electronics in the lower module via an electrical connector that also penetrates the flexible membrane. IR communications from the upper modules transmits a series of weight values at two different data rates. The scale may be in a sterile cage free of electrical penetrations.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.