Global Patent Index - EP 0897526 A1

EP 0897526 A1 19990224 - DEVICE FOR MEASURING VOLUME

Title (en)

DEVICE FOR MEASURING VOLUME

Title (de)

VOLUMENMESSVORRICHTUNG

Title (fr)

DISPOSITIF DE MESURE DE VOLUME

Publication

EP 0897526 A1 19990224 (DE)

Application

EP 98902924 A 19980310

Priority

  • CH 9800073 W 19980310
  • CH 56797 A 19970311

Abstract (en)

[origin: WO9840704A1] The invention relates to a facility for posting postal items which can be used by customers on a self-service basis. The measuring device integrated into said facility determines the volume of the postal item by lightly pressing a transparent plate onto the item from above. A digital camera determines the cross-sectional area of the item through the plate. At the same time, as soon as the plate applies the required pressure to the item, the height of the item is determined optically by means of a height code reflected into the optical system of the camera. Placing the plate onto the item largely prevents measurement errors possible with easily deformable items and, for example, when string or pieces of wrapping paper project from the parcel. The volume data obtained in this way can be taken into consideration in the postage calculations together with other variables (weight, distance to destination, etc.) that can influence the postage payable.

IPC 1-7

G01F 17/00

IPC 8 full level

G01B 11/00 (2006.01); G01F 17/00 (2006.01); G07B 17/00 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP US)

G01B 11/00 (2013.01 - EP US); G01F 17/00 (2013.01 - EP US); G07B 17/00661 (2013.01 - EP US); G07B 2017/00685 (2013.01 - EP US)

Citation (search report)

See references of WO 9840704A1

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE

DOCDB simple family (publication)

WO 9840704 A1 19980917; CA 2254851 A1 19980917; EP 0897526 A1 19990224; US 6189223 B1 20010220

DOCDB simple family (application)

CH 9800073 W 19980310; CA 2254851 A 19980310; EP 98902924 A 19980310; US 18063899 A 19990706