Measuring of forces is classified in groups G01L 1/00 and G01L 5/00. The borderline between subclass G01G and subclass G01L should be determined based on whether the features relevant for classification are focussed on the force sensor or on the weighing device.

Packaging articles is classified in subclass B65B whereas apparatus for conveying articles are classified in subclass B65G. The borderline between subclass G01G and subclasses B65B, B65G should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on packaging/conveying or on weighing.

Weighing devices and methods wherein the mass of an object is determined by balancing its gravitational mass with another known gravitational mass.

These comprise mostly vertically hinged pendulum weighing devices with integrated counterweights and balances with a mostly horizontally hinged beam adapted to support removable counterweights.

The main difference between both kinds of weighing devices is given by the way the measurement of mass is established

Within pendulum weighing devices the deflection angle of the pendulum is translated to a mass measurement.

Within weighing devices with a horizontally hinged beam mass measurement is performed by balancing with a collection of known masses or by considering the distance of the counterweight towards the hinge.

For pendulum weighing devices counterweights might also be adapted to be arranged with a variable distance towards the hinge in order to switch to different ranges of mass.

Weighing devices and methods wherein the mass of an object is determined by measuring the shear or tensile deformation of a solid state member due to the weight of the object.

Exceptionally inertial mass instead of heavy mass is measured by microbalances such as quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) in G01G 3/165.

Microbalances comprise a substrate that is stimulated to vibration. The substrate changes its characteristic frequency once an object of a certain mass is adsorbed. The object's mass is determined by the frequency shift.

Substrates may consist of quartz crystals such as piezoelectric material that is actively stimulated to vibration by an AC voltage. These microbalances are commonly referred to as quartz crystal microbalances (QCM).

Substrates may also consist of micromachined material such as silicon. Stimulation to vibration is commonly performed by interlocking combs that are charged by opposing AC voltage.

G01G 3/13;

This subgroup comprises only passive piezoelectric weighing elements, wherein active deformation due to the weighing force is generating a voltage within the piezoelectric weighing elements.

Therefore this subgroup does not comprise piezoelectric resonators as used within quartz crystal microbalances.

G01G 3/165;

This subgroup comprises all active piezoelectric weighing elements, meaning that a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric weighing element in order to cause a deformation of this element.

Examples are piezoelectric resonators used within quartz crystal microbalances.

Weighing devices and methods wherein the mass of an object is determined by measuring pneumatic or hydraulic pressure or using buoyancy resulting from the weight of the object.

Weighing devices and methods wherein the mass of an object is determined by balancing with electromagnetic or electrostatic forces or

wherein the mass of an object is determined by measuring the electrical properties of an elastically-deformable capacitive element.

Apparatus and methods wherein the mass of an object is determined by ways not otherwise provided for.

Particularly determining the mass of a known substance by measuring its density using electromagnetic radiation.

Apparatus and methods adapted for measuring the mass or mass flow of a homogenous continuous stream of objects or material.

Comprises typically conveying means such as belts, worms/augers or vibratory means as well as mass flow controlling means and/or integrating means to transform a mass flow to a mass.

Apparatus and methods adapted for generating a batch of identical objects/homogenous material of predetermined mass.

Comprises typically pooling means such as integrated dischargeable chutes or hoppers for forming a batch of identical objects/homogenous material and means for controlling its mass.

G01G 13/00 and its subgroups are related to packaging fluent solid material by controlling or determining the quantity by weighing classified in B65B 1/32, B65B 1/34 and B65B 1/46. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on packaging/conveying or on weighing.

Apparatus and methods adapted for check-weighing and/or correcting of batches of identical objects/homogenous material pre-dispensed into uniform transportable containers such as bottles.

Typically comprises dispensing means for forming a batch of identical objects/homogenous material inside the uniform transportable container and means for checking and/or correcting its mass

G01G 15/00 and its subgroups are related to packaging fluent solid material by controlling or determining the quantity by weighing classified in B65B 1/32, B65B 1/34 and B65B 1/46. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on packaging or on weighing.

They are also related to packaging plastic material, semi-liquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids by controlling or determining the quantity by weighing classified in B65B 3/28. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on packaging or on weighing.

They are further related to bottling liquids or semiliquids with provisions for metering the liquids introduced by weighing classified in B67C 3/202. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on bottling or on weighing.

Lastly, they are related to sorting according to weight classified in B07C 5/16, Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods according to weight B07B 13/08. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on sorting or on weighing.

Apparatus and methods adapted for determining the mass of objects/material of special form or property such as pharmaceuticals, fiber, pulp, fluids, gases or stock.

Weighing of pharmaceuticals is classified in G01G 17/00.

Apparatus and methods for determining mass adapted for postal parcels and letters, vehicles, suspended loads, humans, as well as combinatorial weighing, mixing, weighing apparatus combined with domestic appliances and weighing apparatus for determining another quantities such as a price or caloric content from the mass of an object.

G01G 19/002, G01G 19/005, G01G 19/4148;

Weighing devices and methods for postal parcels and letters in which a postal rate is determined are classified in G01G 19/4148. All other weighing devices and methods for postal parcels and letters are classified in G01G 19/002 or G01G 19/005.

G01G 19/03, G01G 19/035;

Weighing apparatus and methods for weighing during motion

That are not wheeled (G01G 19/022, G01G 19/024, G01G 19/045, G01G 19/047),

That are not adapted for measuring the mass or mass flow of a homogenous continuous stream of objects or material (G01G 11/00) and

That are not adapted for check-weighing batches of identical objects/homogenous material pre-dispensed into uniform transportable containers (G01G 15/00).

That are not adapted for combinatorial weighing with a single weighing device (G01G 19/387).

Typically comprises conveyor belt weighing devices for separately weighing objects in succession such as fruits, parcels or end-products.

Franking apparatus G07B 17/00661. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on franking or on weighing.

Cash registers with control of supplementary check-parameters such as weight or number of articles G07G 1/0054. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on cash registers or on weighing.

Packaging fluent solid material or plastic material, semi-liquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids by weighing B65B 1/32, B65B 1/34, B65B 1/46 and B65B 3/28, B65B 37/18. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on packaging or on weighing.

Botteling liquids or semi-liquids with provisions for metering the liquids introduced by weighing B67C 3/202 or sorting according to weight classified in B07C 5/16. The borderline should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on botteling or on weighing.

Diagnostic measurement of body composition by electrical impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content A61B 5/0537, diagnostic measurement of load distribution on feet (Podology) A61B 5/1036, diagnostic measurement means with transmission of measured data to processing or recording apparatus A61B 5/0002, weighing devices combined with diagnosing apparatus A61B 5/107 and weighing cut product in combination with cutting B26D 7/30. The borderlines should be determined on whether the features relevant for classification are focused on the respective diagnostic aspect or on weighing.

This group is not used to classify documents. All documents involving weighing means are classified in G01G 19/08

Particular weighing-specific constructional details of any apparatus or method with a weighing device.

Auxiliary means ensuring correct conduction of mass measurements, indicating means such as displays and recording means such as databases or paper records.