Importance

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Abstract

A weighing scale (10) includes a base (12) with a connecting channel (14) disclosed therein. A layer (16) of elastically deformable material is disposed over this channel with longitudinal corrugations (18) disposed therein. Each of these corrugations (18) is formed integral to the layer (16) and has a wall thickness essentially equal thereto. The interior portion of each of the corrugations (18) and the surface of the base (12) form a plurality of deformable volumes (20). The deformable volumes (20) and the connecting channel (14) comprise a common reservoir that is connected to an expanding bellows-type gauge (30). The expanding bellows gauge (30) allows for volumetric displacement of fluid within the deformable volumes (20). A load bearing layer (28) is disposed adjacent the apexes of the corrugations (18) exterior to the deformable volumes (20). Weight applied to the load bearing layer (28) results in deformation of the corrugations (18) and a volumetric displacement of fluid from the deformable volumes (20) to the expanding bellows-type gauge (30). Measurement of this volumetric displacement is converted into a weight measurement that can be directly read from the face of the gauge (30).

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