Load cell bin system
A reconfigurable bin system for dispensing units, the system having a platform bin and a base member with load cells configured to support the platform bin. The platform bin itself comprises a platform plate, an optional front gate, a rear wall, and a plurality of side walls extending from the front of the platform plate to the rear wall so as to form an open-top bin. The platform plate includes a front flange disposed below the upper surface to define a trough extending across the front of the platform plate. Each of the plurality of side walls includes a rear tab received within a slot in the rear wall and a depending front tab received within the trough. A cap member may be removably secured over the trough to capture the depending front tabs within the trough, thereby securing the plurality of side walls in place.
1. A platform measuring device comprising:
a platform bin having a platform plate, a rear wall, and a plurality of side walls extending from the front of the platform plate to the rear wall so as to form an open-top, open-faced bin; and
a base member having a plurality of load cells configured to support the platform bin;
wherein the platform plate includes a front flange disposed below the upper surface of the platform plate to define a trough extending at least partially across the front of the platform plate, and each of the plurality of side walls includes a rear tab that is received within a slot in the rear wall and a depending front tab that is received within the trough; and
a cap member removably securable over the trough to capture the depending front tabs within the trough.
2. The platform measuring device of claim 1 , wherein the platform plate includes a rear flange disposed below the upper surface of the platform plate to define a trough extending across the rear of the platform plate, and the rear wall is secured within the trough extending across the rear of the platform plate, against a rear edge of the upper surface of the platform plate.
3. The platform measuring device of claim 1 , wherein the rear wall is an integral part of a flange projecting perpendicularly from the platform plate along a rear edge of the platform plate.
4. The platform measuring device of claim 1 , wherein the platform plate includes a plurality of channels running from a front edge of the upper surface of the platform plate to a rear edge of the upper surface of the platform plate.
5. The platform measuring device of claim 4 , wherein two of the plurality of channels are disposed proximate the side edges of the platform plate and each of those two is configured to mate with a base of a side wall of the plurality of side walls to reinforce said side wall against lateral deflection.
6. The platform measuring device of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of channels is disposed so as to divide the width of the platform bin into increments.
7. The platform measuring device of claim 1 , wherein the depending front tab comprises a rail connected to the respective side wall by a narrowed neck.
8. The platform measuring device of claim 7 , wherein a front edge of the platform plate adjacent the front flange includes an undercut portion engaging the rail of the depending tab.
9. The platform measuring device of claim 7 , wherein a front edge of the platform plate adjacent the front flange includes a channel engaging the narrowed neck of the depending tab.
10. The platform measuring device of claim 1 , wherein the cap member includes a plurality of rearwardly open-ended slots which are longitudinally aligned with the slots of the rear wall.
11. A platform measuring device comprising:
a platform bin having a platform plate, a front gate, a rear wall, and a plurality of side walls extending from the front of the platform plate to the rear wall so as to form an open-top, closed-faced bin; and
a base member having a plurality of load cells configured to support the platform bin;
wherein the platform plate includes a front flange disposed below the upper surface of the platform plate to define a trough extending at least partially across the front of the platform plate, and each of the plurality of side walls includes a rear tab that is received within a slot in the rear wall and a depending front tab that is received within the trough;
wherein the front gate includes a pair of lateral ends which slidably engage with front- most ends of two of the plurality of side walls to form front corners of the closed-face bin; and
a cap member removably securable over the trough to capture the depending front tabs within the trough.
12. The platform measuring device of claim 11 , wherein the lateral ends of the front gate define rearwardly-open, C-shaped vertical channels, and said front-most ends include a vertical rail and a narrowed neck.
13. The platform measuring device of claim 11 , wherein the platform plate includes a rear flange disposed below the upper surface of the platform plate to define a trough extending across the rear of the platform plate, and the rear wall is secured within the trough extending across the rear of the platform plate, against a rear edge of the upper surface of the platform plate.
14. The platform measuring device of claim 11 , wherein the platform plate includes a plurality of channels running from a front edge of the upper surface of the platform plate to a rear edge of the upper surface of the platform plate.
15. The platform measuring device of claim 14 , wherein two of the plurality of channels are disposed proximate the side edges of the platform plate and each of those two is configured to mate with a base of a side wall of the plurality of side walls to reinforce said side wall against lateral deflection.
16. The platform measuring device of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of channels is disposed so as to divide the width of the platform bin into increments.
17. The platform measuring device of claim 11 , wherein the depending front tab comprises a horizontal rail connected to the respective side wall by a narrowed neck.
18. The platform measuring device of claim 17 , wherein a front edge of the platform plate adjacent the front flange includes an undercut portion engaging the horizontal rail of the depending tab.
19. The platform measuring device of claim 17 , wherein a front edge of the platform plate adjacent the front flange includes a channel engaging the narrowed neck of the depending tab.
20. The platform measuring device of claim 11 , wherein the cap member includes a plurality of rearwardly open-ended slots which are longitudinally aligned with the slots of the rear wall.