Cubing apparatus and methods

摘要

The invention provides dimensional weighing apparatus ( 5 ) that may e.g. be placed transparently between the weighing scales ( 3 ) and POS terminal ( 4 ) of e.g. a postal outlet so as to provide dimensional weighing of a parcel ( 2 ). The apparatus ( 5 ) senses the parcel height with a sensor ( 10 ), and senses the parcel cross-section with a sensor ( 11 ) that obtains data points as the parcel ( 2 ) rotates on a turntable ( 12 ). A control unit ( 6 ) determines the parcel volume from the height and cross-section data, and determines a dimensional weight based on the volume and on a minimum chargeable weight per unit volume. It compares the dimensional weight with the actual weight from the scales ( 3 ), and outputs the larger value to the POS terminal ( 4 ). Various sensor arrangements and profile analyses are described.