GB2404910A

GB2404910A - Coating kit

Info

Publication number: GB2404910A
Application number: GB0318825A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Charles Julien
Original assignee: U Pol Ltd
Current assignee: U Pol Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-11
Filing date: 2003-08-11
Publication date: 2005-02-16
Also published as: WO2005016780A3; WO2005016780A2; GB0318825D0; TW200510074A

Abstract

A coating kit for obtaining a pre-selected colour of coating to be applied to a surface comprises a container (5) containing a base component (6)of the coating, a cover (2) to fit to the container (5) to define a storage space (4) in combination with a lid(3)of the container, and a group of single dispensers such as sachets each containing a respective colouring component dispensable by manual pressure thereto. The group of dispensers are locatable together in said storage space (4) and a predetermined amount of colouring component can be dispensed from the single dispensers to be mixed with a predetermined amount of said base component to achieve the pre-selected colour of coating. A colour chart for use with the coating kit is also provided.

Description

24049 1 0 - 1

COATING KIT

[001] The present invention relates to a coating kit for preparing a coating to be applied to a surface, and more particularly to a coating used for painting a surface.

[002] The paintwork on, for example, automobiles typically comprises three coatings: a primer layer, a paint layer and a varnish layer. To achieve a high-quality, even finish, it is preferable to apply these layers thinly.

[003] The primer layer is typically a two component resin system in which a base component is mixed with a hardener which causes the base component to set, as opposed to drying.

[004] The paint layer is then sprayed onto the primer layer.

The colour of the paint layer must be carefully controlled to either match the existing colour of the car in the case of a repair or to ensure that the colour is continually reproducible and matches the expected colour.

[005] However, it has been found that if the colour of the primer layer is not reasonably matched to the colour of the paint layer, the primer layer may undesirably affect the colour of the paint layer.

[006] As there are a large number of paint colours, it is necessary to make sure the primer layer can be applied in a number of different colours. Since the base component and the hardener can not be premixed, it is known to supply the base component in one container, a metal tin, a coloured tint in another tin, and a hardener in a still further tin. This is a bulky system.

[007] In use, a specific volume of the base component is added to a measuring container, a required amount of colour tint is then added, and finally a specific volume of clear hardener is poured into the measuring container. Typically, the base component to hardener ratio is 3:1. This method of - 2 - use has certain problems. In particular, not all the mixture is used so that there is a significant waste of materials, the measuring containers can become unusable, and excess mixture needs to be carefully disposed of since it contains chemicals which may be harmful to the environment and to persons handling them. Moreover, the mixing process is not particularly accurate, requires a measuring container for the base component, the colour tint and the hardener, and is generally messy.

[008] WO-A-02/060995 describes a coating touch up kit comprising an outer container containing a paint or primer coating material, and an inner container provided within the mouth of the outer container, the inner container containing a catalyst for the paint or primer material. An inlet tube of an aerosol spray canister is used to puncture an upper seal member closing the top of the inner container, and the inlet tube is then forced down into the body of the inner container to detach a bottom seal member provided between the inner and outer containers thereby allowing the two components to mix ready for use. However, this kit may be used only once, is not versatile, and then must be discarded.

[009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a coating kit which uses materials much more economically, is flexible in the range of colours that can be provided, can produce the colours in a reproducible manner, and can be supplied to the customer in a user friendly, space effective, cost effective, and convenient manner.

0] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a coating kit for obtaining a pre-selected colour of coating to be applied to a surface, the kit comprising: a container containing a base component of the coating; a cover to fit to the container to define a storage - 3 space in combination with the container; and a group of single dispensers each containing a respective colouring component dispensable by manual pressure thereto; wherein the dispensers are formed whereby the group of dispensers are locatable together in said storage space and whereby a predetermined amount of colouring component can be dispensed from the single dispensers to be mixed with a predetermined amount of said base component to achieve the pre-selected colour of coating.

1] Preferably, the container comprises a generally circular cross section tube closed at one end by a planar base and open at the other end to define a planar opening, and a lid for closing said planar opening, said storage space being provided between the lid and cover.

2] Conveniently, the lid is generally U-shaped to extend into the tube and the cover lies substantially on the plane of said planar opening.

3] In a preferred embodiment, said dispensers comprise sachets.

4] In a particular embodiment, each dispenser includes an exit aperture of predetermined dimension.

5] It is preferred that the colouring components are formulated to substantially retain their shape following dispensing from the dispenser.

6] Consequently, it is possible to accurately dispense a specific amount of colouring component and without any mess.

7] In a particular embodiment, the colouring components have a viscosity in the region of 90 g cm or more.

8] This has been found to be an optimum level of viscosity to enable easy dispensing of the colouring component whilst maintaining the ability to retain shape after dispensing.

9] It is preferred that the colouring components have a - 4 viscosity in the range of 90 to 200 g cm.

0] In a particular embodiment, the base component and colouring component together comprise a two part resin system.

1] Conveniently, five dispensers are provided.

2] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a colour chart for a coating kit capable of providing a range of different colour coating to be applied to a surface, the coating being obtained by mixing together a base component and a colouring component, the colour chart comprising:- first and second planar circular members mounted together for relative rotation about their centres; wherein the first member includes a cut-out; wherein the second member includes one or more sections viewable through the first member cut-out, the or each second member section including one or more colour panels substantially identical to a respective colour in said range; wherein the colour chart includes data comprising the proportions of base component and colouring component required to obtain the colour shown on a respective colour panel.

3] In one embodiment, said data is printed on the colour panel.

4] In another embodiment, said data is printed in a panel printed on the first member adjacent said cut-out.

5] Conveniently, said second member includes a cut-out; and wherein said first member includes one or more sections viewable through the second member cut-out, the or each first member section including one or more colour panels substantially identical to a respective colour in said range.

6] The present invention also encompasses a colour chart as herein above defined in combination with a coating kit as herein above defined. - 5 -

7] An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0028] Figure 1 illustrates a cross section of a container embodying the present invention; [0029] Figure 2 illustrates a partial oblique perspective view of the container in figure 1 without the cover and showing two sachets; [0030] Figure 3 illustrates a sachet dispensing colouring component; [0031] Figure 4A illustrates an outward surface of a first cardboard wheel; [0032] Figure 4B illustrates an outward surface of a second cardboard wheel; [0033] Figure 5A illustrates an inner surface of the first cardboard wheel; [0034] Figure 5B illustrates an inner surface of the second cardboard wheel; [0035] A coating kit for obtaining a pre-selected colour of coating to be applied to a surface will now be described.

6] Referring to figure 1, a first part of the kit comprises a metal open topped container 5, a metal lid 3 and a clear plastics cover 2. The container is made from a circular cross section metal tube 9 which has a joint 8 to a circular metal base 7 around the circumference at one end, the metal tube forming the side wall of the container. The joint can be formed by welding, crimping or other suitable form of joint which provides a liquid and gas tight seal. The opposing end of the metal tube, the upper end, is folded over to form a lip 1 to which the lid 3 can be friction fitted, again providing a liquid and gas tight seal. The cover 2 is formed to provide a friction fit over the outer circumference of the container and lies substantially on the plane defined by that - 6 end of the container. As can be seen from figure 1, the lid 3 has a U-shaped cross section to extend into the container relative to the upper plane thereof thereby defining a storage volume 4 within the container between the lid 3 and the cover 2.

7] Prior to sealing of the container with the lid, a specific volume of a base component 6 is added to the container.

8] A second part of the kit comprises a plurality of dispensers, in this case sachets 10, which are formed to a shape and size such that they can be flat stacked within the storage volume 4. Two sachets 10 are shown by way of example only in figure 2.

9] Referring to figure 3, in the present embodiment, the sachets are formed by folding a thermosealable sheet to produce opposing walls of the sachet and sealing along side edges 11 thereof to produce an open ended oblong shape. A nozzle insert 12 comprising an eye-shaped insert portion is thermally sealed into the open end. The nozzle insert includes a channel 14 there through which meets a hollow tubular element 13 extending therefrom. Thus, an exit aperture 15 for the sachet is defined through which the sachet contents, such as a colouring component or colour tint, can be squeezed by the application of hand pressure to the sheet walls of the sachet. Thus, the colouring component can be dispensed by hand pressure. The tubular element 13 is formed to receive a lid (not shown), either as a push fit or as a screw fit, which closes the exit aperture in a resealable manner. Thus, a resealable sachet is formed which has a generally flattened shape.

0] The lid volume 4 is formed to a size to receive a predetermined plurality of sachets. A group of sachets is selected for location in the lid volume so that each sachet - 7 is filled with a differing colouring component whereby a variety of colours can be produced by the addition of the sachet contents to the base component, either by addition of one colouring component or combinations thereof.

1] In order to have the colour selectable by a user and selectable in a repeatable manner, the relative proportions of base component to colouring component need to be predetermined. Moreover, there must be a significant degree of accuracy in the amount of colouring component used to enable replication of the colour and its particular colour shade.

2] In order to provide the necessary accuracy of dispensing of colouring component from the sachet, the colouring components therein are produced so that they substantially retain their shape after passing through a sachet exit aperture of predetermined dimension as shown in figure 3. In this way, a specific length or bead of colouring component can be squeezed by hand from the sachet so that it has a specific volume for mixing with a predetermined volume or weight of the base component.

3] By having a specific length or bead of colouring component, it is possible to accurately dispense the amount of colouring component for mixing with the base component thereby ensuring that a particular colour and colour shade can be repeatedly produced. Where a combination of more than one colouring component is used to produce a particular colour, the need for accurate dispensing of the colouring component is particularly high. By using the technique of a length of colouring component, this degree of accuracy is obtainable.

4] Moreover, it is a simple matter for a user to use a length of colouring component. The appropriate tool for measuring the length can be a readily available ruler 16, also usable for stirring together the base component and colouring - 8 component, or lines can be pre-printed on a length of cardboard.

5] Colouring components are not produced in a form in which they retain their shape, that is to say, they do not have body. Thus, it has been necessary to add certain additives to available colouring components to give them characteristics of being squeezable from the sachet, that is to say being capable of flowing through the outlet channel, and retaining their shape or body when a bead is squeezed onto a flat surface. Whilst a higher viscosity is preferred to provide enhanced retention of the bead shape, a lower viscosity is preferred to enable simple, quick and effective dispensing and mixing of the colouring component with the base component. On the other hand, it is also important that the colouring component does not drip or run and that the sachet can be easily filled with colouring component. Thus, there are a number of different parameters to consider.

6] After considerable investigation it has been found that additives for available colouring components needed to produce a viscosity of colouring component in the sachet which was at least 90 g cm and preferably in the range 90 to 200 g cm. The viscosity values quoted here have been obtained using a Sheen Gel Strength Tester with a 2x4 cm blade.

7] In a particular embodiment, the base component is part of a cross linkable resin system in which addition of a hardener acts to harden the base component. In this case, it is necessary to consider the effects of the additives to the colouring components to ensure that cross linking of the resin system is still effective on an appropriate time scale.

8] Several companies supply a range of universal tinters for addition to an array of solvent based paint systems. These incorporate a formaldehyde resin. As additives to these colour tinters, it was found that modified Bentonite Clay at levels - 9 - of 2 to 5% by volume were effective to increase the viscosity, as was Fumed silicate at levels of 1 to 5% by volume.

9] In the present embodiment, five sachets of colouring component are provided, red, blue, yellow, white and black.

It will be appreciated that these colours and the number of sachets are described by way of example only. By use of the particular colour tones of colouring component and the width dimensions of the beads, defined by the exit aperture 15 of the sachet, it has been possible to produce a unit system in which beads of colouring component length can be dispensed based on a length of 10 cm, equating to 0.5% of a convenient volume of base component, in this case, 0.5 litres or 830 grams, such that the required colour tones are produced.

0] Referring to figures 4 and 5 there is shown a colour chart in the form of two cardboard circles or wheels A and B having a common radius. The two wheels are laid on top of one another and joined together at the centre thereof by a connector allowing relative rotation about that centre as an axis O of rotation. Thus, each wheel has one outer surface AO and BO shown in figures 4A and 4B and one facing surface AF and BF facing the other wheel as shown in figures 5A and 5B.

1] Each wheel includes an elongate radial cut-out 20A and 20B respectively extending from the circumference thereof towards the axis O. On the outer surface adjacent the cut-out, there is printed thereon a table 21A and 21B showing percentages and the corresponding length of colouring component bead required for that percentage, together with the weight or volume of base component.

2] There are five different predetermined circumferential locations of the facing surface BF of the wheel B. At each circumferential location there are printed three different colours. The five locations are indicated on surface BF by the letters Al, A2, AS and B1, B2, B3 and O1, 02, 03, Pi, P2, P3 - 10 and G1, G2, G3. Each of the letters identifies a different colour. As can be seen, each actual colour is overprinted with the percentages of particular colouring components that need to be added to the base component to obtain the colour printed at that location. Thus, as the wheel A is rotated relative to wheel B. each of the five locations is viewable through the cut-out 20A and each colour can be produced by a combination of the colouring components in the five sachets.

3] In a similar manner, there are five different predetermined circumferential locations of the facing surface AF of the wheel A. At each circumferential location there are printed four different shades of a colour. The five locations are indicated on surface AF by the letters C1, C2, C3, C4 and Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Pi, P2, P3, P4 and K1, K2, K3, K4 and W1, W2, W3, W4. Each of the letters identifies a different shade of a colour. In this case, each shade is not overprinted with the percentages of particular colouring components that need to be added to the base component to obtain the colour shade printed at that location. Instead, as the wheel B is rotated relative to wheel A, each of the five locations is viewable through the cut-out 2OB with the shade lining up with the information in the table 20B.

4] It will be apparent that more or less than five locations can be used and more or less than three or four different colours can be printed at each location.

5] Thus, by use of the colour chart, a user can easily establish the colouring components that need to be added to the base component and the correct amounts thereof by reading off the bead lengths printed adjacent the cut-out.

Consequently, the colour chart provides one source for all the information required to see a colour tone, to select a colour tone, and to mix a colour tone. Unlike prior art systems, it is not necessary to use colour cards and colour codes and complex mixing arrangements. Moreover, since the colour chart is circular, it fits conveniently within the storage volume 4.

6] The present invention provides a coating kit in which a range of colours can be produced from a single kit, the kit being provided in a space effective manner which has a circular cross section and planar upper and lower surfaces.

Accordingly, the container is stackable.

7] It will be apparent that sachets are preferred since they allow compact stacking. However, it is possible to use tubes similar to those in which toothpaste is dispensed although they are more bulky. In addition, dispensing from such tubes is less simple and less accurately controlled.

Syringes can also be used. However, it is not simple to dispense viscous contents from syringes. Although the exit aperture 15 can be enlarged or the viscosity lowered, there is then a risk that the contents may flow out spontaneously.

Moreover, syringes are relatively bulky and lead to a larger overall kit. In this case, the cover could be made as a dome with the lid lying in the plane of the upper end of the container. Although the exit aperture has been shown as a circular cross section, it will be appreciated that other cross sections could be used, for example, square.

8] The present invention provides a kit which does not require large volumes of colouring components thereby avoiding waste and enabling more cost effective production of coloured coatings whilst providing a broad range of colour options.

Moreover, the dispensing of the colouring components is simple and they can be accurately dispensed such that the same colour can be consistently reproduced. Finally, by providing a storage volume within the container as shown in figure 1, space is efficiently utilized giving advantages in transportation and storage costs for the kit.

Claims

9] 1. A coating kit for obtaining a pre-selected colour of coating to be applied to a surface, the kit comprising: a container containing a base component of the coating; a cover to fit to the container to define a storage space in combination with the container) and a group of single dispensers each containing a respective colouring component dispensable by manual pressure thereto; wherein the dispensers are formed whereby the group of dispensers are locatable together in said storage space and whereby a predetermined amount of colouring component can be dispensed from the single dispensers to be mixed with a predetermined amount of said base component to achieve the pre-selected colour of coating.

0]
2. A kit according to claim 1 wherein the container comprises a generally circular cross section tube closed at one end by a planar base and open at the other end to define a planar opening, and a lid for closing said planar opening, said storage space being provided between the lid and cover.

1]
3. A kit according to claim 2 wherein the lid is generally Ushaped to extend into the tube and the cover lies substantially on the plane of said planar opening.

2]
4. A kit according to claim 3 wherein said dispensers comprise sachets.

3]
5. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein each dispenser includes an exit aperture of predetermined dimension.

4]
6. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the colouring components are formulated to substantially retain their shape following dispensing from the dispenser.

5]
7. A kit according to claim 6 wherein the colouring - 13 components have a viscosity in the region of 90 g cm or more.

6]
8. A kit according to claim 7 wherein the colouring components have a viscosity in the range of 90 to 200 g cm.

7]
9. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein the base component and a hardener component together comprise a two part resin system.

8]
10. A kit according to any preceding claim wherein five dispensers are provided.

9]
11. A colour chart for a coating kit capable of providing a range of different colour coating to be applied to a surface, the coating being obtained by mixing together a base component and a colouring component, the colour chart comprising:- first and second planar circular members mounted together for relative rotation about their centres; wherein the first member includes a cut-out) wherein the second member includes one or more sections viewable through the first member cut-out, the or each second member section including one or more colour panels substantially identical to a respective colour in said range; wherein the colour chart includes data comprising the proportions of base component and colouring component required to obtain the colour shown on a respective colour panel.

0]
12. A colour chart according to claim 11 wherein said data is printed on the colour panel.

1]
13. A colour chart according to claim 11 wherein said data is printed in a panel printed on the first member adjacent said cut-out.

2]
14. A colour chart according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said second member includes a cut-out; and wherein said first member includes one or more sections viewable through the second member cut-out, the or each first member section including one or more colour panels - 14 substantially identical to a respective colour in said range.

3]
15. A colour chart according to any one of claims 11 to 14 in combination with a coating kit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

4]
16. A kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5]
17. A colour chart substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.