ITBO20060213A1 - AUTOMATED TINTING MACHINE. - Google Patents

Description

B02006A 0 00 2 1 3 2 8 MAR. 2006

DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention entitled: "Automated tinting machine"

of: DINELLI Massimo, of Italian nationality, Via Landa, 157 - Monte San

Pietro (Bologna), and

FAENZA Alfonso, of Italian nationality, Via G. Garibaldi, 58 - Casalecchio di Reno (Bologna)

Designated inventors: DINELLI Massimo, FAENZA Alfonso

filed on: March 28, 2006

* * *

The present invention refers to the sector of machines for

treatment of fluid products. The invention was developed with particular

regarding a machine for measuring and dispensing fluid products,

in particular fluid components of finished products such as varnishes, paints, in O or <«> 3⁄4 cloisters, enamels, dyes for the textile industry and the like, but also of products or H

intermediates, such as, for example, dyes, pigment concentrates, concentrates of dyes, pigment pastes, and the like.

o To obtain the finished products exemplified above, it is known to add to m which a basic fluid product, for example of white or transparent color, one or

more fluid coloring products in predetermined proportions according to specific formulations. The known machines used in the sector indicated above

they dispense known quantities of dyes in containers, containers,

cans or cans of predetermined capacity, within which the basic fluid products are placed in advance.

Bases are usually stored in containers closed by a

lid which, at the desired moment, are placed on a stool

-?

support of the dispensing machine, under the dispensing nozzles, after

having been uncovered. By doing this manually, you run

the risk of spilling part of the contents of the container both before and after

dye dispensing operations. Moreover, the manual opening and closing operations of a container involve a considerable loss of

time.

Another drawback of known devices is that

to obtain a finished product it is necessary to have in-depth knowledge

of the products used, both basic and dyes, to avoid combining

incompatible products and / or to obtain an undesired result. It is therefore necessary to choose a basic product which, for example, is suitable

the surface to which you intend to apply it, and / or know the type of dye

able to obtain, with that basic product, the desired color on said or u <3⁄4 surface. Such knowledge is generally relegated to the user or to a or H.

<expert also able to operate the machine and manage the container. The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems associated with machines of the known type, by providing an automated tinting machine as defined in the following claims.

One of the main purposes of the present invention is to obtain a finished product, and in particular paints, paints, inks, enamels,

dyes for the textile industry and the like, starting from a basic product contained in a hermetically sealed container, adding one or more fluid coloring products in predetermined proportions and according to formulations

specifications, without any operator and / or user coming into contact with anyone

of the components used to obtain the finished product.

Another object of the present invention is to allow the use of any type and brand of products making up the finished product,

contained in any type of container, of any shape and size, provided that the latter includes means for identifying its contents. At the same time, another object of the present invention is

that of providing a system capable of guaranteeing absolute compatibility between the

basic components selected by the user and the fluid coloring products used in the automated tinting machine of the present invention.

One of the main advantages of the present invention is the

fact that any end user is able to obtain such a finished product

varnishes, paints, inks, enamels, dyes for the textile industry and the like, in

quickly, easily, without any effort and by deciding in complete autonomy the type of finished product from a wide range of products obtainable.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the

automated tinting machine can be installed directly in the

points of sale and / or in large-scale distribution without the need for a specialized operator to help the end user to obtain the desired finished product.

RO <P> V <IS> O <T> O <C> OV <I> NA & Further characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the

annexed figures, given purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of the tinting machine

of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional front view of the tinting machine of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional top view of the tinting machine of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the perforating means of a container according to the present invention; And

Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of the closing means

of the container according to the present invention.

With reference now to the figures, an automated tinting machine according to the present invention comprises a main frame 1, of

substantially square shape, elongated in a vertical direction.

The frame comprises support elements, such as for example feet, to ensure its stability on the ground or, alternatively, wheels 10, to allow

movement of the machine freely within the environments in which it is located

installed. o u <3⁄4 The main frame 1 defines a space inside which o <: contains most of the devices that make up the present in z o C / 3 vention. Support means are arranged inside the main frame 1

or and handling of a container 5 of fluid products, in particular of DS of basic products, for example of white or transparent color. The support and movement means comprise, for example, but not limited to, a support plate 20, of substantially circular shape, connected

movable to the main frame 1. The support plate 20 is connected to first actuating devices 12, for example, but not limited to, an electric motor, or pneumatic and / or hydraulic means, which allow, in use, its

displacement along a direction perpendicular to the ground. The plate

support 20 is also connected to second actuating devices 14, parts

colarly suitable, in use, to move the plate 20, more preferably to rotate the support plate 20 about its main axis in such a way as to

moving a peripheral portion thereof, along a substantially circular path, as will become clearer in the following. The support plate 20, moreover, can comprise centering means, for example, but not limited to, centering templates 22 which facilitate the positioning of the

container 5 on the plate itself, allow the container to be centered on said plate

circular path, and, at the same time, they help to keep the container on the support plate 20 stable and stationary in its position, avoiding dangerous and harmful displacements of the container 5 following the rotary movement of the support plate 20. The plate 20 can understand more

centering templates 22, of different sizes and shapes capable of accommodating containers of different shapes and sizes, the templates 22 being distributed or used spaced on the surface of the support plate 20 or arranged concentric or H

in several positions of the plate, so that the support plate 20 can hold or seize several containers at the same time. >

> o An upper opening 16 is obtained on the main frame, arranged at f CL, facing the support plate 20, in such a way that in use it is possible to place on the support plate 20, inside the centering templates 22, a

multiple containers containing basic fluid products. Preferably, the opening

16 can be selectively closed by means of closing means, such as, for example,

but not limited to, doors or counters.

Inside the main frame there are also means for measuring and dispensing fluid products, in particular for one or more products

coloring fluids in predetermined proportions and according to specific formulations

chips. The measuring and dispensing means can be of a known type and

therefore their characteristics will not be described in detail here

techniques are understood to be incorporated by reference in the present description.

The metering means comprises one or more dispensing valves 30 di

fluid components, preferably, but not limited to, arranged in an ima

predetermined position C along said substantially circular path,

each of which can be selectively activated to deliver, in use, a predetermined quantity of product. The means of measuring and dispensing

they also include measuring devices engaged to each of the

dispensing valves, to measure, in use, a volume or quantity of

fluid dispensed.

The measuring and dispensing means are connected to tanks of

fluid products 32, in particular of one or more fluid coloring products. The tanks are preferably also arranged inside the main frame

1, in a position easily accessible from the outside in such a way as to allow it to be filled and / or removed and / or replaced. Alternatively, the reservoirs may be disposed outside the main frame, or co at, however in a remote position.

Inside the main frame there are also means for perforating the container 5, and in particular the lid of the container. THE

perforation means are arranged in a position B along said path

substantially circular and allow the lid to be completely perforated or only partially perforated, in both cases creating an opening for the subsequent insertion of the dispensing nozzles. As illustrated

in figure 4, the perforation means comprise a cutting element, ad

for example, but not limited to, a circular blade 50 whose surfaces of

cutting 52 are inclined towards the inside, means for moving the

blade, for example, a rack rod 54, and a tensioning element

of the lid, for example a circular jacket 56 movably connected to the rod

rack, able to keep the surface of the lid under tension e

therefore facilitate the operations of perforating the lid. In use, the auction

rack 54 lowers the blade 50 until the cutting surfaces 52

they have not penetrated inside the container 5, as illustrated with lines

dashed in figure 4.

Inside the main frame 1 there are also means for closing the opening made by the perforation means. The means of closure,

arranged in a position D along the substantially circular path, are

able to apply and fix, in use, in correspondence with the opening created by the drilling means, a closing element, for example a or H

<cap or adhesive label or cap or any other element capable of ensuring the sealing of said opening. According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the closing means comprise a reservoir of closing elements 60, a vertically movable applicator piston 62, and an arm for moving the closing elements 64.

towards the applicator piston 62.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the

present invention, the automated tinting machine comprises

moreover, means for mixing the product contained inside the container 5 before and / or after the addition of one or more fluid coloring products to the basic fluid product. According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures,

inside the main frame, in the lower portion of the tinting machine, mixing means are arranged, for example, but not limited to, shakers, mixers, of the gyroscopic, vibrational, orbital type or any other known type device capable of mixing and homogenize the

contents of the container. Again, the mixing means of

known type will not be described in detail here, but their characteristics

techniques are understood to be incorporated by reference in the present description.

Handling means fixed to the main frame allow the container 5 to be moved from the support plate 20 towards the mixing means, both before the step of perforation and dispensing of the dyes, and, and

mainly, after the closing means have sealed the opening obtained on the lid of the container.

On the main frame there is also a lower opening 36 disposed in the lower portion of the machine and in correspondence with the means of o H

mixing, comprising closing means, for example doors and / or z or doors, which can be selectively opened to allow the container 5 to be removed and released from the tinting machine. g cu The automated tinting machine of the present invention

further comprises means for acquiring information of the container,

preferably an optical reading system, for example a code reader a

bar or matrix codes, or a radio frequency reading system, eg

example an RFID system with transponder. Information must be

associated with the container and include data regarding the product therein

content, such as type, quality and quantity and / or other information useful for the creation of a finished product.

A control and processing system is connected to the measuring and dispensing means, to the actuating devices of the container 5 and to the means

acquisition of information, and preferably comprises at least one

electronic card and data storage devices. The control and processing system is also connected to user interface means, such as

for example a screen 40 and / or a keyboard, acoustic and / or visual indicators,

an electronic card and / or banknote reader, to allow the user to

interact with the tinting machine in choosing the final product.

In use, a container 5 of fluid products, in particular products of

base, for example white or transparent, is placed inside

a centering template obtained on the support plate 20, which is located

in its starting position A. Usually identification labels

of the container are arranged on its lateral surface, therefore it may be necessary for the user to position the container 5 in such a way that the o H

the bar code is arranged facing a respective optical reader. Alternate 3⁄4

OR

C / 3 t or in addition, if the bar code is positioned on the lid or on the bottom of the container, the machine can comprise acquisition means connected to the main frame 1 and arranged above or below the support plate 20. Once the container 5 has been placed in the

correct position on the centering template, the doors of the upper opening of

input 16 are closed, and a signal is sent to the control means and

processing which activate the information acquisition means to read all the information about the container.

If the control system does not receive the information about the container or

if the information received indicates that the product contained in the content

re is not compatible with the fluid coloring products available to the tinting machine, the control system notifies the user of this problem through the screen, activates the handling means, moves the container to the lower portion of the machine, opens the lower opening of

exit and invites the user to remove the container 5.

If the control system correctly receives the data contained on the barcode or if such data, in particular the type of product contained in it and

the quantity, indicate that the product contained in the container is compatible

with the fluid coloring products available to the tinting machine, then, on the basis of these first data, the control system determines the weight

and the height of the container. Then, it operates the first 12 actuating devices

for adjusting the height of the support plate 20 so that it is arranged at a predetermined height with respect to the perforation means, the dispensing means or the means for closing the container. or H

<The data acquired from the bar code are then sent to the 40 z or C / 3 screen so that the user can check if the container inserted corresponds to the>> or container that he actually wanted to insert inside the tin Pi cu tometric machine. If the user decides to confirm the choice of the container made, for example by means of a keyboard or the screen itself, the control and processing system begins to process the possible coloring fluid products.

compatible with the basic product contained in the container and their respective

predetermined proportions and / or specific formulations that allow

get a finished product. The results of this processing are then sent to the interface means, for example to the screen, in such a way as to allow the user to choose a predetermined finished product. Once ef

once this choice has been made, the processing system sends a series to the screen

of data that summarize, for example, the type of product chosen, its quantity, color and, preferably, the total cost of the finished product. If the user

accepts what is proposed, the tinting machine can request a direct payment, for example by means of a payment card, credit card,

debit card or prepaid card, or cash, or, alternatively, print

a label to be applied on the container and containing all the aforementioned information, for example by means of an additional bar code, so as to allow indirect payment at a cash desk at the point of sale.

Once this last phase has been completed, the tinting machine begins the process of processing the fluid product. The support plate 20

is rotated so that the centering template 22, and therefore the container 5, yes

moves along the substantially circular path to a position B or u <3⁄4 in correspondence with the drilling means. The cutting blade 50 is lower or H.

until a predetermined or C / 3 portion of the container 5 is completely or partially perforated, and then it is raised to the initial position.

Once the lid has been perforated, the support plate 20 is again rotated and the container 5 is moved along the substantially circular path up to the position C in correspondence with the dispensing means. The dispensing nozzles 30, therefore, dispense one or more fluid coloring products inside the container 5 through the cover on the lid.

in predetermined proportions and according to specific formulations stored within the storage means of the control and processing system.

After dispensing, the support plate 20 is rotated again

and the container 5 is moved along the substantially circular path until the position D in correspondence with the closing means of the opening made by the perforation means, where a closing element, such as

for example a cap or an adhesive label, close the opening in such a way

to hermetically seal the container 5.

At this point, the handling means move the container

5 on the mixing means which activate a predetermined mixing cycle based on the type of products contained within the container.

At the end of the mixing cycle, an acoustic and / or visual signal is emitted

to signal to the user that the tinting machine has completed its processing cycle and that the container is sealed and containing the finished product

it can be withdrawn through the lower outlet opening.

Within the procedure described above it is naturally possible either to think of modifying the succession of some of the steps described. For example or H.

Therefore, the label containing the data of the finished product and the cost can be either printed and applied to the container in a final phase before returning the

or container to the user. Similarly, the payment stage can be placed pieced during the manufacturing process or at the end of it.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1. Automated tinting machine for measuring and dispensing fluid coloring products according to specific product formulations finished products, of the type comprising means for storing said formulations, means for dispensing (32) of said fluid coloring products according to said formulations to make a finished product, means for supporting and moving (20) a container (5) of fluid products of based internally of the tinting machine, characterized in that it also includes perforation means (50, 54, 56) for making, in use, an opening on said container (5) through which the dispensing means dispense the fluid coloring products inside the container (5), and closing means (60, 62, 64) to close, in use, said opening after the dispensing means have dispensed the fluid coloring products inside the container (5). = 3⁄4 or H 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that zg further comprises means for acquiring information on the product contained in the container (5), said information being stored in storage means 0 ai associated with the container (5). 3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that includes a control and processing system, said system processing, during use, the information on the product contained in the container (5) and the specific memorized formulations, to select and control the dispensing of one or more of said fluid coloring products inside the container (5). 4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that comprises writing means for writing, in use, on storage means connection, associated and / or associable, to the container (5) information regarding the final product. 5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that i information storage means include barcodes. 6. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that i support and movement means comprise a support plate (20) connected to first and second actuating devices (12, 14) to allow, in use, the movement of said support plate (20) inside of the tinting machine. 7. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for mixing the product contained within the container (5). 8. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the or u <3⁄4 perforation means comprise a cutting blade (50) and elements of o H <tensioning (56) of the lid of the container (5) to facilitate use the § c n its perforation. o 9. Procedure for measuring and dispensing liquid products with cu dyes according to specific formulations of finished products by means of a automated tinting machine as defined in claim 1, comprising the steps of providing a container (5) containing a basic fluid product, said container (5) being associated with means for storing information on said basic product, automatically acquiring said basic information and transmitting it to a control system and processing, acquiring information on a predetermined finished product, select coloring fluid products to add to the base fluid product to obtain said finished product, pierce said container (5) creating an opening, dispense said fluid coloring products into the container (5) through said opening, close said opening, and write information about the finished product on information storage means and associating said storage means to the container (5). 10. Process according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a mixing and / or homogenizing step of the. products contained within the container (5). By appointment: the Agent