JP3398335B2 - User toning system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a colored paint user who, under the cooperation of a manufacturer, provides predetermined conditions.
The present invention relates to a user color-matching system capable of easily performing accurate color-matching of a base paint by using a color-matching pigment liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since a colored paint user selects and uses a colored paint having an extremely wide variety of colors, it is impossible to keep all of them on the user side. For this reason, conventionally, each time a user uses a colored paint, he or she generally specifies a colored paint of a desired color based on a color sample, and orders the colored paint manufacturer. A pigment stock solution was mixed under a specific formulation to produce a colored paint, which was delivered to users.

However, in such a color coating material procurement system, it takes a minimum of 24 hours from the ordering to the completion of the delivery because it takes a predetermined time for the user's and the manufacturer's office work / order receiving office work and delivery. Is the reality. Therefore, during this period, the user was forced to wait unnecessarily.

From this point of view, in recent years, a user has always provided a base paint, a pigment stock solution of various colors, and a color-adjusting device (measuring machine, mixing stirrer, etc.) in his or her own store, and the user can freely and quickly color the paint. Manufacturing (base paint toning)
The demand has come to come out.

[0005]

However, under the present circumstances, in order to perform such color matching on the user side, there are the following three problems a) to c).

A) Since the user side does not have a skilled worker for color matching, even if the manufacturer provides a color sample or teaches the tips of the color matching, it is possible to make an accurate judgment based on the judgment of the correct color condition. It was difficult to adjust the colors by themselves.

B) In order to achieve the desired color of the base paint, a precise mixed formulation should be carried out (especially, a small amount of the pigment stock solution should be accurately and accurately measured in a minute measuring unit such as "7.15 mL"). Stable weighing and mixing are required. For that purpose, an expensive and highly accurate color matching device and a skilled color matching operator who operates the weighing process accurately are required. Can not expect the equipment and workers of.

[0008] Some paint manufacturers have attempted to provide a pigment stock solution in which the pigment concentration is intentionally lowered to about 10 times so as to alleviate the difficulty of accurate measurement and mixing operation by the user. In this case, a large amount of a pigment stock solution having a solvent composition which is not necessarily compatible with base paints having various solvent compositions is mixed with the base paint, and there is a risk of sacrificing paint performance.

C) Even if the above problems a) and b) are solved, for example, when a predetermined amount of pigment liquid is mixed with a predetermined weight of base paint, the volume expansion of the pigment liquid due to environmental factors or Since the amount of pigment liquid to be used is different as the volume is reduced, a known mixing ratio causes a toning error, which cannot be corrected by the user's technique.

Therefore, the present invention provides a toning system on the user side which solves the above-mentioned problems and enables the user to perform simple and accurate toning, and also avoids deterioration of paint performance due to toning. This is a problem to be solved.

[0011]

[Points of Interest] The inventor of the present application has reached the following various points and completed the present invention.

A) By providing a database as a digitized toning database, by completely making a database of the procedure of the toning work, which has been performed on the maker side mainly based on the experience of skilled workers, etc. A) above
The problem of can be solved.

(B) A relatively simple and inexpensive color matching device is installed by the user, and regarding insufficient measurement accuracy and lack of skill in operating the device, rough color adjustment using a pigment liquid having a high pigment concentration is performed. The problem of b) above can be solved by adopting a color-matching method in which the fine-color-matching method is used together with the fine color adjustment with a pigment liquid having a low pigment concentration.

C) By utilizing the data accumulated abundantly by the manufacturer, the database is corrected at any time by a correction formula that takes into account the change in the specific gravity of the pigment liquid due to environmental factors, and this is provided to the user at any time, and thus the above c) is obtained. The problem of can be solved.

[0015]

(Structure of the First Invention) The structure of the first invention of the present application (the invention according to claim 1) for solving the above-mentioned problems is the following (1) )
Under the conditions (3) to (3), it is a user color matching system that performs color matching of the base paint by itself using the color matching pigment liquid. (1) The user is provided with a toning device capable of weighing and mixing for toning. (2) The manufacturer of the colored paint provides the user with the base paint and the pigment liquid for toning having a necessary color. (3) The manufacturer of the colored paint has instructed the user about the reference amount of the base paint at the time of toning and the amount of the pigment liquid for toning of one or more colors to be mixed with the reference amount. Present the user's toning database in any form.

(Structure of the Second Invention) The structure of the second invention of the present application (the invention according to claim 2) for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows.
The toning device according to the first aspect of the present invention stores means for measuring the toning pigment liquid of one kind or two or more kinds of colors in volume units, and the base paint of the reference weight of the measured toning pigment liquid. It is a user toning system having means for mixing in the paint container and means for stirring and evenly mixing the contents of the paint container.

(Structure of the Third Invention) The structure of the third invention of the present application (the invention according to claim 3) for solving the above problems is as follows.
The color matching device according to the second invention uses a paint can that can be shipped or used as it is as a paint container, and closes the paint can after mixing the color-adjusting pigment liquid. It is a user toning system that stirs and mixes the contents of the paint container by applying motion.

(Structure of Fourth Invention) The structure of a fourth invention of the present application (an invention according to claim 4) for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows.
The pigment liquid for toning according to the first invention to the third invention comprises a pigment liquid for coarse toning having a high pigment concentration and a pigment liquid for fine toning having a low pigment concentration for each arbitrary color. It is a user toning system provided to users as a set.

(Structure of the Fifth Invention) The structure of the fifth invention of the present application (the invention according to claim 5) for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows.
At least HEC (hydroxyethyl cellulose) as a thickener, wherein the pigment liquid for fine toning according to the fourth aspect of the present invention and the pigment liquid for coarse toning when the pigment concentration is lower than that of the pigment stock solution , A polycarboxylic acid salt, or xanthan gum, and a user-prepared product prepared by diluting a pigment stock solution with a colorless transparent pigment-diluting composition liquid containing alkylene glycol as a drying inhibitor as a component. It is a color system.

(Structure of Sixth Invention) The structure of a sixth invention of the present application (an invention according to claim 6) for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows.
In the case where the toning pigment liquid set according to any one of the fourth invention or the fifth invention is provided to the user, mixing of the toning pigment liquids of one or more colors in the user toning database Fine adjustment color data with the amount data of the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment, which is indicated by a large measurement unit in weight units or volume units, and the measurement unit scaled up by the dilution ratio in weight units or volume units. And the amount of mixture of the pigment liquid for use, and according to these data, the toning of the base paint by the toning device is performed by rough toning by the pigment liquid for coarse toning and fine toning by the pigment liquid for fine toning. , User toning system.

(Structure of Seventh Invention) The structure of a seventh invention of the present application (an invention according to claim 7) for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows.
The user toning system, wherein the user toning database according to any one of the first to sixth inventions is presented to the user online or in a state integrated with a color sample. Is.

(Structure of Eighth Invention) The structure of an eighth invention of the present application (an invention according to claim 8) for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows.
The reference amount of the base coating material in the user's toning database according to any one of the first to seventh inventions is indicated by a weight unit, and the mixed amount of the pigment liquid or the rough adjustment constituting the toning pigment liquid set. When the mixing amount of the color pigment liquid and the fine-tuning pigment liquid is indicated by volume unit, the correction amount considering the change in specific gravity due to the environmental factors of the pigment liquid is used to correct the mixing amount data of various pigment liquids as needed. It is a user color matching system presented in.

[0023]

(Operations and effects of the invention) (Operations and effects of the first invention) In the first invention, as long as high accuracy is not required even if it is a color matching device capable of weighing and mixing for color matching. It's relatively cheap, and it's not difficult for users to buy or borrow.

When a base paint and a set of pigment liquids for toning the necessary colors are provided by the manufacturer of the colored paint, the user's toning database, which is a database of the procedure of the toning work, is used for toning. The standard amount of the base paint and the mixed amount of the pigment liquid for toning of one kind or two or more colors to this are instructed, so that the user can use the base paint and the pigment liquid for toning as instructed. Only need to mix, even if you can not judge the color condition at the time of toning,
Does not hinder the toning.

(Operation and Effect of Second Invention) The second invention provides an advantageous embodiment of the color matching device according to the first invention. That is, the toning device according to the second aspect of the present invention can be procured at a particularly low cost because it is sufficient if the device for measuring the toning pigment liquid, the device for mixing it into the paint container, and the device for stirring and mixing the paint container are sufficient. In addition, since the color-adjusting pigment liquid is measured on a volume basis, a quick color-adjusting operation is possible.

(Operation and effect of the third invention) In the third invention, the above-mentioned color-adjusting device uses a paint can that can be shipped or used as it is as a paint container, which is convenient for the user, and the paint can can be closed. Since the contents are agitated and mixed by applying a necessary movement to the paint can itself by closing the lid, the workability of agitating and mixing is extremely good.

(Operation and effect of the fourth invention) In the fourth invention, the pigment liquid for toning is, for each arbitrary color, a pigment liquid for coarse toning having a high pigment concentration and a pigment for fine toning having a low pigment concentration. It consists of liquid. Therefore, when the base paint is toned, a small amount of the pigment liquid for rough toning is used for rough toning of the base paint, and a small amount of the pigment liquid for fine toning causes the fine toning of the base paint within the range of the rough toning. Therefore, even if a toning device that does not have too high weighing accuracy is used and there is no skilled worker in the operation, the error of the mixed amount of the pigment as a whole can be suppressed to a very small level, so that a sufficiently accurate adjustment is possible. Color is made. Moreover, since the amount of the pigment liquid mixed does not increase so much,
It is also possible to avoid deterioration of paint performance due to the mixing of a large amount of pigment liquid.

(Operation and Effect of Fifth Invention) The pigment diluting composition liquid of the fifth invention was developed in consideration of good dispersibility of the pigment and compatibility with various base coating compositions. HEC mainly for thickening and preventing sedimentation of pigments
(Hydroxyethyl cellulose), polycarboxylic acid salt,
It is a mixture of a thickener component made of any one or more kinds of xanthan gum and an alkylene glycol component mainly for the purpose of preventing dryness.

By blending such components, it is possible to obtain a diluting composition liquid which has the least adverse effect on the coating performance on average for base pigments having various solvent compositions. That is, for base pigments having various solvent compositions,
It has the effects of preventing sedimentation and solidification of pigments, has little effect on toning, does not agglomerate pigments during storage, has little difference in color development due to differences in coating equipment and coating method when coating paint, etc. Due to the effect, the deterioration of the paint performance can be more significantly avoided.

(Operation / Effect of Sixth Invention) In the sixth invention, it is assumed that the toning pigment liquid set according to the fourth invention or the fifth invention is provided to the user. The mixing amount data of these pigment liquids is shown by a predetermined measuring unit in weight unit or volume unit, and the user measures the pigment liquid for coarse toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning according to the mixing amount data and mixes them with the base paint. Since it is only necessary to do so, it is possible for the user to perform accurate toning of the base paint extremely easily.

More specifically, the procedure for adjusting the color is as follows.
By using a small amount in a large measuring unit such as 0 mL "or" 7.0 mL ", rough toning of the base paint (toning for adjusting the color tone in general) is performed. That is, for example, "7.15 mL"
Accurate weighing of pigment liquid for rough toning is possible even when high-precision toning equipment and skilled workers are lacking, as there is no need for weighing and mixing in minute measuring units below the decimal point. , Mixing can be done.

On the other hand, the fine color adjustment (fine color adjustment) is performed by using the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment having a low pigment concentration in a unit of measurement scaled up by the dilution ratio. At that time, if high-precision color matching equipment and skilled workers are lacking, it is still difficult to avoid a certain measurement error, but in this case, as a result of the following reasons, extremely accurate color matching results. Secured.

Since accurate rough toning is a fine toning performed with a low pigment concentration liquid within a prescribed range, a toning error due to the measurement error causes a toning error of the pigment stock solution itself as in the prior art. Much less than misalignment.

Moreover, since the measuring unit of the low pigment concentration liquid itself is scaled up by the amount of the dilution ratio, it is more accurate than the prior art, even when high-precision toning equipment and skilled workers are lacking. You can expect various measurements.

Since fine color adjustment is performed within the range of coarse color adjustment by the coarse color adjustment pigment liquid (small amount), a small amount of fine color adjustment pigment liquid can be used. Liquid +
The mixing amount of the fine-tuning pigment liquid) is small. In addition, the fine-toning pigment liquid is prepared using the above-described pigment-diluting composition liquid. Therefore, the deterioration of the performance of the paint and the deviation from the design performance range due to the mixing of the pigment liquid are reduced to a substantially negligible level.

The above effect will be described in more detail with reference to a concrete example. In the case where high-precision toning equipment and skilled workers are lacking, for example, “7.15 mL” is accurately applied to the base paint.
When it is desired to measure and mix a pigment solution equivalent to the pigment stock solution, and try to measure the pigment stock solution as it is, an error becomes large, and the color adjustment is considerably inaccurate.

On the other hand, the pigment concentration is originally 1/1 as described above.
When the commercially available pigment stock solution reduced to 0 is used, the usage amount becomes “71.5 mL”, and the measuring unit is scaled up by one digit, so that the measuring accuracy is improved to that extent. However, the performance deterioration of the base paint due to the mixture of a large amount of pigment stock solution cannot be avoided.

However, according to the present invention, for example, when the pigment concentration ratio of the pigment liquid for coarse toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning is 40: 1, the pigment liquid for coarse toning is "7.0 mL", and It suffices to measure "0.15 x 40 = 6.0 mL" of the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment. That is, since both pigment liquids need only be measured in units of 1 mL, the measurement accuracy is significantly improved. Moreover, the total amount of both pigment liquids mixed is only 13 mL, and since the pigment-diluting composition liquid according to the first aspect of the invention is used, the performance of the base coating material is practically not deteriorated.

(Operation and Effect of Seventh Invention) In the seventh invention, the user can use the toning database very conveniently.

That is, when the user's toning database is presented to the user online, the user can always use the toning database in real time, and save the labor and space for storing the toning database on the user side. I don't need it.

Further, when the user's toning database is presented to the user in a state of being integrated with the color sample, it is possible to use the toning database based on the color sample very easily and quickly. .

(Operation / Effect of Eighth Invention) A toning embodiment in which the reference amount of the base paint which is large in quantity is handled in weight units, and the mixing amount of the pigment liquid which is small in quantity is handled in volume units. Is an embodiment that is generally the most advantageous in terms of work speed, simplification of the apparatus, and the like when performing automatic color matching using a color matching device.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, with respect to such an advantageous color matching embodiment, the color matching error associated with the volume expansion or volume reduction of the pigment liquid due to environmental factors is corrected by the manufacturer in the color matching database. Just follow the values,
It has the advantage that it can be corrected easily and accurately. .

Regarding correction of such toning data, even if the correction value can be calculated by the user, the vast amount of basic data that is the basis for calculating the correction value must be collected by the manufacturer. / It is difficult to manage, and in order for the user to perform accurate / easy toning without compromising the toning that involves the calculation and correction of the correction value, the correction value of the toning data must be specified by the manufacturer. The most rational method is to present it to the user at any time.

[0045]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the first to eighth inventions of the present application will be described. Hereinafter, when simply referred to as the “present invention”, the first to eighth inventions are collectively referred to.

[User Color Matching System] The user color matching system according to the present invention is a system in which a user of a colored paint having predetermined conditions adjusts the color of the base paint by himself using the pigment liquid for color matching. .

As the above conditions, (1) the user:
(2) A manufacturer of a colored coating material provides a user with a base coating material and the pigment liquid for the above-mentioned color matching, which is provided with a color matching device capable of at least weighing and mixing for color matching. (3) For the user who has instructed the color paint manufacturer about the reference amount of the base paint at the time of toning and the mixing amount of the toning pigment liquid of one or more colors to this There are three points of presenting the toning database in an arbitrary form.

The "user" is not limited to a person who performs painting work by himself or herself using a colored paint, and such a painter is the ultimate consumer and only sells or supplies the colored paint. Including those who are.

[Pigment Diluting Composition Liquid] The composition of the pigment diluting composition liquid is not limited as long as it has little adverse effect on the base paint. However, particularly preferably, at least one or more of HEC, polycarboxylic acid salt, and xanthan gum (xanthan gum) as a thickener,
A pigment-diluting composition liquid containing alkylene glycol as a dry inhibitor as a component. As a result, the above-mentioned excellent action and effect can be obtained. The composition ratio of these components is not particularly limited.

As a thickener, HEC is particularly preferable because of its cost and versatility in comparison with raw materials used in other products. CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose)
And MC (methyl cellulose) may cause difficulty in water resistance and color development of the paint, and polyethylene oxide may have a tendency to cause pigment precipitation due to poor anti-precipitation effect. Bentonite may cause the thixotropy, which is one of the viscosities, to appear too strongly.

Further, EG (ethylene glycol) is particularly preferable as the alkylene glycol which is the anti-drying agent (solvent), but propylene glycol and the like can also be used. E
G can also be expected to have an excellent antifreezing effect. Regarding other solvents, monoalcohol has a weak anti-drying effect and has a problem of odor. With glycol ether, besides the problem of odor,
The film-forming property of the coating film may be affected.

The pigment-diluting composition liquid may contain other optional components, such as preservatives and mildew-proofing agents, as long as the purpose of use is not impaired.

The pigment-diluting composition liquid is a colorless and transparent composition liquid. However, it does not have to be completely colorless and transparent, and may be colored or opaque to such a degree that it can be substantially ignored when it is used as a diluting solution of the pigment stock solution for toning the base paint.

[Toning Pigment Liquid Set] The toning pigment liquid set is composed of a pigment liquid for coarse toning with a high pigment concentration and a pigment liquid for fine toning with a low pigment concentration, which are used together for toning the base paint. Become.

The term "combination" as used herein means that it is sufficient if the pigment liquid for coarse toning with a high pigment concentration and the pigment liquid for fine toning with a low pigment concentration are used together during the base coating toning, Further, it is not necessary that these and the base paint are treated as a set at the time of manufacture, sale or storage.

[Coarse Toning Pigment Liquid and Fine Toning Pigment Liquid] The coarse toning pigment liquid is a relatively low magnification (for example, about 2 to 3 times) with the pigment stock solution or the pigment diluting composition liquid. It is a pigment liquid having a relatively high pigment concentration diluted to. The fine color-adjusting pigment liquid is a pigment liquid having a relatively low pigment concentration, which is obtained by diluting the pigment stock solution with the pigment-diluting composition liquid of the first invention at a relatively high magnification of about several tens of times.

The relative pigment concentration ratio of the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning is basically not limited, but is 5: 1 to 1: 1.
The range of 50: 1 is preferable from the viewpoint of achieving both accurate toning of the base paint and maintenance of paint performance.

Although there is no limitation on the absolute pigment concentrations of the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning based on the pigment stock solution, the pigment solution for rough toning is usually referred to as the pigment stock solution. The pigment concentration is the same or a fraction thereof diluted with the pigment-diluting composition liquid, and the fine-toning pigment liquid is 5 to 50 times more than the coarse-toning pigment liquid with the pigment-diluting composition liquid. It is preferably diluted to 1.

[Pigment toning method] The rough toning of the base paint using the pigment liquid for rough toning with a high pigment concentration and the fine toning of the base paint using the pigment liquid for fine toning with a low pigment concentration are It may be carried out sequentially in that order, may be carried out in reverse order, or may be carried out at the same time (the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning are simultaneously mixed with the base paint. Alternatively, both pigment liquids may be measured and then mixed, and then mixed with the base paint).

This is because the effect of accurately measuring the amount of the pigment mixed in the base paint is ensured by measuring the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning, respectively. Therefore, in any of the above cases,
This is because the effect of resolving the difficulty of accurate toning due to only the high pigment concentration liquid such as the pigment stock liquid without increasing the amount of the pigment liquid mixed in the base paint is secured equally.

In carrying out the toning, the measurement of the pigment liquid for coarse toning and / or the pigment liquid for fine toning is generally based on volume-based measurement (measurement of pigment liquid by volume scale).
Although it is excellent in terms of working speed and the like, it may be based on weight-based weighing (weighing of pigment liquid by weight).

[User Color Matching Database] The user color matching database contains at least the reference amount data of the base paint for each target color of the color matching, and one type (single color coloring for the base paint of this reference amount). Case) or two or more kinds (in the case of coloring with a composite color of two or more colors) of color mixture pigment amount mixture data.

Any data other than the above may be added to the database. The target color of the toning may be indicated for each unit data group of the toning, for example, by a corresponding number to the color sample, or may be shown by the user by other arbitrary means. .

The reference amount data of the base coating material and the mixing amount data of the color-adjusting pigment liquid are arbitrarily indicated in a weight unit or a volume unit corresponding to the measuring method in the color-adjusting device provided by the user.

In the case where the color-adjusting pigment liquid set according to any one of the fourth invention and the fifth invention is provided to the user, one or two in the user's color-adjusting database.
Mixing amount data of the pigment liquid for toning of more than one color, the mixing amount data of the pigment liquid for rough toning indicated by a large measuring unit in weight unit or volume unit, and dilution ratio in weight unit or volume unit. It is particularly preferable that it comprises the mixing amount data of the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment, which is represented by a measuring unit scaled up.

In these cases, according to such data, the base coating material is toned by the toning device by rough toning with the pigment liquid for coarse toning and fine toning with the pigment liquid for fine toning.

[Data on Mixing Amount of Pigment Liquid in Database] Toning of the base paint is carried out for a pigment liquid for toning of an arbitrary color by using a pigment liquid having a single pigment concentration There is a case where a pigment liquid for pigment and a pigment liquid for fine color adjustment having a low pigment concentration are used.

Correspondingly, for the pigment liquid mixing amount data in the database, for the pigment liquid for toning of any one kind or two or more kinds of colors, the mixture of the pigment liquids for toning having only one pigment concentration is simply mixed. There is a case where it is presented as the amount data, and a case where the two kinds of mixture amount data of the pigment liquid for coarse toning with a high pigment concentration and the pigment liquid for fine toning with a low pigment concentration are presented. When the base paint is colored with a composite color of two or more colors, the above-described one or two kinds of mixed amount data of the pigment liquids are presented for the toning pigment liquids of two or more colors.

[Method of Presenting Database] The method of presenting the user's toning database is not limited, but one of the most effective presenting methods is a method of presenting to the user online for a fee or for free. Here, "online" includes so-called Internet or electronic mail presentation, presentation by facsimile communication, 24-hour information providing service using telephone and recording tape, and the like.

One of the other most effective presentation methods is the presentation to the user integrated with the color sample.
Here, "integrated" means, for example, provision of a database book accompanied by color samples, and integral provision of a color sample for each color and a database by online or facsimile communication as long as the accuracy of the color can be secured.

[Correction of Database] In the case where the reference amount of the base paint is shown by weight and the mixing amount of the various pigment liquids is shown by volume, the database for user toning is It is preferable to correct the data at any time in consideration of the factor, that is, the volume expansion or the volume reduction of the pigment liquid due to seasonal temperature fluctuations, and to immediately present the correction result to the user.

The content of the correction formula for that purpose is not limited as long as it is rational considering the change in specific gravity due to environmental factors, but as an example, a correction formula as shown in the embodiment described later can be used.

As a basic work for correcting the data based on the correction formula, it is more preferable to perform the following two or three types. a) Input local environmental factor conditions for color matching, b) Perform correction calculation from the input conditions of a) and basic data held by the manufacturer, and c) Perform the above work online and in real time. To do.

There are various variations in the method of executing the above-described data correction and toning based on the data correction, and there is no general limitation, but one possible embodiment thereof is as follows.
The place where the user performs toning, temperature, humidity at time,
Environmental factor conditions such as weather are input to the online user terminal computer, and the online host computer (manufacturer side) automatically retrieves the accumulated basic data and responds to specific gravity change data under the same environmental factor conditions. There is a method of automatically calculating, performing a required calculation, and returning the correction data online to the user terminal computer in real time.

As another powerful embodiment, the volume weight (specific gravity) of each pigment liquid is actually measured at the place and time when the user performs color matching (more preferably, the average value of a plurality of measured values is measured). Then, the online host computer automatically performs the required calculation based on the correction formula, and returns the correction data to the user terminal computer online in real time. There is a way.

[Relationship between Database and Correction Data] As described above, the user toning database comprises the reference amount data of the base paint and the mixing amount data of the toning pigment liquid, and more preferably, it is expressed in weight units. And the mixed amount data of the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment, which are shown in volume units, and more preferably for these rough color adjustments. The mixed amount data of the pigment liquid and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment are presented as weighing data matched with a weighing device capable of accurate weighing in two types of measuring units, large and small, as described later. Then, in these preferred embodiments, the correction data in which the mixing amount data of the pigment liquid is corrected is provided by the correction formula in consideration of the change in the specific gravity of the pigment liquid due to the environmental factor. Therefore, the following embodiments are conceivable for the database and the correction data.

A) A standard database of the reference amount data of the base paint and the mixing amount data of the color-adjusting pigment liquid under the standard environmental conditions is always prepared, and the user can use the standard database as it is. In the case of obtaining the data, it is possible to use the data corrected by the above regarding the mixing amount of the color-adjusting pigment liquid.

B) The standard database is not presented to the user, and the database is always provided only as correction data.

C) In these cases a) and b), the correction data of the mixing amounts of the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment are (c1) the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and the fine color adjustment in the standard database. A method of correcting and calculating the mixing amount data of the pigment liquid for use in the case (in this method, the corrected mixing amount data of the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning are, for example, “4.15 m”).
It is not always preferable because it may be calculated in a minute measurement unit such as "L". ) And (c2) the correction data of the mixed amount data of the pigment stock solution defined in the standard database to obtain the correction data of the mixed amount of the pigment stock solution first, and from there, the correction liquid of the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning are obtained. Method for calculating corrected mixture data (In this method, in the standard database,
It is not necessary to include the mixing amount data of the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning). [Toning device] A toning device is a single device that can measure and mix at least the base paint and the pigment liquid for toning for toning (or a station that has a function equivalent to this). Assembled line). The color matching device may be fully automatic or may be of a manual type in which any part of the function or process is artificially performed.

In particular, a means for measuring the color-adjusting pigment liquid of one or more colors in volume units and the measured color-adjusting pigment liquid are mixed in a paint container containing a standard weight of base paint. A toning device having means and means for stirring and uniformly mixing the contents of the paint container is preferable.

Generally, as a color adjusting device, it is said that a reference amount of a quantitatively large base paint is treated in a weight unit, and a mixture amount of a quantitatively small pigment liquid is treated in a quickly measurable volume unit. The embodiment is most advantageous in performing automatic color matching.

[Measuring Device] The measuring device to be used is not limited in its content and type as long as it is suitable for the purpose of the invention. However, due to its mechanism, it is a volume-based or weight-based accurate weighing unit of two kinds, large and small. Is particularly preferred.

That is, for example, a large-capacity pump and a small-capacity small-capacity piston pump are provided, and the filling capacity of these pumps is measured by a gauge or the like. ), There is a small capacity pump that can be accurately adjusted for each small measuring unit (0.5 mL unit, 1 mL unit, etc.). in this case,
Once the fill volume is set, the pump can be fully filled and the set amount can be accurately metered.

When carrying out the measurement using the above-mentioned measuring device, in measuring the required amount of both the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment, first, an integer multiple of the measuring unit specific to the large-capacity pump is used. Weighing is done by pump operation one to several times,
Even if there is a fractional amount, the fractional amount can be measured by one to several pump operations using a small measuring unit peculiar to a small-capacity pump, so that the measurement can be performed very easily and accurately.

The usage amount of the pigment liquid for rough toning is specified in a large measuring unit, and the usage amount of the pigment liquid for fine toning is also specified in a measuring unit scaled up by the dilution ratio. For each of the pigment liquids, the amount of the pigment liquid used and //
Alternatively, it is easy to set the filling amount of the large-capacity pump, and even if the fractional quantity comes out, the small-capacity pump can easily perform supplementary weighing without further fractionalization.

More specifically, for example, when the pigment concentration ratio of the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning is 40: 1, the pigment liquid for rough toning is "7.0 mL", and It suffices to measure “0.15 × 40 = 6.0 mL” of the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment. Here, for both the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment, for example, a large capacity pump If the filling amount is set to 5 mL and the filling amount of the small-capacity pump is set to 0.5 mL, the operation procedure will be as follows. That is, with respect to the pigment liquid for rough color adjustment, if the large capacity pump is operated once and the small capacity pump is operated four times, the above "7.0 mL" is automatically and accurately measured. With respect to the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment, if the large capacity pump is operated once and the small capacity pump is operated twice, the above "6.0 mL" is automatically and accurately measured.

Further, for example, with respect to the pigment liquid for rough toning, the filling amount of the large capacity pump is 5 mL and the filling amount of the small capacity pump is 2 mL.
If the filling volume of the large-capacity pump is 5 mL and the filling volume of the small-volume pump is 1 mL for the fine color pigment liquid, the large-capacity pump will be used for both the rough color pigment liquid and the fine color pigment liquid. When the small-capacity pump is operated once, "7.0 mL" of the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and "6.0 mL" of the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment are automatically and accurately measured.

[Mixing Device] Although the mechanism and type of the mixing device used are not limited, in particular, a paint can that can be shipped or used as it is as a paint container is used, and the paint can is used after mixing the pigment liquid for toning. A mixing device of the type in which the contents of the paint can are stirred and mixed by closing the lid and giving the necessary motion to the paint can itself is preferable. The advantages of such a mixing device are that stirring and mixing can be performed easily and quickly, and that it is not necessary to refill the product container with colored paint after stirring and mixing.

The "required motion" is not a motion of stirring and mixing the contents by inserting a stirring blade or the like into the paint can, but in short, a motion given to the paint can itself for stirring and mixing the contents. That is, the type of exercise and the mechanism for giving the exercise are not particularly limited. As a typical movement, for example, a paint can is held by a clamp or the like having a predetermined movement mechanism (for example, a rotation mechanism and / or a swing mechanism), and set at an arbitrary position and direction with respect to the center of the paint can. Examples thereof include a case where a rotary motion about an axis, a reciprocating motion, a motion drawing a circular or spiral locus, or a motion in which these are combined is given.

[0090]

[Examples] [ Example 1: Example of formulation of pigment-diluting composition liquid ] As Example 1, a specific example of formulation of a pigment-diluting composition liquid is shown below. In this formulation example, the thickener component was hydroxyethyl cellulose, the anti-drying agent component was ethylene glycol (EG), and the preservative was Mie Sekiyu Co., Ltd.'s trade name "Sun Eye Bag P". As a mildew-proofing agent, "Coatside S" manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
P ”was used.

Thickener 0.5 to 5.0% by weight Anti-drying agent 3.0 to 20.0% by weight Preservative 0.1 to 1.0% by weight Antifungal agent 0.1 to 1.0% by weight Water 73.0-96.3 wt% [ Example 2: Composition example of pigment liquid set for toning ] As Example 2, black, yellow and red rust pigments as pigment liquid for rough toning with high pigment concentration An example of the composition of a stock solution and a pigment liquid set for toning, which are prepared by diluting each of these stock solutions with a pigment-diluting composition liquid to a predetermined ratio, is shown.

A) Blending example of black pigment stock solution Pigment (carbon black) 30% by weight Water-soluble acrylic resin 10% by weight Auxiliary agent (main component is EG which is a dispersion medium) 20% by weight Water 40% by weight b) Yellow pigment stock solution Formulation example of pigment (yellow iron oxide) 42% by weight Water-soluble acrylic resin 20% by weight Auxiliary agent (main component is EG which is a dispersion medium) 14% by weight water 24% by weight C) Red rust color pigment formulation example Pigment (Bengala) ) 42% by weight extender pigment (silica) 7% by weight water-soluble acrylic resin 12% by weight Auxiliary agent (main component is dispersion medium EG) 22% by weight water 2% by weight Each of the above a), b) and ha) Pigment liquid for coloring, and a pigment liquid for fine toning having a low pigment concentration obtained by diluting each of these with the composition liquid for diluting pigment of Example 1 by 20 times, and a pigment for toning of each color of black, yellow and red rust A liquid set was constructed.

[ Embodiment 3: Example of color matching apparatus ] (Example 3-1: Overall configuration of apparatus) The main points of the overall configuration of the color adjusting apparatus used in this example will be described with reference to FIG. That is, first, an empty paint can 1 is supplied to the toning line, and a predetermined weight of the base paint is filled in the base paint filling section 2. Next, in this paint can 1, in the pigment measuring / mixing section 3, the necessary amounts of the pigment liquid for rough toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning are injected from the nozzles of a plurality of piston pumps of a metering device described later. To be done.

When measuring the required amount of these pigment liquids, the required amount of each pigment liquid is determined by the manufacturer, for example, the toning database presented on the online terminal 4, and more preferably the corrected toning data. According to this, the weighing operation is controlled artificially or automatically.

The paint can 1 thus injected with the pigment liquid is
After the can lid is sealed, the mixing section 5 further performs a stirring and mixing operation by a stirring device described later to uniformly mix the contents and complete the toning, and the product is directly used by the user or sold by the user. It is then shipped to retail users as a product that does.

(Example 3-2: Measuring device used) In the pigment measuring / mixing section 3, the pigment liquid for rough color adjustment (pigment stock solution) and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment are measured. In order to do so, for example, a weighing device as shown in FIG. 2 is used.

That is, the tank 6 is provided with a stirring blade 7 for periodically stirring the content liquid, and contains the pigment liquid. The tank 6 is connected to a piston pump 9 via a check valve 8. The piston pump 9 includes a pump handle 11 provided with a gauge 10 having a predetermined unit scale (a guide groove for positioning the pump handle is engraved for each unit scale).

When the pump handle 11 is pulled up with the gauge 10 set on the designated scale,
The piston pump 9 is filled with a specified amount of pigment liquid. Next, when the pump handle 11 is pushed down, the check valve 8 operates so that the specified amount of the pigment liquid is discharged from the nozzle 12 for mixing with the base paint.

In this measuring device, a large pump (gauge scale 5 mL,
10 to 150 mL can be measured) and a small pump (gauge scale 0.2 mL, 0.2 to 8 mL can be measured) are attached as a set. Further, the tank 6 is composed of a pair of one containing a pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and one containing a pigment liquid for fine color adjustment for each color to be used.

(Embodiment 3-3: Mixing device used) In the mixing section 5, for example, the following stirring device is used.
That is, although illustration is omitted, the paint can 1 after the lid is closed is clamped by a clamp having a predetermined movement mechanism, and a rotation A about the vertical axis (longitudinal axis of the paint can provided with a can lid), The content is uniformly stirred and mixed by synthesizing with the rotation B around the horizontal axis (the rotation speed ratio is more preferably A is 1 and B is 2 or more) at high speed. .

Such a mixing device is a gyro mixer [for example, trade name: COROB.G of Corobo (Italy)].
CM gyro mixer], which is a known mixing device.

[ Example 4: Toning database ] (Example 4-1: Example of data presentation in database)
An example of data presentation to a user is shown. In this example, the standard database of (a) is used, and a predetermined base paint of 16 kg is subjected to toning to be the color of N-80 in the standard color sample book for paint issued by the Japan Paint Industry Association. The data of the necessary mixing amounts of the pigment liquids for coarse toning and the pigment liquids for fine toning of black, yellow and red rust colors of a predetermined composition necessary for that are shown. The user may operate the toning device according to the instruction of this data, or according to the instruction of the correction data obtained by performing the correction described later on this data as necessary.

Color Required Pigment Liquid Weight Weight Pigment Liquid Type Large / Small Pump Measurement Black 12.56g Coarse Color Adjustment Large: 10.0mL Small: 0.5mL Fine Adjustment Large: 0.0mL Small: 3.0mL Yellow 13.44g Coarse Color Large: 5.0mL Small: 3.8mL Fine Color Large: 0.0mL Small: 3.4mL Red Rust Color 4.72g Coarse Color Large: 0.0mL Small: 2.6mL Fine Color Large: 0.0mL Small: 4.4 mL.

(Example 4-2: Specific gravity change data due to environmental factors of pigment liquid) Specific gravity change data ("Dispenser capacity data table") as basic data accumulated by the applicant for data correction of the database. 3) and FIG. 4 are shown. This specific gravity change data is obtained by calculating a correction coefficient (denoted as “correction value” in the figure) of the pigment stock solution mixing amount in the above-mentioned method (c2).

In FIG. 3, "black" in the left column of FIG.
~ For a predetermined pigment liquid group described as "Kiro",
On a certain time of May 26, 1998 (temperature: 18 ° C, humidity: 80%, weather: sunny), the measured values of the weight of a predetermined volume of each pigment liquid were measured several times, and their average value, The data correction coefficient based on the average value is shown. FIG. 4 shows a certain time (temperature: 24 °) on August 25, 1998.
C, humidity: 90%, weather: cloudy).

Incidentally, FIGS. 3 and 4 are data representations of a format adapted to use of a piston pump type measuring device which will be described later. In these figures, “stock solution” means a pigment liquid for rough color adjustment. The pigment undiluted solution used as is and the "diluting solution" is the pigment solution for fine color adjustment. The letters "large" and "small" indicate "large pump" and "small pump", respectively, and "scale" means the scale of the gauge in the piston pump.

From the comparison between FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it can be seen that the data correction of the database is necessary and useful in order to perform accurate toning of the base paint.

(Embodiment 4-3: Correction of data) An example of data correction in the database is shown below. First, for each pigment liquid, the unit volume weight Pav.
Ask for. In the formula, V is the number of mL of the pigment liquid, n is the weight measurement number of the pigment liquid, and W is the weight measurement value of the pigment liquid. or,
“ΣW” means “total value of a plurality of W values”. Pa
v. = ΣW / nV Equation (1) P calculated in this way
av. Corresponds to the “correction value” in FIGS. 3 and 4, and represents a change value of specific gravity, which means a correction coefficient of data.

Therefore, in the database, the pigment liquid [in the (c1) system, in the case of the (c1) system or the (c2) system] In the method c2), when the original required amount of the stock solution of the pigment is displayed on a weight basis, Pav.
If the values are integrated, the necessary correction amount based on weight can be obtained. If the originally required amount of the pigment liquid is displayed on a volume basis, the Pav. 1 / P which is the reciprocal of the value
av. = NV / ΣW is integrated to obtain a necessary correction value based on the capacitance.

Example 5: Preparation of colored paint based on correction data
Toning Example ] The above correction was added to the data in the database of Example 4-1 and based on the corrected data, toning of the base paint was performed by a predetermined toning facility equipped with the above-mentioned weighing device. The correction data are as follows.

Color Required Pigment Stock Weight Pigment Liquid Type Large / Small Pump Measurement Black 12.56 g Coarse Color Large: 10.0 mL Small: 0.6 mL Fine Tone Large: 5.0 mL Small: 0.0 mL Yellow 13.44 g Coarse Color Large: 5.0 mL Small: 3.8 mL Fine Color Large: 0.0 mL Small: 2.4 mL Red Rust Color 4.72 g Coarse Color Large: 0.0 mL Small: 2.6 mL Fine Color Large: 0.0 mL Small: 2.8 mL As a result, N-80 in the above standard color sample book for paints
It was possible to perform toning that exactly matches the color of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a color matching device used in an example.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the weighing device used in the embodiment in a partially cutaway state.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a dispenser capacity data table.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a dispenser capacity data table.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 paint can 2 Base paint filling section 3 Pigment weighing / mixing section 4 online terminals 5 mixing section 9 piston pump 10 gauge

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-2-184369 (JP, A) JP-A-6-279716 (JP, A) JP-A-53-118429 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C09D 7 / 14,17 / 00 G01J 3/52

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A user toning system including the following elements (1) to (5). (1) Provided to users by manufacturers of colored paints,
A paint container containing the standard weight of base paint. (2) Provided to users by manufacturers of colored paints,
For each color, it is composed of a pigment liquid for coarse toning with a high pigment concentration and a pigment liquid for fine toning with a low pigment concentration which is a known pigment concentration ratio with respect to the pigment liquid for coarse toning. The toning pigment liquid and the fine toning pigment liquid are prepared by diluting from a pigment stock solution using a pigment diluting composition liquid that may deteriorate the performance of the base paint when mixed in a large amount. Color pigment liquid set. (3) A host computer installed in a manufacturer of colored paints, provided with a data file containing the following or data for each target color of toning, and capable of outputting data of or for input of a predetermined target color. In the case of coloring the base paint (white base) in a single color, the reference amount data of the base paint expressed in weight units and the rough adjustment of the high pigment concentration to be mixed with respect to the reference amount of the base paint Mixing amount data indicated by volume unit with a large measuring unit of the color pigment liquid, and scaled up by the dilution ratio of the fine pigment liquid for fine color adjustment having a low pigment concentration to be mixed with the reference amount of the base paint. Mixing volume data expressed in volume units. Mixing the reference amount data of the base paint expressed in weight unit with the reference amount of the base paint when the base paint (white base) is colored with a pigment liquid for toning of two or more colors Mixing amount data of the pigment liquid for rough toning of the two or more colors to be mixed indicated by volume unit with a large measuring unit, and the two or more colors to be mixed with respect to the reference amount of the base paint. Mixing amount data shown in volume units with a unit of measurement scaled up by the dilution ratio of the fine color pigment liquid. (4) It is installed by the user of the colored paint, is connected online with the host computer so that the data of (3) or of (3) can be acquired from the host computer when the target color of the toning is input, and the following ( A terminal computer capable of controlling the color matching device of 5) based on the above or the above data. (5) Means for setting the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment in volume units, which is installed in the user of the colored paint, for one or more kinds of colors, and for these measured color toning A toning device having means for mixing the pigment liquid into a paint container containing the standard weight of the base paint, and means for stirring and uniformly mixing the contents of the paint container. 2. A user color matching system including the following elements (1) to (5): (1) Provided to users by manufacturers of colored paints,
A paint container containing the standard weight of base paint. (2) Provided to users by manufacturers of colored paints,
For each color, it is composed of a pigment liquid for coarse toning with a high pigment concentration and a pigment liquid for fine toning with a low pigment concentration which is a known pigment concentration ratio with respect to the pigment liquid for coarse toning. The pigment liquid for toning and the pigment liquid for fine toning are added in an amount of 0.5 to 5.0% by weight.
Sticking agent (hydroxyethyl cellulose), 3.0-2
0.0 wt% anti-drying agent (ethylene glycol),
0.1-1.0 wt% preservative, and 0.1-1.0 wt
% Mildewproofing agent and 73.0-96.3% by weight water
A pigment liquid set for toning, which is prepared by diluting from a pigment stock solution using a pigment diluting composition liquid. (3) A host computer installed in a manufacturer of colored paints, provided with a data file containing the following or data for each target color of toning, and capable of outputting data of or for input of a predetermined target color. In the case of coloring the base paint (white base) in a single color, the reference amount data of the base paint expressed in weight units and the rough adjustment of the high pigment concentration to be mixed with respect to the reference amount of the base paint Mixing amount data indicated by volume unit with a large measuring unit of the color pigment liquid, and scaled up by the dilution ratio of the fine pigment liquid for fine color adjustment having a low pigment concentration to be mixed with the reference amount of the base paint. Mixing volume data expressed in volume units. Mixing the reference amount data of the base paint expressed in weight unit with the reference amount of the base paint when the base paint (white base) is colored with a pigment liquid for toning of two or more colors Mixing amount data of the pigment liquid for rough toning of the two or more colors to be mixed indicated by volume unit with a large measuring unit, and the two or more colors to be mixed with respect to the reference amount of the base paint. Mixing amount data shown in volume units with a unit of measurement scaled up by the dilution ratio of the fine color pigment liquid. (4) It is installed by the user of the colored paint, is connected online with the host computer so that the data of (3) or of (3) can be acquired from the host computer when the target color of the toning is input, and the following ( A terminal computer capable of controlling the color matching device of 5) based on the above or the above data. (5) Means for setting the pigment liquid for coarse color adjustment and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment in volume units, which is installed in the user of the colored paint, for one or more kinds of colors, and for these measured color toning A toning device having means for mixing the pigment liquid into a paint container containing the standard weight of the base paint, and means for stirring and uniformly mixing the contents of the paint container. 3. The color adjusting device uses a paint can that can be shipped or used as it is as the paint container, and closes the paint can after mixing the pigment liquid for rough color adjustment and the pigment liquid for fine color adjustment. The user toning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of the paint can is agitated by giving motion to the paint can itself.