KR20130082147A - Machine for the automatic preparation and distribution of fluid coloring products contained in closed recipients - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine 10 for the automatic preparation and dispensing of at least fluid coloring products contained in a container 11 comprising a paint base is characterized by the size and capacity of the container 11, the type of paint base and / or the final fluid coloring product. Data input means (50) operable by a user to select a color of the light; A delivery device (21) for delivering coloring material into the container (11) in accordance with the data input by the user by the data input means (50); A mixing device (22) for stirring the container (11) to mix the paint base with a coloring material; Transfer means (30) for transferring the container (11) from the loading station (25) to the delivery device (21) and from the delivery device (21) to the mixing device (22) and vice versa; And a central control unit 59 connected to the data input means 50 for selectively controlling and driving all of the delivery device 21, the mixing device 22, and the transfer means 30.

Description

MACHINE FOR THE AUTOMATIC PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FLUID COLORING PRODUCTS CONTAINED IN CLOSED RECIPIENTS}

The present invention provides for the automatic preparation and dispersion of fluid coloring products, such as, for example, coloring liquids, based on paints, varnishes, enamel inks or other fluid coloring materials contained in closed containers, such as containers of any shape and size provided with a lid. A machine for The machine according to the invention allows the user to select all of the container, paint base, color, hue to be obtained, coloring, in order to obtain the selected coloring product and to make the obtained coloring product ready for use by the end user. Enables automatic delivery and mixing of pigments.

In order to obtain a desired coloring product, coloring product dispensing and delivery devices are known which can introduce a batch of coloring pigment into a container comprising a paint base.

Also known is a mixing device which is capable of mixing the coloring product obtained in the dispensing device for mixing and homogenizing the coloring pigment and paint base, which is different from the dispensing device.

However, in the present state of the art, there are two different devices available for obtaining a fluid coloring product starting from the paint base, namely a dispensing device for inserting a coloring pigment into the paint base to make a coloring product mixture. And a mixing device for mixing the coloring products made by the dispensing device.

Another disadvantage is that each of the known devices operate each container, move the product from one device to another, and set up a specific professional operator to set each of the dispensing or mixing devices according to the fluid coloring product to be obtained. Is present and interference is required. This has a negative effect on the time required to obtain the desired coloring product and significantly increases the overall manufacturing cost.

US-A-2008 / 0051936 discloses a machine for preparing and dispensing a fluid coloring product contained in a closed container, which identifies and introduces a container introduced into the device through side doors arranged along a single horizontal direction. Mixing device; An apparatus for closing the container associated with the labeling station; An apparatus for securing a lid of the container; An apparatus for delivering and administering coloring material; Punching device. The linear conveyor device transfers the container from one device previously listed to the other in both directions and along a single horizontal direction, so that the fully developed longitudinally known machine is very large and the different operations are very complicated, thus fluid coloring Preparation of the product is very slow.

EP-A-2025393 discloses an apparatus for administering coloring pigments in a container for paint or neutral enamel and for mixing the obtained mixture, wherein first the individual containers are placed in the delivery device through the introduction door and then the color pigments. Is passed to the container. The container is then lowered by vertical movement and laterally moved horizontally for the mixing device. When mixing is complete, the container is removed from the device via a removal door different from the introduction door. This known device requires moving the container vertically first and then horizontally, which is too complicated and cumbersome because it has to provide two different access doors, an introduction door and a removal door.

The object of the present invention is to be simple, compact and reliable, to automatically prepare the coloring product according to the user's choice and make it available to the user without the need of a professional operator who can operate the container and command the device. To automatically prepare and disperse the fluid coloring product contained within the closed container.

Applicants devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome these and other objects and advantages of the present state of the art.

The present invention is disclosed and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the invention and modifications to the essential technical idea.

According to the above object, the automatic preparation and dispensing machine of at least the fluid coloring product contained in a closed container comprising a paint base according to the present invention is a data input means integrated with each other, a loading station on which the user himself can place a selected container. A conveying means for conveying the coloring material, a mixing device, a conveying means and a central control unit for conveying the selected container from the loading station to the conveying device, from the conveying device to the mixing device and vice versa.

The data input means may be provided with the size and capacity of the container, the type of the paint base, i.e. whether it is wood paint, metal paint, interior paint or exterior paint, and the color and tint of the fluid coloring product to be obtained. It can be operated directly by the user to select it.

The delivery device may use the data input means to deliver into the container certain coloring materials contained in a suitable tank disposed inside the machine itself in accordance with the data entered by the user.

The mixing device may stir the container to mix the paint base with the coloring material.

The conveying means conveys the container from the loading station to the delivery device along the first horizontal axis and vice versa, from the delivery device to the mixing device and vice versa along a second horizontal axis that is substantially perpendicular to and substantially coplanar with the first horizontal axis. can do.

The center control unit is connected to the data input means to selectively control and drive all of the delivery device, the mixing device and the transfer means programmatically, and by the control and driving of the center control unit, along the first horizontal axis. Movement of the container from the loading station to the delivery device, transfer of coloring material into the container by activating the delivery device, movement of the container from the delivery device to the mixing device along the second horizontal axis, coloring of the paint base by the mixing device Stirring the vessel to mix the materials, moving the vessel from the mixing device along the second horizontal axis to the delivery device, and moving the vessel from the delivery device to the loading station along the first horizontal axis sequentially.

In this way, the conveying means can return the container to the loading station once mixing is complete, so that the user can take the container containing the final coloring product ready for use.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the data input means has at least a code such as a bar code having an interactive screen on which the user can make a selection regarding the type of container and the desired end product and a selected feature on the user. It may include a printer capable of printing a label. Alternative supports, such as labels or RFID tags, may be introduced into the machine by the user or attached from the outside so that the relevant code is transferred by one of the two devices and the delivery cycle of the coloring material by the delivery device followed by the mixing cycle by the mixing device. It is automatically recognized by the central control unit to move the container to another.

According to another secondary feature of the invention, the transport means comprises a slider which can be moved by the first linear actuator between the loading station and the delivery device and vice versa. A central member is mounted on the slider to position the center of the container with respect to the delivery device. The conveying means further comprises a second linear actuator capable of moving the container with the central member between the delivery device and the mixing device and vice versa.

According to another secondary feature of the invention, at least a first safety means is randomly or accidentally discharged from the mixing device or the coloring product contained in the container during operation of the mixing device and other of the delivery device and the machine. It is placed between the delivery device and the mixing device to prevent the parts from being damaged. In some embodiments, the first safety means are configured to physically separate the working environment of the delivery device and the working environment of the mixing device.

According to another secondary feature of the invention, at least a second safety means prevents a user from accessing the interior of the machine past the loading station or from accessing the loading station during an operating cycle comprising the conveying and mixing of coloring material. To the loading station.

According to another secondary feature of the invention, the machine further comprises a confirmation device provided for confirming that the container is correctly positioned on the central member by the user before the container is transferred to the delivery device.

According to another secondary feature of the invention, the machine is provided with an anti-drying device which prevents the tip of the delivery device needle which delivers the coloring material from drying when the machine is in standby.

Included in this specification

These and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred forms of embodiments given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a schematic representation of a machine according to the invention for automatic dispersion of a fluid coloring product contained in a container.
Figure 2 is a top view of the machine of Figure 1;
3 is an enlarged front view of the first part of the machine of FIG.
4 is a schematic representation of a label printed by the machine of FIG. 1.
5 is a perspective view of a shelf in which a container used by the machine of FIG. 1 is stored;
6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second part of the machine of FIG. 1.
7 is a plan view of a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the machine of FIG. 1.
8 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the right side of the machine of FIG. 1 in a first operating state;
9 is an enlarged, partial right side view similar to FIG. 8 of the machine of FIG. 1 in a second operating state;
10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the machine of FIG. 1 in the second operating state shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the rear portion similar to FIG. 10 of the machine of FIG. 1 in a third operating state; FIG.

For the sake of understanding, the same reference numerals are used as much as possible to identify common elements in the figures. Elements and features of one embodiment may be easily incorporated into another embodiment without being clearly described.

With reference to FIG. 1, the machine 10 according to the invention for the automatic preparation and dispersal of the fluid coloring product contained in the closed container 11 is substantially three modular zones 13, 14 and 15 adjacent and integrated with one another. And a support structure 12 divided into 1.

The container 11 (FIG. 5) may be a metal or plastic material, such as steel, and may be of any other form, such as a cylinder or a hexahedron with a square or rectangular base. Each of them comprises a fluid paint base, which may be transparent or white, for example, to which a colorant consisting essentially of the pigment is added. Each container 11 is closed by a lid provided at the center of a membrane of known type, which has the property of being drilled by one or more needles and automatically closing when the needle is removed.

In the leftmost region 13 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is any known type, for example as disclosed in European Patent EP-B-1,744,826, filed October 17, 2007 in the name of the present applicant. A plurality of tanks 20, which may be arranged, are arranged and each tank contains different coloring materials.

The second zone 14, ie the central zone, may be of any known type, for example as disclosed in Italian patent IT-B-1,370,076, patented January 26, 2010 in the name of the applicant. ) Is placed. The delivery device 21 is connected to the tanks 20 by pipes 23 (FIG. 8) of any known type.

The third zone 15 (FIG. 2) contains a mixing device 22, which may be of any known type, for example as disclosed in European Patent EP-B-1,417,024, filed September 21, 2005 in the name of the applicant. Is placed.

Preferably, in order to prevent the vibrations generated by the mixing device 22 from spreading in the other two zones 13 and 14, for example, a plurality of anti-vibration elements 39 composed of shock absorbers are provided. (13, 14 and 15).

In the front or front part of the central zone 14, a loading station 25 is arranged (FIGS. 2 and 7), which loading station 25 is a support element and a central member for one vessel 11 at a time. For example a circular plate 26 which functions as a. The loading station 25 has a first vertical axis Z1 (FIGS. 6-9).

The upper part of the plate 26, FIGS. 6 and 7 has a step which decreases from the periphery towards the center and has a circular or rectangular design depending on the bottom size of the different containers 11 that the machine 10 can process. Receptacles 27 are provided. In some embodiments that do not limit the scope of the invention, the receptacles 27 may in this case be seven. In order to optimize the space, in some cases two different receptacles, one circular and one rectangular receptacles may intersect on the same horizontal plane as shown in FIG. 7.

A semicircular access door 29 is arranged coaxially with the vertical axis Z1 around the plate 26, which in some embodiments has two panels 29a each having a deployment angle of 90 °. And 29b). The access door 29 can be selectively moved between the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 and the closed position shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 7. In this way, the access door 29 forms a bushing rotation about the vertical axis Z1, and the rotational movement between the two positions can be made manually by the user himself, or a known type of electrical not shown. It can be done automatically by the motor. In both the open and closed positions, the access door 29 prevents the user from putting his or her hand through the loading station 25 into the machine 10 and thus constitutes an effective safety measure.

The conveying means 30, FIGS. 2 and 6 to 11, which comprise a slider 31 and will be described in more detail below, are transferred from the loading station 25 to the delivery device 21 along the first horizontal axis X. Along the second horizontal axis Y perpendicular to the first horizontal axis X from the delivery device 21 to the mixing device 22 (without the slider 31) and to the loading station 25 in the opposite direction to the container ( 11 can be selectively and automatically conveyed together with the plate 26.

On the front part of the right zone 15 (FIG. 1), the data input means 50 is arranged, in which case the data input means 50 is a touch screen type interactive screen 51, a label printer 52, eg A device for electronic payment reader 53 and an electronic payment 56, such as a barcode or RFID tag, for example, and the device for electronic payment 56 is then used, for example, with an ATM card, credit card or prepaid card. An electronic reader for the same electronic payment card 55 and a numeric keyboard 57 are included. Each data entry means 50 is readily used by the user to select the type of fluid coloring product the user wants to obtain from the machine 10 as will be described in more detail below.

The data input means 50 is connected to the central control unit 59 (FIG. 2), which centrally controls and commands the delivery device 21, the mixing device 22 and the conveying means 30. It is configured and programmed to.

The loading station 25 also has an identification device 60 (FIG. 6) for confirming the correct position of the container 11 to be positioned by the user on the plate 26 and the container 11 on the corresponding receptacle 27. Include.

In particular, the identification device 60 comprises a size reading system in which the size reading system is positioned two position sensors 61 in a fixed position on the opposite side symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis Z1 just above the plate 26. And an electronic reader 63 of a barcode or RFID tag disposed in a fixed position above the sensor 62. The position sensors 61 and 62 and the electronic reader 63 of the barcode or RFID tag are connected to the central control unit 59.

The identification device 60 also includes an idle transmission memeber that is temporarily connected to the drive member. In some embodiments, the flow shift member includes a cog wheel 65 coaxially attached to the bottom of the plate, the cog wheel 65 attached to the structure 12 of the machine 10 and the central control unit 59. It is temporarily engaged with the toothed pinion 66 acting as a drive member, fitted on the shaft of the electronic motor 67 commanded by. Two disks 68 and 69 of different diameters coaxial with the plate 26 are attached to the underside of the cogwheel 65 and divided by circular grooves 70. The disks 68 and 69 can lie on the slider 31 and rotate about it on the vertical axis Z1. In particular, the disk 69 having a diameter smaller than the disk 68 is formed of an inverted T-shaped slider 31 parallel to the horizontal axis Y and open on one side (right side in FIG. 6, left side in FIGS. 10 and 11). It is inserted into the horizontal groove 71. The function of the confirmation device 60 is described below.

The conveying means 30 (FIGS. 6 to 11) comprise a slider 31 as well as a horizontal bar 32 attached to the structure 12 of the machine 10 parallel to the axis X. The slider 31 is slid linearly with respect to the horizontal bar 32 between the loading station 25, the first vertical axis Z1 and the delivery device 21, the second vertical axis Z2 or vice versa by two pairs of rollers 33. Can be commanded by the first linear actuator 34, in which case the first linear actuator 34 is mounted on the stationary structure 12 and to the electric motor 36 commanded by the central control unit 59. Connected transmission belt 35.

The second linear actuator 38 leaves the slider 31 opposite to the mixing device 22, the third vertical axis Z3 from the delivery device 21, the second vertical axis Z2, or to the delivery device 21, the second vertical axis Z2. And plate 26 (FIGS. 10 and 11) together with the container 11 in the direction. In this case the second linear actuator 38, which is electric, has a stop member or mechanical aberration, which is a cylindrical head 41 at one end 40, and a disk attached to the plate 26 from an inactive horizontal position (Fig. 8). Rotate 90 ° to move to a vertical position (FIGS. 9, 10 and 11) actively inserted into the corresponding radial hollow 42 formed in 68. The 90 ° rotation of the linear actuator 38 and thereby the rotation of the cylindrical head 41 is in this case influenced by other actuators, for example an electric motor 43 attached to the structure 12. Both the linear actuator 38 and the electric motor 43 are commanded by the central control unit 59.

The conveying means 30 also comprise a fixing guide with horizontal grooves 45 both open and having the same cross section as the horizontal grooves 71 of the slider 31. The horizontal groove 45 is parallel to the horizontal axis Y (Figs. 7, 10 and 11).

Another guide 46 (FIGS. 10 and 11) is attached on the lower plate 81 of the mixing device 22. The guide 46 is provided with a horizontal groove 47 having the same cross section as the cross sections of the grooves 45 and 71, and only one end of the horizontal groove 47, i.e., the right end of FIGS. 10 and 11, is opened and the horizontal axis Parallel to Y

The delivery device 21 (FIGS. 8 to 10) comprises a plate 73 on which a plurality of needles 74 are mounted, the needles being centered and parallel to the vertical axis Z2 and connected to the corresponding pipes 23, respectively. . The plate 73 can be moved vertically along the vertical axis Z2 by a known type of unshown electric motor controlled by the central processing unit 59.

In order to prevent the ends of the needles 74 from drying out, an anti-drying device 75 is provided when the machine 10 is inactive, and the anti-drying device 75 is for example integrated electrical resistance at one end. A mechanical arm 76 having a support plate 78 heat-controlled by it and pivoted on a vertical pin 77, wherein the container or can 79 is similar to the closed container 11. ) Is removably disposed on and contains a liquid substance such as, for example, water and / or steam. The mechanical arm 76 has a first operating position disposed along the horizontal axis Y (FIGS. 7 and 8) by the electric motor 80 controlled by the central control unit 59, and the horizontal axis X (FIGS. 9-11 and FIG. Rotatable between the second operating position rotated 90 ° with respect to the first operating position in parallel with the dashed line 7). In the first operating position (FIGS. 7 and 8), the container 79 is coaxial with the second vertical axis Z2 and the plate 73 is lowered up to the can 79 (FIG. 8) so that the tip of the needles 74 is in the can ( 79) and remain wet due to the liquid and / or steam contained in can 79. In the second operating position (FIGS. 7, 9 and 10), the container 79 is coaxial with the fourth vertical axis Z4 which is outside of both the plate 26 and the plate 73.

The mixing device 22, FIGS. 10 and 11, as well as the lower plate 81 comprise an upper clamping plate 82 which can selectively clamp the vessel 11 in a known manner with a certain clamping force. The upper clamping plate 82 is commanded by a not shown electric motor of known type which is controlled by the central control unit 59. The two plates 81 and 82 are part of the movable frame 83 which is elastically supported relative to the stationary frame 84 and is adapted to vibrate or rotate relative to the stationary frame 84 by known means not shown. Can be.

Between the delivery device 21 and the mixing device 22 a wall 85, which is preferably metal, is arranged corresponding to the fixing guide 44 (FIGS. 7, 10 and 11), which wall 85 has a lowered position ( Between the raised position (FIG. 10) and vice versa, an electric motor 87 attached to the structure 12 and connected to the toothed pinion 88 can move vertically on the side guide 86, and The pinion 88 is always in engagement with the rack 89 attached to the side of the metal wall 85. The electric motor 87 is also controlled by the central control unit 59.

The moving wall 85 is normally closed and raised only to cause the container 11 to enter or exit the mixing device 22. Thus, the wall 85 prevents the container 11 from coming out of the mixing device 22 during the mixing step or damaging the delivery device 21 or other parts of the machine 10, thus providing another effective safety measure. Configure.

The method of using the above-mentioned machine 1 is as follows.

First of all, there is a step of selecting and entering the characteristics of a particular fluid product which the user wishes to purchase by the data entry means 50. Specifically, for example, the interactive screen 51 (Fig. 3) divided into three parts is one of four paint bases, namely type A (interior paint), type B (exterior paint) by four buttons in the upper left corner. , Type C (paint for wood) or type D (paint for metal). The other four buttons located on the upper right allows the user to select the size or capacity of the container 11 (eg 0.5 liter, 1.0 liter, 2.5 liter or 5.0 liter). Finally, the user can select the type and shade of the desired color using one of the buttons representing different colors and shades located in the lower half of the interactive screen 51.

In some embodiments of the present invention, in order to increase the productivity of the machine and to prevent the machine from being occupied for too long by one user, the entire stage of selection and determination is located near the machine and can communicate with the machine. Or to a selection station, such as a series of interactive booths.

When the user completes the step of selecting the fluid coloring product, the machine 10 automatically performs the printing step, during which the label printer 52 (FIG. 1), for example, color name red, color code 2 Issue an adhesive label with the characteristics selected by the user in a user readable manner (FIG. 4), such as -15-3, Type A, 2.5 liters of container capacity. The label also has a color rectangle with the corresponding barcode and the hue of the selected color on the right side.

Next, the user has a container 11 containing the paint base A, B, C and D and the volume he has selected from, for example, a shelf divided into four zones A, B, C and D (FIG. 5). ), It is required to position the container 11 in the loading station 25 (FIG. 2) with its center positioned in the corresponding receptacle 27 (FIG. 6) of the plate 26. Each container is engraved with a corresponding barcode or RFID tag identifying its features and contents on the perimeter surface.

The user is also required to insert a preprinted label by the label printer 52 into the electronic reader 53 (FIG. 1) of the barcode or RFID tag.

Optionally, the user may use the electronic payment device 55 to make a payment to purchase the selected fluid coloring product.

The access door 29 (FIGS. 2 and 7) has no loading station until two panels 29a and 29b are placed in front of the container 11 (the position shown by the dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 7) and the end of the operating cycle. It is closed (manual by the user or automatically by an appropriate button not shown) so that 25 is inaccessible.

The central control unit 59 then checks whether the container 11 is of the type selected by the user by the electronic reader 63 of the barcode or RFID tag and by the position sensors 61 and 62 corresponding to it 27. The verification step is automatically performed by the verification device (FIG. 6) to confirm that the center is located at. To do this, the plate 26 is made to rotate one full revolution around the vertical axis Z1 by the electric motor 67, the toothed pinion 66 and the cogwheel 65.

If the identification device 60 detects the presence of an error in the type and / or center position of the container 11 introduced into the loading station 25, the user is asked to correct it.

Conversely, if the confirming step gives a positive result, the central control unit 59 automatically prepares the delivery device 21, raises the plate 73 (FIG. 9), and is arranged along the vertical axis Z4. The mechanical arm 76 is rotated 90 ° clockwise by the electronic motor 80 until it is positioned with the container 79 in two operating positions.

Thereafter, under the control of the central control unit 59, a step of transferring the coloring material into the container 11 is performed. In some embodiments, plate 26 is clamped in the dispensing position by cylindrical head 41 integral with linear actuator 38. In particular, in order to keep the plate 26 fixed (FIG. 9), the radial hollow 42 of the disk 68 is caused by the electronic motor 43 rotating the cylindrical head 41 by 90 ° counterclockwise. It is commanded to bring the cylindrical head 41 into it. Next, the plate 73 of the delivery device 21 is lowered until the tip of the needle 74 enters the container 11 (the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9). The pipes 23 then transfer the required amount of coloring material contained in the tank 20 into the vessel 11 by means of a not shown volumetric pump of a known type and thus the color tone selected by the user. Can be obtained. When the transfer is complete, the plate 73 is raised.

The center control unit 59 then automatically performs a second step of transferring the vessels 11 (Figs. 10 and 11) from the delivery device 21 (vertical axis Z2) to the mixing device 22 (vertical axis Z3). To this end, the moving wall 85 is first raised by the electronic motor 87, the toothed pinion 88 and the rack 89 (FIG. 10), and the linear actuator 38 moves the plate 26 on the vertical axis Z3. It is commanded to move linearly with the disk 69 guided sequentially into three horizontal grooves 71, 45 and 47 arranged with one another in parallel with the horizontal axis Y until it reaches the corresponding position.

The center control unit 59 then instructs the electronic motor 43 to return out of the radial hollow 42 of the disk 68 by rotating the cylindrical head 41 in this case 90 ° clockwise, and then The linear actuator 38 commands the cylindrical head 41 to return back. Then, the moving wall 85 is lowered again by instructing the corresponding electronic motor 87.

The neuter control unit 59 then takes the product (paint base plus coloring material) contained in the container 11 by instructing the mixing device 22 in a known manner to stir the container 11 for a predetermined time. Perform the mixing step.

When the mixing step is completed, the central control unit 59 commands the opposite operation until the container 11 is returned to the loading station 25. In particular, the moving wall 85 rises again; The linear actuator 38 returns the plate 26 onto the slider 31 while being arranged below the delivery device 21 (vertical axis Z2); The moving wall 85 descends again; The electric motor 36 and the belt 35 return the slider 31 together with the plate 26 to the initial position (vertical axis Z1); The electric motor 80 returns the container to the first operating position arranged along the vertical axis Z2; The plate 73 of the delivery device 21 is lowered to return the tip of the needle 74 in the container 79 and thus prevent the remaining coloring dye from drying out.

And, the panels 29a and 29b can be returned to their initial state behind the plate 26 (FIGS. 2 and 7). At this time, a message appears on the interactive screen 51 requesting the user to take the container 11 contained therein with the fluid coloring product he requested.

Thus, it is clear that all steps of the operating cycle can be automatically managed by the machine 10 with only user intervention, without the need for a professional operator to be present.

It is apparent that some modifications and / or additions to the above-described machine 10 and related methods may be made without departing from the scope and field of the invention.

For example, instead of a 90 ° rotation of the cylindrical head 41 of the linear actuator 38 to engage the plate 26, a linear movement actuated by electromagnetic may be made.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate a machine for automatic dispersion of a fluid coloring product contained within a closed container having the features disclosed in the claims and Many other equivalent forms of the relevant method may be achieved and, therefore, fall within the scope of protection defined in the claims.

10: machine
11: Courage
12: support structure
13: zone 1
14: second zone
15: third zone
21: delivery device
22: mixing device
25: loading station
30: transport means
34: first linear actuator
38: second linear actuator
50: data input means
51: interactive screen
52: printer
52: electronic reader
59: center control unit

Claims (14)

A machine for the automatic preparation and dispersion of at least a fluid coloring product contained in a container 11 comprising a paint base,
Data input means (50) operable by a user to select the size and capacity of the container (11), the type of paint base and / or the color of the final fluid coloring product;
A loading station 25 capable of positioning the container 11 selected by the user;
A delivery device (21) for delivering coloring material into the container (11) in accordance with the data input by the user by the data input means (50);
A mixing device (22) for stirring the container (11) to mix the paint base with the coloring material;
From the loading station 25 to the delivery device 21 along the first horizontal axis X and vice versa, along a second horizontal axis Y which is substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal axis X and is substantially flush with the first horizontal axis X. Conveying means (30) for conveying the container (11) from the conveying device (21) to the mixing device (22) and vice versa; And
A central control unit 59 connected to the data input means 50 for selectively controlling and driving all of the delivery device 21, the mixing device 22 and the transfer means 30 programmatically,
By the control and driving of the central control unit, the container 11 is moved from the loading station 25 to the delivery device 21 along the first horizontal axis X, and the delivery device 21 is operated. Transfer of the coloring material into the container 11, movement of the container 11 from the delivery device 21 to the mixing device 22 along the second horizontal axis Y, the mixing device ( 22) stir the container 11 to mix the paint base and the coloring material by means of the mixing device 22 from the mixing device 22 to the delivery device 21 along the second horizontal axis Y. Movement and movement of the container (11) from the delivery device (21) to the loading station (25) along the first horizontal axis (X) sequentially. The method of claim 1,
The data input means (50) comprises an interactive screen (51) in which a selection can be made by the user regarding the type of container (11) and the desired final product. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The data entry means (50) comprises a printer (52) capable of printing a label having at least an identification code of the choice made by the user. The method of claim 3, wherein
The data input means 50 reads the code and transfers the coloring material by the delivery device 21, the mixing cycle by the mixing device 22, as well as of the two devices 21, 22. And an electronic reader (53) capable of activating said central control unit (59) for moving said container (11) from one to another. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The conveying means 30 comprises a slider 31 which can be moved by a first linear actuator 34 between the loading station 25 and the conveying device 21 and vice versa, the center member ( Automatic preparation and dispensing machine for a fluid coloring product, characterized in that 26 is assembled on the slider (31) to position the center of the container (11) with respect to the delivery device (21). The method of claim 5, wherein
The central member 26 is provided with a plurality of receptacles 27 having a step that decreases from the periphery towards the center, and the receptacles 27 are provided in different containers 11 to be processed by the machine. Automatic preparation and dispersing machine for fluid coloring products, characterized in that it has a circular or rectangular design depending on the floor size. The method according to claim 5 or 6,
The conveying means 30 is a second linear actuator 38 capable of moving the container 11 together with the central member 26 between the delivery device 21 and the mixing device 22 and vice versa. Automatic preparation and dispersion machine for a fluid coloring product, characterized in that it comprises a). 8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
Prior to conveying the container 11 to the delivery device 21, a fluid further comprising a confirmation device 60 that can confirm that the container 11 is correctly positioned by the user on the central member 26. Automatic preparation and dispersing machine for coloring products. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
At least a first safety means 85 is delivered to the container 11 to prevent random discharge of the container 11 and / or product contained in the container from the mixing device 22 during operation of the mixing device 22. Automatic preparation and dispensing machine for a fluid coloring product, characterized in that it is placed between the device (21) and the mixing device (22). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The loading station to prevent the user from accessing the loading station 25 through the loading station 25 or into the machine 10 or during an operating cycle comprising the delivery and mixing of coloring material An automatic preparation and dispensing machine for a fluid coloring product, characterized in that at least a second safety means 29 is provided in connection with (15). 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
And an anti-drying device (75) capable of preventing the end of the transfer needle (74) of coloring material from drying out when the machine (10) is in the air. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
And further comprising a support structure 12 divided into three modular zones 13, 14 and 15 adjacent and integrated with each other, the first of which is a plurality of zones containing coloring material. Tanks 20 are arranged, the second one of the three zones 14 is the delivery device 21, and the third one of the three zones 15 is the mixing device 22. Machine is disposed between the first zone (13) and the third zone (15). 13. The method of claim 12,
Anti-vibration means 39 between the third zone 15 and the second zone 14 to prevent the vibrations generated by the mixing device 22 from spreading to the other zones 13, 14. An automatic preparation and dispensing machine for a fluid coloring product, characterized in that it is shown. A method for automatically preparing and dispersing at least a fluid coloring product contained in a container 11 comprising a paint base,
A first step by the user of data input means (50) operable by the user to select the size and capacity of the container (11), the type of paint base and / or the color of the final fluid coloring product;
A second step by which the container 11 is located in the loading station 25 by the user himself;
A third step of inserting coloring material into the container (11) by the delivery device (21) in accordance with the data input by the user during the first step; And
A fourth step of stirring the container 11 by a mixing device 22 to mix the paint base and the coloring material,
Means for conveying the container along the first horizontal axis (X) from the loading station (25) to the delivery device (21) and vice versa, substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal axis (X) and substantially planar A conveying step of conveying from the conveying device 21 to the mixing device 22 and vice versa along a horizontal axis Y,
A central control unit 59 is connected to the data input means 50 to selectively control and drive all of the delivery device 21, the mixing device 22 and the transfer means 30 programmatically, The movement of the container 11 from the loading station 25 to the delivery device 21 along the first horizontal axis X by the control and driving of a central control unit, to operate the delivery device 21. Transfer of the coloring material into the container 11, movement of the container 11 from the delivery device 21 to the mixing device 22 along the second horizontal axis Y, the mixing device 22. Stirring the container 11 to mix the paint base and the coloring material by means of: moving the container 11 from the mixing device 22 to the delivery device 21 along the second horizontal axis Y, And the delivery device along the first horizontal axis (X). 21) A method of automatic preparation and dispensing of a fluid coloring product, in which the movement of the container (11) from the loading station (25) takes place sequentially.

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