WO1999041003A1

WO1999041003A1 - Production of automotive and other paints

Info

Publication number: WO1999041003A1
Application number: PCT/BR1998/000099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Retamal; Rogério Batista AUAD
Original assignee: Renner Du Pont Tintas Automotivas E Industriais S/A.
Priority date: 1998-02-13
Filing date: 1998-12-10
Publication date: 1999-08-19
Also published as: EP0975419A1; KR20010006330A; BR9800361A; KR100520500B1; CA2283730A1; CA2283730C; AR006736A1; DE69831063T2; JP2002514971A; CN1560143A; EP0975419A4; DE69831063D1; CN1150056C; ES2244102T3; JP3882148B2; CN1252011A; EP0975419B1; US6494608B1; CN100344359C

Abstract

Continuous and automatic process for the production of paint including tanks of raw materials, for the addition of rosins (A), of concentrates (B), of additives (C) and of solvents (D). For the production of paints, the process of balanced mixture of raw materials may be divided into two feeding lines (F, G) which receive the introduction of raw materials automatically dosed, by valves and pumps, in mixing tanks (32a, 32b), with a lower outlet pipe which directs the mixture toward the main mixer (21). The paint is taken to a storage tank (41), with a portion of the paint going to a control cell, and with the data being compared with the data of the standard paint for adjustment of color, coverage, and viscosity. An internal cleaning system uses nitrogen to push the paint out from the pipes which are then cleaned with pumped solvent.

Description

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS

This descriptive report for patent of invention relates to a Continuous and Automatic Process for the Production of Automotive and other Paints, the development of which has as purpose to obtain a process which assures color unifoπnity, texture and viscosity in the production of paints specially destined to the painting of metal objects, specially car bodies.

Presently, the manufacture of paint by the conventional method involves a quite complex process and is formed by the following phases: weighing of the raw material, preparation, adjustment of color, coverage, adjustment of viscosity, quality control, canning and packaging. The raw materials which are necessary to produce a given color of paint are weighed in the quantities mentioned in a formula, placed on a pallet and taken, by the lifting truck, to the plaint manufacturing plant which is awaiting the starring of the production. As it is noticed, the raw materials, either solid or liquid, are weighed in different places, far from the production line, and we should point out that the accuracy of such weighed quantities depends upon the scales used which, on their turn, should constantly gauged so that precise results may be achieved in the weighing operations. Some raw material, which are added in large quantities (such as rosins and solvents), are taken at the plant preparation area.

All raw materials which arrive at the preparation area are kept in tanks located in dikes. Each tank has its own pump which is driven by the respective feeding valve for raw materials and which is located in the piping which reach the plant, and in said piping system there is coupled a single flow meter which controls the quantity of the raw materials which have to be added to the mixing tank. Initially, the operator connects one end of a hose to

the pipe of the product which is to be added while the other end of the hose is placed

against the mouth of the mixing tank, in such a way that in order to unload the raw

material, the operator marks in the meter the quantity in weight (Kg) of the product

and open the feeding valve; said valve send an electric signal to the pump (located in

the dike) turning it on and transferring the product from the outside storage tank to

the mixing tank, located at the plant and, in this manner, as soon as the quantity

marked in the flow meter is reached the pump is automatically turned off.

The preparation phase consists of the addition, one by

one. of the raw materials, following a given order and starting always with the

products of large quantity, followed by those of small quantity, with the rosin being

the first product to be added in the mixing tan, without stirring. It should be noted

that if the rosin is stored in drums, the operator should use a drum tumbler, which is

kept in an appropriate place, taking it next to the mixing tank in order to proceed

with the unloading of the rosin and, if said rosin is taken directly from the pipe

system existing in the plant, the procedure is practically the same for the weighing or.

if there is a pipe system feeding the plant, the addition process is through the flow

meter, as mentioned above.

Other products (additives) are added also by hand and under stirring.

using pails and cans. The whole addition work described above takes approximately 4

hours.

ϊfic dying or color adjustment process is performed by the manual

addition, wilh use of pails, of the dying additives, with the color technician weighing

first the empty pails where the dyes are placed and weighing the pails again when

full, in order to identify the volume of concentrate materials which are placed in the

tank under stirring, until reaching the appropriate color, with the pails being weighted

once again in order to define the exact quantity which was added.

Then a small sample of the paint is taken to the quality control

laboratory, which paints a small plate at the painting cabin, with said plate being

dried, in open air, for 5 to 30 minutes, and than in a stove, under 60 to 180° C

temperature for 10 to 30 minutes, waiting the cooling down of the plate and

comparing it with a standard sample, either visually or through instruments. If the

color is not within the required standards, the color technician makes the necessary

adjustments and repeats the procedure in order to adjust the color until the paint is

within the referred standards. Normally, in order to adjust the color, the color

technician repeats from 3 to 4 times the above mentioned process an this takes, in the

average, 4 hours. It should be pointed out that if the color technician adds the wrong

dye or in an exaggerated amount, it is impossible to adjust the color and. therefore.

the whole lot is lost. After the adjustment of the color a sample is taken and sent to the

quality control department for the adjustment of viscosity and tests. The viscosity

adjustment is made on the sample and performed through the identification of the

volume of solvent contained in said sample, when the total volume of solvent to be

added to the mixing tank is computed.

In this phase, the operator should bring the solvent to adjust the

viscosity, weighing the solvent in pails, cans or drums (depending upon the quantity

of solvent to be added) and pouring it into the mixing tank. If the use of drums is

necessary, a drum tumbler equipment should be used, which is kept in an appropriate

place, taking it next to the mixing tank in order to proceed with the unloading of the

solvent.

In order to wash the tank or bowl, the operator fills a can with cleaning

solvent, taken from the closest solvent pipe, pour it by hand and cleans the walls with

a brush. After this starting work, the operator pours more solvent in order to rinse.

and this dirty solvent, which comes from the tank or bowl, is drained through a

draining cock into a drum, which is taken to the shipping platform of the plant in

order to be removed to the so called "solvent recuperating" plant, which distillates

and recovers the solvent, which will be returned to the plant through a pipe system, to

be used again. When the paint is ready, a sample is taken and sent to the quality control

department, where the following tests are performed: color, coverage, solids, specific

weight and viscosity.

Presently, these tests are performed as follows:

Color: is the determination of differences in shade between a film and

its respective standard, when looked under natural light and in which a sample is

taken out. the viscosity is adjusted and the pain is applied on a steel plate, awaiting

for 15 minutes to evaporate the light solvents and, after said period of time, the

sample is placed on a stove under 60°C for 30 minutes. The average time for the test

is of 1 (one) hour, but in the case of white synthetic enamel, the color technician

needs 16 hours for the drying of the paint in open air, and it may take up to 5 days in

order to adjust the color and to finish the tests.

Specific weigh: used for the determination of the specific mass of

liquid paints, solutions and dispersions, the result of which is expressed in g/cm'.

being traditionally referred to as density; the method is based upon the relationship

between mass of a substance and its volume. For this, a container, the volume of

which is known, is filled with a sample at 25°C, the container is weighed obtaining

the specific weight, with the average time spent to perform the test being

approximately 10 minutes.

Solids: is the percentage of solid material existing in a paint. The

content of non volatile material in a product is not an absolute quantity, but depends uponthe temperature and time of heating used; the recommended temperature

and time is 120°C + 2°C for 1 hour of stove, and, in this method a fixed quantity of

the product is weighed, spread in a container and taken to a stove for 1 hour, after

said period, the sample goes to the drying oven for 30 minutes and then is weighed in

a laboratory scale in order to obtain the percentage of solid material: the average time

for said tests is 2 hours. If the percentile value of solids is out of the specified

standards, the adjustment is made with the addition of rosin or dyes and if during said

addition a larger quantity is used, the whole lot is rejected.

Viscosity: in a quite empirical way, it is possible to say that viscosity

is the difficulty a liquid offers against its flowing; the method is based upon the

flowing time of a continuous flow of a liquid at 25°C, through a given diameter hole

called Ford 4 glass, and if the solvent is added in large quantities, it is also

impossible to adjust the viscosity, therefore losing the whole lot.

Said test takes approximately 30 minutes to be performed.

After the liberation by the Quality Control department, the approved

paint is placed in cans and then packaged, by had. The filling of containers may be

performed in any quantity, depending on the machine to be used.

The average time needed to achieve the analysis for color, viscosity, solids

and specific weight, considering the total rime from the moment taken from the production sector, time awaiting for the tests in the laboratory, until the final answer

from the Quality Control Laboratory to the production department is of

approximately 4 hours.

We should point out further that if the addition of dyes, solvents or

rosins for the adjustment of color, viscosity and solids are performed in non

appropriate quantities by the operator or color technician, it is possible to lose the

whole lot. which will be totally eliminated.

made by different persons and. considering that there are the aspects of training.

capacity, interpretation of results, the analysis depend also of the gouging of the

instruments and quality of the laboratory equipment. Finally, there is a series of

factors which may affect significantly the results, with implications in quality and in

the cost of production.

In the patent nor applied for, the continuous and automatic process for

the production of automotive paints and others is constituted by a process which

produces automatically any type of paint, strictly within the standards specified in the

formulae, complying with the requirements of color, coverage, solids and viscosity.

allowing also the automatic change of color or type of paint in approximately 3

minutes. The packaging may be made with any volume, depending of the machine to

be used for such a work.

For the manufacture of certain types of paint, the mixture of materials

is taken into one of the two mixing tanks; while a mixing tank is loaded and mixing. the mixture of the other tank is being continuously pumped into the head of the

mixer, which has high speed stirring. Other materials required for the final paint

(additives and dyes) shall be simultaneously pumped within the mixing head in order

to be mixed with products of different tanks of raw material. We call raw materials

the rosins, the concentrates, solvents and additives which are used for the production

of paints.

The paint, after ready, passes through a probe which reads the color

and viscosity and then is loaded into cans or drums (0.9. 1.0. 3.6 and 4.0 litters or

other volumes) ready for delivery.

The whole manufacture process for paint is performed by the PLC (Programmable

Logic Controller) and the system is controlled by the supervisor systems through the

FIX- DM ACS software, where all necessary information are stored and then used and

with said system monitoring the following parameters: Color. Coverage. Viscosity.

Specific weight. Pressure. Flow. Dying power of the concentrated.

I summary, this process as the following characteristics: produces

automatically the pain in the specified color and makes the automatic cleaning in

approximately 3 minutes, in other words, all pipes, tanks, valves and equipment are

totally clean in this short period of time and, with this, allows a fast changing of paint

(changing the color and/or type of rosin) in respect to conventional methods used up to now. with great flexibility in the production of paints, namely, it is possible to

produce any color of paint in any rosin contained in the tanks of raw materials,

without the smallest possibility of contamination of one paint with the other, with the

whole color, coverage and viscosity control being perfoπned on line.

For being continuous, the system has a flexibility to produce from

small lots up to large ones.

It performs instantaneously the tests of color, solids, viscosity, specific

weight along the whole manufacture process, with the tests being performed as the

paint is produced. The time for the preparation of the system in order to produce a

new lot is extraordinarily small in respect to the conventional process, due to the fact

that the system performs the automatic cleaning.

With this system it is possible to achieve perfect reproductions of the

paints, namely, the process produces always the same paint, as per the standards

specified in the formulation.

Considering that this process is made in a continuous and automatic

way. the adjustments are perfoπned with the addition in the exact proportion,

continuously, therefore eliminating the addition in larger quantities than the necessary-

ones and eliminating also eventual problems with the quality of the paint.

Due to the fact that the process is continuous and automatic, there is no

need to obtain samples for the laboratory in a manual way. with all inconvenient

mentioned above. Another important benefit of being a continuous and automatic

process is that it is possible to use the automation available resources, such as alarms.

indication of instant reading, graphs of the parameters, reports, accrued values along

the time, history, trends, etc.. with the power to speed up and optimize the

maintenance of the system providing events based in historic facts, filing problems or

changes occurred in the system etc.

Great reliability of the measuring system, for this being a continuous

and automatic system independent of outside variables, such as the waiting time to

perfoπn the tests, contamination, etc.

The system is possible to monitored, for all stages of the process and

all parameters are duly known and controlled.

The system does not require the same number of operators for

maintenance, nor the need of maintaining a laboratory with sophisticated equipment.

for the controls are performed on line.

With this process, a great loss of time is avoided in the movement of

raw materials for the addition of the products, as it is done in the conventional

processes.

Due to the fact that the process is fully automatic, the personnel used

in the operation of the plant becomes more specialized and therefore qualified to

perform any repair in the plant. For a better understanding of the object of this patent, we refer to

the following drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows a diagram of the simplified flowchart for the process of loading the

tanks with raw materials:

Figure 2 is a diagram of the simplified flowchart for the process of addition of rosins

to the mixing tank identified by "A";

Figure 3 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart of the addition process for

additives in the mixing tank, identified by "B";

Figure 4 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart of the addition process for dyes

in the mixing tank, identified by "C";

Figure 5 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart of the addition process for

solvents in the mixing tank, identified by "D";

Figure 6 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart of the addition process for small

quantities of raw materials taken from the mixing tank, identified by "E";

Figure 7 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart of the addition control system

for several raw materials in to two mixing tanks, before being placed in the mixer,

the system needed to obtain certain types of paints;

Figure 8 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart of the reception process for raw

materials in seveτal tanks of the mixer, for the mixing, analysis of their characteristics

and following to the packaging station;

Figure 9 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart of the whole set. from the mixer to the later stor; Figure 10 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart of the reception of nitrogen in

the cleaning system, which pushes the paint present within the pipes and in the mixer:

Figure 1 1 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart for the reception of clean

solvent of the cleaning system; and

Figure 12 shows a diagram of a simplified flowchart for the taking out of dirty-

solvent from the cleaning system.

This Patent of Invention for a CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC

P OCFSS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS

constituted by several feeding lines of raw material, with such lines being basically

formed by tanks ( 1 ) for the loading of raw materials which have the necessary stirrer

motor (2) to homogenize said raw materials and the high level control (3) which,

when the tank ( 1 ) reaches the required filling level, connects the high level transmitter

which disconnects, automatically (through a software), the feeding pump (4) in order

to stop the transfer of the raw material through the pipe (5) from the tank, bowl or

other container (6) and controls the low level (7) which, when the tank is in its low

level, connects the transmitter in order to turn the pump (4) on. which transfers

through said pipe (5) the raw material from the tank (6) into the tank (1). pointing out

that under noπnal conditions of operation, all raw materials connected to the

production of a given paint are simultaneously and automatically added.

In the process for the addition of rosins (A), the recirculation of the

rosin is started, namely, the rosin exists from one of the tanks ( 12a) with a stirrer (2a) and through the pipe (8a) passes by a dosing pump (9a) which is automatically

turned on when the system reaches a previously determined pressure, and by a duct

( l OaO) in order to communicate with the duct (1 1a) with a control valve ( 12a) and

returning into the tank ( 1 a) with the pressure of this first recirculation ring being

controlled through the opening or closing of said control valve (12a) and in this

phase, the recirculation of the rosin is started in the second ring, which is formed by

the pipe (13a), filter ( 14a), dosing pump (15a), flow meter (16a), diversive valve

(17a) which returns the rosin by a pipe (18a) which, on its turn, is connected to the

pipe (1 la) and which, passing through the control valve (12a), returns to the tank (la)

or through the pipe (20a) going to the mixer (21); said dosing pump (15a) has a

variable rotation allowing a variable flow to reach the specified quantity of rosin as

per the respective paint formulas, with the quantity of rosin to be added in the mixer

(21) being controlled by a flow meter (16a) which controls the rotation of the dosing

pump (15a) which, as the total quantity of rosin determined for the production of the

lot is introduced into the system, the adding pumps (9a and 16a) of the rosin tank will

be turned off automatically.

In the process for the addition of dyes (B) which are stored on another

tank ( l b) with 20. 1.000 and 2,500 litters capacity and with a stirrer (2b). after being

taken from the bowl (6b) by the feeding pump (4b) enters first into recirculation.

co ing out from the tank (lb), passing by the pipe (8b) and through the dosing pump

(9b) which is automatically turned on when the system reaches a previously defined 14

pressure and by the pipe (10b) in order to connect widi the pipe (l ib) with the

control valve (12b) in order to return to the tank (lb), with the pressure of this first

ring being controlled through the opening or closing of the control valve (12b) and

in this phase, the recirculation of the concentrated in the second ring starts, which is

formed by the pipe (13b), basket filter (14b), dosing pump (15b), flow meter (16b)

and diversive valve (17b), which returns the concentrate by a duct (18b) which, on its

turn, is connected with the pipe (l ib) and which, passing by the control valve (12b)

returns to the tank (lb) or through the pipe (20) goes to the mixer (21); said dosing

pump (15b) has variable rotation allowing the variable flow in order to reach the

quantity of concentrate specified in the respective formulas of paints, with the

quantity of concentrate to be added in the mixer (21 ) being controlled by a flow

meter (16b) which controls the rotation of the dosing pump (15b) and the quantity of

concentrates which have to be introduced into the system controlled by the control

loop which reads the color on-line and corrects instantaneously with the addition of

concentrates inherent to the respective formula and, as the whole quantity of

concentrate determined for the production of the lot is introduced into the system, the

addition pumps (9b and 15b) of the dye tanks will be automatically turned off.

In the addition process for additives (C) which are stored in another

tank (lc) of 20, 1,000 and 2,500 litters capacity and with motor stirrer (2c) which.

after being taken from the bowl (6c) using a feeding pump (4c) enters initially in

recirculation, namely, it exits the tank (lc), passes by the pipe (8c), by the dosing pump (9c) which is automatically turned on when the system reaches a

previously defined pressure and by a pipe (10c) in order to connect with the pipe

(l ie) with the control valve (12c) in order to return to the tank (lc), with the pressure

of this first ring being controlled through the opening or closing of the control valve

(12c) and, in this phase, the recirculation of the concentrated in the second ring starts,

which is formed by the pipe (13c), basket filter (14c), dosing pump (15c), flow meter

(16c) and diversive valve (17c), which returns the additives by a duct (18c) which, on

its turn, is connected with the pipe (l ie) and which, passing by the control valve

(12c) returns to the tank (lc) or through the pipe (20) goes to the mixer (21); said

dosing pump ( 15c) has variable rotation allowing the variable flow in order to reach

the quantity of additives specified in the respective formulas of paints, with the

quantity of additives to be added in the mixer (21) being controlled by a flow meter

(16c) which controls the rotation of the dosing pump (15c) and the quantity of

additives which have to be introduced into the system controlled by the control loop

which reads the color on-line and corrects instantaneously with the addition of

additives inherent to the respective formula and, as the whole quantity of additives

determined for the production of the lot is introduced into the system, all addition

pumps (9c and 15c) of the dye tanks will be automatically turned off.

In the addition process for additives (D) which are stored in another

tank ( 1 d) which is automatically loaded by PLC with the solvent coming out from the

pipe (8d) being pumped, by the centrifuge dosing pump (9d), passing through the 16

basket filter (14d), by the flow meter (16d) and control valve (19d), until the

pressure reaches a previously established value, with said pressure being adjusted

until reaching a value programmed by the valve (12d) and then the valve (17d) which

sends the flow through the pipe (18d) by the valve (12d) back to the tank (Id) and,

upon changing the position (from ac to ab) and the solvent starts entering the mixer

(21) and in this stage, a fine adjustment of the flow will be made with the quantity of

solvent being controlled by another flow meter (22) which sends instantaneously the

viscosity value of the solvent to the program and this sends a signal to the control

valve ( 19d) to open or close and, in this way, to control the viscosity specified in the

formulation, in such a way that when the raw materials are finally introduced in said

mixer (21), the whole lot of paint already established was produced with the system

turning off automatically.

For the feeding of small quantities of raw materials (E) and for the

adjustments of the mixer (21), a dispersion tank (2e) receives, through the pipe (5e)

and the pump (4e) the raw material taken from the drum or bowl (6e).

Optionally, for the preparation of some types of paints, the process of

the balanced mixture of raw materials may be divided into two feeding lines (F and

G) which receive, alternately and independently, the introduction of the raw materials

(221, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, ...), processed by pumps controlled by the PLC,

through the on-off valves (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, 23f, ...) and of rosin (24)

through the valves (25a) and (25b), which shall be automatically dosed by the flow meter (26) which are self adherent and the drains of which (27a), (27b),

(28a) and (28b) serve to calibrate said meters (26) and filters (29a) and (29b) and

through the pipes (30a) and (30b) and 3 way valves (31a) and (31b) which feed

the mixing tanks (32a and 32b), not dedicated, each one with a motor stirrer (2),

with said tanks having a lower outlet pipe through the gear pump (33a) and (33b)

and flow meters (34a) and (34b) and two basket filters assembly in parallel (35a)

and (35b) and connected in a 3 way valve (36a) and (36b) (which send the mixture

to the main mixer (21) or which direct the mixture to 3 way valves (37a) and (37b)

and to the pressure control valves (38a) and (38b) and bringing the mixture back to

the mixing tanks (32a) and (32b) or, when the cleaning process, takes the dirty

cleaning solvent to the outlet (39).

A semi-loading system may be placed in the two feeding lines (F and

G) of the mixing tanks (32a and 32b), with such system being formed by drums,

gear pumps and basket filter, where the quantity of raw materials manually measured

through the weighing in scale with the raw materials being added in the mixing

tanks (32a and 32b), through the pumping or manual unloading through the funnel

installed in the mouth of the tanks.

The mixer (21) is a compact equipment and is provided with several

independent inlet nozzles through which several raw materials are introduced within

the inner mixing chamber, which has a defined minimum volume, necessary for a

perfect homogenization of the raw materials, forming therefore the paint, with the lo

paint produced coming out through the pipe (40) and enters the storage tank

(41 ), with part of the paint being formed in said mixer (21 ) going to the control cell,

composed by diversive valves (42) and (43) by a small tank (44), a pump (45) and a

colorimeter (46), where the color and coverage is analyzed, with the paint returning

to the storage tank 941 ) through the pipe (47) and the data so obtained being then

sent to the program which compares with the standard paint in order to add the

necessary raw materials to adapt the color and coverage, until reaching the specified

standards, with said program adding the flow meter (22) which reads the viscosity

and sends the data to the program which, on its turn, compares with the viscosity

specified and orders the addition or restriction of the quantity of solvent in order to

adjust the viscosity which, if is out of the standards, will return to the tank (41) or if

it has the standard viscosity and ready to be canned, the content of the storage tank

(41 ) is unloaded through pipes by a pump (48) and valve (49) returning to the mixer

(21 ) and from there through the flow meter (22) and, through pipes and the valve

(50) and the discharge pipe (51) and discharging nozzles (52 and 53) may be packed

in 0.9, 1.0, 3.6, 4.0, 200 litters or any other type of volume; after the end of the

production of a given paint, the system is cleaned with solvent and dried with

nitrogen automatically in 3 minutes, with the system remaining capable of producing

a new lot of paint of any color or with any rosin.

In the start up process, the materials from all tanks (32a), (32b) of all

rosin tanks (la), of all dye tanks (lb), of all additive tanks (lc) and of all tanks of solvents ( 1 d) are pumped and remain recirculating in the pipe systems until the

pressure reaching a stable value being, then, the dosing system and feeding system

using the adjustment of the last lot produced; the first paint in the mixer (21) is taken

to the storage tank (41 ) (called also lung tank) and when the paint becomes stable

within the technical specification, the flow is turned to the discharging of the ready

paint (52 and 53) in drums or cans and, during the process, the material of the storage

tank or lung tank 941 ) is gradually pumped into the mixer head (21) until the volume

of said tank reaches the zero level, before the end of the "production run", totally

controlled.

The feeding of new colors requires a 20 liter sample of the product,

which is sent through the colorimeter (46) analyzers) using the small tank (44) and

the pump (45) with the system registering the new color, with the product being men

produced through the normal sequence using the percentile value of the inlet formula

as a starting point and the color registrations and viscosity which intend to reach.

After the discharge being completed, a portion of nitrogen from the

storage tank and distributed by the pipes passes through the diversive valve (54), is

inserted through individual valves (55), (56), (57) and (58) in the points (59), (60).

(61 ) and (62) of the system to push the product of the pipes in the outlet of the mixer

(21 ) and in the pipes, the clean solvent is then introduced from the storage tank which

passes through the pump (63), filter (64), and diversive valve (65) and is inserted 20

through the individual valves (66), (67), (68) and (69) in the points (70), (71 ), (72),

(73) and (74), this last one passing through the pipe with the diversive valve (75) and

passing into the mixing tanks (32a) and (32b), with the dirty solvent being taken out

in the points (39) and (76) being placed within the storage tank (77) through the

pump (78) taken for recuperation.

Periodically, the adjustment of the dosing pumps (15a), (15b), (15c),

(9d), (33a) and (33b) in order to compensate the natural wear through a deviation of

the outlets, using an hydraulic cylinder against a constant simulated pressures in the

normal process; the time which the cylinder takes to run a given volume is measured

and the flow x rotation curve stored in the control system are updated and, if the flow

goes below a given value (maximum wear), the system informs the operator in order

to process the change of said pumps (15a), (15b), (15c), (9d), (33a) and (33b).

Claims

21

1. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS, characterized by

several feeding lines of raw material, with such lines being formed basically by tanks

(1) for the loading of raw materials, which have, if necessary, a motor stirrer (2) to

homogenize said raw materials and high level control (3) which, when the tank (1 )

reaches the required filling level, turns the high level transmitter on which

disconnects automatically (by software) the feeding pump (4) in order to stop the transfer,

through the duct (5), the raw material of the tank, bowl or other (6) and a low level control (7)

which, when the tank is with a low level turns said transmitter on to connect the pump (4)

which transfer through said pipe (5) the raw material from the tank (6) into the tank (l),m

pointing out that under normal conditions of operation, all raw materials inherent

to the production of a given paint are added simultaneously and automatically.

2. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS as per the claim 1.

characterized by the fact that in the process for addition of rosins (A) the

recirculation of the rosin, namely, the rosin coming our of one of the tanks (la)

with motor stirrer (2) and through the duct (8a) passes by the dosing pump (a) which

is automatically turned on when the system reaches a given pressure and by the pipe

(10a) to connect the pipe (11a) with the control valve (12a) and returning to the tank

(la), with the pressure of this first recirculation ring being controlled through the opening or closing of said control valve (12a) and, in this phase, the

recirculation of the rosin begins in the second ring, which is formed by the pipe

(13a), filter (14a), dosing pump (15a), flow meter (16a), diversive valve (17a), which

returns the rosin through the pipe (18a) which is connected to the pipe (1 1a) and

which, passing by the control valve (12a) returns to the tank (la) or through the pipe

(20a) going to the mixer (21 ); said dosing pump (15a) has variable rotation

allowing a variable flow to reach the quantity or rosin specified in the respective

formulas of the paints, with the quantity of rosin to be added in the mixer 921)

controlled by a flow meter 916a) which commands the rotation of the dosing pump

(15a) which as soon as all quantity of rosin determined for the production of the lot is

introduced in the system, the addition pumps (9a and 16a) of the rosin tank will torn

automatically off.

3. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS as per the claim 1,

characterized by the fact that in the process for the addition of dyes (B) which are

stored on another tank (lb) with 20, 1,000 and 2,500 litters capacity and with a stirrer

(2b). after being taken from the bowl (6b) by the feeding pump (4b) enters first into

recirculation, coming out from the tank (lb), passing by the pipe (8b) and through the

dosing pump (9b) which is automatically turned on when the system reaches a

previously defined pressure and by the pipe (10b) in order to connect with the pipe

(l ib) with the control valve (12b) in order to return to the tank (lb), with the pressure 23

(12b) and, in this phase, the recirculation of the concentrated in the second ring starts,

which is formed by the pipe ( 13b). basket filter ( 14b). dosing pump ( 15b). flow

meter ( 16b) and diversive valve ( 17b). which returns the concentrate by a duct ( 18b)

which, on its turn, is connected with the pipe ( l ib) and which, passing by the control

valve ( 12b) returns to the tank ( lb) or through the pipe (20) goes to the mixer (21 );

said dosing pump ( 15b) has variable rotation allowing the variable flow in order to

reach he quantity of concentrate specified in the respective formulas of paints, with

the quantity of concentrate to be added in the mixer (21 ) being controlled by a flow

meter ( 16b) which controls the rotation of the dosing pump ( 15b) and the quantity of

oop which reads the color on-line and corrects instantaneously with the addition of

concentrates inherent to the respective formula and, as the whole quantity of

addition pumps (9b and 15b) of the dye tanks will be automatically turned off

4. C ONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS as per the claim I.

characterized by the fact that in the process for the addition of additives (C) which

are stored in another tank ( lc) of 20, 1,000 and 2,500 litters capacity and with motor

stirrer (2c) which, after being taken from the bowl (6c) using a feeding pump (4c)

enters initially in recirculation, namely, it exits the tank (lc), passes by the pipe (8c). by the dosing pump (9c) which is automatically turned on when the system reaches a

(12c) and, in this phase, the recirculation of the concentrated in the second ring

starts, which is formed by the pipe (13c), basket filter (14c), dosing pump (15c),

flow meter (16c) and diversive valve (17c), which returns the additives by a duct

(18c) which, on its turn, is connected with the pipe (He) and which, passing by the

control valve (12c) returns to the tank (lc) or through the pipe (20) goes to the mixer

(21 ); said dosing pump (15c) has variable rotation allowing the variable flow in

order to reach the quantity of additives specified in the respective formulas of

paints, with the quantity of additives to be added in the mixer (21) being controlled

by a flow meter (16c) which controls the rotation of the dosing pump (15c)

and the quantity of additives which have to be introduced into the system controlled

by the control loop which reads the color on-line and corrects instantaneously with

the addition of additives inherent to the respective formula and, as the whole quantity

of additives determined for the production of the lot is introduced into the system, all

addition pumps (9c and 15c) of the dye tanks will be automatically turned off.

5. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS as per the claim 1,

characterized by the fact that in the process for the addition of solvents (D) used to adjust the viscosity, the solvent, which comes from the tanks (Id) which is

automatically loaded by PLC with the solvent coming out from the pipe (8d) being

pumped, by the centrifuge dosing pump (9d), passing through the basket filter (14d).

by the flow meter ( 16d) and control valve (19d), until the pressure reaches a

previously established value, with said pressure being adjusted until reaching a value

programmed by the valve (12d) and then the valve (17d) which sends the flow

through the pipe (18d) by the valve ( 12d) back to the tank ( 1 d) and, upon changing

the position (from ac to ab) and the solvent starts entering the mixer (21) and in this

stage, a fine adjustment of the flow will be made with the quantity of solvent being

controlled by another flow meter (22) which sends instantaneously the viscosity value

of the solvent to the program and this sends a signal to the control valve (19d) to

open or close and, in this way, to control the viscosity specified in the formulation, in

such a way that when the raw materials are finally introduced in said mixer (21),

the whole lot of paint already established was produced with the system turning off

automatically.

6. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS as per the claim 1,

characterized by the fact for the feeding of small quantities of raw material (E) and

for die adjustment of the mixer (21), a dispersion tank (le) receives, through the pipe

(5e) and pump (4e) the raw material taken from the bowl or container (6e).

7. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE 26

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS as per the claim 1.

characterized by the fact that, optionally, for the preparation of some types of paints.

the process of the balanced mixture of raw materials may be divided into two feeding

lines (F and G) which receive, alternately and independently, the introduction of the

raΛV materials (221. 22b. 22c. 22d. 22e. 22f ...), processed by pumps controlled by

the PLC. through the on-off valves (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, 23f. ...) and of rosin

(24) through the valves (25a) and (25b), which shall be automatically dosed by the

flow meter (26) which are self adherent and the drains of which (27a). (27b). (28a)

and (28b) serve to calibrate said meters (26) and filters (29a) and (29b) and through

the pipes (30a) and (30b) and 3 way valves (31 a) and (31b) which feed the mixing

tanks (32a and 32b). not dedicated, each one with a motor stirrer (2). with said tanks

having a lower outlet pipe through the gear pump (33a) and (33b) and flow meters

(34a) and (34b) and two basket filters assembly in parallel (35a) and (35b) and

connected in a 3 way valve (36a) and (36b) (which send the mixture to the main

mixer (21 ) or which direct the mixture to 3 way valves (37a) and (37b) and to the

pressure control valves (38a) and (38b) and bringing the mixture back to the mixing

tanks (32a) and (32b) or, when the cleaning process, takes the dirty cleaning solvent

to the outlet (39).

8. C ONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS as per the claim 7.

characterized by a semi-loading system that may be placed on the two feeding lines (F and G) of the mixing tanks (32a and 32b). with such system being foπned by

drums, gear pump and basket filter, where the quantity of raw material is measured

manually through the weighing in scale, with the raw materials being added in the

mixing tanks (32a and 32b) through the pumping or manual discharge, through a

funnel installed in the nozzle of the tanks.

9. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC: PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS as per the claims

2. 3. 4. 5. 6, and 7, characterized by the fact that said mixer (21 ) is a mixer compact

with several independent inlet nozzles through which the raw materials are introduced

in the inner mixing chamber, which has a defined minimum volume, necessary for a

perfect homogenization of the raw materials, forming the paint, with the produced

paint coming out from the pipe (40) and entering into the storing tank (41 ). with part

of the paint being formed in said mixer (21) going to the control cell, composed

by diversive valves (42) and (43) by a small tank (44), a pump (45) and a colorimeter

(46). where the color and coverage is analyzed, with the paint returning to the storage

tank 941 ) through the pipe (47) and the data so obtained being then sent to the

program which compares with the standard paint in order to add the necessary raw

materials to adapt the color and coverage, until reaching the specified standards,

with said program adding the flow meter (22) which reads the viscosity and sends the

data to the program which, on its tum, compares with the viscosity specified and

orders the addition or restriction of the quantity of solvent in order to adjust the 28

viscosity which, if is out of the standards, will return to the tank (41 ) or if it has the

standard viscosity and ready to be canned, the content of the storage tank ( 1 ) is

unloaded through pipes by a pump (48) and valve (49) returning to the mixer (21 )

and from there through the flow meter (22) and, through pipes and the valve (50) and

the discharge pipe (51 ) and discharging nozzles (52 and 53) may be packed in 0.9.

1.0, 3.6. 4.0, 200 litters or any other type of volume: after the end of the

production of a given paint, the system is cleaned with solvent and dried

with nitrogen automatically in 3 minutes, with the system remaining capable of

producing a new lot of paint of any color or with any rosin.

10. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS characterized by

the fact that in the start up process, the materials from all tanks (32a), (32b) of all

rosin tanks ( l a), of all dye tanks (lb), of all additive tanks (l c) and of all tanks

of solvents ( 1 d) are pumped and remain recirculating in the pipe systems until the

using the adjustment of the last lot produced; the first paint in the mixer (21 ) is taken

to the storage tank (41 ) (called also lung tank) and. when the paint becomes stable

paint (52 and 53) in drums or cans and. during the process, the material of the storage

tank or lung tank 941 ) is gradually pumped into the mixer head (21 ) until the volume

of said tank reaches the zero level, before the end of the "production run^", totallv 29

controlle

1 1. C ONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC: PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS characterized by

the alignment of new colors requiring a 20 litter sample of the product, which is sent

through the colorimeter (46) analyzers) using the small tank (44) and the pump (45).

with the system registering the new color, with the product being then produced by a

normal sequence using the percentile value of the inlet formula as the starring point

and the registration of color and viscosity which we intend to reach.

12. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS characterized by

the fact that after the discharge being completed, a portion of nitrogen from the

storage tank and distributed by the pipes passes through the diversive valve (54). is

inserted through individual valves (55), (56), (57) and (58) in the points (59). (60).

61 ) and (62) of the system to push the product of the pipes in the outlet of the mixer

passes through the pump (63), filter (64), and diversive valve (65) and is inserted

through the individual valves (66), (67), (68) and (69) in the points (70). (71 ). (72).

(73) and (74). this last one passing through the pipe with the diversive valve (75) and

in the points (39) and (76) being placed within the storage tank (77) through the pump

(78) taken for recuperation.

13. CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC PROCESS FOR THE

PRODUC TION OF AUTOMOTIVE AND OTHER PAINTS characterized by

the fact that it is necessary to adjust, periodically, the dosing pumps ( 15a). ( 15b).

(15c). (9d), (33a) and (33b) in order to compensate the natural wear through a

deviation of the outlets, using an hydraulic cylinder against a constant simulated

pressures in the noπnal process; the time which the cylinder takes to run a given

volume is measured and the flow x rotation curve stored in the control system arc

updated and, if the flow goes below a given value (maximum wear), the system

informs the operator in order to process the change of said pumps ( 15a). ( 15b). ( 15c).

(9d). (33a) and (33b).