WO2007110764A2

WO2007110764A2 - Automated colorimetric machine

Info

Publication number: WO2007110764A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/000797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Dinelli; Alfonso Faenza
Original assignee: Massimo Dinelli; Alfonso Faenza
Priority date: 2006-03-28
Filing date: 2007-03-28
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Also published as: WO2007110764A8; EP1998880A2; WO2007110764A3; ITBO20060213A1

Abstract

An automated colorimetric machine for measuring and dispensing fluid colorant products according to specific formulations for finished products comprises storage means for said formulations, dispensing means (32) for dispensing the fluid colorant products according to predetermined formulations in order to prepare a finished product, and means (20) for supporting and moving a container (5) of base fluid products within the colorimetric machine. The colorimetric machine further comprises opening means (50, 54, 56, 121, 124, 126, 128) for opening, in use, an inlet on said container (5) through which the dispensing means dispense the fluid colorant products into the container (5) , and closure means (60, 62, 64) for closing said inlet, in use, after the dispensing means have dispensed the fluid colorant products into the container (5) .

Description

AUTOMATED COLORIMETRIC MACHINE

The present invention relates to the field of machines for the processing of fluid products. The invention was developed with particular regard to a machine for measuring and dispensing fluid products, in particular fluids that are constituents of finished products such as varnishes, paints, inks, enamels, dyes for the textile industry and the like, but also of intermediate products such as, for example, colorants, pigment concentrates, colorant concentrates, pigment pastes and the like.

In order to obtain the finished products of which examples are given above, it is known to add to a base fluid product, for example white in colour or transparent, one or more colorant fluid products in predetermined proportions according to specific formulations. The known machines used in the field indicated above are arranged to deliver known amounts of colorants into containers, vessels, cans or drums of predetermined capacity, in which the base fluid products have been previously placed.

The bases are customarily stored inside vessels closed by a lid and which, at the required moment, are placed on a support platform of the dispensing machine, beneath the delivery nozzles, after the lids have been removed. When carrying out this operation manually, there is the risk of spilling part of the contents of the vessel either before or after the operations of dispensing the colorants . In addition, the operations of manual opening and closing of a vessel involve a significant loss of time.

Another drawback of the devices of known type lies in the fact that in order to obtain a finished product it is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the products used, both base and colorants, in order to avoid combining incompatible products and/or obtaining an unwanted result. It is therefore necessary to select a base product which, for example, is suitable for the surface to which it is to be applied, and/or to know the type of colorant capable of obtaining, with that base product, the desired colour on said surface. Such knowledge is generally relegated to the user or to an expert also capable of operating the machine and managing the container .

It is an aim of the present invention to remedy the problems linked to the machines of known type, by providing an automated colorimetric machine as defined in the claims which follow.

One of the main aims of the present invention is that of obtaining a finished product, and in particular varnishes, paints, inks, enamels, dyes for the textile industry and the like, starting from a base product contained in a hermetically sealed container, by adding one or more fluid colorant products in predetermined proportions and according to specific formulations, without any operator and/or user coming into contact with any of the constituents used to obtain the finished product.

Another aim of the present invention is that of allowing the use of any type and brand of products constituting the finished product, contained in any type of container, of any shape and size, provided that it comprises means for identification of its contents. At the same time, another aim of the present invention is that of providing a system capable of guaranteeing absolute compatibility between the base components selected by the user and the fluid colorant products used within the automated colorimetric machine of the present invention. One of the main advantages of the present invention lies in the fact that any final user is capable of obtaining a finished product such as varnishes, paints, inks, enamels, dyes for the textile industry and the like, rapidly and simply, without any effort and deciding with complete autonomy on the type of finished product from among a wide choice of products obtainable.

Another advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the automated colorimetric machine can be installed directly at the points of sale and/or in wholesale distribution without the need for a specialised operator to help the final user to obtain the desired finished product.

Further characteristics and advantages will become clear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the appended drawings, provided solely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of the colorimetric machine of the present invention;

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

Figure 3 is a sectional view from above of the colorimetric machine of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an embodiment of the means for opening an inlet on a container according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an embodiment of the closure means according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a moving plate on which are arranged containers of different sizes comprising a closure cap;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a closure cap for a container; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the closure cap of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention which shows the arrangement of the means for opening an inlet on the containers of fluid products;

Figure 10 is a front view of an embodiment of the means for opening and closing an inlet according to the present invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the means for opening and closing an inlet of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention which shows the arrangement of the mixing means .

With reference now to the drawings, an automated colorimetric machine according to the present invention comprises a main frame 1, substantially square in shape, and elongate in a vertical direction. The frame comprises support members such as, for example, feet, to guarantee its stability on the ground or, alternatively, wheels 10, to allow the machine to be moved freely within the surroundings in which it is installed.

The main frame 1 defines within it a space which contains the majority of the devices which constitute the present invention. Arranged inside the main frame 1 are means for supporting and moving a container 5 of fluid products , in particular of base products, for example white in colour or transparent. The supporting and moving means comprise, for example, but not by way of limitation, a support plate 20, substantially circular in shape, movably connected to the main frame 1. The support plate 20 is connected to first actuating devices 12, for example, but not by way of limitation, an electric motor, or pneumatic and/or hydraulic means which, in use, allow its displacement in a direction perpendicular to the ground. The support plate 20 is further connected to second actuating devices 14, particularly- adapted, in use, to displace the plate 20, more preferably to rotate the support plate 20 about its main axis in such a way as to move a peripheral portion thereof along a substantially circular path, as will become clearer hereinafter. The support plate 20 further comprises centring means, for example, but not by way of limitation, centring templates 22. The templates 22 facilitate the positioning of the container 5 on the support plate 20, make it possible to centre the container on said circular path and, at the same time, help to keep the container stable and immobile in its position on the support plate 20 , avoiding dangerous and harmful displacements of the container 5 resulting from the rotatory movement of the support plate 20. The plate 20 may comprise a plurality of centring templates 22, of different sizes and shapes capable of receiving containers of different shapes and sizes, the templates 22 being distributed so that they are spaced on the surface of the support plate 20 or arranged radially in a plurality of positions on the plate, such that the support plate 20 can receive a plurality of containers simultaneousIy.

On the main frame, an upper access aperture 16 is provided, arranged opposite the support plate 20, such that in use it is possible to position on the support plate 20, within the centring templates 22, one or more containers containing base fluid products. Preferably, the access aperture 16 is selectively closable via closure means such as, for example, but not by way of limitation, shutters or doors.

Arranged within the main frame there are also means for measuring and dispensing fluid products, in particular one or more fluid colorant products in predetermined proportions and according to specific formulations. The measuring and dispensing means may be of known type and therefore will not be described in detail herein, but their technical characteristics are to be understood as being incorporated by reference in the present description. The measuring means comprise one or more delivery valves 30 for fluid constituents, preferably, but not by way of limitation, arranged in a predetermined position C along said substantially circular path, and each of which can be selectively actuated to deliver, in use, a predetermined amount of product. The measuring and dispensing means further comprise measuring devices engaged with each of the delivery valves, in order to measure, in use, a volume or a quantity of fluid delivered.

The measuring and dispensing means are connected to reservoirs of fluid products 32, in particular of one or more fluid colorant products . The reservoirs are preferably also arranged within the main frame 1, in a position which is easily accessible from the outside so as to allow them to be filled and/or removed and/or replaced. As an alternative, the reservoirs may be arranged on the outside of the main frame, or in any case in a remote position.

Also arranged within the main frame are means for opening an inlet on the container 5 , and in particular an inlet on the lid of the container. The opening means are arranged in a position B along said substantially circular path and, as illustrated in Figure 4, comprise a cutting member, for example, but not by way of limitation, a circular blade 50 the cutting surfaces 52 of which are inclined towards the inside, means for moving the blade, for example a rod provided with a rack 54, and a member for tensioning the lid, for example a circular jacket 56 movably connected to the rack rod, capable of maintaining the surface of the lid under tension and therefore facilitating the operations of perforation of the lid. In use, the rack rod 54 lowers the blade 50 until the cutting surfaces 52 have penetrated inside the container 5, as illustrated by dashed lines in Figure 4. The cutting member makes it possible to completely perforate the lid, or to perforate it only partially, in both cases opening an inlet for the subsequent introduction of the fluid products into the container by means of the delivery nozzles .

Also arranged within the main frame 1 are closure means for closing the inlet produced by the opening means. The closure means, arranged in a position D along the substantially circular path, are capable of applying and fixing, in use, at the inlet produced by the perforation means, a closure member, for example a cap or an adhesive label or a top or any other member capable of ensuring the sealing of said inlet. According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the closure means comprise a reservoir of closure members 60, a vertically movable applicator piston 62, and an arm for moving the closure members 64 towards the applicator piston 62.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the automated colorimetric machine may further comprise means for mixing the product contained within the container 5 before and/or after the addition of one or more fluid colorant products to the base fluid product. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, within the main frame, in the lower portion of the colorimetric machine, mixing means are arranged, for example, but not by way of limitation, shakers, mixers, of the gyroscopic, or vibratory, or orbital type or any other device of known type capable of mixing and homogenising the contents of the container. In this case also, the mixing means of known type will not be described in detail herein, but their technical characteristics are to be understood as being incorporated by reference in the present description. Moving means fixed to the main frame allow the displacement of the container 5 from the support plate 20 towards the mixing means, both before the step of perforation and delivery of the colorants and, mainly, after the closure means have sealed the aperture provided on the lid of the container.

On the main frame a lower aperture 36 may also be provided, arranged in the lower portion of the machine and at the mixing means, comprising closure means, for example doors and/or shutters, that can be opened selectively to allow the withdrawal and exit of the container 5 from the colorimetric machine .

The automated colorimetric machine of the present invention further comprises means for the acquisition of data regarding the container, preferably an optical reading system, for example a barcode or matrix code reader, or a radio frequency reading system, for example an RFID system with transponder. The data must be associated with the container and contain data regarding the product contained therein, such as, for example type, quality and quantity and/or other data of use for the preparation of a finished product .

A control and processing system is connected to the measuring and dispensing means, to the actuating devices for the container 5 and to the data acquisition means, and preferably comprises at least one electronic card and data storage devices . The control and processing system is further connected to user interface means such as, for example, a screen 40 and/or a keyboard, acoustic and/or visual indicating means, an electronic card and/or banknote reader, in order to allow the user to interact with the colorimetric machine in the selection of the final product.

In use, a container 5 of fluid products, in particular base products, for example white in colour or transparent, is placed within a centring template provided on the support plate 20, which is in its initial position A. As a rule, the labels identifying the container are arranged on its lateral surface, and therefore it may be necessary for the user to position the container 5 in such a way that the barcode is arranged opposite a respective optical reader. Alternatively, or in addition, if the barcode is positioned on the lid or on the bottom of the container, the machine may comprise acquisition means connected to the main frame 1 and arranged above or below the support plate 20. Once the container 5 is placed in the correct position on the centring template, the shutters of the upper inlet aperture 16 are closed, and a signal is sent to the control and processing means which actuate the data acquisition means in order to read all the data on the container.

If the control system does not receive the data on the container, or if the data received indicate that the product contained in the container is not compatible with the fluid colorant products available in the colorimetric machine, the control system signals this drawback to the user via the screen, actuates the moving means, displaces the container into the lower portion of the machine, opens the lower outlet aperture and invites the user to remove the container 5.

If the control system correctly receives the data contained on the barcode, or if said data, in particular the type of product contained therein and the quantity, indicate that the product contained in the container is compatible with the fluid colorant products available in the colorimetric machine, then, on the basis of these first data, the control system determines the weight and the height of the container. Then it actuates the first actuating devices 12 to adjust the height of the support plate 20 so that it is arranged at a predetermined height with respect to the perforation means, the dispensing means and the means for closing the container. The data acquired from the barcode are then sent to the screen 40 so that the user can check whether the container inserted corresponds to the container which he actually wished to insert into the colorimetric machine. If the user decides to confirm the selection of the container that has been made, for example by means of a keyboard and the screen itself, the control and processing system starts to process the possible fluid colorant products compatible with the base product contained in the container and the respective predetermined proportions and/or specific formulations which allow a finished product to be obtained. The results of this processing are then sent to the interface means, for example to the screen, in such as way as to allow the user to select a predetermined finished product. Once this selection has been made, the processing system sends to the screen a series of data which recapitulate, for example, the type of product selected, the quantity thereof, the colour and, preferably, the total cost of the finished product. If the user accepts what is proposed, the colorimetric machine may require direct payment, for example by means of a payment card, credit card, bank card or prepaid card, or cash or, alternatively, print a label to be applied to the container and containing all the aforesaid data, for example by means of a further barcode, so as to allow indirect payment at a check-out of the point of sale.

Once this last step has been completed, the colorimetric machine initiates the procedure for preparation of the fluid product. The support plate 20 is rotated so that the centring template 22, and therefore the container 5, moves along the substantially circular path to a position B at the means for opening an inlet. The cutting blade 50 is lowered until it completely or partially perforates a predetermined portion of the container 5, and is then raised into the initial position. Once the lid is perforated, the support plate 20 is again rotated and the container 5 is displaced along the substantially circular path as far as the position C at the dispensing means. The delivery nozzles 30 then deliver into the container 5 through the aperture on the lid one or more fluid colorant products in predetermined proportions and according to specific formulations stored in the storage means of the control and processing system.

Once delivery is completed, the support plate 20 is rotated again and the container 5 is displaced along the substantially circular path as far as position D at the closure means for closing the aperture made by the perforation means, where a closure member, for example a cap or an adhesive label, closes the aperture in such a way as to hermetically seal the container 5.

At this point, the moving means displace the container 5 onto the mixing means which actuate a predetermined mixing cycle on the basis of the type of product contained within the container. When the mixing cycle is completed, an acoustic and/or visual signal is emitted to signal to the user that the colorimetric machine has completed its preparation cycle and that the sealed container, containing the finished product, may be removed via the lower outlet aperture.

Within the process described above, it is of course possible to consider modifying the sequence of some of the steps described. For example, the label containing the data of the finished product and the cost may be printed and applied to the container in a final step before returning the container to the user. Similarly, the payment step may come later during the preparation process or at the end of the latter.

According to another one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, illustrated in Figures 6 to 9 , into the colorimetric machine, on the support plate 20, fluid containers 5 are inserted which already comprise an aperture on their upper part and a closure member for said aperture, for example, but not by way of limitation, a cap. As illustrated in detail in the drawings, each fluid product container 5 comprises a substantially circular aperture, preferably produced according to DIN standard, to which is applied a closure member, for example a cap 100. The cap 100, preferably produced from a resilient material, for example plastics material, comprises a central portion 107 and at least one circular groove 110 which extends over at least the major part of the peripheral portion 101 of the cap. As illustrated in Figure 7, the peripheral ends 101 of the cap 100 bear in a sealed manner against the rim 103 of a lid 105 of the container 5, preventing the escape of the fluid contained therein. The cap 100 further comprises surface stiffening members, for example, but not by way of limitation, one or more radial ribs 112. The cap 100 may be fitted onto an aperture provided on a further lid 105 of known type which closes the upper portion of the container 5, or provided directly on the upper surface of the container 5.

According to this embodiment, the means for opening and closing an inlet on the container 5 comprise means for the selective opening and closing of a closure member of the container, for example a cap 100.

The means for selective opening and closing of the cap 100 comprise a support base, for example a support plate 120 connected to the frame 1 of the colorimetric machine and on the surface of which at least one central through-hole is provided. Inside the through-hole is arranged an opening member, slidably fixed to a pair of slide guides 122, elongate in a preferential direction and fixed to the support plate 120 in a transverse position. The opening member is actuated by actuating means, for example a pneumatic cylinder 121 which allows sliding thereof in said preferential direction from a rest position to an operating position. The opening member comprises a pair of half-cylinders 124 arranged opposite each other and distanced from each other, and on the lower ends of which are engaged gripping members , for example, but not by way of limitation, three S-shaped appendages 126. Further actuating means 128 are connected to the half-cylinders 124 in such a way as to bring the two half-cylinders 124, and therefore the appendages 126, close to each other in use.

The means for selective opening and closing of the cap 100 further comprise an abutment member, for example, but not by way of limitation, a circular plate 130 movably engaged with the support plate 120 via further actuating means, for example, a pair of pneumatic cylinders 132 which, in use, make it possible to lower the circular plate 130 below the support plate 120 and bring it in abutment on the upper portion of the container 5, as will become clearer hereinafter .

In use, after the container has been positioned on one of the corresponding centring templates in the initial position A, the container 5 is displaced into position B at the means for selective opening and closing. Here, the pneumatic cylinders 132 lower the plate 130 until it comes into abutment against the upper surface of the container 5, locking this latter on the support plate 20. Then, the pneumatic cylinder 121 lowers the pair of half-cylinders 124 until the appendages 126 are inserted into the groove 110 of the cap 100. At this point the pneumatic cylinders 132 bring the half-cylinders 124 closer to each other in such a way that the appendages 126 squash between them the central portion 107 of the cap 100, forcing the disengagement of the peripheral ends 101 of the cap 100 from the rim 103 of the aperture 105 of the container 5. In this position the cap 100 is free to be extracted from the aperture 105, leaving the access free to the inside of the container 5.

The pair of half-cylinders 124 held alongside each other is raised, like the abutment plate 130, leaving the container free . to continue on its path towards the position C at the dispensing means. When the delivery of one or more fluid colorant products has been completed in predetermined proportions and according to specific formulations stored in the storage means of the control and processing system, in a similar manner to that described previously, the support plate 20 is rotated again and the container 5 is taken along the circular path again to position B. Here, according to a process substantially the reverse of that first described, the pneumatic cylinders 132 lower the plate 130 until it comes into abutment against the upper surface of the container 5, locking this latter on the support plate 20. The pneumatic cylinder 121 then lowers the pair of half- cylinders 124 until the cap 100 held by the appendages 126 is inserted again into the aperture 105 of the container 5. At this point the pneumatic cylinders 132 move the half- cylinders 124 away from each other in such a way that the appendages 126 allow the distension of the central portion 107 of the cap 100, forcing the engagement of peripheral ends 101 of the cap 100 with the rim 103 of the aperture 105 of the container 5. In this position the cap 100 is locked again, shutting off access to the inside of the container 5. The container 5 is then ready to be moved onto the mixing means that may be provided.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the mixing means 140 described previously can be arranged opposite the support plate 20 as illustrated in Figure 12, on a frame engaged with but separate from the main frame 1 of the colorimetric machine. This arrangement has numerous advantages, including, for example, the possibility of carrying out the operations of opening/closing of the container and delivery of the fluid products simultaneously with the mixing step, easier accessibility to the mixing means for the maintenance of the machine, and a lower incidence of the pivoting and/or shaking movements of the mixing means on the main frame of the machine. This last embodiment described also naturally comprises^' means for the acquisition of data regarding the container, a control and processing system, and user interface means, as described previously.

According to a further advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the colorimetric machine comprises labelling and/or sealing means, for example positioned in position D of the circular path of the support plate. The labelling and/or sealing means may be of known type and will not therefore be described further hereinafter. These means are particularly adapted for applying, in use, identification elements, for example labels and/or barcodes, to the containers of fluids for the purpose of the delivery and mixing processes . The identification elements may contain data identifying the finished product contained in the container, as well as instructions for use of the finished product and/or indications as to its price. Moreover, the labelling and/or sealing means are particularly adapted for applying, in use, sealing elements to the cap of the container in order to guarantee to third parties that the finished product contained in the container has been obtained by means of the processes described above by the automated colorimetric machine of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated colorimetric machine for measuring and dispensing fluid colorant products according to specific formulations for finished products, of the type comprising storage means for said formulations, dispensing means (32) for dispensing said fluid colorant products according to said formulations in order to prepare a finished product, and means (20) for supporting and moving a container (5) of base fluid products within the colorimetric machine, characterized in that it further comprises opening means (50, 54, 56, 121, 124, 126, 128) for opening, in use, an inlet on said container (5) through which the dispensing means dispense the fluid colorant products into the container (5) , and closure means (60, 62, 64) for closing said inlet, in use, after the dispensing means have dispensed the fluid colorant products into the container (5) .

2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means for the acquisition of data on the product contained in the container (5) , said data being stored in storage means associated with the container (5) .

3. A machine according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a control and processing system, said system processing, in use, the data on the product contained in the container (5) and the specific formulations stored, in order to select and control the dispensing of one or more of said fluid colorant products into the container (5) .

4. A machine according to claim 3 , characterized in that it comprises writing means for entering, in use, . on storage means that are associated and/or capable of being associated with the container (5), data regarding the finished product.

5. A machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the data storage means comprise barcodes .

6. A machine according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises sealing means for sealing the container (5) .

7. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting and moving means comprise a support plate (20) connected to first and second actuating devices (12, 14) in order to permit, in use, the movement of said support plate (20) within the colorimetric machine.

8. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises mixing means for mixing the product contained within the container (5) .

9. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for opening an inlet comprise a cutting blade

(50) and tensioning members (56) for tensioning the lid of the container (5) in order to facilitate, in use, the perforation thereof .

10. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for opening an inlet comprise gripping means capable of being selectively engaged with a closure member for closing the container (5) of fluid products.

11. A machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the closure member comprises a cap (100) on the surface of which at least one radial groove is provided.

12. A process for measuring and dispensing fluid colorant products according to specific formulations for finished products by means of an automated colorimetric machine as defined in claim 1, comprising the steps of arrangement of a container (5) containing a base fluid product, said container (5) being associated with means for storing data on said base product; automated acquisition of said base data and transmission thereof to a control and processing system; acquisition of data on a predetermined finished product; automated selection of fluid colorant products to be added to the base fluid product in order to obtain said finished product; automated opening of an inlet on said container (5) ; dispensing said fluid colorant products into the container (5) through said inlet; automated closing of said inlet; and entering in data storage means data regarding the finished product and associating said storage means with the container (5) .

13. A process according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a step of mixing and/or homogenisation of the products contained within the container (5) .