Method and Apparatus for Approving Color Samples

• US 20090097736A1
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Archroma IP GmbH
• Original Assignee: Clariant International Ltd (Clariant AG)
• Inventors: AGARWAL, Niraj
• Granted Patent: US 8,482,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/141
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/524 Calibration of colorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A color approval system that facilitates the use of electronic color submissions. The electronic color submissions contain reflectance values for a physical color sample to be submitted for approval. The system includes a data storage area accessible by a submitter of the electronic color sample and a reviewer of the color sample. The submitter upload the submission to the data storage area, from which the reviewer retrieves the submission and replies with an acceptance or rejection, typically via email. The system provides tools for the analysis of the electronic color sample and automatic formation of acceptances and rejections.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A method for managing the color of an article, the method comprising the steps of:

developing or selecting a physical and an electronic color standard for the article;

developing pass/fail color tolerances for the article;

storing the electronic standard and pass/fail tolerances on a central database, wherein the central database is connected to a network;

requesting electronic color submission of article trials from vendors;

analyzing the electronic color submission of the article trials with software tools;

determining pass/fail status of a trial by comparing the electronic color submissions of the article trial to the electronic color standard and the pass/fail tolerances stored on the central database;

preparing a response to the electronic color submission of the article trial based on the pass/fail tolerances;

recording the response to the electronic color submission of the article trial based on the pass/fail tolerances in the central database; and

electronically sending the response to the vendor associated with the electronic color submission of the article trial.

27. A method of claim 26, wherein the response to the electronic color submission of the article trial contains at least one recommendation for correcting the color of the article.