Semi-automated automotive paint dispensing system

• US 6,234,218 B1
• Filed: 10/13/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: X-Pert Paint Mixing Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: X-Pert Paint Mixing Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Boers, Arie
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US09/417,933
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 141/18, 141/83, 141/100, 141/104, 141/192, 141/196, 141/247, 141/284, 141/391, 222/77, 222/160, 222/164, 222/166, 222/504, 177/60, 177/61, 177/64, 251/62, 251/63.4
• US Class Current: 141/83
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5011 portable during use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/84 Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/45 Closures or doors specially adapted for mixing receptacles; Operating mechanisms therefor

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for dispensing liquid paint components from their original containers into a paint receptacle according to a paint formula to form a liquid paint mixture. The dispensing system comprises a dispensing apparatus for dispensing the liquid paint component from its original container, and an apparatus for controlling the dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a mechanism for releasably receiving the original container of the liquid paint component, and a mechanism for dispensing the liquid paint component from its original container into the paint receptacle. The dispensing apparatus further includes a force applying mechanism for preventing leakage of the liquid paint component. The control apparatus includes a weigh cell and a control module coupled to the weigh cell and the dispensing mechanism. The weigh cell supports the paint receptacle to determine the weight of the liquid paint component dispensed into the paint receptacle. The control module controls the amount of the liquid paint component dispensed from its original container into the receptacle based upon information obtained from the weigh cell. The dispensing system virtually eliminates liquid paint component dispensing errors, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the dispensing system operator.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing pourable components from their original containers into a receptacle according to a formula to form a mixture of pourable components, each original container having a cover element that is movable between a closed state, and an opened state wherein the pourable component is dispensed from the original container and into the receptacle, the dispensing system comprising:

a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a pourable component from its original container, the dispensing apparatus including;

a support frame;

receiving means, coupled to the support frame, for releasably receiving the original container; and

dispensing means, coupled to the support frame, for moving the cover element between the closed state, and the open state for dispensing the pourable component from its original container into the receptacle, the dispensing means including;

an operating device movable between a first position, wherein the cover element is in the closed state, and a second position, wherein the cover element is in the opened state and the pourable component is dispensed from the original container and into the receptacle; and

force applying means mounted to the operating device for engaging the cover element and applying a force against the cover element for preventing inadvertent leakage of the pourable component from its original container into the receptacle in the closed state.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the pourable component is a liquid paint component, the receptacle is a paint receptacle, the formula is a paint formula, and the mixture of pourable components is a liquid paint mixture.

3. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the operating device includes a pivot member for pivotally mounting the operating device to the support frame so as to be pivotally movable between the first and second positions.

4. The dispensing system of claim 3 wherein the operating device includes a first end that includes the force applying means, and a second end, and wherein the force applying means includes:

an engagement element for releasably engaging a corresponding engagement feature on the cover element;

a force applying member movable relative to the engagement element and releasably engageable with the cover element; and

force means acting on the force applying member for providing a force that releasably holds the force applying member against the cover element to prevent inadvertent leakage of the pourable component from its original container into the receptacle in the closed state of the cover element.

5. The dispensing system of claim 4 wherein the force means includes at least one spring element that provides a biasing force against the force applying member.

6. The dispensing system of claim 4 wherein the pivot member is disposed between the first and second ends.

7. The dispensing system of claim 3 wherein the dispensing means further includes:

a mechanism for pivotally moving the operating device between the first and second positions.

8. The dispensing system of claim 7 wherein the mechanism for moving the operating device includes:

a cylinder member;

a piston member coupled to the operating device, the piston member being movable within the cylinder member, such that movement of the piston member causes the operating device to move between the first and second positions; and

a drive mechanism coupled to the piston member for moving the piston member relative to the cylinder member.

9. The dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the piston member is coupled to the second end of the operating device.

10. The dispensing system of claim 9 wherein the second end of the operating device includes a rotatably mounted roller, and wherein the piston member engages the roller such that movement of the piston device causes rotation of the roller and movement of the operating device between the first and second positions.

11. The dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the drive mechanism is fluid pressure.

12. The dispensing system of claim 11 wherein the fluid pressure is hydraulic fluid pressure.

13. The dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the piston member has a primary position that corresponds to the first position of the operating device, and wherein the mechanism for moving the operating device further includes:

a mechanism for biasing the piston member to the primary position.

14. The dispensing system of claim 13 wherein the biasing mechanism includes at least one spring connected between the support frame and the operating device.

15. The dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the drive mechanism includes:

a cylinder member;

means connecting the cylinder member of the drive mechanism to the cylinder member of the mechanism for moving the operating device;

a piston member movable relative to the cylinder member of the drive mechanism, such that movement of the piston member of the drive mechanism causes movement of the piston member of the mechanism for moving the operating device; and

a drive motor coupled to the piston member of the drive mechanism for moving the piston member of the drive mechanism relative to the cylinder member of the drive mechanism.

16. The dispensing system of claim 15 wherein the connecting means of the drive mechanism includes:

a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the cylinder member of the drive mechanism and the cylinder member of the mechanism for moving the operating device; and

a fluid within the fluid reservoir.

17. The dispensing system of claim 16 wherein the connecting means further includes:

a fluid line coupled between the drive mechanism cylinder member and fluid reservoir, and the cylinder member of the mechanism for moving the operating device.

18. The dispensing system of claim 17 wherein the connecting means further includes:

an automatic bleeder valve coupled to the fluid line and the cylinder member of the mechanism for moving the operating device, the automatic bleeder valve including;

a body member defining an orifice extending through the body member from a first end to a second end;

a valve element at the first end of the body member, the valve member being movable between a first position, wherein fluid is prevented from passing through the orifice, and a second position wherein fluid may pass through the orifice from the first end to the second end; and

bleeder means coupled to the body member for moving the valve element between the first and second positions.

19. The dispensing system of claim 18 wherein upon charging the drive mechanism with the fluid and with the valve element in the second position, the fluid travels from the fluid line to the cylinder member of the mechanism for moving the operating device such that air is bled from the drive mechanism through the orifice of the body member of the automatic bleeder valve.

20. The dispensing system of claim 18 wherein the bleeder means includes:

a movable bleeder screw having a free end; and

a spring member positioned between the free end of the bleeder screw and the valve element.

21. The dispensing system of claim 16 wherein the fluid is hydraulic fluid.

22. The dispensing system of claim 15 wherein the control module is coupled to drive motor for controlling operation of the drive motor and thereby movement of the piston member of the drive mechanism based upon information obtained from the weigh cell.

23. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the receiving means for releasably receiving the original container of the pourable component includes:

first means for engaging a first portion of the original container; and

second means for engaging a second portion of the original container, the second portion being spaced from the first portion.

24. The dispensing system of claim 23 wherein the original container of the pourable component includes a lid member, and wherein the first and second portions of the original container are first and second portions of the lid member.

25. The dispensing system of claim 23 wherein the second engaging means is movable relative to the support frame between a latched state, wherein the original container of the pourable component is held between the first and second engaging means, and an unlatched state, wherein the original container can be engaged with and disengaged from the first and second engaging means.

26. The dispensing system of claim 25 wherein an operator of the dispensing system moves the second engaging means between the latched and unlatched states.

27. The dispensing system of claim 25 wherein the means for releasably receiving the original container of the pourable component further includes:

means for biasing the second engaging means to the latched state.

28. The dispensing system of claim 27 wherein the biasing means includes a spring connected between the support frame and the second engaging means.

29. The dispensing system of claim 25 wherein the first engaging means is fixed, and wherein the second engaging means has only a single-degree-of-freedom of movement.

30. The dispensing system of claim 29 wherein the first and second engaging means can receive a first size of the original container of the pourable component or a second size of the original container of the pourable component that is different than the first size.

31. The dispensing system of claim 30 wherein the first size is a quart and the second size is a gallon.

32. The dispensing system of claim 1, and further including an apparatus for controlling the dispensing apparatus, the control apparatus including:

a weigh cell for supporting the receptacle and for determining the weight of the pourable component dispensed into the receptacle; and

a control module coupled to the weigh cell and the dispensing means for controlling the amount of the pourable component dispensed from its original container, based upon information obtained from the weigh cell.

33. The dispensing system of claim 32 wherein the control module includes:

a microprocessor device coupled to the weigh cell and the dispensing means;

data storage device coupled to the microprocessor device;

display monitor device coupled to the microprocessor device; and

a user interface device for allowing a user to communicate with the microprocessor.

34. The dispensing system of claim 33 wherein the user interface is a keyboard.

35. A system for dispensing pourable components from their original containers into a receptacle according to a formula to form a mixture of pourable components, the dispensing system comprising:

a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a pourable component from its original container, the dispensing apparatus including;

a support frame;

dispensing means, coupled to the support frame, for dispensing the pourable component from its original container into a receptacle;

first engaging means mounted to the support frame so as to be fixed against movement, the first engaging means releasably engaging a first portion of the original container of the pourable component; and

second engaging means mounted to the support frame so as to exhibit only a single-degree-of-freedom of movement, the second engaging means releasably engaging a second portion of the original container, such that the first and second engaging means can receive a first size of the original container of the pourable component or a second size of the original container of the pourable component.

36. The dispensing system of claim 35 wherein the first size is a quart and the second size is a gallon.

37. The dispensing system of claim 35 wherein the original container of the pourable component includes a lid member, and wherein the first and second portions of the original container are first and second portions of the lid member.

38. The dispensing system of claim 35 wherein the second engaging means is movable between a latched state, wherein a desired size of the first and second sizes of the original container of the pourable component is held between the first and second engaging means, and an unlatched state, wherein the desired size of the first and second sizes of the original container can be engaged with and disengaged from the first and second engaging means.

39. The dispensing system of claim 38 wherein an operator of the dispensing system moves the second engaging means between the latched and unlatched states.

40. The dispensing system of claim 38 wherein the dispensing apparatus further includes:

means for biasing the second engaging means to the latched state.

41. The dispensing system of claim 40 wherein the biasing means includes a spring connected between the support frame and the second engaging means.

42. The dispensing system of claim 35, and further including:

an apparatus for controlling the dispensing apparatus, including;

a weigh cell for supporting the receptacle and for determining the weight of the pourable component dispensed into the receptacle; and

a control module coupled to the weigh cell and the dispensing means for controlling the amount of the pourable component dispensed from its original container, based upon information obtained from the weigh cell.

43. The dispensing system of claim 35 wherein the pourable component is a liquid paint component, the receptacle is a paint receptacle, the formula is a paint formula, and the mixture of pourable components is a liquid paint mixture.

44. A system for dispensing pourable components from their original containers into a receptacle according to a formula to form a mixture of pourable components, the dispensing system comprising:

a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a pourable component from its original container, the dispensing apparatus including;

a support frame;

receiving means, coupled to the support frame, for releasably receiving the original container;

an operating device, coupled to the support frame, for releasably engaging a movable cover element of the original container of the pourable component, the operating device being movable between a first position, wherein the cover element is in a closed state, and a second position, wherein the cover element is in an opened state and the pourable component is dispensed from the original container and into a receptacle, the operating device including;

a cylinder member;

a piston member coupled to the operating device, the piston member being movable within the cylinder member, such that movement of the piston member causes the operating device to move between the first and second positions;

a fluid drive mechanism coupled to the piston member for moving the piston member relative to the cylinder member; and

an automatic bleeder valve coupled to the fluid drive mechanism and the cylinder member, the automatic bleeder valve including;

a body member defining an orifice extending through the body member from a first end to a second end;

a valve element at the first end of the body member, the valve member being movable between a first position, wherein fluid is prevented from passing through the orifice, and a second position wherein fluid may pass through the orifice from the first end to the second end; and

bleeder means coupled to the body member for moving the valve element between the first and second positions.

45. The dispensing system of claim 44 wherein upon charging the drive mechanism with fluid and with the valve element in the second position, fluid travels from the fluid drive mechanism to the cylinder member of the operating device such that air is bled from the fluid drive mechanism and cylinder member through the orifice of the body member of the automatic bleeder valve.

46. The dispensing system of claim 44 wherein the bleeder means includes:

a movable bleeder screw having a free end; and

a spring member positioned between the free end of the bleeder screw and the valve element.

47. The dispensing system of claim 44 wherein the fluid drive mechanism includes:

a cylinder member;

means connecting the cylinder member of the fluid drive mechanism to the cylinder member of the operating device and the automatic bleeder valve;

a piston member movable relative to the cylinder member of the fluid drive mechanism, such that movement of the piston member of the fluid drive mechanism causes movement of the piston member of the operating device; and

a drive motor coupled to the piston member of the drive mechanism for moving the piston member of the drive mechanism relative to the cylinder member of the drive mechanism.

48. The dispensing system of claim 47 wherein the connecting means of the drive mechanism includes:

a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the cylinder member of the fluid drive mechanism, the cylinder member of the operating device, and the automatic bleeder valve; and

a fluid within the fluid reservoir.

49. The dispensing system of claim 47 and further including:

an apparatus for controlling the dispensing apparatus, including;

a weigh cell for supporting the receptacle and for determining the weight of the pourable component dispensed into the receptacle from the original container; and

a control module coupled to the weigh cell and the drive motor for controlling operation of the drive motor based upon information obtained from the weigh cell, and thereby the amount of the pourable component dispensed from its original container into the receptacle.

50. The dispensing system of claim 44 wherein the pourable component is a liquid paint component, the receptacle is a paint receptacle, the formula is a paint formula, and the mixture of pourable components is a liquid paint mixture.