Method and apparatus for producing an aqueous paint composition from a plurality of premixed compositions

• US 6,969,190 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2002
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MicroBlend, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Coating Management Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Hughes, Randall L., McClain, C. Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/285,942
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 366/605, 366/141, 366/152.1, 366/151.1, 366/160.1, 366/160.2, 366/160.5, 366/177.1, 366/181.8, 366/182.1, 366/182.2, 366/182.3, 366/182.4
• US Class Current: 366/141
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/30 Mixing paints or paint ingredients, e.g. pigments, dyes, colours, lacquers or enamel
• 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 33/8442 using a computer for controlling information and converting it in a formula and a set of operation instructions, e.g. on the point of sale
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/848 using data, i.e. barcodes, 3D codes or similar type of tagging information, as instruction or identification codes for controlling the dispensing and mixing operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/20 Measuring; Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/21 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: B44D 3/003 Methods or devices for colour determination, selection or synthesis, e.g. use of colour tables
• CPC Class Codes: B44D 3/08 for liquid or semi-liquid paints
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 3/215 at least one additive being also premixed with a liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/02 Emulsion paints including aerosols
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/024 characterised by the additives
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/80 Processes for incorporating ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/605 Paint mixer

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the provision of premixed aqueous compositions which are used to provide a paint composition of varying finish characteristics at the point of sale. Thus, the merchant distributing the paint composition made from the subject premixed compositions need only maintain inventory of four compositions. The particular compositions which are the subject of the invention exhibit stable characteristics during storage in their respective reservoirs. The compositions include a pigment composition, a dispersant thickening agent, a high resin content binder, and a low resin content binder. The compositions are combined in differing amounts to produce paint compositions being suitable for either interior or exterior use and having differing sheens, quality levels, and color bases.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing an aqueous paint composition, the apparatus comprising:

a first supply reservoir;

a second supply reservoir;

a portable, point of sale, paint bucket associated with the first supply reservoir and the second supply reservoir; and

a measuring system configured to measure a first weight amount of a first premixed aqueous composition supplied from the first supply reservoir to the portable, point of sale, paint bucket and to measure a second weight amount of a second premixed aqueous composition supplied from the second supply reservoir to the portable, point of sale, paint bucket, wherein the measuring system comprises a scale configured to seat the portable, point of sale, paint bucket, the measuring system configured to recalibrate the scale before the first premixed aqueous composition is supplied and to recalibrate the scale after the first premixed aqueous composition is supplied, but before the second premixed aqueous composition is supplied.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third supply reservoir, wherein the portable, point of sale, paint bucket is further associated with the third supply reservoir, and wherein the measuring system is further configured to measure a third weight amount of a third premixed aqueous composition supplied from the third supply reservoir to the portable, point of sale, paint bucket.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a fourth supply reservoir, wherein the portable, point of sale, paint bucket is further associated with the fourth supply reservoir, and wherein the measuring system is further configured to measure a fourth weight amount of a fourth premixed aqueous composition supplied from the fourth supply reservoir to the portable, point of sale, paint bucket.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a controller connected to the measuring system, wherein the measuring system emits a first amount signal that represents the first weight amount and wherein the measuring system emits a second amount signal that represents the second weight amount, the controller receiving the first amount signal and the second amount signal, and wherein the controller emits a first close signal to cease supply when the first amount signal indicates that the first weight amount equals a first predetermined amount and wherein the controller emits a second close signal to cease supply when the second amount signal indicates that the second weight amount equals a second predetermined amount.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to produce the aqueous paint composition with desired paint characteristics.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller comprises:

a programmable logic control; and

a user interface connected to the programmable logic control.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the user interface prompts a user to input desired paint characteristics and the programmable logic control uses the desired paint characteristics to determine the first predetermined amount and the second predetermined amount that will produce the aqueous paint composition with the desired paint characteristics.