Paint sample mixing and vending machine
First Claim
1. A paint sample mixing and vending machine, comprising:
- an inventory section including a series of rail units defining an arrangement of inclined troughs, wherein a plurality of containers each holding a base paint solution and having a removable cap are carried in said troughs;
a control gate included in said inventory section carried at a distal end of each of said rail units for individually dispensing said containers from said rail units into a feed chute;
a shuttle unit including a container carrier movably mounted to a shuttle track, wherein said container carrier receives said containers from said feed chute and transports said containers along said shuttle track;
a capping unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track engaging said removable cap on said containers to remove and reattach said cap on said containers;
a colorant dispensing unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track including a plurality of colorant paint solution reservoirs connected in fluid communication to a nozzle head, wherein said colorant paint solution is dispensed into said base paint solution of said containers following removal of said cap by said capping unit;
a shaker unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track receiving said containers from said container carrier following reattachment of said cap by said capping unit, wherein said shaker unit spins said containers in a multi-axis rotation movement to mix said base paint solution with said colorant paint solution; and
,a delivery chute receiving said containers from said shaker unit after mixing for dispensing from the machine.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fully automated paint sample mixing and vending machine including an inventory section holding a plurality of containers with a base paint solution. The containers are individually dispensed onto a shuttle unit when a color is selected. The shuttle unit delivers the container to a capping unit for cap removal. After cap removal, the container moves on the shuttle unit to a colorant dispensing unit where various colorant paint solutions are injected into the base paint solution. Following tinting, the shuttle unit returns the container to the capping unit where the cap is securely reattached. The container is then delivered to a shaker unit where the container is rigorously shaken to mix the base and colorant solutions together to provide a uniform solution of consistent color. The container is then transported by the shaker unit to a delivery chute where the container is provided to the customer.
39 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A paint sample mixing and vending machine, comprising:
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an inventory section including a series of rail units defining an arrangement of inclined troughs, wherein a plurality of containers each holding a base paint solution and having a removable cap are carried in said troughs; a control gate included in said inventory section carried at a distal end of each of said rail units for individually dispensing said containers from said rail units into a feed chute; a shuttle unit including a container carrier movably mounted to a shuttle track, wherein said container carrier receives said containers from said feed chute and transports said containers along said shuttle track; a capping unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track engaging said removable cap on said containers to remove and reattach said cap on said containers; a colorant dispensing unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track including a plurality of colorant paint solution reservoirs connected in fluid communication to a nozzle head, wherein said colorant paint solution is dispensed into said base paint solution of said containers following removal of said cap by said capping unit; a shaker unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track receiving said containers from said container carrier following reattachment of said cap by said capping unit, wherein said shaker unit spins said containers in a multi-axis rotation movement to mix said base paint solution with said colorant paint solution; and
,a delivery chute receiving said containers from said shaker unit after mixing for dispensing from the machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A paint sample mixing and vending machine, comprising:
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an inventory section adapted for storing and dispensing containers with a removable cap and containing a base paint solution; a shuttle unit operatively associated with said inventory section for receiving said containers to transport said containers for tinting and shaking of said base paint solution; a cap removal and attachment unit operatively associated with said shuttle unit receiving said containers to remove and secure said cap on said containers; a colorant dispensing unit operatively associated with said shuttle unit receiving said container with said cap removed and injecting colorant paint solution into said base paint solution; and
,a shaker unit operatively associated with said shuttle unit receiving said container with said cap reattached, wherein said shaker unit rotates said container to mix said base paint solution with said colorant paint solution. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A paint sample mixing and vending machine, comprising:
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an inventory section adapted for storing and dispensing containers with a removable cap and containing a base paint solution; a shuttle unit operatively associated with said inventory section for receiving said containers to transport said containers for tinting and shaking of said base paint solution; a cap removal and attachment unit operatively associated with said shuttle unit receiving said containers to remove and secure said cap on said containers; a colorant dispensing unit operatively associated with said shuttle unit receiving said container with said cap removed and injecting colorant paint solution into said base paint solution; and
,a shaker unit operatively associated with said shuttle unit receiving said container with said cap reattached, wherein said shaker unit includes; an electric motor having a drive shaft extending through a stationary center gear; a carrier arm affixed to said drive shaft; an orbit gear carried at one distal end of said carrier arm and rotatably mounted to said carrier arm for cooperating with stationary center gear; a counter balance weight carried at an opposite distal end of said carrier arm; and
,a pair of opposing jaws connected by a linkage to said orbit gear so that as said electric motor turns said orbit gear is caused to rotate around stationary gear which causes rotation of said jaws holding said containers to provide a multi-axis rotation movement to mix said base paint solution with said colorant paint solution.
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Specification