APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR GRAVIMETRICALLY METERING LIQUID COLOR

• US 20120260992A1
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephen B. Maguire
• Original Assignee: Stephen B. Maguire
• Inventors: MAGUIRE, Stephen B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,757,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/88 Adding charges , i.e. additives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2948/9218 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2948/926 Flow or feed rate
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/29 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 11/08 having means for controlling the rate of feed or discharge regulation of flow of fluent material G05D
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/00 Weighing apparatus with automatic feed or discharge for weighing-out batches of material for weighing a continuous stream G01G11/00; check-weighing G01G15/00; for fluids G01G17/04; apportioning by weight materials to be mixed G01G19/22; combinatorial weighing G01G19/387
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/247 Checking quantity of material in the feeding arrangement, e.g. discharge material only if a predetermined quantity is present
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/248 Continuous control of flow of material control of flow G05D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85978 With pump

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for delivering liquid color to a plastic resin processing machine include a scale for weighing a container of liquid color, a pump for removing liquid color from the container, controller for actuating pushers in the pump in a sequence whereby a first pusher is displaced to squeeze the delivery tube while a second and third pusher are not displaced thereby permitting liquid color to flow through the tube from the supply to a first position of tube squeezing, whereupon a second pusher is displaced to squeeze the tube and substantially trapped liquid color in the tube at the first and second position of tube squeezing, whereupon the first pusher permits liquid color to flow through the tube pass the first position of tube squeezing and the third pusher squeezes the tube and thereby forces at least a portion of the trapped liquid color material through the tube pass the first position of tube squeezing thereby supplying liquid color to the plastic resin processing machine at a predetermined rate according to a selected recipe to produce plastic parts having desired characteristics.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. Apparatus for delivering liquid color directly into the screw barrel of a plastic resin process machine, comprising:

a) a scale for weighing a container of liquid color;

b) a pump for pumping liquid color from the container into the screw barrel of the plastic resin process machine; and

c) a controller for comparing actual readings from the scale to expected readings based on a desired liquid color usage rate and continuously regulating speed of the pump to supply liquid color to the plastic resin process machine at the desired liquid color usage rate according to a selected recipe of resin material to produce plastic parts having desired color characteristics.

7. Apparatus of claim 6 wherein the scale continuously weighs the container.

8. Apparatus of claim 6 wherein the scale supports the container.

9. Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the scale supports the container.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. A method for delivering liquid color directly into the screw barrel of a plastic resin process machine, comprising:

a) weighing a container of liquid color;

b) pumping liquid color from the container into the plastic resin process machine screw barrel; and

c) continuously comparing actual readings from the scale to expected readings based on a desired predetermined liquid color usage rate and continuously regulating speed of pumping in response to such comparison to supply liquid color directly into the to the plastic resin process machine screw barrel according to a selected recipe of resin material to produce plastic parts having desired color characteristics.

21. The method of claim 22 further comprising continuously weighing the container.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising supporting the container during weighing.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising supporting the container during weighing.