Tinting Machine System

Abstract

A tinting machine system for tinting base paint supplied in a container which base paint is suitable for use in a tinted coating composition so as to produce a tinted coating composition, the tinting machine system comprising a tinting machine and processing means, the tinting machine having a colourant dispenser system comprising an actuator able to dispense a pre-determined amount of at least one colourant into the container, and weighing means able to weigh the container to determine an actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant and/or an actual total dispensed weight, the processing means able to compare the actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant and/or the actual total dispensed weight, with a correct weight for the tinted coating composition stored in the processing means for each dispensed tinted coating composition, the processing means comprising statistical analysis means to statistically analyse the actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant and/or the actual total dispensed weight for each dispensed tinted coating composition so as to calculate a colourant weight dispenser error value for each colourant dispenser system, thereby enabling any colourant dispenser system causing concern to be identified.

1 . A tinting machine system for tinting base paint supplied in a container which base paint is suitable for use in a tinted coating composition so as to produce a tinted coating composition,
 the tinting machine system comprising a tinting machine and processing means,   the tinting machine having a colourant dispenser system comprising an actuator able to dispense a pre-determined amount of at least one colourant into the container, and weighing means able to weigh the container to determine an actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant and/or an actual total dispensed weight,   the processing means able to compare the actual dispensed weight of: a) each individual colourant, b) the actual total dispensed weight, or c) both with a correct weight for the tinted coating composition stored in the processing means for each dispensed tinted coating composition, the processing means comprising statistical analysis means to statistically analyse: a) the actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant b) the actual total dispensed weight for each dispensed tinted coating composition, or c) both so as to calculate a colourant weight dispenser error value for each colourant dispenser system, thereby enabling any colourant dispenser system causing concern to be identified.   
   
   
       2 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which a defined relationship exists between the amount of colourant dispensed and a given actuator input, and the processing means is able to correct the defined relationship to compensate for the colourant weight dispenser error value for any colourant dispenser system causing concern. 
   
   
       3 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the correct weight for the tinted coating composition is a total weight for that particular tinted coating composition, individual colourant weights for that particular tinted coating composition, or both. 
   
   
       4 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the tinted coating composition includes more than one colourant, selected from the group of a) each colourant is dispensed substantially simultaneously, and the weighing means is able to weigh the container to determine the actual total dispensed weight; or b) each colourant is dispensed sequentially, and the weighing means is able to weigh the container to determine the actual dispensed weight of: i) each individual colourant, ii) the actual total dispensed weight, or iii) both. 
   
   
       5 . A tinting machine according to  claim 2  in which the tinted coating composition includes more than more than one colourant, selected from the group of a) each colourant is dispensed substantially simultaneously, and the weighing means is able to weigh the container to determine the actual total dispensed weight; or b) each colourant is dispensed sequentially, and the weighing means is able to weigh the container to determine the actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant, the actual total dispensed weight, or both. 
   
   
       6 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the processing means is remote from the tinting machine. 
   
   
       7 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the processing means is able to determine if the colourant weight dispenser error value associated with each colourant dispenser system is within an acceptable range. 
   
   
       8 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 7  in which the processing means includes signal means capable of sending a signal to the tinting machine to adjust the colourant dispenser system so that it restored within the acceptable range. 
   
   
       9 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 8  in which the signal means automatically sends the signal to the tinting machine when the error value is outside the acceptable range. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the colourant weight dispenser error value error is at least partially caused by changes in efficiency of the colourant dispenser system, ranging from changes in efficiency of a gear pump of the colourant dispenser system caused by wear of the gear pump. 
   
   
       12 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which at least a number of dispensed tinted coating compositions substantially equal to twenty multiplied by the number of colourant dispenser systems is required before each colourant dispenser system is adjusted. 
   
   
       13 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which, for sixteen colourant dispenser systems, at least three hundred dispensed tinted coating compositions are required before each colourant dispenser system is adjusted. 
   
   
       14 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the statistical analysis means is able to calculate a confidence level for each colourant weight dispenser error value. 
   
   
       15 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 14  in which the colourant dispenser system is adjusted when the associated confidence level is above a predetermined level. 
   
   
       16 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the statistical analysis means is software which employs regression analysis to calculate the colourant weight dispenser error value. 
   
   
       17 . A tinting machine according to  claim 1  in which the processing means comprises a first processing means, and a second processing means. 
   
   
       18 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 17  in which the second processing means is remote from the tinting machine, 
   
   
       19 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the tinting machine is an in-store tinting machine suitable for use by in-store machine operators. 
   
   
       20 . A method for detecting errors of weight of colourant dispensed in a process for tinting base paint supplied in a container which base paint is suitable for use in a tinted coating composition so as to produce a tinted coating composition, comprising the steps of:
 dispensing a pre-determined amount of at least one colourant from a colourant dispenser system, the pre-determined amount being appropriate to the achievement of the tinted coating composition, into a pre-determined type and volume of a base paint,   weighing the container to determine an actual dispensed weight of: a) each individual colourant, b) an actual total dispensed weight, or c) both; and   statistically analysing the actual dispensed weight of: a) each individual colourant b) an actual total dispensed weight, or c) both so as to calculate a colourant weight dispenser error value for each colourant dispenser system, thereby enabling any colourant dispenser system causing concern to be identified.   
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  in which a defined relationship exists between the amount of colourant dispensed and a given actuator input, and the defined relationship is correctable to compensate for the colourant weight dispenser error value for any colourant dispenser system causing concern. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 20  in which the tinted coating composition includes more than one colourant, selected from the group of a) each colourant is dispensed substantially simultaneously, and the container is weighed to determine the actual total dispensed weight; or b) each colourant is dispensed sequentially, and the weighing means is able to weigh the container to determine the actual dispensed weight of: i) each individual colourant, ii) the actual total dispensed weight or iii) both. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 21  in which the tinted coating composition includes more than more than one colourant, selected from the group of a) each colourant is dispensed substantially simultaneously, and the container is weighed to determine the actual total dispensed weight; or b) each colourant is dispensed sequentially, and the container is weighed to determine the actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant, the actual total dispensed weight, or both. 
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 20  in which the colourant weight dispenser error value is compared to an acceptable range to determine if it is within the acceptable range. 
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 24  in which the colourant dispenser system is adjusted so that it is within the acceptable range. 
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25  in which the colourant dispenser system is automatically adjusted. 
   
   
       27 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 1  in which the coulorant is a liquid colourant. 
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the colourant is a liquid colourant. 
   
   
       29 . A tinting machine system according to  claim 17  in which the second processing means prevents any difference between the actual colourant dispensed weight and the correct weight which is outside a predetermined range from being subject to statistical analysis. 
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 21  in which the colourant weight dispenser error value is compared to an acceptable range to determine if it is within the acceptable range. 
   
   
       31 . A tinting machine system for tinting base paint supplied in a container which base paint is suitable for use in a tinted coating composition so as to produce a tinted coating composition,
 the tinting machine system comprising a tinting machine and processing means,   the tinting machine having a colourant dispenser system comprising an actuator able to dispense a pre-determined amount of at least one colourant into the container, and weighing means able to weigh the container to determine an actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant and/or an actual total dispensed weight,   the processing means, comprises a first processing means, and a second processing means, optionally remote from the tinting machine, able to compare the actual dispensed weight of: a) each individual colourant, b) the actual total dispensed weight, or c) both with a correct weight for the tinted coating composition stored in the processing means for each dispensed tinted coating composition, the processing means comprising statistical analysis means to statistically analyse: a) the actual dispensed weight of each individual colourant, b) the actual total dispensed weight for each dispensed tinted coating composition, or c) both so as to calculate a colourant weight dispenser error value for each colourant dispenser system, thereby enabling any colourant dispenser system causing concern to be identified; and   wherein a defined relationship exists between the amount of colourant dispensed and a given actuator input, and the processing means is able to correct the defined relationship to compensate for the colourant weight dispenser error value for any colourant dispenser system causing concern; and   wherein the correct weight for the tinted coating composition is a total weight for that particular tinted coating composition, individual colourant weights for that particular tinted coating composition, or both; and   wherein the tinted coating composition includes more than one colourant, selected from the group of a) each colourant is dispensed substantially simultaneously, and the weighing means is able to weigh the container to determine the actual total dispensed weight; or b) each colourant is dispensed sequentially, and the weighing means is able to weigh the container to determine the actual dispensed weight of: i) each individual colourant, ii) the actual total dispensed weight, or iii) both; and   wherein the correct weight for the tinted coating composition is a total weight for that particular tinted coating composition, and/or individual colourant weights for that particular tinted coating composition; and   wherein the processing means is able to determine if the colourant weight dispenser error value associated with each colourant dispenser system is within an acceptable range; and   wherein the second processing means prevents any difference between the actual colourant dispensed weight and the correct weight which is outside a predetermined range from being subject to statistical analysis; and   wherein the colourant weight dispenser error value error is at least partially caused by changes in efficiency of the colourant dispenser system, ranging from changes in efficiency of a gear pump of the colourant dispenser system caused by wear of the gear pump; and   wherein at least a number of dispensed tinted coating compositions substantially equal to twenty multiplied by the number of colourant dispenser systems is required before each colourant dispenser system is adjusted; and   wherein the statistical analysis means is able to calculate a confidence level for each colourant weight dispenser error value through software which employs regression analysis to calculate the colourant weight dispenser error value; and   wherein the colourant is a liquid colourant.