WO2020212801A1

WO2020212801A1 - A point-of-sale paint tinting equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2020212801A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/053303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sandip SATHE; Amol KHATAWKAR
Original assignee: Sathe Sandip; Khatawkar Amol
Priority date: 2019-04-13
Filing date: 2020-04-07
Publication date: 2020-10-22

Abstract

A point-of-sale paint tinting equipment(100) is used to dispense different types of colorants using single equipment, such as decorative colorants and industrial colorants. The equipment(100) comprises a base(108), at least two nozzle sets(102,116), a loading space(306), a can platform(104) and a printed circuit board (PCB)(118) having a processor. The loading space(306) incorporates plurality of canisters(302,304) containing colorants. A toggle switch(202) is provided for selection of category of the colorant and a first electronic device having a first installable dispensing tool is provided to select a pigment of the colorant to be dispensed in manual mode of operation. A second electronic device facilitates selection of the category as well as pigment of the colorant to be dispensed in automatic mode of operation. The processor facilitates operation of motors for dispensing of the colorants of the selected pigments. The equipment (100) provides compact and error free dispensing the colorants.

Description

A POINT-OF-SALE PAINT TINTING EQUIPMENT

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a paint dispensing equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a Point of Sale (POS) paint tinting equipment for dispensing decorative colorants and industrial colorants.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Paints are widely used for protecting, preserving, and decorating articles. Typically, paints are provided with a tint or color to accentuate or blend the painted article with respect to its surroundings. This way, it is possible to produce paints with numerous tints or shades. However, it is practically impossible for retail establishments to stock their shelves with all the tints or colors. Hence, the retail establishments stock only a limited number of preblended colors, and the remaining colors or tints are produced on site. Conventional paint tinting machines employ displacement pumps that are actuated manually or by means of computer for selecting and dispensing various colorants into a can of paint base for ultimate mixing.

Typically, the products of the paint industry can be classified into two major categories, namely, decorative (architectural) colorants and industrial colorants. Currently, separate Point of Sale (POS) dispensers are used for decorative and industrial colorants. The decorative colorants are mostly water based whereas the industrial colorants are solvent based. Installing two separate POS dispensing machines for water based and solvent based colorant systems is infeasible, as it consumes more commercial space. Sometimes, different paint companies install their machines in the same shop. Therefore, it is always challenging for a dealer to get the required floor space for two separate machines and provide extensive maintenance to them. Further, a high cost and time is involved in maintaining two machines separately, which is not desired.

There is, therefore, a distinct need for innovation to substantiate a need for a Point of Sale (POS) paint tinting equipment that can dispense both decorative and industrial colorants by means of a dual dispensing station. OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative;

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a Point of Sale (POS) paint tinting equipment.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a paint tinting equipment with separate nozzles/dispensing heads for decorative and industrial colorants. Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a paint tinting equipment that is compact.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a paint tinting equipment that is operated remotely.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a non-turntable type paint tinting equipment.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a paint tinting equipment that can be operated by means of a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, and a mobile phone.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a paint tinting equipment that facilitates error free dispensing of paints. Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a point-of-sale paint tinting equipment. The equipment comprises a base, a loading space, at least two nozzle sets, and at least one printed circuit board (PCB). The base is equipped with at least two distinct dispensing stations to facilitate dispensing of industrial and decorative colorants. Each of the dispensing stations comprises a provision for holding a can in form of a can platform to receive the colorants for dispensing. The loading space is located at an operative top side of the equipment and is divided into compartments associated with the colorants to respectively incorporate colorant canisters therewithin, each of the compartments being associated with one of the dispensing stations. The nozzle sets are provided below each of the compartments of the loading space. Each of the nozzle sets is configured to facilitate dispensing of colorants from the canisters. The PCB comprises a processor configured to receive a category selection signal indicative of a selected category of colorant to be dispensed and a pigment selection signal indicative of a selected pigment. The processor is further configured to generate an actuation signal based on the selected category and pigment for selectively dispensing colorants of the selected category into the can through the nozzle sets for forming a selected pigment.

In an embodiment, the equipment comprises a plurality of colorant circuits. Each of the colorant circuits comprises a motor and a pump communicatively coupled to the processor. The motor is configured to be actuated on receipt of an actuation signal to facilitate pumping of the colorant circuits from the canisters to the corresponding nozzle sets through tubes and valves.

In an embodiment, the equipment includes a toggle switch configured to facilitate selection of the category of colorant to be dispensed, and further configured to generate a category selection signal based on the selected category. The equipment is communicatively coupled to a first electronic device. The first electronic device comprises a first installable dispensing tool configured to facilitate selection of the pigment, and further configured to generate a pigment selection signal.

In another embodiment, the equipment is communicatively coupled to a second electronic device comprising a second installable dispensing tool configured facilitate selection of the category of colorant and pigment to be dispensed. The second electronic device is further configured to generate a category selection signal and a pigment selection signal.

In an embodiment, the processor is connected to a remote server via a communication network and is configured to upload and download data to and from the remote server. The data is selected from a group consisting of the number of canisters connected to the equipment, amount of colorant dispensed from a canister, calibration and metering values, diagnostic data for general operation and maintenance. In an embodiment, the equipment comprises a cap fitted on the operative bottom opening of each nozzle of the nozzle sets. The cap is configured to be in an inoperative closed position under normal conditions. The cap is further configured to be operatively open when the can is placed on the can platform, thereby allowing dispensing of colorants through the nozzle sets into the can.

In an embodiment, the equipment comprises a proximity sensor mounted in vicinity of each of the nozzle sets. The proximity sensor is configured to:

• sense presence of a can beneath the nozzle sets;

• generate a sensing signal when the presence of the can is detected; and

• transmit the generated sensing signal to the processor mounted on the PCB.

In an embodiment, the processor is also configured to:

receive the transmitted sensing signal from the proximity sensors to determine position of the can;

receive the category selection signal and the pigment selection signal to determine the selected category and pigment to be dispensed;

compare the determined position of the can with the selected colorant category of the colorant to be dispensed; and

generate the actuation signal, based on the category selection signal and pigment selection signal, for operating the motors from the corresponding colorant circuits to dispense the colorants from associated nozzle set, if the selected colorant to be dispensed matches the determined position of the can.

In an embodiment, the processor is further configured to generate an alert signal if the selected category of colorant to be dispensed does not match the determined position of the can.

In an embodiment, the equipment comprises an alerting means connected to the processor. The alerting means is configured to generate an alarm on receipt of the alert signal from the processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

A Point of Sale (POS) paint tinting equipment of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a paint tinting equipment;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a toggle switch of the paint tinting equipment of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 illustrates a top view of colorant canisters of the paint tinting equipment of Figure 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING

100 - Equipment

102, 116 - nozzle sets 104 - Can platform / shelf

106 - Can/Container 108 - Base 110 - Lid

112, 114 - Dispensing stations 118 - Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

120 - Remote server 122 - Communication network 202- Toggle switch 302 - Industrial colorant canisters 304 - Decorative colorant canisters

306 - Canister loading space DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth relating to specific components, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known equipment structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising,"“including,” and“having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an element is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more.

As used herein, "circuit" is, for example a printed circuit, programmable circuitry, state machine circuitry, and / or programs contained in the single firmware or combination to store the instruction execution by the available circuit.

The present disclosure discloses a Point of Sale (POS) paint tinting equipment to facilitate dispensing of different types of colorant through single equipment such as decorative colorant and industrial colorant.

The paint tinting equipment (100), for providing dispensing of decorative and industrial colorants, of the present disclosure, is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, the paint tinting equipment (100) comprises a base (108), a loading space (306), at least two nozzle sets (102, 116) and at least one printed circuit board (PCB) (118). The base (108) is equipped with at least two distinct dispensing stations (112, 114) to facilitate dispensing of decorative and industrial colorants. Each of the dispensing stations (112, 114) comprises a can platform (104) configured to hold a can (106) for receiving the colorants for dispensing. In an embodiment, the dispensing stations (112, 114) are covered by a lid (110). The loading space (306) is located at an operative top side of the equipment (100). The loading space (306) is divided into compartments associated with the industrial and decorative type of colorants to respectively incorporate canisters (302, 304) therewithin. Each of the canisters (302, 304) is filled with a unique colorant. The colorants in the canisters (302, 304) can be of two types - decorative colorants and industrial colorants. The decorative colorants are mostly water based whereas the industrial colorants are solvent based. In an embodiment, each of the dispensing stations (112, 114) is associated with a unique colorant type. The at least two nozzle sets (102, 116) are provided below each of the compartments of the loading space (306). Each of the nozzle sets (102, 116) is configured to facilitate dispensing of colorants from the canisters (302, 304). The PCB (118) comprises a processor configured to receive a category selection signal indicative of a selected category of colorant to be dispensed and a pigment selection signal indicative of a selected pigment. The processor is further configured to generate an actuation signal based on the selected category and pigment for selectively dispensing colorants of the selected category into the can (106) through the nozzle sets (102, 116) for forming a selected pigment. In an embodiment, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), and/or the like. The display is configured to cooperate with the processor to indicate the selected colorant to be dispensed.

In an embodiment, the equipment (100) comprises a plurality of colorant circuits (not shown in the figure). Each of the colorant circuits comprises a motor and a pump (not shown in the figure) communicatively coupled to the processor. The motor and the pump are configured to be actuated on receipt of the actuation signal from the PCB (118) to facilitate pumping of the colorant circuits from the canisters (302, 304) to the corresponding nozzle sets (102, 116) through tubes and valves.

In an embodiment, the equipment (100) comprises a toggle switch (202) as shown in Figure 2. The toggle switch (202) is configured to facilitate selection of the category of colorant to be dispensed, and is further configured to generate a category selection signal based on the selected category. The equipment (100) is communicatively coupled to a first electronic device (not shown in figure). The first electronic device comprises a first installable dispensing tool to facilitate selection of the pigment to be dispensed, and is further configured to generate a pigment selection signal.

Hence, in one embodiment, the processor of the PCB (118) receives the pigment selection signal from the first electronic device and the category selection signal from the toggle switch (202) in a manual mode of operation.

In another embodiment, the processor is communicatively coupled to a second electronic device. The second electronic device comprises a second installable tool which is configured to facilitate selection of the category of colorant and pigment to be dispensed. Accordingly, the second electronic device generates a pigment selection signal indicative of the selected pigment, and a category selection signal indicative of the selected category of colorant to be dispensed in an automatic mode of operation.

The first and second electronic devices can be selected from the group consisting of a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, and a mobile device.

In an embodiment, the processor is connected to a remote server (120) via a communication network (122). The processor is configured to upload and download data to and from the remote server (120). The data includes, but is not limited to, equipment data such as number of canisters (302, 304), amount of colorants dispensed, and other data such as calibration and metering values, diagnostic data for general operation and maintenance and the like.

In an embodiment, a proximity sensor is mounted in the vicinity of each of the nozzle sets (102, 116). The proximity sensor is configured to sense the presence of the can (106) beneath the nozzle sets (102, 116) by monitoring mechanical engagement between the can (106) and the sensor, and is further generate a sensing signal when presence of the can (106) is detected. The proximity sensor is further configured to transmit the generated sensing signal to the processor mounted on the PCB (118).

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to receive the transmitted sensing signal from the proximity sensor to determine the position of the can (106), and the category selection signal and the pigment selection signal to determine the selected category and pigment to be dispensed. The processor is further configured to compare the determined position of the can (106) with the selected category of colorant to be dispensed to generate an actuation signal, based on the category selection signal and pigment selection signal, for operating of the motor and the pump from the corresponding colorant circuit to dispense the colorant from the associated nozzle set (102, 116), if the selected colorant to be dispensed matches the determined position of the can (106).

In an embodiment, the processor generates an alert signal if the selected category of colorant does not match with the position of the can (106). In an embodiment, an alerting means is connected to the processor. The alerting means is configured to generate alarm on receipt of the alert signal from the processor. In an embodiment, the alerting means includes audio and/or visual device, such as an alarm, bell, buzzer, LED indicator and the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, while working in manual mode of operation, an operator first places a can (106) on the can platform (104) for dispensing of the decorative colorant. Once the can (106) is detected by the proximity sensor, the proximity sensor generates a sensing signal and communicates the sensing signal to the processor. The operator then moves the toggle switch (202) in a position desired for selecting the decorative colorant. The toggle switch (202), then, sends a category selection signal to the processor indicating the selection of the category of colorant (i. e. decorative colorant). The operator selects a pigment of the colorant to be dispensed from a first dispensing tool of a first electronic device. Based on the selection of the pigment, the first electronic device generates a pigment selection signal and transmits the generated pigment selection signal to the processor wirelessly. The processor then compares the determined position of the can (106) with the selected category (i. e. decorative colorant) and pigment of the colorant to be dispensed. If the position of the can (106) matches the position of selected colorant, the processor generates an actuation signal and sends the generated actuation signal to the corresponding motor of the colorant circuits. On receipt of the actuation signal, the motor dispenses the decorative colorant into the can (106) placed beneath the nozzle set (102) through tubes and valves.

While working in automatic mode of operation, the operator selects the category and pigment of the colorant from a second dispensing tool of a second electronic device. The second electronic device generates the category selection signal as well as the pigment selection signal and wirelessly transmits the generated signals to the processor. Thereafter, similar to the manual mode of operation, the processor receives and compares the determined position of the can (106) with the selected colorant category and pigment (i. e. decorative colorant) to be dispensed. If the position of the can (106) matches the position of the selected category of colorant, the processor generates and sends an actuation signal to the corresponding motor of the colorant circuits to operate. On receipt of the actuation signal, the motor dispenses the colorant of the selected pigment into the can (106) placed beneath the nozzle set (102).

If the position of the can (106) and the selected category of colorant does not match, the processor generates an alert signal. An alerting means is connected to the processor which receives the alert signal and generates an alarm. This arrangement helps in ensuring that no colorant is dispensed until a can (106) is placed.

In an embodiment, the equipment (100) comprises a cap fitted on an operative bottom opening of each of the nozzle sets (102, 116). The cap is configured to be in an inoperative closed position under normal conditions. The cap is further configured to be operatively open when the can (106) is placed on the can platform (104), thereby allowing dispensing of colorants through the nozzle sets (102, 116) into the can (106). After dispensing, when the can (106) is removed, the cap closes the corresponding nozzle set (102, 116) to prevent drying of the colorants in the nozzle sets (102, 116).

Advantageously, an additional provision can be made in the equipment (100) to differentiate the canister lid color. The industrial colorant canisters (302) can be provided with black or non-white colored lids whereas the decorative colorant canisters (304) can be provided with white colored lids as shown in Figure 3. This helps the operator in ensuring error free colorant pouring/refilling. Advantageously, the equipment (100) is of non-turntable type.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a paint tinting equipment that:

• provides separate nozzles/dispensing heads for decorative and industrial colorants;

• is compact;

• can be remotely operated; and • facilitates error free/fool-Proof dispensing of colorants.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Throughout this specification the word“comprise”, or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression“at least” or“at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIM:

1. A point-of-sale paint tinting equipment (100) comprising: a base (108) equipped with at least two distinct dispensing stations (112, 114) to facilitate dispensing of industrial type and decorative type colorants, each of said dispensing stations (112, 114) comprising a can platform (104) for holding a can

(106) to receive said colorants for dispensing; a loading space (306) located at an operative top side of said equipment (100), said loading space (306) divided into compartments associated with said colorants, to respectively incorporate colorant canisters (302, 304) therewithin, each of said compartments being associated with one of said dispensing stations (112, 114); at least two nozzle sets (102, 116) provided below each of said compartments of said loading space (306), each of said nozzle sets (102, 116) configured to facilitate dispensing of colorants from said canisters (302, 304); and at least one printed circuit board (PCB) (118), said PCB (118) comprising a processor configured to receive a category selection signal indicative of a selected category of colorant to be dispensed and a pigment selection signal indicative of a selected pigment, and further configured to generate an actuation signal, based on said selected category and pigment, for selectively dispensing colorants of said selected category into said can (106) through said nozzle sets (102, 116) for forming a selected pigment.

2. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a plurality of colorant circuits each of said colorant circuits comprising a motor and a pump communicatively coupled to said processor, said motor and the pump configured to be actuated on receipt of an actuation signal to facilitate pumping of the colorants from said canisters (302, 304) to said corresponding nozzle sets (102, 116) through tubes and valves.

3. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a toggle switch (202) configured to facilitate selection of the category of colorant to be dispensed, and further configured to generate a category selection signal based on said selected category.

4. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 3, configured to be communicatively coupled to a first electronic device, said first electronic device comprising a first installable dispensing tool configured to facilitate selection of the pigment to be dispensed, and further configured to generate a pigment selection signal.

5. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 1, configured to be communicatively coupled to a second electronic device comprising a second installable dispensing tool configured to facilitate selection of the category of colorant and pigment to be dispensed, and further configured to generate a category selection signal and a pigment selection signal.

6. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processor is connected to a remote server (120) via a communication network (122) and is configured to upload and download data to and from said remote server (120).

7. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the data is selected from the group consisting of the number of canisters (302, 304) connected in the equipment, amount of colorant dispensed from a canister, calibration and metering values, diagnostic data for general operation and maintenance.

8. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cap (not shown) is fitted on the operative bottom opening of each nozzle of said nozzle sets (102, 116), said cap configured to be in an inoperative closed position under normal conditions, and further configured to be operatively open when the can (106) is placed on the can platform (104), thereby allowing dispensing of colorants through the nozzle sets (102, 116) into the can (106).

9. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprising a proximity sensor mounted in vicinity of each of said nozzle sets (102, 116), said proximity sensor configured to: sense presence of a can (106) beneath said nozzle sets (102,116);

generate a sensing signal when the presence of said can (106) is detected; and transmit said generated sensing signal to said processor mounted on said PCB (118).

10. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said processor is also configured to:

receive said transmitted sensing signal from said proximity sensors to determine the position of said can (106);

- wirelessly receive said category selection signal and said pigment selection signal to determine the selected category and pigment to be dispensed;

compare the determined position of said can (106) with said selected category of colorant to be dispensed; and

generate said actuation signal, based on said category selection signal and said pigment selection signal, for operating said motors from said corresponding colorant circuits to dispense said colorants from associated nozzle set (102, 116), if the selected colorant to be dispensed matches the determined position of said can (106).

11. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to generate an alert signal if the selected category of colorant to be dispensed does not match the determined position of said can (106).

12. The equipment (100) as claimed in claim 11, comprising an alerting means connected to said processor, said alerting means configured to generate an alarm on receipt of the alert signal from said processor.