EP1800737A1 - Method and apparatus for the production of a personalised paint ready for use - Google Patents

Abstract

A paint composition, particularly for decoration/ protection of surfaces, is formulated from individual components, by a customer or user, through one or more interface menus which allow semi-automatic selection of materials and quantities by a computor. The user inputs parameters such as required indoor/outdoor location, substrate, matt/ gloss, colour choice. Independent claims are included for an arrangement for allowing customer/user specification of a paint composition for decoration/ protection. The system may include a costing program for generation of a bill for payment. The arrangement typically comprises a dispensing system for paint components, a control processor, costing system, user-processor interface unit, user instructions, spectrophotometer for colour matching, data retrieval system, mixing device.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for providing a ready-to-use paint, which is produced according to the consumer's wishes individually.

In the application of paints, the general trend of consumers is to paint, which are individualized in color, gloss, or other effects. The prior art discloses so-called inking machines for use in do-it-yourself markets, with which the mixing of customer-specific shades of paints is possible. As a result, the number of pre-mixed shades of paints to be provided in the sales rooms is reduced, since the individual shades are possible by the inking process of at least one base base by the addition of color pastes.

A corresponding device is for example from the DE 69515042 T2 known.

In the WO 94/21554 Also disclosed is an apparatus for making individual paints for paints.

A disadvantage of the known from the prior art systems, however, that they are complicated to operate and therefore can only be operated by professionals.

Often, however, it lacks in particular in the do-it-yourself markets sufficiently qualified personnel to operate this well-known from the prior art color mixing equipment, so that customers have to take long waiting periods in the purchase or in the worst case even wrong advice.

Based on this prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device which is capable of providing ready-to-use individual paint compositions without the operation of qualified specialist personnel.

This object is achieved by a process for ready preparation of a coating consisting of individual components, in which the individual components are computer controlled selected and delivered, the individual components depending on a consumer-side specification of the paint properties selected at least partially automatically and delivered in the amount necessary for the selected paint property in which the selection of the paint properties takes place via a user menu of a control computer and the paint properties that are selected from the menu are automatically selected depending on the paint properties already determined in a previous selection step.

This makes it possible for the consumer to obtain a coating that meets his individual needs without the help of specialist staff such as specialist consultants in hardware stores.

According to the method, basic properties of a coating material are optionally offered to the consumer by means of a selection menu in a first step. Such basic properties are the material to be provided with the paint and the field of application. Thus, in a first selection step, for example, it can be queried whether the paint should be used for indoor or outdoor use and from which material the object to be provided with the paint is made, whereby a basic base of a paint corresponding to the application can be automatically selected.

Depending on the decision made by the consumer in such a selection step, another selection menu offers further selectable properties of the paint, such as the color tone.

In a further selection step, depending on the already selected properties of the paint, further properties such as, for example, the degree of gloss or degree of matting or special effects such as pearl effects by the consumer can be determined.

In a further selection step, the quantity of the paint to be provided can be determined on the consumer side by consulting the user menu.

For example, only the room size of a room to be provided with a paint can be entered via the user menu, whereupon the control computer determines the required amount of the paint as a function of the entered room size. Alternatively, the amount of paint to be provided can also be specified individually on the consumer side.

Before a correspondingly individually prepared coating material is prepared, a payment step is advantageously carried out. This avoids the unwanted or caused by vandalism wrong production of individual paints.

The payment step can take place by means of known billing methods such as debit, credit or debit card, value coins, vouchers or any other suitable payment system.

After valid conclusion of the payment process then the pre-determined in terms of its properties paint is ready to use provided.

In one embodiment of the method, a basic base of the paint to be provided by the user is determined by the control computer depending on the selected properties of the paint.

After the basic base has been provided by the user, it is identified by the control computer by suitable means and compared with the given base base. Only if the basic base provided by the user has the same basic base as the base, the production process is continued. If predetermined and provided base base do not match, a corresponding note is made via the user menu.

The identification of the basic base provided can take place, for example, via an identification piping, a barcode, a transponder or other suitable identification means. The control computer advantageously interrupts the manufacturing process when an error occurs and issues an error message via the user interface or other suitable means or means.

In an alternative embodiment of the method, no provision of a base base is necessary on the user side. The base base is removed from a supply according to the selected properties and blended with the other individual components to provide the ready-to-use paint.

The base used may either be a specific base base or a universal base base suitable for all applications of a paint to be provided in accordance with the property of the paint to be provided.

In addition, in terms of the method, it can be provided that the control computer is connected to one or more consumer information systems on which a corresponding selection of the coating properties can take place. The specified paint properties are then communicated from the consumer information system to the control computer.

This makes it possible that several consumers at the same time can set the properties of the individually prepared for them paints and waiting times are avoided.

The user menu may also, in one embodiment of the method of the invention, provide a virtual representation of an object provided with a paint corresponding to the selected paint properties to allow visualization of the selected paint before providing the paint.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, a corresponding selection of the paint properties and / or visualization of the paint is possible by means of suitable PC programs or, for example, the Internet.

The properties of the coating material thus already selected before entering the place of purchase can be transmitted to the control computer in the form of a color code or via a data carrier or via remote data transmission. This makes it possible for the consumer to determine at home the properties of the paint. This in turn reduces waiting times at the point of sale.

It may be provided according to the invention that the control computer has a corresponding remote data transmission interface, via which the consumer transmits the selected properties of the coating material to the control computer via the Internet, which are then stored in the control computer.

By assigning an authorization code, it would thus be possible that the consumer at the point of sale only has to enter his authorization code in order to retrieve the paint properties deposited by him in the control computer.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, by means of a suitable measuring device, a hue can be determined by a pattern provided on the consumer side, which is then transmitted to the control computer. Suitable measuring devices may be for example a spectrophotometer. Advantageously, this is an automated spectrophotometer, which has sufficient for the customer's use safe operation.

The inventive method individual shades can be offered not only in do-it-yourself markets, but also for example in discount markets, furniture stores, etc. It is no longer necessary by the inventive method, according to qualified personnel to operate a color mixing system vorzuhalten.

Device side, the object is achieved by a device for processing the finished providing a group consisting of single component paint, which comprises a control computer, a user interface, and at least one device for dispensing a single component of the paint, wherein the means for delivering the individual components depending on the user-defined characteristics of the Paint is controllable by the control computer, which is characterized in that the control computer and the user interface are connected to one another such that the paint properties can be selected via the user interface, the paint properties being selected by the user interface as a function of the paint properties already determined in a previous selection step.

Advantageously, a device according to the invention has a device for processing a payment step. Such a device may be a corresponding card reader for payment by means of debit, credit or debit card or a corresponding means for payment by cash, tokens or vouchers.

Advantageously, the control computer and the device for carrying out the payment step are connected to one another in such a way that dispensing of the individual component of the coating material can take place only after successful completion of a payment step.

In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, a basic base of the paint to be provided can be introduced into the device on the consumer side. The base side, which can be introduced into the device on the consumer side, can be identified by means of suitable devices and can be calibrated with specifications of the control computer.

Suitable means for identifying the consumer base introduced base may be a bar code reader, a transponder receiver, a magnetic stripe reader or other suitable identification means.

In addition, the device may have suitable sensors for determining the remaining amounts of individual components in the dispensing devices. Taking into account the data determined by the sensors, the control computer can automatically determine whether sufficient quantities of individual components are still available for the provision of a particular paint. Should corresponding individual component quantities no longer be stored, the control computer can output a corresponding error message via the user interface or other suitable devices.

The consumer can be introduced into the device base base in shape a closed container are introduced into the device. For the task of the individual component to the consumer base introduced base an opening mechanism is provided on the device side, which opens the Grundbasengebinde in a suitable manner to the task of the individual component.

For this purpose, for example, a punching mechanism may be provided, which punches into the lid of the Grundbasengebindes a suitable opening. Alternatively, a mechanism for raising or opening the base base lid may be provided.

In the case of punching an opening in the container lid, a mechanism for closing the punched opening by means of a plug or an adhesive strip or otherwise suitable closure means is provided on the device side.

In an alternative embodiment, the base of the paint is a single component and is introduced by the device together with the other individual components or successively in a suitable empty container.

For this purpose, the device can be connected to suitable storage containers for base bases, which store corresponding base bases in economically sensible quantities. The storage containers can be designed in the form of interchangeable containers.

To close the empty container filled with the individual paint means, a suitable closure mechanism is provided on the device side. Such a closure mechanism may, for example, be a capping device which closes the container filled with the individual paint with a suitable lid.

For homogenization of the custom-made paint, a suitable homogenization device is provided. This can be a blender or a suitable vibrator. Depending on the configuration of the device, the homogenization device may be located in a structural unit with the device or may be an external device.

In the embodiment variant of the device according to the invention, in which the base base of the paint as a single component in an empty container on the device side is abandoned, a mixing of the individual components may be provided in a mixing tube, which can be dispensed with a homogenizer.

According to the invention, the device can have a data interface by means of which data can be transmitted from data carriers or via remote data transmission to the control computer.

By means of a data interface, in particular a remote data transmission interface, the device can advantageously be maintained remotely. As a result, when an error occurs, the device can automatically transmit a corresponding error message to a central computer or, for example, via SMS to a service technician.

Furthermore, the device may have a device for color tone determination of a pattern presented on the consumer side. The device for determining a pattern color tone can be connected to the control computer so that the determined color tone can be transmitted to the control computer.

The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are suitable for the provision of a wide variety of paints. For example, emulsion paints, lacquers or glazes can be provided with the device or the method.

The device size is adaptable to the amount of paint to be provided, so that, for example, shelf models for small package sizes are possible. As a result, the paint quantities of 50 ml to 15 l which are frequently inquired, particularly in the do-it-yourself markets, can advantageously be provided by the device according to the invention as individual paints.

• Fig. 1 zeigt ein Ablaufdiagramm für ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren.
• Fig. 2 zeigt den schematischen Aufbau einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

figure description

• Fig. 1 shows a flow chart for a method according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 shows the schematic structure of a device according to the invention.

According to the reproduced with Fig. 1 embodiment of the invention Procedure, the consumer, through the user menu of the control computer based on appropriate queries, get to a suitable for his application and individualized paint. The parameters determined in the course of the automatic user menu queries are transmitted to the control computer, which translates these into corresponding control commands and transmits them to the output device. For example, it is possible for the consumer to determine the area of application (indoor / outdoor area) in a first query. In a subsequent query, the consumer can request information about the material to be provided with the coating material. Depending on the paint properties determined from this, the user menu automatically selects suitable color types such as lacquer, glaze, emulsion paint (interior / exterior), etc. After requesting the desired color type, a query of the desired color tone can be made. Such a query can be made via the direct selection of a hue or by means of a color tone determination of a template via, for example, a spectrophotometer. Following the determination of the hue, the consumer may determine further properties such as the gloss level of the paint produced with the paint or any effects of the paint. Individual of these interrogation steps or a plurality can be passed by a direct input, for example, a color code. Following the determination of the paint properties, the determination of the amount of paint to be provided is made. This can be done by direct input of the quantity or by means of a user-menu based calculation, for example, over the area or size of the object to be painted. Before a final production of the paint, ie before the initiation of irreversible process steps, a payment step takes place. Upon completion of the payment process, the individualized paint is automatically provided.

Fig. 2 shows the schematic structure of a device according to the invention. The properties of the paint determined via the user interface or the consumer information system are transmitted to the control computer. The control computer may, in response to previous selection steps, send back appropriate paint parameters to the user menu, which selects them for selection by the user. In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the determination of a hue can be made via a spectrophotometer, which determines the color data determined by a template as a paint parameter to the control computer transmitted. After determining the coating-essential properties, the paint quantities to be provided are transmitted to the control computer by suitable means. From the information thus obtained, the control computer composes control commands for the delivery devices of the individual components. The control computer is connected to a payment system. After determination of the control data, a price for the paint to be provided is determined from these and / or from the paint properties determined and the stated paint quantity. The price is transmitted to a payment system. After valid conclusion of the payment process, the completion of this process is transmitted to the control computer, which then transmits the control commands for the delivery device of the individual components to the facilities. The dispensers for the individual components release individual components for the provision of the individualized paint as a function of the control commands.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Dispensing device for individual components

2

control computer

3

Payment system

4

Device for direct input

5

Consumer Information System

6

spectrophotometer

7

Device for quantity inquiry

Claims (13)

A process for ready preparation of a single-component paint in which the individual components are selected and delivered computer-controlled, the individual components are automatically selected depending on a consumer-side specification of the paint properties and delivered in the amount required for the selected paint properties amount, the selection of paint properties on a user menu of a control computer takes place and the menu selected for selection paint properties depending on the already determined in a previous selection step paint properties are automatically selected. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that after the determination of the paint properties and before a discharge of the individual components of the paint a payment step takes place. Method according to one or more of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a base base of the paint is provided by the user. Method according to one or more of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the base base of the paint is a single component. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paint properties are transmitted to the control computer as a color code or by means of data carriers or remote data transmission, bypassing individual selection steps of the paint properties. A device for the ready-to-use preparation of a single component paint comprising a control computer, a user interface, and at least one device for dispensing a single component of the paint, the device for dispensing the individual component depending on the user-defined properties of the paint through the Control computer is controllable, characterized in that the control computer and the user interface are connectable to each other, that the paint properties are selectable via the user interface, wherein the paint properties depending on the already determined in a previous selection step paint properties of the user interface for selection are adjustable. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by a device for carrying out a payment step. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for processing a payment step is connectable to the control computer, that the delivery of the individual components of the paint only after successful completion of a payment step. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, characterized by a communication device for communication with at least one consumer information system. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the device and / or the consumer information system comprise a device for determining a hue of a template, which transmits a detected hue to the control computer of the device. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 10, characterized by a communication device for remote data transmission, by means of which paint properties or control data to the control computer can be transferred. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 11, characterized by means for identifying containers containing the individual components of the paint. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 12, characterized by means for homogenizing the paint.

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