EP0131414B1 - Colour formulation by mixing in which a coloured composition is dispensed from a container having an active memory device associated therewith - Google Patents

Colour formulation by mixing in which a coloured composition is dispensed from a container having an active memory device associated therewith Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0131414B1
EP0131414B1 EP84304423A EP84304423A EP0131414B1 EP 0131414 B1 EP0131414 B1 EP 0131414B1 EP 84304423 A EP84304423 A EP 84304423A EP 84304423 A EP84304423 A EP 84304423A EP 0131414 B1 EP0131414 B1 EP 0131414B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
memory device
dispensed
composition
associated therewith
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP84304423A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0131414A3 (en
EP0131414A2 (en
Inventor
Roger Smith Dr. Benson
Michael Leonard Dr. Colclough
Frank Norwood Lee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=10545532&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0131414(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd filed Critical Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
Publication of EP0131414A2 publication Critical patent/EP0131414A2/en
Publication of EP0131414A3 publication Critical patent/EP0131414A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0131414B1 publication Critical patent/EP0131414B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/84—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/84—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
    • B01F33/848—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins using data, i.e. barcodes, 3D codes or similar type of tagging information, as instruction or identification codes for controlling the dispensing and mixing operations

Definitions

  • This invention relates to colour formulation.
  • coloured compositions such as dyestuffs, paint, printing inks and the like
  • it is often desirable to make up a composition to a specified colour by mixing a composition containing a colouring agent, often in admixture with a diluent, with another composition.
  • the present invention provides a container containing a composition including a colouring agent, said container having associated therewith an active memory device carrying information indicative of the colorant characteristics of said colouring agent.
  • dispensing means is responsive to said information so that the quantity of said composition dispensed is that which contains the quantity of said colouring agent required to give a composition of specified colour when said dispensed quantity is mixed with a quantity of said at least one other composition.
  • Containers having a memory device associated therewith carrying information relating to the contents of the container are described in our copending European Patent Application 83300035 (publication number EP-A- 86029). More specifically, such a container is defined in the said Application as being a container having attached to it at least one memory device carrying information relating to the intended contents of the container; the device being operably connectable to operating means including means responsive to information communicated from said memory device whereby an operation actively involving the contents of the container may be performed in a manner at least partly determined by the characteristics of the contents.
  • memory device as used herein includes electrical and non-electrical devices having some memory capability beyond that displayed by simple variable resistances.
  • the memory device is preferably an active electronic memory device, preferably digital, such as a micro-chip, e.g. a programmable read-only memory device.
  • the memory device is thus set so that its information reflects the colorant characteristics of colouring agent in that batch of colouring agent-containing composition in the container.
  • the memory device of the container described in European Patent Application 83300035 is attached to the container so as to establish a secure association between the device and the contents.
  • the expression "attached” as used therein is not meant to imply only a physical connection between them; it includes any form of connection giving a strong association between the contents and the device, as will be readily understood in circumstances where some spacing of the device from the container may be desirable.
  • the same qualification applies to the memory device of the container forming part of the present invention, it is preferred in the present case that the memory device should be actually attached to the container, forming an integral part thereof.
  • the memory device associated with the container used in the present invention is in use linked to a memory reading device or microprocessor whereby the information carried by the memory device may be transformed into control signals which are then fed to the appropriate dispensing means.
  • information indicative of colorant characteristics we mean information concerning such parameters as colour strength, opacity and light scattering or absorption power, all or any of which may influence the quantity of the first composition which is required to be dispensed.
  • the memory device may carry information indicative solely of the actual proportion of the colouring agent present in the composition.
  • composition of specified colour may be made by mixing colouring agent-containing compositions from more than one such container, each having their own associated memory devices.
  • the dispensing means may thus be arranged so that, depending on the specified coloured composition required, colouring agent-containing compositions are dispensed from one of more containers.
  • composition in any given container may contain more than one colouring agent; in this case the information carried by the memory device of the container will include the colorant characteristics of each colouring agent in the composition in the container.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a container containing a composition including a colouring agent.
  • the container 209 is shown inverted, having a cap 229 which is of a resilient plastic material which can sealingly grip the edge 223 of the container opening.
  • the cap is fitted with a supply outlet 234 and a vent inlet 235.
  • Inside the supply outlet 234 is a shaped sealed ring 236, formed of rubber or like material.
  • a sealing plate 237 is urged against sealing ring 236 by compression spring 239 the other end of which abuts a circumferential flange 240 within the upper end of outlet 234.
  • the cap 229 also carries a memory device in the form of a pre-coded microcircuit chip 214 mounted to communicate via external conductive socket connections 243.
  • the outer edge of cap 229 carries a thread 247, and for transport and storage carries a protective threaded cap lid (not shown).
  • the container 209 is mounted on the dispensing means via the connector 230.
  • This comprises a cover member 244 formed with a flanged edge 245 supporting a freely rotatable threaded collar 246 which can engage with thread 247 to hold cover member 244 and cap 229 tightly together.
  • Cover member 244 is formed with a projecting supply pipe 248 to mate with outlet 234, a projecting vent pipe 249 to mate with vent outlet 235 and female electrical contacts 251 to mate with male sockets 243.
  • Connections 215 from contacts 251 lead to a memory reading device or microprocessor (not shown) which is programmed to operate control means, such as a valve or pump (not shown) whereby the flow of liquid out of the container via the outlet 234 and the supply pipe 248 may be regulated in accordance with the pre-coded information carried on the microcircuit chip 214.
  • Pipe 248 projects to a height sufficient so that, when cap 229 and cover 244 are in close contact, sealing plate 237 is lifted off sealing ring 236 so liquid can flow out around the edges of plate 237 (which for this purpose are preferably partly cut away) into pipe 248.

Description

  • This invention relates to colour formulation. In the production of coloured compositions, such as dyestuffs, paint, printing inks and the like, it is often desirable to make up a composition to a specified colour by mixing a composition containing a colouring agent, often in admixture with a diluent, with another composition.
  • In order to obtain accurate, repeatable, coloured compositions, it is necessary not only that the quantities of the respective compositions can be accurately metered but also that their initial constitution is substantially constant. The latter requirement often creates quality control difficulties for the manufacturer of the composition containing the colouring agent to ensure consistency of the composition. Hence the permissible batch-to-batch variation is very small.
  • We have now devised a system whereby these difficulties are reduced.
  • Accordingly the present invention provides a container containing a composition including a colouring agent, said container having associated therewith an active memory device carrying information indicative of the colorant characteristics of said colouring agent. In use dispensing means is responsive to said information so that the quantity of said composition dispensed is that which contains the quantity of said colouring agent required to give a composition of specified colour when said dispensed quantity is mixed with a quantity of said at least one other composition.
  • Containers having a memory device associated therewith carrying information relating to the contents of the container are described in our copending European Patent Application 83300035 (publication number EP-A- 86029). More specifically, such a container is defined in the said Application as being a container having attached to it at least one memory device carrying information relating to the intended contents of the container; the device being operably connectable to operating means including means responsive to information communicated from said memory device whereby an operation actively involving the contents of the container may be performed in a manner at least partly determined by the characteristics of the contents. The expression "memory device" as used herein includes electrical and non-electrical devices having some memory capability beyond that displayed by simple variable resistances.
  • In the case of the container which is a feature of the present invention, the memory device is preferably an active electronic memory device, preferably digital, such as a micro-chip, e.g. a programmable read-only memory device. The memory device is thus set so that its information reflects the colorant characteristics of colouring agent in that batch of colouring agent-containing composition in the container.
  • The memory device of the container described in European Patent Application 83300035 is attached to the container so as to establish a secure association between the device and the contents. The expression "attached" as used therein is not meant to imply only a physical connection between them; it includes any form of connection giving a strong association between the contents and the device, as will be readily understood in circumstances where some spacing of the device from the container may be desirable. Although the same qualification applies to the memory device of the container forming part of the present invention, it is preferred in the present case that the memory device should be actually attached to the container, forming an integral part thereof.
  • Further extensive details concerning containers and memory devices suitable for use in the present invention may be obtained by reference to the above-mentioned European Patent Application.
  • The memory device associated with the container used in the present invention is in use linked to a memory reading device or microprocessor whereby the information carried by the memory device may be transformed into control signals which are then fed to the appropriate dispensing means.
  • By the expression "information" indicative of colorant characteristics we mean information concerning such parameters as colour strength, opacity and light scattering or absorption power, all or any of which may influence the quantity of the first composition which is required to be dispensed. Of course, where the colouring agent is standardizes in all other respects, it may be sufficient for the memory device to carry information indicative solely of the actual proportion of the colouring agent present in the composition.
  • It will be appreciated that the composition of specified colour may be made by mixing colouring agent-containing compositions from more than one such container, each having their own associated memory devices. The dispensing means may thus be arranged so that, depending on the specified coloured composition required, colouring agent-containing compositions are dispensed from one of more containers.
  • Equally it will be appreciated that the composition in any given container may contain more than one colouring agent; in this case the information carried by the memory device of the container will include the colorant characteristics of each colouring agent in the composition in the container.
  • One embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which is a sectional view of a container containing a composition including a colouring agent.
  • In the accompanying drawings a suitable container is shown in axial section together with a connector therefor forming part of the dispensing means.
  • The container 209 is shown inverted, having a cap 229 which is of a resilient plastic material which can sealingly grip the edge 223 of the container opening. The cap is fitted with a supply outlet 234 and a vent inlet 235. Inside the supply outlet 234 is a shaped sealed ring 236, formed of rubber or like material. A sealing plate 237 is urged against sealing ring 236 by compression spring 239 the other end of which abuts a circumferential flange 240 within the upper end of outlet 234. Secured inside the vent inlet 235 and extending toward the upper end of the container 209 is an elongate duct 241, at the inner end of which is a springloaded ball valve 242, sealing the duct 241 against leakage of the fluid colouring agent-containing composition from within container 209, but permitting air to enter container 209 when the pressure differential is sufficient to overcome the spring-loading of ball valve 242. The cap 229 also carries a memory device in the form of a pre-coded microcircuit chip 214 mounted to communicate via external conductive socket connections 243. The outer edge of cap 229 carries a thread 247, and for transport and storage carries a protective threaded cap lid (not shown).
  • The container 209 is mounted on the dispensing means via the connector 230. This comprises a cover member 244 formed with a flanged edge 245 supporting a freely rotatable threaded collar 246 which can engage with thread 247 to hold cover member 244 and cap 229 tightly together. Cover member 244 is formed with a projecting supply pipe 248 to mate with outlet 234, a projecting vent pipe 249 to mate with vent outlet 235 and female electrical contacts 251 to mate with male sockets 243. Connections 215 from contacts 251 lead to a memory reading device or microprocessor (not shown) which is programmed to operate control means, such as a valve or pump (not shown) whereby the flow of liquid out of the container via the outlet 234 and the supply pipe 248 may be regulated in accordance with the pre-coded information carried on the microcircuit chip 214. Pipe 248 projects to a height sufficient so that, when cap 229 and cover 244 are in close contact, sealing plate 237 is lifted off sealing ring 236 so liquid can flow out around the edges of plate 237 (which for this purpose are preferably partly cut away) into pipe 248.

Claims (3)

1. A container (209) containing a composition including a colouring agent, said container having associated therewith an active memory (214) device carrying information indicative of the colourant characteristics of said colouring agent.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory device (214) is an active electronic memory device.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the memory device (214) forms an integral part of the container (209).
EP84304423A 1983-07-11 1984-06-28 Colour formulation by mixing in which a coloured composition is dispensed from a container having an active memory device associated therewith Expired EP0131414B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB838318671A GB8318671D0 (en) 1983-07-11 1983-07-11 Colour formulation
GB8318671 1983-07-11

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0131414A2 EP0131414A2 (en) 1985-01-16
EP0131414A3 EP0131414A3 (en) 1985-12-27
EP0131414B1 true EP0131414B1 (en) 1989-12-27

Family

ID=10545532

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84304423A Expired EP0131414B1 (en) 1983-07-11 1984-06-28 Colour formulation by mixing in which a coloured composition is dispensed from a container having an active memory device associated therewith

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0131414B1 (en)
AU (1) AU581408B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1252437A (en)
DE (1) DE3480867D1 (en)
GB (2) GB8318671D0 (en)
NZ (1) NZ208769A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7721914B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2010-05-25 Michael Handfield Container for dispensing medicaments having a compressible medium therein

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1006344B1 (en) * 1998-12-02 2003-03-26 Kikusui Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., Kozuka Bldg. Color matching system and method of using the same
KR20040111405A (en) * 2002-03-28 2004-12-31 아크조노벨코팅스인터내셔널비.브이. Colour formulation method
EP1820568A1 (en) * 2006-02-21 2007-08-22 Degussa GmbH Container for liquid paint comprising a machine-readable storing medium, and method for metering liquid paint
WO2019191093A1 (en) * 2018-03-28 2019-10-03 3D Systems, Inc. Resin container for a three dimensional printing system

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2256355A1 (en) * 1972-06-01 1973-12-13 Swinson Jun METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COLOR DETERMINATION OR. ADAPTING OBJECTS, FOR EXAMPLE TEETH
US4046287A (en) * 1976-05-10 1977-09-06 Graco Inc. Automatic metering and dispensing system
US4256131A (en) * 1976-07-14 1981-03-17 Sentrol Systems Ltd. Feedback color control system
DE3200292C2 (en) * 1981-02-17 1983-12-08 Applied Color Systems, Inc., 08540 Princeton, N.J. Process for the transmission of color information and for the production of a dye batch corresponding to a given color
US4439038A (en) * 1981-03-03 1984-03-27 Sentrol Systems Ltd. Method and apparatus for measuring and controlling the color of a moving web
EP0086031A1 (en) * 1982-02-05 1983-08-17 Imperial Chemical Industries Plc Spraying system
GB2115316A (en) * 1982-02-05 1983-09-07 Ici Plc Fluid container

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7721914B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2010-05-25 Michael Handfield Container for dispensing medicaments having a compressible medium therein
US7735681B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2010-06-15 Handfield Michael Medicament container locking system and method
US7735683B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2010-06-15 Michael Handfield Smart tray for dispensing medicaments
US7751933B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2010-07-06 Michael Handfield Smart tray for dispensing medicaments
US7844362B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2010-11-30 Michael Handfield Method of intelligently dispensing medicaments
US7860603B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2010-12-28 Michael Handfield Medicaments container with medicament authentication mechanism
US7886931B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2011-02-15 Michael Handfield Medicament container system and method
US7908030B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2011-03-15 Michael Handfield Smart tray for dispensing medicaments
US7909207B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2011-03-22 Michael Handfield Smart tray for dispensing medicaments
US7917246B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2011-03-29 Michael Handfield Lockable medicament dispensing apparatus with authentication mechanism
US7949426B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2011-05-24 Michael Handfield Medicaments container with display component
US7996105B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2011-08-09 Michael Handfield Medicament dispensing authorization
US8112175B2 (en) 2004-09-13 2012-02-07 Michael Handfield Methods and apparatus for medicament tracking

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1252437A (en) 1989-04-11
AU3031684A (en) 1985-01-17
GB2143146B (en) 1986-11-19
DE3480867D1 (en) 1990-02-01
AU581408B2 (en) 1989-02-23
NZ208769A (en) 1987-05-29
GB8416534D0 (en) 1984-08-01
EP0131414A3 (en) 1985-12-27
EP0131414A2 (en) 1985-01-16
GB2143146A (en) 1985-02-06
GB8318671D0 (en) 1983-08-10

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