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

Abstract

 A method of producing a composition of specified colour in which at least one composition containing a specified colouring agent is admixed with at least one other composition, wherein the composition containing the colouring agent is dispensed from a container having associated with it an active memory device, such as a micro-chip, carrying information concerning the colorant characteristics of that composition, and dispensing means attached to the container is responsive to that information so that the correct quantity of the coloured composition is dispensed relative to the quantity of the other composition with which it is mixed.

Description

[0001] 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.

[0002] 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.

[0003] We have now devised a system whereby these difficulties are reduced.

[0004] Accordingly the present invention provides a method of producing a composition of specified colour comprising

dispensing via dispensing means a quantity of a first composition, containing a colouring agent required in said composition of specified colour in admixture with another material, from a container and

mixing said dispensed quantity with a quantity of at least one other composition, thereby forming said composition of specified colour,

said container having associated therewith an active memory device carrying information indicative of the colorant characteristics of said colouring agent in said first composition, said dispensing means being responsive to said information so that the quantity of said first composition dispensed is that which contains the quantity of said colouring agent required to give the composition of specified colour when said dispensed quantity is mixed with said quantity of said at least one other composition.

[0005] An important feature in the present invention is thus the use of a container having a memory device associated therewith and which carries information regarding the characteristics of-'.the colouring agent in the composition in the container. 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. 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 therein includes electrical and non-electrical devices having some memory capability beyond that displayed by simple variable resistances.

[0006] 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.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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.

[0009] The memory device associated with the container used in the present invention is in turn 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.

[0010] 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 standardised 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.

[0011] 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 or more containers.

[0012] 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 that cortainer will include the colorant characteristics of each colouring agent in the composition in the container.

[0013] In the accompanying drawing a suitable container is shown in axial section together with a connector therefor forming part of the dispensing means.

[0014] 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 spring-loaded 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).

[0015] 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

[0016] 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 car. flow out around the edges of plate 237 (which for this purpose are preferably partly cut away) into pipe 248.

Claims

1. A method of producing a composition of specified colour comprising

dispensing via dispensing means a quantity of a first composition, containing a colouring agent required in said composition of specified colour in admixture with another material, from a container and

mixing said dispensed quantity with a quantity of at least one other composition, thereby forming said composition of specified colour,

said container having associated therewith an active memory device carrying information indicative of the colourant characteristics of said colouring agent in said first composition, said dispensing means being responsive to said information so that the quantity of said first composition dispensed is that which contains the quantity of said colouring agent required to give the composition of specified colour when said dispensed quantity is mixed with said quantity of said at least one other composition.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory device is an active electronic memory device.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the memory device forms an integral part of the container.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the composition of specified colour is made by mixing colouring agent-containing compositions dispensed from more than one container each of which has its own associated memory device.

Drawing