Colour selection system

Description

[0001] The invention relate to a colour selection system for selecting a combination of paint colours from a main colour collection, the system comprising a set of leaves each showing at least one paint colour of the main colour collection. Such colour selection system is particularly used by professional designers, architects, painters, etc. A colour selection system is for instance described in European patent application EP-A 1 313 083. This system consists of cards showing a main colour in combination with three possible combination colours. The system leaves few possibilities for designers to personalize their choices.

[0002] US 6,270.123 discloses a colour selection guide, wherein a selection of colour samples can be made. Per sample, a number of closely related colours is shown.

[0003] US 2003/0234945 discloses a tint guide using a three-dimensional model of three primary colours. Fan decks can be formed from selected arrays of colour samples of the three-dimensional model.

COLOUR SELECTION SYSTEM

[0004] Selecting colours for a design or a redecoration generally involves the selection of more than one colour. In colour selection, a designer may have personal preference for certain colours and colour combinations. It is the object of the invention to provide a system enabling a designer to compose a personal individualized collection of colours selected from a main selection.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved with a colour selection system which further comprises a sample fan comprising a binding element adapted to receive and collect a personal sub-selection of colour samples separated from the leaves showing the main colour collection. When a colour combination is to be selected, the designer can select the leaves with the colours he wishes to use, cut off a strip of the selected leaves, and make a sub-selection of these cut-off colour samples with the aid of the sample fan.

[0006] The sample fan may optionally comprise a front panel cover and a back panel cover, the binding element being a flexible band or cord linked to both covers. In that case, the separated colour samples can be provided with openings allowing passage of the binding element, in order to properly bind the leaves between the panel covers instead of having a loose-leaf system.

[0007] The flexible band or cord can be held in a corresponding opening in one or both of the cover panels, allowing sliding of the cover panel via the band or cord. This way, the sample leaves of the fan cannot only be fanned out, but when the cover panels are slid away from each other, the sample leaves can also be held next to each other irrespective of the order of the leaves. A further advantage of this construction is that the pile of sample leaves can vary widely in thickness.

[0008] To hold the binding element, one or both of the panel covers can be provided with a recess to receive a part of the band in a clamping manner. The covers can for instance be made of a sheet metal or plastic material profiled to provide the recess.

[0009] The band can be made of an elastic material, such as a rubber, having a cross-section corresponding to the recess in the covers. When the rubber is stretched, the cross-section shrinks and can easily be placed in the recess. After relaxation of the rubber, the cross-section extends again and clamps itself in the recess. Whereas normally ropes or bands are stretched and stressed when tied, in this case the rubber band is relaxed and unstressed when it ties the fan and clamps itself in the recess. As a result, the risk of band fatigue failure is minimized.

[0010] To store the set of leaves of the main collection in a well-organized manner, the system can comprise a binder, such as a ring binder. When using a ring binder, the leaves of the main collection should have openings to cooperate with the rings of the ring binder. These openings can for instance be arranged in a strip along the side of the leaf, the strip being separatable from the rest of the leaf by a tear-off perforation line. After the leaf of a colour has been used up completely, the strip stays behind in the ring binder as a reminder for the user that a new leaf of this colour should be re-ordered.

[0011] Further, the ring binder can include a colour code booklet showing an overview of the complete colour collection, optionally including the corresponding colour codes.

[0012] Optionally, the system may also include an Internet website showing all available leaves of the main collection and an order form for ordering new leaves.

[0013] With the system according to the invention, the designer does not merely cut samples into pieces, as is the case with prior art systems, but the user actively builds a personal collection of his own and, as a result, works in a more constructive and edifying fashion.

[0014] The invention is further illustrated by the drawings. In the drawings;

Figure 1:

shows a ring binder for use in a system according to the invention;

Figure 2:

shows a sample fan for a selection of colours according to the present invention;

Figure 3:

shows the sample fan of Figure 2 in an open manner;

Figure 4:

shows, in cross-section, the cord clamped in the recess of a system as shown in Figure 2.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a ring binder 1 binding a stack of leaves 2, each of a different single colour. The leaves 2 span a complete colour collection. The user can cut off strips from the leaves 2 for presentation purposes or as samples for his or her personal collection to be stored in a separate sample fan, e.g., as shown in Figure 2. The leaves 2 have openings 3 to cooperate with the rings 4 of the ring binder. These openings 3 are arranged in a strip 5 along the side of the leaf. The strip 5 can be separated from the rest of the leaf 2 by a tear-off perforation line 6. After a leaf 2 of a colour has been used up completely, the strip 5 stays behind in the ring binder 1 as a reminder for the user that a new leaf 2 of this colour should be re-ordered.

[0016] Figure 2 shows a sample fan 7 for a collection of coloured cardboard samples 8. The sample fan 7 is shown opened in Figure 3. The sample fan 7 comprises a stack of samples 8 and a rubber, elastic cord 9 with a rectangular cross-section serving as a coupling element to join the samples 8. The cord 9 is inserted through aligned openings 10 in each sample 8. The samples 8 are sandwiched between a front cover 11 and a back cover 12. Both covers 11, 12 comprise a recess 13 forming a tight fit for the cord 9. One of the outer ends 14 of the flexible cord 9 is permanently attached to the outer end 15 of the back cover 12. The other outer end 16 of the cord 9 is loosened when the sample fan 7 is opened and in use. The samples 8 can be shifted apart and each sample can be held next to any other one irrespective of their order, to examine particular colour combinations. When the sample fan 7 is closed for storage, the samples 8 and the front cover 11 are shifted to the back cover 12 and the cord 9 is folded over the front cover 11 to the other outer end 17 of the back cover 12, where it is clamped in the recess 13 of the back cover 12, as shown in detail in Figure 4's cross-section. The front cover 11 has a similar recess in which the middle part of the cord 9 is received and clamped. The rubber cord can be easily stretched to reduce its width, enabling the user to lay the cord 9 in the recess 13. After relaxation of the cord 9, it retains its original width, thus clamping itself in the recess 13. By pulling on the outer end 16 of the cord 9, the width of the cord 9 is reduced again, thus terminating the clamping force, and the cord 9 can easily be taken out of the recess 13 again to open the sample fan 7.

Claims

1. Colour selection system for selecting a combination of paint colours from a main colour collection, the system comprising a set of leaves (2) each showing at least one paint colour of the main colour collection characterized in that the system further comprises a sample fan (7) comprising a binding element (9) adapted to receive and collect a personal sub-selection of colour samples (8) separated from the leaves (2) showing the main colour collection.

2. A colour selection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample fan (7) comprises a front cover (11) and a back cover (12), with the binding element (9) being a rope or cord of a flexible material linked to both covers (11, 12).

3. A colour selection system according to claim 2, characterized in that the separated colour samples (8) are provided with openings (10) allowing passage of the binding element (9).

4. A colour selection system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that one or both of the covers (11, 12) are provided with a recess (13) to receive a part of the rope (9) in a clamping manner.

5. A colour selection system according to claim 4, characterized in that the covers (11, 12) are made of a sheet metal profiled to provide the recess (13).

6. A colour selection system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the rope (9) is made of an elastic material, such as a rubber, having a cross-section corresponding to the recess (13) in the covers (11, 12).

7. A colour selection system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system comprises a binder (1) to store the set of leaves (2) of the main collection.

8. A colour selection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the binder is a ring binder (1).

9. A colour selection system according to claim 8, characterized in that the leaves (2) of the main collection have openings (3) to cooperate with the rings (4) of the ring binder (1), the openings (3) being arranged in a strip (5) along the side of each leaf (2), the strip (5) being separatable from the rest of the leaf (2) by a tear-off perforation line (6).

10. Method of making a personal sub-selection of colour samples (8) from a main colour collection presented on a set of bound leaves (2) each showing at least one paint colour of the main colour selection characterized in that the colour samples (8) are separated from leaves (2) of selected colours and added to a sample fan (7) comprising a binding element (9) adapted to receive and collect the personal sub-selection of colour samples (8).

11. Method according to claim 10 characterized in that a sample fan (7) is used comprising a flexible rope (9) as a binding element and in that the selected colour samples (8) are added to the sample fan (7) by passing the rope through aligned openings (10) in the colour samples (8) to hold the samples together.

Ansprüche

1. Farbauswahlsystem zur Auswahl einer Kombination von Farben eines Anstrichmittels aus einer Haupt-Farbkollektion, wobei das System einen Satz von Blättern (2) umfasst, die jeweils wenigstens eine Farbe eines Anstrichmittels der Haupt-Farbkollektion darstellen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das System weiterhin einen Probenfächer (7) umfasst, der ein Verbindungselement (9) umfasst, das dahingehend angepasst ist, dass es eine persönliche Unterauswahl der Farbproben (8), die von den Blättern (2), auf denen die Haupt-Farbkollektion dargestellt ist, aufnimmt und sammelt.

2. Farbauswahlsystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Probenfächer (7) einen vorderen Deckel (11) und einen hinteren Deckel (12) umfasst, wobei das Verbindungselement (9) ein Seil oder eine Kordel aus einem biegsamen Material ist, das bzw. die mit den beiden Deckeln (11, 12) verbunden ist.

3. Farbauswahlsystem nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die getrennten Farbproben (8) mit Öffnungen (10) versehen sind, die ein Hindurchführen des Verbindungselements (9) ermöglichen.

4. Farbauswahlsystem nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass einer oder beide der Deckel (11, 12) mit einer Vertiefung (13) versehen sind, die einen Teil des Seils (9) klemmend aufnimmt.

5. Farbauswahlsystem nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Deckel (11, 12) aus einem Blech bestehen, das mit einem Profil so versehen ist, dass die Vertiefung (13) erhalten wird.

6. Farbauswahlsystem nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Seil (9) aus einem elastischem Material wie einem Kautschuk besteht und einen Querschnitt hat, der der Vertiefung (13) in den Deckeln (11, 12) entspricht.

7. Farbauswahlsystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das System einen Hefter (1) umfasst, um den Satz von Blättern (2) der Hauptsammlung aufzubewahren.

8. Farbauswahlsystem nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Hefter ein Ringordner (1) ist.

9. Farbauswahlsystem nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Blätter (2) der Hauptsammlung Öffnungen (3) haben, die mit den Ringen (4) des Ringordners (1) zusammenwirken, wobei die Öffnungen (3) in einem Streifen (5) entlang der Seite eines jeden Blatts (2) angeordnet sind, wobei der Streifen (5) mittels einer Abreiß-Perforationslinie vom Rest des Blatts (2) trennbar ist.

10. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer persönlichen Unterauswahl von Farbproben (8) aus einer Haupt-Farbauswahl, die in einem Satz von gebundenen Blättern (2) vorliegt, von denen jedes wenigstens eine Farbe eines Anstrichmittels aus der Hauptfarbauswahl darstellt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Farbproben (8) von den Blättern (2) der ausgewählten Farben getrennt und einem Probenfächer (7) hinzugefügt werden, der ein Verbindungselement (9) umfasst, das so angepasst ist, dass es die persönliche Unterauswahl von Farbproben (8) aufnimmt und sammelt.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Probenfächer (7) verwendet wird, der ein biegsames Seil (9) als Verbindungselement umfasst, und dadurch, dass die ausgewählten Farbproben (8) dem Probenfächer (7) hinzugefügt werden, indem das Seil durch die ausgerichteten Öffnungen (10) in den Farbproben (8) geführt wird, um die Proben zusammenzuhalten.

Revendications

1. Système de sélection de couleurs destiné à sélectionner une combinaison de couleurs de peintures à partir d'une collection principale de couleurs, le système comprenant un ensemble de feuillets (2) montrant chacun au moins une couleur de peinture de la collection principale de couleurs, caractérisé en ce que le système comprend en outre un éventail (7) d'échantillons comprenant un élément de reliure (9) adapté pour recevoir et rassembler une sous-sélection personnelle d'échantillons de couleurs (8) séparés des feuillets (2) montrant la collection principale de couleurs.

2. Système de sélection de couleurs selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'éventail (7) d'échantillons comprend une couverture recto (11) et une couverture verso (12), l'élément de reliure (9) étant une corde ou un cordon d'un matériau souple relié aux deux couvertures (11, 12).

3. Système de sélection de couleurs selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les échantillons de couleurs séparés (8) sont prévus avec des ouvertures (10) permettant le passage de l'élément de reliure (9).

4. Système de sélection de couleurs selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce qu'une ou deux parmi les couvertures (11, 12) sont prévues avec un évidement (13) pour recevoir une partie de la corde (9) par serrage.

5. Système de sélection de couleurs selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les couvertures (11, 12) sont fabriquées à partir d'une tôle profilée de façon à mettre à disposition l'évidement (13).

6. Système de sélection de couleurs selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que la corde (9) est fabriquée à partir d'un matériau élastique, tel que du caoutchouc, ayant une section transversale correspondant à l'évidement (13) dans les couvertures (11, 12).

7. Système de sélection de couleurs selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le système comprend un classeur (1) destiné à stocker l'ensemble de feuillets (2) de la collection principale.

8. Système de sélection de couleurs selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le classeur est un classeur (1) à anneaux.

9. Système de sélection de couleurs selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les feuillets (2) de la collection principale ont des ouvertures (3) destinées à fonctionner conjointement avec les anneaux (4) du classeur (1) à anneaux, les ouvertures (3) étant agencées dans une bande (5) le long du côté de chaque feuillet (2), la bande (5) pouvant être séparée du reste du feuillet (2) par une ligne de perforations à détacher (6).

10. Procédé destiné à réaliser une sous-sélection personnelle d'échantillons de couleurs (8) à partir d'une collection principale de couleurs présentée sur un ensemble de feuillets reliés (2) montrant chacun au moins une couleur de peinture de la sélection principale de couleurs, caractérisé en ce que les échantillons de couleurs (8) sont séparés des feuillets (2) de couleurs sélectionnées et ajoutés à un éventail (7) d'échantillons comprenant un élément de reliure (9) adapté pour recevoir et rassembler la sous-sélection personnelle d'échantillons de couleurs (8).

11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'on utilise un éventail (7) d'échantillons comprenant une corde souple (9) comme élément de relieur et en ce que les échantillons de couleurs sélectionnées (8) sont ajoutés l'éventail (7) d'échantillons en faisant passer la corde à travers des ouvertures alignées (10) dans les échantillons de couleurs (8) pour maintenir ensemble les échantillons.

Drawing