Ink-mixing apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to devices for mixing inks. An ink-mixing apparatus comprises a bottom plate, a U-shaped stand designed to be horizontally movable in relation to the bottom plate, a frame fastened to the U-shaped stand and designed to be vertically movable in relation to the U-shaped stand, and a carriage fastened to the frame and designed to be horizontally movable in relation to the frame, the carriage having a lower base comprising sockets into which receptacles filled with different coloured inks can be fastened, said receptacles being provided with metal rods and pistons. Rotatably mounted around each socket is a cogwheel with a magnet fastened thereon. The lower base has a through-opening, allowing inks to be fed into open cells of a blister pack, each cell containing a metal rod. The apparatus further comprises a worktop which is secured on the plate and is designed so that a blister pack can be fastened thereto. The invention provides for precise mixing of components, preventing the mixed components from separating into layers and hardening.

Description

[0001] INK MIXING APPARATUS Field of technology to which the invention relates

[0002] The present invention relates to devices for mixing substances, in particular ink, nail polish and paints, used for painting surfaces and creating other images on various surfaces, including paper, wood, metal, the human body, nails, etc.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] The Prior Art discloses a device for mixing substances, such as tattoo inks or nail polishes, which comprises a rotor capable of rotation around a fixed axis, at least one holder located on the rotor and capable of receiving a container containing the substances to be mixed and fixing the container perpendicular to the fixed axis, and a motor for rotating the rotor around the fixed axis at a speed of less than 120 revolutions per minute (rpm) (see US Patent Document No. US2012163117A1, IPC Class B01F11 / 00, published on 28.06.2012).

[0005] The disadvantages of the known device are that it is designed only with the ability to mix substances previously introduced into the container and does not ensure, during its operation, the precise mixing of several components and the production of inks and varnishes of various colors and shades.

[0006] Furthermore, the Prior Art discloses a device for mixing tattoo ink, which comprises a housing having a cavity, a piston movable between a first position and a second position, and a dynamic element located in the cavity and adapted to interact with the end of the piston. The dynamic element moves in response to the movement of the piston and alternately creates a suction force and an expelling force in the opening of the end of the housing when the piston moves between its first and second positions (see US Patent No. US11400425B2, IPC class B08B7 / 04, published on 02.08.2022).

[0007] The known device also has drawbacks: it only allows for mixing substances pre-filled into its housing and does not allow for the addition and precise mixing of multiple components or the production of ink of various colors and shades. The technical problem lies in the fact that prior art analogs do not ensure precise mixing of components, lack a high degree of automation and control over the component preparation process, do not directly accept color shade parameters and component quantities from the user, and do not convert this data into precise proportions of base colors.

[0008] Disclosure of the essence of the invention

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to create an ink mixing apparatus that is free from the disadvantages of prior art devices.

[0010] The technical result is that the invention ensures precise mixing of components, has a high degree of automation and control over the process of component preparation, eliminating the separation of the mixed components into layers and their hardening, and also allows for the direct receipt of color shade parameters and the number of components from the user and converts this data into precise proportions of base colors.

[0011] The technical result is achieved in that the ink mixing apparatus includes a bottom plate, a U-shaped stand movable horizontally relative to the bottom plate, a frame secured to the U-shaped stand and movable vertically relative to the U-shaped stand, and a carriage secured to the frame and movable horizontally relative to the frame and having a lower base including sockets that accommodate containers filled with ink of various colors, each containing metal rods and pistons. A rotating gear with a magnet attached thereto is located around each socket. Furthermore, the lower base has a through-hole that allows ink to be supplied to the open cells of the blister pack, each of which contains a metal rod.The ink mixing apparatus provides the ability to move the carriage in three mutually perpendicular directions relative to the blister package with open cells and additionally contains a tabletop fixed to the plate, designed with the ability to fix the blister package with open cells on it and to rotate metal rods in each open cell of the blister package.

[0012] In accordance with specific implementation cases, the device has the following features.

[0013] The U-shaped stand is designed with the ability to move relative to the bottom plate in the horizontal direction along guides fixed to the bottom plate; in addition, the vertical parts of the U-shaped stand have guides that provide the ability to move the frame with the carriage along them in the vertical direction.

[0014] The carriage additionally comprises an upper base having openings that enable the fixation of containers filled with ink of various colours with metal rods and pistons; in addition, the carriage is connected to the frame by means of the upper base with the ability to move relative to it in the horizontal direction.

[0015] The ink mixing apparatus contains five containers filled with ink of different colours, each with a metal rod and piston, all in the form of 50 ml syringes.

[0016] The lower base with a through hole in it provides the ability to fix the ends of the tubes on the wall of the hole for feeding ink from containers with metal rods and pistons into the open cells of the blister pack, while the other ends of the tubes are hermetically connected to the holes made in the lower parts of the containers with metal rods and pistons filled with ink of various colors.

[0017] The tabletop has a recess or marking that ensures the fixation of a blister pack with open cells on it, in addition, the tabletop contains magnets designed to rotate and located under each open cell of the blister pack.

[0018] The ink mixing apparatus additionally contains a computer and a controller.

[0019] Brief description of images

[0020] Fig. 1 - image of a device for mixing inks;

[0021] Fig. 2 - image of a blister pack without the top sealing backing; Fig. 3 - image of a part of the carriage;

[0022] Fig. 4 - image of a part of the table top and a cell of the blister packaging.

[0023] Implementation of the invention

[0024] The device is a precision tattoo ink mixing machine, providing a high degree of automation and control over the ink preparation process using a controller. Equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, the device allows direct input of shade parameters and quantities from the user via a mobile app and a computer, automatically converting this data into precise base color proportions.

[0025] The ink mixing apparatus includes a bottom plate 1, a stand 2 of an 11-shape, configured to move relative to the bottom plate 1 in a horizontal direction, a frame 3, fixed on the stand 2 of a U-shape and configured to move relative to the stand 2 of an 11-shape in a vertical direction, a carriage 4, fixed on the frame 3 with the ability to move relative to it in a horizontal direction and having a lower base 5, including sockets, which provide the ability to fix in them containers 6 filled with ink of different colors with metal rods and pistons. In this case, around each socket there is a gear 7, configured to rotate with the help of a central motor, with a magnet 8 fixed thereto. In addition, the lower base 5 has a through hole 9, which provides the ability to supply ink into the open cells 10 of the blister package 11, each of which contains a metal rod 12.The ink mixing apparatus provides the possibility of moving the carriage 4 in three mutually perpendicular directions relative to the blister package 11 with open cells 10 and additionally contains a tabletop 13 fixed on the plate 1, made with the possibility of fixing the blister package 11 with open cells 10 on it and rotating the metal rods 12 in each open cell 10 of the blister package 11.

[0026] The device uses a single-use blister pack (11) containing 24 containers. Two types of blister packs (11) can be used, each with a cell size of 10 mm (D20 mm x 16 mm) and a cell size of 16 mm (D16 mm x 16 mm). The top of the blister pack (11) is completely sealed with adhesive film to maintain sterility and hold the metal rods (12) within the cells (10) until use. The sealed blister pack (11) is slitted so that it can be broken and the cells (10) can be separated from each other, allowing for the desired quantity of blister packs to be used.

[0027] The U-shaped stand 2 is designed with the possibility of moving relative to the bottom plate 1 in the horizontal direction along guides 14 fixed on the bottom plate 1. In addition, the vertical parts of the U-shaped stand 2 have guides that provide the possibility of moving the frame 3 with the carriage 4 along them in the vertical direction.

[0028] Carriage 4 further comprises an upper base 15, having openings that allow for the attachment of containers 6, each containing metal rods and pistons, filled with ink of various colors. Furthermore, carriage 4 is connected via upper base 15 to the larger sides of rectangular frame 3, allowing for horizontal movement relative to them.

[0029] The ink mixing unit contains five ink-filled containers (6) with metal rods and pistons, each filled with five different colors of ink. Each container is a 50 ml syringe filled with five base colors: blue, red, yellow, black, and white. The ink is dispensed using a ball screw motor-reducer. The controller controls the ink.

[0030] The lower base 5 with a through hole in it provides the possibility of fixing on the wall of the through hole 9 the ends of the tubes 16 for feeding ink from containers 6 with metal rods and pistons into the open cells 10 of the blister package 11, while the other ends of the tubes 16 are hermetically connected to the holes made in the lower parts of the containers 6 with metal rods and pistons filled with ink of different colors.

[0031] Tabletop 13 has a recess or marking that secures blister pack 11 with open cells 10 to it. Tabletop 13 also contains openings from which protrude rotating magnets 17 located under each open cell 10 of blister pack 11. Rotation of magnets 17 is achieved by rows of gears located under tabletop 13. There are three rows of eight gears in total. Rotation is achieved by electric motors located at the ends of each row.

[0032] The device operates as follows.

[0033] The device is a machine for precise mixing of tattoo inks, providing a high degree of automation and control over the ink preparation process using a controller that regulates the operation of all motors, connected to and controlled by a computer.

[0034] In the movable carriage 4, 5 medical syringes with a volume of 50 ml are fixed, filled with 5 base colors: blue, red, yellow, black, white.

[0035] Each syringe is pre-filled with tattoo ink and individually sterile packaged. Before use, the syringe is unpacked, flexible tube 16 is attached, and the syringe is then placed in the sliding carriage 4. Changing the syringe is fairly simple and quick.

[0036] After the syringes are secured in carriage 4, paint is extruded from them using a geared motor with a ball screw drive. The motor rotates and pushes the syringe piston downward. The paint is extruded into the open blister pack 11.

[0037] To prevent the ink from separating into layers, maintaining a uniform density and preventing hardening, and to prepare it for use, a sterile metal rod no larger than the syringe's diameter is inserted into each syringe. Mixing is accomplished by magnets 8 located on gears 7 surrounding the socket of each syringe. The rotation of gears 7 is controlled by the device's central motor.

[0038] To prevent the ink at the ends of tubes 16 from drying out when exposed to oxygen, the following is ensured. Pistons draw ink from tubes 16 to the bottom of the syringe, completely emptying the tubes 16. A geared motor with a screw drive then engages and begins rotating, transmitting torque to a mechanism that clamps tubes 16 and prevents the ink from drying out.

[0039] Carriage 4 moves sequentially over cells 10 and dispenses tattoo ink in portions corresponding to each shade selected by the user into one of the cells on blister pack 11 (the portion of the package without the blister sealing base). Blister pack 11 consists of 24 chambers (Fig. 2). The ink is then mixed. Inside each cell is a sterile metal rod 12, which rotates with the help of magnets 17 located and rotating underneath, thereby mixing the ink.

[0040] The rotation of the magnets 17 is achieved by rows of gears. There are three rows of eight gears in total. The rotation is achieved by electric motors located at the ends of the rows.

Claims

CLAUSES OF THE INVENTION 1. An ink mixing apparatus comprising a bottom plate, an FI-shaped stand capable of moving relative to the bottom plate in a horizontal direction, a frame secured to the U-shaped stand and capable of moving relative to the U-shaped stand in a vertical direction, a carriage secured to the frame with the ability to move relative to it in a horizontal direction and having a lower base including sockets that provide the ability to fix in them containers filled with ink of different colors with metal rods and pistons, wherein around each socket there is a gear configured to rotate with a magnet secured to it, in addition, the lower base has a through hole that provides the ability to supply ink to open cells of a blister package, each of which contains a metal rod,and the ink mixing apparatus provides the ability to move the carriage in three mutually perpendicular directions relative to the blister package with open cells and additionally contains a tabletop fixed to the plate, configured with the ability to fix the blister package with open cells on it and rotate metal rods in each open cell of the blister package, in addition, the ink mixing apparatus additionally contains a computer and a controller.

2. The apparatus according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the U-shaped stand is designed with the possibility of movement relative to the bottom plate in the horizontal direction along guides fixed to the bottom plate, in addition, the vertical parts of the U-shaped stand have guides that provide the possibility of movement along them in the vertical direction of the frame with the carriage.

3. The apparatus according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the carriage additionally comprises an upper base having openings that provide the possibility of fixing in them containers filled with ink of various colors with metal rods and pistons, in addition, the carriage is connected by means of the upper base to the frame with the possibility of movement relative to it in the horizontal direction.

4. The apparatus according to paragraph 3, characterized in that it contains five containers filled with ink of different colors with metal rods and pistons, and all containers are made in the form of syringes with a volume of 50 ml.

5. An apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, characterized in that the lower base with a through hole in it provides the ability to fix the ends of tubes on the wall of the hole for feeding ink from containers with metal rods and pistons into the open cells of the blister pack, while the other ends of the tubes are hermetically connected to holes made in the lower parts of containers with metal rods and pistons filled with ink of different colors.

6. The apparatus according to paragraph 5, characterized in that the tabletop has a recess or marking that ensures the fixation of a blister package with open cells on it; in addition, the tabletop contains magnets that are rotatable and located under each open cell of the blister package.

Images