Integrated Fluid Coloring Dispensing and Mixing Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current machines require two separate units and a professional operator to prepare and mix fluid coloring products, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to complexity and the need for manual handling and operation.

Innovation Solution

A compact machine with integrated data input, loading station, delivery device, mixing device, transfer means, and central control unit allows users to select and prepare fluid coloring products automatically, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If two separate machines (dispensing machine and mixing machine) are used to prepare fluid coloring products, then the preparation process can be completed, but the device complexity and operational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation process completionVSAvoidnumber of machines
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the dispensing function and mixing function into a single integrated machine. The delivery device delivers coloring substances to the container, and the mixing device subsequently mixes the contents, all within one machine unit. This merging eliminates the need for two separate machines and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the complete preparation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a professional operator manually operates separate machines to prepare and mix coloring products, then the process can be controlled, but the loss of time and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess controlVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is designed to operate automatically without requiring a professional operator. The central control unit coordinates the delivery device and mixing device to perform their functions sequentially. The user simply introduces the container and selects parameters, while the machine autonomously completes the coloring substance delivery and mixing processes, eliminating manual handling time and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If separate machines are used for dispensing and mixing, then each machine can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall productivity decreases due to manual transfer requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidpreparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating both dispensing and mixing functions in one machine, the patent eliminates the need for manual transfer of containers between separate machines. The container remains in the same machine throughout the process, allowing the delivery device to add coloring substances and the mixing device to mix them in sequence without interruption, thereby significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If complex machines with multiple access doors and vertical movements are used, then the preparation process can be completed, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess completionVSAvoidmachine footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the delivery device and mixing device along a horizontal axis rather than requiring vertical movements and multiple access doors. The transfer means move the container horizontally between stations within the same machine, reducing the vertical space requirements and simplifying the overall machine structure while maintaining complete preparation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2585204B1Device and method for the automatic preparation and distribution of at least a fluid coloring product contained in a container
Publication Date: 2014.10.22 COROB SPA CON SOCIO UNICO
  • EP2585204B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2585204B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2585204B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

A machine (10) for the automatic preparation and distribution of at least a fluid coloring product contained in a receptacle (11) containing a paint base, comprises, integrated with each other, data input means (50) able to be actuated by the user in order to choose the sizes and capacity of the receptacle (11), the type of paint base and/or the color of the fluid coloring product to be obtained; a delivery device (21) suitable to deliver coloring substances inside the receptacle (1 1), according to the data input by the user by means of the data input means (50); a mixing device (22), suitable to stir the receptacle (1 1) in order to mix the paint base with the coloring substances; transfer means (30) suitable to transfer the receptacle (1 1) from a loading station (25) to the delivery device (21) and from the latter to the mixing device (22) and vice versa; and a central control unit (59) associated with the data input means (50) and suitable to selectively control and drive both the delivery device (21) and the mixing device (22) and also the transfer means (30).