In-Store Tinting Base Paint Additive Universality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In-store tinting machines face challenges in producing a wide range of colors and modifying coating composition characteristics without increasing the number of stocked base paints, leading to space inefficiencies and limited customization options for customers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting a base paint and adding at least one additive, which is not a base paint or colorant, to the base paint, allowing for the production of a greater number of colors and customizable characteristics, effectively doubling the number of available base paints without increasing storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of stocked base paints is increased to produce a wider range of colors, then the number of different colours that can be produced increases, but the storage space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making a single base paint capable of producing multiple different colors through the addition of various colorants. Instead of stocking multiple base paints for different colors, the system uses one base paint that can be universally tinted to any desired color by adding appropriate colorants from a separate collection, thereby reducing storage space while maintaining color variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the coating composition into two separate components: a base paint and colorants. The base paint contains all necessary binding and protective properties, while color properties are separated into individual colorant containers. This segmentation allows the base paint to remain unchanged while achieving color variety through combinatorial addition of different colorants, eliminating the need to stock multiple colored base paints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of base paints is increased to modify coating composition characteristics, then the customization options increase, but the storage space and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the base paint universal by formulating it with all necessary functional properties (binding, protection, application characteristics) that can work with any colorant. This allows a single base paint to serve multiple functions across different color formulations, eliminating the need to create specialized base paints for different application requirements or effect types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic customization by allowing the coating composition characteristics to be modified through the addition of various additives to the base paint before or during the tinting process. These additives can adjust viscosity, drying time, gloss level, and other properties, enabling flexible adaptation to different application requirements without changing the base paint formulation itself.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables a broader range of colors and customizable options without the need for additional base paints, reducing storage space and enhancing customer flexibility while maintaining existing tinting machine functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a means of delivering the colourant to the can of base paint, for example by one or more manual or automated piston or gear pumps
Implementation Method 2
the base paint and added colourant are subjected to mixing, usually by intense shaking, to obtain a homogeneous mixture of base paint and colourant with even colour
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing a coating composition in an in-store tinting machine comprising the steps of selecting a base paint, adding at least one additive to the base paint, adding at least one colorant to the base paint, the at least one colorant being selected from a range of colorants in the in-store tinting machine, mixing the base paint, the at least one colorant, and the at least one additive so as to produce a coating composition, in which the additive is not a base paint or a colorant from the range of colorants in the in-store tinting machine.