Dunn Edwards, Corp. & Fluid Management Ltd. Part.

Fluid Management Limited Partnership

Dunn-edwards Corporation

Edward D Edwards

Kenneth N Edwards

Philip C Howlett

Larry Frederickson

Niles M Dwyer

Paul J Price

John D Hufman

An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a machine comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at which first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed, and a second base-dispensing station. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing. When only one dispensing station is used, all of the above-steps are performed at the one station. Each paint can has attached to it a bar-code label which represents a relocatable memory-address of the computer which stores the color-formula for that can and other infromation. The computer operating system controls the guidance of the particular paint can along its conveyance, so that the paint can is designated to one of a plurality of paint-batching cells of the system of the invention, with the bar-code of the paint can being read at a plurality of stations along the entire manufacturing process.

Process and apparatus for dispensing liquid colorants into a paint can,

An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a machine comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at which first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed, and a second base-dispensing station. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing. When only one dispensing station is used, all of the above-steps are performed at the one station. Each paint can has attached to it a bar-code label which represents a relocatable memory-address of the computer which stores the color-formula from that can and other information. The computer operating system controls the guidance of the particular paint can along its conveyance, so that the paint can is designated to one of a plurality of paint-batching cells of the system of the invention, with the bar-code of the paint can being read at a plurality of stations along the entire manufacturing process.

An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a maching comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at which first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed, and a second base-dispensing station. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing. When only one dispensing station is used, all of the above-steps are performed at the one station. Each paint can has attached to it a bar-code label which represents a relocatable memory-address of the computer which stores the color-formula forn that can and other information. The computer operating system controls the guidance of the particular paint can along its conveyance, so that the paint can is designated to one of a plurality of paint-batching cells of the system of the invention, with the bar-code of the paint can being read at a plurality of stations along the entire manufacturing process.

An automated apparatus for mixing ingredients stored in closed containers includes a gyroscopically mounted frame with a clamping arrangement for clamping a container therein. A shuttle moves back and forth between a conveyor and the frame carrying containers to and from the frame. An injection arm carried on the shuttle moves the container into the frame, and an ejection arm moves the container from the frame to the shuttle, for return to the conveyor. A braking alignment mechanism orients the frame to receive a container.

Automated paint production apparatus

An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a machine comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at the first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, and a second base-dispensing station at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing. When only one dispensing station is used, all of the above-steps are performed at the one station. Each paint can has attached to it a bar-code label which represents a relocatable memory-address of the computer which stores the color-formula for that can and other information. The computer operating system controls the guidance of the particular paint can along its conveyance, so that the paint can is designated to one of a plurality of paint-batching cells of the system of the invention, with the bar-code of the paint can being read at a plurality of stations along the entire manufacturing process.

Process for dispensing liquid colorants into a paint can, and quality

A modular wallcovering display rack for providing a convenient and cost effective means of displaying wallpaper samples and the like to potential customers is disclosed. The wallcovering display rack is fabricated in modular form so that it may adapted to fit various store configurations and is also easily expandable. The wallcovering display rack comprises a plurality of vertically stacked, inclined shelves upon which individual sheets of wallcovering samples may be placed for display. Vertical columns support the shelves and house fluorescent lights which provide a soft, even illumination of the wallcovering samples. An individual wallcovering sample can be easily removed from the wallcovering rack for closer inspection. The ease of removal also facilitates rapid sample changes to reflect updates in inventory. Each vertical support column has an array of pockets positioned in alignment with and adjacent the stack of shelves. Each pocket may contain a plurality of wallcovering take-home samples of the type displayed in the adjacent shelf. A customer may remove and keep a take-home sample from the pocket for use in deciding upon a particular wallcovering.

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Healdsburg, CA, United States of America

Edward D Edwards