Systems and methods for paint tinting

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018296995-A1
Application number	US-201815955140-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 17, 2018
Priority date	Apr 17, 2017
Publication date	Oct 18, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods include self-service and automated components for paint tinting.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:
receiving user input including paint information, the paint information including a color selection and a base quality; causing a container and base having the base quality to be provided at a tinting machine; tinting, using a self-service tinting machine, the base with a colorant to a specification matching the color selection; and causing the base and the colorant to be mixed.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the user input is received from a remote device.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the user input is received at a kiosk.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the kiosk includes the self-service tinting machine.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the kiosk includes a paint mixing machine.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the container and the base to be provided includes positioning a container at the self-service tinting machine using a mechanical actuator.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
dispensing a base into the container, wherein the container is empty when positioned.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
matching a sample color, wherein the color selection is provided based on matching the sample color.

9 . A system, comprising:
a first kiosk configured to receive a color selection from a user using an electronic interface of the first kiosk; and a second kiosk configured to tint a base with a colorant to a specification matching the color selection.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first kiosk is configured to receive a base selection, wherein the base matches the base selection.

11 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a third kiosk configured to receive a base selection, wherein the base matches the base selection.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the second kiosk is configured to mix the base and the colorant.

13 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a fourth kiosk configured to mix the base and the colorant.

14 . An apparatus, comprising:
a user interface configured to receive user input including paint information, the paint information including a color selection and a base quality; a tinting platform configured to receive a paint container; a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a quantity of colorant into the paint container, wherein the quantity of colorant matches a specification associated with the color selection; and a mixing mechanism configured to mix the quantity of colorant and a base matching the base quality.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:
a mixing platform configured to receive the paint container after tinting, wherein the mixing platform is operatively coupled with the mixing mechanism.

16 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the dispensing mechanism is further configured to dispense the base.

17 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the user interface is configured to receive the user input from a remote device.

18 . The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:
a labeling mechanism configured to provide a label including the color selection and the base quality.

19 . The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:
a payment mechanism configured to process a payment for paint tinted using the apparatus.

20 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the user interface is configured to access a database including stored data including the paint information.

Assignees

• Swimc Llc

Inventors

• Kinnen Andrew
• Morales Gustavo A
• Odonnell Owen J
• Sherwin Daniel A

Classifications

• G06Q20/18

  involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals · CPC title

• B01F2215/005

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B01F13/1069

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B01F13/1063 Primary

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B01F13/1066

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic