CUSTOMIZED PAINT MIXING DEVICE

Abstract

A customized paint mixing device, comprises a housing 1 positioned on a ground surface, platform 2 accommodates an auxiliary container, a touch enabled screen 3 accessed by the user to enter details, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 captures images of the container, a robotic arm 5 removes the lid of the container using wedge-shaped member 6, chambers 7 stores paint of different colors, electronic valves 8 dispenses color, motorized slider 9 translates the container, a telescopically operated gripper 10 places the lid back, a BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) motor powers the clamp, a timer monitors time duration at which container is rotated.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a customized paint mixing device that is capable of assisting the user in easy mixing of paints with distemper of user choice in an automated manner without involvement oof the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Mixing paint in the conventional can in which it is sold at the retail level is a routine practice immediately prior to use. While a great variety of manually operated and electrically powered mixing devices have been proposed and/or used over the years, the most common such device in used today remains the simple hand stirring stick or paddle, in spite of the well known fact that this most basic method is not only time-consuming and tiresome but can easily lead to spillage and incomplete paint mixing.

[0003] Traditional methods of paint mixing required more manual efforts of the user and the whole process of mixing paint waste the time of the user as well as damage the skin of the hand of the user . More time taken process and also there is the need of skilled person. So there is the need of the invention which is able to replace these traditional methods in an efficient and automated manner so that mixing is done in an very easy manner without involvement of the user.

[0004] US6419385B1 A hand paint mixer having a one-piece lid with integral spout, vent and release tab, a one-piece shaft with integral hand crank, and a one-piece impeller having elongated Z-shaped blades. The Z-shaped blades are pivotally connected to the lower end of the shaft and have a common bottom edge of width greater than the diameter of the opening in the paint can in which the mixer is designed to be used.

[0005] A paint mixing container comprising a main body of circular cross section with a base, side walls and an open top. There is a stirring arm comprising a rotatable central shaft with a helical blade rigidly mounted about the central shaft. As well, there is a removable cover with locking means to allow the cover to be attached to the main body. The removable cover has a sealable opening and means to rotatably support the stirring arm in the interior of the main body.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed for paint mixing that is capable in mixing. However, the device are incapable of assisting the user in formation of paint mixture of user's choice in a simplified manner by mixing the paint with the distemper. Additionally, the device are insufficient of properly and effectively mixing the paint solution in order to form required paint oof the user.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of assisting the user in easy mixing of paints with distemper of user choice in an automated manner without involvement of the user.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of assisting the user in formation of paint mixture of user's choice in a simplified manner by mixing the paint with the distemper.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable properly and effectively mixing the paint solution in order to form required paint oof the user.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature and saves time and efforts of the user involved in forming paint mixtures.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a customized paint mixing device that is capable of assisting the user in formation of paint mixture of user's choice in a simplified manner by mixing the paint with the distemper.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a customized paint mixing device comprises of a housing positioned on a ground surface and arranged with a platform for accommodating an auxiliary container for paint distemper, a touch enabled screen is installed on the housing for enabling a user to give input commands regarding color of paint to be mixed with the distemper, a microcontroller linked with the screen that processes the input commands and activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit mounted within the housing and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of the container, respectively, for detecting exact location of lid of the container, a robotic arm assembled with the platform and equipped with a wedge-shaped member for removing lid of the container via the member, multiple of chambers stored with paint of different colors attached at ceiling portion of the housing and equipped with multiple of electronic valves , a motorized slider configured with the platform for translating the platform to position the container underneath one of the chambers stored with the paint of the user-defined, followed by actuation of one of the valves to open for dispensing the user-defined paint in the container, a telescopically operated grippers installed on the platform for placing back the lid on mouth portion of the container, a pair of motorized clamps installed on the platform via a pair of L-shaped telescopically operated rods to grip the container in a secured manner.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) motor coupled with the clamps, upon gripping of the container, the rods to extend for lifting the container, the motors for rotating the clamps along with the container, in view of mixing the paint evenly with the distemper, a timer integrated within the microcontroller for monitoring time duration for which the container is rotate, and as soon as the time duration matches a pre-set time duration, the microcontroller terminates working of the motors and the rod to retract for positioning the container back on the platform, the clamps for releasing the container, followed by activation of a speaker mounted on the housing for notifying the user to collect the container, a battery is associated with the device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a customized paint mixing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a customized paint mixing device that is capable of assisting the user in easy mixing of paints with distemper of user choice in an automated manner without involvement of the user.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a customized paint mixing device is illustrated, comprising a housing 1 positioned on a ground surface and arranged with a platform 2, a touch enabled screen 3 is installed on the housing 1, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 mounted within the housing 1, a robotic arm 5 assembled with the platform 2, a wedge-shaped member 6 equipped with arm 5, plurality of chambers 7 attached at ceiling portion of the housing 1, plurality of electronic valves 8 equipped with chambers 7, a motorized slider 9 configured with the platform 2, a telescopically operated gripper 10 installed on the platform 2, a pair of motorized clamps 11 installed on the platform 2 via a pair of L-shaped telescopically operated rods 12, a speaker 13 mounted on the housing 1.

[0023] The proposed device includes a housing 1 positioned on a ground surface and arranged with a platform 2 for accommodating an auxiliary container for paint distemper to be mixed, wherein the user accesses a touch enabled screen 3 installed on the housing 1 to give input commands regarding color of paint to be mixed with the distemper.

[0024] The touch enabled screen 3 is made up of multiple layers of glass and plastic, coated with a conductor material ideally an indium tin oxide. This conductive material responds when contacted by another electrical conductor, that is preferably the user's bare finger. When the user touches the screen 3 then an electric circuit gets completed at the point where the user's bare finger makes contact by changing the electrical charge at touched position of the screen 3. As the user touches the screen 3 and manually enters the details of color of paint to be mixed with the distemper.

[0025] The input commands of the user are processed by a microcontroller linked with the screen 3 that processes the input commands and activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 mounted within the housing 1 to captures images of the container accommodated by the user. The imaging unit 4 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images of the container and the captured images are stored within memory of the imaging unit 4 in form of an optical data.

[0026] The imaging unit 4 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received data and determines the exact location of the container.

[0027] Post determination of the location of the container, the microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 5 assembled with the platform 2 and equipped with a wedge-shaped member 6 for removing lid of the container via the member 6. The robotic arm 5 comprises of a robotic link and a clamp attached to the link. The robotic link is made of several segments that are attached together by joints also referred to as axes. Each joint of the segments contains a step motor that rotates and allows the robotic link to complete a specific motion of the arm 5.

[0028] Upon actuation of the robotic arm 5 by the microcontroller, the motor drives the movement of the clamp to position the wedge-shaped member 6 near the lid of the container for removing the lid. After the removal of the lid, the microcontroller actuates a motorized slider 9 configured with the platform 2 for translating the platform 2. The motorized slider 9 typically consist of a motorized carriage attached to a rail for enabling the controlled movement to the platform 2 and the container. Upon actuation of the motorized slider 9 by the microcontroller, the motor drives the carriage along the rail, facilitating a smooth and precise sliding motion of the container under plurality of chambers 7 stored with paint of different colors attached at ceiling portion of the housing 1 and equipped with plurality of electronic valves 8.

[0029] In addition, a level sensor embedded within each of the chambers 7 detects the level of the paint. The level sensor used herein is a preferably an ultrasonic level sensor. The ultrasonic level sensor works by emitting ultrasonic waves and then measuring the time taken by these waves to bounce back after hitting the surface of the paints. The ultrasonic sensor includes two main parts viz. transmitter, propagator, reflector and a receiver for measuring the level of paints in the chamber. The transmitter sends a short ultrasonic pulse towards the surface of paint which propagates through the air at the speed of sound and reflects back as an echo to the transmitter as the pulse hits the key. The transmitter then detects the reflected eco from the surface of the paint and calculations is performed by the sensor based on the time interval between the sending signal and receiving echo to determine the level of paint in the chamber.

[0030] In case the detected level of the frame recedes a threshold level then the microcntroller sends an alert on a computing unit for notifying the user to re-fill the chambers 7. The computing unit is herein wirelessly linked with the device via a communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, GSM module that establishes a secure wireless connection for remotely controlling and accessing the device by the user.

[0031] Post reaching under desired chamber, the microcntroller actuates desired the electronic valve to dispense the paint of user choice in the container. The electronic valve is used to control paint flow by varying the size of the flow passage as directed by a signal from the microcontroller. This enables the direct control of flow rate and the consequential control of process quantities such as pressure, temperature, and liquid level of the paint in order to get dispensed over to the container.

[0032] After the filling of the container, the microcntroller actuates a telescopically operated gripper 10 installed on the platform 2 to place back the lid on mouth portion of the container. The telescopic operated gripper 10 includes a gripper 10 linked to a pneumatic unit, including an air compressor, air cylinders, air valves 8 and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of the gripper 10. The pneumatic unit is operated by the microcontroller, such that the microcontroller actuates valve to allow passage of compressed air from the compressor within the cylinder, the compressed air further develops pressure against the piston and results in pushing and extending the piston.

[0033] The piston is connected with the gripper 10 and due to applied pressure the gripper 10 extends and similarly, the microcontroller retracts the telescopically operated gripper 10 by closing the valve resulting in retraction of the piston. Thus, the microcontroller regulates the extension/retraction of the gripper 10 in order to position the lid back to the container. After the positioning of the lid, the microcntroller actuates a pair of motorized clamps 11 installed on the platform 2 via a pair of L-shaped telescopically operated rods 12 to grip the container in a secured manner.

[0034] The L-shaped telescopic bar herein is also powered by a pneumatic unit and by extending and retracting the positions the clamps 11 near the container so that the clamps 11 grip the container securely, wherein after the gripping of the container, the microcntroller actuates the rod to extent in order to lift the container and simultaneously the microcntroller actuates a BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) motor coupled with the clamps 11 to rotate the container in order to mix the paint properly with the distemper.

[0035] The BLDC motor is capable of converting direct current into mechanical work by following the principle of Lorentz Law which states that, the current carrying conduction when placed in magnetic or electrical field experiences a force known as Lorentz force. Therefore, the DC motor is capable of performing rotational movement to the container.

[0036] Thereafter a timer integrated within the microcontroller monitors the time duration for which the container is rotated. The timer keeps a check over the rotating time of the container and as soon as the time duration matches a pre-set time duration, the microcontroller terminates working of the motors and actuates the rod to retract for positioning the container back on the platform 2.

[0037] After the positioning of the container back on the platform 2, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 13 mounted on the housing 1 for notifying the user to collect the container. The speaker 13 works by receiving signals from the microcontroller, converting them into sound waves through a diaphragm's vibration, and producing audible sounds with the help of amplification and control circuitry in order to notify the user to collect the container.

[0038] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrodes named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0039] The proposed device works the best in the following manner, where the housing 1 is positioned on the ground surface and arranged with the platform 2 for accommodating the auxiliary container for paint distemper. Further, the user accesses the touch enabled screen 3 is to give input commands regarding color of paint to be mixed with the distemper and the given inputs are processed by the microcontroller that further activates the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 that captures multiple images of the container and based on the captured images the microcntroller detects the exact location of lid of the container. After the determination of the location of the container the robotic arm 5 removes the lid of the container via the member 6. Post lid removal the motorized slider 9 translates the platform 2 to position the container underneath one of the chambers 7 stored with the paint of the user-defined after which one of the required valves 8 to open for dispensing the user-defined paint in the container. Further the telescopically operated gripper 10's places the lid back on the mouth portion of the container, wherein the pair of motorized clamps 11 grips the container in the secured manner. after the closing of the lid the rods 12 extends for lifting the container and simultaneously the BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) motor rotates the clamps 11 along with the container, in view of mixing the paint evenly with the distemper. While the paint is being mixed the timer monitors the time duration for which the container is rotated, and as soon as the time duration matches the pre-set time duration, then the microcontroller terminates working of the motors and then the rod retract for positioning the container back on the platform 2. Later the clamps 11 release the container after which the speaker 13 notifies the user to collect the container.

[0040] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A customized paint mixing device, comprising:
i) a housing 1 positioned on a ground surface and arranged with a platform 2 for accommodating an auxiliary container for paint distemper, wherein a touch enabled screen 3 is installed on said housing 1 for enabling a user to give input commands regarding color of paint to be mixed with said distemper;
ii) a microcontroller linked with said screen 3 that processes said input commands and activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 mounted within said housing 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of said container, respectively, for detecting exact location of lid of said container, wherein said microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 5 assembled with said platform 2 and equipped with a wedge-shaped member 6 for removing lid of said container via said member 6;
iii) plurality of chambers 7 stored with paint of different colors attached at ceiling portion of said housing 1 and equipped with plurality of electronic valves 8, wherein said microcontroller actuates a motorized slider 9 configured with said platform 2 for translating said platform 2 to position said container underneath one of said chambers 7 stored with said paint of said user-defined, followed by actuation of one of said valves 8 to open for dispensing said user-defined paint in said container;
iv) a telescopically operated gripper 10 installed on said platform 2 that is actuated by said microcontroller for placing back said lid on mouth portion of said container, wherein said microcontroller actuates a pair of motorized clamps 11 installed on said platform 2 via a pair of L-shaped telescopically operated rods 12 to grip said container in a secured manner;
v) a BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) motor coupled with said clamps 11, wherein upon gripping of said container, said microcontroller actuates said rods 12 to extend for lifting said container, followed by actuation of said motors for rotating said clamps 11 along with said container, in view of mixing said paint evenly with said distemper; and
vi) a timer integrated within said microcontroller for monitoring time duration for which said container is rotate, and as soon as said time duration matches a pre-set time duration, said microcontroller terminates working of said motors and actuates said rod to retract for positioning said container back on said platform 2, wherein said microcontroller actuates said clamps 11 for releasing said container, followed by activation of a speaker 13 mounted on said housing 1 for notifying said user to collect said container.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a level sensor is embedded within each of said chambers 7 for detecting level of said paint, and as soon as said detected level recedes a threshold level, said microcontroller sends an alert on a computing unit for notifying said user to re-fill said chambers 7.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein said microcontroller is wirelessly linked with said computing unit via a communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, GSM module.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telescopically operated gripper 10 and L-shaped telescopically operated rods 12 are powered by a pneumatic unit that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves 8 and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of said gripper 10 and rods 12.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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