Method and apparatus for producing an aqueous paint composition from a plurality of premixed compositions
The present invention is directed to the provision of premixed aqueous compositions which are used to provide a paint composition of varying finish characteristics at the point of sale. Thus, the merchant distributing the paint composition made from the subject premixed compositions need only maintain inventory of four compositions. The particular compositions which are the subject of the invention exhibit stable characteristics during storage in their respective reservoirs. The compositions include a pigment composition, a dispersant thickening agent, a high resin content binder, and a low resin content binder. The compositions are combined in differing amounts to produce paint compositions being suitable for either interior or exterior use and having differing sheens, quality levels, and color bases.
1. A system and apparatus for producing a functional paint from a set of premixed aqueous compositions at a point of sale, the system and apparatus comprising:
a set of stable premixed aqueous compositions including two or more stable premixed aqueous compositions of:
a stable pigment composition;
a stable dispersant thickening composition;
a stable high resin composition; and
a stable low resin composition, wherein a first composition is a different one of the set than a second composition;
the apparatus comprising:
at least two reservoirs storing respective stable premixed aqueous compositions;
at least one pump connected to each of the at least two reservoirs;
a portable paint bucket seated on a measuring device, wherein the measuring device is connected to a flow control mechanism;
the flow control mechanism connected to the at least two reservoirs for directing respective stable premixed aqueous compositions into the portable paint bucket;
an emergency stop switch connected to the flow control mechanism;
a paint bucket position indicator connected to the flow control mechanism to stop flow of the premixed aqueous compositions when the paint bucket is not correctly positioned on the measuring device; and
a user interface comprising a touch screen for the user to select a desired paint composition for the paint bucket on an individual basis.
2. The system and apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the set of stable premixed aqueous compositions remains stable and uniform for at least one week.
3. The system and apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the set of stable premixed aqueous compositions remains stable and uniform for more than two months.
4. The system and apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the number of stable premixed aqueous compositions in the set is at least three, wherein the third composition is a different one of the set than the first and second compositions; and
the number of reservoirs is at least three.
5. The system and apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the number of stable premixed aqueous compositions in the set is at least four, wherein the fourth composition is a different one of the set than the first, second and third compositions; and
the number of reservoirs is at least four.
6. The system and apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least two reservoirs are tanks.
7. The system and apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the tanks are each about 275 gallons.
8. The system and apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the tanks are polymer tanks.
9. The system and apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the measuring device is a scale.
10. The system and apparatus of claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising a conveyor for moving the portable paint bucket filled with the stable premixed aqueous compositions away from the measuring device.