RU2804811C2 - Method and system for determining a color shade - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: production of colour images.

SUBSTANCE: invention concerns a method for determining the paint formulation and controlling the quality of the resulting paint. The method includes providing a database with a plurality of data sets, having the user determine a target application method, a target base, and a desired target shade, performing a search of the database, and displaying information related to the paint formulation if found. The database for at least one shade contains at least two different corresponding data sets, each of which contains the same shade identification code, but different bases and/or application methods and different paint formulations, and the database for at least one paint formulation contains at least two different corresponding data sets, each containing the same paint formulation identification code, but different bases and/or application methods, and the resulting shade. In addition, the method includes comparing the spectral curve of the manufactured paint with the spectral curve of the dyed product from the first manufactured batch contained in the database.

EFFECT: simplifying the method for determining the formulation and quality control of paint with a given shade.

12 cl

Description

The present invention relates to a system as well as a method for determining an ink formulation which, when applied using a specific application method, such as a flat-bed printing method, onto a specified substrate, such as paper, results in a colored product, such as printed paper, with a certain shade.

Such systems and methods are used for a wide range of applications, including packaging development. For example, when developing packaging such as food packaging, a new, colorful, multi-colored design is created, the accurate output of which requires that the colors specified by the packaging designer can be accurately implemented when printing the packaging using ink formulations used to reproduce the various colors . However, the shade achieved after applying the ink according to the formulation using the application method, i.e. in the case of printing, the shade achieved by printing the printing ink on the substrate depends on a number of factors, in particular the specific type of substrate and the application method used . When printing ink using a flexographic printing process on cardboard, a printed product can be produced with a very different shade compared to, for example, printing the same ink on coated paper using a gravure printing process. In addition, the known paper gravure printing ink, which provides the tint required by the packaging designer, when applied to the desired packaging board using the gravure printing process, will not produce the desired tint. Therefore, a printing ink is required that can provide the desired shade on a particular substrate using the required printing method, or, failing that, one needs to be developed.

In addition to providing the desired shade achieved when applied to the target substrate using a specific application method, a paint formulation suitable for a new application, such as new packaging, must meet a variety of other criteria. Depending on the application, the paint formulation must, for example, have a certain gloss value and be characterized by more or less pronounced chemical resistance or more or less pronounced light fastness (only some of the requirements are indicated here).

To make it easier for packaging designers and other users to determine a suitable paint formulation for a particular system despite these complex relationships, databases and computer programs have been developed that allow the user to specify the required target parameters, such as target shade, base, application method, according to the recipe, applied to the base, the required chemical resistance of the colored product obtained by applying paint according to the specified recipe to the base, and other parameters. The computer program then searches the database for a suitable paint formulation and displays the paint formulation, which, when applied according to the information stored in the database, on a target basis using a specified application method, produces a colored product with a shade as close as possible to the desired target shade. . For this purpose, the database contains a large number of data sets, each of which contains information about the paint formulation, the base, the application method and the shade of the painted product obtained after applying the paint according to the recipe stored in the data set, using the application method stored in the data set, on the basis for which data is stored in the data set, and possibly information on additional parameters such as chemical resistance. If a paint formulation that produces a color at least approximately similar to the desired target shade is not found, the user will be notified that no matches were found.

This method and system are sold, for example, under the trade name PantoneLIVE.

US 7,034,960 B2 discloses a method of using a database to develop a color product, comprising the following steps: i) storing development information in a database, the development information including properties associated with the development of a plurality of color products, ii) obtaining first color information, including at least a first color, iii) identifying first design information in a database, wherein the first design information includes at least a first color, iv) obtaining at least one physical property of the colored product, and v) using the first design information to determining whether the at least one physical property corresponds to the first color. If at least one physical property does not match the first color, the method either terminates or a warning is displayed to the user that the at least one physical property does not match the first color. The user can then change the design they want or the requirements for the painted product until a matching match for the paint formulation is found in the database. The latter, however, is not a satisfactory solution, since in this case the user is not first provided with a paint formulation that will produce the colored product originally required.

The disadvantage of the known methods is that they involve the use of databases that are relatively redundant, i.e., that contain a large number of different data sets with the same or very similar information. In known databases, about 90% of the information is redundant. If, for example, a user enters a new set of data relating to a paint formulation that is nearly identical, completely identical, or at least very similar to a paint formulation already stored in another dataset, that new set of data is still saved even if that set data contains information about the same base and the same application method and thus also about the same or almost identical shade obtained for a color product as the shade that is already stored in the data set. It should be noted that the human eye is unable to detect the slightest differences between two almost identical shades, so two almost identical shades obtained when paints with minimally different formulations are applied to the same base using the same application method are usually indistinguishable by eye. human eye. In addition, the database contains two or more sets of data that contain information about a nearly identical or very similar paint formulation, identical information about the base and application method, and almost identical or very similar information about the shades resulting from the application of paints according to the recipes using a method of application to a base and indistinguishable to the human eye. However, having a large number of data sets that contain nearly identical or very similar information is inconvenient for a method user who wishes to use a large number of paint formulations stored in a database for one or more projects. This is because the user or the company authorized by the user to develop paint formulations, such as a database operator, must, for each of the nearly identical or very similar paint formulations to be used, provide a separate product specification, a separate quality control specification and disk space for storing paint components according to the recipe and the resulting paints according to the recipe. Another disadvantage of redundant data sets is that with respect to the paint formulation, base, application method and the shade obtained after applying the paint according to the formulation using the base application method, they are identical or nearly identical with respect to other parameters such as chemistry resistance or temperature resistance, for example due to the use of different measurement methods to determine these parameters in the information contained in different data sets, due to rounding errors of numerical values obtained during measurements, or due to user error(s). In this case, two almost identical or even completely identical paint formulation data sets contradict each other with respect to the information stored in the data sets about the paint formulation properties, or at least differ from each other. For all these reasons, known methods, based on the multitude of data sets they employ, cover relatively few variations from a variety of variations with a matrix consisting of shade, base, paint formulation and application method. Another disadvantage of the known methods is that sets of data that relate to identical or nearly identical paint formulations or that relate to identical or nearly identical shades obtained for a painted product are not related to each other, thus one skilled in the art can display many such data sets that, when applied to different backgrounds, produce the same hue.

Based on this, the present invention has proposed a system and method for determining a paint formulation, which, when applied using a specific application method on a specific substrate, produces a colored product with a specific shade, and which allows, using the minimum possible number of data sets contained in a database, cover the maximum possible number of matrix options, including shade, base, paint formulation and application method. In other words, the object of the present invention is to provide a suitable system and method for providing a user with the highest possible probability of displaying a suitable paint formulation for a user-defined target application method, a user-defined target base and a user-defined target shade, wherein with this paint formulation he will obtain a colored product with a certain target shade after applying the paint according to the recipe using a certain target application method on a given target substrate, with said system and method using a database that contains the minimum possible number of different paint formulations.

According to the present invention, this problem is solved using a method for determining a paint formulation, when applied using a specific application method on a specific substrate, a colored product with a specific shade is obtained, including:

a) providing a database in which multiple sets of data are stored, and

i) at least a portion and preferably each of the data sets contains at least information about the paint formulation, the base, the application method and the shade of the painted product obtained after applying the paint according to the specified recipe stored in the data set using the application method , stored in the data set, onto a substrate about which data is stored in the data set, wherein the paint formulation information includes a paint formulation identification code, and the shade information includes a shade identification code,

ii) the database for at least one shade contains at least two different sets of data, each of which includes the same shade identification code and information about different paint formulations, a base and an application method, wherein the base and/or method applications in at least one of at least two different data sets differ from the substrate and/or application method in the other of at least two different data sets, and for each of the different paint formulations in at least two different data sets in each In this case, a colored product with the same shade is obtained after applying paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding data set on the substrate, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set, and

iii) the database for at least one paint formulation contains at least two different sets of data, each of which contains the same paint formulation identification code and information about the same paint formulation, base, application method and the shade obtained on a colored product after applying paint with a formulation stored in a corresponding data set, using an application method stored in a corresponding data set, on a substrate, data about which is stored in a corresponding data set, wherein the substrate and/or method applications in at least one of at least two different data sets differ from the base and/or application method in the other of at least two different data sets, and after applying the paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding set data, a colored product is obtained, wherein the shade of the colored product in at least one of at least two different data sets is different from the shade of the colored product in the other of at least two different data sets,

b) indication by the user of the target application method, the target substrate and the desired target shade obtained in the final colored product after applying the paint according to the specified formulation using the specified target application method on the specified target substrate,

c) performing a search of the database using a computer program to determine whether it contains at least one set of data that contains information about the paint formulation, after application using the target application method determined in step b) on the target substrate determined in step b), a colored product is obtained with a shade that matches the target shade determined in step b), or deviates from it by no more than a specified tolerance, and

d) displaying, if at least one suitable data set is found in step c), paint formulation information stored in said at least one data set,

and:

i) at least 90% of the data sets that store hue information that is different from the hue in one or more other data sets store a hue identification code that is different from the hue identification code in one or more other data sets,

and/or

ii) at least 90% of the data sets that store paint formulation information that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets store a paint formulation identification code that is different from the paint formulation identification code in one or more other sets data.

In the context of this patent application, the expression "two or more identical shades" means that these two or more shades viewed under the same lighting, preferably the same standard lighting according to ISO 3664, or, for example, measured under conditions M0, M1, M2 or M3 measurements, are indistinguishable to the human eye. In particular, the expression "two or more identical shades" means that two or more shades differ from each other by a Delta E value (which reflects the overall color difference) of no more than 0.5, preferably by a ΔE ₀₀ value of no more 0.5 and preferably by a dH* value (which reflects the color angular distance) of no more than 0.5, particularly preferably a dH* of no more than 0.2. The parameters ΔE and dH* are defined in DIN EN ISO 11664-6: 2014.

Likewise, the expression “two or more identical paint formulations” in the context of this patent application refers to paint formulations that have the same color components and differ from each other in the amounts of individual color components by no more than 0.5% per color component. Thus, for purposes of this patent application, two or more paint formulations are considered different if they differ by at least one color component or if they have the same color components differing from each other by more than 0.5% per component in quantity individual coloring components. In this context, a component is understood as a separate component (i.e., raw material) of a paint formulation, or a semi-finished product contained in a paint formulation, or a finished product contained in a paint formulation. In addition, a coloring component is understood as a component, the addition of which changes the shade of the paint formulation. On the other hand, components whose addition does not change the shade of the paint formulation are called color-neutral.

Since the database used according to the present invention contains different sets of data, each of which relates to the same paint formulation, using which, after applying the paint according to the same recipe stored in the data sets, using the application methods stored in the respective data sets, the substrates stored in the respective data sets produce colored products, each of which has a different shade, and each of these data sets contains the same paint formulation identification code, for example a code consisting of numbers and/or letters, the appearance in the database of unnecessarily redundant data sets, i.e., a large number of different data sets for the same or very similar information, can be reliably prevented. When a user creates a new data set, the database must assign a paint formulation identification code. In this context, the user or, preferably, the computer program entering data into the database automatically checks whether the paint formulation, information about which is to be stored in the newly created data set, is included in at least one data set within the above-mentioned valid range (i.e., it contains the same coloring components and differs in the number of individual coloring components by no more than 0.5% per component). If this is not the case, a new data set is created and the newly assigned paint formulation identification code is stored in it. If so, it is also checked whether at least one data set contains information about the same substrate, the same application method, and the same shade obtained after applying the paint formulation using the application method to the substrate . If so, the user receives a message that the database already contains the corresponding data set and, depending on the embodiment, the data set that should be created is not created or is created only if the user confirms that it should be created anyway. If this is not the case, then if at least one data set was found in the database for a paint formulation, but it does not contain information about the same base, the same application method and the same shade, the same paint formulation identification code , i.e., the same information about the paint recipe is stored in a new saved data set, i.e., the same information about the paint recipe that is already contained in at least one already saved data set is stored, as well as the same parameters that directly related to the paint formulation. For example, the UV resistance, heat resistance or chemical resistance of a paint according to a formulation depends only on the paint formulation itself. In this way, the same information is stored for parameters directly related to the paint formulation in all data sets that have the same paint formulation identification code. This can be accomplished, for example, simply by referring said data sets for said parameters to a table specific to a given paint formulation, which stores all information about the parameters directly related to the paint formulation. Due to this, the database not only does not contain two or more data sets that contain information about almost identical or very similar paint formulations, identical information about the base and application method, but also does not contain almost identical or very similar information about the shades that are produced after applying the paint according to the recipe using the method of application to the base and which are indistinguishable to the human eye. In addition, this makes it possible to reliably prevent data sets relating to the same paint formulation from containing different information, namely parameters directly related to a given paint formulation, such as chemical resistance or heat resistance for a paint according to said formulation. This ensures not only that the data is of high quality, but also that a user of the method who wishes to use a large number of paint formulations stored in the database for one or more projects can manage a relatively small number of different paint formulations. This is preferred because the user, or the company authorized by the user to develop paint formulations, will be required to provide separate product specifications, a separate quality control specification, and a separate storage location for paint formulation components and paints according to said formulations obtained for each of the nearly identical or very similar paint formulations, which are replaced by one paint formulation according to the present invention. For all these reasons, based on the number of data sets contained in the matrix consisting of shade, base, paint formulation and application method, the method according to the present invention covers a very large number of variations from such a matrix.

Another advantage of the method according to the present invention is that by assigning the same shade identification codes to data sets that provide dyed products with the same shades within the acceptable range, and by assigning the same paint formulation identification codes to data sets that The same paint formulations within the acceptable range will be associated with both specified data sets that refer to identical or nearly identical paint formulations and data sets that produce dyed products with identical or nearly identical shades. This has the advantage that a user who wishes to obtain the same shade, for example a particular blue tone, for one of his products on all packaging he sells, regardless of the substrate used, can display all data sets, with with which you can get this shade. Thus, he can determine the paint formulation that can produce that special blue tint on metal, determine the paint formulation that can produce that special blue tint on food packaging board, and/or determine the paint formulation that can be used to which can produce that special blue tint on polypropylene film. This would not be possible without assigning the same hue identification code to data sets that produce the same shades within the acceptable range, since then the user can only search the computer program for data sets related to the hue corresponding to a very specific laboratory value. but not for all datasets that produce a hue that the human eye is unable to distinguish from the target hue. In the same way, the user can use the method in accordance with the present invention by assigning the same paint formulation identification codes to data sets that refer to the same paint formulation within an acceptable range, to display all data sets related to the same paint formulation located within the acceptable range, and can thus easily determine which of his various projects can use a particular paint formulation. This allows the user to make a more informed decision as to whether or not to produce large quantities of this formulation in a production batch without the storage time until the production batch is used up being too long.

The fact that at least 90% of the data sets that store information about a hue that is different from the hue in one or more other data sets store a hue identification code that is different from the hue identification code in one or more other data sets, and/or at least 90% of the data sets that store paint formulation information that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets store a paint formulation identification code that is different from the paint formulation identification code in one or more others data sets, avoids unnecessary database redundancy. Preferably, at least 90% of the data sets that store information about a hue that is different from a hue in one or more other data sets store a hue identification code that is different from a hue identification code in one or more other data sets, and at least At least 90% of the data sets that store paint formulation information that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets store a paint formulation identification code that is different from the paint formulation identification code in one or more other data sets.

In accordance with the present invention, each of at least some of the data sets contains at least information about the paint formulation, the base, the application method, and the shade of the painted product obtained after applying the paint according to the specified recipe stored in the data set using the method application, stored in the data set, onto the substrate, data about which is stored in the data set. Preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, very particularly preferably at least 95%, and most preferably each of all data sets contains at least information about the paint recipe, about the base, about the application method and about the shade of the painted product obtained after applying the paint according to the specified recipe stored in the data set, using the application method stored in the data set, on the base, the data about which is stored in set of data, wherein the paint formulation information includes a paint formulation identification code, and the shade information includes a shade identification code.

According to the present invention, the database contains at least two different sets of data for at least one shade, where the term "two or more identical shades" means that two or more shades viewed under the same lighting, preferably under the same standard lighting in accordance with ISO 3664 or, for example, measurements measured under conditions M0, M1, M2 or M3, are indistinguishable to the human eye and, in particular, differ from each other by a Delta E value of no more than 0.5. All general Delta E values can be used as Delta E values, for example ΔE* _ab , ΔE94, ΔE ₀₀ , DIN99, DIN99 _o , CMC, Lübbe, Lübbe adjusted, CIECAM02. Preferably, ΔE ₀₀ is used. In principle, two different shades have a deviation of ΔE ₀₀ to 1, corresponding to a very slight shade deviation that can only be distinguished by a specialist eye. Deviations of ΔE ₀₀ value up to 0.5 are considered, as a rule, indistinguishable, and deviations of ΔE ₀₀ value up to 0.2 cannot be distinguished even by a specialist’s eye.

The database preferably contains at least two different sets of data for at least one shade, where the term "two or more identical shades" means two or more shades viewed under the same lighting, preferably under the same standard lighting according to ISO 3664 or, for example, measurements measured under conditions M0, M1, M2 or M3 differ from each other by a ΔE ₀₀ value of no more than 0.5 and, in particular, preferably differ from each other by a ΔE ₀₀ value of no more than 0.2. Conversely, two shades are defined as different from each other if they differ from each other by a Delta E value greater than 0.5, and preferably deviate by a ΔE ₀₀ value greater than 0.5. Two or more shades viewed under the same lighting conditions preferably differ by a dH* value not exceeding 0.5, and particularly preferably by a dH* value not exceeding 0.2.

To take best advantage of the present invention, it is proposed as a further development of the concept according to the present invention that the database for at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70 %, very particularly preferably for at least 90% and most preferably for all shades, contains at least two different sets of data, each containing the same shade identification code and information about different paint formulations, base and application method , wherein the substrate and/or application method in each of at least two different data sets differs from the substrate and/or application method in each other of at least two different data sets, and for each of the different paint formulations in at least two different data sets, a colored product with the same shade is obtained after applying the corresponding paint formulation using the application method stored in the corresponding data set to the substrate for which data is stored in the corresponding data set.

In the embodiment described above, it is particularly preferred that the database for at least one shade contains at least two different, preferably at least six different, particularly preferably at least ten different and very particularly preferably at least twenty different sets data, each of which contains the same shade identification code and information about different paint formulations, base and application method, wherein the base and/or application method in each of at least four different data sets differs from base and/or application method in each of the other at least four different data sets, wherein for each of the different paint formulations in the at least four different data sets, a colored product with the same shade is obtained after applying the corresponding paint according to the recipe using method of application, stored in the corresponding data set, on the substrate, data about which is stored in the corresponding data set.

Preferably, it is ensured that in at least 95%, preferably at least 97%, particularly preferably in at least 99%, and most preferably in all data sets in which hue information is stored that differs from the hue in one or more other data sets, stored a hue identification code different from the hue identification code in one or more other data sets. Thus, it is highly preferred that in each data set for which, after applying paint according to the formulation stored in the corresponding data set using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, on the substrate, data about which is stored in the corresponding data set , a dyed product with a different shade from the shade obtained for another data set is obtained, a shade identification code different from the shade identification code in all others from at least one other data set was stored. In this context, the term "two or more different shades" in turn means shades that (viewed under the same illumination, preferably viewed under the same standard illumination, e.g. measured under standard illumination according to ISO 3664, or e.g. conditions M0, M1, M2 or M3 measurements) differ from each other by a Delta E value greater than 0.5, and preferably by a ΔE ₀₀ value greater than 0.5.

Additionally, preferably in at least 90%, preferably in at least 95%, more preferably in at least 97%, especially preferably in at least 99%, and most preferably in all data sets in which hue information is stored , which is within the acceptable range and which is the same as a hue in one or more other data sets, the same hue identification code as in one or more other data sets is stored.

The shade identification code stored in each of the data sets may in particular be a numeric and/or alphabetic code or text.

Hue information stored in datasets can refer to any type of information that allows a hue to be characterized and distinguished from other shades. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shade information is spectral curve data obtained by applying a paint according to a formulation stored in a corresponding data set, using an application method stored in a corresponding data set, to a substrate stored in a corresponding data set. data, and then recording the spectral curve on the surface of the resulting colored product using a spectrophotometer in the wavelength range from 180 to 4000 nm. The recorded spectral curve is particularly preferably a spectral reflectance curve recorded in the wavelength range from 400 to 700 nm. The spectral reflectance curve can be recorded so that total reflectance, total reflectance, diffuse reflectance or directional reflectance are measured. The light spectrum is preferably emitted onto the dyed product to be measured at a first angle, and the reflection is measured using a sensor at a second angle. For example, a light source may emit a spectrum of light at an angle of 45° onto a colored product, and a sensor may measure reflection at an angle of 0°, both angles being measured relative to the vertical, i.e. a plane perpendicular to the surface of the colored product, so a value of 0° corresponds to the vertical . Alternatively, the light source may emit a spectrum of light at an angle of 0° onto the colored product and the sensor may measure the reflection at an angle of 45°, or the light source may diffusely emit a spectrum of light onto the colored product and the sensor may measure the reflection at an angle of 0°, 8°, or any other angle. The spectral curve data in this embodiment of the present invention may be reflectance values for every nanometer in the measured wavelength range, reflectance values for every fifth nanometer in the measured wavelength range, reflectance values for every tenth nanometer in the measured wavelength range, or reflectance values in other intervals.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the hue information may also be values in a color space corresponding to the hue. According to this embodiment, the shade information is preferably laboratory shade values. Alternatively, values from other color spaces may also be used, such as LUV values, RGB values, LCh values, XYZ values, or the like.

The above statements regarding the hue information stored in the data sets in the database are equally applicable to the target hue, the value of which must be entered in step b) of the method according to the present invention. Thus, the target hue to be specified by the user in step b) may be spectral curve data recorded in the wavelength range from 180 to 4000 nm, and preferably in the wavelength range from 400 to 700 nm, e.g. , spectral reflectance curve, or may represent laboratory hue values or the like.

According to the present invention, two paint formulations are considered the same in the database if they contain the same color components and differ from each other by no more than 0.5% per color component in terms of the amounts of individual color components. On the other hand, two or more paint formulations are defined as different from each other if they include at least one different color component, or if they include the same color components differing from each other by more than 0.5% per component in the ratio the number of individual coloring components.

In order to obtain (based on the number of data sets it contains) in particular a large number of variants from a matrix consisting of shade, base, paint formulation and application method, it is proposed, as a further development of the concept according to the present invention, that each database at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70%, very particularly preferably at least 90% and most preferably for all paint formulations contained at least two different data sets, each of which contains the same paint formulation identification code and information about the same paint formulation, the base, the application method and the shade obtained on the painted product after applying the paint according to the recipe, stored in a corresponding data set, using an application method stored in a corresponding data set, on a substrate, data about which is stored in a corresponding data set, wherein the basis and/or application method in each of at least two different data sets is different from the basis and /or an application method in each other from at least two different data sets, and wherein after applying the paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, a painted product is obtained on the substrate, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set , wherein the shade of the colored product in each of at least two different data sets is different from the shade of the colored products in all others from at least two different data sets.

In this embodiment, it is particularly preferred that the database for at least one paint formulation contains at least two different, preferably at least six different, particularly preferably at least ten different and very particularly preferably at least twenty different data sets, each of which contains the same paint formulation identification code and information about the same paint formulation, base, application method and the shade obtained on the painted product after applying the paint according to the recipe stored in the corresponding data set, using application method, data about which is stored in a corresponding data set, on a substrate, data about which is stored in a corresponding data set, wherein the basis and/or application method in each of at least four different data sets differs from the substrate and/or application method in each other from at least four different data sets, and wherein after applying the paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, a colored product is obtained on the substrate, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set, and the shade of the colored product each from at least four different data sets is different from the shade of the colored products in all others from at least four different data sets.

To achieve high data quality, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is particularly preferred that in at least 90%, preferably at least 97%, particularly preferably in at least 99%, and most preferably in all data sets, in which stores paint formulation information that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets, has stored a paint formulation identification code that is different from the paint formulation identification code in one or more other data sets.

Additionally, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 97%, particularly preferably at least 99%, and most preferably in all data sets in which formulation information is stored a paint that is within the acceptable range and that is the same as a paint formulation in one or more other data sets is stored with the same paint formulation identification code as in one or more other data sets.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least 99% and most preferably all data sets that store information about a hue different from the hue in one or more other data sets store a hue identification code different from the hue identification code. shade code in one or more other data sets, and in at least 99% and most preferably all data sets that store paint formulation information that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets, an identification code is stored paint formulation, different from the paint formulation identification code in one or more other data sets, in addition, in 99% and most preferably all data sets that store shade information that is within the acceptable range and that is the same, as a shade in one or more other data sets, stores the same shade identification code as in one or more other data sets, and finally, in 99% and most preferably in all data sets that store paint formulation information, which is within the acceptable range and which is the same as a paint formulation in one or more other data sets, the same paint formulation identification code as in one or more other data sets is stored.

The paint formulation identification code stored in each of the data sets may in particular be a numeric and/or alphabetic code or text.

To achieve high data quality in a database, in terms of ensuring that the same information is stored for parameters directly related to a paint formulation, or in each set of data in a database related to the same paint formulation, or at least nearly the same paint formulation, in Further development of the concept according to the present invention, it is proposed that at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75%, highly preferably at least 90% and most preferably all of from at least two different data sets storing the same paint formulation identification code also included information about at least one additional parameter, wherein this at least one additional parameter information represents a characteristic of the paint formulation and is identical for all from at least two different data sets. This can be accomplished, for example, simply by referring said data sets for said parameters to a table specific to a given paint formulation, which stores all information about the parameters directly related to the paint formulation. Thanks to this, the database not only does not contain two or more sets of data containing information about almost identical or very similar paint formulations, identical information about the base and method of application, but also identical or almost identical information about the shades that are obtained after applying the paints according to the recipes using a method of application to a base and which are indistinguishable to the human eye. In addition, this makes it possible to reliably prevent data sets related to the same paint formulation from containing different information, namely parameters directly related to the paint formulation (i.e. parameters that represent a characteristic of the paint formulation), such as chemical resistance or heat resistance of the paint according to the specified recipe.

Examples of suitable parameters directly related to the paint formulation in the context of the embodiment described above may be selected from the group consisting of the resistance of the paint according to the specified formulation to light, temperature, gamma radiation, chemicals, moisture, pasteurization, sterilization and any combinations of two or more of the above parameters.

To ensure high quality of data in the database, according to another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that when a new set of data is created in the database, the user and, preferably, the computer program entering the data into the database automatically checks whether for a paint formulation, information about which is to be stored in a data set to be created, at least one data set contained in the above-mentioned valid range, and, if this is not the case, a new data set is created and the newly assigned paint formulation identification code is stored therein and if so, then also checking whether at least one data set contains information about the same substrate, the same application method and the same shade that is obtained after applying the paint according to the specified recipe using the application method on the substrate, and, if so, the user receives a message that the corresponding data set is already contained in the database, after which the data set to be created is not created, or is created only if the user confirms that it should be created in any case, and if this is not the case, then the same identification code of the paint formulation is stored in the data set to be created.

In the context of the present invention, the term “paint formulation information stored in data sets” refers to all types of information that uniquely characterize a paint formulation. For example, this information may include details of all individual components or raw materials contained in the paint formulation, as well as their quantities. However, the paint formulation may also be specified as a mixture of semi-finished products, for example, a mixture of one or more compositions and one or more dyes. Additionally, a paint formulation may be specified as a mixture of finished products, such as a mixture of two or more paints. In these cases, the information includes specifications of all individual components or raw materials contained in the paint formulation and their quantities, specifications of all semi-finished products contained in the paint formulation and their quantities, or specifications of all finished products contained in the paint formulation and their quantities. . In addition, a paint formulation may be specified as a mixture of individual components or raw materials and semi-finished products, as a mixture of individual components or raw materials and finished products, as a mixture of semi-finished products and finished products, or as a mixture of individual components or raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products. Finally, the paint formulation may also be specified using a trade name or code consisting of a combination of letters and/or numbers.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least one, preferably at least 10%, particularly preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 80%, very preferably at least 90% and most preferably all formulations the paints, information about which is contained in the data sets in the database, consist of semi-finished products, namely preferably at least one dye and at least one non-color composition. They particularly preferably consist of two to fifteen and especially preferably two to ten semi-finished products. For example, they preferably consist of two to four dyes and a non-coloring composition. For example, additional intermediates or raw materials such as solvents or solvent mixtures, additives such as glidants, waxes or antifoam agents, adhesion promoters, photoinitiators, stabilizers, drying agents, hardeners or the like may be added to the specified dyes and non-coloring components. In this embodiment, the paint formulation information stored in the data sets includes the specification of all intermediate products contained in the paint formulation and their quantities. The non-coloring composition may contain at least one component selected from the group consisting of binders, solvents, waxes, additives, reactive diluents, photoinitiators, hardeners and any combination of two or more of these compounds. The at least one colorant is preferably a composition of pigments in solid, liquid or paste form, or a composition containing one or more colorants, in which one pigment or a mixture of two or more pigments, or one colorant or a mixture of several coloring matter dispersed in a solvent, binder or mixture of solvent and binder. The dye may contain, for example, at least one effect pigment, which is preferably selected from the group consisting of metallic effect pigments, pearlescent pigments, metal oxide coated mica, interference pigments, luminescent pigments, UV absorbing pigments, IR absorbing pigments -ray pigments, photochromic pigments, thermochromic pigments, piezoelectronic pigments, magnetic pigments and any combination of pigments belonging to two or more of the above types. Alternatively or in addition to this, non-effect pigments such as color pigments, white pigments, black pigments or colorants can also be used. Preferably, the at least one colorant further contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of additives, reactive diluents, photoinitiators, hardeners and any combinations of two or more of the foregoing. For example, the at least one colorant may contain a dispersant as an additive.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least one, preferably at least 10%, particularly preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 80%, very preferably at least 90% and most preferably all paint formulations , information about which is contained in the data sets in the database, consist of finished products, namely preferably two to fifteen colors and very preferably two to ten colors. They may contain at least one effect pigment as a dye, which is preferably selected from the group consisting of metallic effect pigments, pearlescent pigments, metal oxide coated mica, interference pigments, luminescent pigments, UV absorbing pigments, IR absorbing pigments -ray pigments, photochromic pigments, thermochromic pigments, piezoelectronic pigments, magnetic pigments and any combination of pigments belonging to two or more of the above types. Alternatively or in addition to this, non-effect pigments or coloring agents can also be used.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that some of the paint formulations contained in the data sets in the database consist of finished products, preferably two to five colors and possibly an additional neutral color component such as a composition, while the other part of the paint formulations consists of semi-finished products, namely, preferably, two to ten semi-finished products.

The present invention is not limited to the type of paint formulations that are contained in the datasets in the database. Preferably at least one, preferably at least 10%, particularly preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 80%, highly preferably at least 90%, and most preferably all paint formulations reported in the data sets in the database, selected from the group consisting of printing inks, color coatings, powder coatings, leather inks and textile inks.

In addition to shade information and paint formulation information, the corresponding data sets also contain application method and substrate information, where the shade is obtained by applying the paint according to the formulation information contained in these data sets, using the application method on the substrate, information contained in these data sets. The application method information includes a specification of the application method, such as web offset printing, an indication of a numeric and/or alphabetic code or text or the like identifying the application method, and the substrate information is, for example, a specification of the substrate, such as a special paper, a specification of a numeric and/or alphabetic code or text identifying the substrate, or represents a spectral curve data recorded in the wavelength range from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, such in particular as a spectral reflectance curve, or represents laboratory values for a base or the like.

The present invention is not limited with respect to the type of application method, information about which is contained in the data sets in the database. Thus, the application method can be any application method by which the paint according to the formulation can be applied to the substrate. For example, the application method, information about which is contained in the data sets in the database, may be an application method selected from the group that includes printing methods, processes for applying dye to leather, processes for applying dye to textile material, dyeing, rolling, spraying, dipping, roll coating, pouring, leveling, powder coating, enameling and any combination of two or more of the above. The application method, information about which is contained in the data sets in the database, is preferably selected from flat printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, digital printing, screen printing, letterpress printing, pad printing, image transfer printing, sublimation printing, collotype printing, processes applying dye to leather, processes for applying dye to textile material, and any combination of two or more of the above. Examples of flatbed printing are sheetfed offset printing, web offset printing, stone printing, lithographic printing, while examples of digital printing are xerography and inkjet printing.

The above statements regarding application method information stored for this purpose in data sets in a database apply equally to the target application method to be specified in step b) of the method according to the present invention. Thus, the target application method to be specified by the user in step b) may be a specification of the application method, an indication of a numeric and/or numeric code or text or the like that identifies the application method, wherein the target application methods may be selected from the same group of methods as described above.

Moreover, the present invention is not particularly limited with respect to the type of basis information contained in the data sets in the database and the target basis information about which is input in step b). Thus, the base and target base can be any base to which paint can be applied according to the formulation using the application method. For example, the substrate and target substrate may be a substrate selected from the group consisting of paper, paperboard, packaging board, plastic film, leather, textile material, metal, wood, glass, ceramic, parchment, metallized surfaces, concrete, plastic housings , laminates, composite materials and any combination of two or more of the above bases. The substrate or target substrate is preferably selected from the group consisting of newsprint, uncoated paper, coated paper, quality paperboard, packaging paperboard, corrugated paperboard, plastic film (e.g. polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (OPP) , polyamide (OPA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactide foil (PLA)), felt, non-woven materials, plastic and aluminum film laminates, leather, textile material and any combination of two or more of the above bases.

The substrate information contained in the data sets may include a specification of the substrate, for example, a special paper indicating a numeric and/or alphabetic code or text identifying the substrate, spectral curve data recorded in the wavelength range from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 up to 700 nm, such as, in particular, a spectral reflectance curve or laboratory values for a base or the like. Alternatively or in addition to this, for example, the designation or trade name of the base can also be entered, or the spectral curve can be measured or read for the base. The information about the corresponding bases stored in the data sets in the database is preferably spectral curve data that was obtained by recording the spectral curve for the corresponding base using a spectrophotometer in the wavelength range from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm. Particularly preferably, it is a spectral reflectance curve recorded in the wavelength range from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, for which total reflectance, total reflectance, diffuse reflectance or directional reflectance can be measured. The measurement may be carried out, for example, at 45°/0° incident/sensor angle, 0°/45°, diffuse/0°, diffuse/8°, or other angles, each of which is measured at relation to the surface. In this embodiment of the present invention, the spectral curve data may be reflectance values for every nanometer from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, reflectance values for every fifth nanometer from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, values reflectances for every tenth nanometer from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, or reflectance values at other intervals.

The above statements regarding the basis and the information stored for this purpose in data sets in the database are equally applicable to the target basis, data about which must be entered in step b) of the method according to the present invention. Thus, the target substrate can be selected in particular from the group described above. In addition, in particular in step b), for the target substrate, a numeric and/or alphabetic code or text identifying the substrate, spectral curve data recorded in the wavelength range from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, can be entered, for example, spectral reflectance curve, laboratory values for the target base, designation or trade name of the target base.

The entry of the specification in step b) is preferably performed by the user creating the entries in the computer program. In order for the user to enter specifications into the computer program in step b), it is proposed, as a further development of the concept according to the present invention, that the computer program contains graphical interface selectable options for pre-selecting the parameters to be entered, namely the target application method, the target base and target shade. As an alternative to this, entering the specification can also be carried out by data transfer, for example by transferring the corresponding data from a file stored on a storage medium or in a computer to a computer program.

To allow the target application method to be specified in step b), it is preferred that the computer program contains graphical interface selectable application preselection options from which the user can specify the target application method by selecting it in step b). Alternatively, the computer program may be programmed to allow the target application method to be entered as text or as numeric and/or text codes that identify the target application method.

As a further development of the concept according to the present invention, it is proposed that the computer program be designed such that in step b) the user can specify the target basis in at least one, and preferably all of the following ways:

i) transmitting to a computer program the spectral curve data recorded by the spectrophotometer in the range from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, preferably the spectral reflectance curve and especially preferably the spectral reflectance curve of the target substrate measured as described above, in computer program, for example directly (i.e. without using a storage medium), from a DVD, USB stick or the like,

ii) selecting, by means of a pointing device, a target stem from a set of pre-selection options with different stems stored in the computer program,

iii) inputting the values of the spectral curve, preferably the spectral reflectance curve and especially preferably the spectral reflectance curve of the target substrate measured as explained above, into a computer program, for example by entering reflectance values for wavelengths from 180 to 4000 nm and preferably from 400 to 700 nm at 1 nm intervals, at 5 nm intervals, at 10 nm intervals or at other number intervals,

iv) entering or transmitting laboratory values for a target base or other color space values, such as LUV values, RGB values, LCh values, XYZ values, or the like, into a computer program.

In addition, preferably the computer program should be designed such that in step b) the user can specify the target shade in at least one, and preferably all of the following ways:

i) transmitting to a computer program the spectral curve data recorded by the spectrophotometer in the range from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, preferably the spectral reflectance curve and especially preferably the spectral reflectance curve of the target hue measured as described above, in computer program, for example directly (i.e. without using a storage medium), from a DVD, USB stick or the like,

ii) selecting, by means of a pointing device, a target shade from a set of pre-selection options with different shades stored in the computer program,

iii) entering or reading the values of the spectral curve, preferably the spectral reflectance curve and especially preferably the spectral reflectance curve of the target hue, measured as explained above, into a computer program, for example, by entering reflectance values for wavelengths from 180 to 4000 nm and preferably from 400 up to 700 nm at 1 nm intervals, at 5 nm intervals, at 10 nm intervals or at other numerical intervals,

iv) entering, reading, or transmitting laboratory values for a target hue or other color space values, such as LUV values, RGB values, LCh values, XYZ values, or the like, into a computer program.

According to the present invention, in step c), a computer program is used to search the database to determine whether it contains at least one data set that contains information about the paint formulation, after being applied using the target application method determined in step b ), onto the target base determined in step b), produces a colored product with a shade that matches the target shade determined in step b), or deviates from it by no more than a certain tolerance. The tolerance is indicated in order to take into account the fact that the human eye is not able to perceive the slightest differences between two almost identical shades. Thus, setting the tolerance increases the likelihood of a match in step c) without having to accept unacceptable deviations from the specified target hue.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tolerance for step c) is preset in the computer program.

Alternatively, provision can be made for the user to enter the tolerance in step c) in the computer program. To achieve this, a computer program may be designed to be able to set a constant tolerance, for example by entering a numeric value. In addition, the computer program may be designed to allow a user to set a tolerance in accordance with default settings defined in the computer program, for example, by selecting with a pointing device and accepting one of a plurality of tolerances defined in the computer program. It is also possible to combine the two embodiments by designing the computer program so that the user can decide whether to set the tolerance according to default settings defined in the computer program or, for example, by entering a numeric value.

As a further development of the concept according to the present invention, it is proposed to set the maximum tolerance so that in step c) it corresponds to a Delta E value not exceeding 2, preferably not exceeding 1, particularly preferably not exceeding 0.5 and very preferably not exceeding 0.2 , whether this tolerance is preset in the computer program or is entered by the user. All common Delta E values can be used as Delta E values such as ΔE* _ab , ΔE94, ΔE ₀₀ , DIN99, DIN99 _o , CMC, Lübbe, Lübbe adjusted, CIECAM02. Preferably, ΔE ₀₀ is used.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that in step d) only the paint formulation that provides the best target shade is displayed. If two or more data sets are discovered in step c) that contain paint formulation information that, when applied using the target application method defined in step b), onto the target substrate defined in step b), produces a tint-colored product, which corresponds to the target shade determined in step b) or deviates from it by no more than a certain tolerance, thus, according to this preferred embodiment, only that data set is displayed that produces a colored product with a shade that is the least ( i.e., with the smallest value of ΔE ₀₀ ) differs from the target hue.

As explained above, a paint formulation can essentially be specified as a formulation for the quantities of all individual raw materials. However, since these paint formulations are very complex, this means that all paints must be produced through a very logistically complex production process, as all the raw materials must first be purchased. Thus, it is preferable that the paint formulation be defined as a mixture of semi-finished products, for example, a mixture of one or more compositions and one or more dyes, or as a mixture of finished products, for example, a mixture of several colors, optionally with additional admixture. For this reason, it is preferable that in step d) the composition of the paint formulation is specified i) as a mixture of semi-finished products, preferably as a mixture of two to fifteen semi-finished products and especially preferably as a mixture of two to five semi-finished products, or is specified ii) as a mixture of finished products, preferably as a mixture of two to fifteen finished products and especially preferably as a mixture of two to five finished products, or was specified iii) as a mixture of semi-finished products with finished products, or was specified iv) as a mixture of semi-finished products with individual components, or was specified v) as a mixture of finished products with individual components, or was specified vi) as a mixture of semi-finished products, finished products and individual components or was specified vii) as a mixture of individual components.

Thus, the display of paint formulation information stored in the at least one data set in these embodiments includes a specification of quantities and designation of the individual semi-finished or finished products of which the paint formulation is composed.

The present invention is particularly suitable for the use of databases with a large number of data sets. The database used in the method according to the present invention preferably contains more than 10 data sets, more preferably more than 100 data sets, even more preferably more than 1000 data sets, especially preferably more than 10,000 data sets, especially preferably more than 100,000 data sets, very preferably greater than 500,000 data sets and most preferably a million data sets or more.

After displaying the match found in step c) of the method according to the present invention, the user can manufacture the paint according to the found formulation or request its manufacture from the service provider. In particular, if the paint formulation determined in step c), in accordance with the information contained in the database, after application using the target application method determined in step b), onto the target substrate determined in step b) , provides a colored product with a shade that differs from the target shade determined in step b) within a certain tolerance, for example with a ΔE ₀₀ value of 0.5, preferably so that the user can visually evaluate the resulting shade before deciding whether to accept it or not and whether to make or obtain paint without first creating a paint formulation. To facilitate this action, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer program contains a testing algorithm configured to simulate or calculate a shade, the simulated or calculated shade being printed using a computer on a test printer, i.e., in a manner different from the target one. the application method determined in step b), on a test substrate, is the same as the shade obtained when the paint is applied according to the formulation determined in step c), using the target application method determined in step b), onto the target substrate determined in step b ). In this embodiment, the computer program is preferably designed such that the user can specify a test paper printer and test paper substrate, for example, by using a pointing device to select the appropriate test printer and test substrate from a list displayed by the computer program, or by entering a numeric and /or a numeric code or the like that identifies the test printer and test substrate. The test printer is preferably a conventional paper printer, a sheetfed offset printing press, a screen printing press, or an gravure printing press that is commercially available worldwide. The test printer is particularly preferably a conventional and commercially available worldwide paper printer, particularly preferably at least a 4-color paper printer, and most preferably at least a 7-color paper printer. In this context, at least a 4-color paper printer is at least a 4-color paper printer, a 5-color paper printer, a 6-color paper printer, or a paper printer. paper, configured to print even more colors, and at least a 7-color paper printer in this context is a 7-color paper printer, an 8-color paper printer, a 9-color printer for printing on paper or a printer for printing on paper, configured to print even more colors. In this way, the specified shades can be reproduced very accurately. Conventional 4-color printers typically use cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. According to the present invention, a suitable at least 7-color printer is preferably configured to print cyan, magenta, yellow, black, orange, violet and green. In particular, the test paper printer is a conventional inkjet printer or a laser printer commercially available worldwide, and most preferably at least a 7-color inkjet printer. The test substrate is preferably a common inkjet or laser printing paper commercially available throughout the world. This embodiment allows the user to easily and inexpensively view and evaluate the shade obtained by applying the paint according to the formulation displayed in step d) of the method according to the present invention to a target substrate using the target application method, without having to apply the paint according to the formulation displayed in step d ) the method according to the present invention on a target substrate, which in some cases can be expensive, using a target application method that in some cases can be complex. This is because the color shade calculated using the testing algorithm corresponds to the shade obtained when the paint according to the formulation displayed in step d) is applied to the target substrate using the target application method. Thus, this embodiment of the present invention allows the user to very easily and quickly check whether the paint formulation displayed in step d) is suitable for his application. If the paint formulation is found suitable, the user can order it from the appropriate manufacturer.

Often the colored product desired by the user is not simply a base coated with paint, but, for example, a corresponding colored product in which, after the paint has been formulated onto a particular base using a particular application method, a topcoat or primer is applied to it. If the topcoat or primer is not color-neutral, for example in the case of matte paints, effect paints, tactile paints, scented paints, it will at least slightly change the shade of the painted product. Even if the topcoat or primer is color neutral, the application of the topcoat or primer will affect the gloss of the painted product. To account for these effects in the method, it is preferred that at least some of the data sets, for example, at least 10%, and preferably at least 30% of the data sets also contain topcoat or primer specifications, wherein the shade data stored in corresponding data set, indicate the shade of a colored product that is obtained by printing an ink according to a specified recipe stored in the data set, using an application method stored in the data set, onto a substrate stored in the data set, and then applying a topcoat, or primers whose data is stored in the dataset. This ensures that even when a topcoat or primer is used, the method of the present invention determines a paint formulation that, within a certain tolerance, produces the desired shade of a painted product containing the topcoat or primer.

For the above reasons, it is preferable that the computer program used in the method according to the present invention be designed so that the user can specify the topcoat or primer and the amount of topcoat or primer to be applied in step b), and search the database in step c) to determine whether it contains at least one data set storing a paint formulation that produces a specified shade to a specified maximum tolerance when the paint according to the recipe stored in the data set is applied to the target substrate defined in step b) , using the target application method determined in step b), and then apply the specified amount of topcoat or primer determined in step b).

This embodiment is also particularly preferred for printing inks, in which case the topcoat is a varnish topcoat, the application method is a printing method, and the base is paper, cardboard, sheet metal or plastic film.

In addition to applying printing inks, the method of the present invention is also very suitable for methods of applying coloring matter to leather and textile material, so that the application method may in particular be a process of applying coloring matter to leather or a process of applying coloring matter to textile material, and the base may be leather or textile material.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75%, very preferably at least 90% and Most preferably, all data sets also contain information on at least one of the following characteristics:

i) one or more half-tones of the colored product,

ii) gloss level of the painted product,

iii) different gloss levels from different viewing angles of the painted product,

iv) tactile (i.e. tactilely perceived) properties of the colored product,

v) scratch resistance of the painted product,

vi) tensile strength of the colored product,

vii) tensile strength of the colored product,

viii) lightfastness of the colored product,

ix) resistance of the colored product to temperature,

x) resistance of the colored product to gamma radiation,

xi) resistance of the colored product to chemicals,

xii) resistance of the colored product to pasteurization,

xiii) resistance of the colored product to sterilization,

xiv) resistance of the colored product to moisture,

xv) resistance of the colored product to delamination,

xvi) absence of certain ingredients in the paint formulation,

xvii) opacity of the colored product,

xviii) slip properties of the colored product.

A painted product, in turn, is a product obtained by applying paint according to the formulation contained in the relevant data set, onto a substrate contained in the relevant data set, using an application method contained in the relevant data set. data set.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the application method is a process of applying a dye to a textile material, wherein at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75% , very preferably at least 90% and most preferably all data sets also contain information on at least one of the following characteristics:

i) antistatic finish,

ii) fire retardant finish,

iii) water repellency,

iv) oil repellency,

v) hydrophilization,

vi) securing,

vii) finishing,

viii) aging,

ix) wax coating,

x) coating with fluorocarbon resins,

xi) light fastness,

xii) resistance to washing,

xiii) Abrasion resistance.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the application method is a process of applying a colorant to the skin, whereby it is provided that at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75%, highly preferably at least 90%, and most preferably all data sets also contain information on at least one of the following characteristics:

i) polyurethane finish,

ii) aniline finishing,

iii) nitrocellulose finish,

iv) impregnation,

v) embossing,

vi) oil finish,

vii) wax finish,

viii) coating (oil coating),

ix) coating (cold coating),

x) light fastness,

xi) abrasion resistance,

xii) dirt-repellent ability,

xiii) gloss.

The last three embodiments presented make it possible, using the method according to the present invention, not only to determine a paint formulation which, when applied to the desired target substrate using the required target application method, produces a colored product with the required target shade, but in particular also to determine the corresponding paint formulation, which has the required additional properties, such as the required chemical resistance, and provides the required gloss of the painted product or the like.

To implement this embodiment, it is also preferable that the computer program used in the method according to the present invention be designed in such a way that the user can additionally specify in step b) at least one of the characteristics i) to xviii) for the printing methods or i) -xiii) for textile materials and leather.

To further achieve the advantages of this embodiment, it is proposed as a further development of the concept according to the present invention that at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75% , highly preferably at least 90% and most preferably all data sets also contain information on at least three, preferably at least five, highly preferably at least 10, highly preferably at least 15 and most preferably about all characteristics i)-xviii), and it is preferable that the user can specify them in step b).

As a further development of the concept according to the present invention, it is proposed that at least 10%, preferably at least 50%, particularly preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, highly preferably at least 95% and most preferably all data sets contained in the database, for three different angles, preferably for angles 20°, 60° and 85°, but at least for an angle of 60°, in relation to the surface of the painted product, contain defined gloss values and so that the user can specify in step b) the target gloss values to be achieved at three different angles for the painted product. In this embodiment, it is particularly preferred that the gloss values be graded into at least gloss, semi-gloss and matte appearance. For example, matte paints can match gloss values from 0 to 24, semi-gloss paints can match gloss values from 25 to 50, and gloss paints can match gloss values above 51.

Gloss values are measured in accordance with DIN 67530/ISO 2813 and the paints are applied, for example, using a 6 µm doctor blade.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least 10%, preferably at least 50%, particularly preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, very preferably at least 95% and most preferably preferably, all data sets contained in the database include information about at least one half-tone, this information containing at least information about the shade that the colored product has, which is obtained by applying the paint according to the recipe, information about which is stored in the corresponding set data, applied to the target base in the form of halftones using the target method. This allows you to get an idea of how the required shade will appear in full tone and in individual gradations/halftones, or what spectral curves will be obtained. This is preferably required in order to be able to distinguish visually as well as spectrally identical shades that have been mixed from several different pigment combinations. Full tones may appear the same visually and spectrally, but if different combinations of pigments are present, the midtones will produce different shades/locations of colors.

In this embodiment, it is particularly preferred that the respective data sets include corresponding information about at least two halftones, preferably at least 4 halftones, and especially preferably at least 6 halftones, wherein information about each of the at least two halftones contains at least information about the corresponding shade that the corresponding colored product has, which is obtained by applying paint according to the recipe, information about which is stored in the corresponding data set, on the target substrate in the form of a corresponding halftone using the target application method. The halftones reported in the corresponding data set preferably cover at least 25%, particularly preferably at least 50%, very preferably at least 75%, and most preferably the entire halftone range.

To implement this embodiment, it is also preferable that the computer program used in the method according to the present invention be designed such that the user can specify (measure, read) values for both a full tone and at least one semitone in step b ).

In particular, at the beginning of the construction of the database used in the method according to the present invention, when it does not yet contain data sets for all possible combinations of application method, base and shade along with any other additional characteristics i)-xviii), it is most likely that for a certain combination of target application method, target base and target shade entered in step b), step c) will not find a suitable data set. In order to provide the user, in addition, with a paint formulation with which, in this case, he can complete his project, as a further development of the concept according to the present invention, it is proposed that the computer program includes a formulation algorithm allowing the calculation of the paint formulation, after application of which with By using a specific target application method on a specific target substrate, a specific shade of the target colored product is obtained with a specific maximum tolerance.

The computer program is preferably designed such that a formulation algorithm that calculates a paint formulation is executed if a suitable data set is not found in step c).

Moreover, it is preferable that before executing the formulation algorithm that calculates the paint formulation, the corresponding components for the paint formulation are transferred from the computer program to the formulation algorithm in accordance with the user's specifications, (solely) based on which the formulation algorithm calculates the paint formulation. The components of a paint formulation include raw materials, semi-finished and/or finished products, the data of which is stored in a database along with their properties and the properties of the paint. This embodiment makes it possible to calculate a paint formulation with which the user obtains the desired target shade, and which, in particular, also provides additional specific characteristics, such as one or more characteristics i)-xviii). If, for example, the user in step b) specifies a certain chemical resistance, for example to acids, that needs to be achieved, the computer program transmits to the formulation algorithm only data on the components, i.e. raw materials, semi-finished products and/or finished products having such chemical resistance.

In the above embodiment of the present invention, it is also preferred that the paint formulation components transferred from the computer program to the formulation algorithm particularly satisfy at least one, preferably at least three, more preferably at least five, particularly preferably at least ten , highly preferably at least fifteen and most preferably all criteria i)-xvi) defined by the user.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 60%, very preferably at least 80% and most preferably all data sets also included information on the spectral curve of the surface of the first resulting colored product, which was obtained, for example, by applying as a leveling coating a portion of the first production batch of paint according to the formulation determined in step d) on white coated paper and recording the spectral curve, especially preferably a spectral reflectance curve from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm on its surface, using a spectrophotometer. In addition to coating by leveling, the first production batch may also be applied to a substrate, preferably paper, using any other application method such as laboratory test printing, spray painting or doctor blade drawing. This embodiment facilitates quality control of each additional production batch produced. For each subsequent production batch, a portion of that subsequent production batch of paint according to the specified formulation can then be applied as a leveling coating on the same coated paper for quality control, and the spectral curve obtained in this manner can be recorded on the surface of the painted product, at such the same conditions as for the first production batch. The spectral curve obtained in this way must then be compared only with the spectral curve stored in the data set. If the deviation obtained from the said comparison is within a certain acceptable range, the lot can be released. Otherwise, it must be corrected by adding one or more components until a shade is obtained within the acceptable range for the reference color product manufactured using it.

As a further development of the concept according to the present invention, it is proposed that in this embodiment at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 40%, even more preferably at least 60%, very preferably at least at least 80% and most preferably all data sets also contained the spectral curve of the surface of the second resulting colored product, which was obtained, for example, by applying as a leveling coating a portion of the second production batch of paint according to the formulation determined in step d) on white paper with coating and recording a spectral curve from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm on its surface using a spectrophotometer. In addition to this coating application by the leveling method, the second production batch can also be applied to the substrate, preferably paper, using any other application method, such as, for example, laboratory test printing or doctor blade drawing.

Moreover, in this embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred that the data sets include, in addition to the spectral curve of the second resulting colored product, the spectral curve of the colored product obtained using a reserve sample from the first production batch, which was obtained by coating the leveling a portion of a reserve sample from the first production batch of paint with the formulation specified in step d) onto a white coated paper, and recording a spectral curve from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, on its surface using a spectrophotometer simultaneously with application in form of coating by leveling, as well as recording the spectral curve for part of the second production batch of paint with the recipe specified in step d). Simultaneous coating by flattening both samples onto the same white coated paper and comparing them further improves the accuracy of quality control.

As a further development of the concept according to the present invention, it is proposed that at least one, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 50%, very preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, very preferably at least 95% and most preferably all of the data sets contained information on at least one reference shade, one reference application method and one reference substrate, wherein the reference shade is obtained by applying paint according to the recipe information contained in the data set to the reference substrate using a reference application method, wherein the reference application method is different from the application method information contained in the data set, and/or the reference substrate is different from the substrate information contained in the data set.

Since at least one of the data sets, preferably a large number of data sets, and especially preferably all of the data sets also contain information on at least one reference shade, one reference application method and one reference substrate, reliable quality control for the produced batch can be easily achieved paints with the specified recipe. All that is required is to apply the appropriate quantity of paint according to the specified formulation from a manufactured batch onto a reference substrate using a reference application method, and then compare the shade of the reference painted product produced in this manner with the reference shade information contained in the data set. If the deviation obtained from the said comparison is within a certain acceptable range, the lot can be released. Otherwise, it must be corrected by adding one or more components until a shade is obtained within the acceptable range for the reference dyed product manufactured using it. A particular advantage of the method according to the present invention is that the quality control does not require the paint manufacturer to apply the paint according to the resulting formulation using a customer-specified target application method (which usually requires a complex system) onto a customer-specified target substrate (possibly very specific and not commercially available), but should only use a reference substrate, which, for example, is a standard paper, available worldwide and universal, using a reference application method (preferably simple and not requiring the use of a complex system). Otherwise, the paint manufacturer would have to purchase the appropriate target base specified by the customer for each individual paint formulation, which may not be available locally or be very difficult to obtain, and use the specific target application method specified by the customer. In this case, a paint manufacturer that produces many different paint formulations would require an extremely large warehouse facility with many different, possibly scarce, target substrates, as well as many different application systems, such as a web offset press, a gravure press printing, etc. In accordance with the present invention, on the other hand, a master base and a master application method may be sufficient if the same master base and a master application method are stored for all paint formulations available in the database. Several reference application methods may be required, for example due to the consistency of the paints (paste, liquid, powder). In the context of the present invention, standard paper is paper that has been standardized in a national or international standard. Examples of suitable standard papers are given in DIN ISO 2846-1: 2017. If, for example, liquid inks are applied to a transparent film, standard paper can be placed underneath it before recording the spectral curve to ensure standardized conditions for recording the spectral curve.

The present invention is not particularly limited with respect to the number of reference shades contained in each data set. Thus, each of the data sets may contain information about a reference shade, an associated reference application, and an associated reference base, and each of the other data sets may contain information about two or more different reference shades, as well as associated reference applications and reference bases , each of which provides the same target shade using a different application method and/or on a different base.

As a further development of the concept according to the present invention, it is proposed that at step d) at least one reference shade from at least one data set is also specified. The user can then use it for subsequent quality control or store it on the condition that it will be used to create a paint formulation, or transfer it to a service provider who will manufacture the paint according to the specified formulation. The at least one reference hue may be defined in any form that uniquely characterizes the reference hue. For example, the at least one reference hue may be specified as laboratory values (or values for another color space, such as LUV values, RGB values, LCh values, XYZ values, or the like), a spectral curve (in particular, a spectral reflectance) for the range from 180 to 4000 nm, preferably from 400 to 700 nm, or as spectral curve data (in particular, a spectral reflectance curve) for the range from 180 to 4000 nm and preferably from 400 to 700 nm.

Another object of the present invention is a database for determining a paint formulation, after application of which, using a certain application method, on a certain substrate, a painted product with a certain shade is obtained, wherein the database stores a plurality of data sets, at least one, and preferably each of the sets the data contains at least information about the paint formulation, the base, the application method and the shade of the painted product obtained after applying the paint according to the specified recipe using the base application method,

characterized in that

i) the database for at least one shade contains at least two different sets of data, each of which includes the same shade identification code and information about different paint formulations, base and application method, where the base and/or method applications in at least one of at least two different data sets differ from the substrate and/or application method in the other of at least two different data sets, and for each of the different paint formulations in at least two different post-application data sets paints according to the corresponding recipe, using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, on the base, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set, a colored product with the same shade is obtained, and

ii) the database for at least one paint formulation contains at least two different sets of data, each of which contains the same paint formulation identification code and information about the same paint formulation, base, application method and the shade obtained on a colored product after applying paint according to a specified recipe stored in a corresponding data set, using an application method stored in a corresponding data set, on a substrate, data about which is stored in a corresponding data set, wherein the substrate and/or application method according to in at least one from at least two different data sets differ from the base and/or application method in the other from at least two different data sets, and after applying the paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, a colored product is obtained, wherein the shade of the colored product in at least one of at least two different data sets is different from the shade of the colored product in the other of at least two different data sets,

and:

iii) at least 90% of the data sets that store information about a hue that is different from the hue in one or more other data sets store a hue identification code that is different from the hue identification code in one or more other data sets,

and/or

iv) At least 90% of the data sets that store paint formulation information that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets store a paint formulation identification code that is different from the paint formulation identification code in one or more other sets. data.

The database preferably contains more than 10 data sets, more preferably more than 100 data sets, even more preferably more than 1000 data sets, especially preferably more than 10,000 data sets, especially preferably more than 100,000 data sets, very preferably more than 500,000 data sets, and most preferably one million datasets or more.

Another object of the present invention is a system for determining the formulation of a paint, after application of which, using a certain application method, on a given substrate, a colored product with a certain shade is obtained, in particular, for carrying out the method according to at least one of the previous embodiments, the system comprises:

a) the previously described database,

b) a computer program that is programmed to allow the user to enter data on the target application method, the target substrate and the desired target shade for the resulting colored product obtained after applying paint according to a specified formulation using a specified target application method on a specified target substrate, in computer program,

c) wherein the computer program is also programmed to search the database to determine whether it contains at least one set of data that contains information about the paint formulation, after application using the target application method determined in step b), on the target base determined in step b), a colored product is obtained with a shade that matches the target shade determined in step b), or differs from it by no more than a specified tolerance, and

d) wherein the computer program is also programmed such that if at least one suitable data set is found in step c), it displays to the user the paint formulation information stored in the at least one data set.

Claims (40)

1. A method for determining the paint formulation and controlling the quality of the resulting paint, after application of which, using a certain application method, onto a certain base, a colored product with a certain shade is obtained, including: a) providing a database in which multiple sets of data are stored, and i) at least a portion and preferably each of the data sets contains at least information about the paint formulation, the base, the application method and the shade of the painted product resulting from the application of the paint according to the specified recipe stored in the data set using the method application stored in the data set to a substrate stored in the data set, wherein the paint formulation information includes a paint formulation identification code, and the shade information includes a shade identification code, ii) the database, for at least one shade, contains at least two different sets of data, each of which contains the same shade identification code and information about different paint formulations, base and application method, the base and/ or the application method in at least one of at least two different data sets differs from the base and/or application method in the other of at least two different data sets, and for each of the different paint formulations in at least two different data sets in each case, a colored product with the same shade is obtained after applying the paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding data set on the substrate, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set, and iii) the database, for at least one paint formulation, contains at least two different data sets, each of which contains the same paint formulation identification code and information about the same paint formulation, base, application method and about the shade obtained on the colored product after applying the paint according to the recipe stored in the corresponding data set, using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, on a substrate stored in the corresponding data set, wherein the substrate and/or application method is at least in one from at least two different data sets differ from the base and/or application method in the other from at least two different data sets, and after applying the paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding data set on the base stored in the corresponding data set, a colored product is obtained, wherein the shade of the colored product in at least one of at least two different data sets differs from the shade of the colored product in the other of at least two different data sets, b) providing a computer program that uses database a), and specifying by the user the target application method in the computer program, the target base and the desired target shade obtained on the painted product after applying paint according to a specified formulation using a specified target application method on a specified target base , c) searching the database using said computer program to determine whether it contains at least one set of data that contains information about the paint formulation, after application using the target application method determined in step b), to the target base determined in step b), a colored product is obtained with a shade that matches or deviates from the target shade determined in step b) by no more than a specified tolerance, and d) displaying, if at least one suitable data set is found in step c), the paint formulation information stored in the at least one data set, characterized in that: i) at least 90% of the data sets that store information about a hue that is different from the hue in one or more other data sets store a hue identification code that is different from the hue identification code in one or more other data sets, ii) at least 90% of the data sets that store paint formulation information that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets store a paint formulation identification code that is different from the paint formulation identification code in one or more other sets data, iii) at least 90% of the data sets that store information about a hue that is the same as a hue in one or more other data sets store the same hue identification code as in one or more other data sets, And iv) At least 90% of the data sets that store paint formulation information that is the same as the paint formulation in one or more other data sets store the same paint formulation identification code as one or more others. data sets, Moreover, in the database, two shades are considered the same if they differ from each other by a Delta E value not exceeding 0.5, two shades are considered different if they differ from each other by a Delta E value exceeding 0.5, two paint formulations are considered the same in the database if they have the same color components and differ from each other in terms of the amounts of individual color components by no more than 0.5% per color component, and two paint formulations are considered different if they contain at least one different coloring component or if they contain the same coloring components differing from each other by more than 0.5% per component with respect to the amounts of the individual coloring components, wherein at least 80% of the data sets also contain information about the spectral surface curve of the first resulting colored product, which was obtained by applying as a leveling coating a portion of the first production batch of ink according to the formulation determined in step d), on white coated paper and recording a spectral curve from 400 to 700 nm on its surface using a spectrophotometer, the method also including preparing a paint formulation and applying the paint thus produced to the same paper with a white coating, recording a spectral curve from 400 to 700 on the surface of the thus obtained colored product nm using a spectrophotometer and comparing the spectral curve thus obtained with the spectral curve stored in the data set, and wherein when the user creates a new data set in the database, the computer program automatically checks whether the paint formulation, information about which is to be stored in the new data set to be created, already includes at least one data set, and, if this is not the case, a new set is created data, and also store in this new data set the newly assigned paint formulation identification code, and if so, then also check whether at least one data set contains information about the same base, the same application method and the same shade , which is obtained after applying the paint according to the specified recipe using the method of applying to the substrate, and if this is the case, the user receives a message that the corresponding data set is already contained in the database, after which the data set to be created is not created, but if this is not the case, then the same paint formulation identification code is stored in the newly created data set. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that two shades are considered the same in the database if they differ from each other by a ΔE ₀₀ value not exceeding 0.5 and a dH* value not exceeding 0.5, and preferably by a ΔE ₀₀ value not exceeding 0.2, and a dH* value not exceeding 0.2, and two shades are considered different if they differ from each other by a ΔE ₀₀ value exceeding 0.5. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the database for at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, especially preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70%, very preferably for at least 90% and most preferably for all shades contains at least two different sets of data, each containing the same shade identification code and information about different paint formulations, base and application method , wherein the substrate and/or application method in each of at least two different data sets is different from the substrate and/or application method in each other of at least two different data sets, and for each of the different paint formulations in at least two different data sets, a colored product with the same shade is obtained after applying paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding data set on the substrate, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set. 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the database for at least one shade contains at least four different, preferably at least six different, especially preferably at least ten different and very preferably at least twenty different sets data, each of which contains the same shade identification code and information about different paint formulations, base and application method, wherein the base and/or application method in each of at least four different data sets differs from the basis and/or application method in each of the other at least four different data sets, wherein for each of the different paint formulations in at least four different data sets, in each case a colored product with the same shade is obtained after applying the paint according to the corresponding formulation using the method application, stored in the corresponding data set, onto the substrate, data about which is stored in the corresponding data set. 5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each data set for which, after applying paint according to the recipe stored in the corresponding data set, using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, on the substrate, the data stored in the corresponding data set, obtaining a colored product with a shade different from the shade obtained for at least one other data set, and then storing a shade identification code different from the shade identification code in all others from at least one other data set . 6. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the database is for at least 10%, preferably for at least 20%, particularly preferably for at least 50%, more preferably for at least 70% , highly preferably for at least 90% and most preferably for all paint formulations, contains at least two different sets of data, each containing the same paint formulation identification code and information about the same paint formulation, base, the application method and the shade for the colored product obtained after applying the paint according to the recipe stored in the corresponding data set, using the application method, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set, on a substrate, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set, wherein the substrate and/or the application method in each of at least two different data sets differs from the base and/or application method in each other of the at least two different data sets, and after applying the paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in corresponding data set, a colored product is produced from a substrate for which data is stored in the corresponding data set, wherein the shade of the colored product in each of at least two different data sets is different from the shade of the colored products in all others of the at least two different data sets . 7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the database for at least one paint formulation contains at least four different, preferably at least six different, especially preferably at least ten different and very preferably at least twenty different sets of data, each containing the same paint formulation identification code and information about the same paint formulation, base, application method and the shade obtained on the painted product after applying the paint according to the formulation stored in the corresponding set of data, using an application method stored in a corresponding data set, on a substrate for which data is stored in a corresponding data set, wherein the basis and/or application method in each of at least four different data sets is different from the basis in each other at least four different data sets, and wherein the colored product is obtained after applying paint according to a corresponding recipe using an application method stored in the corresponding data set, on a substrate about which data is stored in the corresponding data set, wherein the shade of the colored product in each is at least from at least four different data sets is different from the shade of colored products in all other from at least four different data sets. 8. The method of at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a different paint formulation identification code is stored in all data sets in which paint formulation information is stored that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets, compared with one or more other data sets. 9. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 75%, very preferably at least at least 90% and most preferably all of at least two different data sets, each of which stores the same paint formulation identification code, also contain information about at least one additional parameter, wherein said information about at least one additional the parameter is a characteristic for a paint formulation and is identical in all of at least two different data sets, wherein at least one additional parameter is preferably selected from the group consisting of the resistance of the paint according to the specified formulation to light, temperature, gamma radiation, chemicals, pasteurization, sterilization, moisture and any combination of two or more of the above parameters. 10. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer program contains a testing algorithm configured to calculate a shade, and printing the calculated shade on a test paper base using a computer and using a test printer for printing on paper, i.e. .e. in a manner different from the target application method determined in step b) matches the shade obtained by applying the paint according to the formulation determined in step c), using the target application method determined in step b), onto the target substrate determined in step b). 11. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer program contains a formulation algorithm that allows one to calculate a paint formulation, after application of which using a certain target application method on a certain target substrate, a certain shade is obtained on the target colored product with a certain maximum tolerance, wherein the computer program is designed in such a way that the formulation algorithm that calculates the paint formulation is executed if a suitable data set is not found in step c) and before executing the formulation algorithm that calculates the paint formulation, the corresponding components for a paint formulation based on the user's instructions, and based solely on the specified components, the formulation algorithm calculates the paint formulation. 12. A system for determining the paint formulation and monitoring the quality of the resulting paint, after application of which, using a certain application method, a colored product with a certain shade is obtained using a certain application method, to carry out the method according to at least one of claims. 1-11, containing: a spectrophotometer designed to obtain spectral curves of colored products, and a) a computer containing a database for determining the paint formulation and controlling the quality of the resulting paint, after application of which, using a certain application method, a painted product with a certain shade is obtained using a certain application method, and the database stores a plurality of data sets, at least one, and preferably, each of the data sets contains at least information about the paint formulation, the substrate, the application method, and the shade of the painted product obtained after applying the paint according to the specified formulation using the substrate application method, wherein i) the database for at least one shade contains at least two different sets of data, each of which includes the same shade identification code and information about different paint formulations, base and application method, wherein the base and/or method applications in at least one of at least two different data sets differ from the substrate and/or application method in the other of at least two different data sets, and for each of the different paint formulations in at least two different post-application data sets paints according to the corresponding recipe, using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, on the base, the data of which is stored in the corresponding data set, a colored product with the same shade is obtained, and ii) the database for at least one paint formulation contains at least two different sets of data, each of which contains the same paint formulation identification code and information about the same paint formulation, base, application method and the shade obtained on a colored product after applying paint according to a recipe stored in a corresponding data set, using an application method stored in a corresponding data set, on a substrate, data about which is stored in a corresponding data set, wherein the substrate and/or application method is at least in at least one from at least two different data sets differ from the base and/or application method in the other from at least two different data sets, and after applying the paint according to the corresponding recipe using the application method stored in the corresponding data set, on basis, data about which is stored in the corresponding data set, a colored product is obtained, wherein the shade of the colored product in at least one of at least two different data sets is different from the shade of the colored product in the other of at least two different data sets, wherein iii) at least 90% of the data sets that store information about a hue that is different from the hue in one or more other data sets store a hue identification code that is different from the hue identification code in one or more other data sets, iv) At least 90% of the data sets that store paint formulation information that is different from the paint formulation in one or more other data sets store a paint formulation identification code that is different from the paint formulation identification code in one or more other sets. data, v) at least 90% of the data sets that store information about a hue that is the same as a hue in one or more other data sets store the same hue identification code as in one or more other data sets, And vi) at least 90% of the data sets that store paint formulation information that is the same as the paint formulation in one or more other data sets store the same paint formulation identification code as one or more others data sets, moreover, in the database, two shades are considered the same in the database, if they differ from each other, the assignment of Delta E, not exceeding 0.5, two shades are considered different, if they differ from each other by a Delta E value exceeding 0.5, two paint formulations are considered the same in the database if they have the same color components and differ from each other with respect to the amounts of individual color components by no more than 0.5% per color component, and two paint formulations are considered different if they contain at least one different coloring component or if they contain the same coloring components differing from each other by more than 0.5% per component in terms of the amounts of the individual coloring components, b) and said computer comprises a computer program that is programmed to allow a user to enter data on a target application method, a target substrate, and a desired target shade for the final painted product resulting from the application of paint according to a specified formulation using a specified target application method to a specified target basis, in a computer program, c) wherein the computer program is also programmed to search the database to determine whether it contains at least one set of data that contains information about the paint formulation, after application using the target application method determined in step b), on the target base determined in step b), a colored product is obtained with a shade that matches the target shade determined in step b), or differs from it by no more than a certain tolerance, and d) wherein the computer program is also programmed such that if at least one suitable data set is found in step c), it displays to the user the paint formulation information stored in the at least one data set, e) wherein the computer program is also programmed in such a way that when the user creates a new data set in the database, it automatically checks whether the paint formulation, information about which is to be stored in the new data set to be created, already includes at least one data set, and if this is not the case, create a new data set, and also store in this new data set the newly assigned paint formulation identification code, and if so, then also check whether at least one data set contains information about the same basis, about the same application method and the same shade that is obtained after applying the paint according to the specified recipe using the base application method, and if this is the case, the user receives a message that the corresponding data set is already contained in the database, after which the set the data to be created is not created, and if this is not the case, then the same paint formulation identification code is stored in the newly created data set.