WO2005019062A1

WO2005019062A1 - Holder for color to be mixed

Info

Publication number: WO2005019062A1
Application number: PCT/NL2004/000574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Hans Klijn
Original assignee: E H Klijn Beheer BV
Current assignee: E H Klijn Beheer BV
Priority date: 2003-08-20
Filing date: 2004-08-13
Publication date: 2005-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2006-02-20
Also published as: NL1024142C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a holder (1) for a liquid having a desired colour to be obtained by mixing ingredients with basic colours, which liquid serves as colour additive for a flow of material for colouring, such as a flow of plastic, which holder comprises: a reusable, form-retaining container (2) which can withstand mixing of the ingredients; a disposable bag-like body (3) in the container; a filling opening (5) which also forms an exit passage and which extends through the container and the bag-like body.

Description

HOLDER FOR COLOR TO BE MIXED

The present invention relates to a holder for a liquid having a desired colour to be obtained by mixing ingredients with basic colours. The liquid serves as colour additive for a flow of material for colouring, such as a flow of plastic. Such a holder is generally known in the art and comprises a form-retaining container such as a can or similar element. Diverse ingredients with basic colours are herein placed in the container or can, whereafter the container or can is closed and shaken for homogenous mixing of a mixture in the container. Known holders have the drawback that the container or the can becomes contaminated by the mixture. Reuse is then only possible if the same desired colour is mixed in the container. The colour residues from a previous mixture otherwise cause discolouration of the desired colour of a later mixture, which therefore does not then produce the desired colour. According to legislation applying in most countries, containers or cans with colour residues are also designated as chemical waste, and this waste is very bulky owing to the form-retaining nature of the containers or cans which is necessary to enable efficient shaking and mixing, but as a result of paint residues the containers usually become unusable for later mixtures and must then be disposed of as bulk chemical waste. The present invention has for its object to obviate or at least alleviate the above stated drawbacks of the known art, for which purpose a container according to the present invention is distinguished by: a form- retaining, reusable container which can withstand mixing of the ingredients, a disposable bag-like body in the container; a filling opening which also forms an exit passage and which extends through the container and the bag-like body. A holder with the measures according to the invention can be reused for all colour mixes when the bag-like body having a colour additive residue therein is removed from the container and is disposed of as waste, and a new bag is placed in the container. The quantity and volume of the waste - just the flexible bag-like body which in the folded state takes up little space - are thus minimized, and thereby the environmental impact also. In one embodiment a holder according to the invention has the feature that the filling opening and the exit passage comprise a single passage. The single passage can thus fulfil a dual function and it is not necessary to provide two or more passages for throughfeed of the mixed liquid (the colour additive) or the ingredients therefor, although this is not precluded. A holder according to the invention can also have the feature that the bag-like body is connected to the container by means of a connection at least in or at the exit opening. The positioning of the bag-like body in the container is thus ensured. The holder can be designed according to the invention such that the bag-like body, in a situation where it is wholly or partially filled with colour additive, lies closely against inner walls of the container. This has the advantage that the shaking movement, to which the holder is usually subjected to mix the ingredients and obtain the colour additive, does not result in tearing of the bag-like body. A close fit can be effected in many ways, such as: that the wall of the container comprises at least one hole, which forms a passage to a space in the container around the bag-like body. When the bag-like body is filled, air which could impede a close fit can escape through the hole. A non- return valve can also be arranged on the hole, or a vacuum pump can be connected thereto. The space round the bag-like body in the container is then certain to remain free of air and the bag-like body can fit optimally on the inner wall of the container. In another embodiment of the invention, the exit opening of the holder can comprise a first part of a rapid-action coupling which can be coupled to a mating part mounted on a hose to the flow of material. The holder can thus be connected in simple manner to a system intended to make use of liquid or colour additive coming from the holder, such as a plastic processing or producing installation, in which the colour additive is employed to colour the plastic. A holder with a connection between the container and the bag-like body and with a coupling part can have the further feature that the first part of the coupling on the bag-like body and the connection between the baglike body and the container form a unit. The connection therefore forms the first part of the coupling, or even of the rapid-action coupling, so that a dual function is realized with a single element, this enhancing the simplicity of the configuration. A holder according to the invention can further have the feature that in use, i.e. when the colour additive is carried out of the holder to the flow of material, the container is oriented with the exit passage downward, and an inner wall of the container diverges upward from the exit opening in the situation of use. The container itself thus forms a type of funnel for efficient outflow of the colour additive. The profile of the first part of the (rapid-action) coupling and/or of the connection in the interior of the container is then preferably low, so that as much colour additive as possible can be applied in efficient manner for the flow of material. The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of embodiments thereof as are shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow, wherein the same or similar components and elements of different embodiments are designated with the same reference numerals, and wherein: fig. 1 shows a partly cut-away perspective view of a holder according to the present invention; fig. 2 shows in cross-section a detail of the holder depicted in fig. 1; fig. 3-5 show various views of the same holder as in fig. 1 and 2, but with additional components according to the present invention; fig. 6 shows a view similar to fig. 3 of an alternative embodiment; and fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a system in which holders according to the present invention are applied. Fig. 1 shows a holder 1 according to the present invention. This comprises a container 2 having therein a bag-like body 3. A non-return valve 4 is arranged in the wall of container 2. Bag 3 is folded round the neck 5 of an opening at the top of container 2. A cap (see figures 3-5, cap 7) can for instance be arranged on this neck 5, or also a coupling which leads to a hose (not shown) for filling or outflow of liquid from bag 2 which can serve as colour additive 8 for a production process of for instance plastic, such as with an extrusion process. When sack 3 is filled through the opening defined by neck 5 of container 2, the volume of bag 3 in the interior of container 2 increases. Air can herein be pressed out of the interior of container 2 through nonreturn valve 4. When bag 3 is fully filled, it therefore comes to lie entirely close-fitting against the interior of container 2. Some degree of vacuum is here created between bag 3 and container 2. This is useful in preventing the bag 3 from tearing during shaking of the holder with the ingredients therein. It is however very advantageous if this vacuum is released when holder 1 is used to allow the liquid 8 to flow out of it. In order to allow this, it must be possible for air outside the bag 3 to move inside the container 2 to replace liquid 8 inside container 2 that has flowed out of bag 3. A mechanism (not shown) can herein be provided to render the non-return valve selectively inoperative, in any case after shaking of the ingredients for the purpose of obtaining the colour additive 8 through mixing of the ingredients. When use is made, as alternative to the non-return valve, of a pump to be actively set into operation in order to create said vacuum, this only has to be rendered inoperative to bring about inflow of air into the space between bag 3 and container 2. The filling operation is indicated schematically with arrow A in fig. 2. Also shown clearly here is that bag 3 is folded round the neck 5 of the container, and that on this neck 5 there can be arranged protrusions or ribs 6 which serve as engagement for the cap 7 and/or a rapid-action coupling. In the same fig. 2 the arrow B indicates the direction in which air is discharged from the interior of container 2 through non-return valve 4 during filling of holder 1. As already described above, the non-return valve can also be provided with a mechanism for taking it out of operation and creating a flow of air in opposite direction to arrow B, which is useful during outflow of colour additive in preventing obstruction of this flow. Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of holder 1 according to the present invention, as already shown in fig. 1, but to which there is fitted a cap 7 which serves as first coupling part for a rapid-action coupling 11, 14 allowing outflow of colour additive 8 or other random liquid from the interior of bag 3 in container 2. Cap 7 is herein placed in engaging relation with the protrusions or ribs 6 so that these latter can engage in recesses in the inner wall of cap 7. The portion of bag 3 folded over neck 5 is gripped firmly here, thus forming a connection between bag 3 and container 2. If container 2 is placed upside down (more on this below; see fig. 7), colour additive 8 can then flow out of holder 1 through a passage 9. This is a position of use. For this purpose a valve, lock or seal 10 forming an integral part of cap 7 must first be broken in order to leave passage 9 clear. Passage 9 is defined by a cylinder 11 with holes 12 distributed uniformly round the periphery of cylinder 11. Into these holes can engage hooks 13 which form part of a mating part 14 of a coupling, which therefore comprises the cylinder 11 with holes 12 therein. Mating part 14 of the coupling is further attached fixedly to a hose 15 which serves for feed of colour additive 8 (or other random liquid) from holder 1 to a station for further processing thereof, such as a station with a passage for a flow of material, such as plastic, wherein colour additive 8 can be used to colour the plastic. During use the holder 1, and more particularly bag 3, will first be filled in the interior of container 2 with ingredients in a ratio whereby a desired colour of the finally formed colour additive 8 can be obtained. Due to the close fitting of the bag onto the inner wall of container 2, the ingredients can be well mixed by shaking container 2 in the direction of arrows C and D. Bag 3 will not tear here precisely because it fits so closely against the inner wall of container 2. Seal 10 is here closed. A closure separate of cap 7 can also be used here. After shaking and homogenizing for the purpose of obtaining a uniform colour, this closure (as alternative to, and with the function of the valve, lock or seal 10) can be replaced by for instance cap 7, although then without for instance the seal 10. A similar closure can also be arranged over cylinder 11 of cap 7, so that cap 7 can itself continue to form the connection between bag 3 and container 2 when the holder is taken into use to feed the liquid or colour additive 8 to a production process. When the holder 1 with the mixed colour additive 8 therein has to be taken into use, mating part 14 of the coupling can then be placed into cylinder 11, once the seal 10 has been removed or the closure of cylinder 11 has been taken off, to the extent cap 7 actually has such a seal 10 or such a closure, or a closure can be replaced by cap 7. Mating part 14 is inserted so deeply into cylinder 11 that hooks 13 engage in holes 12 and in this manner create a firm connection. This situation is shown in figures 4 and 5. Fig. 6 shows a holder 20 according to the present invention wherein use is made of a screw top 21 to which a bag-like body 3 is fastened at 22, where for instance a welded connection or fused connection can be effected. Screw top 21 fits over a neck 22 of container 2, which neck 22 is provided externally with screw thread 23 for screw connection to screw top 21. Screw top 21 comprises on the top side thereof a closed spout 24 having thereon a peripheral indicator 25. A portion of the closed spout 24 corresponding to indicator 25 must be removed prior to the use of holder 20. The tip of the closed spout 24 can for instance be cut or clipped along peripheral indicator 25. Holder 20 is then ready for use, wherein holder 20 can be connected to a system, for instance by sliding a hose over the remaining part of spout 24 and securing it over the remaining part of spout 24 with a clamp. It is also possible in the embodiment of fig. 6 to make use of a rapid-action coupling (not shown in fig. 6) for the purpose of connecting the spout 24, or at least the part remaining after severing thereof, to a dispensing system. Holder 1 is then taken into use in a processing system in the manner shown in figure 7, by placing at least one such holder 1 upside down in a bracket 16, whereafter hose 15 can be connected to a hose pump 17 which can provide the desired throughfeed rate for outflow or take-off of colour additive 8 in the direction of arrow F. When a holder 1 is empty or in order to take another colour into use, bag 3 and hose 15 can be replaced so as to prevent colour contamination. If the same colour is required again, bag 3 can simply be filled. If on the other hand another colour is desired, the bag and hose 15 must be replaced. For this purpose measures are preferably taken to prevent leakage of colour additive from hose 15, such as a closing piece on the end of hose 15 at mating part 14 of the coupling and/or preferably also on the outer end of hose 15 remote from mating part 14. It is noted that use can be made here of a weighing system which is under the control of a control 18 and which measures the weight of the assembly of brackets 16 for holding the at least one container 1 in order to record and regulate the take-off or outflow of colour additive. In the embodiment of such a system shown in fig. 7, weighing means 19 for this purpose, such as load cells which can be of random design, are shown schematically. Only one load cell need usually be used. It is noted that after examination of the foregoing many alternative and additional embodiments will occur to the skilled person. It is thus possible to make use of pump means other than hose pump 17. Another random conventional pump can be applied. For close fitting of the bag-like body on the inner wall of the container in the interior of the holder, use is made of air discharge means such as a non-return valve. It is noted that an active air suction system, in the form of for instance a vacuum pump, can also be used. Such a vacuum pump can be connected to a hole in the wall of container 2 at the position where the non-return valve 4 is arranged in the above described embodiment. It is also possible to realize a close fitting of the bag-like body to the interior or the inner wall of the container by providing bag-like body 3 or the inner wall of container 2 with a light adhesive prior to filling of bag 3 with the ingredients for the colour additive, and for instance to then inflate the bag-like body. It is further noted that in a very simple and advantageous embodiment a close fitting of bag-like body 3 to the inner wall of container 2 can be realized before a connection between bag-like body 3 and container 2 is actuated, i.e. in the embodiment described above and shown in the accompanying figures before cap 7 is arranged. Air can then still always escape through the passage between the inner wall of container 2 and the exterior of bag-like body 3, whereafter this discharge position can be closed by means of the connection formed for instance by cap 7. In addition, the figures show only a single form of a rapid-action coupling. It is self-evident that many alternative and additional embodiments of such a rapid- action coupling are possible, such as one with a bayonet fitting or an ordinary conventional screw thread. It is favourable here to keep the profile of cap 7 or of rapid-action coupling 11, 14 as low as possible in the interior of the container in respect of the most efficient possible outflow of colour additive 8 from the interior of the bag-like body.

Claims

1. Holder for a liquid having a desired colour to be obtained by mixing ingredients with basic colours, which liquid serves as colour additive for a flow of material for colouring, such as a flow of plastic, which holder comprises: a reusable, form-retaining container which can withstand mixing of the ingredients; a disposable bag-like body in the container; a filling opening which also forms an exit passage and which extends through the container and the bag-like body.

2. Holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baglike body is connected to the container by means of a connection at least in or at the exit opening.

3. Holder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bag-like body, in a situation where it is wholly or partially filled with colour additive, lies closely against inner walls of the container.

4. Holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the wall of the container comprises at least one hole, which forms a passage to a space in the container around the bag-like body.

5. Holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein a non- return valve is arranged on the hole, or a vacuum pump can be connected thereto.

6. Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the exit opening comprises a first part of a rapid-action coupling which can be coupled to a mating part mounted on a hose to the flow of material.

7. Holder as claimed in claims 2 and 6, wherein the first part of the coupling on the bag-like body and the connection between the bag-like body and the container form a unit .

8. Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein in use, i.e. when the colour additive is carried out of the holder to the flow of material, the container is oriented with the exit passage downward, and an inner wall of the container diverges upward from the exit opening in the situation of use.

9. Holder as claimed in at least claim 2, wherein the connection comprises a cap for closing the exit passage of the container when not in use.

10. Holder as claimed in claim 9, wherein the baglike body can at least be fixed to the cap.

11. Holder as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the cap is a screw cap which can be arranged on or over the exit passage, which comprises for this purpose a neck with screw thread.