Patent ID: 9205941
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: B01F,B65B,G07F

Abstract:
1. A paint sample mixing and vending machine, comprising: an inventory section including a series of rail units defining an arrangement of inclined troughs, wherein a plurality of containers each holding a base paint solution and having a removable cap are carried in said troughs; a control gate included in said inventory section carried at a distal end of each of said rail units for individually dispensing said containers from said rail units into a feed chute; a shuttle unit including a container carrier movably mounted to a shuttle track, wherein said container carrier receives said containers from said feed chute and transports said containers along said shuttle track; a capping unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track engaging said removable cap on said containers to remove and reattach said cap on said containers; a colorant dispensing unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track including a plurality of colorant paint solution reservoirs connected in fluid communication to a nozzle head, wherein said colorant paint solution is dispensed into said base paint solution of said containers following removal of said cap by said capping unit; a shaker unit disposed adjacent said shuttle track receiving said containers from said container carrier following reattachment of said cap by said capping unit, wherein said shaker unit spins said containers in a multi-axis rotation movement to mix said base paint solution with said colorant paint solution; and, a delivery chute receiving said containers from said shaker unit after mixing for dispensing from the machine.