Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids, in particular colorants for paints, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, defining a plurality of positions and a plurality of containers holding a liquid, mounted on the support at the positions, and provided with a pump and/or a valve for dispensing the liquid from the container. At least some of the containers form, together with a respective liquid and pump and/or valve, a cartridge, which cartridge is releasably mounted in the apparatus.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing tinting pastes comprising cleaning means for neutralizing microorganisms and/or preservatives. The cleaning means may for example include an actinic source (e.g., UV-C) and/or anti-microbiological coatings or liners and/or a dosing unit for agents neutralizing preservatives in the tinting paste and/or in the useds base paint.

Abstract: A mechanism for clamping a container, the clamping mechanism comprising a support structure on which a first clamping member and an opposing second clamping member defining an adjustable clamping distance therebetween are mounted, at least one of the first and second clamping member being controllably moveable to increase or decrease the clamping distance by an electrical actuator means, which electrical actuator means is controllable by a control means. A resilient compression means is mounted outside of the clamping distance and wherein the control means is configured to measure, in operation, an electrical characteristic of the electrical actuator means during a compression of the resilient compression means by at least one of the first and second clamping member. The mechanism also pertains to a fluid mixer for paints, colourants and the like, comprising such a clamping mechanism and to a method for calibrating a clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A container (1) for a viscous liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, may comprise a stirrer (2) having a rotatable shaft (3) and a plurality of paddles (4) connected to the shaft (3). At least one of the paddles (4) and/or the connections (5) between the paddles (4) and the shaft (4) is flexible.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprising a plurality of fluid containers and a carrier on which a plurality of pumps is mounted. Each one of said plurality of fluid containers is releasably connectable to an associated pump of said plurality of pumps via a connector assembly thereby forming a fluid connection between the fluid container and the associated pump. The connector assembly comprising a first connector to the associated pump and a mating second connector to the respective fluid container and wherein at least one of said plurality of fluid containers comprises a refill opening for refilling the fluid container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer, in particular for mixing viscous fluids, such as paints and plasters, in a container, the mixer comprising a frame, a clamping mechanism for holding a container, which mechanism is translatably and/or rotatably mounted in the frame, a motor for translatably and/or rotatably driving the clamping mechanism a sensor for measuring vibrations of the clamping mechanism, and a controller connected to the sensor and the motor and arranged to control the motor to adjust translations and/or rotations of the clamping mechanism in dependence of the measured vibrations.

Abstract: Assembly for dispensing a liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, comprising a container for holding a liquid, a pump, a valve, at least one dispense opening, and comprising or associated with a controller arranged to operate the pump and the valve to withdraw liquid from the container and to dispense liquid via the opening and to operate the pump and the valve to purge liquid from the pump to the container via the dispense opening.

Abstract: Method of homogenizing a liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, in a container, comprising the steps of withdrawing liquid from the container at a first flow speed (S1) and then returning the liquid to the container at a second flow speed (S2), higher than the first flow speed (S1).

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid container and a metering unit is disclosed. The container comprises a fluid level sensor and the dispenser comprises a control unit configured to determine a parameter value representative for an amount of fluid in the container after refill on basis of a signal from the sensor. The sensor can for example be configured to generate a signal at a predefined fluid level (B, C), while the control unit is configured to calculate a fluid level on basis of an input value indicative of the fluid level (A) after refill, and a dispense value indicative of amounts of fluid dispensed since the latest refill. The control unit can be configured to compare the signalled predefined fluid level (B, C) with the calculated fluid level to generate a correction factor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing coating compositions. The apparatus comprises: at least one liquid displacement device, such as a dispenser pump or a stirrer, e.g. of a paint delivery system; at least one sensor for determining flow behaviour of a coating composition in the liquid displacement device during operation of the liquid displacement device a control unit responsive to output signals from the sensor to generate a parameter representing rheological quality of the coating composition. The apparatus may for instance comprise a motor for driving the liquid displacement device, wherein the sensor includes at least one sensor for determining one or more motor performance parameters corresponding to resistance encountered by the motor.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid container and a metering unit is disclosed. The container comprises a fluid level sensor and the dispenser comprises a control unit configured to determine a parameter value representative for an amount of fluid in the container after refill on basis of a signal from the sensor. The sensor can for example be configured to generate a signal at a predefined fluid level (B, C), while the control unit is configured to calculate a fluid level on basis of an input value indicative of the fluid level (A) after refill, and a dispense value indicative of amounts of fluid dispensed since the latest refill. The control unit can be configured to compare the signalled predefined fluid level (B, C) with the calculated fluid level to generate a correction factor.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids, in particular colorants for paints, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, defining a plurality of positions and a plurality of containers holding a liquid, mounted on the support at the positions, and provided with a pump and/or a valve for dispensing the liquid from the container. At least some of the containers form, together with a respective liquid and pump and/or valve, a cartridge, which cartridge is releasably mounted in the apparatus.

Abstract: Method of homogenizing a liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, in a container, comprising the steps of withdrawing liquid from the container at a first flow speed (S1) and then returning the liquid to the container at a second flow speed (S2), higher than the first flow speed (S1).

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing viscous fluids includes a turntable rotatable around an axis of rotation. A plurality of pumps are attached to and distributed around the axis of the turntable. The pumps each have a connector for releasably connecting a fluid package thereto for dispensing fluid therefrom and have associated first positioning members. A plurality of removable rigid holders is adapted to receive a flexible fluid package therein in a predetermined position. The holders include second positioning members adapted to coact with the first positioning members to enable placement of the holders onto the turntable such that the package received therein is connected to the respective connector.

Abstract: A gear pump comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A first and second gear each have gear teeth which are in engagement with each other. The first gear is a rotor gear which is journaled within the housing and is drivable. It includes means for driving the first gear in order to move relative to the second gear, such as to pump a fluid from the inlet to the outlet of the housing.The housing includes inner housing parts encasing the gears and a single piece mold around the inner housing parts enclosing the gear pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing viscous fluids includes a turntable that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The apparatus is connected to a plurality of containers that contain fluid to be dispensed. The containers are mounted to the turntable in a spaced relationship about the circumference of the turntable. The turntable is also connected to a plurality of pumps, one pump associated with each container. The pumps include connectors that are releasably connected to the containers and that facilitate the removal of an empty container for replacement with a full container. The apparatus also includes an actuator that facilitates the removal of an empty container. The pumps are preferably disposed on an opposing side of the turntable from the containers. The apparatus also includes a plurality of rollers disposed at the outer circumference of the turntable for supporting the turntable in the radial and axial directions.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing viscous fluids from flexible packages is provided. The flexible package is connected to a pump by way of a conduit. A buffer system may be provided which results in an emptying of the flexible package of fluid first prior to the emptying of the buffer system. A valve may be provided to isolate the flexible package thereby enabling the flexible package to be removed and replaced with a full package while the pump continues to draw fluid out of the buffer system. Accordingly, the flexible package of fluid may be replaced without interruption of the dispenser. A self-cleaning closure for the outlet to the dispenser may be provided to keep the outlet clean.