Disclosed is a method for the batch-based manufacture of a flowable coating material, in particular water-based or solvent-containing paint, from a plurality of components. The method includes feeding batch components into a process mixing container, mixing the components in the process mixing container to form a mixture having a preliminary composition, transferring at least part of the mixture having the preliminary composition from the process mixing container into a reception container, ascertaining an actual state of the mixture having the preliminary composition during transfer into the reception container, determining a deviation of the actual state of the mixture having the preliminary composition from a predefined setpoint state, ascertaining an adjustment quantity for the components required to reach the setpoint state, and topping up the adjustment quantity of the components into the preliminary mixture, while the preliminary mixture is being transferred from the process mixing container into the reception container.

A method for controlling drop collisions in a drop on demand printing apparatus, comprising discharging a first drop (101) from a first dispenser (111) to move along a first path (103) and discharging a second drop (102) from a second dispenser (112) to move along a second path (104) that crosses with the first path such that the drops are expected to collide and form a combined drop (105), characterized by: measuring the collision of the drops (101, 102); examining whether the collision was effected as expected; if the collision was not effected as expected, altering the parameters of dispensing of the drops (101, 102) from the dispensers (111, 112).

A tint measuring device configured for being connected in series in a fluid flow circuit, the tint measuring device including at least one light source configured for emitting polychromatic light towards the fluid in a measurement zone; a light sensor configured for receiving a light signal either reflected from or transmitted through the fluid, the reflected or the transmitted light signal corresponding to the optical reflection or the optical transmission, respectively, by the fluid, of the polychromatic light emitted towards the fluid by the at least one light source; and a computing unit configured for performing a spectral analysis of the light signal received by the light sensor and for determining a chromatic signature of the fluid.

A computer implemented method. The method includes generating, using a processor, a set of calibration data relating to a plurality of pigments that are present in a collection of coatings. Generating includes calculating an absorption/reflectance relationship of a plurality of samples coated with a plurality of the pigments, wherein calculating includes using a color matching calculation, and calculating a plurality of concentrations of a non-standard pigment. Generating also includes plotting a relationship between the concentrations and the absorption/reflectance relationships, and determining a correlation of the concentrations for a plurality of Fresnel coefficients relating to the samples. The method further includes determining, using the processor, a coating formulation of a target coating based on the correlation.

Described herein is a method for producing a sealant. The method includes mixing a first material with a second material at a manufacturing site to produce the sealant. The method also includes applying x-ray energy to the sealant at the manufacturing site. The method includes measuring an amount of fluorescence emitted from the sealant in response to applying the x-ray energy. The method also includes calculating a mix ratio of the first and second materials of the sealant based on the amount of fluorescence. The method includes determining whether the mix ratio is within a predetermined mix ratio range.

Determining the consistency of a mixture during a mixing process based on feedback from the mixer. The feedback may be indicative of the torque exerted on a motor shaft of the mixer. The consistency of the mixture may be determined based on the amount of torque, rate of change of torque, change in the rate of change of torque and/or a comparison of the torque information to a stored torque profile. The torque may be determined based on the current in the coils of a motor of the mixer (e.g., by measuring the voltage across a precision resistor in series with the coils). Alternatively, the feedback may be indicative of the angular velocity of the motor shaft, sound output by the mixer, vibration of the mixer, color of the mixture, or opacity of the mixture.

A method of processing a sample in a receptacle comprising a plurality of chambers. Each of the chambers is connected to at least one other chamber by a portal and at least a first one of the chambers is formed of a flexible material. The method includes the steps of causing gas bubbles contained in the first chamber to accumulate in a portion of the first chamber, applying a compressive external force to the first chamber to cause some or all of the liquid contents of the first chamber to flow into an interconnected second chamber through a portal connecting the first and second chambers; and preventing the gas bubbles accumulated in a portion of the first chamber from flowing through the portal into the second chamber.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a mixing system that includes a heating assembly configured to heat liquid, and a mixing assembly including a tank defining a cavity and configured to retain liquid, an inlet in fluidic communication with the cavity and configured to receive liquid from the heating assembly, a mixing impeller assembly configured to mix contents of the cavity, an actuator configured to actuate the mixing impeller assembly to mix contents of the cavity, and an outlet in fluidic communication with the cavity and having a valve configured to selectively prevent and permit egress of contents of the cavity.

The disclosure provides for device for agitating a grill. The device includes a vibrational device, a power source, and a control circuit; wherein the control circuit controls the vibrational device and the power source provides power to the vibrational device. A pan of the grill houses one or more pieces of charcoal and the device is integrated into the pan. When turned on, the vibrational device vibrates at a high frequency. This vibration is translated into the pan and causes the pieces of charcoal to vibrate as well. The device is capable of withstanding a high temperature of the pan when the grill is cooking one or more pieces of food.

Described herein is a method for producing a sealant. The method includes mixing a first material with a second material at a manufacturing site to produce the sealant. The method also includes applying x-ray energy to the sealant at the manufacturing site. The method includes measuring an amount of fluorescence emitted from the sealant in response to applying the x-ray energy. The method also includes calculating a mix ratio of the first and second materials of the sealant based on the amount of fluorescence. The method includes determining whether the mix ratio is within a predetermined mix ratio range.