Allen Samuels: “Smart” Paint Can

Professor Emeritus Allen Samuels’ concept for a ​“smart” paint can that contains digitized nano paint pigments is included in the Summer 2009 issue of Innovation, the quarterly of the Industrial Designers Society of America. According to Samuels, ​“When you place a color sample under the can handle (scanner) the ​“smart” can reads the sample, and informs the nano pigments, which then become the exact color scanned. Prior to finalizing your color choice, a simple control in the can’s lid allows you to adjust the color darker or lighter. Once the color is correct, the user simply activates the nano pigments by touching the ​“Activate” pad also on the can’s lid. The result is a pint or gallon can of any color desired. Both a partially filled can and a newly filled can of nano pigments can be turned into any color desired, once a color sample scanned and activated. If no color sample exists, the nano pigments can be activated via any computer where colors can be created or found and the color data is then sent to the ​“Smart” can for activation.”