Systems and Methods for Tracking Chemicals, Dispensing Chemicals, and Preparing Chemical Compositions

A method performed by a tinting device for providing colorants to a container containing a base paint, the method comprising:

• electrically and physically coupling to the container to receive a first information about the base paint;
• receiving a second information about a formula for preparing a paint color;
• detecting whether the first information corresponds to the second information;
• and
• in accordance with detecting, providing zero or more colorants to the container.

A tinting device for tinting a base paint, the tinting device for cooperating with a provided container that contains the base paint and a provided color card, the tinting device comprising:

• a first electrical connector;
• a second electrical connector;
• and
• a processing circuit;
• wherein:
• the first connector electrically couples to a first provided conductor mounted to the container;
• the second connector electrically couples to a second provided conductor mounted to the color card;
• the processing circuit receives indicia of a property of the base paint from the container via the first conductor;
• the processing circuit receives indicia of a formula of a color from the color card via the second conductor;
• in accordance with the property of the base paint and the formula, the processing circuit provides a signal to a provided colorant dispenser to dispense zero or more colorants into the container.

A method performed by a dispensing device for providing a chemical to a container, the method comprising:

• electrically and physically coupling to a data carrier mounted to the container, the container for receiving the chemical and the data carrier for providing a first information;
• receiving a second information from a user;
• detecting whether the first information corresponds to the second information;
• and
• in accordance with detecting, dispensing the chemical into the container.