EP2737812A1 - Container, device and method for filling and emptying containers for a device for metering additives into smoking articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (11-13) has a first opening that is provided with a coupling unit (6). The liquid medium is fed or removed through first opening. The first opening of the coupling unit configured for supply or removal of liquid medium is self-sealing lockable. A second opening of the coupling unit configured for the supply and removal of the medium. The first opening is located near the bottom of the tank. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) an arrangement for containers; (2) a device for filling and emptying of two containers; and (3) a method for operating a device.

Description

The invention relates to a container for holding in particular a liquid medium for use in a device for dosing additives in smoking articles having at least a first opening with a coupling unit and an arrangement of a plurality of containers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for filling and / or emptying the arrangement of containers and a method for operating the device for filling and / or emptying.

In the production of cigarettes, it is known that additives can be applied or added to a filter, cigarette paper or tobacco with the aid of a solution. As additives for cigarettes, menthol, mint, eucalyptus, fruit flavor or other suitable flavoring and mixtures thereof are known. The additives or flavors can be heated, dissolved in alcohol or structured differently and metered in with a suitable device. A common flavor is menthol, which can be dissolved in a volatile alcohol or in solid state. The following describes the devices according to the invention and the method according to the invention for the use of flavoring agents, which are also referred to below as flavor. The so-called flavor produces a sensory overall impression, i. the sum of taste and aroma. The flavor is usually in liquid form and is preferably applied to the smoking article with the addition of air. In addition, the flavor can also be present as a solid. It is conceivable that in addition to flavorings or other other additives such as modifiers, neutralizers or humidifiers can be used. A use of the device according to the invention and of the method according to the invention for other additives is therefore also possible and is within the scope of the present invention.

The device according to the invention for dosing additives in smoking articles preferably finds application in supplying a cigarette machine or a filter machine with additive. However, the device according to the invention can also be used, for example, in conjunction with other machines which are used in the tobacco industry for the production of smoking articles, in particular also with machines for processing tobaccos designated as so-called Rekon. In the following is generalized by cigarette filter machines.

Devices known from the prior art for applying liquid flavorings to a tobacco rod have, for dosing a flavoring agent, a reservoir for the additive or flavor, lines and a pump. The metered liquid is applied to the cigarette via supply lines into the cigarette machine using a suitable injection device such as a nozzle. It is known that cleaning fluids are required, which are pumped through the lines leading to the nozzle to prevent solidification or drying of the additive. For this purpose, a further container is placed in the device with a cleaning agent.

However, the known device has a plurality of lines, links and valves, which represent spaces that can not be reached well when cleaning or not at all. This has the disadvantage that the cleaning can not be complete or only with great effort. When changing to another additive or Flavoursorte can also be carried out a contamination with the previously used additive or Flavoursorte.

It is therefore an object of the invention to enable an effective and as complete as possible cleaning of the device. It should be done a low-schlegel and quick cleaning. Furthermore, a device is to be made available, which allows a simple and quick change of additive types in a device.

When changing from Flavors is also the problem that with multiple use of the detergent after cleaning small amounts of the previous additive species remain in the dosing system and thus can contaminate the following additive type. In particular, if the cleaning agent is returned to the detergent container for reuse, increase the amount of additive in the detergent container after each cleaning process. Therefore, it is a further object to provide a low-wear cleaning.

A further object is to enable fully automatic operation of the device and an automated method for operating and cleaning a device for dosing additives in smoking articles.

This object is achieved by a container for receiving in particular a liquid medium according to claim 1, an arrangement of containers according to claim 7, a device for filling and emptying of the container according to claim 9 and a method according to claim 17 for operating the device. Advantageous developments of the container according to the invention, the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention emerge from the subsequent subclaims.

In this case, the container according to the invention for receiving in particular a liquid medium and for use in a device for dosing additives in smoking articles at least a first opening, wherein the at least one opening has a coupling unit and the container via the at least first opening medium supplied or removed can. In this case, the first opening by means of the coupling unit after feeding or removal of medium is self-sealing closed.

The coupling unit of the container can be opened by introducing a further coupling unit for filling or dispensing liquids. In this way, a metering system of a device for metering additives into smoking articles can be coupled and uncoupled directly to the container. Depending on the filling, either an additive or cleaning agent to be dispensed from the container can be dispensed quickly and directly from a container of this type to a dosing system. After coupling to the coupling unit of the container can be promoted via a pump of the dosing a predeterminable amount of liquid from the connected container.

The container coupling unit as well as a counterpart designed further coupling unit are preferably designed as a quick coupling unit so that the coupling can be done automatically, quickly and safely. Furthermore, the coupling units are expediently designed to be dripping, spraying or low-leakage. By virtue of the fact that the coupling unit closes in a self-sealing manner, the coupling unit can be arranged below the liquid level in a side wall of the container, without it being possible for liquid to escape from the container. Even when coupled, the clutch is leak-free, so that neither gas nor other foreign substances can penetrate or escape. Commercially available installation elements for machine tools can be used as quick coupling units.

Conveniently, the container further comprises at least one preferably designed as a guide bush guide means.

The guide means, which are preferably designed as a guide bush or guide pin, serves for the pre-centering of the units to be coupled. The centering occurs when the guide pin is inserted into the guide bushing. This is particularly advantageous in the automated coupling process, since the fluid couplings allow only a small tolerance. Advantageously located on both sides of the at least one coupling unit of the Container guide means to optimize the guidance of the movable coupling unit.

According to a further embodiment, the container has a second opening, the second opening having a coupling unit and the container via the second opening medium can be supplied or removed, wherein the second opening by means of the coupling unit after feeding or removal of medium is self-sealing closed.

By providing two openings in a container, medium can be removed via the one opening and medium can be introduced into the container via the other opening. If the container is used as a container for contaminated detergent, both openings can serve to receive contaminated detergent from different lines.

According to a further embodiment of the container, the container has a third opening, wherein the third opening has a coupling unit and the container via the third opening medium can be supplied or removed, wherein the third opening by means of the coupling unit after feeding or removal of medium self-sealing closed is.

This embodiment not only allows the removal and filling via each one opening, but also that the withdrawn from the first opening medium is recycled via the metering system and its return to the third opening in a circuit. The return flow of the metering system is understood as meaning the supply lines arriving from the process. A circulation is particularly advantageous for a container that is designed for additive, as in the circuit accurate volume flow adjustment can be done in the dosing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the container, the at least one opening is arranged near the container bottom, wherein the at least one opening arranged near the container bottom is designed as an opening pair.

The arrangement close to the container bottom is advantageous, in particular, for liquid removal, since the liquid can be removed from the container without residues.

By paired juxtaposed openings for dispensing and / or return of additive and / or detergent two metering systems can be applied or cleaned simultaneously.

By doubling each of the openings used for the removal, instead of a single-strand machine, a two-strand machine can be connected to the device for metering additives. With a single container for additives so that two dosing systems can be fed and two tobacco strands are supplied, which leads to an increase in production. With the help of two coupling units arranged side by side, both the two supply lines and the two return lines can be connected to a container.

For easy manufacture of the container, the container rear sides can be made similar with a plurality of preferably four pairs of openings, each with two holes for guide devices. In this case, the holes for guide devices can be formed as a continuous opening or blind hole. Depending on the function of the container and the device for metering additives, the openings or holes can be equipped with coupling units, guide devices or blind plugs.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the container has an inner container with a sloping bottom.

Due to the inclination of the bottom of the inner container, a higher liquid level than with straight container bottoms can be ensured even with low filling of the container. Advantageously, the designed for the removal of liquid coupling opening is arranged as close to the deeper container area to remove residue as possible liquid from the container can. The removal takes place after coupling by the pump of the dosing system. Furthermore, filter can be provided in the container at the designed for removal coupling units so that no dirt particles can get out of the container in the dosing during removal.

According to a further embodiment of the container, the container is open at the top and has a removable cover for transport at the upper end of the container.

In this way, the container can be transported outside the device for dosing additives, without foreign bodies can get into the container. Furthermore, the transport lid prevents liquid from escaping when the container is moved. For easier closing and opening one or more handles can be arranged on the lid. After opening the lid, the container can be easily cleaned, refilled or maintained (eg replacement of filters).

Furthermore, an arrangement of containers is provided with a first container for receiving detergent and a second container for receiving additive, wherein the containers are arranged side by side and are aligned such that the openings point in the same direction.

By providing two liquid containers which can be coupled from the same side, the same line can be connected by a movable coupling unit to both the first container for cleaning agent and to the second container for additive. In this way, lines and valves can be saved.

In a particularly preferred development, the arrangement has a third container for receiving contaminated cleaning agent, wherein the third container is arranged next to the second container and is oriented such that the openings point in the same direction

By means of the container for contaminated cleaning agent, a return of the cleaning agent into the cleaning container can be avoided. For this purpose, the return line from the metering system is connected to the container for contaminated detergent. This low-pollution or contamination-free cleaning is possible. Furthermore, via a further opening of the container for contaminated cleaning agent, a line to an external tank can be cleaned.

Further provided according to the invention is an apparatus for filling and / or emptying an assembly of at least two containers for use in a device for dosing additives in smoking articles. In this case, the device comprises at least a first guide rail and at least one first coupling carriage, which is movable along the guide rail between two coupling positions of the first container to the second container, wherein the first coupling carriage has a structure with a movable relative to the structure coupling carriage and wherein the Coupling carriage carries at least one coupling unit, wherein the at least one coupling unit of the coupling carriage with at least one coupling unit of the first or the second container is connectable, and wherein the at least one coupling unit is connected via a line with a metering system of the device for metering additives in smoking article.

Using said first coupling carriage, an automated coupling of the containers can be carried out with a line connected to the coupling unit of the coupling carriage. The displacement along the guide rail and the movement relative to the structure of the coupling carriage can be effected by means of a control unit. The guide rail is over Frame and corresponding holding device in the device for metering additives with respect to the containers arranged so that the coupling carriage can be positioned in both coupling positions in each case with respect to an opening of a container. In the coupling positions, the coupling unit is movable via the coupling carriage in the direction of the selected container for coupling with the respective coupling unit.

By means of the first coupling carriage can preferably be carried out a removal of the liquids from the containers by means of the connected metering. The dosing system comprises at least one pump with motor and sensors, such as flow meters and pressure sensors and corresponding lines. For dosing of the additive in smoking articles while the additive container is coupled for removal and promoted via the pump of the dosing system and a line to an injection device in a cigarette or filter machine. To clean the dosing system, the container for cleaning agent is connected by means of the coupling unit of the coupling carriage, in order to guide cleaning agent through the dosing system.

According to a further embodiment of the device, the device has a second guide rail and a second coupling carriage, which is movable along the second guide rail between two coupling positions of the first container to the second container. In this case, the second guide rail is arranged above the first guide rail, wherein the second coupling carriage has a structure with a relative to the structure movable coupling carriage and the coupling carriage carries at least one coupling unit. Furthermore, the at least one coupling unit of the coupling carriage can be connected to at least one further coupling unit of the first or the second container, wherein the coupling unit can be connected via a line with an external additive tank or an external detergent tank.

In this case, the first guide rail is arranged at the level of the coupling units in the lower region of the container and the second guide rail at the level of the coupling units in the upper region of the container. In this way, the second clutch carriage can be selectively positioned between the detergent container and additive container to supply liquid to each container. To the single coupling unit of the coupling carriage, a line is connected, which can be connected to an external tank for additive or an external tank for cleaning agent manually via an external coupling unit.

To refill the additive container, an external tank with the additive located in the additive container is connected to the line. After connecting the external

Additive tanks, the coupled container can be refilled. The replenishment of additive can advantageously also be done during the dosage of the additive in smoking articles, without the production is interrupted. In this case, the container for additive serves as a buffer tank. The fill levels of the additive container and the detergent container can be checked by means of level sensors to refill the respective containers in a timely manner.

In the same way as the additive container, the detergent tank can be refilled via the line to the external tank. For this purpose, only the coupling unit of the coupling carriage, the external detergent tank must be connected. At the beginning of refilling, residues of additives from the line can be flushed to the external tank. If this contaminated rinsing liquid does not enter the detergent container, a container of identical construction for receiving the contaminated detergent can be used to hold the contaminated detergent instead of the detergent container, which is then replaced again by the original detergent container.

Since residues of additive can pass from the line into the detergent container from a previous additive replenishment, not only the additive container but also the detergent container should be exchanged during an additive or flavor change to avoid contamination or additive carryover or for cleaning out of the apparatus for metering be taken out.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device has a third container, a second guide rail and a second clutch carriage, which is movable along the second guide rail between two coupling positions of the second container to the third container, wherein the second guide rail is disposed over the first guide rail , Further, the second clutch car has a structure with a movable relative to the structure of the coupling carriage and the coupling carriage carries at least one coupling unit, wherein the at least one coupling unit of the coupling carriage with at least one further coupling unit of the second or the third container is connectable, and the coupling unit of the coupling carriage Can be connected via a line with an external additive tank or an external detergent tank.

With the help of the movable between the additive container and the third container second clutch car, the line used for refilling can be cleaned to an external tank so that the contaminated detergent is absorbed in the third container. In this way, carryover and contamination when changing the additive can be prevented become. Conveniently, the coupling carriage or the coupling unit to be coupled is located in the upper region of the container so that no medium can run back into the cleaned hose or into the cleaned coupling unit. Carryover or renewed contamination in the cleaning process is therefore impossible.

According to an alternative embodiment of the device for a three-container arrangement, the second guide rail may be designed so long that all three containers can be approached by the second coupling carriage for coupling. In this way, not only the additive container but also the detergent container can be refilled with the respective medium.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device has a third guide rail and a third coupling carriage, which is movable along the third guide rail between two coupling positions of the second container to the third container, wherein the third guide rail is arranged longitudinally aligned with the first guide rail or with the first guide rail is integrally formed. Furthermore, the third coupling carriage has a construction with a coupling carriage movable relative to the structure and the coupling carriage carries at least one coupling unit, wherein the at least one coupling unit of the coupling carriage can be connected to at least one further coupling unit of the second or third container and wherein the at least one coupling unit connected via a line with a metering system of the device for dosing additives in smoking articles.

In this way, the coupling unit of the third coupling carriage with lines from the metering system, i. be connected to the return of the pump and moved between the additive container and container for contaminated detergent. In the coupling position relative to the container for additive, thus additive or flavor can be promoted back into the container for additive, when at the same time the first clutch car is positioned in the opposite to the additive container for removal. In this way, a circulation of the additive can take place.

In the recycling process additive is conveyed through the dosing system, whereby the liquid first passes through the entire process chain ie pump and flow meter. In the circulation, the conveying speed and thus the volume flow of the additive via the pump of the dosing system depending on an additive requirement for dosing in the smoking article can be accurately adjusted. Thereafter, the set flow rate instead of in the line to the injector is returned to the container via a return line to be available for quick and accurate injection.

The volume flow can be controlled depending on the production speed of a cigarette or filter machine, the pump of the device for metering additives. For this purpose, the control unit of the device for metering additives receives signals from the cigarette or filter machine. Whether the required nominal quantity is actually conveyed is additionally controlled by means of flow meters and the control unit in a closed loop.

To divert from the circulation to the injection line, a three-way valve is preferably used as the valve unit. In this way, a rapid production start can be realized by a switching pulse of the control unit to the valve unit.

Further, the third clutch car can be used by coupling to the third container for contaminated detergent advantageous for cleaning the dosing. For this purpose, the first coupling carriage is coupled in the coupling position relative to the coupling unit of the detergent container, so that there is a promotion of the detergent in the dosing. This allows previously contaminated process paths to be cleaned. Via the coupling unit of the third clutch carriage, the cleaning agent contaminated by the cleaning process can be taken up in the container for contaminated cleaning agent so that no contamination or carryover of additive takes place.

According to a preferred embodiment, the coupling unit of the coupling carriage is self-sealing closed after coupling.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the coupling carriage on the guide rail and / or the coupling unit is pneumatically, hydraulically, electromechanically or electromagnetically movable relative to the structure.

With the help of pneumatic cylinders, the desired dome positions can be controlled and after confirmation of the cylinder position query the relative displacement of the coupling unit to the container can be initiated. As electromechanical solution for the movement of the unit, a belt system in combination with a motor is conceivable.

According to a preferred development of the device, the at least one coupling unit is held on the coupling carriage by means of a coupling plate and the coupling plate is mounted floating on the coupling carriage.

The floating bearing tolerances between the clutch plate and the attached coupling unit and the coupling unit of the container are guaranteed. To compensate for mechanical or elastic compensation elements such as spring arrangements or rubber buffers can be provided.

Further, guide and centering elements, which can cooperate with appropriate guide means of the container, can achieve pre-centering and guidance of the coupling plate and the coupling units. Preferably, on both sides of the coupling plate arranged on the clutch plate guide pins are arranged which can engage in suitable guide bushes of the container. In this way, an axial offset can be compensated during the coupling process. Together with the floating bearing can be done a precise guidance of the clutch plate to the coupling unit of the container.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device, the at least one coupling slide has two coupling units.

In this way, coupling units arranged in pairs can be connected in the lower area of the containers to two lines or two metering systems. This arrangement can be advantageously used for two-lane cigarette machines.

• Verfahren des ersten Kupplungswagens entlang der ersten Führungsschiene zu der dem ersten Behälter oder dem zweiten Behälter zugeordneten Kupplungsposition;
• Verfahren der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten Kupplungswagens in Richtung der Kupplungseinheit des ersten oder zweiten Behälters ;
• Ankuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten Kupplungswagens mit der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten oder zweiten Behälters und Herstellen einer Fluidverbindung des ersten oder zweiten Behälters mit dem Dosiersystem;
• Fördern von Reinigungsmittel aus dem ersten Behälter oder Zusatzstoff aus dem zweiten Behälter mittels einer Pumpe des Dosiersystems zur Reinigung des Dosiersystems oder zur Bereitstellung von Zusatzstoff für die Zigarettenproduktion; und
• Auskuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten Kupplungswagens von der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten oder zweiten Behälters.

Furthermore, a method for operating a device for filling and / or emptying is provided with the following method steps:

• Moving the first clutch carriage along the first guide rail to the coupling position associated with the first container or the second container;
• Method of at least one coupling unit of the first coupling carriage in the direction of the coupling unit of the first or second container;
• Coupling the at least one coupling unit of the first coupling carriage with the at least one coupling unit of the first or second container and establishing a fluid connection of the first or second container with the metering system;
• Conveying detergent from the first container or additive from the second container by means of a pump of the dosing system for cleaning the dosing system or for providing additive for cigarette production; and
• Disengaging the at least one coupling unit of the first coupling carriage from the at least one coupling unit of the first or second container.

Depending on the coupling position of the first coupling carriage, additive or cleaning agent can be removed from the respective containers via the connected pump of the dosing system. This method can be automated with the help of a control unit. By means of the removal of additive or flavor accurate metering and finest distribution of additives in an attached cigarette machine can be guaranteed. After production stop, a quick cleaning can be carried out by coupling to the detergent container. The connected pump then delivers detergent from the detergent container for cleaning the complete process paths. This means that all media-flown process components and tubing paths can be perfused with cleaning agent and consequently be cleaned.

• Anschließen eines externen Zusatzstofftanks oder eines externen Reinigungsmitteltanks an die wenigstens eine Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Kupplungswagens;
• Verfahren des zweiten Kupplungswagens entlang der zweiten Führungsschiene zu der dem ersten Behälter oder dem zweiten Behälter zugeordneten Kupplungsposition;
• Verfahren der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Kupplungswagens in Richtung der Kupplungseinheit des ersten oder zweiten Behälters;
• Ankuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Kupplungswagens mit der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten oder zweiten Behälters und Herstellen einer Fluidverbindung des ersten oder zweiten Behälters mit dem externen Zusatzstofftank oder dem externen Reinigungsmitteltank;
• Befüllen des ersten Behälters mit Reinigungsmittel oder Befüllen des zweiten Behälters mit Zusatzstoff; und
• Auskuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Kupplungswagens von der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten oder zweiten Behälters.

Furthermore, the method comprises the following method steps:

• Connecting an external additive tank or an external detergent tank to the at least one coupling unit of the second clutch carriage;
• Moving the second clutch carriage along the second guide rail to the coupling position associated with the first container or the second container;
• Method of at least one coupling unit of the second clutch carriage in the direction of the coupling unit of the first or second container;
• Coupling the at least one coupling unit of the second coupling carriage to the at least one coupling unit of the first or second container and establishing fluid communication of the first or second container with the external additive tank or the external detergent tank;
• Filling the first container with cleaning agent or filling the second container with additive; and
• Disengaging the at least one coupling unit of the second clutch car from the at least one coupling unit of the first or second container.

In this way, depending on the coupling position and connected external preferably mobile tank optionally liquid can be refilled into the respective container. With the help of the coupling carriage at the level of the individual openings or coupling units in each case in the upper container area, for example, the additive container at low level by means of an external additive tank with a larger volume than the internal additive container be refilled. In this arrangement, the refilling of the selected containers during the current cleaning process or dosing process of additives can be done.

Furthermore, refilling of the detergent container can take place, whereby the connecting line to the external tank can be cleaned. Prior to a change of additive, both the detergent container and the additive container can be exchanged to avoid carryover of the previous additive in the new additive type.

• Anschließen des externen Zusatzstofftanks oder des externen Reinigungsmitteltanks an die wenigstens eine Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Kupplungswagens;
• Verfahren des zweiten Kupplungswagens entlang der zweiten Führungsschiene zu der dem zweiten Behälter oder dem dritten Behälter zugeordneten Kupplungsposition;
• Verfahren der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Kupplungswagens in Richtung der Kupplungseinheit des zweiten oder dritten Behälters;
• Ankuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Kupplungswagens mit der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten oder dritten Behälters und Herstellen einer Fluidverbindung des zweiten oder dritten Behälters mit dem externen Zusatzstofftank oder dem externen Reinigungsmitteltank;
• Befüllen des zweiten Behälters mit Zusatzstoff aus dem externen Zusatzstofftank oder Reinigen der Leitung zum externen Reinigungsmitteltank und Abgabe von Reinigungsmittel in den dritten Behälter; und
• Auskuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Kupplungswagens von der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten oder dritten Behälters.

For the operation of an arrangement of three containers, it is also advantageous to position the second clutch car between the second additive designed container and the third container for contaminated detergent. For this purpose, a method according to the following method steps is provided:

• Connecting the external additive tank or the external detergent tank to the at least one clutch unit of the second clutch truck;
• Moving the second clutch carriage along the second guide rail to the coupling position associated with the second container or the third container;
• Method of at least one coupling unit of the second clutch car in the direction of the coupling unit of the second or third container;
• Coupling the at least one coupling unit of the second coupling carriage to the at least one coupling unit of the second or third container and establishing fluid communication of the second or third container with the external additive tank or the external detergent tank;
• Filling the second container with additive from the external additive tank or cleaning the conduit to the external detergent tank and dispensing detergent into the third container; and
• Disengaging the at least one coupling unit of the second coupling carriage from the at least one coupling unit of the second or third container.

Depending on the coupling position and connected external tankers, this method can optionally be used to fill additive into the second container for additive, or to route detergent for cleaning the external connection line to the container for contaminated cleaning agent. Due to the provision of a third container for contaminated detergent, the contaminated detergent may be passed into the third container instead of the first container for detergent. This is a concentration of additive residues in the first detergent container or a change of Containers avoided. Since the contaminated cleaning agent is collected in a separate container, a contamination-free or entrainment-free cleaning can take place.

According to an alternative embodiment, a sufficiently long guide rail may be provided for coupling three containers instead of two containers for selectively filling the first detergent container, the second additive container or the third contaminated detergent container. In this way, not only the additive container but also the detergent container can be refilled.

• Verfahren des dritten Kupplungswagens entlang der dritten Führungsschiene zu der dem zweiten Behälter oder dem dritten Behälter zugeordneten Kupplungsposition ;
• Verfahren der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des dritten Kupplungswagens in Richtung der Kupplungseinheit des zweiten oder dritten Behälters;
• Ankuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des dritten Kupplungswagens mit der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten oder dritten Behälters und Herstellen einer Fluidverbindung des zweiten oder dritten Behälters mit dem Dosiersystem;
• Fördern von Zusatzstoff aus dem Dosiersystems in den zweiten Behälter oder Fördern von Zusatzstoff und/ oder Reinigungsmittel in den dritten Behälter; und
• Auskuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des dritten Kupplungswagens von der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten oder dritten Behälters.

Conveniently, the method further comprises the following method steps:

• Moving the third clutch carriage along the third guide rail to the coupling position associated with the second container or the third container;
• Method of at least one coupling unit of the third clutch carriage in the direction of the coupling unit of the second or third container;
• Coupling the at least one coupling unit of the third coupling carriage with the at least one coupling unit of the second or third container and establishing a fluid connection of the second or third container with the metering system;
• Conveying additive from the metering system into the second container or conveying additive and / or cleaning agent into the third container; and
• Disengaging the at least one coupling unit of the third coupling carriage from the at least one coupling unit of the second or third container.

With the aid of the method, when the additive is removed by the coupling unit of the first coupling carriage and the return line of the metering system is connected to the coupling unit of the third coupling carriage, a circulation of additive can be formed.

Alternatively, cleaning agent can be removed from the first container by means of the first coupling carriage, while the third coupling carriage can be coupled to the contaminated cleaning agent container to discharge contaminated cleaning agent from the metering system into the third container. In this way, the dosing system can be cleaned without residue and contamination and carryover can be avoided.

• Verfahren des ersten Kupplungswagens entlang der ersten Führungsschiene zu der dem zweiten Behälter zugeordneten Kupplungsposition;
• Verfahren der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten Kupplungswagens in Richtung der Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Behälters;
• Ankuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des ersten Kupplungswagens mit der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Behälters und Herstellen einer Fluidverbindung des zweiten Behälters mit dem Dosiersystem;
• Verfahren des dritten Kupplungswagens entlang der dritten Führungsschiene zu der dem zweiten Behälter zugeordneten Kupplungsposition;
• Verfahren der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des drittens Kupplungswagens in Richtung der Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Behälters;
• Ankuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des dritten Kupplungswagens mit der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Behälters und Herstellen einer Fluidverbindung des zweiten Behälters mit dem Dosiersystem;
• Fördern von Zusatzstoff in einem Kreislauf aus dem zweiten Behälter durch das Dosiersystem in den zweiten Behälter; und
• Einstellen der Fördergeschwindigkeit des Zusatzstoffs im Kreislauf vorzugsweise über die Pumpe des Dosiersystems in Abhängigkeit von einer Zusatzstoffanforderung zur Dosierung in den Rauchartikel.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention comprises the following method steps:

• Moving the first clutch carriage along the first guide rail to the coupling position associated with the second container;
• Method of at least one coupling unit of the first coupling carriage in the direction of the coupling unit of the second container;
• Coupling the at least one coupling unit of the first coupling carriage with the at least one coupling unit of the second container and establishing a fluid connection of the second container with the metering system;
• Moving the third clutch carriage along the third guide rail to the coupling position associated with the second container;
• Method of at least one coupling unit of the third clutch carriage in the direction of the coupling unit of the second container;
• Coupling the at least one coupling unit of the third coupling carriage with the at least one coupling unit of the second container and establishing a fluid connection of the second container with the metering system;
• Conveying additive in a circuit from the second container through the metering system into the second container; and
• Adjusting the conveying speed of the additive in the circulation preferably via the pump of the dosing system as a function of an additive requirement for dosing in the smoking article.

In this way, an accurate adjustment of the desired delivery of additive can be done. The required volume flow is predetermined by the control unit of the device for dosing additives. This additive requirement depends on the connected cigarette and filter machine. For this purpose, the control unit is connected in smoking articles with a signal line from a cigarette or filter machine. In this way, depending on the signals of the respective machine, the optimum delivery rate of additive can be requested.

A control of the volume flow in the circulation is usually until the cigarette or filter machine is ready for production. In addition to regulating the volume flow as a function of signals, a closed-loop control system can be provided to control the volume flow of additive. In this way, a precise dosage of the additive is possible. Since an actual comparison with the predetermined value takes place in the closed loop, a manual calibration can advantageously be dispensed with.

The closed-loop control means that a metered quantity is continuously recorded with the aid of the flow meter and these metering signals are sent to the control unit. In the control unit, the measured values with the additive requirement or the desired values compared. The goal of the closed-loop control is to allow rapid adaptation to the additive requirement. In addition to the dosing quantity, the mass flow rate as well as the pressure and the temperature can be measured. By this metering system in the closed loop, a supply of small amounts of additive can be very accurate. This has the advantage that, especially at the start of production, whereby the speed of cigarette production is increased from a few cigarettes per minute to a large number of cigarettes in a short time, a precise metering can take place.

• Auskuppeln der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des dritten Kupplungswagens von der wenigstens einen Kupplungseinheit des zweiten Behälters in Abhängigkeit von einer Zusatzstoffanforderung zur Dosierung in den Rauchartikel;
• Fördern von Zusatzstoff aus dem zweiten Behälter und Umleiten des Zusatzstoffs aus dem zweiten Behälter in dem Dosiersystem zu der Injektionseinrichtung;
• Dosierung des Zusatzstoffs in den Rauchartikel über die Injektionseinrichtung;

Furthermore, the method according to the invention has the following method steps:

• Disengaging the at least one coupling unit of the third coupling carriage from the at least one coupling unit of the second container as a function of an additive requirement for metering into the smoking article;
• Conveying additive from the second container and diverting the additive from the second container in the metering system to the injection device;
• Dosing the additive into the smoking article via the injection device;

With the aid of this method, the additive can be diverted by means of a short control signal from the circulation to the injection device in the cigarette or filter machine and a quick production start. By disengaging the coupling unit from the additive container unintentional flow can be avoided in the return line. The rapid diversion of the pre-set dosage ensures a quick start of production and accurate dosing of the additive in smoking articles.

Fig. 1a

Perspektivische Darstellung der Rückseite einer Ausführungsform eines ersten Behälters

Fig. 1 b

Perspektivische Darstellung der Vordersete des in 1a gezeigten Behälters.

Fig. 2a -b

Perspektivische Darstellungen der Vorder- und Rückseite einer Ausführungsform eines zweiten Behälters

Fig. 3

Anordnung von einem ersten und zweiten Behälter

Fig. 4a

Perspektivische Darstellung einer Führungsschiene mit einem ersten Kupplungswagen mit einem Aufbau aufweisend eine Kupplungseinheit

Fig. 4b-c

Detaildarstellungen von vorne bzw. hinten des in Fig. 4a dargestellten Aufbaus

Fig. 5a-b

Schematische Darstellungen der Kupplungspositionen des ersten Kupplungswagens mit einer Kupplungseinheit zum Anschluss an eine Einstrangzigarettenmaschine

Fig.6

Perspektivische Darstellung der Rückseite einer weiteren Ausführungsform des ersten Behälters

Fig. 7

Perspektivische Darstellung der Rückseite einer weiteren Ausführungsform des zweiten Behälters

Fig. 8

Anordnung der in Figuren 6 und 7 dargestellten ersten und zweiten Behältern

Fig. 9

Perspektivische Darstellung einer Führungsschiene mit einem ersten Kupplungswagen mit einem Aufbau aufweisend zwei Kupplungseinheiten

Fig. 10a-b

Schematische Darstellungen der Kupplungspositionen des ersten Kupplungswagens mit zwei Kupplungseinheiten zum Anschluss für eine Zweistrangmaschine

Fig. 11 a-b

Perspektivische Darstellungen der Rück- und Vorderseite einer weiteren Ausführungsform des zweiten Behälters

Fig.12a-c

Perspektivische Darstellungen der Rück- und Vorderseite und schematische Schnittzeichnung einer Ausführungsform eines dritten Behälters

Fig. 13a-b

Vorderansicht und Rückansicht einer Anordnung von drei Behältern

Fig. 14

Vorderansicht einer Haltevorrichtung mit drei Behältern

Fig. 15

Perspektivische Darstellung einer Haltevorrichtung

Fig. 16

Perspektivische Darstellung einer Anordnung von drei Führungsschienen mit jeweils einem Kupplungswagen mit jeweils einer Kupplungseinheit

Fig. 17a-b

Schematische Darstellung in Höhe des zweiten Kupplungswagens, der von dem zweiten Behälter (a) zu dem dritten Behälter (b) verfahrbar ist

Fig. 18a-b

Perspektivische Darstellungen der in Figuren 17a-b dargestellten Kupplungspositionen des zweiten Kupplungswagens

Fig. 19a-b

Perspektivische Darstellungen weiterer Positionen des zweiten Kupplungswagens

Fig. 20

Schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der zweiten Kupplungsschiene

Fig. 21

Schematische Darstellung des zweiten Kupplungswagen mit einer Anordnung von zwei Behältern

Fig. 22a

Schematische Darstellung des Zusatzstoffkreislaufes mittels ersten und dritten Kupplungswagen

Fig. 22b

Schematische Darstellung der Dosierung mittels ersten Kupplungswagen

Fig. 22c

Schematische Darstellung des Reinigungsprozesses mittels ersten und dritten Kupplungswagen

Fig. 23a

perspektivische Rückansicht einer Anordnung von drei Behältern mit Öffnungspaaren

Fig. 24

Perspektivische Darstellung einer Mehrzahl von Führungsschienen mit Kupplungswägen mit ein bzw. zwei Kupplungseinheiten.

Fig. 25a-b

Perspektivische Ansicht und Rückansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen, und Entleeren einer Anordnung von drei Behältern

Figur 1 zeigt die Rückseite 21 eines ersten Behälters 11 zur Aufnahme von Reinigungsmittel. Der Behälter 11 weist einen quaderförmigen Außenbehälter mit einem Innenbehälter 23 auf. Die Rückseite des Behälters 11 weist im unteren Bereich nahe des Behälterbodens 25 des Innenbehälters 23 eine Öffnung 1 mit einer Kupplungseinheit 6 zur Entnahme von Reinigungsmittel aus dem Behälter 11 auf. Die Kupplungseinheit 6 ist als selbstdichtende und tropffreie Schnellkupplung ausgebildet, sodass im abgekuppelten Zustand keine Flüssigkeit austreten kann. Die Kupplungseinheit 6 ist als Kupplungsbuchse ausgebildet, die mit einem geeigneten Kupplungsstecker (vgl. Kupplungseinheit 16 in Fig. 3) eine dichte und tropffreie Flüssigkeitsverbindung zu einer Leitung eines Dosiersystems herstellen kann. Neben der Kupplungseinheit 6 des Behälters 11 sind zur Zentrierung und Führung der einführbaren weiteren Kupplungseinheit 16 Führungsbuchsen 8 beidseitig angeordnet.In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings of exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1a

Perspective view of the back of an embodiment of a first container

Fig. 1 b

Perspective representation of the leading edge of the container shown in Fig. 1a.

Fig. 2a-b

Perspective representations of the front and back of an embodiment of a second container

Fig. 3

Arrangement of a first and second container

Fig. 4a

Perspective representation of a guide rail with a first coupling carriage having a structure comprising a coupling unit

Fig. 4b-c

Details from the front or back of the in Fig. 4a shown construction

Fig. 5a-b

Schematic representations of the coupling positions of the first clutch car with a coupling unit for connection to a single-strand cigarette machine

Figure 6

Perspective view of the back of another embodiment of the first container

Fig. 7

Perspective view of the back of another embodiment of the second container

Fig. 8

Arrangement of in FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrated first and second containers

Fig. 9

Perspective view of a guide rail with a first coupling carriage having a structure comprising two coupling units

Fig. 10a-b

Schematic diagrams of the coupling positions of the first clutch car with two coupling units for connection for a two-line machine

Fig. 11 from

Perspective representations of the back and front of another embodiment of the second container

Figures 12a-c

Perspective representations of the back and front and schematic sectional drawing of an embodiment of a third container

Fig. 13a-b

Front view and rear view of an arrangement of three containers

Fig. 14

Front view of a holding device with three containers

Fig. 15

Perspective view of a holding device

Fig. 16

Perspective view of an arrangement of three guide rails, each with a coupling carriage, each with a coupling unit

Fig. 17a-b

Schematic representation in the amount of the second clutch carriage, which is movable from the second container (a) to the third container (b)

Fig. 18a-b

Perspective representations of in FIGS. 17a-b illustrated coupling positions of the second clutch car

Fig. 19a-b

Perspective representations of other positions of the second clutch car

Fig. 20

Schematic representation of another embodiment of the second coupling rail

Fig. 21

Schematic representation of the second clutch car with an arrangement of two containers

Fig. 22a

Schematic representation of the additive cycle by means of first and third clutch car

Fig. 22b

Schematic representation of the dosage by means of first coupling car

Fig. 22c

Schematic representation of the cleaning process by means of first and third clutch car

Fig. 23a

rear perspective view of an arrangement of three containers with pairs of openings

Fig. 24

Perspective representation of a plurality of guide rails with coupling carts with one or two coupling units.

Fig. 25a-b

Perspective view and rear view of a device for filling, and emptying an arrangement of three containers

FIG. 1 shows the back 21 of a first container 11 for receiving detergent. The container 11 has a cuboidal outer container with an inner container 23. The rear side of the container 11 has, in the lower region near the container bottom 25 of the inner container 23, an opening 1 with a coupling unit 6 for removing detergent from the container 11. The coupling unit 6 is designed as a self-sealing and drip-free quick coupling, so that no liquid can escape in the uncoupled state. The coupling unit 6 is designed as a coupling bush, which is connected to a suitable coupling plug (see coupling unit 16 in FIG Fig. 3 ) can produce a dense and drip-free liquid connection to a conduit of a metering system. In addition to the coupling unit 6 of the container 11 16 guide bushings 8 are arranged on both sides for centering and guiding the insertable further coupling unit.

The container rear side 21 has, in addition to the first opening 1, further openings which are each equipped with a blanking plug 7. Holes or blind holes not used for guide bushes 8 also have blanking plugs 9.

Furthermore, the container 11 has a cover 2. This cover 2 avoids that foreign objects or dirt particles get into the open-topped container 11 during transport and that liquid escapes when the container 11 is moved. At the ends of the cover 2 is located on both sides in each case a handle 3, so you can easily grab the cover 2 and thus close the container. The outer handles 4 serve as handles of the container 11th

FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of the front of the in FIG. 1a illustrated container. The container 11 has a side wall 22 which can be mounted with fastening units 17. The outer container 5 is only partially shown to show the inner container 23 received therein.

By the arrangement of the inner container 23 in the outer container 5, it is possible to provide an inclined bottom 25 of the inner container, while the outer container 5 has a straight bottom 26 for a stable state. Above the lowest point 15, the opening 1 for the removal of liquid is provided on the rear container wall 21. Thus, relatively long liquid can be removed from the container 11. So no dirt particles from the Can reach container when emptying, a filter can be provided in the inner container 23 at the discharge opening 1.

FIG. 2a and 2 B shows a second container 12, which is designed for the inclusion of additive. In this embodiment of the second container, which is suitable for single-line machines, there is a single opening 10 for the removal of the additive in the lower region of the container 11. The opening 1 for removal with the coupling unit 6 is located near the lowest point 15 of the inner container 23 (see FIG Fig. 2b ). In addition to the opening 1, guide devices are designed as guide bushes 8. The remaining openings or holes are equipped with dummy plugs 7.8.

Furthermore, suspension units 14 are arranged on the two side walls. These may have a mechanical coding in order to hang the container to a certain position in the device for dosing additives.

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated containers. According to this arrangement, the opening 1 of the first container 11 and the opening 10 of the second container in the same direction. This arrangement is designed so that by means of in FIG. 4 illustrated device for filling and emptying of the arrangement a coupling can be done automatically to the openings 1 and 10 of the respective container.

In the Figure 4a-c Filling and emptying device shown has a frame 50 with a first guide rail 51. Along the guide rail 51, a coupling carriage 61 can be moved along the axis 1 from the position 55 to the position 56 and back. In this way, the coupling carriage can be moved between two containers to connect coupling units 6 of the first or second container. The coupling carriage 61 has a structure 64 with a relatively movable to the construction coupling carriage 54. The movement of the coupling carriage 54 takes place substantially at right angles to the guide rail 51 along the axis B. The coupling movement along the axis B can take place pneumatically via a cylinder unit of the body 64. The movements along the guide rail 51 and the axis B are driven pneumatically. For this purpose, connections 86 for the compressed air are provided on the frame 50 of the guide rail 51 and on the structure 64 of the carriage 61. Furthermore, two connections 87, 87 'are provided for lines, wherein in the illustrated embodiment the connection 87 is connected to the coupling unit 16.

FIGS. 4b and c show details of a coupling plate 65 which is fixed to the coupling carriage 54. The coupling plate 65 is mounted floating, so that smaller tolerances between the Container coupling can be compensated by movements in the direction of the axes X, Y and / or Z. The floating attachment is realized by a spring assembly 59.

Figure 5a-b schematically show an arrangement of two containers 11 and 12 and a device for emptying these containers 11, 12 in different coupling positions 55, 56. The containers 11 and 12 are in a device for dosing 60 of additives in smoking articles 60, which are for a single line Cigarette machine 70 is designed.

FIG. 5 a shows the coupling position 56 for removal of additive. Via the line 74 of the coupling unit, the metering system with the pump assembly 69 is connected. Via the line 81 to the injection device 85, the additive can be applied to the individual tobacco rod 71.

The cigarette machine 70 has a single tobacco rod 71. The speed or other parameters of the cigarette machine 70 are monitored, and via a signal generator 80, signals 73 are transmitted to the control unit 77 of the additive dosing apparatus 60. Depending on the control signals 73 of the single-line cigarette machine 70, the delivery rate of the pump 66 is controlled.

The metered amount or volume flow of the additive is detected continuously via the flow meter 68. In the control unit 77, the measured values 76 are compared with the additive requirement or the setpoint values 75. In case of deviations from the desired value x _is carried out via the motor 67 of the pump 66, a readjustment, so that a very accurate dosing can be done.

The control unit 77 of the additive dosing apparatus is further used to provide control signals 83 to a coupling carriage control pad 82. Thus, the coupling carriage 61 can be moved from the coupling position 56 to the coupling position 55.

FIG. 5b shows the coupling position 55 of the clutch carriage 61 for removal of detergent. The coupling units 6 and 16 are coupled, so that the pump 66 sucks detergent from the container for cleaning the dosing system and the line 81 to the injection device. The cleaning agent used is collected in an external container 36 for receiving contaminated cleaning agent.

FIG. 6 and 7 shows embodiments of the first container 11 and second container, which are identical except for the number of removal openings in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown containers are. The opening 1 in the container 11 and the opening 10 in the container 12 are each formed as an opening pair 1,1 'or 10, 10', so that two metering systems can be connected.

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement of in FIG. 6 and 7 shown container, with the in FIG. 9 can be emptied device shown. The in FIG. 9 shown clutch car is different from the in FIG. 4a illustrated embodiment only in that instead of a coupling unit 16, two coupling units 16 'are arranged on the coupling plate 65. These two coupling units 16 and 16 'can engage in the paired coupling units 6, 6' of the containers 11 and 12, respectively.

FIGS. 10a and 10b show an additive dosing device 84, which is equipped for a two-line cigarette machine 72 with two dosing systems. There is provided for each tobacco rod 71, a metering system, each having a pump 66, 66 'and measuring sensors 68, 68' as flow sensors or pressure measuring sensors and are controlled in the closed loop (see. FIG. 5a ). The coupling carriage 61 is movable along the axis A between the first container 11 and the second container 12.

In FIG. 10a Both dosing systems are charged by an additive container 12 with additive. The coupling of the two coupling units 16, 16 'of the coupling carriage 61 via the movement in axis B to the coupling units 6, 6' of the additive container 12. Thereafter, additive via the lines 74, 74 'of the coupling unit from the container 12 of both dosing sucked.

In FIG. 10b the cleaning position of the clutch carriage 61 is shown. How to FIG. 5b However, instead of a metering system, two metering systems and connected lines 81, 81 'are simultaneously cleaned at the injection device 85, 85' via the two coupling units 16, 16 'of the coupling carriage 61.

In order to allow a quick and zero - wear change of additives, in addition to the previously mentioned in the FIG. 1a-b described first detergent container 11 and the second additive container 12, a container 13 provided for contaminated detergent. As FIG. 11 a is, is the second container 12 in contrast to the previous one Embodiment for single-lane cigarette machines with only one opening 10 equipped with additional openings 20 and 30.

FIG. 11 a shows in the upper region of the second container 12, a second opening 20 with a coupling unit 6 for receiving additive. An external additive tank can be connected by means of a second coupling carriage 62 to this coupling connection with laterally one guide device 8 in each case in order to refill the container with the same additive during the metering. Blind plugs 7 and 9 are arranged for the unused coupling openings or guide holes in the upper region of the container.

Above the container bottom 25 of the inner container 23 (see. FIG. 11b) there is a third opening 30 with a coupling unit 6, to which a return line from the metering system can be connected, which can be connected by means of a third coupling car. On both sides of the coupling unit 6 is ever a guide bushing. 8

FIG. 11b shows the second container 12 with an inner container 23, the bottom 25 is inclined for optimal removal.

In the FIGS. 12a to c Embodiments of the third container 13 for a device for filling and emptying with three coupling carriages are shown. The container 13 has in the upper region an opening 32 with a coupling unit 6, through which a recording of contaminated cleaning agent can take place. Furthermore, the container 13 for contaminated cleaning agent in the lower region on a further opening 31 with a coupling unit 6, which is connectable to a return line of the dosing. The opening 31 is arranged above the higher floor area of the inclined floor 25.

Another possible embodiment of the container 13 for contaminated cleaning agent is in the schematic sectional drawing of FIG. 12c shown. Here a riser 27 is arranged at the opening 31 of the container 13 in order to avoid a return of the contaminated cleaning agent from the container 13 in the return line.

FIG. 13 a shows the arrangement of the three in the FIGS. 1a-b . 11a-b and 12a-b shown containers, wherein the additive container 12 is arranged in the middle. All openings 1, 10, 20, 30 and 31 face in one direction and are arranged for the accessibility of the clutch cars either in the lower region of the container on a plane or in the upper region of the container. The back view of the in Fig. 13a shown arrangement is in Fig. 13b shown. Here, the various inclinations of the respective inner container 23 are clear. The first container 11 and second containers 12 are inclined so that the rear-side discharge openings 1, and 10 are respectively arranged near the deepest container point.

FIG. 14 shows three containers 11, 12, 13 which are suspended via the suspension units 14 in a holding device 40. The holding device 40 has transverse struts 41 and side parts 42 and 43. Drip units 45 are arranged on the uppermost crossbar. In the arrangement shown, the container 12 designed for additive is arranged in the middle, while the detergent container 11 is arranged at the side part 42. Furthermore, a container 13 for contaminated detergent between the additive container 13 and the side part 43 is arranged. FIG. 15 Figure 4 shows the holding device 40 without containers and for holding the containers with hangers 44 which may be mechanically coded to ensure the correct position of the respective containers and thus smooth coupling.

FIG. 16 shows a device for filling and emptying an arrangement of three containers with three coupling carriage 61, 62 and 63rd FIG. 16 does not represent the associated holding device 40 for simplicity. A first guide rail 51 is arranged so that it is at the level of the coupling units 6 of the opening pairs 1, 10 and 31 in the lower region of the container. The second guide rail 52 is disposed above the guide rail 51 at the level of the coupling units in the upper region of the container. The third guide rail 53 is disposed at the same height in the extension of the first rail 51. All three clutch cars each have a coupling unit 16 for coupling with the individual coupling units 6 of the container and are identical to those in the FIGS. 4a to c shown coupling carriage 61.

With the help of the coupling carriage 62 on the guide rail 52 in the upper region, the coupling unit 16 can be selectively positioned between the additive container 12 and the container 13 for contaminated detergent. This will be in FIGS. 17a and 17b at the height of the second guide rail 52 shown schematically. The first clutch car 61 or 63 on the lower level is not shown in this diagram.

Figure 17a shows a device 93 for dosing additive with three containers 11, 12 and 13. In Figure 17a a coupling connection is shown with the middle container 12 in the coupling position 34, which is refilled with additive. For this purpose, an external additive tank 90 by means of an external coupling unit 92, which is preferably designed as a quick coupling unit, connected via the line 91 to the external tank.

After filling of the second container 12 with additive, the second clutch carriage 62 is moved by means of the control unit 77 and the control island 82 in the coupling position 33 in front of the container for contaminated cleaning agent along the axis A. In this coupling position, the conduit 91 may be cleaned by connecting an external detergent tank to the external coupling unit 92 and passing detergent through the conduit 91 into the contaminated detergent tank 13.

The Figures 18a or 18b show the in the FIGS. 17a and b shown coupling positions 34 and 33. Further show the FIGS. 19a and 19b the disengaged positions of the coupling carriage 54. The lines are not shown for clarity. After refilling of the additive container 13, the coupling unit 6 is decoupled by a transverse displacement of the coupling carriage 54 in the direction of the guide rail 52 (see Fig. 19 a). In order to clean the line 91 to the external tank, there is a displacement along the guide rail 52 to the coupling position 33 of the coupling carriage 62, ie to the container 13 for contaminated cleaning agent ( Fig. 19b ). About a movement of the coupling carriage 54 with the coupling plate 64 to the container 13 is in the FIGS. 17b or 18b coupling achieved via the coupling units 16 and 6, respectively.

Instead of the additive tanker truck 90, an external tank 94 filled with cleaning agent can now be provided. The cleaning agent may then flow through the external conduit 91 for cleaning and be collected in the contaminated cleaning agent container 13. Thereafter, the coupling carriage 62 from position 33 back to position 34 of FIG. 19a be reduced.

The FIG. 20 shows an alternative embodiment of a guide rail 52 in combination with an arrangement of three containers. In FIG. 20 was along the axis A the in FIG. 19a shown second guide rail 52 extends to perform with the clutch car 62 and a filling of the detergent tank 11 from the outside by means of the line 91 can. Refilling takes place after a connection via the external coupling unit 92 to the external detergent tank 94.

Furthermore, as in FIG. 21 for an arrangement of two containers conceivable to move the second coupling carriage 62 in the upper region of the container between the first container 11 and the second container 12. In this case, the first container 11 in addition to the first opening 1 in the lower region of the container has a further opening in the upper region with a coupling unit 6 on. By way of the movement along the axis B, the coupling units 6, 16 engage in position 35 in one another in order to be able to dispense cleaning agent into the detergent container 11.

The Figures 22a-c relate to an arrangement of three containers and an associated device for filling and emptying with three coupling carriages 61, 62 and 63, wherein the plane of the coupling units is shown in the lower region of the container.

FIG. 22a and FIG. 22b shows for a single-strand cigarette machine, the use of the coupling carriage 61 and 63 in the lower region of the container. FIG. 22a shows a closed circuit of the additive, via the pump assembly 69, the additive is returned from the second container 12 in the return line 78 to the container 12. For this purpose, designed as a three-way valve valve unit 79 is set accordingly. The control unit 77 is in response to signals 73 of the single-speed cigarette machine a setpoint X _soll before. In the circulation, the desired metered amount can be accurately adjusted by means of a closed loop by means of the control unit 77, pump 66 and measuring sensors 68.

In FIG. 22b The additive is required by the cigarette machine. Via the control unit 77, the valve unit 79 was quickly switched to the line 81 to the injection device. At the same time, disengagement of the coupling unit 16 from the container 12 has been caused via the control island 82 at the position 57 by movement along the axis B, in order to avoid unintentional flow from the container 12 into the return line 78. The rapid diversion of the pre-set dosage ensures a quick start of production and accurate dosing of the additive in smoking articles.

FIG. 22c shows the clutch positions 55 and 58 of the clutch cars 61 and 63, while the process chain and the dosing system is cleaned. In the cleaning position shown cleaning agent is removed from the container 11 by means of the coupling unit 16 of the first clutch carriage 61 in position 55 and passed to the valve unit 79 after passing through the metering system. In the FIG. 22c shown valve position of the valve unit 79 passes the contaminated detergent in the return line 78 to the coupling unit 16 of the clutch truck to be collected in the container 13 for contaminated detergent.

FIGS. 23 to 25 show an arrangement of three containers and associated devices for filling and emptying with three coupling carriages 61, 62 and 63. FIG. 23 shows the arrangement of three containers for two-lane cigarette machines, wherein in the upper region of the second container 12 and the third container 13 as in the container arrangement for single-strand cigarette machines only one opening 20 and 32 is arranged for connection to an external tank. A difference to the containers and apparatus for single-strand cigarette machines is given at the bottom of the container by a doubling of the openings and associated coupling units 6, 6 ', to allow connection to two dosing systems. For removal via the inlets of the metering system, two openings 1, 1 'are provided in the first container 11 and two openings 10, 10' in the second container 12. For the two return lines from the metering system two openings 30, 30 'and 31, 31', each with two coupling units 6, 6 'in the second container 12 and third container 13 are respectively arranged.

FIG. 24 shows that the coupling units 16, 16 ', which move on the lower guide rails 51 and 53 between the pairs of openings of the containers in the lower region, arranged in pairs on the respective coupling plates 65 of the coupling carriages 61 and 63 for engagement in the corresponding coupling units 6, 6' are.

Figure 25a-b shows in perspective and as a rear view of the entire device with the arrangement of three containers and three coupling carriages 61, 62 and 63 for a two-lane cigarette machine. The arrangement of three containers 11, 12, 13 are suspended in the holder 40 with the associated cross braces 41 and the side members 42 and 43. In the arrangement shown, the additive container 12 is arranged in the center, while the detergent container 11 is arranged next thereto , The coupling carriages 61, 62, 63 on the guide rails 51, 52, and 53 are in the illustration all opposite to the respective opening pairs 10, 20 and 30 of the additive container 12.

In the in Figures 25 a and b shown respective coupling position of the coupling carts 61 and 63 can be carried out a circulation of the two metering systems (see also Fig. 22a for single-strand cigarette machine). The coupling carriage 62 is coupled to the container 12 for filling with additive. The further coupling position with respect to the container 13 for contaminated cleaning agent is in FIG. 25b shown. Similarly, the coupling carriages 61 and 63 can move between the respective containers. This is done after in the Figures 22a-c schematically illustrated principle with the difference that instead of a coupling unit 16, two coupling units 16, 16 'are coupled in order to connect two inlets 74, 74' and returns 78. 78 'of the dosing (for example, a dual connection to the coupling carriage 61 and associated Lines 74, 74 'see also FIGS. 10a and 10b ).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 First opening in the first container 2 cover 3 lid handles 4 container handles 5 outer container 6 Coupling unit on the container 7 Dummy plug in coupling opening 8th guide bush 9 Blind plug for hole for guide bushes 10 First opening in the additive container 11 First container for cleaning agents 12 Second container for additive 13 Third container for contaminated cleaning agent 14 suspension units 15 Deepest tank point 16 Movable coupling units 17 fixing units 18 guide pins 20 Second opening in the additive container 21 Rear of the container 22 Side wall 23 inner container 24 container opening 25 Inclined tank bottom of the inner container 26 Container bottom of the outer container 27 riser 30 Third opening in the additive container 31 First opening in container for contaminated cleaning agent 32 Second opening in container for contaminated cleaning agent 33 Coupling position for connection of the container for contaminated cleaning agent with an external detergent tank 34 Coupling position for filling the additive container 35 Coupling position for filling the detergent container 36 External container for holding contaminated cleaning agent 40 holder 41 crossbars 42 side panel 43 side panel 44 hanger 45 Abtropfeinheiten 50 frame 51 First guide rail 52 Second guide rail 53 Third guide rail 54 coupling carriage 55 Coupling position for removal from the detergent container 56 Coupling position for removal from the additive container 57 Coupling position for return to the additive container 58 Coupling position for return to the container for contaminated cleaning agent 59 spring assembly 60 Device for dosing additives with two containers 61 First clutch car 62 Second clutch car 63 Third clutch car 64 construction 65 clutch plate 66 pump 67 engine 68 measuring sensor 69 pump assembly 70 Single strand cigarette machine 71 tobacco rod 72 Zweistranzigarettenmaschine 73 Control signals from cigarette machine 74 Conduction of coupling unit 75 setpoint 76 Measuring signals of the measuring sensor 77 Control unit of the device for dosing additives in smoking articles 78 Return line 79 valve unit 80 Control unit cigarette machine 81 Line to the injection device 82 tax island 83 Control signals to the coupling car 84 Device for dosing additive for two-line cigarette machine 85 injection device 86 Compressed air connection for pneumatic drive 87 line connection 90 External additive tank 91 Line to external additive tank or detergent tank 92 External coupling unit 93 Device for dosing additive with three containers 94 External detergent tank A Axle parallel to the guide rail B Axial across the guide rail X, Y, Z Movement directions of the floating mounted clutch plate

Claims (22)

Container (11, 12, 13) for receiving in particular a liquid medium and for use in a device for dosing additives in smoking articles, having at least one first opening (1, 10, 31),
wherein the at least first opening (1, 10, 31) has a coupling unit (6),
wherein the container (11, 12, 13) via the at least first opening (1, 10, 31) medium can be supplied or removed,
wherein the first opening (1, 10, 31) is self-sealingly closable by means of the coupling unit (6) after supply or removal of medium. Container (11, 12, 13) according to claim 1, wherein the container (11, 12, 13) further comprises at least one guiding device (8), preferably designed as a guide bushing. Container (11, 12, 13) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (11, 12, 13) has a second opening (20, 32), wherein the second opening (20, 32) has a coupling unit (6), wherein the container (11, 12, 13) via the second opening (20, 32) medium can be supplied or removed,
wherein the second opening (20, 32) by means of the coupling unit (6) after insertion or removal of medium is self-sealing closed. A container (12) according to claim 3, wherein the container (12) has a third opening (30), the third opening (30) having a coupling unit (6), the container (12) having medium through the third opening (30) can be fed or removed,
wherein the third opening (30) is self-sealingly closable by means of the coupling unit (6) after supply or removal of medium. Container (11, 12, 13) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one opening (1, 10, 31) is arranged close to the container bottom, and wherein the at least one opening (1, 10, 31) arranged near the container bottom serves as an opening pair (1, 1 ', 10, 10', 31, 31 ') is formed. A container (11, 12, 13) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (11, 12, 13) comprises an inner container (23) having a sloping bottom (25). Arrangement of containers (11, 12) with
a first container (11) for receiving cleaning agent and a second container (12) according to one of claims 1 to 6 for receiving additive,
wherein the containers (11, 12) are arranged side by side and are aligned such that the openings (1, 10) point in the same direction. Arrangement according to claim 7, further comprising a third container (13) according to one of claims 1 to 6 for receiving contaminated cleaning agent, wherein the third container (13) is arranged adjacent to the second container and is oriented such that the openings (1, 10, 30, 31) in the same direction. Device for filling and / or emptying an assembly of at least two containers (11, 12) for use in a device for dosing additives in smoking articles, comprising
at least one first guide rail (51) and
at least one first coupling carriage (61) which is movable along the guide rail (51) between two coupling positions (55, 56) from the first container (11) to the second container (12),
wherein the first coupling carriage (61) has a structure (64) with a relative to the structure (64) movable coupling slide (54), and
wherein the coupling carriage (54) carries at least one coupling unit (16),
wherein the at least one coupling unit (16) of the coupling carriage (54) with at least one coupling unit (6) of the first or the second container (11, 12) is connectable, and
wherein the at least one coupling unit (16) is connected via a line (74) to a metering system of the device for metering additives into smoking articles. Apparatus according to claim 9, comprising
a second guide rail (52) and
a second coupling carriage (62) which is movable along the second guide rail (52) between two coupling positions (35, 34) from the first container (11) to the second container (12),
wherein the second guide rail (52) is disposed above the first guide rail (51), and
wherein the second coupling carriage (62) has a structure (64) with a relative to the structure (64) movable coupling slide (54), and
wherein the coupling carriage (54) carries at least one coupling unit (16),
wherein the at least one coupling unit (16) of the coupling carriage (54) with at least one further coupling unit (6) of the first or the second container (11, 12) is connectable, and
wherein the coupling unit (16) via a line (91) with an external additive tank (90) or an external detergent tank (94) is connectable. Device according to one of claims 9, comprising
a third container (13),
a second guide rail (52) and
a second coupling carriage (62) which is movable along the second guide rail (52) between two coupling positions (34, 33) from the second container (11) to the third container (12),
wherein the second guide rail (52) is disposed above the first guide rail (51), and
wherein the second coupling carriage (62) has a structure (64) with a relative to the structure (64) movable coupling slide (54), and
wherein the coupling carriage (54) carries at least one coupling unit (16),
wherein the at least one coupling unit (16) of the coupling carriage (54) with at least one further coupling unit (6) of the second or the third container (11, 12) is connectable, and
wherein the coupling unit (16) via a line (91) with an external additive tank (90) or an external detergent tank (94) is connectable. The device of claim 11, comprising
a third guide rail (53) and
a third coupling carriage (63) which is movable along the third guide rail (52) between two coupling positions (57, 58) from the second container (11) to the third container (12),
wherein the third guide rail (52) is longitudinally aligned with the first guide rail (51) or integrally formed with the first guide rail (51), and wherein the third coupling carriage (62) has a structure (64) with a relative to the structure (64 ) has movable coupling slide (54), and
wherein the coupling carriage (54) carries at least one coupling unit (16),
wherein the at least one coupling unit (16) of the coupling carriage (54) with at least one further coupling unit (6) of the second or the third container (11, 12) is connectable, and
wherein the at least one coupling unit (16) is connected via a line (78) to a metering system of the device for metering additives into smoking articles. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the coupling unit (16) is self-sealing closed after coupling. Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the coupling carriage (61) on the guide rail (51) and / or the coupling unit (16) relative to the structure (64) is pneumatically, hydraulically, electromechanically or electromagnetically movable. Device according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the at least one coupling unit (16) by means of a coupling plate (65) on the coupling carriage (54) is supported and wherein the coupling plate (65) is floatingly mounted on the coupling carriage. Device according to one of claims 9 or 12 to 15, wherein the at least one coupling slide (54) has two coupling units (16). Method for operating a device according to one of Claims 9 to 16, comprising the following method steps: Moving the first coupling carriage (61) along the first guide rail (51) to the coupling position (55, 56) associated with the first container (11) or the second container (12); - moving the at least one coupling unit (16) of the first coupling carriage (61) in the direction of the coupling unit (6) of the first or second container (11, 12); Coupling the at least one coupling unit (16) of the first coupling carriage (61) to the at least one coupling unit (6) of the first or second container (11, 12), and establishing fluid communication of the first or second container (11, 12) with the metering; - conveying detergent from the first container (11) or additive from the second container (12) by means of a pump (66) of the dosing system for cleaning the dosing system or for providing additive for cigarette production; and Disengaging the at least one coupling unit (16) of the first coupling carriage (61) from the at least one coupling unit (6) of the first or second container (11, 12). The method of claim 17, further comprising the following steps: - Connecting an external additive tank or an external detergent tank to the at least one coupling unit (16) of the second clutch carriage (62); Moving the second coupling carriage (62) along the second guide rail (52) to the coupling position (35, 34) associated with the first container (11) or the second container (12); - Moving the at least one coupling unit (16) of the second clutch carriage (62) in the direction of the coupling unit (6) of the first or second container (11, 12); Coupling the at least one coupling unit (16) of the second coupling carriage (62) to the at least one coupling unit (6) of the first or second container (11, 12) and establishing fluid communication of the first or second container (11, 12) with the external one Additive tank (90) or external detergent tank (94); - Filling the first container (11) with detergent or filling the second container (12) with additive; and Disengaging the at least one coupling unit (16) of the second coupling carriage (62) from the at least one coupling unit (6) of the first or second container (11, 12). The method of claim 17, further comprising the following steps: - connecting the external additive tank (90) or the external detergent tank (94) to the at least one coupling unit (16) of the second clutch carriage (62); Moving the second coupling carriage (62) along the second guide rail (52) to the coupling position (34, 33) associated with the second container (12) or the third container (13); - Moving the at least one coupling unit (16) of the second clutch carriage (62) in the direction of the coupling unit (6) of the second or third container (12, 13); - Coupling of the at least one coupling unit (16) of the second coupling carriage (62) with the at least one coupling unit (6) of the second or third container (12, 13) and establishing a fluid connection of the second or third container (12, 13) with the external Additive tank (90) or external detergent tank (94); - filling the second container (11) with additive from the external additive tank (90) or cleaning the conduit (91) to the external detergent tank (94) and dispensing detergent into the third container (13); and Disengaging the at least one coupling unit (16) of the second coupling carriage (62) from the at least one coupling unit (6) of the second or third container (12, 13). A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising the following method steps: Moving the third coupling carriage (63) along the third guide rail (53) to the coupling position (55, 56) associated with the second container (12) or the third container (13); - moving the at least one coupling unit (16) of the third coupling carriage (63) in the direction of the coupling unit (6) of the second or third container (12, 13); - Coupling of the at least one coupling unit (16) of the third coupling carriage (63) with the at least one coupling unit (6) of the second or third container (12, 13) and establishing a fluid connection of the second or third container (12, 13) with the dosing system ; - conveying additive from the metering system into the second container (12) or conveying additive and / or cleaning agent into the third container (13); and Disengaging the at least one coupling unit (16) of the third coupling carriage (63) from the at least one coupling unit (6) of the second or third container (12, 13). Method according to one of the preceding claims 17 to 20, further comprising the following method steps: - moving the first coupling carriage (61) along the first guide rail (51) to the second container (12) associated with the coupling position (56); - moving the at least one coupling unit (16) of the first coupling carriage (61) in the direction of the coupling unit (6) of the second container (12); - coupling the at least one coupling unit (16) of the first coupling carriage (61) to the at least one coupling unit (6) of the second container (12) and establishing a fluid connection of the second container (12) with the dosing system; Moving the third coupling carriage (63) along the third guide rail (53) to the coupling position (57) associated with the second container (12); - Moving the at least one coupling unit (16) of the third clutch carriage (63) in the direction of the coupling unit (6) of the second container (12); - coupling the at least one coupling unit (16) of the third coupling carriage (63) to the at least one coupling unit (6) of the second container (12) and establishing a fluid connection of the second container (12) with the metering system; - conveying additive in a cycle from the second container (12) through the metering system into the second container (12); and - Setting the conveying speed of the additive in the circulation preferably via the pump of the dosing system in response to an additive requirement for dosing in the smoking article. The method of claim 21, further comprising the following steps: Disengaging the at least one coupling unit (16) of the third coupling carriage (63) from the at least one coupling unit (6) of the second container (12) as a function of an additive requirement for metering into the smoking article; - conveying additive from the second container (12) and diverting the additive from the second container (12) in the dosing system to the injection device; - Dosing of the additive in the smoking article via the injection device.

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