Mixing plant for fluid mixtures, feed tank, product tank and mixing system herewith

Abstract

Mixing plant (1) for the production of fluid mixtures, in particular cleaning solutions, for use with a reactant vessel (30) having a first coding (31) and a product vessel (40) having a second coding (41), wherein the mixing plant (1) comprises the following: a solvent connection (2) which is designed to be connected to a solvent (50); a dispensing valve (3) designed to dispense the fluid mixture into the product container (40); a mixing tube (4) that establishes a flow connection between the solvent port (2) and the dispensing valve (3); at least one reactant uptake (10), wherein each reactant uptake (10) an reactant connection (11) which is designed to be connected to the reactant container (30), a conveying device (12) which is designed to convey a reactant fluid (32) from the reactant container (30), and a feed line (13) which establishes a flow connection between the feed connection (11), the conveying device (12) and the mixing tube (4); and a control unit (5) designed to control the dispensing valve (3) and the conveying device (12), characterized in that the mixing plant (1) further comprises a detection device (6, 7) which is configured to detect the first coding (31) of the feed container (30) and / or the second coding (41) of the product container (40) as a coding signal, and that the control unit (5) is configured to perform the control of the output valve (3) and / or the conveying device (12) based on the coding signal.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mixing system for producing fluid mixtures, in particular cleaning agent solutions, a reactant container for fluids, in particular cleaning agent components, for use with the mixing system, and product containers for fluid mixtures, in particular cleaning agent solutions, for use with the mixing system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a mixing system comprising such a mixing system, at least one reactant container, and one product container.

[0002] Mixing systems for fluid mixtures are commonly known; they mix a solvent, typically water, with one or more starting materials (educts) to form a fluid mixture, the product of the mixing process. However, the use of other solvents is also possible in principle. A common approach is to mix concentrated educts, such as surfactants, acids, alkalis, or the like, in a mixing system in a predetermined ratio and then dilute them to a predetermined concentration with a solvent, such as water. To do this, for example, liquid educts are dispensed from educt containers into a solvent stream and then discharged into a product container. However, such mixing systems require knowledge of the respective educts and products, as well as the handling of the respective educt containers and product containers.

[0003] A mixing system for ready-to-use rinsing solutions is described, for example, in EP 3 026 020 A1. Another mixing system is known, for example, from WO 2014 / 078883 A2.

[0004] The fluid mixtures produced in this conventional manner are usually transported in large-volume product containers from the mixing plant to the respective site of use, where they are then transferred into smaller containers for easier handling. This procedure involves transporting large quantities of solvent, which is added to dilute the reactants during the mixing process, from the mixing plant to the respective site of use. For example, the proportion of dilution water in conventional cleaning agent solutions is approximately 50 to 90%. Therefore, large quantities of water are transported during the transport of the cleaning agent solutions. In addition, storage capacity for the large-volume product containers must be provided at the production site and at the transport destination.Another disadvantage is that during the transfer process into smaller containers, it cannot be ensured that the receiving containers are properly labelled and marked.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a mixing system which enables easier and safer operation.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the mixing system according to claim 1, the reactant container according to claim 9, the product container according to claim 12 and the mixing system according to claim 15. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the mixing system according to the invention for producing fluid mixtures, in particular cleaning agent solutions, for use with a reactant container having a first coding and a product container having a second coding, comprises the following: a solvent connection configured to be connected to a solvent supply; a dispensing valve configured to dispense the fluid mixture into the product container; a mixing tube establishing a flow connection between the solvent connection and the dispensing valve;at least one reactant receptacle, each reactant receptacle having an reactant connection configured to be connected to the reactant container, a conveying device configured to convey a reactant fluid from the reactant container, and an reactant line establishing a flow connection between the reactant connection, the conveying device, and the mixing tube; and a control unit configured to control the dispensing valve and the conveying device. Furthermore, the mixing system has a detection device configured to detect the first coding of the reactant container and / or the second coding of the product container as a coding signal, the control unit configured to control the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device based on the coding signal.

[0008] The mixing plant may have a housing in which the components of the mixing plant may be at least partially accommodated and which may at least partially enclose the components of the mixing plant.

[0009] The mixing system is suitable for use with the reactant container according to a second aspect of the invention described below and for use with a product container according to a third aspect of the invention described below. Furthermore, the mixing system according to the first aspect of the invention, the reactant container according to the second aspect of the invention, and the product container according to the third aspect of the invention together form the mixing system according to a fourth aspect of the invention.

[0010] The solvent connection is designed to be connected to the solvent supply. The solvent supply can be formed, for example, by a fixed water connection, a line connected to a solvent reservoir, such as a pipe or a hose, or the like. The solvent provided by the solvent supply can preferably be pressurized. The solvent supply is particularly preferably a tap water connection. The solvent connection can be formed by a connectable component, such as a hose coupling, a flange, or the like. The solvent connection can be connected to the solvent supply in such a way that a sealed connection is established between the solvent connection and the solvent supply.

[0011] The solvent connection preferably has a pressure reducer. By providing a pressure reducer, the inlet pressure applied by the solvent supply can be limited using simple means. Furthermore, the solvent connection can have a pressure sensor that can be configured to measure the applied pressure. Particularly preferably, the pressure sensor is arranged downstream of the pressure reducer in a flow direction. Furthermore, the solvent connection can preferably further have a proportional valve that can be configured to adjust the volume flow of the solvent.

[0012] Furthermore, the mixing system according to the invention comprises a mixing tube. The mixing tube is formed, for example, by a hollow cylindrical body, such as a pipe. The mixing tube has, for example, a round cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, or the like. A solvent supplied from the solvent supply can flow through the mixing tube. The mixing tube functions as a volume through which solvent can flow and into which reactants can be added to a solvent stream in order to produce a fluid mixture of solvent and reactant(s).

[0013] The mixing system further comprises the dispensing valve. The dispensing valve can be formed by any valve device configured to selectively interrupt a fluid flow. Such a valve device is formed, for example, by a solenoid valve, a shut-off valve, or the like. Preferably, the dispensing valve can have a fluid guide configured to guide an outflowing fluid in sections. Such a fluid guide can be formed, for example, by a nozzle, a hose section, or the like. By providing a fluid guide, the escaping fluid can be guided, thus preventing undesired splashing of fluid during the filling process. Particularly preferably, the fluid guide can be designed such that the fluid guide protrudes into a filling opening of the product container.

[0014] The product container can be formed by a container for fluids that is suitable for holding a fluid. Such a container can be formed, for example, by a bottle, a canister, a barrel, or the like. The product container can preferably be made of plastic, glass, metal, or the like. The product container can have a filling opening. The filling opening can preferably be located on an upper side of the product container. Particularly preferably, the filling opening can be closable by a suitable closure means. Such a closure means is formed, for example, by a screw cap, a lid, a plug, a valve, or the like. The product container is preferably suitable for holding cleaning agents.The coding of the product container (second coding) can, for example, comprise an optical coding, a mechanical coding, an electronic coding, or similar coding. For example, the second coding can be formed by an RFID transponder, in particular an NFC chip, a two-dimensional optical coding, in particular a QR code. The provision of the second coding enables the linking of information to the product container. The provision of the second coding further enables the mixing system to provide the linked information in such a way that it is detectable by the mixing system.Such information may, for example, relate to the contents of the product container, such as a predetermined mixture of reactants and solvent, to features of the product container itself, such as a container number, a capacity, a container shape or the like, and / or to features of the contents of the product container, such as a batch number, a date of manufacture, an expiration date, a use-by date, a customer number, a place of manufacture or the like.

[0015] In addition, the mixing system has at least one reactant receptacle. However, the mixing system can also have two, three, four or any other number of reactant receptacles. In a preferred embodiment, the mixing system can have five reactant receptacles. Each reactant receptacle has an reactant connection, a conveying device and an reactant line. The reactant connection establishes the connection to an reactant container. The reactant connection ensures that reactant fluid can be conveyed from the reactant container. An reactant connection can be formed, for example, by a hose or a pipe that projects into an opening in the reactant container. It is also conceivable for an reactant connection to be formed by a coupleable element, such as a hose coupling, which can be coupled to a counterpart arranged on the reactant container. The conveying device can be formed, for example, by a pump that conveys a fluid from the reactant container.The conveying device can preferably be a hose pump or a peristaltic pump. The reactant connection and the conveying device are fluidly connected to the mixing tube via the reactant line. In other words, a fluid conveyed by the conveying device can flow from the reactant connection through the reactant line to the mixing tube and into the mixing tube. The flow of reactant into the solvent stream in the mixing tube can achieve thorough mixing of the reactant fluid(s) and solvent.

[0016] The reactant container can be formed by a container for fluids that is suitable for holding a fluid. Such a container can be formed, for example, by a bottle, a canister, a barrel, or the like. The reactant container can preferably be made of plastic, glass, metal, or the like. The reactant container can have a filling opening. The filling opening can preferably be arranged on an upper side of the reactant container. Particularly preferably, the filling opening can be closable by a suitable closure means. Such a closure means can be formed, for example, by a screw cap, a lid, a plug, a valve, or the like. The reactant container can preferably be suitable for holding components of cleaning agents, such as acids, alkalis, complexing agents, dispersants, solvents, surfactants, or the like.The coding of the reactant container (first coding) can, for example, comprise an optical coding, a mechanical coding, an electronic coding, or similar coding. For example, the first coding can be formed by an RFID transponder, in particular an NFC chip, or a two-dimensional optical coding, in particular a QR code. The provision of the first coding enables the linking of information to the reactant container. The provision of the first coding further enables the mixing system to provide the linked information in such a way that it is detectable by the mixing system.Such information may, for example, relate to the contents of the reactant container, to features of the reactant container itself, such as a container number, a capacity, a container shape or the like, and / or to features of the contents of the reactant container, such as a batch number, a date of manufacture, an expiration date, a use-up date, a customer number, a place of manufacture or the like.

[0017] The control unit is configured to control the conveying device and the dispensing valve. For this purpose, the control unit can selectively control the conveying device such that the conveying device switches between a state in which the conveying device is conveying and a state in which the conveying device is not conveying. Furthermore, the control unit can selectively control the dispensing valve such that the dispensing valve switches between a state in which the dispensing valve is open and a state in which the dispensing valve is closed. Such a control unit can be formed, for example, by a microprocessor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), or the like. For this purpose, the control unit can be connected, for example, wired or wirelessly to the conveying device and the dispensing valve. The control unit can also have a memory unit configured to store data in a retrievable manner.Furthermore, the control unit can have a communication device configured to establish a communication connection with another device. Such a communication device can be formed, for example, by a modem. Furthermore, the control unit can have an output device, such as a screen, a loudspeaker, or the like, and / or an input device, such as a button, a keyboard, a microphone, or the like. It is also conceivable for the control unit to have a combined input / output device, such as a touchscreen.

[0018] The mixing system also includes the detection device. The detection device is configured to detect the first coding of the reactant container and / or the second coding of the product container as a coding signal. The first and / or second coding can be detected by mechanical interaction between the detection device and the respective first coding and / or second coding. For example, the first coding and / or the second coding can be configured as a mechanical coding, such as an indentation, a pattern of indentations, or the like, and the detection device can comprise a sensor that can detect such a mechanical coding. It is also conceivable that the first coding and / or second coding can be detected without contact.For example, the first coding and / or the second coding can be designed as an optical coding, such as in the form of a QR code, and the detection device can have a camera that can record the image of the QR code. It is also conceivable that the first coding and / or the second coding is / are designed as an NFC chip and the detection device has an NFC receiving device that can read the NFC chip. The detection device can have a means for detecting the first coding and / or the second coding or can have multiple means for detecting the first coding and / or the second coding. Preferably, the detection device can have a means (educt detection device) for detecting the first coding and / or a means (product detection device) for detecting the second coding for each reactant receptacle.

[0019] The first coding and / or the second coding is detected as a coding signal. The coding signal can contain the information resulting from the interaction between the first coding and / or the second coding and the detection device. For example, the coding signal can be generated by an increase in voltage or a current flow during a mechanical interaction with a button that closes an electrical circuit. It is also conceivable for the coding signal to contain image information generated by a camera. Furthermore, the coding signal can also be generated by a digitally encoded signal generated when an NFC chip is read. The coding signal can contain the information of a plurality of first codings and / or second codings. The detection device can preferably be connected to the control unit wired or wirelessly.

[0020] According to the invention, the control unit is configured to control the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device(s) based on the coding signal. This can be achieved, for example, if a coding signal or a part of a coding signal is assigned to a specific control of the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device. A specific control in this context can be understood as meaning that control occurs, that control occurs for a specific period of time, or the like. For example, based on a coding, the control unit can control various conveying devices each for a predetermined period of time and control the dispensing valve for a specific period of time in order to generate a predetermined volume of a fluid mixture.

[0021] By providing interaction between the mixing plant and the reactant container and / or product container, it is possible for the respective containers to communicate directly with the mixing plant, thus enabling an exchange of information between the container and the mixing plant. In this way, work instructions can be issued to the mixing plant, for example. This can be achieved, for example, via a second code on a product container, which contains information regarding the desired fluid mixture and the fill volume of the product container. The requirement for reactants can also be derived from such information. By recognizing the first code, it can then be determined, for example, whether the required reactants are available in the mixing plant.The direct interaction of the first coding and / or second coding with the control system based on the coding signal simplifies the operation of the mixing system and avoids potential safety-related errors that can occur during operation. This reduces the need for skilled personnel to operate the mixing system and allows the mixing system to be operated decentrally, for example, directly at the site where the fluid mixtures are used. This avoids the need to transport ready-to-use fluid mixtures and, furthermore, the increased carbon dioxide emissions caused by transport.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the detection device can be configured to detect the first coding and the second coding. Providing such a detection device makes it possible to detect both the first coding and the second coding, thus deriving information from both the reactant container(s) and the product container. This allows the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device(s) to be controlled based on the first coding and the second coding.

[0023] Preferably, the control unit can be configured to compare the coding signal with at least one predefined item of reference coding information. The at least one item of reference coding information can, for example, be stored in a memory unit of the control unit and loaded from the memory unit for comparison. The reference coding information can, for example, have a part that matches a coding signal or a part of a coding signal. By comparing the coding signal with a reference coding, it can be made possible for the control unit of the mixing system to recognize a specific first coding and / or second coding by comparing it with a piece of reference coding information and, based thereon, to control the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device(s).

[0024] In one embodiment, the control of the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device(s) can only take place if the coding signal matches one of the at least one reference coding information items. The additional requirement that the coding signal matches one of the stored reference coding information items ensures that the control of the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device(s) can only take place if a previously stored reference coding information item matches the coding signal and thus with the first coding and / or the second coding. Such a comparison can distinguish between those first codings and / or second codings whose derived coding signal is identified as known during the comparison and those whose derived coding signal is not identified as known during the comparison.Such discrimination may prevent the use of non-approved or undesired product containers and / or reactant containers.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, each reactant receptacle can have a reactant detection device configured to detect the first coding only in the area of ​​the respective reactant receptacle. Such a limitation of the detection range can be achieved, for example, by limiting the transmission power of the reactant detection device. Such an arrangement can provide the advantage that a reactant container inserted into a reactant receptacle can be unambiguously assigned to a reactant receptacle based on its first coding. This can reliably prevent unintentional interchange of reactant containers in the mixing system. This can result in increased operating safety.

[0026] In one embodiment, the at least one reference coding information item can be assigned to a specific reactant receptacle. The assignment to a specific reactant receptacle makes it possible to detect whether a first coding of a reactant container inserted in a reactant receptacle matches a reference coding information item for this reactant receptacle. This makes it possible to discriminate between permissible reactants and non-permissible reactants for each reactant receptacle.

[0027] Furthermore, it is preferred that if a match is found with one of the at least one pieces of reference coding information, this piece of reference coding information is no longer taken into account in a subsequent comparison. No longer taking into account a piece of reference coding information can be achieved, for example, by adding an attribute to the reference coding information, by deleting the reference coding information, or a similar operation. By consuming a piece of reference coding information after a successful comparison, it can be made possible for a reactant container and / or product container to be used only once in the mixing system. This can, for example, prevent reactant containers from having to be refilled manually after the reactant fluid has been used up and then being inserted back into the mixing system.Furthermore, it can be avoided, for example, that product containers intended for single use are only used multiple times.

[0028] In one embodiment, a reference coding information item used during a comparison can be stored again so that it can be taken into account again in a subsequent comparison. By reactivating an initially used reference coding information item in this way, it can be made possible for an already used reactant container and / or product container to be reused for use in the mixing system by releasing it.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the mixing system can have a fill level detection device configured to determine a fill level of the product container, and the control unit can be configured to control the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device based on the fill level. A fill level detection device can be formed, for example, by an optical sensor, such as a camera, a photodiode or the like, a conductivity sensor or the like. The fill level detection device can be connected to the control unit via a wired or wireless connection. By detecting the fill level of the product container, it can be ensured that the product container is only filled when the product container has not yet exceeded its maximum fill level.Furthermore, filling the product container when it has already reached or exceeded its maximum fill level can be avoided. This reliably prevents overfilling of the product container.

[0030] Preferably, the fill level detection device comprises a scale configured to measure the weight of the product container, and the control unit can be configured to determine the fill level of the product container based on the coding signal and the weight of the product container. Provision can be made for the control unit to derive information based on the coding signal, for example, by comparing it with reference coding information containing the empty weight of the product container. By comparing the empty weight of the product container and the weight of the product container determined by the scale, it can be possible to determine the current fill level of the product container.In a preferred embodiment, the control unit can derive information based on the coding signal, for example, by comparing it with reference coding information containing the density of the fluid mixture in the product container. The additional information about the density of the fluid mixture in the product container makes it possible to determine with high precision what volume is already in the product container and what volume can still be filled to achieve a maximum fill level.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferred that the control unit can be configured to determine a fill level of the at least one reactant container based on the coding signal and the control of the conveying device. In this case, it can be provided that the control unit derives information based on the coding signal, for example by comparing it with reference coding information that contains the fill level of the at least one reactant container. The fill level can be determined, for example, by taking into account the fill level and the consumption of the reactant, which can be calculated, for example, from the operating time of the conveying device with a known volume flow (fill level minus consumption). Determining the fill level of the at least one reactant container can make it possible to determine whether a current reactant inventory is sufficient for the production of a specific amount of a specific fluid mixture.Furthermore, determining the fill level can provide an early indication that a reactant container needs to be replaced. It can also make it possible to detect a discrepancy between an actual fill level and a calculated fill level.

[0032] In one embodiment, the at least one reactant receptacle can have at least one partition. Such a partition can be arranged such that the reactant receptacle is spatially separated from other reactant receptacles and / or other areas of the mixing system. The provision of such a partition can reduce accessibility to the reactant receptacle(s) and can therefore make contact between different reactants more difficult.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit can request a release request via the dispensing device before starting to control the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device(s), and can only execute the control of the dispensing valve and / or the conveying device(s) once the release request has been confirmed via the input device. A release request can be implemented, for example, by a message on a screen in which a fluid mixture and a volume are named and release is requested. Confirmation of the release request can be implemented, for example, by pressing a button, selecting an element in a graphical user interface, or the like. By providing a query and confirmation instance, it can be ensured that a fluid mixture cannot be inadvertently produced by the mixing system.

[0034] In one embodiment, the at least one reactant receptacle can further comprise a collecting basin configured to completely accommodate a filling volume of the reactant container. Such a collecting basin can, for example, be arranged below the reactant container. The collecting basin can preferably comprise a grid element spaced from a base of the collecting basin by feet. By providing a collecting basin, it can be ensured that no reactant fluid escapes from the reactant receptacle and thus from the mixing system, even in the event of a defective reactant container leaking. Furthermore, it can be ensured that uncontrolled mixing of reactants can be prevented.

[0035] In one embodiment, the mixing system can also have a flushing valve, which can be arranged between the reactant connection and the dispensing valve, and the control unit can be configured to selectively perform a cleaning routine, wherein the flushing valve is controlled to open it. By performing the cleaning routine, it can be ensured that residues of a fluid mixture are flushed out of the mixing tube. For example, a cleaning routine can be performed after the production of a fluid mixture has been completed. It is also conceivable that a cleaning routine can be performed after the production of several similar fluid mixtures has been completed.

[0036] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a reactant container for fluids, in particular cleaning agent components, for use with the mixing system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the reactant container has a first coding. The reactant container can preferably have a capacity of 10 liters to 30 liters, particularly preferably 20 liters. The first coding preferably has an optical coding, a mechanical coding and / or an electronic coding. According to a preferred embodiment, the first coding can have an RFID transponder, in particular an NFC chip, and / or a two-dimensional optical coding, in particular a QR code. For a further description of the features of the reactant container and the advantages associated with these features, reference is made to the above explanations in connection with the first aspect of the present invention.

[0037] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a product container for fluid mixtures, in particular cleaning agent solutions, for use with the mixing system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the product container has a second coding. The product container can preferably have a capacity of 1 liter to 5 liters. The second coding can preferably have an optical coding, a mechanical coding and / or an electronic coding. According to a preferred embodiment, the second coding can have an RFID transponder, in particular an NFC chip, and / or a two-dimensional optical coding, in particular a QR code. For a further description of the features of the product container and the advantages associated with these features, reference is made to the above explanations in connection with the first aspect of the present invention.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a mixing system comprising the mixing plant according to the first aspect of the invention, at least one reactant container according to the second aspect of the invention and a product container according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0039] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. All described and / or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their references.

[0040] They show schematically: Fig. 1 a flow diagram of an embodiment of the mixing system according to the invention; Fig. 2 a view of the front of the embodiment of the mixing system; Fig. 3 a view of the top of the Fig. 2 shown mixed system with the section plane E; Fig. 4 a plan view of the section plane E; and Fig. 5 a schematic block diagram of the embodiment of the mixing system.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of the mixing system according to the invention. The solvent connection 2 is sealingly connected to a solvent supply 70. The solvent supply 70 is formed by a fixed water connection. The solvent connection 2 and the solvent supply 70 each have a coupling element, which are sealingly connected to one another. The solvent connection 2 has a pressure reducer 21, a pressure sensor 22, and a proportional valve 23 in the flow direction (the flow direction extends from the solvent supply 70 towards the dispensing valve 3). The solvent connection 2 opens into the mixing tube 4. The mixing tube 4 is designed as a hollow cylindrical metal tube and extends in the flow direction.

[0042] Five reactant lines 13 are connected to the mixing tube 4 one behind the other in the direction of flow. Each of the reactant lines 13 is part of a reactant receptacle 10. Each reactant receptacle 10 has a collecting basin 14, a reactant connection 11, and a conveying device 12. In addition, a reactant container 30 is arranged in the collecting basin 14 of each reactant receptacle 10. The reactant container 30 is a plastic canister with a capacity of 20 liters. The reactant container 30 has an essentially cuboid shape. The reactant container 30 has an opening on the top that can be closed with a screw cap. The collecting basin 14 has an essentially cuboid shape with an open top. The collecting basin 14 has a capacity of, for example, 25 liters. The educt connection 11 is designed as a screw cap which is screwed to a thread arranged at the opening of the educt container 30.Furthermore, the educt connection 11 has a suction lance which extends into the educt container 30 and ends near the bottom of the educt container 30. By providing a suction lance, educt fluid can be sucked in reliably even when the educt container 30 is low. The educt line 13 establishes a flow connection from the educt connection 11 to the mixing tube 4. A conveying device 12 is arranged between the educt connection 11 and the position at which the educt line 13 opens into the mixing tube 4. The conveying device 12 is designed, for example, as a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump can suck in educt fluid via the suction lance and pump it in the direction of the mixing tube 4. The peristaltic pump is preferably linked to the control unit 5 by wire and can be controlled by the control unit 5. For the sake of clarity, the illustration of the . Fig. 1, the control unit 5 and connections to the control unit 5 are not shown. Each of the five reactant receptacles 10 is constructed as described above.

[0043] A switching valve 60 is arranged downstream of the mixing tube 4 in the flow direction. The switching valve 60 is designed as a 3 / 2-way valve, which can optionally connect the mixing tube 4 to the discharge valve 3 or the mixing tube 4 to an outlet 61. The switching valve 60 is wired to the control unit 5 and can be switched by the control unit between the two described switching positions.

[0044] Further downstream of the switching valve 60 in the direction of flow is the dispensing valve 3. The dispensing valve 3 is designed as a solenoid valve that can be selectively opened or closed. In the open position, fluid can exit the dispensing valve 3 in the direction of flow. In the closed position, no fluid exits the dispensing valve 3. The dispensing valve 3 is preferably wired to the control unit 5 and can be switched between the two described positions by the control unit. The dispensing valve 3 also has a nozzle 19 that bundles and directs escaping fluid. The nozzle 19 extends into the product container 40 arranged below it and thus prevents splashing of escaping fluid. The product container 40 is received in a product collecting basin 18, which is designed as a collecting pan with a capacity of 2 liters.The product collection basin 18 has an outlet connected to a drain canister 18a via a hose. The drain canister 18a collects the fluid mixture that flows from the product collection basin 18 into the drain canister 18a. A scale 17 is arranged in the product collection basin 18, which measures the weight of the product container 40 arranged on the scale 17. The product container 40 is designed as a substantially cuboid-shaped plastic canister with a capacity of, for example, 1 or 5 liters. The product container 40 has a filling opening on its top, which can be closed with a screw cap.

[0045] Each of the reactant containers 30 has a self-adhesive label on a side surface of the canister, which label contains a first code 31. The first code 31 is designed as an NFC chip arranged in an intermediate layer of the self-adhesive label. Furthermore, each reactant receptacle 10 is assigned a reactant detection device 6. The reactant detection device 6 is designed, for example, as an NFC receiving device that can read an NFC chip arranged on a reactant container 30. Each reactant detection device 6 can only read an NFC chip located in the reactant receptacle 10 assigned to it. The product container 40 has a self-adhesive label on a side surface of the canister, which label contains a second code 41. The second coding 41 is designed, for example, as an NFC chip which is arranged in an intermediate layer of the self-adhesive label.Furthermore, a product detection device 7 is assigned in spatial proximity to the product collection basin 18. The product detection device 7 is designed as an NFC receiving device that can read an NFC chip arranged on a product container 40.

[0046] In Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a mixing system 100 according to the invention in a front view. In order to be able to illustrate the underlying components, the illustration of the product container 40 has been omitted for the sake of clarity. The mixing system 100 comprises a mixing system 1 having a cuboid-shaped housing 24. In the lower right half of the housing 24, two reactant receptacles 10 are arranged on the front, each of which contains a reactant container 30. A cover 25 is arranged over the reactant containers 30. Furthermore, the dispensing valve 3 and the nozzle 19 are arranged in the left housing half. The product detection device 7, designed as an NFC receiving device, is arranged below the nozzle 19. The scale 17 is arranged below the product detection device 7. A combined input and output device 54, 55 in the form of a touchscreen is arranged at the upper left end of the housing 24.

[0047] In the top view of the Fig. 3 also shows three further reactant receptacles 10, which are arranged next to one another along the rear of the mixing system 1. The reactant receptacles 10 are separated from one another by partition walls 15. Furthermore, the reactant containers 30 received in the reactant receptacles 10 are arranged on a grid element 16 arranged in the collecting basin 14. The grid element 16 has four feet that space the upper grid of the grid element 16 from the bottom of the collecting basin 14. In addition, the solvent connection 2, the pressure sensor 22, the proportional valve 23, the mixing tube 4, and the switching valve 60 are arranged in a central section between the two front reactant receptacles 10 and the three rear reactant receptacles 10. Five conveying devices 12 are arranged along the mixing tube 4 in the flow direction.

[0048] The Fig. 4 shown top view of the Fig. The section plane E shown in Figure 3 further shows two reactant detection devices 6, each arranged behind the two front reactant receptacles 10.

[0049] Fig. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of the embodiment of the mixing system 100. The control unit 5 has a processor 51, a memory unit 51, a modem 53, an input device 54, and an output device 55. The processor 51 is bidirectionally connected to each of the aforementioned components. The memory unit 51 is embodied, for example, as a non-volatile flash memory. The modem 53 is embodied, for example, as an LTE modem. The input device 54 and the output device 55 are combined to form a touchscreen. The processor 51 of the memory unit 5 is further bidirectionally connected to the five conveying devices 12 of the reactant receptacles 10, to the dispensing valve 3, to the five reactant detection devices 6, the product detection device 7, the scale 17, the switching valve 60, and the pressure sensor 22. A second coding 41 is assigned to the product detection device 7.The interaction between the second coding 41, configured as an NFC chip, and the product detection device 7, configured as an NFC receiver, occurs wirelessly (dashed line). Likewise, the interaction between the first coding 31, each configured as an NFC chip, and the reactant detection devices 6, each configured as an NFC receiver, also occurs wirelessly (dashed line).

[0050] The following example illustrates the mixing process of a fluid mixture using the Fig. 1. The solvent connection 2 is connected to the solvent supply 70. Pressurized water is supplied to the mixing system 1 through the solvent connection 2. The inlet pressure 21 is limited by the pressure reducer 21 and the volume flow is adjusted by the proportional valve 23. By opening the dispensing valve 3, water flows in the direction of flow through the mixing tube 4. A specific amount of a respective reactant fluid is dispensed into the mixing tube 4 by controlling the peristaltic pumps 12. The reactant fluids and the water mix in the mixing tube to form a fluid mixture. After flowing through the mixing tube 4, the fluid mixture exits through the dispensing valve 3 and flows into the product container 40. By closing the dispensing valve 3, the dispensing of the fluid mixture and the flow through the mixing tube 4 is stopped. A cleaning routine can then optionally be carried out.For this purpose, the switching valve 60 is controlled in such a way that a connection is established between the mixing tube 4 and the outlet 61. The switching valve 60 is then switched again when a quantity of water has exited the outlet 61 that approximately corresponds to the volume of the mixing tube 4.

[0051] The following is based on the Fig.1 to 5 explain the recognition of product containers 40 and reactant containers 30 and the functioning of an embodiment of the mixing system 100. When a reactant container 30 is inserted, the NFC chip of the reactant container 30 is read using the NFC receiving device. The NFC receiving device reads the NFC chip and receives a coding signal. The coding signal contains various information. Among other things, the coding signal contains an indication of the reactant container type, an indication of the reactant fluid located in the reactant container 30, a filling date, a use-by date, a batch number, and an identification number. The coding signal is sent to the control unit 5 and processed there. Likewise, when a product container 40 is inserted, the NFC chip of the product container 40 is read using the NFC receiving device. The NFC receiving device reads the NFC chip and receives a coding signal.The coding signal contains various information. Among other things, the coding signal contains an indication of the product container type, an indication of the fluid mixture intended for the product container 40, and an identification number. The coding signal is sent to the control unit 5 and processed there. The control unit 5 checks, based on a comparison with a database of reference coding information, whether the identification numbers contained in the coding signals match the reference coding information. If an identification number matches the reference coding information, the respective product container 40 or reactant container 30 is released for use, and the respective reference coding information is no longer considered for future comparison.If an identification number does not match one of the available reference coding information items, the respective product container 40 or reactant container 30 is not released for use. The coding signal from the product detection device 7 contains the information regarding which fluid mixture is to be poured into the product container 40. This coding signal also contains an indication of the product container type. The control unit 5 processes this information and derives from it which reactants are required and in what quantity. The control unit 5 compares the required reactants with the reactants available in the mixing system 100 based on the read-in first codes 31. If all required reactants are available, the control unit 5 controls the respective conveyor devices 12 and the dispensing valve 3 such that the fluid mixture associated with the product container 40 is generated, as described above.This ensures that the labeling of the product container matches its contents.

[0052] Before the filling process, the control unit 5 determines the type of the respective product container 40 based on the coding signal. From this, the control unit 5 determines the empty weight of the product container 40 and the maximum weight of the product container 40 containing the required fluid mixture, in comparison with stored data. Furthermore, the scale 17 measures the weight of the product container 40 before the filling process. Filling only occurs if the current weight of the product container 40 does not exceed the maximum weight of the product container. During the filling process, the weight of the product container 40 can be continuously measured, thus preventing the maximum weight from being exceeded. This ensures that the product container 40 is not overfilled. List of reference symbols 1 mixing plant 2 solvent connection 3 Dispensing valve 4 mixing tube 5 Control unit 6 Educt detection device 7 Product detection device 10 Educt uptake 11 Educt connection 12 Conveyor system 13 Educt line 14 retention basins 15 Partition wall 16 grid element 17 scales 18 product collection basins 19 Nozzle 21 pressure reducer 22 Pressure sensor 23 Proportional valve 24 housings 25 Cover 30 reactant containers 31 first coding 40 product containers 41 second coding 51 processor 52 storage unit 53 modems 54 Input device 55 Output device 60 changeover valve 61 Process 70 Solvent supply 100 mixing system QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 026 020 A1

[0003] WO 2014 / 078883 A2

[0003]

Claims

[1] Mixing system (1) for producing fluid mixtures, in particular cleaning solutions, for use with a reactant container (30) having a first coding (31) and a product container (40) having a second coding (41), the mixing system (1) comprising: a solvent connection (2) adapted to be connected to a solvent (50); a dispensing valve (3) configured to dispense the fluid mixture into the product container (40); a mixing tube (4) which establishes a flow connection between the solvent connection (2) and the dispensing valve (3); at least one reactant receptacle (10), wherein each reactant receptacle (10) an educt connection (11) which is designed to be connected to the educt container (30), a conveying device (12) which is designed to convey a reactant fluid (32) from the reactant container (30), and an educt line (13) which establishes a flow connection between the educt connection (11), the conveying device (12) and the mixing tube (4); and a control unit (5) which is arranged to control the dispensing valve (3) and the conveying device (12), characterized by that the mixing system (1) further comprises a detection device (6, 7) which is designed to detect the first coding (31) of the reactant container (30) and / or the second coding (41) of the product container (40) as a coding signal, and that the control unit (5) is designed to carry out the control of the dispensing valve (3) and / or the conveying device (12) based on the coding signal. [2] Mixing plant (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the detection device (6, 7) is designed to detect the first coding (31) and the second coding (41). [3] Mixing plant (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the control unit (5) is configured to compare the coding signal with at least one predefined reference coding information item. [4] Mixing plant (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the control of the dispensing valve (3) and / or the conveying device (12) only takes place if the coding signal corresponds to one of the at least one reference coding information items. [5] Mixing plant (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that if a match is found with one of the at least one reference coding information, this reference coding information is no longer taken into account in a subsequent comparison. [6] Mixing plant (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized bythat the mixing system (1) has a fill level detection device (17) which is designed to determine a fill level of the product container (40), and that the control unit (5) is designed to carry out the control of the dispensing valve (3) and / or the conveying device (12) based on the fill level. [7] Mixing plant (1) according to claim 6, characterized by in that the fill level detection device comprises a scale (17) which is configured to measure a weight of the product container (40), and in that the control unit (5) is configured to determine the fill level of the product container (40) based on the coding signal and the weight of the product container (40). [8] Mixing plant (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the control unit (5) is configured to determine a fill level of the at least one reactant container (30) based on the coding signal and the control of the conveying device (12). [9] Educt container (30) for fluids, in particular cleaning agent components, for use with the mixing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the reactant container (30) has a first coding (31). [10] Educt container (30) according to claim 9, characterized by that the first coding (31) comprises an optical coding, a mechanical coding and / or an electronic coding. [11] Educt container (30) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the first coding comprises an RFID transponder, in particular an NFC chip, and / or a two-dimensional optical coding, in particular a QR code. [12] Product container (40) for fluid mixtures, in particular cleaning solutions, for use with the mixing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the product container (40) has a second coding (41). [13] Product container (40) according to claim 12, characterized by that the second coding (41) comprises an optical coding, a mechanical coding and / or an electronic coding. [14] Product container (40) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by that the second coding (41) comprises an RFID transponder, in particular an NFC chip, and / or a two-dimensional optical coding, in particular a QR code. [15] Mixing system (100) for producing fluid mixtures, in particular cleaning solutions, comprising the mixing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, at least one reactant container (30) according to one of claims 9 to 11 and a product container (40) according to one of claims 12 to 14.

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