Coating agent supply device and related method of operation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coating agent supply device for supplying a coating agent to an application station of a coating installation, particularly a coating agent supply device in a paint mixing chamber for supplying a coating agent to a pigging system in a paint booth of a paint installation for painting automotive body parts with a coating agent to be applied. The coating agent supply device according to the present invention comprises at least one coating agent storage container (18) for supplying the coating agent to be applied, a transfer point (15) for transferring the coating agent to the application station, particularly to the pigging system in the paint booth of the paint installation, and a line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15). The present invention provides that the line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15) comprises at least one piggable line (27). Furthermore, the present invention includes a related operating method.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating agent supply device for supplying a coating agent (e.g., paint) to be applied to an application station (e.g., a painting robot) of a coating installation (e.g., a painting installation). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating agent supply device is arranged in a paint mixing chamber for supplying a pigging system in a paint booth of the painting installation for applying paint to automotive body parts. The invention also relates to an associated method of operation. [Background technology]

[0002] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a conventional painting installation for painting an automotive body part 1. The automotive body part 1 to be painted is transported along a painting line through a painting booth in which four painting robots 2-5 are arranged on either side of the painting line. Each painting robot 2-5 is equipped with a rotary spray device as an application device, although other types of application devices (e.g., printheads) can alternatively be used. A pig target module 6-9 is arranged on each of the painting robots 2-5, whereby each pig target module 6-9 is connected to a pig source module 14 via piggable coating agent lines 10-13. The pig source module 14 is arranged at a transfer point 15 of a coating agent supply device, shown only diagrammatically here, to deliver the coating agent to be applied. For this purpose, the coating agent supply device has a valve arrangement 16 at the transfer point 15, which is connected to a coating agent storage container 18 ("delivery container") via a non-piggable coating agent line 17. For simplicity, only the coating agent storage container 18 is shown as the only coating agent storage container. In practice, however, up to four coating agent storage vessels 18 may be provided, which are connected to the transfer point 15 via color changers.

[0003] Figure 2 also shows a schematic diagram of such a conventional coating installation; to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description, whereby the same reference numerals are used for corresponding details. Here, only three piggable coating agent lines 10-12 emanate from transfer point 15, whereas in Figure 1 four piggable coating agent lines 10-13 emanate from transfer point 15. Furthermore, as can be seen from this figure, coating agent storage container 18 has coating agent pump 19 for circulating the coating agent to be applied from coating agent storage container 18 through a pumping circuit, which has a supply line 20 from coating agent pump 19 to transfer point 15 and a return line 21 from transfer point 15 to coating agent storage container 18. The pumping circuit, which includes supply line 20 and return line 21, can also be unpigged.

[0004] The concept of the coating agent supply device for the conventional painting equipment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 above, has various drawbacks, as described below.

[0005] One drawback is that, until now, only four of the coating agent storage containers 18 could be connected to the transfer point 15, meaning only four different colors could be applied. On the other hand, if a different color is desired, one of the coating agent storage containers 18 must be replaced with another one of the desired color. When replacing one of the coating agent storage containers 18 in this way, the entire pump circuit, including the supply line 20 and the return line 21, must be cleaned of paint residues, which requires a rinsing process. This results in high rinse aid consumption and, accordingly, high disposal costs for paint and rinse aid residues. Furthermore, color changes involving the replacement of one of the coating agent storage containers 18 are very time-consuming.

[0006] A further drawback is that the paint must be constantly circulated in the pump circuit to prevent it from settling in the supply line 20 or the return line 21. This constant circulation of the paint is associated with undesirable shear stresses on the paint. Therefore, another problem with known coating agent supply devices is the shear stress on the paint, which must be circulated even when no coating is being performed.

[0007] For technical background of the present invention, see also US Pat. Nos. 5,629,999, 5,729,97 ... and 5,729,979. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] DE 10006310 A1 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102018109344 [Patent Document 3] DE 10346601 [Patent Document 4] European Patent Application Publication No. 1319441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the task of creating a correspondingly improved coating agent supply device and an associated operating method for such a coating agent supply device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This object is achieved by the coating agent supply device or a corresponding operating method according to the invention.

[0011] The coating agent supply device according to the present invention is preferably arranged in a paint mixing chamber of a painting installation for painting automotive body parts, and supplies the paint to be applied at the transfer point. However, the present invention is not limited to paint as the coating agent to be applied, but can be implemented using other types of coating agents. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to automotive body parts as the parts to be painted, but can be implemented using other types of coating installations for coating other types of parts.

[0012] The coating to be applied is drawn from a coating storage vessel ("delivery vessel") within the coating supply system, which typically has a large volume sufficient to coat a large number of parts.

[0013] A line array is disposed between the coating storage container and the transfer point for conducting the coating material from the coating storage container to the transfer point.

[0014] In the coating agent supply device described at the beginning, the line arrangement between the coating agent storage container and the transfer point is not piggable, which entails the disadvantages described at the beginning. Therefore, the present invention provides that the line arrangement between the coating agent storage container and the transfer point comprises at least one piggable line.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coating agent supply device has multiple coating agent storage containers for supplying different coating agents. For example, each coating agent storage container can contain a specific color of paint. The design of the coating agent supply device according to the present invention, as described in detail below, allows for providing four or more different coating agent storage containers. For example, fifteen different coating agent storage containers can be provided to supply a corresponding number of different colors of paint.

[0016] The individual coating agent storage containers are preferably each connected to a pig line system. Each individual pig line system includes a pigging station with a pig source module, a pig target module, and a piggable line between the pig source module and the pig module. Such pig line systems are known per se from the prior art and do not need to be described in detail. However, such pig line systems have not yet been used in coating agent supply devices to connect coating agent storage containers with transfer points.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each coating agent storage container is assigned a pig line system. However, the invention also calls for protection of coating agent supply devices in which only some of the coating agent storage containers are provided with separate pig line systems.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pig source module and the pig target module are each in the form of a plate, rigidly connected to each other, and lie parallel to each other in a plane, so that the pig source module and the pig target module are both located within the pigging station and are substantially co-located, allowing for material circulation, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0019] Piggable lines can be very long, allowing coating residues to be pigged back into their respective coating storage containers ("reflow") during application interruptions or color changes, thereby avoiding the disruptive losses due to rinse aid and paint residues mentioned earlier. This allows for lengths of piggable lines of 1 meter or more, 2 meters or more, 4 meters or more, 10 meters or more, 20 meters or more, 50 meters or more, 100 meters or more, or even 150 meters or more. The increased line length between the transfer point and the coating storage containers made possible by the present invention in turn allows for greater flexibility in the structural design of coating supply equipment.

[0020] The connection between the individual coating agent storage vessels and the associated pigging line system is preferably made in each case by a pump circuit. For this purpose, a circulation line is provided in the circuit. This circulation line starts from the respective coating agent storage vessel, leads to the associated pigging station, and returns to the respective coating agent storage vessel, whereby this circulation line is preferably not piggable. The circulation line therefore consists of a supply line from the coating agent storage vessel to the pigging station and a return line from the pigging station to the coating agent storage vessel.

[0021] Additionally, each pump circuit preferably includes a circulation pump that draws coating agent from the respective coating agent storage container and circulates it within the respective pump circuit, thus drawing the respective coating agent from the respective coating agent storage container and transporting it via the supply line to the pigging station.

[0022] Additionally, each individual pump circuit may include a return flow regulator located in the pump circuit downstream of the respective pigging station in the return line to regulate the coating agent pressure at the associated pigging station. Such return flow regulators are particularly useful when multiple dispensing stations are located in the paint mixing chamber circuit, as described below.

[0023] Furthermore, each individual pump circuit may include a controllable valve located in the supply line upstream of the pigging station in each pump circuit, directing the flow of coating agent to the respective pigging station or to the return line. The controllable valve is preferably a twin valve. On the one hand, such a twin valve allows for the disposal of residual rinse agent from the circulation pump. On the other hand, the twin valve also allows for bubble-free filling of the pig source module.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each pig target module is not only connected to an associated pig source module by a piggable line, but also by an additional connecting line which is not piggable in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] On the one hand, this connecting line allows the circulation of material through the piggable line and the connecting line, and also in a large circuit including the pump circuit and the pig line system (paint mixing chamber circuit).The material then travels from the coating agent storage container via the supply line to the pig source module, via the piggable line to the pig target module, back to the pig source module via the connecting line, and back to the coating agent storage container via the return line.

[0026] On the other hand, the connecting lines between the pig target module and the pig source module also allow unapplied coating material to be returned ("reflow") from the piggable line through the pig target module, through the connecting lines, the pig source module, the pump circuit, and back to the respective coating material storage tank.

[0027] It should also be mentioned that the individual pigging stations may each include a controllable valve arrangement, which, depending on its control, preferably allows one of the following flow sequences in the coating agent supply device: Under pressure: The coating agent flows from the coating agent storage container through the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module, from where it flows into the piggable line, filling the piggable line with coating agent. · During material circulation: The pump circuit and associated pigline system (paint mixing chamber circuit) together form a large circuit of material circulation from the coating agent storage tank via the pump circuit to the pig source module, through the piggable line to the pig target module, through the connecting line to the pig source module, through the pump circuit and back to the coating agent storage tank. Material return: Any coating material remaining in the piggable line is pushed back to the coating material storage container via the pig target module, connecting line, and pump circuit. · During rinsing: Rinse agent and / or pulsed air is introduced into the pig source module and flows via the piggable line to the pig target module, from there via the connecting line to the pig source module, then into the circulation line and finally into the return line.

[0028] As already mentioned above, each individual coating agent storage container is preferably assigned a piggable line system for conducting the coating agent to be applied to the transfer point. The individual piggable line systems are preferably connected to a common distribution station. The common distribution station is thus connected to the piggable lines on the supply side for removing the coating agent from the piggable lines. However, on the application side, the distribution station is connected to the transfer point via at least one central flow path. In this case, the common distribution station includes a controllable valve unit for selectively and controllably connecting the piggable lines to at least one central flow path on the application side.

[0029] It is noted here that in a preferred embodiment, at least one central flow path between a distribution station and a transfer point cannot be piggable.

[0030] It is also noted that there can be multiple central flow paths, such as two, three, or four, between the dispensing station and the transfer point.

[0031] However, the central channel is preferably a relatively short cable length, preferably 1 m or less.

[0032] The distribution station preferably includes a distribution module for each pig line system to remove the coating agent from the associated piggable line. The individual distribution modules are preferably plate-shaped and identical in structure, which allows for a modular and scalable design of the distribution station. The individual plate-shaped distribution modules are preferably aligned parallel to one another and arranged adjacent to one another in a row. Furthermore, the distribution modules are mechanically connected to one another, particularly by screw connections. Depending on the number of coating agent storage containers to be connected and the corresponding number of pig line systems to be connected, a correspondingly large number of distribution modules can be integrated into the distribution station.

[0033] It should be mentioned here that the distribution station for each piggable line preferably has a passageway for each pig that allows the pig to pass through it as each piggable line passes through the distribution station. In the modular design of the distribution station described above with multiple distribution modules, such a passageway is preferably provided within each distribution module.

[0034] It should be noted that, in general, the common distribution station has n inputs for the piggable lines on the supply side. Additionally, on the application side, the common distribution station has m outputs for the central flow paths to the transfer points. The number n of inputs for the piggable lines is preferably greater than the number m of outputs for the central flow paths. For example, the number m of outputs for the central flow paths can be 2, 3, or 4, and the number n of inputs for the piggable lines can be greater than 4.

[0035] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that at least one pig sensor is arranged on each piggable line to detect pigs in the piggable line. Such pig sensors are known per se from the prior art and therefore do not need to be described in more detail. Preferably, the pig sensor is arranged at the pigging station, in particular at a distance of less than 50 cm, less than 20 cm, less than 10 cm, or less than 5 cm from the pigging station. For example, a double pig sensor can be used that can monitor both the pig supply line and the pig return line. On the one hand, the double pig sensor can detect whether a pig is entering or leaving the pig source module. On the other hand, the double pig sensor can also detect whether a pig is moving to or leaving the pig target module.

[0036] As already mentioned at the beginning, the at least one coating agent storage container ("delivery container") is replaceable and generally has a large volume sufficient to coat a large number of parts, for example, this volume can be at least 10 liters, 50 liters, 100 liters, 250 liters or 500 liters.

[0037] Within the scope of the present invention, the number of coating agent reservoirs can be 2, 3, 4, 5, or even more than 10. Due to the relatively large number of simultaneously connected coating agent reservoirs, many different coating agents can be applied without changing the coating agent reservoir, thereby avoiding the troublesome losses due to color changes mentioned at the beginning.

[0038] Although the coating agent supply device according to the invention has been described above, supplying a respective coating agent to a transfer point, the invention also claims protection for a coating installation further comprising an application station connected to the transfer point of the coating agent supply device and having at least one application device (e.g., a rotary spray device) for applying the coating agent supplied to the transfer point.

[0039] Thus, the transfer point may have a pig source module on the application side that is connected to a pig target module on the application apparatus via at least one piggable line. The piggable line between the transfer point and the application apparatus may have a relatively long line length, for example, in the range of 30 m to 200 m.

[0040] It should also be mentioned that the individual pig target modules at the coating station can each be connected to the pig source modules at the transfer point via multiple parallel piggable lines, facilitating the application of different coatings.

[0041] It should also be mentioned that in general the application device is preferably an atomizer (for example a rotary atomizer), however other application devices such as so-called printheads can also be used within the scope of the present invention.

[0042] Preferably, however, the application device is guided by an application robot, of which there can be several within the application station.

[0043] Finally, it is noted that the invention also claims protection for a corresponding method of operation, in at least one pig line system of a coating agent supply device, carrying out at least one of the following steps: The piggable lines of the coating agent supply system are filled, and the coating agent is pumped from the coating agent storage container through the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module, from where it flows into the piggable lines, and the pig is preferably transported along with the coating agent in the piggable lines from the pig source module to the pig target module. The circulation of the coating agent in the large circuit formed by the pump circuit and the associated pig line system is preferably located in the paint mixing chamber, whereby the coating agent flows from the coating agent storage container through the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module, through the piggable line to the pig target module, through the connecting line to the pig source module, and back through the circulation line to the coating agent storage container. Before starting coating, stop the circulation of coating agent in the main circuit. · Dispensing station removes coating material from piggable line. Transporting the extracted coating material from the dispensing station through a central channel to the transfer point. Transferring the extracted coating agent from the transfer point to the application device at the application station, preferably via a pigging system between the transfer point and the application station, or directly from the transfer point to the application station without a pigging system. The extracted coating agent is applied using an application device. · Return unapplied coating material from the piggable line of the coating material supply system to the coating material storage container via the pig source module and the circulation line of the pump circuit. · Rinse the piggable line, pig source module and / or pig target module with pulsed air and / or rinse agent.

[0044] It has already been mentioned above that within the scope of the present invention it is possible to return the coating agent to the coating agent storage container. For this purpose, the following steps are preferably carried out within the scope of the present invention: The compressed air from the pig target module is introduced into the piggable line, so that the compressed air pushes the pig and the coating agent column located in front of the pig in the piggable line to the pig source module. ·Push the coating agent column of the pig source module back from the piggable line to the circulation line of the pump circuit. · The coating agent column is pushed back from the circulation line of the pump circuit into the coating agent storage container.

[0045] Furthermore, it has already been mentioned above that the coating agent supply device can be regenerated. For this purpose, the following steps are preferably carried out: In the pig source module, introduce rinse agent and / or pulsed air into the piggable line of the coating agent supply system. · Passing rinse agent and / or pulsed air from the pig source module through the piggable line to the pig target module. · Pass rinse agent and / or pulsed air on the pig target module through the connecting lines to the pig source module. · Pass rinse agent and / or pulsed air from the pig source module through the circulation line of the pump circuit.

[0046] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are explained in more detail below in conjunction with the description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of the above-described conventional painting installation for painting automotive body parts; [Figure 2] This shows a modification of the conventional painting equipment shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 shows a modification of the painting installation shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 shows a modification of the painting installation shown in FIG. 2 according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 5 shows a perspective view of a pigging station of the painting installation according to the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a pig source module of a painting installation according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 shows a top view of a dispensing station of a painting installation according to the invention; [Figure 8]8 shows one plate-shaped dispensing module of the dispensing station of FIG. 7; [Figure 9] Figure 4 shows the initial state of the painting equipment. [Figure 10] The painting equipment shown in Figure 4 is shown during application of the coating agent. [Figure 11] The coating equipment shown in Figure 4 is shown after pressurization is complete and material circulation is underway. [Figure 12] 13 shows the paint spray system of FIG. 12 as it pushes paint back into the coating agent storage container. [Figure 13] The painting installation of Figure 4 is shown during the rinsing process. [Figure 14] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] An embodiment of a coating agent supply device according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 3 and, in a slightly modified form, Figure 4. The embodiment according to the invention corresponds in part to the prior art coating agent supply device as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description and the same reference numerals are used for corresponding details.

[0049] A special feature of this embodiment is that three parallel piggable coating agent lines 10-13 each run between the pig target module 6-9 and the pig source module 14 at the transfer point 15, allowing three different coating agents to be provided to the pig target module 6-9.

[0050] Another special feature of this embodiment is the design and function of the coating agent supply system upstream of the transfer point 15 .

[0051] Thus, the paint to be applied is supplied by a total of 15 coating agent reservoirs 18, although there may be more or fewer coating agent reservoirs 18.

[0052] Each coating agent storage vessel 18 is equipped with a coating agent pump 19, which draws coating agent from each coating agent storage vessel 18 and transports it to a pig source module 23 via a non-piggable supply line 20 and twin valve 22. A non-piggable return line 21 leads from the pig source module 23 to the coating agent storage vessel 18. The supply line 20 and return line 21 thus form a non-piggable pump circuit, allowing material circulation within the pump circuit.

[0053] For the avoidance of doubt, it should be stated that each of the fifteen coating agent storage vessels 18 is assigned a pump circuit, and each pump circuit leads to a pig source module 23. However, for simplicity's sake, only a single pump circuit is shown in each diagram.

[0054] Furthermore, a return flow regulator 24 is arranged in the return line 21 of the pump circuit to regulate the paint pressure in the pig source module 23 to a predetermined value.

[0055] The twin valve 22 can direct the paint supplied via the supply line 20 to either the pig source module 23 or via the return line 25 to the return line 26 .

[0056] A piggable coating agent line 27 runs from the pig source module 23 through a distribution station 28 to a pig target module 29, which is mechanically connected to the pig source module 23 as seen in FIG.

[0057] A connecting line 30 also leads from the pig target module 29 to the pig source module 23, whereby the connecting line 30 is not piggable. The piggable coating agent line 27 between the pig source module 23 and the pig target module 29 forms a paint mixing chamber circuit with the connecting line 30.

[0058] This allows for a paint circulation that includes both the pump circuit and the paint mixing chamber circuit. Paint is then drawn from the coating agent storage vessel 18 and flows via supply line 20 and twin valve 22 into the pig source module 23. From there, the paint further flows via piggable coating agent line 27 to the distribution station 28 and then to the pig target module 29. From the pig target module 29, paint flows through connecting line 30 to the pig source module 23, and from there back to the coating agent storage vessel 18 through return line 21.

[0059] Additionally, a double pig sensor 30 is provided to detect when a pig passes through the double pig sensor 30 in the piggable coating agent line 27. On the other hand, the double pig sensor 30 can detect whether a pig 32 is entering or exiting the pig source module 23. On the other hand, the double pig sensor 30 can also detect whether a pig 32 is moving toward or away from the pig target module 29.

[0060] For the avoidance of doubt, it should be mentioned that each coating agent reservoir 18 is assigned not only a pump circuit but also a paint mixing chamber circuit, although for simplicity only one paint mixing chamber circuit is shown in the figures.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pig source module 23, and since the pig target module 29 has the same structure, a separate description of the pig target module 29 can be omitted.

[0062] In the figure, the pig 32 is shown within the pig source module 23. The pig 32 can then be moved from the pig source module 23 through the piggable coating line 27 to the pig target module 29 by compressed air drive.

[0063] To control the movement of the pig and to control the flow of paint, the pig source module 23 comprises a number of valves 33-36. The mode of operation of the pig source module 23 is basically known from the prior art and therefore does not need to be described in detail.

[0064] Figure 4 also shows that the distribution station 28 is connected to the transfer point 15 via two central channels 37, 38. The central channels 37, 38 are not piggable.

[0065] 7 shows that the distribution station 28 includes a number of plate-shaped distribution modules 39, and the number of distribution modules 39 can be changed due to the modular structure of the distribution station 28. In FIG. 7, the distribution station 28 includes nine distribution modules 39, while in FIG. 4, the distribution station 28 includes only three distribution modules 39.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the distribution module 39, from which it can be seen that a through passage 40 passes through the distribution module 39 and that the through passage 40 can be traversed by the pig 32.

[0067] Additionally, distribution module 39 includes a plurality of valves 41-44 for controlling the extraction of materials from flow passage 40.

[0068] The distribution station 28 has a number of input connections 45 on the supply side, to which in each case one of the piggable coating agent lines 27 can be connected. Furthermore, the distribution station 28 has a number of output connections 46 on the application side, to which in each case one of the central channels 37, 38 can be connected. In Fig. 7, the distribution station 28 has nine input connections 45 and two output connections 46, whereas in Fig. 4, the distribution station 28 has only three input connections 45 and two output connections 46.

[0069] The initial state of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 9 will now be described. In this initial state, the pig 32 is located in the pig source module 23.

[0070] 10 shows the paint pressurization. Next, coating agent pumps 19 pump coating agent from the respective coating agent storage vessels 18 via supply lines 20 from the pig source module 23 to the piggable coating agent line 27. This moves the pig 32 toward the pig target module 29. A rinse agent is located upstream of the pig 32 to rinse the piggable coating agent line 27.

[0071] 11 shows the state where pressurization is complete and material circulation is underway. In this operating state, coating agent pump 19 delivers the respective coating agent from coating agent storage container 18 through supply line 20 to pig source module 23. The coating agent then flows from pig source module 23 through piggable coating agent line 27 to pig target module 29. From there, the paint flows through connecting line 30 to pig source module 23, and from there through return line 21 back to coating agent storage container 18. This material circulation therefore includes both a pump circuit and a paint mixing chamber circuit.

[0072] 12 shows a reflow operation in which the paint is pushed back into the coating storage container 18. Here, the pig 32 is returned to the pig source module 23 by compressed air in the piggable coating line 27. In doing so, the pig 32 pushes back the paint column in the piggable coating line 27. The paint in the piggable coating line 27 is then pushed back from the pig source module 23 to the coating storage container 18 via the return line 21.

[0073] Finally, the rinse step is shown in Figure 13. Pulsed air and rinse agent are introduced to clean the piggable coating agent line 27 of the pig source module 23.

[0074] Finally, Fig. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the operating method of the present invention. In step S1, first, as shown in Fig. 9 and described above, the coating equipment is set to the initial state.

[0075] In the next step S2, the paint is pressed as shown in FIG. 10 and described above.

[0076] In the next step S3, the pressurization is completed and the material is circulated as shown in FIG.

[0077] The actual painting operation then takes place in step S4. The distribution station 28 takes the desired paint from the piggable coating agent line 27 and transfers it via the transfer point 15 to the painting robot 2-5.

[0078] In the next step S5, a reflow operation is performed as shown in FIG. 12 and described above.

[0079] Finally, in step S6, a rinse operation is performed as shown in FIG. 13 and described above.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, the present invention also comprises numerous modifications and variations that utilize the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the present invention also claims protection for the features of the subject and dependent claims independently of the claims referred to in each case, and in particular without the features of the main claim. Thus, the present invention comprises various aspects of the invention that enjoy protection independently of each other.

[0081] Advantages of the Invention The present invention allows multiple coating systems to be connected to the transfer point to the painting facility's pigging system, i.e., four or more coating storage vessels ("delivery vessels") containing different coatings can be provided. The present invention allows for the storage of different paints in the paint mixing chamber circuit without the need to change one of the coating storage containers ("delivery containers") when applying four or more different paints, significantly speeding up the time until paint is available. · Even when applying four or more colors of paint, there is no need to change the coating storage container ("delivery vessel"), eliminating the usual rinsing and pressurization steps. The invention allows the elimination of traditional ring line systems and, for rarely needed paints ("low runner"), the additional paint waste caused by shear stress on the paint is eliminated. · Existing pigging systems can be used more efficiently. The present invention increases system availability, i.e. reduces downtime required for coating operations. Reduces paint waste by minimizing the need to change coating storage containers ("delivery containers"). This means that coating storage containers no longer need to be changed when changing colors; they only need to be changed when empty. -Compared to conventional ring line systems, the amount of paint applied can be reduced (filling amount is less than that of ring line). Automatic supply of coating materials at the required time (without manual operation).

[0082] (Addendum) (Appendix 1) 1. A coating agent supply device for supplying a coating agent to be applied to an application station of a coating installation, in particular a paint mixing chamber for supplying a pigging system in a paint booth of a coating installation for applying paint to automotive body parts, comprising: (a) at least one coating agent storage container (18) for supplying the coating agent to be applied; (b) a transfer point (15) for transferring the coating agent to be applied to the application station, in particular to the pigging system in the painting booth of the painting installation; (c) a line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15); (d) the line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) includes at least one piggable line (27) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15); Coating agent supply device.

[0083] (Appendix 2) (a) a plurality of said coating agent storage containers (18) are provided for supplying different coating agents; (b) each of the coating agent storage vessels (18) is connected to a pig line system (23, 27, 29); (c) each of said pigline systems (23, 27, 29) (c1) a pigging station (23, 29) having a pig source module (23) and a pig target module (29); (c2) a piggable line (27) between the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29); (d) the piggable line (27) preferably has a line length greater than 1 m, greater than 2 m, greater than 4 m, greater than 10 m, greater than 20 m, greater than 50 m, greater than 100 m, or greater than 150 m, and / or less than 1 km, less than 500 m, less than 200 m, or less than 100 m, respectively; (e) the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29) within the pigging station are preferably rigidly connected to one another; (f) the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29) are preferably plate-shaped and arranged parallel to each other; 2. The coating agent supply device of claim 1.

[0084] (Appendix 3) (a) the connection between each of the coating agent storage vessels (18) and the associated pig line system (23, 27, 29) is made by a pump circuit each; (b) each of said pump circuits includes: (b1) circulating circulation lines (20, 21) starting from each of the coating agent storage vessels (18), leading to the associated pigging stations (23, 29) and returning to each of the coating agent storage vessels (18), preferably non-piggable, and consisting of a supply line (20) and a return line (21); (b2) a circulation pump (19) for drawing coating agent from each of the coating agent storage containers (18) and circulating it in each of the pump circuits; and / or (b3) a return flow regulator (24) disposed in the pump circuit downstream of each pigging station (23, 29) to regulate the coating agent pressure at the associated pigging station (23, 29); and / or (b4) a controllable valve (22) disposed in the supply line (20) in the pump circuit upstream of each of the pigging stations, for selectively directing the flow of coating agent to each of the pigging stations (23, 29) or to a return line (26); The invention is characterized in that it includes the elements of 3. The coating agent supply device according to claim 2.

[0085] (Appendix 4) In at least one of the pig line systems (23, 27, 29), the pig target module (29) is connected to the pig source module (23) by a connecting line (30); (a) returning unapplied coating material from the piggable line (27) through the pig target module (29), through the connecting line (30) and the pig source module (23) through the pump circuit to the respective coating material storage vessel (18); and / or (b) allowing material circulation in a large circuit consisting of the pump circuit and the pig line system (23, 27, 29) from the coating agent storage container (18) via the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), via the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29), via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23), and thence back to the coating agent storage container (18) via the pump circuit; 4. The coating agent supply device according to claim 2 or 3.

[0086] (Appendix 5) the connecting line (30) between the pig target module (29) and the pig source module (23) is not piggable; 5. The coating agent supply device according to claim 4.

[0087] (Appendix 6) (a) each of said pigging stations (23, 29) includes a controllable valve arrangement; (b) the valve arrangement, upon operation thereof, selectively enables one of the following flow sequences in the coating agent delivery system: (b1) pressurization: to fill the piggable line (27) with the coating agent, the coating agent flows from the coating agent storage container (18) through the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module (23) and from there into the piggable line; (b2) Material circulation: the pig line system (23, 29, 27) associated with the pump circuit together form a large circuit with material circulation from the coating agent storage vessel (18) via the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), via the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29), via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23), and back via the pump circuit to the coating agent storage vessel (18); (b3) Material return: the coating agent remaining in the piggable line (27) is pushed back to the coating agent storage container (18) via the pig target module (29), the connecting line (30) and the pump circuit; (b4) Rinse: Rinse agent and / or pulsed air is introduced at the pig source module (23) and flows via the piggable line (30) to the pig target module (29), from there via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23), further to the circulation line, and finally to the return line (26). 6. A coating agent supply device according to any one of appendices 2 to 5.

[0088] (Appendix 7) (a) the coating agent supply apparatus includes a common dispensing station (28) for the pig line systems (23, 27, 29); (b) the dispensing station (28) is connected to the piggable line (27) on the supply side for removing coating material from the piggable line (27); (c) said dispensing station (28) is connected to said transfer point (15) on the application side via at least one central channel (37, 38); (d) the common dispensing station (28) comprises a controllable valve unit for selectively and controllably connecting the piggable lines (27) to at least one of the central channels (37, 38) on the application side; 7. A coating agent supply device according to any one of appendices 2 to 6.

[0089] (Appendix 8) (a) at least one of the central flow paths (37, 38) between the distribution station (28) and the transfer point (15) is not piggable; and / or (b) said distribution station (28) is connected to said transfer point (15) by one, two, three or four of said central channels (37, 38); and / or (c) at least one of said central channels (37, 38) preferably has a line length of more than 5 cm, more than 10 cm, more than 25 cm, more than 50 cm, more than 75 cm, or more than 100 cm, and / or less than 100 m, more than 50 m, more than 25 m, more than 10 m, more than 5 m, more than 2 m, or less than 1 m; 8. The coating agent supply device of claim 7.

[0090] (Appendix 9) (a) the dispensing station (28) is comprised of a plurality of dispensing modules (39); (b) each of said pig line systems (23, 27, 29) is assigned one of said distribution modules (39) for removing coating material from the associated piggable line (27); (c) each of the distribution modules (39) is plate-shaped; (d) the distribution modules (39) are aligned parallel to one another and adjacent to one another in a row; (e) said distribution modules (39) are connected to one another, in particular by means of threaded connections, and / or (f) the distribution modules (39) are of the same structure; 9. The coating agent supply device according to claim 7 or 8.

[0091] (Appendix 10) The distribution stations (28) for the individual piggable lines (27) each have a passageway (40) through which a pig (32) can pass, and the piggable lines (27) each pass through the distribution stations (28). 10. The coating agent supply device according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

[0092] (Appendix 11) (a) the common distribution station (28) comprises a number n of inputs (45) on the supply side of the piggable lines (27); (b) the common dispensing station (28) has an outlet (46) of several meters on the application side for the central flow path (37, 38) to the transfer point (15); (c) at the distribution station (28), the number n of the inputs (45) for the piggable lines (27) is greater than the number m of outputs (46) for the central channels (37, 38); and / or (d) the number m of outlets (46) for the central flow path at the distribution station (28) is 2, 3 or 4; and / or (e) in the distribution station (28), the number n of the inputs (45) of the piggable lines (27) is greater than 4; 11. The coating agent supply device according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

[0093] (Appendix 12) (a) at least one pig sensor (31) is disposed on each of the piggable lines (27) to detect the pigs (32) in the piggable lines (27); and / or (b) the pig sensor (31) is located at the pigging station (23, 29), in particular at a distance of less than 50 cm, less than 20 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 5 cm from the pigging station (23, 29); 11. A coating agent supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 10.

[0094] (Appendix 13) (a) the coating storage container (18) is replaceable; and / or (b) the coating material storage vessel (18) has a capacity of at least 10 liters, 50 liters, 100 liters, 250 liters, or 500 liters; and / or (c) the number of the coating agent storage containers (18) is greater than 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10; 13. The coating agent supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0095] (Appendix 14) A coating installation for coating parts with a coating agent, in particular a painting installation for painting automotive body parts with paint, comprising: (a) a coating agent supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; (b) a coating station (2-5) connected to the transfer point (15) of the coating agent supply device and having at least one coating device for applying the coating agent provided at the transfer point (15), Coating equipment.

[0096] (Appendix 15) (a) the transfer point (15) of the coating agent supply apparatus comprises a pig source module (14); (b) Pig target modules (6-9) are mounted on the coating device; (c) the pig source module (14) of the transfer point (15) is connected to the pig target module (6-9) via piggable lines (10-13); (d) the piggable line (10-13) between the transfer point (15) and the application device (2-5) preferably has a line length of more than 1 m, more than 2 m, more than 3 m, more than 5 m, more than 10 m, more than 25 m, more than 50 m, more than 100 m, more than 150 m or more than 200 m, and / or less than 1 km, more than 500 m, more than 250 m or more than 200 m, 14. Coating equipment as described in Appendix 14.

[0097] (Appendix 16) the pig source module (14) is connected to the pig target module (6-9) on the coating device at the transfer point (15) by a plurality of parallel piggable lines (10-13) so as to supply different coating agents; 15. Coating equipment as described in Appendix 15.

[0098] (Appendix 17) (a) the application device is a printhead or a sprayer, in particular a rotary sprayer; and / or (b) the application device is guided by an application robot (2-5), and / or (c) the coating station is located within a paint booth; and / or (d) the coating station includes a plurality of coating devices, each of which is guided by a coating robot; 17. The coating system of any one of claims 14 to 16.

[0099] (Appendix 18) 17. A method of operating a coating agent supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a coating installation according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein at least one of the pig line systems comprises: (a) filling the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply system with coating agent, the coating agent being pumped from the coating agent storage container (18) through the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), where it flows into the piggable line (27), and the pig (32) is preferably transported from the pig source module (23) to the pig target module (29) along with the coating agent in the piggable line (27); (b) circulating coating agent in a large circuit formed by the pump circuit and the associated pig line system preferably located within the paint mixing chamber, thereby returning coating agent from the coating agent storage container (18) to the pig source module (23) via the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit, to the pig target module (29) via the piggable line (27), to the pig source module (23) via the connecting line (30), and back to the coating agent storage container (18) via the circulation lines (20, 21); (c) stopping the circulation of coating material in the large circuit before starting the coating process; (d) removing the coating material from the piggable line (27) at the dispensing station (28); (e) delivering the extracted coating agent from the dispensing station (28) through the central flow path (37, 38) to the transfer point (15); (f) transferring the extracted coating agent from the transfer point (15) to the application device of the application station, preferably (f1) via a pigging system between the transfer point (15) and the coating station, or (f2) transferring the material directly from the transfer point (15) to the coating station without using a pigging system; (g) applying the extracted coating agent via the application device; (h) returning unapplied coating material from the piggable line (27) of the coating material supply device to the coating material storage vessel (18) via the pig source module (23) and the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit; and / or (i) rinsing the piggable line (27), the pig source module (23) and / or the pig target module (29) with pulsed air and / or rinse agent; How to operate.

[0100] (Appendix 19) When the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device is filled, the coating agent circulates in the pump circuit. The operating method described in Appendix 18.

[0101] (Appendix 20) Follow these steps to recycle your coating: (a) introducing compressed air into the piggable line (27) at the pig target module (29), whereby the compressed air pushes the pig (32) and a coating agent column located upstream of the pig (32) in the piggable line (27) to the pig source module (23); (b) pumping the coating agent column of the pig source module (23) back through the piggable line (27) into the circulation line (20, 21) of the pump circuit; (c) pushing the coating agent column back from the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit to the coating agent storage container (18), 19. The method of operation described in Appendix 18 or 19.

[0102] (Appendix 21) the steps of rinsing the coating agent supply device, (a) introducing rinse agent and / or pulsed air in the pig source module (23) into the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device; (b) passing rinse agent and / or pulsed air from the pig source module (23) through the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29); (c) delivering the rinse agent and / or pulsed air in the pig target module (29) to the pig source module (23) via the connecting line (30); (d) passing the rinse agent and / or pulsed air from the pig source module (23) through the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit. 21. The method of any one of appendices 18 to 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1 Automobile body parts 2-5 Painting robot 6-9 Pig Target Module 10-13 Coating agent line between pig source module and pig target module (piggable) 14 Pig source module at transfer point 15 Transfer Points 16 Valve arrangement at transfer point 17 Non-piggable coating agent line in pump circuit 18 Coating storage container ("Delivery container") 19 Coating agent pump on coating agent storage container 20 Non-piggable supply lines of pump circuits 21 Non-piggable return line of pump circuit 22 Twin valves in the flow path of the pump circuit 23 PigSource Module 24 Return flow regulator in the return line of the pump circuit 25 Return line from twin valve to return line 26 Return 27 Piggable coating agent line (color mixing chamber circuit) between pig source module and pig target module 28 color mixing chamber circuit distribution station 29 Pig Target Module 30 Connection line between pig source module and pig target module (color mixing chamber circuit) 31 Double pig sensor in color mixing chamber circuit 32 Pig 33-36 Valve in pig source module 37, 38 Central flow path from distribution station to transfer point 39 Distribution module of distribution station 40 Continuous duct in distribution module of distribution station 41-44 Valves in distribution module 45 Input connection of distribution station for piggable lines 46 Distribution station outlet connection for central flow path to transfer point

Claims

1. 1. A coating agent supply device for supplying a coating agent to be applied to an application station of a coating installation, in particular a paint mixing chamber for supplying a pigging system in a paint booth of a coating installation for applying paint to automotive body parts, comprising: (a) at least one coating agent storage container (18) for supplying the coating agent to be applied; (b) a transfer point (15) for transferring the coating agent to be applied to the application station, in particular to the pigging system in the painting booth of the painting installation; (c) a line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15); (d) the line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) comprises at least one piggable line (27) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15); Coating agent supply device.

2. (a) a plurality of said coating agent storage containers (18) are provided for supplying different coating agents; (b) each of said coating agent storage vessels (18) is connected to a pig line system (23, 27, 29); (c) each of said individual pigline systems (23, 27, 29) comprises: (c1) a pigging station (23, 29) having a pig source module (23) and a pig target module (29); (c2) a piggable line (27) between the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29); (d) the piggable line (27) preferably has a line length greater than 1 m, greater than 2 m, greater than 4 m, greater than 10 m, greater than 20 m, greater than 50 m, greater than 100 m, or greater than 150 m, and / or less than 1 km, less than 500 m, less than 200 m, or less than 100 m, respectively; (e) the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29) within the pigging station are preferably rigidly connected to each other; (f) the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29) are preferably plate-shaped and arranged parallel to each other; The coating agent supply device according to claim 1 .

3. (a) the connection between each of the coating agent storage vessels (18) and the associated pig line system (23, 27, 29) is made by a pump circuit in each case; (b) each of said pump circuits has (b1) circulating circulation lines (20, 21) starting from each of said coating agent storage vessels (18), leading to the associated pigging stations (23, 29) and returning to each of said coating agent storage vessels (18), preferably non-piggable, and consisting of a supply line (20) and a return line (21); (b2) a circulation pump (19) for taking the coating agent from each of the coating agent storage containers (18) and circulating it in each of the pump circuits; and / or (b3) a return flow regulator (24) located in the pump circuit downstream of each pigging station (23, 29) to regulate the coating agent pressure at the associated pigging station (23, 29); and / or (b4) a controllable valve (22) disposed in the pump circuit upstream of each of the pigging stations in the supply line (20) for selectively directing the flow of coating agent to each of the pigging stations (23, 29) or to a return line (26); The invention is characterized in that it includes the elements of The coating agent supply device according to claim 2 .

4. In at least one of the pig line systems (23, 27, 29), the pig target module (29) is connected to the pig source module (23) by a connecting line (30); (a) returning unapplied coating material from the piggable line (27) through the pig target module (29), through the connecting line (30) and the pig source module (23) through the pump circuit to the respective coating material storage vessel (18); and / or (b) allowing material circulation in a large circuit consisting of the pump circuit and the pig line system (23, 27, 29) from the coating agent storage container (18) via the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), via the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29), via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23), and from there back to the coating agent storage container (18) via the pump circuit. The coating agent supplying device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the connecting line (30) between the pig target module (29) and the pig source module (23) is not piggable; The coating agent supply device according to claim 4.

6. (a) each of said pigging stations (23, 29) includes a controllable valve arrangement; (b) the valve arrangement, upon operation thereof, selectively enables one of the following flow sequences in the coating agent delivery system: (b1) pressurization: the coating agent flows from the coating agent storage container (18) through the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module (23) and from there into the piggable line (27) to fill the piggable line with the coating agent; (b2) Material circulation: the pig line system (23, 29, 27) associated with the pump circuit together form a large circuit with material circulation from the coating agent storage vessel (18) via the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), via the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29), via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23), and back via the pump circuit to the coating agent storage vessel (18); (b3) Material return: the coating agent remaining in the piggable line (27) is pushed back to the coating agent storage container (18) via the pig target module (29), the connecting line (30) and the pump circuit; (b4) Rinse: Rinse agent and / or pulsed air is introduced at the pig source module (23) and flows via the piggable line (30) to the pig target module (29), from there via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23), further to the circulation line and finally to the return line (26), The coating agent supplying device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. (a) the coating agent supply apparatus comprises a common dispensing station (28) for the pig line systems (23, 27, 29); (b) the dispensing station (28) is connected on the supply side to the piggable line (27) for removing coating material from the piggable line (27); (c) said dispensing station (28) is connected to said transfer point (15) on the application side via at least one central channel (37, 38); (d) the common dispensing station (28) comprises a controllable valve unit for selectively and controllably connecting the piggable lines (27) to at least one central channel (37, 38) on the application side, The coating agent supplying device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. (a) at least one of the central flow paths (37, 38) between the distribution station (28) and the transfer point (15) is not piggable; and / or (b) said distribution station (28) is connected to said transfer point (15) by one, two, three or four of said central channels (37, 38); and / or (c) at least one of said central channels (37, 38) preferably has a line length of more than 5 cm, more than 10 cm, more than 25 cm, more than 50 cm, more than 75 cm, or more than 100 cm, and / or less than 100 m, more than 50 m, more than 25 m, more than 10 m, more than 5 m, more than 2 m, or less than 1 m; The coating agent supply device according to claim 7.

9. (a) the dispensing station (28) is comprised of a plurality of dispensing modules (39); (b) each of said pig line systems (23, 27, 29) is assigned one of said distribution modules (39) for removing coating material from the associated piggable line (27); (c) each of the distribution modules (39) is plate-shaped; (d) the distribution modules (39) are aligned parallel to one another and disposed adjacent to one another in a row; (e) said distribution modules (39) are connected to one another, in particular by means of threaded connections; and / or (f) said distribution modules (39) are of the same construction; The coating agent supplying device according to claim 7 or 8.

10. the distribution stations (28) for the individual piggable lines (27) each have a passageway (40) through which a pig (32) can pass, and the piggable lines (27) each pass through the distribution stations (28). The coating agent supplying device according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. (a) the common distribution station (28) comprises a number n of inputs (45) at the supply side of the piggable lines (27); (b) the common distribution station (28) has an outlet (46) of several meters on the application side for the central flow path (37, 38) to the transfer point (15); (c) at the distribution station (28), the number n of the inputs (45) for the piggable lines (27) is greater than the number m of outputs (46) for the central channels (37, 38); and / or (d) at the distribution station (28), the number m of outlets (46) for the central flow path is 2, 3 or 4; and / or (e) in the distribution station (28), the number n of the inputs (45) of the piggable lines (27) is greater than 4; The coating agent supplying device according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

12. (a) at least one pig sensor (31) is disposed on each of the piggable lines (27) to detect the pigs (32) in the piggable lines (27); and / or (b) the pig sensor (31) is located at the pigging station (23, 29), in particular at a distance of less than 50 cm, less than 20 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 5 cm from the pigging station (23, 29); The coating agent supplying device according to any one of claims 2 to 10.

13. (a) the coating agent reservoir (18) is replaceable; and / or (b) the coating material storage vessel (18) has a capacity of at least 10 liters, 50 liters, 100 liters, 250 liters or 500 liters; and / or (c) the number of the coating agent storage containers (18) is 2, 3, 4, 5 or more than 10; The coating agent supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A coating installation for coating parts with a coating agent, in particular a painting installation for painting automotive body parts with paint, comprising: (a) a coating agent supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; (b) an application station (2-5) connected to the transfer point (15) of the coating agent supply device and having at least one application device for applying the coating agent provided at the transfer point (15); Coating equipment.

15. (a) the transfer point (15) of the coating agent supply device comprises a pig source module (14); (b) a pig target module (6-9) mounted on the coating device; (c) the pig source module (14) of the transfer point (15) is connected to the pig target module (6-9) via piggable lines (10-13); (d) the piggable lines (10-13) between the transfer points (15) and the application devices (2-5) preferably have a line length of more than 1 m, more than 2 m, more than 3 m, more than 5 m, more than 10 m, more than 25 m, more than 50 m, more than 100 m, more than 150 m or more than 200 m, and / or less than 1 km, more than 500 m, more than 250 m or more than 200 m, 15. The coating installation of claim 14.

16. the pig source module (14) is connected to the pig target module (6-9) on the coating device at the transfer point (15) by a plurality of parallel piggable lines (10-13) so as to be able to supply different coating agents; 16. The coating installation of claim 15.

17. (a) the application device is a printhead or an atomizer, in particular a rotary atomizer; and / or (b) the application device is guided by an application robot (2-5), and / or (c) the coating station is located within a coating booth; and / or (d) the coating station includes a plurality of coating devices, each of which is guided by a coating robot; 17. Coating installation according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

18. 17. A method of operating a coating agent supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a coating installation according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein at least one of the pig line systems comprises: (a) filling the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device with coating agent, the coating agent being pumped from the coating agent storage container (18) through the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), where it flows into the piggable line (27), and the pig (32) is preferably transported from the pig source module (23) to the pig target module (29) along with the coating agent in the piggable line (27); (b) circulating coating agent in a large circuit formed by the pump circuit and the associated pig line system preferably located within the paint mixing chamber, thereby returning coating agent from the coating agent storage container (18) via the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), via the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29), via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23), and via the circulation lines (20, 21) back to the coating agent storage container (18); (c) stopping the circulation of coating agent in the large circuit before starting the coating process; (d) removing the coating material from the piggable line (27) at the dispensing station (28); (e) delivering the extracted coating agent from the dispensing station (28) through the central flow path (37, 38) to the transfer point (15); (f) transferring the extracted coating agent from the transfer point (15) to the application device of the application station, preferably (f1) via a pigging system between said transfer point (15) and said coating station, or (f2) transferring directly from the transfer point (15) to the coating station without using a pigging system; (g) applying the extracted coating agent via the application device; (h) returning unapplied coating material from the piggable line (27) of the coating material supply device to the coating material storage vessel (18) via the pig source module (23) and the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit; and / or (i) rinsing the piggable line (27), the pig source module (23) and / or the pig target module (29) with pulsed air and / or a rinse agent; How to operate.

19. When the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device is filled, the coating agent circulates in the pump circuit.

20. The method of claim 18.

20. Follow these steps to recycle your coating: (a) introducing compressed air into the piggable line (27) at the pig target module (29), whereby the compressed air pushes the pig (32) and a coating agent column located upstream of the pig (32) in the piggable line (27) to the pig source module (23); (b) pushing the coating agent column of the pig source module (23) back through the piggable line (27) into the circulation line (20, 21) of the pump circuit; (c) pushing the coating agent column back from the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit into the coating agent storage container (18), 20. The operating method according to claim 18 or 19.

21. the steps of rinsing the coating agent supply device, (a) introducing rinse agent and / or pulsed air in the pig source module (23) into the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device; (b) passing rinse agent and / or pulsed air from the pig source module (23) through the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29); (c) delivering the rinse agent and / or pulsed air in the pig target module (29) to the pig source module (23) via the connecting line (30); (d) passing the rinse agent and / or pulsed air from the pig source module (23) through the circulation lines (20, 21) of the pump circuit.

21. The operating method according to any one of claims 18 to 20.

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