When a particular container runs out of toning paste in this type of paint toning machines, a Hall sensor provides an alarm signal as the container rises for example by means of spring force when the amount of the paste decreases. When the container rises from the machine, it is also possible to visually detect the container from which the paste is running out. This naturally requires that the container and the paste feeding device are connected together flexibly. Such a flexible connection between the container and the paste feeding device that are spaced from one another has been previously implemented by means of a flexible hose.

The prior art hose coupling has caused problems especially in a carousel-type paint toning machine, which has relatively little available space and where the coupling is subject to damages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the present invention is thus to improve the connection between a container for toning paste and a feeding device in order that the aforementioned problems could be avoided. This objective is achieved with a paint toning machine according to the invention, which is characterized in that an output of the container for toning paste and an input of the directional valve, each connected to the flexible connection, are placed substantially one on top of the other, the flexible connection being formed of a collapsible fitting.

The invention is based on the idea of placing the container and the paste feeding device as close to each other as possible, however in such a

manner that the aforementioned relative movement between the elements is possible. This can be implemented by means of a suitably collapsible and tight fitting.

It is most preferable that the flexible, collapsible fitting is formed of a flexible bellows.

Alternatively, the flexible, collapsible fitting could be formed of, for example, two cylinders placed one within the other and arranged to move telescopically together, and of a seal provided between the cylinders.

However, such an arrangement does not guarantee that the container rises as easily as in the other alternatives due to the sealing that is required between the cylinders.

Advantages of the paint toning machine according to the invention include a more compact structure and more reliable operation than previously, as well as lower costs of manufacturing the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described below in greater detail in connection with preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carousel-type paint toning machine according to the invention; Figure 2 is a more detailed view of a feeding device in the paint toning machine according to the invention, a container for toning paste connected to the device, and connections between the feeding device and the paste container; and Figure 3 shows an alternative implementation of the flexible connection between the feeding device and the container for toning paste.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to Figure 1, a paint toning machine according to the invention, which is a carousel-type machine in this example, comprises a frame 1, an annular carousel base 3 arranged rotatably in an upper part 2 of the frame, containers 4 for toning paste placed in a circle on the carousel base 3, some of the containers being deleted from the figure or shown in a sectional view, a rotary motor 5, preferably an electric motor, for rotating the carousel base, a paste feeding device 6 connected to each paste container 4, and

means 7 for operating the paste feeding devices 6. A lower part 8 of the frame also comprises a rack 9 with an ajustable elevation for a paint can 10.

The paste feeding device 6 connected to each container 4, shown in greater detail in Figure 2, comprises a pump 11, a directional valve 12 and a feed nozzle 13. When the container 4 with the desired paste has been moved to the feeding point at the paint can 10, the paste is fed by means of the pump 11 which is operated by actuating means 7 (Figure 1) that move a piston rod 14 of the pump upwards and downwards. When paste is being drawn from the container 4, the directional valve 12 is turned by means of a control lever 15 thereof into a position which allows the paste to flow through the directional valve 12 into the pump 11 when the piston rod 14 is pulled up. When a required amount of the paste has been drawn into the pump 11, the control lever 15 is turned into a position which allows the feeding of the paste from the pump 11 via the directional valve 12 to the feed nozzle 13 and from there to the paint can 10 as the piston rod 14 is pressed down with the actuating means 7. Such a feeding technique is previously known in the field, wherefore it will not be described in greater detail.

In this paint toning machine the containers 4 are placed on the carousel base 3 such that their elevation depends on the amount of the toning paste they contain, i. e. the containers rise upwards as the amount of the paste in the containers decreases. This arrangement is implemented with springs 16 placed between the carousel base 3 and the bottom of each container 4, and the stiffness of the springs can be adjusted by regulating means 17. The rising of the paste container 4 to a predetermined threshold value is detected by a Hall sensor 18, which gives the alarm to activate the filling of the container 4.

The arrangement described above requires that a connection 19 between the directional valve 12 and the container 4 is flexible. In the present invention in the arrangement shown in Figure 2, this is implemented such that the flexible connection 19 is connected to an output 20 of the paste container 4 and to an input 21 of the directional valve 12, which are placed substantially one on top of the other, whereupon the flexible connection is formed of a collapsible fitting, preferably a bellows 19 made of a flexible material. The flexible material can be rubber or any other material with elastic properties that allow the aforementioned vertical movement of the container 4. The minimum distance between the paste container 4 and the directional valve 12 is determined by the length of the container's vertical movement (usually about

10 mm). This distance is preferably as short as possible, which means that also the length of the bellows 19 is small.

In an alternative implementation shown in Figure 3, the flexible, collapsible fitting 119 consists of two cylinders 119a, 119b placed one within the other and arranged to move telescopically together, and of a seal 119c between the cylinders. This kind of arrangement could also be formed between an extension 22 of the input 21 of the directional valve 12 and the output 20 of the container 4 shown in Figure 2, if the diameter of the extension is lengthened and a seal is provided between the extension 22 and the inner wall of the output 20.

The above description of the invention is only intended to illustrate the basic idea of the invention. However, a person skilled in the art can implement the details thereof in various alternative ways within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the arrangement according to the invention could also be applied in connection with a toning machine where the containers for toning paste are aligne.