Abstract: A dispatching device for dispatching sample containers received in respective sample container carriers from a transport surface to an external position and/or from the external position to the transport surface is presented. The dispatching device has a tube and a capsule, a conveying surface with an electromagnetic actuator being formed in the capsule. A sample distribution system with such a dispatching device and a laboratory automation system with such a sample distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor system includes an air blower for supplying an air source, a central control system, a transmission tube, and a transmission terminal installed at the transmission tube. The transmission terminal includes a tubular groove connected with the transmission tube and having a tubular cavity wall surface, above which is a micro-movement sensitive switch and a photoelectric sensor. The system further includes a transmission carrier having a hollow cylindrical axial extension of the body of the carrier and is placed within the cavity of the tubular groove. One of the transmission ends is closed and the other end has an opening, and the opening is built to be closed by a transmission carrier cover. The cover is disposed a ring capable of triggering the micro-movement sensitive switch.

Abstract: A money display vault has at least one of a transparent tube display and a transparent chamber display to allow cash reserves of an establishment to be displayed to the public, yet remained secured from possible theft. A device is coupled to the at least one of a transparent tube display and a transparent chamber display to move the money around the at least one of a transparent tube display and a transparent chamber display.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic carrier transport system includes a user terminal. A piston of a rodless cylinder can be used to telescopically move a blocking cylinder. The blocking cylinder is vertically displaced to an open position to permit manual access to a carrier received at the terminal. With the blocking cylinder at the open position, a carrier can also be manually placed into the terminal. The blocking cylinder is formed of transparent material to allow a user to view a carrier received at the terminal while the blocking cylinder is in a closed position. The terminal includes control mechanisms on opposite sides to enable two users to operate and access the carrier at the user terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: A door and valve assembly for a pneumatic transmission system including a port configured to permit ambient air to flow into a pneumatic transmission conduit, a body having a seal and configured to open and close the port and an end of the transmission conduit, and an actuator connected to the body. The seal may be configured to seal the end of the transmission conduit. The actuator is configured to move the body to open the end and port, move the body to close the end and keep the port open, and move the body to close the end and port.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including a user terminal at a service provider station having a movable member operably connected with a flexible drive member. The drive member moves within at least one side rail to vertically displace the movable member to permit access to a carrier at the user terminal. The user terminal includes control mechanisms on opposite sides of a base to enable two users to operate and access the carrier at the user terminal.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including a user terminal at a service provider station having a movable member operably connected with a flexible drive member. The drive member moves within at least one side rail to vertically displace the movable member to permit access to a carrier at the user terminal. The user terminal includes control mechanisms on opposite sides of a base to enable two users to operate and access the carrier at the user terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the delivery and acception of articles made of a sheet-like material, particularly banknotes, documents, and the like, includes a carrier for the articles which can be conveyed in a tube by means of a flowing gas. The carrier includes two elements movable relative to each other which form a receptacle for the articles to be conveyed and at least one channel extending transversely to the direction of conveyance. In a closed position, the articles are secured in the receptacle and, when in an opened position, the articles are enabled to be transported into and out of the receptacle. A reception and transmission device includes a tube portion in which the carrier is located. The tube portion is provided with a lateral opening adapted to be closed in a largely air-tight manner, the tube portion being provided with a stop for stopping and orienting the carrier relative to the lateral opening.

Abstract: A blower assembly for a pneumatic tube system sequences start of two pneumatic sources, such as blowers, to pneumatically position passive closure devices, such as spools, that shift the blower assembly between pressure and vacuum modes. Thereafter, both blowers are cooperatively operated. Use of two blowers whose combined output achieves the desired pneumatic performance avoids the increased cost of having one or more blowers that only operate only for one mode of either pressure or vacuum. The passive closure devices reliably and rapidly position to enhance performance, especially as compared to electrically actuated closure devices.

Abstract: A rivet feed slider configured to sequentially receive rivets from a rivet delivery path and feed the rivets to a rivet transport tube using an air supply. The rivet feed slider includes a rivet receiving chamber which is configured to sequentially receive the rivets, and an aperture is in communication with the rivet receiving chamber. The aperture allows air to flow from the air supply through the rivet receiving chamber to the rivet transport tube such that a rivet which is disposed in the rivet receiving chamber is moved into the rivet transport tube. The rivet feed slider also includes additional apertures which allow air to flow from the air supply to the rivet transport tube when the rivet receiving chamber is not aligned with the air supply. Hence, the air flow from the air supply to the rivet transport tube is not substantially disrupted.

Abstract: A dispensing system having a hopper with at least one wall moveable to form a dispensing opening at the base of the hopper. At least one air knife is provided which blasts air upwardly into the hopper to lift, levitate, and mix the product within the hopper. Upon termination of the air blast, the product falls downwardly into the base for the hopper, and a selected number of items fall through the dispensing opening. The remaining items tend to bridge the dispensing opening, thereby blocking further dispensing of the product. During subsequent air blasts, the product is repeatedly levitated, agitated, and allowed to drop through the dispensing opening to ultimately dispense the entirety of the product from the hopper.

Abstract: A substrate body transfer apparatus, and an operating method therefor, capable of inserting and extracting substrate body into and from a cassette using air conveyance without employing a transfer mechanism such as those in which direct contact is made with the substrate body when inserting or extracting a thin plate-shaped substrate body into or from a cassette. The substrate body transfer apparatus is employed when thin plate-shaped substrate body are extracted from or inserted into cassettes which store the substrate body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treatment of blowable thermal insulation, whereby thermal insulation, such as woodfiber wool, cellulose wool, mineral wool, glass wool and/or like is being led by means of one or several filling means (3a) to a transport space (1), such as a container or like, the internal volume of which may be changed, in order to transport thermal insulation in the transport space (1) to its destination of use and to unload same from the transport space (1) to a reception point essentially by blowing carried out by a blow arrangement. Thermal insulation is being led to a filling space (1x), that is limited from the transport space (1) by means of a filling device (3b), which filling space is being expanded along filling of same by moving the filling device (3b) in the transport space (1) in the longitudinal direction of same (s1) towards unloading end (Pp) of same. The invention relates also to an apparatus operating according to the method.

Abstract: A feeder (1) has a hopper (2) for storing components (20) and a pick up location (3) for supplying the components to a pick-and-place machine (not shown). A channel (4) provides communication between the hopper (2) and pick up location (3). The channel (4) has an upwardly inclined portion (5) which is upwardly inclined towards the pick up location (3) and there are controlled air jet nozzles (14,6) for providing pulsed air jets to push the components (20) up the inclined portion (5) and towards the pick up location (3). The pick up location (3) has a movable stopper (30) that moves to a feed position when one of the components (20) is fed to the pick up location 3, and that moves to a pick position, prior to the pick and place machine picking up the component (20) at the pick location (3).

Abstract: A feeder system (1) for supplying electrical components (20) to a pick-and-place machine (14). The feeder system has a two storage hoppers (2a,2b) respective storage outlets (6a,6b), There is a pick up location (3) and a passage (4) provides communication between the storage outlets (6a,6b) and the pick up location (3). A first fluid jet outlet 31 associated with storage outlets (6a,6b) provides fluid blasts to agitate components (20) the hoppers (2a,2b). A second fluid jet outlet (32) associated provides fluid blasts to propel the components (20) towards the pick up location (3).

Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system having a carrier automatic braking system contains a transport conduit having a first end and a second end and being capable of permitting the transfer of a carrier therethrough, a first station for sending and receiving a carrier located on one end of the transmission conduit, and a second station for sending and receiving a carrier located on the other end of the transmission conduit. A motor blower, capable of moving a volume of air through a conduit, is enclosed within a supply/exhaust branch which is connected to one of the stations. A valve, capable of closing, to thereby create an air block in the supply line, is also disposed within the supply/exhaust branch. The motor blower blows air to move the carrier from one station to the other. The valve is activated, after deactivating the motor blower, when the carrier is detected at some predetermined location along the transport conduit.

Abstract: The present apparatus relates to a pneumatic transport system to transport samples of grain between a filling station in a grain handling and storage structure and a receiving station in an office or inspection laboratory.

Abstract: A blower assembly for a pneumatic transfer tube system alternately creates a pressure or a vacuum in a transfer tube. The blower is comprised of a housing having an internal cavity and a first and a second external port communicating with the cavity. A movable plate divides the internal cavity into two chambers which are generally isolated from each other. A blower having a vacuum end and a pressure end is mounted to the plate, wherein the vacuum end is on one side of the plate and the pressure end is on the other side of the plate. The blower when operating creates a pressure chamber on one side of the plate and a vacuum chamber on the other side of the plate.

Abstract: This weather-shielding protective newspaper delivery receptacle serves to completely enclose its contents and has no removable or hinged door for access to its interior. The receptacle consists essentially of a tapered elongated tube having its smaller end terminating in a solid immovable wall closure and having its large end terminating at a rim edge. The rim edge is equipped with a planar flexible wall permanently united about its perimeter to the rim edge. The wall has intersecting slits that form plural flaps extending from the perimeter to a central location of the flexible wall. The flaps are deformed inwardly as a newspaper is inserted into the tube and are deformed outwardly as a newspaper is removed from the tube through the flexible wall. The flaps are sufficiently resilient to return to a non-deformed state after deformation. The flexible wall is sloped so as to extend downwardly and underneath the uppermost portion of the rim edge during use.

Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system having a carrier automatic braking system contains a transport conduit having a first end and a second end and being capable of permitting the transfer of a carrier therethrough, a first station for sending and receiving a carrier located on one end of the transmission conduit and a second station for sending and receiving a carrier located on the other end of the transmission conduit. A pair of motor blowers, each capable of moving a volume of air in opposing directions through a conduit, are enclosed within a supply branch which is connected to one of the stations. The first motor blower blows air to move the carrier from one station to the other. The second motor blower is activated, to operate concurrently with the first motor blower, when the carrier is detected some predetermined location along the transport conduit.

Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system has a customer terminal, a teller terminal and a transmission tube connecting the terminals. A pair of blowers are disposed in the transmission tube. Each terminal has a slide gate which is operable to close the transmission tube, and a catch disposed below the gate which is operable to catch the pneumatic carrier. The carrier is transmitted from one terminal to the other terminal by opening the gate of the one terminal, closing the other gate of the other terminal, and energizing the blower remote from the one terminal, thereby creating a vacuum between the one blower and the carrier. The one blower is de-energized after the carrier has passed the one blower, and the carrier rides down on a cushion of air, coming to rest on the gate of the other terminal. The gate of the other terminal is then opened and the carrier drops downwardly onto the catch of the terminal. A controller and timer facilitate sequencing of the slide gates and blowers.

Abstract: A bi-directional pneumatic conveyance system which relies upon a single pumping element, and which bi-directionally conveys an item therethrough based upon the position of the item is disclosed. Such a system has plural stations, sensors for sensing pressures at a designated area in each station, a connective tube network pressure generator that includes a pneumatic source and a valve device for internally arranging such generator to create pressure or vacuum conditions within the network, depending upon the state of the pumping element and the internal arrangement of the valve assembly. A control device responds to pressure indications from the pressure sensors and to operator commands in order to control the valve assembly and the pumping element to selectively depressurize and pressurize the tube network and thereby convey the carrier.

Abstract: A quadrilateral transparent tube section that is used with a heavy payload captive carrier in a pneumatic transport system. The tube section is constructed of four transparent panels connected at their longitudinal edges with four corner structures which contain longitudinal cavities that may be used as wiring conduits.

Abstract: A downsend terminal for a pneumatic transport tube system has a pivoting tube section pivoting about an upper horizontal axis to move the pivoting tube section between a first vertical position and a second oblique position. When at the oblique second position, the carrier is dropped out of the pivoting tube section onto a carrier support holding the carrier in a generally vertical position for access to the user. When the user completes the transaction, the terminal pulls the carrier vertically back into the pivoting tube section. If the carrier is overloaded, there is insufficient force to lift it off of the carrier support, and therefore an overloaded carrier is prohibited from entering the transport tube system. In addition, the construction prevents debris and other material from entering the transport tube system.

Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system has a customer terminal, a teller terminal and a transmission tube connecting the terminals. A pair of blowers are disposed in the transmission tube. Each terminal has a slide gate which is operable to close the transmission tube, and a catch disposed below the gate which is operable to catch the pneumatic carrier. The carrier is transmitted from one terminal to the other terminal by opening the gate of the one terminal, closing the other gate of the other terminal, and energizing the blower remote from the one terminal, thereby creating a vacuum between the one blower and the carrier. The one blower is de-energized after the carrier has passed the one blower, and the carrier rides down on a cushion of air, coming to rest on the gate of the other terminal. The gate of the other terminal is then opened and the carrier drops downwardly onto the catch of the terminal. A controller and timer facilitate sequencing of the slide gates and blowers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pneumatic transfer terminal adapted to receive and dispatch a non-captive, tubular article carrier of predetermined length from and to a single pneumatic transfer tube. The terminal includes a carrier receiver having the internal chamber dimensioned to receive an article carrier therein and to position the carrier in operable alignment with the transfer tube. The carrier receiver includes a first opening for communicating the chamber with the transfer tube and a second opening for insertion and removal of the carrier into and from the chamber. A blower assembly is attached to the transfer tube and is operable to create a vacuum therein. A gate mechanism is operable to open and close the second opening. The gate means includes a generally planar gate movable between a first position where the gate mechanism covers the second opening and a second position wherein the gate is removed from the second opening. An actuator connects the motor to the planar gate.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube conveyor system comprises a dispatching station (13) for spatching conveying cases, a receiving/dispatching station (22) for receiving conveying cases, and an intermediate store (42). A tube system comprising a bidirectional line connects the dispatching station the receiving/dispatching stations and the intermediate store. The tube system is associated with a plurality of gates (21, 33, 40, 51, 54, 55, 57, 58). Control means serve for connecting the dispatching station to the receiving/dispatching station, the receiving station to the intermediate store, and the intermediate store to the dispatching station.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system, particularly useful as a mail transport system, which includes a transport carrier moving through a pneumatic tube line between remote sending/receiving stations is described. Movement of the transport carrier through the pneumatic tube line is by means of a positive or negative air flow in the tube line provided by a blower means. The air flow direction is controlled by utilizing a series of adjustable valves, such as butterfly valves. The system additionally employs sensors for indicating the presence of the carrier in the exterior station.

Abstract: A simplified apparatus selectively supports a carrier within a pneumatic tube transportation system station, and releases the carrier for transport within the system. The apparatus responds to controlled air pressures within the station, and to the momentum of the carrier for holding and releasing the carrier. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, an interior mounting, adapted to be disposed within a customer or teller station, pivotably mounts a detent member. A biasing device having elasticity, such as a torsion spring, biases the detent member to a first position wherein a contact portion of the member supports the carrier. A release device responds to controlled air pressures to urge the detent member against the biasing device to release the carrier. The present invention also pertains to a station incorporating the disclosed apparatus, and to a banking service pneumatic tube system including at least one station equipped with the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube conveyor station comprises a housing connected to a pneuic conveyor tube. A tube section is arranged displaceably within the housing. For dispatching or receiving conveying cases, the tube section can be brought into alignment with, and connected to, the conveyor tube in a pressure-tight relationship. For loading or unloading conveying cases, the tube section can be brought into a position axially spaced from the conveyor tube. The conveying cases can be displaced within the station between a receive/dispatch position where they are arranged coaxially with the conveyor tube, and a load/unload position where they are arranged parallel to the conveyor tube but distant therefrom. The tube section is displaced in an axial direction by a distance greater than the length (L) of one conveying case. An axial stop is provided for stopping arriving conveying cases in the receive/dispatch position.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport apparatus. A main terminal and a remote terminal each have one end of a carrier tube connected thereto. A sub-carrier is slidably received in each terminal for vertical movement therein. Means are provided at each terminal for locking the sub-carrier in the upper portion of the terminal. A carrier for transporting items between the terminals is received within the sub-carriers and moved between terminals through the carrrier tube. Reversible motors are mounted on a housing at the main terminal that is in communication with the terminal for selectively creating pressure or suction therein to cause the carrier to move from one terminal to the other.

Abstract: A pressure regulation apparatus, for a bi-directional pneumatic transportation system, has first, second, and third flow chambers with ports provided at two of the chambers. A pumping device alternatively pumps air from the chamber lacking a port to either of the ported chambers. An air dam cooperates with a valve assembly that responds to internal pressures induced by the pumping device to separate one of the ported chambers into sub-chambers and to selectively isolate one of the sub-chambers from the other to bi-directionally control air flow between the ports. The bi-directional pneumatic transportation system in accordance with the present invention incorporates such a pressure regulation apparatus to control transportation of an item between stations connected by a pneumatic tube network.

Abstract: A high velocity pneumatic device for excavating and removing material such as soil. The device includes a pressure tube having an inlet connected to a source of gas, such as air, under pressure and an outlet end connected to the distal end of a removal conduit. An annular member is secured in the distal end of the removal conduit and defines an annular chamber that communicates with the outlet end of the pressure tube. A plurality of first nozzles communicate with the chamber and face outwardly of the distal end of the removal conduit, while a plurality of second nozzles communicate with the chamber and face inwardly of the conduit. A manually operated valve member is disposed in the chamber and rotation of the valve member will selectively discharge air through the first nozzles to provide an excavating action, or through the second nozzles to provide an aspirating action for the removal of material or through both the first and second nozzles to create both an excavating and removal mode of operation.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system includes a pneumatic transport tube having a stop device mounted therein. A window aperture is defined through a wall of the transport tube such that a pneumatic tube carrier is presented for retrieval through the window aperture upon its arrival. A pneumatic pressure source is provided to cause the carrier to move through the transport tube.

Abstract: A pneumatic cash transfer system for use in banks and building societies to link a cashier station (1) to a remote teller assist unit (3) and a cash deposit box (4) in a separate secure area (5) comprises an air tube (6) extending between a tube terminal (7) at the cashier station and a tube terminal (8) in the secure area (5), and a cash carrying canister (10) movable pneumatically in the tube (6) between the two terminals (7, 8). The canister (10) is open at its side to permit insertion and removal of bank notes, and comprises a bank note holder (22) formed by a pair of spring-biassed clamping plates (23, 24) for holding bank notes firmly in the canister during travel in the tube (6). At the terminal (8) in the secure area (5) the holder (22) can be opened automatically to release notes to be deposited into the deposit box (4), and on closure of the holder it is ready to receive notes which are fed positively into the holder from the teller assist unit (3) for transmission to the cashier.

Abstract: A device for handling piece-formed packing material, which incorporates a storage container (4) for the packing material, which at its lower side is equipped with a closable outlet (13), connected to a hose (6) for feeding out material, and at its upper end with an inlet (3) intended for supply of material, and connectable to a hose (6) for supply of material, and where the inlet (3) is provided with structure (11) for injecting a flow of air for lifting and supporting packing material in a direction towards the storage container (4).

Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system is provided. The system comprises a transmission tube having a first end and a second end. A blower adapted to force air from the first end to the second end of the transmission tube is interconnected to the first end of the transmission tube. A vacuum source having a capacity at least as great as that of the blower is connected to the transmission tube proximal the second end. The vacuum source creates a flow of air from the second end of the transmission tube to the vacuum source, thereby decelerating a carrier being transmitted to the second end of the transmission tube.

Abstract: The present invention describes a stop device for stopping a carrier traveling in a pneumatic tube. The invention also includes a terminal comprising the stop device. The stop device includes a pneumatic tube having an exhaust aperture and a shutoff aperture and a pressure sensing monitor in fluid communication with the shutoff aperture. The pressure monitor senses the pressure change in the shutoff aperture caused by the carrier's movement past the shutoff aperture and activates a switch shutting off the pneumatic source. The carrier impacts an end stop and settles down on a catch which was also activated by the pressure monitor. The carrier is held in front of a door through which the carrier may be readily retrieved.