Abstract: A blower unit is provided which is suitable for use in a pneumatic transmission system. The blower unit includes a housing having at least two inlet/outlet openings through which air can flow. Disposed within the housing are one or more blower motors, each blower motor for moving a volume of air from one of the at least two inlet/outlet openings to another. Also disposed within the housing are one or more bypass paths, each bypass path providing a route by which air can flow without flowing through an associated blower motor. A valve element is disposed within at least one of the bypass paths for substantially blocking air-flow through that bypass path when the associated blower motor is active.

Abstract: A blower unit is provided which is suitable for use in a pneumatic transmission system. The blower unit includes a housing having at least two inlet/outlet openings through which air can flow. Disposed within the housing are one or more blower motors, each blower motor for moving a volume of air from one of the at least two inlet/outlet openings to another. Also disposed within the housing are one or more bypass paths, each bypass path providing a route by which air can flow without flowing through an associated blower motor. A valve element is disposed within at least one of the bypass paths for substantially blocking air-flow through that bypass path when the associated blower motor is active.

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: 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 tape conveyor system for moving a carriage along a path having at least one vertical curve and at least one horizontal curve comprises a carriage track, a tape guide, and a carriage. A block on the tape is movably positioned between two elements on the carriage to effect movement of the carriage along the carriage track. The tape guide orients the tape width horizontally during each vertical curve and vertically during each horizontal curve. The carriage track has two opposing channels, and the carriage has wheels in each channel so that the carriage can move along both horizontal and vertical track portions in a stable manner. A container can be mounted to the carriage via a leveling mechanism which cooperates with cam guide surfaces on the carriage track to control the orientation of the container.

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 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.