Abstract: A pneumatic-tube installation for posting samples of fine material comprises at least one sample despatch station for filling, sealing and despatching sample carriers, a sample receiving station for receiving, emptying and returning the sample carriers to the sample despatch station and a pneumatic tube system connecting the sample despatch and receiving stations. When a carrier arrives at the receiving station it automatically is opened, emptied, reclosed, and readied for return to the despatch station at which it automatically is conditioned to receive a fresh sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking samples from a stream of material discharged along a path from a conveyor comprises a gate movable between either one of two different positions in one of which the gate lies in the path of the stream of material and in the other of which the gate is clear of the path. Depending upon the position of the gate, the material is discharged to one of two different receivers.