Abstract: A transport system for use in a hospital. When patients visit the hospital, data items representing their ID numbers and the ID codes of their doctors are input to a minicomputer. In accordance with these data items, the covers containing the patients' medical cards are automatically withdrawn from three card storages installed in the hospital, in groups each consisting of cards which are to be transported to the same destination. The covers of each group are inserted into a case by way of the card-ejecting device provided for each card storage. The case containing the covers, which are to be transported to the same destination, is automatically transported to the destination via a case transfer apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying carrier cases between different locations in a building includes a main conveyance path. A plurality of stations is located along the path so that each station is located in a different room. The main conveyance path includes a linear induction system for moving the cases between the stations. The stations include a stop position located on the main conveyance path and a branch conveyance path adjacent the stop position. Each branch conveyance path includes a horizontal storage section with two conveyer belts and a subconveying section which includes a reversible vertically disposed conveyer belt with a horizontal portion adjacent to one horizontal belt. The subconveying section extends to an input/output section which opens into the room. One embodiment of the input/output section is provided with a plurality of storage positions located in a U-shaped configuration and belts to automatically move the cases along the positions.

Abstract: In a conveying apparatus wherein a carriage is driven by a linear motor to run along guide rails, the guide rails comprise two parallel guide members, each having a first guide surface that prevents lateral movement of the carriage, and a second guide surface that prevents vertical movement of the carriage. The carriage comprises first wheels disposed between upper and lower surfaces of the carriage for rolling along the first guide surfaces and second wheels disposed spaced apart from the first wheels in the running direction of the carriage to roll along the second guide surfaces.

Abstract: This invention provides a three-dimensional conveyance system for automatically conveying card, chit, medicine or the like from one position to other position in a general hospital or the like. Conveyance in each of stories is carried out in accordance with a linear induction motor system which is effective for conveying article accommodated in a container case while the latter is carried on a moving body. The adjacent stories are connected to one another with the use of suitable vertical conveyance device by which container cases can be conveyed therebetween. Further, this invention provides a container case usable for the conveyance system includes a pair of guide rails and a flexible lid and by sliding the lid along the side wall surfaces of the housing of the container case, the upper open end of the container case can be opened or closed. The container case is provided with a locking mechanism in order to assure that the lid is kept in the closed state.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying articles in carrier cases between one location in a hospital to a second location is disclosed. A station with a control panel is located in each room in the hospital which is to be reached by the system. A main conveyance path including a linear induction motor extends between each station. The stations include a branch conveyance path extending from a stop position on the main conveyance path to an input/output section for inputting carrier cases into the system or receiving carrier cases sent from other locations. A transferring device is located at each stop position and transfers carrier cases from the main conveyance path to each station. The system is run by a central control unit which controls the conveyance of the carrier cases along the main conveyance path as well as transference of the articles between the main conveyance path and the station and the movement of the carrier cases at the station itself.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is provided with a track including a predetermined transport path, a first runner adapted to travel on the transport path when subjected to an external impelling force, and a plurality of stators arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport path and adapted to produce changes of magnetic field, whereby an impelling force is applied to the first runner for moving. The transport apparatus is further provided with a second runner adapted to be transported on the transport path by a driving force from built-in transport mechanism.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus conveys storage cases, each containing at least one item of article to be conveyed, along a conveying path and includes main conveying mechanisms and sub-conveying mechanisms. The respective main conveying mechanism has a pair of guide rails which define a main conveying path for storage cases. Stations are located on the main conveying path and carriers are guided along the guide rails on the main conveying path. The carrier includes a storage section for storing the storage cases. The carrier is moved by a linear motor along the main conveying path and stopped at at least one station so that the storage case is conveyed to a destination. The sub-conveying mechanism includes a pair of case guides on sub-conveying path which extends from the station. The storage case is conveyed by a conveying belt along the case guides on the sub-conveying path.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is provided with a track including a predetermined transport path. At least two runners travel on the transport path. The track includes a pair of first guide portions individually in rolling contact with first wheels of the runner on the upper side, and a pair of second guide portions individually in rolling contact with second wheels of the runner on the lower side. A lift mechanism is provided with the track and adapted temporarily to remove the runner from the transport path. The lift mechanism includes cut portions formed individually in the first guide portions and allowing the runner to be lifted, and driving mechanism for lifting up the runner through the cut portions to open the transport path when the runner is opposed to the cut portions.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus having a main transport path and a plurality of incoming paths extending from the main transport path. Cases, each having a cover, are transported in the main path, with their covers facing to the right of the main transport path. A case-outlet section and a case-orienting mechanism are provided on each of the incoming paths. The case-orientating mechanism rotates a case such that the case is oriented, with its cover facing upward, when it is removed from the case-outlet section. Every case-orientating mechanisms rotates an article in the same direction, whether it is provided on an incoming path located on the right of the main transport path, or on an incoming path located on the left of the main transport path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical reader for scanning a surface to be scanned by using information beam ray such as laser beam ray and optically reading a recorded information such as bar code recorded in the surface to be scanned. The optical reader is constituted such that optical beam emitted from a light source is reflected on a first rotary multiface mirror to scan on a surface to be scanned, and information beam reflected on the surface to be scanned is reflected on a second rotary multiface mirror to guide to an opto-electric transforming means. A scanning optical path for permitting the optical beam from the light source to pass therealong is formed independently from a reflecting optical path for permitting the information beam from the surface to be scanned to pass therealong.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is provided with a track including a predetermined transport path, a first runner adapted to travel on the transport path when subjected to an external impelling force, and a plurality of stators arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport path and adapted to produce changes of magnetic field, whereby an impelling force is applied to the first runner for moving. The transport apparatus in further provided with a second runner adapted to be transported on the transport path by a driving force from built-in transport mechanism.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus of the type including a plurality of driving means disposed in the spaced relation along a track so as to allow a carriage to move on the track under the influence of inertia with the aid of propulsive force or reverse propulsive force which is generated by the plural driving means. The track has at least a curve and another driving means is disposed at the position upstream of the curve as seen in the direction of transportation of the carriage. To assure that the carriage moves along the curve at a proper moving speed a desired speed is so determined that centrifugal force exerted on the carriage is maintained at a level equal to or lower than a predetermined value. Speed controlling is effected in such a manner that the carriage is decelerated or accelerated from the moving speed detected at the time before it enters the curve to the desired speed by means of the last-mentioned driving means.

Abstract: The kinetic energy or speed of a carriage running under inertia is detected and the forward or reverse propelling force imparted to the carriage is varied in accordance with the detected kinetic energy or speed for accelerating, decelerating or stopping the carriage without undue shock.

Abstract: A plurality of spaced drive means are disposed along a conveyance path for running a carriage along the conveyance path by a forward or reverse propelling force created by the drive means. A main power source and an auxiliary power source are provided for switching a power source from the main power source to the auxiliary power source when the former becomes faulty for running and stopping the carriage at a selected one of the drive means for the purposes of preventing the carriage from stopping at an intermediate point between adjacent drive means.