Abstract: A respiratory device comprises a housing, a user interface, and a pneumatic unit comprising at least one of each of a respiratory gas drive, a measuring unit, a control unit, and a sound unit and designed as a pneumatic conveying line forming a respiratory gas path from an appliance inlet to an appliance outlet of the housing. At least one component of the pneumatic unit or the pneumatic conveying line is removable from the housing. A cooling air path driven by a cooling fan is guided through the housing from a cooling air inlet to a cooling air outlet and at least the control unit, the respiratory gas drive and a main circuit board are arranged in the cooling air path in such a way that the component having the highest heat build-up during operation is arranged at an end of the cooling air path in a direction of flow of the cooling air path.

Abstract: A switch arrangement for the selection of joining elements, which comprises a switch that comprises at least three supply points in which joining elements can be supplied to the switch in a position-oriented manner. Furthermore, an output point is provided where joining elements can be output in a position-oriented manner, the switch comprising a conveying element which has at least three receiving compartments each being adapted to receive a supplied joining element each at the supply point. A conveying element can convey the joining elements from a receiving position to an output position from the supply point to an output point, which is fixed relative to the supply points, and output.

Abstract: A workstation includes a housing and a pneumatic tube port sized and shaped to connect to tubing of a pneumatic tube delivery system. The workstation includes a carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism coupling to the pneumatic tube port and having an outlet and a slide plate movable from a position opening the outlet to a position closing the outlet. The carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism further including a dispatch arm for loading an outbound carrier for transportation from the workstation through the pneumatic tube delivery system to a further workstation. The workstation further comprises an equipment storage compartment adjacent to the carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism and a bin at the bottom of the housing sized and shaped to receive and store the inbound carriers in combination with a user interface cabinet housing a user interface apparatus and a space for supporting stored carriers.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method (i.e., utility) is provided for increasing the resource utilization of a pneumatic tube system (PTS). This utility allows for moving two or more carriers during a single air source cycle. That is, air pressure or vacuum during a single cycle of an air source may be utilized to move multiple carriers and thereby reduce the total number of cycles required to complete two or more transactions. Accordingly, the throughput of the PTS may be increased.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.

Abstract: A powder supplying device for a powder coating installation with at least one closable powder container, which has a substantially cuboidal powder chamber for coating powder and a fluidizing device for introducing fluidizing compressed air into the powder chamber. At least one inlet opening is provided in a side wall of the powder container for feeding coating powder during a powder coating operation of the powder coating installation or for introducing cleaning compressed air during a cleaning operation of the coating installation. At least one outlet is provided for discharging fluidizing compressed air introduced into the powder chamber or for discharging cleaning air introduced into the powder chamber during the cleaning operation together with residual powder transported along with the cleaning compressed air. At least one powder feed line and at least one cleaning compressed-air feed line are connected via a diverter to the at least one inlet opening.

Abstract: An access chamber assembly for use in a pneumatic transport system with a sealing arrangement that provides an intended bearing clearance relative to an access door device which is rotated between an open, access state and a closed state. The bearing clearance allows for radial adjustment of the door while being rotated between states of being fully closed and fully open to avoid binding and seal friction noise.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.

Abstract: A transfer system for a carrier that features a flow supply tube in fluid communication with a flow supply generator and in fluid communication with a carrier transport tube network dimensioned for transfer reception of the carrier. The carrier transport tube network has a first carrier reception chamber provided with a first carrier stop point and a second carrier reception chamber with second carrier stop point. The flow supply tube has a single point contact with the carrier transport tube network to provide a single tube based flow connection with the carrier transport. Also, with the single point connection there can be positioned a brake valve in line with a first section of the carrier transport tube network and in line with a first section of said flow supply tube just a few feet above the stop point of one or both of the reception chambers to provide for rapid travel to the brake valve and efficient braking within just a few feet of the stop point.

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 transfer system includes a service provider terminal and a customer terminal. A carrier is moved through a transfer conduit between the customer and service provider terminals by a differential pressure generating mechanism. Each of the customer terminal and the service provider terminal includes a valve assembly to control air flow on the lower side of the carrier as it moves in the transfer conduit. Each valve assembly includes elongated valve openings in the terminal housing and a gate assembly for selectively blocking air flow through the valve openings. The valve openings are angularly disposed from the carrier transfer opening in the terminal. The valve assemblies may be selectively operated to control air flow during dispatch of the carrier from one terminal and descent of the carrier into the other terminal.

Abstract: A system and method provides for the identification and monitoring of carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Each carrier which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon identification information for the carrier. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the chip. When a carrier is put in the system, a destination location can be associated with the particular carrier ID. This associated information is then employed to, among many things, monitor and confirm identity of the carrier as it moves to its destination.

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 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 transmission system includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a transmission conduit connecting the first and second terminals in fluid communication with each other. The pneumatic transmission system may include a first blower directly connected to the transmission conduit and configured to create a vacuum within the transmission conduit between the first terminal and a carrier, and a second blower directly connected to the transmission conduit and configured to create a vacuum within the transmission conduit between the second terminal and a carrier. The pneumatic transmission system may include first and second end doors that are configured to move to open or close the first and second end openings.

Abstract: A multi-stage pressure/vacuum apparatus is disclosed for a bi-directional pneumatic delivery system or the like. The apparatus includes separated turbines or separated sets of turbines that are operated independently of each other to alternatively create pressure and vacuum conditions for an external system such as a pneumatic delivery network relying upon the inventive apparatus for pressure and/or vacuum generation. A common housing contains both turbine sets and defines a system of internal chambers and valve mechanisms between them. The valve mechanisms respond to internal pressures created within the housing by the turbines, and preferably also to gravity in order to control air flow patterns through the housing and between the housing and an external system. According to the present invention, the turbines of the two turbine sets can be operated concurrently at maximum capacity or separately if air power requirements are lesser.

Abstract: A spherical body transport apparatus applicable in accepting a small spherical body, such as a spherical semiconductor, from a first spherical body treating device and feeding it to a second spherical body treating device. Such a spherical body transport apparatus includes a spherical body holding component having at least one spherical body accommodating component and designed to hold a spherical body temporarily, a spherical body carry-in component for carrying the spherical body into the spherical body accommodating component of the spherical body holding component, and a spherical body carry-out component for carrying the spherical body out of the spherical body accommodating component of the spherical body holding component.

Abstract: To move debris (6), the porosity of which presents certain properties, from a space subjected to the pressure of a compressible substance, such as air, where the pressure is high (pressure chamber, (1)) to a space (3) where the pressure is lower, the invention provides for an extraction chamber (2) to be positioned between the pressure chamber (1) and the space (3), which extraction chamber can be closed in relation to both spaces by means of slides (4 and 5). When the slide (4) is opened and the slide (5) is closed the extraction chamber (2) is filed with debris using the positive pressure in the chamber (1). After the slide (4) is closed and the slide (5) is opened the debris (7) contained in the extraction chamber (2) is evacuated from the chamber (2) into the space (3) by the pore pressure present in the debris.

Abstract: A conveyor comprises perforation bands arranged in the floor of a storage space. Some of the bands emit an air stream that in quantity or pressure differs from the air stream in the remaining bands and have apertures with a larger flow area than the apertures in the remaining bands. The larger apertures are provided: along with a first perforation band placed in the middle of a sector of the floor and extending across the entire sector; along one further band arranged on one side of the first band with a shorter extension than in the first band; and in portions of bands which portions are closest to the walls of the storage space.

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: Apparatus for conveying material between two terminals using a reversible blower system that conveys a carrier member through a tube by suction from one terminal to an intermediate location and by pneumatic pressure from the intermediate location to the other terminal, and vice versa. The carrier member is gradually retarded and stopped at each terminal by a yieldable plate inclined into the path of the carrier member with a yieldable latching element urging the plate inwardly and also serving to latch the carrier member in its ultimate terminal position. The tube has separately manipulatable, open-ended, end portions in which the carrier member is retained for manipulation into position for receiving or discharging its contents. Covers on the carrier member are automatically removed and replaced at each terminal by radially movable latching elements on the cover that are manipulated by an axially movable central unlatching element.

Abstract: A transfer system for transferring a SMIF pod.TM. in a clean room, in which the pod is adapted to contain a wafer cassette. The transfer system includes: at least one pair of SMIF arms.TM., the arms disposed adjacent to a semiconductor processing apparatus for transferring wafers, carried in the wafer cassette, into and out of the semiconductor processing apparatus; a transfer tube disposed near the arms; a vehicle adapted to carry the pod and adapted to move within the transfer tube; evacuation mechanism for evacuating the transfer tube to produce a negative pressure within the transfer tube so that the vehicle is moved along an axis of the transfer tube due to the negative pressure; and at least one pair of conveying mechanisms for conveying the vehicle between the transfer tube and respective arms.

Abstract: A rotatable valve member having four ports is provided in a pneumatic conveyor system to permit the smooth docking of a carrier at a station. One port communicates through a branch duct with a main duct for the transport of carriers to the station. The remaining three ports communicate respectively with an exhauster, the docking station and atmosphere. The valve member provides communication between any two adjacent ports and during rotation controls the pressure balance on the carrier to ensure a smooth arrival at the docking station.

Abstract: A system for conveying a transfer box between a first station and a remote second station wherein a pair of vertical modules are interconnected at their upper ends by a horizontal module. The modules each comprising a tubular housing, such as a cylindrical tube. The vertical modules each contain a conveyor composed of an opposing pair of conveyor belts arranged to convey a deposit box therebetween in a sinuous path of travel. The horizontal module contains a slide plate along which a horizontal conveyor belt is adapted to travel. The vertical modules have transfer belts at their uppermost ends to transfer a deposit box between the vertical and horizontal modules. The conveyor belts in the vertical and horizontal modules are interconnected for joint movement and driven by a single power source.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a slide selectively closes the upper end of the connecting tube. The dispatch tube and the receiving opening are offset relative to one another in such manner that, at the moment a pneumatic traveler is transferred out of the receiving opening, a mechanical restraining device of the dispatch tube is not yet actuated. The pneumatic dispatch station can be employed as a dispatch station with a dispatch ready position for an outgoing pneumatic traveler, as a receiving station and as a transit station with the use of only a single connecting tube movable to three positions therein. The three positions may be separated by less than two diameters of the tube.

Abstract: An enclosure construction for pneumatic tubes and power and control cables installed overhead for remote visual auto teller banking systems which is inexpensive and attractive and readily installed. The enclosure includes plastic half sections which are snap-engaged along laterally opposite longitudinal joints having weather seals therein. One of the plastic half sections is fixed internally to a semicircular clamping member which cooperates with a second clamping member. The clamping members are clamped to the pneumatic tube before one of the plastic enclosure members is assembled with the other.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a reception tube chamber closed at one end and a transit tube chamber open at both ends can be displaced in common, whereby, in the reception position of the pneumatic mail station, the reception tube chamber closed at one end is located with its open end area in front of a tube section associated with a forwarding tube path entering the pneumatic mail station from below. The disclosure is especially favorable in pneumatic mail systems with relatively large or, respectively, heavy pneumatic dispatch cases which are to be received in the pneumatic mail station pneumatically decelerated.

Abstract: A hydraulic capsule pipelining system including a pipeline adapted for flow therethrough of water or other carrier liquid to propel cargo-containing capsules through the pipeline, and means for pumping the liquid through the pipeline utilizing a segment of length of the pipeline as a pump cyclinder and utilizing capsules passing through said pump cylinder segment of the pipeline as pistons in said segment for pumping the liquid forward through the pipeline, capsules being propelled through said segment by an externally produced electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A single line (pressure-vacuum) pneumatic tube system capable of incorporating one or more novel intermediate stations. A unique pressure-vacuum chamber and a novel air shifter valve in the central station provides either pressure or vacuum for the system without turbulence or significant pressure drop. An air relief valve in the tubing significantly reduces noise at the end station. The end station is provided with a valve for return air. The system is unitized eliminating custom design of simple systems.

Abstract: A single line (pressure-vaccum) pneumatic tube system capable of incorporating one or more novel intermediate stations. A unique pressure-vacuum chamber and a novel air shifter valve in the central station provides either pressure or vacuum for the system without turbulence or significant pressure drop. An air relief valve in the tubing significantly reduces noise at the end station. The end station is provided with a valve for return air. The system is unitized eliminating custom design of simple systems.

Abstract: An installation for the transfer of cash between a cash desk and a strong room in a banking establishment includes a conveying line, a storage device, a removal line and a blower which is selectively connected to the conveying line, the storage device and the removal line through a logic control unit located at a desk. The "driving" members of the installation are situated in the strong room.

Abstract: A pipeline capsule transportation system and apparatus for transporting a continuous link of capsules, comprising a first elongated pipeline and a second elongated pipeline along which continuous links of capsules are to be transported, a loading station for loading capsules, and an unloading station for unloading capsules, the loading station comprising at least one handling zone, an inclined discharge conduit for displacing capsules from the handling zone to the first pipeline, a capsule coupler for coupling capsules entering the first pipeline to a trailing end of a continuous link of capsules moving along the first pipeline during use, decoupling apparatus for decoupling trains of capsules from a leading end of a continuous link of capsules moving in the second pipeline, a downhill station entrance ramp for diverting decoupled capsules to the handling zone, and a brake for bringing trains of capsules to rest in the handling zone.

Abstract: A vacuum-tube mass-transit system comprising at least one continuous, tubular, vehicle conveyor having a fan or blower station arranged at each terminating end thereof, wherey a partial vacuum is generated within the tubular conduit to impart linear motion to a vehicle movably disposed within the tubular conveyor conduit, the vehicle being formed as an elongated capsule to receive passengers and cargo, or of a spherical capsule for just cargo. Included in the system is a water moat which defines a loading and unloading area for both passengers and cargo located at each end of the tubular conveyor adjacent the blower station; and wherein one or more booster stations are included having a vacuum by-pass system to allow the vehicle to stop for intermediate loading and unloading, wherein the system includes a plurality of sequentially operated control gates.