Abstract: A customer terminal for a single tube pneumatic system for banking and the like features a two-piece carrier receiver which includes a carrier tray that first moves downwardly from a stationary receiver housing and then forwardly and upwardly to present a carrier in the tray to a customer, the tray and carrier remaining parallel to the receiver housing. The tray is resiliently mounted to the mechanism which manipulates it and the joint between the tray and housing is contoured both to improve sealing between the two parts and to reduce wear on the seal itself. The air pressure/exhaust ports into the carrier chamber within the receiver are disposed between the ends of the chamber in order to provide an air cushion for reducing the shock of an arriving carrier and to prevent loose items in the system from being sucked into the blower.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system terminal utilizing discs of resilient material to form a terminal chamber in conjunction with an inner cylinder whereby air may be forced into the chamber increasing pressure so the carrier is propelled through the carrier tube, the air flow may be reversed creating a vacuum in the carrier tube whereby the carrier may be retrieved.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube carrier system (10) includes a first carrier receiving and sending terminal (11) and a second carrier receiving and sending terminal (13). A carrier (20) is transported back and forth between the terminals (11,13) through a pneumatic tube (12) interconnecting the first and second terminals. Means are operatively associated with at least one of the first and second terminals for automatically removing contents from the carrier at the at least one terminal before returning the carrier to the other terminal. A cover (30) is held on the carrier by magnetic attraction and without hinges or latches.

Abstract: A blower and valve apparatus for a pneumatic tube system is enclosed in a divided housing (10). A conventional blower fan (36) operates to create pressure in a pressure area P and suction in a suction area S of the housing. Area P has two air passage outlets; a first pressure outlet (38) to atmosphere and a second pressure outlet (40) to a neutral area C. Area S likewise has two air passage outlets; a first suction outlet (44) to atmosphere and a second suction outlet 42 to neutral area C. Area C is connected through a coupling (23) to the end of a pneumatic tube. A first rotatable flapper vane (50) is mounted in area P. At one extreme of its arcuate movement, the rotatable flapper vane closes the first pressure outlet to atmosphere and at the other extreme closes the second pressure outlet to area C. A second rotatable flapper vane (54) is mounted in area S.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube send/receive terminal has a dispatch carrier that is movable between a load position and a send position. A sprocket chain fits on two sprockets and rotates under motor power, and a cam is mounted on the chain. A clapper valve or cover is hinged to a trolley or carriage that also rotatably holds the dispatch holder. A block or cog attached to the chain connects to the dispatch holder, and this rotates the same 180 degrees and then moves the trolley and the dispatch holder laterally to the send position. The cam rides a camway on the valve, and normally holds it shut, but when the chain is moved, the cam rotates over the camway and releases the valve so that it opens, and any received pneumatic carrier drops out. Rotation of the dispatch holder 180 degrees prevents inadvertent accessing the pneumatic tube with a second carrier in a single send operation.

Abstract: A self-cleaning track and slidable cover for a station of a pneumatic carrier system, such as for the customer terminal of a drive-up banking system, is disclosed. The terminal cover slides along a track on the station to provide selective access to the terminal interior for insertion and removal of carriers. A temporary airflow path is defined between the bottom edge of the cover and the track through which passes pressurized air supplied to the terminal interior when the cover is closed and carrier transmission from the terminal is desired. The pressurized air passing through this path blows dirt and debris from the track which might otherwise build up and bind the sliding cover. As the air pressure in the terminal interior increases, a valve member in the form of a flexible flap extending along the airflow path moves into a position blocking the airflow path, allowing completion of pressurization of the terminal for transmission of a carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic-tube conveying installation in which a tube section accommodating the sample carrier at the despatch and receiving stations is designed to be tilted into a filling or emptying position about an axis extending transversely of its longitudinal axis. A conveying installation such as this is distinguished by its particularly simple construction and operational reliability.

Abstract: A simplified construction of a customer terminal for a single conveyor tube visual banking service pneumatic tube system to which a teller terminal also is connected. The customer terminal has a cylindrical carrier-receiving pocket extension connected to the system tube. The pocket is formed by two molded plastic members, one fixed in the terminal cabinet and one a door. The members are hinged together so that the door may be opened for carrier placement or removal through a fixed member opening which provides access to the pocket when the door is opened. The door is biased open and is closed manually which automatically locks the door closed and pressurizes the system to send a carrier from the terminal. A carrier delivered to the terminal during system vacuum operation automatically opens the door. The system airflow terminal connection provides an air brake effect to abruptly arrest carrier movement avoiding noise and shock.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for banking consists of a pair of upright customer and teller terminals joined at right angles at their lower ends by a carrier transit tube. Each terminal includes a carrier elevator, a blower and a special ducting such that while only one blower propels the carrier from the sending to the receiving terminal both blowers are used to raise the elevator and carrier at the receiving terminal. Air valves at each terminal influence the movement of the carrier, and various controls initiate the sequence of operations by which the carrier is transferred between the terminals.

Abstract: A single line, pressure-pressure, pneumatic tube system having a pair of terminals each being capable of dispatching or receiving carriers. Each terminal provided with a blower to provide air flow, tubing connecting the two terminals, a pair of inline valves in the tubing, one facing in one direction and the other in the opposite direction. The valves being so designed that the one near the dispatching terminal automatically closes to permit build up of pressure and the one near the receiving terminal opens to exhaust pressure and slow the travel of the carrier as it approaches the receiving terminal, the terminal having a bleed-off orifice to assure carrier arrival.

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: A banking service pneumatic tube system teller terminal having a single conveyor tube. A carrier is transported in the system and is removable from the terminal housing formed of molded plastic material. The housing may be installed for carrier arrival vertically from above or below. The housing has an access opening closed by a cradle-door movable between open and closed positions. The cradle has a cylindrically walled carrier receiving compartment located between cylindrical end portions of the housing when the door is closed. One housing end portion is coupled with an end of the system conveyor tube. A carrier arrival switch is mounted on the cradle actuated by carrier arrival to automatically open the door by release of latch mechanism mounted on the cradle which normally locks the cradle-door in closed position. A carrier is presented in the cradle outside of the housing when the door opens. The cradle-door is manually closed, automatically actuating the latch mechanism to lock the cradle-door closed.

Abstract: A customer terminal for a single conveyor tube banking service pneumatic tube system. The terminal has a cabinet which can be opened by unlocking and removing a hinged front member to expose system components and terminal mechanism. The carrier receive and send housing has a hinged door and the housing communicates with the system conveyor tube. The mechanism is operative automatically to present a carrier arriving at the terminal to a customer seated in an adjacent vehicle. The presented carrier is conveniently positioned at an angle at the outer end of a pocket on the door for removal and replacement by a customer without requiring precise positioning. The carrier is returned automatically to the conveyor tube system when replaced in the door pocket. The door has safety mechanism automatically reopening the door if it encounters an obstacle on closing.

Abstract: A single line, pressure-pressure, pneumatic tube system having a pair of terminals each being capable of dispatching or receiving carriers. Each terminal provided with a blower to provide air flow, tubing connecting the two terminals, a pair of inline valves in the tubing, one facing in one direction and the other in the opposite direction. The valves being so designed that the one near the dispatching terminal automatically closes to permit build up of pressure and the one near the receiving terminal opens to exhaust pressure and slow the travel of the carrier as it approaches the receiving terminal, the terminal having a bleed-off orifice to assure carrier arrival.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube station with a displaceable tube portion which can be moved parallel to itself out of a continuous delivery tube, and respectively, which can be inserted into the delivery tube, which displaceable tube portion in the position inserted into the delivery tube is connected at both ends with the delivery tube by means of respectively one seal each. In the vicinity of one end of the displaceable tube portion there is provided a slider. The slider closes the displaceable tube portion when the slider is in the inserted condition. The two ends of the delivery tube are connected with each other by means of an air channel. The displaceable tube portion in its position in which it is moved out of the delivery tube, is arranged between a storage hopper and a discharge opening, the hopper being provided with a blocking device.

Abstract: A dispatch and receive terminal that, in preferred form, includes an air tight pusher housing and a pusher flap swingably mounted to move between a retract position and an extend position in response to air pressure in that housing. In the dispatch or pressure mode, the pusher flap swings into an air tight terminal housing to push the carrier axially along the guide tray and partially back into the system tube. After the carrier has been initially dispatched back into the system tube, and as the pusher flap swings further into the terminal housing to an open position, the pusher flap structure opens a pressure port between the terminal and the pusher housings, thereby pressurizing the terminal housing and the system tube behind the carrier for pushing the carrier completely out of the housing and at least partially through the tube.

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 pneumatic transmission system adapted to send a carrier from one terminal to a second terminal with apparatus to control the free delivery of the carrier to a terminal comprising a check valve to relieve pressure behind a carrier once it has passed a check valve and an adjustable air valve to control the negative pressure ahead of the carrier to control the free delivery of the carrier from the end of the transmission tube in a single tube reversing system with negligible amount of air being taken into or discharged from the open terminal.