Abstract: Quick service restaurants with car wash systems and traffic management systems for managing customer traffic and routing customers who have made food-only purchases and customers who have purchased both a food item and a carwash service. In some examples, graphical user interfaces incorporated in point of sale systems display time predictions for the delivery of food items and carwash services to aid and encourage customer selection of both food items and carwash services.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus includes: a case configured to be selectively engaged with a bracket installed on a wall; and a locker unit configured to move with respect to the bracket to prevent the case from coming out of the engagement or to allow the case to come out of the engagement. The locker unit includes a first locker configured to move in a first direction by an external force applied by a user, and a second locker configured to move in a second direction different from the first direction by the movement of the first locker.

Abstract: A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system is used to transport an object through a conduit extending between a first location to a second location by generating a pressure differential in the conduit. Based on detection of the movement of the object through the conduit, the pressure differential in the conduit is reduced in a controlled manner to slow the movement of the object and safely land it at the second location.

Abstract: Process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: A blower assembly for a pneumatic carrier transmission system including a first blower for supplying air; a second blower for exhausting air, wherein the first and second blowers are connected in series; and a dual passageway connecting device connected to and in communication with the first and second blowers, the dual passageway connecting device comprising a connecting tee having a tee inlet, a first tee outlet in communication with the tee inlet, and a second tee outlet in communication with the tee inlet, a first valve connected to and in communication with the first tee outlet, a first passageway connected to and in communication with the first valve, a second valve connected to and in communication with the second tee outlet, and a second passageway connected to and in communication with the second valve, wherein the first blower is operable to supply air through the first passageway and the second blower is operable to exhaust air through the second passageway.

Abstract: Process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: A spraycoating powder feed apparatus includes a powder pump of which the direction of feed is reversible and a conduit switch configured to alternately link either of two powder conduits to a powder hookup of the powder pump as a function of the conveyance direction of the powder pump.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combustion state detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of detecting abnormal combustion with high accuracy. The combustion state detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a variety of sensors; an ignition coil; an ignition plug; a transistor; a switching control unit; an ion current detection unit; and abnormal combustion detection units for determining that abnormal combustion has occurred in a case where a crank angle at a point of time when the ion current exceeds a predetermined current value or when the ion current that exceeds the predetermined current value reaches a peak value thereof is on a spark-advance side compared with a crank angle for determining abnormal combustion. The switching control unit ends the spark discharge at a predetermined timing while the spark discharge is in progress after the primary current is shut off and the spark discharge is generated.

Abstract: A pneumatic sculpture 10 includes a display tube 30 having a first end 40 and a second end 50. The pneumatic sculpture 10 also includes one or more projectiles 20 contained within the display tube 30. The projectile 20 is capable of being propelled through the display tube 30 from a location proximate to the first end 40 to a location proximate to the second end 50, and thereafter from a location proximate to the second end 50 to a location proximate to the first end 40, thereby traveling in one direction or in both directions. Lastly, the pneumatic sculpture 10 includes a pneumatic means 60 coupled to the first and second ends 40, 50 of the display tube 30 for controlling the speed and direction of the projectile 20 through the display tube 30.

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 mail delivery system includes a housing having a bottom wall, an upper wall, and a peripheral wall. An elongate tubular member has a first end attached to an opening in the peripheral wall. The second end extends into a dwelling. The elongate tubular member has a central section, which includes tubular components that are removably coupled together. Each of a plurality of handles is attached to one of the components. A suction assembly is fluidly coupled to the elongate tubular member. A control device is for selectively turning the suction assembly on in a forward direction or reverse direction. A container for holding articles is positioned in the elongate tubular member. The container is movable through the elongate tubular member.

Abstract: The air conveyor comprises a guide rail (3) on which the articles (1) are to be suspended, and along which the articles are to be transported in a given direction of transport. The conveyor system provides a pneumatic means to move the articles in the direction of transport and further includes additional pneumatic means (10) that are designed to generate, when operated, a plurality of reverse air jets orientated onto the articles in a direction opposite that of their direction of transport. The user of the reverse jets makes it possible, in particular, to free without manual intervention articles accidentally immobilised in the course of transport, or, to slow down, immobilise or impart a rhythm to the articles as they are transported.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for transporting a carrier includes a first transport tube coupled to a first transport station and a second transport tube coupled to a second transport station. A distributor coupled to the first transport tube and the second transport tube includes a carousel having at least one storage chamber. The carousel is rotatable about an axis to align the storage chamber with the first transport tube and the second transport tube. A source of airflow coupled to the distributor facilitates movement of the carrier through the first transport tube and into the storage chamber of the carousel, and facilitates movement of the carrier from the storage chamber of the carousel into the second transport tube. An associated method for transporting the carrier includes the step of moving the carrier from the first transport tube in a first direction into the storage chamber of the distributor.

Abstract: A blower assembly for a pneumatic tube system sequences start of two pneumatic sources, such as blowers, to pneumatically position passive closure devices, such as spools, that shift the blower assembly between pressure and vacuum modes. Thereafter, both blowers are cooperatively operated. Use of two blowers whose combined output achieves the desired pneumatic performance avoids the increased cost of having one or more blowers that only operate only for one mode of either pressure or vacuum. The passive closure devices reliably and rapidly position to enhance performance, especially as compared to electrically actuated closure devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying powder substances in a pipe system, wherein a volume is sucked in with reduced pressure and discharged with increased pressure for being passed further along, characterized in that the apparatus has within the pipe system at least one metering chamber which can be alternately filled and emptied by way of control member for metering the powder substance.

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 assembly for a pneumatic tube system sequences start of two pneumatic sources, such as blowers, to pneumatically position passive closure devices, such as spools, that shift the blower assembly between pressure and vacuum modes. Thereafter, both blowers are cooperatively operated. Use of two blowers whose combined output achieves the desired pneumatic performance avoids the increased cost of having one or more blowers that only operate only for one mode of either pressure or vacuum. The passive closure devices reliably and rapidly position to enhance performance, especially as compared to electrically actuated closure devices.

Abstract: A pneumatic mail delivery system includes a carrier having first and second open ends and corresponding hinged covers for selectably covering the open ends. The system includes first and second carrier terminals each having front openings selectively covered by hinged doors. The terminals may be positioned at a mail deposit location and a residential location. A pneumatic conduit connects the terminals through which the carrier may be guided therebetween. The conduit is connected to a blower for conveying the carrier. Spring-biased buttons attached to respective terminals are electrically connected to the blower for actuating the blower upon detecting a closure of a respective door. A photoelectric light sensor is attached to each terminal and is electrically connected to a light source mounted on the front of each terminal. Respective lights are energized when a respective light sensor detects mail in the carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a file of successive filter rod sections lengthwise from a sender (such as a filter rod making machine) to a remote receiver (such as the magazine of a filter tipping machine) has an elongated pneumatic conduit with a section-receiving end at the sender and a section-discharging end at the receiver. The speed of lengthwise movement of sections in the conduit is monitored by a sensor which generates signals serving to control the operation of a valve which can influence the speed of the articles by varying the effective size of an outlet for the escape of air from the conduit, and/or to control the operation of a valve serving to admit into the conduit air counter to the direction of advancement of the sections. The purpose of evacuation of appropriate quantities of air from, or of admission of selected quantities of air into, the conduit is to maintain the speed of the sections in the conduit within a desired range regardless of the number of sections in the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for spacing consecutive capsules of solid material traveling as a capsule train in a pipeline in which the capsules are carried by a fluid flowing through the pipeline includes a separation system interposed between upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline for receiving the train of capsules. The separation system passes consecutively separated capsules within the capsule train to the downstream portion. The separation system is constructed for increasing the spacing between consecutive capsules within the capsule train in the downstream portion of the pipeline after passing through the separation system. The volume of fluid flowing from an outlet location of the separation system is substantially the same as the volume of fluid flowing into an inlet location of the separation system.

Abstract: A hosiery item spreading unit with pneumatic feed, usable with pneumatic hosiery item conveyance systems equipped with a centralized suction, comprising: a structure which forms an elongated spreading chamber arranged with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal and provided, at its longitudinal ends, respectively with a first opening, connected to a duct for feeding the hosiery item to be spread, and with a second opening, connected to a suction duct which can be connected to suction means; the spreading chamber being closed, in a downward region, by a door which can be opened on command to remove the spread hosiery item and containing also elements for gripping a longitudinal end of the hosiery item which are spaced from the first opening towards the second opening.

Abstract: Filter rod sections are transported sideways from a magazine containing a pile of parallel sections toward positions of alignment with the inlet of a pneumatic conveyor and are propelled into the conveyor at a transfer station where they continue to move sideways. In order to avoid damage to sections during propulsion into the conveyor, the duration of complete transfer of successive sections into the inlet is monitored in order to generate signals denoting the intervals of axial advancement of successive sections all the way into the conveyor. Such signals are compared with signals denoting those intervals of sidewise movement of sections past the transfer station during which the sections can move axially without being damaged by the stationary inlet of the conveyor.

Abstract: Restaurants featuring improved efficiency through use of pneumatic systems for delivery of fast food products from a kitchen area to a food delivery area, such as in an out building, can revolutionize the fast food industry. A customer order entry station is located on a first side of the restaurant, and an order unit transmits order entry information to an indicator located adjacent to the kitchen area. A pneumatic dispatch station located adjacent to the kitchen area is connected via a second dispatch unit located in the food delivery area to a pneumatic tube. Upon the taking of a customer's order, the order entry information is acted upon by food service personnel who prepare food products such as sandwiches and load them into the kitchen area dispatch station for transport to the food delivery area. The food products reach the customer who has, by this time, navigated around the restaurant to the out building.

Abstract: A bi-directional pneumatic conveyance system which relies upon a single pumping element, and which bi-directionally conveys an item therethrough based upon the position of the item is disclosed. Such a system has plural stations, sensors for sensing pressures at a designated area in each station, a connective tube network pressure generator that includes a pneumatic source and a valve device for internally arranging such generator to create pressure or vacuum conditions within the network, depending upon the state of the pumping element and the internal arrangement of the valve assembly. A control device responds to pressure indications from the pressure sensors and to operator commands in order to control the valve assembly and the pumping element to selectively depressurize and pressurize the tube network and thereby convey the carrier.

Abstract: A container (1) for masses (17) which can be pumped and which flow freely consists of a sack-shaped bag (3) made of flexible, diffusion-impervious plastic sheet which is closed pressure tight and arranged in a holding frame (2). From a bottom area (9) of bag (3), a conduit (11) to which an intake conduit (13) can be coupled emerges from the bag's discharge opening (10), which can also serve as a filling hole. During removal of mass (17) from the bag (3), the latter is progressively raised by a hoist (16). In this way and under the action of the reduced pressure prevailing inside the bag (3), the latter assumes an increasingly slimmer pear shape. In this way, the mass (17) accumulates in the area of the mouth of the conduit (11), and the mass (17) can be completely removed from the bag without difficulty and without air inclusions. In order to laterally support and protect the bag (3) when it is full, a holding frame (2) has a wall (5).

Abstract: A device and method for pneumatically feeding fiber flocks into a plurality of feeding chutes of fiber processing machines connected with at least one distributing line, the feeding being effected through a fiber and transport air flow, characterized in that the distributing line is a formed by a closed circular line (4) into which a first transport line section (6) opens for feeding in fiber flocks, and that, at the end of the first transport line section (6), the fiber and transport air flow may be switched selectively into the one or the other direction of the circular line (4) through a switching means (8).

Abstract: A method and the related system for sampling solid materials. Materials as continuously manufactured from a compression molding machine are sampled at fixed intervals and the materials thus sampled are fed into a transport pipe so as to be transferred by being accompanied by a transport plug into an inspecting station at low speed from its stand-by position in the pipe when a gas control means is set in a feed mode. After transferring sampled materials the transport plug left at its terminal position in the transport pipe is automatically returned to the stand-by position through the transport pipe when the gas control means is set in a suction mode. By executing the above steps repeatedly, sampled materials are successively transferred into the inspecting station by being accompanied by the transport plug under unmanned operation.

Abstract: A sanitary waste collection system and a method therefor which enable the free disposal of waste at various places in a building, and saves labor required for carrying and collecting the waste. The waste collection system includes charge ports provided at every floor of the building into which are thrown waste stored in waste containers of a certain configuration, vertical transport tubes connected to each floor of the building as well as charge ports, horizontal transport tubes connected to the lower ends of the vertical transport tubes and extending to a waste accumulation area, and an air blowing mechanism for force-feeding air in the horizontal transport tubes, with the diameters of the vertical and horizontal transport tubes and being a little larger than the outer diameter of the waste container in section.

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 vertical hydro-hoist for conveying a slurry under pressure by using a liquid obtained from a chemical process as a driving liquid and method for operating the same, the hydro-hoist includes at least one feed chamber and a detector for detecting a relationship of specific gravities between a driving liquid, a slurry and a float desporent in the at least one feed chamber. A holding member is provided for holding the float and a device, provided for supplying or discharging a specific gravity adjusting liquid into and out of the float. After temporarily holding the float in the feed chamber, the adjusting liquid is supplied into or discharged out of the float in accordance with the relationship detected by the detector.

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 method for changing the direction of travel of a sheet includes the steps of providing a pocket, guiding a sheet traveling in a first direction into the pocket, and providing a fluid stream in the pocket to bias the sheet in a substantially opposite direction, thereby reversing the direction of travel of the sheet.