Abstract: A flushable catheter configured to facilitate flushing of the catheter down the toilet and for disposal thereof. The flushable catheter optionally having a selected density such that the catheter has a desired buoyancy relative to water. Alternatively or in addition to having a selected density, the flushable catheter optionally includes a water capture element that is contacted by flushing water and captures the force of the flushing water to propel the catheter down the toilet and/or across a trapway/U-bend sewer pipe.

Abstract: A conveying system including at least one tube connection, at least one dispatch station and at least one receiver station, where items are conveyed by an airflow in the direction of the airflow in the pipe connection from a dispatch station to a receiver station. The new feature of a conveying system is that the tube connection has an inner cross-sectional area, preferably a circular cross-sectional area, with a size greater than the largest cross-sectional area of an item, and which is preferably provided with at least twice the cross-sectional area compared with the largest cross-sectional area of an item. Hereby is achieved the advantage that several items may be conveyed in the same tube connection at the same time, where these items are sent individually and successively, corresponding to one item being sent immediately after another.

Abstract: A method of transporting solid particulates in an aqueous suspension of the solid particulates, comprising dispersing solid particulates in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one mineral suspending agent, wherein solid particulates are transported a distance greater than or equal to 200 m.

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 method of processing bagged refuse includes pneumatically conveying filled refuse bags along a conduit using an airflow and opening the bags during the pneumatic conveyance. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a conduit configured to pass an airflow to pneumatically convey bagged refuse along the conduit and a bag opening structure arranged to open the refuse bags during pneumatic conveyance along the conduit. The open bagged refuse is sorted into fractions using the airflow by passing the refuse across an opening through which the airflow continues. A wall is arranged in the path of travel of the pneumatically conveyed refuse to disaggregate the refuse by impacting the refuse against the wall. The wall is arranged vertically and at least partially defines an opening through which the air stream continues such that a fraction of the refuse falling across the opening is conveyed through the opening.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to convey solid particles within containers that are transported through a liquid-filled pipeline and are discharged without contact with the liquid. Each container is made of material, molded as an open-top circular cylinder with a solid bottom and removable lid; container sides have integral metal ribs and tapered about 1 percent outwards from bottom to top. In assembly line fashion, containers are essentially continuously filled with the solid particles, to precise weight between 80 to 1200 pounds; filled containers are securely sealed then automatically launched into the pipeline. The carrier fluid velocity is sufficient to propel containers to discharge. At the pipeline outlet, carrier-liquid separates from the containers, the lid removed automatically, and the solids discharged into storage or other shipping vessels. The empty containers are reused in the long pipeline transportation system.

Abstract: A conveying system including at least one tube connection, at least one dispatch station and at least one receiver station, where items are conveyed by an airflow in the direction of the airflow in the pipe connection from a dispatch station to a receiver station. The new feature of a conveying system is that the tube connection has an inner cross-sectional area, preferably a circular cross-sectional area, with a size greater than the largest cross-sectional area of an item, and which is preferably provided with at least twice the cross-sectional area compared with the largest cross-sectional area of an item. Hereby is achieved the advantage that several items may be conveyed in the same tube connection at the same time, where these items are sent individually and successively, corresponding to one item being sent immediately after another.

Abstract: A shuttle (11) for feeding tubular rivets (12), which are of relatively short axial length compared with their head diameter, along a flexible hose (26) to a movable rivet-installation tool has an aperture (18) running parallel to its axis along its whole length. Through this aperture a rivet can be both inserted into, and removed from, the shuttle. It also enables the sideways removal from the shuttle of an elongated mandrel, over the end of which a rivet has been axially fed. The exterior of the shuttle (11) and the interior of the hose (26) have similar cross-sections, which are a sliding fit and which co-operate with each other to maintain the shuttle (11) in a pre-determined rotational relationship with the hose (26), to facilitate insertion and removal of the rivet as aforesaid.

Abstract: The presented inventions are directed to a side-opening carrier having an improved rigidity about its centerline axis. In one arrangement, the carrier has mating studs and sockets formed on the interior recessed surfaces of the shells that define the side-opening carrier. These studs and sockets are engaged when the carrier is in a closed position to improve the torsional stability if the carrier, which may prevent the carrier from flexing and/or opening during transport. In another arrangement, internal partitions within the carrier prevent shifting contents from applying outward forces to tapered end potions of the carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transporting a sheaf of notes from a storage location to a dispensing outlet. The system comprises a conveyor apparatus, a carrier within which the sheaf is transported through the conveyor apparatus, and an extractor for removing the sheaf from the carrier. The carrier comprises a resiliently biased gripper for gripping the sheaf with a first gripping force. The extractor comprises an extraction gripping device configured to grip the sheaf with a second gripping force, which is greater than the first gripping force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transporting a sheaf of notes from a storage location to a dispensing outlet. The system comprises a conveyor apparatus, a carrier within which the sheaf is transported through the conveyor apparatus, and an extractor for removing the sheaf from the carrier. The carrier comprises a resiliently biased gripper for gripping the sheaf with a first gripping force. The extractor comprises an extraction gripping device configured to grip the sheaf with a second gripping force, which is greater than the first gripping force.

Abstract: In a pneumatic container transport system, specialized cylindrical containers move between processing stations through cylindrica conduits propelled by low-pressure, high-velocity air. Annular ridges around the circumference of the containers minimize contact with the inside conduit walls and deter scuffing of labels which carry machine-readable indicia upon which the container transport system relies for directing the containers. In a preferred embodiment, the containers are bottles having a coaxial mouth closed by threaded caps, the caps still preferably including a transparent window to allow visual and spectroscopy analysis of the bottle contents. In an alternate embodiment, the containers are longitudinally symmetrical clamshells for irregularly shaped objects, the clamshells opening through a longitudinal mouth along one side and sealable with tamper-proof labels.

Abstract: A system for the ordering and delivery of goods may comprise an ordering system for accepting a selection of the goods for purchase and a pneumatic mechanism for delivering the goods from a first location to a second location. The system may be located in gas stations so that a customer pumping fuel at a fuel delivery pump may be able to purchase and receive goods while at the fuel delivery pump without going inside the store of the gas station.

Abstract: A method for transporting gaseous, liquid, and solid materials in which a sealed containment vessel containing a material for transport is introduced into an underground pipeline or conduit. The sealed containment vessel is then motivated through the underground pipeline or conduit to a predetermined location. Pipelines for use in accordance with the method of this invention may be natural gas or water pipelines.

Abstract: The hydraulic transportation apparatus and method of the present invention incorporate a multiple chamber framework internally disposed preferably within at least one single shaft structure, which facilitates movement of object transport containers within the multiple chamber framework. Preferably, fluid elevation is employed to elevate and lower object transport containers and their contents within the multiple chamber framework. Each single shaft structure may be constructed from an existing rehabilitated shaft, or a newly drilled shaft. The present invention may be utilized in vertical or incline lifting environments, and an auxiliary hoist chamber may be incorporated into the multiple chamber framework for use as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, elevating objects by employing fluid elevation. The present invention may be employed in a variety of heavy lifting scenarios, including underground mining or in above ground lifting environments.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube transport system for grossly irregular shaped objects is disclosed. The system comprises a pneumatic tube and a series of one or more flexible, sealable bags adapted to contain the objects to be transported. The bags may be fenestrated, but, if desired, the bags can be designed and manufactured so that when they are filled and sealed, they can assume a generally inflated shape. The bags can be made out of a thin material such as that found in a grocery store produce section or check out area. A bag providing apparatus can be supplied either to the individual picker in the field or to the region near the entry to the pneumatic tube. If desired, an inflating device and a bag sealing device can be provided. After placement of the object(s) into the bag these devices can inflate and the seal the bag and then allow for its quick release and deposition at the entry end of the pneumatic tube.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube transport system for grossly irregular shaped objects is disclosed. The system comprises a pneumatic tube and a series of one or more flexible, sealable bags adapted to contain the objects to be transported. The bags may be fenestrated, but, if desired, the bags can be designed and manufactured so that when they are filled and sealed, they can assume a generally inflated shape. The bags can be made out of a thin material such as that found in a grocery store produce section or check out area. A bag providing apparatus can be supplied either to the individual picker in the field or to the region near the entry to the pneumatic tube. If desired, an inflating device and a bag sealing device can be provided. After placement of the object(s) into the bag these devices can inflate and the seal the bag and then allow for its quick release and deposition at the entry end of the pneumatic tube.

Abstract: The hydraulic elevation apparatus and method of the present invention incorporate a multiple chamber framework internally disposed preferably within at least one single shaft structure, which facilitates movement of object transport containers within the multiple chamber framework. Preferably, fluid elevation is employed to elevate object transport containers and their contents within the multiple chamber framework. Each single shaft structure may be constructed from an existing rehabilitated shaft, or a newly drilled shaft. The present invention may be utilized in vertical or incline lifting environments, and an auxiliary hoist chamber may be incorporated into the multiple chamber framework for use as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, elevating objects by employing fluid elevation. The present invention may be employed in a variety of heavy lifting scenarios, including underground mining or in above ground lifting environments.

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: An improved carrier system is provided that includes a plurality of carriers and/or a transport surface having anti-microbial characteristics. In a pneumatic tube carrier system application, the internal surfaces of one or a plurality of selectively openable/closeable carriers may comprise an anti-microbial material The anti-microbial material may be mixed with a base material to form each carrier. Alternatively, the anti-microbial material may be mixed in a coating applied to a base carrier structure. The carrier contact surfaces of the pneumatic tubes and other system componentry may also comprise an anti-microbial material.

Abstract: A carrier (10, 40, 60) is disclosed which has a device (22) that can be an audio device to deliver a message when the carrier is opened, or warn of the presence of an object in the carrier. The message delivered can be informational or an advertisement. The device (22) can deliver a visual message as by lighting LEDs, presenting a scrolling message or projection. The message can be an audio/visual message. A message, such as an advertisement, can be molded into the carrier itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic cartridge CA that is constituted by a cylinder CY provided with two endpieces and having at least one opening. The cartridge has at least one automatically-closing transfer device CH1, CH2, TR provided to disengage the opening completely. Furthermore, the automatically-closing transfer device is arranged at one of the ends of the cartridge.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system has a plurality of interconnected stations for transporting a carrier containing a material. Pneumatic travel tubes interconnect the stations. Each station has a rotatable cartridge assembly with a first tube for pass-through of the carrier, a second tube for loading the carrier, and a third tube for receiving the carrier. Each tube is configurable to be aligned with the travel tubes. A wear plate assembly is in slidable communication with the rotatable cartridge assembly. The wear plate assembly has a center plate with a solid portion, an opening for passing the carrier, and an air-pass opening. A computer system controls the configuration of the interconnected stations to provide transport of the carrier between stations while passing through intermediate stations without stopping movement of the carrier. A user interface provides for entering commands to the pneumatic transport system.

Abstract: A pneumatic transfer system having a modular pneumatic shifting device. A teller conduit has a teller station and a customer conduit has a customer station. A housing having apertures connected to the teller conduit and the customer conduit has a teller gate and a customer gate intermittently obstructing the apertures. A differential pressure generating mechanism is connected to the housing. A plurality of sensors send signals to a programmable means when a carrier pass through the system actuating movement of the gates and operation of the differential pressure generating mechanism.

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 new display carrier container for displaying a message, such as an advertisement. The inventive device includes a generally transparent tubular body having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of opposite ends. The inner surface of the body defines a lumen. Each end of the body has a opening into the lumen of the body. A pair of end caps are coupled to the ends of the body such that they close the openings of the ends of the body. One of the ends of the body has a slot therein. The slot is located between the inner and outer surfaces of the body and extends from the one end towards the other of the ends of the body. The slot is adapted for receiving a sheet therein.

Abstract: A conveying capsule for a pneumatic tube conveyor system is formed with a capsule body the open end face of which is closed with a lid. The lid is hinged on the capsule body about a transverse pin, and it has a lid closure on the side of its peripheral wall opposite from the hinge pin. The closure is formed with a closure hook that engages into a latching cutout formed in the capsule body. An actuating lever for the closure hook is articulated in a wall recess on the outside of the peripheral wall and the inward-pointing closure hook engages into the latching cutout which is open towards the outside. An annular seal is disposed between the lid and the capsule body. The seal is inserted into an annular groove formed in the end face of the peripheral wall of the lid or of the capsule body.

Abstract: The insert for a pneumatic tube conveyor capsule holds test tubes in the capsule. The insert has a frame coaxial with the pneumatic tube conveyor capsule. The frame forms two or more trays and an intermediate tray farmed with throughholes into which the test tubes are inserted and secured axially between the two trays. A supporting column connects the two trays and the intermediate tray and has an axial plug-in connection for one of the two trays with an axial clamping device. The axial clamping device includes two spring-loaded tongues opposite one another relative to the axis of the frame, extending in the direction of the supporting column between the intermediate tray and the tray that is removably placed on the plug-in connection. The tongues are attached to or formed onto one of these structural parts and they forming a snap closure with locking recesses on the respective other structural part.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube carrier which is pneumatically conveyed through a pneumatic tube is provided with a container body for carrying articles and a pair of elastic films provided in the container body with their peripheries held by the same. The pair of elastic films are stretched by the article disposed therebetween and hold the article by a shrinking force generated therein.

Abstract: A carrier for transporting articles through pneumatic tube systems is disclosed. The carrier has first and second shells disposed about a longitudinal axis and connected by hinges such that the shells are moved transversely relative to one another when opening and closing the carrier. A seal such as a gasket or rubber seal is included within the interior of the carrier. Optionally, a sensor is used to indicate the presence of an abnormal condition within the carrier. Optionally, a lock is used to prevent opening.

Abstract: A carrier vessel for a pneumatic tube transport system provides substantially leak-free containment of fluids transported therein. The vessel includes first and second shell members having opposing engagement surfaces extending substantially about a perimeter thereof. A sealing member disposed adjacent one of the engagement surfaces is compressed between the engagement surfaces when the vessel is closed to provide substantially fluid-tight seal between the first and second shell members. The vessel includes removable wear bands connected to the shell members, a hinge interconnector assembly for connecting the shell members together at one of their longitudinal sides and latch assemblies for releasably connecting them together at an opposite longitudinal side.

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 carrier for transporting articles through pneumatic tube systems is disclosed. The carrier has first and second shells disposed about a longitudinal axis and connected by hinges such that the shells are moved transversely relative to one another when opening and closing the carrier. A seal such as a gasket or rubber seal is included within the interior of the carrier. Optionally, a sensor is used to indicate the presence of an abnormal condition within the carrier. Optionally, a lock is used to prevent opening.

Abstract: A handbill is rolled to form a coil that is retained within a collapsible cup as it is ejected from an elongated tube and delivered to its destination. The collapsible cup has a cylindrical wall and a bottom member at one end that does not contribute to the structural strength of the cup. The elongated tube is connected to a controllable source of pressurized fluid that is used to eject the handbill assembly from the tube. The handbill assembly and delivery system avoids the problems of prior assemblies and systems that projected cone-shaped paper flyers through the air.

Abstract: A transport plug for pneumatically transporting solid materials in a transport pipe by the use of a pressurized transport gas and a pneumatic transport method of solid materials employing the transport plug. The transport plug comprises two bodies consisting of a front body and a rear body defining a material storing space for storing solid materials between the two bodies, at least one supplementary body connected to the rear body, and flexible connecting means coupling said three bodies. A supplementary material storing space is defined between the supplementary body and the rear body. Solid materials are fed into the material storing space of the transport plug, transported through the transport pipe together with the transport plug, and received in a collector under gravitational fall.

Abstract: A conduit having a circular or polygonal cross-sectional outline serves for reception of one or more receptacles which are conveyed therein by a hydraulic fluid. Each receptacle can be taken apart or is formed with one or more compartments for one or more sealed containers confining foodstuffs or other substances which are to be heated or cooled by the hydraulic fluid. The front and/or rear end walls of the receptacles are provided with distancing elements which ensure that the distance between two neighboring receptacles in the conduit cannot be reduced below a predetermined minimum value. The distancing elements of neighboring receptacles can form universal joints which maintain such receptacles at a predetermined minimum and maximum distance from each other. The openings of one-piece receptacles are immediately or closely adjacent the internal surface of the conduit, and the openings of sections of composite receptacles are accessible only when the respective receptacles are located outside of the conduit.

Abstract: A pneumatic cash transfer system for use in banks and building societies to link a cashier station (1) to a remote teller assist unit (3) and a cash deposit box (4) in a separate secure area (5) comprises an air tube (6) extending between a tube terminal (7) at the cashier station and a tube terminal (8) in the secure area (5), and a cash carrying canister (10) movable pneumatically in the tube (6) between the two terminals (7, 8). The canister (10) is open at its side to permit insertion and removal of bank notes, and comprises a bank note holder (22) formed by a pair of spring-biassed clamping plates (23, 24) for holding bank notes firmly in the canister during travel in the tube (6). At the terminal (8) in the secure area (5) the holder (22) can be opened automatically to release notes to be deposited into the deposit box (4), and on closure of the holder it is ready to receive notes which are fed positively into the holder from the teller assist unit (3) for transmission to the cashier.

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: A hinged container for use in a pneumatic tube including a primary container and a secondary container which is simultaneously opened and closed when the main container is opened and closed, the secondary container provides reinforcement for the hinge of the primary container.

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 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 system for the continuous unloading of the containers of pneumatic tranrt vehicles to which an initial velocity is imparted by pneumatic displacement within a transport tube section, while the movement of the vehicles beyond the transport tube section is caused by inertia, the vehicle being suspended from an overhead rail.The unloading of the vehicle container is performed by operating a latch which engages an uncoupling cam provided on the rail, thus causing the release of the container at its rear end and the pivoting of the container around its axis in the vertical plane while the container remains suspended at its front end.