Abstract: A system and method for concurrently and uniformly removing thermal energy from a specimen sample. A thermal insulating device is provided comprising an insulating material, the device having a plurality of chambers for receiving specimen samples, the device further includes a thermal ballast whereby the rate of thermal energy removal is controlled and influenced by the thermal ballast.

Abstract: A pneumatic-tube container having a container cylinder and having a cover and a base, at least the cover can be moved from a closed position into an open position. The container cylinder contains an insert, which has at least one tubular channel extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container cylinder. At least one channel contains at least one clamping element, which projects laterally into the channel. The damping element can be moved out of the channel, wherein the movement out of the channel and into the same is coupled to the movement of the cover from the closed position into the open position and from the open position into the closed position, respectively. When the cover is open, and preferably also when the base is open, the sample tubes therefore fall out due to gravity when the pneumatic-tube container is held with the opening in the downward direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivery of device along a transport path are provided. One system includes a transport tube having a feed end and a point of use end and a plurality of device carriers operable to move through the transport tube from the feed end to the point of use end. The plurality of device carriers has a common external surface for operation in the transport tube to allow transport through the transport tube. At least some of the plurality of device carriers has a different internal configuration than at least some of other ones of the plurality of device carriers, wherein the internal configuration is determined based on at least one physical characteristic of a device to be inserted therein.

Abstract: A fluid-tight carrier (10) is disclosed which has main latches (34 and 36). Each main latch has a safety latch (70) which secures the main latches within the latched position until an operator deflects the safety latch (70) away from the slidable catch (42) to permit the main latch to be moved to the unlatched position. This prevents inadvertent opening of the carrier due to impact on the carrier. The carrier can be formed of anti-microbial material, have removable wear strips and includes an ergonomic design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for transferring security documents. The apparatus is formed from a carrier adapted for use in an air tube system capable of transporting the carrier from a source to a destination. The carrier includes a substantially cylindrically shaped housing (10) which cooperates with the tube to allow the carrier to be transported. The housing includes an internal cavity (10A), and is coupled to a lid (17) and a base (18) to enclose the cavity. The lid includes an aperture (17A) to allow documents to be inserted into the cavity, with the base being removable via a lock to allow the security documents to be removed. The invention also claims an air tube system for transferring security documents, the system including a controller adapted to control a number of control stations (21A, 21B, . . . 21G) for selectively transferring carriers along interconnecting tubes between loading stations and destination stations.

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: An article carrier apparatus configured for use with a pneumatic article transport system comprises a tubular body, a first end cap attached to a first end of the tubular body, a second end cap attached to a second end of the tubular body and a first door pivotally attached to at least one of the first end cap and the tubular body. The first door is movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to an access opening in the first end cap. An interior space of the tubular body is accessible through the access opening of the first end cap when the first door is in the open position. The first door is at least partially disposed within the interior space of the tubular body when the first door is in the open position.

Abstract: A carrier for a pneumatic delivery system includes a bag-shaped body that is fabricated from a flexible material. The carrier includes a sealing plate and a weight disposed at the front of the body and an alignment ring disposed toward the rear of the body. The carrier is adapter to be moved through the ducts of a pneumatic delivery system without becoming stuck in the system.

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: A one-way pneumatic delivery system includes a plurality of sending units in fluid communication with a receiving unit via a duct system. Each of the sending units and the receiving unit include a door that selectively prevents fluid communication into the duct system. When the carrier is inserted in one of the sending units, a power unit applies a vacuum to the duct system and the doors of the other sending units and of the receiving unit are sealed. The power unit both decelerates the carrier prior to its reception in the receiving unit and is configured to prevent the insertion of foreign objects into the vacuum source. A second embodiment is presented wherein the power unit is disposed in an upside-down configuration above a ceiling.

Abstract: A carrier for a pneumatic tube transport system has a rigid sleeve centered on an axis and having an axially open end, a collar coaxially surrounding the sleeve and formed with a radially inwardly directed edge, and a cover fittable axially over the sleeve in a closed position axially closing the sleeve end and formed with a radially outwardly directed edge closely juxtaposed with the collar edge in the closed position. A pivot defines a pivot axis parallel to the sleeve axis for pivoting of the cover about the pivot axis between the closed position and an open position angularly offset therefrom and unblocking the sleeve end. A compressible seal ring is engaged between the cover and the ring and seals between the cover and the ring in the closed position.

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 present apparatus relates to a pneumatic transport system to transport samples of grain between a filling station in a grain handling and storage structure and a receiving station in an office or inspection laboratory.

Abstract: A captive carrier for a heavy payload system having end caps rigidly connected thereto. Each end cap has a sliding cover mounted in an outer most surface thereof, Restraining means on the cover restrain the cover from motion in response to the captive carrier tilting outwardly toward the user thereby opening the top of the carrier. The end caps and covers have a curved profile that corresponds to the curvature of the pivoting motion of the top of the carrier, The carrier further includes a wear strip mounted on one side which is directed vertically downward when the carrier is moving in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A fluid substance is transferred in a shuttle (1) by means of a pressure difference in a tube, between a filling station and an emptying station, the end of the shuttle having an opening (8) covered by a closing member (9) which can be opened resiliently (11) towards the inside of the shuttle (1). The device for filling and/or emptying the shuttle has members for holding the shuttle (1) in place while it is being filled or emptied, and members for opening the closing member (9) and for filling and emptying the shuttle (1), the mutual position of the members for holding the shuttle (1) and the member for opening the closing member (9) at the filling and the emptying station being such or capable of being made such that the end of the opening member pushes through the opening (8) of the shuttle (1) into the shuttle to a distance beyond the closing member (9).

Abstract: A reversible air seal construction for a carrier used in a pneumatic tube system, for use on a carrier of the type having a pair of air seal rings surrounding the carrier body spaced from each other and from the ends of the carrier. The reversibility is accomplished by means of spacers that may be positioned either outside of or between the two air seal rings so that two distinct spacings may be accomplished between the two air seal rings. The positioning of the spacer relative to the air seal ring is facilitated by means of an end adapter unit carrying a closure construction and arrangement for an open end of the tubular material-conveying carrier for the pneumatic tube system. The adapter unit houses a pivot mechanism including a cam member integrally molded with and forming circumferential axis of rotation for a disclike end cap which forms the closure for the tubular material-conveying carrier.