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 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 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 device for conveying objects having a neck along a given direction having at least one pressure chamber capable of projecting an air flow on the objects along the conveying direction, and a support rail oriented along the conveying direction. The device includes transport shuttles fixed to the neck of the objects and cooperating with the support rail.

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: 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 pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

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 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 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 single overhead pneumatic tube system employs a large rectangular tube, a pair of overhead mounted blowers and a large rectangular captive carrier having a pair of oppositely disposed sliding covers which are locked in position when the carrier is passing from one terminal to the other. The locking means for each cover includes a pair of diagonally offset bolts having heads exposed through apertures in the cover. The locking bolts of the two covers are interconnected so that withdrawal of the bolts of one cover by pressure on their bolt heads also withdraws the bolts of the other cover and so unlocks both covers at the same time.

Abstract: A carrier capable of carrying elongated materials without bending or folding through conventional pneumatic tube systems which include a passageway having a predetermined inner cross-sectional dimension wherein the passageway includes curvatures having a predetermined radius. The carrier has a length greater than the maximum length of standard carriers which are currently used in conventional pneumatic tube systems.

Abstract: A lockable security container for the transportation of valuables and including means for damaging valuables positioned within the container comprising: a container including an internal space for positioning valuables, means for damaging the valuables positioned within said internal space including a housing positioned within said internal space for containing a dye; said housing including a plunger interposed between a charge of powder and said dye; said charge of power being operatively connected to said container to activate said charge when said container is subjected to unauthorized tampering, activation of said charge moves said plunger against said dye to uniformly spray said internal space and damage said valuables.