Abstract: A pneumatic dispatch station includes a station housing with receiving and output points, and a gripping device automatically movable within the station housing between the receiving and output points and configured to automatically grip a pneumatic tube capsule that has arrived at the receiving point and move the capsule to the output point. The pneumatic dispatch station further includes at least one removal point adjacent the output point and a tool changer assigned to the output point and having at least one first emptying tool and a second emptying tool. The tool changer includes a drive device designed to automatically move the first or second emptying tool into a working position, wherein the emptying tool is aligned with a pneumatic tube capsule positioned at the output point to output an object in the pneumatic tube capsule, so that the object reaches the removal point.

Abstract: A diverter injection system is disclosed herein along with systems and methods relating thereto. In an embodiment, the diverter injection system includes a system inlet and a system outlet. In addition, the diverter injection system includes a canister including an internal volume configured to retain diverter therein. Further, the diverter injection system includes a first flow path extending between the system inlet and the system outlet that bypasses the canister, and a second flow path that extends from the system inlet, through the canister, and then to the system outlet. Still further, the diverter injection system includes a plurality of valves, wherein actuation of the plurality of valves is configured to selectively switch between the first flow path and the second flow path.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for delivering catalyst to a reaction vessel. The methods include the use of a positive displacement reciprocating piston system having a catalyst delivery housing that contains a piston system. The piston system includes a top section, a bottom section, and a catalyst holding space between the top and bottom section such that the piston system is movable between a first and a second position to inject catalyst from the catalyst holding space into the reaction vessel when the piston system is in the second position and fill the catalyst holding space with catalyst from a catalyst feed supply when the piston system is in the first position.

Abstract: Method for handling material in a pneumatic materials handling system, in which material, such as waste material, is input from an input aperture of an input point, such as from an input aperture of a refuse chute or of some other input point, and is handled with a shaping device, arranged in connection with the input point or in the proximity of it, to be more compact and is transferred onwards. The shaping device is a rotary shaper, which includes rotatable handling device, which includes an aperture, which is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation, and which rotary shaper includes at least one stationary handling device, in which case the material to be handled is conducted into the rotary shaper and/or through it at least partly by means of gravity and/or suction and/or a pressure difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a tampon which includes an absorbent body, an accommodating member and a pushing member, includes: an orienting mechanism; a first inserting mechanism that inserts the pushing member into the accommodating member; and a second inserting mechanism that inserts the absorbent body into the accommodating member in which the pushing member is inserted. The orienting mechanism has an opening through which the accommodating member is inputted; a pair of first protruded parts; and a pair of second protruded parts located on other-end side in the longitudinal direction of the opening and protruding inwardly in an opposing manner into the opening, a gap between the pair of first protruded parts, and a gap between the pair of second protruded parts being greater than the external diameter of the minor diameter part and smaller than the external diameter of the major diameter part.

Abstract: The invention is a conveying wire (2) with disc-shaped conveying members (8) for use in endless tube conveyor systems. The wire (3) consists of a number of twisted strands (4) that each are made of thin threads or fibers, and including an outer jacket (6) to which the conveying members (8) are fastened directly by injection molding, where the outer jacket (6) consists of a polymer with a melting temperature which is lower than the melting temperature of the plastic material from which the conveying members are injection molded. The wire (3) is, for example, made as a balanced (torsionally neutral) wire consisting of at least three strands that each are made of very thin synthetic fibers which are individually surface treated with a polymer, providing great bending wearability to the fibers and good adhesion to the outer jacket (6) which consists of a polymer.

Abstract: A rotating conveyor for the evacuation of metal shavings resulting from mechanical work processes, comprising a collecting container (2) in which a motorised basket (4) is rotating, above whose bottom wall (5) the lower end (12) of an evacuation conduit (11) connected to an aspiration unit is positioned. A blade stationary conveyor member (13), angularly adjustable, extends between the vertical axis of rotation (A) of the basket (4) and the lower end (12) of the evacuation conduit (11) to convey the shavings below it.

Abstract: A fastening element 30 is fed from a feed track 64 through a feed chamber, formed by interfacing closed channels 132 and 160, to a junction point located in a feed passage 84, formed by two communicating feed openings 86 and 88. An inclined surface 82, located between the feed chamber and the junction point, is inclined downward from the feed chamber to the junction point. A ram 105, located movably in the feed chamber, transfers the fastening element 30 from the feed track 64 to the inclined surface 82, where the fastening element moves down the inclined surface to the junction point. Upon the application of a pressure medium into the feed passage 84, selectively in either of two directions, the fastening element 30 can be directed toward a fastening device 104.

Abstract: A fastening element 30 is fed from a feed track 64 through a feed chamber, formed by interfacing closed channels 132 and 160, to a junction point located in a feed passage 84, formed by two communicating feed openings 86 and 88. An inclined surface 82, located between the feed chamber and the junction point, is inclined downward from the feed chamber to the junction point. A ram 105, located movably in the feed chamber, transfers the fastening element 30 from the feed track 64 to the inclined surface 82, where the fastening element moves down the inclined surface to the junction point. Upon the application of a pressure medium into the feed passage 84, selectively in either of two directions, the fastening element 30 can be directed toward a fastening device 104.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube conveyor station comprises a housing connected to a pneuic conveyor tube. A tube section is arranged displaceably within the housing. For dispatching or receiving conveying cases, the tube section can be brought into alignment with, and connected to, the conveyor tube in a pressure-tight relationship. For loading or unloading conveying cases, the tube section can be brought into a position axially spaced from the conveyor tube. The conveying cases can be displaced within the station between a receive/dispatch position where they are arranged coaxially with the conveyor tube, and a load/unload position where they are arranged parallel to the conveyor tube but distant therefrom. The tube section is displaced in an axial direction by a distance greater than the length (L) of one conveying case. An axial stop is provided for stopping arriving conveying cases in the receive/dispatch position.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying materials behaving substantially as fluids through ducts comprising a cable having a plurality of radially protruding spaced elements molded on it in such a way that each incorporates the protruding ends of a pin radially passing through the cable. The pins act, in cooperation with a swelling of the cable due to the penetration of the pin, to prevent the elements from sliding along the cable. The molded elements are also provided, with tapered extensions in the axial direction of the cable to avoid sharp variations in the rigidity of the cable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a waste collecting method which is sanitary and in which throwing-away of waste at each location within a building can be carried out freely and without waiting time, and labors required for transporting or collecting the waste can be reduced. The waste collecting method essentially consists of operating one of a plurality of throwing devices (3) arranged respectively at a plurality of floors of a building, the one throwing device (3) having accommodated therein waste containers (2), and throwing the waste containers (2) into a vertical transport pipe (4) mounted to the building in such a fashion so as to prevent clogging of the vertical transport pipe (4), and the further step of decelerating the falling waste containers (2) at a lower portion of the vertical transport pipe (4) so as to prevent the thrown-in waste containers (2) from being broken when they reach a shut-off valve provided at a lower end of the vertical transport pipe (4).

Abstract: A transport system particularly for flat articles, e.g. cards, includes guides which allow alternate articles to be conveyed in different orientations through the same duct (122) so that the risk of jamming or shingling during conveyance is eliminated. In a preferred arrangement the system includes a crossed-axes pneumatic duct (122) and driven rollers (144) for introducing cards (12) into the duct in different orientations. The system also includes intermediate air supply stations (138), a card inspection unit (134), and a receiving station (139) including a device (145) for turning cards so that they are all received in the same orientation.

Abstract: Method and device for suspending an ultrafine powder in a gas wherein a mass of powder to be dispersed in enclosing in a container between an axially movable piston and an axially fixed member adjacent to the ends of the container. The fixed member defines an inner counteracting surface facing the powder to be dispersed and has a peripheral gas inlet passage adjacent to the wall of the container and an axial passage extending out of a first end of the container. The second end of the container has a gas inlet. A first gas flow is injected into the second end of the container to move the piston towards the fixed member, thereby pressing the powder against the counteracting surface of the fixed member. A second gas flows into the first end of the container through the peripheral passage for eroding the powder adjacent to the counteracting surface and driving the eroded powder through the axial passage out of the container.

Abstract: Solids particles are conveyed hydraulically by first mixing the solids particles with a liquid in order to form a viscous material of substantially uniform consistency. This viscous material is then introduced or injected into a flowing hydraulic medium that had been substantially free of solids prior to this viscous material injection in order to form a hydraulically conveyed flow. Variations in conduit cross-section at or near the location of viscous material injection may be provided in order to enhance turbulance and suspension of solids within the hydraulically conveyed flow.

Abstract: A transport apparatus in which a block of a plurality of flat articles, aligned uprightly and juxtaposed laterally, is transported by air flow through a transport pipeline, which comprises the pipeline, which is inclined upwards in a direction of transport at a loading station of the pipeline and stands uprightly to terminate in a downward opening at an unloading station, a push member, which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the pipeline and has an air pipe, is provided at a rear end of the pipeline, and a band, which is provided near the downward opening and actuated by an air supply means to project toward the center of the downward opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for pumping fluent solid material comprising first and second expansible chamber pumps and means interconnecting the pumps. The first expansible chamber pump has an inlet with a check valve for intake of material from a supply thereof on an intake stroke of the first pump and an outlet with a check valve for discharge of the material on a discharge stroke of the first pump. The apparatus also has a line for delivery of material from the outlet of the first pump. The second expansible chamber pump has an inlet with a check valve for intake of gas on an intake stroke of the second pump and an outlet with a check valve for discharge of gas on a discharge stroke of the second pump. Means interconnect the pumps for operation of the second pump through a discharge stroke on an intake stroke of the first pump and through an intake stroke on a discharge stroke of the first pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding articles with a head and a shank such as screws one at a time to a tool such as a power screwdriver through a hose. The apparatus has a pilot passageway into which articles are transferred one at a time by a metering arm driven by a fluid motor. Preferably, upon transfer, each article is instantaneously propelled through and discharged from the pilot passageway by a stream of compressed air discharged into the pilot passageway downstream of the inlet through which articles are transferred into the pilot passageway. Each article is propelled through the pilot passageway initially by aspiration and, subsequently, by the stream of compressed air impinging on the article. Alternatively, each article falls due to gravity through the pilot passageway and a portion of the hose and is then propelled through the hose by a stream of compressed air.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vehicles which are moved through a conduit by air and includes a processing system positioned in the conduit for collecting, storage and dispatching the vehicles in which an air pump is positioned in parallel with the processing system having its suction connected to the conduit upstream of the system and its discharge connected to the conduit downstream of the system. Valve means are connected to the conduit for reducing the tendency of the vehicles in the processing system to move upstream towards the pump suction. The valve means alternates the pressure in a portion of the processing system between less than atmospheric and at least atmospheric. One form of the valve means may include an air blocking vehicle stop movable into and out of the conduit and a valve connected between the conduit and the atmosphere upstream of the vehicle stop which is open and closed in synchronism with the vehicle stop.

Abstract: Crank-operated rods are mounted on two vertically spaced apart crankshafts, which are driven to rotate in the same sense. Working tools are carried by said rods on the side thereof which faces the body of silage and penetrate said body as they move downwardly. Each crank-operated rod is provided at its lower end with at least one depending conveying tine, which at least during part of the movement of the respective crank-operated rod away from the body of silage moves over a bottom plate, which extends under all juxtaposed crank-operated rods and is trough-shaped on the side that faces away from the working tools.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for clearing stored material, such as silage, from a stack of such material, comprising a cantilevered frame; at least one crank rod carried by the frame and having milling tools mounted thereon which engage and clear the stored material; a cranking mechanism mounted on the frame and having the crank rods eccentrically mounted thereon in such a manner that the crank rods are driven with a reciprocating movement such that the milling tools have a lower, silage-engaging path of travel in one direction, and a higher return path of travel in an opposite directional and means for driving the cranking mechanism. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a conveyor means, such as a suction fan, and is particularly suitable for use in discharging silos.

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: The present invention provides apparatus which is adapted to be connected to a source of compressed air for pneumatically applying material to an object. The apparatus includes a main conduit having one end connected to the source of compressed air, and having an opposite discharge end; a tubular wall having open ends and adapted to contain a quantity of material therewithin; and a piston slidably mounted within the tubular wall. A supply conduit communicates one end of the tubular wall with the main conduit. A pressurizing conduit is arranged to cause pneumatic pressure to be selectively applied to the piston to extrude material through the supply conduit into the main conduit. Such extruded material is propelled along the main conduit by a continuous flow of compressed air therethrough, and is ultimately discharged on to the object.