Apparatus for conveying material

• US 4,941,777 A
• Filed: 11/16/1988
• Issued: 07/17/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Home Courier Corporation
• Original Assignee: Home Courier Corporation
• Inventors: Kieronski, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Basinger, Sherman D.
• Application Number:
  US07/272,106
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 406/1, 406/3, 406/13, 406/19, 406/83, 406/108-111, 406/147, 406/148, 406/154, 406/164-166, 406/176, 406/184, 406/187-190, 406/74, 406/105, 406/112, 406/23, 406/24
• US Class Current: 406/13
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/06 with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level B65G1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 51/04 Conveying the articles in carriers having a cross-section approximating that of the pipe or tube; Tube mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 51/06 Despatch carriers for tube mail
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 51/20 Braking arrangements

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. The carrier member has annular projections for sealing engagement of the tube. Each projection has an outwardly facing groove in which a compressible sealing strip is retained with a foamed elastomeric base strip behind the sealing strip to deflect the sealing strip outwardly into sealing disposition.

Claims

1. An apparatus for propelling a carrier member along a pneumatic conveyor tube between two spaced-apart terminals, comprising:

(a) a blower having a suction intake and a blower output;

(b) conduit means interconnecting said blower to the pneumatic tube at two spaced-apart junctions therein;

(c) means for sensing the presence of said carrier member in said pneumatic tube intermediate said spaced-apart junctions;

(d) first valve means alternatively connecting said blower intake and output through said conduit means to said tube for alternatively creating carrier member propelling suction through one of said junctions through the tube past said other junction and creating carrier member propelling pressure in said tube through the other junction upon said sensing means sensing the presence of the carrier member in the tube intermediate said junctions for propelling said carrier member to one of said terminals; and

(e) second valve means in said conduit means for reversing the connection of said blower intake and output to said junctions for propelling said carrier member from said one terminal to the other of said terminals.

2. An apparatus for propelling a carrier member according to claim 1 and characterized further in that during reversing by said second valve means, said first valve means reversely connects said blower intake and output through said other junction and said one junction.

3. Apparatus for conveying material from one terminal to another, comprising:

(a) a hollow carrier member for containing material to be conveyed and having at least one end and a removable cover for said end;

(b) a conveyor tube extending between said terminals for conveyance of said carrier member therethrough;

(c) means for conveying said carrier member through said tube;

(d) said tube having a separately manipulatable, open-ended, end portion at at least one terminal for receipt and temporary retention of said carrier member therein with said end of said carrier member outermost;

(e) means for releasably retaining said carrier member in said end portion;

(f) means for removing and replacing said end cover while said carrier member is retained in said end portion and yieldable latching elements on said cover latchingly engagable with said carrier member and an unlatching element engagable with said latching elements to unlatch said latching elements from said carrier memeber and to support said cover separate from said carrier member; and

(g) said end portion being manipulatable with said carrier member retained therein from alignment with said tube for receipt and discharge of said carrier member to a position out of alignment with said tube for transfer of material through said carrier member end.

4. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 3 and characterized further in that in said position out of alignment with said tube said end portion is in a position for receiving material.

5. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 4 and characterized further in that in said material receiving position said end portion is inclined with said carrier member end uppermost.

6. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 3 and characterized further in that in said position out of alignment with said tube said end portion is in a position for discharging material.

7. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 6 and characterized further in that said material discharging position said end portion and carrier member are inverted with the carrier member end lowermost.

8. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 3 and characterized further in that said tube has a said separately manipulatable, openended, end portion at each terminal, with one end portion being manipulatable to a position for said carrier member to receive material at one terminal and the other end portion being manipulatable to a position for said carrier member to discharge material at the other terminal.

9. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 3 and characterized further in that said latching elements are radially yieldable outwardly and said unlatching element is centrally located.

10. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 9 and characterized further in that said carrier member is formed with a radially projecting flange corresponding with each said latching element, and each said latching element includes an inturned outer end engagable under said flange to latch said cover on said carrier member and movable out of flange engagement upon said unlatching element engaging said latching elements.

11. Apparatus for conveying material according to claims 3, 9, or 10 and characterized further by spring means mounted on said cover in engagement with said latching elements to normally urge said latching elements in latching engagement with said carrier member and in cover supporting engagement with said unlatching element.

12. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 11 and characterized further in that said unlatching element is removable from engagement with said latching elements to permit said latching elements to return to engagement with said carrier member to latch said cover on said carrier member, and said means for removing and replacing said end cover includes means for retaining said cover on said carrier member during removal of said unlatching element.

13. Apparatus for conveying material according to claims 9 or 10 and characterized further by spring means mounted on said cover in engagement with said latching elements to normally urge said latching elements in latching engagement with said carrier member and in cover supporting engagement with said unlatching element, and in that said unlatching element is axially movable in engagement with said latching elements and has a portion of increasing radial extent for moving said latching elements radially to unlatch the cover from the carrier member and has a portion of reduced radial extent beyond said increasing radial extent portion for cover supporting engagement of said latching elements, with the radial extent of said reduced radial extent portion being sufficient to maintain said latching elements unlatched from said carrier member.

14. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 13 and characterized further in that said portion of increasing radial extent is in the form of an inverted cone and said reduced radial extent portion is in the form of an annular recess.

15. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 14 and characterized further in that said cover is formed with a centering aperture in alignment with said unlatching element and in the form of an inverted cone corresponding with the shape of said portion of increasing radial extent for engagement therewith to maintain said unlatching element axially positioned during support of said cover thereon.

16. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 13 and characterized further in that said cover is formed with a centering aperture in alignment with said unlatching element for engagement therewith to maintain said unlatching element axially positioned during support of said cover thereon.

17. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 12 and characterized further in that said unlatching element is removable from engagement with said latching elements to permit said latching elements to return to engagement with said carrier member to latch said cover on said carrier member, and said means for removing and replacing said end cover includes means for retaining said cover on said carrier member during removal of said unlatching element.

18. Apparatus for conveying material from one terminal to another, comprising:

(a) a hollow carrier member for containing material to be conveyed and having at least one end and a removable cover for said end;

(b) a conveyor tube extending between said terminals for conveyance of said carrier member therethrough;

(c) means for conveying said carrier member through said tube;

(d) means for removing and replacing said end cover, including yieldable latching elements on said cover latchingly engagable with said carrier member, and an unlatching element engagable with said latching elements to unlatch said latching elements from said carrier member and to support said cover separate from said carrier member.

19. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 18 and characterized further in that said latching elements are radially yieldable outwardly and said unlatching element is centrally located.

20. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 19 and characterized further in that said carrier member is formed with a radially projecting flange corresponding with each said latching element, and each said latching element includes an inturned outer end engagable under said flange to latch said cover on said carrier member and movable out of flange engagement upon said unlatching element engaging said latching elements.

21. Apparatus for conveying material according to claims 18, 19 or 20 and characterized further by spring means mounted on said cover in engagement with said latching elements to normally urge said latching elements in latching engagement with said carrier member and in cover supporting engagement with said unlatching element.

22. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 21 and characterized further in that said unlatching element is removable from engagement with said latching elements to permit said latching elements to return to engagement with said carrier member to latch said cover on said carrier member, and said means for removing and replacing said end cover includes means for retaining said cover on said carrier member during removal of said unlatching element.

23. Apparatus for conveying material according to claims 19 or 20 and characterized further by spring means mounted on said cover in engagement with said latching elements to normally urge said latching elements in latching engagement with said carrier member and in cover supporting engagement with said unlatching element, and in that said unlatching element is axially movable in engagement with said latching elements and has a portion of increasing radial extent for moving said latching elements radially to unlatch the cover from the carrier member and has a portion of reduced radial extent beyond said increasing radial extent portion for cover supporting engagement of said latching element, with the radial extent of said reduced radial extent portion being sufficient to maintain said latching elements unlatched from said carrier member.

24. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 23 and characterized further in that said portion of increasing radial extent is in the form of an inverted cone and said reduced radial extent portion is in the form of an annular recess.

25. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 24 and characterized further in that said cover is formed with a centering aperture in alignment with said unlatching element and in the form of an inverted cone corresponding with the shape of said portion of increasing radial extent for engagement therewith to maintain said unlatching element axially positioned during support of said cover thereon.

26. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 23 and characterized further in that said cover is formed with a centering aperture in alignment with said unlatching element for engagement therewith to maintain said unlatching element axially positioned during support of said cover thereon.

27. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 23 and characterized further in that said unlatching element is removable from engagement with said latching elements to permit said latching elements to return to engagement with said carrier member to latch said cover on said carrier member, and said means for removing and replacing said end cover includes means for retaining said cover on said carrier member during removal of said unlatching element.

28. Apparatus for conveying material from one terminal to another, comprising:

(a) a carrier member for containing material to be conveyed;

(b) a conveyor tube extending between said terminals for conveyance of said carrier member therethrough and having ends at said terminals;

(c) means for pneumatically conveying said carrier member through said tube;

(d) means in said tube at at least one terminal for gradually retarding movement of said carrier member, said means including;

(i) a carrier member engaging element movable laterally inwardly of said tube into the path of said carrier member and having a carrier member engaging surface extending longitudinally within said tube; and

(ii) means yieldably urging said carrier member engaging element inwardly for engagement of said carrier member to gradually retard said carrier member as it advances along said surface;

(e) means sensing the presence of the carrier member at the end of said tube at said at least one terminal, and means responsive to sensing of a carrier member by said sensing means for retracting said carrier member engaging element from the path of said carrier member to allow said pneumatically conveying means to move said carrier member in said tube.

29. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 28 and characterized further in that said carrier member engaging element is disposed for retarding and stopping said carrier member at a spacing from a position at said terminal and said retracting means retracts said element to allow said pneumatically conveying means to convey said carrier member to said terminal position.

30. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 29 and characterized further in that said yieldably urging means includes a latching element engagable with said carrier member engaging element and extendible into latching engagement with said carrier member upon release of said retracting means to latch said carrier member in said terminal position.

31. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 30 and characterized further in that said carrier member has an outer annular projection engagable with said carrier member engaging surface, and said latching element is engagable with said projection to latch said carrier member in said terminal position.

32. Apparatus for conveying material according to claims 28, 29, 30, or 31 and characterized further in that said carrier member engaging element is pivotably mounted for yieldable disposition at an inclination to the path of said carrier member.

33. Apparatus for conveying material according to claim 32 and characterized further in that said tube is generally cylindrical and said carrier member engaging surface is arcuately shaped in general correspondence with the cylindrical shape of said tube.

34. An apparatus for propelling a carrier member along pneumatic conveyor tube between two spaced-apart terminals, wherein said tube has a generally upwardly facing end at at least one terminal, comprising:

(a) reversible means for pneumatically conveying said carrier member in said tube to said terminals;

(b) means for releasably retaining said carrier member at said upwardly facing tube end against downward movement into said tube without preventing upward movement of said carrier member;

(c) said reversible conveying means being operable to raise a carrier member of limited weight from said retaining means and inoperable to raise a carrier member heavier than said limited weight;

(d) means for sensing the raising of a carrier member from said retaining means; and

(e) said releasably retaining means being operable in response to said sensing means sensing the raising of a carrier member to release said carrier member for downward movement into said tube for conveyance in said tube upon reversal of said reversible conveying means, and retaining an overweight carrier member against downward movement into said tube.

35. An apparatus for propelling a carrier member according to claim 34 and characterized further in that said means for releasably retaining said carrier member includes a latching element engagable with said carrier member for latching said carrier member at said tube end, and means for retracting said latching element in response to said sensing means sensing the raising of a carrier member.

36. An apparatus for propelling a carrier member according to claim 35 and characterized further in that said carrier member has an outer annular projection and said latching element is engagable under said projection to releasably retain said carrier member at said tube end.

37. A sealing assembly in an annular projection on a carrier member that is conveyed in a pneumatic conveyor tube, comprising:

an outwardly facing annular groove having a central annular recess and opposed annular side recesses, a compressible sealing strip retained in and projecting from said groove and having edge portions retainingly seated in said side recesses, and an annular base strip seated behind the sealing strip in said central recess and projecting outwardly of said central recess for outward deflection of said sealing strip.

38. A sealing assembly in an annular projection on a carrier member that is conveyed in a pneumatic conveyor tube, according to claim 37 and characterized further in that said base strip is resilient for urging said sealing strip outwardly.

39. A sealing assembly in an annular projection on a carrier member that is conveyed in a pneumatic conveyor tube according to claim 38 and characterized further in that said sealing strip is made of felt material.

40. A sealing assembly in an annular projection on a carrier member that is conveyed in a pneumatic conveyor tube according to claim 39 and characterized further in that said base strip is made of foamed elastomeric material.