Pneumatic transport zone exchange system and method
First Claim
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1. A pneumatic transfer device for transferring a pneumatic carrier between a first pneumatic system portion including a first plurality of pneumatic tubes and a second pneumatic system portion including a second plurality of pneumatic tubes, comprising:
- a first diverter having a first head end with a first head end port, a first transfer end with a first plurality of ports connected to said first plurality of pneumatic tubes and a first transfer tube for selectively pneumatically connecting one of said first plurality of ports to said first head end port;
a second diverter having a second head end with a second head end port, a second transfer end with second plurality of ports connected to said second plurality of pneumatic tubes and a second transfer tube for selectively pneumatically connecting one of said second plurality of ports to said second head end port;
a connecting tube pneumatically interconnecting said first and second head end ports for direct transfer of a pneumatic carrier there between; and
a valve in pneumatic communication with the connecting tube, said valve being selectively operative to vent said connecting tube to atmosphere.
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Abstract
Provided herein is a system and method for providing inter-zone connections between first and second portions of a pneumatic tube system. The systems and methods (i.e., utilities) permit creating a direct pneumatic path between the first zone and the second zone. In this regard, air pressure or vacuum from a first zone may be utilized to effectuate transfer of a carrier through a portion or all of the second zone and/or to provide operating pressure or vacuum to the second zone.
74 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A pneumatic transfer device for transferring a pneumatic carrier between a first pneumatic system portion including a first plurality of pneumatic tubes and a second pneumatic system portion including a second plurality of pneumatic tubes, comprising:
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a first diverter having a first head end with a first head end port, a first transfer end with a first plurality of ports connected to said first plurality of pneumatic tubes and a first transfer tube for selectively pneumatically connecting one of said first plurality of ports to said first head end port; a second diverter having a second head end with a second head end port, a second transfer end with second plurality of ports connected to said second plurality of pneumatic tubes and a second transfer tube for selectively pneumatically connecting one of said second plurality of ports to said second head end port; a connecting tube pneumatically interconnecting said first and second head end ports for direct transfer of a pneumatic carrier there between; and a valve in pneumatic communication with the connecting tube, said valve being selectively operative to vent said connecting tube to atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A pneumatic tube system for conveying a pneumatic carrier, comprising:
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a first system zone having a first air source interconnected to a first plurality of user stations; a second system zone having a second air source interconnected to a second plurality of user stations; a transfer device interconnecting said first and second zones, comprising; a first diverter having a first plurality of ports selectively connected to a single connecting tube, wherein a first tube pneumatically connected to said first system zone is connected to one of said first plurality of ports; a second diverter having a second plurality of ports selectively connectable to said single connecting tube, wherein a second tube pneumatically connected to said second system zone is connected to one of said second plurality of ports; and a valve in pneumatic communication with the single connecting tube, said valve being selectively operative to vent said pneumatic coupling to atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification