US 4,941,777 A · Apparatus for conveying material

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.

Claims40

Dependent claims

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.

3 more elements

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.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for conveying material

Life of this patent

Apparatus for conveying material

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40