US 5,655,677 AGranted

Sealed carrier vessel for pneumatic transport system

AssigneeTranslogic Corporation

InventorsDaniel A. Fratello, Eric Brandenburg, Nasser Pirshafiey, Douglas Walker

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Abstract

A carrier vessel for a pneumatic tube transport system provides substantially leak-free containment of fluids transported therein. The vessel includes first and second shell members having opposing engagement surfaces extending substantially about a perimeter thereof. A sealing member disposed adjacent one of the engagement surfaces is compressed between the engagement surfaces when the vessel is closed to provide substantially fluid-tight seal between the first and second shell members. The vessel includes removable wear bands connected to the shell members, a hinge interconnector assembly for connecting the shell members together at one of their longitudinal sides and latch assemblies for releasably connecting them together at an opposite longitudinal side.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A carrier vessel for use in a pneumatic tube transport system, comprising:

a first shell member having a body and a first engagement surface disposed about the perimeter of said body;
a second shell member having a body and a second engagement surface interconnectable with portions of said first engagement surface;
a wear band connected to said first and second shell members, said wear band having a thickness and outer material for contacting the pneumatic tube transport system when the carrier vessel is caused to be transported thereby;
and
a sealing member disposed adjacent said first engagement surface whereby, when said first shell member is interconnected with said second shell member so that said first and second shell members are in a closed position, said sealing member controls passage of fluids into and out of said vessel;
wherein said wear band is a single one-piece member that includes an integrally formed hinge band that permits said first and second shell members to change from said closed position to an open position while said wear band remains as said single member when said first and second shell members are in said open position.

3 more elements

A carrier vessel for use in a pneumatic tube transport system, comprising:

a first shell member having a body and a first engagement surface disposed above the perimeter of said body;
a second shell member having a body and a second engagement surface interconnectable with portions of said first engagement surface;
a sealing member disposed adjacent said first engagement surface whereby, when said first shell member is interconnected with said second shell member, said sealing member controls passage of fluids into and out of said vessel;
a latch assembly for interconnecting said first and second shell members, said latch assembly including a latch member, clasp member and a spring member operatively engaging said latch member for holding said latch member in an open position so that, when said latch assembly is not interconnecting said first and second shell members, said open position provides a visual indication that said vessel is not in a closed position, said latch member having a free end and a pivot end with said free end being detachably held by said clasp member and said clasp member being able to pivot about said pivot end, a recessed area formed in material adjacent to said pivot end to facilitate movement of said pivot end, wherein detachment of said latch member from said clasp member is initiated by movement of said pivot end before movement of said free end and in which said spring member has a force that holds said latch member in said open position and said force of said spring member is overcome to place said latch member in said closed position;
and
a hinge interconnector assembly for interconnecting said first and second shell members together.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.