Transport system for fabric pieces

A system for transporting a fabric piece from a predetermined departure location to one of a first or a second predetermined destination, said system comprising a series of fluidly communicating tubes and including:

• an intake line configured to receive a fabric piece from the predetermined departure location and having a manifold section;
• a first main line having first and second ends and being fluidly connected at said first end with said intake line manifold section;
• a first routing valve fluidly connected with said first main line and positioned adjacent said intake line manifold section;
• a first air supply valve fluidly connected with said first main line downstream of said first routing valve;
• a first branch line having upstream and downstream ends fluidly connected at said upstream end to an intermediate portion of said first main line at a first junction, said first branch line including a deposit nozzle leading to the first predetermined destination;
• a first vacuum source connected with said downstream end of said first branch line for drawing air of sufficient quantity and velocity through said intake line, said first main line, and said first branch line to draw a fabric piece into said intake line, said main line, and said first branch line;
• a second main line having first and second ends and being fluidly connected at said first end with said intake line manifold section;
• a second routing valve fluidly connected with said second main line and positioned adjacent said intake line manifold section;
• a second air supply valve fluidly connected with said second main line downstream of said second routing valve;
• a second branch line having upstream and downstream ends fluidly connected at said upstream end to an intermediate portion of said second main line at a second junction, said second branch line including a deposit nozzle leading to the second predetermined destination;
• a second vacuum source connected with said downstream end of said second branch line for drawing air of sufficient quantity and velocity through said intake line, said second main line, and said second branch line to draw a fabric piece into said intake line, said main line, and said second branch line;
• means for operably coupling said first and second routing valves such that, when a fabric piece is to be conveyed to the first predetermined destination and is present in the intake line, said first routing valve is in an open position so that air is drawn from said intake line manifold section into said first main line, and said second routing valve is in a closed position such that air is not drawn into said second branch line from said intake line manifold section, and such that, when the fabric piece is to be conveyed to the second predetermined destination, said second routing valve is in an open position so that air is drawn from said intake line manifold section into said second main line, and said first routing valve is in a closed position such that air is not drawn into said first branch line from said intake line manifold section;
• and
• first and second receiving stations positioned at said first and second predetermined destinations.