Pneumatic transfer apparatus

An apparatus comprising:

• a transfer conduit;
• a differential pressure generating mechanism operatively connected to the transfer conduit;
• a carrier, wherein the carrier is movable in the transfer conduit responsive to differential pressure produced by the differential pressure generating mechanism, wherein the carrier includes a housing bounding an interior area, and wherein the housing includes an opening therethrough and a movable member movably mounted in supporting connection with the housing, and wherein the movable member is movable between a closing position in which the movable member closes the opening and an open position wherein the movable member is moved to enable accessing the interior area through the opening;
• actuator mechanism wherein the actuator mechanism operatively engages the movable member and selectively moves the movable member between the open and closing positions, wherein the actuator mechanism includes a floatably mounted rotating member, wherein rotation of the rotating member is operative to move the movable member, and wherein the carrier is operatively supported on the floatably mounted rotating member as the movable member is moved between the open and closing positions.

An apparatus comprising:

• the carrier member including at least one annular seal, wherein the seal enables generally fluid tight, slidable engagement with a generally surrounding transfer conduit when the carrier is positioned in the transfer conduit, whereby the carrier is enabled to be moved in the conduit by differential pressure, and wherein the seal extends in centered relation about an axis, and wherein the carrier has a first axial end and a second opposed axial end disposed from one another in an axial direction;
• the carrier including a housing, wherein the housing is disposed radially inward relative to a maximum diameter of the annular seal, and wherein the housing generally bounds an interior area, and wherein the housing includes an opening, wherein the interior area is accessible through the opening;
• a movable member movably mounted on the carrier, wherein the movable member is movable relative to the housing, wherein the movable member is movable between a closed position wherein the movable member closes the opening and an open position wherein the movable member enables access to the interior area through the opening;
• an outer cap member, wherein the outer cap member is movably mounted on the carrier relative to the housing adjacent the first axial end, and wherein the outer cap member is accessible from an exterior area of the housing, and wherein the outer cap member is in operative connection with the movable member, wherein movement of the outer cap member relative to the housing is operative to move the movable member between the open and closed positions.

A method comprising the steps of:

• moving items housed in an interior area of a carrier by moving the carrier in a transfer conduit by applying differential pressure on opposed sides of the carrier in the transfer conduit;
• engaging a first end cap of the carrier with a mechanism positioned generally below a first transfer opening in a first generally vertically extending leg portion of the transfer conduit;
• and
• opening the interior area of the carrier by moving the first end cap relative to the carrier with the mechanism.

An apparatus comprising:

• a carrier,
• wherein the carrier is adapted for movement in a transfer conduit responsive to differential pressure,
• wherein the carrier includes a housing,
• wherein the housing bounds an interior area,
• wherein the housing includes an opening therethrough,
• wherein the interior area is accessible through the opening,
• wherein the housing has a closed position wherein the opening is closed, and an open position wherein the opening is open,
• wherein the housing includes an outer shell and an inner shell,
• wherein the outer shell includes a first generally cylindrical member,
• wherein the inner shell includes a second generally cylindrical member,
• wherein the second generally cylindrical member is positioned in telescoping relation within the first cylindrical member,
• wherein the first and second generally cylindrical members are adapted for relative rotational movement,
• wherein movement between the open and closed positions includes relative rotational movement of the first and second cylindrical members.