Pneumatic transport zone exchange system and method
AssigneeSwisslog Healthcare Solutions
InventorPedro Barrios
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims13
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.
A pneumatic tube system for conveying a pneumatic carrier, comprising:
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.