A method for delivering items in a pneumatic delivery system includes receiving delivery information corresponding to an item to be delivered from a first workstation of a plurality of workstations to a second one of the workstations, configuring a first one of a plurality of blowers and a corresponding workstation diverter corresponding to the first workstation to create a path from the first workstation to the first blower, operating the first blower to generate suction drawing the item to the first blower, configuring a subset of the plurality of diverters of the system to create a continuous path from the first blower to the second workstation and routing, when the first and second workstations are in separate subsystems of the pneumatic delivery system, the item through an inter-subsystem exchange unit so that the item is delivered to the second workstation using only the first blower.

A method for delivering items in a pneumatic delivery system includes receiving delivery information corresponding to an item to be delivered from a first workstation of a plurality of workstations to a second one of the workstations, configuring a first one of a plurality of blowers and a corresponding workstation diverter corresponding to the first workstation to create a path from the first workstation to the first blower, operating the first blower to generate suction drawing the item to the first blower, configuring a subset of the plurality of diverters of the system to create a continuous path from the first blower to the second workstation and routing, when the first and second workstations are in separate subsystems of the pneumatic delivery system, the item through an inter-subsystem exchange unit so that the item is delivered to the second workstation using only the first blower.

A canister delivery system includes a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit includes a tube, a canister receiving cylinder and a canister that is slidably positioned within the tube. The vacuum unit selectively urges the canister in the tube. Thus, the canister is selectively delivered into and drawn out of the canister receiving cylinder. The canister is selectively removed from the canister receiving cylinder. The tube is vertically oriented in a vehicle drive through and the canister receiving cylinder is aligned with a vehicle. An extension unit is coupled to the tube. The extension unit selectively extends the canister receiving cylinder outwardly from the tube when the canister is delivered into the canister receiving cylinder. Thus, the extension unit positions the canister receiving cylinder within reach of the vehicle.

A canister delivery system includes a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit includes a tube, a canister receiving cylinder and a canister that is slidably positioned within the tube. The vacuum unit selectively urges the canister in the tube. Thus, the canister is selectively delivered into and drawn out of the canister receiving cylinder. The canister is selectively removed from the canister receiving cylinder. The tube is vertically oriented in a vehicle drive through and the canister receiving cylinder is aligned with a vehicle. An extension unit is coupled to the tube. The extension unit selectively extends the canister receiving cylinder outwardly from the tube when the canister is delivered into the canister receiving cylinder. Thus, the extension unit positions the canister receiving cylinder within reach of the vehicle.

A packaging material conveyance system is configured to convey protective packaging articles including pads made of paper dunnage from a protective packaging machine to a receptacle. A main duct receives the articles output by the protective packaging machine and transports the articles to the receptacle. The articles are conveyed by an airflow generated by a blower that propels the articles through the main duct, and are deposited into the receptacle after being released through an outlet. The outlet may be associated with a diverter that forms part of the main duct in a closed position, and is configured to release the articles into the receptacle in an open position.

A packaging material conveyance system is configured to convey protective packaging articles including pads made of paper dunnage from a protective packaging machine to a receptacle. A main duct receives the articles output by the protective packaging machine and transports the articles to the receptacle. The articles are conveyed by an airflow generated by a blower that propels the articles through the main duct, and are deposited into the receptacle after being released through an outlet. The outlet may be associated with a diverter that forms part of the main duct in a closed position, and is configured to release the articles into the receptacle in an open position.

A method and an apparatus (1, 11, 21, 31) for moving one or more loads (5, 15, 25, 35a, 35b,45), in which method loads are moved along a channel (2, 12, 22, 32a, 32b, 49, 49) on or in fluid, wherein the channel (2, 12, 22, 32a, 32b, 49, 49) extending substantially horizontally in lengthwise direction has a cross-section, which cross-section defines an open section (13, 33a, 33b) and a closed section (14, 34a, 34b), wherein the fluid in the open section is directly in contact with surrounding air, and the fluid in the channel can flow from the open section to the closed section and vice versa through opening or openings located below the surface level of the fluid in the open section, and the load or loads (5, 15, 25, 35a, 35b, 45) are moved by floating them at least partially inside the closed section.

A method and an apparatus (1, 11, 21, 31) for moving one or more loads (5, 15, 25, 35a, 35b,45), in which method loads are moved along a channel (2, 12, 22, 32a, 32b, 49, 49) on or in fluid, wherein the channel (2, 12, 22, 32a, 32b, 49, 49) extending substantially horizontally in lengthwise direction has a cross-section, which cross-section defines an open section (13, 33a, 33b) and a closed section (14, 34a, 34b), wherein the fluid in the open section is directly in contact with surrounding air, and the fluid in the channel can flow from the open section to the closed section and vice versa through opening or openings located below the surface level of the fluid in the open section, and the load or loads (5, 15, 25, 35a, 35b, 45) are moved by floating them at least partially inside the closed section.

Devices and methods are disclosed for singulating and dispensing a bead. A bulk hopper holds and presents a plurality of beads to a singulation tube that defines a pathway from the bulk hopper to a rotating protection nest. The rotating protection nest has a pocket configured to retain a single bead. A vacuum source is configured to draw beads from the bulk hopper into the singulation tube when the pocket of the rotating protection nest is in a pickup position and aligned with the singulation tube until a single bead is seated within the pocket. The singulation tube may define one or more buffer zones and/or a separation threshold to control delivery of beads from the bulk hopper to the protection nest. The bulk hopper may have a tapered rotating disk to deliver beads to the singulation tube.

Devices and methods are disclosed for singulating and dispensing a bead. A bulk hopper holds and presents a plurality of beads to a singulation tube that defines a pathway from the bulk hopper to a rotating protection nest. The rotating protection nest has a pocket configured to retain a single bead. A vacuum source is configured to draw beads from the bulk hopper into the singulation tube when the pocket of the rotating protection nest is in a pickup position and aligned with the singulation tube until a single bead is seated within the pocket. The singulation tube may define one or more buffer zones and/or a separation threshold to control delivery of beads from the bulk hopper to the protection nest. The bulk hopper may have a tapered rotating disk to deliver beads to the singulation tube.