A pneumatic delivery capsule usable in a pneumatic delivery tube has a tubular side wall extending along and centered on a longitudinal axis, respective capsule heads fixed to respective axially opposite ends of the tubular side wall and dimensioned to slide with the tubular side wall inside the pneumatic delivery tube, and two axially spaced roller bearings each having an outer race fixed to the tubular side wall and an inner race. An insert is fixed to and extends longitudinally between the inner races for receiving an object to be transported. This insert is rotatable on the bearings in the tubular side wall about the longitudinal axis of the tubular side wall with a center of gravity of the insert together with the object to be transported being radially outward of the longitudinal axis.

A pneumatic delivery capsule usable in a pneumatic delivery tube has a tubular side wall extending along and centered on a longitudinal axis, respective capsule heads fixed to respective axially opposite ends of the tubular side wall and dimensioned to slide with the tubular side wall inside the pneumatic delivery tube, and two axially spaced roller bearings each having an outer race fixed to the tubular side wall and an inner race. An insert is fixed to and extends longitudinally between the inner races for receiving an object to be transported. This insert is rotatable on the bearings in the tubular side wall about the longitudinal axis of the tubular side wall with a center of gravity of the insert together with the object to be transported being radially outward of the longitudinal axis.

Systems and methods for tracking carriers and other critical path items are provided. The systems and methods comprise structure and functionality to allow for the real-time tracking of pneumatic tube smart carriers and other devices including the use of an IoT capable device, a computer, and an IoT access point. The present disclosure also provides monitoring and analytics capabilities to allow for complex information to be tracked. Such information includes, but is not limited to carrier velocity, air flow, and latch status of the carrier's door.

The present application discloses braking devices for use in a pneumatic tube system (PTS). The braking devices are adapted for in-line incorporation with a pneumatic tube and are operative to stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. The in-line braking devices allow for decelerating a carrier to a stop over a distance to reduce the forces applied to a carrier and its contents.

The present application discloses braking devices for use in a pneumatic tube system (PTS). The braking devices are adapted for in-line incorporation with a pneumatic tube and are operative to stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. The in-line braking devices allow for decelerating a carrier to a stop over a distance to reduce the forces applied to a carrier and its contents.

A workstation includes a housing and a pneumatic tube port sized and shaped to connect to tubing of a pneumatic tube delivery system. The workstation includes a carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism coupling to the pneumatic tube port and having an outlet and a slide plate movable from a position opening the outlet to a position closing the outlet. The carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism further including a dispatch arm for loading an outbound carrier for transportation from the workstation through the pneumatic tube delivery system to a further workstation. The workstation further comprises an equipment storage compartment adjacent to the carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism and a bin at the bottom of the housing sized and shaped to receive and store the inbound carriers in combination with a user interface cabinet housing a user interface apparatus and a space for supporting stored carriers.

A pneumatic post sleeve (10) has an insert (21) for receiving a test rod (20). In order that the test rod (20) always arrives in the same orientation and positionregardless of any rotation of the pneumatic post sleeve (10)the insert (21) is rotatable in the pneumatic post sleeve (10) about the longitudinal axis (17) of the sleeve tube (11), wherein the centre of gravity of the insert (21) together with the test rod (20) is located outside the longitudinal axis (17). As a result of its weight, the test rod (20) always takes up the lowest position. In order to improve precision, it is expedient for the insert (21) to be provided with a magnet (30) or with a magnetizable material close to the sleeve tube (11). The pneumatic post station (41) then has a horizontal reception tube (42), on the outside of which a permanent magnet or electromagnet (31) is provided, which is located opposite the magnet (30) in the case of a received pneumatic post sleeve (10). The two magnets try to get as close together as possible and as a result position the insert (21) even more precisely than would be possible by gravity alone. It is also possible for a plurality of magnet/magnetizable material and permanent magnet/electromagnet pairs to be provided.

A pneumatic post sleeve (10) has an insert (21) for receiving a test rod (20). In order that the test rod (20) always arrives in the same orientation and positionregardless of any rotation of the pneumatic post sleeve (10)the insert (21) is rotatable in the pneumatic post sleeve (10) about the longitudinal axis (17) of the sleeve tube (11), wherein the centre of gravity of the insert (21) together with the test rod (20) is located outside the longitudinal axis (17). As a result of its weight, the test rod (20) always takes up the lowest position. In order to improve precision, it is expedient for the insert (21) to be provided with a magnet (30) or with a magnetizable material close to the sleeve tube (11). The pneumatic post station (41) then has a horizontal reception tube (42), on the outside of which a permanent magnet or electromagnet (31) is provided, which is located opposite the magnet (30) in the case of a received pneumatic post sleeve (10). The two magnets try to get as close together as possible and as a result position the insert (21) even more precisely than would be possible by gravity alone. It is also possible for a plurality of magnet/magnetizable material and permanent magnet/electromagnet pairs to be provided.

A system for instrument conveyance may include at least one handling unit configured to dispense or accept instruments; at least one head unit configured to obtain input from a user in connection with a transaction involving instruments, where the at least one head unit includes a presentation opening between an interior side and an exterior side of the at least one head unit; a transportation system disposed between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit; and a shuttle device configured to transport instruments between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit via the transportation system, where the shuttle device includes an internal compartment for containing instruments, and where the shuttle device is configured to expose the internal compartment to the exterior side of the at least one head unit via the presentation opening.

A system for instrument conveyance may include at least one handling unit configured to dispense or accept instruments; at least one head unit configured to obtain input from a user in connection with a transaction involving instruments, where the at least one head unit includes a presentation opening between an interior side and an exterior side of the at least one head unit; a transportation system disposed between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit; and a shuttle device configured to transport instruments between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit via the transportation system, where the shuttle device includes an internal compartment for containing instruments, and where the shuttle device is configured to expose the internal compartment to the exterior side of the at least one head unit via the presentation opening.