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 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 system for fluidizing and conveying a powdery product is provided. The system includes plurality of powder-locking and metering vessels, the vessels each having a conveying line for the powdery product and a control mechanism for the mass flow of the powdery product. The conveying lines are brought together to form a common conveying line and are supplied to a remover of the powdery product. The powder-locking and metering vessels are alternatively fed with the powdery product and tensioned with the fluidizing gas under operating pressure. The control mechanisms of the powder-locking and metering vessels are activated in such a manner that the mass flow sum of powdery product in the conveying lines is identical to the desired value for the mass flow of powdery product to the remover of the powdery product.

A method of transporting blood samples without using a capsule, in a tube system with an internal diameter that is greater than the external diameter of the applied blood samples and lesser than the lengths of the applied blood samples, the method including at least the following steps: A: a blood sample (8) with an external diameter in the range 12 mm to 18 mm and with a length in the range from 80 mm to 110 mm is introduced in a tube system (1) that includes a dispatch station (3) and a receiver station (4), A1: the physical dimensions of the blood sample (8) is checked and it is ensured that the blood sample (8) fits the tube system, B: the blood sample (8) is dispatched from the dispatch station (3) by means of dispatching air.

A method of transporting blood samples without using a capsule, in a tube system with an internal diameter that is greater than the external diameter of the applied blood samples and lesser than the lengths of the applied blood samples, the method including at least the following steps: A: a blood sample (8) with an external diameter in the range 12 mm to 18 mm and with a length in the range from 80 mm to 110 mm is introduced in a tube system (1) that includes a dispatch station (3) and a receiver station (4), A1: the physical dimensions of the blood sample (8) is checked and it is ensured that the blood sample (8) fits the tube system, B: the blood sample (8) is dispatched from the dispatch station (3) by means of dispatching air.

A pneumatic transport system for histological samples includes a transport tube within which a carrier containing samples is transported. A station for loading/unloading the samples into/from the carrier is arranged at one tube end. When the carrier is arriving at the station, a blower of the system is deactivated and the carrier is braked, allowing stopping within the station against a stop member. Thereafter, a motor imparts, via the stop member, rotation to said carrier until a carrier door is at an angular position substantially corresponding to an angular position of a station door. Thereafter, the carrier is stopped and the doors are opened by an actuator, this enabling activation of an operating cycle of loading/unloading of the samples. Upon completion, the doors are closed, a carrier locking device is deactivated and the blower is activated, allowing departure of the carrier from the station and its transport within the tube.

A pneumatic transport system for histological samples includes a transport tube within which a carrier containing samples is transported. A station for loading/unloading the samples into/from the carrier is arranged at one tube end. When the carrier is arriving at the station, a blower of the system is deactivated and the carrier is braked, allowing stopping within the station against a stop member. Thereafter, a motor imparts, via the stop member, rotation to said carrier until a carrier door is at an angular position substantially corresponding to an angular position of a station door. Thereafter, the carrier is stopped and the doors are opened by an actuator, this enabling activation of an operating cycle of loading/unloading of the samples. Upon completion, the doors are closed, a carrier locking device is deactivated and the blower is activated, allowing departure of the carrier from the station and its transport within the tube.

A system and method provides for controlling a pneumatic carrier system based on identification information read from a carrier or a payload of the carrier. Each carrier or payload which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon information for the carrier or payload. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the identification device. Based on reading the identification device at locations within the system, the operation of the system is altered.

A system and method provides for controlling a pneumatic carrier system based on identification information read from a carrier or a payload of the carrier. Each carrier or payload which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon information for the carrier or payload. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the identification device. Based on reading the identification device at locations within the system, the operation of the system is altered.