A pneumatic transport device (1a, 1b) for transporting a pneumatically transportable material (M) in a pneumatic system (10) by means of air for transporting the pneumatic transportable material (M) between a first pneumatic system portion (11) and a second pneumatic system portion (12), the pneumatic system portions (11, 12) including a plurality of pneumatic tubes (13) forming a continuous pneumatic transport path (CL), the device (1a, 1b) including an air source (2a, 2b), typically a vacuum source (2a), pneumatically connected to one of the first or second pneumatic system portions (11, 12) operative to provide air pressure or vacuum through the continuous pneumatic transport path (CL), and a controller (4a, 4b) configured to control the speed of the vacuum source (2a) and/or a mass-flow, respectively, of the material (M) in dependence of input from a monitoring line (3) adapted to monitor the pneumatic transport path (CL) to provide essentially constant speed of transport the pneumatically transportable material (M).

A multi-port metering pump assembly includes a manifold coupled to a metering pump. The manifold defines a central passage in fluid communication with a plurality of intermediate passages defined in the manifold. The manifold includes a plurality of outer passages. Each intermediate passage provides fluid communication between the central passage and a corresponding outer passage. A plurality of valves is coupled to the manifold. Each valve of the plurality of valves is located between an intermediate passage and a corresponding outer passage, and is configured to enable or prevent passage of fluid between a corresponding intermediate passage of the plurality of intermediate passages and a corresponding outer passage. The multi-port metering pump assembly also includes an electronic controller coupled to the plurality of valves, the electronic controller having an associated electronic interface and being programmable to selectively and independently open and close the valves of the plurality of valves.

A multi-port metering pump assembly includes a manifold coupled to a metering pump. The manifold defines a central passage in fluid communication with a plurality of intermediate passages defined in the manifold. The manifold includes a plurality of outer passages. Each intermediate passage provides fluid communication between the central passage and a corresponding outer passage. A plurality of valves is coupled to the manifold. Each valve of the plurality of valves is located between an intermediate passage and a corresponding outer passage, and is configured to enable or prevent passage of fluid between a corresponding intermediate passage of the plurality of intermediate passages and a corresponding outer passage. The multi-port metering pump assembly also includes an electronic controller coupled to the plurality of valves, the electronic controller having an associated electronic interface and being programmable to selectively and independently open and close the valves of the plurality of valves.

A transfer pump for moving pellets of adhesive includes a pump housing with an adhesive inlet coupled to a supply hopper, an adhesive outlet coupled to an outlet hose, and an adhesive passage extending between the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet. A first air nozzle communicates with the adhesive passage adjacent the adhesive inlet and expels a first air jet that pushes pellets of adhesive through the adhesive passage. A second air nozzle communicates with the adhesive passage between the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet and expels a plurality of second air jets that draw pellets of adhesive through the adhesive passage by a vacuum force. The first and second air nozzles prevent clogging of pellets in the adhesive passage and enable movement of larger pellets than either air nozzle individually.

A transfer pump for moving pellets of adhesive includes a pump housing with an adhesive inlet coupled to a supply hopper, an adhesive outlet coupled to an outlet hose, and an adhesive passage extending between the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet. A first air nozzle communicates with the adhesive passage adjacent the adhesive inlet and expels a first air jet that pushes pellets of adhesive through the adhesive passage. A second air nozzle communicates with the adhesive passage between the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet and expels a plurality of second air jets that draw pellets of adhesive through the adhesive passage by a vacuum force. The first and second air nozzles prevent clogging of pellets in the adhesive passage and enable movement of larger pellets than either air nozzle individually.

A system for handling sample vials includes a vault for receiving a series of storage cartridges. Inside the cartridges are one or more discs providing vial recesses. In multidisc cartridges, through passages are provided to place and retrieve vials into and from the subjacent discs. A pick up device is moved until it aligns with a selected vial and the vial is pneumatically removed. A device is provided to reverse orientation of a vial moving through the system. A venturi operated system is provided including symmetrical bleed off ports to propel vials through the system without inducing excessive spinning of the vials. A piping system from a central bank to a multiplicity of analytical instruments includes a minimum number of through conduits and a diverter at each instrument location for sending the vial either to the instrument or downstream toward another diverter and instrument.

A powder handling device is provided, along with apparatus and methods of its use. The powder handling device includes a mounting portion defining a plane and comprising a mounting interface; a fixture device configured to mount the mounting portion over an opening of a powder container at a mounting interface; and a powder suction unit attached to the mounting portion and passing through the plane. The powder suction unit is movable relative to the mounting portion with at least one degree of freedom. The powder handling device may be mounted onto an opening of a powder container.

A powder conveying chamber for a dense-phase powder pump for conveying powder, in particular coating powder, has an end region via which the powder conveying chamber is or can be fluidically connected to a powder line, wherein the end region of the powder conveying chamber is configured as a transition region and designed to reduce an effective flow cross-section of the powder conveying chamber to an effective flow cross-section of the powder line and/or to an effective flow cross-section of a valve arranged between the powder conveying chamber and the powder line, in particular a pinch valve. In particular, a cleaning system is associated with the end region, with which the end region can be supplied with cleaning air in the form of pressurized air, in order to keep the end region free of powder deposits or in order to remove powder deposits in the end region.

A powder conveying chamber for a dense-phase powder pump for conveying powder, in particular coating powder, has an end region via which the powder conveying chamber is or can be fluidically connected to a powder line, wherein the end region of the powder conveying chamber is configured as a transition region and designed to reduce an effective flow cross-section of the powder conveying chamber to an effective flow cross-section of the powder line and/or to an effective flow cross-section of a valve arranged between the powder conveying chamber and the powder line, in particular a pinch valve. In particular, a cleaning system is associated with the end region, with which the end region can be supplied with cleaning air in the form of pressurized air, in order to keep the end region free of powder deposits or in order to remove powder deposits in the end region.

A dense-phase powder pump for conveying powder-type materials, in particular coating powder, includes at least one powder conveying chamber with a filter element that has at least regions thereof accommodated in a casing body and at least one pinch valve that is or can be connected to an end region of the powder conveying chamber. In particular, the pinch valve includes a valve element with at least regions that are sleeve-like, wherein the peripheral wall thereof can be squeezed together transverse to the valve element longitudinal axis in order to change the through-flow cross-section, and also includes a substantially tubular support structure, in which at least regions of the valve element are accommodated, wherein the support structure consists of multiple shell elements which are arranged one after another around the peripheral wall in the peripheral direction of the peripheral wall of the valve element, each having an arched cross-section, and which are placed on the outside of the valve element in a radial direction relative to the valve element longitudinal axis.