A mechanically-controlled vacuum throttle for a continuous dense phase pneumatic conveying system and related method is provided. The system includes a pneumatic conveyance line, a particulate material insertion assembly, a positive displacement blower, a transport fluid intake assembly, and a vacuum throttling assembly. The vacuum throttling assembly is configured to control the flow of air mass density into the blower and through the conveyance line. A portion of the vacuum throttling assembly is tied in to the conveyance line pressure downstream of the blower and adjusts the air mass density flow depending on the downstream pressure. Preferably, the vacuum throttling assembly includes an obstruction element and an opening collar, where the obstruction element is moveable relative to the opening collar and the air mass density flow is adjusted depending on the amount of movement of the obstruction element relative to the opening collar.

A mechanically-controlled vacuum throttle for a continuous dense phase pneumatic conveying system and related method is provided. The system includes a pneumatic conveyance line, a particulate material insertion assembly, a positive displacement blower, a transport fluid intake assembly, and a vacuum throttling assembly. The vacuum throttling assembly is configured to control the flow of air mass density into the blower and through the conveyance line. A portion of the vacuum throttling assembly is tied in to the conveyance line pressure downstream of the blower and adjusts the air mass density flow depending on the downstream pressure. Preferably, the vacuum throttling assembly includes an obstruction element and an opening collar, where the obstruction element is moveable relative to the opening collar and the air mass density flow is adjusted depending on the amount of movement of the obstruction element relative to the opening collar.

A conveyor system (10) for transporting a transportable material (M) by means of a fluid for transporting the transportable material (M) between a first conveying line portion (11) and a second conveying line portion (12), said conveying line portions (11, 12) comprising a plurality of pipes forming a continuous conveying line (13), said system (10) comprising: a conveyor device (1) in fluid connection to one of said first or said conveying line portions (11, 12) operative to provide negative air pressure or vacuum through said conveying line (13); a material feeder device (2); wherein the conveyor device (1) comprises at least one material level sensor (1a, 1b), wherein the at least one material level sensor (1a, 1b) is used to monitor one or more material level(s) inside the conveyor device (1) and via one or more material level sensor lines (3) giving at least one material level signal (1aa, 1bb) to a controller (4) and from the controller (4) via a control signal line (5) transmit a control signal (5a) to the material feeder device (2) having a valve (6) adapted to control the amount of air injected into the system, typically the into the conveying line (13), wherein the controller (4) is adapted to control the valve (6) and/or a mass-flow (M), respectively, of the material feeder device (2) in dependence of output from the at least one material level sensor (1a, 1b) to control amount of air injected into the conveying line (13) at the feeder device (2).

A conveyor system (10) for transporting a transportable material (M) by means of a fluid for transporting the transportable material (M) between a first conveying line portion (11) and a second conveying line portion (12), said conveying line portions (11, 12) comprising a plurality of pipes forming a continuous conveying line (13), said system (10) comprising: a conveyor device (1) in fluid connection to one of said first or said conveying line portions (11, 12) operative to provide negative air pressure or vacuum through said conveying line (13); a material feeder device (2); wherein the conveyor device (1) comprises at least one material level sensor (1a, 1b), wherein the at least one material level sensor (1a, 1b) is used to monitor one or more material level(s) inside the conveyor device (1) and via one or more material level sensor lines (3) giving at least one material level signal (1aa, 1bb) to a controller (4) and from the controller (4) via a control signal line (5) transmit a control signal (5a) to the material feeder device (2) having a valve (6) adapted to control the amount of air injected into the system, typically the into the conveying line (13), wherein the controller (4) is adapted to control the valve (6) and/or a mass-flow (M), respectively, of the material feeder device (2) in dependence of output from the at least one material level sensor (1a, 1b) to control amount of air injected into the conveying line (13) at the feeder device (2).

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.

There is provided a method and system for monitoring a component moving in a delivery tube of a feed system in an automated production line. The method includes determining a velocity of the component that moves through the delivery tube and comparing the velocity to a predefined velocity range. The system includes at least one sensor configured to detect the component when the component passes through a first point and through a second point within the delivery tube;

and a controller, wherein the at least one sensor is operatively coupled to the controller. The sensor may be configured to send a first signal when the component passes through the first point and a second signal when the component passes through the second point and the controller may be configured to determine velocity of the component by measuring a time interval between the first signal and the second signal.

There is provided a method and system for monitoring a component moving in a delivery tube of a feed system in an automated production line. The method includes determining a velocity of the component that moves through the delivery tube and comparing the velocity to a predefined velocity range. The system includes at least one sensor configured to detect the component when the component passes through a first point and through a second point within the delivery tube;

and a controller, wherein the at least one sensor is operatively coupled to the controller. The sensor may be configured to send a first signal when the component passes through the first point and a second signal when the component passes through the second point and the controller may be configured to determine velocity of the component by measuring a time interval between the first signal and the second signal.

A vacuum laundry chute system is disclosed. The system includes a receptacle, at least one chute, and at least one closure. The receptacle includes a vacuum device, a cavity for receiving an article of clothing, a container to surround the vacuum device and the cavity, and a door coupled to a side of the container. Activating the vacuum device seals the door. A first end of the chute is coupled to the receptacle and protrudes away from the receptacle. The at least one closure is detachably coupleable to a second end of each chute. The closure includes a sealing component detachably coupleable to the second end of the chute, and an activator mounted to the sealing component to activate the vacuum device in response to a pre-defined condition.

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 mechanically-controlled vacuum throttle for a continuous dense phase pneumatic conveying system and related method is provided. The system includes a pneumatic conveyance line, a particulate material insertion assembly, a positive displacement blower, a transport fluid intake assembly, and a vacuum throttling assembly. The vacuum throttling assembly is configured to control the flow of air mass density into the blower and through the conveyance line. A portion of the vacuum throttling assembly is tied in to the conveyance line pressure downstream of the blower and adjusts the air mass density flow depending on the downstream pressure. Preferably, the vacuum throttling assembly includes an obstruction element and an opening collar, where the obstruction element is moveable relative to the opening collar and the air mass density flow is adjusted depending on the amount of movement of the obstruction element relative to the opening collar.