A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including a track extending through the transportation tube and a cable disposed at least partially inside the track, the cable configured to be coupled to the transportation pod as the transportation pod is propelled along the track; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation 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 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.

The present invention relates to a reversible force pneumatic mail delivery system. The system includes a mailbox, a pneumatic tube, one or more courier canisters, a receiving slot, a tablet for monitoring the system and receiving notifications and a scanner positioned near a front door of the house. The mailbox and the receiving slot are connected through the pneumatic tube and the canister stores mail or other items for travel through the pneumatic tube. A compressor propels the canister from the mailbox to the receiving slot enabling a resident or user to receive incoming items and propels the canister from the receiving slot to the mailbox for sending an outgoing mail. The scanner is used for scanning a package and providing notifications of the scan are provided on the tablet.

There is provided a vacuum volume reduction system having a volume reduction assembly of a fluid fill assembly coupled to a station wall of a vacuum tube vehicle station, to reduce a volume, under vacuum, in the vacuum tube vehicle station, when a vacuum transport tube vehicle is positioned in the volume at the vacuum tube vehicle station. The fluid fill assembly includes one or more containers, each containing a fluid, and fluid transport member(s), to transport the fluid from the container(s) to one or more enclosed volume portions formed between an exterior of the vacuum transport tube vehicle and an interior of the station wall. The fluid fill assembly further includes one or more fluid pump assemblies attached to the fluid transport member(s), and a control and power system. The vacuum volume reduction system further includes recessed area(s), a vent-to-vacuum assembly coupled to the recessed area(s), and seal elements.

There is provided a vacuum volume reduction system having a volume reduction assembly of a fluid fill assembly coupled to a station wall of a vacuum tube vehicle station, to reduce a volume, under vacuum, in the vacuum tube vehicle station, when a vacuum transport tube vehicle is positioned in the volume at the vacuum tube vehicle station. The fluid fill assembly includes one or more containers, each containing a fluid, and fluid transport member(s), to transport the fluid from the container(s) to one or more enclosed volume portions formed between an exterior of the vacuum transport tube vehicle and an interior of the station wall. The fluid fill assembly further includes one or more fluid pump assemblies attached to the fluid transport member(s), and a control and power system. The vacuum volume reduction system further includes recessed area(s), a vent-to-vacuum assembly coupled to the recessed area(s), and seal elements.

A residential pneumatic mailbox and mailing system includes a mailbox, a receiving unit, pneumatic tubing, a courier canister, a compressor, and a control unit. The mailbox is positioned along a curbside of a home. The receiving unit is positioned inside the home or on the outside of the home. The pneumatic tubing is connected between the mailbox and the receiving unit. The courier canister is sized to hold mail and is configured for moving back and forth in the pneumatic tubing between the mailbox and the receiving unit. The compressor and control unit are configured to control the movement of the courier canister within the pneumatic tubing back and forth between the mailbox and the receiving unit. Wherein, the residential pneumatic mailbox and mailing system is configured to transport the mail inside of the courier canister from the mailbox to the receiving unit, and vice versa.

A residential pneumatic mailbox and mailing system includes a mailbox, a receiving unit, pneumatic tubing, a courier canister, a compressor, and a control unit. The mailbox is positioned along a curbside of a home. The receiving unit is positioned inside the home or on the outside of the home. The pneumatic tubing is connected between the mailbox and the receiving unit. The courier canister is sized to hold mail and is configured for moving back and forth in the pneumatic tubing between the mailbox and the receiving unit. The compressor and control unit are configured to control the movement of the courier canister within the pneumatic tubing back and forth between the mailbox and the receiving unit. Wherein, the residential pneumatic mailbox and mailing system is configured to transport the mail inside of the courier canister from the mailbox to the receiving unit, and vice versa.

A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including at least one cable configured to interface with the transportation pod, the at least one cable being driven by a motor to move the cable and the transportation pod through the transportation tube; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.