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 carrier vault for a workstation of a pneumatic tube system includes a rotatable carousel comprising at least a first and second carrier port, each carrier port sized and shaped to hold a carrier used to transport materials via the pneumatic tube system and to allow the carrier to pass through the carousel. The carousel is configured to rotate between a first position, where the first carrier port is aligned with an access tube of the pneumatic tube system and a second position, where the second carrier port is aligned with the access tube. The carrier vault further comprises a selection gate adjacent to the carousel comprising a rotatable plate and a selection gate opening. The selection gate is configured to rotate between an open position, where the carrier is allowed to pass through the plate, and a closed position, where the carrier is prevented from passing through the plate.

A carrier vault for a workstation of a pneumatic tube system includes a rotatable carousel comprising at least a first and second carrier port, each carrier port sized and shaped to hold a carrier used to transport materials via the pneumatic tube system and to allow the carrier to pass through the carousel. The carousel is configured to rotate between a first position, where the first carrier port is aligned with an access tube of the pneumatic tube system and a second position, where the second carrier port is aligned with the access tube. The carrier vault further comprises a selection gate adjacent to the carousel comprising a rotatable plate and a selection gate opening. The selection gate is configured to rotate between an open position, where the carrier is allowed to pass through the plate, and a closed position, where the carrier is prevented from passing through the plate.

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.

Systems, methods and computer-readable media for automating the restocking of shelves process by sending a notification when a product on a shelf has reached, or will reach, an undesired level of emptiness. This is determined using imaging sensors, such as cameras, which can calculate how full or empty a respective shelf is and predict when the shelf will need to be restocked. When the restocking time arrives, the notification can be sent to automated systems, which automatically cause new products to be stocked on the shelf via a pneumatic pipe system.

Systems, methods and computer-readable media for automating the restocking of shelves process by sending a notification when a product on a shelf has reached, or will reach, an undesired level of emptiness. This is determined using imaging sensors, such as cameras, which can calculate how full or empty a respective shelf is and predict when the shelf will need to be restocked. When the restocking time arrives, the notification can be sent to automated systems, which automatically cause new products to be stocked on the shelf via a pneumatic pipe system.

Systems, methods and computer-readable media for automating the restocking of shelves process by sending a notification when a product on a shelf has reached, or will reach, an undesired level of emptiness. This is determined using imaging sensors, such as cameras, which can calculate how full or empty a respective shelf is and predict when the shelf will need to be restocked. When the restocking time arrives, the notification can be sent to automated systems, which automatically cause new products to be stocked on the shelf via a pneumatic pipe system.

Systems, methods and computer-readable media for automating the restocking of shelves process by sending a notification when a product on a shelf has reached, or will reach, an undesired level of emptiness. This is determined using imaging sensors, such as cameras, which can calculate how full or empty a respective shelf is and predict when the shelf will need to be restocked. When the restocking time arrives, the notification can be sent to automated systems, which automatically cause new products to be stocked on the shelf via a pneumatic pipe system.

Developed to transport any products, whether industrialized or not, via streams, in different geographic regions. By means of a piping circuit (1) housing distributing stations (3), in suitable points in the region of installation are formed streams driven by hydraulic pumps (2) successively installed along the length of such circuit (1). The streams are provided with conveyor capsules (4) of any industrial objects or not, capable of being carried by these capsules (4). In this way, the piping circuit (1) can be installed so as to cover large a geographic area and, for its internal rapids, to promote the transport of goods of all kinds. For control on delivery, upon stop at the predefined distribution station (3), the corresponding conveying capsule (4) shall be identified by its electronic registration. These capsules (4), after being unloaded at their distribution stations (3), are returned to the circulation by the circuit (1) and so on, thus forming an unprecedented supply system for large geographical regions.