EP3089930A1 - Procédé de transport à tube pneumatique et porteur - Google Patents

Procédé de transport à tube pneumatique et porteur

Info

Publication number
EP3089930A1
EP3089930A1 EP14877187.6A EP14877187A EP3089930A1 EP 3089930 A1 EP3089930 A1 EP 3089930A1 EP 14877187 A EP14877187 A EP 14877187A EP 3089930 A1 EP3089930 A1 EP 3089930A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
carrier
insert
halves
articles
article receiving
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP14877187.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3089930A4 (fr
Inventor
Lars Krewer
Jan-Olof Olsson
Karl Olof ERIKSSON
Pontus Max-Peter PHILIPP
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Il Granito AB
Original Assignee
Il Granito AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Il Granito AB filed Critical Il Granito AB
Publication of EP3089930A1 publication Critical patent/EP3089930A1/fr
Publication of EP3089930A4 publication Critical patent/EP3089930A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G51/00—Conveying articles through pipes or tubes by fluid flow or pressure; Conveying articles over a flat surface, e.g. the base of a trough, by jets located in the surface
    • B65G51/04—Conveying the articles in carriers having a cross-section approximating that of the pipe or tube; Tube mail systems
    • B65G51/06—Despatch carriers for tube mail

Definitions

  • This disclosure generally concerns pneumatic tube conveying and specifically concerns a method and a carrier for secure pneumatic conveying of articles.
  • Pneumatic tube transport systems are often employed by associations and organizations that are spread out or diversified in several physically separated divisions or section inside a building or building complex. Examples of such environments are hospitals, supermarkets and office complexes. Smaller items and articles may be quickly conveyed from one division/section to another by placing the items in a cylindrical cartridge-like carrier and sending the carrier to a recipient through an outgoing tube of the pneumatic tube transport system. The items may consist of documents, money and other smaller objects. As is described in SE- B534604 there is a great need in hospitals of quick transport of samples, tests and pharmaceuticals and a pneumatic tube transport is especially well suited therefore.
  • a particular object is to suggest an improved method of pneumatic transport of articles. It is another object to suggest an improved pneumatic tube transport carrier.
  • the technology in a first aspect relates to a method of secure pneumatic conveyance of articles in a pneumatic transport tube by means of a generally tubular carrier having at least one open, but closeable, end, wherein one or more articles are introduced into and removed from, respectively, an article receiving space provided inside the carrier and formed between two halves of a carrier insert including a rigid base material and resilient material on at least opposing, during use, sides of the carrier insert halves to thereby securely hold and protect the articles in the article receiving space.
  • the method includes releasing a grip of introduced articles between the opposing sides of resilient material in an emptying sequence by applying vacuum to an interior of the carrier insert.
  • the technology in another aspect relates to a carrier for the secure pneumatic conveyance of articles in a pneumatic transport tube, having a generally tubular outer shell being open in at least one end and having a closeable end cap at said at least one end.
  • a carrier insert is provided therein and forms an article receiving space, whereby the carrier consists of two carrier insert halves between which the article receiving space is formed and each carrier insert half comprises a rigid base material and a resilient material membrane, with the membranes being provided at least on opposing sides of the carrier insert halves, during use.
  • the carrier has a vacuum port provided in at least one of the carrier insert halves and being connectable to a vacuum source for facilitating emptying of articles from the carrier.
  • the technology relates generally to an article receiving insert for a carrier for the pneumatic conveyance of articles in a pneumatic transport tube.
  • the insert consists of two carrier insert halves, each carrier insert half including a rigid base material and a resilient material membrane, said membranes being provided at least on opposing, during use, sides of the carrier insert halves.
  • at least one vacuum port is provided in at least one carrier insert half and is connectable to a vacuum source for facilitating the removal of articles therefrom.
  • FIG. 1 is a partly schematical side view of an embodiment of an exemplary carrier for use in a schematically indicated pneumatic transport system; is a partial perspective view of the carrier of Fig. 1 illustrated opened, i.e. with an end cap removed and with articles introduced into the carrier insert thereof; is an end view of the open end of the carrier of Fig. 2; is a very schematical perspective view illustrating the structure of the carrier insert removed from the carrier; Figs. 5A - 5B. are very schematical views of alternative carrier insert embodiments;
  • Figs. 6A is a very schematical perspective view illustrating a further developed variation of a carrier insert; and Figs. 6B illustrates a very schematical partial cross section through the carrier insert variation of Fig. 6A.
  • the present technology will be explained below with reference to exemplifying embodiments of a method of pneumatic conveyance, a pneumatic conveyance carrier and an article receiving insert for such a carrier.
  • the disclosed embodiments relate to an application of the present technology specifically to the conveyance of articles in a pneumatic tube conveyance system of the general kind where carriers with introduced articles or items are pneumatically transported around building complexes such as hospitals or office buildings.
  • the present technology may be applied generally in the field of pneumatic transport or conveyance and it is emphasized that such pneumatic tube conveyance systems as well as associated loading and emptying stations are well known and are therefore not illustrated in the attached drawing figures.
  • the described technology is equally well suited for application to other types of environments and for other types of pneumatic tube transport.
  • An object is therefore to provide an effective and fairly simple solution that will also contribute to a secure, protected conveyance of articles in a pneumatic tube transport system.
  • the solution will allow for the use of different types of conventional equipment, such as carrier openers and loaders etc. and may be applied to many types, shapes and sizes of articles by making appropriate adjustments of which some will be described below. Basically this is accomplished by means of pneumatic conveyance methods and associated carriers and carrier inserts that will allow secure and protected conveyance of even fragile articles/items.
  • the present technology will be explained below with reference to exemplifying, partly schematical embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.
  • Figs. 1-4 is outlined a first embodiment of a carrier configured in accordance with the now proposed technology.
  • Fig. 1 is shown a very schematic view of an exemplary carrier 5 for use in any type of conventional pneumatic transport system that is not illustrated in detail but is only indicated by the outlined transport tube 4.
  • the carrier 5 that is intended for secure pneumatic conveyance of articles 1 , 2 in a pneumatic transport tube 4 of a pneumatic transport system consists of a generally tubular cylindrical outer shell 10 being open in at least one end 5 A, 5B and having a closeable end cap 11, 12 at said at least one end.
  • the carrier has two open ends with removable end caps provided at each end.
  • a carrier insert 6 is provided in the carrier 5, inside the cylindrical shell 10 and forms an article receiving space 7.
  • the article receiving space 7 is formed between two carrier insert halves 6A and 6B that together form the insert 6.
  • Each carrier insert half 6A, 6B consists of an outer rigid base material 8 and inner resilient material membranes 9 being provided on inwardly facing sides of the rigid base material 8.
  • the resilient material membranes 9 are provided on opposing sides of the carrier insert halves for clamping articles 1 , 2 there between.
  • a first and/or a second longitudinal end 13, 14 of each carrier insert half 6A, 6B is beveled. This will also facilitate easy introduction of articles 1, 2 of various size into the article receiving space 7. Subsequent to the transport of a carrier 5 with its articles 1, 2, the articles 1, 2 shall be released from the clamping action of the resilient material membranes 9. To facilitate such emptying of articles 1, 2 from the carrier 5 a vacuum port 3 is provided in at least one of the carrier insert halves 6A, 6B and is connect- able to an external vacuum source V (see Fig. 3). This vacuum aided release will be further explained below.
  • a vacuum port 3 is provided in only one 6A of the carrier insert halves, as will also be explained in more detail below.
  • a brush (not shown) may be passed through the carrier/insert before closing the carrier 5 for further operation.
  • the carrier 5 and specifically its shell 10 may have closeable end caps 11, 12 at each end and in such a case both longitudinal ends 13, 14 of each carrier insert half 6 A, 6B are beveled.
  • the carrier 5 of this technology may preferably have an insert 6 configured so that each carrier insert 6 consists of several axial segments 15, 16, 17, i.e. segments extending in the axial direction of the carrier 5 and its shell 10. Depending upon the material used for the segments they may be interconnected by gluing, welding or other appropriate means. This configuration will increase the contact surface and thus the protection for each article 1, 2 of various size and shape.
  • each carrier insert half 6 A, 6B is beveled at a first and/or second longitudinal end 13, 14 thereof and may consist of several axial segments 15, 16, 17 etc.
  • a vacuum port 3 in one or each of the carrier insert halves 6A, 6B and its connection to a vacuum source V will allow for facilitating the removal of articles 1 , 2 therefrom.
  • the outer rigid base material 8 consists of plastic material and the inner resilient material membrane 9 consists of rubber and both have a flat, smooth surface to minimize fouling and facilitate cleaning of the parts.
  • the outer rigid base material 8 may be solid, with at least one vacuum channel (not shown) extending from a vacuum port 3, through the material and opening at a position below the resilient material membrane.
  • the outer rigid base material may be a hollow shell that is connected to a vacuum port 3 and that further includes at least one aperture (likewise not shown) underneath the resilient material membrane 9.
  • This resilient material membrane whether consisting of rubber or of any other appropriate material may in this embodiment of Figs. 1-4 preferably be secured, such as by gluing, to the outer rigid base material.
  • the membrane 9 is preferably secured substantially airtight to the rigid base material 8 at least along its edges, so that the vacuum application may appropriately compress the resilient material membrane 9 to release the grip of the articles. Subsequent to mounting the insert 6 in the carrier 5 shell 10 the insert is appropriately secured against rotation inside the shell and locked therein for as long as the carrier/insert is in operation. When there is a demand therefore, the insert may be taken out of the shell 10 through one of the open ends 5 A, 5B of the carrier 5 after releasing a corresponding end cap 11, 12 or both end caps.
  • the insert halves 6A, 6B of the carrier insert 6 are completely separate from each other and are simply assembled together in the carrier 5 when put in use.
  • the technology likewise covers alternative embodiments of the insert 106, 206, as very schematically illustrated in Figs. 5 A and 5B.
  • Fig. 5 A is illustrated a first alternative of the carrier insert 106 that includes individual insert halves 106 A, 106B of the same configuration as in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-4.
  • the insert halves 106A, 106B are assembled together and accommodated in a rigid insert pipe 120 holding the two halves together when inserted therein.
  • the insert 206 includes insert halves 206A, 206B of the same general configuration as in the previously described embodiments. However, in this case the insert halves are partially interconnected by means of a hinge-like connection 220 provided along one longitudinal side of the rigid base material 208. Said hinge-like connection 220 is preferably formed as a material weakening of the base material 208 being continuous and extended around both insert halves 206A, 206B. The material weakening is thus provided at said one longitudinal side of the insert 206 rigid base material 208. In this embodiment the insert halves are thus foldable through the hinge-like connection 220 and may be folded apart for cleaning etc. and folded together when inserted in a carrier.
  • Figs. 6A and 6B a further development of the insert 306 that is suitable for use in the shell 10 of the above described carrier 5.
  • an article receiving insert 306 is disclosed that consists of two halves 306A, 306B that are likewise interconnected by a hingelike connection 320.
  • Each insert half 306A, 306B includes a resilient material membrane 309 that is formed as a substantially closed bag enclosing a rigid base material 308A, 308B.
  • the actual bag shape of the resilient material membrane 309 is preferably obtained by dipping a solid cylindrical core (not shown) repeatedly in a hot solution that is preferably based on synthetic rubber but may possibly be based on natural rubber or another appropriate composition.
  • the metal core cylinder is also at each end provided with a small protrusion that during the dipping process each form a valve boss 303 A for vacuum ports or valves 303 in the completed resilient material membrane 309 or bag.
  • Said vacuum ports or valves 303 are each formed as a raised boss 303A at first and second longitudinal ends 13, 14 of the resilient material membrane 309 or of one or both of the later described resilient membrane halves 309A, 309B and have a slit 303B through the resilient material membrane at a top area of each boss.
  • the formed resilient material membrane 309 is then slit open at 330 on one side, preferably on an outer side that in the complete insert 306, during use, will face away from the other insert half 306 A, 306B, so that the metal core may be removed from inside the formed resilient material membrane or bag 309.
  • the rigid base material 308A, 308B for each insert half 306 A, 306B generally has the shape of a curved plate that preferably may be semi-circular, i.e. in the form of one half of a longitudinally slit hollow pipe.
  • the rigid base material 308A, 308B for each insert half 306A, 306B is introduced through the open slit 330 and is attached, such as by gluing, to an inner surface 310 of an outer part of the bag- shaped resilient material membrane.
  • This backing of the outer part of the formed bag-shaped resilient material membrane 309 with rigid base material 308A, 308B will secure that the insert halves 306A, 306B maintain their outer shape, fitting in the outer carrier 5 shell 10. Said outer shape will be maintained even when vacuum is applied thereto through the vacuum valve 303 as described above.
  • the rigid base material instead of attaching the rigid base material to the resilient material membrane it may in a variation of the technique alternatively be embedded in the outer part of the bag-shaped resilient material membrane.
  • the tip of the vacuum valve 303 boss 303A is then slit to provide a valve opening at 303B directly in the resilient material of the membrane 309 or bag.
  • a small metal plate 331 (schematically indicated in Fig. 6 A) is preferably provided connecting the vacuum port/valve 303 physically to the rigid base material 308A, 308B.
  • the metal plate 331 may preferably also have the effect of backing up the resilient material surrounding the valve 303. This will secure the position of the vacuum port/valve 303 during use.
  • the slit 330 is then closed in any appropriate manner.
  • the bag shape of the resilient material membrane 309 preferably likewise consists of two bag halves 309 A, 309B each forming one of the insert halves 306A, 306B and each receiving one separate rigid base material part 308A, 308B formed as described above.
  • the bag halves 309A, 309B are interconnected through a hinge-like connection 320 that may include a channel for passing vacuum between the two resilient material membrane or bag halves 309A, 309B.
  • the connection 320 is provided along one longitudinal side of the insert halves 306A, 306B.
  • connection 320 may preferably be formed together with the two bag halves 309 A, 309B during the dipping process, such as by providing two solid cylindrical cores that are releasably connected by a plate member (likewise not shown) that forms the hollow connection and that will be removed through one of the slits after removal of the corresponding core.
  • Fig. 6B is illustrated a further development of the just described article receiving insert 306 where the bag shaped membrane 309 or each bag shaped membrane half 309 A, 309B of each insert half 306 A, 306B is at least substantially filled with a foam rubber material 318.
  • the foam rubber 318 will assist in improving the grip of the articles 1, 2 in the insert 306 as well as in the release of said grip when vacuum is applied.
  • the materials of the rigid base 308A, 308B and of the resilient membrane 309, 309 A, 309B both have a flat, smooth surface.
  • this technology likewise concerns a method for providing secure pneumatic conveyance of articles 1 , 2 in a pneumatic transport tube 4 by means of a generally tubular carrier 5 having at least one open, but closeable end 5A, 5B.
  • the method will be described specifically with reference to the embodiment of Figs. 1 -4 but applies equally to all disclosed embodiments of the carrier and inserts.
  • the method basically comprises providing inside a carrier 5 a carrier insert 6 forming an article receiving space 7.
  • the method further comprises forming an article receiving space 7 between two carrier insert halves 6 A, 6B.
  • the insert halves 6 A, 6B are in turn formed of outer rigid base material 8, preferably plastic material, and resilient material membranes 9, preferably of rubber, being provided at least on opposing sides of the carrier insert halves 6A, 6B, as seen during use thereof in the carrier 5.
  • one or more articles 1, 2, such as test tubes or pharmaceuticals are introduced into the carrier 5 from at least one end 5A thereof, by introducing them into the formed article receiving space 7 between the carrier insert halves 6 A, 6B.
  • the resilient rubber membranes 9 will then clamp the articles 1, 2 in position.
  • the introduction of the articles 1, 2 into the article receiving space 7 will thus provide secure holding and protecting of the articles in the article receiving space, between the opposing sides of resilient material membranes 9.
  • Articles 1, 2 may be introduced into as well as removed from an article receiving space 7 from either or both ends 5 A, 5B of the carrier 5 by removing the respective end caps 11, 12 that may be releasably secured at one or each end 5A, 5B of the earner 5 shell 10. Respective ends 13, 14 of one or each insert half 6 A, 6B are preferably beveled in order to facilitate insertion of articles 1, 2 of different size and shape.
  • Articles may be securely introduced as well as removed from both ends of the carriers;
  • the insert materials are preferably plastic and rubber, both being smooth materials which reduces the risk of fouling of the surfaces.
  • the rigid material of the inserts may in certain applications also be e.g. a metal material and the resilient material may likewise be another material having properties equaling those of rubber.
  • the shape of the carrier insert halves may be modified for specific applications and they may with minor modifications be used with any appropriate type of carrier configuration.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un procédé pneumatique et sûr de transport d'articles (1, 2) dans un tube de transport pneumatique (4) à l'aide d'un porteur généralement tubulaire (5) ayant au moins une extrémité ouverte pouvant être fermée (5A, 5B), un ou plusieurs articles étant introduits dans le porteur par au moins une extrémité de celui-ci, un élément rapporté de porteur (6) constituant un espace de réception d'articles (7) qui est disposé à l'intérieur du porteur, l'espace de réception d'articles étant formé entre deux moitiés d'élément rapporté de porteur (6A, 6B), chaque moitié d'élément rapporté de porteur étant constituée par un matériau de base rigide externe (8) et un matériau élastique (9) qui est disposé sur des côtés opposés, pendant l'utilisation, des moitiés d'élément rapporté de porteur, et un ou plusieurs articles sont introduits dans l'espace de réception d'articles, de façon à maintenir fermement et à protéger ainsi les articles dans l'espace de réception d'articles, entre les extrémités opposées de matériau élastique. L'invention porte également sur un porteur (5) et sur un élément rapporté de porteur (6).
EP14877187.6A 2013-12-30 2014-12-19 Procédé de transport à tube pneumatique et porteur Withdrawn EP3089930A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1300794 2013-12-30
PCT/SE2014/051547 WO2015102526A1 (fr) 2013-12-30 2014-12-19 Procédé de transport à tube pneumatique et porteur

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3089930A1 true EP3089930A1 (fr) 2016-11-09
EP3089930A4 EP3089930A4 (fr) 2017-09-20

Family

ID=53493758

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14877187.6A Withdrawn EP3089930A4 (fr) 2013-12-30 2014-12-19 Procédé de transport à tube pneumatique et porteur

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3089930A4 (fr)
WO (1) WO2015102526A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3331569A (en) * 1966-04-20 1967-07-18 William E Kelley Insert for pneumatic tube system carrier
US3733037A (en) * 1970-10-14 1973-05-15 J Vandiveer Closure means for pneumatic carrier
DE7609505U1 (de) * 1976-03-27 1976-08-26 Hansen, Arno, 5000 Koeln Rohrpostbuechse
JP3259861B2 (ja) * 1992-08-31 2002-02-25 ジャサイ・ゾルタン・カズマー 緩衝保護装置
JPH0977252A (ja) * 1995-09-12 1997-03-25 Nippon Shiyuutaa:Kk 気送子
US5636710A (en) * 1995-09-15 1997-06-10 Ace Food Services, Inc. Pneumatic delivery system for restaurant food

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3089930A4 (fr) 2017-09-20
WO2015102526A1 (fr) 2015-07-09

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