GB1041150A - Pneumatic conveying system for bulky articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,041,150. Pneumatic conveyers. W. BOON. Oct. 23, 1964, No. 43439/64. Heading B8A. A pneumatic system for conveying laundry or like articles from a table 1 to a washing or like unit 9 comprises a hopper 2, a conveying duct 3 communicating the hopper with a separating head 5 which sealingly engages over an open door 12 in the unit 9 and a suction fan 19 which is selectively communicated with the unit 9 or the head 5 via duct 18 or 27 respectively. The unit 9 may have any number of inner compartments 10, 16 formed in a perforated cylinder 8 each having doors 14, 15 aligned with doors 12, 11 in the outer unit 9. A flexible portion 4 of the duet 3 allows the head 5 to be moved from one set of doors 11, 15 to another set 12, 14, the non- used door being appropriately sealed. A head supporting strut 26 mounted on a trolley 25 movable on rail 24 facilitates the moving of head 5 from door to door and swivel connections 36 on the ducts 27, 32 facilitate sealed connection of said ducts to the head. Valves 21, 28 &c., permit selection of vacuum application to the head 5 or the unit 9 or to both but in all cases the articles finally gravitate into the cylinder 8 from the head 5. Valves 41, 42 in ducts 40, 4 provide alternative directions for the articles in duct 3 when twin units 9 are used. In Fig. 1B (not shown) the lower portion of the head 5 is formed of a flexible portion permitting powered angular movement of the head to direct articles into the unit 9. A plurality of tables 1 may be used to feed the duct 3, each table being vibratory or otherwise powered to feed the articles into the hopper. The tables may be adapted to feed articles into the system at predetermined time intervals.