GB2259896A

GB2259896A - Pneumatic transport apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2259896A
Application number: GB9120470A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Alexander; Perry Davies
Original assignee: QUIREPACE Ltd
Current assignee: QUIREPACE Ltd
Priority date: 1991-09-26
Filing date: 1991-09-26
Publication date: 1993-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-26
Also published as: GB9120470D0; GB2259896B

Abstract

A send station for a pneumatic transport system is mounted beneath an horizontal surface 102 of a work-station. The station has a terminal end 112 of a transport tube 111 arranged to terminate below the level of the surface 102. A hinged lid 103 of the station, which is arranged as part of the surface of the work-station closes an opening in the surface. A spring 106 opens the lid when released. A "push-down and release" catch 108 is provided for release of the lid. The lid carries a foam pad 117 for closing the end of the transport tube. <IMAGE>

Description

PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT APPARATUS The present invention relates to a station for a pneumatic transport system from which a carrier can be sent.

Pneumatic transport systems are used in supermarkets to enable money taken at a "check-out" counter to be sent direct to a strong room. Conventionally such a system has a send station in the form of a horizontally arranged tube end with a door across the end of the tube. These stations are liable to be inconvenient for a check out operator in that if they are readily accessible, they can obstruct the operator's freedom at her work-station; or if they do not obstruct her, they can be awkward to reach.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved send station, and in particular one which is accessible through a top surface of the work-station.

According to the invention there is provided a send station of a pneumatic transport system for mounting beneath a surface of the work-station which is generally horizontal in use, the send station comprising: a terminal end of a transport tube arranged in use to terminate below the level of the surface of the work-station; a hinged lid of the station, which is arranged in use as part of the surface of the work-station and normally closes an opening in the surface through which a carrier can be introduced into the terminal end of the transport tube; and means for airtightly closing the terminal end of the transport tube.

In one embodiment, the terminal end of the transport tube is provided in a substantially airtight compartment, the lid being arranged in the top of the compartment to substantially airtightly seal the compartment when the lid is closed.

In another, preferred embodiment, a tube-end obturating member is mounted on an underside of the lid, for substantially airtightly engaging the end of the tube when the lid is closed. Preferably, the end of the tube is angled to allow ready access from above of a carrier into the tube.

The terminal end of the transport tube may be arranged generally horizontally, that is parallel to the top surface of the work-station. However, the invention is not restricted to this feature. The terminal end can equally well be provided at any convenient angle with respect to the top surface.

Preferably the lid is provided with a spring for opening it when released. Release may be by means of a catch operated at the send station, such as a "push-down and release" catch. Alternatively, a remotely operated release, such as a solenoid operated release may be provided.

Additionally, a remotely operated lock, such as a solenoid operated lock will normally be provided.

Conveniently a normally closed, solenoid-operated valve may arranged in'a portion of the tube close to its end. The valve may be operable by means other than a solenoid. It is also possible for a valve at the station to be dispensed with, particularly where a common valve is provided for a number of stations.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the sole figure is a diagrammatic side view of a send station in accordance with the invention.

The send station 101 is arranged in a top surface 102 of a work-station (not otherwise shown). The send station has lid 103 hinged via a hinge 104 to a compartment 105 at one end thereof. In its closed position shown chain dotted, the lid is flush with the surface 102. In its open position, the lid stands up from the surface 102. In the drawing the lid is shown partially open. A spring 106 at the hinge 104 urges the lid into the open position. A catch 108 normally keeps the lid closed. The catch is of the type which engages when the lid is closed and releases if pressed again and further in the closing direction. Additionally, the station is provided with a remotely operated, solenoid lock 109. This prevents unintentional release of the lid, for instance by the placing of goods on the lid which might depress it sufficiently to release the lid.

A transport tube 111 is provided parallel to and close beneath the surface 102, at least locally to the compartment 105. Its terminal end 112 extends into the compartment and is angled to allow a carrier 113 - shown dotted - to be inserted into the tube when the lid is open. At this time, the open state of the lid is detected by a switch 114, and vacuum is applied to the remote end of the transport tube for sucking the carrier away from the send station.

After the door has been closed, the carrier may not yet have reached its destination. To allow air into the tube to ensure that it does, a solenoid opened valve 115 is provided in the transport tube adjacent the compartment 105. This is controlled to remain open for a certain length of time after the lid is closed. Also provided in the tube downstream of the valve 115 is a conventional tube switch 119, which detects to the station's controller that the carrier has left the station.

The lid carries an obturating sealing member 116 on its underside, which when the lid is closed comes into contact with and closes the angled end 112 of the tube. The sealing member carries a foam elastomeric pad 117 which actually contacts the tube end 112. The sealing member ensures closure of the transport tube when the send station is combined in a system with several others and it is important for each to be airtight to enable sufficient vacuum to be developed at whichever of the stations is presently sending a carrier.

In operation of the send station, the operator unlocks via a remote control, not shown, the solenoid lock 109. The lid can then be depressed for release. The lid then opens and the carrier is introduced into the transport tube. Once it has been sucked away, the lid is manually closed again.

This action automatically re-engages the solenoid lock. The station is then ready for use again after the carrier reaches its destination.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, the lid may be hinged to one side of the compartment as opposed to one end. The lid may be held by a catch of a different type. The compartment may be vestigial, having sufficient parts for support of the components of the station only.

Alternatively, the compartment may be in the form of an airtight box with the transport tube being sealed where it passes through a wall of the box. In this embodiment, the solenoid valve - when provided - is arranged without the box to allow air into the tube as required. A seal is provided around the lid. Thus when the lid is closed, the terminal end of the tube is closed against ingress of air without need to provide the tube end obturating member on the lid.

This embodiment does require a stronger spring for opening of the lid against any residual vacuum in the tube in that atmospheric pressure acts over the entire area of the lid in opposition to the residual vacuum as opposed to on the obturating member only.

The transport tube can enter the compartment or box at any angle convenient to the arrangement of the send station in the surface of the work-station.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance the solenoid lock may be arranged to be normally unlocked - thus not requiring unlocking when the operator wishes to send a carrier - and to be locked when anyone of other send stations in the system is being used. This locking is controlled by the system's controller and prevents any of the send stations other than the one in use being opened and thus destroying the system's operational vacuum.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A send station of a pneumatic transport system, the send station being adapted for mounting beneath a surface of a work-station, which is generally horizontal in use, and comprising: a terminal end of a transport tube arranged in use to terminate below the level of the surface of the work-station; a lid of the station, which is arranged in use as part of the surface of the work-station and normally closes an opening in the surface through which a carrier can be introduced into the terminal end of the transport tube, the lid being hinged in the station; means for air-tightly closing the terminal end of the transport tube; a spring for opening the lid when released; and means for holding the lid against the spring prior to release.

2. A send station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid holding means is a catch.

3. A send station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the catch is of the "push-down and release" type.

4. A send station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lid holding means is a remotely operated release.

5. A send station as claimed in claim 4, wherein the remotely operated release is a solenoid operated release.

6. A send station as claimed in any preceding claim, including a remotely operated lock for the lid.

7. A send station as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lock is a solenoid operated lock.

8. A send station as claimed in any preceding claim, including a substantially airtight compartment in which the terminal end of the transport tube is mounted, the lid being arranged in the top of the compartment to substantially air-tightly seal the compartment when the lid is closed.

9. A send station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, including a tube-end obturating member mounted on an underside of the lid, for substantially air-tightly engaging the end of the tube when the lid is closed.

10. A send station as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the end of the tube is angled to allow ready access from above of a carrier into the tube.

11. A send station as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the terminal end of the transport tube is arranged generally horizontally, that is substantially parallel to the said surface of the work-station.

12. A send station as claimed in any preceding claim, including a power operated valve for allowing air into the transport tube during travel of a container along it.

13. A send station as claimed in claim 12, wherein the said valve is a normally closed, solenoid-operated valve arranged to open into the side of the transport tube close to its end.

14. A send station as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a plurality of other such send stations, wherein a single said power operated valve is provided for the plurality of stations.

15. A send station as claimed in any preceding claim, including a switch for detecting the open state of the lid.

16. A send station for a pneumatic transport system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.