WO2010131284A1

WO2010131284A1 - Pneumatic system for dispatching object-carrying capsule

Info

Publication number: WO2010131284A1
Application number: PCT/IT2010/000208
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Alberto Paoletti; Paolo Varone
Original assignee: Impresa Varone S.N.C. Di Varone Paolo & Co.
Priority date: 2009-05-11
Filing date: 2010-05-11
Publication date: 2010-11-18
Also published as: ITRM20090231A1

Abstract

Pneumatic system for dispatching object-carrying capsules (1), comprising at least one capsule (1) for containing objects to be transported; a pipe network (15) with connection openings; terminal stations (14) for capsule (1) loading and unloading; deflecting means (26) for guiding the path of the capsule (1) within the plant; pneumatic means (37, 38) for capsule propelling; mechanic means for capsule loading; security means for capsule controlling and collecting; electronic means for signalling the state of the system and the controlled management of its devices.

Description

Pneumatic system for dispatching object-carrying capsules

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The present invention concerns a pneumatic system for dispatching object-carrying capsules. More in particular the present invention refers to a pneumatic system for transmitting capsules that contain objects of different kind, from one point to another of a plant, usually defined of pneumatic mail.

Applicative examples of said invention can be taking components from the depository and carrying them to the work bench, delivering documents from one office to another, transferring banknotes and jewels between exchange counter and caveau; and are described in different prior art patents: such as English patent GB 1419754 of 1975,

US patents US 4516888 of 1985 and US 5215412 of 1990, and more recently the German patent DE 19714508 of 1998 and the French patent FR 2831200 of 2003.

However, according to the known solutions many practical and operative difficulties remain making the present techniques of "pneumatic dispatching" still not very convincing and not very used.

One of the main drawbacks of the solutions described in the German patent DE 19714508 and in the French patent FR2831200 regards the fact that the systems described therein, such as most traditional systems, make use of can-shaped capsules, with a lid that can be opened and closed by an operator.

However, in practice it often happens that the capsule opening and closing by hand turns out to be difficult, insufficient or incorrect, and can also cause an accidental opening of it inside the network, with the consequence of compromising not only the object to be transferred but also the integrity of the system itself.

According to the solutions already disclosed by the prior art, in order to introduce and collect such capsules from the pipes of the system, their extremities are provided with suitable devices called terminal stations, normally provided with sensors detecting the presence of capsules; examples can be found in patents EP 0827924 of 1998 and EP 1000884 of 2000, all characterised by rather complex devices for which it is necessary anyway the intervention of an operator in order to position the capsules.

Other essential elements for a pneumatic dispatching system are compressors for pushing or sucking air from the pipes, as disclosed in the European patent EP 0066669 of 1982; as well as deflectors for moving the capsules from one pipe to another, as shown in the Suisse patent CH678166 of 1991 ; and finally some additional electronic circuit, such as in the German patent DE3529967 of 1987 and in the US patent US5215412 of 1993.

From the study of prior art documents it is clear that one of the main limits of the known pneumatic systems is substantially the impossibility of setting aside the human intervention in different steps of the process, the shortage of capsule loading and unloading stations that can guarantee a completely automated operation, the impossibility of doing, in only one plant, at the same time, more operations of capsule loading and unloading, at last in the impossibility of locating the position of the capsule or capsules within the system and activating a quick recovery of the same for example under breakdown or black-out conditions.

A purpose of the present invention is therefore that of providing for a new concept system of pneumatic dispatching, overcoming the difficulties shown by the functioning of systems known until today, and able to work not only in manual or semi-manual mode, but even in a completely automated mode: so to satisfy a wide range of potential uses unknown until today. In order to achieve this purpose, the present invention aims at easing the capsule loading and unloading operations: both in the manual mode and in the completely automated one, thanks to the coupling with a system of terminal stations able to house the capsule in a set position suitable for the introduction or removal of the same or of the objects contained therein; wherein said terminal stations are also provided with specific devices of the kind with an harm in order to accomplish said loading and unloading operations even in a completely automated mode, and with selection devices able to allow said loading unloading operations also when the system is engaged in different operations, and with detecting means making it possible to localise the capsule in any point of the system, and with special means for inspecting and handling the capsule i.e. its content according to the needs; wherein said capsule is able to auto-orienting and interactively cooperating with the remaining fixed parts of the system; wherein the system is provided with deflecting means in order to guide and send the capsule to the terminal stations; wherein at last the system is provided with propelling means able to pushing the capsules alternatively by means of compressed or depressed air, also using air tanks for the manual collection of the capsules in case of an emergency.

It is therefore a specific object of the present invention a pneumatic system for dispatching object-carrying capsules comprising at least one capsule for containing objects to be transported, a pipe network provided with terminal stations for capsule loading and unloading, mechanic means for capsule loading, security means for capsule controlling and collecting, deflecting means for guiding the path of the capsule within the plant, special means for inspecting and handling the capsule and its content, pneumatic means for capsule propelling within the plant, electronic control means; wherein said capsule is constituted by a central body equipped with door-type closable opening means, and with means for handling the same, and by two lateral portions sliding with respect to said central body; and wherein said terminal stations present means for driving said capsule opening means, harm-type means for capsule loading and unloading, security means for allowing the capsule manual collection, stopping means o f the air passage within said pipes dur ing collecting sa id capsule, means for inspecting and handling the capsule and its content; wherein said pipes present deflecting means for guiding the path of the capsule and detecting means for allowing the capsule localising and monitoring within the plant; wherein said p neumatic means for capsule propelling are constituted by a first and a second pump arranged antiparallel, each of them being connected with air blocking means for preventing unwanted venting, as well as with means for air stocking.

Always according to the invention, said capsule presents in the central body an out of centre burdening portion such to cause the rotation of the central body itself with respect to said lateral portions due to the force of gravity. A further advantage consists in that said capsule presents an opening or a jaw positioned along the central body itself, with locking means and possible other tightening means.

Advantageously, said terminal stations are provided with sliding-type mechanic means for coupling with corresponding means of the capsule to open it and close it.

A further feature of the invention consists in that said terminal stations are provided with harm-type mechanic means for object loading and unloading from the capsule; and are further provided with security means comprising capsule housing and moving drums. Always according to the invention, the base surface of said drums present rotation translation means allowing for guiding said drums in a way that also provides for the air circulation blocking; said rotation translation means being of the type with a pivot, pulley, bearing, track, rail... Moreover said drums present suitable openings for the passage of ^"the capsule as well as for the manual collection of the capsule.

As far as the deflecting means is concerned, to guide the path of the capsule inside the pipes within the plant, they comprise Maltese cross gears and are supplied with security means for the controlled positioning of the same.

Always according to the invention, said security means comprise position identifying means provided on said Maltese cross gear in correspondence of four preset positions, and handling means for said gear.

A significant a dvantage is constituted by the fact that sai d capsule is provided with optical type identification means, for example based on barcodes, and said terminal stations are provided with means for detecting and recognising said identification.

A further advantage is constituted by the fact that said capsule is provided with radiofrequency-type identification systems and said terminal stations are provided with correspondent means for detecting and recognising said identification. A further advantage is constituted by the fact that said capsule is provided with a lateral surface wherein at least one third of the surface has a thickness at least twice as thick as the rest.

A further significant advantage is to be found in the fact that said capsule is provided with ferromagnetic material for the application of magnetic forces intended for completing the orientation of the same. A further significant advantage is to be found in the fact that said capsule or its content can be directly subjected to inspections and handlings of different kind according to needs. The present invention will be described for illustrative and non limitative purposes with reference to the figures listed in the following.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the capsule for object carrying in the pneumatic system according to a first embodiment providing for loading and unloading operations of objects contained in its central body equipped with folding door.

Figure 2 represents a sectioned view of the aforementioned capsule, but this time provided with a sliding door, positioned on the central body to close the upper opening intended for object loading and unloading, whereas the lower bottom is obtained by means of a thickening of the wall or affixing of ballast.

Figure 3 represents a perspective view of a second embodiment of the capsule intended for loading and unloading objects contained in its central body equipped with jaws, in open position.

Figure 4 represents a perspective view of the capsule of figure 3, in closed position.

Figure 5 represents a sectioned view in order to highlight a feature of the capsule opening means considered in figure 3.

Figure 6 represents a schematic perspective view of the loading and unloading operation of the capsule of figure 3, in particular with objects such as banknotes or documents.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the configuration of figure 6 with the loading and unloading device engaging with the capsule.

Figure 8 presents a perspective view of a plant connected to the circuit intended for housing the capsule of figures 3-7 and equipped with means for opening closing the capsule itself.

Figure 9 represents a schematic view of a terminal station similar to that of figure 8, interacting with an external magnet in order to obtain a correct position of the capsule to determine the alignment between the loading or unloading provided for on the same and that of the terminal station.

Figures 10 and 11 represent a schematic view of a possible embodiment of an anti-effraction security terminal station provided with shutter in a closed and an open position. Figure 12 represents a perspective view of a terminal station allowing for simultaneous loading and unloading operation in different parts of the system as well as the manual collection of the capsule for security reasons.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the deviating device used for selecting the path of the capsule towards a specific terminal station.

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a special deviating device provided for in figure 13.

Figure 15 represents a particular architecture of the pneumatic propelling device with pumps in antiparallel.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a capsule 1 , constituted by two heads 2, a central body 3, joined with them by means of a pivot or a rolling bearing so to be able to rotate freely with respect to them, and having a heavier portion indicated as bottom 4, tending to repositioning always downward due to the force of gravity.

Figure 2 shows how said heavier bottom portion 4 is obtained by means o fan important local thickness increase of the central body 3, i.e. by means of the application of heavy material or ballast.

In this way the central body 3 of the capsule, slidable with respect to the heads 2, shows an auto-orienting behaviour around its longitudinal axis 5, and thus with its bottom 4 always facing downwards.

Another practical advantage regards the fact that said bottom made heavy can also be movable and can be replaced with another having different weight or a different shape depending on the application.

It can be introduced into the capsule, and fixed for example through dap joint. In particular, within the capsule it can give a flat surface, on which the object to be transported are positioned, or otherwise can exhibit a profiled shape, specific for hosting particular objects in a more consonant and convenient.

In order to allow the objects to be sent can be introduced or removed from the capsule 1 , the centr al body 3 presents a suitable opening provided with a lid or a door 6 that can be open and closed: it can be of the flap type (Figure 1), rotating (Figure 2), sliding, slipping, foldaway etcetera, continuous or like a net, opaque or transparent, breakable or removable, possibly provided with a key and security lock; can be opened and closed by the operator manually, or automatically through a mechanism or an electro-mechanism, by means of known systems and easily applicable, a detailed example of which will be exposed in the following. In any case said door 6 is applied to the body 3 of the capsule 1 , which is auto-orienting thanks to the two sliding heads 2 and the bottom 4, and consequently takes always the same orientation. In particular, said door 6 can be located on top, that is in an opposite position with respect to the bottom 4; but can also be located on a side, and even on the same side of the bottom 4: so that by opening it can leave the object falling down in a preset point: for example on a guide, a skid, a conveyor belt. Such a solution allows for obtaining the auto-orienting feature of the capsule by exploiting only the force of gravity, as a consequence of the weight of the bottom 4. An analogous effect can be obtained by exploiting a combination of different kind of forces, such as for example a mechanic force or a magnetic force that can act on a side of the capsule made with magnetised material. For example, when dispatching an object by means of the capsule, it can be required that the same has the door 6 facing upward, so to ease its loading; after, once arrived at destination, it can be required that the capsule takes an opposite orientation, that is with the door 6 downwards: so that by opening it lets the transported object fall in a preset point. The different orientation of the capsule can be obtained through the application of a mechanic force or a magnetic force.

In a second embodiment of the present invention it is considered the need of transporting predetermined objects, such as for example banknotes to be collected from a safe and to be transferred to an automatic distributor door like an ATM. The present invention propose a completely automatic solution, wherein a first robot withdraws the banknotes and insert them into a pneumatic dispatching capsule, whereas at destination a second robot withdraws the banknotes from the capsule to deliver them to the final user; with the aim of optimising the operation, it is conceivable to provide the capsule with a device that is more suitable for exchanging banknotes with robot devices.

Figure 3 shows in particular this added more suitable device of the auto-orienting capsule, in which its central body presents two jaws 7 with a butterfly lever mechanism 8 for opening and closing them, under the action of a latch piston or any other external actuator. At destination, the banknote can be left by the jaws 7 of the capsule 1 , to fall directly in one person's hands, or in a preset point such as for example a funnel, a guide, a skid, a conveyor belt... Figure 4 shows again the same capsule 1 with close jaws 7.

Figure 5 shows a significant section of the same capsule in order to better explain the details of the lever mechanism 8 applied to the jaw 7 going up and down with respect to the underlying one, in addition visibly stouter so to define the bottom 4 naturally tending to orienting downwards. Said opening and closing mechanism of the jaws 7, and hence the clamping and re leasing of banknotes, turns out to be simple, reliable and safe, since the auto-orienting behaviour of the capsule 1 always assures the correct matching of the opening with the withdrawing mechanism shown in the following figures.

Figure 6 schematizes a robot device 9, in which a mechanic harm 10 can come closer and far from the capsule 1 and presents its jaws 11 lined up with the jaws 7 of the capsule 1 in order to insert of remove the banknote 12. Figure 7 expresses more clearly the insertion of banknote 12 in the jaws 7 of the capsule 1 by the mechanic harm 10, pointing out that the latter is characterised by having the extremity 13 conically shaped for easily entering in the corresponding dap of the jaw 7.

This solution has the double advantage of simplicity and reliability for the alignment and banknote exchange mechanism: in fact normally the capsule 1 moves along pipes where it can rotate around its axis, but its auto-orienting feature assures that its jaws 7 at the end are always perfectly aligned with the jaws 11 of the mechanic harm 10 positioned at the withdrawal or destination point. Such a point, called terminal station 14, is shown in a simplified manner in the following.

Figure 8 schematizes particularly the terminal station 14 connected with the pipe 15. Into the latter the capsule 1 moves provided with butterfly sliding means 8 for opening and closing door 6. According to a first embodiment, the capsule arrives at the station 14 under the pushing of compressed air, whereas in order to leave again the same exploit the suction of air depression applied to the pipe 15; air flow into the terminal station 14 is made possible through the grid 17 positioned at the opposed end with respect to the pipe 15. When the capsule arrives at the station 14 and stops there, positioning in correspondence of the slit 16, then the piston 18 is made go down towards the underlying capsule 1 so to press its lever mechanism 8 causing the opening of the jaws 7, or alternatively the opening of the previously shown door 6, which can be provided itself with suitable opening means of the lever or sliding type. Being the jaws 7, or the door 6, in line with the slit 16, it is easy to transfer the object of dispatching. For example a banknote, between the capsule and the exterior, by means of the mechanic harm 10, as previously explained, or even directly by the hands of the user. To further improve the above described automatic loading and unloading operation, it is possible to use also a magnetic force generated by a magnet or electromagnet 19 of the terminal station able to stabilise the orientation of the capsule 1 , to this aim provided with suitable ferromagnetic material arranged on the part closer to the magnet 19.

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of a terminal station, wherein the capsule 1 , or only the object to be transported, can be introduced or removed through the slit 16 provided with a shutter 20, which normally appears closed in absence of the capsule, and automatically opening when the capsule is in its arrival position or must be dispatched. For security reasons, the terminal station and the shutter 20 can be strengthened against lock-picking, which is particularly recommended for automated stations like ATMs, as suggested below.

Figure 10 shows in a schematic mode the hardened side exposed to an anti-effraction security terminal station, closed by a security shutter 20 in closed position.

Figure 11 shows the same shutter open and thus the slit ready to immediately receive the object to be transported, or ready to offer it to a waiting person. The automatic and mechanised moving of the shutter by means of servomechanisms is driven by a suitable electronic device making reference to a panel 21 , adapted to signalling the functioning state of the system: such as, for example, the waiting on an arriving capsule, the presence o f the capsule, the consent to dispatching, etcetera. In particular and according to a preferred embodiment a codified authorisation reader with optical or magnetic personal card such as a "badge", biometric identifiers or other identification means authorising the use of the system can be used.

It is evident that the use of the above described auto-orienting capsules is advantageous with the slit 16 in horizontal position; but this does not exclude that it can also take other positions, through the modification of the auto-orienting behaviour of the capsule, consequent to the force of gravity, forces of different nature, for example magnetic or mechanic forces, applied in the terminal station.

Always according to the invention, it is preferably foreseen to allow the system to perform capsule loading and unloading operations in any moment, in any station of the same and, in particular, even while other stations are performing loading or unloading operations.

This is possible thanks to the fact of presetting the moving in a zone of the terminal stations so to close the air circuit while the loading and unloading operations are developing and thus preventing pressure drops in the plant.

Such a possibility further makes it possible the manual collection of the capsule from the terminal stations in case of black-out or emergency of the system.

Such an effect is obtained thanks to the embodiment of terminal station described for exemplificative purposes in Figure 12.

In fact, in the terminal station the delivery pipe 15 of the capsule 1 is positioned in connection with the drum shaped body 22 that is able to house the capsule 1. When the plant is in function, the capsule can be housed into the drum 22 at the end or at the beginning of its run.

Said drum 22 represents in particular said moving zone of the capsule 1 ; by means of a rotation translation movement, said drum can align the capsule with the pipe 15 or with the slit 23 or with the slit 24, thus allowing the capsule to pass through and thus entering or coming out of the system.

In case of withdrawal or insertion of the capsule 1 while the plant is in function, to prevent the opening of the slits 23 or 24 can cause a depressuhzation of the same impairing the simultaneous utilization in other stations, it is possible to rotate or translate the drum 22 by means of rotation means of the kind of pivots, pulleys, translations tracks or similar solutions not visible in Figure so that a corresponding portion of the surface of the drum blocks the mouth of the pipe 15 disengaging it.

The translation and rotation movements of the drum and of the capsule are controlled by means of a suitable electronic device 25 with an associated panel 21. It is thus possible to obtain even a totally automated solution wherein the capsule or its content only can go in or come out from the system through the described terminal station.

The above described architecture allows taking to an end anyway all the activities in course: even in case of energetic black-out, damage or other drawbacks, thanks to the possible manual operation of the drum and of the capsule and consequent withdrawal of the capsule and its content.

Therefore a further important aspect of this system resides in the fact of improving the exchange modes, and especially the automated movements, also by the use of mechanic arms, in the terminal stations, also provided with tracking devices for detecting the presence or absence of the capsule, its arrival and leaving.

In addition said terminal stations foresees the possibility of housing, preferably in proximity of their drum 22, in case of particular needs, even special irradiating devices, such as for example: an UV rays emitter for sterilising the capsule and its content, an IR rays emitter or a heat emitter for thermal treatment of the capsule and its content, an ultrasound emitter or a microwave emitter for vibration or temperature treatments on the capsule and its content, a gas, vapour, liquid and various interactive substances emitter, an X-rays emitter for inspecting the content of the capsule, and so on; and obviously also for housing special devices capturing possible light, sound, vibration emissions etcetera coming from the capsule or from its content. When also provided with similar special devices, the terminal station becomes a suitable place for applying predetermined treatments to the capsule as well as its content: for example decontamination, sterilization, purification treatments: which are useful or even necessary in hospitals, biology institutes, chemical industries and similar; and are advisable even in banks willing to make it more hygienic the handling of coins and banknotes. The effect of the above said special devices can be calibrated with excellent precision exactly because the position and the asset of the auto-orienting capsule and its content is always known and repetitive; while in the same time the drum 22 can be used as an suitable moving zone; consequently the activity of said special devices can be perfectly synchronised with the movements of the capsule, all these elements being controlled and harmonised together by electronic devices for controlling and for the general management of the system. Therefore it can be immediately appreciated that all the above said activities, once prepared and programmed in the electronic devices for controlling and for the general management of the system, can go on continuously and in a totally automated manner. In any case it is foreseen that, in case of damage or malfunction, the capsule and its content can always be recovered through a manual intervention, forcing the moving of the drum 22 and thus causing the expulsion of the capsule and its content from the slit 23 or 24.

Figure 13 shows a deflection device 26 devoted to address the capsule towards a selected specific terminal station. It includes a portion of turning curved pipe 27 and structured in such a way that it maintains an extremity constantly aligned with the pipe 15 and the other extremity that can vary among different aligned positions with a corresponding number of pipes 28; normally in all of these pipes the capsule transit is bidirectional. The arrangement proposed in the following allows preventing the malfunctioning of said device can impair the safety of the system and also allows for an easy access into the system for maintenance operation. The solution according to the invention herein presented distinguishes itself because of the use of a special mechanism, having a gear in the form of a Maltese cross 29, able to assure the safe changing and always perfectly aligned towards the pipes 28.

Figure 14 shows said special gear 29, presenting some channels 33, in which a pin 30 enters that, by rotating pushed by a motor- drive 31 , for each accomplished tour drives the gear 29 so that it turns of a preset angle, exact fraction of the complete tour; so that the curved pipe 27, passing at the centre of the gear and integral with it, whereas at an extremity is always aligned with the pipe 15, at the other extremity is forced to align always and exactly with one of the different pipes 28.

Sensors 32 are provided for the detection of the current position of the curved pipe 27 and to allow the activation of the motor 31 moving the pin 30, until stopping it when the desired connection is established between the pipe 15 and the selected pipe 28.

In particular, the above cited sensors 32, preferably of mechanic or magnetic or electronic or optic type, are used to know the position of the curved pipe 27of the gear 29, of the pin 30, of the capsule 1 in the different points of the route. The device driving the Maltese cross gear 29 ensures the exact control of the configuration of the system at any time, and allows the capsule to take anyway to an end its route also in cases of necessity or of undesired accidental phenomena (ex. black-out); in these cases in fact the exact path of the capsule is determined on the base of the position of the gear 29, which can be known by means of an optical collimator 34 allowing reading, even from more different angles, an identification code for the different positions of the gear 29; and in case of black-out, by means of a button 35, it is possible to manually move the position of the gear 29, deploying an elementary mechanic coupling of the kind step by step.

A further advantage of the present invention allows identifying each single capsule as well as its specific content by applying a label with barcode, or other equivalent identification systems, preferably along the central body 3 of the capsule 1 , in a way that advantageously deploys its auto-orienting behaviour, so to guarantee always the exact alignment of said label or other with respect to correspondent electronic readers arranged along the pipes and devices of the pneumatic network, said readers detect the individual code of each capsule and exactly identify it in the positions passed through in sequence, allowing tracing all its path along the pneumatic network. This has undoubtful importance for security in moving objects, even jewels, transported by means of capsules.

Always according to the invention, the codification of the capsules can be correlated with further devices for identifying and authorising the users of the system: of the kind of inspection cameras, personal cards, passwords, badges and similar, so to create a real informative security system integrated with the network of automated pneumatic dispatching.

It is evident that a similar network of readers, sensors and interactive devices needs a suitable electronics, and in particular an electronic device for collecting, elaborating and distributing the information and instructions concerning the various above cited elements.

A further alternative consists in applying to the auto-orienting body 3 or also to the hea ds 2 of the ca psules, a short range radio receiving and transmitting device, that can capture a possible radio signal and then transmitting another, using identification codification of the same signals. Said device is preferably of passive kind, i.e. wherein the radio transmission occurs employing a part of the received radio energy; so that the capsule does not need batteries or other energy sources of its own for the operation of said device.

The object-carrying capsule presents a central body realised at least in part with transparent material in order to allow inspecting or handling its content, and can represent a surface that allows the transit of electromagnetic radiations or of other substances, or a net-like surface.

The automatic dispatching system according to the invention is at last provided with propelling device of the kind of a pump for pressing or sucking air from the pipes of the network. S aid propelling device presents a particular architecture described herein below. Figure 15 shows exactly said propelling device 36 constituted by a pressing pump 37 and a sucking pump 38, each being operated by an independent motor, and each provided with a non return valve or shutter of its own regulating the air flow.

Said pumps meet with the pipes 15 of the network, by means of the bifurcated conveying splice 39. According to needs only one pump is activated in turn and in correspondence only one valve or shutter is opened in turn, so that the other remains closed and thus prevent the venting of air under pressure, optimising the yield of the assembly.

Such a concept allows reaching, preferably by means of the bifurcated conveying splice 39, also another pipe connected by means of valves 40 with a compressed air cylinder 41 and a vacuum air cylinder 42, which can be used in case of need, such as for example because of breakdown of a pump 37 or 38, i.e. because of a black-out with lack of occurring electric energy, with the aim of pushing anyway the capsule stopped into the pipes until it reaches a terminal station where it can be collected; this expedient can be flanked by a suitable electric energy accumulator.

Definitively this system represents an unitary solution able of satisfying different applications, also extremely demanding such as banks, pharmacies, chemical and biological institutes: where the transfer of samples, especially organic and sensible ones, sometimes dangerous, requires for fastness and precision, reducing to the minimum the human intervention and the consequent potential errors. Applications can be extended to laboratories, workshops, industries, settlings, offices, storehouses, distributors, commercial centres, supermarkets and many other structures more or less extended and articulated, so to respond better and better to increasing and urging needs of the modern society: not only in the applicative field of controlled transfer and intelligent moving of objects, but also in that of automation, security, anti-robbery and anti-sabotage.

Claims

1. Pneumatic system for dispatching object-carrying capsules comprising at least one capsule for containing objects to be transported; a pipe network with connection openings; terminal stations for capsule loading and unloading; deflecting means for guiding the path of the capsule within the plant; pneumatic means for capsule propelling; mechanic means for capsule loading; security means for capsule controlling and collecting; electronic means for signalling the state of the system and for the controlled managing of its devices; characterised in that

- said capsule is constituted by a central body equipped with door-type or jaw-like opening and closing means and means for handling the same, and by two lateral portions sliding with respect to said central body; - said terminal stations present means for driving said opening and closing means of the capsule; security means for allowing the capsule manual collection; capsule loading and unloading means of the kind with an harm, a funnel, a conveyor belt; stopping means of said pipes for the passage of air during said capsule loading and unloading; radiation emitting or receiving means, means for emitting or capturing vibrations and substances for special treatments and inspection of the capsule or its content; means for signalling and controlling the operation of the system;

- said pipes present deflecting means to guide the path of the capsule and detecting means for allowing their identifying monitoring within the plant;

- said pneumatic means present two pumps disposes in antiparallel, equipped with devices for preventing air venting, and equipped with compressed air tanks.

2. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said capsule presents on the surface of the central body a thickness burdening portion causing the rotation of the same with respect to said lateral portions due to the force of gravity.

3. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said opening and closing means are of the kind of lid, door, jaw, and provided with driving means of the kind of lever or sliding and tightening means.

4. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said terminal stations are provided with sliding mechanic means for engaging with said driving elements of said capsule to allow its opening and closing.

5. System according to claims 1 and 4 characterised in that said terminal stations are further provided with mechanic means having an harm for object loading and unloading into the capsule.

6. System according to claims 1 , 4 and 5, characterised in that said terminal stations are further provided with magnetic or electromagnetic means for loading and unloading ferromagnetic objects.

7. System according to claims 1 , 4, 5 and 6, characterised in that said terminal stations are provided with guide, funnel, skid, conveyor belt structures, for loading and unloading the content of the capsule.

8. System according to claims 1 , 4, 5, 6 and 7, characterised in that said security means are constituted by drum-like means, for housing said capsule, provided with devices moving with respect to openings for the collection or the insertion of the capsule or its content.

9. System according to claims 1 and 8, characterised in that said drum-like means are associated with rotation translation means orienting them in a way that constitutes the closing element towards the air circulation pipe.

10. System according to claims 1 , 8 and 9 characterised in that said drum-like means present an opening for the manual collection of the capsule.

11. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said terminal stations are provided with further special mechanic, thermal, chemical, optical, electronic means per inspecting or handling the capsule or its content.

12. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that said object-carrying capsule presents a central body realised at least partly with transparent material for: allowing inspecting or handling its content, which can present a surface that allows the transit of electromagnetic radiation or other substances, or a net type surface.

13. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said deflecting means or pipe selectors present Maltese cross gears equipped with security means to determine the orientation of the capsule in transit.

14^". System according to claims 1 and 13 characterised in that said deflecting means or selectors present selected position identifying means provided on said Maltese cross gear in correspondence of four preset positions.

15. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said capsule is provided with optical type identification means, for example barcode, or magnetic type means, for example with magnetised dipoles, and said terminal stations and pipes are provided with means for detecting said identification systems.

16. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said capsule is provided with radiofrequency-type identification systems and said terminal stations are provided with correspondent means for detecting said identification systems.

17. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said capsule is provided with ferromagnetic material for the application of magnetic forces intended for completing the orientation of the same, or also for performing the opening and closing of the lid or door or jaw.

18. System according to claim 1 wherein said capsule provides for a lateral surface wherein at least one third of the surface has a thickness at least twice greater than the rest.

19. System according to claim 1 characterised in that said pneumatic means for capsule propelling are constituted by a first and a second pump, arranged in antiparallel, which can be operated singularly or for pressing or for sucking, each of said pumps being provided with air blocking means that are open only when the corresponding pump is operating, so to prevent venting of the system.

20. System according to claim 19 characterised in that the connection between said first and said second pump and said pipes of the system occurs through bifurcated conveying means.

21. System according to claim 1 , 19 and 20, characterised in that said pneumatic means are supplied with pressurised or depressurised air cylinders.

22. Object-carrying capsule for the pneumatic system according to any of the previous claims essentially constituted by a central body equipped with opening and closing means and means for handling the same, and by two lateral portions sliding with respect to said central body; wherein the central body presents on its lateral surface a burdened thickness portion and such to cause the rotation of the same with respect to said lateral portions due to the force of gravity.

23. Capsule according to claim 22 further provided with ferromagnetic material for the application of magnetic forces intended for determining, stabilising, completing its orientation.

24. Automatic pneumatic dispatching system, characterised in that it employs one or more security containers in the form of a capsule (1) having their body (3) auto-orienting in a predetermined and precise way and automatically openable when subjected to an external action made in correspondence of a selected terminal station (14) by means of a suitable deflecting device (26) to which predetermined pipes (15) arrive belonging to the system itself wherein capsule (1) propulsion occurs on the base of air pressurisation or depressurisation operated by the pneumatic device (36) included in the same system.

25. Automatic pneumatic dispatching system, according to claim 24, provided with terminal stations (14) for the capsule (1) characterised in housing said capsule in correspondence of a slit (16) where a piston (18) presses a suitable lever mechanism (8) of the capsule to move the door (6) or jaws (7) or other; where the piston (18) can be operated directly by hand or by means of automatisms and servomechanisms; wherein the object to be dispatched can be introduced into the capsule (1) directly by hand, or by means of a mechanic harm, a funnel, a guide, a skid, a conveyor belt etcetera; wherein the object carried by the capsule (1) can be extracted directly by hand, or by means of a mechanic harm or other devices; for this aim using mechanic forces also together with magnetic and electromagnetic forces produced by suitable magnets or electromagnets (19).

26. Automatic pneumatic dispatching system, according to claims 24 an d 25, characterised as an integrated security informative system by using capsules and terminal stations and interactive identification devices for monitoring the capsules and their content, possibly also in combination with other devices for identifying and authorising the users of the system: typically inspection cameras, personal cards, passwords, badges and similar.

27. Automatic pneumatic dispatching system, according to claims 1 and following, characterised in that it constitutes an integrated security system, provided with computerised means suitable for the managing of the entire system, and in particular having the functions of: S personal data insertion for individual recognition, capsule relating data insertion and insertion of data that relate to the content of the capsule and to the position and the path of the capsule, insertion of data that relate to movements and treatment to be applied to the capsule and its content, combination of the above said data according to preset0 operative criteria, automatic or on-demand control of the regular developing of these combinations, of the planning and the accomplishment of the relative operations, with possible emission of alarms and corrective actions that can be prefixed, registration and storing on non volatile means all the above said data, controls and movements for security reasons.