TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally concerns pneumatic tube conveying and specifically concerns a method and a carrier for secure pneumatic conveying of articles.

BACKGROUND

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. The prior art systems used in such areas are becoming more and more sophisticated with regard to a safe distribution of items such as test tubes and pharmaceuticals to the correct address and in the correct amounts. There is also an ongoing significant development of such systems with spe- cific regard to providing effective automatic loading and unloading of the cylindrical cartridge-like carriers.

Prior art solutions have thus primarily attempted to solve the discussed types of distribution problems but do not provide any optimum solution to such problems as providing a secure and protected transport for sometimes fragile items such as test tubes etc.

SUMMARY

It is a general object to provide a solution to the above discussed problems. 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.

It is a further object to suggest an improved insert of a pneumatic tube transport carrier. These and other objects are met by embodiments defined by the accompanying claims.

In a first aspect the technology 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. In a basic configuration 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.

In another aspect the technology 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. In a basic configuration 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.

In yet another aspect 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. In a basic configuration 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.

Preferred further developments of the basic inventive idea as well as embodiments thereof are specified in the dependent subclaims. Advantages offered in addition to those described, will be readily appreciated upon reading the below detailed description of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its further objects and advantages will be best understood by reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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. Thus, the illustrations are for the sole purpose of describing preferred embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to limit the technology to details or to any specific field of application. It shall be realized that the disclosure covers the incorporation of features related to other applications and any combination of features disclosed herein. As discussed above, previous solutions for handling articles/items have not been focusing on the secure and protected conveyance of more or less fragile items, such as hospital items in the form of test tubes, syringes etc, as well as other pharmaceutical objects. The present technology attempts to find an effective and versatile solution to the problems of handling such sensitive or fragile items and articles by taking a new approach for combining effective and uncomplicated configuration and secure protection of articles. It is apparent that security and protection issues are vital in various areas of application for pneumatic tube transport systems. 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. In Figs. 1-4 is outlined a first embodiment of a carrier configured in accordance with the now proposed technology. Specifically, in 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. In the illustrated embodiment 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. Specifically, 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. Thus, in use, with the insert halves 6 A, 6B provided in the carrier 5 shell 10, the resilient material membranes 9 are provided on opposing sides of the carrier insert halves for clamping articles 1 , 2 there between.

In order to facilitate the introduction of articles 1, 2 in the article receiving space 7 as well as the removal of articles therefrom, 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. In the illustrated embodiment a vacuum port 3 is provided in only one 6A of the carrier insert halves, as will also be explained in more detail below. To further or alternatively facilitate emptying of the carrier insert 6 a brush (not shown) may be passed through the carrier/insert before closing the carrier 5 for further operation.

As indicated above, 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. With reference specifically to Fig. 4 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.

It should now be appreciated that the present technology also separately covers an article receiving insert 6 for a carrier 5 for the pneumatic conveyance of articles 1 , 2 in a pneumatic transport tube 4, said insert consisting of two carrier insert halves 6 A, 6B, and each carrier insert half 6A, 6B comprising an outer rigid base material 8 and an inner resilient material membrane 9 provided on each opposing side of the carrier insert halves during use. As was described above with reference to the disclosed carrier 5 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. Likewise, the provision of 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.

Preferably, 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. In an alternative, 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.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-4 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. However, the technology likewise covers alternative embodiments of the insert 106, 206, as very schematically illustrated in Figs. 5 A and 5B. In 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. However, in this case the insert halves 106A, 106B are assembled together and accommodated in a rigid insert pipe 120 holding the two halves together when inserted therein. When the insert 106 is put to use the pipe 120 with insert 106 is introduced into the carrier 5 (not shown here) as a unit. In the second alternative embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5B 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.

In Figs. 6A and 6B is shown a further development of the insert 306 that is suitable for use in the shell 10 of the above described carrier 5. In this case 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. Such hot dipping in rubber is a conventional process within many areas and will therefore not be described in detail. 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. In this variation 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. It shall be emphasized that 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. In order to prevent the valve boss 303A as well as surrounding resilient material from changing position during the application of the vacuum, 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. It will now be appreciated that as vacuum is applied to one of the valves 303, through its valve opening at 303B, the resilient material forming the valve opening of the other opposite end valve will close by the suction. The inside of the bag-shaped resilient material membrane 309 will then be deflated so that the clamping action of the resilient material membrane 309 is released to facilitate the removal of articles 1, 2 from the carrier insert 306.

In the configuration with two interconnected insert halves 306 A, 306B 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. In this variation 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. By forming a vacuum channel between the two bag halves 309A, 309B of the resilient material membrane 309 at the same time as the bag halves are made it will be possible to use only two vacuum ports or valves 303 for both bag halves 309A, 309B. The 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.

In 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. Like in the embodiments described above the materials of the rigid base 308A, 308B and of the resilient membrane 309, 309 A, 309B both have a flat, smooth surface. It will be understood that 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. Then, 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. When articles 1, 2 inside a carrier 5 have reached their destination and shall be removed from the carrier 5 a grip of introduced articles 1, 2 between the opposing sides of resilient material membranes 9 is released. This is preferably done by applying vacuum from an external vacuum source V to a vacuum port 3 provided in the outer rigid base material 8 of at least one of the carrier insert halves 6A, 6B or alternatively to a valve provided in the resilient material membrane of the above described variation of a carrier insert shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. In the case where only one vacuum port 3 is provided in one of the carrier insert halves, it will be understood that vacuum is also applied to the other carrier insert half through a suitable, but not illustrated vacuum connection. Through channels (not illustrated) the vacuum is thus applied to an interior of both carrier insert halves 6A, 6B, and more specifically to an interface between the outer rigid base material 8 and the resilient material membrane 9 of each insert half 6 A, 6B. This vacuum application will cause the rubber membranes 9 to release the grip of the articles 1, 2 so that they fall out of the carrier 5. The clamping action of the carrier insert 6 may be controlled by adjusting the vacuum level appropriately.

The described basic configurations of the carrier, insert and method may present several advantages, such as:

They are very flexible by not being adapted to any specific type of article but being able to accommodate articles of almost any size and shape;

- They may be used in existing systems and carriers respectively;

They allow for emptying in existing carrier opener equipment which means that the carriers may be checked for both function and status before being sent on;

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.

In alternative, but not specifically illustrated embodiments variations of different parts of the carrier and insert configurations may be employed without departing from the scope of the technology. An example of this is the use of other appropriate materials than those primarily mentioned herein. Thus, 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.

The present technology has been described in connection with an embodiment that is to be regarded as an illustrative example thereof. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present technology is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. The present technology likewise covers any feasible combination of features described and illustrated herein. The scope of the present technology is defined by the appended claims.