Patent attributes
A pneumatic tube delivery system and method for simultaneously transporting pneumatic carriers across a plurality of sending and receiving stations connected via pneumatic tubing and diverters. The plurality of sending and receiving stations each comprises a pneumatic device to coordinate and direct the transportation of carriers through vacuum or pressure throughout the pneumatic tube system. One or more diverters in the pneumatic tube system may also comprise a pneumatic device for transporting carriers between two diverters. Each pneumatic device is only responsible for transporting a carrier though a single pneumatic tube sector within the system, enabling the pneumatic tube sectors to operate independently from one another. Accordingly, two or more carriers can be simultaneously transported within the pneumatic tube system. The diverter of the present invention for diverting carriers between pneumatic tube sectors may comprise at least one robotic arm connected to a movable tube for retaining the carrier and shifting the carrier within the diverter.
