Dispatch and receive terminal for a pneumatic carrier system

Abstract

A dispatch and receive terminal that, in preferred form, includes an air tight pusher housing and a pusher flap swingably mounted to move between a retract position and an extend position in response to air pressure in that housing. In the dispatch or pressure mode, the pusher flap swings into an air tight terminal housing to push the carrier axially along the guide tray and partially back into the system tube. After the carrier has been initially dispatched back into the system tube, and as the pusher flap swings further into the terminal housing to an open position, the pusher flap structure opens a pressure port between the terminal and the pusher housings, thereby pressurizing the terminal housing and the system tube behind the carrier for pushing the carrier completely out of the housing and at least partially through the tube. The pusher assembly also includes a check valve flap structurally connected with the pusher flap, the check valve flap remaining closed in response to pressure, but opening in response to vacuum, in the pusher housing. In the receive or vacuum mode, the check valve flap opens a vacuum port between the terminal and pusher housings, thereby creating a vacuum in the terminal housing and in the system tube ahead of the carrier to aid in drawing or returning the carrier into that housing from the system tube.