Handling Papers and Small Articles by Pneumatic Tubes

Abstract

Pneumatic tubes as applied to the handling of papers and small articles accomplish what the telephone does for the spoken word. They not only now move the mass of paper work attendant on our industrial activity, with its intensive distribution, keen competition, and large production, but are being applied continuously to the mechanical processes of production.

Applications of pneumatic tubes comprise 1¼-in.-diameter tubes handling radio messages, telegrams, telephone toll tickets, etc.; 2¼-in. tubes for general message and utility service; 3-in. tubes for handling tools, small machine parts, samples, etc.; 4-in. tubes handling hot ingot test pieces, gunpowder, paint samples, etc.; 5-in. tubes in testing laboratories and railroad freight yards; 3-in. × 6-in. oval tubes for bank service in handling pass books and deposits, and in publishing houses for carrying copy and proofs, etc., and 4-in. × 7-in. oval tubes handling complete folios of correspondence, insurance policies, etc.

The tasks to which pneumatic tubes are applied are innumerable and form a list which includes every industry, and as added applications are made in the general business world, other new applications become constantly apparent.