FLUID PRESSURISING STATION FOR A PIPELINE CONVEYOR

A pressurising station for a pipeline conveyor includes a transfer conduit for the passage of load-carrying capsules between upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline and a reverse, by-pass conduit extending between outlet and inlet conduits respectively connected to upstream and downstream ends of the transfer conduit. A fan is provided between the outlet and inlet conduits. A valve member is mounted on an axis extending transversely of the transfer conduit and is movable, in response to fluid flow through the pressurising station, between a closed position, in which first and second opposite ends of the valve member respectively extend across the transfer conduit and across the reverse, by-pass conduit, and an open position in which the first end of the valve member is clear of the path of capsules travelling through the transfer conduit.