Bead feeder
US7975877B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/1428
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bead feeder for serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel which rotates about a vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially arranged channels below the bowl connected to rotate with the bowl. Discharge openings in the bowl are in alignment with the radially arranged channels to delivery beads to those channels, and a bead receiving pocket is positioned at the outer end of each channel. A transfer wheel picks up beads from the bead receiving pockets and transfers those beads to a delivery wheel by vacuum transfer and release. The delivery wheel serially delivers the beads to the downstream location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.