CPC B65G 47/1428 (2013.01) [A24D 3/0216 (2013.01); B65G 47/848 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A bead feeder comprising:
a metering plate configured to receive a plurality of beads, the metering plate defining a plurality of equally spaced apart through-holes, each of the plurality of equally spaced apart through-holes being configured to receive one of the plurality of beads;
a stationary dead plate defining a single cylindrical aperture therethrough, the stationary dead plate having a consistent thickness throughout, the single cylindrical aperture being a single transfer point for beads away from the metering plate, the single cylindrical aperture configured to transfer a single bead from one of the plurality of equally spaced apart through-holes when the single cylindrical aperture is aligned with the one of the plurality of equally spaced apart through-holes, a diameter of the single cylindrical aperture being equal to a diameter of one of the plurality of equally spaced apart through-holes; and
a transfer wheel configured to receive the single bead from the stationary dead plate.
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