US 11,851,285 B2
Bead feeder
Martin T. Garthaffner, Richmond, VA (US); and Dwight D. Williams, Powhatan, VA (US)
Assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc., Richmond, VA (US)
Filed by Philip Morris USA Inc., Richmond, VA (US)
Filed on Jan. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/750,511.
Application 16/750,511 is a continuation of application No. 13/777,749, filed on Feb. 26, 2013, granted, now 10,569,969.
Prior Publication US 2020/0156883 A1, May 21, 2020
Int. Cl. B65G 47/14 (2006.01); A24D 3/02 (2006.01); B65G 47/84 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/1428 (2013.01) [A24D 3/0216 (2013.01); B65G 47/848 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.