Patent ID: 6849457
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A bead dispenser, comprising: an outer housing having an inner portion and a plunger chamber, the plunger chamber having an upper surface and a lower surface; a bead receiving opening located on the upper surfaces of the plunger chamber and communicating with the inner portion of the outer housing; a bead exiting opening located on the lower surface of the plunger chamber and being offset by a predetermined distance from the bead receiving opening; a plunger positioned within the plunger chamber, the plunger being capable of horizontal reciprocal movement within the plunger chamber between the bead receiving opening and the bead exit opening, the plunger having a bead holding chamber which is aligned with the bead receiving opening in a first position and aligned with the bead exiting opening in a second position; an inner bead storage chamber and including an inwardly extending portion positioned within the outer housing for storing beads therein, the inner bead storage chamber having a bead receiving channel aligned with the bead receiving opening; a return spring positioned in the inner bead storage chamber, the return spring biasing the plunger in the first position and being displaced within the inner bead storage chamber when the plunger is actuated into the second position, inwardly extending portion of the return spring contacting and agitating the beads in the inner bead storage chamber when the plunger is displaced to the second position.