Patent ID: 8616409
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A device for singulating open-ended objects, the device comprising: a housing configured to retain a plurality of open-ended objects, the housing having an open lower end; an outer ring positioned below the housing; a drum positioned within the outer ring to form a drum assembly, the drum including a hub having a substantially circular wall and a plurality of wings that extend radially outwardly from the wall toward the outer ring, the hub, wings and outer ring forming a plurality of gaps; a mounting structure with an exit aperture fixed relative to the housing; and a rotary drive unit mounted to the drum that rotates the drum about an axis of rotation; wherein the mounting structure further comprises a pre-staging station fixed relative to the housing and positioned below the exit aperture, and wherein the pre-staging station is positioned such that the dispensing of an object from the gap through the exit aperture causes the object to reside in the pre-staging station; wherein the pre-staging station is positioned a distance below the exit aperture such that an object residing in the pre-staging station has a portion that extends above the exit aperture and a portion that extends below the exit aperture.