Apparatus for feeding single grains to a processing machine, in particular an injection molding machine

An apparatus for feeding single grains to one or more processing machines, in particular an injection molding machine, comprising:

• at least one singulating device,
• a granular material reservoir for a bulk material, preferably of plastic granular material or plastic pellets or plastic grains, and
• a feeding device for feeding the singulated bulk material to the injection molding machine,
• wherein preferably two housing sections are arranged around the elements, in particular the singulating device, to form a closed housing,
• wherein the singulating device is formed from a singulating disk,
• wherein the singulating disk is provided with suction openings distributed over on the pitch circle, and the granular material reservoir is arranged on one side of the singulating disk for receiving bulk material, in particular in the lower grain receiving region, and a negative-pressure generating device, in particular a compressor, for generating a negative pressure in a negative-pressure chamber is arranged or connected on the opposite side,
• wherein the singulating disk is mounted on a shaft and coupled with a drive unit, in particular a stepper motor, and, via the shaft, the singulating disk can be rotated with the suction openings for receiving and dispensing grains and a sealing element is arranged as a seal of the rotating singulating disk, characterized in that a grain scraper and/or a grain aligner for the bulk material or grain is arranged on the singulating disk in order to scrape off the grains and/or align the grains, or in that a stirring or carry-along element is arranged on the singulating disk for receiving the bulk material or on the shaft.