Feed mechanism and method for feeding minute items

A mechanism for isolating, orienting, and positioning a single item of a plurality of items in a desired item location, the mechanism comprising:

• a base adapted to secure the mechanism to a support structure, with the base presenting one or more openings;
• a lower mesh positioned over the one or more openings and adapted to prevent the plurality of items from entering the one or more openings;
• a sliding shelf adapted to slidably receive and support the plurality of items;
• first and second plates butted against either side of the sliding shelf and adapted to guide the sliding shelf and to cooperate therewith to retain the plurality of items on the sliding shelf;
• a wiper arm adapted to move closely over the plurality of items supported on the sliding shelf, thereby achieving a single layer of the plurality of items;
• a pushing arm adapted to move over the sliding shelf and into the plurality of items to push the single item into the desired item location;
• first and second guides butted against either side of both the wiper arm and the pushing arm and adapted to cooperate to form a channel through which the pushing arm and the wiper arm move;
• a cover positioned over the first and second guides and the wiper arm and the pushing arm and presenting a fitting hole, with the cover including one or more threaded set screws adapted to exert and adjustable pressure on both the wiper arm and the pusher arm, and the cover also including an access hole positioned directly over the desired item location and allowing for accessing and removing the single item from the desired item location;
• an upper mesh positioned within the fitting hole and adapted to prevent the plurality of items from entering the fitting hole;
• and
• a fitting positioned in the fitting hole behind the upper mesh, wherein the fitting is connectable to a source for selectively causing movement of the plurality of items.