Devices for dispensing objects useful in system and method for dispensing

A device for singulating round open-ended objects, the device comprising:

• a housing configured to retain a plurality of round 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, the hub and outer ring forming at least one gap therebetween;
• a mounting structure fixed relative to the housing, the mounting structure including a floor with an exit aperture defined therein;
• a rotary drive unit mounted to the drum that rotates the drum about an axis of rotation;
• and
• a separating structure fixedly mounted to the outer ring and positioned above the exit aperture at a height selected such that, as the drum rotates, a first round object can pass beneath the separating structure and drop through the exit aperture as a second round object positioned above the first round object passes above the separating structure, thereby preventing the second round object from dropping through the exit aperture;
• wherein the mounting structure further comprises a pre-staging platform 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.

A method of singulating round open-ended objects residing in a housing, comprising the steps of:

• providing a drum assembly comprising an outer ring positioned below the housing and a rotatable drum positioned within the outer ring, the drum including a hub having a substantially circular wall, the hub and outer ring forming at least one gap therebetween, the drum assembly further including a separation structure fixedly mounted on the outer ring and extending radially inwardly, the separation structure being positioned such that, as the drum rotates, a first round object can pass below the separation structure as a second round object positioned above the first round object passes above the separation structure, the drum assembly being mounted on a mounting structure having a floor with an exit aperture defined therein;
• feeding the drum assembly with round objects;
• and
• rotating the drum about an axis of rotation such that a round object drops into a gap and passes below the separation structure and into the exit aperture;
• wherein, upon exiting the drum assembly, the object is received on a pre-staging platform positioned below the exit aperture, 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, and 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.