Bead dispenser

Abstract

A bead dispenser comprising an elongated housing in which beads are held in at least two separated bead columns, and a dispensing nozzle at one end of the elongated housing through which the beads are dispensed. A dispensing mechanism dispenses beads from a column, whereby one of the bead columns is selected from which to dispense a bead through the bead dispenser.

1 . A bead dispenser comprising:
 an elongated housing in which beads are held in at least two separated bead columns, and a dispensing nozzle at one end of the elongated housing through which the beads are dispensed; and   a dispensing mechanism to dispense beads from a column, whereby one of the bead columns is selected from which to dispense a bead through the dispensing nozzle.   
   
   
       2 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 1  whereby the elongated housing comprises a dispensing casing coaxially aligned with a storage casing, whereby the dispensing casing supports the dispensing mechanism and the storage casing holds beads, wherein the storage casing and dispensing casing are axially rotatable relative to one another so as to align a selected bead column or storage casing with the dispensing mechanism in the dispensing casing. 
   
   
       3 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 2  wherein the dispensing casing and storage casing are relatively rotatable over location points that urge the casings to stop rotating at the location points, the location points defining correct alignment of a bead column in a storage casing with the dispensing mechanism in the dispensing casing. 
   
   
       4 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 3  wherein the location points are defined by a node and recess engagement between the storage casing and the dispensing casing. 
   
   
       5 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 4  wherein a node is provided on the storage casing and recesses are provided on the dispensing casing, wherein each of the recesses are lined with a bead column. 
   
   
       6 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 1  wherein the beads are arranged in a single file within each bead column. 
   
   
       7 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bead dispenser contains two, four or six bead columns. 
   
   
       8 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 1  wherein the dispensing mechanism is a biased movable body having a cavity through which at least one bead is adapted to pass through the dispensing nozzle. 
   
   
       9 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 7  wherein a trigger associated with the dispensing mechanism is activated to align the cavity with a bead column to allow a bead in that column to enter the dispensing mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 8  wherein releasing the trigger moves the dispensing mechanism out of alignment with the bead column and into alignment with the dispensing nozzle to allow the bead to pass therethrough. 
   
   
       11 . The bead dispenser claimed in  claim 9  wherein the cavity of the dispensing mechanism may hold more than one bead for dispensing the more than one bead.