Loader and method of loading objects

摘要

A loader (12) stores and loads round objects and includes a screw (53) and a drive tube (52). The screw (53) has a helical groove. The helical groove winds in a first direction. The drive tube (52) has multiple helical grooves on an inner surface of the drive tube. The multiple helical grooves wind in a second direction. The second direction is counter to the first direction. The screw (53) is located within a center of the drive tube along a length of the drive tube so that round objects loaded within the drive tube (52) are each within the helical groove of the screw (53) and within one of the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube (52). When the drive tube (52) rotates with respect to the screw (53), round objects within the drive tube (52) are constrained to travel along the helical groove of the screw (53) and along one of the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube.