Forming and transporting apparatus for conveying and forming a group of rod-like articles, and feeding apparatus for feeding a group of rod-like articles

A forming and transporting apparatus (5) for conveying rod-like articles (3) and forming a group (G) of rod-like articles (3) of the tobacco industry, comprising

• transport units (15), whereas a transport unit (15) comprises
• a transport carriage (16) adapted to move along a path (17), and
• a transport tray (13) provided with a number of transport grooves (18) adapted to hold the rod-like articles (3), whereas such tray is fastened to the transport carriage (16),
• whereas
• the transport carriage (13) is divided into two transport sections (13A, 13B) which are adapted to change their reciprocal position between an open configuration in which the transport grooves (18) are situated substantially in one plane (k, k′) and a closed configuration in which the transport grooves (18) are situated in two planes (k, k′) being substantially parallel to each other,
• whereas
• the transport sections (13A, 13B) are rotatably connected with each other on the axis of rotation (20) corresponding to the direction (T) of movement of the transport carriage (16), characterised in that
• the first transport section (13A) is fastened to the transport carriage (16), and the second transport section (13B) is provided with a steering element (23),
• the forming and transporting apparatus (5) is provided with a forming unit (25) comprising a closing cam (24) situated next to the path (17), the closing cam (24) having a raceway (24C) adapted to guide the steering element (23) in such a way that while moving the transport unit (15) through the forming unit (25) the second transport section (13B) makes a rotation relative to the first transport section (13A) in order to change the configuration of the transport sections (13A, 13B) from the open configuration to the closed configuration,
• characterised in that the body (27) of the second tray (13B) is provided with at least one vacuum channel (28) being in fluid connection with vacuum openings (19) in the transport grooves (18) of the second transport section (13B), whereas the vacuum channel (28) is directed towards the cylindrical surface (31) provided with openings (30) which supply the vacuum during the movement of the transport unit (15) through the forming unit (25).