Apparatus, components thereof and method for handling rods of aerosol-generating material

An apparatus for handling rods of aerosol-generating material, the apparatus comprising:

• a rotatable drum having a plurality of elongate flutes provided around an outer surface of the drum and extending in an axial direction of the drum, wherein each flute includes one or more suction holes extending from a surface of a respective flute into communication with an associated vacuum duct within the drum;
• and
• a control flange, wherein the drum rotates relative to the control flange in use, and wherein the control flange comprises a first aperture connected to a vacuum source, and a second aperture connected to a source of pressurised gas, wherein as the drum rotates relative to the control flange, the vacuum ducts are in fluid communication with the first aperture over a first range of rotation of the drum to apply a negative pressure to the vacuum ducts, and the vacuum ducts are in fluid communication with the second aperture over a second range of rotation of the drum to apply positive gas pressure to the vacuum ducts.