Apparatus for transferring rod-shaped articles from a source of supply into the flutes of a conveyor

Apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles which constitute or form part of smokers' products and have predetermined diameters, comprising a source of supply of substantially parallel articles, said source having outlet means arranged to discharge articles in such a way that the articles move sideways;

• a driven withdrawing conveyor having a plurality of article-receiving flutes arranged to move along a predetermined endless path and projections alternating with said flutes and tending to interfere with the admission of articles into said flutes at elevated speeds of said withdrawing conveyor;
• a transfer conveyor system for delivering articles from said outlet means into successive flutes of said withdrawing conveyor, said system comprising a receiving conveyor arranged to receive articles from said outlet means and to move the articles sideways toward said path, a feeding unit interposed between said receiving conveyor and said path and including a pair of conveyors which define a gap having a width at most equal to said predetermined diameter so that the articles which are delivered by said receiving conveyor form in said gap a single layer successive articles of which are admitted into successive flutes in and substantially radially of said path, and means for driving said receiving conveyor at a speed at least matching the speed of said withdrawing conveyor and for driving at least one of the conveyors in said feeding unit at a speed exceeding the speed of said withdrawing conveyor;
• and means defining a pileup zone for articles which have left said outlet means and are about to enter said gap, said pileup zone being located downstream of said outlet means as considered in the direction of travel of articles from said source toward said withdrawing conveyor and said receiving conveyor having first and second portions respectively located below said outlet means and said pileup zone.