Method and apparatus for forming cylindrical articles into a single line

Apparatus for forming mass conveyed similar cylindrical articles into a single file row, the apparatus comprising:

• delivery means for conveying a plurality of cylindrical articles across the width thereof;
• a pair of substantially horizontal plates spaced apart a distance greater than the height of the articles but less than the diagonal dimension thereof;
• first barrier means positioned between said plates with said first barrier means having an arcuate central portion that extends between opposite first and second end portions, said first end portion of said first barrier means being adjacent to said delivery means and said arcuate central portion being positioned in the path of cylindrical articles received from said delivery means so that said cylindrical articles received at said arcuate central portion of said first barrier means are thereafter directed by said arcuate central portion in an arcuate path between said plates toward said second end portion of said first barrier means;
• a plurality of angled holes defined through each of said plates with each hole being individually oriented relative to vertical at an angle less than normal to the plate and with a predetermined component in the horizontal direction of the plate, with the horizontal components of said holes adjacent said first barrier means being substantially parallel thereto in a common direction and with the horizontal components of others of said angled holes being oriented in directions toward different parts of said arcuate central portion of said first barrier means;
• single file barrier means located parallel to and spaced from said second end portion of said first barrier means a distance which will admit one cylindrical article therebetween, said single file barrier means extending along a segment of said second end portion of said first barrier means in the common direction of the horizontal components of said adjacent holes;
• and
• air flow means communicating with the angled holes defined through each plate and adapted to conduct a pneumatic flow to and through the holes toward the volume between the plates whereby cylindircal articles conveyed from said delivery means between the plates will be urged toward said arcuate central portion of said first barrier means by pneumatic flow through said others of said angled holes and along said first barrier means by pneumatic flow through said angled holes adjacent to said first barrier means so that cylindrical articles are thereby passed in a single file between said second end portion of said first barrier means and said single file barrier means and thereafter discharged in single file therebetween.