Method of continuously processing and packing elongated articles such as coherent pairs of chopsticks and an apparatus for carrying out the method

An apparatus for continuously processing and packing elongated articles such as coherent paris of chopsticks the outer shape of which being defined by two mutually parallel surfaces and two opposing surfaces inclining toward each other by the same inclination relative to a common plane of symmetry, the apparatus comprising:

• a longitudinal, substantially horizontal track guiding the articles during their continuous passage through the apparatus, the plane of symmetry of said articles being situated along the vertical central plane of the track;
• conveyor means advancing the articles through the track;
• implements processing the articles during their passage along the track;
• uniform centering rolls operating from respective sides of the track and towards the center thereof, said centering rolls being biased towards the tracks by a uniform spring tension effected by spring means for engaging the articles into alignment during the processing procedure by means of the implements;
• stopping means stopping the advancement of the articles and transferring the same to transverse conveyor means;
• transferring means transferring the articles from the transverse conveyor means to a bundling device;
• further conveyor means carrying bundles or articles to a wrapping device wrapping said bundles in sheet material.