Process for distribution of pieces such as rivets, and apparatus for carrying out the process

A process for dispensing identical pieces having a symmetry of revolution about an axis, comprising:

• providing a tube (2) having a hollow center (2a) and a shape corresponding to the transverse section of the greatest diameter of the pieces for assuring a peripheral guiding of said pieces at the level of this section, arranging the pieces one after another in the interior of the tube (2) with their axes of revolution extending along the longitudinal axis of said tube and feeding one end of said tube with a compressed fluid for assuring the transfer of the pieces toward an open dispensing end (2d) of said tube, admitting the compressed fluid into the one end of the tube behind the piece closest to said one end of the tube and distributing the fluid along the length of the tube through at least one longitudinal passageway (2b) on the internal surface of said tube and opening into the hollow center (2a) thereof for exerting the pressure of the fluid along the hollow center in the spaces (E) between the pieces, to the piece (1P) closest to the dispensing end on which said pressure acts for assuring the transfer toward the dispensing end (2d).