Device for transferring cigarette portions from a dual-rod production machine to a filter assembly machine

In a filter-cigarette manufacturing unit comprising a dual-rod production machine having an output beam, and a filter assembly machine having an input roller provided with spaced longitudinal seats, a transfer device for transferring cigarette portions, advancing in a traveling direction along said beam, from the dual-rod production machine to the filter assembly machine, the transfer device comprising a transfer unit arranged between said output beam and said input roller for rotation about a first axis crosswise in relation to said traveling direction;

• the transfer unit comprising a number of transfer heads equally spaced about said first axis, and each having first and second seats for transferring two respective portions of said two rods;
• each said head being mounted for rotation about a respective second axis substantially parallel to said first axis, for moving said first and second seats respectively along a first and second annular path parallel to each other and extending about said first axis;
• and a conveyor having a number of third seats and a number of fourth seats for said portions, and first and second means for respectively supporting said third and fourth seats arranged respectively along a third and fourth annular path respectively tangent to said first and second annular path at a loading station wherein said portions are loaded onto said conveyor, and tangent to each other at an unloading station wherein said portions are unloaded onto said input roller.