Apparatus and method for the transport of articles forming a mass flow as well as apparatus for filling a subsequent apparatus with rod-shaped articles

Abstract

Apparatus for transporting articles forming a mass flow from an input device to an output device, including an endless conveying element with a transport run and a return run, the conveying element being guided about at least three rollers designed as a driving and/or deflecting element, wherein the transport run can be moved out of a throughflow position in which the transport run exhibits its maximum length, into a discharge position in which the transport run is shortened from the maximum length, and vice versa, further wherein at least one of the deflecting and/or driving rollers is movable relative to the other deflecting and/or driving rollers for altering the length of the transport run.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.