APPARATUS FOR FORMING BATCHES OF TOBACCO AND THE LIKE

Apparatus for forming a composite filler which is to be draped into a web of cigarette paper has a rotary wheel-shaped conveyor with a series of pockets which are provided in its peripheral surface and are connected to a suction generating device which draws into the pockets shreds of tobacco or other smokable fibrous material issuing from the outlet of a pneumatic conduit which receives metered quantities of fibrous material from a belt conveyor. The inclination of the stream issuing from the outlet with reference to the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyor is such that fibrous material which advances from the outlet toward and into successive pockets has a component of movement in the direction of rotation of the rotary conveyor, i.e., the particles of fibrous material do not travel radially of the rotary conveyor. The pockets are connected to the suction generating device before they reach the locus of impingement of fibrous material so that they can deflect the leader of the stream of admitted fibrous material counter to the direction of rotation of the rotary conveyor. The admission of fibrous material into the pockets can be promoted by appropriate inclination of surfaces at the front and rear ends of the pockets as well as by regulating the pressure in the pockets.