DISPOSITIVO PER TRASFERIRE ARTICOLI A BASTONCINO, MOSSI LONGITUDINALMENTE-ASSIALMENTE IN UNA DIREZIONE DI TRASPORTO TRASVERSALE-ASSIALE

Apparatus for converting a file of coaxial filter rod sections into one or more rows of such sections has two identical disc cams adjacent to the path of successive foremost sections of the file and being driven in synchronism so that their lobes simultaneously shift the adjacent foremost section sideways along a smooth supporting surface and thereby accelerate such section to the speed of sections in the row or rows while the section continues to move axially toward the oncoming flute of a drum-shaped conveyor which forms and advances the rows of sections into a filter tipping machine. The lobes and the adjacent portions of the peripheral surfaces of the disc cams are formed with suction ports which attract the foremost sections of the file during lateral shifting to thus ensure highly predictable and gentle changes in the direction of travel of successive foremost sections on their way into the respective flutes of the drum-shaped conveyor. The supporting surface is tangential to the circumference of the conveyor.