Apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections or the like between

Abstract

A receiving station at the outlets of several pneumatic conveyor pipes which discharge discrete files of axially moving filter plugs accommodates a separating unit immediately downstream of the outlets and an orientation changing unit immediately downstream of the separating unit. The separating unit defines discrete lanes, one for each file of filter plugs. In each of the lanes, the filter plugs of the respective file are converted into a series of axially spaced filter plugs which continue to move lengthwise, and the filter plugs of each series are delivered into discrete upright ducts of the orientation changing unit wherein each series is transformed into a row whose filter plugs move sideways. The transport of filter plugs in each lane of the separating unit can be interrupted or resumed independently of any other lane in response to signals from photocells which monitor the transport of filter plugs in the conveyor pipes and/or in the ducts and transmit signals in response to detection of irregular or improper delivery of filter plugs to one or more sections or devices of the separating and/or orientation changing unit. This ensures that the orientation changing unit can deliver a continuous row of plugs to a processing machine or an intermediate conveyor even in the event of malfunction of one or more pipes, one or more sections of the separating unit and/or one or more devices of the orientation changing unit.