The present invention relates to apparatus for replenishing the supplies of filter rod sections in the magazines of filter processing machines, especially in the magazines of filter tipping machines. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections wherein machines which process filter rod sections receive such sections by way of pneumatic senders serving to admit rod-shaped articles into pneumatic conveyors which, in turn, deliver the articles to the magazines of the processing machines.
It is already known to transport filter rod sections from a maker to a processing machine by resorting to a pneumatic sender which cooperates with a pneumatic conveyor, and to a receiver at the discharge end of the pneumatic conveyor. The sender has a propelling unit which delivers filter rodsections into the inlet of the pneumatic conveyor wherein the sections move axially, and the receiving unit is provided with means for changing the direction of movement of successively delivered filter rod sections from axial movement to sidewise movement preparatory to and during introduction into the magazine of the processing machine. The just discussed systems for delivery of filter rod sections from a maker to a processing machine are used in preference to older systems which employ so-called chargers or trays. The systems which employ chargers exhibit a number of drawbacks, especially as regards their bulk, the cost of the chargers and other equipment, as well as the number of chargers which are needed to accumulate and maintain a requisite supply of articles between the maker and the