DEVICE FOR FEEDING ROD-LIKE SMOKERS' ARTICLES IN AN AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY

摘要

This invention relates to a device for feeding rod-like smokers' articles in an automatic machine for the tobacco industry; the device comprises at least one hopper (3) for containing a plurality of rod-like articles (2) and at least one pickup and transfer roller (4, 6, 7), located downstream of the hopper (3), which picks up and transfers the rod-like articles (2) and which has a plurality of suction flutes (5) on its cylindrical surface; the device comprises means (11) for distributing and subdividing the rod-like articles (2) which are fed by and contained in the hopper (3); the distributing and subdividing means (11) being capable of positioning the rod-like articles (2) relative to each other so as to prevent them from being flattened.