An apparatus for forming a plurality of output rows from a single input row of articles has a conveyor advancing articles in a row parallel to the conveying direction; a deflecting device including an endless deflecting belt trained about two end rollers and having, when in a working position, an operative length portion forming an acute angle with the conveying direction. The deflecting member includes a first length portion provided with a bounding edge extending generally parallel to the conveyor surface and being at a clearance therefrom which is less than an expected minimum height of the articles positioned on the conveyor. The deflecting member further has a second length portion provided with a bounding edge extending generally parallel to the conveyor surface and being at a clearance therefrom which is greater than an expected maximum height of the articles positioned on the conveyor. A control device for the deflecting belt drive selectively moves the deflecting belt to place the first length portion or the second length portion into the working position. Thus, the first length portion, when assuming the working position, deflects the articles on the conveyor to form a first output row of articles thereon offset relative to the input row and the second length portion, when assuming the working position, allows the articles of the input row to pass undeflected under the deflecting member to form a second output row of articles on the conveyor.
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