Abstract: A plurality of elongate, cylindrical articles are continuously, sequentially advanced toward and selectively introduced into the upper and lower compartments of one or the other of a pair of article-receptive chambers. A first finite number of articles are received and accumulated in the upper compartment of one chamber and then discharged and deposited, en masse, in the lower compartment of this chamber, during which a second finite number of articles are received by the lower chamber and are accumulated with the first finite number of articles deposited therein. All of the articles accumulated in the lower compartment of this chamber are then discharged, en masse, into a suitable receptacle. While the articles are being discharged from this chamber, advancing articles are automatically directed toward and likewise introduced into the upper and thereafter the lower compartments of the other chamber.