Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections in a filter cigarette making machine has a magazine for filter rod sections of six times unit length and a drum-shaped first conveyor which is formed with axially parallel flutes receiving filter rod sections from the magazine and serving to transport the removed sections past two rotary cutters which subdivide each section into three coaxial filter plugs of two times unit length. The filter plugs are introduced into discrete flutes of three coaxial disks which form a staggering conveyor and wherein the flutes of each disk are staggered circumferentially with respect to the flutes of the other disks. The groups of filter plugs are removed from successive flutes of the first conveyor by the inclined edge faces of arcuate shrouds which extend along the path of movement of filter plugs in the flutes of the disks and are located downstream of the transfer station between the two conveyors.

Abstract: In an elevator including weight-compensating ropes having their respective one end connected to the lower end of a car and the other end thereof connected to the lower end of a counterweight, an oscillation-absorbing device is provided closely adjacent to at least one of a first connecting portion of the main ropes to a car or the counterweight and a second connecting portion of the weight-compensating ropes to the car or counterweight, thereby absorbing oscillation energy from ropes.