Abstract: A conveyor system for cigarettes and other rod-like articles includes a reservoir consisting of a conveyor which is preferably laterally flexible and moves along a helical path so that a long thin stack of articles can be taken into the reservoir and can be delivered from the reservoir when necessary. The conveyor may consist of a plastic surface member which has a flexible zig-zag shape and is driven by a chain. The conveyor system may be overhead and may receive the articles from an elevator consisting of two parallel bands moving upwards along a sinuous path so as to grip the articles between them.

Abstract: A rolling loop camera has a rotor which is arranged to clamp successive frames of the film against the surface of a fiber optic device. The rotor comprises a number of clamping devices with gaps between them, which devices roll over the film on the said surface. The gaps between the clamping devices receive the film which has been formed into a loop by supply means and the movement of the rotor causes the loop to roll across the said surface, thus placing the next frame on the surface for exposure. The film between the supply means and the loop is essentially supported by only the resilience of the film, and thus sliding of the film along a stationary surface while the loop is being formed is avoided. Each clamping device comprises a group of rollers and may include a belt supported by the rollers. As the rotor is operated, the clamping devices move around an endless path which in one embodiment is circular and in another embodiment is oval.