Abstract: The apparatus has a receptacle adapted to accommodate the articles, a pair of generally C-shaped bell cranks pivotally mounted on the framework and arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis of the apparatus, each bell crank being pivotally connected with its respective actuator for being pivoted thereby, a device for shaping the bundle to a round shape, including as many flexible elements as there are the bell cranks, and guides. Each flexible element has its opposite ends attached to the different arms of the same bell crank and runs about its respective guide situated to that side of the axis of the apparatus, which is opposite to the position of the working arm of the same bell crank in the open position of the apparatus, so that at the closed position thereof the topmost point of the flexible elements at the area of their intersection, directly underlying the bundle, should be situated in direct proximity to the bottom of the receptacle.