Abstract: Composite filter plugs or mouthpieces for use in filter cigarette making machines are manufactured by moving rod-like filter components or elements of two or more types sideways or partly sideways and shuffling the filter elements to form a series of groups of assorted coaxial filter elements, pneumatically conveying successive groups of filter elements axially or substantially axially by directing a stream of compressed air against the last filter element of each group, converting the pneumatically conveyed groups of filter elements into a continuous line or file of filter elements, draping a continuous web of cigarette paper or the like around the line of filter elements to form a continuous filter rod, and subdividing the rod into discrete filter plugs each of which contains at least a portion of at least one filter element of each of the several types of filter elements.