Abstract: A system for the cyclic operation of self-running objects in a circular network of guide means including at least two working stages, each having a plurality of working zones. The individual working zone of one stage differs in working capacities from the respective working zone of the succeeding stage, which comprises feeding of the self-running objects one after another along the guide means to the respective working zones according to requests for the objects from the respective working zones and pooling of the objects after completion of working operations at the respective working zones for further feeding of the objects to a succeeding working stage. With this system, a plurality of working stages can be systematically connected to carry out the working operations effectively and successively, eliminating waste and redundancy in time and working equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for piling rod-shaped articles in a container, in which a hopper member having at least one levelling means such as a swing pin is employed in combination with a push means. The rod-shaped articles temporarily collected in the hopper member are pushed out into the container by the push means at least every one layer thereof thereby to make an orderly pile of the rod-shaped articles in the container.