Abstract: There is provided a variable capacity reservoir (10) for rod-like articles comprising a product input station (24) and a product output station (26) having a continuous endless conveyor (12) extending therebetween with an adjustable product conveying length (14) extending between the product input and output stations and complimentary adjustable conveyor take up length (16) between the output and input stations, wherein the product conveying length (14) extends in a spiral arrangement between a first drum member (18) and a second drum member (20) and a conveyor take up length (16) extends between said second drum member (20) and a third drum member (22), wherein the second drum member (20) is adjustable between the two fixed outer drums (18, 22) to adjust the lengths of the product conveying length (14) and conveyor take up length (16) in a complimentary manner.

Abstract: There is provided a variable capacity reservoir (10) for rod-like articles comprising a product input station (24) and a product output station (26) having a continuous endless conveyor (12) extending therebetween with an adjustable product conveying length (14) extending between the product input and output stations and complimentary adjustable conveyor take up length (16) between the output and input stations, wherein the product conveying length (14) extends in a spiral arrangement between a: first drum member (18) and a second drum member (20) and a conveyor take up length (16) extends between said second drum member (20) and a third drum member (22), wherein the second drum member (20) is adjustable between the two fixed outer drums (18, 22) to adjust the lengths of the product conveying length (14) and conveyor take up length (16) in a complimentary manner.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor system for rod-like articles comprising a conveyor means (12), preferably forming a spiral (14) path round and between two cylindrical drums (18, 20) whereby the conveyor has a first and second elongate conveyor length extending towards and away from at least one of the drums (18) and having a transmission length extending therebetween and about an axis of said drum for changing the direction of the conveyor about this axis, whereby the first elongate length is at least partially displaced axially with respect to the second elongate length but wherein the transmission length is maintained in a first plane about the drum member, this plane being perpendicular to the drum axis. There is also provided a reservoir system comprising a conveyor arrangement of this type.