Abstract: An interchange apparatus for a pneumatic conveying system including a plurality of branch tubes joined together at an acute angle in an interchange chamber to form a main tube and a flap positioned between at least two branch tubes of the plurality of branch tubes at the end of the interchange chamber, the flap faces the branch tubes and is swivelable between a first position and a second position. The flap is held in each position by a holding device such that when the flap is positioned in the first position there is a connection between a first branch tube and the main tube, and when the flap is positioned in a second position there is a connection between a second branch tube and the main tube. In one embodiment the flap is switched from a first position to a second position by the passage of the cylindrical objects through the interchanges.

Abstract: A process for selecting a single stacked flat object from a stack of flat objects. The lowermost flat object is downwardly detached from the rest of the stack of flat objects by negative pressure on at least one of its edge areas) running parallel to the take-off direction. In at least one suction area, the flat object is held by negative pressure onto a conveyor that can move back and forth. The flat object is advanced underneath a scraper and then further conveyed. The device for carrying out this process has a hopper for the stack of flat objects, a scraper, at least one suction device to partially detach the lowermost flat object, a conveyor, and a take-off device.

Abstract: Apparatus for reclaiming tobacco from rejected cigarettes is provided. A receiving drum having holes to receive the rejected cigarettes is provided coaxial with a fluted drum, so that both drums rotate in the same direction. Via a control ring turning in synchronization with the receiving drum, jets of compressed air eject the tobacco from the rejected cigarettes, before the empty cigarette wrapper (tube) is also expelled from the receiving hole. A timing disk controls the work cycle. Suction pressure applied to the receiving holes of the receiving drum sucks the rejected cigarette into a predetermined stop position in the receiving hole prior to the application of compressed air. With the aid of restraining needles, the cigarettes are held firmly while the jet of compressed air is applied to expel the tobacco. On release by the restraining needles, the cigarette wrapper (tube) is ejected from the receiving hole to a discharge chute by a jet of compressed air applied via the control ring.