Abstract: An apparatus of the type in which relatively small and fragile articles such as shelled peanuts move along a given path is disclosed herein along with an assembly for decelerating movement of the articles along a particular section of the path. The section selected is one into which the articles initially enter while in flight but at a downward angle towards an article support surface. A first arrangement of elongated, flexible flaps is provided for intercepting at least some of the articles as the latter first enter this path section in order to slow them down before they reach the support surface. A second flap arrangement is located behind the first arrangement and serves to intercept all of the articles including those which have and have not been intercepted by the first arrangement, again to slow the articles down before they reach the support surface. A third flap arrangement is provided behind the second arrangement for slowing the articles once the latter have reached the article support surface.