Abstract: To provide a method of controlling a robot and a suction gripping device capable of preventing occurrence of wrinkling in a workpiece having a thin packaging material with a content contained therein. A method of controlling an industrial robot according to an embodiment, configured to suction and grip a workpiece having a thin packaging material with a content contained therein, includes: pressing a suction pad against the content with the packaging material interposed therebetween and, upon starting the suction, suction-gripping the workpiece by the suction pad. Starting suction may be performed in a state in which the suction pad is pressed to the content with the packing material therebetween or before the suction pad is pressed to the content.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling one or more can carriers to a plurality of cans is disclosed herein. The apparatus may include rails for guiding the cans as the cans move through the apparatus. Push members may be moved into the space between the rails to push the cans through the apparatus towards a member and at least one roller. The member (e.g., a hopper) may position a can carrier above the cans. The at least one roller may be positioned to provide a downward force on the can carrier to attach the can carrier to the top of the cans as the cans are moved past the at least one roller by the push members.

Abstract: A tofu packing apparatus for packing plural tofu blocks in individual packs for sales includes a conveyor for conveying the plural tofu blocks cut to a predetermined size and arrayed at predetermined intervals, and a paired grasp plates be driven in the direction to approach each other. The tofu blocks cut to a predetermined size are grasped with the paired grasp plates, moved to predetermined positions above packaging packs conveyed to predetermined positions with the packaging pack conveyance apparatus, and dropped and packed in the packaging packs through release of grasp by the paired grasp plates. The tofu blocks may be dropped and housed in the packaging packs while at least maintaining the tofu blocks in a holding state by the paired grasp plates.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming (e.g. die necking) open ends of open-ended metal container bodies. An exemplary embodiment provides a number of movable holders for container bodies that move the container bodies along a path extending through the apparatus. A motor advances the holders and container bodies along the path in steps with pauses between each step. Each step advances one or more container bodies (and preferably two or more). One or more groups of work stations positioned adjacent to the path provides tool sets for carrying out a forming operation on one (and preferably two or more) container bodies simultaneously. Individual container bodies, or more preferably groups of two or more, are subjected to one or more forming operations during passage along the path (preferably the periphery of one or more star wheels).

Abstract: An apparatus for separating articles susceptible to cohesive grouping includes a first collection area having an end. A first conveying device collects and conveys an array of articles in a plurality of rows toward a second collection area receiving at least one row of articles from the end of the first collection area. A barrier positioned in close proximity to the end of the first collection area controls movement of the article rows between the end of the first collection area and the second collection area. A separator is positionable between the end of the first collection area and at least a portion of the second collection area. Upon the second collection area receiving the at least one row of articles from the end of the first collection area, the separator maintains a spacing between the row of articles controllably positioned along the end of the first collection area by the barrier.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic component mounting apparatus which is applicable to a case in which component feeding devices need not be provided on both sides of a carrying device respectively for reasons of types of electronic components or a setting space and increases an operating rate of a beam to enhance production efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus has a carrying device carrying a printed board, a component feeding device supplying electronic components, a pair of beams movable in one direction by drive sources, and mounting heads each having suction nozzles and movable along the beams by drive sources.

Abstract: A system for separating a cluster of interconnected food products is disclosed. The system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a suction subsystem, and a sensor. The first conveyor includes a discharge end and a first permeable conveyor belt. The second conveyor, in series with the first conveyor, includes an intake end and a second permeable conveyor belt. The first and second conveyors are configured to independently accelerate and decelerate. The suction subsystem, which includes an intake portion proximate to the discharge end and the intake end, is configured, arranged and disposed to generate suction through the first permeable conveyor belt at a first region proximate to the discharge end and through the second permeable conveyor belt at a second region proximate to the intake end. The sensor is configured, arranged and disposed to sense a leading edge of the cluster as the cluster is conveyed by the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a star wheel used for transporting articles in an arcuate path. The star wheel is provided with a vacuum apparatus to retain the articles within pockets of the star wheel as the wheel is rotated between a point where the articles are loaded onto the wheel and a point where they are removed. The hub of the star wheel functions as a plenum for low pressure, high flow vacuum, and short openings are provided between the plenum and the pockets. One of the walls of the hub is stationary and, at its periphery, it is positioned closed to but slightly spaced from the rim of the star wheel. A blocking surface is provided within the plenum spaced with a small gap from the inner end of some, but not all, of the short openings, so that vacuum is blocked from some positions of the pockets as they rotate. The apparatus avoids wear and friction, is able to transport irregular shaped articles, and is less costly to manufacture and use.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically mounting substrates with medical and/or pharmaceutical and/or food-supplementing products, including at least one magazine to store blister strips rolled up on rolls or the like, each magazine having at least one holding position for the rolls, a delivery device to unroll the blister strips and deliver the unrolled blister strips to a supply position for the products provided by each roll in the magazine to be mounted, a separating device for separating product-filled blister sections from the blister strip, and a mounting head to receive, rotate and dispense the separated blister sections with the products sealed therein, the mounting head controlled by a control system to transport the separated blister sections from the supply position to a mounting position over the substrate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic component mounting apparatus which is applicable to a case in which component feeding devices need not be provided on both sides of a carrying device respectively for reasons of types of electronic components or a setting space and increases an operating rate of a beam to enhance production efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus has a carrying device carrying a printed board, a component feeding device supplying electronic components, a pair of beams movable in one direction by drive sources, and mounting heads each having suction nozzles and movable along the beams by drive sources.

Abstract: It relates to an equipment to transport and move material which transfer products in bulk into one by one; it receivers a certain amount of pieces (1) and delivers one by one to the next industrial process. This equipment transfers products from a belt conveyor (2) to a weighing system (8) of products on a constant flow; it comprises a rotating cylinder (5) with holes (9) on the cylindrical surface which suck the pieces (1) one by one discharging them in a sequence over a weighing and grading system (8).

Abstract: Filter elements made up of least two axially aligned plugs are advanced in succession by a feed unit along a first path and in a first direction, with the plugs oriented along a second direction transverse to the first direction, toward a garniture section extending along a second horizontal path and in a third direction, on which they are formed into at least one continuous rod which is then divided up by a rotary cutter into single composite filters. A transfer unit linking the feed unit and the garniture section comprises a conveyor, rotatable about a first axis parallel to the second direction, equipped with carriers each presenting at least one slot designed to admit one filter element; the single carriers are pivotable independently relative to the conveyor about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and about a third axis transverse to the first axis, alternating between positions in which the slot extends parallel with the second direction and with the third direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for separating imbricated flat products, in particular, folding boxes, with a delivery belt on which the products are supported in the form of an imbricated flow and are transported at a transport speed, with a transfer conveyor belt, disposed downstream of the delivery belt, which has a higher transport speed than the delivery belt. The transfer conveyor belt is designed as vacuum belt, or comprises a vacuum belt, and a retaining device is provided for the trailing flat products.

Abstract: A device for forming groups of products in conveying systems, in particular for automatic packaging machinery, includes a path of conveyance in which, in operation, an array of products advances along a direction of conveyance with the products in contact with each other. A separator element is able to be inserted in a predetermined area of the conveyance path to separate a group of products downstream of the separator element with a predetermined dimension in the direction of advance. At least one nozzle is arranged to emit at least one jet of gas, such as air, on the array of products to distance the products at least partially from each other in the predetermined area before inserting the separator element.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring rod-like articles from a longitudinal conveyor that longitudinal-axially conveys the articles onto a transverse conveyor that transverse-axially conveys the articles. Moreover, the apparatus includes a conveyor that receives the articles from the longitudinal conveyor and delivers the articles to the transverse conveyor, the conveyor comprising at least a first conveying element and a separate second conveying element which are configured to be in functional connection with one another. Additionally, the first conveying element being structured and arranged to rotate the articles by a predetermined angle. Furthermore, the second conveying element being structured and arranged to reduce the transport speed of the articles. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus for a filter cigarette making machine comprises a rotatable catcher drum (2). The drum (2) has receiving grooves (6) in its outer circumferential surface, for each receiving a cigarette rod (CR). A rod (CR) received in the groove (6) moves forward into a braking area therein. In the braking area, the rod (CR) receives braking force due to suction and is stopped. A pair of limit sensors (40, 42) are arranged outside the drum (2). The sensors (40,42) optically detect a rear end of the rod (CR), and on the basis of the result of this detection, whether a stop position at which the rod is stopped is within a tolerance area or not is determined. On the basis of the result of this determination, a controller (38) regulates the braking force exerted on rods (CR) to thereby control the stop position of the rods (CR). Then, a pusher (26) pushes the rod (CR) from its stop position back to a normal position, in each of the grooves (6).

Abstract: The device includes at least one continuous flexible suction conveyor which is equipped with openings and which conveys articles along a transfer path from an article feeder to an article received. A discharge point for the trimmings is provided along the transfer path. A suction system is also provided which is associated with the conveyor and which generates a suction through the openings along the transfer path. At least one obturator element, which is movable along the transfer path and which temporarily closes the openings of the conveyor opposite the trimming or trimmings, is provided.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers. A diverter may be used to direct incoming product bags between parallel conveyors.

Abstract: Cooling tunnel for flexible packages filled with hot liquid products. The cooling tunnel is applicable to automatic packaging installations and comprises a main conveyor belt (1) adapted for the transport of packages (2) filled with hot liquid products through a cooling device (3), loading means (4) of packages (2) onto the main conveyor belt (1), unloading means (5) of packages (2) from the conveyor belt (1) and emptying means (6) of the packages (2). The loading means (4) are adapted for loading the packages (2) onto the main conveyor belt (1) forming successive sets (15), in which the packages (2) form an arrangement of orthogonal rows and columns, whereas the unloading means (5) are adapted for the simultaneous unloading of the packages (2) from each row of the sets (15) of packages (2).

Abstract: A pneumatic weighing device has a weigh pan, which is supported for vertical movement by a load cell in response to the weight of an article; the weigh pan is provided with a plenum chamber having an apertured upper surface through which air under pressure is directed for purpose of providing an air cushion for supporting and transporting articles to be weighed. The weighing device additionally includes pneumatic means for rejecting articles of improper weight.

Abstract: A pouch knife and transfer apparatus has two discharge points where severed pouches are discharged onto separate conveyors with one of the conveyors being a direct drop conveyor. Such direct drop conveyor operates initially in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the knife or to the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel feeding the conveyor. The other conveyor may be a direct drop conveyor or any other form of a conveyor. Methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The device comprises: at least one continuous flexible suction conveyor (13) which is equipped with openings (13A) and which conveys the articles (R) along a transfer path from an article feeder (41) to an article receiver (45; 47), a discharge point for the trimmings being provided along the transfer path; and a suction system (3) which is associated with the conveyor (13) and which generates a suction through the openings along said transfer path. At least one obturator element (33A; 33B; 33X, 33Y), which is movable along said transfer path and which temporarily closes the openings of the conveyor opposite the trimming or trimmings, is provided.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: In a pickup head (1) for an automatic component assembly machine a house (5) is provided, which and a transmission (27, 29) is movable in a vertical direction (z-direction) by means of a drive motor (25) and is arranged on a horizontally (x-direction) movable wagon (3). The house (5) carries several pickup devices (11), which are movably mounted in the house and during the movement of the house (5) can be made to selectively accompany this in order to pick components. Therefor, the pickup devices (11) are resiliently biassed to a pulled down position by compression springs (21) and they can further be locked in an upper position by activating solenoids (31). These have locking pins (37), which during activation engage abutments (23) of each pickup device (11). The pickup head (1) can hereby, by driven by a single motor (25) simultaneously pick several components, what gives a quick picking function and hereby a quicker mounting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device for goods delivered on a first conveyor device, particularly cans, which are transferred in groups, as a row in the direction of conveyance of said first conveyor device, from said first conveyor device to a second conveyor device, the depositing of the goods onto the second conveyor device taking place in the manner that said row extends transverse to its direction of conveyance, having a receiving device which holds the corresponding group of goods upon the transfer and is guided by at least one drive along a path of movement, the receiving device being a suction beam which is connected by a switch device to a source of vacuum, the switch member of which switch device is brought into a vacuum connect position or vacuum disconnect position as a function of the position of the suction beam.

Abstract: An in line feed method and apparatus for forming slugs of incoming items, which are standing on edge and aligned front-to-back is disclosed. The process uses a conveyor belt and a vacuum chamber aligned end to end for separating the flow of items and creating slugs. The items introduced to the system are on a conveyor belt. The belt is periodically stopped and the items blocked from being sucked into the vacuum chamber. While the product is blocked from entering the vacuum chamber a moving finger which travels through the chamber is introduced at the mouth of the vacuum chamber and the items are released from the conveyor belt such that they are sucked into the vacuum chamber but are limited by and stack up against the finger. In this manner slugs are formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a spout to a planar portion of an article, such as a milk or juice carton, which may be integrated into conventional carton forming and filling machines, includes a heater for heating a stem of a spout, a bonding application site for applying a bonding agent to a flange on the spout, a positioning device for positioning the spout in a predetermined relation to a spout applicator, a positioning device to position a carton with a hole provided in a predetermined relation to the spout applicator and for attaching the spout to the carton at the position where the heated stem is deformed to mechanically engage the carton of the hole.

Abstract: A device for aligning rod members includes a separation drum, feeding grooves, which are disposed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface thereof, for receiving a pair of charcoal half rods, and a sealing sheet for covering part of the outer peripheral surface of the drum. The feeding groove is formed into a tunnel-shaped passage when the feeding groove passes through the sealing sheet as the drum rotates. Suction holes are provided at opposite ends of the feeding groove. The suction holes suck the air in the tunnel-shaped passage to move the paired charcoal half rods to the right and the left. Stopper rings are fixed to opposite end portions of the drum to stop the movement of the charcoal half rods. Thus, the charcoal half rods separated to right and left are aligned.

Abstract: A transfer device for products, in particular aluminum cans, conveyed by a first transport system, which are transferred from the first transport system in groups in the form of a row aligned in the first transporting direction to a second transport system, wherein the placement of the products on the second transport system takes place in such a way that the row extends transversely in respect to its transporting direction. The transfer device includes a pickup mechanism holding the respective group of products during the transfer movement, the pickup mechanism being guided along a movement track by at least one drive linkage, wherein the drive linkage has a first arm which is pivotably connected at one end to a first shaft on the pickup mechanism and by its other end is pivotably connected to a second shaft on a rotating drive crank, and with a second arm, which is pivotably connected to a third shaft on the first arm and is pivotably connected to a fourth shaft, which is a fixed shaft.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for clearing excess trailing beverage containers from the lanes defined between guide rails in a beverage container packaging machine. The method includes providing the guide rails with compressed air nozzles that are positioned and oriented to direct compressed air along the lanes defined between the guide rails in the desired direction of movement of beverage containers along the lanes. An apparatus that includes an improved guide rail configured to achieve the method of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the removal of "trims" and other waste from small rolls of toilet paper, all-purpose wipers and other articles, with arrangement for thrust-operated advancement of rows of said small rolls (R). It includes at least a continuous belt element 12, with a suction box 30 able to hold the small rolls (R) in suspension and to move the latter forward, while excluding the "trims" (RF) or other scraps from this action. The continuous belt element 12 has uniformly distributed apertures (22) and, in its lower active travel portion, moves at a speed at least equal to the average feeding speed of the small rolls. It slides beneath the suction box 30 which exerts a pneumatic aspirating and retaining action on the row of advancing small rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring multiple individual slices of a food product material from a food material supply source which includes a plurality of food product supply sources to a support substrate without substantially altering the predesignated pattern includes a rotating hollow drum disposed on and rotating around a stationary inner core member. The rotating member is disposed between a slicing blade in substrate, negative air pressure is applied to the rotating transfer member to cause individual material slices to adhere to the outer surface of the transfer member in the same pattern in which they are slices from the food supply and to leave the outer surface of the transfer member in the same pattern thereby permitting, in effect, the "printing" of alternating layers of food slices on the substrate. The apparatus has particular utility in the production of premade food set ups having a plurality of alternating layers.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes, comprising a housing rotatably mounted to a fixed main shaft with a plurality of cooperating crank arms and article holders rotatably mounted to the housing by crank arm shafts and holder shafts. The crank arms and article holders are rotated in response to rotation of the housing by means of a plurality of endless toothed belts cooperating between toothed pulleys on the main shaft and the crank arm shafts and a plurality of endless toothed belts cooperating between toothed pulleys on the main shaft and on the holder shafts.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring cigarettes from a file of coaxial cigarettes issuing from a rod making machine into a filter tipping machine has a rotary transfer conveyor with equidistant receivers which are maintained in parallelism with the cigarettes of the file while orbiting about an axis parallel to the axes of the cigarettes in the file. The receivers accept single cigarettes or pairs of cigarettes from the file and deliver them to a transfer station between the transfer conveyor and a rotary removing conveyor having closely adjacent receivers parallel to and serving to receive cigarettes from the receivers of the transfer conveyor. The speed of receivers forming part of the transfer conveyor equals or slightly exceeds the speed of cigarettes in the file but can considerably exceed the speed of receivers forming part of the removing conveyor. The cigarettes which are transferred into the receivers of the removing conveyor are advanced sideways, i.e.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for supplying in at least one substantially continuous row onto a first conveyor belt products, particularly beaker-shaped articles open at the top such as metal cans, whereof at least the outer surface of the body is provided with a still wet lacquer layer, and transferring these products onto a second conveyor belt extending transversely of the first conveyor belt, which apparatus includes a pick-up device for picking up products in successive groups from the first conveyor belt, displacing the products parallel to themselves and depositing these groups of products in rows extending transversely of the direction of the second conveyor belt, which pick-up device is equipped for gripping the products from the top, wherein the speed of the pick-up device relative to the first and second conveyor belts is substantially zero during respectively picking up and depositing of the products.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring individual slices of food material from a food material supply source to a support member includes at least two rotating hollow drums disposed on and rotating around two associated stationary inner drums. The first rotating drum is disposed proximate to the food material supply, while the second rotating drum is disposed proximate to the support member and the first rotating drum. The stationary drums have hollow inner cores to which negative air pressure in the form of a vacuum is supplied which causes individual material slices to adhere to the outer shell of the first drum and transfer to the outer shell of the second drum.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a vacuum bar for picking up a full row of newly formed glass containers from a moving conveyor on which the containers are sitting and transferring the containers onto a moving lehr mat. The container engaging system is formed of a pair of heat resistant, air impervious curtains that are supported in opposing relationship and are mounted to be movable toward and away from each other by the introduction of a vacuum to the area therebetween, from above, while they are positioned on each side of the row of containers, to cause the curtains to engage and grip the entire row of containers. The bar is moved with the containers to a position above the lehr mat and released thereto when the vacuum is interrupted, the bar elevated to clear the curtains from the containers, retracted into position above the cross conveyor and next full row of containers forming thereon preparatory to being picked by the vacuum actuated bar and curtains.

Abstract: A cigarette buffer reservoir system includes mobile containers (18) which are loaded and unloaded by transfer of successive batches of cigarettes between the container and a common transfer station (16) connected to a mass flow conveyor system (2-19) linking at least one maker (3) and at least one packer (5). The transfer station (16) has suction assistance (32) bearing on the ends of the cigarettes to allow separation of cigarettes in a container into batches for transfer during unloading. The transfer station (16) preferably also includes a conveyor (26) with retractable spaced partitions (30) for supplying or receiving successive batches, and at least one pusher (32,34) for transferring batches to or from the conveyor in a direction parallel to the cigarettes.

Abstract: A transfer arrangement for transferring articles on one conveyor belt to another conveyor belt comprises a plurality of transfer units disposed alongside the one conveyor belt in spaced relationship. Each transfer unit includes an air nozzle controlled by a solenoid valve arranged when operated to direct a jet or jets of air at an article on the one conveyor belt to cause displacement of the articles onto the other belt.

Abstract: A vacuum deadplate is provided which has a surface with a low coefficient of friction and spaced longitudinal slots through which a vacuum can be drawn. The vacuum deadplate can be used in conjunction with a vacuum transfer device or a palletizing device and the position of the vacuum plenum slot under the longitudinal slots can be varied to provide optimum results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rearranging a plurality of baking articles which are transported in successive transverse rows on a first conveyor onto a second conveyor extending at an angle to the first conveyor in which successive transverse rows of the articles are lifted from the first conveyor by suction cups on an endless suction belt and conveyed above the second conveyor where the transverse rows of articles form longitudinal rows above the second conveyor. The suction applied to the articles is interrupted when the articles are positioned above the second conveyor so that the articles are deposited onto the second conveyor and are transported thereby so that the articles previously arranged in the transverse rows on the first conveyor are transported in longitudinal rows on the second conveyor.

Abstract: A method of feeding a work, in which a jig having an attitude controlling groove formed therein is prepared. A first work is controlled to assume a predetermined attitude by placing the work in the attitude controlling groove. The jig is conveyed to a first position so that the attitude controlling groove is located at a second position. Then, the first work is moved to a third position in the controlling groove and the first work at the third position is transferred to a processing device.

Abstract: Apparatus for horizontally and vertically transporting articles, such as eggs, without dropping thereof, in which an intermittently, substantially horizontally movable conveyor is provided with a plurality of holders, each designed to hold a single article. Each holder comprises at least two rotary portions, movable between a closed position in which it supports an article and an open position in which it releases an article. The conveyor transports the articles, while the holders are in closed positions, into a transfer station which is provided with a plurality grippers, such as suction cups, one for each associated holder in the transfer station. Each gripper grips an article in an associated holder, while the holder is in a closed position, and after the holder is opened, the gripper transports the article vertically downwardly, through the opened rotary portions of the holder, to minimize dropping thereof, after which the article is released.

Abstract: Elongate workpieces with enlarged heads to be distributed in groups to different destinations, such as plastic parisons to be delivered to respective mold cavities of a four-cavity blow-molding unit, are fed--partly by gravity--over a pair of sloping, counterrotating spindles to a tilted turntable, the spindles being separated by a gap letting the bodies of the workpieces hang down between them. The workpieces are successively inserted into peripheral recesses of the turntable along a raised edge thereof for rotary entrainment to respective guide channels confronting its opposite, depressed peripheral edge. Four workpieces at a time are dislodged from their recesses, after retraction of a barrier, by air jets driving them into the guide channels assigned to them. Fresh workpieces are deposited upon the upstream end of the spindle track by an elevating conveyor controlled by a monitoring device such as a photosensor which stops the conveyor upon detecting a backup of workpieces along the track.

Abstract: Overlapping sheet articles on a first suction conveyor are intermittently diverted in groups by a lowerable second suction conveyor having a direction-changing roller which can be intermittently applied to the first conveyor and moved along therewith at the same speed and then returned.

Abstract: Device for the transportation, transversely to their axis, of cylindrical rod-shaped objects such as cigarettes, of the kind comprising an upstream conveyor with sockets in which said objects are lodged, and an ascending downstream conveyor, smooth, arranged such that it maintains the transported objects through suction, a transfer zone being further arranged at the lower end of the downstream conveyor, wherein said zone which widens from downstream to upstream has in its upstream area a width at the time inferior in diameter to that of a cigarette and substantially the same as the latter when measured at the bottom of the socket.