Patent ID: 7240783

Claim:
A unit for feeding filters to a filter assembly machine, the unit ( 1 ) comprising: a deflecting device ( 9 ) having an input ( 10 ), through which at least one succession of filter portions ( 2 ) travelling in an axial first direction ( 6 ) is fed, and an output ( 11 ) for said filter portions ( 2 ) travelling to the filter assembly machine ( 4 ) in a transverse second direction ( 7 ) crosswise to the filter portions ( 2 ); and supply means ( 8 ) for feeding said succession of filter portions ( 2 ) through said input ( 10 ) in said first direction ( 6 ); wherein said deflecting device ( 9 ) comprises a fixed frame ( 12 ) housing said input ( 10 ) and said output ( 11 ); and an extractable box ( 31 ) fitted to said frame ( 12 ) and housing first conveying means ( 46 ) for conveying said filter portions ( 2 ) in said first direction ( 6 ), second conveying means ( 45 ) for conveying said filter portions ( 2 ) in said second direction ( 7 ), and deflecting means ( 64 ) located between said first and said second conveying means ( 46 , 45 ) to divert said filter portions ( 2 ) to said second direction ( 7 ); said box ( 31 ) being movable, on said frame ( 12 ), between a closed operating position, in which said first conveying means ( 46 ) are connected to said input ( 10 ) and said second conveying means ( 45 ) are connected to said output ( 11 ), and an open maintenance position, in which said first conveying means ( 46 ) are separated from said input ( 10 ), said second conveying means ( 45 ) are separated from said output ( 11 ) and all the component parts of said first and second conveying means ( 45 , 46 ) are accessible directly from the outside.