Patent ID: 7571798

Claim:
A method for controlled filling of a channel ( 9 ) supplying tobacco articles ( 7 ), which channel ( 9 ) is bounded laterally by a first wall ( 11 ) and a second wall ( 12 ) opposite and facing each other, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a flexible lead-in member ( 16 ) inside the channel ( 9 ) to completely cut off passage along the channel ( 9 ) so as a first end ( 36 ) of the lead-in member ( 16 ) is located at the first wall ( 11 ) and a second end ( 35 ) of the lead-in member ( 16 ) is located at the second wall ( 12 ); feeding a mass of tobacco articles ( 7 ) into the channel ( 9 ), so that the mass of tobacco articles ( 7 ) is positioned contacting the lead-in member ( 16 ); easing the lead-in member ( 16 ) along the channel ( 9 ), while keeping the mass of tobacco articles ( 7 ) in contact with the lead-in member ( 16 ), to ease the mass of tobacco articles ( 7 ) along the channel ( 9 ), the lead-in member ( 16 ) changing in configuration as the mass of tobacco articles ( 7 ) is eased along the channel ( 9 ); and moving the first end ( 36 ) of the lead-in member ( 16 ) along the first wall ( 11 ) while the lead-in member ( 16 ) is eased along the channel ( 9 ), wherein the channel ( 9 ) supplying tobacco articles ( 7 ) is divided into a first portion which is filled gradually by a rigid, non-deformable first lead-in member ( 15 ) eased along the channel ( 9 ) substantially in contact with the inner surfaces of the walls ( 11 , 12 ) bounding the channel ( 9 ); and into a second portion which is filled gradually by a flexible second lead-in member ( 16 ) wound into a reel ( 33 ) about a pin ( 34 ) fitted to the first lead-in member ( 15 ).