a conveyor for compressing cigarette blocks to an appropriate size for packaging having a plurality of open cell bodies , each body defining an open cell therein , for receiving cigarette blocks in a configuration corresponding to that of cigarettes in a cigarette pack . each cell body is comprised of a single piece of sheet metal which has been bent into a generally u - shape and each cell body has first and second longitudinal walls , spaced at a distance corresponding to the height of the cigarette block to be received therein , and an end wall therebetween such that said longitudinal walls and said end wall cooperate to form the generally u - shaped body . the conveyor further including a plurality of closure elements , for selectively opening and closing the open end of the cell bodies .