Abstract: An apparatus for loading panels into a hot press comprises a frame for locating near the openings of the press. A tray carriage mounted on the frame comprises a plurality of vertically spaced-apart horizontal trays for receiving the panels. The trays are movable into and out of the press with reciprocation of the tray carriage towards and away from the press. There is an alignment mechanism for vertically aligning front and back edges of the panels before they are loaded into the press. The alignment mechanism is mounted within the frame for movement towards and away from the press when the tray carriage is stationary. The alignment mechanism is engageable with the edges of the panels so the alignment mechanism moves the panels along the trays to vertically align the front and back edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a sheet of a flexible material between a first and a second position. The apparatus includes an elongated frame and an air-pervious endless belt movably mounted on first and second pulleys positioned at each end of the frame. The belt has its upper rung travelling from the first pulley, adjacent the first position, to the second pulley, adjacent the second position, and is arranged to receive a lead strip of the sheet from the first position. A vacuum chest having a perforated top extends longitudinally of and below the upper rung of the belt. There are means for evacuating air from the chest in order to apply a vacuum at the undersurface of the belt and thereby cause the lead strip to cling to the belt. The apparatus has means defining an opening where the sheet leaves the belt and an air jet means able to direct air through the opening.