Abstract: A single unit moves into and out of a press to essentially simultaneously charge the press with the workpiece to be processed and discharge another workpiece which has been processed. The device is particularly suitable for preparing laminates in which the workpiece to be processed comprises a stack of alternating sheets of solid material and bonding material. This workpiece is referred to as a laminating pack. A table on a transfer car holds the unprocessed laminating pack. This same transfer car also has on its lower side a plurality of suction devices for grippingly engaging a processed laminate, i.e., a laminate that has been treated in the heat press. The transfer car holding the unprocessed laminating pack advances into an open press. In the press, the laminating pack is transported onto holding gibs, and the processed laminate in the press is taken up by the suction means on the bottom side of the transfer car.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for charging, pressing and removing laminated sheets from a heat press. An unpressed laminate is placed on a conveyor tray which is inserted into the heat press from one end as a suction carrier is inserted from the other. The suction carrier removes a pressed laminate as the conveyor tray positions one end of the laminate on the top of the suction carrier. A belt mechanism on the top of the suction carrier, together with the conveyor tray, assists in positioning the entire laminate on a lower hot plate of the heat press at substantially the same time. The suction carrier and conveyor tray are simultaneously removed from the heat press so that the pressing action can occur.

Abstract: A device for assembling large flexible panel layers into press packs, for the production of layered pressed panels, the device including a plurality of parallel layer collecting lines with two layer stacks each, arranged on opposite sides of a transversely extending press pack assembly conveyor. The latter advances from collecting line to collecting line, as a collecting carriage in each collecting line alternatingly collects panel layers from its two layer stacks. The collecting carriages are moved by means of crank drives; the layer stacks are adjustably positioned under light beam position markers.