Abstract: A reject mechanism (10) for use with a slitter (S) which slits a printed metal sheet (B) into segments (s) subsequently used to form containers. The mechanism is mounted at the outlet of the slitter to deflect rejected segments from a collection bin (C) to which acceptable segments are delivered for further use in container manufacture. The mechanism comprises a series of pneumatically actuated reject fingers (14) normally positioned beneath a path over which the segments pass from the slitter to the collection bin. However, when a reject segment approaches the mechanism, a piston (16) is activated to extend the fingers into the path of the segment to deflect the segment off its path into another collection area in which rejected segments are collected. The fingers are then retracted so that succeeding acceptable segments pass freely over the path.