Abstract: A device for separating the platens of a press so that wooden blanks in an unpressed form can be readily loaded therebetween. The device includes outwardly extending arms carried on the corners of each of the platens. Pneumatically operated bellows are provided between cooperating pairs of outwardly extending arms which are carried on diagonally opposite corners of each of the platens for separating the platens when pressurized. Alternate pairs of platens have pairs of bellows interposed between the outwardly extending arms carried on different diagonals. A switch is carried below the press for disengaging the pneumatic system when the press is being closed.

Abstract: A web of unvulcanized rubber or other curable material moves intermittently in generally horizontal passes through several superposed stages of a multiplaten press by way of a pair of stretching stations flanking the press, each stretching station including a clamp and, with three or more curing stages, at least one deflection roller for the web. Each clamp has at least two jaws which are closable around one or more web passes and, together with the associated deflection roller or rollers, initially hold these passes substantially on the level of the midplanes of the spaces between the open press platens. From this position the jaws and rollers are jointly displaceable in a vertical direction (e.g. downwardly), after a stretching of the web by an outward movement of the clamps and/or the rollers, into a position in which the several passes come to rest simultaneously on the heated platens between movable spacing strips. The platens thereupon successively close in the opposite vertical direction (e.g.