Abstract: A system for transferring tubes or bars or like elongated elements between a processing line and associated storage structures or intermediate delivery locations is disclosed. The system includes spacing stations for intermittently spacing groups of tubes or bars, apparatus for transporting the groups from one spacing station onto one of several storage cantilever supports adapted to support the tubes or bars with their axes parallel to that of the processing line, apparatus for intermittently laterally removing groups of spaced elongate elements from the storage supports via an intermediate supporting station, and apparatus for rotating the elements through 90.degree. in order to deposit them on supports at the inlet end of the processing line with their axes at right angles to that of the processing line, or after removal from such supports onto an intermediate supporting station at the outlet end of the processing line.

Abstract: A workpiece having an enlarged head and a stem extending therefrom is conveyed in a gravity chute while supported vertically in a ring-shaped pallet with the head supported on the top side of the pallet and the stem extending downwardly through the pallet. The pallet and workpiece are then directed through a downwardly curved orienting chute and come to rest on stop surfaces wherein the workpiece is inclined downwardly, its head foremost, and the axis of the pallet is horizontal. In this position the workpiece is centered with respect to the aperture in the pallet so that the workpiece slides downwardly out of the pallet through an unloading chute. At the lower end of the unloading chute the workpiece falls through a contoured aperture into a downwardly inclined delivery chute which extends in the direction opposite to the unloading chute.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in handling glass sheets during shaping and cooling. Each glass sheet in turn is heated to its deformation temperature and conveyed into a glass shaping station. The glass is lifted into engagement with an upper vacuum shaping mold while hot and held against the vacuum shaping mold by vacuum as the glass lifting mechanism retracts downward. A transfer and tempering ring-like member having stop means upstream of an outline supporting surface conforming to and slightly inside the periphery of the bent glass sheet is brought into a position where its stop means are slightly misaligned upstream of the trailing edge of the glass sheet. The vacuum on the upper mold is released to deposit the shaped glass sheet on the ring-like member.