MOULDING APPARATUS

Apparatus for shaping and cutting articles from a thermoplastic sheet and for stacking the articles in a stacking chute. A transporting device advances the sheet through the apparatus. The sheet is heated as it advances through the apparatus. A table is located downstream of the heater in the direction of advance of the sheet and is movable between a first position for shaping and cutting the articles and a second position for stacking the articles. A bearing pin is operatively associated with the table so that the table can be displaced by and pivoted about the bearing pin. A first guide device is mounted for being displaced perpendicular to the direction of advance of the sheet, with the bearing pin being seated in the first guide device. A bell crank drive is connected to the table via an articulated connection with the bearing pin for moving the table between the first and second positions. A second guide device is connected to the table for causing the table to pivot about the bearing pin to place the table in the second position after the table has moved toward the first position along a linear path perpendicular to the direction of advance of the sheet. An ejection device is provided for transferring the shaped and cut articles into the stacking chute when the table is in the second position.