Apparatus for separating elongated nonstraight elements

A separating apparatus comprising:

• first, transverse conveying means adapted to support a plurality of elongated elements extending generally parallel to one another and for displacing the plurality of elements in a mainly horizontal transport direction transverse to the elements;
• second conveying means at the downstream end of the transverse conveying means for displacing the elements one at a time in a horizontal transport direction extending generally parallel to the elements;
• a single stationary stop at the downstream end of the transverse conveying means and positioned upstream from said second conveying means;
• said stop having a stop surface extending upward from said transverse conveying means, facing upstream in the transverse direction, and having an upper end spaced thereabove;
• means including a single lifter displaceable upward along the stop surface for lifting an element engaged thereagainst up past the upper end of the stop surface;
• and
• means for receiving an element at the upper end from the lifter and depositing the received element in the second conveying means, said receiving means include a pair of members which are pivotally connected to each other and form a receiving mouth at their free ends remote from their pivot connection in which mouth the elongated element is received.