Device for trimming too long sticks and for eliminating those too short

Device for making the linear dimension of a plurality of sticks substantially uniform, comprising

• conveyor means (12) having a plurality of grooves (3) therein disposed equidistant from each other and perpendicular to direction of travel of the conveyor means, said grooves having substantially the same depth and being of a cross-section suitable for holding said sticks;
• first guide means (4) for urging said sticks placed in said grooves toward a substantially uniform distance from an edge of said conveyor means;
• second guide means (7,13) disposed substantially parallel to said conveyor means and between which said sticks held in said grooves travel with said conveyor means;
• trimming means (6) for trimming one end of said sticks which is greater in linear dimension than desired, as the conveyor means moves the sticks;
• first moving means (8,9) for causing the sticks, after the trimming operation, to be moved against one of said second guide means, and
• second moving means (10,16,18,19,20,17) for causing one end of said sticks held against said one of said second guide means, to be moved downward so that the stick is moved out of said groove holding said stick.