Device for loading metallized belts into a machine for transferring metallized images onto sheet elements

A machine for transferring metallized images onto sheet elements selected from a group consisting of sheets of cardboard, paper and plastic material, said machine comprising a frame with a series of stations with a last station having inner side walls, means for transporting sheets through the machine between the stations including a chain train with clamping bars and a return wheel mounted in the last station, and a device for unloading metallized belts, said device including a sub-frame formed by a pair of parallel arms and at least one crossbeam extending therebetween, with the parallel arms being adjacent the inner side walls of the last station of the machine, said sub-frame being mounted for rotation around a fixed axis in the machine, each of the arms having at least one base plate for supporting ends of an axle for a bobbin, drive means for rotating the sub-frame from an operating position fully retracted into the machine to an extended position with a portion of the arms projecting at least partially through the chain train and out of the downstream end of the machine.