A feed mechanism for transferring workpieces from a loading station to an unloading station comprises a carrier which is arranged to grip the workpieces during their transference and a frame relative to which the carrier is horizontally movable to effect the transference. The carrier is also movable vertically relative to the frame so that it can be raised or lowered vertically into engagement with each workpiece at the loading station. A piston and cylinder assembly is operable to raise and lower the carrier, and is controlled by a cam follower which is movable onto and off a raised portion of a movable cam. A further piston and cylinder assembly moves the cam relative to the follower when the carrier reaches either end of its horizontal travel, and the movement of the cam can be limited to control whether the carrier is raised or lowered or both raised and lowered at each end of its horizontal travel.

An apparatus for automatically loading and unloading adhesive tape cores on adhesive tape roll making machines comprises a bearing structure provided with sliding horizontal guides thereon corresponding trolleys are slidably driven, which support comb elements adapted to respectively transfer adhesive tape cores from a magazine to a cutting and rewinding machine and formed adhesive tape rolls from this machine to an adhesive roll ejecting device, the bearing structure being moreover provided with movable fork arms which are driven to transfer mandrel element supporting cores to the adhesive tape making machine and remove from this machine mandrel elements thereon formed adhesive tape rolls are arranged.