feeding of molten plastic strands into a discharge trough . at its upper end the discharge trough includes a slidably movable segment that can be extended behind the fall line of the strands as they emerge from nozzles . in its operating position , the extended segment catches the strands , and can be moved into a fore - running or non - operating position permitting free passage of the strands at the side of the discharge trough . a separational element is associated with the movable segment . as the segment is moved through the fall line of the strands , the separational element acts upon the strands and effects the desired separation . the strands which enter the discharge trough are cooled and ultimately fed to a granulator .