Abstract: A method for manufacturing a compact includes a mixing step of mixing a fiber and a powder of a binder to obtain a mixture; an accumulating step of accumulating the mixture to form a web; a humidifying step of adding water to the web; and a forming step of heating and pressurizing the water-added web to obtain a compact. The binder binds between fiber molecules by the addition of water. The powder has an average particle diameter (D50) of 20.0 ?m or less.

Abstract: A device and a method for manufacturing a synthetic yarn, in which at least two yarn plugs (1), (2), (3) are produced by texturing, are placed in a first zone (A) on the cooling surface (6c) of a rotating cooling drum (6), moved to a second zone (B) and form more than one winding (I),(II), in which the yarn plugs are kept in the second zone (B) by a gas stream (FB) on the cooling surface (6c), and in which no gas stream or a less powerful gas stream is generated in an intermediate zone (C) in order to prevent the yarn plugs (1), (2), (3) from leaving the second zone (B).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element is disclosed. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sheet delivery system includes: an end section detector which detects a position of an end section of a sheet; an end section conveying apparatus which holds the end section of the sheet and which conveys the end section of the sheet to a joining unit; a roll driving motor which rotationally drives a standby-side original material roll around a central axis thereof; and a suction roller which is capable of coming into rolling contact with an outer peripheral surface of the standby-side original material roll, and which includes an outer peripheral surface capable of suctioning the end section of the sheet in order to separate the end section of the sheet from the standby-side original material roll. The end section detector is attached at a position which enables detection of the end section of the sheet separated from the standby-side original material roll by the suction roller.

Abstract: A rotary die-cutter for cutting a piece of material or scrap out of a printing material such as paper, includes a die-cutting cylinder and an associated impression cylinder. The die-cutting cylinder is connected to a vacuum source. A die-cutting tool which is disposed on the die-cutting cylinder includes at least one die-cutting knife having a closed form and a suction opening within the closed form. A cylinder cover is disposed on the impression cylinder. At least one raised or recessed first guide element is disposed within the closed form for guiding suction air and/or at least one recessed or raised second guide element is disposed in the cylinder cover for guiding air. The scrap to be removed from the printing material can therefore be transported with the die-cutting cylinder and ejected from the die-cutting tool or knife in a trouble-free way.

Abstract: A sheet delivery system includes: a joining unit configured to join, to an intermediate section of a sheet being delivered from a delivery-side original material roll, an end section of a sheet of a standby-side original material roll; and an operation robot configured to retrieve the end section of the sheet from the standby-side original material roll and convey the end section of the sheet to the joining unit. The sheet delivery system is configured to set, in advance, a sheet retrieval position at which the sheet is retrieved from each of the original material rolls, for each of the original material rolls. The operation robot is configured to convey the end section of the sheet from each of the sheet retrieval positions to the joining unit.

Abstract: An object is to control the position of a fiber bundle on a roller of a guide assembly in a filament winding apparatus. There is provided a filament winding apparatus that winds a fiber bundle consisting of a plurality of fibers on an outer surface of a liner and comprises a fiber feeder configured to feed the fiber bundle; and a guide assembly including a roller configured to guide the fiber bundle fed by the fiber feeder to the outer surface of the liner while making the fiber bundle in contact with the roller. The roller comprises a suction hole configured to suck the outside air and is provided in at least a surface of the roller that is to be in contact with the fiber bundle; and a suction unit configured to suck the outside air from the suction hole with such a suction force that draws the fiber bundle in contact with the roller.

Abstract: A digital printing apparatus including a sheet supply device, printing cylinder, inkjet nozzle portion, sheet delivery device, and conveyance devices. The sheet supply device supplies sheets one by one at a predetermined period. The printing cylinder includes at least one gripper device that grips and holds the sheet, and conveys the sheet while one edge of the sheet supplied from the sheet supply device is held by the plurality of gripper devices. The inkjet nozzle portion discharges ink droplets onto the sheet. The conveyance devices include a plurality of gripper devices including one reversing gripper device that grips and holds the other edge of the sheet, and conveys the sheet printed on one surface, which is received from the printing cylinder in a double-sided printing mode. The sheet is turned by reversing the obverse/reverse surface of the sheet by the reversing gripper device in the process of conveyance.

Abstract: A belt unit includes a roller, a belt, a first guide, a second guide and a regulating portion. The first guide is provided on a surface of the roller. The first guide is in a form of one of a convex shape and a concave shape. The belt is looped taut around the rollers, and has a second guide in a form of one of a concave shape and a convex shape. The first guide and the second guide are engaged with each other with an engagement depth in the radial direction. The regulating portion confronts the outer belt surface and provides a gap between the regulating portion and the outer belt surface, the gap being smaller than the engagement depth.

Abstract: A packaging assembly (10) that includes a weighing machine (11) that delivers batches of product to a packaging machine (18). A film drive assembly (17) pulls strip bag material pass a former shoulder (41), to form tubular bag material into which batches of product are to be delivered, with the tubular bag material being longitudinally sealed, transversely sealed and transversely cut by the packaging machine (18).

Abstract: A web-guiding system for guiding a web of media travelling from upstream to downstream along a transport path in an in-track direction, including a web-guiding structure and a vacuum system. The web-guiding structure includes an exterior surface having a pattern of recesses formed into the exterior surface, wherein the web of media travels past the web-guiding structure with a first side of the web of media contacting at least some non-recessed portions of the exterior surface of the web-guiding structure. The vacuum system is positioned such that the web of media passes between the web-guiding structure and the vacuum system, the vacuum system being adapted to provide a vacuum force to pull the second side of the web of media toward the vacuum system, thereby lifting portions of the web of media overlying the recesses away from the exterior surface of the web-guiding structure.

Abstract: A web-guiding system for guiding a web of media travelling from upstream to downstream along a transport path in an in-track direction, including a web-guiding structure and an air source. The web-guiding structure includes an exterior surface having a pattern of recesses formed into the exterior surface, wherein the web of media travels past the web-guiding structure with a first side of the web of media contacting at least some non-recessed portions of the exterior surface of the web-guiding structure. The air source provides an air flow between the first side of the web of media and the exterior surface of the web-guiding structure thereby providing a lifting force to lift portions of the web of media overlying the recesses away from the exterior surface of the web-guiding structure.

Abstract: A media diverter system for directing a media sheet traveling along an input media path into either a first media path or a second media path. One or more roller assemblies are provided including a media-guiding roller having one or more grooves formed around the exterior surface, and an air source for selectively providing an air flow into one or more of the grooves, the air flow being directed between the media sheet and the exterior surface of the media-guiding roller thereby producing a Bernoulli force to draw the media sheet toward the media-guiding roller. A controller selectively activates the air source in at least one of the roller assemblies while the corresponding media-guiding roller rotates around its roller axis to draw the media sheet toward the exterior surface of the media-guiding roller, thereby directing the media sheet into either the first media path or a second media path.

Abstract: A foil processing device comprises at least two supply units for supplying at least two foils for processing, a processing unit for processing the at least two foils to each other and a transport unit for transporting the foils from the supply unit to the processing unit. At least one of the foils is segmented comprising mechanically weak zones separating subsequent foil segments for enabling real-time correction of a relative position between the foils. The transport unit includes at least two support members for supporting at least two subsequent segments of the segmented foil.

Abstract: A vacuum roller for a web handling system comprises a hollow, cylindrical, rotably driven drum and an end cap threadingly mounted onto the rear end of the drum. Together, the drum and the end cap define a plurality of individual, externally communicable vacuum paths. A spherical, metal movable element is internally disposed within each vacuum path and regulates the passage of air therethrough. A plurality of magnetic elements is fixedly mounted on a stationary annular holder. In use, each magnetic element selectively displaces each movable element when disposed in close proximity thereto to the extent necessary so as to permit the passage of air through its corresponding vacuum path. As such, the vacuum roller is provided with a predefined range of suction, or vacuum zone, about the outer surface of its rotating drum that directly corresponds to the angular arrangement of the plurality of stationary magnetic elements.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a heating section which is located further on the downstream side of a transport pathway than an image recording area, but further on the upstream side of the transport pathway than a transport roller which is rotated by a motor; and a control section which lowers the suction power of a suction section to a medium from a first suction power to a second suction power lower than the first suction power during a recording operation and makes a first torque which is generated at the motor in a period which is during the recording operation and in which the suction power of the suction section is a suction power lower than the first suction power, be lower than a second torque which is generated at the motor during a transport operation.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a product from strip tape includes a roll that draws off and separates a web of material. The web of material is severed into individual strips in cooperation with a multiple circular knife roll. A vacuum conveyor channel is associated with each strip. The vacuum conveyor channel is designed such that each strip is turned on its way to the channel or through the channel by about 90°. The end of the vacuum conveyor channel brings the strips together at one site to form a unit and at that site there are provided a guide and a transport device for the further transport to conversion equipment.

Abstract: A system that avoids any stopping or reversing of the web direction in a continuous feed printer, instead maintaining consistent process speed, only requiring a slowing and speeding up of the web to cycle through the PR belt seam. This is done by forming a web loop and then immediately flattening the loop after passage of the seam through the transfer zone that includes two transfer BTR rolls with alternating transfer operations, but simultaneous transfer for short periods. Two vacuum assist rolls, one located between the two bias transfer rolls controls the formation of the web loop. A pair of nip forming rolls upstream of the first transfer station and a second vacuum assist roll downstream of the second transfer station control the size of the loop.

Abstract: A vacuum roller for a web handling system comprises a hollow, cylindrical, rotably driven drum and an end cap threadingly mounted onto the rear end of the drum. Together, the drum and the end cap define a plurality of individual, externally communicable vacuum paths. A spherical, metal movable element is internally disposed within each vacuum path and regulates the passage of air therethrough. A plurality of magnetic elements is fixedly mounted on a stationary annular holder. In use, each magnetic element selectively displaces each movable element when disposed in close proximity thereto to the extent necessary so as to permit the passage of air through its corresponding vacuum path. As such, the vacuum roller is provided with a predefined range of suction, or vacuum zone, about the outer surface of its rotating drum that directly corresponds to the angular arrangement of the plurality of stationary magnetic elements.

Abstract: A drive assembly (17) to move tubular bag material past a former and deliver a tubular bag material to a packaging machine. The drive assembly (17) includes a pair of drive belts (6) that are parallel and driven in unison by means of a drive pulley (29) and either pulleys (30, 31).

Abstract: A ribbon transport apparatus for a printing press is provided. The ribbon transport apparatus includes a vacuum conveyor belt transporting a ribbon and a manifold supporting the vacuum conveyor belt. The vacuum conveyor belt and the manifold are arranged to draw the ribbon towards the vacuum conveyor belt via a suction. A method of transporting a ribbon in a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A web handling module has been developed for horizontally transporting a web under a printer having at least one print head. The web handling module includes a plenum, an air vent coupled to the plenum, the air vent being coupled to an air handler and configured to generate a negative air pressure inside the plenum, a support plate sealingly coupled to the plenum, the support plate having a plurality of apertures configured to allow air to pass through the plurality of apertures, and a porous belt wound about the support plate to form a continuous loop, the porous belt enabling the negative air pressure to couple the porous belt to a web moving over the support plate to rotate the porous belt about the support plate without relative motion occurring between the web and the porous belt.

Abstract: A drive assembly (10) to drive packaging film for delivery to a packaging machine. The assembly (10) includes an elongated endless flexible belt (11) with a plurality of teeth (16) that are used to drive the belt (11). The teeth (16) are arranged in rows along the longitudinal edges of the belt (11). Between the rows of teeth (16) is a row of apertures (23) that communicates with a gallery (20).

Abstract: In a web conveyor, a boundary between a belt conveyer and a belt conveyer provided between an end portion in upstream and an end portion in downstream of a holding conveyer. In other words, the holding conveyor that presses on the top surface of the web is disposed at the boundary between the belt conveyor and the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A cutting and transport roller for material webs includes media outlet openings in its peripheral surface to which varying pressure can be applied to control the seating pattern of the material web on the peripheral surface of the roller. The roller has a system of pressure feed lines by which the media outlet openings are connected to means for supplying the media. The roller has at least one pressure reservoir that is a part of the pressure feed line system and that can be connected by a valve to at least one part of the media outlet openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer device that can feed a work in a stable condition without applying it any excess loads. The transfer device for feeding a tape-shaped work to a process stage standing in an upright position, which is placed on one side of the process stage and which includes a supply reel, a take-up reel and a work feeding mechanism. Specifically, the supply reel, around which the work and a protective sheet are wound, is adapted to feed the work and the protective sheet therefrom. The take-up reel is adapted to wind the work and the protective sheet that have been fed from the supply reel, and it is located below the supply reel. The work feeding mechanism is adapted to forward the work from the supply reel to the take-up reel through the process stage.

Abstract: A ladder type stage apparatus that transports a film-shaped substrate includes a plurality of rods whose longitudinal directions are aligned in a direction that is orthogonal to the moving direction of the film-shaped substrate in order to support the film-shaped substrate; chains that join the rods along a closed-loop trajectory; and a drive motor that moves the rods along this loop-shaped trajectory via the chains.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nip apparatus and a nip method which reduce consumption of gas used without scratches which are produced when a material to be treated (such as a band-shaped film and the like) is pressed against a support (such as a roll and the like). The invention is characterized in that a gas storage chamber, which stores gas with a pressure higher than outside atmospheric pressure, is disposed at a position facing a film, and the film is conveyed while being pressed against a roll with a reduced consumption of gas.

Abstract: A system for flexing a web is disclosed. The web passes over two co-rotating members, such as rollers or belts, which are separated by a small adjustable gap. The web travels around the first rotating member, is peeled off in the vicinity of the gap, bent back on itself in a small radius and reattached on the second co-rotating member. The location of the small radius is fixed with a closed loop control system sensing the radius location and controlling the relative velocity of the two members. Strain in the web is adjusted with the size of the small radius, which is controlled by the adjustable gap and radius location.

Abstract: A suction roller system includes a suction roller and a control head having a ventilation zone situated at a face side of the suction roller. The suction roller system allows rapid ventilation of the suction bores situated on the face side opposite the control head via a cost-advantageous and space-saving expansion. For this purpose, the suction roller is equipped, on the second face side, with a closure plate having an opening that corresponds to the ventilation zone.

Abstract: A guiding apparatus and method for a shift generated by a web during web transportation is provided, in which a coarse position guiding module and a fine position guiding module function to directly adjust the web so as to compensate the shift occurred during the process of transportation according to a position of the web. By means of monitoring a location of the fine position guiding module at any time, a reference of the coarse position guiding module will be adjusted when the location of the fine position guiding module satisfies the condition defined in the guiding method, so as to change a position where the web enters into the fine position guiding module.

Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor of a web forming machine for transferring a threading tail has at least two turning rolls (16, 17) and an air-permeable belt loop (20), arranged around the turning rolls (16, 17). The vacuum belt conveyor also has vacuum means (22) for creating a vacuum effect on both the section of the belt loop (20) conveying the threading tail (23) and in connection with the first turning roll (16) of the turning rolls (16, 17). Arranged in connection with the first turning roll (16) in the travel direction of the threading tail (23) there is at least one cross-directional dividing structure (24) for creating at least two axial vacuum zones (25).

Abstract: The present invention provides a suction roller which is capable of being adopted for sucking an object. The suction roller is provided with a negative pressure inside thereof and at least one opening for sucking the object by at least one valve disposed in each opening respectively for selectively controlling the on-off of the negative pressure through the opening. During the rotation of the suction roller, the valves in a specific area are capable of being opened so that the negative pressure can pass through the openings with respect to the opened valve to suck the object and transport the object subsequently. In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a transporting apparatus combining the suction roller and a guiding mechanism for transporting the object and compensating the shifting during the moving of the object.

Abstract: Vacuum belt conveying device for guiding a moving web, in particular a web threading strip of a paper or board web, having an air-permeable transport belt guided endlessly in a loop with an upper run and a lower run, and a device arranged within the loop for applying a vacuum to the inner side of one of the runs of the transport belt in order to hold the web firmly on the transport belt, in which the device for applying a vacuum is formed by means of at least one long-gap ejector, which in each case has an air jet injector having a large number of air outlet nozzles along the inlet side of the long gap and, on the inlet side, is positioned at a distance under the inner side of the run which is provided to hold the web firmly.

Abstract: A suction roller system includes a suction roller and a control head having a ventilation zone situated at a face side of the suction roller. The suction roller system allows rapid ventilation of the suction bores situated on the face side opposite the control head via a cost-advantageous and space-saving expansion. For this purpose, the suction roller is equipped, on the second face side, with a closure plate having an opening that corresponds to the ventilation zone.

Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor for a web forming machine intended for transporting a web threading tail (24) has lateral guidance. The vacuum belt conveyor has a frame construction (16) with two rolls (17, 18), an air-permeable belt loop (21) and guiding equipment (22) for providing lateral guidance. The guiding equipment (22) is composed of air blows (25), which are arranged on both sides of the web threading tail (24) and near the web threading tail (24) receiving end of the frame.

Abstract: A suction roller for transporting flat material blanks has a roller axis and a mantle surface. The suction roller is independent of format and therefore can be universally used for transporting flat material blanks, particularly label blanks. The suction roller has controllable suction holes or suction zones that lie at the closest possible distance from one another on its mantle surface. To this end, the suction roller has a plurality of suction slits, which run parallel to the roller axis and open into the mantle surface, whereby at least adjacent suction slits can have suction air applied to them independent of one another, and whereby a slit cover provided with passage holes is disposed on the mantle surface, in such a manner that the passage holes align with the suction slits, at least in part.

Abstract: The present invention is a pneumatic continuous feeder which, through an air-pressure motive power source, can continuously drive a fixing clip to move back and forth equidistantly and also a mobile clip at the top of the fixing clip, so that when the fixing clip arrives the return point, the material can be downwardly clipped or upwardly released for achieving a continuous feeding. The present invention not only can precisely adjust the moving distance of material in processing for continuously and accurately driving the material to the operation tool, but also can change the driving method for the material to be pull or push in response to the hardness degree of the material.

Abstract: A method for segregating and transferring a product from a web of material includes the steps of conveying the web of material between a punching roll and a counter pressure roll, the punching roll having at least one cutting edge and at least one suction orifice; punching-out the product from the web with the cutting edge; adhering the punched-out product on the punching roll under a vacuum connected to the at least one suction orifice; rotating the punching roll to position the punched-out product proximate to a conveyor belt; detaching the punched-out product from the punching roll; and transferring the punched-out product onto the conveyor belt. In certain embodiments, the suction orifice of the punching roll is ventilated with a gas stream to facilitate detachment of the punched-out product; and a vacuum is applied to the conveyor belt to draw the detached product thereto and hold it thereon under suction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for threading a pulp web (W) from the press section (1) of a pulp machine to the dryer (2) of the pulp machine. The arrangement comprises a closing tail threading belt (3) or the like, which is arranged to convey the narrow tail end (Wh) formed on the pulp web (W) inside the dryer (2), where the tail threading cord travels outside the edge of the normal web line of the pulp web. The tail end (Wh) can subsequently be broadened into a normal-width pulp web (W). The arrangement further comprises means (7) for gripping the tail end (Wh) in order to bring the tail end inside/between a closing tail threading cord (3) or the like, whereby the gripping means (7) are arranged to function at the normal running speed of the pulp machine.

Abstract: Many holes are formed in a platen that supports a paper. A suction fan generates suction force through these holes to thereby bring the paper into close contact with a surface of the platen. Ink ejection regions to which printing heads eject ink are set on a paper supporting side of the platen. The holes are formed in other regions in the platen than regions corresponding to vicinities of longitudinal ends of the ink ejection regions.

Abstract: Many holes are formed in a platen that is so disposed as to confront a printing head. A suction fan disposed under the platen generates suction force through the holes formed in the platen to thereby bring a paper into close contact with a surface of the platen. On a back surface of the platen, disposed is an airflow restriction plate formed with openings that correspond to a part of the holes in the platen. Before a leading edge of the paper arrives at the platen, the airflow restriction plate closes the holes. In association with a conveyance of the paper, the airflow restriction plate moves in a paper conveyance direction on the back surface of the platen and, at the same time, opens the closed holes sequentially from upstream in the paper conveyance direction. This can restrict inflow of air into the holes located downstream, in the paper conveyance direction, of the leading edge of the paper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conveying and guiding a lead-in strip in a paper machine, in which method a lead-in strip is directed over a run of a conveyor in the paper machine and a longitudinal vacuum effect is produced across the run of the conveyor in the direction of moment of the run of the conveyor.

Abstract: A not-yet-bonded or only slightly bonded nonwoven staple fiber material cannot be delivered from the nip of a calendar roller pair to a following endless conveyor without support during transport. To provide this support, the invention provides for a supporting rotating element such as an endless conveyor or perforated drum, either of which is designed to be permeated by air from below flowing toward the element. This feature simultaneously achieves a cooling effect.

Abstract: A segmented vacuum roll comprising an inner assembly on which a plurality of cylindrical sleeve tubes (2a, 2b, 2c) having apertures over their circumference are rotatably and coaxially mounted side by side, each of said sleeve tubes being individually rotatable and one or several first chambers (9a, 9b, 9c) formed in said inner assembly and partly defined by a first portion of circumference of said sleeve tubes, said inner assembly comprising linking channels (6a, 6b, 6c) for linking a vacuum source to said chambers so that said first portion of circumference of said sleeve tubes may be submitted to vacuum. Said inner assembly comprises an inner tube (3), at least one outer tube (5a, 5b, 5c) surrounding said inner tube and a plurality of longitudinal walls extending between said inner tube and said outer tube so as to form longitudinal channels (6a, 6b, 6c).

Abstract: A device for transferring segregated flat-shaped products includes a transfer device and a transport device by which the products transferred from the transfer device are further transported along a transport path. The transport device includes a moveable transport surface having suction openings communicative with a vacuum container. The transfer device includes a roll arranged transverse to the transport path and having suction orifices arranged about a circumference thereof. The roll has internal channels having openings in opposed axial end faces of said roll which are communicative with the suction orifices. Vacuum chamber members are disposed axially at the opposed end faces of the roll which is rotatable relative to the vacuum chamber members. Each of the vacuum chamber members has a concentric grove and a ventilation channel which correspond to the openings of the internal channels.

Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor includes an air-pervious endless belt, a first pulley positioned at the upstream end of the conveyor and a second pulley positioned at the downstream end of the conveyor, the pulleys guiding the belt when the belt is traveling. The endless belt comes into contact with a plate having openings which are connected to a source of negative pressure. The belt, in the area of the upstream end of the conveyor, is in contact with a curved and perforated guiding surface, with the perforations, being connected to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: Known devices for contactlessly guiding or treating continuous lines of material (1) have one chamber (2). A supply device (3) for a gaseous fluid is connected to said chamber (2), which has a gas-permeable wall (4). The outer surface (5) of said wall (4) is embodied as a guide surface for the line (1). According to the invention, the gas-permeable wall (4) is produced from a porous, metal-containing material with open pores which have an average diameter of less than 500 &mgr;m, preferably less than 100 &mgr;m, especially less than 20 &mgr;m. The porous material used for the guiding surface enables the line (1) to glide on a fluid pad of less than 1 mm. The losses of fluid on the surfaces not covered by the line (1) are very low.

Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor is suitable for guiding a running paper web, in particular a threading tail, and includes an air-pervious endless conveyor belt traveling around a vacuum box which supports two belt pulleys. At least one vacuum blower creates a negative pressure within the loop of the belt. The vacuum blower is positioned within the vacuum box at a certain distance from the conveying run of the belt and is driven by an air turbine. One of the pulleys is driven by an electric motor (M′) positioned inside of that pulley.

Abstract: A device for supplying a work station with a strip flexible material unwound from a reel including a transfer plate, driven in a translation motion with a longitudinal horizontal axis, by displacing between a first position for loading the material strip and a second so-called working position. The transfer plate including a first device for immobilising the strip on the plate when the latter is moving from the loading position to the working position. The transfer plate is capable of supporting on its surface the material strip, and the work station including a second blocking device for retaining the free end of the strip, such that the transfer plate return travel from the work position to the loading position generates, by the friction of the strip on the plate, forces tending to spread the part of the strip associated with the work station.