Abstract: Coreless rolls of tissue, such as rolls of bath tissue or paper towels, are produced by winding tissue logs on a mandrel having retractable pins. During winding, the pins extend and penetrate the first several windings of the log as it is initially wound, which prevents slippage. After the winding is complete, the pins retract to allow the tissue log to slide off of the mandrel for subsequent slitting into individual product rolls and packaging. The penetration of the pins into the first several windings of the log tends to mechanically entangle and structurally unify those windings to create a “soft core”. At the same time, the properties of the tissue sheets within the soft core are the same as the other sheets within the roll and are therefore usable by the consumer.

Abstract: A cutting head for a nylon-cord mower and the like, comprising a case housing an inner spool on which it is wound at least a length of nylon cord, elastically loaded by a helical spring, with the two ends of said nylon cord protruding through pairs of annular members mounted on said case in diametrally opposed locations. The inner spool is formed by a cylindrical body with at least two holes aligned along an axis intersecting the axis of the spool, and that can be axially aligned with the two annular members for allowing the replacement of the nylon cord without opening the cutting head.

Abstract: A cable drum with a drum hub and two drum disks, where at least one the two drum disks has a cable passage aperture in the region of the drum hub for passing the starting end of the cable to be reeled up through it and has externally a cable clamping device spaced radially from the cable passage aperture for attaching the start end of the cable, at least one of the two drum disks having attachment holes distributed across the circumference for securing the drums in position for transportation purposes, and wherein each drum disk comprises external radially extending stiffening ribs having a height defining an outer surface of the disk and each rib further including a region having a greater height than the outer surface of the disk adapted to prohibit sliding, skidding, and rotating when said region engages a support surface.

Abstract: For the continuous formation of bags for containing bulk materials--in the form of granules, powders and the like--the end of the web (EN), from a new bobbin (BA) in readiness, is laid, with the surface to be welded on the outside, around a welding bar (18) carried by a movable element (12), and the bar (18) is positioned opposite a counterbar (20), along which the web (N) being exhausted from the previous bobbin (B) runs; bar and counterbar are brought close to one another to carry out transverse welding and cutting, in such a manner that a superimposed and welded edge (BS) emerges transversely from the continuous web thus joined, from the surface opposite that of welding. (FIG.

Abstract: A splice assembly for a paper web transport apparatus including first and second webs of paper with each web alternately constituting a running web moving in first direction and a new web to be spliced to the running web, the splice assembly including a knife guide for providing a cutting edge for cutting the running web and the new web; a moving assembly for moving the knife guide back and forth in a direction of movement of the running web; first and second clamping assemblies for selectively clamping the running and new web, the first and second clamping assemblies being positioned on opposite sides of the knife guide in the direction of movement of the running web; two knives for selectively cutting the running web and the new web against the knife guide; a first tape applicator for applying a piece of tape to the same side of a splice of the running web and the new web, regardless of which of the first and second webs is the running web and which of the first and second webs is the new web, without index

Abstract: A band-changing apparatus for flying band change which consists of two unwinding stations which are arranged adjacent to a band changer. From the respective unwinding stations, a new band and a running-off band are brought together in the band changer in a V-shaped manner from the top downwards through two channels and enter into a pressure-roller unit rotary stops are provided in the channels for controlling movement of the respective bands. The band changer also possesses two rotary crosscutters for cutting the bands to size. The new band is equipped with an adhesive strip which leads to an adhesive bond with the running-off band in the pressure-roller unit.

Abstract: In a photographic film or paper web handling system, a vacuum drum carried by a moveable carriage automatically picks up the end of a web roll and feeds it to a web path. The location of the roll surface is sensed and the carriage is positioned in close proximity to the roll surface. The pickup of the web end by the vacuum drum is sensed and the carriage is moved from the web roll to a position adjacent the web path. An air chute is provided for transporting the web along the film path to a web perforator. A drive for the web roll is placed in a constant torque mode for maintaining web tension during initial threading and a loop position servo controlled mode for maintaining a loop height in a slack box after threading.

Abstract: A method of replacing a first strip with a second strip on a manufacturing machine featuring an input traction device for feeding the first strip along a route defined by a first and second portion at a given angle in relation to each other; according to which method, a lead portion of the second strip is positioned along the first route portion so as to project beyond the junction between the first and second route portions, and is accelerated up to the speed of the first strip., the first strip is then cut upstream from the first route portion and the second strip is cut by a device operating in a direction coincident with that of the second route portion, so as to simultaneously cut the second strip and feed the end so formed into the traction device.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming a butt splice between an expiring web and a new web in which both webs are concomitantly cut at a location upstream of a lap splice formed between the webs and a length of splicing tape is applied at the location to form the butt splice. After the butt splice is formed, the new web leading portion which is severed during the cutting operation is stripped from the expiring web. Preferably a stiffener strip is adhered to the expiring web with a breakaway adhesive and to the new web with a firm adhesive during the formation of the lap splice to facilitate the subsequent stripping operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously unwinding a plurality of rolled-up tapes made of fusible material wherein the tapes are successively unwound, one at a time, from at least two rewinders for supporting the tape thereon, with the tail end of the preceding tape joined to the leading end of the following tape. The apparatus comprises a guide roller assembly for transporting the preceding tape via a joining station, a tape end sensor for detecting the tail end of the preceding tape, and a joining device for holding the following tape at its leading end as folded over and opposed to the preceding tape, thermally bonding the tail end of the preceding tape to the folded-over leading end of the following tape in response to a detection signal from the tape end sensor, and cutting off a portion of the resulting joint with only a required length thereof left uncut.

Abstract: An automatic tape cassette vending machine capable of automatically selecting a desired kind of a magnetic tape and a cassette casing and automatically determining a desired length of the magnetic tape, to thereby meet desired requirements of user's, when they input desired conditions such as a type of a magnetic tape, the length of a magnetic tape, a type of a cassette casing and the like.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding and changing reels on a manufacturing machine, whereby reels of strip material arranged side by side are fed successively into a first operating position substantially coplanar to a second operating positionwherein the strip material is unwound normally. Each reel is supported in the second position by an arm which, as the reel in the second position runs out, releases the core of the empty reel, and picks up the reel in the first position; which reel has already been rotated, in the first position, by an unwinding device designed to feed the strip material on the reelin the first position at the same speed as the strip material on the reel in the second position.

Abstract: A device is provided for connecting the trailing end of a web of material to the leading end of the following web of material. The web of material undergoes a processing operation downstream from the device. The device includes a frame having guide rollers for determining the travel path for the web of material. Pressure elements are provided in the device which are movable towards and away from each other at right angles to the travel path of the web of material. In addition, cutting elements for cutting through the web of material are also provided. The device can be made wide for interconnecting wide webs of material but it is also compact in structure.

Abstract: In a web handling apparatus for continuously supplying a running web to a web-consuming machine using a main accumulator to provide uninterrupted feed of the web during splicing of the trailing end of an expiring roll to the leading end of a ready roll, an improved ready-roll acceleration technique uses a supplemental accumulator disposed between the ready roll and the splicing head to enable the ready roll to be accelerated prior to completion of the splice. This technique permits the use of a smaller main accumulator and/or increased running speeds. In fact, the total storage capacity of the main and supplemental accumulators can be less than that of the single accumulator of conventional apparatus of this type. Furthermore, the running roll can be slowed without adverse consequence so as to reduce web tension upsets. The invention is also useful in web winder/splicer applications.

Abstract: A cylindrical seizing element (3), made up of a fixed tubular part (32) comprising a cylindrical sector-shaped aperture (30) having a series of teeth (34) and of a movable inside part (31) also having a series of teeth (36) interposed between the first series of teeth, seizes the ends of turns of paper previously severed on a fresh reel of paper and brings the strip of paper unwinding from this fresh reel opposite a strip unwinding from an expiring reel. A splicing device comprising two rollers which are pressed against one another, one on each side of the two strips of paper, creates a splice through perforation of the two strips in an arrangement ensuring the strength of the splice. The method and apparatus are designed especially for integration in a single piece of equipment and for reliably joining two strips of paper intended to encircle cigarette filters.

Abstract: A length of tape is drawn off a reel, passed over the cutting/connecting section of a splicer, passed through a temporary storage vessel and looped back so as to pass over the cutting/connecting section again. Tape clamps hold the two layers of tape on the cutting/connecting section which are then cut. One of the tape clamps is withdrawn while an applicator applies a piece of adhesive tape in a manner which splices a continuous loop of tape. To remove a superfluous portion of the tape from the continuous loop, the loop is moved to a position wherein one end of the superfluous length is located over the cutting/connecting section. The tape is clamped and cut. One of the two tape clamps then lifts the now open end of the loop clear and the superfluous portion is spliced to the tape on a supply reel. The reel is rotated in manner which winds the superfluous length thereonto until the other end of the superfluous length is drawn to the cutting/connecting section.

Abstract: A length of tape is drawn off a reel, passed over the cutting/connecting section of a splicer, passed through a temporary storage vessel and looped back so as to pass over the cutting/connecting section again. The free end is connected to a take up reel. Tape clamps bring the overlapping layers of tape down onto the cutting/connecting section and are then cut. One of the tape clamps is withdrawn while an applicator applies a piece of adheseive tape in a manner which splices a continuous loop of tape.

Abstract: A cassette loader for loading a length of magnetic tape into a cassette having a relatively short length of leader tape preloaded into the cassette and attached by opposite ends to respective first and second cassette hubs, the cassette loader including a transfer arm for transferring a length of leader tape extracted from the cassette at a leader tape extracting position to a splicing block for splicing to a length of magnetic tape. The transfer arm is mounted for movement on the cassette loader. A leader tape extractor is carried by the transfer arm for holding the leader tape. The transfer arm moves in an arc between the leader tape extracting position and a point past a side of the splicing block remote from the leader tape extracting position to a leader tape delivery position to deliver the leader tape to the splicing block for splicing. The transfer arm then returns to the leader tape extracting position.

Abstract: In an automatic cassette loading machine a pancake is mounted on a rotatable support hub. A reading member comprising a photoelectric cell and carried by a main carriage movable at right angles to the axis of the pancake is disposed at a position spaced apart from the pancake itself and is then moved close to the latter. When the peripheral edge of the pancake is intercepted by the light beam emitted by the photoelectric cell the reading member is moved away from the pancake and disposed so that it can intercept the passage of a closure tab fastening the end of the tape on the pancake. The pancake rotation is then stopped when the location of the closure tab enables it to be picked up by a grasping member associated with the cassette loading machine.

Abstract: A splicing device for label webs mechanically holds the leading end of the new web and is rapidly transferred to splicing position and accelerated into the running speed of the web while the rotational speed of the web supply spool that is associated with the leading end of the replacement web is initially gradually adjusted to the running speed of the label web. The leading end of the replacement web and the trailing end of the expiring web are glued in an overlapping manner. The splicing device has two identically constructed multi-functional drums which are arranged to function alternately and are equipped with a gripper, cutter, free running deflector roller and pressure application device.

Abstract: A linear beam splicer including a splicing unit mounted on a frame and positioned between a beam support rack and a tufting machine. The splicing unit includes a frame carrying a grip and gauging bar assembly for holding the yarns to be spliced, and a longitudinally extending heating element mounted on the frame and extending parallel to and below the grip and gauging bar assembly. The heating unit is pivotally connected at each end thereof to the frame by an oscillating crank mechanism, whereby the heating element is moved in a linear direction against the yarns to be spliced, whereby all the yarns are spliced simultaneously.

Abstract: A tape dispenser includes an automatic tension control mechanism and provision for auto-splicing the tail portion of one tape to the leading portion of another.

Abstract: A carriage (6) is moved so that the periphery of a roller (4) rests against the reel (3). The blade (14) of a knife (5) cuts the closing belt of the reel and a few of the outer turns of the strip. The roller is started up so that the scraps are drawn into a device (8) by suction, the free end of the strip also entering this device. The suction device pivots downward so that the free portion of the strip comes to rest upon a presentation block (54) which has meanwhile been advanced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to splice a new roll of fabric or material to a roll of material being dissipated from a roll stand by supply to a material consuming machine. The invention includes a pivotally mounted vacuum device which supplies the end of the new material to a position from which it is mated with the end of the material being unwound and is adhered thereto to splice the two materials.

Abstract: A tape dispenser includes an automatic tension control mechanism and provision for auto-splicing the tail portion of one tape to the leading portion of another. The tensioning mechanism includes a brake band that extends at least partially about a tape spindle and is tensioned in response to the position of a spring-biased tensioning roller over which the tape is routed.

Abstract: An intermittently operating unwinding apparatus has a separating device with which a web-end is formed on the lifting-out of an empty spool from the guide ways of an unwind unit. A holding device holds the web-end in a plane which extends parallel to the guide ways, on which a new winding roll located in waiting position rests with its roll axle. The machine has a splicing unit with a cross member arranged parallel to the guide ways to which the beginning of the web of the new parent roll can be joined. During transport of the new parent roll out of the waiting position into its unwinding position the splicing unit is moved by dogs engaging at the roll axle against the holding device and the web-beginning joined to the web-end.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing the trailing end of an unwind depleted web of material to the lead end of a new web of material in a registered and/or abutting mode without the need for any appreciable overlap between the ends of the ceasing or slow-down of the continual forward advance of the web towards a work station, for instance, such as a thermoformer.

Abstract: A web butt splicing device for splicing two successive webs by butting the following end of a first roll of web and the leading end of a second roll of web against each other. In the web splicing device, the following end of the first roll of web is cut and is then drawn to and held on the hold surface of a butt splicing table. The leading end of the second web roll is cut on a provisionally positioning table to the shape of the following end of the first web roll, is then carried to the butt splicing table by a carrying device and is butt spliced to the following end of the first web roll. Therefore, according to the web splicing device, the webs can be butt spliced together without recourse to a manual operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to continuously unwind fabric or material from a roll stand by splicing a new roll of material to a roll of material being unwound without interrupting the supply of material to a material consuming machine. The unwinding apparatus includes a mechanism to drop the shaft of the dissipated roll while the spliced new roll is supplied to the fabric consuming machine.

Abstract: A web of sheet material (10) from a first storage roll (16) is fed by feed rolls (12, 14) to a utilization station (18). A splicing machine (22, 22') is positioned between the storage roll (16) and the feed rolls (12, 14). A new roll (20) of sheet material (34) is positioned above storage roll (16). Shortly before the first storage roll (16) becomes empty, the leading end portion of the second web (34) is fed into the splicing machine (22, 22'), above a portion of the first web (10). Then, a loop forming roll (30) is moved downwardly, from an inactive upper position above the feed path of the web (10) to a lower position, to form a loop (L) in the web (10). Then, the web (10) is stopped rearwardly of the loop (L) and the splicing machine (22, 22') is operated to connect the new web (34) to the old web (10 ), while the feed rolls (12, 14) continue to operate to feed web (10) out from the loop (L).

Abstract: An apparatus to splice a new roll of fabric or material to a roll of material being dissipated from a roll stand by supply to a material consuming machine. The invention includes a pivotally mounted vacuum device which supplies the end of the new material to a position from which it is mated with the end of the material being unwound and is adhered thereto to splice the two materials.

Abstract: A web replenishing apparatus and method for replacing an exhausted web supply with a fresh web supply. The apparatus includes means for detecting the exhaustion of the web supply and for stopping the web processing machine when the tail end of the web reaches a predetermined location. After the web processing machine is stopped, the empty spool or beam is removed by an operator and a fresh supply beam is placed thereon. The head end of the replacement fabric is draped over a lift roll and a supporting surface into a predetermined position. A clamp is provided for locating and securing the edges of the tail end of the exhausted web and the edges of the head end of the replacement web and for bringing them into alignment with each other at a sewing station. The excess web is pretrimmed from the head and tail ends and the head and tail ends of said webs are sewn together by a horizontal sewing machine.

Abstract: A system and method for handling and delaminating a bobbin of sheet-like material, such as tipping paper, comprising a delaminator apparatus (100), a robotic arm assembly (182) having a robotic hand (185) connected thereto and a control console (212) for controlling the delaminator apparatus (100), the robotic arm assembly (182) and robotic hand (185) connected to the robotic arm assembly (182).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying a secondary fabric to a fabric processing machine. The movement of the primary fabric to the fabric processing machine is interrupted and the primary fabric is clamped at spaced points. The primary fabric is severed at a point between the clamping points and the tail end of the primary fabric is aligned with the head end of the secondary fabric and the two are sewn together by a sewing machine which traverses the widths of the fabrics. The head end of the primary fabric is moved to a holding position. The clamp for the head end of the secondary fabric and the clamp for the tail end of the primary fabric are released and the feeding means for feeding the fabric is restarted to feed the secondary fabric to the fabric processing machine.

Abstract: The disclosed butt splicing apparatus and method is adapted to be used with rolls of material supported on turret-type roll unwind stands. A splicer embodying the invention includes a nip assembly, a new web preparation assembly, a new web and tape holding assembly, and a web cutting and adhering assembly. The nip assembly serves to clamp the expiring web during a splicing operation. The new web preparation assembly serves to prepare the leading end of the new web for the splicing operation. The new web and tape holding assembly serves to hold a portion of the new web, immediately upstream of its leading end, and to hold a strip of adhesive tape in preparation for the splicing operation and during the splicing operation itself. The web cutting and adhering assembly serves to cut the expiring web during the splicing operation and to cause the cut part of the trailing end of the web and the leading end of the web to adhere to the adhesive tape simultaneously as the cutting of the expiring web occurs.

Abstract: A semi-automatic operating and also adjustable device for interconnecting the opposite ends of two material bands originating from two individual webs, one web of which is nearly terminated the other being the starting one, the connection being made with an adhesive tape attached to only one and the same side of both bands, said device comprising two pinch rollers, cutting knives and idler rollers, the band material being either paper or textile, to be used for a printing operation.

Abstract: A device for feeding a material tape from a supplement roll at a preparation station to another material tape wound off an un-winding roll positioned at a connection station includes a first and a second feeding arrangement, each including a fixed rotatable deflecting roller, a swingable rotatable deflecting roller spaced from the fixed roller and swingable about the axis of the latter, and a drive carrying a fixing bar to which a starting end of the material tape to be fed is fixed. The drive pivots the fixing bar with the tape end from the preparation station to the connection station at which the starting end of the material tape of the supplement roll is connected to the material tape of the un-winding roll.

Abstract: A pneumatic arrangement for the tensioning of a tape in a machine for loading magnetic tape onto a cassette, having a closed tensioning mechanism containing container that is under a vacuum for forming a tension loop in the tape and having curved elements for the guiding the tape at the inlet and outlet of the container, wherein the tensioning mechanism container and the outlet guiding element are pivotably mounted to be controllably moved between two indicated positions in order to be able to align the outlet guiding element at one instance, to a first processing station of the machine and, at another instance, to a second processing station of the machine without causing undesirable vibrations of the tape itself.

Abstract: Two lengths of discrete web materials are automatically joined by suitable alignment and positioning of their respective leading and trailing web edges. Transverse movement of such edges is automatically controlled so that longitudinal margins of such edges are aligned, also. Once a first roll of material is emptied and its trailing edge is joined with a leading edge of a new roll of material, support structure for the new roll is pivoted so that the new roll is physically moved into the support and drive position previously occupied by the old roll.

Abstract: An apparatus of this invention includes first and second supply rolls of wrapping film sheets. The film sheet is fed from first supply roll to a wrapping machine. The distal end of the film sheet of the second supply roll is partially fixed by an adhesive tape. In this state, the film sheet cannot be fed from the second supply roll. The second supply roll can be rotated in the forward or reverse direction. The apparatus also includes a knife for cutting the adhesive tape of the second supply roll. When the remaining length of the film sheet fed from the first supply roll becomes short, the knife is brought into contact with the outer surface of the second supply roll. By utilizing the rotation of the roll, the knife is inserted under the distal end of the film sheet of the second supply roll. Thereafter, the knife is moved along the outer surface of the second supply roll in the axial direction thereof, thereby cutting the adhesive tape of the second supply roll.

Abstract: To change reels (11, 12) of packaging material in or on packaging machines, a front region of a connecting sheet (13) is held ready in an exact relative position in a common conveyor track (18). When the end of a run-off sheet (10) is reached, an end piece of the latter is severed, so that the run-off end and the front end of the sheets of material (10, 13) can be conveyed (further) in an exact position to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided wherein web material is unwound from successive rolls of web material by imparting a constant draw in the web material. The web is then forwarded through a constant tension zone to downstream equipment such as a converter for manufacturing disposable absorbent products. The constant tension zone is provided to isolate the web being forwarded under constant tension from tension fluctuations which may occur in the constant draw unwind portion of the apparatus: such tension fluctuations being relatively large in magnitude and random in nature especially with net-like webs, and blocking prone web marterials. A splicer is provided in the constant tension zone in close proximity to the constant-draw unwind to effect splices near the tail end of a just depleted roll of web but prior to the tail end passing out of the constant-draw unwind portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a device for splicing the beginning of a paper strip wound on a new reel, especially a cigarette paper strip, to the end of the paper strip on an off-winding reel. The lead of the paper strip of the new reel is picked up by a gripping mechanism and is fed to a stamping device where the strips are connected by a grid of uniform pyramids. The device facilitates completely automatic reel replacement and gives a very tight but still very flexible connection of the paper strips.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for joining an end of a first web to an end of a second web by, for example, double-sided adhesive tape, glue or the like, include locking the end of the first web at a fixed position by first locking apparatus and locking, i.e., holding the end of the second web by second holding and moving apparatus. The held end of the second web is moved by the second apparatus into pressure contact with the end of the first web whereby the ends of the respective webs are joined to each other by adhesive tape, glue or the like.

Abstract: In an apparatus for joining the ends of sheets of material 10, 11, consisting especially of packaging material, a sheet-holder 28 assigned to the running-off sheet of material 10 is moved with the sheet of material in the direction of a second sheet-holder 29, the running-off sheet of material being severed and the rear end being joined to the front end 38 of the sheet of material 10 to be connected. The to-and-fro movements of the sheet-holders 28, 29 are executed by means of pressure-medium cylinders 48 which can be controlled by sensor units 22, 23 assigned to the sheets of material 10, 11.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of cover strips which are to be inserted into the grooves of stators of electric machines, from a supply of strip material provided on delivery rolls. The guide channel (26) for cover strip material (12) has several feed passages (46, 46'), which can be brought individually into connection one after the other with the main part of guide channel (26). Thus it is possible to thread the lead of a new delivery roll into its feed passage (46, 46') of the guide channel while the machine continues to run, so that when delivery rolls (16, 16') are to be changed, only a mechanical change of position of feed passages (46, 46') need be undertaken. The down time of the machine is thus greatly shortened.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining the trailing end of a preceding sheet to the leading end of a following sheet is disclosed which effects the union of the two sheet ends by keeping the trailing end of the preceding sheet sucked to the lower side of a pair of suction boxes disposed on a sheet path as separated by an interval, cutting the sheet so held in place along the interval, elevating a movable receiving table disposed below the sheet path, and holding in place the leading end of the following sheet, thereby bringing the leading end of the following sheet into contact with the cut end of the preceding strip of sheet and thereby allowing the two sheet ends to be joined.

Abstract: A machine for loading magnetic tape into cassettes is provided which comprises a splicing block assembly mounted on a pivotally mounted support and comprising two splicing blocks, one fixed to the support and the second pivotally mounted to the support, means for rotating the second block relative to the first block so that either of two tape-receiving tracks on the first block may be aligned with a single tape receiving track on the first block, means for rotating the support between a first tape winding position and a second tape splicing position, and a splicer for splicing abutting tape ends on the splicing block assembly when the support is in the second tape splicing position.

Abstract: A sheet splicer comprises two sheet roll support means, a table disposed above the sheet rolls held in place on the sheet roll support means and adapted to reciprocate above the table, and sheet guiding means disposed above the belt and adapted to reciprocate between the front and rear ends of the belt. While the sheet from the first sheet roll is being pulled out over the sheet guiding means positioned beforehand at one end of the belt, the leading end of the sheet from the second sheet roll is covered with an adhesive agent and held in place at a prescribed position on the belt at the other end thereof. As the sheet from the first sheet roll is completely drawn out of the sheet roll, the trailing end of this sheet is retained at that position and the sheet guiding means is moved to the other end of the belt. Consequently, the leading end of the sheet from the second sheet roll is allowed to be joined to the trailing end of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding video tape on reels of a cassette includes a winding device for winding video tape on the reels and a feeding device for feeding a pair of reels to the winding device, the winding device having two shafts on which two reels can be removably mounted, at least one of the shafts being movable in a direction away from the other, a connecting member for connecting tapes being provided so as to be brought in and out of the path of movement of the movable shaft, the connecting member being out of the path of the reels when the reels are being moved away from each other, and when the reels are spaced from each other, the connecting member is moved in and out of the space between the reels so as to connect the tape wound on the reels with video tape.