Abstract: The splicing device for splicing a trailing edge of a first web material to a leading edge of a second web material includes members defining a feed path of the web material. The device also includes a first cutting member and a second cutting member, cooperating with the first cutting member. One of the two cutting members is provided with a movement transverse to the feed path of the web material, to move the cutting member from an operating position, in which it is in front of the other cutting member, to an idle position, withdrawn with respect to the feed path of the web material.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution system may include a housing that includes an end cap unit, a main cabinet unit, and a fiber termination unit. The main cabinet unit may have a door that opens to provide access to the interior of the main cabinet unit, which may include a plurality of cassettes in a stacked arrangement within the main cabinet unit. The cassettes may be rotatably coupled to a cassette support so that, when the door is open, the cassettes may be individually rotated at least partially out of the main cabinet unit to provide access to the cassettes for maintenance. The fiber distribution system may be mountable to a strand so that the system hangs in a suspended state, and a plurality of the main cabinet units may be coupled to one another in a cascading fashion to provide increased cassette capacity.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes a fixed contact module including a fixed contact, a movable contact module including a movable contact disposed to face the fixed contact, an armature formed of a magnetic material and configured to move the movable contact module to bring the movable contact into and out of contact with the fixed contact, and an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field to move the armature. At least one of the fixed contact module and the movable contact module includes a joint at which different components are joined by riveting, and a film with a thermal conductivity higher than, the thermal conductivity of the fixed contact module and the movable contact module is formed on at least one of the fixed contact module and the movable contact module including the joint.

Abstract: A pole-and-line fishing device includes a rotary drum, a drive motor, an electromagnetic clutch, an encoder for detecting direction and speed of rotation of the rotary drum, and a control unit for controlling the electromagnetic clutch. The drive motor can rotate the rotary drum in a forward winding direction until a load reaches a transmission torque, and when load exceeds the transmission torque, the drum can rotate in a reverse unwinding direction. In a reverse torque operation region, a winding torque is set to a preset Winding Force 2 Reference Rotation Speed relative to a Winding Force 1, and is changed based on a change of rotation speed of the drum. The ratio of winding torque increase/decrease is determined by a torque rising curve. The winding torque switches to Winding Force 3 to perform a constant torque operation when speed of the drum reaches Winding Force 3 Reference Rotation Speed.

Abstract: A tension-link of the belt-splicer is based on a rope-loop of high-strength synthetic fibre, wound around bosses. The bosses and the loop are encapsulated in moulded plastic. The link connects cross-beams of the splicer. The link includes couplings which permit rotation when the beams deflect in bending. The links can be stored inside the hollow interior of the beams. The couplings include eccentrically-mounted blocks that can be orientated to adjust the length of the link.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling, dispensing and using a laminated paper web transfer tape, an embodiment of the apparatus having a pair of transfer tape spools enclosed within a cartridge dispenser, one transfer tape spool containing a first tape component of the laminated transfer tape and the other transfer tape spool containing a second tape component of the laminated transfer tape, the first tape component being the combination of a substrate having adhesive on both sides and a release liner, the second tape component being a cover flap member having a release coating over at least a majority of one side. The components are unwound from the spools and pressed together such that they become joined along a longitudinal edge strip, then dispensed from the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling, dispensing and using a laminated paper web transfer tape, an embodiment of the apparatus having a pair of transfer tape spools enclosed within a housing, one transfer tape spool containing a first tape component of the laminated transfer tape and the other transfer tape spool containing a second tape component of the laminated transfer tape, the first tape component being the combination of a substrate having adhesive on both sides and a release liner, the second tape component being a cover flap member having a release coating over at least a majority of one side. The components are unwound from the spools and pressed together such that they become joined along a longitudinal edge strip, then dispensed from the housing.

Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.

Abstract: A gluing arrangement for applying glue to labels in a labeling machine, which gluing arrangement has a heated roller element and one or more temperature sensors which sense the temperature of a portion of the roller element. The temperature sensors are protectively sealed against contamination and mechanical damage, such as by being sealed inside the body of the roller element. The gluing arrangement also has a heating arrangement which includes one or more induction coils for heating the roller element. The heating arrangement and/or induction coils are positioned within the roller element such that they are surrounded by either an inner or outer surface of the roller element.

Abstract: A fusion splicing apparatus fusion-splices end faces 1a and 3a of a pair of optical fibers 1 and 3 to each other. The apparatus includes a mirror shaft 21 provided with a mirror 23 that is arranged between the end faces 1a and 3a of the pair of optical fibers 1 and 3 that are faced toward and spaced away from each other and is movable between a first position to reflect an image of the end face 1a and a second position to reflect an image of the end face 3a, a first camera 25 that takes the image of the end face 1a reflected in the first position, and a second camera 27 that takes the image of the end face 3a reflected in the second position.

Abstract: When overlapping and joining together end portions of a rubber member, it becomes possible to join them at a joining area smaller than a conventional one by increasing the joining area. There is provided a joining device for overlapping end portions, of a rubber member (tire constituent member) with one upper end portion placing on the other lower end portion and joining the end portions of the rubber member, in which a pressing roll (disk-shaped roll) rotating about an inclined shaft is rolled while being pressed against the overlapped upper end portion of the rubber member, and the upper end portion is extended by a shearing force generated at this time to increase a joining area between the both end portions.

Abstract: A carpet tile having a contrast pattern intermixed with a portion of a background pattern. The contrast pattern is positioned proximate a selected side edge of the carpet tile and has a contrast color different than the colors of the background pattern. Within a floor covering, the rotational position of the carpet tile can be varied to thereby achieve a desired visual appearance with respect to the contrast patterns of adjacent carpet tiles.

Abstract: The invention is related to an ultrasonic welding device (5) comprising: an adapter frame (6); an ultrasonic horn (7) driven by a adapter frame mounted converter (8). A pick member (9) comprises grippers (11-14). Passive clamping means are provided with a press pad (10). Control means and activation means (15) are provided for controlled activation of the pick member (9) and the ultrasonic horn (7). The invention is further related to a method of operating said device.

Abstract: A belt splicer (80) for butt-welding conveyor belts with longitudinal walls and methods for splicing belts. The belt splicer (82, 83) has bridges supporting belt clamps (88) above clamp jaws (12, 13). The bridges are attached at opposite ends to the corresponding jaws. Slots (96) along intermediate spans of the bridges allow the belt clamps to be adjustable positioned along the bridges. Adjacent belt clamps can be positioned with a space between them to accommodate the walls.

Abstract: A center-folded film splicer is disclosed. The splicer comprises a splicer assembly that is adjustably mounted to a wrapping device such that it can be moved between a storage position and an operating (or splicing) position. The splicer assembly comprises a pair of heat bars, an upper heat bar and a lower heat bar, connected with a synchronized hinge and a back-up pad bar disposed therebetween. In this manner, the upper and lower layers (or “legs”) of the films from a depleted film roll and a fresh film roll can be simultaneously sealed to each other to create a continuous film that does not need to be rethreaded through the wrapping device when replacing film rolls.

Abstract: A fusion machine which can be top-loaded on very large polyolefin pipes and pipelines has jaws which consist of an upper half jaw and lower left and right complemental jaws which pivot on the half jaw. Left and right actuators connected between the complemental jaws and the half jaw operate in one direction to cause the complemental jaws to rotate to an opened condition in which the upper half jaw can be lowered onto and lifted from the pipes to be fused and in the other direction to cause the complemental jaws to rotate to a closed condition in which the pipes to be fused are gripped so substantially around their circumferences as to resist their deformation from round during manipulation by the machine. The top-loading machine minimizes the need for heavy equipment to load and unload pipe to and from the fusion machine.

Abstract: A belt splicer (80) for butt-welding conveyor belts with longitudinal walls and methods for splicing belts. The belt splicer (82, 83) has bridges supporting belt clamps (88) above clamp jaws (12, 13). The bridges are attached at opposite ends to the corresponding jaws. Slots (96) along intermediate spans of the bridges allow the belt clamps to be adjustable positioned along the bridges. Adjacent belt clamps can be positioned with a space between them to accommodate the walls.

Abstract: A feeding unit from reels of sheet-like material , in particular but not exclusively printed plastic film with print-position marks for automatic packaging machines, comprising two unrolling shafts of respective reels of material for feeding in turn said material towards a unit that cuts and welds the tail of material of a running out reel and the head of a fresh, loaded reel. Such a unit comprising suction, cutting and welding devices (7, 8) movable so as to approach and move away from each other to press the material (F1, F2) over a welding plane. Each device is formed by a group of mutually stacked suction and cutting modules, at least two of such modules having respective guides for slidable in a transversal direction with the respect to the feeding direction of the material, whereby it is possible to select and adjust the number of modules according to a desired welding height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for simultaneously producing wide and narrow slit tape from the same master roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin pellet includes a roving package constituted by a cylindrical package of a reinforcing fiber bundle, a reinforcing fiber bundle delivery device, an impregnation die, a withdrawing device disposed on a downstream side of the impregnation die, and a cutter member. The reinforcing fiber bundle delivery device includes a plurality of collapse suppressing members adapted to be pushed radially outwards against an inner periphery surface of the roving package to suppress collapse of winding layers and a pusher for displacing said plural collapse suppressing members radially outwards following the inner periphery surface of the roving package which inner periphery surface shifts radially outwards gradually as the reinforcing fiber bundle is drawn out in a successive manner.

Abstract: End portions of a sheet-shaped rubber member are manually and firmly joined together. A pair of opening/closing members is arranged to sandwich and move along the end portions. An opening/closing mechanism opens/closes the pair of opening/closing members between an open position and a closed position where the end portions are joined together. A pair of guiding rollers is provided to one opening/closing member and guides each of the end portions to a joining position. A pressing roller is provided to the other opening/closing member and presses each of the end portions onto the guiding roller. A pair of joining rollers is provided to the pair of opening/closing members, respectively, and sandwiches each of the end portions guided by the pair of guiding rollers. The joining rollers roll on each of the opposing end portions and abut and join the end portions to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding together thermoplastic hoses comprising two clamping units which in part can be rotated and displaced relative to each other. The two clamping units each have two clamping jaws which comprise through-passages between the clamping jaws in which the hoses can be inserted continuously parallel to each other and squeezed transversely to each other. The apparatus further comprises a heatable blade for severing the hoses and melting the cut edges thereof between the clamping units. An intermediate piece is disposed between the clamping jaws of the clamping units, thereby separating the clamped hoses from each other, and at least one of the two clamping units has inner and outer clamping jaws, wherein the inner clamping jaws are held by the outer clamping jaws and can be adjusted together. In a closed position, the inner clamping jaws and the intermediate piece can be rotated with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for producing an absorbent article are provided. Generally, the apparatuses and methods allow for continuous delivering of a plurality of web material to downstream equipment during a manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods allow for simultaneously unwinding, splicing, and lamination of multiple rolls of web material rotatably mounted to a frame and delivering the web material to various downstream manufacturing processes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for splicing together old and new thermoformable sheets in order to supply a continuous thermoforming operation. The apparatus is used to join together thermoformable sheets by: providing a first thermoformable sheet with a trailing edge and a second thermoformable sheet with a leading edge; forming a terminal edge portion with a hot element along the trailing edge and a complementary terminal edge portion along the leading edge by severing a scrap sheet from each portion; laterally retracting each scrap portion away from the trailing edge and the leading edge; and joining together the first thermoformable sheet and the second thermoformable sheet by interlocking together the terminal edge portion with the complementary terminal edge portion.

Abstract: A belt cutting and splicing apparatus is provided for joining together the ends of one or more monolithic conveyor belts. In one form, a belt support is configured to support the belt ends in spaced relation to each other and a non-contact heating device is provided for being disposed between the belt ends to generate thermal radiation for joining the belt ends together. In another form, a drive mechanism is operable to cause relative movement of a pair of platens, for supporting belt ends, toward and away from each other and a heating device between heating and stowed positions. An actuator of the drive mechanism is movable by an operator between at least three operation positions corresponding to three different operation positions of the platens. An on-board belt cutting mechanism is provided for precision cutting of the belt ends using the same apparatus for both belt cutting and splicing operations.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of joining sheet members together that is capable of joining two sheet members together without causing a stepped portion on a joined portion. Provided is a method of joining a first sheet member and a second sheet member together, which includes bringing an end face of the first sheet member into abutment with an end face of the second sheet member to provide an abutted portion, heating the abutted portion via a heating medium to thermal-fusion-bond the end faces with each other, and peeling off the heating medium from the first and second sheet members after the thermal-fusion bonding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic splicer for the continuous supply of laminar strips, comprising a reel holder for incorporating two reels that can be positioned alternately in a feed position for feeding to an application process and in a standby position, there being above the reel holder a guide rail on which a splicer head that can move in a movement projected towards a splicing zone is mounted, carrying the laminar strip of a reel arranged in standby for splicing it with the laminar strip of the feed reel during a joint movement of said laminar strips.

Abstract: There is a need for a tension-link for belt-splicer that is lighter and where damage to the link is more easily detected. The solution is a tension-link (30) for a belt-splicer that is based on a rope-loop (45) of high-strength synthetic fibre, wound around bosses, where the bosses and the loop are encapsulated in moulded plastic (56). The link connects cross-beams of the splicer. Additional features of the link include couplings which permit rotation (52) when the beams deflect in bending. The links can be stored inside the hollow interior of the beams. The couplings include eccentrically mounted blocks (43) that can be orientated to adjust the length of the link.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing two different thermoplastic films (F1, F2, F3) in a thermoforming system, wherein cuts (9 . . . 14) of the one or the other film are selectively and variably brought on request in a conveyor means through the thermoforming system, such that different successive cuts (9 . . . 14) are conveyed by the conveyor means to a thermoforming station (18) and processed therein, and two successive cuts (9 . . . 14) are joined into a film strip (12), either edge to edge or with an overlap (15, 16).

Abstract: A device for butt-joining a product made of strips or webs of material includes a soldering and cutting workstation and a rolling workstation. The butt-joining device includes apparatus for adjusting the relative position of a rolling component and the soldering and cutting zone to be rolled.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet winder which enables a sheet roll paper wound in a roll shape to be used in manufacturing of a corrugated cardboard for packing cases, in which the sheet roll paper is obtained by laminating sheet papers printed one by one using a lithography technique as one of the most general and economical printing methods and a roll paper used as a material for manufacturing the corrugated cardboard for packing cases.

Abstract: A rubber sheet jointing apparatus is provided with first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of one of two rubber sheets, second holding means provided movably relative to the first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of the other of the two rubber sheets, and operating means for pressure-contacting the end surfaces of the two rubber sheets respectively held by the first and second holding means by moving the second holding means relative to the first holding means. Mutually facing surfaces of the first and second holding means are respectively provided with holder portions which are formed as rugged portions each taking a comb tooth shape and which are able to partly overlap to mesh with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for joining a first length of suture with a second length of suture are provided. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical body have a first end and a second end, a first cavity formed in the first end for receiving an end of the first length of suture, and a second cavity formed in the second end for receiving an end of the second length of suture, wherein the ends of the first and second lengths of sutures are welded within respective first and second cavities. The first and second lengths of suture may include the same or different diameters. The first and second cavities may be separated by a divider, or instead, may be continuous. The end of the first length of suture may abut the end of the second length of suture within the cylindrical body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tape applicator or tape head formed from a combination of two separated apparatuses namely a detachable unit containing a front portion of the tape applicator and a stationary unit containing a rear portion of the applicator with snap-on engagement there between to obtain the interactive motion of a conventional tape applicator i.e. the present invention separates a conventional tape applicator into two separate portions which results in the ability to quickly change tapes and reduces safety hazards.

Abstract: A splicing device (13) and a method for the transport and feeding of plastic film (8) to a processing station. In this processing station the articles are wrapped in the plastic film (8) and the film (8) can subsequently be shrunk. This device includes a supply of film rolls with at least three separate film rolls (1 to 6) that are subsequently fed to a conveyor. The device furthermore includes a fixation device (20, 24, 26) arranged between the conveyor and the film rolls (1 to 6). The fixation device (20, 24, 26) fixes and joins the beginnings of film of new full film rolls (2 to 6) to the sheet of film currently fed into the processing device.

Abstract: Substrate material processing equipment includes: a substrate material conveying section receiving a substrate material from a first line and conveying it to a second line; a first substrate material dividing section dividing the substrate material; a substrate material recovery section recovering the substrate material from its start edge formed by division; a substrate material supply section supplying a substrate material to an end edge of the substrate material which is formed by division; a first substrate material joining section joining the end edge of the substrate material to a start edge of the substrate material supplied from the substrate material supply section; a second substrate material dividing section provided between the substrate material supply section and the first substrate material joining section; a third substrate material dividing section provided between the first line and the substrate material recovery section; and a second substrate material joining section joining a start edge

Abstract: A coupled portion of mutual laminate films sufficiently contributes to the formation of a packaging bag in that the coupled portion itself has excellent air tightness and liquid tightness. The tensile strength required for the laminate film is given to the coupled portion, whereby a temporary stop of a packaging apparatus is useless when a connecting portion of the laminate film is passed through the apparatus, thereby enhancing the operation efficiency and improving the yield of the material. Oriented base film layers are joined in a mitre form at the coupled portion between a rear end portion and a front end portion of laminate films comprising oriented base film layers and sealant layers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for splicing together old and new thermoformable sheets in order to supply a continuous thermoforming operation. The apparatus is used to join together thermoformable sheets by: providing a first thermoformable sheet with a trailing edge and a second thermoformable sheet with a leading edge; forming a terminal edge portion with a hot element along the trailing edge and a complementary terminal edge portion along the leading edge by severing a scrap sheet from each portion; laterally retracting each scrap portion away from the trailing edge and the leading edge; and joining together the first thermoformable sheet and the second thermoformable sheet by interlocking together the terminal edge portion with the complementary terminal edge portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin pellet are provided which can smoothly carry out a continuous drawing-out operation for a reinforcing fiber bundle (continuous fiber-reinforced resin strand). With respect to a terminal end of a reinforcing fiber bundle A of a roving package being exhausted and a front end of a reinforcing fiber bundle B of a new roving package, fiber quantity-halved end portions A1 and B1 each about half of the original fiber quantity are formed respectively, then reinforcing filaments in those fiber quantity-halved end portions are entangled by an air splicer to form an entangled portion C1, and reinforcing filaments in a portion downstream of the fiber quantity-halved end portion in the reinforcing fiber bundle B of the new roving package are entangled by an air splicer to form an entangled portion C2.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining a carcass ply, which butt-joins a wind start end and a wind finish end of a carcass ply wound around a cylindrical drum, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a joining section for joining the ends of the carcass ply; and aligning sections for aligning the ends of the carcass ply during joining by the joining section, the joining section and the aligning sections being disposed below the cylindrical drum supported in a horizontal state.

Abstract: An arrangement for handling optical fibres in access points. A fibre management unit is provided which is adapted to enable splicing and termination of one or more optical fibres. The fibre management unit comprises splicing means and terminating means and the fibre management unit is pivotably arranged around an axis of a fibre management rack. The axis is substantially parallel with a normal through the main propagation plane of the fibre management unit. By arranging fibre management units in racks pivotably, the optical fibres are easier to access e.g. for service, repair, or incremental installations.

Abstract: A system and a method for manufacturing an optical display device. The system includes a first cutting and bonding apparatus to handle a first roll of sheet material including a first optical film with a width corresponding to the short side of an optical display unit and to bond the first optical film to one surface of the optical display unit and then to cut the first optical film into a length corresponding to the long side of the optical display unit. A second cutting and bonding apparatus handles a second roll of sheet material including a second optical film with a width corresponding to the long side of the optical display unit and bonds the second optical film to the other surface of the optical display unit and then cuts the second optical film into a length corresponding to the short side of the optical display unit.

Abstract: A multifunction tape applicator for applying a section or sections of pressure sensitive adhesive tape to a carton selectively in different carton sealing configurations, namely C-clip; single L-clip, front and back L-clips and sectional skip-gap taping. The multifunction tape applicator comprises a basic tape applicator unit to apply a common C-clip tape from a tape roll with built-in design apparatus for tape applying, tape cutting, tape tension control to facilitate other functions and a mechanical or powered actuation attachment unit which is to be installed onto the modified basic tape applicator unit to actuate other functions based on the requirement of the application.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for splicing together old and new thermoformable sheets in order to supply a continuous thermoforming operation. The method for joining together thermoformable sheets includes: providing a first thermoformable sheet with a trailing edge and a second thermoformable sheet with a leading edge; forming a terminal edge portion with a hot element along the trailing edge and a complementary terminal edge portion along the leading edge by severing a scrap sheet from each portion; laterally retracting each scrap portion away from the trailing edge and the leading edge; and joining together the first thermoformable sheet and the second thermoformable sheet by interlocking together the terminal edge portion with the complementary terminal edge portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.

Abstract: An apparatus that manufactures an absorbent article includes a rotating member that rotates in a state where the rotating member is opposing one face of a continuous sheet that is moving, the rotating member having an arcuate retaining surface that retains a work, the rotating member causing the work to be moved to a position where the work is nipped between the one face and the arcuate retaining surface by rotating in a state where the work is retained on the arcuate retaining surface; and a pressing member that bonds a continuous sheet and a work together by coming into contact with another face of the continuous sheet when the work reaches the position and pressing the continuous sheet towards the arcuate retaining surface.

Abstract: A welding machine having a frame that includes end supports spanned by a top beam with a truncated V-shaped cross-section. A vacuum track assembly disposed vertically beneath the top beam retains fabrics to be welded on a perforated surface using suction. A welding head travels along the top beam and applies heat and pressure to the surface to weld the fabrics together. The top beam and vacuum track assembly are extendable by including additional unit segments from which the beam and assembly are constructed.

Abstract: A rubber sheet jointing apparatus is provided with a first holding member for releasably holding a joint end portion of one of two rubber sheets; a second holding member provided movably relative to the first holding member for releasably holding a joint end portion of the other of the two rubber sheets; and an operating member for pressure-contacting the end surfaces of the two rubber sheets respectively held by the first and second holding member by moving the second holding member relative to the first holding member. Mutually facing surfaces of the first and second holding member are respectively provided with holder portions which are formed as rugged portions each taking a comb tooth shape and which are able to partly overlap to mesh with each other.