An object of the present invention is to improve throughput of continuous printing in an image printing apparatus having a cutting device that needs to be returned to a standby position for a next cutting operation. One embodiment of the present invention is an image printing apparatus having a printing unit, a conveyance unit capable of conveying a printing medium in a conveyance direction or in a returning direction opposite to the conveyance direction; and a cutting unit provided at a cutting position on a downstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing unit and configured to cut the printing medium by moving in a first direction and return to a cutting standby position for a next cutting operation by moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A device for splicing and continuously providing an outgoing film web includes a splicing unit for splicing a first or a second incoming film web to the outgoing film web, and a clamping unit and an intermediate film storage for the outgoing film web.

The splicing unit includes a first sealing jaw with a first holding device for the outgoing film web, and a first cutting device for severing the outgoing film web in the region of the first sealing jaw. The splicing unit includes a second sealing jaw with a second holding device alternately for the first or the second incoming film web, and a second cutting device for severing this incoming film web. The sealing jaws with their respective holding devices can be displaced relative to one another out of the region of action of their first and second cutting devices into their mutual region of action.

An object of the present invention is to improve throughput of continuous printing in an image printing apparatus having a cutting device that needs to be returned to a standby position for a next cutting operation. One embodiment of the present invention is an image printing apparatus having a printing unit, a conveyance unit capable of conveying a printing medium in a conveyance direction or in a returning direction opposite to the conveyance direction; and a cutting unit provided at a cutting position on a downstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing unit and configured to cut the printing medium by moving in a first direction and return to a cutting standby position for a next cutting operation by moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A device for splicing and continuously providing an outgoing film web includes a splicing unit for splicing a first or a second incoming film web to the outgoing film web, and a clamping unit and an intermediate film storage for the outgoing film web. The splicing unit includes a first sealing jaw with a first holding device for the outgoing film web, and a first cutting device for severing the outgoing film web in the region of the first sealing jaw. The splicing unit includes a second sealing jaw with a second holding device alternately for the first or the second incoming film web, and a second cutting device for severing this incoming film web. The sealing jaws with their respective holding devices can be displaced relative to one another out of the region of action of their first and second cutting devices into their mutual region of action.

An automatic feeder for a strip of material, comprising: an orientation assembly (10), structured to retain a free end (T) of a strip (R) on a predetermined gripping plane (11), in a waiting position; a gripping device (20), structured to grasp the free end (T) of a strip (R) and to translate the end (T) from the waiting position to a feeding position, in which the end (T) can be grasped by another operating device (D).