PURPOSE: To securely connect a strip material by stopping the ends of one strip material on a plate member and then connecting its end to the end of the next strip material on the plate member when a soft strip material such as a tire is connected.

CONSTITUTION: When a soft strip material is fed to the next process, one end a1 of a strip material (a) which moves toward the discharge end, passes an optical axis of a photoelectric switch 2 on a plate member 1. When the photoelectric switch 2 detects lack of material, it operates a clutch brake 9 and a chain 8 runs idle. At the same time, a discharge roller 3 is thrown on the brakes through a chain 8' and is brought to a stop. Therefore, the soft strip material (a) automatically comes to a halt with the end (a1) remaining on the plate member 1. A new roll material (a) is then drawn. Its end (a2) is securely and easily connected to the end (a1) of the proceeding material on the plate member 1.