PURPOSE: To provide a separating device that can prevent the leading end of a new strip and the trailing end of a depleted strip from attaching to each other at the moment of effecting a changeover of the supply of the strip material.

CONSTITUTION: The leading end 4 of a new strip 5 and the trailing end of a depleted strip are separated, before entering a cutting station 8, by a device comprising a pair of feelers 10 stationed between pinch rolls and the cutting station 8. The feelers 10 are capable of movement at least between an at-rest position in which the feelers remain outside the dimensional compass of the strip material and an operating position in which the feelers are moved substantially in alignment with the leading end 4 of the new strip 5. The feelers 10 at the operating position slip beneath the leading end 4 and detach it from the trailing end of the depleted strip.