Device for supplying strip flexible material to a work station

Device for supplying a work station with a flexible material strip unwound from a reel, comprising

• a transfer plate, animated by a translation motion along a longitudinal horizontal axis, by displacing means, between a first position of loading the material strip and a second working position, said transfer plate including first means for blocking the material strip on said plate when the latter is moving from the loading position to the working position, the transfer plate being capable of supporting on its surface the material strip and the work station including second blocking means for retaining a free end of the material strip on said work station such that the transfer plate return travel from the working position to the loading position generates, by friction of the material strip on said plate, forces tending to smooth out a part of the material strip associated with the work station, the second blocking means being constituted by at least one means adapted to clamp the free end of the material strip in the work station.