follower roller 72 secured to an angle arm 73 which is rigidly secured to the rocker arm 49 and a second angle arm 75 loaded by a spring 74 in the path of movement of the rocker 49 is mounted a switch means 77 upon the actuation thereof by the rocker arm 49 the feeding of the ribbon 44 from the motor 48 is interrupted between the rollers 54 and the roller mechanism 52 53 along the path of movement of the ribbon is mounted a pair of jaws 78 the purpose of the jaws 78 is to prevent a withdrawal of the ribbon in the event that a folding box carrier which is in cross cutting position for some reason proves to be empty inasmuch as this does not form a part of the present invention said jaws will not be further described the leading edge of continuous sealing ribbon 44 extends at its furthest to a blade means 79 controlled by a cam not shown and in the cross cutting position of the respective folding box 32 blade means 79 is moved upwards across the path of the ribbon 44 and past a holder on 80 in order to cross cut the ribbon 44 a description of the function of the sealing strip applicator according to the invention will now be made by reference to fig3 5 fig3 shows the position in which the ribbon 44 just has been cross cut and the withdrawal of the ribbon 44 has been initiated the blade 79 is still in its upper position and the band conveying the folding boxes 32 is stationary in this position the piston cylinder assembly 55 has moved the roller 53 to be pressed against the roller.