Feeding means for feeding a machine web in a packaging machine

Feeding means for feeding a material web from an inlet side to an outlet side in a packaging machine comprising feeding chains disposed on both sides of the web and sprocket wheels for guiding the feeding chains along a predetermined path, each feeding chain comprising chain links and clamps connected thereto for gripping the edge of the material web, said clamps embodying fixed clamping members and movable clamping members and compression springs for biasing the movable clamping members into engagement with the fixed clamping members and further comprising engagement elements operable by engagement with the movable clamping members as the chains travel around the sprocket wheels to lift the movable clamping members from the fixed clamping members, said engagement elements comprising a disk rotatable around an axis of rotation which is angled relative to the axes of the sprocket wheels, said movable clamping members comprising first movable clamping members on one of said chains, said disk engaging said first movable clamping members at points of contact lying on the periphery of said disk in a plane which is inclined to the plane of the sprocket wheels, whereby the disk first lifts, said first the movable clamping members vertically and thereafter laterally away from the fixed clamping members as the chains travel around the sprocket wheels.