Tag feeder

A tag feeder for feeding tags being provided in a chain of tags, in a feeding direction downstream to a dispensing position within a clipping machine, the tag feeder comprising:

• a feeding mechanism with at least one pusher means for transporting the chain of tags, wherein the pusher means is reversibly movable upstream and downstream at least approximately parallel to the feeding direction between a first downstream position and second upstream position wherein, in the first downstream position, the pusher means are closer to the dispensing position than when in the second upstream position and wherein, in the second upstream position, the pusher means are moved upstream to be farther from the dispensing position than when in the first downstream position, and
• wherein the feeding mechanism comprises at least one cutting tool for cutting-off the most downstream tag of the chain of tags in the dispensing position and at least one clamping device for clamping the chain of tags against shifting to keep the chain of tags including the most downstream tag stationary when the most downstream tag is arranged in the dispensing position as the most downstream tag is being cut off from the chain of tags by the cutting tool, the cutting tool and the pusher means being coupled together so that the cutting tool is reversibly movable upstream and downstream with the pusher means.