Weaving Machine with an Apparatus as well as Method for Holding, Feeding and Inserting Weft Threads in a Loom Shed

Apparatus and method for holding and feeding weft threads (1, 2) to the gripper (6) of a weaving machine with drives (25, 29), with which clamps (11, 12) for the weft threads (1, 2) are moved on motion paths (35, 36) into respectively a feed position (16, 19), a transfer position (17, 20) and a ready position (18, 21). The motion path (35, 36) of each clamp comprises a shape that is closed in itself. In that regard, the motion beginning of at least one of the clamps (11, 12) out of its ready position (18, 21) into its feed position (16, 19) takes place in a time segment that extends from the beginning of the beat-up motion of the weaving reed (9) until the beat-up of the previously inserted weft thread (1, 2) against the beat-up line (10) of the weaving machine.