Abstract: Discrete lengths of a web (1) of sample bags are each arranged in a container in an ordered manner such that each web can be removed from its container (13) without additional aids by pulling on a head end (A) of the web length, and so that the tail end (E) of each such web length can also be gripped without changing the web arrangement in the container and independently of the fullness of the container. For feeding sample bags into a processing station, a first container is positioned in the region of the feeding location and the head end (A) of the web length is pulled out of its container and led to a feeding mechanism of the processing station. During the feeding of the first web length of bags into the processing, further containers are formed into a series of containers by connecting the tail end (E) of the web in one container to the head end (A) of a web length in the following container.