apparatus for making gas - filled filling bodies includes a supply reel for storing a pre - fabricated half - tubular plastic film having an at least partially open border side and being divided into individual pockets by weld seams which extend transversally with respect to a transport direction of the plastic film . positioned downstream of the reel and receiving the plastic film from the reel is a gas filling device for blowing air into the pockets . positioned downstream of the gas filling device and receiving the plastic film from the gas filling device is a welding tool for welding the open border side of the plastic film for formation of closed filling bodies . the transport of the film through the apparatus is realized by a drive unit which applies a force upon the plastic film essentially downstream of the gas filling device , as viewed in the transport direction .