Transfer device for a packaging machine, - a first supply area, in particular a conveyor line, for the supply of articles to be packed or translated; - a second supply area, in particular a conveyor line, in particular for supplying packaging material; wherein - the first staging area, in particular the first conveyor section,and the second staging area, in particular the second conveyor section, are arranged side by side in a transfer section and, in particular, run parallel; - wherein the transfer device has a transfer unit which is movably arranged in the transfer section; - wherein the transfer unit is designed in such a way that a transfer of articles from the first readiness area, in particular the first conveyor section, into the second readiness area, in particular onto the second conveyor section, is made possible; - wherein a first drive unit is provided for moving the transfer unit; - wherein a second drive unit, preferably a second drive unit and a third drive unit, is provided for movements of the transfer unit during the transfer of articles from the first preparation area, in particular the first conveyor line, into the second preparation area, in particular onto the second conveyor line; wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit, preferably the first drive unit, the second drive unit and the third drive unit, cannot be moved together with the transfer unit, characterized in that the transfer unit comprises a base element, an extension arm and a control strut which is articulated, in particular rotatably, to the extension arm on the side facing away from the first staging area and/or the second staging area, and wherein the base element is guided on a main carrier, which extends in its main direction of extension along the first supply area and/or the second supply area, in particular parallel to the first conveyor line and/or to the second conveyor line, and wherein the control strut is guided, in particular in an articulated manner, on a control carrier, the control carrier extending in its main direction of extension substantially parallel to the main direction of extension of the main carrier. - a first supply area, in particular a conveyor line, for the supply of articles to be packed or translated; - a second supply area, in particular a conveyor line, in particular for supplying packaging material; - the first staging area, in particular the first conveyor section,and the second staging area, in particular the second conveyor section, are arranged side by side in a transfer section and, in particular, run parallel; - wherein the transfer device has a transfer unit which is movably arranged in the transfer section; - wherein the transfer unit is designed in such a way that a transfer of articles from the first readiness area, in particular the first conveyor section, into the second readiness area, in particular onto the second conveyor section, is made possible; - wherein a first drive unit is provided for moving the transfer unit; - wherein a second drive unit, preferably a second drive unit and a third drive unit, is provided for movements of the transfer unit during the transfer of articles from the first preparation area, in particular the first conveyor line, into the second preparation area, in particular onto the second conveyor line; wherein the first drive unit and the second drive unit, preferably the first drive unit, the second drive unit and the third drive unit, cannot be moved together with the transfer unit,