Packaging machine with suction plate

A packaging machine comprising:

• a machine frame;
• a work station attached to said machine frame;
• and
• a transport device with a transfer unit for supplying trays to said work station;
• wherein said transfer unit comprises a suction plate for transporting trays in a predetermined transport plane;
• and
• wherein said suction plate comprises a reception mold that is formed at least in part having a shape of an inner contour of an upper opening region of a tray positionable opposite of said suction plate on said transfer unit, wherein said reception mold is configured to receive and transport said tray so that said reception mold during transport in the transport plane of said tray is arranged in a positive-fit manner in said upper opening region of said tray and said reception mold aligns said tray in said transport plane in a predetermined position on said suction plate;
• wherein said reception mold is configured to suction said tray on an inner side of at least two different side walls of said tray;
• and
• wherein said reception mold comprises at least one sidewall and at least one bore disposed on said at least one sidewall to align with an inner wall surface of said upper opening region of said tray during transport of said tray when placed on said reception mold in a positive-fit manner, so that a vacuum applied to said suction plate through said at least one bore suctions said tray to apply a predetermined holding force to secure said tray in said predetermined position.