Application unit, method for operating an application unit, and packaging machine having an application unit

A packaging machine, comprising an application unit for applying a material blank to containers assembled to form a container group, the application unit including:

• at least one pressing element having a tool plate for connecting the material blank to containers of the container group to be conveyed along a transport plane;
• and
• a drive unit configured to move a pressing element to adjust the tool plate between an out-of-engagement position and an in-engagement position with the containers;
• said drive unit including a first drive disk, being rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a second drive disk, arranged parallel to and at a distance from said first drive disk, and being rotatable about a second axis of rotation, said first and second axes of rotation being aligned horizontally and at an equal height but not coaxially with one another;
• and
• said pressing element having first and second articulated axles, and said pressing element being connected by way of said first articulated axle in a jointed manner to said first drive disk and by way of said second articulated axle in a jointed manner to said second drive disk, so that, with a rotation of said first and second drive disks about said respective axes of rotation, said tool plate is aligned horizontally.