PURPOSE: To perform smooth and reliable transfer of an article, by a method wherein, in a device to transfer a flakeform ham and the like to a packer, when an article to be conveyed is transferred to a subsequent transfer means, transfer is effected as a preceding transfer means is moved backward.

CONSTITUTION: An article 1 to be packaged is conveyed from a first conveying device 2 to first and second belt conveyors 6, 8, and an auxiliary belt conveyor 10, and is conveyed downward frontward. When the front end of the article 1 to be packaged is detected by means of a first detecting means 32, a conveyance speed is reduced. Further, when a second detecting means 33 is actuated, conveyance is stopped. Meanwhile, a packing film 5 is stopped in a state that the tip of a containing recessed part 5a is positioned to the conveyance end of the auxiliary belt 10. Thereafter, a pinion 26 is driven, and a moving side plate 19 is moved in a reverse direction to an advancing direction through a rack 19a. Thus, the tip of the belt conveyor 8 is moved backward, the belt conveyor 8 is run, and the article to be packaged is moved forward to the containing recessed part 5a. This constitution enables smooth and reliable transfer of the article to be packaged.