In a device (400) and in a process for packaging articles to be packaged (1), supplied on a conveyor line (115) with a predetermined pattern, it is possible to eliminate buffers for the preparation of the layers to be packaged, while maintaining a high degree of flexibility for a wide range of formats, by comprising one or more transfer devices (200) that pick up the articles to be packaged (1) and deposit them in layers, each comprising a handling member (126) connected to a respective gripping device (127), both movable along three orthogonal axes, (X, Y, Z), each gripping device (127) having a plurality of gripping elements (128) each apt to pick up an article to be packaged (1) from said first conveyor line (115), wherein the gripping elements (128) are arranged in such a configuration as to form, on each gripping device (127), a single layer of articles to be packaged, each layer being obtained with one or more pickings from said first conveyor line (115), to be placed, in a single operation, in a respective container of said flow.