Abstract: In a labeling machine having a rotatable carrier and at least one pickup element rotatably mounted on the carrier, the drive for each pickup element comprising a four-way toggle mechanism including a crank, a connecting rod, a swinging link, with the connecting rod being joined to the crank and swinging link at two respective joints. Two cam followers are connected to the connecting rod by lever arms and are disposed outside the joints of the swinging link and the connecting rod on the one hand and the connecting rod and crank on the other hand. The four-way toggle mechanism and lever arms fixed to the connecting rod of the followers are adjusted to one another such that during a revolution of the carrier, the field swept by the swinging link does not encompass the axis of rotation of the carrier.