A transfer device (19), comprising a carrier (21) including a number of mutually spaced-apart, substantially parallel extending transfer fingers (22) that in use reach into grooves (14) between ribs (13) on a conveying surface of a grooved conveyor belt (2). Back parts (23) of the fingers form a comb shaped part (24) of a substantially planar slide-over surface (25) of the transfer device. The carrier further includes a conveyor guide track (26) that is lowered with respect to the slide over surface and that extends transversely to the fingers, and that in use is provided with a cross conveyor belt (6) movable in a conveying direction transversely to the fingers, so that a conveying surface (9) of the cross conveyor belt forms a conveying part (27) of the slide-over surface that is substantially contiguous to and flush with the comb shaped part (24). At a side opposite to the fingers the carrier further includes a hinge connection (29) extending transversely to the fingers, and being spaced apart from the fingers. Further, the carrier includes support surfaces that in is use are supported on the grooved conveyor belt.