Unit and method for packaging articles in boxes

A packaging unit for packaging articles in boxes, comprising:

• a mandrel configured to accommodate at least one of said articles therein,
• a movement device configured to move said mandrel along a movement trajectory,
• a feeding device configured to feed at least one blank towards said mandrel,
• a folding device configured to cooperate with said mandrel to fold at least one panel of said blank being wound around said mandrel, to form one of said boxes,
• a first retaining device movably guided parallel to said movement trajectory and configured to cooperate with the mandrel along a section of said movement trajectory, the first retaining device retaining said at least one panel of the blank wound on said mandrel against an abutment surface of the mandrel, the abutment surface of the mandrel extended parallel to the movement trajectory, and
• a second retaining device, arranged downstream of the first retaining device, and configured to retain said at least one panel of the blank against said abutment surface of the mandrel in an advancement movement of the mandrel downstream of said section of said movement trajectory,
• wherein the second retaining device is spaced apart from the folding device along said movement trajectory and the first retaining device is movable between the folding device and the second retaining device in a direction of said movement trajectory.