Packaging unit for packaging articles in boxes 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 along a feeding trajectory towards said mandrel to form one of said boxes around said mandrel,
• a first abutment surface of said mandrel to abut said blank when positioned in said movement trajectory, and
• a retaining device displaceable between an operating position and a non-operating position,
• wherein:
• the feeding trajectory intersects said movement trajectory,
• in the operating position said retaining device approaches said first abutment surface to retain said blank against said first abutment surface, and
• in the non-operating position said retaining device is spaced apart from said first abutment surface.

A method for packaging articles in boxes comprising:

• a) depositing at least one of said articles in a mandrel,
• b) moving said mandrel along a movement trajectory,
• c) displacing at least one blank by a feeding device and positioning said blank along said movement trajectory of said mandrel in an advanced position with respect to said mandrel,
• d) abutting said first blank with a first abutment surface of said mandrel,
• e) retaining said blank against said first abutment surface with a retaining device,
• f) decoupling said blank from said feeding device, and
• g) displacing said blank and said mandrel along said movement trajectory while said blank is retained against said first abutment surface.