Conveyance unit and boxing unit having the same

A boxing unit, comprising:

• a conveyance unit for conveying a group of items received from an upper stream apparatus;
• and
• a boxing apparatus for boxing the group of items discharged from said conveyance unit near a downstream end of said conveyance unit,
• wherein said conveyance unit includes:
• a conveyance apparatus having a first annular conveyance member that defines a conveyance route of the group of items,
• a first holding mechanism coupled to said first annular conveyance member, said first holding mechanism having first and second holding members with a predetermined space therebetween such that the group of items can be placed in between said first and second holding members, and
• a placing apparatus having first and second rear end holding members that are movable toward and away from said conveyance route of the group of items, such that said first and second rear end holding members alternately hold a rearmost end of the group of items.