Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a group of stacked, edge-wise standing flat items into a container includes a support for engaging opposite ends of the group; an arrangement for adjusting the support to the group length; a first holding unit; a second holding unit; and a drive for moving the first and second holding units in a first path along which one of the first and second holding units holds and lowers the group and for moving the first and second holding units in a second path along which one of the first and second holding units releases the group for allowing the group to fall and the other of the first and second holding units guides and pushes the group at an upper portion thereof downwardly into the container. The second path adjoins the first path and is situated thereunder.