EP0602744B1

EP0602744B1 - Wrapping for plants or flowers placed in a potlike or boxlike container

Info

Publication number: EP0602744B1
Application number: EP19930203522
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernardus Johannes Martinus Maria Avôt
Original assignee: NOVATRAN BV
Current assignee: NOVATRAN B.V.
Priority date: 1992-12-14
Filing date: 1993-12-14
Publication date: 1998-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-14
Also published as: NL9202159A; DE69317375T2; EP0602744A1; DE69317375D1

Description

The invention relates to a wrapping for plants or flowers placed in a potlike or boxlike container, made from a material of resilient properties and a natural stiffness and consisting of a tapering tubular element open at least at the end with the smaller passage and being provided, in the terminal area at that end, with locking means in the form of at least one local opening forming at least one stop shoulder for abutment against a flanged edge of the container.

Such a wrapping is disclosed in Dutch Patent Application 9002569. In the embodiments shown therein the securement of a wrapping on the container is realised in that the material which has been rounded at the level of the flanged edge springs back into a less rounded position at the location of a cut. A flanged edge introduced from above will push away the tubular element wall portion located above the cut and subsequently abut against the tubular element wall portion located under the cut, which has sprung back. By pulling the flanged edge against the stop shoulder, the tubular element is somewhat stretched at the location of the cut, so that the wall portion located above the cut is allowed to spring back, so that the container is click-fitted in the wrapping in a locked position. Such a wrapping has proved a major success for wrapping cacti, potted plants and the like which are transported for instance in trays. The above-discussed known mechanism, however, has a limitation with regard to the material, as it must be possible for the wrapping material used to be rounded. This means that relatively strong wrapping materials, such as corrugated board and the like, cannot be used.

The object of the invention is to provide such measures that even in the case of relatively stiff materials securement of the wrapping onto the container through a click-fitting mechanism can be effected.

This is achieved, according to the invention, in that the tubular element is made from a relatively stiff and relatively little flexible material, such as corrugated board, and has a circumferential surface formed by substantially straight panels interconnected by fold lines, the local opening having a height corresponding substantially with the thickness of the flanged edge, the arrangement being such that in the position wherein the wrapping is placed on the container the distance between the two ends of each local opening is smaller than the outer circumferential dimension of the flanged edge locked in the opening. Through these measures the click-fitting securement is effected in that the straight wall is at least temporarily deformed, this deformation being made possible by virtue of the polygonal cross-sectional shape of the tubular element in cooperation with a local opening which is sufficiently large to allow the flanged edge to pass unhindered.

If the flanged edge is continuously curved in circumferential direction, for instance circular, it is preferred that openings are present in at least two opposite panels of the tubular element. The edge of a container which is being introduced will deform a tubular element panel, more specifically will cause it to bulge, which is possible to a maximum extent until a level is reached where the circumference of the flanged edge is equal to the polygonal circumference of the tubelar element. At the latest upon attaining that limit does the flanged edge arrive at the level of the opening, slip into that opening and abut against the lower edge of the opening. In view of the dimensions of this opening, the tubular element wall portion located above the opening will no longer be loaded by the opening as the flanged edge is slipping into it, and thus be free to spring back into its initial planar starting position. The wall portion above the opening will spring back beyond the flanged edge, so that the flanged edge is click-fitted in a locked position.

If the flanged edge has a substantially polygonal shape, it is preferred that the tubular element has a cross section identical in shape to the polygonal shape, the greater passage of the tubular element having an area dimension greater than the area dimension defined by the outer side of the flanged edge, and the smaller passage having an area dimension of the order of magnitude of the area dimension defined by the outer side of the flanged edge, while further a local opening is provided at the location of the fold line between two adjacent panels, this opening extending in those two panels, panel portions directly adjoining both the upper edge and the lower edge of the local opening being so designed that, through relative swinging thereof about the fold line between the two panels, they can be pushed through a dead-centre position into a stable, inwardly folded position. Because the container, at least its flanged edge, and the tubular element have configurations identical in shape, it is not sufficiently possible, due to the relatively stiff material used, for the panels of the tubular element to bulge outwardly as the container is being introduced. Now, building on the locked securement by click-fitting the container in the wrapping, again using the relatively stiff material, the panel portions inwardly swingable relative to each other provide a locked securement obtained through a click-fit mechanism by means of stable stop shoulders above and under the flanged edge, whereby panel portions which have been tensioned through bending, after removal of that tension, spring back into and remain in a position wherein they lock the flanged edge.

Thus, both in the case of a round and in the case of a rectangular container, a locked securement by means of local openings through a click-fit mechanism is realised by a tubular element having substantially straight surfaces and made from a relatively stiff and relatively little flexible material, by providing that in the position wherein the wrapping is placed on the container, the distance between the two ends of each local opening is smaller than the outer circumferential dimension of the flanged edge locked in the opening.

Depending on the application, it may or may not be desirable to close the tubular element with a cover. If a cover is desired, this cover, in view of the fact that the tubular element will typically be made from a blank, can simply be designed integrally with the tubular element by extending that blank in a manner allowing the cover to be formed by folding cover parts towards each other from different panels of the tubular element. A particularly stable cover can thus be obtained if, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a first and a second cover part each comprise a substantially rectangular cover panel having a surface area substantially equal to half the passage to be closed and being hingedly connected along a first side with the upper edge of the tubular element and carrying a hinging insertion panel along the side opposite the first side, whilst a third and a fourth cover part each comprise a flap having a surface area smaller than half the passage to be closed and being hingedly connected along a first side with the upper edge of the tubular element and carrying a hinging foldback flap along the side opposite the first side, the flap and the foldback flap being provided with slots for allowing the insertion panels to pass therethrough.

By virtue of the material used for the wrapping and the particularly effective securement of the wrapping onto the container, it is even possible to stack several containers with the wrapping secured thereto. This can for instance be effected by interposing supports accommodating a plurality of such containers. In accordance with the invention, however, if a cover is used, it is also possible to realise a stable stacking if the cover is provided with a recess for allowing the lower end of a further container to pass, the shape of that recess being preferably adapted to the container to be accommodated. To prevent pollution of the contents of a subjacent container, which contents may for instance consist of plants or cut flowers, it is further preferred that a central opening is provided in each cover panel and adjacent insertion panel, there being located in this opening a support panel having a surface area smaller than the central opening and being hingedly connected with the insertion panel through a first fold line, this support panel being further connected with a coupling flap through a second fold line, this coupling flap being connected with the cover panel through a third fold line, the first, second and third fold lines extending parallel to the fold of line between the cover panel and the insertion panel.

If a wrapping is intended for accommodating one container, it will typically be preferred to provide a local opening in each panel or at each corner of the tubular element. However, a wrapping may also be intended for accommodating several containers. This can be achieved if two opposite panels of the tubular element have a width corresponding with a multiple of the width of the two other panels, which are adapted to the required width for accommodating one container, the two wider panels each comprising local openings uniformly spaced along the width, corresponding in number with the multiple. Such a wrapping, too, can be provided with a cover, for instance by providing that the cover parts connected with the wider panels are each connected through a hinge line with a cover panel which in turn is connected through a hinge line with a handle panel provided with a slotted opening and two ears at the free corners, whilst the two narrower panels are connected with closing panels each provided with a slot, the arrangement being such that in the position wherein the cover panels are folded towards each other and the handle panels in surface-to-surface contact extend upwards thereon, the ears thereof can reach through the slots in the closing panels so as to enable the tubular element to be closed at the top while simultaneously forming a carrying handle. In this manner a kind of gift wrapping is obtained, which can be further improved by providing that the panels of the tubular element are extended at the end with the smaller passage and carry hinging bottom panels which together can form a closed bottom, an aperture being provided in the extended portion of the wider panels under each local opening, for enabling a container to be gripped with the hand.

In the case where a polygonal container is to be accommodated in the wrapping, the flanged edge is click-fitted between two locking stop shoulders of the local opening. For such locking securement, use is made of pivotable panel portions. These panel portions are preferably formed by virtue of their being separated from the remainder of the panel through fold lines, perforated lines and/or cutting lines, it being possible to shape these panel portions in all kinds of ways. If, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, these panel portions are bounded by an edge of the local opening, by the fold line between the two panels and by a fold line extending at an angle relative to the fold line between the two panels, from a point located on the fold line between the two panels and spaced from the local opening to the end of the local opening located in the panel, a nose is obtained which can be swung simply by compression, while the flanged edge can be locked between two of such, though oppositely directed, noses. In this connection, additional clamping action can be realized if an edge of a local opening extending in two panels has an obtuse V-shaped configuration, the point of the V-shape being located on the fold line between the two panels and being directed to the opposite edge of the local opening, the inwardly swung nose exerting an obliquely outwardly directed force on the flanged edge, so that the wrapping is positioned on the container in a securer position.

Another way of bringing the wrapping into a locking position through a click-fit mechanism can be obtained if the panel portions are bounded by an edge of the local opening, by a cutting line spaced from the edge of the opening and by two fold lines, one in each panel and extending between the edge of the opening and the cutting line, so that an ear is obtained which can be swung inwards by compression.

With reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, the wrapping according to the invention will now be further explained and clarified, by way of example only. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a blank for making a first embodiment of the wrapping according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a wrapping made from a blank according to Fig. 1 and placed on a container, with omission of one of the cover parts;

Fig. 3 shows an elevation of a second embodiment of the wrapping according to the invention, intended for accommodating three containers;

Fig. 4 shows a blank for making a third embodiment of the wrapping according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows an elevation of a wrapping made from a blank according to Fig. 4, placed on a container and locked in part.

The blank shown in Fig. 1 is made from a relatively stiff and relatively little flexible material, such as corrugated board, and comprises four identical panels 1-4 having the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, the

panels

1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 3 and 4, respectively, being coupled through a

fold line

5, 6, and 7, respectively. Through a fold line 8, the panel 4 is connected with a coupling strip 9 connectable with the panel 1 for forming a tubular element from the blank. Near the narrow end of the trapezoidal shape, each panel is provided with a slotted local opening 10 whose longitudinal direction extends parallel to the trapezoid end referred to. The

panels

1 and 3 are provided with handgrip cuts 11, the portion of the relevant panel which has been cut loose being swingable about a fold line 12 for providing an opening for inserting a number of fingers of a hand therethrough.

Connected with the long end of the trapezoidal shape of the

panels

1 and 3 through a fold line 13 is a flap 14, which is further connected with a foldback flap 16 through a fold line 15 parallel to the fold line 13. Provided centrally in the flap 14 is a slot 17, which begins at the fold line 13, extends perpendicularly thereto and continues into the foldback flap 16, but terminates at a distance from the free edge of that foldback flap 16.

Adjoining the long sides of the

panels

2 and 4 through a fold line 18 is a cover panel 19, while an insertion panel 20 in turn is coupled with the cover panel 19 through a fold line 21. The fold line 21 does not extend throughout the full width of the

panels

19 and 20, but only from the two side edges to a semicircular cutting line 22 in the cover panel 19. This cutting line 22 is also divided into two portions, namely by a centrally arranged coupling flap 23, which is connected on one side through a fold line 24 with the cover panel 19 and on the other side through a fold line 25 with a semicircular support panel 26, which is made partly from material of the insertion panel 20 and partly from material of the cover panel 19. The support panel 26 has been cut loose by cutting lines substantially identical in shape to the cutting lines 22 and further is connected with the insertion panel 20 through a fold line 27. The

fold lines

24, 25 , and 27 extend parallel to each other and also parallel to the

fold lines

18 and 21. Further, the distance between the

fold lines

21 and 27 is substantially equal to that between the

fold lines

24 and 25. In the insertion panel 20, in the side edge areas thereof, slits 28 have been provided at a distance from the side edge corresponding with the width of the flap 14.

Fig. 2 shows a wrapping made from a blank according to Fig. 1, which is locked onto a potlike container 29 having a circular flange edge 30. To provide a better view of the cover construction, one of the cover panels 19 with the attached portions has been omitted from the fold line 18.

Tubular element 31 in the shape of an inverted truncated pyramid has been obtained by securing the coupling strip 9 to the panel 1, for instance by gluing. With the cover panels and flaps in outwardly bent position, the container 29, whose circular flanged edge can only move freely through a part of the height of the tubular element 31, is inserted from above into the tubular element 31 placed on a supporting surface, until the bottom of the container 29 rests on that supporting surface. Subsequently, while the container 29 is being held in position, the tubular element 31 is pulled up, the flanged edge 30 thereby causing the panels 1-4 to bulge, which is possible by virtue of the fact that, at the level of the bulge in the corner areas of the tubular element 31, panel areas can move freely as the panels are being hinged apart about their fold line in the relevant corner area. The displacement of the tubular element 31 relative to container 29 is continued until the flanged edge 30 arrives at the level of the openings 10. Then the flanged edge 30 will slip into and through those openings, while simultaneously the panels 1-4 spring back into their straight starting position, so that the tubular element 31 is securely locked onto the flanged edge 30 of the container 29.

Subsequently, the flaps 14 are swung inwardly about the fold lines 13 into a substantially horizontal position and the foldback flaps 16 are swung further into a position wherein they extend vertically downwards into the tubular element 31. Then the cover panels 19 are swung inwards about the fold lines 18 into a substantially horizontal position, while simultaneously care is being taken that the insertion panels 20 have been swung about the fold lines 21, the arrangement being such that the insertion panels 20 and the foldback flaps 16 fit into each other in cruciform configuration, as is shown in Fig. 2, which further shows that, by swinging the insertion panels 20 relative to the cover panel 19, further the support panel 26 swings about the fold line 27 and the coupling flap 23 swings about its

fold lines

24 and 25, whereby the support panel 26 has ended up in a substantially horizontal position and the coupling flap 23 in a substantially vertical position. Thus an accommodating recess for a further container has been formed in the cover of the tubular element 31 and this provides the possibility of stably stacking a plurality of containers with wrappings secured thereto. The support panel has the additional advantage that it provides a screen for pollutions coming from the superimposed container, so that the contents of the subjacent container 29 accommodating products for packaged transportation, such as plants or cut flowers, cannot be polluted by the pollutions referred to.

Fig. 3 shows an elevation of a wrapping capable of accommodating three containers in a locked position through a click-fit mechanism. To that end, there are provided a front panel 31 and a similar rear panel, having a width suitable for three juxtaposed containers. The side panels, as regards their width, are adapted for accommodating one container.

The panel 31 is provided with three local openings 32 having the same shape and function as the openings 10 in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 and 2. Present above each opening 32 is a viewing hole 33 for viewing the contents of the wrapping. Through a fold line 34 a cover panel 35 is connected with the front panel 31, whilst a handle panel 36, provided with a slotted opening 37 and two ears 38, is connected with the cover panel 35 through a fold line 39. Similarly, an identical cover panel with a handle panel is connected with the rear panel. Connected with each side panel through a fold line 40 is a closing panel 41, each closing panel 41 comprising a slot for allowing the ears 38 to pass.

Under the openings 32 the front panel 31 is extended and connected through a fold line 42 with a bottom panel (not shown). A similar bottom panel is connected with the rear panel, whilst a further bottom panel is connected with each side panel through a fold line 43, the arrangement being such that the bottom panels together can form a closed box bottom in conventional manner.

In order to enable the flanged edge of a container to be pulled into the relevant opening 32, there is provided under each opening a container grip aperture 44 through which a container can be gripped and pulled down so as to click-fit the container securely in an opening in the front panel and in the rear panel in the manner described hereinabove.

After the containers have been placed in position and locked in the openings 32, the cover panels 35 are swung inwardly and the handle panels 36 are folded upwards relative to the cover panels until both handle panels 36 are in surface-to-surface contact. The cover panels 35 are then still in a slightly upwardly slanting position.

Subsequently the closing panels 41 are swung inwardly until they abut against the cover panels 35, while simultaneously care has been taken that the ears 38 reach through the slots in the closing panels 41, which completes the closure of the wrapping. It will be clear that the two slotted openings 37 are in alignment here, forming a handle for the wrapping with the containers accommodated and secured therein.

Fig. 4 shows a blank for making a third embodiment of a wrapping according to the invention, which blank is made from a relatively stiff and relatively little flexible material, such as corrugated board. The blank comprises four panels 51-54 having the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, the

panels

51 and 52, 52 and 53, and 53 and 54, respectively, being coupled to each other through a

fold line

55, 56, and 57 respectively. Through a fold line 58 the panel 54 is connected with a coupling panel 59 connectable to the panel 51 for forming a tubular element from the blank. The

panels

51 and 53 are provided with handgrip cuts 60, the portion of the relevant panel which has been cut loose being swingable about a fold line 61 so as to provide an opening for passing a number of fingers of a hand therethrough. The blank is intended for forming a wrapping for a rectangular potlike or boxlike container. For this reason the

panels

52 and 54 have a greater width than the

panels

51 and 53.

Provided near the narrow end of the trapezoidal shape, at the location of each fold line 55-58, is a local opening 62, extending into adjacent panels, having a lower edge extending perpendicularly to the fold line, having two side edges extending parallel to the fold line and having an upper edge of an obtuse V-shape, the point of the V-shape being located on the corner fold line and pointing in the direction of the lower edge. Starting from each end of the V-shaped upper edge of the opening 62, a fold line 63 extends slantingly in the direction of the corner fold line, the two fold lines 63, each starting from an end, intersecting on the corner fold line and ending there. Similarly, starting from each end of the straight lower edge of the opening 62, a fold line 64 extends slantingly in the direction of the corner fold line, the two fold lines 64, each starting from an end, intersecting on the corner fold line and ending there.

It is noted that the opening 62 at the location of the fold line 58 is located partly in the panel 54 and partly in the coupling panel 59. To prevent overlap when a tubular element is being formed by securing the coupling panel 59 to the panel 51, the panel 51 is provided with a recess 65, which has been given slightly larger dimensions than the area of the coupling panel 59 limited by the fold lines 58 and 64, the side edge of the opening 62 and the fold line 63.

A tubular element 66 to be made from the blank according to Fig. 4 is shown in Fig. 5, where the tubular element 66 is shown in a position wherein it is partly secured to a flanged edge 67 of a container 68.

To secure the tubular element 66 to the container 68, first all the panel portions limited by the fold lines 64 and the lower edge of the opening 62 are pressed inwards, so that these panel portions slip through a dead-centre position and end up in a stable, inwardly directed position, as shown in Fig. 5. Thereafter the tubular element 66 is placed on a supporting surface, whereafter the container 68, together with the products to be transported therein, is lowered into the tubular element 66 until it rests on the same supporting surface. Subsequently the tubular element 66 is moved up relative to the container 68 until the undersurface of the flanged edge 67 abuts against the lower edge of the opening 62. In this position of the tubular element 66, as shown in the right-hand portion of Fig. 5, all the panel portions bounded by the fold lines 63 and the upper edge of the opening 62 are pressed inwards, so that these panel portions slip through a dead-centre position and end up in a stable, inwardly directed position, as shown in the left-hand portion of Fig. 5. By virtue of this click mechanism, the tubular element 66 can be locked relative to the flanged edge 67 of the container 68 in extremely reliable manner. Owing to the V-shaped design of the upper edge the compressed upper edge of the opening extends inwardly at a slight slant, so that an improved clamping of the flanged edge 67 of the container 68 is obtained.

It is understood that many other variants and modifications are possible within the framework of the invention. Thus, the tubular element shown in Fig. 5 can be equipped with cover panels, for instance in similar manner to that shown in Fig. 2, whilst the tubular element shown in Fig. 2 may well be designed without cover panels. In addition, it is naturally quite possible to use a loose cover which may or may not be provided with a recess for accommodating the lower portion of a further container. Also, the compressible panels as shown in Fig. 5 can be designed in all kinds of ways. Thus a cut may be provided, spaced from the lower or upper edge of the opening and parallel to that edge, and the ends of that cut are connected with the adjacent edge of the opening through fold lines extending substantially parallel to the corner fold line. In this way inwardly swingable ears can be obtained for click-fitting the tubular element to the container in a locked position.

A portion of a panel may be designed so as to be partly or wholly removable relative to the rest of the panel through a perforated line. Thus a wrapping can be provided with a permanent or a temporary display function. This last-mentioned temporary display function can be realised in a manner providing further advantages if the panel portion referred to can be hingedly swung clear of the rest of the panel, this portion which can be hingedly swung clear being connected with a cover panel through a fold line, for instance 18 in Fig. 1. In that case, it is possible, if so desired, that the panel portion referred to can be swung clear as the cover is being opened, so that the contents of the wrapping, for instance cut flowers, can be displayed. If the cover is subsequently closed again, the panel portion referred to thereby returns to its screening wrapping position again.

In the respective embodiment according to Figs. 1 and 3 two handgrip openings are present. These may simultaneously serve as vents and accordingly be provided, for instance, in each wall. Naturally, a wrapping may further be provided with any desired vent or display opening.

Claims

A wrapping for plants or flowers placed in a potlike or boxlike container (29; 68), made from a material of resilient properties and a natural stiffness and consisting of a tapering tubular element (31; 66) open at least at the end with the smaller passage and being provided, in the terminal area at said end, with locking means in the form of at least one local opening (10; 32; 62) forming at least one stop shoulder for abutment against a flanged edge (30; 67) of the container (29; 68), characterised in that the tubular element (31; 66) is made from a relatively stiff and relatively little flexible material, such as corrugated board, and has a circumferential surface formed by substantially straight panels (1-4; 51-54) interconnected by fold lines (5-8; 55-58), the local opening (10; 32; 62) having a height corresponding substantially with the thickness of the flanged edge (30; 67), the arrangement being such that in the position wherein the wrapping is placed on the container (29; 68) the distance between the two ends of each local opening (10; 32; 62) is smaller than the outer circumferential dimension of the flanged edge (30; 67) locked in the opening (10; 32; 62).
A wrapping according to claim 1, characterised in that the end of the tubular element (31; 66) with the greater passage is closable by means of a cover.
A wrapping according to claim 2, characterised in that the cover is formed by at least one cover part (14, 19; 35, 41) hingedly connected with the tubular element (31).
A wrapping according to claim 3, characterised in that the tubular element (31; 66) comprises four substantially straight hingedly interconnected panels (1-4), each having a cover part (14, 16; 35) hingedly connected thereto at the end with the greater passage and two cover parts (19, 20, 26; 41) which are hingedly connected with opposite edges of the tubular element being identical in shape and dimensions.
A wrapping according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that a first and a second cover part each comprise a substantially rectangular cover panel (19) having a surface area substantially equal to half the passage to be closed and being hingedly connected along a first side with the upper edge of the tubular element (31) and carrying a hinging insertion panel (20) along the side opposite said first side, whilst a third and a fourth cover part each comprise a flap (14) having a surface area smaller than half the passage to be closed and being hingedly connected along a first side with the upper edge of the tubular element and carrying a hinging foldback flap (16) along the side opposite said first side, the flap and the foldback flap being provided with slots (17) for allowing the insertion panels to pass therethrough.
A wrapping according to any one of claims 2-5, characterised in that the cover is provided with a recess for allowing the lower end of a further container to pass.
A wrapping according to claims 5 and 6, characterised in that a central opening is provided in each cover panel (19) and adjacent insertion panel (20), there being located in said opening a support panel (26) having a surface area smaller than the central opening and being hingedly connected with the insertion panel (20) through a first fold line (27), said support panel being further connected with a coupling flap (23) through a second fold line (25), said coupling flap being connected with the cover panel through a third fold line (24), said first, second and third fold lines extending parallel to the fold line (21) between the cover panel and the insertion panel.
A wrapping according to claim 7, characterised in that the distance between the second and third fold lines (25, 24) is substantially equal to the distance between the first fold line (27) and the fold line (21) between the cover panel (19) and the insertion panel (20).
A wrapping according to claim 8, characterised in that the support panel (26) substantially has the shape of a semicircle, whose straight line is disposed at the location of the first fold line (27).
A wrapping according to claim 9, characterised in that the central opening forms a semicircle having its straight line disposed at the location of the fold line (21) between the cover panel (19) and the insertion panel (20) and having a surface measurement equal to the area of the semicircle less the portion thereof covered by the coupling flap (23) and the support panel (26), while further two arcuate cuts extend in the insertion panel (20) from the fold line (21) between the cover panel (19) and the insertion panel (20) in conformity with the circumference of the support panel (26), said cuts ending at the first fold line (27).
A wrapping according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in at least two opposite panels (1-4) of the tubular element (31) openings (10) are present for cooperation with a flanged edge (30) bent substantially continuously in circumferential direction.
A wrapping according to claim 11, characterised in that centrally in each panel (1-4) of the tubular element (31) a local opening (10) is provided at corresponding locations.
A wrapping according to claim 11, characterised in that two opposite panels of the tubular element have a width corresponding with a multiple of the width of the two other panels, which are adapted to the required width for accommodating one container, the two wider panels each comprising local openings (32) uniformly spaced along the width, corresponding in number with the multiple.
A wrapping according to claim 13, characterised in that the cover parts connected with the wider panels are each connected through a hinge line (34) with a cover panel (35) which in turn is connected through a hinge line (39) with a handle panel (36) provided with a slotted opening (37) and two ears (38) at the free corners, whilst the two narrower panels are connected with closing panels (41) each provided with a slot, the arrangement being such that in the position wherein the cover panels are folded towards each other and the handle panels in surface-to-surface contact extend upwards thereon, the ears thereof can reach through the slots in the closing panels so as to enable the tubular element to be closed at the top while simultaneously forming a carrying handle.
A wrapping according to claim 14, characterised in that the panels of the tubular element are extended at the end with the smaller passage and carry hinging bottom panels which together can form a closed bottom, an aperture (44) being provided in the extended portion of the wider panels under each local opening (32), for enabling a container to be gripped with the hand.
A wrapping according to any one of claims 1-8, characterised in that for the purpose of cooperation with a substantially polygonal flanged edge (67), the tubular element (66) has a cross section identical in shape to the polygonal shape, the greater passage of the tubular element having an area dimension greater than the area dimension defined by the outer side of the flanged edge, and the smaller passage having an area dimension of the order of magnitude of the area dimension defined by the outer side of the flanged edge, while further a local opening (62) is provided at the location of the fold line (55-58) between two adjacent panels (51-54), said opening extending in said two panels, panel portions directly adjoining both the upper edge and the lower edge of the local opening being so designed that, through relative swinging thereof about the fold line between the two panels, they can be pushed through a dead-centre position into a stable, inwardly folded position.
A wrapping according to claim 16, characterised in that said panel portions are separated from the remainder of the panel through fold lines (63, 64), perforated lines and/or cutting lines.
A wrapping according to claim 17, characterised in that said panel portions are bounded by an edge of the local opening (62), by the fold line (55-58) between the two panels (51-54) and by a fold line (63, 64) extending at an angle relative to the fold line between the two panels, from a point located on said fold line between the two panels and spaced from the local opening to the end of the local opening located in the panel.
A wrapping according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that an edge of a local opening (62) extending in two panels has an obtuse V-shaped configuration, the point of the V-shape being located on the fold line (55-58) between the two panels (51-54) and being directed to the opposite edge of the local opening.
A wrapping according to claim 17, characterised in that said panel portions are bounded by an edge of the local opening, by a cutting line spaced from said edge of the opening and by two fold lines, one in each panel and extending between said edge of the opening and the cutting line.
A wrapping according to claim 20, characterised in that the cutting line extends at a relatively small angle relative to said edge or substantially parallel thereto.