EP1154936A2

EP1154936A2 - Multiple-package sleeve container

Info

Publication number: EP1154936A2
Application number: EP00905495A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Zygmunt Piotrowski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-26
Filing date: 2000-02-22
Publication date: 2001-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-22
Also published as: CN1341069A; EP1154936B1; WO2000050312A2; AU2702800A; DE60007281D1; WO2000050312A3

Abstract

The multiple-package sleeve container, designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends (29, 30) overlapped and glued together, contains at least one pleat (11) confined by two fold lines (13, 14), overlapped and locked by gluing or banding transversally with a girded polypropylene strap (22) accommodated in the notches (21) on the container edges (20), or alternatively locked by means of snap fasteners (28, 25) suitably disposed about one of the fold lines (13 or 14) of the pleat (11).

Description

Multiple-Package Sleeve Container

The subject of the invention is the multiple-package sleeve container, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, designed for wrapping and carrying the bunches of consumer packages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Known from the disclosure of the Polish Patent Application PCT/PL97/00012 by the same applicant is a bottle pack container for carrying bottles with contents, preferably made of pasteboard, formed from two symmetrical carrying parts, the central walls of which are superimposed so as to form the central portion of the container, the central walls having openings superimposed and connected by a lock to form a grip, whereas each of the carrying parts comprises at least one partly cut ring with a cut-out internal opening, provided with a frontal wing, wherein each of the said carrying parts comprises, in addition to the central wall, a bottom wall and an external wall which forms the external portion of the carrier, said external wall fastened to the frontal wing and, by means of the ring, connects the central portion with the external portion of each of the parts of the carrier. Additionally, each of the external walls is provided with two symmetrically arranged holes into which the girded polypropylene strap is inserted. The strap prevents the bottles situated on the outside of the carrier-fastening rings from falling out of the carrier.

A disadvantage of this known solution is a relatively high manufacturing cost of a container provided with a convenient grip and protecting its contents both from the outside and inside of the multiple package. The high manufacturing cost of this package is due to the need for an exact cementing of the parts of its supporting structure. Moreover, the openwork design of the elements clamping the central and external portions of the container offers some problems in mechanical loading of consumer packages, which results in a rather high percentage of damage to the board structure . Known also from the patent application filed with the Polish Patent Office is a utility patent W- 109211 by the same applicant, which provides a description of a simplified multiple-package container. The container is in the form of a cardboard sleeve banded with polypropylene strap and is designed for package and carrying consumer package bunches, particularly cans, jars or beverage bottles. The multiple- package container punched from an integral blank of cardboard or the like, the two ends of which are superimposed and fastened to each other with an adhesive, comprises a top, a bottom and two front walls, wherein each of the front walls is additionally made to extend beyond the side edges along the fold lines in the form of two strips. A hole is provided in the middle of the length of each of said fold lines, against the edges of which rests the polypropylene strap that bands the multiple-package container.

The simple design of the solution described above has the major disadvantage which is that the opening of the sleeve results in a tight fit for the contents. Although a tight fit of the sleeve opening to the bunch of consumer packages prevents them from moving freely with respect to one another, the fact that the sleeve opening provides a tight fit results in that the consumer packages cannot be rapidly packed into the cardboard sleeve. This present a significant deterrent to automation of the packaging operation using the container made according to the design described above.

Commonly known is also a multiple-package container in the form of a cardboard band designed for wrapping-up and carrying the consumer package bunches, punched from an integral blank of cardboard or the like, the two ends of which are superimposed and fastened to each other with an adhesive or by means of lock, wherein two endjof this blank provided with cuts with the lock edge at one end, and the cuts with the lock key at the other end, are fastened into a band.

A disadvantage of this commonly known solution is that it can only be used with relatively light and small consumer package bunches formed into four- and six-packs of canned or bottled beverages, popular on the market. An inconvenience in their use is the lack of a comfortable and sure grip and a rather high susceptibility to tearing while being carried.

Another disadvantage of this commonly known solution is that the wrapping-up of the consumer package bunches in the cardboard blank is technologically involved, as suitable machines and cardboard of adequate rigidity are needed. The packaging processes require automatic gluing machines to be used, or the devices equipped with parts of special design which close the locks of the cardboard bands. All this accounts for that the automatic packaging process, connected with considerable outlays, is economically justified only for commercial scale, large enough to secure return on investment related to the purchase of specialist machines and equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is the multiple-package sleeve container free from the above-mentioned disadvantages and inconveniences. The invention has been materialised in a few embodiments, each of which points to the multiplicity of its designs.

The purpose of the invention has been achieved in a multiple-package sleeve container, designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends overlapped and glued together, transversally banded with a strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, which contains a top with openings stabilizing the package bunch being packed in position, two side walls and a bottom, wherein each of the side walls is made up of two panels, separated by a pleat , with respect to which the panels partly overlap with one another.

Preferably, two panels of each of the side walls comprise two pairs of jaws which accommodate the banding strap in between. Preferably, the length of the pleat of the side wall, confined by two fold lines, equals the sum of the distance between the first fold line and the cut-out of the corresponding jaw and the distance between the second fold line and the cut-out of the corresponding jaw, the sum being diminished by the value of the width of the girded strap.

The purpose of the invention has also been achieved in a multiple-package sleeve container, designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends overlapped and glued together, transversally banded with a strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, which contains a top, two side walls with the openings stabilizing the package bunch being packed in position, and the bottom, wherein the top is made up of two panels, separated by a pleat, with respect to which the panels partly overlap with one another. Preferably, the two panels of the top are suitably provided with two pairs of jaws with cut-outs. Preferably, the length of the pleat of the top, confined by the fold lines equals the double distance between the fold line and the cut-out of the jaw, the sum being diminished by the value of the width of the girded strap. Preferably, the bottom is made up of two partly overlapping panels, fastened with an adhesive and suitably provided with two pairs of jaws with cut-outs. Preferably, the banding strap is suitably accommodated between the two pairs of jaws of the top and of the bottom.

The same purpose of invention has been achieved in the multiple-package sleeve container, designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages arranged in three rows made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends overlapped and glued together, transversally banded with a strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, which contains a top, two side walls with the openings stabilizing the package bunch being packed in position, and the bottom , wherein the top is provided with two notches, each of which is suitably situated at half length of the edge of the top. Preferably, the bottom is provided with two notches, each of which is suitably situated at half length of the edge of the bottom. Preferably, each of the notches is provided with two jaws with cut-outs, and the width between the cut-outs corresponds to the width of the banding strap. Preferably, in the notches of the top and of the bottom banding strap is accommodated.

Another embodiment of invention is the container without the necessity of the use of a girded strap. The purpose of the invention has been achieved in the multiple- package sleeve container, designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends overlapped and glued together, which contains a top, two side walls with openings stabilizing the package bunch being packed in position, and a bottom, wherein one of the side walls is made up of two panels separated by a pleat, with respect to which the panels partly overlap with one another. Preferably, the pleat and the panel of the side wall are superimposed and fastened with an adhesive.

A version of such a container but fastened from the top is a multiple-package sleeve container designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends overlapped and glued together, which contains a top, two side walls with openings stabilizing the package bunch being packed in position, and a bottom, wherein the top is made up of two panels separated by a pleat, with respect to which the panels partly overlap with one another. Preferably, the pleat and the panel of the top are superimposed and fastened with an adhesive.

Still another embodiment of the invention is the multiple-package sleeve container, which is locked with an easy-for-use lock in the form of a snap lock. The purpose of the invention has been achieved in the a multiple-package sleeve container designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends overlapped and glued together, provided with openings stabilizing the package bunch being packed in position, with at least one pleat confined by two fold lines. Preferably, the multiple-package sleeve container is provided with at least one hole with a lock edge. Preferably, the pleat is provided with a cut which forms the lock key with the base situated on the first fold line. Preferably, the second fold line constitutes a symmetry axis for the lock edge and the base of the lock key. Preferably, the width of the lock key as measured beyond its base is suitably wider than the width of the hole with the lock edge, while said base and said edge are equal.

A common element of the embodiments described above is the pleat of the multiple package sleeve container, which allows the pack to be rapidly and precisely wrapped up. What makes the embodiments described above differ from one another is a different way the pleat is situated in the multiple-package sleeve container and the different ways the pleat is immobilized with respect to the container or, possibly, even its complete elimination.

As distinguished from the known solutions the container described in this invention is a variable-capacity container allowing to place the contents easily inside the slack sleeve container space, with a subsequent compressing of its contents by folding- up two panels to make an overlap. This operation is feasible owing to the natural rigidity of a cardboard sheet, from which the multiple package sleeve container is made.

The clamping effect of the multiple-package sleeve container contents is enhanced by the openings that stabilize the pack being wrapped-up in position. The openings are regularly spaced in the container top or container side walls where, in conformity with the way the customer packages are arranged, their portions protruding beyond the compact solid of the pack, are lead outwards. As a result of this operation, the contents is prevented from being displaced relative to the container.

A strictly controlled range over which the sleeve container can be changed in volume, which causes a correct clamping of the contents, depends on the suitable shape of the panels that are folded-up into the pleat, and a strictly determined ratio of the dimensions of these panels to the dimensions of the pleat.

In the case the girded strap is used as an additional sleeve container clamping element, the strap, preferably of polypropylene, allows to increase the sleeve container capacity and load capacity above the strength properties of the cardboard. The weight of the bunch of customer packages is held by a polypropylene strap of a high tensile strength which at the same time plays the role of a convenient and safe grip.

In the case the use of the girded strap is not necessary, the sleeve container can be clamped and locked by putting the panels on and fastening with an adhesive or its immobilization by means of snaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject of the invention is shown in the drawing, where fig. 1 depicts a punched cardboard blank prepared to make the multiple-package bottle-pack sleeve container and, subsequently the successive perspective views illustrate the embodiments of invention, where fig. 2 shows the multiple package bottle-pack sleeve container with two pleats, in a slack form, fig. 3 illustrates the same bottle-pack sleeve container but folded-up short, fig. 4 shows the multiple-package sleeve container packed with cans arranged in three rows and clamped with a girded strap, while fig. 5 presents a simplified version of the multiple package sleeve container with a pleat and major lock elements which make up the snap lock. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The multiple-package sleeve container in the embodiment of invention designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunch of bottles, is made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like (fig.1), which contains the top 2 with regularly spaced openings 3, extends beyond two fold lines 4 by two side walls 5, wherein one of the side walls 5 extends beyond the fold line 6 with the bottom 7 , and the bottom 7 extends beyond the fold line 8 by means of a strip 9 which is fastened, with an adhesive, to the other side wall 5 of the cardboard blank.

Each of the side walls 5 is made up of a panel 10, a pleat H, and a panel _Y2, wherein the pleat H is separated from the panel 10 by a fold line !_3 and from the panel 12 is separated by the fold line 14 .

The panel JO is suitably provided with two jaws 15 with cut-outs 16, and the panel 12 is suitably provided with two jaws 17 with cut-outs 18 . The jaws 15 and 17, and the cut-outs 16 and 18, are symmetrically disposed about the edge of the side wall 5.

As is depicted in the view of the multiple-package bottle-pack sleeve container formed into a band J_ (fig. 3), each of the pleats U is clamped between the panels 10 and 12, the pairs of jaws 15 and 17 with notches 16 and 18 form suitably symmetrically disposed notches, into which the strap is inserted which wraps around the whole of the multiple-package sleeve container.

The bottle-pack multiple-package sleeve container is stored in the form of a punched cardboard blank folded in half along the fold lines 4 and 6 and fastened with an adhesive along the edges of the strip 9 and the corresponding side wall 5 .

The bottle-pack multiple-package sleeve container is formed into a spatial structure by opening the fold angle along the fold lines 4 and 6 and by simultaneously closing the angle along the fold lines 4 and 8 (fig. 2). Thus the multiple package sleeve container in the form a slack, yet rigid, band I is prepared for packaging bottles, the arranged bunch of which is placed on the bottom 7 of the multiple-package sleeve container.

The container packed with bottles is closed by pressing each of the two pleats __l against the panel K) and subsequently by pressing the pleat l l_along with the panel 10 against the panel 12 , whereby the panels JO and 12 , by partly overlapping with each other, form the side wall 5 diminished by a double length of the pleat JJ, (fig. 3).

Simultaneously, as the pleat JJ. is being pressed down, the top 2 of the container is lowering and the necks of the bottles prepared for packing enter the openings 3 , whereas the whole of the bunch of the bottles in the multiple-package sleeve container gets clamped from the top downwards.

The final stage of the packaging operation of the multiple-package sleeve container is the fastening of the whole with a girded strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, typically in an automatic machine that tensions the strap and welds its ends up. In the operation the girded strap is inserted in the notches of the side walls 5 , in the notches formed by a partially overlapping panels JO and 12 relative to the pleat H . The girded strap that wraps the multiple-package sleeve container in a horizontal plane at the same time performs as a lock that presses the panels JO against the pleats JJ. , and the pleats JJ. press against the panels J2 , and the panels 12 press against the packed bunch of bottles, preventing the vertically fastened cardboard sleeve from becoming slack. The girded strap, especially a polypropylene strap, owing to its mechanical properties, elasticity, inextensibility, and a high tensile strength, also performs as the multiple-package sleeve container grip, allowing the packed container to be easily and safely moved from one place to another.

The multiple-package bottle-pack sleeve container can be easily open by tearing off the top 2 without a necessity of cutting the girded strap. It is these directions for opening the sleeve container that are of significance for a further use of the container which can be recycled along with the returnable bottles that can be more easily collected, stored and transported. Empty bottles can be put back to the same, yet open, sleeve container and returned to the sales point as compact bottle-pack provided with a safe grip. The new logistic strategy based on reuse of cardboard multiple packs is vital to the protection of the environment. A commercial-scale production of these packages, which may well be used not only for transport of bottles but equally for cans and jars of various kinds, allows to eliminate the polyethylene skin packing and plastic crates, which are neither recyclable nor biodegradable.

Still another embodiment of invention is a multiple-package sleeve container designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of beverage cans (fig. 4), made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, which contains a top 2 extending beyond two fold lines 4 as two side walls 5 provided with openings 3 , wherein the side walls 5 extend beyond the fold lines 6 as two panels 12 which are suitable provided with two jaws 17_ with cut-outs J_8. The two panels J2, when glued together, make up a bottom 7. The top 2 is composed of two panels JO and a pleat J_l, wherein the pleat JJ is separated from the panels JO by fold lines 13. The panels JO comprise two jaws J_5 with cut-outs 16 each, which are symmetrically disposed about both edges of the top 2.

The multiple-package sleeve container shown in fig. 4, when packed with an arranged bunch of cans, is closed by clamping the pleat JJ_. between panels JO and fastening the container with a girded strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, inserted in the notches of the top 2 and of the bottom 7 . The notches of the top 2 are formed by the partially superimposed panels JO with respect to the pleat JJ and separated from the sides by two pairs of jaws J_5 with cut-outs J6_, whereas the notches in the edges of the bottom 7 are made up of partially superimposed panels J2 and separated from the sides by two pairs of jaws J7 with cut-outs 18.

The superimposed pleat U and the panel 10 of the top 2 of the multiple-package sleeve container can alternatively be fastened with an adhesive, which makes the girded strapping needless, especially if the cans packed are bunched in one or two rows.

A particular embodiment of invention of this multiple-package sleeve container is a container packed with nine or twelve cans, banded with polypropylene strap. Such a container is used in fast packaging process, where a three-row can bunch is wrapped up in cardboard sheet with no pleat, whereas both the ends of this sheet are glued together on automatic gluing machines. This multiple-package sleeve container is made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, containing the top 2 extending beyond two fold lines 4 as two side walls 5 provided with openings 3, wherein the side walls 5 extend beyond the fold lines 6 as two panels J2 fastened together to form the bottom 7 . The edges 20 of the top 2 and the edges 20 of the bottom 7 are suitably provided with the corresponding two pairs of notches 21 , whereas each of the notches 2J_. situated at half length of the edge 20 of the top 2 and of the bottom 7 is provided with two jaws J_5 with cut-outs 16 which accommodate the girded strap 22.

The multiple-package sleeve container in the embodiment of invention described above finds application in particular in packaging bunches of consumer packages grouped in three rows in an arrangement that is crosswise relative to the cardboard blank edges and parallel to the plane of banding the container with polypropylene strap.

The forces favourably distributed inside the open on both sides container hold two outer rows of consumer packages by a pressure exerted on its side walls, thereby immobilizing them in suitably shaped openings in these walls, which results from an outward pressure exerted by the middle row of the packages, effectively stopped by being banded with the polypropylene girded strap. The stability of this arrangement is secured by the girded strap which is immobilized in the notches of the container, situated in the same plane and on the symmetry axis of the three-row bunch.

The narrow polypropylene strap used as a clamping band for the three-row carrying sleeve container, contrived in the invention, allows to reduce, to a considerable degree, the cost of packaging of the can or bottle bunches into multiple packs, ready for quick sale straight from pallets. The three-row carrying sleeve container proves to be one of the lowest-cost and the most functional packages on the cardboard multi-pack market.

Still another embodiment of invention is the multiple-package sleeve container fastened with snaps, rather than with a girded strap or an adhesive.

The multiple-package sleeve container (fig. 5), formed from a punched blank of cardboard or the like, two ends of which 29, 30 overlap and are fastened with an adhesive, contains at least one pleat JJ, confined by the fold lines J3_., J4, provided with a cut 24 which forms the lock key 25, the base of which 26 lies on the fold line 13, whereas the fold line 14 constitutes the symmetry axis for the positioning of this base 26 relative to the lock edge 27 coinciding with the edge of the hole 28.

The contents of the multiple-package sleeve container is clamped by reducing the sleeve container girth by folding-up the pleat JJ_. downwards along the fold lines J3, 14. Because of cardboard elasticity, the lock key 25 pops up from the blank along the cut 24 and, being moved towards the lock edge 27 along with the pleat JJ relative to the axis of rotation determined by the fold line 4, comes over the hole 28 , through which it will be pushed inwards the sleeve container and folded inwards over said lock edge 27.

The snap lock thus formed constitutes a reliable and simple in use multiple-package sleeve container fastening. An added safety which prevents the snap lock from opening is accomplished by making the lock key of a greater size compared with the width of the hole 28. Once the multiple-package sleeve container is packed with a bunch of consumer packages and the pleat is folded-up, the whole of the multiple-package sleeve container can be quickly and effectively immobilized by pushing the locks in, either by hand or using an automatic fastening machine.

While pointing to the aforementioned embodiments of invention, the applicant is fully aware of a multiplicity of possible applications and a diversity of materials that can be suitable in making a container of new kind. Especially, the use of corrugated cardboard as a variety of multi-ply board, allows to apply the invention for packing large-size and/or heavy products. The use of a girded strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, permits to close such packing easily for safe transport.

The multiple-package sleeve container according to the invention is a container of new kind of versatile uses suitable for both commercial scale and a small handicraft scale.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. The multiple-package sleeve container, designed for wrapping-uo and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends (29), (30) overlapped and glued together, transversally banded with a strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, contains a top (2) with openings (3) which stabilize the package bunch being packed in position, two side walls (5) and a bottom (7), characterised in that each of the side walls (5) is made up of two panels (10), Q2) , separated by a pleat (JJ.), with respect to which the panels (IS), (12) partly overlap with one another.

2. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 1, characterised in that the panels (10), (12) of the side wall (5) comprise two pairs of jaws (15), (IT), which accommodate the banding strap (22) in between.

3. The multiple package sleeve container according to claim 1, characterised in that the length of the pleat (JJ_.) of the side wall (5), confined by the fold lines (12), (14), equals the sum of the distance between the fold line (13) and the cut-out (16) of the jaw (15) and the distance between the fold line Q4) and the cut-out (18) of the jaw (17), the sum being diminished by the value of the width of the girded strap (22).

4. A multiple-package sleeve container designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends (29), (30) overlapped and glued together, transversally banded with a strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, contains a top (2), two side walls (5) with the openings (3) which stabilize the package bunch being packed in position, and the bottom (7), characterised in that the top (2) is made up of two panels (10), separated by a pleat (JJ), with respect to which the panels (JO) partly overlap with one another.

5. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 4, characterised in that the two panels (JO) of the top (2) are suitably provided with two pairs of jaws (15) with cut-outs (16).

6. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 4, characterised in that the length of the pleat (JJ_.) of the top (2), confined by the fold lines (J3), (J4), equals the double distance between the fold line Q3) or (14) and the cut-out Q6) of the jaw (15), the sum being diminished by the value of the width of the girded strap (22).

7. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 4, characterised in that the bottom (7) is made up of two partly overlapping panels (12), fastened with an adhesive and suitably provided with two pairs of jaws (17) with cut-outs (18).

8. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 4, characterised in that the banding strap (22) is suitably accommodated between the two pairs of jaws (15), (J7) of the top (2) and of the bottom (7).

9. A multiple-package sleeve container designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages arranged in three rows.made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends (29), (30) overlapped and glued together, transversally banded with a strap, preferably a polypropylene strap, contains a top (2), two side walls (5) with the openings (3) which stabilise the package bunch being packed in position, and the bottom (7), characterised in that the top (2) is provided with two notches (21), each of which is suitably situated at half length of the edge (20) of the top (2).

10. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 9, characterised in that the bottom (7) is provided with two notches (2J_.), each of which is suitably situated at half length of the edge (20) of the bottom (7).

11. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 9, characterised in that each of the notches (2J_.) is provided with two jaws (15) with cutouts (J6), and the width between the cut-outs (16) corresponds to the width of the banding strap (22).

12. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 9, characterised in that in the notches (2J.) of the top (2) and of the bottom (7) banding strap (22) is accommodated.

13. A multiple-package sleeve container designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends (29), (30) overlapped and glued together, contains a top (2), two side walls (5) with openings (3) which stabilize the package bunch being packed in position, and a bottom (7), characterised in that one of the side walls (5) is made up of two panels (JO), (12) separated by a pleat (JJ), with respect to which the panels (10), (IT) partly overlap with one another.

14. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 13, characterised in that pleat (JJ.) and the panel (12) of the side wall (5) are superimposed and fastened with an adhesive.

15. A multiple-package sleeve container designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends (29), (30) overlapped and glued together, contains a top (2), two side walls (5) with openings (3) which stabilise the package bunch being packed in position, and a bottom (7), characterised in that the top (2) is made up of two panels (10) separated by a pleat (JJ), with respect to which the panels (JO) partly overlap with one another.

16. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 15, characterised in that pleat (JJ.) and the panel (JO) of the top (2) are superimposed and fastened with an adhesive.

17. A multiple-package sleeve container designed for wrapping-up and carrying bunches of consumer packages, made up of a punched blank of cardboard or the like, with two ends (29), (30) overlapped and glued together, provided with openings (3) which stabilise the package bunch being packed in position, characterised in that contains at least one pleat (JJ) confined by the fold lines (J3),

(14).

18. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 17, characterised in that the pleat (JJ) is provided with at least one cut (24) which forms the lock key (25) with the base (26) situated on the fold line (13).

19. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 17, characterised in that is provided with at least one hole (28) with a lock edge (27).

20. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 17, characterised in that the fold line (14) constitutes a symmetry axis for the lock edge (27) and the base (26) of the lock key (25).

21. The multiple-package sleeve container according to claim 17, characterised in that the width of the lock key (25) as measured beyond its base (26) is suitably wider than the width of the hole (28) with the lock edge (27), while said base (26) and said edge (27) are equal.