End cap support for jumbo rolls of material

Abstract

An end cap support for the protruding end of a jumbo roll of paper or other materials (weighing between 2,000 and 4,000 pounds) includes at least one corrugated paper panel bonded to at least one lightweight rigid panel, preferably comprising luaun wood that resists moisture absorption. A very substantial weight reduction is obtained consonant with excellent stacking strength for the end cap support. The luaun panel does not fold over or warp, and all of the materials are biodegradable and hence environmentally friendly.

1 . In a jumbo roll of material, wherein the jumbo roll is on a central spool having respective ends protruding beyond the jumbo roll, and wherein an end cap support is provided for each protruding end of the spool, each end cap support having an opening for receiving the respective protruding end of the spool, the improvement wherein the end cap support comprises at least one corrugated paper panel bonded to at least one lightweight rigid panel.  
   
   
       2 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one corrugated paper panel comprises a pair of corrugated paper panels bonded on opposite sides of said at least one lightweight rigid panel.  
   
   
       3 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one corrugated paper panel comprises a central corrugated paper panel, and wherein said at least one lightweight rigid panel comprises a pair of lightweight rigid panels bonded on opposite sides of the central corrugated paper panel.  
   
   
       4 . The improvement of  claim 3 , wherein said central corrugated paper panel comprises at least one pair of corrugated paper sheets.  
   
   
       5 . The improvement of  claim 4 , further comprising two pairs of corrugated paper sheets.  
   
   
       6 . The improvement of  claim 3 , wherein said pair of lightweight rigid panels comprises a pair of luaun panels that resist moisture absorption.  
   
   
       7 . The improvement of  claim 6 , wherein each of the luaun panels is of equal thickness.  
   
   
       8 . The improvement of  claim 6 , wherein the luaun panels are of different thickness and comprise an inner luaun panel which is thicker than an outer luaun panel.  
   
   
       9 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one corrugated paper panel includes substantially-tubular channels oriented vertically in use of the end cap support, thereby substantially assisting in accommodating compressive loads especially encountered when the jumbo rolls of material are stacked vertically.  
   
   
       10 . In a jumbo roll of material, wherein the jumbo roll is on a central spool having respective ends protruding beyond the jumbo roll, and wherein an end cap support is provided for each protruding end of the spool, each end cap support having an opening for receiving the respective protruding end of the spool, the improvement wherein the end cap support comprises at least one lightweight rigid panel bonded to a board selected from the group comprising corrugated board, paper board, fiber board or compressed newspaper, such that all of the materials in the end cap support are biodegradable and hence environmentally friendly, and such that a substantial weight reduction is achieved for reduced shipping costs particularly with overseas shipments.