Locking tabs for roll stock stacking support

Abstract

A support for receiving and supporting stacked tiers of roll stock. The support can be either located below a first tier of the roll stock, placed between tiers of roll stock, or secured above the top tier, all to provide a stacked arrangement of the roll stock that is especially suited for storage or transport. Interlocking tabs and notches and interfitting registration locks are provided so that intermediate layers can use back-to-back roll supports that have been securely joined together. The roll support is preferably formed from a strong, flexible, thermoformable resinous polymeric plastic material.

1 . A support apparatus for receiving and supporting two or more pieces of roll stock, said support apparatus comprising:
 (a) a base, said base extending along a longitudinal axis and having laterally spaced apart first and second foot portions; first and second end portions, and one or more interior portions;   (b) a plurality of roll support cradle portions, each of said roll support cradle portions comprising (i) an outward surface shaped as an arcuate segment of pre-selected dimensions adapted for securely receiving a piece of roll stock of substantially complementary shape, each of said roll support cradle portions comprising a first outer end and a second outer end, (ii) a first end wall portion, and a second end wall portion, said first end wall portion and said second end wall portions extending from said base to said first outer end and said second outer end of said roll support cradle portions; and (iv) opposing sidewall portions, said opposing side wall portions provided for each of said plurality of roll support cradle portions, each of said opposing sidewall portions sloping inwardly with respect to said longitudinal axis and outwardly from said base toward, and supporting, the companion roll support cradle portion;   (c) said base further comprising, along said first foot portion, at least one locking tab and a first set of registration locks, and along said second foot portion, at least one notch defined by notch edgewall portions, and a second set of registration locks.   
   
   
       2 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said notch edgewall portions define, in said second foot portion, an outwardly opening notch. 
   
   
       3 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said outwardly opening notch comprises first and second notch neck portions, said first and second notch neck potions sized and shaped for interlocking detachable engagement with at least one of said at least one tabs. 
   
   
       4 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said first and second notch neck portions each comprise projections tending to narrow, along a selected notch edgewall portion, at least some of said outwardly opening notch. 
   
   
       5 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said second foot portion comprises an inner end, and wherein said notch edgewall portion comprises a proximal edge adjacent said inner end. 
   
   
       6 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said notch comprises a generally hour-glass shaped opening having a top and a narrowed neck, said proximal edge providing the top of said generally hour-glass shape, and said first and second notch neck portions cooperating to provide the narrowed neck portion. 
   
   
       7 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said tab comprises a laterally extending flap having a connection end, an outer end, and a body therebetween. 
   
   
       8 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said tab extends stiffly from said connection end to said outer end, and wherein said tab is at least slightly moveable by pivoting action along said connection end. 
   
   
       9 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said tab comprises first and second ear portions, said first and second ear portions located at longitudinally spaced apart locations on said body 
   
   
       10 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second ear portions extend stiffly from said body along a common plane, but wherein said first and second ear portions are at least slightly displaceable from said common plane. 
   
   
       11 . An intermediate support apparatus for location between two or more lower and two or more upper pieces of roll stock, said intermediate support apparatus comprising:
 a first support apparatus and a second support apparatus, said first support apparatus and said second support apparatus each sized and shaped for complementary back-to-back interlocking engagement, wherein each of said first and second support apparatus comprises
 a base, said base extending along a longitudinal axis and having laterally spaced apart first and second foot portions; first and second end portions, and one or more interior portions; 
 a plurality of roll support cradle portions, each of said roll support cradle portions comprising (i) an outward surface shaped as an arcuate segment of pre-selected dimensions adapted for securely receiving a piece of roll stock of substantially complementary shape, each of said roll support cradle portions comprising a first outer end and a second outer end, (ii) a first end wall portion, and a second end wall portion, said first end wall portion and said second end wall portions extending from said base to said first outer end and said second outer end of said roll support cradle portions; and (iv) opposing sidewall portions, said opposing side wall portions provided for each of said plurality of roll support cradle portions, each of said opposing sidewall portions sloping inwardly and outwardly from said base toward, and supporting, the companion roll support cradle portion; 
 said base further comprising, along said first foot portion, at least one locking tab, and along said second foot portion, at least one notch defined by notch edgewall portions. 
   
     and wherein at least one of said at least one locking tab on said first support apparatus is attached to at least one of said at least one notch in said second support apparatus, and wherein at least one of said at least one locking tab on said second support apparatus is attached to at least one of said at least one notch in said first support apparatus 
   
   
       12 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said notch edgewall portions define, in said second foot portion, an outwardly opening notch. 
   
   
       13 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said outwardly opening notch comprises first and second notch neck portions, said first and second notch neck potions sized and shaped for interlocking detachable engagement with at least one of said at least one tabs. 
   
   
       14 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said first and second notch neck portions each comprise projections tending to narrow, along a selected notch edgewall portion, at least some of said outwardly opening notch. 
   
   
       15 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said second foot portion comprises an inner end, and wherein said notch edgewall portion comprises a proximal edge adjacent said inner end. 
   
   
       16 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said notch comprises a generally hour-glass shaped opening having a top and a narrowed neck, said proximal edge providing the top of said generally hour-glass shape, and said first and second notch neck portions cooperating to provide the narrowed neck portion. 
   
   
       17 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein each of said at least one tabs in said first support apparatus and in said second support apparatus comprises a laterally extending flap having a base, an outer end, and a body therebetween. 
   
   
       18 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein each of said at least one tabs in said first support apparatus and in said second support apparatus extends stiffly from said base to said outer end, and wherein each of said at least one tabs is at least slightly moveable by pivoting action along said base. 
   
   
       19 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein each of said at least one tabs in said first support apparatus and in said second support apparatus comprises first and second ear portions, said first and second ear portions located at longitudinally spaced apart locations on said body 
   
   
       20 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said first and second ear portions extend stiffly from said body along a common plane, but wherein said first and second ear portions are at least slightly displaceable from said common plane. 
   
   
       21 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said roll support cradle portions comprises a bottom portion, and wherein said bottom portion is spaced apart from said base. 
   
   
       22 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said bottom portion of said roll support cradle portion is spaced apart from said base by about 0.25 inches. 
   
   
       23 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said opposing sidewall portions is angled outward and inward at an angle sigma (Σ) of about 20 degrees, with respect to a plane perpendicular to said first base. 
   
   
       24 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first end wall portion further comprises a plurality of strengthening flutes. 
   
   
       25 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein strengthening flutes comprise a long, rounded groove in said first end wall portion. 
   
   
       26 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein three flutes are provided in said first end wall portion. 
   
   
       27 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said second end wall portion further comprises a plurality of strengthening flutes. 
   
   
       28 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said strengthening flutes each comprise a long, rounded groove in said second end wall portion. 
   
   
       29 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein three flutes are provided in said second end wall portion. 
   
   
       30 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more strengthening ridges, said one or more strengthening ridges extending between the second end wall portions of adjacent roll support cradle portions. 
   
   
       31 . The support apparatus as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein at least two strengthening ridges are provided. 
   
   
       32 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said first and said second support apparatus each comprises a strong, flexible plastic material. 
   
   
       33 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein said plastic material comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
   
   
       34 . The intermediate support apparatus as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said first and said second support apparatus comprises a thermoformed solid. 
   
   
       35 . A support apparatus for receiving and supporting two or more pieces of roll stock, said support apparatus comprising:
 (a) a base, said base extending along a longitudinal axis and having laterally spaced apart first and second foot portions; first and second end portions, and one or more interior portions;   (b) a plurality of roll support cradle portions, each of said roll support cradle portions comprising (i) an outward surface shaped as an arcuate segment of pre-selected dimensions adapted for securely receiving a piece of roll stock of substantially complementary shape, each of said roll support cradle portions comprising a first outer end and a second outer end, (ii) a first end wall portion, and a second end wall portion, said first end wall portion and said second end wall portions extending from said base to said first outer end and said second outer end of said roll support cradle portions; and (iv) opposing sidewall portions, said opposing side wall portions provided for each of said plurality of roll support cradle portions, each of said opposing sidewall portions sloping inwardly and outwardly from said base toward, and supporting, the companion roll support cradle portion;   (c) said base further comprising, along said first foot portion
 (i) at least one locking tab, each of said at least one locking tabs comprising a stiff laterally extending flap portion having a connection end, an outer end, and a body therebetween, said at least one locking tab at least slightly moveable by pivoting action along said connection end, each of said at least one locking tabs comprising first and second ear portions, said first and second ear portions extending stiffly from said body along, but slightly displaceable from, a common plane, and located at longitudinally spaced apart locations on said body, and 
 (ii) a first set of registration locks; and 
   (d) said base further comprising along said second foot portion,
 (i) at least one outwardly opening generally hour glass shaped notch defined by notch edgewall portions including flexible neck portions, and 
 (ii) a second set of registration locks. 
   
   
   
       36 . A method for providing intermediate roll stocking supports, said method comprising:
 providing a first support apparatus as set forth in  claim 35 ,   providing a second support apparatus as set forth in  claim 35 ,   interlocking said first support apparatus with said second support apparatus by
 engaging at least some of said at least one or more tabs in said first support apparatus with at least one of said one or more notches in said second support apparatus, and 
 engaging at least some of said at least one or more tabs in said second support apparatus with at least one of said one or more notches in said first support apparatus; and 
   interfittingly registering said first set and said second set of registration locks in said first support apparatus with said first set and said second set of registration locks in said second support apparatus;   wherein interlocking said first support apparatus with said second support apparatus, and interfittingly registering said sets of registration locks, forms an intermediate roll stocking support in a back-to-back, stable interlocked configuration.