Abstract:
A recyclable protective cradle and a recyclable edge protective packaging and distribution system for preventing rolling and allowing distribution and shipping of rolls of laminar stock rollingly oriented on a pallet. The protective cradle is formed of an interengaging pallet covering and a series of wedge members which act as chocks to prevent the roll from rotating. A wedge removal system allows for the selective removal of one or more wedge members to allow the roll to freely be removed from the protective cradle.

Description:
This is a reissue of application Ser. No.  08 / 513 , 425 , filed on Aug.  10 ,  1995 , U.S. Pat. No.  5 , 515 , 977 . 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is generally directed to an edge protecting packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock and, in particular, to a pallet based corrugated paper packaging and distribution system incorporating a pallet pad and wedge system to package and distribute paper wound on a roll and shipped on pallets oriented so that the paper may be rolled on to and off of the pallets but is held nondestructively and securely in place by the elements of the new system. 
     In the past, when fine quality papers were shipped for use directly by photocopying and photo-lithographic machinery utilizing uncut, rolled paper, the machinery required the paper to have a margin or border section on at least one and generally both sides of the paper stock for pin feeding. As such, the quality and handling of the edges following shipment of the paper stock in roll form was neither critical nor relevant as the rolls could be and were shipped laying flat on the side of the roll. This had the effect of introducing some minor damage to the edge surface of the roll. Where the paper was wider than the actual finished width of the paper, as required by prior printing equipment, no need to ship the rolls in an upright, rolling orientation, rather than the more stable, laying on its edge orientation, existed. 
     However, several factors working together have resulted in changes in the way in which rolled paper is utilized in printing operations. First, the requirements of recycling, designed to reduce non-recyclable waste by environmentally conscious users of paper, have caused producers to seek ways to reduce the use of excess paper and, in particular, the excessive use of border sections on both sides of the paper. Next, the printing equipment manufacturers developed machinery which could accurately draw in and cut to size paper without negatively impacting upon performance. Thus, there came the need for paper pre-cut precisely to the finished width dimensions, generally, 11 inches. The effect of this change in paper need was a need for paper to be shipped on the roll to a customer with a nonborder printing machine. Now that the edges of the rolls are a portion of the finished product to be utilized, shipments of the rolls laying flat on their edges are not appropriate both because the edge laying on a wooden pallet can get damaged either through surface contact or merely by virtue of the pressure created by the weight of the roll of paper or any other rolls placed on top of a bottom roll. Likewise, the top edge could be damaged either by another roll on top of it or by contact with handling equipment or other pallets during loading, shipping or unloading. 
     Accordingly, there is need for an improved packaging and distribution system for protecting the edge of rolls of paper or other laminar stock. In particular, there is a need to maintain the rolls of paper or other laminar stock in an upright orientation in which the planes of the edges of the paper are perpendicular to the plane of the shipping pallet, hereinafter referred to as an “upright” or “rolling” orientation in which the edges and the entire rolls are securely fastened in condition for shipping and use by the paper consumer without damaging the paper stock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is generally directed to a protective cradle for a roll of laminar stock rollingly oriented on a pallet. The cradle includes a pallet covering for covering at least a portion of the pallet and supporting and cushioning the roll of laminar stock. It also includes a wedge component, coupled to the pallet covering, with the wedge component contacting the roll of laminar stock proximate a portion of the pallet covering which supports the roll of laminar stock, to prevent the roll of laminar stock from rolling. 
     The invention is also generally directed to a recyclable protective cradle for a roll of laminar stock which is rollingly oriented on a pallet. A pallet covering covers at least a portion of the pallet, supports and cushions the roll of laminar stock. A wedge member, coupled to the pallet covering contacts the roll of laminar stock proximate a portion of the pallet covering which supports the roll of laminar stock. It prevents the roll of laminar stock from rolling. The pallet covering and wedge member are formed of recyclable material. 
     The invention is further directed to an edge protective packaging and distribution system for a roll of laminar stock rollingly oriented on a pallet. A cradle, resting on the pallet, supports and prevents rolling of the rolls on the pallet. The cradle includes a pallet covering and wedge members. The pallet covering is placed on the pallet for covering at least a portion of the pallet, supporting and cushioning the roll of laminar stock. The wedge member is coupled to the pallet covering and contacts the roll of laminar stock proximate a portion of the pallet covering which supports the roll of laminar stock, thereby preventing the roll of laminar stock from rolling. One or more straps coupled to the roll and the pallet secure the roll on the cradle to the pallet. 
     The invention is also directed to an improved edge protecting packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock in which the rolled laminar stock is shipped on pallets in an upright orientation. 
     A further goal of the invention is to provide an improved packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock on a pallet incorporating inter-engaging wedge members and pallet pads including wedge engaging sections. 
     Still another goal of the invention is to provide an improved packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock on pallets in which a pallet pad incorporating wedge engaging sections is adapted to engage with a series of wedge members which act as chocks to restrain the rolling of rolls of laminar stock for shipment on a pallet. 
     Still a further goal of the invention is to provide an inter-engaging pallet pad, incorporating wedge engaging sections, with a series of pairs of wedge members for securely retaining at least one roll of laminar stock on a pallet in an upright orientation without rolling about or off the pallet. 
     Yet a further goal of the invention is to provide an improved edge protecting packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock to control shipments of rolls of paper shipped in an upright orientation. 
     Still yet another goal of the invention is to provide an improved wedge system consisting of inter-engaging pallet pad and a series of wedges, each of which are formed from corrugated paper which, when assembled and interconnected, form a secure cradle for one or more rolls of fine paper loaded in an upright orientation for shipment and distribution. 
     Yet still a further goal of the invention is to provide an improved edge protecting packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock incorporating a pallet pad and a series of wedges which are formed of recyclable material. 
     Still another goal of the invention is to provide an improved packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock in which a series of wedges engaging with a pallet pad, on top of a standard shipping pallet, are used in which the paper may be released by exerting pressure on a tear-away wedge section without damaging either the edges or the surface of the laminar material. 
     Still yet another goal of the invention is to provide a recyclable corrugated cardboard system for shipping fine papers in an upright orientation on pallets in which an integrated wedge and pallet pad system used to store and ship the paper and a tear-away feature enables nondestructive unloading of the rolls. 
     Still other goals and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of three rolls of paper packaged in accordance with an edge protecting packaging distribution system for rolled laminar stock in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pallet pad, after manufacture and prior to assembly, constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a wedge member after manufacture and prior to assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the wedge member of FIG. 3 constructed and assembled in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom elevational view of the wedge member of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the wedge member of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 2 of the pallet pad of FIG. 2 in an assembled position, without the wedge members, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cradle of the edge protecting packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock assembled, but without any rolls of paper present; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the edge protecting packaging and distribution system of FIG. 8 wherein the paper has been added onto the system; and 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a printer incorporating the roll-in feed device utilizing the rolled paper without pin-feed borders. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is first made to FIG. 1, wherein an edge protecting packaging and distribution system for rolled laminar stock constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, generally indicated as  100 , is depicted. Like elements are represented by like reference numerals. System  100  includes, in a preferred embodiment, three rolls of paper  110  having an outer surface of the paper  111 , an inner circular opening  112 , with or without a core, and an edge surface  113 . In practice, each of the three rolls of paper  110  has two edge surfaces  113 . Like elements are represented by like reference numerals. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 the two outer rolls of paper  110  have a single edge surface  113  exposed and middle roll of paper  110  has both edge surfaces  113  adjacent to the covered edge surfaces of the end rolls of paper. Each of rolls  110  is positioned so as to enable the entire roll to be easily moved off of system  100  when retaining straps  191  and  192  are removed and one or more wedge members  150  are likewise removed. In this orientation rolls  110  can rotate about their inner openings  112  along outer surface  111  for suitable handling. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, rolls  110  of paper are securely maintained in place by their significant mass, the wedge members  150  and retaining straps  191  and  192 . 
     Roll  110  sits upon a pallet  120 , having a top surface  121 , recessed surfaces  122  and  123 , adapted to receive retaining straps  191  and  192 , and three supporting legs  124 ,  125  and  126 . A pallet pad  130  rests on top of top surface  121  of pallet  120 . Further description of the configuration of pallet pad  130  is made below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7. A more detailed description of wedge members  150  is found below with reference to FIGS. 3-6. In practice, edge protecting packaging distribution system  100  is assembled upon pallets  120  at the paper manufacturing and distribution site. 
     A pallet  120  has a pallet pad  130  of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 placed on top of surface  121  of pallet  120 . Pallet pad  130  is assembled from the die cut form shown in FIG. 2 so as to form the configuration shown generally in FIG.  7 . Assembled wedge members  150  are then secured in place to form the configuration shown in FIG.  8 . Then the rolls of paper  110  are added to create the combination shown in FIG.  9 . Finally, any final wrapping and then retaining straps  191  and  192  are added. While it is possible to add additional protective coverings or layers onto or over the finished edge protecting packaging distribution system  100 , in most cases such additional protection is not required. 
     Reference is next made to FIG. 2, wherein a pallet pad generally indicated as  130  constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted. Pallet pad  130  is generally formed in a preferred embodiment out of a double wall corrugated cardboard sheet formed to have the same size as the pallet  120  upon which the system  100  will rest. In a preferred embodiment the pallet pad is set at dimensions of 52 inches by 37 inches with rounded corners. Pallet pad  130  is formed with six wedge engaging sections, generally indicated as  131 a,  131 b,  131 c,  131 d,  131 e and  131 f. Each of these wedge engaging sections  131 a-f is identical to each other section in size, stamping and configuration except that wedge engaging sections  131 a, e and f are mirror images of sections  131 b, c and d along a vertical line between them in FIG.  2 . For ease of description and without loss of detail we will focus on wedge engaging section  131 a. Each of the other wedge engaging sections  131 b-f will have similar elements. 
     Wedge engaging section  131 a has a handle section  132 a, vertical wedge supporting section  133 a, including continuous engaging arm  134 a and angled engaging arm  135 a. Finally, wedge engaging section  131 a includes a tear-away section  136 a. In order to form the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the pallet pad  130  is die cut in accordance with conventional corrugated cardboard forming techniques by cutting through various walls, perforating other walls and heavily and lightly scoring lines as appropriate. 
     In wedge engaging section  131 a, generally oval handle opening  137 a is formed by die cutting out the entire interior of handle opening  137 a. This forms a handle as can also be seen in FIG.  1  and FIG.  8 . The entire outer surface of sections  132 a and  133 a extending from the intersection of line  148 a with the outer perimeter of wedge engaging section  131 a, indicated as edge  138 a is die cut through so that it may move freely from the surrounding area. Likewise, walls  143 a,  144 a,  145 a,  146 a and  147 a surrounding members  134 a and  135 a are die cut cleanly to allow these two sections to move freely apart from the surrounding portion of section  133 a. In addition, lines  140 a and  141 a separating sections  132 a and  133 a, as well as line  148 a separating sections  133 a and  136 a are heavily scored. Heavy scoring, again in accordance with standard industry practice, has the effect of allowing the corrugated cardboard to easily fold in both directions along the heavily scored line. Line  142 a, which separates sections  134 a and  135 a, is lightly scored to allow section  135 a to bend downward, into the plane of the drawing of FIG.  2  and toward section  134 a along line  142 a (as seen in FIG.  7 ), but not to bend in the opposite direction along line  142 a. Finally, side lines  139 a and  149 a of tear-away section  136 a are perforated. In a preferred embodiment, the perforation is on a three to one scale, meaning that only one fourth of lines  139 a and  149 a remains intact, the remaining three quarters of lines  139 a and  149 a having been die cut. This allows for section  136 a to be removed from pallet pad  130  with suitable force. 
     As noted above, each of remaining wedge engaging sections,  131 b-f have similar elements and construction which, for purposes of clarity, are not repeated herein. 
     Reference is next made to FIG. 3 wherein a die cut form for the wedge member, generally indicated as  150 , constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is depicted. In FIG. 3, a single wedge member in its flat, unfolded and unassembled form, as formed by die cutting and scoring in accordance with conventional corrugated cardboard technology is depicted. In FIG. 3, a single wedge member  150  is shown. In practice, a single die cutting process forms two wedge members  150  with a second wedge member  150  positioned as a mirror image to the member  150  shown in FIG. 3 connected along the straight line at the bottom of sections  152 ,  151  and  161 . This sort of duplication is commonly known and used in the art and does not form a part of the invention. Accordingly, for ease of description and explanation of the inventive elements of applicant&#39;s edge protecting packaging distribution system for rolled laminar stock, only a single form for a wedge member  150  is depicted. 
     Wedge member  150  includes a base section  151 , a triangular side section  152 , top section  153 , support walls  154 ,  155 , locking plug  156 , support tab  157 , connecting tab  158  and connecting slot  159 . In addition, wedge section  150  also includes triangular side section  161 , top section  162 , support walls  163 ,  164 , support tab  165 , locking plug slot  166 , connecting slot  167 , connecting plug  168  and support tabs receiving slot  160 . In a preferred embodiment, the entire outside perimeter of wedge section  150  is die cut from double wall—HT corrugated cardboard in accordance with industry practice. Other types of corrugated cardboard may be used depending upon weight and strength requirements. 
     In addition to the outside die cutting, connecting slots  159  and  167 , locking plug slot  166  and support tabs receiving slot  160  are die cut and punched out. In addition, locking plug  156  is die cut around its perimeter along line  175 . Line  174  is lightly scored to allow locking plug  156  to rotate along line  174  out of the plane of FIG.  3 . Lines  171  connecting triangular side section  152  and top section  153 , line  173  connecting top section  173  and support wall  154  (except in the area of connecting slot  159  and locking plug  156 ) and line  172  connecting support walls  154 ,  155  are heavily scored to allow folding in both directions along these lines. Likewise, line  174  connecting base section  151  to triangular side section  161 , line  175  connecting triangular side section  161  to top section  162 , line  176  connecting top section  162  to support wall  164  (except in the regions of connecting slot  167  and locking plug slot  166 ) and line  177  connecting support wall  163  to support wall  164  are heavily scored to allow folding into the plane of FIG.  3 . 
     Wedge member  150  is assembled in the following manner. Support wall  155  is folded inwardly toward support wall  154  and then support walls  154  and  155  are rotated inwardly along line  173  until the edge of support wall  155  proximate to connecting plug  158  rests against the surface of top section  153 . Thereafter top section  153  is rotated about line  171  until the smallest side of support wall  155  contacts triangular side section  152 . Next triangular side section  152  is rotated about line  170  until the last free section of support wall  155  rests against the inside of base section  151  and tab  157  extends through support tabs receiving slot  160 . In this orientation locking plug  156  remains in the same plane as top section  153 . In this orientation support wall  155  is supported on each of its three free sides by either base section  151 , triangular side section  152  or top section  153 . Likewise, the free end of support wall  154 , including support tab  157 , is supported on base section  151 , with support tab  157  extending through support tabs receiving slot  160 . Next, support wall  163  is rotated inward about line  177  and support wall  164  is rotated about line  176  until the free side of support wall  163  closest to connecting plug  168  contacts the surface of top section  162 . Then, top section  162  is rotated about line  175  until the shortest side of support wall  163  rests against triangular side section  161 . Then, triangular side section  161  is rotated about line  174  until the free end of support wall  164  rests up against the base of support member  151  and tab  165  extends through slot  160 . In addition, at this point, locking plug  156  enters locking plug slot  166 , generally locking the wedge member  150  into its assembled condition. In this assembled condition top sections  153  and  162  form a generally uniform single plane and the exposed portions of connecting slots  167  and  159  form a single slot. Connecting plugs  158  and  168 , as can be seen in FIGS. 4,  5  and  6 , extend outwardly beyond the end of the wedge. In addition, the inside of the wedge is further supported by support walls  154  and  164  resting against each other and the fourth, connected, walls of support walls  163  and  155  (lines  172  and  173 ), rest against each other to further provide structural rigidity to wedge  150 . 
     As seen in FIG. 4, the side elevational view, triangular side section  161  forms the side wall and line  175  forms the edge between triangular side section  161 , which is seen in FIG. 5, and top section  162  shown in FIG.  6 . Likewise, line  174 , which forms the bottom edge of triangular side section  161 , connects with base section  151  shown in FIG.  5 . Support tab  165  can be seen extending below base section  151 . Likewise, connecting plug  168  can be seen extending beyond the end of top section  162 . 
     In FIG. 6, which shows the top elevational view one can see that slots  159  and  167  together form a single continuous slot, for receiving and locking with engaging sections  135  of the wedge engaging sections  131  of pallet pad  130 . 
     Reference is made to FIG. 2 and, in particular, FIG. 7 for a description of the manner in which each of wedge engaging sections  138 a-f folds and engages with wedge members  150 . To prepare pallet pad  130  for assembly one pulls up on handle opening  137 a in section  132 a and pulls section  132 a to the left, rotating about lines  148 a, between sections  136 a and  133 a, and lines  140 a and  141 a between sections  132 a and  133 a. As seen in FIG. 7, one pulls back on handle  132 a by slipping one&#39;s fingers through handle hole  137 a, until section  133 a is generally perpendicular to the plane of pallet  130 . At this point, bracing wall  133 a is vertical, handle section  132 a is angled backwards over tear-away section  136 a and connecting section  134 a and engaging section  135 a extend outwardly along the continued plane of handle section  132 . In this position, an opening  182 , formed by the die cutting of connecting section  134  and engaging section  135  in support wall  133  is formed. 
     As seen in FIG. 7, there is a section  184 a of pallet  120  which is not covered by pallet pad  130 . This is the section evacuated by the folding of handle section  132 a, support wall  133 a, connecting section  134 a and engaging section  135 a. This uncovered section is then covered by a wedge section  150 . 
     An assembled wedge section  150  is coupled to wedge engaging section  131  by extending connecting plugs  158  and  168  through opening  182 a in support wall  133 a. Then, engaging section  135 a is bent down and slid into the slot formed by slots  159  and  167 . Between the engagement of connecting plugs  158  and  168  into opening  172 , with the outward engagement of the arms of plugs  158  and  168  with the sides of opening  182 a preventing their release, connection section  134  resting on top sections  153 a and  162 a and engaging section  135  extending into openings  159  and  167 , wedge members  150 , with its vertical triangular leg shown in FIG. 4 as leg  183 , is locked firmly up against vertical supporting wall  133 a of wedge engaging section  131 a. This combination also has the effect of maintaining supporting wall  133  in a vertical alignment. The width of wedge member  150  is designed to be approximately the same width as wedge engaging section  131  including handle section  132 , vertical support wall  133  and tear-away section  136 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8, when fully assembled in a preferred embodiment, there are a series of six wedge members  150 , each of which is connected to one of the six wedge engaging sections  131 a-f. There may be more or less wedge members  150  depending upon the size of the pallet, the width of the paper and the particular needs of the manufacturing plant and end user. Generally, however, the wedge sections would be paired so that each pair of wedge members  150  cradles a paper roll  110 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8, it appears as if wedge members  150  are resting on top of pallet pad  130 . However, as shown in FIG. 7, pallet pad  130  is generally absent in the areas  184 a-f in which wedge member  150  is present, that portion of pallet pad  130  forming wedge engaging sections  131 a-f. 
     After the edge protecting packaging and distribution system for the rolled laminar sheets is prepared, as shown in FIG. 8, a cradle for a series of rolls of laminar material such as fine paper for printing uses is established and the paper may then be loaded onto the cradle arrangement created as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     Reference is next made to FIG. 9 wherein a series of three rolls of fine paper  110  have been lowered onto the cradle formed in FIG. 8 of pallet pad  130  and the six wedge members  150  interconnecting with wedge engaging sections  131 a-f. Each of the rolls of paper  110  may be individually wrapped, wrapped in a bundle together with the other rolls of paper or may be left without any wrapping. The wrapping may be either in the form of a heavy grade paper or of a thin plastic sheet in accordance with conventional paper wrapping techniques. In a preferred embodiment, each of the individual rolls of paper is separately wrapped prior to placement on the cradle formed shown in FIG.  8 . 
     Most of the weight of the paper rolls  110  rests upon the central region  181  of pallet pad  130 . The weight has the effect of compressing but not destroying the pallet pad  130  underneath the paper rolls. Following the placement of rolls  110  into the cradle assembly, generally indicated as  200  constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the paper rolls  110  may be strapped and/or stretch wrapped to the pallets. In some embodiments one strap extends over the top of the rolls of paper and under the bottom of the pallet. In another, a single strap through the core of the paper rolls  110  may be utilized, or one strap arranged in a downwardly opening “V” shape as shown in FIG. 1 may be utilized, or no strapping may be utilized. In the event that no strapping is utilized then, generally, the paper is secured in place by stretch or shrink wrapping the entire assembly. Stretch or shrink wrapping may also be utilized in combination with the strapping. 
     In practice, the currently preferred approach is to use “V” shaped strapping through the core of paper rolls  110  without any outside stretch wrapping. This configuration has the dual advantages of maintaining a secure, stable and edge protective packaging distribution system while maintaining a highly recyclable packaging and distribution system. 
     Once the paper rolls  110  are loaded on the cradle, generally indicated as  200 , to form the edge protective packaging distribution system  100  as shown in FIG. 1, the paper may then be shipped and distributed as necessary to its end user. The end user is generally a high volume print shop incorporating roll in-feed devices which use paper on rolls directly without the need for pin-feed borders, which waste time, manpower and packaging. 
     When the end user desires to remove a roll of paper from the cradle system, the first step is to cut the straps which secure the paper in place or remove any overall wrapper. With the straps removed, the paper rolls  110  are retained in place so long as pallet  120  rests on a flat surface and is not moved around or shaken. At this point the user would grab one of the handles  132 a-f by inserting fingers through handle hole  137 a-f and pulling outwardly from the paper roll  110  so as to remove wedge member  150  from the side of a roll  110 . This removal is enabled by the use of the handle  132 a, the shape of wedge  150  and the manner in which tear-away section  136 a is formed with perforation on its sides (lines  193 a and  149 a), so as to allow the entire wedge member  150  and wedge engaging section  131 a to be completely removed. So as to avoid damage to the paper, the width of wedge  150  and wedge engaging section  131 a is less than the width of the roll of paper  110 . This is so that the removal of wedge  150  and wedge engaging section  131 a by pulling wedge  150  from the side of a paper roll  110  does not cause roll  110  to contact pallet  120 . Rather, roll  110  rides on the adjacent portions of pallet pad  130  which act as two rails for support so that the surface of the paper is not damaged. In this way, a single roll at a time can be removed when needed while the remaining rolls are cradled and kept firmly in check on pallets  120  without the need for other stabilizing activity or new maintenance. 
     Generally, a utility cart of the appropriate height and weight bearing capacity is used to remove the roll of paper from pallet pad  130 . Then, the paper is brought to a printing machine, generally indicated as  300  shown in FIG. 10 wherein roll  110  automatically feeds the paper into the machine where it is cut to size and printed upon as appropriate. While the system has been shown with three pairs of wedge members for three rolls of paper, various other configurations consistent with the invention are possible. More or less pairs of wedges may be used. In addition, one or more wider wedges on one side of the cradle may be used to block movement of more than a single roll of paper. Then, one can assure that all rolls are off-loaded only in one direction, where there is a single wedge member for each paper roll. This may be useful to assure that the paper rolls are properly aligned for use in manufacturing with the roll unwinding in the proper direction. In the event of very wide rolls of common stock, multiple wedges can be used with, at or proximate to the edges or distributed so that the rolls are not damaged when they roll off the pallet pad and better control is achieved. 
     While the description has been focused on the packaging and distribution of rolls of paper, the system is usable also in connection with rolls of other laminar or sheet like materials such as plastics, metals and fabrics, where protection of the edge surfaces of the roll from the weight of the roll itself is desirable. 
     In accordance with this system the basic packaging and distribution system is essentially recyclable or reusable. All of the corrugated cardboard parts such as wedge members  150  and pallet pad  130  are completely recyclable. Pallets, in accordance with industry practice, are reused repeatedly. Depending on the strapping material utilized it, too, may be reused or recycled. Finally, the wrapping or shrink wrapping of the rolls or the overall structure may be utilized to create a secure packaging system  100 . The various corrugated cardboard parts may be configured in different arrangements to meet varying weight and size needs out of other corrugated paper products or even plastic corrugated construction materials. 
     In this way an improved edge protecting packaging and distribution system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted in which by use of a combination of a die cut corrugated cardboard pallet pad and an interengaging series of die cut cardboard wedge members a highly recyclable system is enabled. The combination of the pallet pad and wedge members forms a secure and stable base for paper on its edge to be stored and shipped without damage to the edge of the paper or other laminar sheet material. 
     The cradle arrangement for holding the rolled paper protects the edges of the paper against damage from contact or the weight of the paper itself. By use of the combination of a pallet pad with wedge engaging portions and a series of wedge members, a secure cradle which may be selectively opened by pulling back on the wedge form and pulling away an entire portion of the base so as to allow free movement by the paper roll is presented. 
     Finally, a high quality, highly recyclable, edge protecting packaging distribution system for rolled laminar sheets incorporating a pallet based pad and engaging wedge form system is provided. 
     It will thus be seen that the goals set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all of the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention, herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.