# US 4,395,808 A · Spacer unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,395,808 A - Document ID: US4395808A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/286,043 - Filed: 1981-07-22 - Granted: 1983-08-02 - Earliest claimed: 1981-07-22 - Assignees: Signode Corporation - Inventors: Robert P. Ryan; Leonard F. Tworek; James H. Britain - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4395808A ## CPC - B65D 19/40: Elements for spacing platforms from supporting surface - B65D 85/66: for jumbo rolls; for rolls of floor covering - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method and apparatus for handling large articles, such as heavy rolls of paper and the like, is disclosed. At least three composite spacer units, each constructed from a plate and a cylindrical spacer member secured thereto, are attached to a shield fastened on the bottom of each article so as to provide a space beneath each article for receiving lifting members inserted under the article. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for stacking rolls of paper or the like to facilitate handling with a forklift or like mechanism having a cantilevered lifting member, each roll having the shape of a cylinder with a cylindrical side wall extending between a circular top and a circular bottom, this method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of generally identical spacer members and a plurality of generally identical plates with each spacer member having first and second ends and a height at least as great as the thickness of the lifting member and with each plate having a planar area at least equal to the area defined by the outer periphery of each spacer member; (b) affixing to said first end of each said spacer member one of said plates and affixing to said second end of each said spacer member another of said plates with each plate being affixed to only one of said spacer members and with each plate extending across a spacer member at least to the outer periphery of the spacer member to thereby form a composite spacer unit adapted to be disposed on the bottom of one of the rolls; (c) providing a protective shield for each roll and fastening one of said protective shields to each roll to cover at least the bottom of each roll; (d) locating at least three of said composite spacer units on the shield at the bottom of each of the rolls at locations spaced apart by an amount sufficient to accommodate insertion of said lifting member between said composite spacer units; (e) attaching at least three of said composite spacer units to the shield on the bottom of each of the rolls at said spaced-apart locations with one plate of each unit attached to, and in contact with, the bottom shield to form a stackable roll assembly; and (f) stacking one of the roll assemblies on top of another of said roll assemblies with the composite spacer units attached to the bottom of the upper roll assembly resting on the top of the lower roll assembly whereby the lifting member can be received between the stacked roll assemblies. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein each shield is a paper sheet and wherein step (c) includes (1) placing one of the paper sheets against the bottom of a selected roll, (2) folding the peripheral margin of the one paper sheet along the cylindrical side wall of the selected roll, and (3) fastening the one paper sheet to the selected roll with a strap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes adhesively affixing the plates to the spacer member and wherein step (e) includes adhesively securing a plate of each composite spacer unit to the bottom of one of said rolls. ### Claim 4 A stackable assembly of a roll of paper or the like which facilitates handling with a forklift or like mechanism having a cantilevered lifting member, this assembly comprising: (a) a roll having a circular top and bottom at opposite ends of a cylindrical exterior surface; (b) a protective shield secured to said roll and covering at least the entire bottom of said roll, said shield having at least one dimension at least equal to the diameter of said roll; and (c) at least three composite spacer units disposed on the shield at the bottom of said roll at locations spaced apart by amounts sufficient to accommodate insertion of said lifting member between said composite spacer units, each said composite spacer unit comprising: (1) a spacer member having first and second ends and a height at least as great as the thickness of the lifting member, (2) a first plate having a planar area at least equal to the area defined by the outer periphery of said spacer member, said first plate being attached to, and in contact with, the shield on the bottom of said roll, said first plate being affixed to said first end of only one said spacer member with the plate extending across said one spacer member first end at least to the outer periphery of said one spacer member, and (3) a second plate affixed to said second end of only said one spacer member with said second plate extending across said one spacer member at least to the outer periphery of the spacer member, whereby said composite spacer units on a roll form a stackable roll assembly which can be stacked on top of another similar roll assembly with the composite spacer units of one roll assembly resting on the top of the other roll assembly with said second plate of each said spacer unit functioning to distribute the weight force and whereby the lifting member can be received between the stacked roll assemblies. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The assembly of claim 4 wherein the side of each first plate which is disposed against a shield is attached with adhesive to the shield. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The assembly of claim 4 wherein said shield is a sheet of material with the margins of the sheet folded over and retained on each roll with a strap loop binding the sheet margins to the cylindrical surface of the roll. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The assembly of claim 4 wherein the spacer member is a hollow cylinder fabricated from a paper material and wherein each plate is flat and fabricated from corrugated paper. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The assembly of claim 4 wherein each plate has a rectangular planer configuration and wherein each plate is adhesively affixed to said spacer member.