Telescoping core plug and support therefor

A mechanism for retaining and releasing a telescoping core plug inserted into the end of a core of a roll of web material comprising;

• a core plug receiving chute having a channel for receiving the core plug, said channel having top, bottom, back and rear members;
• a seating member integral with one end of said chute, said seating member having an axial opening of predetermined diameter extending longitudinally through the seating member and the back member of said chute, said axial opening being adapted to receive a core plug;
• a plunger member telescopically mounted in said axial opening in said seating member for movement between extended and retracted positions and including an end portion thereof projecting beyond the outer end of said seating member;
• spring means biasing said plunger member toward its extended position;
• and
• pin means for maintaining said plunger within said axial opening.

A roll support system for supporting a roll of web material comprising:

• (a) a mechanism for retaining and releasing a roll of web material wound around a core and having a telescoping core plug adapted to fit in the each end of the core comprising;
• a pair of oppositely disposed core plug receiving chutes each having a channel for receiving a core plug;
• a seating member integral with one end of each of said chutes, said seating member having an axial opening of predetermined diameter extending longitudinally therethrough, said axial opening being adapted to receive a core plug;
• a plunger member telescopically mounted in said axial opening in said seating member for movement between extended and retracted positions and including an end portion thereof projecting beyond the outer end of said seating member;
• and spring means biasing said plunger member toward its extended position;
• pin means for maintaining said plunger in said axial opening;
• and
• (b) a core plug adapted to be inserted in an end of a core of a roll of web material for supporting the roll during unwinding of the web material, said core plug comprising a cup-shaped member having a cylindrical side wall of a diameter corresponding substantially to the internal diameter of the core of the roll of material to be supported, an end wall formed integral with said cylindrical side wall at the inner end thereof, an outwardly extending flange formed integral with said side wall at the outer end thereof, a central hub member formed integral with said end wall at one of said hub member and extending substantially from said end wall to the other end of said side, said hub member having an axial opening therethrough, a plurality of spoke members formed integral with said hub member and said cylindrical side wall, and spindle means telescopically mounted in said hub member for movement axially thereof between retracted and extended positions for supporting the roll of material when extended and for ease of packaging and handling when retracted.