Abstract: A vertical winding apparatus includes a winding core generally formed from a flat sheet and having an irregular trapezoidal shape for supporting a continuous belt of packaging blanks. The winding core includes an upper bar separated from a lower body by a pair of opposite support notches which are configured to receive the upper edge of the continuous belt of packaging blanks. Opposite the upper bar portion of the winding core is a slot formed from the bottom edge of the core which is configured to engage a mating slot formed in a rotating drive shaft for rotationally interlocking the winding core to the drive shaft. Further, an unwinding stand is provided which supports the winding core carrying a supply of continuous belt wound thereon. The unwinding stand includes a support frame having wheels at one end and an adjustment screw assembly at an opposite end adapted to tilt one side of the unwinding stand to facilitate removal of the belt wound onto the winding core.