My inner covers have 2-2.5" notches used as top entrances (notch side down). When combing I simply reverse the notch to facing up, allowing for an entrance for the bees to be combined above (My colonies use both top and bottom entrances). Then I place one of those 'cheap plastic bee escapes' into the center hole allowing bees from above access below but bees from below remain restricted. After a day or so I just remove the escapes, reverse the inner cover (notch down) and place them back on top. No paper, no shaking, no mess.
This method can be used with 5 or 6 frames NUC when combining into regular equipment, one can place those NUC frames into the super to be used, along with either empty frames or frames of honey/pollen….depending on season and region.
Welcome BeeDog!