Reel flange having radially outward and axially outward extending outer rim

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting wound flexible media includes a reel core, a first flange and a second flange. The first flange comprises a flange body having a periphery, and further includes an outer rim extending axially outward and radially outward from the periphery with respect to the reel core. The reel core extends between said first flange and said second flange.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting wound flexible media comprising: 
 a reel core;    a first flange comprising a flange body having a periphery, the first flange further including an outer rim extending axially outward and radially outward from the periphery with respect to the reel core;    a second flange; and    wherein the reel core extends between said first flange and said second flange.    
     
     
         2  The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second flange comprises a second flange body having a second periphery, the second flange further including a second outer rim extending axially outward and radially outward from the second periphery with respect to the reel core.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first flange is constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the flange body includes a load bearing portion of the first flange.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the periphery of the flange body further comprises a periphery of the load bearing portion.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first flange and said second flange are generally disk shaped.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said reel core is cylindrically shaped.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said reel core is removably secured to said first flange and said reel core is removably secured to said second flange.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the reel core includes a first pliable end and a second end, the first pliable end defining a first cross-sectional shape;  
 the first flange includes an outer section and an inner section, the outer section including an inner rim, the inner rim including a radially inward extending ridge defining at least a portion of a first periphery corresponding substantially to the first cross-sectional shape and configured to deformingly engage the first pliable end, and the inner section including an outer rim, the outer rim including a radially outward extending ridge defining at least a portion of a second periphery corresponding substantially to the first cross-sectional shape and configured to deformingly engage the first pliable end.  
 
     
     
         10 . A flange for use in a reel having first and second flanges attached to a reel core, the flange comprising 
 a load bearing section;    an outer rim operably coupled to a portion of the flange radially outward of the load bearing section, the outer rim including an intersecting circumference adjacent the portion of the flange and end circumference, the outer rim extending radially outward and axially outward from the intersecting circumference to the end circumference.    
     
     
         11 . The flange of  claim 10  wherein intersecting circumference defines an outer periphery of the load bearing section.  
     
     
         12 . The flange of  claim 10  wherein the outer rim extends radially outward and axially outward from the intersecting circumference to the end circumference in a linear manner.  
     
     
         13 . The flange of  claim 10  wherein said flange is constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         14 . The flange of  claim 10  wherein said first flange and said second flange are generally disk shaped.  
     
     
         15 . The flange of  claim 10  wherein said flange includes an outer section and an inner section, the outer section including an inner rim, the inner rim including a radially inward extending ridge defining at least a portion of a first periphery corresponding substantially to the first cross-sectional shape and configured to deformingly engage a first pliable end of a reel core, and the inner section including an outer rim, the outer rim including a radially outward extending ridge defining at least a portion of a second periphery corresponding substantially to the first cross-sectional shape and configured to deformingly engage the first pliable end.  
     
     
         16 . The flange of  claim 10  wherein the load bearing section includes a plurality of radially extending ribs.  
     
     
         17 . A flange for use in a reel having first and second flanges attached to a reel core, the flange comprising 
 a load bearing section; and    an outer rim operably extending radially outward and axially outward from the load bearing section.    
     
     
         18 . The flange of  claim 17  wherein the flange is constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         19 . The flange of  claim 17  wherein the load bearing section and the outer rim are integrally molded.  
     
     
         20 . The flange of  claim 17  wherein the load bearing section includes a plurality of radially extending ribs.