Reel Having Flange with Sustainable Fasteners

Abstract

A reel has first and second flanges formed of a wood-based material and having annular channels, and a plurality of staves. Each stave extends between the annular channels of the opposing first and second flanges. At least a first stave is secured in at least one of the first annular channel or the second annular channel. The plurality of staves collectively form at least one core surface around which flexible material may be wound between the first flange and the second flange. The reel also includes a plurality of fasteners formed primarily of a wood-based or plastic material, each extending through a portion of the first flange and a corresponding one of the plurality of staves.

1 . A reel, comprising:
 a first flange including at least a first plate formed of a wood-based material, the first flange having a first annular channel;   a second flange having including at least a first plate formed of a wood-based material. the second flange having a second annular channel;   a plurality of staves, each stave extending from within the first annular channel to within the second annular channel, at least a first stave secured in at least one of the first annular channel or the second annular channel, the plurality of staves collectively form at least one core surface around which flexible material may be wound between the first flange and the second flange; and   a plurality of fasteners formed primarily of a wood-based or plastic material, each extending through a portion of the first flange and a corresponding one of the plurality of staves.   
     
     
         2 . The reel of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a first metal fastener extending from the first flange to the second flange. 
     
     
         3 . The reel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first flange further includes a second plate formed of the wood-based material;   the first plate of the first flange is secured to the second plate of the first flange; and   wherein the first annular channel extends axially at least partially through the second plate of the first flange.   
     
     
         4 . The reel of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of fasteners extends through the first plate of the first flange, the second plate of the first flange, and at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of staves. 
     
     
         5 . The reel of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the at least one of the plurality of staves is inhibited from moving circumferentially within the first annular channel by the at least one of the plurality of fasteners; and   at least one other of the plurality of staves is inhibited from moving circumferentially within the first annular channel by the at least one of the plurality of staves.   
     
     
         6 . The reel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first flange further includes a further plate formed of the wood-based material;   the first plate of the first flange is fixedly coupled to the further plate of the first flange;   at least a portion of the further plate is disposed within an interior of a core formed by the plurality of staves; and   at least one of the plurality of fasteners extends through a portion of the further plate of the first flange and one of the plurality of staves.   
     
     
         7 . The reel of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of fasteners has a first end that is disposed at or underneath a radial outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of staves and a second end disposed within the further plate of the first flange. 
     
     
         8 . The reel of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is a nail formed from wood. 
     
     
         9 . A reel, comprising:
 a first flange including a first plate and a second plate, each of the first and second plates formed of a wood-based material, the first plate secured to the second plate at least in part by a plurality of fasteners formed of wood-based or plastic material, the second plate having a first annular channel;   a second flange having a second annular channel;   a plurality of staves, each stave extending from within the first annular channel to within the second annular channel, at least a first stave secured between the first flange and the second flange, wherein the plurality of staves collectively form a core surface around which flexible material may be wound between the first flange and the second flange.   
     
     
         10 . The reel of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is a nail formed from a wood-based material. 
     
     
         11 . The reel of  claim 10 , further comprising an adhesive disposed between at least a portion of at least a first nail of the plurality of fasteners and at least one of the group consisting of the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
         12 . The reel of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a first fastener of the plurality of fasteners includes a first shaft defining a first shaft axis;   a second fastener of the plurality of fasteners includes a second shaft defining a second shaft axis;   a core defined by the plurality of staves from a core axis, and wherein the first shaft axis and the second shaft axis are non-parallel to the core axis.   
     
     
         13 . The reel of  claim 12 , wherein the first shaft axis is non-parallel to the second shaft axis. 
     
     
         14 . The reel of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one further fastener formed of a wood-based or plastic material, the at least one further fastener extending through a portion of the first flange and a corresponding one of the plurality of staves.