U.S. patent application number 11/139383 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-01 for storage spool.
Invention is credited to Vanderslice, David.
Application Number | 20050263640 11/139383 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35452317 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050263640 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vanderslice, David |
December 1, 2005 |
Storage spool
Abstract
A storage spool is provided that comprises a center core coupled
to a first flange and a second flange. The two flanges extend
outward from the core in a parallel configuration creating a recess
between the flanges. An aperture is formed on one or both of the
flanges to allow for viewing the edges of any material stored on
the spool. A transparent covering encapsulates the spool in order
to create a smooth outer surface over the entire spool.
Inventors: |
Vanderslice, David;
(Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IP GROUP OF DLA PIPER RUDNICK GRAY CARY US LLP
1650 MARKET ST
SUITE 4900
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
35452317 |
Appl. No.: |
11/139383 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60576113 |
Jun 1, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/588.3 ;
206/409 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/672
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/588.3 ;
206/409 |
International
Class: |
B65H 075/00; B65D
085/676 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An storage spool comprising: a center core; a first and second
flange coupled to said core, said core joining said first and
second flange in a center location and said first and second flange
extending from said core in a parallel configuration creating a
recess between said first flange and said second flange; an
aperture formed on said first flange, wherein said aperture allows
for viewing a material stored in said recess; a transparent
covering encapsulating said spool, wherein said covering creates a
smooth outer surface over said first flange and said second
flange.
2. The spool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transparent
covering comprises acetate.
3. The spool as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second
aperture on said second flange.
4. The spool as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a slot
formed on said transparent covering.
5. The spool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transparent
covering is removable from said spool.
6. The spool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said aperture is
wedge-shaped.
7. The spool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said aperture is
tear-shaped.
8. A method for storing decorative material comprising the steps
of: wrapping said material around a spool, said spool comprising a
core, a first flange, and a second flange; encapsulating said spool
containing said material in a transparent covering such that an
edge of said material is visible through an aperture on said first
flange.
9. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said transparent
covering used in said encapsulating step comprises acetate.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing
date of provisional application No. 60/576,113, filed Jun. 1, 2004,
which is herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the field of storage spools, and
more specifically, to a new and useful storage spool for storing
and displaying decorative materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Decorative ribbon, cord, tape, and other similar items are
often wound in a rotary fashion onto a spool to facilitate
space-efficient storage and access to the material by a user.
Spools used for this purpose have been in existence for many years,
and there has been very little innovation or development to the
spools used today in comparison with those used many years ago.
[0004] During the distribution and sale of spools of decorative
items, many spools are normally packaged into a single crate or box
for shipping or stored in a single container for display on the
storeroom floor. One such storage and display system is disclosed
in co-pending application entitled "Distribution and Display
System", filed on Jun. 1, 2004 and assigned Ser. No. 60/604,997,
and hereby incorporated herein by reference. The prior art storage
spools currently in use are not well suited to this phase of
material storage. The spools have exposed flanges or uneven
surfaces on the sides, which can make it difficult to remove one
spool from a case as the flanges can become entangled or engaged
with each other. Additionally, the round spools often are not able
to roll within the case because of entanglement with other spools,
which makes it difficult to move a new spool into the place of one
that may have been removed from the front of a case or display
rack. Also, the material on the spools used today is often exposed
to outside elements such as moisture or dirt while on display.
[0005] As a result of these shortcomings, a need exists for an
improved storage spool. This invention fulfills this need, among
others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A storage spool is provided that comprises a center core
coupled to a first flange and a second flange. The two flanges
extend outward from the core in a parallel configuration creating a
recess between the flanges. Decorative ribbon, cord, or other such
items can be packaged in the recess created between the flanges for
storage. An aperture is formed on one or both of the flanges to
allow for viewing the edges of any material stored on the spool.
This allows for a visual indication of how much material remains on
the spool at any given time, as well as aids in the identification
of the material on the spool (e.g., the thickness of a ribbon can
be viewed). A transparent covering encapsulates the spool in order
to create a smooth outer surface over the entire spool. This allows
for the spool to roll within various types of storage racks and
dispensers easily, while at the same time providing protection to
the material stored on the spool. The smooth side surfaces prevent
the flanges of two spools placed next to each other from becoming
entangled or engaged, which would hinder removing one spool of
material from a storage container that contains several spools. The
covering is transparent to allow visual access to both the front of
the material when viewing the front of the spool and the edges of
the material when viewed through the aperture or apertures on the
flanges.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, a slot may be formed in the
front of the transparent covering to allow for removal of the
material to be achieved while the covering remains on the spool.
Alternatively, the covering can be made using a multi-piece
construction to allow for easy removal from the spool by the
customer after purchase.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being
understood, that this invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a storage spool in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage spool in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of a storage spool in accordance with
a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
identify like elements, components, subassemblies, etc., FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2 illustrate two views of a spool in accordance with a first
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side
view of a spool in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the
spool shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of a second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] The spool comprises a center portion referred to as a core
12. The core 12 in the exemplary implementation is a hollow
cylinder constructed from a light weight plastic material. It may,
however, be constructed from other materials such as cardboard,
wood, etc. The core 12 can also be configured in a solid
configuration, although the hollow configuration of the exemplary
embodiment allows for the spool to be hung on a rack or spindle by
the end consumer and thus is a preferred embodiment.
[0014] A first flange 14 and a second flange 15 are coupled to the
core 12 to form a spool. In an exemplary embodiment, the first
flange 14 and the second flange 15 are constructed from a cardboard
material because it is inexpensive and lightweight. The flanges
could, however, be made from any number of other materials such as
plastic. The first flange 14 and the second flange 15 are
positioned substantially parallel to each other. This configuration
forms a recess or cavity between the inner surfaces of the first
flange 14 and the second flange 15 in which a material can be
stored. For example, ribbon, tape, or cord can be wound around the
spool for storage. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, a flat decorative ribbon resides on the spool.
[0015] One or more apertures 16 are formed in the side of first
flange 14. The aperture can be formed in any size or shape and the
first flange 14 can have one or several apertures formed in it. In
the exemplary embodiment illustrated, three wedge-shaped apertures
are formed in the flange 14. Additionally, similar apertures are
formed on the second flange 15, although additional embodiments of
the invention can include forming apertures on only one flange or
forming apertures of different shapes on each flange. An additional
embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3, which shows three tear shaped
apertures 31, 32, 33. The aperture 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (or
31, 32, 33 of FIG. 3) serves a plurality of functions. First,
viewing through the aperture allows a consumer to quickly determine
the quantity of material remaining on the spool 10. Additionally,
the apertures in the flanges allow easy visual determination of the
type of material contained on the spool (e.g., cord, thick ribbon,
thin ribbon, tape, etc.).
[0016] The entire spool 10 is encapsulated in a transparent
covering 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the transparent covering
18 comprises acetate. Acetate has sufficient strength to provide
adequate protection to the spool while at the same time not being
so strong that removal from the spool by the end consumer is
difficult. It is understood that other materials could also be used
to make the covering 18.
[0017] The covering 18 creates smooth surfaces on the first flange
14 and the second flange 15. The smooth surfaces provide a
significant advantage over the storage spools used in the prior
art. When the material stored on the spool (e.g., the ribbon) is
displayed in a store, there are often many spools contained in one
large container or rack. One practice in storing the spools, as
described in the co-pending application entitled "Distribution and
Display System" filed on even date with the present application, is
for the spools to be stored on an incline. When a consumer removes
one spool, the spool located behind the first spool rolls into its
place. However, this was difficult with the prior art spools
because a smooth surface did not exist on the spool sides. The
sides of two spools residing next to each other would often become
engaged or entangled, thus preventing a spool from rolling forward
as desired when a spool in front of it was removed. This problem
was further exacerbated by any efforts to place apertures in the
sides of the spools through which the contents could be viewed. Any
apertures would contribute to a non-smooth surface on the outside
of the flanges, thus increasing the likelihood of spools residing
next to each other becoming entangled. By creating smooth surfaces
using the covering 18 to cover the flanges 14, 15, the spools can
move freely within a container and do not become entangled with
each other. Additionally, the covering 18 prevents damage to the
material that can be caused by the consumer handling the spools
prior to purchasing and the covering also prevents dirt and debris
from reaching the material.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the covering 18 is formed in a
two piece configuration. The first piece would cover one flange and
the width of the spool while the other piece would fit over the
second flange and overlap slightly with the edge of the first
piece. This forms a configuration similar to a cylinder with a cap.
Using this configuration, the covering can easily be removed from
the spool by removing the cap portion and lifting the spool from
the first portion of the covering 18. Alternative configurations
are also possible. In some embodiments, it may be desired to have
the encapsulating covering 18 remain on the spool for the entire
time material remains on the spool. One such embodiment may include
a perforated area 26. The perforated area 26 is formed in the shape
of slot 27 on the perimeter of the covering 18. The shape of the
slot 27 corresponds the material stored on the spool 10. For
example, a flat slot 27 would be used in the covering 18 of a spool
10 containing decorative ribbon. In an exemplary embodiment, the
perforated area 26 also includes a semi-circular tab 29 on one side
of the slot shaped perforations. The consumer can remove ribbon
from the spool by removing the portion of the covering 18 contained
within the perforated area 26. This will open the slot 27 and allow
the consumer to remove ribbon by pulling the ribbon through the
slot 27. The semi-circular tab 29 allows the portion of the
covering 18 within the perforated area 26 to be easily removed
(e.g., the consumer punches the tab with a thumb or finger and uses
the tab to pull the portion of the covering within the perforated
area 26 free) and also facilitates the ability to initially grasp
the ribbon and guide it through the slot. In such an embodiment,
the spool can rotate within the covering 18 to allow for the ribbon
to be removed. Additionally, perforated circular openings 24 are
located in the covering 18 in the region over the core. These
circular openings 24 can be punched out by the consumer after
purchase to allow the spool 10 to be placed on a spindle without
necessitating the removal of the covering 18.
[0019] The present invention may provide several advantages over
the prior art. It allows for efficient storage of ribbon, cord,
etc. on spools that can be displayed in volume on a display or rack
in a store. The acetate covering over the flanges allow the spools
to move freely without becoming entangled with one another, while
the apertures in the flanges provide for visual access to the edges
of the material in order to determine both the type and quantity of
the material on the spool. The acetate covering further protects
the material from dirt and debris prior to purchase by a consumer.
For these reasons, among others, the storage spool in accordance
with the present invention provides a marked improvement over
storage items in the prior art.
[0020] A variety of modifications to the embodiments described will
be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure
provided herein. Thus, the present invention may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential
attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to
the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as
indicating the scope of the invention.
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