Reel Core for Spooling Continuous Substrate or Strand

Abstract

A reel core includes a tubular body with a low resistance to abrasion, open at both ends, with an inner surface and an outer surface. Each of the opposite ends of the tubular body features a groove cut into the inner surface and designed for the push-fit of end protectors for the opposite ends of the tubular body. These end protectors are manufactured from an abrasion-resistant material and feature an inner surface that sits flush with the inner surface of the tubular body. Each end protector has an outer flange that covers the front of the end of the tubular body with an outer surface that is flush with the outer surface of the tubular body.

Claims

1. A reel core for rotatably spooling a continuous substrate or continuous strand, the reel core comprising: a hollow tubular body composed of a material with a low resistance to abrasion, the tubular body extending axially between a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the tubular body including a central region disposed spaced apart from and between the first and second ends of the tubular body, the central region defining an inner cylindrical surface with a continuous opening having a constant first diameter, the tubular body defining a first groove extending from the first end to the central region and defining a continuous opening having a constant second diameter, the tubular body defining a second groove extending from the second end to the central region and defining a continuous opening defined by the constant second diameter; a first end protector mounted at the first end of the tubular body and defining an interior surface defining a continuous opening with the constant first diameter; and a second end protector mounted at the second end of the tubular body and defining an interior surface defining a continuous opening with the constant first diameter; wherein the first end protector includes an outer flange which covers the first end of the tubular body; and wherein the second end protector includes an outer flange which covers the second end of the tubular body.

2. A reel core as per claim 1, wherein the tubular body defines an outer surface with a constant diameter, wherein the outer flange of the first end protector defines an exterior surface that is flush with the outer surface of the tubular body.

3. A reel core as per claim 2, wherein the tubular body defines an outer surface with a constant diameter, wherein the outer flange of the second end protector defines an exterior surface that is flush with the outer surface of the tubular body.

4. A reel core as per claim 1, wherein each of the first and second end protectors is formed of a material that is abrasion resistant.

5. A reel core as per claim 1, wherein each of the first and second end protectors is formed of a material that includes a polyurethane polymer.

6. A reel core as per claim 1, wherein the material that forms each of the first and second end protectors has a Shore A hardness no less than about 75.

7. A reel core as per claim 1, wherein the material that forms each of the first and second end protectors has a Shore D hardness in a range from about 40 to about 55.

8. A reel core as per claim 1, wherein each of the end protectors is attached to the tubular body by an interference fit.

9. A reel core as per claim 1, wherein each of the end protectors is attached to the tubular body by adhesive.

10. A reel core as per claim 1, wherein each of the end protectors is attached to the tubular body by a mechanical fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Aspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of embodiments of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the specification. A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in this specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a reel core, as per the invention,

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a lengthwise cross section of the same reel core of FIG. 1 with one of the end protectors inserted into the end of the reel core's tubular body, with the other end protector unattached and shown in line with the other end of the tubular body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. It is contemplated that those skilled in the art will readily discern that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations.

[0018] In the example shown in the accompanying drawings, and referring to FIG. 1, the reel core includes a tubular body (1) and end protectors (2) for the opposite ends of the tubular body (1).

[0019] The tubular body (1), in this case, made from glass fibre, is open at the opposite first and second ends and defines its outer surface (11) and its inner surface (12). As shown in FIG. 2, each end region of the tubular body (1) features a groove (13) into which a respective end protector (2) is slidably received and secured therein.

[0020] The tubular body (1) includes a central region disposed spaced apart from and between the first and second ends of the tubular body (1). The central region defines an inner cylindrical surface with a continuous opening having a constant first diameter. The tubular body (1) defines in a first end region a first groove (13) extending from the first end of the tubular body (1) to the central region and defining a continuous opening having a constant second diameter. Similarly, the tubular body (1) defines in a second end region a second groove (13) extending from the second end of the tubular body (1) to the central region and defining a continuous opening defined by the constant second diameter.

[0021] The end protectors (2) are manufactured from an abrasion-resistant material, in this particular case, a polyurethane elastomer. While the durometer of a rubber printing roll might fall in a range of 30 A to 60 A on the Shore scale of hardness, the polyurethane elastomer material that forms each of the first and second end protectors (2) desirably has a durometer in the range of 75 A to 95 A or particularly 40 D to 55 D. When the end protector (2) is mounted in position on the end of the tubular body (1), the interior surface (21) of each end protector (2) sits flush with the inner surface (12) of the tubular body (1) and thus defines the same constant diameter.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, these end protectors (2) also feature an outer flange (22) that is configured so that it covers the otherwise exposed free edge of the tubular body (1). Thus, the outer flange (22) forms a lip that protects the otherwise exposed free edge of the tubular body (1) from possible frontal impact, which often occurs when attaching reels to any of a number of machines.

[0023] Each flanged end (22) of the end protector (2) has an exterior surface (23) which, when the end protector (2) is mounted in position on the end of the tubular body (1), desirably lies flush with the outer surface (11) of the tubular body (1) of the reel core as shown in FIG. 2 for example.

[0024] The end protectors (2) can be attached to the end of the tubular body (1) by simple interference fit, with adhesive or via mechanical means such as a mechanical fastener like a threaded screw for example.

[0025] Each example is provided herein by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. As the nature of the invention is described sufficiently, as well as an example of the presently preferred configuration, the materials, shape, size and disposition of the elements described may be modified, as long as it does not involve an alteration of the essential characteristics of the invention that are claimed. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.