Importance

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Abstract

A flange design for spools and reels may be provided from molded materials such as plastics. Improved strength, stiffness, fracture resistance, energy absorption, and toughness may be provided by appropriate design of corrugations extending substantially radially from a hub or core portion toward a rim portion. Spools and reels may be produced from Styrene plastics, olefinics such as polyethylene and polyprophelene, and may have tubes formed from the same or different materials. Flanges may be designed to crush near a rim or to be stiff near a rim. Likewise, portions of a flange may be designed to buckle, fracture, or otherwise fail sufficiently to absorb energy, while protecting a spool from excessive fracture or distortion. Likewise, portions of the flange may be designed to fail while others nearby do not, in order to protect against catastrophic failure (e. g. extensive separation). Thus, whether a tube is integrally formed with a flange or attached to a flange by fasteners or bonding, the impact load typically tested by drop testing a loaded flange (wire-wrapped flange) may be survived by designing wall thickness, corrugation dimensions, and angles to selectively balance distortion, fracture, toughness, or stiffness of various portions of a spool or reel.

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First Claim