Strip storage device

Claim 2

An integrally molded one-piece storage device for strips or the like, which device comprises: a core including a generally-axially extending surface about which a strip may be wound for storage; a generally-axially extending eccentrically disposed cavity formed in the interior of the core for receiving an end portion of the strip, said cavity being defined at least in part by: a. a generally-axially extending side wall, and b. generally-radially extending end wall means formed adjacent one end of the core; a generally-radially-inwardly directed slot formed in the core, said slot having its radially inner terminus at said side wall for guiding the end portion of the strip into said cavity; a generally U-shaped channel formed in said cavity and communicating with said slot for guiding the end portion of the strip into a generally arcuate configuration in said cavity, said channel being defined by: a. a first guide wall means which is comprised of a portion of said side wall, said first guide wall means having a generallyconcave configuration and extending in a generally-axial direction for a distance approximately equal to the axial height of said surface and being adapted to contact one surface of the strip so as to guide the strip in an arcuate path; b. a bottom wall which is comprised of said generally-radially extending end wall means; and c. a second guide wall means adapted to contact the opposite surface of the strip, said second guide wall means spaced from respective portions of said first guide wall means so as to define the channel therebetween, and being cooperable with said first guide wall means for guiding the said end portion of the strip into a shape approximating the generally-concave configuration of said first guide wall means, said second guide wall means being connected to said bottom wall and generallyaxially extending therefrom a distance substantially less than the axial height of said surface about which the strip may be wound.

Claim 3

An integrally molded one-piece storage device for strips or the like, which device comprises: a core including a generally-axially extending surface about which a strip may be wound for storage; a generally-axially extending eccentrically disposed cavity formed in the interior of the core for receiving an end portion of the strip, said cavity being defined at least in part by: a. a generally-axially extending side wall, and b. generally-radially extending end wall means formed adjacent one end of the core; a generally-radially-inwardly directed slot formed in the core, said slot having its radially inner terminus at said side wall for guiding the end portion of the strip into said cavity; a generally U-shaped channel formed in said cavity and communicating with said slot for guiding the end portion of the strip into a generally arcuate configuration in said cavity, said channel being defined by: a. a first guide wall means which is comprised of a portion of said side wall, said first guide wall means having a generally-concave configuration and extending in a generally-axial direction for a distance approximately equal to the axial height of said surface and being adapted to contact one surface of the strip so as to guide the strip in an arcuate path; b. a bottom wall which is comprised of said generally-radially extending end wall means; and c. a second guide wall means adapted to contact the opposite surface of the strip, said second guide wall means spaced from respective portions of said first guide wall means so as to define the channel therebetween, and being cooperable with said first guide wall means for guiding the said end portion of the strip into a shape approximating the generally-concave configuration of said first guide wall means, said second guide wall means being connected to said bottom wall and generally-axially extending therefrom a distance substantially less than the axial height of said surface about which the strip may be wound.

Claim 4

An integrally molded one-piece storage device for strips or the like, which device comprises: a core including a generally-axially extending surface about which a strip may be wound for storage; a generally-axially extending eccentrically disposed cavity formed in the interior of the core for receiving an end portion of the strip, said cavity being defined at least in part by: a. a generally-axially extending side wall, and b. generally-radially extending end wall means formed adjacent one end of the core; a generally-radially-inwardly directed slot formed in the core, said slot having its radially inner terminus at said side wall for guiding the end portion of the strip into said cavity; a generally U-shaped channel formed in said cavity and communicating with said slot for guiding the end portion of the strip into a generally arcuate configuration in said cavity, said channel being defined by: a. a first guide wall means which is comprised of a portion of said side wall, said first guide wall means having a generally-concave configuration and extending in a generally-axial direction for a distance approximately equal to the axial height of said surface and being adapted to contact one surface of the strip so as to guide the strip in an arcuate path; b. a bottom wall which is comprised of said generally-radially extending end wall means; and c. a second guide wall means adapted to contact the opposite surface of the strip, said second guide wall means spaced from respective portions of said first guide wall means so as to define the channel therebetween, and being cooperable with said first guide wall means for guiding the said end portion of the strip into a shape approximating the generally-concave configuration of said first guide wall means, said second guide wall means being connected to said bottom wall and generally-axially extending therefrom a distance substantially less than the axial height of said surface about which the strip may be wound.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said second guide wall means comprises a rib having an axial extent that is substantially less than the axial height of said surface.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first guide wall means comprises: a first generally-straight generally-radially-inwardly directed wall segment communicating with said slot for guiding the strip generally radially into said cavity; a second generally-straight wall segment formed at an obtuse angle relative to said first wall segment and in facing relationship with said slot so as to be adapted to come into contact with the leading edge of said strip and to deflect same from its generally-radially-inwardly directed path; and a third generally-straight generally-radially-outwardly directed wall segment for guiding the strip generally-radially-outwardly; and wherein said second guide wall means further comprises: a first generally-straight rib segment spaced from said first radially-inwardly directed wall segment so that said strip may be threaded therebetween and generally radially into said cavity; and a second rib segmeNt connected to said first rib segment and spaced from respective portions of said second wall segment so as to guide the strip therebetween, the junction of said first and second rib segments being adapted to, upon contact with the leading edge of said strip with the second wall segment, contact the strip at a point spaced from the leading edge thereof so as to guide said strip into an arcuate path.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said end wall means includes a thickened land portion that is formed in a portion of the end wall means and which land portion is thicker than said bottom wall of said channel.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 4 wherein said thickened land portion comprises a plateau in relation to said bottom wall of said channel.