US4352469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spool for photographic film
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1981-07-13
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Granted: 1982-10-05
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Expires: 2001-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Spools comprising a core or hub and two flanges concentric with the core or hub which are used to carry either unexposed photographic film for use in a camera, imaged film prior to development, or developed film for use in a viewer have different constructions in the field of microfilm because of different functional requirements for the spools. Because of the expense of shipping and inconvenience of reuse of the spool for unexposed film, the spool is generally discarded. By putting a fracturable or removable line from the outermost edge of one flange to the core, the spool for unexposed film may be converted to a spool for developed film.
Inventors
- 👤 William V. Huck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/32; G03B21/321
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A spool for photosensitive film comprising a core having at least one hollow area therein, a slot extending lengthwise on the core, which opens into said at least one hollow area, two flanges extending radially from said core, a spindle receiving aperture in said core, and wherein both the core and the flanges are opaque, said spool being characterized by at least one of said flanges having a weakened or removable portion which extends from the outer edge of said at least one flange to intersect the core at or about said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A spool for photosensitive film comprising a core having at least one hollow area therein, a slot extending lengthwise on the core, which opens into said at least one hollow area, two flanges extending radially from said core, a spindle receiving aperture in said core, and wherein both the core and the flanges are opaque, said spool being characterized by at least one of said flanges having a weakened or removable portion which extends from the outer edge of said at least one flange to intersect the core at or about said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spool of claim 1, wherein at least one of said flanges has a weakened area which extends from the outer edge of said at least one flange and intersects said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The spool of claim 2, wherein said weakened area is a groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spool of claim 2, wherein said weakened area is a line of indentations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spool of claim 1, wherein at least one of said flanges has a removable portion which extends from the outer edge of said at least one flange to intersect said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spool of claim 1, wherein said removable portion slideably engages a groove on said at least one flange.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The spool of claim 6, wherein said at least one flange has a linear slot extending from the exterior edge of said at least one flange to intersect the slot on said core and the groove has at least two channels, one on each side of said linear slot and extending along said linear slot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2180829A
Cited
US3161370A
Cited
DE1197839B
Cited
US3395872A
Cited
US3648944A
Cited
GB1343082A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-10-04 | 1986-04-05 | 1986-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-04 | 1990-04-05 | 1990-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-04 | 1994-04-05 | 1994-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |