Abstract: A motion picture reel is provided with releaseably engageable and disengageable components including a pair of identical, laterally confining retaining members and a hub located therebetween. The retaining members and the hub are all separable from each other. Each retaining member has a prong with a catch on it and a latching member with a latch defined on it located diametrically opposite the prong. The latching members each have radially outwardly diverging side walls. The latching members fit snugly into truncated sector-shaped cavities formed between radial spoke partitions between the central core and the rim of the hub. Stiffening webs extended transversely across the hub between some of the spoke partitions and have apertures in them that allow passage of the prongs through the stiffening webs and into engagement with the latching lips of the latching projections beyond. The tips of the prongs are accessible for release through the open bases of the latching members.

Abstract: A motion picture film reel is constructed so as to be readily disassembled into its component parts to permit film to be removed therefrom without breaking the component parts of the reel. Furthermore, the component parts of the film reel can be rapidly reassembled for repeated reuse. Moreover, the structure is completely plastic so that it may be melted down and is totally recyclable. The film reel is comprised of a pair of side retainers that are releasably engaged with a disk-shaped hub. Each of the side retainers has a pair of posts with catches on the ends thereof which may be inserted through post receiving apertures in a transverse web in the hub. The posts are also provided with cam surfaces which interact with each other to hold the catches engaged with the web. A latching mechanism immobilizes the side retainers relative to each other and relative to the hub until or unless released.