Abstract: A stacking reel component having cooperative locking members which when engaged with the cooperative locking members of a second reel component exert and receive axial forces in forming a reel. The reel component is formed to allow compact stacking with other reel components. The hub of the reel component is formed with a plurality of ribs, each pair of ribs defining a through slot therebetween. The hub is also provided with two pairs of apertures. When stacked, the ribs of each reel component registers with the through slots of the adjacent reel components, and the projecting cooperative locking members of each of the reel components is encompassed by a pair of accommodation apertures formed in an adjacent reel component.

Abstract: Substantially slip and skid resistant reel carriers are disclosed for storing, carrying and shipping reels of motion picture film, videotape, magnetic tape and the like. The reel carriers are molded from compositions comprising from about 75% to 85% by weight of high density polyethylene and from about 15% to 25% by weight of a thermoplastic rubber, such as a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, by weight of the overall composition. The reel carriers exhibit improved frictional affinity for surfaces and are well suited for shipping, handling and mailing with modern automated equipment.

Abstract: A universal storage container for video cassettes is provided. The container includes substantially rectangular top and bottom walls which are hingedly connected to opposed edges of a rectangular rear wall. Front and opposed side walls extend from the top wall so as to define a substantially U-shaped enclosure. Rotation of the top wall about the rear wall and rotation of the rear wall about the bottom wall forms a hollow enclosure for the cassette. A pair of mounting posts are disposed on the bottom wall and are positioned such that they may be accepted into the central mounting holes of the Beta cassette when the reels of the Beta cassette are biased away from one another. Similarly, the mounting posts may be accepted into the central mounting holes of the VHS cassette when the reels of the VHS cassette are biased toward one another.

Abstract: A container for storing and transporting video cassettes of different sizes includes an array of flexible retaining posts affixed to one of the inner surfaces of the container and disposed in spaced relationship so to engage a single access opening in a video cassette in an interference fit manner, thus holding the cassette securely inside the container.

Abstract: A molded container provided for use in the storage and shipping of such items as film or videotape cassettes. The container locates the cassette so that the walls of the cassette are isolated against shocks occurring to the container. The container provides mounts for releasably securing end and mailing labels to the container and includes openings for carrying the container.

Abstract: Each top cover of carrying and shipping containers designed for nested stacking has a first locking means for securing the cover to the container bottom. A second locking means for connecting each locked container to a similar underlying container positioned in stacked relation is located within the structure of a male component of the first locking means which is mounted in the container cover. Structures of both locking means are provided for rotary and linear sliding modes of operation. The second locking means include cam collars having upper and lower chambers, the latter housing followers which, when actuated by a finger manipulatable means accessible from the top of the containers, project and lock into the upper chambers of similar cam collars of underlying containers.