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 include a plurality of tapered cylindrical bumpers or feet formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction which are adhered to the external surfaces of the top and bottom walls of the reel carrier. In preferred embodiment the bumpers are formed of a polypropylene-butaliene copolymer and are riveted to the reel carrier. The reel carriers exhibit satisfactory functional affinity for conveyor belts and are well suited for shipping and handling by contemporary automated shipping equipment.

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.