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.

Abstract: Photosensitive film carried on spools is ordinarily protected from ambient light by opaque covering strips which must be manually removed. Removal of these strips often causes some exposure and wastage of the film. The present invention discloses a protective band which removes itself when the film is fed out under tension.