Patent ID: 6116416
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A shipping system for hard magnetic disks each having a first diameter and forming a central hole of a second diameter therethrough, said shipping system comprising:an expandable spindle having a first length with said spindle expanding outwardly longitudinally along a portion of said first length with said disks disposed to be mounted and captured spaced apart from each other on said portion of said first length, and said spindle having a first and second end; anda shipping container comprising:a longitudinally elongated shipping tube that has a longitudinal second length that is at least as long as said first length of said spindle and defining first and second openings at each end of said shipping tube perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said shipping tube with each opening and interior of said tube having a minimum dimension that is larger than said first selected diameter of said disks, and having a closure device formed at said first and second openings;a first end cap defining a complementary closure device thereon to mate with said closure device on said second opening of said shipping tube, and a central target on an inner surface of said first end cap to receive said second end of said spindle when said first end cap is secured to said second opening of said shipping tube and said spindle is inserted into said shipping tube; anda second end cap defining a complementary closure device thereon to mate with said closure device at a first opening of said shipping tube, and a device to capture said first end of said spindle on an interior surface to support said spindle cantilever fashion as said spindle loaded with said disks is inserted into said shipping tube, advanced toward said first end cap, and to support said first end of said spindle within said shipping tube when said second end cap makes closure with said first opening of said shipping tube.