Fishing line supply spool and method of use

A spool for a supply of fishing line is disclosed which serves too minimize the amount of twist imparted to the line as it is withdrawn from the spool onto a fishing reel. A cylindrical portion, about which the fishing line is wound on the spool, has radial flanges having different shapes so as to permit withdrawal of the line over only one flange periphery. The line may be effectively withdrawn from the spool only over the circular flange, but not over the opposite flange, which has a non-circular shape. Any twist imparted to the fishing line during its withdrawal is substantially compensated by the winding of the line about the fishing reel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a spool containing a supply of fishing 
line, the spool having a means to minimize the twist imparted to the line 
as it is removed from the spool. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
When a fishing line is withdrawn from the prior art supply spools, such as, 
for instance, when the fishing line is being wound upon a fishing reel, a 
twist is imparted to the line. The twist usually is 360 degrees for each 
turn removed from the supply spool. This twist about the longitudinal axis 
of the line is disadvantageous insofar as fibers of the fishing line 
project perpendicularly from the surface which may cause the line to 
become entangled in the fishing reel reversing rollers, the fishing rod 
guide rings or the like. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a supply spool for a fishing line and a 
method of use in which the twist imparted to the line during its removal 
from the spool is minimized. The spool has a generally cylindrical portion 
with first and second lateral edges; a first flange extending radially 
outwardly from the first lateral edge having a substantially circular 
periphery; and a second flange extending radially outwardly from the 
second lateral edge having a non-circular periphery. The lateral dimension 
of the second flange is greater than the diameter of the first flange. A 
supply of fishing line is wound onto the generally cylindrical portion of 
the spool in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the first flange. The 
difference in shape between the first and second flanges, as well as their 
difference in dimensions, forces the user to unwind the fishing line from 
the spool over the first flange. 
Most standard, commercial fishing reels wind the fishing line about the 
reel in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the fishing 
reel. When a free end of the fishing line is attached to the reel and the 
line passed over a reversing roller, the twist that is generated as the 
fishing line is withdrawn over the first spool flange is opposite in 
direction to the twist imparted to the fishing line after it has passed 
over the reversing roller and wound in the clockwise direction on the 
fishing reel. Thus, the twists in opposite direction are substantially 
offset and a minimum twist is imparted to the fishing line. 
The smaller first flange and the larger, non-circular second flange force 
the user to withdraw the fishing line over the first flange in a direction 
generally perpendicular to the plane of the coils wound on the spool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As best seen in FIG. 1, the spool generally indicated at 1 has a supply of 
fishing line 2 wound about its cylindrical section. The fishing line 2 is 
attached at one end to the fixed reel 4 of fishing reel assembly 3. The 
line 2 passes over reversing roller 7 which forms a known part of the 
fishing reel assembly 3. Winding means 5 is manually rotated by the user 
and serves to rotate the fishing reel mechanism, including the reversing 
roller 7 about the fixed reel 4 in a clockwise direction as denoted by 
arrow 9'. As the mechanism rotates in the direction of this arrow, the 
fishing line 2 is wound on the reel 4 in a clockwise direction as viewed 
from the front of the reel in the direction of arrow 8. The direction of 
the winding of the fishing line in this clockwise direction is indicated 
by arrow 9. 
During this winding, the fishing line 2 is withdrawn from spool 1 over the 
edge of flange 10, such that it slides around the periphery of this 
flange. Generally, the line 2 is withdrawn from the spool in a direction 
perpendicular to the plane of the windings on the cylindrical portion of 
the spool i.e. in a direction generally parallel to the central axis 11 
(see FIG. 7) of the spool. During the unwinding of the line from the 
spool, the take-up spool does not rotate. Fishing line 2 is wound onto the 
cylindrical portion of the spool in a clockwise direction, indicated by 
arrow 12, when viewed from the first flange 10. 
During the withdrawal of the line 2 from the spool 1, it is twisted about 
its longitudinal axis. However, as the line 2 is wound onto the fishing 
reel 4 in the aforementioned direction, it receives a twist in the 
opposite direction which substantially compensates for the initial twist 
imparted to the line. 
As best seen in FIG. 7, the spool has a central, generally cylindrical 
portion with first and second lateral edges, a first flange 10 extending 
radially outwardly from the first lateral edge and a second radial flange 
13 extending radially outwardly from the second lateral edge. The 
periphery of the first flange 10 is substantially circular to facilitate 
the passage of the fishing line over its periphery. The periphery 15 of 
flange 13 assumes a non-circular shape to prevent the user from 
inadvertently attempting to withdraw the fishing line over this periphery. 
The periphery 15 of flange 13 is shown as being octagonal in FIG. 1, but it 
may assume any shape, such as those illutrated in FIGS. 1-6. FIGS. 2, 4 
and 6 show the periphery in the shape of a polygon, a triangle, a pentagon 
and a square, respectively. FIGS. 3 and 5 show the periphery of the second 
flange defining a plurality of concave indentations or notches. As can be 
seen, any attempt to withdraw the fishing line 2 about any of these 
peripheral shapes will result in great inconvenience to the user. Thus, he 
is required to withdraw the fishing line over the proper flange 10. 
This requirement is further reinforced by providing the second flange 13 
with a lateral dimension a (seen in FIGS. 6 and 7), which is greater than 
the diameter of d of the first flange 10. In addition, the diameter of the 
generally cylindrical portion about which the fishing line is wound, may 
be adapted to be substantially equal to that of a fishing reel 4. 
The foregoing is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be 
construed as in any way limiting this invention, the scope of which is 
defined solely by the claims appended hereto.