Single reel cartridge reel with weld design

A single reel tape cartridge comprising:

• a leader block;
• a length of tape connected at one end to the leader block;
• and
• a tape reel on which the tape is wound, wherein the reel comprises:
• an upper flange having an inner opening, wherein the upper flange comprises a cylindrical mounting portion formed on the inner opening and having a radially outer surface, wherein the mounting portion outer surface comprises a free end portion and a hub receiving portion, wherein the free end portion is located closer to a free end of the mounting portion and is thinner than the hub receiving portion;
• a lower flange;
• and
• a substantially cylindrical hollow hub having a free end, wherein the upper flange is mounted on the free end of the hub and the lower flange is mounted on the other end of the hub, and wherein the hub has a substantially cylindrical tape winding surface around which tape is wound to form a tape pack having a plurality of tape strands and a radially inner surface, wherein the inner surface comprises a main portion and a flange receiving portion located closer to the free end than the main portion, wherein the flange receiving portion is thinner than the main portion, and wherein the hub receiving portion of the upper flange mounting portion is received in the flange receiving portion of the hub with a radial outer surface of the hub receiving portion contacting a radial inner surface of the flange receiving portion when the upper flange is mounted on the hub, wherein the hub inner surface further comprises a flash receiving portion located closer to the free end than the flange receiving portion, wherein the flash receiving portion is thinner than the flange receiving portion.

A tape reel for use in a data tape cartridge insertable into a tape drive apparatus, the tape reel comprising:

• an upper flange having an inner opening, wherein the upper flange comprises a cylindrical mounting portion formed on the inner opening and having a radially outer surface, wherein the mounting portion outer surface comprises a free end portion and a hub receiving portion, wherein the free end portion is located closer to the free end of the mounting portion and is thinner than the hub receiving portion;
• a lower flange;
• and
• a substantially cylindrical hollow hub having a free end, wherein the upper flange is mounted on the free end of the hub using a sonic, shear weld, and the lower flange is mounted on the other end of the hub, and wherein the hub has a substantially cylindrical tape winding surface around which tape is wound to form a tape pack having a plurality of tape strands and inner surface, wherein the inner surface comprises a main portion and a flange receiving portion located closer to the free end than the main portion, wherein the flange receiving portion is thinner than the main portion, wherein the hub receiving portion of the upper flange mounting portion is received in the flange receiving portion of the hub with a radial outer surface of the hub receiving portion contacting a radial inner surface of the flange receiving portion when the upper flange is mounted on the hub, and wherein the hub inner surface further comprises a flash receiving portion located closer to the free end than the flange receiving portion, and wherein the flash receiving portion is thinner than the flange receiving portion.