Eastman-kodak Company

Duane B Kirk

Joseph A Watkins

Michael L DeCecca

Jude A SanGregory

Mark D Garlock

Daniel M Pagano

David C Smart

Robert P Cloutier

James Edmund Fredell

Stephen D Marra

Gerald A Vergari

Paul D Shallenberger

A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face-facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing. In a raised position, the registering face and datum unit are clamped together and the sockets are immobilized relative to the pins.

Registration mechanism and method

A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing. In a raised position, the registering face and datum unit are a clamped together and the sockets are immobilized relative to the pins.

A transfer apparatus has a table having a sequence of datum units. A transporter is aligned with the table. The transporter is incrementally advanceable past each datum unit. The transporter can carry pallets. A rigid bolster, that moves separately from the transporter, is aligned with the transporter and table. The bolster is movable relative to the table between a lowered position and a raised position to the lift and lower the pallets. The bolster is synchronized with the transporter so that the pallets can be lifted and lowered in each of a sequence of stations. A plurality of locating units are joined to the bolster. Each locating unit is aligned with a respective datum unit. The bolster lifts the pallets on the locating units and clamps the pallets against the respective datum units. A manufacturing system includes the transfer apparatus, pallets, a series of manufacturing stations, and a conveying system for moving the pallets through the manufacturing stations and transfer apparatus.

Dark box-transfer apparatus and manufacturing system

A method for forming a film scroll and assembling the film scroll into a non-lighttight camera body begins in a darkroom by winding a filmstrip into a film feed roll from a filmstrip source, such as a stockroll onto a winding quill after attaching a formed leading portion thereto. According to the present invention, an outer end of the film feed roll is attached to a film spool of a film cartridge to form a prewound scroll and cartridge assembly for loading into respective chambers of the non-lighttight camera body section. A cover is then fixed to the camera body section to make the camera lighttight.

Making of film scrolls for prewind cameras

A method and apparatus for assembling a photographic camera having a cartridge chamber and a film chamber. In the method, a film cartridge is positioned in the cartridge chamber. The film cartridge includes a spool and a filmstrip. A leading portion of the filmstrip is curled about a curling axis internal to the supply chamber. During the curling, deflection of the leading portion in directions radial to the axis beyond a predetermined preliminary radius is limited. A main portion of the filmstrip is wound around the leading portion to form a film roll. The film roll has an outermost turn defining a first film roll radius larger than the preliminary radius. Following the winding, the film roll is allowed to expand to a second film roll radius larger than the first film roll radius. Outward telescoping of the film roll is limited.

Apparatus and methods using mandrel to roll film in camera chamber

In a light-tight enclosure, elongate members and joint connectors are joined to one another to form a framework to which panels having projecting ribs with right-angled corners are mounted. Each elongate member is extruded from aluminum so as to have open ended grooves. Each joint connector is fabricated from aluminum so as to have open ended grooves, some of which have right-angled corners conforming to right-angled corners of the projecting ribs. At each joint where elongate members and a joint connector are joined, the open-ended grooves merge with one another so as to define continuously extending grooves receiving the projecting ribs of the panels mounted to the framework at the joint. Some joint connectors are employed as corner connectors while other joint connectors are employed as edge connectors.

Light-tight enclosure and joint connectors for enclosure framework

A method and apparatus for loading a cartridge in a camera frame assembly. In the method, a frame assembly is provided that includes a frame having a cartridge chamber, a supply chamber, and an intermediate section between the chambers. The frame assembly includes a thumbwheel attached in freely rotatable relation to the frame. The thumbwheel has a rotation member disposed external to the cartridge chamber and a drivekey extends axially into the cartridge chamber. A film cartridge is positioned in the cartridge chamber in close axial proximity to the thumbwheel drivekey. The film cartridge includes a spool and a filmstrip. The spool has opposed first and second ends. Each end has a spool engagement portion. The spool engagement portion of the first end is complementary in shape to the thumbwheel drivekey. The filmstrip has leading, main and tail portions. A quill drivekey is placed in close axial proximity to the second end of the spool. The quill drivekey is complementary in shape to the spool engagement portion of the second end. The thumbwheel is clamped. The quill drivekey is rotated. During the rotating, the quill drivekey is urged axially toward the cartridge, which is urged toward the thumbwheel drivekey, until both drivekeys mate engagingly with respective engagement portions.

Camera assembly with quill drivekey for engaging film cartridge

Apparatus (10) is disclosed for loading a camera frame (110) for subsequent inclusion in a single-use camera, the camera frame including an exposure opening (112), a first receiver (114) on one side of the exposure opening for a light-tight film cartridge (18) enclosing a spool (20) to which is attached a trailing end of a filmstrip (44), a second receiver (118) on an opposite side of the exposure opening for a scroll (234) formed from the filmstrip, the second receiver having a longitudinal axis (126), at least one open end (120), and a wall (124) extended at least partially around the axis, the apparatus including a nest (32) for holding a cartridge; a mechanism (36-42; 356) for moving a leading end (46; 354) of a filmstrip from a cartridge; a scroll retainer (92; 278, 290) including at least one abutment (94, 96; 280, 282, 286; 292, 296, 304, 308) for engaging an external surface of a scroll to prevent clock-springing; a mechanism (72) for positioning the scroll retainer near a scrolling quill; a scrolling guide (64) for engaging a leading end around a scrolling quill; a rotatable scrolling quill (58) to wind a scroll; a mechanism (50-54, 62) for removing the scrolling quill from a scroll and leaving a scroll engaged with the scroll retainer; a tool (140), operable after removal of the scrolling quill from a scroll, for installing a cartridge into the first receiver, and a scroll and the scroll retainer into the second receiver, whereby a portion of a filmstrip will extend across the exposure opening between a cartridge and a scroll; and a mechanism (88, 160, 274) for removing the scroll retainer axially from the second receiver through the at least one open end.

Apparatus and methods for loading a single-use camera and single-use

An apparatus and method for loading and prewinding a photographic film cartridge in a camera frame assembly. The camera frame assembly has a rear opening. The camera frame assembly has a cartridge chamber and a supply chamber facing the rear opening. In the method, a film cartridge is first positioned in the cartridge chamber of the camera frame assembly. The leading portion of a filmstrip is advanced out of the cartridge to the supply chamber of the camera frame assembly. A mandrel is admitted into the supply chamber. The leading portion of the filmstrip is guided around the mandel. The filmstrip is cinched to the mandrel. The mandrel is rotated to wind a main portion of the filmstrip into a film roll around the mandrel. The mandrel is removed from the film roll. The rear opening of the camera frame assembly is closed.

Camera assembly using mandrel to roll film in chamber

Apparatus (10) and methods are disclosed for loading a camera frame (100) for subsequent inclusion in a single-use camera, the camera frame including an exposure opening (102), a chamber (104) on one side of the exposure opening for receiving a light-tight film cartridge (18) enclosing a spool (19) to which is attached a trailing end of a filmstrip (36), and a chamber (108) on an opposite side of the exposure opening for receiving a scroll (268) formed from the filmstrip. The apparatus may include a device (28) for holding a cartridge; a mechanism (32, 34) for withdrawing a leading end (38) of a filmstrip from a cartridge; a mechanism (68-78; 190-192) for positioning a retainer cap near a free end of a scrolling quill, the retainer cap including abutment means for engaging an end of a scroll to prevent clock-springing and means for permitting the filmstrip to pass the abutment means during formation of a scroll; a mechanism (60-66; 300-320) for engaging a leading end around a scrolling quill (56,256-262); a mechanism (48-54; 58, 270-284) for removing the scrolling quill from a scroll; and a mechanism (86-98; 120-178; 120'-170', 180, 182) for installing a cartridge into the first receiving chamber and a scroll and retainer cap into the second receiving chamber, whereby a portion of a filmstrip will extend across the exposure opening between a cartridge and a scroll. Corresponding methods are disclosed.

Apparatus and method for loading a single-use camera

A film cassette is disclosed wherein a filmstrip is advanced to the outside of a light-tight cassette shell in order to expose successive imaging areas of the filmstrip and can be returned to the inside of the cassette shell before all of the imaging areas have been exposed or after the filmstrip has been substantially completely exposed. According to the invention, a film-exposure status indicator is supported on the cassette shell for movement relative to the shell from a normal first position to successive second and third positions for providing respective visible indications that the filmstrip is generally unexposed, the filmstrip has been returned to the inside of the shell before all of its imaging areas have been exposed, and the filmstrip is substantially completely exposed.

Growing community of inventors

Hilton, NY, United States of America

Duane B Kirk