The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 1997
Filed:
Jun. 10, 1996
Joseph Albert Watkins, Rochester, NY (US);
Duane Blair Kirk, Hilton, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
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.