Patent Application
20090196589
The invention relates in general to film cameras and, more particularly, to camera structure and methods for dictating the use of a particular film system for a camera.
In recent years, cameras known as disposable cameras, single-use cameras or lens-fitted photographic film packages have become increasingly popular. Such cameras are of relatively simple construction and are sold at a low cost. In addition, these types of cameras are usually pre-loaded with film by the manufacturer. Some of these cameras use a film system referred to as a Double Cassette System or “DCS,” which is well known in the art. Examples of a DCS film system are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,181,133; 7,039,306; 6,789,961; 6,785,467; 6,763,184; 6,447,176 and 6,427,050.
One example of a DCS-type film system 2 is shown in
DCS film 2 is advantageous because manufacturers and consumers alike can conveniently load it into a camera in the daylight or under otherwise normal lighting conditions. Also, the DCS film 2 can be simply inserted into a camera without the need for further manipulation of the film 10, such as winding the film out of the primary cassette 4 or attaching a film leader to a spool. Likewise, no film rewinding is required after all of the pictures are taken because all of the film will have been wound back into the light-tight primary cassette 4.
A user can remove the 35 millimeter cassette 6 from the camera and take it to a photo processor, while keeping the camera body. In such case, the user can reload the empty camera body with a fresh roll of film. More commonly, a user gives the entire camera to a photo processor to develop the pictures.
Photo processors typically collect the empty camera bodies and film system components, like secondary cassettes, for resale. Purchasers of such components typically reload and/or repackage them and sell them as new cameras or new DCS film systems. As a result of such activities, the original manufacturer's revenues can decline because its own cameras or film systems are being resold, usually at a fraction of the price. Moreover, such activities can generate ill perceptions in the minds of consumers toward the original manufacturer if the reloaded cameras and film systems are poorly assembled or exhibit poor performance because such some of the components of such reloaded cameras often bear the markings of the original manufacturer.
Thus, there is a need for a camera assembly and film system that can discourage or prevent such activities.
In a first aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a camera. The camera has a main body supporting a taking lens and a closeable exposure aperture. The main body has a cartridge chamber and a film chamber disposed on opposite sides of the exposure aperture. The film chamber is defined at least in part by a concave curved wall bounded by an upper end wall and a lower end wall. The film chamber is sized to receive a secondary cassette of a double cassette film system. The film chamber includes a first protrusion extending into the film chamber from either the concave curved wall, the upper end wall or the lower end wall. In one embodiment, the first protrusion can extend from either the upper wall or the lower wall. A back cover operatively engages the main body to enclose the chambers light-tightly therein.
A second protrusion can extend into the film chamber from either the concave curved wall, the upper end wall or the lower end wall. In one embodiment, the first protrusion can extend from the upper end wall, and the second protrusion can extend from the lower end wall. The first and second protrusions can be substantially identical. However, the size and/or shape of the first protrusion can be different from the second protrusion. The first and second protrusions can be substantially vertically aligned. The first and second protrusions can both be located in a right side region of the film chamber.
In a second aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a double cassette film system. The system includes a primary cassette, which can be a 35 millimeter cassette. The system also includes a secondary cassette. The secondary cassette has an exterior defined by an upper end wall, a lower end wall, and a curved middle wall. The secondary cassette includes a first recess formed in the exterior of the secondary cassette. In one embodiment, the first recess can be formed in one of the upper and lower end walls.
A second recess can be formed in the exterior of the second cassette. In such case, the first recess can be formed in the upper end wall, and the second recess can be formed in the lower end wall. The first and second recesses can be substantially the same size and/or can have substantially the same shape. In some instances, the first and second recesses can be different in size and/or shape.
The secondary cassette can be formed by a first partial shell and a second partial shell. In one embodiment, the first and second partial shells can be permanently coupled, such as by being welded together. As a result, the secondary cassette must be broken in order to be opened. In another embodiment, the first and second partial shells can be connected by lugs engaging respective openings.
The system also includes photographic film. A first portion of the photographic film is light-tightly housed within the primary cassette, and a second portion of the photographic film is light-tightly housed within the secondary cassette. A third portion of the photographic film extends between the primary and secondary cassettes. The third portion of film is located between the first and second portions of film.
In a third aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a camera system, including a camera and a double cassette film system. The camera has a main body with a closeable exposure aperture, a cartridge chamber and a film chamber disposed on opposite sides of the aperture. The film chamber is defined at least in part by a concave curved wall bounded by an upper end wall and a lower end wall. The film chamber is sized to receive a secondary cassette of a double cassette film system. The film chamber includes a first protrusion extending into the film chamber from either the concave curved wall, the upper end wall or the lower end wall.
The double cassette film system includes a primary cassette and a secondary cassette. The secondary cassette has an exterior defined by an upper end wall, a lower end wall, and a curved middle wall. The secondary cassette includes a first recess formed in the exterior of the secondary cassette. The double cassette film system also includes photographic film. A first portion of the photographic film is light-tightly housed within the primary cassette, and a second portion of the photographic film is light-tightly housed within the secondary cassette. A third portion of the photographic film extends between the primary and secondary cassettes. The third portion of film is located between the first and second portions of film.
The primary cassette is received in the cartridge chamber, and the secondary cassette is received in the film chamber such that at least a portion of the first protrusion extends into the first recess. The camera can includes a back cover that operatively engages the main body to enclose the double cassette film system light-tightly therein.
The first protrusion can extend from either the upper wall or the lower wall of the film chamber. In such case, the first recess can be formed in a respective one of the upper and lower end wall of the secondary cassette. In one embodiment, the camera system can further include a second protrusion extending into the film chamber from either the concave curved wall of the film chamber, the upper end wall or the lower end wall. In addition, a second recess can be formed in the exterior of the secondary cassette. In such case, at least a portion of the second protrusion can extend into the second recess.
In one embodiment, the first protrusion can extend from the upper end wall of the film chamber, and the second protrusion can extend from the lower end wall of the film chamber. The first recess can be formed in the upper end wall of the secondary cassette, and the second recess can be formed in the lower end wall of the secondary cassette.
In a fourth aspect, embodiments are directed to a method of making a film system. The method involves withdrawing a length of film from a film source. A portion of the length of film is formed into a roll. The forming step can be performed by the steps of: (a) attaching an end of the withdrawn length of film to a shaft, (b) rotating the shaft so that the film winds around the shaft in the form of a roll and (c) separating the shaft and the film roll. A portion of the film extends from the roll.
A first partial shell and a second partial shell are brought together around the roll of film so as to light-tightly enclose the film inside and so that the portion of film extends outside of the first and second partial shells. As a result, a secondary cassette having an exterior is formed. A recess is formed in the exterior of the secondary cassette. The above-described steps of withdrawing, forming and bringing together are performed in a dark environment, which can be a dark room. The method can include the further step of permanently coupling the first and second partial shells, which can be preformed by supersonic welding.
In one embodiment, the film source can be a 35 millimeter film cartridge. In another embodiment, the film source can be a film pancake. In such case, the method can further include the step of cutting the length of film from the film pancake. The cut length of film can have a trailing end. A light-tight primary cassette can be provided. The primary cassette can have an internal spool and a film slot. The trailing end of film can be inserted into the primary cassette through the film slot and attached to the internal spool.
In a fifth respect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of loading film in a camera. According to the method, a camera is provided that has a main body with a closeable exposure aperture, a cartridge chamber and a film chamber disposed on opposite sides of the aperture. The film chamber is defined at least in part by a concave curved wall bounded by an upper end wall and a lower end wall. The film chamber is sized to receive a secondary cassette of a double cassette film system. The film chamber includes a first protrusion extending into the film chamber from either the concave curved wall, the upper end wall or the lower end wall.
A double cassette film system is provided, and it includes a primary cassette and a secondary cassette. The secondary cassette has an exterior defined by an upper end wall, a lower end wall, and a curved middle wall. The secondary cassette includes a first recess formed in the exterior of the secondary cassette. The double cassette film system also includes photographic film. A first portion of the photographic film is light-tightly housed within the primary cassette, and a second portion of the photographic film is light-tightly housed within the secondary cassette. A third portion of the photographic film extends between the primary and secondary cassettes. The third portion of film is located between the first and second portions of film.
The primary cassette of the DCS film is inserted into the cartridge chamber. The secondary cassette of the DCS film is inserted into the film chamber such that the first protrusion is at least partially received in the first recess in the secondary cassette. The steps of inserting the primary cassette and inserting the secondary cassette can be performed substantially simultaneously. Alternatively, the step of inserting the primary cassette can be performed prior to the step of inserting the secondary cassette. In another alternative embodiment, the step of inserting the secondary cassette can be performed prior to the step of inserting the primary cassette. The above providing and inserting steps can be performed in normal light conditions.
The camera can include a back cover. In such case, the method can further include the step of operatively engaging the back cover and the main body so as to enclose the double cassette film system light-tightly therein.
Aspects of the present invention relate to camera assemblies and associated methods of loading such camera assemblies that can discourage or prevent others from reusing. Embodiments according to aspects of the invention are shown in
In one respect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a camera assembly. An example of a camera assembly 20 in accordance with aspects of the invention is shown in
A first chamber 28 can be defined at least in part by the main body 22 and the back cover 26. The first chamber 28 can receive a film-containing cassette or light-tight film cartridge, preferably a conventional 35 millimeter cartridge having a central rotatable spool on which the film is wound. With appropriate modification, other standard film formats can equally be accommodated within the first chamber 28. A second chamber 30 can be arranged on the opposite side of the camera 20 from the first chamber 28. Like the first chamber 28, the second chamber 30 can be defined at least in part by the main body 22 and the back cover 26. In one embodiment, the second chamber 30 can be adapted, shaped, sized, and/or otherwise configured to receive a secondary cassette housing a roll of film light-tightly therein, such as the secondary cassette a DCS film system, which is described later.
The second chamber 30 can include a concave curved surface 32 of the main body 22, bounded on its upper and lower ends by upper and lower end walls 34, 36, respectively. The terms “upper” and “lower” are used to indicate the relative position of the end walls 34, 36 of the second chamber 30 when the camera assembly 20 is held in its normal operational position. These terms are used to facilitate discussion and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The upper and lower end walls 34, 36 can each have a respective interior surface 38, 40, respectively. The interior surfaces 38, 40 face the inside of the second chamber 30. The interior surfaces 38, 40 can be generally parallel to each other. In one embodiment, the interior surfaces 38, 40 can be substantially smooth, substantially flat and/or substantially planar. However, as will be discussed below, the interior surfaces 38, 40 can have localized areas that are not smooth, flat and/or planar.
It should be noted that, in some instances, the lower end of the second chamber 30 can include an endcap 42, which can cooperate with other components to ensure the camera 20 is light-tight. The endcap 42 can be removably attached to the main body 22. Alternatively, the endcap 42 can be permanently attached to the main body 22. In some cameras, an endcap 42 may not be necessary if the lower end wall 36 is sufficiently large. Some examples of an endcap are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,133, which is incorporated herein by reference.
According to aspects of the invention, the second chamber 30 can include one or more features that only permit the installation of a particular DCS film system. For instance, the second chamber 30 can include one or more protrusions 44. The protrusions 44 can have any suitable size. The protrusions 44 must be sufficiently large to prevent a known secondary cassette (
The protrusions 44 can extend from any surface of the second chamber 30, including the curved surface 11 of the main body 4, the interior surface 38 of the upper end wall 34, the interior surface 40 of the lower end wall 36 and/or the endcap 42. The protrusions 44 can extend from one or more of these surfaces at any suitable angle. The protrusions 44 can be formed together with the second chamber 30, such as during the molding process, so as to form a unitary structure. Alternatively, the protrusions 44 can be subsequently added to the second chamber 30, such as by fasteners, adhesives, welding, mechanical engagement and/or other suitable process.
Any suitable quantity of protrusions 44 can be provided. In one embodiment, there can be a single protrusion 44. In one embodiment, there can be at least two protrusions 44. The protrusions 44 can be located in any suitable area of the second chamber 30. In one embodiment, there can be two protrusions 44, preferably located in opposite regions of the second chamber 30. More particularly, a first protrusion 44a can be located in an upper region 46 of the second chamber 30, and a second protrusion 44b can be located in a lower region 48 of the second chamber 30. Here, the terms “upper region” and “lower region” are used to indicate a relative position in the second chamber 30 when the camera assembly 20 is held in its normal operational position and is divided substantially equally by an imaginary horizontal plane 49.
In one embodiment, the first protrusion 44a can project from the interior surface 38 of the upper end wall 34, and the second protrusion 44b can project from the interior surface 40 of the lower end wall 36. More particularly, the first and second protrusions 44a, 44b can be located in one of a right side region 50 and a left side region 52 of the second chamber 30. The terms “right” and “left” are used to indicate a relative position in the second chamber 30 when the camera assembly 20 is held in its normal operational position and is divided substantially equally by an imaginary vertical plane 53. The first and second protrusions 44a, 44b can be substantially aligned. In one embodiment, the first and second protrusions 44a, 44b can be substantially vertically aligned. Alternatively, the first and second protrusions 44a, 44b can be substantially horizontally aligned. The terms “horizontal” and “vertical” are intended to indicate a relative position in the second chamber 30 when the camera assembly 20 is held in its normal operational position.
Again, the above-described arrangement is provided merely as an example, and aspects of the invention are not limited to any particular arrangement. For instance, the first and second protrusions 44a, 44b can both be located in the same region—upper, lower, left, right—of the second chamber 30. Further, there need not be any particular symmetry or alignment to the arrangement of the first and second protrusions 44a, 44b. For instance, the first protrusion 44a and the second protrusion 44b can be offset from each other. The first and second protrusions 44a, 44b can also extend from different surfaces, in different directions and at different angles. The first and second protrusions 44a, 44b can be substantially identical in size and shape, but, in some instances, the first and second protrusions 44a, 44b can be different from each other in at least one of these respects.
The camera assembly 20 can have an exposure window (not shown), which can be arranged between the first and second film chambers 28, 30 and located between an upper guide rail 54 and a lower film guide rail 56, which support the film at its edges as it extends between the film chambers 28, 30. A film passageway for the film to travel between the film chambers 28, 30 can be defined between the back cover 26 and opposed regions of the main body 22 and film guides 54, 56.
The back cover 26 can be associated with the rest of the camera assembly 20 in any of a number of ways, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. For example, in one embodiment, the back cover 26 can be removably fitted to the main body 22. In one embodiment, the removable connection can be achieved by providing at opposite edges a pair of protrusions (not shown) on the main body 22 which snap-fit into apertures (not shown) provided on the back cover 26. The back cover 26 can also be provided with releasable locking means or a latch including a pair of finger slides (not shown) having an inwardly directed movable pin (not shown) on the back cover 26. The finger slides can be movable between an open position, where the back cover 26 can be simply push-fitted on to the rear of the main body 22 with the pin extending into a recess formed on the main body 22, and a locking position where the pin engages beneath a lug molded on the main body 22. These arrangements allow the user to readily open and close the camera for re-loading films therein.
In one embodiment, the back cover 26 can be retainably attached to the front cover 24 and/or main body 22. For example, one end of the back cover 26 can be attached to one end of the front cover 24 by one or more hinges 58. The opposite unhinged ends of the front and back covers 24, 26 can be secured together in any of the manners discussed above. There are still many other ways of removably securing the back cover 26 to the front cover 24 and/or main body 22, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. While embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular manner of associating the back cover 26 with the rest of the camera assembly 20, the back cover 26 can operatively engage the main body 22 to enclose the chambers 28, 30 light-tightly therein.
As is conventional, the camera assembly 20 can be provided with a film advance system for winding the film back into the primary cassette or the conventional film cartridge. The system can include a film advance wheel or thumb wheel 60 rotatably attached to the main body 22. The film advance system can also include a drive shaft 62 operatively connected to the thumb wheel 30. The drive shaft 62 can extend into the first chamber 28. When a film cartridge is disposed in the first chamber 28, the drive shaft 62 can engage the central spool of the film cartridge. The film advance system can further include a film sprocket wheel 64 located just above the film exposure window, and a film counter (not shown). The film sprocket wheel 64 can be operatively connected to the re-cocking system of the shutter (not shown), so that each time the film is wound one frame by the user (by turning the film advance wheel), the film sprocket wheel 64 is rotated one turn, which brings a lever of the shutter back to its primed position, and in addition prevents further rotation of the film advance wheel 60. The film advance and shutter re-cocking systems are well known in the art, and embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular configuration for either system.
Now that the structure of the camera has been described, a film system for use in the camera will now be described. Aspects of the invention are particularly well suited for use with DCS film. One example of DCS film 70 is shown in
The secondary cassette 74 can be of similar general shape to a conventional film cassette or to the primary cassette 72. However, in contrast to the primary cassette 72, the secondary cassette 74 has no spool. The secondary cassette 74 can include a film slot 76 through which the film 78 can extend. Preferably, the secondary cassette 74 is provided with light-sealing features, such as opposed strips of velvet or similar soft material around the film slot 76 and similar to what is used in a conventional film cassette. Preferably, the secondary cassette 74 is not identical in size or shape to the primary cassette 72. For instance, the secondary cassette 74 can be smaller in size than the primary cassette 72 in order to ensure that the user does not try to load the primary and secondary cassettes 72, 74 into the wrong film chambers 28, 30 in the camera assembly 20.
The secondary cassette 74 can be generally cylindrical in conformation with an upper end wall 80, a lower end wall 82 and a curved middle wall 84. The upper and lower end walls 80, 82 can have an associated external surface 86, 88, respectively. Likewise, the middle wall 84 can have an associated external surface 90. The secondary cassette 74 can be made of two partial shells—a first partial shell 92 and a second partial shell 94, as is shown in
According to aspects of the invention, the secondary cassette 74 can include one or more features in at least one of its external surfaces 86, 88, 90 for engagement with the protrusions 44 in the second chamber 30. For example, the secondary cassette 74 can have one or more recesses 96 in one of its external surfaces 86, 88, 90. Each recess 96 can receive at least a portion of a respective one of the protrusions 44 in the second chamber 30. To that end, the recesses 96 can be sized, shaped and located so as to substantially correspond to the size, shape and locations of the protrusions 44 in the second chamber 30 of the camera 20. In one embodiment, each recess 96 can be configured to substantially matingly engage a respective one of the protrusions 44. The recess 96 can be formed in the secondary cassette 30 as part of the process of molding the constituent first and second partial shells 92, 94. The provision of a recess 44 on an exterior surface of the secondary cassette 74 may result in a localized indentation on the interior surface of the secondary cassette 74 in that area. Such an indentation may be necessary due to manufacturing, structural and other concerns.
DCS film 70 configured in accordance with aspects of the invention can be formed in various ways. One method is shown in
As shown in
As noted earlier, the first and second partial shells 92, 94 can be permanently coupled together. To that end, a supersonic welding device 118 can be use to permanently couple the first and second partial shells 92, 94 together. As shown in
In an alternative embodiment, unexposed film can come from a different source. For example, unexposed film can be withdrawn initially from a 35 mm cartridge instead of a pancake in a dark enclosure. The withdrawn portion of film is formed in a roll. The first and second partial shells of the secondary cassette can be brought together around the unexposed roll of film so as to light-tightly enclose the film roll inside. All of the above steps can be performed in a darkroom. The first and second partial shells can be welded together. In this process, it should be noted that the trailing end of the film remains attached to the film spool of the 35 mm cartridge.
It will be understood that the above-described processes of making a DCS film assembly are merely examples. Aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific steps and details presented, including the order in which the steps are performed.
Having described the individual components and manner in which the DCS film can be made in accordance with aspects of the present invention, one illustrative manner in which DCS film 70 can be loaded into such the camera 20 will now be described in connection with
An empty camera 20 is provided with the back cover 26 open, as shown in
Further, it will be appreciated that if a manufacturer or an end user tries to load regular DCS film system 2 (that is, DCS film without features in accordance with aspects of the invention, as shown in
Aspects of the invention can be applied to a variety of camera assemblies. While particularly suited for single-use cameras, embodiments of the invention are not limited to such cameras. Further, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
