Device and method for unloading film

• US 20060115263A1
• Filed: 11/29/2004
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Lawther, Joel S., Jones, Robert S., DiRisio, Anthony, Mort, Thomas W.
• Application Number:
  US10/999,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20060115263A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/388
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/30 Locating spools or other rotatable holders of coiled film

Abstract

A device and method for unloading a single-use camera utilizes pivotable housing with a cavity. The cavity receives a typical camera comprising film, a take-up cartridge, a lens, and a metering mechanism. One or more clamps with a de-metering protrusion deactivate the metering mechanism in the camera. An actuator moves the clamps to engage and release the camera. The pivotable housing containing the camera is rotated and a gear winds the film into a take-up cartridge. A hook mechanism with a hook driven by a second gear and motor opens the single-use camera so that a cartridge extractor can remove the take-up cartridge with rewound film from the camera. A transfer device moves the take-up cartridge with film from the camera to an operator selected position.

Claims

1. A device for unloading a single-use camera, wherein the device:

a. a pivotable housing with a cavity, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive a single-use camera comprising a film supply chamber, a film, a take-up cartridge, a lens, a shutter, and a metering mechanism;

b. a first clamp and a second clamp, wherein the first clamp comprises a de-metering protrusion adapted to deactivate the metering mechanism in the single-use camera;

c. an actuator adapted to affect the first and second clamps to engage and release the single-use camera;

d. a first motor adapted to pivot the pivotable housing from a first position to a second position;

e. a first gear connected to a second motor, wherein the first gear is adapted to wind film from the single-use camera into the take-up cartridge;

f. a hook mechanism with a hook driven by a second gear and the second motor, wherein the hook mechanism is adapted to open the single-use camera;

g. a cartridge extractor adapted to remove the take-up cartridge with rewound film from the single-use camera; and

h. a transfer device adapted to move the take-up cartridge with film from the single-use camera to an operator selected position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivotable housing is polymer, plastic, metal, coated metal, or combinations thereof.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivotable housing comprises a centrally located pivot.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivotable housing is adapted to rotate up to 360 degrees.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivotable housing pivots from the first position to the second position a distance ranging from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the distance from the first position to the second position is 43 degrees.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the metering mechanism comprises a locking thumbwheel adapted to advance the film.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the metering mechanism further comprises a counter.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the metering mechanism prevents film advancement between successive images.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivotable housing rotates around a frame, and wherein the actuator further comprises a plurality of rollers adapted to engage a rib disposed on the frame and to open and close the clamps.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the gears are spur gears.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second motors are stepper motors.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the hook further comprises a cam feature adapted to push and open the single-use camera.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the camera comprises the film that is selected from the group consisting of partially used film, totally used film, or never used film.

14. A method for unloading film from a single-use camera, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a. dropping a single-use camera with a film into a cavity disposed in a housing;

b. clamping onto the single-use camera using a clamp;

c. de-metering the film;

d. winding film into a take-up cartridge in the single-use camera using a first gear;

e. rotating the housing between 10 degrees and 90 degrees with a first motor;

f. opening the camera using a second gear and a second motor;

g. extracting the film with the take-up cartridge from the housing using an extractor while rotating the housing;

h. opening the clamp to release the single-use camera; and

i. dropping the single-use camera into a recycle bin.