Light tight chamber with closure and sensor for position of closure and cassette in chamber

• US 5,854,954 A
• Filed: 03/22/1996
• Issued: 12/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Robertson, Jeffrey Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, EDDIE C H
• Application Number:
  US08/620,431
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 396/207, 396/208, 396/209, 396/210, 396/515, 396/511, 396/512, 396/535, 396/536, 396/538, 396/543
• US Class Current: 396/535
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/30 Locating spools or other rotatable holders of coiled film
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/268 Unloading the cartridge from the camera; Loading the cartridge into the camera

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for using light-sensitive web material includes a cassette chamber (12) which is closed by a closure (20) when a cassette (18) of the material has been installed. A single sensor (30, 32; 50-64) is provided to detect that the cassette is present, properly oriented and filled with the right material and that the closure is properly closed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for using light-sensitive web material, comprising:

a chamber in the apparatus, for receiving a cassette of the material;

a light-tight closure for the chamber;

only one sensor, actuated by cooperation of both the closure and a cassette upon closing of the closure, for sensing both that the cassette is present in the chamber and that the chamber is closed by the closure and for producing a signal; and

an indicator responsive to the signal to indicate either that the cassette is not present, or that the chamber is not closed, or both;

wherein the sensor is a micro-switch mounted on the closure, the micro-switch having an actuator arm which contacts a surface of a cassette when the chamber is closed.

2. Apparatus for using light-sensitive web material, comprising:

a chamber in the apparatus, for receiving a cassette of the material;

a light-tight closure for the chamber;

only one sensor, actuated by cooperation of both the closure and a cassette upon closing of the closure, for sensing both that the cassette is present in the chamber and that the chamber is closed by the closure and for producing a signal; and

an indicator responsive to the signal to indicate either that the cassette is not present, or that the chamber is not closed, or both;

wherein a cassette is installed in the chamber; and

the sensor comprises a first reflective member mounted on the closure, a second reflective member mounted on the cassette;

a source of light for directing a beam from the first reflective member to the second; and

means for detecting that the beam has reflected from both reflective members.

3. Apparatus for using light-sensitive web material, comprising:

a chamber in the apparatus, for receiving a cassette of the material;

a light-tight closure for the chamber;

only one sensor, actuated by cooperation of both the closure and a cassette upon closing of the closure, for sensing both that the cassette is present in the chamber and that the chamber is closed by the closure and for producing a signal; and

an indicator responsive to the signal to indicate either that the cassette is not present, or that the chamber is not closed, or both;

wherein a cassette is installed in the chamber; and

the sensor comprises a first reflective member mounted on the closure, a second reflective member mounted on the cassette and an optical transmitter/receiver for directing a beam from the first reflective member to the second and for receiving a reflected beam.

4. Apparatus for using light-sensitive web material, comprising:

a chamber in the apparatus, for receiving a cassette of the material;

a light-tight closure for the chamber;

only one sensor, actuated by cooperation of both the closure and a cassette upon closing of the closure, for sensing both that the cassette is present in the chamber and that the chamber is closed by the closure and for producing a signal; and

an indicator responsive to the signal to indicate either that the cassette is not present, or that the chamber is not closed, or both;

wherein a cassette is installed in the chamber; and

the sensor comprises a reflective member mounted on the cassette, a photocell mounted on the closure and an optical transmitter mounted in the chamber for directing a beam to the reflective member and from the reflective member to the photocell.

5. Apparatus for using light-sensitive web material, comprising:

a chamber in the apparatus, for receiving a cassette of the material;

a light-tight closure for the chamber;

only one sensor, actuated by cooperation of both the closure and a cassette upon closing of the closure, for sensing both that the cassette is present in the chamber and that the chamber is closed by the closure and for producing a signal; and

an indicator responsive to the signal to indicate either that the cassette is not present, or that the chamber is not closed, or both;

wherein a cassette is installed in the chamber; and

the sensor comprises a reflective member mounted on the cassette and an optical transmitter/receiver mounted on the closure for directing a beam to the reflective member and for receiving a reflected beam.

6. Apparatus for using light-sensitive web material, comprising:

a chamber in the apparatus, for receiving a cassette of the material;

a light-tight closure for the chamber;

only one sensor, actuated by cooperation of both the closure and a cassette upon closing of the closure, for sensing both that the cassette is present in the chamber and that the chamber is closed by the closure and for producing a signal; and

an indicator responsive to the signal to indicate either that the cassette is not present, or that the chamber is not closed, or both;

wherein a cassette is installed in the chamber, the cassette having a single, off-center exterior feature sensed by the sensor when the cassette is installed, the cassette containing web material having a desired characteristic, and the chamber is closed; and

wherein the exterior feature is optically reflective.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the exterior feature is a strip of optical reflective tape.