One-time use camera loading method

• US 6,226,457 B1
• Filed: 07/26/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Smith, Stephen J., Boyd, James D., Cramer, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/361,056
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 396/6, 396/387, 396/411, 396/535, 396/536
• US Class Current: 396/6
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/04 Roll-film cameras

Abstract

In a method for loading a film cartridge in a one-time use camera, the film cartridge is placed in a film cartridge chamber of a camera frame assembly. An anti-backup subsystem is mounted on the camera frame assembly. The anti-backup subsystem has a first mechanical member biased into a disengaged position. A main portion of the filmstrip is then wound, in a prewind direction, from the film cartridge to a film supply chamber of the camera frame assembly. Following the winding, the first mechanical member is biased into an engaged position, in which the anti-backup system precludes winding of the filmstrip in the prewind direction. The first mechanical member can be biased by applying a label to a casing of the camera.

Claims

1. A method for loading a film cartridge in a one-time use camera, said cartridge having a filmstrip, said method comprising the steps of:

placing the film cartridge in a film cartridge chamber of a camera frame assembly;

mounting an anti-backup subsystem on said camera frame assembly, said anti-backup subsystem having first and second mechanical members, said first mechanical member being biased into a disengaged position relative to said second mechanical member;

following said mounting, winding a main portion of the filmstrip from said film cartridge to a film supply chamber of said camera frame assembly in a prewind direction;

prior to said winding, light-tightly closing said film chambers;

following said winding, biasing said first mechanical member into an engaged position relative to said second mechanical member, wherein said anti-backup system precludes winding of said filmstrip in said prewind direction.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said biasing step further comprises disposing said first mechanical member in said engaged position and attaching a label over said first mechanical member.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said first mechanical member has an internal bias toward said disengaged position and said biasing further comprises overcoming said internal bias.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said first mechanical member is internally biased toward said disengaged position.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to said winding, attaching a leading end of said filmstrip to a supply spool;

and disposing said supply spool in said film supply chamber; and

wherein said winding further comprises rotating said supply spool in said prewind direction.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said cartridge has an internal cartridge spool and said second mechanical member is a thumbwheel, and said mounting further comprises joining said thumbwheel to said cartridge spool.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said mounting step follows said placing step.

8. A method for loading a one-time use camera, comprising the steps of:

placing a film cartridge in a camera frame assembly, said film cartridge having a cartridge spool and a filmstrip attached to said cartridge spool;

connecting a thumbwheel to said cartridge spool, said thumbwheel being rotatable with said cartridge spool;

assembling a pawl and a cover with said camera frame assembly, said pawl being disposed in a disengaged position wherein said pawl is displaced from said thumbwheel sufficient to permit rotating of said thumbwheel and said cartridge spool in opposed prewind and advance directions;

following said assembling, winding a main portion of said filmstrip from said film cartridge to a film supply chamber of said camera frame assembly in said prewind direction;

following said winding, installing a label on said cover, said label bearing on said pawl and biasing said pawl to an engaged position against said thumbwheel, wherein said thumbwheel and pawl preclude any further winding of said filmstrip in said prewind direction.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising light-tightly closing said chamber prior to said winding.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said pawl is joined to said cover.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising, prior to said winding, attaching a leading end of said filmstrip to a supply spool;

and wherein said winding further comprises rotating said supply spool in said prewind direction.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein said spool has an external winding socket and said method further comprises, prior to said winding, light-tightly closing said camera frame assembly, and temporarily engaging a rotatable tool and said external winding socket.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein said cover is a back cover.

14. The camera of claim 8 wherein said label is distendable by said pawl.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein said label is compliant.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said assembling further comprises installing front and back covers on said camera frame assembly, and said installing further comprises attaching said label to said front and back covers.

17. A method for loading a film cartridge in a one-time use camera, said cartridge having a filmstrip, said method comprising the steps of:

placing the film cartridge in a camera frame assembly;

mounting an anti-backup subsystem on said camera frame assembly, said anti-backup subsystem having first and second mechanical members, said first mechanical member being biased into a disengaged position relative to said second mechanical member;

following said mounting, winding a main portion of the filmstrip, in a prewind direction, from said film cartridge to a film supply chamber of said camera frame assembly;

following said winding, attaching a label over said first mechanical member, said label directly biasing said first mechanical member to an engaged position relative to said second mechanical member, wherein said anti-backup system precludes winding of said filmstrip in said prewind direction.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising light-tightly closing said chamber prior to said winding.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said disposing further comprises disposing a casing on said camera frame assembly, following said mounting, said casing having a gap, said first mechanical member adjoining said gap, said wherein said label overlaps said gap following said attaching.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said label distendably biases said first mechanical member into said engaged position to allow winding of said filmstrip in a forward direction, opposite said rewind direction.