One-time use camera having breakable component and recycling method

• US 6,282,375 B1
• Filed: 07/26/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• 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:
  US09/360,908
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 396/6, 396/535, 396/542
• US Class Current: 396/6
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/04 Roll-film cameras

Abstract

A camera has a body having a functional subsystem and first and second cover parts. The second cover part moves relative to the first cover part from a closed position to an unclosed position to open the body. A label has an attachment portion that is adhered to at least one of the cover parts. The label has a breakable component joined to the attachment portion. The attachment portion supports the breakable component on the body in operative relation to the functional subsystem. The attachment portion disrupts from a use configuration to a replacement configuration responsive to the moving of the secondary cover part. Responsive to this disrupting of the attachment portion, the breakable component breaks irreparably. In a method for recycling the camera, the camera is opened, destroying the breakable component. The exposed film is removed. Unexposed film is loaded. The camera is light-tightly closed and following the closing, the original label is replaced by a label having an intact breakable component.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

a body having a functional subsystem and first and second cover parts, said second cover part moving relative to said first cover part from a closed position to an unclosed position to open said body; and

a label including an attachment portion and a breakable component joined to said attachment portion, said attachment portion adhering to at least one of said cover parts and supporting said breakable component on said body in operative relation to said functional subsystem, said attachment portion disrupting from a use configuration to a replacement configuration responsive to said moving of said secondary cover part, said breakable component breaking irreparably responsive to said disrupting of said attachment portion to said replacement configuration.

2. The camera of claim 1 wherein said attachment portion and said breakable component are of one-piece.

3. The camera of claim 2 wherein said breaking is a catastrophic disruption.

4. The camera of claim 1 wherein said breakable component is an optical component.

5. The camera of claim 4 wherein said subsystem defines an optical axis and said attachment portion maintains said breakable component on said body concentric with said optical axis.

6. The camera of claim 5 wherein said breakable component has an optical power.

7. The camera of claim 5 wherein said breakable component has fiducials.

8. The camera of claim 1 wherein said breakable component is an electrical component.

9. The camera of claim 8 wherein said breakable component includes a circuit trace.

10. The camera of claim 9 wherein said label has a tear line intersecting said circuit trace.

11. The camera of claim 1 wherein said label has an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface facing said body, said outer surface being opposite said inner surface, said breakable component being interior to said outer surface.

12. The camera of claim 1 wherein said functional subsystem has first and second electrical leads and said breakable component has first and second terminals, said attachment portion holding said terminals in electrical contact with respective said leads.

13. The camera of claim 1 wherein said breakable component is a liquid crystal display.

14. A one-time use camera recycling method comprising the steps of:

removing exposed film from a camera bearing an original label having a breakable component enabling a camera system;

opening said camera;

during said opening, destroying said breakable component;

following said opening, loading unexposed film in said camera;

following said loading, light-tightly closing said camera;

following said closing, replacing said original label with a replacement label, said replacement label having an intact breakable component, said replacing reenabling said camera system.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said disabling further comprises severing an electrical connection.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said removing is after said opening.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said opening further comprises removing a film door.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said opening further comprises removing a back cover.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said destroying further comprises distorting said breakable component.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein said opening renders said camera non-light-tight.