Single use camera film pre-exposure method

• US 5,546,146 A
• Filed: 04/19/1994
• Issued: 08/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MC Licensing, LLC
• Original Assignee: Keepsake, Inc.
• Inventors: Dobbs, John M., Dobbs, Gregg T., Dobbs, Loura L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MATHEWS, ALAN A
• Application Number:
  US08/229,689
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 355/39, 355/40, 355/79, 354/106, 354/107, 354/108, 354/109, 354/110, 354/120, 354/125, 354/295
• US Class Current: 396/6
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/08 Trick photography
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/245 Optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/241 with means for producing composite exposures, e.g. exposing an image and a border, producing identity cards
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/248 with means for masking
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2219/045 adapted for unloading the film in the processing laboratory, e.g. disposable, reusable or recyclable cameras

Abstract

A method for pre-exposing a variety of latent images onto a filmstrip for use in a single use camera is presented wherein the latent images are in precise registration with subsequent images placed onto the filmstrip. Pre-exposed artwork is positioned to enhance a finished photograph creating a pleasing and interesting photograph without special efforts by a user. An exposure frame opening of the single use camera has a shielded portion in registration with the pre-exposed filmstrip artwork portion of the filmstrip. To place the artwork in proper registration, an imaging filmstrip is formed having an image of the artwork. The artwork image is located using an alignment filmstrip formed using the single use camera itself. The results providing for a subsequent exposure of each frame of the pre-exposed filmstrip having images in pleasing juxtaposition.

Claims

1. A method for pre-exposing film to an image in registration with a single use camera frame opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a single use camera having an exposure frame opening;

forming the opening for shielding a portion of a filmstrip frame from exposure to image bearing light, the opening providing a camera exposure film frame shielded portion sufficient for receiving an artwork image;

providing an unexposed alignment filmstrip dimensioned for use in the single use camera, the alignment filmstrip for aligning artwork within a portion of the filmstrip;

mounting the alignment filmstrip within the single use camera for exposing the filmstrip to image bearing light;

exposing the alignment filmstrip to light sufficiently bright to form a latent image of the exposure frame opening onto the alignment filmstrip;

developing the alignment filmstrip for forming a frame opening image on the alignment filmstrip wherein the developed frame has a clear portion for viewing artwork therethrough and an opaque portion;

providing artwork for exposing a first portion of a film frame to the artwork;

affixing the artwork within an artwork portion as viewed through the alignment film frame clear portion, the artwork portion corresponding to the shielded portion of the covered exposure frame;

removing the alignment filmstrip;

mounting an imaging filmstrip within the copy camera for photographing the artwork within the artwork portion, the imaging filmstrip having first and second surfaces, and sprocket holes along edge portions;

placing the artwork within the artwork portion;

exposing the imaging filmstrip to imaging light from the artwork thereby forming a frame on the imaging filmstrip having a latent image of the artwork within a portion of the frame shielded by the shield portion of the single use camera exposure frame opening;

developing the imaging filmstrip;

providing an unexposed filmstrip having first and second surfaces, the unexposed filmstrip dimensioned to communicate with the imaging filmstrip, the unexposed filmstrip having a multiplicity of sprocket holes along edge portions of the unexposed filmstrip;

placing the imaging filmstrip in contact with the unexposed filmstrip; and

exposing the imaging film second surface to light for pre-exposing the unexposed filmstrip thereby placing a latent image onto the unexposed filmstrip and forming a pre-exposed filmstrip, the latent image representative of the imaging filmstrip artwork image, the latent image positioned within a portion of the unexposed filmstrip for shielding by the single use camera exposure frame opening shield portion.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a surface dimensioned for receiving artwork;

affixing a copy camera at a predetermined distance from the surface, the copy camera having a full exposure frame opening;

viewing the surface through an open shutter of the copy camera;

mounting the alignment filmstrip having the clear portion in the copy camera; and

aligning one frame of the alignment filmstrip with the copy camera exposure frame opening for viewing the surface through the clear portion of the film frame.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the imaging filmstrip placing step further comprises the steps of:

placing the imaging filmstrip first surface in contact with the unexposed filmstrip first surface;

aligning the sprocket holes of the filmstrips; and

marking a reference sprocket hole for positioning a pre-exposed filmstrip latent image in registration with the exposure frame opening thereby aligning the latent image within the frame opening shielded portion.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the configuring step comprises the steps of:

advancing the imaging filmstrip for exposing predetermined frames to the artwork;

exposing the predetermined frames thereby forming an imaging filmstrip having a latent image of the artwork on a multiplicity of frames; and

developing the imaging filmstrip having the multiplicity of frames, each frame having an artwork portion and a clear portion.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the forming step comprises the steps of:

providing a surface for receiving artwork;

forming a black portion on the surface, the black portion dimensioned to fill a film frame background for a camera positioned at a predetermined distance from the surface;

forming a white portion onto the surface, the white portion for identifying an artwork portion within the film frame;

loading an overlay filmstrip within a copy camera;

providing imaging light to the surface for exposing film contained within the copy camera to the imaging light;

exposing the overlay filmstrip to the black and white portions thereby forming a frame on the overlay filmstrip having a latent image of the black and white surface portions within the frame;

developing the overlay filmstrip thereby forming the latent images;

forming an overlay having an opening dimensioned to the perimeter of the black portion and an opaque portion corresponding to the clear portion for shielding the clear portion; and

placing the overlay for communicating with a single use camera film frame opening thereby configuring the opening for shielding a portion of the frame from image bearing light, the shielded portion for corresponding to a portion of the frame having an artwork image.

6. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the filmstrip first surfaces comprise filmstrip emulsion surfaces.

7. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the marking step comprises the step of forming a notch along the unexposed filmstrip edge and placing the notch proximate the reference sprocket hole for identifying the reference sprocket hole in a darkroom environment.

8. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

providing a copy stand having a base and a support member extending from the base for affixing the copy camera at a predetermined distance from the base, the base having the surface for placing artwork;

placing artwork within the artwork portion for forming a gap between a periphery of the artwork and the frame opening, thereby permitting movement of the imaging filmstrip within the single use camera whereby the shielded portion of the exposure frame opening sufficiently covers the artwork image of the imaging filmstrip.

providing registration pins for removably affixing the artwork to the base top surface;

affixing the pins to the artwork for rigidly positioning the artwork in a predetermined position thereby maintaining the artwork within the artwork portion;

providing a light source for illuminating the artwork sufficient to expose the artwork for forming an image on film, the light source affixed proximate the copy stand;

adapting the copy camera for affixing the camera to the stand support member; and

affixing the copy camera to the support member at the predetermined distance from the surface.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the steps:

replacing the artwork with alternate artwork, the alternate artwork dimensioned to fit within the frame shielded portion; and

repeating the exposing and replacing steps until the predetermined multiplicity of frames have been exposed.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the artwork is a generally flat flexible sheet having an image affixed thereto, the image having a predetermined silhouette.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

providing a rigid transparent sheet; and

placing the rigid sheet over the flat artwork for holding the artwork in a fixed single plane for focusing a camera onto the plane thereby providing a sharply defined image onto the filmstrip being exposed by the camera.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the alignment filmstrip comprises positive transparency film and the developing step thereby provides a developed alignment filmstrip forming a frame opening image having the shielded portion opaque and the opening portion clear for viewing through the clear portion.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the unexposed filmstrip further comprises a single roll length of filmstrip for exposing a predetermined number of frames and the exposing step comprises the steps of:

providing a platen for holding the filmstrip first surfaces in contact, the platen dimensioned for covering the filmstrip length;

providing an exposure plate having a filmstrip surface dimensioned to receive the filmstrip, the exposure plate having a light source surface;

providing a light source;

placing the light source for illuminating the exposure plate light source surface;

providing a diffusion grid for diffusing light from the light source;

placing the diffusion grid between the light source and the exposure plate for providing a uniform light exposure to the exposure plate light surface;

placing the imaging filmstrip second surface onto the exposure plate filmstrip surface;

placing the unexposed filmstrip first surface in contact with the imaging filmstrip first surface;

placing the platen onto the imaging filmstrip second surface for providing uniform contact of the filmstrip first surfaces; and

exposing the exposure plate to diffused light.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the unexposed filmstrip further comprises a bulk roll length of unexposed filmstrip for exposing a multiplicity of frames and the exposing step comprises the steps of:

forming the imaging filmstrip into a continuous loop;

identifying a reference sprocket hole of the imaging filmstrip;

aligning the reference sprocket hole with the reference sprocket hole of the unexposed filmstrip;

placing a portion of the imaging filmstrip first surface in contact with a portion of the unexposed filmstrip first surface;

providing a light source for illuminating the imaging surface second side;

advancing the filmstrips past the light source for pre-exposing the unexposed filmstrip to frames of the imaging film;

pre-exposing a portion of the unexposed filmstrip to the imaging filmstrip artwork image;

continuing to advance the filmstrips past the light source for exposing the bulk roll filmstrip to a multiplicity of imaging filmstrip images, the pre-exposure placing latent images onto the bulk roll filmstrip representative of the imaging filmstrip images forming the continuous loop;

continuing to advance the unexposed filmstrip;

pre-exposing a remaining portion of the unexposed bulk filmstrip roll for providing a bulk roll of pre-exposed filmstrip having the latent images of the imaging filmstrip;

marking the bulk roll at predetermined distances from the reference sprocket hole, the predetermined distances representative of predetermined filmstrip lengths; and

cutting the pre-exposed bulk filmstrip into predetermined filmstrip lengths each having one reference sprocket hole.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

providing a storage spool dimensioned for operating with a single use camera;

loading the filmstrip of predetermined lengths onto the storage spools; and

positioning the reference sprocket hole of the filmstrip at a leading end of the strip extending from the storage spool, thereby providing for positioning a reference frame for aligning with the exposure frame of the single use camera.

16. A method for photographing a subject using a single use camera, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a black portion on a surface, the black portion dimensioned to fill a film frame background;

forming a white portion onto the surface, the white portion for identifying an artwork portion within the film frame;

mounting an overlay filmstrip within a copy camera;

providing imaging light to the surface for exposing film contained within a copy camera to the imaging light;

exposing the overlay filmstrip to the black and white portions thereby forming a frame having a latent image of the black and white portions of the surface within the frame;

developing the overlay filmstrip thereby forming the white latent image portion as a black image and the black latent image as a clear portion within the frame formed on the developed overlay filmstrip;

forming an overlay having an opening dimensioned to the perimeter of the black portion of the film frame and an opaque portion corresponding to the clear portion of the frame;

placing the overlay for communicating with a single use camera film frame opening thereby configuring the opening for shielding a portion of the frame from image bearing light, the shielded portion corresponding to a portion of the frame having an artwork image;

providing a pre-exposed filmstrip having a latent image affixed to a filmstrip image portion, the filmstrip having a latent image affixed to a filmstrip image portion, the filmstrip having a multiplicity of sprocket holes along edge portions of the filmstrip, the filmstrip having a reference sprocket hole for identifying a location of the latent image;

providing a single use camera;

placing the overlay within a film plane of the camera for positioning the overlay between pre-exposed filmstrip loaded into the camera and a camera lens;

loading the filmstrip into the camera;

aligning the reference sprocket hole with a reference sprocket gear tooth for positioning the filmstrip latent image for coinciding with the overlay opening thereby fully masking the latent image; and

closing the camera for operation in exposing the filmstrip.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

placing a subject in a view finder of the single use camera for cooperating with the position of the latent image placed on the pre-exposed filmstrip; and

operating the single use camera for photographing a subject.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of providing the pre-exposed filmstrip further includes the steps of:

providing a storage spool dimensioned for operating with a single use camera;

loading the predetermined filmstrip lengths onto the storage spools; and

positioning the reference sprocket hole of the filmstrip at a leading end of the strip extending from the storage spool.

19. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the overlay forming step comprises the step of forming the overlay from a plastic material.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

placing the storage spool into the single use camera, the spool received with a storage spool chamber of the camera;

providing a light tight take-up film canister;

placing the canister within a take-up chamber of the single use camera; and

affixing the leading end to a take-up film canister, the filmstrip passing through the film plane over the overlay opening.

21. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the operating step comprises the steps of:

exposing a frame of the pre-exposed film to a subject for placing the subject onto the image portion of the filmstrip juxtaposed with the latent image, the filmstrip exposed within an image portion provided by the overlay opening;

advancing the filmstrip into the take-up canister thereby positioning the filmstrip for exposing another frame;

exposing another frame;

repeating the advancing and exposure steps a multiplicity of times for exposing the filmstrip and fully loading the filmstrip into the canister;

removing the canister for preparing the exposed filmstrip for developing;

developing the filmstrip for providing an image representative of the subject juxtaposed with the image of the artwork.

22. A method for preparing a single use camera for exposing a film frame to a subject juxtaposed with a pre-exposed image within the film frame, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a developed negative imaging filmstrip having first and second surfaces, the imaging filmstrip having a multiplicity of sprocket holes along edge portions of the imaging filmstrip, the imaging filmstrip having a multiplicity of images within an image portion;

providing an unexposed negative filmstrip having first and second surfaces, the unexposed filmstrip dimensioned to communicate with the imaging filmstrip, the unexposed filmstrip having a multiplicity of sprocket holes along edge portions of the unexposed filmstrip;

placing the imaging filmstrip first surface in contact with the unexposed negative filmstrip first surface;

aligning the sprocket holes of the filmstrips;

identifying an unexposed filmstrip reference sprocket hole for positioning a pre-exposed filmstrip latent images in coincidence with imaging film images; and

exposing the imaging film second surface to light for pre-exposing the unexposed negative filmstrip thereby placing a latent image onto the unexposed filmstrip thereby forming a pre-exposed negative filmstrip, the latent image representative of an image on the imaging filmstrip;

providing an overlay for masking a portion of the film image portion, the overlay having an opening dimensioned to a silhouette of the latent image;

providing a single use camera;

placing the overlay within a film plane of the camera for positioning the overlay between pre-exposed filmstrip loaded into the camera and a camera lens;

loading the pre-exposed filmstrip into the camera;

aligning the reference sprocket hole with a reference sprocket gear tooth for positioning the filmstrip latent image for coinciding with the overlay opening thereby fully masking the latent image; and

closing the camera for providing a light tight operating environment for the pre-exposed negative filmstrip.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the step of providing the overlay comprises the steps of:

providing a surface for receiving artwork;

forming a black portion on the surface, the black portion dimensioned to fill a film frame background;

forming a white portion onto the surface, the white portion for identifying an artwork portion within the film frame;

mounting an overlay filmstrip within a copy camera;

providing imaging light to the surface for exposing film contained within a copy camera to the imaging light;

exposing the overlay filmstrip to the black and white portions thereby forming a frame having a latent image of the black and white portions of the surface within the frame;

developing the overlay filmstrip thereby forming the white latent image portion as a black image and the black latent image as a clear portion within the frame formed on the developed overlay filmstrip;

forming the overlay having an opening dimensioned to the perimeter of the black portion of the film frame and an opaque portion corresponding to the clear portion of the frame; and

placing the overlay for communicating with a single use camera film frame opening thereby configuring the opening for shielding a portion of the frame from image bearing light, the shielded portion for corresponding to a portion of the frame having an artwork image.

24. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the filmstrip first surfaces comprises filmstrip emulsion surfaces.

25. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the step of providing the developed negative imaging filmstrip comprises the steps of:

providing a copy stand having a base and a support member extending from the base for affixing a camera, the base having a top surface for placing artwork;

placing artwork having a predetermined silhouette onto the base top surface;

providing registration pins for removably affixing the artwork to the base top surface;

affixing the pins to the artwork for rigidly positioning the artwork in a predetermined position;

illuminating the artwork;

providing a copy camera adapted to be affixed to the copy stand support member;

loading an unexposed filmstrip into the copy camera for exposing frames of the film to the artwork;

affixing the copy camera to the support member at a predetermined distance from the base top surface;

fully exposing a frame of the film to the illuminated artwork;

repeating the exposing step until a predetermined multiplicity of frames have been exposed;

removing the film from the camera for developing the filmstrip; and

developing the negative filmstrip thereby forming the imaging filmstrip having a multiplicity of images.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, further comprising the step of covering the top service with a black velvet material for providing a background for artwork placed onto the top surface.

27. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the artwork is a generally flat flexible sheet having an image affixed thereto.

28. The method as recited in claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

providing a rigid transparent sheet; and

placing the rigid transparent sheet over the artwork for holding the artwork in a fixed single plane for focusing a camera onto the plane thereby providing a sharply defined image onto the filmstrip being exposed by the camera.

29. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the filmstrip is of the 35 mm type for use in communicating with a 35 mm negative type filmstrip being pre-exposed for use in a single use camera.

30. The method as recited in claim 25, further comprising the steps of:

replacing the artwork with alternative artwork for exposing additional frames of the filmstrip, the alternative artwork having a silhouette dimensioned to the artwork silhouette;

affixing the alternative artwork at the predetermined position;

exposing an additional frame to the alternative artwork;

repeating the exposing steps until a predetermined number of frames is fully pre-exposed.

31. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the unexposed filmstrip further comprises a single roll length of filmstrip for exposing a predetermined number of frames and the exposing step comprises the steps of:

providing a platen for removably affixing the filmstrips in parallel planes, the platen dimensioned for covering the filmstrip length;

providing an exposure plate having a filmstrip surface dimensioned to receive the filmstrip, the exposure plate having a light source surface;

providing a light source;

placing the light source for illuminating the exposure plate light source surface;

providing a diffusion grid for diffusing light from the light source;

placing the diffusion grid between the light source and the exposure plate for providing a uniform light exposure to the exposure plate light surface;

placing the imaging filmstrip second surface onto the exposure plate filmstrip surface;

placing the unexposed filmstrip first surface in contact with the imaging filmstrip first surface;

placing the platen onto the imaging filmstrip second surface for providing uniform contact of the filmstrip first surfaces; and

exposing the exposure plate to diffused light.

32. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the unexposed filmstrip further comprises a bulk roll length of unexposed filmstrip for exposing a multiplicity of frames and the exposing step comprises the steps of:

forming the imaging filmstrip into a continuous loop;

identifying a reference sprocket hole of the imaging filmstrip;

aligning the reference sprocket hole with the reference sprocket hole of the unexposed filmstrip;

placing the imaging filmstrip first surfaces in contact with the unexposed filmstrip first surface;

providing a light source for illuminating the imaging surface second side;

advancing the filmstrips past the light source for pre-exposing the unexposed filmstrip to a frame of the imaging film having an image;

pre-exposing a portion of the unexposed filmstrip;

continuing to advance the filmstrips past the light source for exposing the bulk roll filmstrip to a multiplicity of imaging filmstrip images, the pre-exposure placing latent images onto the bulk roll filmstrip representative of the imaging filmstrip images forming the continuous loop;

continuing to advance the unexposed filmstrip;

pre-exposing a remaining portion of the unexposed bulk filmstrip roll for providing a bulk roll of pre-exposed filmstrip having the latent images of the imaging filmstrip;

marking the bulk roll at predetermined distances from the reference sprocket hole, the predetermined distances representative of predetermined filmstrip lengths; and

cutting the pre-exposed bulk filmstrip into predetermined filmstrip lengths having the reference sprocket holes.

33. The method as recited in claim 32, further comprising the steps of:

providing a storage spool dimensioned for operating with a single use camera;

loading the predetermined filmstrip lengths onto the storage spools; and

positioning the reference sprocket hole of the filmstrip at a leading end of the strip extending from the storage spool.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

placing the storage spool into the single use camera, the spool received with a storage spool chamber of the camera;

providing a light tight take-up film canister;

placing the canister within a take-up chamber of the single use camera; and

affixing the leading end to a take-up film canister, the filmstrip passing through the film plane over the overlay opening.

35. A method for pre-exposing film to an image in registration with a single use camera frame opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a single use camera having an exposure frame opening;

forming the opening for shielding a portion of a filmstrip frame from exposure to image bearing light, the opening providing a camera exposure film frame shielded portion sufficient for receiving an artwork image;

providing an unexposed alignment filmstrip dimensioned for use in the single use camera, the alignment filmstrip for aligning artwork within a portion of the filmstrip;

mounting the alignment filmstrip within the single use camera for exposing the filmstrip to image bearing light;

exposing the alignment filmstrip to light sufficiently bright to form a latent image of the exposure frame opening onto the alignment filmstrip;

developing the alignment filmstrip for forming a frame opening image on the alignment filmstrip wherein the developed frame has a clear portion for viewing artwork therethrough and an opaque portion;

providing artwork for exposing a first portion of a film frame to the artwork;

affixing the artwork within an artwork portion as viewed through the alignment film frame clear portion, the artwork portion of the surface corresponding to the shielded portion of the covered exposure frame;

removing the alignment filmstrip;

mounting an imaging filmstrip within a copy apparatus for generating artwork placed onto the surface within the artwork portion, the imaging filmstrip having first and second surfaces, and sprocket holes along edge portions;

placing the artwork within the artwork portion of the surface;

exposing the imaging filmstrip to imaging light from the artwork thereby forming a frame on the imaging filmstrip having a latent image of the artwork within a portion of the frame shielded by the shield portion of the single use camera exposure frame opening, the remaining portion having the black surface portion;

developing the imaging filmstrip;

providing an unexposed filmstrip having first and second surfaces, the unexposed filmstrip dimensioned to communicate with the imaging filmstrip, the unexposed filmstrip having a multiplicity of sprocket holes along edge portions of the unexposed filmstrip;

placing the imaging filmstrip in contact with the unexposed filmstrip; and

exposing the imaging film second surface to light for pre-exposing the unexposed filmstrip thereby placing a latent image onto the unexposed filmstrip and forming a pre-exposed filmstrip, the latent image representative of the imaging filmstrip artwork image, the latent image positioned within a portion of the unexposed filmstrip for shielding by the single use camera exposure frame opening shield portion.

36. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the copy apparatus for generating artwork comprises a copy camera for photographing the artwork.