Abstract: A method of providing image goods and/or services to more than one party located at different locations. The method includes providing a camera for substantially simultaneously capturing an image both electronically and on a photosensitive media by a customer and transmitting the electronic image to a third party at a location remote from the customer along with additional data. The additional data identifying the image with respect to the photosensitive media. The customer and/or the third party placing an order with a service provider for at least one good and/or service with respect to the image. The service provider assembles the order upon receipt of the photosensitive media.

Abstract: A bottle and bottle closure assembly for draining a solution contained within a bottle, the bottle closure assembly. The bottle has a base section, a body portion extending from the base and terminating into a neck portion having an outlet through which the solution may pass. A seal is secured to the neck portion so as to cover the opening such that the seal will retain solution within the bottle. A cap member has rupture members designed to assist in the rupture of the seal.

Abstract: A film cleaning apparatus and method includes a cleaning member with at least one self-loading cleaning surface or pad mounted directly over the film, such that when assembled, the cleaning surface or pad applies a force onto the film. The cleaning member of the present invention is preferably provided upstream of a magnetic head with respect to a direction of travel of the film in an imaging apparatus. The cleaning member of the present invention contacts the film with a sufficient load or force to clean the film and preferably, the opposing magnetic tracks of the film, prior to the film passing the magnetic heads or reaching the magnetic head area.

Abstract: A film cleaning apparatus and method includes a cleaning member with at least one self-loading cleaning surface or pad mounted directly over the film, such that when assembled, the cleaning surface or pad applies a force onto the film. The cleaning member of the present invention is preferably provided upstream of a magnetic head with respect to a direction of travel of the film in an imaging apparatus. The cleaning member of the present invention contacts the film with a sufficient load or force to clean the film and preferably, the opposing magnetic tracks of the film, prior to the film passing the magnetic heads or reaching the magnetic head area.

Abstract: A bottle and bottle closure assembly for draining a solution contained within a bottle, the bottle closure assembly. The bottle has a base section, a body portion extending from the base and terminating into a neck portion having an outlet through which the solution may pass. A seal is secured to the neck portion so as to cover the opening such that the seal will retain solution within the bottle. A cap member has rupture members designed to assist in the rupture of the seal.

Abstract: A light tight cartridge for a roll of web material (32) comprises a can (40), which contains the roll of web material (32). A first protrusion (52) on the can (40) rotatably supports the roll of web material (32). A cover (42) fits over the can (40) in a light tight fashion. A second protrusion (52) rotatably supports the roll of web material (32). In one embodiment, light blocking material is provided at a slot (44) in the can (40) and at a cover extension (48) to prevent light leaks into the cartridge (30). In another embodiment of the invention, the cover (42) is ultrasonically welded to the can (40).

Abstract: An illuminant head assembly for a photographic film image scanner includes a linear light source, preferably a linear array of spectrally distinct illuminant elements combined with a main body having an elongate light conducting channel aligned with the light source and having a light pipe in the light conducting channel, the light pipe having a light diffusion material dispersed therein. The illuminant head assembly in a preferred embodiment includes additional light sources at one or both ends of the linear array and the main body includes additional light channels aligned with the additional light sources, the additional light sources and channels serving as illuminant sources for scanning marginal regions of the photographic film in the film scanner.

Abstract: A compact, low-cost photographic film scanner particularly adapted to scanning Advance Photo System (APS) film includes an imaging assembly having an elongated L-shaped housing with a photosensor, e.g. a CCD, mounted directly to one end of the housing, the other end having a scanning aperture and film rails integrally formed on the housing, the film rails defining a film plane over the scanning aperture. The housing comprises a two piece snap together configuration that provides support for the focusing lens as well the photosensor and film scan gate. Additionally, the housing includes support arms that receive and lock in place an LED illuminant head assembly. The imaging apparatus housing conveniently snap locks into place on the scanner chassis in an opening formed in the film drive path.

Abstract: A document scanner includes: a document support for supporting a document in position to be scanned; an illumination system located adjacent to the document support for illuminating at least a portion of a supported document; a photosensitive medium for capturing an image of the document and generating image information; and a retroreflective imaging lens having an F-number between F/3 and F/8. The retroreflective lens comprises at least one lens element with optical power and a reflective surface, and is positioned to (i) receive light emanating from the document and propagated it in a first direction, through the retroreflective lens, (ii) reflect the light off said reflective surface in a second direction, and (iii) propagate the light through the retroreflective lens in the second direction, towards the photosensitive medium. The document support, the photosensitive medium, and the retroreflective lens are in a fixed spatial relationship relative to one another.

Abstract: A gimbaled load pad mounting arrangement in which a rigid load pad is detachably mounted on the spherical end of a spring-loaded mounting shaft. The load pad is provided on the side with flexible retention hooks with finger portions that engage the underside of the mounting frame to hold the load pad in position during assembly. Once the magnetic head is mounted in position, the pressure of the head against the load pad disengages the finger portions from contact with the underside of the frame thereby allowing the gimbaled load pad to assume its exact constraint position against the face of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a film spool supported inside a lighttight cassette shell for rotation to thrust a filmstrip coiled about the spool to the exterior of the shell whether the filmstrip is unexposed or is only partly exposed, and a film exposure status indicator supported for movement relative to the shell from an unexposed position to respective partly exposed and fully exposed positions for providing visible indications that the filmstrip is only partly exposed or is substantially exposed.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a spool supported within a cassette shell for rotation about an axis to thrust a filmstrip coiled about the spool to the exterior of the shell whether the filmstrip is unexposed or is only partly exposed, and a film exposure status indicator supported for rotation within the shell about the axis from an unexposed position to respective partly exposed and fully exposed positions for providing visible indications that the filmstrip is only partly exposed or is substantially exposed. According to the invention, the spool and the status indicator are fixed coaxially to each other. The spool has three spaced detents arranged at separate locations for respective engagement to lock the indicator in its unexposed, partly exposed and fully exposed positions. The shell has an end cap including a locking pawl normally urged to individually engage any one of the detents, but which can be moved to disengage any one of the detents by a suitable device in a camera.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a film spool supported inside a lighttight cassette shell for rotation to thrust a filmstrip coiled about the spool to the exterior of the shell whether the filmstrip is unexposed or is only partly exposed, and a film exposure status indicator supported for rotation relative to the shell from an unexposed position to respective partly exposed and fully exposed positions for providing visible indications that the filmstrip is only partly exposed or is substantially exposed. The status indicator includes integral lock-out means capable of being detected for the purpose of preventing insertion of the film cassette into various cameras intended to be used with the film cassette. A cap for covering the lock-out means to prevent the lock-out means from being detected includes respective window-like means for revealing the lock-out means when the status indicator is in its partly exposed and fully exposed positions.

Abstract: In a film cassette capable of propelling a non-protruding film leader to the exterior of the cassette shell, a camming flange is rotated coaxially with respect to a film spool in a film unwinding direction to deflect one of the flanges of the spool firmly against the outermost convolution of the film roll wound on the spool. This enables rotation of the spool in the same direction to propel the film leader out of the cassette shell.

Abstract: A carrier for releasably retaining a data storage disk comprises a pair of crescent shaped frame members which cooperate to define a generally circular aperture for receiving a data storage disk. The frame members are preferably identical in shape and slidably coupled so as to vary the size of the aperture. The aperture-defining walls of the frame members define arcuate grooves adapted to support the peripheral region of the data storage disk, preferably over an arc length of at least 90.degree.. Spring means are provided for resiliently urging the frame members together so that the groove-defining surfaces of said frame members cooperate to support a data storage disk positioned in the aperture.

Abstract: A carrier for releasably retaining a data storage disk comprises a pair of frame members which cooperate to define a generally circular aperture for receiving a data storage disk. The frame members are slidably coupled so as to vary the size of the aperture. The aperture-defining walls of the frame members are provided with a disk-holding means adapted to engage and support the peripheral region of a data storage disk. The frame members are resiliently urged together so that they take a position in which the disk-holding means engage and support a data storage disk positioned in the aperture. A locking mechanism is provided for releasably locking the frame members in the aforesaid position.

Abstract: A disk cassette loading/unloading mechanism for use in a disk recorder or the like of the type having a disk drive mechanism comprises a pivotally mounted holder for holding a disk cassette. The holder is pivotally movable between a loading/unloading position in which a disk cassette is inserted into the holder to its loaded position and unloaded therefrom, and a recording position in which the disk in the disk cassette can be drivingly engaged by the disk drive mechanism. Insertion of a disk cassette into the holder to its loaded position automatically activates a rigid cassette shutter opening device to open the shutter, and causes the holder to move from its loading/unloading position into its recording position. The holder is moved by a cassette ejecting mechanism from its recording position to its loading/unloading position. The ejecting mechanism then ejects the disk cassette at least partially out of the holder.

Abstract: A disk cassette loading/unloading mechanism for use in a disk recorder or the like of the type having a disk drive mechanism comprises a pivotally mounted holder for holding a disk cassette. The holder is pivotally movable between a loading/unloading position in which a disk cassette is inserted into the holder to its loaded position and unloaded therefrom, and a recording position in which the disk in the disk cassette can be drivingly engaged by the disk drive mechanism. Insertion of a disk cassette into the holder toward its loaded position initially cams a flexibly mounted shutter opening abutment member into an operative position, in which it opens the cassette shutter blades during final movement of the cassette to its loaded position.