Abstract: Film cutting apparatus for removing and separating a film strip from a cartridge, one end of the film strip being secured to a spool within the cartridge, includes a carrier for receiving the film cartridge and moveable between a first position and a second position; a spring connected to the carrier for biasing the carrier toward the first position; a film drive for receiving a leading end of the film strip and pulling the film strip from the cartridge and then pulling the carrier away from the first position when the film strip is fully extracted from the cartridge; a sensor for sensing the movement of the carrier away from the first position and producing a signal in response thereto; and a knife mechanism mounted on the carrier for movement with the carrier and responsive to the signal for separating the film strip from the cartridge while the carrier is moving.

Abstract: A recyclable, one-time use print on demand, digital camera comprises an image sensor device for sensing an image. A processor processes the image sensed by the image sensor device. The camera includes a supply of print media on to which an image processed by the processor is printed. A printhead is provided for printing said sensed image on the print media. An indicator for indicating usage of the camera is arranged within a housing of the camera. A separating device separates a part of the print media on to which an image has been printed from a remainder of the supply of print media. The separating device acts on the indicator for changing the indication of usage as part of the operation of separating the part of the print media from the remainder of the supply of the print media.

Abstract: A sticker printing digital camera device includes a generally circular housing which is suitable for storing a roll of sticker material. A sticker feed mechanism is mounted in the housing for feeding the sticker material from the housing. An image sensor is positioned in the housing for sensing an image. An internal ink jet printhead is operatively associated with the image sensor and is adapted to print the sensed image or a modification thereof on to a sticker delivered by the sticker feed means. An ink delivery arrangement is positioned in the housing to deliver ink to the printhead.

Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a pull-out roller pair to pull a light-sensitive material out of a light-sensitive material magazine accommodating a light-room-loading-type light-sensitive material having an extreme end leader portion at its leading end, a cutter to cut the pulled out light-sensitive material, a sensor to detect the extreme end leader portion or the light-sensitive material, and a control computer to control the pull-out roller pair and the cutter in accordance with a detecting signal from the sensor. The extreme end leader portion and the light-sensitive material are transported in accordance with detecting signal and then the extreme end leader portion is automatically cut along a boundary with the light-sensitive material. Thus, the wastes of the light-sensitive material is prevented.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method for singulating individual film units from a self-developing integral film which units are carried serially in spaced apart relationship to each other are provided. The imaging portion of each unit is stiffer than associated leading and trailing portions whereby the leading portion beyond the pressure applying assembly is severed, while the severed flexible portion is diverted toward a receiving area therefor as the film unit advances along a path. Thereafter, provision is made for severing the strip along a trailing edge adjacent the imaging portion as the imaging portion advances along the path towards the exit; and, diverting the relatively flexible trailing portion from the path to a receiving area therefor as the film unit.

Abstract: A cassette (10) for photosensitive web material includes a hollow housing (12) having a peripheral wall (16); an exit slit (42) extending through the peripheral wall; a device (20), located within the housing, for rotatably supporting a roll (22, 24) of web material; a mechanism (32, 38), located within the housing, for engaging a lead end (26) of a web material to drive the web material through the exit slit; a knife blade (134, 136) having a cutting edge (138) extended at an acute angle to the exit slit; a recess (132) for slidably mounting the blade for movement between a first position in which the exit slit is open, and a second position in which both the web material has been cut by the cutting edge and the exit slit has been closed by the blade to prevent entry of light into the housing through the exit slit; and a knife bed (142, 144) fixedly mounted on the housing, the blade being in sliding engagement with the knife bed, whereby the blade and the knife bed cooperate to scissor the web material as th

Abstract: A cassette (10) includes a sliding knife (52) having a slot (70) which slides past a driven pinion (72). Slot (70) includes a curved trailing edge (76) with a latch tooth (74) which engages and prevents rotation of the driven pinion when the knife has cut a web material extended from an exit slit (42) of the cassette and then closed the exit slit. Openings (86, 88) in a knife cover (56) permit external access to the knife and driven pinion.

Abstract: A cassette (10) includes a sliding knife (52) having a slot (70) which slides past a driven pinion (72). Slot (70) includes a curved trailing edge (76) which surrounds the driven pinion when the knife has cut a web material extended from an exit slit (42) of the cassette and then closed the exit slit. Openings (86, 88) in a knife cover (56) permit external access to the knife and driven pinion.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for loading a photographic camera (426) of a type including an external housing (428, 478) having a movable closure (484) giving access to a film guide track (566) within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber (562) and an exposed film chamber (564), the apparatus including a frame (12); a source (24) for unexposed photographic film positioned on the frame; a nest for receiving the camera supported on the frame; a film loading device (72) extending between the source and the nest for guiding film from the source into the film guide track within the camera; a film unloading device (82) extending away from the camera; and means for driving film from the source, along the loading device and into said camera and for driving film from the camera along the unloading device. Corresponding methods also are taught.