Abstract: An APS camera having various mechanical features that simplify film pre-loading, especially in single use APS cameras, is disclosed. The disclosed camera employs the film advance mechanism to open and close the APS film cassette's light lock door, and also employs a film sensor to disable the film advance mechanism from operating the light lock door when film is present in a film path of the camera. Camera size is kept to a minimum by a feature that defines a battery compartment within a film spool of the camera.

Abstract: The camera of this invention can create a composite image on a frame of film that includes an image of an object whose picture is being taken by the camera and an image stored on a mask disposed within the camera. The mask is preferably disposed on a mask cartridge that can be inserted and removed from the camera. Disposed on the mask is a plurality of mask objects whose images can be created on a frame of film. The camera preferably includes a first and a second film exposing chamber. A first section of the mask is preferably disposed in the first film exposing chamber. In this first film exposing chamber, a first portion of a frame of film is preferably exposed and an object image of the object whose picture is being taken with the camera is created on the first portion of the frame of film.

Abstract: A camera having means for pre-winding unexposed film, in non-darkroom conditions from a film cartridge to a take up spool and limiting removal and replacement of the film cartridge to those designated to do. A latching member includes a pair of slots structured to slidingly engage a pair of guide pins disposed on the main body side wall and a pair of hooks structured to matingly engage a pair of hooks extending out from the rear door to prevent the camera door from being opened. A pair of outwardly biased locking pins, extending out from the main body side wall, are structured for movement from a first extended position, wherein the pins extend through a pair of corresponding holes in the latching member, thereby retaining the latching member in a first upper, locking position, to a second depressed position, wherein the latching member may be slid downward to a second lower, unlocking position, thereby permitting the rear door to be opened.

Abstract: The camera of this invention includes a parking mechanism that ensures a visual exposure indicator of an APS film cassette is in the parked position prior to removing the film cassette from the camera. The camera may include a rotatable wheel that rotates in order to move the film between a film cassette compartment, a film exposing area and a film spool. In a preferred embodiment, the parking mechanism includes a pin that engages the rotatable wheel after the film has been rewound into the film cassette and the wheel has been rotated sufficient distance to ensure that the visual exposure indicator moves to the parked position. When the pin engages the rotatable wheel, the pin prevents further rotation of the rotatable wheel. This indicates to the camera user that the visual exposure indicator is in the park position. The wheel may include a cam slot into which the pin travels as the film is being rewound into the film cassette.

Abstract: A flash camera has an extendable arm mechanically coupled to a flash on/off switch. The arm extends from the camera body when the switch is on the “on” position, and automatically retracts and returns the switch to the “off” position if the extended arm is bumped or touched. The arm also serves to provide a visual indication that the flash switch is in the “on” position.

Abstract: An APS camera having various mechanical features that simplify film pre-loading, especially in single use APS cameras, is disclosed. The disclosed camera employs the film advance mechanism to open and close the APS film cassette's light lock door, and also employs a film sensor to disable the film advance mechanism from operating the light lock door when film is present in a film path of the camera. Camera size is kept to a minimum by a feature that defines a battery compartment within a film spool of the camera.

Abstract: A method of pre-loading a camera with film and a battery, and specifically a single use camera, is disclosed. According to the disclosed method, the camera is pre-loaded by withdrawing film from a film cassette into a film spool compartment. The battery is then inserted inside the film spool compartment such that the film surrounds the battery.

Abstract: A method of pre-loading a camera with film, and specifically a single use camera, is disclosed. According to the disclosed method, the camera is pre-loaded in non-darkroom conditions with the back cover assembled to the camera without exposing any substantial portion of the film to any substantial amounts of light. According to the disclosed embodiment, the camera has a film advance mechanism that employs a manual advance wheel, and the manual advance wheel is rotated in opposing directions to pre-load film from a film cassette in the camera to a film spool compartment and to wind film back into the film cassette from the film spool compartment as exposures are taken. In the disclosed embodiment, the camera is an APS camera, and rotation of the manual advance wheel also opens and closes the APS film cassette's light lock door. In a final assembly step and if the camera employs a battery, the battery is inserted inside the film spool compartment.

Abstract: A single use camera has a film cassette and film spool compartment for receiving unexposed film withdrawn from the cassette. A battery is disposed inside the film spool compartment and is insertable and removable via a port on the bottom of the camera aligned with the film spool compartment. Packaging is disposed about an exterior surface of the camera and is arranged so as to permit an end user to take exposures without removing the packaging but such that removal of at least one of the back cover or battery requires at least partial removal or at least partial destruction of at least part of the packaging.

Abstract: A camera includes a main body having a first cavity for receiving a film cartridge and a second cavity for receiving film withdrawn from the film cartridge, a metering apparatus mounted within the main body for metering the film, one frame at a time, between the first and second cavities and across a film exposing area, a back cover covering the first and second cavities and the film exposing areas, the metering apparatus having a member that projects toward the back cover when the film is metered and an indexable film frame counter disposed on the back cover and having frame number indicia viewable by a user via a window in the back cover. The frame counter being engageable by the member when the film is metered and indexing in response thereto to display a next frame number.

Abstract: A method of loading film into a camera that employs a film cassette with a light lock door and has a back cover securely affixed to a main body includes loading the film cassette into a film cassette compartment via a film loading port with the light lock door closed, operating an advancing means to engage a light lock door driver affixed to the camera, rotating the advancing means to open the light lock door with the light lock door driver, preventing further rotation of the advancing means from operating the light lock door driver; continuing to rotate the advancing means to drive film out of the cassette across the film path and into a film receiving slot contained in a film spool and winding film from the cassette onto the spool. Additionally, a camera includes a mechanism for opening and closing a light lock door of a film safe cassette and the mechanism for opening and closing the light lock door.