Abstract: A parts fabrication apparatus has a staging fixture that is configured to position at least a portion of a molded plastic assembly that has a connective runner portion with at least one molded part extended from the connective runner portion by a severable gate portion. A laser source is energizable to direct toward the severable gate portion, from a laser output aperture positioned beneath the staged plastic assembly, a coherent light beam having sufficient energy for melting the gate portion and releasing the molded part along a drop path. A support is disposed to deflect the drop path of at least a portion of the released molded part in a direction away from the coherent light beam.

Abstract: A parts fabrication apparatus has a staging fixture that is configured to position at least a portion of a molded plastic assembly that has a connective runner portion with at least one molded part extended from the connective runner portion by a severable gate portion. A laser source is energizable to direct toward the severable gate portion, from a laser output aperture positioned beneath the staged plastic assembly, a coherent light beam having sufficient energy for melting the gate portion and releasing the molded part along a drop path. A support is disposed to deflect the drop path of at least a portion of the released molded part in a direction away from the coherent light beam.

Abstract: A thermal printer cartridge is provided. The thermal printer cartridge comprising: a supply housing having a drive end and a non-drive end; a take-up housing having a drive end and a non-drive end; a stiffening linkage joining the non-drive end of the supply housing to the non-drive end of the take-up housing, the stiffening linkage being capable of elastic deflection to absorb a portion of the energy from an impact load; an elastically deformable linkage joining the drive ends, the resilient linkage being adapted to elastically deflect following a first deflection pattern and to absorb another portion of an amount of energy from a impact load; and a damping linkage joining the drive ends, the damping linkage being adapted to elastically deflect following a second deflection pattern that is different than the first deflection pattern and to absorb still another portion of an amount of energy from the impact load.

Abstract: A device and method for unloading a single-use camera utilizes pivotable housing with a cavity. The cavity receives a typical camera comprising film, a take-up cartridge, a lens, and a metering mechanism. One or more clamps with a de-metering protrusion deactivate the metering mechanism in the camera. An actuator moves the clamps to engage and release the camera. The pivotable housing containing the camera is rotated and a gear winds the film into a take-up cartridge. A hook mechanism with a hook driven by a second gear and motor opens the single-use camera so that a cartridge extractor can remove the take-up cartridge with rewound film from the camera. A transfer device moves the take-up cartridge with film from the camera to an operator selected position.

Abstract: A flash-capable photographic film camera is provided with an auxiliary light path to direct a portion of emitted flash light through an elongated secondary exposure window formed adjacent a side of the camera picture frame so as to expose an edge demarcation bar on the film in an interframe area between successive exposed picture frames. The secondary window preferably extends along substantially the full length of the picture frame side to produce a positive indication of an image frame edge for enhanced detection by conventional algorithm-based edge detectors irrespective of actual image frame density values.

Abstract: A film camera assembly has a taking lens and an aligned baffle. A film metering mechanism is actuable to transport the photographic film in a longitudinal direction past the baffle. A film support is aligned with the baffle and defines a pair of film stations separated by a light-blocking interspace mask. The first film station has an exposure opening and a pair of lateral edges adjoining the exposure opening. The second film station has a light-blocking image mask and an elongate demarcation opening adjoining the image mask in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of film transport. The exposure opening and demarcation opening are equal in length. The demarcation opening is aligned with one of the lateral edges.

Abstract: A camera assembly has a mount defining an optical axis. The mount has opposed first and second stops. A rocker pivots between the stops. An over-center mechanism biases the rocker toward the nearer stop. A lens turret has primary and secondary openings. The lens turret rotates with the rocker between a first configuration and a second configuration upon pivoting of the rocker between first and second positions. The rocker is movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis, independent of the lens turret in both configurations.