Abstract: A film camera has a body enclosing a light-tight film space. A film unit disposed in the film space, includes a filmstrip having a longitudinally extending row of uniform perforations. The perforations each have at least one concavely-curved edge extending in a direction transverse to the filmstrip. The film space is substantially free of skives despite prewinding of the filmstrip in the camera, even if the prewinding is at a high-torque level.

Abstract: A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face-facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing.

Abstract: A partially assembled one-time-use camera includes a film section that longitudinally extends from a rotatable film winding spool in a film cartridge and that is engaged with a rotatable metering sprocket, and a separate rear cover part that is to be placed over the film section and the film cartridge and is constructed to prevent the film section from retracting out of engagement with the metering sprocket. The film winding spool is rotatable in a film winding direction to wind the film section into the film cartridge. If the film cartridge is allowed to rotate in the film winding direction before the rear cover is placed over the film section and the film cartridge, the film section will retract out of engagement with the metering sprocket. Consequently, a cartridge retention piece is positioned against the film cartridge to prevent the film cartridge from being rotated in the film winding direction.

Abstract: A partially assembled one-time-use camera includes a film section that longitudinally extends from a rotatable film winding spool in a film cartridge and that is engaged with a rotatable metering sprocket, and a separate rear cover part that is to be placed over the film section and the film cartridge and is constructed to prevent the film section from retracting out of engagement with the metering sprocket. The film winding spool is rotatable in a film winding direction to wind the film section into the film cartridge. If the film cartridge is allowed to rotate in the film winding direction before the rear cover is placed over the film section and the film cartridge, the film section will retract out of engagement with the metering sprocket. Consequently, a cartridge retention piece is positioned against the film cartridge to prevent the film cartridge from being rotated in the film winding direction.

Abstract: In a production method and system, a set of camera frame assemblies are partially assembled and a film unit is loaded. Each camera frame assembly is disposed on a pallet. Each pallet has a unique machine-readable designator. Defects are found in one or more members of the set of camera frame assemblies and a record is made of the respective designators of the pallets bearing the camera frame assemblies having defects. Assembly of the camera frame assemblies is then concluded. Afterward, camera frame assemblies on pallets having designators in the record of defects are culled. The assembly has the pallets, a transporter, a plurality of assembly devices, a series of defect inspectors, and an alteration unit that prepares for culling film rolls of camera frame assemblies having defects. The alteration unit transmits camera frame assemblies that are free of the defects without the preparing.

Abstract: A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing.

Abstract: A registration mechanism has a datum unit and a bolster movable toward and away from the datum unit. First, second, and third pins are mounted to the bolster. At least one spring resiliently biases the pins outward from the bolster. A pallet is supported by the pins between the bolster and datum unit. The pallet has first, second, and third sockets aligned with respective pins. The pallet has a registering face-facing the datum unit. The registering face is disposed opposite the sockets. The pallet is movable by the bolster toward the datum unit from a lowered position. In the lowered position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit and respective pins and sockets are spaced apart. In a first intermediate position, the registering face is spaced from the datum unit, and the sockets rest freely on respective pins. In a second intermediate position, respective sockets and pins are pressed together in partial counteraction of the resilient biasing.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus has a table having a sequence of datum units. A transporter is aligned with the table. The transporter is incrementally advanceable past each datum unit. The transporter can carry pallets. A rigid bolster, that moves separately from the transporter, is aligned with the transporter and table. The bolster is movable relative to the table between a lowered position and a raised position to the lift and lower the pallets. The bolster is synchronized with the transporter so that the pallets can be lifted and lowered in each of a sequence of stations. A plurality of locating units are joined to the bolster. Each locating unit is aligned with a respective datum unit. The bolster lifts the pallets on the locating units and clamps the pallets against the respective datum units. A manufacturing system includes the transfer apparatus, pallets, a series of manufacturing stations, and a conveying system for moving the pallets through the manufacturing stations and transfer apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing wind and trip in camera units for use with photographic film. Each camera unit encloses and defines a film path and includes a film driven preset member and a film spindle. The preset member extends into the film path. In the method, the film spindle of the camera unit is wound; and, in tandem with the winding, a film surrogate is propelled along the film path from a position upstream from the preset member to a position downstream from the preset member. During the propelling, the film surrogate is maintained in the film path.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing wind and trip in camera units for use with photographic film. Each camera unit encloses and defines a film path and includes a film driven preset member and a film spindle. The preset member extends into the film path. In the method, the film spindle of the camera unit is wound; and, in tandem with the winding, a film surrogate is propelled along the film path from a position upstream from the preset member to a position downstream from the preset member. During the propelling, the film surrogate is maintained in the film path.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprising a main body part, and a pair of front and rear cover parts that house the main body part between them, is characterized in that the front and rear cover parts have integral hinge portions with aligned openings, and a hinge pin is positioned in the openings to permit the front and rear cover parts to be pivoted away from one another to access the main body part, and is constructed of the same material as the front and rear cover parts to permit the hinge pin to be ground up together with the front and rear cover parts, without removing the hinge pin from the openings, to form a common substance that can be molded into new cover parts.

Abstract: A camera including a viewfinder for viewing a subject to be photographed, a masking a device for the viewfinder having a number of different format mask configurations, a taking lens for forming an image of the subject, and a lens cover for the taking lens, is characterized in that the masking device and said lens cover are supported to be moved at the same time for any one of the mask configurations to be in a masking position partially masking the viewfinder when the lens cover is not covering the taking lens and for every one of the mask configurations to be respective non-masking positions not partially masking the viewfinder when the lens cover covers the taking lens.

Abstract: A camera comprising a particular device (such as an electronic flash unit) that requires electrical energy to operate, a power switch capable of being changed from a normal state to a working state in order to provide electrical power to the device and biased to return to the normal state, and a protective cover (such as a lens cover) that changes the power switch from the normal state to the working state as the protective cover is moved from being closed to being open, is characterized in that the protective cover is supported for manual movement when open, without being moved to close, to change the power switch from the normal state to the working state when the power switch has returned to the normal state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading photographic film in a camera and cameras so produced. In the method, a camera frame assembly is supplied. The camera frame assembly includes a camera frame having a cartridge chamber, a scroll chamber, and an intermediate section disposed between the two chambers. The scroll chamber has a wall that defines a substantially cylindrical, empty film space. A film cartridge having a filmstrip, is placed in the cartridge chamber. The filmstrip is advanced from the cartridge to the scroll chamber. A major portion of the filmstrip is coiled into a scroll within the film space. During the coiling, the scroll is supported within the film space on a fluid bearing between the scroll chamber wall and the filmstrip.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprises a film cartridge and a filmstrip, a lighttight camera body having an interior chamber for the film cartridge and an exterior cover portion for light-tightly sealing the chamber that can be separated from another exterior (remaining) portion to open the chamber in order to remove the film cartridge, and matching respective indicia on the outside of the camera body and on the film cartridge and/or the filmstrip. The indicia on the outside of the camera body is positioned partially on the exterior cover portion and partially on the other exterior portion to be divided in order to be visually obliterated when the exterior cover portion is separated from the other exterior portion to open the chamber. Thus, the one-time camera cannot practically be reused without removing or covering the part of the indicia on the other exterior (remaining) portion of the camera body.

Abstract: A toner container has three chambers for holding three different color toners. The container is receivable by a receiving structure having a pair of opposing slots for receiving flanges on the base of the toner container. The receiving mechanism is part of a development device which includes a movable carriage for moving a plurality of development units into alignment with a development position. A portion, for example, an applicator of each development unit is movable with respect to the rest of the unit into toning relation with an image member at the development position.

Abstract: A charger or other corona generating source in an image forming apparatus is ventilated by free convection. A corona charger includes a shield partially enclosing it. The shield includes an opening into an air channel, which air channel includes a portion which has an upward or vertical direction. Air in the vertical portion of the channel is heated, which causes the air to rise to an exit followed by air through the opening in the shield to ventilate the charger.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive drum cartridge which has an opening through which toner is applied to an electrostatic image formed on the photoconductive drum. To provide more than one color, a development device includes four toning units which are indexible into alignment with the toning opening in the cartridge. Each toning unit includes an applicator assembly at the top of the unit which is movable with respect to the rest of the unit toward the toning opening. A resilient lift mechanism engages a pair of ledges at opposite ends of the applicator assembly and is actuatable to move the applicator assembly toward the toning opening. A sensor senses arrival of each toning unit in a position aligned with the toning opening. A logic and control in response to a signal from the sensor rotates a cam member which is resiliently coupled to the pins for moving the applicator assembly.

Abstract: A development apparatus for applying toner of different colors to electrostatic images at a single development position moves translationally to align each of a series of development units with the development position. The development units are supported in a movable carriage which carriage includes a translation plate. A pinion supported by the translation plate engages a stationary rack to move said translation plate while the plate is supported by rollers resting on the floor of the apparatus. To maintain alignment of the translation plate and pinion with the rack, a pair of rollers engage one of opposite rails integral with the rack while a third roller is spring-urged toward the opposite rail urging the plate and pinion into alignment with the rack.

Abstract: A series of electrostatic images carried by a drum or similar image member are toned with different colored toners by a movable developing device. The developing device moves a series of developing units to a position aligned with the drum. An applicator is an aligned unit is moved relative to the rest of the unit toward the drum to operatively position the unit for developing each electrostatic image.