Abstract: A multi-lamp flash carrier comprises a plurality of flash lamps and a lamp support for arranging the individual lamps in a spatial succession. The lamp support includes respective lamp holders for the individual lamps, which have integral resilient couplers for connecting the lamp holders to one another and for permitting separation of the lamp holders from one another to selectively change the number of lamp holders for the lamp support and, thus, similarly change the number of flash lamps for the multi-lamp flash carrier. A camera to be used with the multi-lamp flash carrier has a drive for moving the multi-lamp flash carrier to advance the flash lamps successively to a use position for illuminating a subject being photographed. The drive is adjustable to accommodate changing the number of flash lamps for the multi-lamp flash carrier.

Abstract: A compact camera comprising a camera body, a multi-lamp flash unit supported for movement relative to the camera body to advance respective flash lamps successively to a flash illumination position for illuminating a subject being photographed, and a drive assembly actuated to move the flash unit to advance the flash lamps to the flash illumination position in coordination with film movement to advance respective unexposed film sections successively to an exposure position in the camera body, is characterized in that the flash unit is supported for movement to a folded position collapsed to the camera body for compactness, and separated from the drive assembly to prevent actuation of the drive assembly from moving the flash unit, and to an unfolded position extended from the camera body to be used, and engaged with the drive assembly to permit actuation of the drive assembly to move the flash unit.

Abstract: A compact camera comprising a camera body, a multi-lamp flash unit supported for movement relative to the camera body to advance respective flash lamps successively to a flash illumination position for illuminating a subject being photographed, and a drive assembly actuated in engagement with the flash unit to move the flash unit to advance the flash lamps to the flash illumination position in coordination with film movement to advance respective unexposed film sections successively to an exposure position in the camera body, is characterized in that the flash unit is supported for movement to a folded position collapsed to the camera body for compactness and to an unfolded position extended from the camera body to be used, and the drive assembly remains in engagement with the flash unit during movement of the flash unit between its folded and extended positions.

Abstract: A compact camera such as a one-time-use camera comprises a camera body and a throw-away carrier-with-battery unit. The throw-away carrier-with-battery unit is connected to the camera body to be supported for movement between one position, substantially against the camera body, and another position, extended from the camera body, and is disconnectable from the camera body to permit the throw-away carrier-with-battery unit to be replaced with a fresh one. Since, in the case of a one-time-use camera, the carrier-with-battery unit must be replaced with a fresh one for the camera electronics to be suitably powered, unauthorized recycling of the one-time-use camera is made difficult.Preferably, the camera body has a lens opening which contains a taking lens, and the throw-away carrier-with-battery unit is configured to cover the lens opening when the carrier-with-battery unit is moved to its one position and to uncover the lens opening when the carrier-with-battery unit is moved to its other position.

Abstract: A camera comprising a main body part having a film chamber, and a multi-lamp flash wheel supported for rotation to move successive flash lamps from a storage to a use position for illuminating a subject to be photographed. The multi-lamp flash wheel is rotatable about the film chamber to make the camera relatively compact.

Abstract: A unibody viewfinder for use in a single use camera includes a pair of optically aligned lenses integrally connected to a support structure which may, for instance, be at least a portion of the top surface of such a camera. A mold and method for making the viewfinder in a single molding process includes means for retracting the lens-forming elements to allow release of the viewfinder despite the presence of undercuts in the finished product. A process for recycling a single use camera having such a unibody viewfinder also is disclosed.

Abstract: A unibody viewfinder for use in a single use camera includes a pair of optically aligned lenses integrally connected to a support structure which may, for instance, be the top surface of such a camera. A mold and method for making the viewfinder in a single molding process includes means for retracting the lens-forming elements to allow release of the viewfinder despite the presence of undercuts in the finished product.

Abstract: An optical system including first and second lens groups disposed for relative movement along an optical axis and coupled together by a cam and follower mechanism for controlling such relative movement to change the focal length of the optical system. The system is characterized by a mechanism for offsetting relative movement between the lens groups along the optical axis caused by lateral movement of the lens groups essentially normal to the axis, thereby to maintain the focal length constant in the presence of the lateral movement.

Abstract: A single-use camera comprises an exterior decorative cardboard casing having an open end and a cut-out, and a plastic light-tight camera housing having an end portion with a film cartridge receiving chamber located outside the exterior casing adjacent the open end and a remaining portion including a taking lens located inside the exterior casing with the taking lens at the cut-out. According to the invention, the end portion and the remaining portion of the camera housing include respective cooperating means for removably connecting the end portion to the remaining portion to permit the end portion to be disconnected from the remaining portion to uncover the cartridge receiving chamber without being obstructed by the exterior casing, whereby a film cartridge may be removed from the cartridge receiving chamber without first taking the exterior casing off the camera housing.

Abstract: A camera viewfinder has a viewfinder lens comprising a plastic lens element with a molded integral aiming circle whose molded optical finish is different than the molded optical finish of the remainder of the lens surface to make the aiming circle visible.

Abstract: A single-use camera comprises an exterior decorative cardboard casing having an open end, and a plastic light-tight camera housing arranged partly inside the exterior casing and having an end portion with a film cartridge receiving chamber located outside the exterior casing. According to the invention, the end portion of the camera housing includes chamber covering means supported for opening movement to undercover the cartridge receiving chamber without being obstructed by the exterior casing, whereby a film cartridge may be removed from the cartridge receiving chamber without first tearing the exterior casing off the camera housing.

Abstract: In a disposable single-use camera comprising an inner camera shell pre-loaded with film and an outer paper pack which substantially encloses the camera shell, a lens shade connected to the shell overlies the paper pack at the perimeter of an opening in the pack for the taking lens. Thus, the paper pack is secured flatly in place between the camera shell and the lens shade to prevent the pack from shifting into the field of view of the taking lens or bowing away from the shell.