Abstract: A rear end portion of a leading TAC film and a front end portion of a following TAC film are connected using a double-sided adhesive tape and a single-sided adhesive tape. A laser welding device emits a welding laser beam along a welding line onto the films. Owing to the welding laser beam, the leading and following TAC films are welded along the welding line. The laser welding device emits a cutout laser beam along a cutout line onto the films. Owing to the cutout laser beam, a part of the leading and following TAC films surrounded by the cutout line is cut out. The cut out part has the single-sided adhesive tape attached. Since the tape cannot be recycled, the cut out part is absorbed by an absorbing device and disposed.

Abstract: While a plastic optical fiber (POF) strand is guided by guide pulleys toward a winding machine, an internal defect in the POF strand is detected by a defect detection apparatus. The defect detection apparatus includes at least one light illumination device, at least one imaging device and at least one defect detection unit. The light illumination device illuminates the POF strand, and the imaging device takes an image of the POF strand and outputs signal to the detection unit.

Abstract: While a plastic optical fiber (POF) strand (11) is guided by guide pulleys (21-28) toward a winding machine (17), an internal defect in the POF strand (11) is detected by a defect detection apparatus (20). The defect detection apparatus (20) comprises three light illumination devices (31-33), line sensor cameras (35-37) and processing units (41-43). The light illumination devices (31-33) illuminate the POF strand (11), and the line sensor cameras (35-37) take an image of the POF strand (11) and send the image data to the processing units (41-43). The processing units (41-43) set a detection range, and specify the defect pixels in the obtained image based on the intensity of the image. Then, a blob process is carried out to combine the adjacent defect pixels, and determine the existence of the internal defect and specify the defect type based on the size of the combined defect area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disassembling a used lens-fitted photo film unit whose unit body consists of a body base portion, front and rear cover sections removably engaged with the body base portion and with each other, and a label placed around the unit body. Access holes provided through the front and rear cover sections permit accessing internal engaging portions between the cover sections and the body base portion. The label is cut along joints between the front and rear cover sections by laser markers. Holes are pierced through the label to access holes of the unit body. Thereafter, disengaging tools are sequentially inserted into the access holes through the holes of the label, to disengage the internal engaging portions. Then, the front and rear cover sections are sequentially separated from the body base portion without removing the label from the front and rear cover sections.

Abstract: A taking lens of a used lens-fitted photo film unit is cleaned according to sequential steps for recycling. A cleaning head is caused to press a loosened cleaning tape against the taking lens. While the cleaning tape is pressed against the taking lens, the cleaning head is moved, to wipe the taking lens with the cleaning tape. Furthermore, before wiping with the cleaning tape, the taking lens may be brushed by rotating the cleaning head back and forth. In a preferred embodiment, a recycling apparatus includes a disassembly line which disassembles the lens-fitted photo film unit after removal of a cassette shell with photo film being exposed. A main body is obtained with at least a cassette shutter closing mechanism for a cassette shutter and a frame counter mechanism. Furthermore, an inspection line inspects operation of the mechanical parts and a cleaning line cleans at least a viewfinder lens.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit containing photo film having a pair of perforations per frame along through a limited length of frame recording portion available for photographing frames. The photo film is previously drawn from a cassette shell, its trailing end secured to a spool of the cassette shell, so as to be wound into the cassette shell one frame after each exposure. According to the invention, the photo film is drawn from the cassette shell as far as a frame of the frame recording portion that is the nearest to the trailing end, and is set in a position one frame or more farther than an exposure position of the film unit, when loading the photo film in the film unit. A slot is formed through the film unit, for permitting insertion of a tool to set a shutter device to its charged position, without the need for winding the photo film. Alternatively, the shutter device is designed to be charged by use of rotation of a film winding wheel, independently of the perforations.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has a housing (2), in which a photo film roll chamber and a cassette containing chamber (8, 70) are formed. A cassette incorporates a port shutter (14) rotatable between a closed position of closing a photo film passage port and an open position of opening the passage port. The photo film is wound into the cassette as much as one frame each time one frame is exposed. The cassette is removed from the cassette containing chamber after winding the photo film entirely into the cassette. Through an exit opening, the cassette containing chamber is open externally. An openable bottom lid (7, 66, 75, 80) closes the exit opening, is opened for the removal of the cassette. A rotating mechanism (30, 76, 87, 93; 34, 78, 88, 90; 35, 50, 60, 72, 85) is engaged with the port shutter through a top wall (8a, 70a) of the cassette containing chamber, rotates the port shutter from the open position to the closed position in response to operation opening the bottom lid.