Abstract: A photographic film packaging unit (1) which is provided with a lens (2) and which comprises at least one device for making an exposure, and which comprises a light-tight film housing on which the taking lens (2) is mounted, a film cartridge (10) which is enclosed in the light-tight film housing and which contains an empty spool (13), and a rolled up film (12), one end of which is attached to the spool core of the empty spool (13), wherein the film packaging unit (1) contains a motive spring (14) which is tensioned before being put into operation and which acts on the empty film cartridge (10) so that after each exposure the motive spring is released to such an extent that the film (12) is wound into the film cartridge by one frame and the shutter is made ready for release again, is distinguished by its particular convenience of operation.

Abstract: A camera comprising a film winder rotatable to wind successive exposed imaging areas of a filmstrip onto an exposed film roll, is characterized in that a minor spring source of motion is connected to the film winder to rotate the film winder to wind one exposed imaging area of the filmstrip onto the exposed film roll and can be re-energized to again rotate the film winder to wind another exposed imaging area of the filmstrip onto the exposed film roll, and a major spring source of motion is connected with the minor spring source of motion to re-energize the minor spring source of motion after each exposed imaging area of the filmstrip is wound onto the exposed film roll. Preferably, the major spring source of motion has the capacity to be energized once to re-energize the minor spring source of motion a total number of times at least equal to the total number of successive imaging areas of the filmstrip that are to be exposed.

Abstract: In a camera, there is a requirement for ensuring the timing of opening and closing a film cartridge light cutoff door when a cartridge chamber lid is opened and closed, and moreover for lightening the operational force for opening and closing the cartridge chamber lid. In view of these requirements, the camera according to the present invention includes a cartridge chamber into which a film cartridge which comprises a light cutoff door is loaded, a cartridge chamber lid which is selectively opened and closed so as respectively to communicate the cartridge chamber to the exterior or to isolate the cartridge chamber from external light, and a door opening and closing mechanism which exerts opening driving force upon the light cutoff door so as to open it, after the cartridge chamber has been isolated from external light by closing operation of the cartridge chamber lid.

Abstract: A simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system such as for use in a camera. In a preferred embodiment the system is mounted in a housing and includes a trigger with a trigger button for pressing by the operator and a trigger point for advancing the film in a film track, a shutter which is simultaneously advanced by the trigger with the film and along a shutter track, a ramp coupled to the housing which engages the trigger point and causes the film and shutter to release, a spring which is coupled to the housing and the shutter and causes the shutter to return to its original position, and a light baffle to reduce the amount of light exposed to the film when the shutter initially returns to its at rest position.

Abstract: A film winding system for a disposable camera. The system includes a spring coupled to rotate a film spool through a spool gear, a sprocket engaged with holes in the film, a cam on a common axis with the sprocket, and a mechanism for engaging the spool drive gears to stop the rotation of the spool after the film has advanced one frame.