Abstract: A closure of a container and more particularly a removable light-tight door. The door includes a plane surface and sides having two partitions and each orientated at 90.degree. with respect to the plane surface. The outer partition of the edge is obtained by folding the wall and the inner partition consists of an attached folded panel with four elements, spot welded. The sides of the door form a U which comes to cooperate with the U formed by the sides of the container. Guide elements are provided in at least two corners of the door.

Abstract: A camera comprising a film winder rotatable in a film winding direction for winding an exposed filmstrip into a film cassette, and a closing mechanism movable to a final position to close a light lock of the film cassette and able to be reset to a starting position to be used again, is characterized in that the film winder is rotatable in a reverse direction which is opposite to the film winding direction, and a resetting device coupled with the film winder resets the closing mechanism from its final position to its starting position when the film winder is rotated in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A film magazine comprising a housing having a film egress slot and a film ingress slot, a film supply spool rotatably supported within the housing proximate the film egress slot, and a film take-up spool rotatably supported within the housing proximate the film ingress slot, is characterized in that the housing has a pair of opposite ends that are spaced apart a maximum dimension of the housing, and the film egress and film ingress slots are positioned at the respective ends of the housing in order that a filmstrip connected through the film egress and film ingress slots to the film supply and film take-up spools must longitudinally extend between the film supply and film take-up spools a minimum length that is greater than the maximum dimension of the housing.

Abstract: A camera, which is loaded with a film cartridge having a light lock door for closing and opening a film egress/ingress slot and an indicator attached to a cartridge spool for providing a visible indication that a filmstrip in the cartridge is exposed at a specific angular position of rotation of the cartridge spool, is provided, at the bottom of a cartridge chamber of the camera, with a bottom lid for opening and closing the cartridge chamber and a lock/unlock key movable between lid lock position and a lid unlock position. The movement of the lock/unlock key toward the lid unlock position is accompanied by rotation of the cartridge spool into the specific angular position and movement of the light lock door to the film egress/ingress slot closed.

Abstract: A container for a strip (12) of light-sensitive material includes an elongated opening for withdrawing the material from the container. Strips (22) of light-locking material are provided on both sides of the opening, the strips being made from a napped and sheared woven fabric (12, 14). The fabric is dyed, dried, napped, sheared and heat set prior to preparation of the strips. A method of producing such a light-locking material is taught which includes steps of passing the woven fabric multiple times through napping and shearing operations to increase the pile density.

Abstract: A camera includes a chamber for receiving a film cartridge having a light-lock movable between open and closed positions, a chamber cover movable between a closed position covering the chamber and an open position uncovering the chamber, and manually operable means for releasing the chamber cover to move from its closed position to its open position. An ejector is provided for ejecting the film cartridge at least part way out of the chamber. An actuating member is sized and positioned such that it can be moved by the releasing means to both actuate the ejector to eject the cartridge from the chamber, and move the light-lock from its open to closed position.

Abstract: A camera or an apparatus adapted to use a film cartridge or a device which is applicable to such camera or apparatus includes a cover for a loading chamber into which to load the film cartridge, and a driving part for driving the cover, the driving part having a member for supplying a driving power to the cover by rotating about an axis substantially parallel with an image forming optical axis, and/or a driving part for at least one of loading and removal of the film cartridge, the driving part including a member for supplying a driving power by rotating about an axis substantially parallel with the image forming optical axis.

Abstract: A camera or apparatus adapted to use an image recording medium cartridge having a cover for allowing an image recording medium to come out from or enter into the image recording medium cartridge. The camera or apparatus includes a cartridge loading device for loading the cartridge and for moving the cartridge to an accommodating position where the cartridge is accommodated in the camera or apparatus or a taking-out position where the cartridge is taken out of the camera or apparatus; a cover opening device for opening the cover of the cartridge; and a linkage device for preventing the cover opening device from opening the cover of the cartridge when the cartridge loading device is in the taking-out position.

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 camera or an apparatus adapted to use an image recording medium cartridge having an image-recording-medium entrance-exit cover, or a unit which is applicable to such camera or apparatus, includes a first circuit for performing an operation for at least one of loading and unloading of the image recording medium cartridge into and from the camera or the apparatus, and a second circuit for inhibiting an operation different from the operation for at least one of loading and unloading the image recording medium cartridge into and from the camera or the apparatus from being performed simultaneously with the operation of the first circuit, the second circuit being adapted to use an energy source provided for driving the first circuit.

Abstract: A cartridge holder being movable between a cartridge accommodating position where it is concealed within a camera body and a projecting position where it is exposed outside the camera body has a lower supporting member at its bottom for driving a film spool in a film cartridge inserted through an opening into the cartridge holder by engaging a lower end of the film spool, and an upper supporting member for engaging an upper end of the film spool. The upper supporting member is moved between its retracted position where it is retracted from the opening of the cartridge holder and its engaged position where it engages the film spool, its movement interconnecting with the movement of the cartridge holder between its cartridge accommodating and projecting positions.

Abstract: An apparatus to which an openable and closable film cartridge is applied, the film cartridge having an engaging part for opening and closing thereof, comprises a first device for causing at least one of opening and closing operations of the cartridge to be performed by engagement with the engaging part and a second device for enabling the first device to advance and retract along an axis of the engaging part.

Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus for opening and closing a light blocking door provided at a film feed slot of a film cartridge comprises a drive device that drives the light blocking door to open and close, a single switch that outputs a signal with a specific pattern with a light blocking door opening and closing operation of the drive device and a control device that controls the drive device based upon the output signal from the switch. The switch, for instance, includes a switch pattern that is integrated with a rotating member constituting the drive device and a brush that slides on the switch pattern as the rotating member rotates.

Abstract: A camera utilizing an image recording medium cartridge provided with a cover for extracting and introducing an image recording medium comprises operation means for operating the cover of the cartridge loaded in the camera; response means for moving the cover of the cartridge in response to the operation of the operation means; and release means for maintaining the operation means in an operable state but causing the response means not to respond to the operation of the operation means in at least either of a situation where the cover of the cartridge is open and a situation where the image recording medium is extracted from the cartridge, or the camera comprises determination means for determinating, after the power supply is turned on, at least either of state of the cover of the cartridge loaded in the camera prior to the turning-on of the power supply and state of the image recording medium, or the camera comprises determination means for directly determinating state of the cover itself of the cartridge lo

Abstract: A camera has a cartridge mounting chamber which receives a film cartridge with a cartridge spool, a film exit, and a light-intercepting door. The camera includes a spindle for holding the cartridge spool, a drive mechanism for rotating the spindle in a first direction to feed the film during the photographing operation and in a second direction to wind up the film after completing the photographing operation. The drive mechanism includes a sun gear, a first planetary gear and a second planetary gear engaging the sun gear, and a planetary carrier holding the first and second planetary gears and disposed coaxially with the sun gear. The sun gear is rotatable in two directions for turning the planetary carrier between a first position, in which the first planetary gear drives the spindle in the first direction, and a second position in which the second planetary gear drives the spindle in the second direction.

Abstract: A camera includes a chamber for receiving a film cartridge having a light-lock movable between open and closed positions, a chamber cover movable between a closed position covering the chamber and an open position uncovering the chamber, and manually operable means for releasing the chamber cover to move from its closed position to its open position. An ejector is provided for ejecting the film cartridge at least part way out of the chamber An actuating member is sized and positioned such that it can be moved by the releasing means to both actuate the ejector to eject the cartridge from the chamber, and move the light-lock from its open to closed position.

Abstract: A photographic camera has a cartridge chamber in which is loaded a film cartridge having a roll film entirely rolled to its leading end around a spool in a cartridge body and a light-shielding shutter member for opening and shutting a film exit slit formed in the cartridge body, an entrance opening to the cartridge chamber, and a chamber lid which is mounted on the camera to be moved between an opening position where it opens the entrance opening and a closed position where it closes the entrance opening. A shutter lock member moves to a shutter locking position, where it prevents release of the shutter of the camera, in response to operation of a rewind button. A holding member holds the shutter lock member in the shutter locking position, and a release member causes the holding member to release the shutter lock member after closure of the light-shielding shutter member of the film cartridge in response to opening of the chamber lid.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a movable light lock supported to be moved closed after a filmstrip is wound into the cassette, comprises an actuator for closing the light lock. An ingress opening is provided for an insertion tool.

Abstract: A camera uses a film cartridge having a casing with a spool therein, and a slot formed in the casing. A film is drawn from, and returned into, the casing through the slot. A light-intercepting door is provided along the slot for opening and closing the slot, and a pivotal shaft rotatably mounts the light-intercepting door on the casing. The camera includes first and second motors. The first motor rotates the pivotal shaft to open and close the door, rotates the spool in one direction to advance the film wound on the spool from the film cartridge, and rotates the spool in another direction to rewind the film into the film cartridge. The second motor rotates a film take-up spool provided in the camera to wind the film around the film take-up spool.

Abstract: A locking mechanism and method are provided for use in any photographic system which uses film cartridges. One embodiment includes a drive lever and an actuator which prevent movement of a slider door release, thus preventing unlocking of a film door when a film spool is improperly parked within a cartridge. Proper parking is determined by the position of a drive spindle, which operatively engages the film spool. In another embodiment, an actuator contacts a drive spindle and selectively engages a light lock driver. When the light lock driver is not engaged, the slider door release is moveable to unlock the film door. When the light lock driver is engaged, the slider door release is not moveable to unlock the film door. A user controlled mechanism may be included to properly park a film spool in the event that the photographic system improperly parks the film spool. An electro-mechanical switch may be included for properly parking the film spool.

Abstract: An apparatus that can be loaded with a film cartridge provided with a light-blocking door for opening and closing a film intake/outlet slot, comprises an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the light-blocking door, a cartridge chamber where the film cartridge is housed, a cartridge chamber lid that opens and closes a cartridge insertion access of the cartridge chamber, an operating device that is capable of moving between a non-allowing position at which opening of the cartridge chamber lid is prevented and an allowing position at which opening of the cartridge chamber lid is allowed, and a locking mechanism that becomes displaced to a state in which the operating device is prevented from moving to the allowing position and to a state in which the operating device is free to move to the allowing position, with an operation of the opening/closing mechanism.

Abstract: A camera includes a chamber for receiving a cartridge having a light lock movable between an open position allowing a filmstrip to exit the cartridge and a closed position sealing the cartridge in a light-tight manner. The camera also includes means for moving the light lock between its open and closed positions. The invention is characterized by means actuateable by movement of the filmstrip from the cartridge, for preventing the moving means from moving the light lock from the open position to the closed position when the filmstrip protrudes out of the cartridge.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a cassette containing chamber and a photo film roll chamber. The cassette containing chamber contains a cassette. The photo film roll chamber contains a roll of unexposed photo film drawn out of the cassette. The cassette incorporates a photo film port shutter rotatable between a closed position to block a photo film passage port and an open position to open the photo film passage port. The photo film is wound into the cassette by one frame after an exposure is taken thereon. A rotating member is connected to the port shutter and rotatable between a first position associated with the open position of the port shutter, and a second position associated with the closed position of the port shutter. The rotating member is disconnected from the port shutter at a time of moving the cassette in the cassette containing chamber for unloading the cassette from the cassette containing chamber.

Abstract: A photographic camera has a cartridge chamber in which is loaded a film cartridge having a roll film entirely rolled to its leading end around a spool in a cartridge body and a light-shielding shutter member for opening and shutting a film exit slit formed in the cartridge body, an entrance opening to the cartridge chamber, and a chamber lid which is mounted on the camera to be moved between an opening position where it opens the entrance opening and a closed position where it closes the entrance opening. A shutter lock member moves to a shutter locking position, where it prevents release of the shutter of the camera, in response to operation of a rewind button. A holding member holds the shutter lock member in the shutter locking position, and a release member causes the holding member to release the shutter lock member after closure of the light-shielding shutter member of the film cartridge in response to opening of the chamber lid.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette has a cassette shell which is constituted of a pair of resin molded shell halves joined together to enclose a roll of photographic filmstrip therein. A film passage slot is formed along an axial joint between the shell halves for allowing the photographic filmstrip to advance to the outside of the cassette shell. Two fasteners are disposed on opposite sides of the film passage port for fastening the axial joint. Each fastener is constituted of a hook and a retaining portion which are formed integrally with one and the other shell halves, respectively. The hook is resiliently engaged with the retaining portion, and secured to the retaining portion by ultrasonic welding. In the welded position, the hook presses the retaining portion in a direction to secure the shell halves to each other.

Abstract: A bi-directional driver device for opening and closing a light shield of a film cassette is alternately biased open and closed via an overcenter spring, to open and close the light shield. The final opening torque the spring exerts against the driver device when the light shield is completely opened is substantially less than the final closing torque the spring exerts against the driver device when the light shield is completely closed. Thus, the final opening torque will not cause any deformation of the light shield that might allow light leakage into the cassette interior when the light shield is closed.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a light lock movable to be closed after an exposed filmstrip is wound into the cassette, comprises a chamber for the cassette from which the cassette can be removed, and a driver movable to close the light lock before the cassette is removed from the chamber. An ingress opening to the chamber is provided to admit an insertion tool into the chamber to push the cassette out of the chamber. A cover is movable relative to the ingress opening to uncover the ingress opening after the driver is moved to close the light lock, to permit the insertion tool to be moved through the ingress opening to push the cassette out of the chamber when the light lock is closed.

Abstract: A photographic camera has a magazine chamber which is opened and closed by a light-shielding lid. A film magazine which has a magazine body provided with a film exit slit and a light-shielding door for opening and closing the film exit slit is loaded in the magazine chamber. A light-shielding door opening and closing mechanism opens and closes the light-shielding door of the film magazine loaded in the magazine chamber. An electric motor is disposed in the camera and provides the light-shielding door opening and closing mechanism with driving force for opening and closing the light-shielding door. A controller causes the light-shielding door opening and closing mechanism to open and close the light-shielding door under the driving force provided by the electric motor when the light-shielding lid is closed.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette comprises a locking member pivotally movable into engagement with a spool to inhibit rotation of the spool. The locking member is moved by a light-shielding door member through a cam. A cam follower surface of the locking member is brought into contact with the cam in the closed position of the light-shielding door member, such that force biasing the light-shielding door member toward the closed position is applied from the locking member to the light-shielding door member in the closed position. The locking member is provided with a hook for engagement with a recessed portion formed in an inner wall of a cassette shell. The hook is engaged with the recessed portion when the locking member is placed in an initial assembled position. Thereafter, the locking member is rotated about the hook from the initial assembled position into a final assembled position where a smaller clearance is provided between the hook and the recessed portion compared with the initial assemble position.

Abstract: A camera, a unit or a unit adapted to the same arranged to be adapted to use an image recording medium cartridge having a cover for introducing/ejecting an image recording medium, the camera having a first unit for performing an operation of loading the cartridge into the camera or the unit and/or an operation of ejecting the cartridge from the camera or the unit, and a second unit for changing the operation of the first unit in accordance with a degree of a state where the cartridge can be used.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette has a rotatable spool on which photographic film is wound. A leader of the photographic film is advanced outward through a passage port by rotation of the spool in an unwinding direction. A shutter rod is arranged in the passage port, and is rotated between closed and open positions. When assuming the closed position, the shutter rod blocks the passage port to shield the ambient light. When the shutter rod assumes the open position, the photographic film is allowed to pass. An externally operable locking lever regulates rotation of the shutter rod, and is swingable with resilience between a locking position, where the shutter rod is locked in the closed position, and an unlocking position, where the shutter rod is unlocked. When the spool is rotated, the lever rotates the shutter rod to the open position.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a light lock to be closed when a filmstrip is wound completely into the cassette and to be open when the filmstrip is outside the cassette, is characterized in that a closing part biased to close the light lock is supported for movement to be positioned against the filmstrip to be restrained by the filmstrip from closing the light lock when the filmstrip is outside the cassette and to be positioned across a particular space formerly occupied by the filmstrip to close the light lock when the filmstrip is wound completely into the cassette.

Abstract: A mechanism, provided in a camera with a cartridge compartment to which a film cartridge having a light-intercepting door is loaded, which opens the light-intercepting door only if a cover of the cartridge compartment is closed. The mechanism has a film detecting lever which detects if a film is fed out of the film cartridge or not; and a switching lever, for opening and closing the cover in association with an opening and closing movement of the light-intercepting door of the film cartridge, whose operation is controlled by a position of the film detecting lever. That is, if the film detecting lever detects that the film is fed out of the film cartridge, the film detecting lever prevents the switching lever from being unlocked from the compartment cover, while if the film detecting lever detects that the film is not fed out of the film cartridge, the film detecting lever allows the switching lever to be unlocked from the compartment cover.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprising a film cassette having a light lock pivoted open to permit film movement into the cassette interior and pivoted closed to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and a locking pawl movable into engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed to secure the light lock closed and movable out of engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed to permit the light lock to be pivoted open, is characterized in that a driver is moveable in engagement with the light lock to pivot the light lock closed to allow the locking pawl to move into engagement with the light lock and has a void which prevents the driver from moving the locking pawl out of engagement with the light lock, whereby the driver can be pushed against the film cassette to push the film cassette out of the camera without any possibility of the driver being moved in engagement with the light lock to pivot the light lock open.

Abstract: A lock device of a camera using a film cartridge having a light-shielding door shiftable between a light-shielding condition for shielding light to a photographic film in the film cartridge and a non-light-shielding condition for enabling the photographic film to be withdrawn from the film cartridge, the lock device comprises a cartridge chamber having an opening portion through which the film cartridge is loaded in the cartridge chamber, a cartridge chamber door being disposed in a shielding position for shielding the opening portion of the cartridge chamber when the light-shielding door of the film cartridge is at least in the non-light-shielding condition, a holding member shiftable between a prohibited position for prohibiting movement of the cartridge chamber door from the shielding position and an allowed position for allowing movement of the cartridge chamber door from the shielding position, and a limiting member for limiting movement of the holding member from the prohibited position to the allowed p

Abstract: In a photographic camera, a film cartridge having a roll film rolled around a spool in a cartridge body and a shutter member for opening and shutting a film exit slit is loaded in a cartridge chamber. A chamber lid is mounted on the camera to be swung between an opening position where it opens the entrance opening to the cartridge chamber and a closed position where it shuts the same. A spool pressing member provided on the inner side of the chamber lid pushes an end of the spool of the film cartridge at a predetermined pressure when the chamber lid is closed. An arm member is mounted on the inner side of the chamber lid at one end to be swung about the end away from and toward the chamber lid and urged away from the chamber lid by a spring at a pressure larger than the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a movable light lock supported within a film egress/ingress slot to be moved closed after a filmstrip is wound into the cassette, comprises a cassette-receiving chamber, and a movable driver to be moved to close the light lock before the cassette is removed from the chamber. An exterior ingress opening to the chamber is provided to admit an insertion tool into the chamber to push the cassette out of the chamber. The driver has a weakened portion and is located for the tool to push the driver to force the cassette out of the chamber. Fixed means is located to break the weakened portion during movement of the driver, whereby the camera will be disabled.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a light-shielding door for preventing ambient light from entering the cassette interior, a film spool supported for rotation in film unwinding and film winding directions, and a locking device supported for movement into engagement with the spool to secure the spool and out of engagement with the spool to release the spool. According to the invention, the door is supported for closing movement to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and for opening movement, and includes cam means for moving the locking device into engagement with the spool responsive to closing movement of the door. Also, the locking device is resilient to permit it to be temporarily deformed should it be obstructed from being moved by the cam means to engage the spool and the light-shielding means is forcibly closed, or should it be engaging the spool and the spool is forcibly rotated in the film unwinding and winding directions.

Abstract: A film cartridge holder is provided including an elongated, generally cylindrical body defining a partial cylindrical cavity opening laterally outwardly at one side of the body. The side of the body opposite the one side thereof includes a laterally tangentially outwardly projecting hollow projection terminating outwardly in a slot-type outlet slit and defining a recess opening inwardly into the cavity. At least substantially all of the internal surfaces of the holder include a coating of velvet-like material for light sealed engagement with the opposing outer surfaces of a generally cylindrical film cartridge seated in the cavity.