Abstract: A holding mechanism 10 for holding an ink ribbon 20 includes a transparent shell 11 and a board 12. The transparent shell 11 of the ink ribbon 20 is provided with wind slack preventive portions 11a to 11d which prevent rotations of a feed bobbin 21 and reel bobbin 22, and wind meandering preventive portions 11e, 11f which bears down an axial end 23a of a film 23. The ink ribbon 20 can be stably held by the holding mechanism 10 during a transportation and a loading thereof. The transparent shell 11 is provided with support portions 11g, 11f which improve a stability when loading.

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 photo film cassette includes a spool lock member, which prevents a spool from rotating when a rotatable cassette shutter for a photo film passageway is in a closed position. The spool lock member includes a base portion. A first arm extends from the base portion toward the cassette shutter, and shifts in a first direction in response to rotation of the cassette shutter toward the closed position. A second arm extends from the base portion toward the spool, and blocks rotation of the spool by shifting in the first direction with the first arm. The first and second arms have respectively first and second end portions opposite to the base portion. The first and second end portions have a greater width or thickness than an interval between the first and second arms, and are prevented from accidental entry between the first and second arms of another spool lock member before being assembled.

Abstract: Provided is a film package assembly to be used within a camera such that conventional winding and rewinding components are eliminated. Provided is a film package assembly which includes a new light-tight film canister device, a roll of film and a film take-up cartridge. The film package assembly being designed so as to be loadable within a camera in non-darkroom or lighted conditions.

Abstract: A camera or apparatus adapted to use an image recording medium cartridge having a cover for allowing an image recording medium to exit from or withdraw into the image recording medium cartridge, or a device adapted in the camera or apparatus, includes inhibition means for inhibiting the cartridge from being unloaded from the camera or apparatus when the cover of the cartridge loaded in the camera or apparatus is open, and disabling means for disabling an operation of the inhibition means when the cover of the cartridge loaded in the camera or apparatus is open.

Abstract: A cassette and method of use, which cassette can receive and rotatably mount a roll of photosensitive medium web. The cassette includes a housing having a first section and a second section with respective, mating margins extending in a transverse direction between opposite ends of the cassette. The second section is movable with respect to the first section between a closed position in which the mating margins abut one another so that the housing is maintained light tight, and an open position in which the margins are spaced apart. The margins can define between them a slit through which the web of photosensitive medium can pass. The cassette further has a lock assembly with at least one lock member movable between a locked position in which it restrains the second section from moving from the closed position, and a released position in which the cassette can be opened.

Abstract: The display of the state of use of film provided on a film cartridge is prevented from becoming a wrong display during the insertion of the film cartridge into a camera or during the removal of the film cartridge from the camera. Rotation restraint releasing means 20 are provided for bearing against rotation restraining means only while a supply spool 2 is engaged by the fork member 13 of the camera, and releasing the rotation restraint of the supply spool by the rotation restraining means, and this rotation restraint is released only in a state in which the supply spool is engaged by the fork member of the camera and the supply spool is not inadvertently rotated.

Abstract: A film cartridge having a housing, a spool rotatable in film winding and unwinding directions within the housing, a film roll wound onto the spool and having a clock-springing tendency to urge the spool in the film unwinding direction, and an anti-backup pawl and cooperating ratchet teeth arranged on the housing and the spool for the pawl to engage any one of the ratchet teeth to prevent the clock-springing tendency of the film roll from urging the spool in the film unwinding direction and for the pawl to be disengaged from successive ones of the ratchet teeth when the spool is rotated in the film winding direction to wind the film roll onto the spool, is characterized in: that the housing includes a sheath that partially covers the film roll, that has a film passage opening, and that is resilient to permit the sheath to be flexed; and the pawl and the ratchet teeth are rigid and one of them is arranged on the sheath to allow the pawl and successive ones of the ratchet teeth to flex the sheath in order to dis

Abstract: A camera system has a film cartridge provided with a first shaft around which an unexposed film is wound, a second shaft for taking up an exposed film and a movable third shaft which causes a portion of the film which has been sent out from the first shaft to be folded back in a U-turn way so that the portion of the film is allowed to be taken up around the second shaft, and a camera capable of being loaded with the film cartridge and provided with a moving mechanism for moving, when the film cartridge has been loaded, the third shaft of the film cartridge so as to make an exposure.

Abstract: A photo film cassette has a spool about which photo film is wound in a roll form. A cassette shell contains the spool in a rotatable manner, and has first and second plastic shell halves joined together via a joining line. A first extended portion is disposed on the first shell half, to project from the joining line toward the second shell half. A first claw is disposed on an end of the first extended portion, to project inwards, and has a first engaging face confronted with the joining line. A securing cutout is formed in the second shell half and disposed close to the joining line, for receiving the first extended portion. A second extended portion is disposed on the second shell half, to project from an edge of the securing cutout, and is extended inwards, and covered by the first extended portion partially. A second claw is disposed on an end of the second extended portion, to project outwards, and retains the first claw to secure the first shell half to the second shell half.

Abstract: A camera is used with a photo film cassette of a predetermined type. The photo film cassette includes a spool about which photo film is wound. A cassette shell contains the spool in a rotatable manner. A data disk with a bar code is disposed on the spool in a manner readable externally outside the cassette shell for signaling photo film information. In the camera, a cassette containing chamber contains the cassette. A bottom lid closes the cassette containing chamber in an openable manner. A spool drive shaft rotates the spool of the cassette in the cassette containing chamber, the spool drive shaft being connected to the spool set at a first rotational angle when the spool drive shaft has the first rotational angle. An bar code reader reads the photo film information from the data disk rotated in the cassette containing camber.

Abstract: In a camera of the kind setting information when a film cartridge is stowed in the camera by reading a pattern from a data disk disposed on the film cartridge, an information reading action on the pattern of the data disk is allowed to begin when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the film cartridge is stowed in the camera, so that the information reading action can be prevented from being performed while the film cartridge is still vibrating due to the stowing action.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a spool rotatable to wind an exposed filmstrip including a trailing film end portion into the cassette and a light lock movable to be closed after the trailing film end portion is wound into the cassette, comprising a film winder rotatable in engagement with the spool in a film winding direction to rotate the spool in the same direction to wind the exposed filmstrip including the trailing film end portion into the cassette, and a closing actuator movable in engagement with the light lock to close the light lock, is characterized in that a drive motor is drivingly connected with the film winder to rotate the film winder in the film winding direction, and a motor switch capable of changing state to turn off the drive motor is disposed to change state to turn off the drive motor when the closing actuator is moved to close the light lock.

Abstract: A photo film cassette has photo film (12) contained in a roll form. The photo film is advanced to an outside of a cassette shell (11) when a spool core (26) is rotated in an unwinding direction. Two flexible flanges (27, 28) are secured to the spool core, and render edges of the photo film neat. Bearing holes (27a, 28a) are formed respectively in a middle of the flanges, for insertion of the spool core. The first bearing hole (27a) in the first flange (27) has a first diameter .phi.H. A first stopper ring (67) is associated with the first flange, for preventing the first flange from being moved away from the photo film. The first stopper ring has a second diameter. A receiving region lies between the first stopper ring and a second stopper ring (65), contacted on the edge of the first bearing hole in the first flange supported in the receiving region, for preventing the first flange from being moved toward the photo film. A circumference of the spool core includes at least first and second sections (.theta.

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 photo film cassette has a cassette shell including first and second shell halves. A spool is rotatable between the shell halves. A trailer of the photo film is retained to the spool. The photo film is wound thereabout in a roll form. A photo film passageway is formed between the shell halves, for passage of the photo film. A shutter is disposed in the photo film passageway in rotatable fashion between open and closed positions to open/close the photo film passageway. A spool lock lever, when the shutter has the closed position, stops the spool from rotating. An indicator plate is secured to one axial end of the spool, for indicating information externally through indicator windows. A partition, disposed inside the cassette shell, defines a photo film chamber and an indicator chamber into which the cassette shell is split. The indicator chamber contains the spool lock lever and the indicator plate in rotatable fashion.

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: Apparatus (90) is disclosed for opening a camera of a type including a front cover part (12) and a back cover part (14), each of the front cover part and the back cover part having a top wall (34, 42) and a bottom wall (36, 44) and first and second opposite end walls (38, 40; 46, 48); and a plurality of cooperating fastener pairs extending between the cover parts. There may be a first cooperating fastener pair (54, 60) extending between the top walls; a second cooperating fastener pair (56, 62) extending between the bottom walls; a third cooperating fastener pair (72, 74, 75) extending between the first end walls; and a fourth cooperating fastener pair (72, 74, 76) extending between the second end walls.

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 photographic film cassette has photographic film wound on a spool and rotatably contained in a cassette shell. A leader of the photographic film is caused by rotation of the spool to advance outward from a passage mouth thereof. Two positioning holes are formed in an end face of the cassette shell on an advancing side as inserted into a cassette receiving chamber of a camera, and are fittable on projections of a camera when the cassette shell is loaded therein. Three projections are formed on the end face, and come into contact with an upper inside face of the chamber of the camera when the cassette is loaded in the camera, in order to position the cassette shell vertically. A locking device, which locks the film spool, is unlocked when the film cassette is loaded in the camera.

Abstract: A camera is of a type using the 120 size of roll film or the 220 size of roll film, which is so arranged that the height of a pressure plate on a back lid is changed over depending upon a type of a used film. A reflection-type photosensor is provided in the camera body, whereby a state of a lock mechanism of the back lid is detected. A second reflective plate is mounted on the pressure plate, and the second reflective plate reflects light from the photosensor when the back lid is in a lock state. A reflecting position where the light from the photosensor impinges is changed between reflective portions depending upon the height of the pressure plate. Since reflectivities of these reflective portions are different from each other, the height of the pressure plate, that is, the type of the used film can be determined by analyzing an output from the photosensor receiving the reflected light from the second reflective plate.

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 camera of this invention is provided with: a housing cover for covering an opening of a patrone housing chamber, a lever movable between a position to lock the housing cover and a position to unlock the housing cover, a movable roller for deciding whether a film is drawn out of a patrone loaded in the patrone housing chamber, a lock lever for allowing the lever to move to the position to unlock the housing cover when it is decided that the film is not drawn out and preventing the lever from moving to the position to unlock said housing cover when it is decided that the film is drawn out, a mount plate for moving to a position to drive a spool shaft of the patrone in correlation to the loading of the patrone and for holding a position between the spool shaft drive position and the opening of the patrone housing chamber when the patrone is not loaded, and an eject lever having a notch for engaging the mount plate in the spool shaft drive position and a bent portion for disengaging the mount plate from the not