Single use photographic film package and camera
US5452033A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B2219/045
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A recyclable, single use photographic film package and camera comprising a light-tight camera mechanism having a frame forming exposure gate, a roll of unexposed film withdrawn from its cartridge and pre-wound on a film takeup spool disposed on one side of the exposure gate, the cartridge disposed on the other side of the exposure gate, and an externally operable film winding thumbwheel for winding the filmstrip through the exposure gate and back into its cartridge as the film is exposed frame by frame. When all frames are exposed, the exposed film is removed and processed, and the package is recycled by substituting a fresh film cartridge and new packaging for resale. To prevent unauthorized reuse of the camera mechanism by refilling it with other than genuine film, a component of the takeup spool is intentionally damaged upon winding the last image frame into the film cartridge. The damaged takeup spool is not usable to pre-wind the substitute filmstrip onto it and must be replaced by an authorized recycler of the film package.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.