US3628753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film cartridge
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
•
Filing: 1969-04-21
•
Granted: 1971-12-21
•
Expires: 1989-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A cartridge for a strip of flexible material, preferably film, adapted for use with a projector having automatic feed-out means, basically comprising a reel receptacle and a cover. The receptacle has a flat back portion and a circular reel spacer ridge on the back portion. An arcuate guide member is spaced from the back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel in the receptacle along an upper portion of the reel. The cover fits over the receptacle to substantially enclose a reel, and has an internal reel spacer ridge and a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in the receptacle. The receptacle and cover are constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on the bottom end of the assembled cartridge to permit a strip of flexible material to be drawn from the reel out of the cartridge. The invention also provides a method and means for estimating the number of feet of film on a reel. In carrying out the method, a beam of light is projected between the flanges of the reel in a manner so that the beam is at least partially masked by the film on the reel. The light beam is collected as a collection surface, and the amount of film on the reel is estimated by reading a scale on the collection surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon E Bradt
- 👤 Richard Frystak
- 👤 Nicholas Mischenko
- 👤 Edward R Prelletz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:24
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/32; G03B21/321; G03B21/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A cartridge for a strip of flexible material on a reel, said cartridge being adapted for use in automatic feed-out means, comprising: a reel receptacle having a substantially planar back portion, a reel spacer ridge on said back portion, and an arcuate guide member spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along a portion of the circumference of said reel; and a cover adapted to fit over said reel receptacle to substantially enclose a reel in said receptacle, said cover having an internal reel spacer ridge and a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said reel receptacle, said reel receptacle and said cover being so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on the bottom end of the assembled cartridge to permit a strip of flexible material to be drawn from said reel out of said cartridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A cartridge for a strip of flexible material on a reel, said cartridge being adapted for use in automatic feed-out means, comprising: a reel receptacle having a substantially planar back portion, a reel spacer ridge on said back portion, and an arcuate guide member spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along a portion of the circumference of said reel; and a cover adapted to fit over said reel receptacle to substantially enclose a reel in said receptacle, said cover having an internal reel spacer ridge and a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said reel receptacle, said reel receptacle and said cover being so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on the bottom end of the assembled cartridge to permit a strip of flexible material to be drawn from said reel out of said cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 1 wherein said reel receptacle and cover are constructed to form another opening in said cartridge to permit friction drive means to contact the rim of said reel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 2 further including a horizontal rib and a pair of mounting tabs projecting rearwardly from the exterior of said reel receptacle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 3 wherein the front of said cover has a groove and a pair of apertures positioned to receive said ribs and said tabs, respectively, to permit said cartridges to be stacked.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 3 wherein said cartridge has a pair of mounting apertures in the bottom end thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 1 wherein said film guide member has a flexible end portion which is free to move to facilitate the positioning of a reel in said reel receptacle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 1 wherein said film guide is rigidly mounted on said reel receptacle throughout its entire arc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 1 wherein said reel receptacle is unitary and comprises a plurality of reel spacer ridges and arcuate guide members to accommodate a plurality of reels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 1 further including a scale on the top end of said cartridge, said scale positioned for illumination by a beam of light from an external light source passing upwardly through said cartridge and between the flanges of said reel, said light source being positioned so that the passage of said light beam is at least partially masked by a strip of flexible material on said reel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 9 wherein said scale is inclined downwardly toward the front of said cartridge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 10 further including a plurality of focusing lenses on the underside of said scale.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cartridge as defined in claim 10 further including a Fresnel lens on the underside of said scale.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
223 words
A film cartridge adapted for use in an automatic loading projector comprising: a reel receptacle having a flat back portion, a circular reel spacer ridge on said back portion, and an arcuate film guide member spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper portion of said reel, said guide member being generally concentric with said reel spacer ridge and having a flexible end portion which is free to move to facilitate the positioning of a reel in said reel receptacle; a cover adapted to fit over said reel receptacle to substantially enclose a reel of film in said receptacle, said cover having a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said reel receptacle and an internal reel spacer ridge which surrounds and is concentric with said reel-bearing projection, said reel receptacle and said cover being so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on the bottom of the assembled cartridge to permit a strip of film to be drawn from said reel out of said cartridge, and said receptacle and cover being so constructed and arranged to form a rewind opening on the side of said cartridge to permit a drive puck to contact the rim of said reel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
223 words
A film cartridge adapted for use in an automatic loading projector comprising: a reel receptacle having a flat back portion, a circular reel spacer ridge on said back portion, and an arcuate film guide member spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper portion of said reel, said guide member being generally concentric with said reel spacer ridge and having a flexible end portion which is free to move to facilitate the positioning of a reel in said reel receptacle; a cover adapted to fit over said reel receptacle to substantially enclose a reel of film in said receptacle, said cover having a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said reel receptacle and an internal reel spacer ridge which surrounds and is concentric with said reel-bearing projection, said reel receptacle and said cover being so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on the bottom of the assembled cartridge to permit a strip of film to be drawn from said reel out of said cartridge, and said receptacle and cover being so constructed and arranged to form a rewind opening on the side of said cartridge to permit a drive puck to contact the rim of said reel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 13 further including a reel positioner abutment mounted on said reel receptacle and forming an abutment for the rim of a reel inserted into said receptacle to aid in positioning said reel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 14 further including a pair of horizontal, parallel ribs and a pair of mounting tabs projecting rearwardly from the exterior of said reel receptacle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 15 wherein the front of said cover has a groove and a pair of apertures positioned to receive said ribs and said tabs, respectively, to permit said cartridges to be stacked.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 15 wherein said cartridge has a pair of mounting apertures in the bottom end thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 13 further including a scale on the top end of said cartridge, said scale positioned for illumination by a beam of light from an external light source passing upwardly through said cartridge and between the flanges of said reel, said light source being positioned so that the passage of said light beam is at least partially masked by film on said reel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 18 wherein said scale is inclined downwardly toward the front of said cartridge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
208 words
A film cartridge adapted for use in an automatic loading projector comprising: a reel receptacle having a flat back portion, a circular reel spacer ridge on said back portion, and an arcuate film guide member spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper portion of said reel, said guide member being generally concentric with said reel spacer ridge and being rigidly mounted on said reel receptacle throughout its entire arc; and a cover adapted to fit over said reel receptacle to substantially enclose a reel of film in said receptacle, said cover having a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said reel receptacle, and an internal spacer which surrounds and is concentric with said reel-bearing projection, said reel receptacle and said cover being so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on the bottom of the assembled cartridge to permit a strip of film to be drawn from said reel, and said receptacle and cover being so constructed and arranged to form a rewind opening on the side of said cartridge to permit a drive puck to contact the rim of said reel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
208 words
A film cartridge adapted for use in an automatic loading projector comprising: a reel receptacle having a flat back portion, a circular reel spacer ridge on said back portion, and an arcuate film guide member spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper portion of said reel, said guide member being generally concentric with said reel spacer ridge and being rigidly mounted on said reel receptacle throughout its entire arc; and a cover adapted to fit over said reel receptacle to substantially enclose a reel of film in said receptacle, said cover having a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said reel receptacle, and an internal spacer which surrounds and is concentric with said reel-bearing projection, said reel receptacle and said cover being so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on the bottom of the assembled cartridge to permit a strip of film to be drawn from said reel, and said receptacle and cover being so constructed and arranged to form a rewind opening on the side of said cartridge to permit a drive puck to contact the rim of said reel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 20 further including a reel positioning guide mounted on said reel receptacle and forming an abutment for the rim of a reel inserted into said recepTacle to aid in positioning said reel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 21 further including a pair of horizontal, parallel ribs and a pair of mounting tabs projecting rearwardly from the exterior of said reel receptacle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 22 wherein the front of said cover has a groove and a pair of apertures positioned to receive said ribs and said tabs, respectively, to permit said cartridges to be stacked.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 22 wherein said cartridge has a pair of mounting apertures in the bottom end thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
72 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 20 further including a scale on the top end of said cartridge, said scale positioned for illumination by a beam of light from an external light source passing upwardly through said cartridge and between the flanges of said reel, said light source being positioned so that the passage of said light beam is at least partially masked by a strip of film on said reel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 25 wherein said scale is inclined downwardly toward the front of said cartridge.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
199 words
A dual reel film cartridge adapted for use in an automatic loading projector comprising: a dual reel receptacle unit having a flat back portion, a pair of circular reel spacer ridges on said back portion, and a pair of oppositely disposed, generally arcuate film guide members spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper portion of the circumference of said reel, said guide members each being generally concentric with one of said reel spacer ridges; and a pair of covers adapted to fit over said reel receptacle, each cover being adapted to substantially enclose a reel of film in said receptacle, and said covers each having a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said reel receptacle and an internal reel spacer ridge surrounding said hub, said reel receptacles and said covers being so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on each end of the assembled cartridge to permit film to be drawn from said reel, and to permit said cartridge to be rotated 180* to selectively draw film from either of said reels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
199 words
A dual reel film cartridge adapted for use in an automatic loading projector comprising: a dual reel receptacle unit having a flat back portion, a pair of circular reel spacer ridges on said back portion, and a pair of oppositely disposed, generally arcuate film guide members spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper portion of the circumference of said reel, said guide members each being generally concentric with one of said reel spacer ridges; and a pair of covers adapted to fit over said reel receptacle, each cover being adapted to substantially enclose a reel of film in said receptacle, and said covers each having a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said reel receptacle and an internal reel spacer ridge surrounding said hub, said reel receptacles and said covers being so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture on each end of the assembled cartridge to permit film to be drawn from said reel, and to permit said cartridge to be rotated 180* to selectively draw film from either of said reels.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 27 wherein said reel receptacle and said covers are constructed to form a rewind opening on each side of said cartridge to permit a drive to contact the rim of either reel of film in said receptacle.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 27 wherein said film guide members each have a flexible end portion which is free to move to facilitate the positioning of reels in said reel receptacle.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 27 wherein said film guides are rigidly mounted on said reel receptacle throughout the entire arc of each film guide.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
251 words
A rotatable film cartridge for a plurality of reels, said cartridge being adapted for use in an automatic loading projector comprising: a multiple reel receptacle unit having a central spindle aperture and a relatively flat back portion, said back portion having a plurality of reel spacer ridges positioned at an equal distance from said spindle aperture, and at an equal distance from one another, and a generally arcuate film guide member adjacent to each of said reel spacer ridges, said film guide members being spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper portion of said reel, and said film guide members each being generally concentric with its associated reel spacer ridge; and a cover for each of said reel spacer ridges and film guide members, each cover being adapted to substantially enclose a reel of film in said receptacle, and said covers each having a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said receptacle, said reel receptacle and said cover beiNg so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture at the edge of said receptacle adjacent to each film guide to permit film to be drawn from said receptacle, and said receptacle and covers being shaped to permit said cartridge to be rotated about said spindle opening and to permit delivery of film to an automatic feed-out module from any of the reels located in said receptacle.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
251 words
A rotatable film cartridge for a plurality of reels, said cartridge being adapted for use in an automatic loading projector comprising: a multiple reel receptacle unit having a central spindle aperture and a relatively flat back portion, said back portion having a plurality of reel spacer ridges positioned at an equal distance from said spindle aperture, and at an equal distance from one another, and a generally arcuate film guide member adjacent to each of said reel spacer ridges, said film guide members being spaced from said back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper portion of said reel, and said film guide members each being generally concentric with its associated reel spacer ridge; and a cover for each of said reel spacer ridges and film guide members, each cover being adapted to substantially enclose a reel of film in said receptacle, and said covers each having a central, internal reel-bearing projection located to penetrate the central opening in the hub of a reel positioned in said receptacle, said reel receptacle and said cover beiNg so constructed and arranged to form a threading aperture at the edge of said receptacle adjacent to each film guide to permit film to be drawn from said receptacle, and said receptacle and covers being shaped to permit said cartridge to be rotated about said spindle opening and to permit delivery of film to an automatic feed-out module from any of the reels located in said receptacle.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 31 further including a plurality of alignment recesses on the back of said cartridge, said recesses being positioned in equal distance from said spindle aperture and being equally spaced from one another, and said recesses being equal in number to the number of reels that said cartridge is designed to contain.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 31 wherein said reel receptacle and said covers are constructed to form a rewind opening on each side of said cartridge for each reel of film, to permit a drive puck to contact the rim of said reel when said reel is in projection position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 31 wherein said film guide members each has a flexible end portion which is free to move to facilitate the positioning of reels in said reel receptacle.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The film cartridge as defined in claim 31 wherein said film guides are rigidly mounted on said reel receptacle throughout the entire arc of each film guide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |