Cartridge takeup core and core-mounting system

Claim 1

In a film cartridge (11) of the type comprising a cartridge body (19) member and a cartridge cover member (21), said cartridge including a generally cylindrical takeup compartment (15) for receiving and storing exposed photosensitive filmstrip (58), said takeup compartment comprising: a first end wall (27) defined by said body member; a second end wall (37, 37'') defined by said cover member and generally opposing, in spaced relationship, said first end wall; a generally cylindrical peripheral wall (25) defined by said body member and interconnecting said first and second end walls; a generally conical spindle (29) having a base end attached to said first end wall (27), said spindle extending toward said second wall (37, 37'') and terminating at a distal portion (39) spaced closer to said second end wall than to said first end wall; and a rotatable takeup core (23) housed within said takeup compartment for winding thereabout said exposed filmstrip, said core having a central recess (33) extending from an open core end adjacent said first end wall (27), to a closed core end adjacent said second end wall (37, 37'') said recess being sized to receive therein said spindle (29), and said closed core end defining core mounting means for engaging said distal end (39) of said spindle, the improvement wherein: said distal end of said spindle includes a spindle end wall (41) generally opposing said second cartridge end wall (37, 37'') and an annular core support wall (45) bounding said spindle end wall and extending therefrom towards said second cartridge end wall; said second cartridge end wall includes a core bearing pin (52) extending toward said spindle end wall (41) and centered therewith; and said core mounting means comprises: means for defining an annular well (47) for receiving said annular core support wall (45); first thrust bearing means (53) for forming substantially a line contact with said spindle end wall (41); second thrust bearing means (55) for forming substantially a line contact with said second cartridge end wall (37''); and bearing cup means (49, 51) for receiving said core bearing pin.