US3898681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light sealed film cartridge
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
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Filing: 1974-02-04
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A self-threading, light sealed film cartridge having a curtain device located outside the light sealed portion of the cartridge and adapted to automatically cover and uncover an exposure window in the cartridge. The film end is fixed to the core of a film supply reel, whereby a portion of the film remains adjacent the exposure window after the film in the cartridge has been exposed, enabling removal of the exposed film through the exposure window in the cartridge without destroying the cartridge. A combined film spring compression device, film footage indicator and endof-reel switch actuator is located in the cartridge, and is formed from a single piece of molded material.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz E Hertel
- 👤 George K Konagamitsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:54
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/58; G03B27/587; G03B17/00; G03B17/26; G03B17/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
In a film cartridge: means to rotatably mount a reel of film and a takeup spool in said cartridge; means to advance said film along a path in said cartridge from said reel to said take-up spool, said film progressively accumulating on said take-up spool and being removed from said reel as said film is advanced along said path, whereby the radial dimension of said reel of film varies as said film is advanced; means in said cartridge engaging said reel of film and adapted to change positions in said cartridge proportional to said variances in said radial dimension of said reel of film, said means in said cartridge engaging said reel of film comprises spring means disposed between the film remaining on said reel and the film accumulated on said take-up spool whereby said spring means applies a constant radial compression force to said film; visual indicator means attached to said means engaging said reel of film and movable therewith; and aperture means in said cartridge adjacent a portion of said visual indicator means whereby said indicator means are displayed through said cartridge to reveal the quantity of film remaining on said reel of film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
In a film cartridge: means to rotatably mount a reel of film and a takeup spool in said cartridge; means to advance said film along a path in said cartridge from said reel to said take-up spool, said film progressively accumulating on said take-up spool and being removed from said reel as said film is advanced along said path, whereby the radial dimension of said reel of film varies as said film is advanced; means in said cartridge engaging said reel of film and adapted to change positions in said cartridge proportional to said variances in said radial dimension of said reel of film, said means in said cartridge engaging said reel of film comprises spring means disposed between the film remaining on said reel and the film accumulated on said take-up spool whereby said spring means applies a constant radial compression force to said film; visual indicator means attached to said means engaging said reel of film and movable therewith; and aperture means in said cartridge adjacent a portion of said visual indicator means whereby said indicator means are displayed through said cartridge to reveal the quantity of film remaining on said reel of film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The film cartridge of claim 1 wherein: the spacing dimension between the central axes of said reel of film and said take-up spool is less than twice the radial dimeNsion of accumulated film on said reel and said spool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
200 words
In a film cartridge adapted to be inserted in a housing; means to rotatably mount a reel of film and a takeup spool in said cartridge; drive means associated with said cartridge and said housing for advancing said film along a path in said cartridge from said reel to said take-up spool, said film progressively accumulating on said take-up spool and being removed from said reel as said film is advanced along said path, whereby the radial dimension of said reel of film varies as said film is advanced; spring means in said cartridge extending between and engaging the film remaining on said reel and the film accumulated on said take-up spool, and said spring means adapted to change positions in said cartridge, said changes being proportional to said variances in said radial dimension of said reel of film; arm means attached to said spring means, a flanged portion disposed at the end of said arm means and adapted to extend through a longitudinal opening in said cartridge; end-of-reel indicator means attached to said housing; said flanged portion of said arm adapted to actuate said end-of-reel indicator means when substantially all of said film has accumulated on said take-up spool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
200 words
In a film cartridge adapted to be inserted in a housing; means to rotatably mount a reel of film and a takeup spool in said cartridge; drive means associated with said cartridge and said housing for advancing said film along a path in said cartridge from said reel to said take-up spool, said film progressively accumulating on said take-up spool and being removed from said reel as said film is advanced along said path, whereby the radial dimension of said reel of film varies as said film is advanced; spring means in said cartridge extending between and engaging the film remaining on said reel and the film accumulated on said take-up spool, and said spring means adapted to change positions in said cartridge, said changes being proportional to said variances in said radial dimension of said reel of film; arm means attached to said spring means, a flanged portion disposed at the end of said arm means and adapted to extend through a longitudinal opening in said cartridge; end-of-reel indicator means attached to said housing; said flanged portion of said arm adapted to actuate said end-of-reel indicator means when substantially all of said film has accumulated on said take-up spool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The film cartridge of claim 3 including: visual indicator means attached to said means engaging said reel of film and movable therewith; and aperture means in said housing and in said cartridge adjacent a portion of said visual indicator means whereby said indicator means are displayed through said cartridge and said housing to reveal the quantity of film remaining on said reel of film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The film cartridge of claim 4 wherein said spring means engaging said reel of film, said visual indicator means and said arm means are formed from a single piece of molded material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The film cartridge of claim 5 wherein said molded material is plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a film cartridge: means to rotatably mount a reel of film and a takeup spool in said cartridge upon central axes; means to advance said film along a path in said cartridge from said reel to said take-up spool, said film progressively accumulating on said take-up spool and being removed from said reel as said film is advanced along said path, whereby the radial dimension of said reel of film varies as said film is advanced; the spacing dimension between said central axes of said reel of film and said take-up spool being less than twice the radial dimension of accumulated film on said reel and said spool; spring means in said cartridge extending between and engaging the film remaining on said reel and the film accumulated on said spool; said spring means adapted to change positions in said cartridge proportional to said variances in said radial dimension of said reel of film and to supply a constant compressive force on said remaining and accumulated film as said film advances visual indicator means attached to and movable with said spring means; and aperture means in said cartridge adjacent a portion of said visual indicator means whereby said indicator means are displayed through said cartridge to reveal quantity of film remaining on said reel of film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a film cartridge: means to rotatably mount a reel of film and a takeup spool in said cartridge upon central axes; means to advance said film along a path in said cartridge from said reel to said take-up spool, said film progressively accumulating on said take-up spool and being removed from said reel as said film is advanced along said path, whereby the radial dimension of said reel of film varies as said film is advanced; the spacing dimension between said central axes of said reel of film and said take-up spool being less than twice the radial dimension of accumulated film on said reel and said spool; spring means in said cartridge extending between and engaging the film remaining on said reel and the film accumulated on said spool; said spring means adapted to change positions in said cartridge proportional to said variances in said radial dimension of said reel of film and to supply a constant compressive force on said remaining and accumulated film as said film advances visual indicator means attached to and movable with said spring means; and aperture means in said cartridge adjacent a portion of said visual indicator means whereby said indicator means are displayed through said cartridge to reveal quantity of film remaining on said reel of film.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |