US5296887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bar-coded film spool
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1993-06-23
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Granted: 1994-03-22
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Expires: 2013-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A rotatable film spool comprises a bar-coded disk with a bar code symbol consisting of a sequence of lesser and greater photo reflective elements having various widths. According to the invention, the lesser photo reflective elements are respective cut-outs in the disk and the greater photo reflective elements are respective flat segments of the disk between adjacent pairs of the cut-outs. By making the lesser photo reflective elements of the bar code symbol respective cut-outs in the disk and the greater photo reflective elements respective flat segments of the disk between adjacent pairs of the cut-outs, it is generally assured that the bar code symbol will be critically located because the various elements are an integral part of the disk.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis R. Zander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:00
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/24; G03B17/00; G03B17/28; G03B17/30; G03B2206/00; G03B2206/008; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/26; G03B2217/261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A rotatable film spool comprising a bar-coded disk with a bar code symbol consisting of a sequence of lesser and greater photo reflective elements having various widths, is characterized in that: said lesser photo reflective elements are respective cut-outs in said disk and said greater photo reflective elements are respective flat segments of the disk between adjacent pairs of said cut-outs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A rotatable film spool comprising a bar-coded disk with a bar code symbol consisting of a sequence of lesser and greater photo reflective elements having various widths, is characterized in that: said lesser photo reflective elements are respective cut-outs in said disk and said greater photo reflective elements are respective flat segments of the disk between adjacent pairs of said cut-outs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A rotatable film spool as recited in claim 1, wherein said cut-outs in the disk have beveled sides in order to provide lesser width openings for each of the cut-outs at one side of said disk and greater width openings for each of the cut-outs at an opposite side of the disk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A rotatable film spool as recited in claim 2, wherein a spool core and said disk are coaxially secured together proximate one end of said spool core with said lesser width openings for each of the cut-outs facing in the same direction as said end of the spool core and with said greater width openings for each of the cut-outs facing in an opposite direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
A rotatable film spool as recited in claim 1, wherein said disk has a semi-circular configuration and includes a central opening and a pair of extreme ends, a spool core extends through said central opening of the disk and has a peripheral groove in which said disk is seated to secure the disk and said spool core coaxially together, and a registration stop is fixed to said spool core adjacent said peripheral groove and has a pair of stop ends arranged to abut said extreme ends of the disk to critically orient said bar code symbol with respect to the spool core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A rotatable film spool as recited in claim 4, wherein said extreme ends of the disk are separated by a void having a first predetermined length, and one of said extreme ends of the disk and a cut-out in said disk closest to that end are separated by a flat segment of the disk having a second predetermined length which when considered in proportion to said first predetermined length provides a ratio encodement indicative of the total number of exposures available on a filmstrip coiled about said spool core.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-21 | 1997-09-20 | 1998-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-21 | 2001-09-20 | 2002-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-21 | 2005-09-20 | 2006-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |