JPH04365033A - Photographic film cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the defective shading and film breakage generated by the erroneous action of a user and vibration during transportation and easily confirm whether a cartridge has been used or not in the photographic film cartridge feeding a film through the film entrance of a cartridge main body via the rotation of a spool. CONSTITUTION:A cover 9 closing or opening a film passage 7 is retractably provided in the film passage 7, and a lock member 15 locking the cover 9 while the cover 9 closes the film passage 7 and blocking the rotation of a spool 3 is provided at the side face section 2b of a cartridge main body 2. A display plate 22 indicating a used display is provided on the display window 26a of a side cover 26 so that the display plate 22 is displayed in response to only the first movement of the lock member 15.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic film cartridge that stores photographic film in a roll and feeds the film by rotating a spool.

0002

[Prior Art] In order to simplify the loading operation into the camera, the film is stored up to the tip inside the cartridge body.
A photographic film cartridge is known in which, after being loaded into a camera, a spool is rotated by a film feeding mechanism on the camera side so that the leading end of the film is sent out from a film outlet (see, for example, US Pat. No. 4,938,429).

[0003] A spool of film wound into a film roll is rotatably housed inside the main body of this photographic film cartridge, and ribs are arranged on the inner wall of the main body to limit loosening of the film roll. There is. Further, a tip separating claw is integrally provided on the inner wall of the cartridge main body at the back of the film entrance/exit so as to come into contact with the outermost peripheral surface of the film roll. In addition, the film cartridge opening formed in the cartridge body is equipped with a light-shielding lid that is unlocked by a mechanism on the camera side to prevent film ejection and light leakage from the film cartridge opening when the photographic film cartridge is not in use. It is supposed to be done.

When the photographer loads a photographic film cartridge into the camera and closes the back cover, the locking mechanism of the light-shielding lid is released by the camera and the light-shielding lid opens, forming an entrance and exit for the photographic film, and opening the film feeder on the camera side. The spool is rotated in the sending direction by the feeding mechanism. As a result, the film roll is rotated together with the spool while the ribs prevent the film from unwinding. When the leading edge of the film reaches a position facing the film entrance/exit, it is separated from the film roll by a separating claw and sent into the camera through the film entrance/exit. After shooting, the exposed film is completely rolled up into the cartridge body. Thereafter, the photographic film cartridge taken out from the camera is submitted to a photo processing laboratory by the photographer.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above-mentioned photographic film cartridges have problems during transportation from the production factory to the user's hands, or during transportation from the user to submission to the photo lab after photography is completed. There is a risk that the light-shielding lid may open due to vibrations generated by the camera or an erroneous operation by the photographer. This is because, if the light-shielding lid does not have a locking mechanism, the light-shielding lid will open with just one operation, and the film will be exposed to light. In addition, if part of the light-shielding lid prevents the leading edge of the film from jumping out of the cartridge, the spool may rotate due to vibrations during transportation, causing the leading edge of the photographic film to hit the light-shielding lid, causing it to break or cause the film roll to be damaged. This caused inconveniences such as strong loosening of the film, making it difficult to feed the film.

[0006] Furthermore, the above-mentioned photographic film cartridge is
The tip of the film does not protrude from the cartridge both before and after use, so it is difficult to tell from the outside whether it is used or not.
There was a risk of accidentally reusing a film cartridge that had already been used.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above background, and is a photographic film cassette in which the spool rotates to feed the film from the film opening of the cassette main body. To prevent defects, damage to a film, and strong loosening of a film roll, and to easily confirm whether or not the film is used.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, in a photographic film cartridge in which the leading end of the photographic film is sent out through a film passage to the outside from a film entrance/exit of the main body of the cartridge by rotating the spool, the film passage is blocked. The lid is movable between a closed position that prevents light from leaking into the cartridge body and an open position that allows the leading edge of the photographic film to be sent out from the film path. A lid/spool lock means is provided on the cartridge body and is movable between a lock position that locks the lid in the closed position and prevents rotation of the spool, and a release position that allows movement of the lid and rotation of the spool. A display window for displaying whether the film is used or not; and a display member that is displaced in response to the initial movement of the lid/spool locking means and displays an indication that the photographic film has been used on the display window. It is something that

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIG. 2 showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1,
The photographic film cartridge 1 has a spool 3 rotatably stored inside the cartridge main body 2, and a film 4 wound around the spool 3 is transferred to the cartridge main body 2 by rotation of the spool.
The film is discharged from an inlet/outlet 5 formed in the film. A film passage 7 is formed between the film inlet/outlet 5 and the film roll chamber 6 in which the spool 3 is stored, and in the middle of the film passage 7, when looking outside from the film roll chamber 6 side, the film is directed downward at an angle θ, for example. θ=30°~90°
An inclined surface 8 is provided.

A lid 9 that can be inserted into and taken out of the film path 7 is provided on the sloped surface 8 so as to be slidable along the sloped surface 8. A lid 9 is provided at the bottom of the lid 9 in a direction in which the lid 9 is inserted into and taken out of the film path 7. The urging springs 9a and 9b are integrally molded. There is a guide hole 2a in the upper part of the port part of the cartridge main body 2.
After loading the photographic film cartridge 1 into the camera, a drive pin 10 on the camera side is inserted from there toward the top of the lid 9. Depending on whether or not the drive pin 10 is pressed, the lid 9 can be placed in a closed position where it blocks the film passage 7 and closes the film roll chamber 6 in a light-tight manner, or in a closed position where it is retracted from the film passage 7 and allows the tip of the film 4 to be placed in the film entrance/exit. 5 to the open position where it can be discharged to the outside.

The guide hole 2a is provided in the film passage 7 at a position away from the path of the film 4. Also,
A groove 11 is formed in the upper wall surface of the film passage 7, in which the tip of the lid 9 is accommodated when the lid 9 is in the closed position, effectively preventing light from entering the film roll chamber 6. Further, a ring-shaped rib 12 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the film roll chamber 6 to prevent the film roll 4a from loosening. A tip separating claw 12a that guides the tip to the tip 7 is provided.

At one end of the lid 9, as shown in FIG.
A stopper 13 is integrally provided. A protrusion 14 that engages with the stopper 13 is provided on the side surface 2b of the cartridge main body 2.
A locking member 15 that locks the lid 9 in the closed position includes:
It is slidably provided in a groove 16 formed in the side surface portion 2b. A projection 17 with spring properties is formed in the lower part of the locking member 15, and this and the recesses 16a and 16b of the groove 16 constitute a click stop mechanism. As a result, the locking member 15 can be moved to a locked position where the protrusion 14 engages with the stopper 13 and locks the lid 9 in the closed position, and a movable state where the protrusion 14 is disengaged from the stopper 13 and the lid 9 is moved to the open position. A click stop is made between the release position and the release position.

An opening 18 is formed in the center of the locking member 15, from which the end of the spool 3 projects. A gear 19 is fixed to the end of the spool 3, and a pawl 21 is provided on a part of the edge of the opening 18, and the pawl 21 engages with the gear 19 when the lock member 15 is in the lock position. to prevent the spool 3 from rotating.

Between the upper part of the locking member 15 and the edge of the groove 16, a display board 22 for displaying whether the photographic film cartridge 1 is used or not is provided so as to be movable in the direction of movement of the locking member 15. . When the photographic film cartridge 1 is in an unused state, the display plate 22 has a projection 22a on it.
is engaged with the recess 16c of the groove 16 and click-stopped. The display plate 22 is pressed and moved by the protrusion 24 of the locking member 15 at the beginning of use of the photographic film cartridge 1, and the protrusion 22a engages with the recess 16d to be click-stopped.

Once the display board 22 is moved in this manner, it is not engaged with the locking member 15, so that it will not be moved thereafter. For example, a red paint 25a is applied to one half of the surface of the display board 22, and when the display board 22 is moved, this can be seen through the display window 26a of the side cover 26 of the cartridge main body 2, and the photographic film cartridge 1 It is now possible to confirm that the item has been used. Further, it is preferable to apply, for example, white paint 25b to the other half of the surface of the display board 22 so that it can be clearly seen that the photographic film cartridge 1 is in an unused state.

A pin 27 is implanted on the surface of the locking member 15, and this pin 27 is connected to a drive mechanism on the camera side through a long hole 26b of the side cover 26, and the locking member 15 is moved. In addition to the opening 26a and the elongated hole 26b, the side cover 26 also has a hole 26c through which the tip of the spool 3 is exposed.
A protrusion 26d forming one side end of the film opening 5 and guiding the lid 9 is formed. Further, the side cover 26 is fixed to the side surface 2b of the cartridge main body 2 by adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or the like after the locking member 15 and display plate 22 are assembled in the groove 16.

The unused photographic film cartridge 1 constructed as described above has the following features as shown in FIGS.
The film passage 7 is blocked, the lid 9 and the spool 3 are locked, and white paint 25b is displayed on the display window 26a to indicate that the film is in an unused state. When such a photographic film cartridge 1 is loaded into a cartridge chamber of a camera, the spool drive shaft and locking member moving means on the camera side are engaged with the spool 3 and the pin 27, respectively. When the cartridge chamber is closed in a light-tight manner, the locking member moving means is driven in conjunction with this closing operation, and the locking member 15 is moved in the direction of arrow A via the pin 27, and the lid 9 is unlocked. At the same time, the display board 22 is pushed by the projections 24 and moved, and the display board 22 is click-stopped at a position where the projections 22a and the recesses 16d engage. As a result, the red paint 25a is displayed on the display window 26a to indicate that it is in a used state.

Subsequently, the drive pin 10 is inserted into the guide hole 2a and presses the top of the lid 9. The lid 9 is moved downward against the bias of the springs 9a and 9b, as shown in FIG.
It is evacuated from the film passage 7. When the film passage 7 is fully opened, a detection mechanism on the camera side detects this and drives the spool drive shaft. When the spool 3 is rotated in the film delivery direction by the spool drive shaft, the film roll 4a is rotated together with the spool 3. Thereafter, when the leading end of the film 4 comes into contact with the separating claw 12a, it is separated from the outermost periphery of the film roll 4a in the direction of the film path 7,
The film is fed out through the film opening 5 toward the exposure position of the camera.

When photographing is completed, the spool 3 is rotated in the film rewinding direction by the spool drive shaft. When the entire film 4 is rewound inside the cartridge main body 2,
Upon receiving the rewinding completion signal, the camera stops driving the spool drive shaft and retracts the drive pin 10 from the guide hole 2a. The lid 9 is raised toward the original position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the biasing force of the springs 9a and 9b, and its upper portion is housed in the groove 11, so that the film passage 7 is blocked.

Subsequently, the locking member 15 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A, the protrusion 14 engages with the stopper 13, and the lid 9 is locked. At this time, the display plate 22 remains stopped at the click stop position and does not return to its original position, and red paint 25a is displayed on the display window 26a to clearly indicate that the photographic film cartridge 1 has been used. There is. Thereafter, by opening the lid of the cartridge chamber, the photographic film cartridge 1 can be safely taken out from the camera.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. In the photographic film cartridge 31, a lid 34 for blocking a film passage 32 is rotatable, and a locking member 35 for locking the lid 34 is also rotatable. An arm 37 is fixed to one end of the lid 34 via a connecting shaft 34a, and when this arm 37 is rotated within a groove 38 formed in the side surface of the cartridge main body 31a, the lid 34 is connected at the same time. It is rotated around the shaft 34a. The tip end 37a of the arm 37 is in contact with the peripheral end of the locking member 35.

A cam groove 35a is provided at the peripheral end of the lock member 35.
, a claw 35b, and a knob 35c are formed, and the tip 37a enters the cam groove 35a to close the arm 37 and the lid 34.
becomes rotatable. The pawl 35b moves the shogi piece-shaped display plate 39 to a display position indicating that the photographic film cartridge 31 has been used when the lock member 35 rotates for the first time. On the peripheral wall surface of the groove 38 that the display plate 39 faces,
Two V-shaped recesses corresponding to the chevrons of the display board 39 are formed side by side, and the chevrons of the display board 39 and the V-shaped recesses constitute a click stop mechanism, so that once the display board 39 If it moves to the used display position, it will not return to its original position.

The knob 35c is exposed to the outside through the groove 38 and one notch 38a, and is used to connect the locking member 35 to a locking member moving means on the camera side. However, the length of the knob 35c is set so that it does not protrude from the outer wall surface of the cartridge main body 31a, thereby preventing careless rotation of the locking member 35 by the user or the like.

An opening 35e having a claw 35d is formed in the center of the locking member 35, so that the locking member 35 also serves as a lock for the spool 41. Note that the center of rotation of the lock member 35 is offset from the center of rotation of the spool 41, and is configured to rotate along the peripheral wall surface of the groove 38. That is, depending on the rotating direction of the locking member 35, the gear 42 fixed to the tip of the spool 41 and the pawl 35d engage or disengage, and the spool 41
Switching between locking and unlocking is performed.

A display window 44a is formed in a side cover 44 that covers the side surface of the cartridge main body 31a at a position corresponding to the display plate 39 after movement. Further, a guide hole 31b for receiving the drive pin 10 on the camera side is formed in the upper part of the cartridge main body 31a.
0 presses the top of the lid 34 to rotate the lid 34.

In the photographic film cartridge 31 constructed as described above, when not in use, the entire film 4 is stored in the cartridge main body 31a, and the lid 34 is
closes the film passage 32 to prevent light from leaking from the film entrance/exit 45, and the claw 35d meshes with the gear 42 to prevent the spool 41 from rotating. Further, the display board 39 is not visible in the display window 44a.

When such a photographic film cartridge 31 is loaded into a camera, the spool drive shaft on the camera side engages with the spool 41, and the locking member moving means engages with the knob 35c. When the patrone room is closed light-tight,
In conjunction with this closing operation, the locking member 35 is
is rotated clockwise. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the cam groove 35a is moved to a position corresponding to the tip end 37a, and the display plate 39 is moved by the claw 35b to the used display position, and the display plate 39 is placed in the display window 44a.
9 becomes visible. At the same time, the pawl 35d separates from the gear 42 and the spool 41 is unlocked.

Next, the drive pin 10 enters through the guide hole 31b and presses the top of the lid 34, causing the lid 34 and the arm 3 to
7 is rotated counterclockwise. With this, arm 3
7 enters the cam groove 35a, and the film passage 32 is unblocked. Then, the spool drive shaft on the camera side is driven to rotate the spool 41, and the leading end of the film 4 is sent out from the film entrance/exit port 45 via the film passage 32.

After the shooting is completed, the rewinding operation is performed and all the films 4 are stored in the cartridge main body 31a.
Upon receiving the rewinding completion signal, the camera pulls out the drive pin 10 from the guide hole 31b, and then rotates the locking member 35 counterclockwise. The tip 37a is pushed up along the curve of the cam groove 35a, the arm 37 and the lid 34 are rotated clockwise, and the lid 34 blocks the film passage 32. At the same time, the pawl 35d meshes with the gear 42 to lock the spool 41. On the other hand, the display board 39 is click-stopped and remains stationary and does not move. Therefore, the photographic film cartridge 31 can be safely taken out from the camera, and since it can be clearly seen that it has been used, there is no chance of accidentally loading it again.

In the first embodiment described above, white paint 25b was applied to indicate the unused state, but the display board 22 may be left as it is without applying any paint or the like. Further, in the second embodiment, a display board 39 is provided in the display window 44a.
It is assumed that the state in which the groove 38 is not visible is the unused state, but at this time, the bottom surface of the groove 38 that can be seen from the display window 44a is painted with a color indicating the unused state, for example, yellow or white.
A sticker or the like may be attached.

[0031]

As described above, in the photographic film cartridge of the present invention, the lid for blocking the film passage can be taken in and out of the film passage, the lid can be locked in the film passage, and at the same time the rotation of the spool can be prevented. prevent,
Furthermore, we have provided an indicator that displaces at the very beginning of use to distinguish whether or not it is being used, so even if the user accidentally rotates the spool or there is vibration during transportation, the light-shielding lid can be easily opened. There is no. In addition, the lid of the photo film cartridge does not open at once when loaded into the camera, so even if an inexperienced user operates it, the film will not fog up, allowing the user to take photos with confidence. . In addition, since it is easy to distinguish between used and unused items,
There is no need to worry about loading a used photo film cartridge into the camera.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 2 and showing a film feeding state;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 with a side cover removed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 with a side cover removed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,31 Photo film patrone 3,41 Spool 7, 32 Film passage 9,34 Lid 15, 35 Lock member 22, 39 Display board 26a, 44a Display window

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: By rotating a spool, which is rotatably provided in the cartridge main body and has photographic film wound in a roll, in the film feeding direction, the leading end of the photographic film can be passed through the film passageway to the film entrance/exit of the cartridge main body. In a photographic film cartridge that is fed out from the cartridge, there are two positions: a closed position where the film passage is blocked to prevent light from leaking into the cartridge body, and an open position where the film is retracted from the film passage and the leading edge of the photographic film can be fed outside. a locking position that restricts movement of the lid and locks the lid in the closed position and prevents rotation of the spool; and a release position that allows movement of the lid and rotation of the spool. a flexible lid/spool locking means; a display window provided on the cartridge body for displaying whether the photographic film is used or unused; and a display window disposed in response to the initial movement of the lid/spool locking means; A photographic film cartridge comprising a display member for displaying an indication of used photographic film in a display window.