CA2265760A1 - Film and battery loading method for a single use camera such as a single use aps camera and a camera loaded according to the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for pre-loading a single use camera with film (24). The camera is pre-loaded in non-darkroom with the back cover assembled to the camera without exposing any substantial portion of the film (24). The camera has a film advance mechanism (22) that employs a manual advance wheel (40) which is rotated in opposing directions to pre-load film from a film cassette (26) in the camera to a film spool compartment and to wind film back into the film cassette (26) from the film spool compartment (16) as exposures are taken. The film advance mechanism (22) also opens and closes the film cassette's light lock door (28) and employs a film sensor to disable the film advance mechanism (22) from operating the light lock door (28) when film is present in a film path (68a) of the camera. The battery (90) is inserted inside the film spool compartment (16) to minimize the camera size.

Description

W0 98/1 1469l0152025CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626FILM AND BATTERY LOADING METHOD FOR A SINGLE USE CAMERA SUCHAS A SINGLE USE APS CAMERA AND A CAMERALOADED ACCORDING TO THE SAMERelated Application DataThis application is a continuation in part of co-pending, commonly assigned patent application serial no.08/713,780 entitled “Film Loading Method for an APS Cameraand an APS Camera Employing the Same", and, a continuationin part of co—pending, commonly assigned patent applicationserial no. 08/712,928 entitled “Camera with Battery Locatedboth filed September 13, 1996,both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirInside of Film Spool”; andentireties.Field of the InventionThis invention relates generally to a method ofloading film,and a battery, into a single use camera,particularly into a single use APS camera. This inventionalso relates to a single use camera that facilitates suchloading method, to a single use camera with a battery loadedinside of a spool of pre—wound film, and to an APS camera(whether re—usable or single use) having mechanical featuresfor operating the light lock door of an APS film cassette.Background of the InventionRecently, a new type of film cassette has beenwhich hasa light lock door and does not, at the time of purchase, ordeveloped, sometimes called a film safe cassette,at the time that the film is first inserted into the camera,have a film leader extending from the cassette to facilitatefilm loading. One example of film employing such a cassetteW0 98/1 1469l0l520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PC17US97fl4626-2-is KODAK“) brand ADVANTIXQ film.film cassettes are used are known as Advanced Photo System,or APS,therewith are sometimes also called APS film cassettes.The cameras with which thesecameras, and the film safe cassettes for useConventional film cartridges, such as 35 mm film cartridges,have a film leader extending therefrom at the time ofpurchase, and a brush or similar mechanism at thecartridge’s film slot to prevent light from entering thecartridge and exposing film contained therein. In contrast,a film safe cassette does not have a brush or similarmechanism but instead has a light lock door that isautomatically opened by the camera after the film has beenloaded. Film is loaded into and removed from the camera viaa film cassette door disposed on the bottom of the camera.The camera then drives the film out of the cassette and intoa film spooling area on the opposite side of the camera fromthe cassette. Before the cassette can be removed from thethe camera rewinds the film back into the cassette,If the light lock doorwere permitted to be opened in the presence of light, theThus, the lightlock door, operating in conjunction with the camera, ensurescamera ,and then closes the light lock door.film inside the cassette would be exposed.that film is not inadvertently exposed.In a conventional camera, such as a conventional35 mm camera, film is loaded from the back of the camera byopening a back door thereof, dropping the cartridge into thecamera, pulling the film leader across the camera, engagingthe leader on a take-up spool, then closing the back door.Since opening the light lock door in the presence of lightcan expose the film in a film safe cassette, conventionalmethods of loading film cartridges are not suited to loadingfilm safe cassettes into APS cameras. Moreover, because atleast re—usable APS cameras employ a small cassette door onthe bottom of the camera to load and unload the filmcassette, there is no back cover or back door that can beeasily opened to practice a conventional loading technique.So called single use cameras are known in the art.W0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97Il4626_ 3 _A single use camera is one that is manufactured and soldwith the intent of being used only a single time (i.e., withonly one roll of pre—loaded film) by the purchaser or enduser. Single use cameras are usually made of plastic. Filmis pre—loaded into the camera during manufacturing, and thecamera is sealed closed. This is done by loading the filminto the back of the camera in much the same way as aconventional 35 mm camera is loaded, then securelyassembling a back cover to the camera by a lockingmechanism, screws, adhesives, thermal bonding, etc., so thatthe back cover cannot be easily removed. Typically, apackage (such as paper, cardboard or even plastic) is placedaround the camera body so that the film cannot be removedwithout destroying at least part of the package, and in somecases, without destroying part of the camera body as well.Additionally, film cannot be easily reloaded into the sealedcamera, at least not without removing the back cover and/orpartial destruction of the camera body or its packaging. Asis known in connection with such cameras, it is intendedthat the user return the entire camera, intact, to adeveloping lab for processing after the user is finishedtaking exposures. The lab removes the exposed film anddiscards the camera body.Single use APS cameras are also known in the art.It will be appreciated that loading a film safe cassetteThelight lock door cannot be opened without exposing the filminto a single use APS camera presents special problems.in the cassette, so film loading and final camera assemblymust take place in a darkroom. This assembly involvesperforming the following steps in darkroom conditions:opening the light lock door with a tool or fixture,externally of the camera; driving film from the cassette byrotating the spool inside the cassette either manually, witha tool, or with a fixture, external to the camera; spoolingunexposed film into a film spool area of the camera eithermanually or with a fixture, external to the camera, andloading the film cassette from the back of the camera (i.e.,W0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/U S97/ 14626_ 4 ..with the back cover removed); then, assembling the backcover to the camera.If the camera requires a battery, thendepending on the construction of the camera, the battery mayThus,into a single use APS camera is cumbersome,have to be loaded in darkroom conditions. loading filmtime consuming,and labor intensive.all of the film(sometimes calledUsually, in a single use camera,is pre—wound into the film spool areafilm is“pre—loading"), and, during picture taking,withdrawn back into the cassette, one frame at a time.Single use APS cameras usually automatically close the lightlock door on the film cassette after all of the film hasbeen rewound back into the cassette. This is usually doneby means of a film sensor or other mechanism.No known single use APS camera has any built—inmechanism for opening the light lock door after the filmCassette has been loaded into the camera, much less doing sowith the back cover in place on the camera, and thus knownsingle use APS cameras are not presently amenable to a filmloading process that can occur in non-darkroom conditions.Many cameras contain at least one battery, andmost all cameras with flashes have at least one battery,such as a size AA or AAA battery. In the prior art, thesebatteries are usually housed within a specially created andspecially allocated space in the camera that defines abattery compartment. Since the battery compartment requiresadditional space inside the camera (relative to the samecamera without a battery compartment), the overall size of acamera with a battery compartment is usually larger whencompared to the same camera without a battery compartment.Increasing the camera's overall size may be undesirable,because consumers may desire smaller cameras, and adding aseparate battery compartment may increase the cost ofthe batterycannot be easily removed, or can be removed only byproduction. Moreover, in single use cameras,destroying a portion of the camera or its packaging, becausethe battery compartment is sealed within the camera.W0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/ 14626_ 5 _Further, loading a battery into a single use camera pre-loaded with film may need to be done under darkroomconditions to avoid exposing the pre—loaded film.It is desirable to provide a method for loadingfilm,simple and relatively labor free, and that does not requireand a battery, into a single use APS camera that isfilm or battery loading in darkroom conditions. It is alsodesirable to provide a single use APS camera thatIt isfurther desirable to provide a single use camera with afacilitates a non—darkroom film loading method.battery compartment that does not significantly increase theoverall size of the camera (relative to the same camerawithout a battery compartment), that permits a battery to beinserted into the camera in non~darkroom conditions, andalso facilitates easy removal of the battery. The presentinvention achieves these and other goals.Summary of the InventionIn the following summary, detailed description andappended claims, the terms “cassette” and “film cassette”refer to film containers generally, and such terms includeAPS (i.e., film safe) cassettes as well as 35 mm filmcartridges, unless the context of usage indicates an intentto refer specifically to one type or the other. The terms(and “APS film cassette"),“film safe cassette” and 35 mmfilm cartridge, are used to refer to the specific types offilm containers.According to the present invention, there isprovided: a method of pre—loading a single use APS camerawith film from a film safe cassette in non—darkroomconditions, and a single use APS camera that facilitatessuch a method; a single use, manually operated, APS camerathat is capable of both opening and closing the light lockdoor of the film safe cassette; an APS camera that operatesthe light lock door by means of the camera's film advancemechanism; a method of loading a battery inside the pre-wound film spool of a single use camera, in non—darkroomconditions, and a single use camera that facilitates such aW0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PC1VUS97fl4626__5..method;within the film spool.and, a single use camera with a battery disposedAn APS camera according to the invention has aA filmcassette compartment is disposed on one end, and a rotatablemain body and a back cover securely affixed thereto.film spool is disposed in a film spool compartment on theother end. A film receiving slot is disposed in the spool,and a film path extends from the film cassette compartmentto the film spool compartment. The camera is constructedsuch that, during a film loading process as describedherein, the only path for meaningful amounts of light toenter the camera is via the film receiving slot and into thefilm path, but the film path is designed so that meaningfulamounts of light cannot travel far enough there along towardthe film safe cassette to expose film inside a film safecassette whose light lock door has been opened to permitfeeding of film for the film loading operation. Dependingon the design of the film path, the level of ambient lightthat can enter the film path without exposing the filminside of the film safe cassette will vary. Preferably, theambient light level in the assembly room during a filmloading procedure is such that it allows for comfortableworking conditions, but the assembly room need not be a darkroom. For instance, the light level could be such that anassembler could read normal sized typed print or even fineprint.A method of loading film from a film safe cassetteinto such a camera comprises loading the film into thecamera in non—darkroom conditions, such that light can enterat least a portion of the film path via the slot in thespool. The light lock door is opened (in the camera by meansdescribed below) and film is advanced from the film safecassette toward the spool; the spool is oriented so that theslot therein is aligned with the path of travel of the film,and so that the advancement of the film causes a leadingedge of the film to be received into the slot. The spool isthen rotated (preferably, by external drive means) so thatW0 98/1 1469l0l520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 7 _film is wound there around, thus blocking the light paththrough the slot and preventing any further light fromentering the film path. Preferably, the spool is rotatedsufficiently such that all frames of the non—exposed filmare withdrawn from the film safe cassette and wound aroundthe spool, i.e, the film is pre—wound on the spool and thecamera is pre—loaded. During picture taking, film iswithdrawn back into the film safe cassette, one frame at atime, as each frame is exposed. In an alternativeembodiment, a spool driver is light tightedly inserted intothe film spool before the light lock door is opened, so asto prevent light from entering the film path.A preferred embodiment of the camera furthercomprises a manual film advancing means, such as a thumbwheel and associated drive components, for advancing thefilm as above described, and for withdrawing or rewindingthe film back into the film safe cassette. According to onefeature of the invention, the advancing means is coupled toa light lock door driver that performs the functions of bothThe light lockdoor driver engages a light lock door actuator inside theopening and closing the light lock door.film safe cassette and is responsive to rotation of theadvancing means in one direction to open the light lockdoor, and is responsive to rotation of the advancing meansin the other direction to close the light lock door when adetects that all film hasAccording to the film loading method of thefilm detection mechanism (sensor)been rewound.present invention, a film safe cassette is loaded into thecamera with the light lock door closed, through a cassettefilm loading port in the bottom of the camera, as is commonin APS cameras. The advancing means is rotated in a firstdirection (e.g., by rotating the thumb wheel in a firstdirection) to cause the light lock door driver to open thelight lock door; then, the light lock door driver is de-coupled from the advancing means so that further rotationthereof in the first direction is not impeded by theengagement of the light lock door driver with the light lockW0 98/11469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 3 _door actuator inside the film safe cassette. The advancingmeans is continued to be rotated in the first direction,causing film to advance out of the film safe cassette, intothe film path of the camera, and into the film slot in thespool, as above described. The spool is rotated as abovedescribed to pre—wind the film on the spool and pre—load thecamera. The camera is now ready for picture taking.After the camera has been pre—loaded, a preventerengages the advancing means and prevents any furtherrotation in the first direction.Now, the advancing meanscan be rotated only in a second direction that is oppositetheadvancing means is rotated in the second direction to rewindto the first direction. During picture taking,the film back into the film safe cassette, one frame at aThe filmdetection mechanism detects when all of the film has beenallows the light lock doorFurthertime as exposures are taken, as is common.rewound, and in response thereto,driver to become re—coupled to the advancing means.rotation of the advancing means in the second directioncauses the light lock door driver to close the light lockdoor, whereby the film safe cassette is ready to be removedfor processing.In the single use camera described herein, atubular structure is provided in the film spool compartmentfor receiving and winding film that is withdrawn from thefilm safe cassette. However, it is also possible to provide(andfilm spool compartment anda single use camera wherein the film winds about itselfnot about any structure) in thethe wound film itself defines a spool. In both cases, aheretofore unused cylindrically shaped cavity exists withinthe spool. According to one aspect of the presentinvention, these cavities are advantageously used to house abattery, and thus camera size is not increased by theaddition of a battery compartment. Though this aspect ofthe present invention is described herein as employing atubular or cylindrical structure for the film spool, as usedin the appended claims addressing this aspect of theW0 98/1 1469l0l520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 9 _invention, except as expressly otherwise noted therein, theterms “film spool” and “spool” mean both (i) a structure,such as a tube or other hollow cylindrical structure, aboutwhich film is, or can be, wound in the film spoolcompartment, and (ii) film wound about itself in the filmspool compartment (i.e., the wound film itself defines aThus, (i),may not have film wrapped therearound.spool). in the first instance the spool may orAccording to thisaspect of the invention, there is provided a single usecamera that includes a main body securely fastened to a backcover such that the back cover cannot be easily opened orremoved or cannot be opened or removed without destroying atA filmcassette, and a pre-wound film spool having a hollow core,least a portion of the camera or the camera package.are disposed within the main body on opposing sides of afilm exposing area. One end of the hollow core defines abattery receiving end having an opening to the underside ofthe camera, and a pair of electrical contacts is mountedwithin the main body and arranged at opposing ends of thehollow core, with one of the electrical contacts beingflexibly mounted adjacent the battery receiving end. Abattery that has been inserted into the battery receivingend is disposed in the core, and the electrical contactadjacent the receiving end is bent over the batteryterminal. A tab or door light tightedly closes the openingto the battery receiving end of the core, and is removableto extract the battery. Another tab or door disposed on theunderside of the camera and aligned with the film cassetteis also removable to expose the film cassette and permitremoval of the cassette therethrough. The tabs or doors arepreferably sealed, or covered by packaging to preventopening thereof to expose the film cassette and battery innormal use of the camera by the end user. This aspect of thepresent invention is particularly suited to (but not limitedto)the diameter of the wound film not be less than 11 mm.APS cameras because APS film manufacturers specify thatAdvantageously, a typical size AA battery is about 14 mm inW0 98/1 146910152O253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 10 _diameter, and therefore the diameter of the batterycompartment required to house a size AA battery comportswell with film manufacturers’ specifications.The herein described film loading method isfacilitated by the manner in which a battery is loaded intothe camera. A final step of pre—loading the camera withfilm and a battery involves inserting the battery inside thefilm spool via the battery receiving opening to the core,which is the same opening that is employed to externallypre—wind the film, then closing the opening by means of theaforesaid tab or door. This step may also be conducted innon-darkroom conditions.These and various other advantages and features ofnovelty which characterize the invention are pointed outwith particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forminga part hereof. However, for a better understanding of theinvention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by itsuse, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptivematter, in which there is illustrated and described apreferred embodiment of the invention.Brief Description of the DrawingsFigure 1 is a front perspective view of oneembodiment of a single use camera according to the presentinvention;Figure 2 is a rear perspective View of the cameraof Figure 1.Figure 3 is an isometric View illustrating themanner in which a battery is loaded into the camera ofFigure 1 according to the present invention;Figure 4 is a rear plan View of the camera ofFigure 1 with its back cover removed, according to thepresent invention;Figure 5 is a cross section taken through line 5-5of Figure 4;Figure 6 is a cross section taken through line 6-6of Figure 5.W0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/U S97/ 14626_ 11 _Figure 7 is a cross section taken through line 7-7of Figure 4.Figure 8 is a partially cut—away perspective viewof a camera according to the present invention,additional details thereof.showingFigure 9 is a cross section taken through line 9-9of Figure 2.Figure 10 is an isometric view illustrating thecooperation among a film safe cassette employed in thecamera of Figure 1, a portion of a film advancing meanstherefor, and a light lock door driver;Figure 11 is a partial cut—away View of the right-most portion of Figure 4;Figure 12 is a cross section taken through line12-12 of Figure 4 and illustrates the position of the lightlock door driver when a film safe cassette is first loaded,and also after the driver has been operated to close thelight lock door;Figure 13 is a cross section taken through line12-12 of Figure 4 and illustrates the position of the lightlock door driver after it has been operated to open thelight lock door;Figure 14 is a cross section taken through line12-12 of Figure 4 and illustrates the advancing means in adisengaged status from the light lock door driver;Figure 15 is a cross section taken through line12-12 of Figure 4 and illustrates film pre—loaded into thecamera;Figure 16 is a cross section taken through line12-12 and illustrates a preventer engaged with the advancingmeans so as to prevent rotation of the advancing means inthe first direction, as above described; andFigure 17 is a partial cut away rear plan view ofthe camera of Figure 2 and illustrates the film spool and afilm spool driver.Figures 18A — C illustrate a variation of thecamera of Figures 1-17 that employs a rotatable tab thatW0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 12 _engages a spool portion of the camera.Detailed Description of the Preferred EmbodimentReferring now to the drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate corresponding structurethroughout the views, there is shown a preferred embodimentof an APS camera 10 according to the present invention, anda method for loading film, and a battery, into the same innon—darkroom conditions. According to the preferredembodiment, the camera 10 is a single use APS camera, asmore fully described herein, but certain aspects of theinvention are not limited to single use cameras or to APScameras, and the scope of the invention is not limitedthereto, except as expressly noted in the followingspecification and claims. For example, the battery loadingaspect of the present invention has applicability to singleuse cameras employing 35 mm film cartridges, and the lightlock door opening and closing aspect has applicability tore—usable (i.e., non—single use) APS cameras.Camera 10 includes a main body 12 having a filmcassette compartment 14, a film spool compartment 16, arotatable film spool 18 in the film spool compartment 14, aback cover 20, a film advancing means 22 mounted within themain body 12 for advancing film 24 from a film cassette 26in the film cassette compartment 14 to the film spool 18 andfrom the film spool 18 to the film cassette 26, and a filmcassette light lock door driver 28 for operating a filmcassette light lock door 30 driven by the advancing means22. the illustrated filmcassette 26 is an APSAs best shown in Figure 10,(film safe) cassette.In the illustrated embodiment of the camera 10,32,as usedthe main body 12 also includes a front, or front cover,body,"is not intended to be soof the camera 10. However, the term “mainherein and in the appended claims,limited. Except as otherwise noted, or as shown in theor except as the context and usage may indicate,(i)body 34 of the camera 10, as herein described, with andrawings,the term “main body” is intended to mean both: an innerCA 02265760 l999-03- 12W0 98/1 1469 PCT/US97/14626_ 13 _integral front 32, or with the front cover 32 attached; and(ii) only the inner body 34 of the camera 10. Moreover, itis preferred that the embodiment of the camera disclosedherein, including the front cover 32, back cover 20 and main5 body 12 (including inner body 34) be manufactured from amolded plastic.The film spool 18 preferably has a film receivingslot 36. The film receiving slot 36 receives an edge 38 ofthe film 24 when the film 24 is transferred from the film10 cassette 26 to the film spool 18. Figures 12 and 13 depictthe slot 36 prior to film 24 being transferred to the filmspool 18. Figure 14 illustrates the film 24 beingtransferred from the film cassette 26 and being insertedinto the slot 36. Figure 15 illustrates the film 24 wound15 around the film spool 18 with the edge 38 of the film 24 inthe slot 36.The advancing means 22 is depicted in Figures 4and 10-15 and is rotatably mounted within the main body 12.The advancing means 22 includes a manual advance wheel 40,20 preferably in the form of a thumb wheel, a driving gear 42and a shaft 44 for engaging the internal spool of the filmcassette 26. As is clearly shown in Figures 10 and 11,since the advance wheel 40 is common with the driving gear42 and the shaft 44, rotation of the advance wheel 40 will25 cause rotation of the driving gear 42 and the shaft 44. Theshaft 44 mates with the film cassette 26 so that rotation ofthe advance wheel 40 will cause film 24 to be driven out ofand withdrawn into the cassette 26 when the light lock door30 is open. Also illustrated in Figures 4 and 10-16 is the30 light lock door driver 28. The light lock door driver 28contains a segmented portion 46 which has teeth 48 therearound. As shown in Figures 12-16, the light lock doordriver 28 is rotatably mounted within the main body 12. Thelight lock door driver 28 has a shaft 50 (Figure 10) that35 mates with an internal actuator in the cassette 26 so thatrotation of the light lock door driver 28 operates the lightlock door 30 to either an open or closed position. FiguresW0 98/1 1469l0l520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/U S97/ 14626_ 14 _10 and 11 best illustrate the mating of the light lock doordriver 28 with the cassette 26.As shown best in Figures 10-16, the light lockdoor driver 28 is operatively engageable and disengageablewith the advancing means 22. When the advancing means 22 isthe driver 28rotation of the advancing means 22 will cause rotation ofthe light lock door driver 28. Rotation of the light lockdoor driver 28 causes the light lock door 30 to change fromcoupled to (engaged with) (Figures 12 and 13),an open position to a closed position, or from a closedposition to an open position, as will become more apparenthereinafter.Camera 10 also includes an actuating mechanism 52for coupling and decoupling the advancing means 22 to andtheactuating mechanism 52 includes a film sensor 54, a springfrom the driver 28. As shown in Figures 12-16,56, a pivotable lever 60, and a coupling gear 62. The lever60 is pivotally mounted within the main body 12 on a pin 64;spring 56 is also mounted on pin 64. The sensor 54 and thecoupling gear 62 are mounted to the lever 60 as shown, andspring 56 has an arm 58 that urges against a post 66 on thethe lever 60 andthe attached sensor 54 are biased by the spring 56 towardslever 60. As is shown in Figures 12-16,the back cover 20. The sensor 54 is urged against film 24It will be noted that the sensor 54is located immediately adjacent to the location where thewhen film is present.light lock door 30 resides when a film safe cassette 26 isthispermits the sensor 54 to detect when all of the film haspresent in the camera. As will become apparent,been rewound. As best seen in Figures 12-16, the couplinggear 62 couples the advancing means 2242) to the60 is in a first position (Figures 12 and 13),(via the driving geardriver 28 (via segmented portion 46) when leverand decouplesthe advancing means 22 from the driver 28 when lever 60 isin a second position (Figures 14-16). As will becomeapparent hereinafter, the lever 60 is in the first positionwhen no film 24 is in the portion of the film path 68a, andW0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/ 14626_ 1 5 _(i)(ii) when film is present in the portion ofthe film path 68a.path is defined in the Figures as comprising three portions:is in the second position either during a film loadingprocedure, orAs will be appreciated, the entire filmportion 68a adjacent the film cassette 26; portion 68cadjacent the film spool 18; and, portion 68b extendingtherebetween. The portion 68b therefore includes a portionbehind a shutterportion 68b thatand lens 70 of the camera 10 such that theis behind the shutter and lens 70 of theCamera defines a film exposing area of the camera 10.Figure 12 shows the coupling gear 62 engaged withthe driving gear 42 and the light lock door driver 28.Rotation of the advance wheel 40 rotates driving gear 42.With the coupling gear 62 engaged as shown in Figure 12,rotation of the advance wheel 40 in a clockwise directioncauses rotation of the coupling gear 62 in a counter-clockwise direction, which in turn, causes rotation of thelight lock door driver 28 in a clockwise direction, asindicated by the arrows on each of the elements 28, 40 and62 in Figure 12. Since shaft 50 engages the film cassette’sinternal light lock door actuator, the clockwise rotation ofthe light lock door driver 28 is operative to open the lightlock door 30.light lock door driver 28 after it has been driven by theNote thatthe sensor 54 projects into the film path 68a along whichFigure 13 illustrates the position of theadvancing means to open the light lock door 30.film 24 will travel when ejected from the cassette 26.Figure 14 depicts the lever 60 in a retractedposition. Lever 60 is retracted either manually, or byafter the light lock door 30has been opened as above described.means of a fixture (not shown),While lever 60 is beingretracted, it pivots about pin 64; retraction of the lever60 de—couples coupling gear 62 from light lock door driver28, Thus,cannot alter the position of the light lock door 30.as shown. further rotation of advance wheel 40However, the shaft 44 of the advancing means remains engagedwith the internal spool of film cassette 26 such thatW0 98/1 1469l01520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCTVUS97fl4626-15-rotation of the advancing means will rotate the internalspool, and further rotation of the advance wheel 40 in aclockwise direction will drive film out of the cassette 26.Retraction of lever 60 also pulls the sensor 54 toward thefront of the camera, and out of the film path 68a, as shownby the arrow inside the sensor 54 depicted in Figure 14.A film loading operation, and the attendantoperation of the actuating mechanism 52, the sensor 54, theadvancing means 22 and the light lock door driver 28, areexplained below in further detail with reference12-15.cover 20 of the camera 10,to Figuresto the backinsertedWith the main body 12 securely assembleda film cassette 26 isinto the film cassette compartment 14 via a film cassetteloading port 72 in the bottom in the cameraand 11)(see Figures 4so that the shafts 44 and 50 engage their respectivecounterparts inside the film cassette 26. A tab or door 74is securely mounted to light tightedly cover the filmcassette loading port 72. Lever 60 and driver 28 will beoriented as shown in Figure 12, i.e., the lever 60 will notbe retracted, the coupling gear 62 will be engaged with thedriver 28,68a. Clockwise rotation of the advance wheel 40 will openthe light lock door 30,illustrates the orientation of these elements at thisand the sensor 54 will project into the film pathas above described. Figure 13juncture. Further rotation of the advance wheel 40 isinhibited by a stop 76,Next,as described below.the lever 60 is retracted either manually orwith the aid of a fixture (not shown). This de—couples thecoupling gear 62 from the driver 28, thus freeing advancewheel 40 to again rotate clockwise. This is shown in Figure14. Retraction of the lever 60 also pulls the sensor 54 intoward the front of the camera 10 (i.e., in the directionshown by the arrow inside sensor 54 in Figure 14), so thatWiththe advance wheel 40 is furtherthe sensor 54 is disposed out of the film path 68a.the lever 60 retracted,rotated clockwise to drive film 24 out of cassette 26 andinto the film path 68a, b, c. The spool 18 has beenW0 98/11469l01520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626- 17 _previously rotated so that the film receiving slot 36 isaligned with the path of travel of the film 24 along thefilm path 68c. As therotated clockwise to drive the film,advance wheel 40 is continued to bea leading edge 38 ofthe film 24 is received into the slot 36, as also shown inFigure 14. The film installer may look into the opening 80to ensure that the leading edge 38 has been received intothe slot 36 before proceeding further. At this juncture,the lever 60 may be released. The spring 56 biases thelever 60 toward its non—retracted position toward the(i.e.,back cover 20).54 contacts the film 24,However, the sensoras shown in Figure 15,thus preventing the lever 60 fromfully returning to its original position, and thus keepingthe driver 28 de—coupled from the coupling gear 62. Hence,the light lock door 30 will still not be operated byrotation of advance wheel 40.Film is withdrawn from the cassette 26 and pre—wound onto the spool 18 by means of an external driver 82that is adapted to engage the interior peripheral surface ofspool 18. See Figures 15 and 17. Driver 82 is rotated soas to rotate spool 18 via opening 80 in the bottom of thecamera until pre—winding has been completed. The pre—woundfilm on spool 18 and the cassette 26 are thus arranged atopposite sides of the camera 10, and the film 24 traversestheand unless a battery is to be insertedthe film exposing area of the camera. At this juncture,driver 82 is removed,into the camera 10 (as discussed more fully below), a dooror tab 84 is secured in place to light tightedly cover theopening 80. As discussed more fully hereinafter, the spool18 is mounted rotatedly within the main body 12 in a lighttight manner such that the only meaningful light path intothe camera exists via the slot 36, and this exists onlyuntil film has been wound onto spool 18. The camera 10 isnow ready to take exposures.As exposures are taken, film is rewound from thespool 18 back to the film cassette 26, one frame at a time,by counterclockwise rotation of the advance wheel 40. AfterW0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/U S97/ 14626_ 18 _the last frame has been exposed, continued counterclockwiserotation of the advance wheel 40 pulls the leading edge 38of the film 24 from the slot 36,At this point,and across the sensor 54.as is shown in Figure 12, the sensor 54 is nolonger restrained by the film 24. The bias exerted by thespring 56 urges the sensor 54 back into the film path 68a,and the lever 60 biases back to its original position, i.e.,towards the back cover, causing the coupling gear 62 to re-couple with the driver 28. Further counter—clockwiserotation of the advance wheel 40 thus rotates driver 28 in acounter—clockwise direction,door 30.thus closing the light lockPreferably, the driver 28 cooperates with a pairof stops, an opening stop 76 and a closing stop 78, as shownWhen the driver 28 is rotatedthe teeth 48of the driver 28 are driven against the opening stop 76,in Figures 12 and 13.clockwise, as shown by the arrow in Figure 13,thus preventing further rotation of the driver 28, andpreventing damage to the light lock door actuator inside thewhen the driver 28 has beenthe teeth 48 of the driver 28 arefilm cassette 26. Likewise,rotated counter—clockwise,driven against the closing stop 78, again preventing furtherWhen the driver78, theadvance wheel 40 is also prevented from rotating, unless itrotation of the driver 28. See Figure 12.28 is prevented from rotating by the stops 76,has been disengaged from the driver 28 as described above.Since the advance wheel 40 cannot be rotated once the driver28 reaches the closing stop 78, the closing stop 78 alsofunctions to inform the camera user when all of the film 24has been rewound into the film cassette 26.As illustrated in Figure 16, the camera may alsoinclude a claw preventer 88 mounted to the front cover 32 ofthe main body 12 and cooperating with the advance wheel 40.The claw preventer 88 prevents rotation of the advance wheeli.e., the direction that drivesfilm 24 out of the film cassette 26.40 in a clockwise direction,The claw preventer 88does permit counter—clockwise rotation of the advance wheelW0 98/1 1469l01520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 19 ..40, in the direction that rewinds film 24 back intothe film cassette 26.i.e.,During the initial phases of the film loadingprocess described above, the front cover 32 is not assembledto the inner body 34.Consequently, the claw preventer 88attached to the front cover 32 is not engaged with the filmadvance wheel 40 mounted on the inner body 34. theHence,claw preventer 88 does not prevent the above describedAfter film 24the front coverclockwise rotation of the advance wheel 40.has been pre—wound onto the film spool 18,32 is affixed to the inner body 34 and the claw preventer 88is permitted to engage the advance wheel 40 as shown inFigure 16.path 68a, b, cwhen front cover 32 is removed.It should be noted that no portion of the film(and hence none of the film 24) is exposedThe camera 10 may also include a battery 90, forexample, if the camera has a flash unit. Preferably, asmore fully described below, a battery compartment is definedinside the film spool 18. A pair of electrical contacts 92and 94 are disposed adjacent opposite ends of the spool 18and are arranged to make contact with the battery terminalse.g.,flexibly mounted to the main body 12 as shown in Figure 3 toafter the filmhas been pre—wound on the spool 18 as above described, theof, a size AA battery. Contact 94 is preferablyfacilitate battery loading. In particular,battery 90 may be inserted into a hollow core 96 of thespool via opening 80, and the contact 94 may be bent thereover. Tab 84 light tightedly closes the opening 80, and theraised portions 86 thereof urge the upper terminal of thebattery against contact 92 while urging the Contact 94against the lower terminal of the battery. See Figures 3-6and 8. Battery 90 is preferably a size AA battery and thehollow core 96 has a diameter and length sized accordingly,but the invention may be carried out with other batterysizes, such as size AAA or even size C batteries.The tabs 74 and 84 are preferably installed insuch a manner that prevents easy removal by an end user,W0 98/ 1 1469l01520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 29 __e.g., by locking mechanisms, bonding, adhesives, etc.As best shown in Figures 5, 6 and 18, main body 12that light tightedlyenvelopes the spool 18, including the bottom peripherythereof. Thus,26 has been inserted into the camera and the film cassettehas a portion 98, defining a collar,See also Figure 8. once the film cassettetab 74 has been placed on the film cassette loading port 72,and before the tab 84 has been placed over opening 80 belowthe spool in the bottom of the camera, the only path formeaningful amounts of light to enter the camera is via theopening 80 and slot 36. This path is illustrated by anarrow 100 in Figure 12. However, once the leading edge 38of the film has entered the slot 36 and the spool 18 hasbeen rotated even slightly, this path is eliminated because,as seen in Figures 14 and 15, the film forming the leadingedge 38 blocks that entry point. It has been found that theabove described camera design also prevents any substantialamount of light from traveling far enough along the portionsof the film path 68c, b to expose film in the cassette 26It will beappreciated that this is a substantial feature of thewhen the light lock door 30 has been opened.invention, since, in the above described practice of theinvention, there is a period of time between the time thatthe light lock door 30 is first opened and the time that thefilm edge 38 finally blocks the slot 36. If any substantialamount of light were permitted to travel far enough alongthe film path during this interval, then the film inside thecassette could be exposed. In the practice of theinvention, however, only a leader portion of the film, i.e.,the portion that is first withdrawn from the cassette 26 tothe slot 36,As shown in Figure 9can be exposed.(which is a cross section ofcamera 10 taken through the film exposing area, as shown inthe back cover 20 has a pressure plate 102 thatThe main body 12has a recessed portion that extends toward the back cover 20film guides 106 that guide the film 24Figure 2),extends toward the front of the camera 10.of the camera 10,W0 98/1 146910152O253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 21 _through the portion 68b of the film path and film rails 108that the film 24 rests between in a portion of the film path68b.and the recessed portion 104, defining that part of the filmThere is a gap g formed between the pressure plate 102path 68b near the center (film exposing area) of the camera10.Using a standard APS film cassette, experimentswere carried with one embodiment of a camera 10 having thefollowing characteristics, and in an illuminated room havingthe following light level, and no film in the cassette wasfound to be exposed:Film thickness: 0.1 mm.Width wlof slot 36 at innerperiphery of spool 18 (see Figure 13): 1.0 mm,Width wz of slot 36 at outerperiphery of spool 18 (see Figure 13): 2.0 mm.Length 11 of slot 36 (see Figure 5): 46 mm.Length 12 of film path 68a,b,c (see Figure 16): 54 mm.Width of gap g (see Figure 9): 0.5-0.6 mm.Light level in room(measured in light value (LV): LV 6 — LV 7In an alternative film loading method, the driver82 is inserted into the spool 18 in a light tight manner(i.e., to prevent light from entering the interior 96 ofThen thelight lock door 30 is opened, and the leading edge 38 offilm 24 is advanced into the slot 36,Next,This prevents any light from entering the film path 68a,b,cThus,this embodiment of the film loading method,spool 18) before the light lock door 30 is opened.as above described.the driver 82 is rotated, as also above described.anytime during a film loading procedure. according tolight enteringwhen thespool 18 will have been pre—wound and nothe camera to expose film is not a concern because,driver is removed,light can enter via slot 36 at any time.Figures 18A — 18C illustrate a variation of theW0 98/1 14691O1520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 22 _the tab84 that covers opening 80 has been replaced with a slottedIn thethe opening 80 is circular so as toSlot 206 is adapted to beengaged with a screwdriver or other rotatable apparatus soabove described camera. In the camera of Figure 18,rotatable tab 200 having a plurality of prongs 202.camera of Figure 18,rotatably receive the tab 200.as to rotate the tab 200 after it has been inserted in tothe opening 80. Prongs 202 are preferably resilient so thatflexed radially inwardly, toward the center ofTaburged into opening 80 until the circumferentialthey can betab 200, to200 is thengroove 204 light tightedly and rotatably engages with theAfterpermit insertion of tab into opening 80.corresponding portion of the camera body 208.insertion, prongs 202 are permitted to relax andfrictionally engage the inner periphery of spool 18, so thatThus,of Figure 18 may be loaded by first inserting the tab 200rotation of tab 200 also rotates spool 18. the camerainto the opening 80, then scrolling the film across the filmpath and into the spool 18 as above described. Pre—windingis then accomplished by externally rotating the tab 200 torotate the spool 18.In the practice of certain aspects of theinvention, the film in film spool compartment 16 and woundaround spool 18 may be exposed film that has been withdrawntheexposed film is then rewound back into the cassette 26from the cassette 26 only as exposures are taken;before the camera is opened, as is typical in most re-usablecameras.The preferred embodiment of the invention has beendescribed as having a cylindrical or tubular structure thatdefines the spool 18. As set forth above, however, itshould be understood that certain aspects of the inventionare not limited in scope to this embodiment, and anembodiment that does not employ any such structure isFor example, the film 24 may simply windand thecavity formed therein defines the battery compartment.contemplated.about itself in the film spool compartment 16,W0 98/1 1469101520253035CA 02265760 l999-03- l2PCT/US97/14626_ 23 _Thus,the terms “spool” and “film spool” are intended to encompassas used in the claims, and except as noted otherwise,such embodiment.Other portions of the camera 10 illustrated in thedrawings are well known in the art, and no furtherexplanation thereof is required.Preferably, the camera 10 is a plastic single useThus,in a preferred embodiment, the main body 12 and back covercamera, as described in the background section above.20 are secured together by locking means, screws, adhesive,thermal bonding etc. prior to the above described filmloading process in such manner that the back cover 20 is noteasily removed by the end user. As is typical, and asdepicted by the heavy dashed lines 110 in Figures 1, 2, 8and 17, packaging, such as adhesive backed paper, cardboardor even plastic, preferably surrounds at least portions ofthe camera 10. As is common, this packaging containsindicia that points out various parts of the camera(shutter, flash charge button, etc.) and/or instructions foruse. As is also common, it is preferred that this packagingmust be removed and destroyed, at least in part, to open ordissemble the camera to remove the film cassette 26 and/orThus,this packaging cover at least tab 74 and/or tab 84, and abattery 90 from the camera. it is also preferred thatportion of back cover 20 so that destruction of at leastpart of the packaging must be destroyed to remove tab 84 (to(to remove the filmAlthough it isremove the battery), to remove tab 74cassette) or to remove the back cover 20.known that these cameras may be recycled, reloading filmtherein usually requires removal of the back cover 20(except in the practice of the above described film loadingaspect of the present invention), and hence destruction ofat least a portion of the packaging or even, in some cases,destruction of at least a portion of the camera body.It is to be understood, however, that even thoughnumerous characteristics and advantages of the presentinvention have been set forth in the foregoing description,CA 02265760 l999-03- 12WO 98/11469 PCT/US97/14626-24-together with details of the structure and function of theinvention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changesmay be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, sizeand arrangement of parts within the principles of the5 invention to the full extent indicated by the broad generalmeaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed.

Claims (37)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of loading a camera having a back cover and a main body, and having a film cassette compartment and a film spool compartment on opposing sides of a film exposing area of the camera, the film cassette compartment being adapted to receive a film cassette, the method comprising the steps of:
a) withdrawing unexposed film from the film cassette and arranging the withdrawn unexposed film into a spool in the film spool compartment;
b) inserting a battery inside the spool via an opening on the underside of the camera; and, c) sealing the opening.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the following step preceding performance of step (a): disposing said film cassette in said film cassette compartment via another opening in the underside of the camera with the back cover assembled to said camera.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises employing rotatable means external to the camera to wind the unexposed film into the spool while the film cassette is disposed in the film cassette compartment.

4. In a single use camera having a back cover and a main body, and having single user operable manual advance wheel, a method of loading film from a film cassette disposed in a film cassette compartment to a film spool compartment, the method comprising the steps of:
a) with the back cover assembled to the camera such that a film path of the camera is fully covered, and with the film cassette disposed in the film cassette compartment and in engagement with a shaft of the manual advance wheel, manually rotating the manual advance wheel to advance film from the film cassette, across the film path, and to the film spool compartment; then, b) winding the film into a spool in the film spool compartment.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the film cassette is one of a 35mm film cartridge or an APS film cassette.

6. In a camera having a main body and a back cover and of the type that employs a film cassette having a light lock door that is movable between open and closed positions and rotatable advancing means for advancing film between the film cassette and a film spool compartment, the film spool compartment being adapted to hold a spool of film, a method comprising the steps of:
a) loading the film cassette into the film cassette compartment with the light lock door closed, the advancing means engaging a light lock door actuator inside the film cassette;
b) rotating the advancing means to open the light lock door; and c) preventing further rotation of the advancing means from operating the light lock door actuator.

7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of continuing to rotate the advancing means to drive film out of the cassette, across a film path of the camera, and into the film spool compartment.

8. In a camera having a back cover and a main body, and having a film cassette compartment at one end and a film spool compartment at the other end, a film path extending between the film cassette compartment and the film spool compartment, and a manually rotatable advancing means for advancing film, a method of loading film in the film spool compartment comprising the steps of:
a) inserting an APS film cassette loaded with unexposed film in the film cassette compartment with a light lock door of the APS film cassette closed;
b) rotating the advancing means to open the light lock door of the APS film cassette and to drive film out of the cassette, across the film path and into the film spool compartment; and, c) winding film into a spool in the film spool compartment from the APS film cassette.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the camera is a single use camera wherein the back cover is fixedly assembled to the main body, and wherein step (b) is performed with the back cover assembled to the main body to cover the film cassette compartment, film spool compartment and film path.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein step (b) comprises rotating the advancing means in a first direction, and wherein, after film loading has occurred, the camera is adapted to take exposures, one frame at a time, by rotating the advancing means in a second direction opposite to the first direction to withdraw film back into the cassette.

11. The method according to claim 8 wherein step (c) comprises engaging a rotatable portion of the camera via an external winding means and rotating the external winding means to wind the film.

12. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of (d) preventing the advancing means from rotating in the first direction after the camera has been loaded.

13. In an APS camera having a back cover and a main body and of the type for single use by an end user and that is packaged with an APS film cassette in a film cassette compartment and pre-wound unexposed film withdrawn from the film cassette disposed in a film spool compartment, the film cassette having a light lock door, and wherein a manual advance wheel is rotated in one direction to wind the film into the film cassette as exposures are taken, and wherein an underside of the camera has first and second openings generally aligned with the film cassette compartment and film spool compartment, respectively, the first and second openings being light tightedly sealed closed after film has been loaded into the camera, a method of assembling the camera comprising the steps of:
a) inserting the APS film cassette into said film cassette compartment via the first opening with the unexposed film rolled entirely within the film cassette and with the light lock door closed and with the back cover assembled to the camera, and sealing the first opening;
b) rotating said manual advance wheel in another direction opposite to said one direction to open the light lock door and scroll a leader portion of the film out of the APS film cassette and into the film spool compartment; and, c) winding unexposed film from the film cassette into a spool in the film spool compartment with externally rotatable apparatus.

14. In a camera of the type that employs a film cassette having a light lock door that is movable between open and closed positions, the camera having a main body, a back cover securely attached thereto, a film cassette compartment at one end, a rotatable spool with a film receiving slot disposed in a film spool compartment at the other end, a film path extending between the film cassette compartment and the spool, a film cassette loading port for loading the film cassette into the film cassette compartment, rotatable advancing means for advancing film between the film cassette and the spool, a method comprising the steps of:
i) loading the film cassette into the film cassette compartment via the film loading port with the light lock door closed, the advancing means engaging a light lock door actuator inside the film cassette;
ii) rotating the advancing means in a first direction to open the light lock door;
iii) preventing further rotation of the advancing means from operating the light lock door actuator;
iv) continuing to rotate the advancing means in the first direction to drive film out of the cassette, across the film path and into the film receiving slot;
v) winding film from the cassette onto the spool;
whereby the camera is pre-loaded with the back cover in place, the camera being adapted to take exposures, one frame at a time, by rotating the advancing means in a second direction opposite to the first direction to withdraw film back into the cassette.

15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the steps of:
i) rotating the advancing means in the second direction to withdraw film back into the cassette;
ii) permitting the advancing means to operate the light lock door actuator after all of the film has been withdrawn into the cassette;
iii) continuing to rotate the advancing means in the second direction to close the light lock door.

16. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of preventing the advancing means from rotating in the first direction after the camera has been pre-loaded.

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein the advancing means comprises a thumb wheel and each step of rotation comprises manually rotating the thumb wheel.

18. The method according to claim 14 wherein a light path exists into the film path via the slot prior to completing step (iv), the method further comprising the step blocking the light path by inserting the film into the slot.

19. The method according to any of claims 1 through 18 wherein said steps are carried out in non-darkroom conditions.

20. The method according to any of claims 1 through 18 further comprising the step of applying a package about an exterior surface of the camera so as to permit an end user to take exposures without removal of the package and such that at least one of the following conditions is met: (i) the camera cannot be re-loaded with fresh film without at least partial removal of or at least partial destruction of the package, back cover or main body;
(ii) removal of the back cover requires at least partial removal of or at least partial destruction of the package;

or (iii) the film cassette cannot be removed without at least partial removal of or at least partial destruction of the package, back cover or main body.

21. The method according to any of claims 4 through 18 further comprising the step of inserting a battery inside one of either the spool or film spool compartment.

22. A camera manufactured according to the method of any of claims 1 through 21.

23. A camera comprising:
a) a removable film cassette disposed at one side of the camera;
b) a spool of unexposed film that has been withdrawn from the film cassette and disposed at an opposing side of the camera from the film cassette, the film traversing a film exposing area;
c) advance means for winding film from the spool of film into the film cassette as exposures are taken;
d) a battery arranged within the spool of film;
e) a back cover disposed over the film cartridge, spool of film, and film exposing area;
f) a package disposed about an exterior surface of the camera arranged so as to permit an end user to take exposures without removal of the package and such that at least one of the following conditions is met: (i) the camera cannot be re-loaded with fresh film without at least partial removal of or at least partial destruction of the package or back cover; (ii) removal of the back cover requires at least partial removal of or at least partial destruction of the package; or (iii) the film cassette cannot be removed without at least partial removal of or at least partial destruction of the package or back cover.
g) a first access tab on an underside of the camera aligned with the film cassette and being removable to permit removal of the film cassette therethrough;
h) a second access tab on the underside of the camera aligned with the battery and being removable to permit removal of the battery therethrough, there being means that inhibits removal of at least one of the first and second tabs in normal use of the camera by the end user.

24. Camera according to claim 23 wherein the film cassette is one of either an APS film cassette or a 35 mm film cartridge.

25. An APS camera of the type that employs an APS
film cassette having a light lock door comprising:
a) a film advance mechanism that is rotatable in a first direction to scroll film out of the film cassette and in a second direction to wind film into the cassette;
and, b) an actuator engagable to the film advance mechanism and adapted to cooperate with the light lock door to open the light lock door in cooperation with rotation of the film advance mechanism in the first direction and to close the light lock in cooperation with rotation of the film advance in the second direction.

26. The camera according to claim 25 further comprising an engaging/disengaging mechanism and a film sensor, the engaging/disengaging mechanism engaging the actuator to the film advance mechanism when the film sensor detects that film is not present in a selected portion of a film path of the camera, and disengaging the actuator from the film advance mechanism when the film sensor detects that film is present in the selected portion of a film path.

27. The camera according to claim 25 wherein the film advance mechanism comprises a user rotatable manual advance wheel.

28. The camera according to claim 25 further comprising means engagable with the film advance mechanism for preventing the film advance mechanism from being rotated in the first direction when engaged with the film advance.

29. An APS camera of the type employing an APS
film cassette and having a film cassette compartment and a film spool compartment comprising:
a) a first light tightedly closable port on an underside of the camera generally aligned with the film cassette compartment for receiving and removing the APS
film, and a second light tightedly closable port on the underside of the camera generally aligned with the film spool compartment;
b) a film path extending from the film cassette compartment, across a film exposing area of the camera, to the film spool compartment;
c) a rotatable tubular member disposed in the film spool compartment and having a slot therein for receiving a leader portion of film withdrawn from the film cassette, there being a light path via the slot into the film path when the second port is open, the slot having dimensions such that the light path via the slot is closed by the leader portion after the leader portion has been inserted into the slot and the tubular member has been rotated;
the film path having a portion dimensioned to prevent substantial amounts of light from reaching the film cassette compartment when the second port is open and before the light path has been closed by the leader portion.

30. The camera according to claim 29 further comprising battery terminals disposed adjacent axially opposing ends of the tubular member and adapted to electrically connect to terminals of a battery, the tubular member having an interior defining a battery housing for removably receiving the battery via the second port.

31. In a camera of the type that employs an APS
film cassette having a light lock door, the camera having at opposing sides thereof a film cassette compartment for holding the film cassette and a film spool compartment for holding film withdrawn from the film cassette, and a film path disposed therebetween, comprising:
a) a film advance mechanism for advancing the film between the compartments;
b) a film sensor disposed along the film path;
c) a light lock door actuator coupled to the film sensor; and, d) an engaging/disengaging mechanism engaging the actuator to the film advance mechanism when the film sensor detects that film is not present in a selected portion of a film path of the camera, and disengaging the actuator from the film advance mechanism when the film sensor detects that film is present in the selected portion of a film path.

32. The camera of claim 31 wherein the film sensor is disposed adjacent the film cassette compartment, and the engaging/disengaging mechanism comprises a biasing element that biases the film sensor toward the film path, and wherein, when film is present in the film path, the film prevents the film sensor from entering the film path and maintains the actuator disengaged from the film advance mechanism, and further wherein, when film is not present in the film path, the film sensor is urged into the film path by the biasing element and the actuator engages the film advance mechanism.

33. The camera of claim 31 wherein the film advance mechanism comprises a manually rotatable advance wheel rotatable in a first direction to cause the actuator to open the light lock door.

34. An APS camera comprising a user actuable advance mechanism engagable with an APS film cassette to both drive film out of the cassette and withdraw film into the cassette in response to actuation of the advance mechanism in first and second opposing directions, respectively, and a preventer engagable with the advance mechanism that, when engaged, prevents actuation in the first direction but permits actuation in the second direction, the advance mechanism being rotatable in the first direction only when the preventer is not engaged.

35. An APS camera comprising:
a) a film advance mechanism comprising a manual advance wheel, a driving gear, and a first shaft adapted to mate with a first part of an APS film cassette;
b) a light lock door driver comprising a second shaft adapted to mate with a second part of the APS film cassette coupled to a light lock door of the film cassette, the light lock door driver having a plurality of gear teeth defining a segmented portion;
c) a coupling gear engaged with the driving gear and being engagable and disengagable to and from the segmented portion;
d) a spring biased lever carrying the coupling gear and being pivotable to engage and disengage the coupling gear to and from the segmented portion; and, e) a film sensor coupled to the lever and disposed adjacent a portion of the film path of the camera, the film sensor biasing the lever so as to disengage the coupling gear from the segmented portion when film is present in the film path, the spring biasing the lever so as to engage the coupling gear to the segmented portion when film is not present in the film path;
rotation of the manual advance wheel being operative to open or close the light lock door only when the coupling gear is engaged to the segmented portion.

36. The camera according to claim 35 further comprising means for winding the film from the film cassette into a spool on an opposite side of the camera from the film cassette by means external to the camera without exposing unexposed film in the film cassette to any substantial amount of light after the light lock door has been opened.

37. The camera according to claim 35 further comprising a battery compartment defined within a portion of the camera defining a film spool compartment adapted to hold film withdrawn from the film cassette.