Photography – Disposable or recyclable camera
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-26
2002-01-29
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Photography
Disposable or recyclable camera
C396S661000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06343185
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens cleaning apparatus and method and a recycling apparatus and method for a lens-fitted photo film unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lens cleaning apparatus and method in which a taking lens of a used lens-fitted photo film unit can be effectively cleaned for the purpose of recycling, and a recycling apparatus and method for a lens-fitted photo film unit.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
Lens-fitted photo film units of various kinds are sold in the market. Each lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film, and incorporates a simple structure for taking an exposure. The lens-fitted photo film unit is constituted by various parts including a main body, an exposure unit, an electronic flash unit, a front cover, a rear cover and an outer belt. The main body is loaded with the photo film. The exposure unit is a component provided with a taking lens and a shutter mechanism. The flash unit includes a flash circuit and a flash emitter. The front cover covers a front face of the main body. The rear cover covers a rear face of the main body. The outer belt is wound about and attached to the front and rear covers.
The lens-fitted photo film unit, after a user forwards it to a photo laboratory for development and printing, is withdrawn collectively in a great scale, and recycled in recycling factories of each manufacturer. To be precise, the front and rear covers are likely to have considerable dirt or scratches on the outside of the lens-fitted photo film unit, and are collapsed and pelletized to be reused as raw material for plastic parts. The main body, the exposure unit and the flash unit mounted on the main body are also reused after being subjected to cleaning and inspection.
The taking lens is always located in an outer face of the lens-fitted photo film unit, and is also likely to have dust or scratches. However the taking lens is cleaned and reused, chiefly because of its higher cost than other plastic parts of the lens-fitted photo film unit. The taking lens is cleaned by use of ultrasonic waves after being removed from the exposure unit. In general, most of the dirt or dust of the taking lens is located only on its surface. JP-A 10-62915 suggests a device for cleaning the taking lens mounted on the exposure unit for the purpose of reducing the recycling cost. A cleaning head is used with a cleaning tape, and the cleaning head causes the cleaning tape to wipe the taking lens on the exposure unit.
To clean the taking lens as mounted on the exposure unit, a cleaning head is rotated while tension is applied to the cleaning tape. However this method has a shortcoming in that the entirety of the cleaning device must be rotated or that the exposure unit on a pallet must be rotated. A cost for relevant recycling equipments is high due to the structural complexity.
To feed the cleaning tape in a continuous shape by a predetermined length, a dancer roller, a photoelectric sensor and the like are used, the sensor detecting a moved position of the dancer roller. But if a cleaning apparatus is provided with those mechanisms, a recycling cost of the lens-fitted photo film unit is further increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a lens cleaning apparatus and method in which a taking lens of a used lens-fitted photo film unit can be effectively cleaned, and a recycling apparatus and method for a lens-fitted photo film unit.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a recycling apparatus and method for a lens-fitted photo film unit in which mechanical parts of the lens-fitted photo film unit can be readjusted efficiently and effectively at a low cost for recycling.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recycling apparatus and method for a lens-fitted photo film unit in which its cassette shutter closing mechanism can be readjusted effectively for recycling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a recycling apparatus and method for a lens-fitted photo film unit in which a resilient member incorporated therein can be inspected effectively for recycling.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a recycling apparatus and method for a lens-fitted photo film unit in which its frame counter mechanism can be readjusted effectively for recycling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a recycling apparatus and method for a lens-fitted photo film unit in which inspecting/readjusting processes can be protected from influences of dust or particles created from cleaning processes.
In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages of this invention, a taking lens of a lens-fitted photo film unit is cleaned by the following steps. Loosened cleaning tape is opposed to the taking lens. A cleaning head is caused to press the cleaning tape against the taking lens. While the cleaning tape is pressed against the taking lens, the cleaning head is moved, to wipe the taking lens with the cleaning tape.
In a preferred embodiment, a tape feed unit is operable in a conveying step and a cleaning step alternately, the tape feed unit, when in the conveying step, conveys cleaning tape past a position of the taking lens, and when in the cleaning step, loosens a portion of the cleaning tape opposed to the taking lens. A cleaning head presses the cleaning tape against the taking lens and moves when the tape feed unit is in the cleaning step, to wipe the taking lens.
The tape feed unit includes a first roller disposed upstream from the cleaning head, the cleaning head being supplied with the cleaning tape after contact with the first roller. A second roller is disposed downstream from the cleaning head, the cleaning tape being withdrawn from the cleaning head before contact with the second roller. A cleaner holder is provided with the first and second rollers and the cleaning head is mounted thereon. A third roller is disposed between the,first roller and the cleaning head, for contacting the cleaning tape. A fourth roller is disposed between the second roller and the cleaning head, for contacting the cleaning tape. A moving mechanism moves the cleaner holder to a retracted position when in the conveying step, and to a cleaning position when in the cleaning step, wherein when the cleaner holder is in the retracted position, the cleaning head is located farther from the taking lens than the third and fourth rollers, and when the cleaner holder is in the cleaning position, the cleaning tape is loosened between the first and second rollers, and the cleaning head advances toward the taking lens relative to the third and fourth rollers, presses the loosened cleaning tape against the taking lens, and rotates back and forth.
Furthermore, there is a supply reel about which the cleaning tape being unused is wound in a roll form, and which supplies the first roller with the cleaning tape. A winder reel winds the cleaning tape from the second roller in a roll form. A stationary stand is disposed in a stationary manner, for supporting the cleaner holder movably, the stationary stand being provided with the third and fourth rollers mounted thereon.
Furthermore, a brush device is actuated before wiping with the cleaning head, for moving in contact with the taking lens to brush the taking lens.
Thus, by the use of the loosened cleaning tape, the taking lens of the used lens-fitted photo film unit can be effectively cleaned.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for a lens-fitted photo film unit is provided. The lens-fitted photo film unit includes a main body, having a cassette holder chamber and a roll holder chamber. A photo film cassette shell is contained in the cassette holder chamber. Photo film is previously drawn from the cassette shell, wound in a roll form, and contained in the roll holder chamber. A shutter mechanism is disposed in the main body, for providing a frame of the photo film with an exposure
Aoshima Shinsuke
Mori Ryo
Morita Masaya
Tominaga Yoshihiro
Uchida Shoichi
Adams Russell
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Smith Arthur A
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