Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information... – Cartridge system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-31
2001-10-09
Marcelo, Emmanuel M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information...
Cartridge system
C396S513000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299089
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a cartridge for a roll of web material and in particular, to a light tight cartridge for photographic film used in microfiche printers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In storing documents onto photosensitive material such as microfiche, a large number of documents are copied on rolls of photographic film. It is desirable to minimize the need for operations personal to continually change out cartridges. It is also desirable for cartridges containing photographic film to have a large capacity and not require frequent change out.
There are four basic types of construction methods for light tight film containers used to dispense web rolls. The first type is complicated and requires many parts to manufacture. It usually contains rollers, doors or other devices inside the cartridge, and the web roll. How these cartridges are constructed varies, however, a typical example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,959. A second type of cartridge uses three basic parts, two end caps which contain a flexible or semi-flexible body. An example of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,283. A third type of cartridge is a two piece box split at the exit slot to facilitate installing the light lock material and web roll. A typical example of this type cartridge is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,759. The fourth type of cartridge is a box with an insert inside that supports the web role. The last flap, which closes on the box, is usually the light lock area. An example of the fourth type of cartridge is U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,111.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of cartridge described. For example, type I cartridges tend to have excellent performance and long life but can have a significant cost. They tend to be used in situations where the web roll can be loaded into cartridges in a light free environment. Heavy rolls and wide rolls can be easily adapted to type I cartridges.
Type II cartridges tend to be used for wider rolls that are light or medium weight. They are cost-effective but care must be used to avoid accidentally opening the light lock area and exposing the roll of film. The fastening method sometimes involves glue which can also cause photographic reactions due to the out gassing of the glue as it hardens.
Type III cartridges tend to be used with narrow, medium, or heavy weight rolls. They can also be used as a reasonable compromise for long life and cost effectiveness. Unfortunately, for large diameter heavy web rolls, the tooling costs can be extremely high driving up the unit cost. However, they are rather effective for medium weight rolls. A high volume of this type of cartridge is required in order for the product to be cost effective.
Type IV cartridges are suitable for use with light weight rolls only. They are also restricted to narrow width rolls due to the extreme flexibility of the light lock flap. Simply picking up the cartridge may expose a wider roll to light by bending the light lock area. Heavy rolls can not be used in a cardboard or paperboard box of this type. Another problem associated with this type of cartridge is maintaining light integrity at all the corners and seams because of the weight of heavy rolls.
As market pressures cause manufacturers to reduce the price of microfiche film, there is a need for a very large diameter, narrow width, web roll, packaged in a low-cost cartridge. Currently the market does not offer this option.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to reduce part count in a microfiche cartridge, provide more than one functional use of the cartridge, provide compliant light lock material, and provide for recycling of the cartridge. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a light tight cartridge capable of handling a large diameter roll of web material, which is resistant to unwinding of the spool of web material during transport.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a light tight cartridge for a roll of web material comprises a can, which contains the roll of web material. A first protrusion on the can supports the roll of web material for rotation. A cover fits over the can in a light tight fashion. A second protrusion rotatably supports the roll of web material. In one embodiment, light tight material is provided at a slot in the can and on cover extension to prevent light leaks into the cartridge. In another embodiment of the invention, the cover is ultrasonically welded to the can.
An advantage of the present invention is that the can be constructed of only two parts and is therefore easy to assemble.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the cartridge, including the light lock material, can be easily recycled.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the light lock material acts as a break on the roll of web material preventing unspooling of the roll of web material during transportation.
The invention and its objects and advantages will become more apparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3834650 (1974-09-01), Hall
patent: 4647170 (1987-03-01), Stoneham
patent: 5153625 (1992-10-01), Weber
patent: 5193759 (1993-03-01), Bigelow et al.
patent: 5246111 (1993-09-01), Shibazaki et al.
patent: 5275283 (1994-01-01), Akao
patent: 5435499 (1995-07-01), Hirose
patent: 5565959 (1996-10-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 5813622 (1998-09-01), Von Alten
patent: 5855334 (1999-01-01), Abe et al.
patent: 5860613 (1999-01-01), Holland
patent: 5921494 (1999-07-01), Schulz et al.
patent: 5971311 (1999-10-01), Fujii et al.
Corby Kenneth D.
Jensen Thomas D.
Kappler John A.
Eastman Kodak Company
Marcelo Emmanuel M.
Nelson Adrian Blish
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