Apparatus and method for loading and unloading a camera with a discrete film strip

Apparatus for feeding photosensitive web material, comprising:

• a frame;
• a cassette for said web material supported by said frame, said cassette comprising a wall having an exit slit for said web material;
• means within said cassette for engaging a leading end of said web material to drive said web material through said exit slit;
• a movable knife blade for cutting said web material extended through said exit slit, said blade being movable between a first position in which said exit slit;
• means for driving said web material from said cassette, said means for driving including a retractable driver shaft;
• an actuator supported by said frame for moving said knife blade to cut said web material;
• a cam follower movable by said actuator;
• and
• an actuator lever pivoted on said frame, said lever comprising a cam surface engaged with said cam follower and said lever being engaged with said driver shaft,
• whereby movement of said cam follower during movement of said knife causes said cam surface to move along said cam follower and said lever to pivot on said frame and move said driver shaft into or out of connection with said means for engaging.

A method for loading a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a movable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said method comprising steps of:

• providing a source of unexposed photographic film;
• providing said camera;
• opening said movable closure;
• driving film from said source;
• guiding said film into said film guide track to said unexposed film chamber within said camera;
• and
• cutting said film when a desired length of film has been driven from said source.

Apparatus for loading a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a movable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising:

• a light tight enclosure;
• a first movable, light tight closure giving access to an interior of said light tight enclosure;
• a source for unexposed photographic film, said source being inserted into said interior through said first closure;
• a second movable, light tight closure also giving access to said interior;
• a nest in said interior for receiving a camera through said second closure;
• and
• means in said interior for driving film from said source into said camera.

Apparatus for unloading a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a movable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a nest supported by said frame for receiving a camera;
• film unloading track extending away from said nest for guiding film from said camera;
• and
• means engageable with said camera at said nest for driving exposed film from said exposed film chamber to said unexposed film chamber and then driving exposed film from said unexposed film chamber along said film guide track, out of said camera and along said unloading track.

A method for completely unloading a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a movable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said method comprising steps of:

• providing said camera;
• opening said movable closure on said camera;
• driving exposed film from said camera;
• guiding said exposed film from said camera, thereby emptying said camera of film;
• providing a cartridge for exposed photographic film being driven from said camera;
• guiding said exposed film into said cartridge;
• and
• closing said movable closure.

Apparatus for unloading a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a first movable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising:

• a light tight housing;
• a second movable, light tight closure giving access to an interior of said light tight housing;
• a cartridge for exposed photographic film, said cartridge being inserted into said interior through said closure;
• a nest in said interior for receiving a camera through said second closure;
• and
• means in said interior for driving film from said camera into said cartridge.