GB2243362A

GB2243362A - Photographic film package

Info

Publication number: GB2243362A
Application number: GB9112161A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keiichi Yoshiura; Michio Cho; Tsutomu Tanaka; Yoh Tanaka
Original assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1987-12-01
Filing date: 1991-06-06
Publication date: 1991-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-06
Also published as: GB2243362B; GB9112161D0; GB2213135A; GB2213135B; GB8828061D0

Description

1 Photographic Film Package The present invention relates to a

photographic film package for receiving therein a patrone containing a roll of film.

The most popular photographic film now available is the 135 type or 35 mm size roll film. Such a roll of 35 mm film is contained in a film patrone in conformity to ISO standard 1007 (1979 version). The film patrone is, for sale, packed in a plastic container or case closed with a removable cap and further in a paper box.

The plastic case protects a fresh roll or a used roll of film from moisture. On the other' hand, the paper box, which has an ornament Pattern, as well as a manufacturer's name, the type of film, and/or a trade name, printed on its outer surface, i= used to be on display in a shopwindow to qive a beautiful impression as well as to contain the film patrone in the plastic case.

3 a Paper case for packing Sucb a plastic case an-, afilm z)atrone is very costly and they a-rest the 4f I decrease of price of films. Furthermore, the plastic case is not reusable and is normally scrapped after its primary use.

According to the Present Lnvention there is provided photographic film package com)rising- container with an open end for receivinq therein a film patrone containing a roll of film, an outer surface of said container being provided with information about said roll of film; and a cap removably fitted to said open-end to close said container.

By means of this arrangement there is provided moisture-proof film package at a low cost, including reusable plastic case for receiving therein a film patrone.

The film package can be, for sale, on display in a sbopwindow without being encased in a decorated paper box, beca'use an ornament pattern in addition to the film information can be applied to the outer surface of the container.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the container and the cap is provided with a lens. The film package with a magnifying lens attached thereto is usable as a magnifier after its prior use.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container and cap are provided with lenses, respectively, to form a monocular telescopic optical system.

Such a film package is usable as an optical instrument after its primary use.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawinas in which:- Figure I is an e--ploded perspective view showinq a film package according a -preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view, partly in section - ackage of P4 showing the film p- gure 1; Figure 3 is an exloded perspective view showing a film package, similar to 7---'Jqure 1 but with a film patrone removed, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention7 Figure 4 is a side view, partly in section, showing the film packaqe of Figure 3; F-igure 5 is a perspective viev, showinq a film package, similar to Figure 1. but with a film patrone removed, accordinq still another preferred embodiment of the present invention7 t - 3 Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the film package of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a film package with a film patrone removed, according yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a film package, similar to figure 1, according a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; - 1 Figure 9 is a side view, partly in section, showing the film package of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a side view similar-to Figure 9 showing a film package of a modification of the film package of Fiqure 8, Figure 11 is a side view similar to Figure 9 showing a film package of a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a side view similar to Figure 11 showing a film package of a modification of th! film package of Figure 11; Figures 13 to 15 are perspective views showing various variations of a film package according to the present invention.

Figs. I and 2 show a film package according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the film package 1 comprises a container 3 for containing a film Patrone 2 tberein and a square cap 4 for removably closing an open-end of the container 3. The patrone 2 is of the type well known in the art and has a spool 2a.

tiqhtly a wound on withdrawn the cap 4 patrone 2 2 to move around unduly.

The container 3 is made of plastic materials and is configured in the fo. rm of a square tube with The film patrone 2 contains therein lightroll of 35 mm film with its malor part the spool 2a and' the leader 5 previously out thereof. The container 3 closed with has a height suitable to receive the film therein without allowing the film patrone one end 6 opened. The container 3 has its outer surface with various marks 7 including film data such as a film speed, a film type, an exposure number, a trade name, or the like and an ornament pattern directly printed thereon. Alternatively, a label with such various marks 7 printed thereon may be attached to the outer surface of the container 3.

The open end 6 of the container 3 is closed with the removable cap 4. For tightly closing, the container 3 is provided with a groove 8 formed in the inner surface thereof near the open end 6 and, on the other hand, the cap 4 is formed with an integral square rim 9 fitting to the open end 6. On the outer surface of the rim 9 there is formed a sealing ridge 10 engageable with the groove 8 to seal the interface between the container 3 and the cap 4. For more complete sealing, it is desirable to provide the sealing ridge 10 with a projection 10a at each corner. The cap 4 may have its outer surlicace with a mark 7 Printed thereto.

After inserting the film patrone 2 into the container 3, the cap 4 is fitted to the open end 6 of the container 3 through the engagement of the sealing ridge 10 with the groove 8 to provide a labyrinth seal between the container 3 and the cap 4, providing thereby a film package 1. 'By way of the labyrinth seal, the interior of the container 3 is -made moistureproof so as to protect the roll of film in the patrone 2 from moisture. The film package 1 including the container 3 with an ornament pattern printed thereon can be on disolay in a shop-.,indow to give a beautiful impression without being encased in a decorative paper box. It will he desired to put a seal extendinq 1C from the container 3 to the cap 4 in order to indicate whether the package I has been opened once.

D 1eferring now to Figs. 3 and 4 there is shown a film packaqe 21 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the film package 21 comprises a container 23 configured in the form of a square pillar but having a cylindrical interior space in which a cylindrical film patrone similar to that shown in Fig. 1 is received and a square cap 24 for removably closing an open-end of the container 23. The container 23 closed with the cap 24 has its height suitable to receive the film patrone therein without allowing the film patrone to move unduly therein.

The container 23, which is made of plastic materials and is provided with one end 26 opened, is covered with a thermally shrinkable film 20 on which various marks 27 including film data such as a film speed, a film type, an exposure number, a trade name, or the like and an ornament pattern directly are printed thereon. Alternatively such various marks 27 may be printed directly on the outer surface of the container 23. The open end 26 of the container 23 is closed with the removable cap 24. For tightly closing, the container 23 is provided with a groove 28 formed in the outer surface thereof near the open end and, on the other hand, the cap 24 is formed with an internally extending flange-like sealing edge 30 elastically engageable with the groove 28 to seal the interface between the container 23 and the cap 24.

Referring to Piq. 5 there is shown a film package 311 according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the film package 31 comprises a container 33 configured in the form of an octagonal tube in which a cYlindrical film patrone similar to that shown in Fiq. I is received an,:j an octaqonal cap 34 for re-novably closing an open-end of the container 33- The container 33 has its height suitable to receive the film patrone therein without allowing the film patrone to he rickety therein.

1 - 6 The container 33 and the cap 34 are connected together by means of a flexible connecting bridge 32 and are integrally made of plastic materials. The film package 31 thus constructed prevents the 5 cap being lost. In the container 33 and the cap 34 of this embodiment, since corner walls 33a of the container 33 can be made thin, the container 33 can be made saving materials.

The open end of the container 33 is closed with the cap 34. For tightly closing, the container 33 and the cap 34 are provided with a groove 38 formed in the outer surface thereof near the open end 36 and an internally extending sealing ridge 40, respectively which are elastically engageable with each other to seal the interface therebetween in the same manner as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The container 33 is provided with various marks 37 printed directly on the outer surface thereof.. Lhe container 34 thus provided is wrapped with a transparent thermallv shrinkable film 30 which is formed with a pull tab 30a and a perforated line 30b for easy breakage of wrap as is shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 shows another film package 41 comprising generally rectangular box-shaped container 43 with an openable side cap 44 in the form of a door connected thereto by means of a flexible hinge 42 for closing a side opening 46. For easy opening, the side cap 44 is provided with a lug 40 formed integrally therewith.

in orrier to close tightly, the container 43 ana the cap 44 are provided with a qroove 48 formed in the inner surface thereof near the side opening and a sealing ridge 50 on the periphery thereof respectively, which are elastically engageable Y,,-4th each other to seal the interface therebetween in the same manner as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The film package 9, 41 may be coverei t-.,ith a thermally shrinkable film 1 7 on which various marks including film data such as a film speed, a film type, an exposure number, a trade name, or the like and an ornament pattern directly are printed thereon. Alternatively such various marks may be printed directly on the outer surface of the container 43.

Figs. 8 through 15 illustrate various film packaqes adapted to be reusable as a loupe or a monocular telescope after its primary use. A film package 51 shown in Figs 8 and 9 is adapted to be usable as a loupe and comprises an open-ended' generally octagonal cylinder-shaped container 53 for containing a film patrone 2 therein and a removable octagonal cap 54 for closing a circular open-end 56 of the container 53. The patrone 2 is of the type well known in the art and has a spool 2a. The film patrone 2 contains therein light-tightly a roll of 35 mm. film with its major part wound on the spool 2a and the leader 5 previously withdrawn out thereof. The container 53 closed with the cap 54 has its height suitable to receive the fnl-m patrone 2 therein without allowing the film patrone 2 to be rickety therein. The film package 51 thus conf4qured is advantageous to prevent rolling and to enable several to be placed one upon another.

The container 53) is matfle ofL' transparent plastic materials for moisture-proof. As is clearly shown in Fig. 9, the bottom of the container 53 is formed as a magnifying lens 55 havinq a focal length not shorter than but near the whole lenqth of the container 53. The top open end 56 of with the removable cap 54. the container 53 is provided the container 53 is closed For tightly closing, with a groove 58 formed in the inner surface thereof near the open end 56 and, on the other hand, the cap 54 is formed with an integral cylindrical rim 59 fitting to the open end 56, which rim 59 is formed on the outer surface - 8 thereof with a sealing ridqe 60 engageable with the groove 58 to seal the interface between the container 53 and the cap 54.

The container 53 has its outer surface with various marks 57 including film data such as a film speed, a film type, an exposure number, a trade name, or the like and an ornament pattern directly printed thereon. Alternatively, the film package 51 may be wrapped by a liqht-tight thermally shrinkable film with such various marks 57 printed thereon.

Fig. 10 illustrate another film package adapted to be reusable as a loupe after its primary use. A film package 61 comprises an open-ended qenerally octagonal cylinder-shaped container 63 for containing 3-5 a film patrone 2 therein and a removable octaqonal cap 64 for closing an open-end 66 of the container 63. The container 63 closed with the cap 64 has its height suitable to receive the film patrone 2. therein without allowinq the film patrone 2 to be rickety therein. The film. package 61 thus configured is advantageous to prevent from rollinq and to place one upon another.

The cap 104 is made of transparent plastic materials and is integrally formed witb a magnifying lens 65. For tightly closing, the container 6511 is provided with a.qroove 68 formed in the inner surface thereof near the open end 66 and, on the other band, the cap 64 is formed with an inteqral cylindrical rim 69 fittinq to the open end 66, which rim 69 is formed on the outer surface thereof with a sealinq ridge 70 enqaqeable with the qroove 68 to seal the interface between the container 63 and the cap 64.

The container 63 and the cap 64 have its outer surface with various marks 67 including film data such as a film speed, a film type, an exposure number, a trade name, or the like and an ornament pattern directly printed thereon.

- 9 Fig. 11 illustrates a film package adapted to be reusable as a monocular telescope after its primary use. A film package 81 comprises a generally octagonal cylinder-shaped container 83 with its top and bottom opened for containing a film patrone 2 therein. The container 83 is made of transparent plastic materials for moisture-proof. As is clearly shown, the bottom of the container 83 is attached with a convex lens 85a. The top open end 86 of the container 83 is closed with a removable cap 84 formed with an annular rim 84a for receiving an externally extending top end of the spool 2a of the film patrone 2. The cap 84 is made of transparent plastic materials and is either integrally formed with or attached with a concave lens 85b. For tightly closing, the container 83 is provided with a groove 88 formed in the inner surface thereof near the open end 86 and, on the other hand, t-he cax) 84 is formed with. a sealing ridge 90 engageable with the groove 88 to seal the interface between the container 83 and the cap 84. For - preventing the bottom convex lens 85a from being scratched by the film patrone 2 received therein, it is preferred to form an annular rim 82 extending inwards. In order to isolate the inside of the film package 81 from ambient light before use, it is preferred to wrap the film -package 81. with a thermally shrinkable film or to provide liaht protective sheets inside the container 83.

The film container 83 with the cap 84-thus structured is, after its primary use, available as a monocular telescope. According to combinations of focal lengths the convex and concave lenses 85a and 85b, the container desiqned to receive a size film patrone in conformity to ISO standard can provide a monocular telescope with a magnification of up to approximately x"..

Fiq. 12 illustrates another film packaqe adapted 1 to be reusable as a monocular telescope after its primary use. A film package 91 comprises a generally cylinder-shaped container 93 for containing a film patrone 2 therein and a removable cap 94. The container 93 is made of transparent plastic materials for moistureproof and has a bottom integrally formed as a concave lens 95a. The top of the container 93 is closed with the removable cap 94 which is made of transparent plastic materials and is integrally formed with a convex lens 95b.

Although the concave lens 95a and the convex lens 95b are integral with the container 93 and the cap 94, respectively, nevertheless they may be formed in a molding process. That is, the container 93 with an open bottom is moulded with light opaque plastic materials first and then the open bottom is filled with transparent plastic material to form the concave lens 95a. The cap 94 is made in a same way as the container 93 is made.

The container 93 with the cap 94 thus structured is, after its primary use, available as a monocular telescope by putting an eye on the bottom concave lens 95a.

The film package shown in Figure 11 ro 12, which is available as a fixed focus monocular telescope, may otherwise be structured to be adjustable in focus. Figs. 13 to 15 show some examples of a f.4 Llm package usable as a 'Locus adjustable monocular telescope. Fig. 13 shows a film package 1-01 with a film patrone removed which comprises a cylindrical container 1.03 and cap 104 closing the container 10'. The container 103 has a convex lens 105a either formed integrally -ely from and with tbe bottom thereof or made separat attached to the bottom thereof. On the other hana, the cap 104 bas a cylindrical boss 102 throuqb which it is tiqhtly fitted into the top opening of the container 103 and a concave lens 105h either formed integrally with the cap 104 or made separately from and attached to the cap 104.

The cap 104 is moved up and down in a lengthwise direction of the container 103 to change the distance 5 between the convex lens 105a and the concave lens 105b of the film package 101 as a monocular telescope, therby adjusting the focus of the monocular telescope.

Fig. 14 shows another example of a film package usable as a focus adjustable monocular telescope after its primary use. A film package 111 comprises a container 113 and a cap 114. Simila rly to those of the film package 101 of Fig. 13, the container 113 has a convex lens 115a and the cap has a boss 112 and a concave lens 115b. The cap 114 has external threads 112a formed on the outer surface of the boss 112 thereof to engage internal threads (not shown)formed on the inner surface of the container 11-3 so as to be fit to the container 114.

Due to the provision of the threads, the cap 114 is precisely moved up and down in a lengthwise direction of the container 113 to change the distance between the convex lens 115a and the concave lens 115b of the film package 111 as a monocular telescope, thereby adjusting the focus of the monocular telescope.

For preventing the cap of the film container from being lost, it is desirable to Lorm a car) integrally with a container. As shown in Fig. 15, a film container 123 and a cap 124 are similar to those of Fig. 13 but connected to each other by a flexible -.-!iember 122 formed integrally therewith. in place of, or in addition to, providing convex and concave lenses 125a and 125b, it is permissable to provide convex and concave lenses 126a and' 126b in the opposite walls of the container 123.

Claims

1. A photographic film package comprising: a container with an open end for receiving therein a film patrone containing a roll of film; a cap removably fitted to said open-end to close said container; and concave and convex lenses attached to said container and said cap, respectively, to form a monocular telescopic optical system, each said lens having on its inner surface at its periphery a projection which is in contact with an end surface of said patrone.

2. A photographic film package as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said projection is circular.

3. A photographic film package as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said cap is movable up and down in the axial direction relative to said container so as to adjust the focus of said monocular telescopic optical system.

4. A photographic film package as claimed in claim 3, wherein said cap is threadingly fitted to said container.

5. A photographic film package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office, Concept House, Cardiff Road. Newport. Gwent NP9 I RH. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6, Nine Mile Point, Cwmfelinfach, Cross Keys. Newport. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid, St Mary Cray, Kent.