JP2000019612A - Waterproof film unit with lens(disposable camera) - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof film unit with a lens being inexpensive and excellent in recycling aptitude. SOLUTION: A waterproof case is constituted of a front case member 32 covering a film unit with a lens 3 from the front surface side and a rear case member 33 covering it from the rear surface side. The outside of the case member 32 is covered with a waterproof cover 34 formed of an elastomer so as to be closely brought into contact with it. By engaging projected lines 57 and 62 formed at the cover 34 with the recess 36 of the case member 32 and the recess 64 of the case member 33, waterproof property is given between the cover 34 and the case member 33. Since the case member 32 and the cover 34 are separately formed, the unit 3 becomes inexpensive in comparison with a film unit with a lens molded in coinjection molding and it can be recycled by easily separating the case member 32 and the cover 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved film unit with a waterproof lens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A film unit with a lens, which is sold in a state in which a photographic film is loaded in advance, is widely used because of its simple handling and low cost.
Various variations of this lens-equipped film unit have been developed depending on the shooting purpose and application.
Inside, in order to enable underwater shooting, store the film unit with lens in a waterproof case with a watertight structure,
There are various types of film units with a waterproof lens that allow photographing operations from outside the waterproof case.

The most important function of a film unit with a waterproof lens is waterproof performance. JP-A-10-
In the film unit with a waterproof lens described in JP-A No. 3113 and JP-A No. 10-3114, a case member formed of a transparent plastic and a packing using an elastomer are formed in two colors by forming a waterproof case. And an elastomer packing to provide the waterproof case with appropriate waterproof performance.

[0004]

However, the two-color molding has a problem that the cost is higher than the case where the case member and the packing are separately formed. Further, when the waterproof case is recycled, it cannot be separated into the case member and the packing, so that the transparent plastic and the elastomer are crushed together to form pellets. For this reason, the recycled material cannot be used for a case member requiring high transparency, and a problem arises in that a separate application must be found.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost film unit with a waterproof lens excellent in recyclability.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a film unit with a waterproof lens according to the present invention comprises:
At least two case members that cover the entire outside of the lens-fitted film unit when combined, and are fitted over at least one of these case members and fitted to the one case member and the other case member The waterproof case is constituted by an elastomer cover for keeping the inside of the waterproof case watertight.

As a case member, the lens-fitted film unit is covered from the front side to cover most of the case member, and a transparent portion is provided at least in a portion facing a functional component such as a photographing lens and a finder which requires light transmission. The front case member is combined with the front case member from the back side of the film unit with a lens so as to cover the front case member, and a transparent portion is provided at least in a portion facing a functional component requiring light transmission such as a finder. And a rear case member.The elastomer cover is placed over the outside of the front case member, fitted to the outer periphery of the transparent part of the front case member and the outer periphery of the rear case member to make the inside of the waterproof case watertight. It is intended to be retained.

Further, the fitting between the elastomer cover and the case member is performed by using a protrusion formed on the elastomer cover and a recess formed on the case member and having a width smaller than that of the protrusion. It was done.

[0009] Further, in the flat portion where the case member and the elastomer cover overlap each other, a lifting preventing means for preventing the elastomer cover from floating from the case member is provided. Further, the lifting prevention means is constituted by a projection formed on the inner wall surface of the elastomer cover, and a hole or a recess formed on the surface of the case member and fitted with the projection.

[0010]

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a film unit 2 with a waterproof lens according to the present invention.
The waterproof lens-fitted film unit 2 includes a lens-fitted film unit 3 and a waterproof case 4 that houses the lens-fitted film unit 3. A shutter lever 5 for performing shutter release is mounted on the front surface of the waterproof case 4, and a wind-up knob 6 for winding up a photographed photo film is mounted on the upper surface. Also, on the front of the waterproof case 4,
An exposing part 9 is provided as a transparent part for exposing the photographing lens 7 and the object-side finder window 8 of the lens-fitted film unit 3 to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lens-fitted film unit 3 used in the waterproof lens-fitted film unit 2 has a photographic lens 7, a viewfinder window 8 on the front side,
An opening 11 for a shutter lever is formed, and an opening 12 for a winding knob and a counter window 13 for displaying the remaining number of shootable images are provided on the upper surface. An eyepiece side finder window 14 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the back surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lens-fitted film unit 3 has a main body base 19 in which a cartridge chamber 17 in which an unused photographic film cartridge 16 is loaded and a film chamber 18 are integrally formed. An exposure unit 22 mounted on the front side of the main body base 19 and incorporating the photographing lens 7, the finder optical system 20, a shutter mechanism 21, a film winding mechanism, a film counter mechanism, and the like; It is composed of a front cover 23 and a rear cover 24 that cover the back side.

On the upper part of the cartridge chamber 17 of the main body base 19, a hoisting dial 28 which engages with a spool 27 of the cartridge main body 26 is rotatably mounted. An engagement hole 29 is formed on the upper surface of the winding dial 28 to engage with the winding knob 6 attached to the waterproof case 4. The engagement hole 29 is formed in the front cover 2.
3 and is exposed to the outside through an opening 12 formed in the same. In the front cover of a normal film unit with a lens, a shutter button is provided at the position of the opening 12. The shutter mechanism 21 of the exposure unit 22 is exposed to the outside by a shutter lever opening 11 formed on the front surface of the front cover 23.

The lens-fitted film unit 3 is almost the same as a normal lens-fitted film unit, but a dedicated unit is used for the front cover 23 and the winding dial 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, the waterproof case 4 is placed over the lens-fitted film unit 3 from the front side.
A front case member 32 covering the bottom surface and both side surfaces, and a film unit 3 with a lens so as to cover the front case member 32.
The rear case member 33 is assembled to the front case member 32 from behind, and a waterproof cover 34 is placed on the outside of the front case member 32.

The front case member 32 is formed of a transparent plastic, and has a front surface provided with an exposing portion 9 for exposing the photographing lens 7 of the lens-fitted film unit 3 and the object-side finder window 8 to the outside. ing. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of the waterproof case 4 on the outer periphery of the exposed portion 9.
As shown in FIG. 7, a groove-shaped concave portion 36 is formed over the entire circumference. An opening 3 for accommodating the film unit 3 with a lens is provided on the rear side of the front case member 32.
7 are formed. On the outer periphery of the opening 37, a ridge 38 is integrally formed over the entire periphery.

On the front surface of the front case member 32, a column-shaped boss 40 to which the shutter lever 5 is swingably mounted is erected toward the front side. This boss 4
A hole 41 is formed in the front case member 32 so as to penetrate the inside of the front case member 32, and a small-diameter O-ring 42 is accommodated in a tip portion of the hole 41. The O-ring 42 prevents water, dust and the like from entering the waterproof case 4 through the hole 41 of the boss 40.

The shutter lever 5 has a substantially wedge shape, and a shaft 43 which is inserted into the hole 41 of the boss 40 and serves as a swing center of the shutter lever 5 is formed on the back side thereof. After being inserted into the hole 41 of the boss 40, a release lever 44 is attached to the tip of the shaft 43 in the front case member 32. This release lever 44
When the lens-fitted film unit 3 is stored in the front case member 32, the film unit 3 enters the opening 11 formed on the front surface of the front cover 23 and enters the shutter mechanism 21 of the exposure unit 22.
Engages. Thus, when the shutter lever 5 is swung, the shutter mechanism 21 in the lens-fitted film unit 3 operates. Further, a torsion spring 45 is attached to the outer periphery of the boss 40. This torsion spring 45 urges the shutter lever 5 clockwise in the figure,
The shutter lever 5 is always returned to the initial position.

On the upper surface of the front case member 32, a column-shaped boss 47 to which the hoisting knob 6 is rotatably mounted is erected upward. A hole 48 is formed in the boss 47 so as to penetrate the inside of the front case member 32, and a large-diameter O-ring 49 is housed in a tip portion of the hole 48. The O-ring 49 prevents water, dust and the like from entering the waterproof case 4 through the hole of the boss 47.

The winding knob 6 includes a disk-shaped operating portion 51 having an outer periphery formed with projections and depressions for finger catching,
1 and a drive shaft 52 formed on the lower surface. Drive shaft 5
2 is inserted into the hole 48 of the boss 47 and engages with the engagement hole 29 of the winding dial 28 through the opening 12 formed in the front cover 23 of the film unit 3 with lens.
Thus, when the winding knob 6 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, the winding dial 28 of the lens-fitted film unit 3 is rotated in the same direction, and the photographed photo film is wound into the cartridge body 26. Although not shown in detail, a boss 47 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 52.
After being inserted into the hole 48, the claw member engaging with the inner wall surface of the front case member 32 is formed, so that the hoisting knob 6 does not fall off the front case member 32.

On the lower surface of the hoisting knob 6, a pawl member 54 which operates in conjunction with the rotation of the hoisting knob 6 is swingably mounted. When the winding knob 6 is rotated in the film winding direction in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, the claw member 54 engages with the teeth formed inside the operation portion 51 of the winding knob 6 to generate a ratchet sound. appear. When the wind-up knob 6 is rotated clockwise in the figure, the wind-up knob 6 meshes with the teeth in the operation unit 51, and prevents the wind-up knob 6 from rotating in the opposite direction.

The waterproof cover 34 is formed of a translucent elastomer, which is a polymer material having rubber-like elasticity, and is one-sided of the front case member 32 so as to be tightly covered on the outside of the front case member 32. It has a similar shape around the circumference. The front case member 3 is provided on the front surface of the waterproof cover 34.
An opening 5 for opening an exposing portion 9 formed on the front surface of 2
As shown in FIG. 4, a ridge 57 projecting toward the front case member 32 is formed on the entire periphery of the opening 56. This ridge 57
Is formed to be slightly larger than the width of the concave portion 36 of the front case member 32, so that when it is fitted into the concave portion 36, it is crushed and adheres to the inner wall of the concave portion 36, so that the waterproof cover 34 Make sure the space between them is waterproof.

Openings 58 and 59 for penetrating the bosses 40 and 47 of the front case member 32 are formed on the front and upper surfaces of the waterproof cover 34. The opening 5
Although there is no fitting portion between the ridge and the concave portion on the outer periphery of 8, 59, the openings 58, 59 are smaller than the opening 56, and are less likely to rise from the surface of the front case member 32. That's why.

On the back side of the waterproof cover 34, an opening 61 for covering the front case member 32 is formed. The outer periphery of the opening 61 has a ridge 6
2 are integrally formed. The ridge 62 is covered on the outside of the ridge 38 of the front case member 32.

The rear case member 33 is made of a transparent plastic so that the object side finder window 14 can be observed from the outside via the rear case member 33. On the outer periphery on the front side of the rear case member 33, a concave portion 64 is formed over the entire circumference, in which a ridge 62 formed in the opening 61 of the waterproof cover 34 and a ridge 38 of the front case member 32 are fitted. I have. The width of the concave portion 64 is
4 is slightly smaller than the ridge 62, so that when the ridge 62 is fitted into the concave portion 64, it is crushed and adheres to the inner wall surface of the concave portion 64, and between the waterproof cover 34 and the rear case member 33. Make sure to waterproof.

On both sides on the front side of the rear case member 33,
Two locked pieces 67 each having a locked hole 66 are provided. These locked pieces 67 are engaged with locking claws 68 formed on the inner surface of the side surface of the front case member 32, as shown in FIG. Thereby, the rear case member 3
3 is firmly attached to the front case member 32, the degree of adhesion between the waterproof cover 34 and the rear case member 33 is increased, and the waterproof property of the waterproof case 4 is improved.

Further, on the inner wall surface of the flat portion existing on the front surface of the waterproof cover 34 and the front surface of the front case member 32, there is provided a floating preventing means for preventing the waterproof cover 34 from floating from the front case member 32. The protrusion 70 and the concave portion 71 are formed.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. In the production line of the film unit 2 with a waterproof lens, the front case member 3 made of transparent plastic is used.
A waterproof cover 34 made of a translucent elastomer is put on the outside of 2. At this time, the ridge 57 formed on the outer periphery of the opening 56 of the waterproof cover 34 is
2 is fitted into a concave portion 36 formed on the outer periphery of the exposed portion 9. Since the ridge 57 is slightly larger than the width of the recess 36, the ridge 57 is crushed and comes into close contact with the inner wall surface of the recess 36. Thereby, waterproofness is provided between the waterproof case 34 and the front case member 32.

The protrusion 70 formed on the inner surface of the front surface of the waterproof case 34 is fitted into a concave portion 71 formed on the front surface of the front case member 32. Thereby, the waterproof case 3
4 can be prevented from floating from the front case member 32, and the waterproof performance between the waterproof case 34 and the front case member 32 can be improved.

On the front case member 32 covered with the waterproof case 34, an O-ring 42, a torsion spring 45, a shutter lever 5, and a release lever 44 are attached to a boss 40 protruding from an opening 58 of the waterproof cover 34. . An O-ring 49, a claw member 54, and a winding knob 6 are attached to the boss 47 protruding from the opening 59. Although there is no fitting portion between the ridge and the concave portion on the outer periphery of the openings 58 and 59, the openings 58 and 59 are smaller than the opening 56 and rise from the surface of the front case member 32. This is because there are few things. However, bosses 40,4
A concave portion is formed on the outer periphery of 7, and a ridge is formed on the outer periphery of the openings 58 and 59 to fit into the openings, so that the waterproofness between the waterproof cover 34 and the front case member can be further ensured. it can.

Front case member 32 to which each part is attached
Contains a film unit with lens 3 assembled on another production line. Thereafter, the rear case member 33 is assembled behind the front case member 32. At this time, the protrusion 62 formed on the outer periphery of the opening 61 of the waterproof cover 34 is fitted into the recess 64 of the rear case member 33 together with the protrusion 38 of the front case member 32. Ridge 62
Is slightly larger than the width of the concave portion 64, so that the ridge 62 is crushed and comes into close contact with the inner wall surface of the concave portion 64. Thereby, waterproofness is provided between the waterproof case 34 and the rear case member 33.

The locking hole 66 of the locking piece 67 provided on the rear case member 33 and the locking claw 68 formed on the inner side wall of the front case member 32 are engaged with each other. 3
3 is firmly attached to the front case member 32, so that the degree of adhesion between the waterproof cover 34 and the rear case member 33 is increased, and the waterproof property of the waterproof case 4 is improved.

The completed film unit 2 with a waterproof lens is shipped after various functional tests. The user
It is possible to purchase a film unit 2 with a waterproof lens and shoot in rainy weather or underwater. The film unit 2 with a waterproof lens according to the present embodiment includes a front case member 32.
Almost the entire area is covered with a waterproof case 34 made of an elastomer, so that it is not slippery, and a soft touch can be obtained when held, so that a product appealing effect other than the waterproof function can be obtained. Further, since the waterproof cover 34 made of an elastomer also serves as a cushion, the impact resistance and the like of the film unit 2 with a waterproof lens can be improved.

The film unit 2 with the waterproof lens, which has been photographed on all the stored photo films, is delivered as it is to a development dealer, and a request for simultaneous printing is made. The film unit 2 with a waterproof lens which has been transferred to a developing dealer is conveyed to, for example, a large-scale developing laboratory.
At this developing station, the lens-fitted film unit 3 is taken out of the waterproof case 4 and the photographed photo film cartridge 26 is taken out of the lens-fitted film unit 3. Thereafter, a development process and a printing process of the photo film are performed, and the printed photo and the film having the value are returned to the user.

The film unit with lens 3 from which the film cartridge is taken out and the waterproof case 4 are collected for recycling, and the respective parts are reused or reused. Since the waterproof case 4 is often used in severe weather and conditions, all parts are crushed and pelletized and recycled as raw materials for manufacturing a new waterproof case. At the time of recycling, the waterproof case 4 can easily remove the waterproof cover 34 from the front case member 32. Therefore, unlike the conventional waterproof case, the transparent plastic and the elastomer are not pelletized together, so that it is not difficult to use, and a high-purity recycled material can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the waterproof cover is formed using a translucent elastomer. However, a transparent, colored transparent, opaque elastomer or the like may be used. If the color of the elastomer is changed when two-color molding of a transparent plastic and an elastomer is performed, as in the case of a conventional waterproof cover, an elastomer having a different color previously molded may remain in the mold. It may take time to remove the garbage. However,
In the present embodiment, since only the mold for the waterproof cover needs to correspond to the change in the color of the elastomer, it is easier to cope with the mold for two-color molding, and the suitability for production can be improved. .

Although the front case member and the rear case member are formed of transparent plastic, they may be formed of opaque plastic, and a transparent portion may be provided only in a main part. Further, the front cover is used for the film unit with the lens housed in the waterproof case, but this front cover may be omitted.

[0038]

As described above, the waterproof lens-equipped film unit of the present invention maintains the same waterproofness as a waterproof case in which a conventional case member and an elastomer packing are formed in two colors. , Cost can be reduced. Further, at the time of recycling, the case member and the elastomer cover can be easily separated, so that the purity of the recycled material can be increased, and the suitability for recycling can be improved.

In addition, the impact resistance of the waterproof case is improved by the cover made of the elastomer, and an effect as a non-slip can be obtained. In addition, the soft appeal of the elastomer can enhance the product appeal effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a film unit with a waterproof lens.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a film unit with a waterproof lens.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a film unit with a lens.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a film unit with a waterproof lens.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Film unit with waterproof lens 3 Film unit with lens 4 Waterproof case 5 Shutter lever 6 Winding knob 9 Exposed part 32 Front case member 33 Rear case member 34 Waterproof cover 57,61 Ridge 36,64 Recess

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A lens-equipped film unit in which a simple photographing mechanism is incorporated and a photographic film is stored in advance.
In a waterproof lens-fitted film unit comprising a waterproof case for housing the lens-fitted film unit in a watertight manner, the waterproof case includes at least two case members that cover the entire outside of the lens-fitted film unit when assembled. A waterproof cover characterized by comprising an elastomer cover that is fitted over the outside of at least one of the case members, fits into the one case member and the other case member, and keeps the inside of the waterproof case watertight. Film unit with lens. 2. The case member covers the film unit with the lens from the front side and covers a large part of the film member, and has a transparent part at least in a portion facing a functional component such as a photographing lens and a finder that requires light transmission. The provided front case member is combined with the front case member from the rear side of the film unit with a lens so as to cover the front case member, and a transparent portion is provided at least in a portion facing a functional component that requires light transmission such as a finder. The rear cover member is provided, and the elastomer cover is covered on the outside of the front case member, and is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the transparent portion of the front case member and the outer peripheral portion of the rear case member so that the inside of the waterproof case is formed. 2. The film unit with a waterproof lens according to claim 1, wherein the film unit is kept watertight. 3. The fitting between the elastomer cover and the case member is performed by a ridge formed on the elastomer cover and a recess formed on the case member and having a width smaller than the ridge. The film unit with a waterproof lens according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The flat part where the case member and the elastomer cover overlap with each other is provided with a lifting prevention means for preventing the elastomer cover from floating from the case member. Film unit with waterproof lens. 5. The lifting prevention means comprises a projection formed on the inner wall surface of the elastomer cover, and a hole or a recess formed on the surface of the case member and fitted with the projection. The film unit with a waterproof lens according to claim 4.