WO1998028662A1

WO1998028662A1 - Improvements to 'single use' compact camera having a flash reflector

Info

Publication number: WO1998028662A1
Application number: PCT/GB1997/003470
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brenda Kean
Original assignee: Brenda Kean
Priority date: 1996-12-20
Filing date: 1997-12-17
Publication date: 1998-07-02
Also published as: GB9626605D0; AU7875398A

Abstract

A single-use compact camera comprises a lens system (2) and an integral flash unit (4) both located within an outer casing (1) comprising a carton. The carton comprises a reflecting means (6, 9) which is positioned adjacent the flash unit so as to redirect the flashlight emerging from a light-emitting surface (4) of the flash unit substantially parallel to the main axis of the camera lens system (2) and thereby to produce reflected flash light for illumination of a photographic subject. Preferably, the reflecting means comprises a fold-down hood (6) which can unfolded and erected adjacent the flash unit. In a first embodiment, the flash unit is preferably configured to so that the flashlight is discharged substantially at right angles to the main axis of the camera lens system directly into the erected hood (6). However, in a second embodiment, the camera comprises a flash unit which is configured so that the flashlight is discharged substantially parallel to the main axis of the camera lens system and the reflecting means additionaly comprises a fold-out mirror (9) located in front of the flash unit which can be inclined with respect to a light emitting surface of the flash unit to redirect the flashlight into the erected hood (6).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO "SINGLE USE" COMPACT CAMERA HAVING A FLASH REFLECTOR

The present invention relates to compact cameras which have built-in flash units and in particular to so-called "single-use" compact cameras.

A compact camera is a simple snapshot camera, typically a 35 mm camera, which does not have interchangeable lenses or through-the-lens focusing. It is mainly used by amateur photographers because of its lack of complexity and corresponding ease of use.

Single-use cameras are inexpensively made compact cameras which are sold complete with a pre-fitted roll of film. They are intended to be disposed of by the user after the single roll of film contained therein has been used. Typically, the user takes the whole camera to a film developer who, after extracting the film for developing, returns the camera shell to the original camera manufacturer with a view to it being re-cycled.

In a conventional compact camera, including a single- use camera, a flash unit is either integrated into the body of the camera or, whilst comprising a separate unit, can be readily secured to the main casing of the camera when required. The flash unit is thus located very close to the lens of the camera and as a result tends to cause certain undesirable features in the resulting photographs such as red-eye effects and deep silhouette shadows cast behind the subject.

Various means can be used to overcome these effects.

For example, a so-called bounce-head flash unit can be used wherein the flashlight is directed upwards for subsequent reflection rather than falling directly onto the photographic subject. When indoors, the flashlight can be reflected off a ceiling or similar overhead surface but usually a reflector is used to redirect the light onto the subject. It will be appreciated, however, that the use of a separate bounce-head flash unit and reflector is not always possible with a conventional compact camera and in any event defeats the object of the camera itself comprising all the components and attachments required by a photographer in a single unit. Amateur photographers in particular prefer a camera to be simple and quick to operate without having to carry additional items of equipment which must be assembled or supported when used and without having to adjust the controls of the camera to compensate for the use of additional equipment.

Single-use cameras are even more basic in their controls than conventional compact cameras. They generally comprise an in-built flash unit but the user is not able to focus the camera nor to select its relative aperture or f- number. Such cameras are not designed for operation in combination with any other forms of equipment.

The object of the present invention is to overcome or substantially mitigate the aforementioned problems of redeye and silhouette shadows associated with conventional single-use compact cameras.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a single-use compact camera with a lens system and an integral flash unit both located within an outer casing comprising a carton, characterized in that the carton comprises a reflecting means positioned adjacent the flash unit so as to redirect the flashlight emerging from a light-emitting surface of the flash unit substantially parallel to the main axis of the camera lens system and thereby to produce reflected flash light for illumination of a photographic subject. Preferably, the reflecting means comprises a fold-down hood which can be unfolded and erected adjacent the flash unit .

In a first embodiment, the camera comprises a flash unit which is preferably configured so that the flashlight is discharged substantially at right angles to the main axis of the camera lens system directly into the erected hood.

In this embodiment the interior of the hood preferably has a reflective surface, whereof at least a first reflective area is angled between 30° and 60° inclusive with respect to the light-emitting surface of the flash unit when the hood is unfolded and erected.

In a second embodiment, the camera comprises a flash unit which is configured so that the flashlight is discharged substantially parallel to the main axis of the camera lens system and the reflecting means additionally comprises a fold-out mirror located in front of the flash unit which can be inclined with respect to a light emitting surface of the flash unit to redirect the flashlight emerging from the light-emitting surface into the erected hood.

In this second embodiment the interior of the hood preferably has a reflective surface, whereof at least a first reflective area is angled between 120° and 150° inclusive with respect to the light-emitting surface of the flash unit when the hood is unfolded and erected.

Preferably also, the mirror can be inclined with respect to the light-emitting surface of the flash unit at an angle between 30° and 60° inclusive. Advantageously, at least a part of the reflecting means can be folded down when not in use to form a lens cover for the camera.

Preferably also, means are provided to secure the folded down reflecting means to another portion of the carton.

Preferably also, the carton inclusive of the reflecting means comprises a one-piece blank.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a one-piece blank for erection into a casing for a single-use compact camera according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably, the blank comprises at least one flap which forms the reflecting means and which has a surface thereof which is adapted to reflect flashlight.

Preferably also, the blank is fashioned from at least one of a printable plastics sheet material or a card.

The various embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Fig. 1 is a perspective front view of a single-use compact camera according to a first embodiment of the invention with a reflecting means thereof in an erected position ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 1 but with the reflecting means shown in a folded-down position;

Fig. 3 shows a one-piece blank from which an outer casing and reflecting means for the camera shown in Figs. 1 and 2 can be folded;

Fig. 4 is view similar to Fig. 1 but of a single-use compact camera according to a second embodiment of the invention ;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the camera shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 4 but with the reflecting means shown in a folded-down position; and

Fig. 7 is a one-piece blank from which an outer casing and reflecting means for the camera shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 can be folded.

A single-use compact camera according to both the first and second embodiments of the invention and as shown in Figs. 1 & 2 and 4, 5 & 6 respectively comprises a casing 1 in the form of a carton which accommodates a lens system 2, a viewfinder 3 and a flash unit comprising a translucent rectangular window 4 through which flashlight is emitted.

In the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, whilst the lens system 2, viewfinder 3 and components of the flash unit can be of conventional construction, the configuration of the flash unit is such that it comprises one wherein the flashlight is discharged substantially at right angles to the main axis of the camera lens system 2. To this end, the window 4 is located on the top surface 5 of the camera casing 1, that is the surface of the window 4 is orientated substantially normally to the the main axis of the camera lens system 2.

However, in the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figs 4, 5 and 6, the configuration of the flash unit is such that it comprises one wherein the flashlight is discharged substantially parallel to the main axis of the camera lens system 2. In this case the window 4 is located on the front surface of the camera casing 1 to one side of the viewfinder 3.

In order to reflect the flashlight towards a photographic subject, a reflecting means is provided which forms a part of the carton and is thereby integrated into the casing 1.

In the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the reflecting means is in the form of a fold-down hood 6 with an interior reflective surface 7. In a first position wherein the camera is ready for use as shown in Fig. 1, the hood 6 is unfolded to stand substantially erect above the window 4 with its surface 7 angled at between 30° and 60° inclusive, and preferably substantially at 45°, to the window 4 whereby incident flashlight discharged through the window 4 is reflected substantially parallel to the main axis for the illumination of the photographic subject. However, in a second position wherein the camera can be packed away as shown in Fig. 2, the hood 6 folds down to lie contiguous with the casing 1. Advantageously, the hood 6 folds down so that it covers the exterior of the lens system 2 and thereby comprises a lens cover. In order to hold the hood 6 in place in the second position, a releasable fastener is preferably provided, for example in the form of a snap fastener or of hook and loop fabric patches 8A, SB, as shown.

It will be appreciated that in order to enable the hood 6 to fold down into a lens cover, the transverse axis of the window 4 of the flash unit is preferably located in or close to the same transverse vertical plane as the lens system 2.

In the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figs 4, 5 and 6, the reflecting means whilst still comprising a fold-down hood 6 additionally comprises a fold-out mirror 9 located in front of the flash unit which can be inclined with respect to the window 4 that comprises the light emitting surface of the flash unit to redirect the flashlight emerging from the window 4 into the erected hood 6.

The mirror 9 forms an integral part of the carton making up the casing 1 and comprises a hinged flap cut out of the carton 1 and covered with a reflective material on its side 10 facing the window 4.

The flap comprising the mirror 9 can be folded out from the casing 1 and inclined with respect to the window at an angle between 30° and 60° inclusive and preferably at an angle of 45° with respect to the window 4. Whereas the hood 6 has its surface 7 angled at between 120° and 150° inclusive, and preferably substantially at 135°, to the window 4.

In this second embodiment, the hood 6 is located at one side of the camera and when folded down, as shown in Fig. 6 to lie contiguous with the casing 1 it does not form a lens cover for the camera but it does cover the window 4 and thereby protect the flash unit. As in the first embodiment, a releasable fastener is provided to hold the hood down but in this example the fastener takes the form of a flap 11 which is formed along the top of the hood 6 and which can be slotted into a slit 12 formed in the casing 1 at the bottom edge or underneath the camera. In both the first and second embodiments of the invention, the hood 6 comprises a rectangular area 13 which adjoins the back portion of the casing 1 and, when the hood 6 is folded down, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, lies contiguous with the top surface 5 of the casing 1. The width dimension W of the area 13 is therefore made commensurate with that of the top surface 5.

Adjoining the area 13 is a large substantially trapezoidal or rectangular area 14 which comprises the main reflective portion of the hood 6. The surface of the area 14 on the interior side of the hood 6 comprises interior reflective surface 7 previously referred to. To this end, the surface of the area 14 and preferably the whole of the interior surface of the hood 6 is adapted so that it is reflective of incident light.

As previously indicated, the hood 6 is designed so that in its erect position, the reflective surface 7 is angled forwards between 30° and 60° inclusive and preferably at an angle of 45° with respect to the top surface 5 of the camera.

At each side of the area 14 is an adjoining triangular flap 15 which together form reflective side panels of the hood 6. In the first embodiment shown in

Figs. 1 and 2 the flap 15 is attached to two further flaps

16 and 17. The flaps 16 comprise connecting pieces joining the panels 15 to the flaps 17 which are adapted for securement to the top surface 5 of the casing 1.

Preferably, the flaps 17 are adapted for releasable securement to the surface 5 of the casing 1 by being provided covered with one half of a hook and loop fastening fabric 18A. A similarly shaped patch 18B of the other complementary half of the fabric is secured to the top surface 5 of the casing 1 on each side of the window 4. The flaps 17 can be adapted to be folded either outwardly of the hood, as shown in Fig. 1, or inwardly of the hood. It has been found that the latter arrangement improves the rigidity of the hood when erected.

In the second embodiment, however, the flaps 15 of the hood 6 are each attached to a further flap 19 which together with the flap 15 is bent forwards out of the plane of the area 14 to define the hood shape. In this design of hood, the hood 6 is not secured to the main camera body and thereby retained in an erected position but is intended to be free-standing above the camera with the area 13 lying in line with the back of the camera. This is accomplished by manufacturing the casing 1 from a semi-rigid sheet material such as a plastics sheet material and by ensuring that the crease line securing the flap 13 to the main body of the casing is creased both forwardly and backwardly in order that the flap 13 tends to stand erect and in line with the back of the camera when the hood 6 is unfastened from the slit 12 and manually opened out. The area 14 of the hood 6 comprising the main reflecting area then tends to flop forward over the top surface 5 of the camera at substantially the required angle.

Single-use cameras typically comprise a thin plastics two-part shell which is moulded to provided individual contoured housings to accommodate and thereby retain various replaceable components such as a battery and a capacitor for the flash unit and the film itself. The optical parts of the camera such as the viewfinder 3 and the lens system 2 are manufactured separately using plastics lenses and are then integrated into the shell.

In order to hold the shell together and to give the camera a finished appearance, such cameras are typically provided with an outer casing 1 which comprises a carton made from cardboard, printable plastics sheet material or a similar semi-rigid relatively inexpensive material. The carton is secured by adhesive or adhesive tape to itself and to the shell and can be simply ripped off when required primarily to gain access to the used film which is then removed for development.

A one-piece blank 20 which comprises a combined casing and reflector for use with the first embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4. The blank 20 comprises a main cruciform portion 21 which is provided with three pairs of side flaps 22, 23 and 24, and a portion 25 comprising the hood 6. Similar features of this portion 25 to those previously described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 are given the same reference number and will not be further described .

The cruciform portion 21 is creased to provide six separate substantially rectangular sections 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 which are each intended to cover one of the sides of the shell and thereby comprise one of the six sides of the box-like camera. In addition, the portion 29 is provided with an end flap 32 which is intended to be secured to the section 26 when the blank 20 is folded around the camera, as shown in Figs 1 and 2. Such an arrangement leaves the reflector portion 25 projecting out from the camera whereby it can be secured to the section 29 of the blank which forms the top surface 5 of the camera as shown in Figs 1 and 2 via its flaps 17 by the use of hook and loop fabric patches 18A, 18B as previously described.

With reference to Figs 1 and 3, the portion 21 of the blank 20 is slit and slotted as required according to the construction of the camera. Cut-outs 33 and 34 are provided respectively to permit the lens system 2 of the camera to project through the casing and to expose the flash window 4. Three cut-outs 35 are provided for the viewfinder 3, which has lenses on the front and the back of the camera to enable the user the see therethrough. A right-angled slot 36 is cut to provide a flap 37 which covers a "flash button" which is pressed when the user wishes to charge a capacitor to energize the flash unit. A cut-out 38 is provided through which a button 39 can be pressed to operate the camera shutter and a small window cut-out 40 is provided to enable the user to view the current exposure number of the film.

It can be seen from Fig. 3 that the section 29 of the blank 20 along with one of its associated flaps 23 has a tapering end portion 41. In addition, the section 26 has a cut-away portion 42 at one corner. These features combine in the assembled casing to provide a window through which a film-advance wheel (not shown) can be accessed to enable the film in the camera so be wound on.

The blank 20 is assembled by folding the main cruciform portion 21 around the camera shell in the correct orientation thereto, the flaps 23 and 24 being folded inside the carton and the flaps 22 being tucked in afterwards. Likewise, the end flap 32 is secured inside the carton, preferably by being covered by an adhesive layer or by adhesive tape so that it sticks to the inside of the portion 26 to hold the folded carton around the camera shell. The flaps 22, 23 and 24 are preferably all also covered with adhesive or adhesive tape to assist in the retention of the carton shape around the camera shell.

The reflector portion 25 can then be folded down over the lens system 2 as a lens cover until is required for use. To both these ends, the blank 20 can be provided with patches of hook and loop fabric as shown in Fig. 3 to provide patches 8A, 8B and the patches 19A, 19B. It should be noted that as seen in Fig. 3, all the fabric patches on the hood 6 lie on the side of the blank 20 opposite that facing the viewer which is the side of the blank 20 which forms the inside of the casing 1 of the camera.

A one-piece blank 43 which comprises a combined casing and reflector for use with the second embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the side of the blank 43 which will lie inside the casing 1 of the camera is that which faces the viewer.

The blank 43 is generally similar to the blank 20 and similar features are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. However, in this blank 43 the section which will form the top surface 5 of the camera is made up of two portions 44 and 45 which are attached respectively to the rectangular section 26 adjacent the portion 25 forming the hood 6 and to the portion 28. The portion 44 is provided with the cut-outs 38 and 40 for the operating button and the exposure number window whereas the portion 45 is provided with a small cut-out 46 through which a "flash-ready" light can be viewed.

The portion 45 is also slit to provide the free end of a flap 47 which extends into the portion 28 of the blank 43 and which is hinged to the portion 28 along a line 48. The flap 47 forms the mirror 9 and prior to use must be covered with a reflective material on its side 10 which will face the window 4 of the flash unit and which in Fig. 7 is the side facing the viewer.

To assist in the assembly of the blank 43 as a casing

1 around a camera shell, the portion 44 is also provided with two flaps 49 and 50 which can be tucked behind the portion 28 of the blank adjacent the viewfinder 3 and behind the section 31 forming one of the sides of the casing 1. Similarly, the flap 46 is also provided with a flap 51, which tucks behind the portion 26 at the back of the camera immediately in front of the area 13 of the hood 6, and a flap 52 which tucks behind the section 30 at the other side of the camera to the from the flap 50.

Two slits 53 and 54 are also formed in the blank 43 along the creased lines between portions 27 and 28 of the blank and between section 44 and flap 49 respectively. These slits 53 and 54 permit the blank 43 to be folded over and accommodate a slight bulge in the camera shell which holds the spool of the film in position. A slit 55 is also formed further along the creased line between portions 27 and 28 of the blank and comprises the slit 12 into which the flap 11 of the hood 6 can be slotted when the hood is folded down.

The blanks 20 and 43 can be made from any suitable material. However, they are particularly suited for manufacture from stiff card of approximately 450 microns thickness or a semi-rigid plastics sheet, one side of which card or sheet is provided with a light reflecting surface.

Normally three reflector colours are employed for bounce-flash photography. A white reflecting surface gives a soft diffused light. In contrast a silver surface gives a bright diffused light which eliminates the problems of red eye and unwanted shadows in portrait photography. Gold reflectors are also used for portrait photography as they give a warm light for flattering flesh tones.

A white reflector can be provided by simply coating a suitable white card from which the blank is to be cut with a clear varnish but preferably the card is coated with a clear polyester film. In order to provide a silver or gold coloured reflecting surface, the card from which the blank is cut is preferably appropriately metallized on one side with a polyester film. Alternatively, the card is bonded to either an aluminium foil or gold leaf. The reverse side of the card may be coloured and printed as appropriate and may also be coated with a clear polyester film or varnished.

The use of polyester films is preferable to both the use of clear varnish and the use of actual metal foils as it is significantly cheaper in the latter case and in all cases resists fingerprints which spoil the reflective surface and are difficult to remove once made. In addition, the polyester film strengthens the card making it difficult to tear and also repels rain water.

Apart from plain coloured reflective surfaces, the invention also enables special effects to be created in known manner by the use of appropriately adapted reflective surfaces such as the printing of a holographic pattern on the blank or the embossing of the reflective surface with a bubble pattern.

However, with regard to the second embodiment of the invention in which the mirror 9 comprises part of the reflecting means, it is important to ensure that if the reflecting surface 7 of the hood 6 is not a white reflecting surface that the surface 10 of the mirror is provided with a white reflecting surface and vi ce versa in order to ensure that all appropriate flash-light is reflected for illumination of the photographic subject.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that a camera according to the invention enables the photographer to use an inexpensive single-use camera to produce special effects which could previously only be achieved using expensive sophisticated camera equipment.

More generally, however, the invention provides an inexpensive camera which can produce photographs substantially free from the problems of red-eye and silhouette shadows. An added bonus is the use of the reflector as a lens cover, which is particularly advantageous in single-use cameras which are sold without any form of protective outer carrying case or other lens protection. The reduction of scratching to the exterior lens of such cameras will enable their shell to be recycled significantly more times than would otherwise be the case.

Claims

1. A single-use compact camera with a lens system (2) and an integral flash unit both located within an outer casing (1) comprising a carton, characterized in that the carton comprises a reflecting means (6,9) positioned adjacent the flash unit so as to redirect the flashlight emerging from a light-emitting surface (4) of the flash unit substantially parallel to the main axis of the camera lens system (2) and thereby to produce reflected flash light for illumination of a photographic subject.

2. A camera as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the reflecting means comprises a fold-down hood (6) which can be unfolded and erected adjacent the flash unit.

3. A camera as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the camera comprises a flash unit (4) which is preferably configured so that the flashlight is discharged substantially at right angles to the main axis of the camera lens system (2) directly into the erected hood (6) .

4. A camera as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the interior of the hood (6) has a reflective surface (7) whereof at least a first reflective area (14) is angled between 30┬░ and 60┬░ inclusive with respect to the light- emitting surface (4) of the flash unit when the hood (6) is unfolded and erected.

5. A camera as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the camera comprises a flash unit (4) which is configured so that the flashlight is discharged substantially parallel to the main axis of the camera lens system (2) and the reflecting means additionally comprises a fold-out mirror (9) located in front of the flash unit which can be inclined with respect to a light emitting surface (4) of the flash unit to redirect the flashlight emerging from the light-emitting surface into the erected hood (6) .

6. A camera as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the interior of the hood (6) has a reflective surface (7) whereof at least a first reflective area (14) is angled between 120┬░ and 150┬░ inclusive with respect to the light- emitting surface (4) of the flash unit when the hood (6) is unfolded and erected.

7. A camera as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, characterised in that the mirror (9) can be inclined with respect to the light-emitting surface (4) of the flash unit at an angle between 30┬░ and 60┬░ inclusive.

8. A camera as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterised in that at least a part of the reflecting means (6) can be folded down when not in use to form a lens cover for the camera.

9. A camera as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 , characterised in that means (8A, 8B, 11, 12) are provided to secure the folded down reflecting means (6) to another portion of the carton.

10. A camera as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 , characterised in that the carton (1) inclusive of the reflecting means (6,9) comprises a one-piece blank (20, 43) .

11. A one-piece blank (20,43) for erection into a casing (1) for a single-use compact camera as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10.

12. A blank as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that it comprises at least one flap (25, 49)) which forms the reflecting means (6,9) and which has a surface thereof which is adapted to reflect flashlight.

13. A blank as claimed in Claim 12, characterised in that blank comprises a first flap (25) which is shaped and creased so as to be capable of forming a fold-down hood (6) and a second flap (49) which is capable of forming a fold- out mirror (9) , at least one of the surfaces of the first and second flaps (25, 49) which is adapted to reflect flashlight comprising a white reflecting surface.

14. A blank as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the blank is fashioned from at least one of a printable plastics sheet material or a card.