CA1244277A - X-ray film package for dental use - Google Patents

Abstract

X-ray Film Package For Dental Use.
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
X-ray film package for dental use comprising a flat, flexible and light-impermeable container (12) housing an X-ray film (14) which can be exposed upon exposure of the container to the X-rays. The package comprises an intensifying screen (46) which can be introduced and taken out at full light through an opening (24) of the container and protecting means (32, 62, 64, 66, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 100) to protect the X-ray film against light penetration through the opening and auxiliary means (34) to facilitate the introduction of the intensifying screen.

Description

X-~ray Fi:lm Package For Den al Use., FIELD OF THE INVEN~ION

The present invention generally refers to X-ray fiLm packages for dental use of the type comprising a flexible, flat and light-im-permeab]e container housing an X~ray film which can be exposed upon exposure of the container to a radioactive radiatlon source, normally an X-ray source.

~ACKGROUND OF THE ART

~ The packages of this type, of which an example is illustrated ; ~ in US patent no. 3,443~0~3, generally comprise a~sealed conealner of plastic material, paper or the like,;which has dimensions allowing an easy lntroduction thereof mto an~oral~cavlty~ against~ehe~ tooth port~ions to~b~X-ray oxamined.~
After exposure, the X-ray film, which is normally coated with sensitive emulsions on both~sidesj must be processed with deve~oping 20~ ~;and~;flxing solutions so a~ to~reveal~and make~stable the X-ray~lmagè.
To~perform such operations,~ gènerally ~it is~ necessary ~t~o ;~tear ~the~
contàlner and~remove the film~ln~a~dark~ro~m.~
Alternaeively, the developing and fix mg;~processing~can be carried out~ m ~foll~llght dlrectly~ inside~ehe~packag~ when the~
25~ ~ cont;ainer~is~provided~with~sacks ~or~tanks~which can be~opened upon `~
pressure and~corltain ~the necessary~solutions. Examples of paGkages o~
this type are~illustrated in US patents~nos. 3,430,042;and 3,964,604.
ln~all;these above-mentloned package~types~ the~X-ray`~film~
exposed to a direct radiation. As known, this involves long~exp~sures 30~ ~o~ ~the~patient and of the operator~to the radlations,~with~all the~
dang~rs deriving therefrom.
To limit~ this drawback, parti~cular etn~sions ha~ing hlghe~

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~4~27'7 sensitivity characteristics ar~ mor~ widely used, but these do not give appreciable results ancl even worsen the photographic results by giving rise to low definition.
In the case of packages including the developing and fixing solutions, these drawbacks further comprise a process inconstancy which causes a further image worsening.
To remove such drawbacks, it has been proposed to adopt, as in other radiographic fi~lds, film exposing techniques using an intensifyi~g screen associated thereto. As known, such screens are treated with fluorescent materials which can emit light upon activation due to the exposure to radiations, in particular to X-rays. The light e~itted by the fluorescen$ material exposes the light-sensitive emul-sion in an extremely more effective way than direct exposure, thus appreciably cutting down the exposure t1mes and/or the radiation quantity necessary;to obtain a good image quality.
The employment of intens1fying screens in X-ray film packa~ges for dental use is known for instance from US patents nos. 2,049,447 3,185~,841~ 3,419,719 and 3,433~950.~ ~ ;
In these examples~the intens1fying screen is an integrating part of the package and is thrown away together with the container after ~xposure and processing (and~removal for the examination) of the X-ray film. In other words3 in all proposed~solutions~ the intenslfying screen~can be~used only with the package,~w1th wh1ch it is cou~led~ and therefore every single film requires its own intensifying screen. ~
25 ~ his makes the package~oxpensive due to the high cost of the scree~ materials.
Another drawback in alI above men~ioned solut1ons lS t hat the intensifying screen must be applied to tha package in~absence~of light to avoid alterations o~ the; X-ray film characteristics and this requires complexed and delicate oper~tions and, therefore, a further inoreas: in the package ~ost.

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- 3 - 60557-2~356 SIJMMAR~Z OF TIIE :LNVENrrION
'L~he invent:ion provider, an X-ray f:ilm packaye Eor derltal use comprising a Elexible, Elat and light--imperrneable, X-ray penetrable container housing an X-ray film and an intensifying screen, characterized in that said container is provided with an orifice that can receive said intensifying screen, said package characterized in that the container has -the shape of a prolongated envelope having a Eirst port:ion receiving the X-ray film and the above mentioned intensifying screen, and a second portion communi-cating at one end thereof with the first portion and being opened at the opposite end for introducing and taking out the said intensi-fying screen, the container being provided with protecting means to protect the X-ray film against light penetration through said opened end.
With such characteristics, a relative~simple and cheap package containing the X-ray film is obtained in which a reusable intensifying screen can be easily introduced prior to X-ray exposure and, as well, easily removed therefrom prior to film development.
To allow the introductlon and taking-out operations, the screen is conveniently provided wlth an appendage working as a handle. When the screen is inside the first portion of the con-tainer, this extends -therefrom to the second portion and juts out :
of the above-mentioned opened end of the second portion (said ~; appendage carrying symbols to identify the correct introduction of the screen into the container).

To realize a package approximately having the same small ; dimensions~of the traditional ones under employment conditions, the :~ :
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- 3a - 60557-2856 Eirs-t por-tlon oE the contalner advantageowsly has substan-tially the same dlmenslons o:E the X-ray :Ellm and the second porti.on of the contalner can be book-wlse :Eolded up agalnst the Eirst portion and can be connected therewith in a releasable way.

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~;244;277 -According to the present inrention, the packa~e has been reali ed so as to facilitate the introduction and the correct positioning of the intensifying screen, thus removing any difficulty and risk of a wrong introduction by the user.
It is clear that such difficulties could be removed by using a double-coated X-ray film and a screen coated with fluorescent substances on both surfaces. With the film inside the con-tainer, this should anyhow assure that the film emulsion is in contact with the fluorescent coating of the screen. Such a solution, however, is not considered preferred, although within the present invention.
For reasons of simplicity and low cost, the preferred embodiment is where the X-rag fi.lm has a single side coated with sensitive emulsions, the intensifying screen has a single surface coated with fluorescent substances and the opposite surface coated with a radiation-impermeable substance, and auxiliary means are provided to aseure~ the right posltioning of the fluorescent surface of the screen against the emulsion-coated slde of the X-ray film, ater having introduced said screen into the container.
Such auxiliary; means advantageously consist of an introduc~
20~ tlOn ~strlp, releasably placed~mslde the container and in contact with th~e emulsion-coated side of the X-ray~film,~carrying symbols which show the~surface thereof on which the scre~n is to be placed (which, ln its~
turn, carries symbols whloh, together with~sald symbols of the strip, show the~right positioning thereof).
25~ In~such a way, it is possible to determine the introduction positioning ~af the mtensifying~screeD~into the~conta mer,~which must be plaoed with its fluorescène gurface in contact wlth~the indioated surface of the introduction~ strip.~ Once~that tbe screen~has been introduced, the introduction~ strlp ls~remov~ed from the oontainer and 0~ the fluorescent surface of the screen results in con~act with ~the ; emulsion-coated side of the fi~lm. ~ ~
This solution results to be advantage~us ~also in that the -,: ,~ :
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~L2~ 277 radiation-:impormeab:Le surface of the :intensifying screen i8 an effective protection against the diffusion of radiations spreading out during the package exposure to X-rays.
The :introduction strip is advantageously provided with an appendage jutting out of the opened end of the container and with a frame-shape portion provided with elements which hold the X ray film after development.
This faciLitates the examination of the X-ray image, as well as places on file the X-ray image in a practical and functional way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present : invention will result more e~ident from the following detailed de-scrip$ion, made wi$h reference to the drawings merely enclosed for example purposes which do not limit the present invention, wherein:
figure 1 is a perspective view of an x-ray film package for : dental use according to the present invention, shown in its folded employment:condition;
figure 2 is a perspect1ve view from the bottom of figure 13 :
figure 3 is a perspective view of the package shown in its unfolded:oondition prior to employment3 :~ figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of figure 33 figure S is a view in longitudinal section and in a~larger 25~ ~ soal~ accordin~ to line Y-V of figure 33 figure 6 is a section riew and in a larger scale according to : line VI-VI of figure 1 3 f1gures 7 to 14 schematically show e1ght variants of figure ~: 5, in which some parts have been left out:for~reasons: of simplicity~
figure 15 is a perspect1ve exploded v1ew of another x-ray : film package for dental use according to the present invention3 and figure 16 is a view in longitudinal section and in a larger :: : : : : :
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, scale of an x-ray film package -for denta:L use corresponding to that of figure lS shown in its unfolded condition prior to use.

DETAILED DE~CRIPTION OF THE INVEN~IO~

Referring initially to figures from 1 to 6, 10 shows an X-ray film package for dental use, as a whole, according to the present invention.
Package 10 essentially comprises a M at flexible container 12 10wherein an X-ray film 14 has been placed according to modalities described hereinafter.
-X-ray film 14 consists of a single-side coa$ed film of the conventional type, i~e. having a sensiti~e emulsion coated on one side 16 thereof and the antihalo layer coated on the opposite side 18. The 15dimensions of film 14 are the conventional ones for dental use, for instance 2 x 3, 3 x 4 or 4 x 5 cm.
, ~;, The film can be for example of the type produced and put on the market by the Applicant under the name 3M CRT 7~ ~Jr~l~/e~a~h~.
Container 12 has the general form of a rectangular prolon-20gated envelope having a width substanti~1ly~ corresponding to that~of ; film 14 and a length substantially twice the length of such film.
Envelope 12 is preferably reali ed by employing two coupled shee$s, resp~ctively a frontal one 12a and a dorsal one 12b made of a liq~id-tight and ligh$-tight plastic material, preferabIy polye$hylene, 25or of resin-coated paper for foods. The external sorfaces of~ the two sheets 12a and 12b preferably are different in colors, for instance ~water-green and ~black, wh1le ~the 1nternal surfaoes thereof are respectively black in color and radiation-impermeable in order to avoid light reflections for reasons which~will~be exp1ained here:inafter.
30Envelope 12 is ideally d1vided into two portions respectively sho~n under 20 and 22, the former (20) of which rece~ives the X-ray~film and the la$ter (22) commu~ica$es wi~h one end thereof~ wi$h the former ~:
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and is opened in correspondence with its opposite end 24. Opening region 24 contains a Lower-width tongue 26 jutting out therefrom and being obtained in frontaL sheet 12a, whi].e a pocket 28 is appli~d to dorsal sheet l2b in correspondence with the closed end o~ envelope 12.
The external surface of pocket 28 may advantageously contain writings in different languages (not shown) for a prompt identification of the dorsal surface of container 12. Furthermore, the same external surface of pocket 28 advantagoeus:Ly carries on a side thereof a reference mark consisting of a colored stamp the function of which will be explained hereinafter.
Portion 20 of envelope 12, i.e. that receiving X-ray film 14, in the example illustrated in figures from 1 to 5, is provided with an internal depression consisting of an external relief 32 obtained in frontal sheet 12a and defining the housing place of X-ray film 14. As furthcr explained hereinafter, the function of said depression is that of screening and protecting X-ray film 14 from possible light ; penetrati~n into container 12 through opening 24.
As clearly shown in figure 5, X-ray film 14 is placed within portion 20 of container 12 with the emulsion-coated side 16 thereof turned towards the inside of said container, i.e. towards the part opposite to relief 32. In the condition illustrated in figures 3 and 59 the emulsion-coated~ side 16 is placed~ against~ the rectangular introduction strip 34, normalIy made of cardboard or the l1ke, pl~ced w1thin the cavity of container 12 such that;it can be removed. Strip 34 is planned in 36 for writing the ideneifi~catlon~data of the X-ray image to be obtained on film 14 and is~ prov1ded witb an~appendage 38 jutting outwards from the envelope in which an opening 40 is made, defined by ; holding parts 42~ to receive~film l~after development. To~the purpose of facilitating the positioning~of the~film into~frame 40, appendage 38 carries a reference 44 s1milar to reference 30 to identlfy the;
orientation under which the X-ray exRosure has been made.
Under 46 an intensifying screen is shown which consists of a .

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lZ~ 7 f~Lexible plastic materia~l support 48, normally of polyester, having a rectangular shape corres~poncling to that of fi:Lm 14 and a surface 50 made fluorescent by a rare earth phosphor :Layer coated ther~on.
The other surface of support 48 is coated with a radiation-impermeable protection layer, conveniently consisting of a lead laminarsheet having a thickness of about 3-4 hundredths of millimeter.
Support 48 is provided with a narrow and long appendage 54, integral therewith, which can be used as a handle as explained with more details hereinafter. Such appendage 54 can be folded towards the radiation-impermeable coating 52 along its line of junction with support 48.
The fluorescent surface 50 carries on one side thereof a re~erence 56, similar to references 30 and 44, which can be used in combination therewith to identify, after :having exposed film 14, the position in which the X-ray exposure has been performed.
After having described the components of package lO, it should be hereinbelow explained how such oomponents can be used and how co-operate together while employing the package itself.
In a first step prior to employment the intensifying screen is introduced into the package; 1n a second step prior to employmen~
the lntraductlon strip is pulled;out~and;in a third~and last step prior to exposure the second portion of the~envelope is folded onto~the first one~. Package 10 is formed by container~l2 into which the X-ray film 14 and the ~1ntroduction~ strip 34 are~ introduced according to the 25 ~ 111ustrat1on in figures; 3 and 5, while the 1ntensifying ~screen 46 has ; not ye~ bffen introduced. By~means~of handle 54, the intensifying screen is then introduced manually by introducing support 48~into the opening 24 between the dorsal~sheet 12b and the 1ntroductlon strip 34,~with its fluorescent surface 50 turned towards~such strip 34. Support 48 is then ~ ~pushcd~ by ~means o~ hand1~54 to port1on~20 of conta1ner 12 hous1ng X-ra~ ~ilm 14. Note that to avoid~any possible mistake, handle 54 and strip 34 are both provided with respective marks 58, 60~wh1ch, together : : :
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1;~4~277 with references 30 and 48 or other marks or :Lnstruct:ions rlot shown in the figures, guide the introduct;ion of intens:ify:ing screen 46 in a correct way for X-ray exposure, At this point, package 12 effectively takes the shape S illustrated in figures 3 ?nd 5, with support 48 adjacent to dorsal sheet 12b, the X-ray film adjacent frontal sheet 12a of container 12, introduction strip 34 placed between fluorescent surface 50 of support 48 and sensitive emulsion 16 o~ film 14, reference 56 placed in correspondence with reference 30 and handle 54 passing through portion 1022 of container 12 and jutting out at its free end through opening 24.
The second step consists of pulling out the introduction strip 34 from container 12 by pulling appendage 38. In this way, : support 48 of screen 46 and X-ray film~14 result in direct contact one with the other, with fluorescent surface 50 against emulsion 16.
15~ The last step more precisely ~consists of folding up the : package so as to obtain the shape~illustrated in figures 1) 2 and 6.
~:~ ::This is merely obtained by book-wise folding up portion 22~of container : . ~
12 and together handle 54 of screen 46 against portion 20 and :introducing tongue 26 into pocket 28~ In this way, package 10 takes the 20: dimensions corresponding to those~ of tho conventional packages and can ; be easily introduced 1nto~:the~ ;oral cav1ty~ of the~ patient in c~orre.spondence with the den~al region to be~ X-ray examined, with the : frontal surface of portion 20 (i.e..r~lief 321 turned towards the X ray soUrca.~
~ During the exposure step,~the X-ray rad1at1ons~eDitted by the source:strike the fluorescent surface: 50 of screen 46 and are converted:
into~ ht rays which are ref1ected onto the~emulslon~16 of f~ilm 14, thus~ exposlng it. This allows a;~drastic reduction 1n radiat1on exposure : time~,:that is the X-ray quantity3 yet~ assures a high de~inition and ; io :~ therefore a high :quality X-ray :image~to be;obta1ned ~at the same time according to the film type used).
:It i.s worthwhLle notic1ng that at the: end of exposu.e , . ~;: : :

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reference 56 of screen 46 i9 also exposed on fi:lm 14 and this can be advantageously used to identlfy the position in which X-ray exposure has been made.
At the end of the exposure step, package 10 is removed from the oral cavity of the patient and again re-adapted according to the shape illustrated in figures 3 and 5 by releasing tongue 26 from pocket 28, this to allow the intensifying screen 46 to be removed from container 12 and to be uscd again.
At this point, nothing e:lse must be done but process film 14, and this operation can be performed according to conventional techniques, after having removed film 14 in a dark room from container 12.
Alternatively, package 10 allows film 14 to be processed in full light by directly introducing, through orifice (24)~ the ` 15 developing and fixing iolutions into container 12 with the aid of special authomatic equipments.
Introduction strip 34 can be advantageously used, at the end of the processing operations, to keep~and file the obtained X-ray image. To this purpose, the exposed X-ray film can be placed into frame 40 and held by means of holding parts 42, this rendering the examination thereo~ easier. The reference which can be found on film 14 in this case should be turned towards reference 44 applied to appendage 38 o~ strip 34 such as to assure the orientation of film 14 accordin~
to the position in~which the~X-ray~exposure haa been made.~
To ~identify and file the X-ray~i~age it is suff1cient to write~the pertiDent data on region 36 of strip 34.
Due to the particular shape of package 10 according to the ; present invention~the operations of introduc1ng screen 46 and of taklng out the ~introduction strip~ 34 prior to exposure~ as ~well as the 30~ following operation of taking out~screen 46 after~exposure can be all perfor-ed in full~light, w1th obv1ous advantagffs of convenience and practicity, without any possibility of àltering the characteristics of :
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the :Light sen~qitive cmuLsion 16 of fi:Lm L~.
Such emu:l.sion 16 is in fact effectlvel.y protected agai.nst possible light penetrations through opening 24 due both to the fact that it is placed in ~he lower portion formed by relief 32 and is therefore well-protected by introduction strip 34 or support 48 of screen 46 and to the fact that the internal black-opaque walls of container 12 prevent light reflections.
Figures from 7 to t4 show different variants which refer to various possibilities of the present invention to obtain more effective 10 protective effects to X-ray film 14 during handling package 10.
In the case of figure 7, relief 32 has been replaced with a thickening 62 obtained on the internal surface of frontal sheet 12a in correspondence with portion 22 of container 12.
In the case of figure 8j relief 32 has been replaced with a 15 lower portion 64 of frontal sheet 12a turned towards the inside of container 12 in correspondence with portion 22 thereof.
Figure 9 shows both relief 32 in correspondence with portion 20 and a lower portion 66 similar to 64 of figure 8 but ha~ing a step~wise shape.
In the case of figure 10, relief 32 has been replaced with two adjac~nt depressions 68, 70 in correspondence with portion 22 of container 12 respectively obtained in frontal sheet 122 and in dorsal sheet 12b and turned towards the inside of container 12~ so as to obta1n a labirynth confi~uration.
In the embodiment shown in figure 11, relief 32 further conea m s a series of inclined and flexible tongues 72 jutting into the cavity of container 12, in correspindance with por~ion 22 thereof, from the internal surface of frontal shee~ 12a. Such reliefs 72 could alternatively jut out from the internal surface of dorsal sheet 12b or 30 stil~ alternatively from both sheets 12a and 12b.
In ~he example of figure 12, relief 32 has been replaced with a de~ormable reIi~f or tongue 74 in tho caviry of container 12 in . ~

4Z7~7 correspondence wi.-th portion 22 thereof.
In the case of flgure 13, relief 74 of f.igure t2 has been replaced with a ser.ies of alternated depress:ions 76, 78 jutting into the cavity of container 12 in correspondance with portion 22 thereoY
and respectively obtained on the dorsal surface 12b and on the frontal surface 12a.
In.the case of figure 14, depressions 76 and 78 have been replaced with deformable alternated reliefs or teeth 80, 82 jutting into the cavity of container 12 i.n correspondence with portion 22 thereof respectively from frontal sheet 12a and dorsal sheet 12b.
Figures 15 and 16 show another possibility of the present invention to obtain more effective protective effects to x~ray film 14 during handling package 10.
In the embodiment shown in said figures 15 and 16, the connection region between portions 2Q and 22 of the:envelop 12 on the frontal sheet 12a is provided with a cross-mark 12c defining a folding :
line, the function of which will appear evident hereinafter. Such a mark forms a relief 12d jutt1ng out from the frontal sheet 12a and delimiting the housing of film 14. The flmction of such relief i.s that of protecting additionally the x-ray film 14 from possible light : ~ penetrat1on:into the container 12 through opening 24. It~is worthwhile~
noticing~:however that, on the grounds ~of:the exper1ments:described :~
hereinafter, rel1ef~ 12d is optional~and~may be :abolished. Tho :
prote~tion~of f1lm 14 from possible~ ght penetration ~1nto ~the~
25 ~ :container 12 through opening 24 is-obtained according to the~invention ma1nly by including into the package~a protect1ng str1p 100 introduced n a:rel~asable way into container 12~through opening~24, between the intensifying screen: 46 and sheet 12b~of~container 12. Such strip 100 normally is made of paper or s1m1lar~mat~eria1 and has~a width 1ike:that;
30~ of the x-ray~ film 14 and a~1ength~higher than that of conta1ner 12,~
such as to form an appendix~ 102 Jntting ontsid~ the opening 24 Appendix 102 can be folded against the external surface of sheet 12b of ~:~:: : : :

' 12~77 -. 13 --such container 12.
me surface of the protecting strip tO0 turning towards the x-ray film 14 has an opaque coloration such as to absorb room-light, preferably a black apaque coloration.
S After having described the components oY the package 10 including the protecting strip 100, it should be hereinbelow 0xplained how such components can be used and how they cooperate together while employing the package itself.
In a first step before use, the intensifying screen 46 is introduced into the package comprising the x-ray film 14, the insertion strip 34 and the protecting strip 1003 in a second step before use, the insertion strip 34 is pulled out and in the;third and last step, before .
exposure, portion 22 is folded on portion 20 of the envelope 12 and tongue 26 is introduced into pocket 28. In this way, the package is ready to be introduced into the patlent's mouth, in correspondence with the dental region to be radiographed, with~the frontal side o portion 20 turned towards the x-ray emitting source. ~ ;
During the exposure step, the x-rays emitted by the source strike the fluorescent surface 50 of the screen 46 and are converted iM o light rays~which are reflected onto emulsion 16 of film 14, thus exposing it.
At the end of the exposure step, package 10 is removed from the patlent's mouth and the en~elopè 12 `i9 re-extended, as shown in flgure~ l, to take ~out the intensifylng ecreen 46 and allow a~further

2~5 use thereof. In~ this ~step,~the protecting ~strip 100 effectively prot~ec~s the x-ray film 14 against possible light penetration through the opening 24 of the envelope 12.~
At this point, nothing~ls ~left~but to proceed~;with the ; processing of the film 14, wh~ich can be per~ormed according to the

3~ ; conventional techniques, '~fter~having~takén~out the~film 14~ from the container 12 in dark room, or by directly introducing developing and fixing solutions into the contalner 12, after hav mg~ remo~ed the :~ .

protecting strip 100.
It i9 clear of course that other poss:ibL~ e.nbodiments may be reali~ed and be different from thos~ hereinbefore described or rnay consist of different combina~ions thereof. As an example, sheets 12a and 12b could merely have two transverse depression lines turned towards the inside of container 12 near the ideal separa~ion line between portions 20 and 22.
Such expedients may not be necessary, since the length of container 12 and the black-opaque coloration of the internal walls thereof, together with introduction strip 34 and intensifying screen 46, could be alone sufficient to assure the necessary protection to the emilsion-coated side 16 of X~ray film 14. It is therefore possible w1thin the presen~ invention to have a simplified ~ersion of container 12, wherein relief 32, all other different shapes described above of 15frontal and dorsal sheets t2a and 12b, or the protecting strip 100 have been left out.
;~ ~ It is cIear from the above descr1ption ehat, with respect to the conventional type packages, package 10 according to the present ;~ invent1on~has a series of important advantages, which can be summar13ed as follows.
Reduction of the radiation exposure times? i.e. reduction of the X-ray quantity and~ consequently,~1Ower r1sks of tumour effects to the patient (the exposure region o~ the dental X-ray film is near the thyroid) and for the operator. ~ ~ ~
25~ ~ ; - Lower wear~ and therefore higher endurance of the X-ray tubes.
Possibility of using exposure techniques which afect both patient protection and image quality. ~
Better definition and therefore h1gher quality~of the X-ray image. And in the case of~processings in automatic processors:
- possibility of processing the film in full l1ght, - possibility o ~arying the coupling according to ~he ::: ` : :

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12~4277 - t5 -operator's needs~
- better consistency of fi.lm processi.ng~ .
- possibility of varying the film contrast with the processing3 S - cutting-down of the times required to obtain the X-ray results due to the possibility of using full-light processing systems.
The total processing time can be cut down from the normal 3-5 minutes to 40-50 seconds.
- Low manufacturing cost.
Notwithstanding the principle of the present invention, the manufacturing particulars and the embodiments can be of course be widely changed with respect to what described and illustrated hereinbefore, without however falling out the present invention as it is defined in the following claims.

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Claims (28)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. X-ray film package for dental use comprising a flexible, flat and light-impermeable, X-ray penetrable container housing an X-ray film and an intensifying screen, characterized in that said container is provided with an orifice that can receive said intensifying screen, said package characterized in that the con-tainer has the shape of a prolongated envelope having a first portion receiving the X-ray film and the above mentioned intensi-fying screen, and a second portion communicating at one end thereof with the first portion and being opened at the opposite end for introducing and taking out the said intensifying screen, the con-tainer being provided with protecting means to protect the X-ray film against light penetration through said opened end.

2. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the intensifying screen consists of a flexible plate having dimensions substantially corresponding to those of the X-ray film and having at least one surface thereof coated with fluorescent substances, said plate carrying an appendage working as a handle which extends through the second portion of the container and juts out of the above-mentioned opened end, when the intensifying screen is inside the first portion of the container.

3. The package according to claim 2, characterized in that the X-ray film has a single side thereof coated with sensitive emulsion, the intensifying screen has a single surface thereof coated with a fluorescent substance and in that the package further comprises auxiliary means to assure the correct positioning of the intensifying screen with the fluorescent surface thereof against the sensitive side of the X-ray film after the introduction of said intensifying screen into the container.

4. The package according to claim 3, characterized in that said auxiliary means consist of an introduction strip which is introduced into and can be taken out of the wrapper and is placed as to face the above-mentioned sensitive side of the X-ray film.

5. The package according to claim 4, characterized in that the introduction strip is provided with an appendage which juts out of the opened end of the container and has a frame portion provided with elements holding the X-ray film after its development, when said introduction strip is inside the wrapper.

6. The package according to claim 5, characterized in that the container and the fluorescent surface of the intensifying screen are respectively provided with references for the identifi-cation of the exposure position of the X-ray film.

7. The package according to claim 6, characterized in that the introduction strip comprises a reference corresponding to the references of said container and fluorescent surface.

8. The package according to claim 4, characterized in that the introduction strip is provided with places to write data for the identification of the X-ray image.

9. The package according to claim 4, characterized in that the introduction strip and the intensifying screen have corres-ponding marks suitable to facilitate the introduction of the intensifying screen into the container.

10. The package according to claim 3, characterised in that the intensifying screen on the surface opposite to the fluorescent one is provided with a protective coating of a radiation-impermeable material.

11. The package according to claim 3, characterized in that the fluorescent surface of the intensifying screen consists of a rare earth phosphor layer.

12. The package according to claim 11, characterized in that the intensifying screen comprises a support of polyester resin.

13. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the first portion of the container has dimensions substantially corresponding to those of the X-ray film and the second portion of the container can be book-wise folded up against the first portion and can be connected therewith in a releasable way.

14. The package according to claim 3, characterized in that a handle appendage is attached to said intensifying screen and said handle appendage can be folded up

15. The package according to claim 3, characterized in that the container consists of two coupled sheets, respectively a frontal one and a dorsal one made of a liquid-tight plastic material.

16. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the above-mentioned protecting means comprise an external relief obtained in the frontal sheet in correspondence with the above-mentioned first portion of the container and defining a receiving place for the X-ray film depressed with respect to the general plane of said frontal sheet.

17. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the above-mentioned frontal and dorsal sheets of the container have internal surfaces with a black-opaque coloration.

18. The package according to claim 16, characterized in that the frontal sheet of the container forms a tongue in correspondence with the opened end of said container, and the dorsal sheet near the opposite end of the container has a pocket to receive said tongue when the container is folded up.

19. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the above-mentioned protecting means comprise an internal relief with which said frontal sheet is provided in correspondence with the above-mentioned second portion of the container.

20. The package according to claim 19, characterized in that the above-mentioned internal relief has a step-wise shape.

21. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the above-mentioned protecting means comprise an external rise obtained in the frontal sheet in correspondence with the first portion of the container and defining a receiving place for the X-ray film depressed towards the outside with respect to the general plane of said frontal sheet, as well as an internal relief with which said frontal sheet is provided in correspondence with the second portion of the container.

22. The package according to claim 21, characterized in that the above-mentioned relief consists of a thickening of the frontal sheet.

23. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the above-mentioned protecting means comprise two internal adjacent reliefs respectively formed by the depressions of the frontal sheet and dorsal sheet in correspondence with the above-mentioned second portion of the container.

24. The package according to claim 8, characterized in that the above-mentioned protecting means comprise a plurality of elastic inclined internal tongues jutting out of one of said frontal or dorsal sheets towards the other sheet.

25. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the above-mentioned protecting means comprise a series of alternated reliefs made in said frontal and dorsal sheets in correspondence with the above-mentioned second portion of the container.

26. The package according to claim 25, characterized in that said internal reliefs are made of springing small teeth.

27. The package according to claim 15, characterized in that the above-mentioned protecting means comprise a strip introduced in a releasable way into the container and having a room-light absorbing opaque surface turned towards the X-ray film and suitable to be placed in a faced position with respect to said film whenever the above-mentioned intensifying screen in removed from the container after the exposure of the package to the X-rays.

28. The package of claim 27, characterized in that said protecting strip is provided with a portion jutting out of said opened end of the container.