EP0462592A1 - Appareil de développement de films radiographiques dentaires - Google Patents

Appareil de développement de films radiographiques dentaires Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0462592A1
EP0462592A1 EP91110063A EP91110063A EP0462592A1 EP 0462592 A1 EP0462592 A1 EP 0462592A1 EP 91110063 A EP91110063 A EP 91110063A EP 91110063 A EP91110063 A EP 91110063A EP 0462592 A1 EP0462592 A1 EP 0462592A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
film
holder
arm
housing
tank
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP91110063A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0462592B1 (fr
Inventor
Hiroyuki Tanaka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nix Inc
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Nix Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2298974A external-priority patent/JPH04127147A/ja
Priority claimed from JP16018291A external-priority patent/JPH0782227B2/ja
Application filed by Nix Inc filed Critical Nix Inc
Publication of EP0462592A1 publication Critical patent/EP0462592A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0462592B1 publication Critical patent/EP0462592B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D3/00—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion
    • G03D3/08—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion having progressive mechanical movement of exposed material
    • G03D3/10—Liquid processing apparatus involving immersion; Washing apparatus involving immersion having progressive mechanical movement of exposed material for plates, films, or prints held individually

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a dental X-ray film developing machine for developing one or more exposed dental X-ray films.
  • X-ray pictures of teeth have been used for the diagnosis and treatment of teeth in recent years.
  • X-ray photography of a tooth for obtaining its X-ray picture is effected by bringing an opaque dental X-ray film pack, which contains an X-ray film sealed therein, into a diseased part within a mouth and then exposing the X-ray film to X-rays through the diseased part.
  • an opaque dental X-ray film pack which contains an X-ray film sealed therein
  • the X-ray film pack is taken out of the mouth and is then opened in a dark room or the like to take out the X-ray film.
  • the X-ray film thus taken out is processed for its development, for example, is developed, fixed and washed, whereby an X-ray picture of the thus-taken tooth is obtained on the X-ray film.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the dental X-ray film developing machine.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.
  • numeral 1 indicates the developing machine.
  • a circular bottom wall 2a a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 2a provided upright from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 2b, and a cylindrical inner peripheral wall 2c provided at a predetermined interval inside the outer peripheral wall 2b.
  • An annular and groove-like space is formed by the bottom wall 2a, outer peripheral wall 2b and inner peripheral wall 2c.
  • Designated at symbols 3a,3b,3c,3d are partition walls provided radially between the outer peripheral wall 2b and inner peripheral wall 2c.
  • the individual partition walls 3a-3d are arranged at predetermined intervals. Owing to the provision of the partition walls 3a-3d, the annular space is divided in four compartments 4a,4b,4c,4d.
  • Numeral 5 indicates a motor mounted on the bottom wall 2a inside a cylindrical space formed by the bottom wall 2a and inner peripheral wall 2c.
  • the drawings also illustrate a rotary shaft 6 connected to the motor 5 either directly or via a reducing gear unit, not shown, an arm 7 fixed at one end thereof on the rotary shaft 6 and extending radially from the rotary shaft 6, and a suspending portion 7a formed in the opposite, namely, free end of the arm 7.
  • the free end, namely, the suspending portion 7a of the arm 7 is positioned above the annular space and approximately at midpoint between the outer peripheral wall 2b and the inner peripheral wall 2c.
  • Designated at symbols 8a,8b,8c are plugs closing their corresponding discharge openings formed through lower parts of the peripheral outer walls 2b of the respective compartments 4a,4b,4c.
  • Numeral 10 indicates a holder as a film-mounting member, which is adapted to support a dental X-ray film thereon.
  • FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are a plan view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 and a cross-sectional view taken along line III(B)-III(B) of FIG. 3(A), respectively.
  • the holder 10 is composed of a stem portion 10a, a hole 10b formed through one end portion of the stem portion 10a, and a film-mounting portion 10c formed at the other end portion of the stem portion 10a.
  • the film-mounting portion 10c is bifurcated as is depicted in FIG. 3(A), and slots 10d,10d are formed in inner edges of the bifurcated branches, respectively, as is shown in FIG.3 (B).
  • FIG. 4 A description will next be made of development processing making use of the developing machine 1 with reference to an operation schematic illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the individual compartments provided in the toroidal arrangement are shown in manner developed on a planar sheet.
  • the compartments 4a,4b,4c are filled with a developer S1, a fixer S2 and a washing liquid (not shown) respectively, but the compartment 4d is left as a space.
  • the exposed X-ray film F is taken out of a dental X-ray film pack and is fitted in the slots 10d,10d of the holder 10 so as to support the film F.
  • FIG. 4 An operation schematic illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the individual compartments provided in the toroidal arrangement are shown in manner developed on a planar sheet.
  • the hole 10b of the holder 10 is fitted on the hook of the suspending portion 7a of the arm 7 so that the holder 10 is suspended from the free end of the arm 7.
  • the arm 7 is set to assume the position shown in FIG. 1, namely, the position close to the partition wall 3a of the compartment 4a.
  • the dental X-ray film F is therefore immersed in the developer S1 when the holder 10 is suspended initially from the suspending portion 7a as described above.
  • the rotary shaft 6 of the motor 5 rotates so that the free end of the arm 7 starts moving approximately along the angular center line of the compartment 4a.
  • the dental X-ray film F mounted on the film-mounting portion 10c of the holder 10 is also caused to move through the developer S1. In the course of this movement, the development of the dental X-ray film F is carried out.
  • the film-mounting portion 10c of the holder 10 is brought into contact with the tilted surface 2a1 formed on the bottom wall 2a of the compartment 4a.
  • the holder 10 is pivoted upwardly about the suspending portion 7a by the tilted surface 2a1 and eventually rides on the partition wall 3b in a state as indicated by broken lines.
  • the film-mounting portion 10c moves on the partition wall 3b and then rides over the partition wall 3b.
  • the holder 10 is allowed to pivot downwardly about the suspending portion 7a, whereby the film-mounting portion 10c is dropped in the fixer S2 in the compartment 4b to immerse the dental X-ray film F in the fixer S2.
  • the dental X-ray film F is thereafter caused to move through the fixer S2 to conduct its fixing as the arm 7 moves.
  • the dental X-ray film F moves into the compartment 4c so that the dental X-ray film F enters a washing liquid. While moving through the washing liquid, its washing is conducted. The dental X-ray film F then moves from the compartment 4c into the compartment 4d. While the dental X-ray film F passes through the compartment 4d, any washing liquid still remaining on the surfaces of the dental X-ray film F are allowed to drop.
  • the holder 10 is detached from the arm 7 and the dental X-ray film F is removed from the film-mounting portion 10c of the holder 10.
  • the development processing of the dental X-ray film F has now been completed, so that an X-ray picture of a tooth is shown there.
  • the above developing machine 1 is suitable for easily developing the exposed dental X-ray film F by a dentist or his assistant in his office. Desirably, the developing machine 1 therefore has small overall dimensions and can be handled easily.
  • An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-described problems or drawbacks of the conventional art and to provide a dental X-ray film developing machine which permits easy replacement of processing solutions and automated, continuous development processing.
  • a dental X-ray film developing machine having a cylindrical housing, a motor fixed on the housing, an arm for being driven by the motor, and a film holder for being brought into detachable engagement with the arm whereby development processing of a film mounted on the film holder is conducted while the film holder makes a full turn within the housing.
  • the developing machine comprises a plurality of tanks, a film-holder-inserting portion and a film-holder-detaching means.
  • the tanks are removably arranged along a peripheral wall of the housing.
  • One of the tanks contains a developer, and another one of the tanks contains a final processing solution.
  • the film-holder-inserting portion is located before the developer-containing tank relative to the turning direction of the arm so that the film holder with the film mounted thereon can be positioned at a point where the film holder can be brought into engagement with the arm which is being driven.
  • the film-holder-detaching means serves to detach the film holder from the arm and is located after the final-processing-solution-containing tank relative to the turning direction of the arm.
  • the arm When the motor is driven, the arm is caused to progressively rotate and, at the film-holder-inserting portion, engages the film holder.
  • the arm continuously rotates with the film holder kept in engagement with the arm, so that the film holder is separated from the film-holder-inserting portion and is held in a state suspended from the arm.
  • the film mounted on the film holder successively passes through the developing tank and a fixing tank so that development processing is carried out.
  • the film holder is brought into contact with the film-holder-detaching means and is detached from the arm, whereby the film holder drops onto a predetermined position.
  • the dental X-ray film developing machine permits automated attachment and detachment of the film holder to and from the arm which is rotating and moving.
  • the labor and time required for the attachment and detachment can therefore be obviated.
  • the handling has been much simplified. Since the attachment and detachment of the film holder can be automatically conducted in a continuous manner as mentioned above, it is no longer necessary to stop the rotation of the arm for the attachment and detachment of the film holder so that the work efficiency of developing processing can be improved. Further, the removable arrangement of the tanks in the housing can facilitate replacement of processing solutions.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 the dental X-ray film developing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
  • numeral 19 indicates the developing machine.
  • the film-mounting and placing portion 20 is formed of a housing 21, and includes two holes 22 opened in the housing 21, a film-mounting stage 23 and a film-placing opening 24. It is to be noted that only one of the holes 22 is visible in FIG. 5 and the other hole is formed on an opposite side and is hence not visible in FIG. 5.
  • the development processing portion 30 is formed of a housing 31 and includes a motor 32, a motor cover 33, a motor shaft 34, an arm 35 connected to the motor shaft 34 and tanks 36. Further, the take-out portion is formed of a housing 41, and includes a film transfer path 43 and a box 43 having a handle 44. Designated at numerals 45, 46 and 47 are a film-holder-detaching portion, a detaching projection, and an opening of the film transfer path 42, respectively. Incidentally, letter H indicates a heater pad fixed on the motor cover 33.
  • each tank in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 contains a developer, a fixer, a washing liquid or the like (a developer S1 in FIG. 8).
  • Designated at numeral 361 is a cover film closing an opening of the tank 36.
  • the cover film is peelably bonded to an upper face of an edge of the opening.
  • Symbols 361a,361b indicate tabs formed at both ends of the cover film 361 to facilitate its peeling.
  • the tank 36 is constructed in a curved shape.
  • the radius of curvature of the tank substantially conforms with that of the housing 31.
  • the width W of the tank 36 is set at a dimension much smaller compared with the depth d of the tank 36.
  • designated at numerals 311 and 312 in FIG. 9 are a bottom wall of the housing 31 and a tank-fixing, upright wall extending upright from the bottom wall 311, respectively.
  • symbols 36a1,36b1 are lugs which are provided on lower parts of the tank 36 and are used to fix the tank 36.
  • similar lugs are provided on an opposite wall of the tank 36.
  • FIGS. 10 to 12 indicate the above-described housing, bottom wall and upright wall, respectively.
  • numerals 31, 311 and 312 indicate the above-described housing, bottom wall and upright wall, respectively.
  • Designated at symbols 31a1,31b1 are vertical grooves formed in an inner wall of the housing 31, while symbols 31a2,31b2 indicate horizontal grooves which, as is illustrated in FIG. 12, are formed in continuation with the vertical grooves 31a1,31b1 and extend at right angles relative to the vertical grooves 31a1,31b1, respectively.
  • symbols 312a1,312b1 designate vertical grooves formed in an inner surface (as viewed from the side of the tank) of the upright wall 312 while symbols 312a2,312b2 indicate horizontal grooves formed at right angles relative to the vertical grooves 312a1,312b1, respectively.
  • symbols 31a3,312a3 are holding slot formed in upper edges of the housing 31 and the upright wall 312.
  • the tank 36 is inserted between the housing 31 and the upright wall 312 while the four lugs of the tank 36 are maintained in engagement with their corresponding vertical grooves 31a1,31b1, 312a1,312b1.
  • the tank 36 is pushed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10 so that the respective lugs are caused to enter their corresponding horizontal grooves 31a2,31b2, 312a2,312b2.
  • a suitable holding rod (not shown) is finally fitted in the holding slots 31a3,312a3, whereby the tank 36 is prevented from moving in a direction opposite to arrow A and is hence arranged in a state fixed at the exact position.
  • the cover film 361 is pulled upwards at either one of the tabs so that the cover film 361 is peeled off from the tank 36.
  • the processing solution in the tank 36 is exposed to permit entry of the film holder therein. Removal of the tank 36 is carried out by an operation opposite to the above-described fixing operation.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrates another specific example of the tank fixing mechanism, in which elements either identical or equivalent to certain elements shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 are identified by like reference numerals or symbols and their description is omitted herein. Further, in FIGS. 13 and 14, elements corresponding to certain elements shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 are identified by like reference numerals or symbols plus a prime (').
  • Designated at symbols 36a1 ⁇ ,36a2 ⁇ are lugs. Unlike the lugs 36a1,36a2 in the above example, These lugs 36a1',36a2 ⁇ are provided on upper parts of the tank 36.
  • Symbols 31P,312P are flanges formed on upper ends of the housing 31 and upright wall 312, respectively.
  • Symbols 31a2 ⁇ ,312a2 ⁇ designate horizontal grooves defined by the flanges 31P.312P, respectively.
  • each of the flanges 31P,312P defines similar vertical grooves to those depicted in FIGS. 10-12.
  • FIGS. 13-14 The specific example shown in FIGS. 13-14 is different from the preceding example only in that the lugs 36a1 ⁇ ,36a2 ⁇ are formed on the upper parts rather than the lower parts of the tank 36 and the vertical grooves and horizontal grooves are not directly formed in the housing 31 and the upright wall 312 but are formed in the flanges 31P,312P on their upper ends.
  • the tank 36 is kept suspended from the flanges 31P,312P when arranged and fixed in the developing machine.
  • the manner of arrangement and fixing of the tank in this specific example is the same as the preceding example so that its description is omitted.
  • film holders suitable for use in the developing machine according to the first embodiment correspond to the conventional holder 10 depicted in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B).
  • numeral 50 indicates the film holders.
  • Designated at symbols 54a,54b are free end portions of the individual film-holding portions 53a,53b.
  • the stem portion 51 is inclined relative to the film-holding portions 53a,53b and protrudes out by a predetermined distance beyond an imaginary longitudinal axis extending through either one of the film-holding portions 53a,53b (the film-holding portion 53b in the illustrated example).
  • Both the film holders 50 are bent as a whole as illustrated in FIGS. 16(A) and 16(B). Their radius r of curvature is the same as that of the housing 31 and tank 36.
  • Film-holding claws 55a1,55a2,55a3 are formed at the free end 54a as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17. By these claws, the film F is held on the film holder 50.
  • Similar film-holding claws are formed at the free end 54b and also at base portions of the respective film-holding portions 53a,53b.
  • Symbol 51a which appears in FIG. 16(B) is a thin-walled portion formed between the stem portion 51 and the film-holding portions 53a,53b.
  • the thin-walled portion 51a is formed to avoid such a trouble.
  • the film holder 50 has flexibility as its thickness is small at the thin-walled portion 51a. Even when the film holder 50 is pressed against the inner wall of the tank 36, the film holder 50 is allowed to flex at the thin-walled portion 51a so that movement of the film holder 50 is not prevented.
  • the film holder 50 with the film F held thereon is then placed in the film-placing opening 24 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and its hook portion 52 engages the arm 35 which is connected to the motor shaft 34 and is being rotated. As a result, the film holder 50 advances through the tanks 36 so that the film F held thereon is developed. At the film-holder-detaching portion 45 shown in FIG. 6, the engagement between the film holder and the arm 35 is released at the film holder take-out portion 45 illustrated in FIG. 6. The film holder is then taken out of the box 43.
  • a film-holder-inserting box shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 forms the film-holder-placing opening 24 of the film-mounting and placing portion 20 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, while a film-holder-detaching portion depicted in FIGS. 20 and 21 corresponding to the film-holder-detaching portion 45 shown in FIG. 6.
  • the construction of the film-holder-inserting box will be described first with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, in which numeral 240 indicates the film-holder-inserting box 240.
  • the film-holder-inserting box 240 is constructed of the housing 21 as one of side walls, a side wall 241 as the other side wall, said side wall opposing the housing 21 and having the same curved shape as the housing 21, a wall 242 connecting the side wall 241 and the housing 21 to each other, guide walls 243a,243b, a bottom wall 244, a film-holder-placing opening 245 formed in an upper part, and a cut-off portion 264 formed by cutting off the bottom wall 244.
  • numeral 35 is an arm which can undergo similar rotation as that depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, and arrow B indicates the direction of movement of the arm 35.
  • Numeral 50 indicates the film holder shown in FIGS. 15-17. In the illustrated embodiment, three film holders are shown in a state stacked one over another.
  • the film-holder-detaching portion 45 is constructed of the detaching portion 46 provided on the housing 31 of the development processing portion 30, the opening 47 formed through the bottom wall 311 of the housing 31 at a location underneath the detaching portion 46, and the transfer path 42 provided inside the housing 41 of the take-out portion 40 and communicating the opening 47 to the box 43.
  • Designated at numeral 421 is guide walls arranged on opposite sides of the transfer path 42, while designated at numeral 422 is a light-shielding plate covering the transfer path 42.
  • the detaching projection 46 is positioned at a predetermined point in the range of transfer of the film holder after completion of the development pro-cessing.
  • the X-ray film F is taken out of the dental X-ray film pack and, using the film mounting stage 23, the X-ray film F is mounted on the film holder 50.
  • the film holder with the film F mounted thereon is placed in the direction indicated in FIG. 19 into the film-holder-inserting box 240 through the film-holder-placing opening 245.
  • the film holder 50 so placed is supported on the bottom wall 244 so that the hook portion 52 downwardly protrudes from the cut-off portion 246 and is located in a path of the arm 35.
  • three film holders 50 are inserted one over another.
  • the film holder 50 passes through the individual tanks 36 as in the conventional developing machines so that development and fixing are carried out successively. Since the film holder 50 is curved as described above, it can smoothly pass through the tanks 36 without any problem despite of the curved configuration of the tanks even if the tanks 36 has a small width. After the film holder 50 has been pulled out of the film-holder-inserting box 240 by the arm 35 as described above, the next film holder 50 which was sitting on the film holder 50 so pulled out is positioned on the bottom wall 244 and awaits arrival of the next arm 35.
  • the hook portion 52 is brought into contact with the detaching projection 46 fixed on the housing 31 as shown in FIG. 21.
  • the engagement between the film holder 50 and the arm 35 is released because the hook portion 52 is maintained in contact with the detaching projection 46.
  • the film holder 50 drops by its own weight and slides down into the box 43 through the opening 47 and the transfer path 42 (see FIG. 20). Filling of water in the box 43 permits omission of the washing tank.
  • the box 43 is drawn out and the film holder 50 is taken out.
  • the X-ray film F is then removed from the film holder 50.
  • the development processing of the X-ray film F has now been completed so that an X-ray picture of a tooth is shown there.
  • inclination of the step portion of the film holder is not essential.
  • the hook portion is still allowed to extend into the path of movement of the arm.
  • the present embodiment permits automated attachment and detachment of each film holder to and from the rotating arm. This has made it possible to save the labor and time required for the attachment and detachment, and has also facilitated the handling substantially. Since the attachment and detachment of each film holder can be conducted automatically as described above, it is no longer required to stop rotation of the arm for the purpose of such detachment and attachment so that the work efficiency of development processing can be improved. Further, the curved configurations of the tanks and film holders allow to reduce the overall dimensions and the use of the removable tanks facilitates replacement of the processing solutions. Furthermore, the opening of each tank is closed by a cover film so that the tank itself can be handled with ease and its processing solution can be protected from deterioration.
  • the arm 35 is fixed on the shaft 34 of the motor 32 and the arm 35 engages the hook portion 52 of the film holder 50.
  • the engagement of the arm 35 and the film holder 50 is however not limited to the construction described above but can be achieved by other constructions.
  • the arm 35 can be constructed in such a way that the arm can selectively extend or retreat in the radial direction of the cylindrical housing 31, the arm 35 is driven with its free end fitted in a through-hole formed in one end of the film holder 50 during development processing, and the free end of the arm 35 is released from the through-hole after completion of the development processing.
  • This construction will hereinafter be described. Firstly, the shape of each film holder useful for the above construction will be described with reference to FIGS.
  • FIG. 22 and 23 and the structure of a film-holder-inserting box also useful in the above construction will be described with reference to FIG. 24 and 25. Thereafter, a detaching mechanism for the arm 35 and the film holder 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27, and the structure of a releasing portion for the arm 35 will be described with reference to FIG. 28.
  • FIGS. 22 and 23 elements either identical or equivalent to those shown in FIGS. 15, 16(A) and/or 16(B) are identified by like numerals or symbols and their description is omitted herein.
  • Numeral 50 indicates a film holder.
  • Designated at symbol 52H is a through-hole formed in a free end of a stem portion 51.
  • grooves 56 formed in film-holding portions 53a,53b and a stem portion 51, respectively.
  • a thin-walled portion can be formed in the stem portion 51 on the side of the film-holding portions 53a.53b although this thin-walled portion is omitted in the drawings.
  • the film holder 50 with a film F mounted thereon is placed in the above-described film-placing opening 24.
  • the arm 35 which is rotating together with the motor shaft 34 enters the through-hole 52H of the film holder 50, whereby the film holder 50 is caused to pass through the individual tanks 36 while being dragged by the arm 35.
  • the film F is subjected to development processing.
  • the arm 35 is pulled out at the film-holder-detaching portion 45 and the film holder 50 is then taken out of the box 43.
  • FIGS. 24 and 25 elements either identical or equivalent to those shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 are indicated by like numerals or symbols and their description is omitted herein.
  • Designated at numeral 240 is the film-holder-inserting box.
  • Designated at numerals 247 are ribs on which the grooves 56 of the film holder 50 shown in FIG. 23 are fitted.
  • three film holders 50 are stacked one over another. In this case, the grooves 56 of only the lowermost film holder 50 are not fitted on the ribs 247. Further, the through-hole 25H of the lowermost film holder 50 is exposed into the interior of the housing 31.
  • Symbol 34B indicates a bearing for the shaft 34 of the motor 32.
  • An arm support 34H is constructed in the form of a disk. The arm support 34H is located above the motor cover 33 and is fixed on the shaft 34 of the motor 32, whereby the arm support 34H rotates together with the shaft 34.
  • Designated at symbols 34H1,34H2,34H3 are pendants which support the arm 35 underneath the arm support 34H.
  • pendants 34H1, 34H2,34H3 are arranged at radial intervals as viewed in the direction of the radius of the arm support 34H. Although not shown in the drawings, plural set of such pendants are provided at predetermined angular intervals.
  • Each of the pendants 34H1,34H2,34H3 supports the arm 35 movably in the direction of the radius of the arm support 34H.
  • a spring seat 351 formed on the arm 35 a rod 352 provided on the arm 35, a roller 353 attached to a free end portion of the rod 352, and a spring 354 arranged between the spring seat 351 and the pendant 34H2.
  • the rod 352 and the roller 353 together make up a cam follower.
  • Symbol 33C indicates a cam formed on the upper surface of the motor cover 33.
  • the configuration (contour) of the cam 33C is illustrated in FIG. 27.
  • the cam 33C includes an arm-retreating region 33C1, an arm-extending region 33C2 and a maximum spring-compressing region 33C3.
  • the arm 35 is allowed to extend leftwards as viewed in FIG. 26.
  • the region 33C2 is set such that, when the arm 35 is extended as described above, the position of the free end of the arm 35 exactly coincides with the position of the through-hole 52H of the lowermost film holder 50 placed in the film-holder-inserting box 240.
  • the film holder 50 is brought into engagement with the arm 35 and is moved together with the arm 35.
  • the film holder 50 passes through the processing solutions in the individual tanks as in the conventional machine so that developing, fixing and washing are conducted. Since the film holder 50 is curved as described above, the film holder 50 can smoothly pass through the tanks 36 without problem despite of their curved configuration even when these tanks 36 has a narrow width.
  • the film holders 50 stacked in the film-holder-inserting box 240 successively move downwards as the lowermost film holder 50 is brought into engagement with the arm 35 and is pulled out.
  • the remaining film holders 50 Even when the lowermost film holder 50 is pulled out, the remaining film holders 50 however do not tilt owing to the fitting of the grooves 56 on the ribs 247. As a result, the remaining film holders 50 can also be pulled out smoothly. After the lowermost film holder 50 has been pulled out, the next film holder awaits arrival of the next arm 35.
  • FIG. 28 elements identical to those depicted in FIGS. 5, 6, 26 and 27 are identified by like numerals or symbols and their description is omitted herein.
  • FIG. 28 there are shown the bottom wall 311 of the housing 31, a detaching wall 312 extending upright from a part of the bottom wall 311, a space 313 defined between the detaching wall 312 and the housing 31, the bottom wall 411 of the housing 41, and the light-shielding plate 422 covering the transfer path 42.
  • the detaching mechanism is constructed such that, when the development processing has been completed and the roller 353 has entered the region 33C1 of the cam 33C, the film holder 50 kept in engagement with the arm 35 is located inside the space 313.
  • the film holder 50 is stopped by the detaching wall 312 and the arm 35 is pulled out of the through-hole 52H.
  • the film holder 50 drops by its weight and slides down into the box 43 through the through-hole 52H and the transfer path 42. Filling of a washing liquid in the box 43 permits omission of the washing tank.
  • the box 43 is drawn out and the film holder 50 is taken out.
  • the X-ray film F is then removed from the film holder 50.
  • the development processing of the X-ray film F has now been completed so that an X-ray picture of a tooth is shown there.
  • the arm support was formed in a disk-like shape by way of example. It may be formed in any shape as long as the arm can be supported.
  • the arm support may be rods fixed on the shaft of the motor, the number of said rods being equal to the number of arms. It is not essential to form each film folder in such a curved configuration. It is not absolutely necessary to provide the cam on the motor cover. An additional plate can be provided to support the cam. Further, it is not essential to use the roller as the member maintained in contact with the cam. Any suitable contact member (i.e., cam follower) can be used.
  • the dental X-ray film developing machine according to the second embodiment can bring about the same advantages as the developing machine of the first embodiment and, in addition, can also bring about the advantage that the engagement between the arm and the film holder can be ensured further.
  • each tank was formed with substantially the same radius of curvature as the tank, by way of example.
  • the configuration of each tank is however not necessary limited to it.
  • Each tank may have a straight portion as long as its width permits.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Photographic Developing Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
EP19910110063 1990-06-20 1991-06-19 Appareil de développement de films radiographiques dentaires Expired - Lifetime EP0462592B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP159910/90 1990-06-20
JP15991090 1990-06-20
JP298974/90 1990-11-06
JP2298974A JPH04127147A (ja) 1990-06-20 1990-11-06 歯科用ｘ線フイルム現像機
JP160182/91 1991-04-08
JP16018291A JPH0782227B2 (ja) 1991-04-08 1991-04-08 歯科用ｘ線フイルム現像機

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0462592A1 true EP0462592A1 (fr) 1991-12-27
EP0462592B1 EP0462592B1 (fr) 1995-09-13

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19910110063 Expired - Lifetime EP0462592B1 (fr) 1990-06-20 1991-06-19 Appareil de développement de films radiographiques dentaires

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0462592B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69112919T2 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1149784A (fr) * 1956-05-16 1957-12-31 Machine automatique pour le traitement des films et des épreuves photographiques
DE1497420A1 (de) * 1965-09-22 1969-05-29 Ballaux Eric Albert Julienne J Vorrichtung zum Entwickeln von Filmen,insbesondere Roentgenfilmen
US4853729A (en) * 1987-10-01 1989-08-01 Nix Company, Ltd. Dental X-ray film developing machine

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1149784A (fr) * 1956-05-16 1957-12-31 Machine automatique pour le traitement des films et des épreuves photographiques
DE1497420A1 (de) * 1965-09-22 1969-05-29 Ballaux Eric Albert Julienne J Vorrichtung zum Entwickeln von Filmen,insbesondere Roentgenfilmen
US4853729A (en) * 1987-10-01 1989-08-01 Nix Company, Ltd. Dental X-ray film developing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69112919D1 (de) 1995-10-19
DE69112919T2 (de) 1996-03-07
EP0462592B1 (fr) 1995-09-13

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