EP0793818A1 - Compartiment d'unite d'imagerie pour materiaux photosensibles - Google Patents

Compartiment d'unite d'imagerie pour materiaux photosensibles

Info

Publication number
EP0793818A1
EP0793818A1 EP95942855A EP95942855A EP0793818A1 EP 0793818 A1 EP0793818 A1 EP 0793818A1 EP 95942855 A EP95942855 A EP 95942855A EP 95942855 A EP95942855 A EP 95942855A EP 0793818 A1 EP0793818 A1 EP 0793818A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
imaging unit
sheets
base
light
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95942855A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
David C. Bailey
Cherilyn M. Beaudreau
Kenneth J. Hagen
Norman Herauf
Melinda K. Kovach
Gerald L. Metcalf
Stuart J. Wyman
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.)
Harris Corp
GlassBridge Enterprises Inc
Original Assignee
Harris Corp
Imation Corp
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
Application filed by Harris Corp, Imation Corp filed Critical Harris Corp
Publication of EP0793818A1 publication Critical patent/EP0793818A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B42/00—Obtaining records using waves other than optical waves; Visualisation of such records by using optical means
    • G03B42/02—Obtaining records using waves other than optical waves; Visualisation of such records by using optical means using X-rays
    • G03B42/04—Holders for X-ray films
    • G03B42/045—Holders for X-ray films apparatus for loading or unloading the holders

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed generally to apparatus for handling photosensitive media.
  • the present invention is directed to an imaging unit container in which photosensitive sheets are stored and are individually extractable and feedable to a film exposure station of the imaging unit.
  • the film packaging is relatively compact, with the film being configured as either a continuous multi-frame roll housed in a light-tight cylindrical canister, or as individual sheets that may be housed in an auto-feed sealed cartridge that is disposable after all of the film sheets have been used
  • neither of these hand-held camera film storage and feed approaches is capable of storing larger sheets of photosensitive material and interfacing such media with the sheet or web advance mechanisms employed by the larger, diagnostic imaging equipment
  • Light-tight, single-use containers or packages for larger photosensitive materials used in, for example, medical diagnostic applications are generally known.
  • these light-tight containers can include a film bag or a tray covered by a lid
  • carriages, or holders which mate with the main body of a film loading device and removes the cover or the film bag while maintaining light-tightness
  • a roller within the main body is disclosed as being urged by a spring against the holder
  • a light- shielding roller is displaced against a light-shielding plate of the holder by a resilient member. Rollers which are urged or biased together to provide light- tightness can create significant friction during removal of the lid or film bag making the removal difficult.
  • Containers for larger photosensitive materials have been designed to function with vacuum or suction feeding mechanisms within an imaging unit.
  • This type of feeding mechanism which lifts individual sheets of the photosensitive materials from the container and insert them into the imaging station of the imaging unit, requires a vacuum system as well as numerous parts for lifting and inserting the sheets
  • this type of feeding system can be susceptible to feeding multiple, rather than individual, sheets which are stuck or blocked together which can adversely affect the imaging process
  • An embodiment of the present invention includes a container for storing sheets of photosensitive material and enabling individual sheets to be transported from the container to an imaging unit by a feed mechanism of the imaging unit.
  • the container fits within an entry port of the imaging unit to provide a light-tight environment for the photosensitive material.
  • the container includes a base upon which multiple sheets of photosensitive material may be placed
  • a front ramp extends at an angle upwardly and outwardly from the base to facilitate sliding transport of each sheet from the container into the imaging station
  • a back ramp extends at an angle upwardly from the base and substantially parallel to the front ramp.
  • Another embodiment includes a method for storing sheets of photosensitive material within a container and enabling individual sheets to be transported from the container to an imaging unit by a feed mechanism of the imaging unit.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the container together with the imaging unit in which it fits,
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the container of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the container inserted within the imaging unit which includes a kick feed mechanism.
  • Figure 4 is a enlarged, cross-sectional, partial side view of the front ramp shown in Figure 3
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the container
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 5 having shiftable front and back walls;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a light-tight bag
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view of the bag of Figure 7 within the container of Figure 1;
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of the bag and container of Figure 8 wherein a clamping member has been pivoted to contact the bag;
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clamping member
  • Figure 1 1 is a side sectional view of the container inserted within the imaging unit
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the container having another embodiment of the clamping member
  • Figure 13 is a side sectional view of the container and clamping member shown in Figure 12;
  • Figure 14 is a perspective view of a lid positioned to be inserted into the container while within the imaging unit
  • Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a container-locking apparatus; and Figure 16 is another embodiment of the container.
  • the present invention is a container for storing multiple sheets of photosensitive material and enabling individual sheets to be fed to an imaging station of an imaging unit.
  • the photosensitive material includes both photosensitive films and papers
  • One embodiment of the container is a carriage 10, a reusable component which mates with a feed station (not shown) of the imaging unit 12 by passing through an entry port 14, as shown in Figure 1
  • the carriage 10 is shown being placed within the imaging unit 12 such that the carriage 10 is in a horizontal position even though it could be oriented differently within the imasinn unit 12
  • the carriage 10A can include a base 16 upon which the sheets of photosensitive material 18 can be placed.
  • the carriage 10 can also include a front ramp 20 which extends upwardly and outwardly from one end of the base 16
  • this carriage 10A includes side walls 22, 24 which extend substantially upwardly from the base 16
  • a kick feed mechanism 25 within the imaging unit 12 can frictionally slide the top sheet 19 from the carriage 10, as shown in Figure 3, and feed it toward the imaging station.
  • the front ramp 20 facilitates the sliding of the top sheet out of the container while being sufficiently vertical to hold the remaining sheets within the carriage 10.
  • the angle A of the front ramp 20 need only be sufficient to guide the top sheet from the carriage 10A and into the imaging unit 12. For example, the angle A of between 30 and 85 degrees is sufficient, although other angles can suffice. More preferably, the angle A is approximately 60 degrees.
  • the front ramp 20 can have other than a smooth surface
  • the front ramp 20 can include serrated edges E which allows the top sheet 1 to exit from the carriage 10, but separate the top sheet 19 from the lower sheets and retain the lower sheets within the container
  • the angle X and depth D of the serrated edges E contribute to the aggressiveness of the separation, as does the angle of the front ramp 20, the portion P of the front ramp 20 which includes the serrated edges E, and the sheet material (e g , polyester film)
  • the angle X preferably ranges from approximately 5 degrees to approximately 60 degrees
  • the depth D preferably ranges from approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0 40 mm, and more preferably is approximately 0. 13 mm.
  • the portion P of the front ramp 20 which is serrated, as shown in Figure 2 can be the entire front ramp 20, although one or more narrower portions can be serrated.
  • three 2.5 mm-wide vertical portions can be spaced across the front ramp 20 to contact the edges and center of the sheets 18.
  • a single 10 mm-wide vertical portion can be in the center of the front ramp 20 to contact only the center portion of the sheets I 8
  • the carriage 10B can include a back wall which can be angled to form a back ramp 26B substantially parallel to the front ramp 20B.
  • the distance between the two ramps 20B, 26B can be selected to provide minimal clearance to reduce the movement and potential damage after the sheets 18 of photosensitive material are inserted into the carriage 10B Damage can occur if the sheets 18 repeatedly slide against one another.
  • One or both of the ramps 20C, 26C can have the ability to shift from extending substantially vertically from the base 16, as shown on the cassette IOC in Figure 6, to extending angularly from the base 16
  • the front ramp 20C can be shifted to form an obtuse angle with the base 16, and the back ramp 26C can be shifted to form an acute angle with the base 16 and remains substantially parallel with the front ramp 20C. This allows the ramps 20C. 26C to be shifted from a vertical storage position to an angled use position after insertion of the sheets 18.
  • the carriage 10A can also apply a force to the side of the sheets 18 to keep them positioned or registered correctly
  • one side wall 22 of the carriage 10A includes a positioning bar 28 which contacts the sheets 18 by sliding on two posts 30 each of which includes a spring 32, or another biasing device.
  • the springs 32 are fully relaxed putting the positioning bar 28 in its most outward position from the side wall 22.
  • the distance between the positioning bar 28 and the opposite side wall 24 is slightly less than the width of the sheets 18.
  • the positioning bar 28 To insert the sheets 18, the positioning bar 28 must be slid toward the side wall 22 against the bias of the springs 32 Once inserted into the carriage 10A, the sheets 18 are forced to contact and align with the opposite side wall 24
  • a piece of foam (not shown) can force the sheets 18 toward the opposite side wall 24.
  • the foam can be encapsulated in a film, such as a 0.018 cm-thick polyester film, to protect the foam and prevent foam particles from becoming free within the container 10.
  • Foam can provide a sufficient spring force to force a relatively large number of sheets 18 toward the opposite side wall 24, while not excessively large to deform or flex the sheets 18 when a relatively small number of sheets 18 are present within the container 10.
  • the carriage 10 can be daylight loaded when used in conjunction with sheets 18, which are contained within a light-tight bag 34 shown in Figure 7.
  • the bag 34 can surround a carrier insert (not shown), such as a rectangular fiberboard tray, in which the film rests
  • the bag 34 shown in Figure 7 has two sides 36, 38, a back end 40, and a front end 42
  • the seal 43 can be made thermally if the bag 34 is a thermoplastic Sealing the bag 34 inward from the back end 40, creates a bag tab 44.
  • the tab 44 can have a chevron shape
  • the front end 42 of the bag 34 is not sealed, but is rolled back and adhered to the middle section 46 of the bag 34 to maintain the light-tight enclosure of the sheets 18.
  • the front end 42 can be adhered with a piece of perforated tape 48 which is broken by a user just prior to inserting the carriage 10 into the imaging unit 12. Although the tape 48 no longer holds the bag closed, the film bag 34 remains folded and light-tight due to set the film bag 34 has taken in the folded position.
  • the carriage 10 is first removed from the imaging unit 12 Because the present invention allows the carriage 10 to be entirely removed from the imaging unit 12, a user can easily position the bag 34 within the carriage 10 The carriage 10 can clamp the back end 40 of the bag 34 before being reinserted into the imaging unit 12 Once inserted, the carriage 10, mated with the feed station of the imaging unit 12, creates a light-tight environment for the bag 34.
  • One embodiment of the carriage 10 includes a clamping member 52 which holds the bag 34 against the back portion 54 of the carriage base 16, as shown in Figure 8
  • the carriage 10 and the clamping member 52 can function with the previously mentioned kick feed system, as well as with known suction or vacuum-feed systems (not shown).
  • the clamping member 52 has a longitudinal axis and includes two side members 56, 58 each of which is hinged to the respective side wall 22, 24 of the carriage 10.
  • the clamping member 52 also includes a cross member 60 which is substantially perpendicular to and connected to the side members.
  • a swinging clamping member 66 having a free end 68 and a hinged end 69 which is attached to a side wall 22 of the carriage 10D
  • the swinging clamping member 66 can pivot at the hinged end 69 around an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the swinging clamping member 66
  • the swinging clamping member 66 can pivot away from the base 16 into an open position so that the bag can be placed onto the base 16, and can pivot toward the base 16 into a closed position where the swinging clamping member 66 forces the bag 34 toward the carriage base 16
  • the clamping member 52 (or the swinging clamping member 66 in Figure 10) can include a clamping member roller 70 which extends across the clamping member 52
  • the clamping member roller 70 is located on one surface of the clamping member 52 so that the clamping member roller 70 contacts the bag 34 and permits a smooth removal of the bag 34
  • the carriage base 16 can include one or more base rollers Two base rollers 72, 74, which extend across the back portion 54 of the base 16, are substantially parallel with the clamping member roller 70 Preferably, the carriage base 16 includes two base rollers 72, 74 which are located so the clamping member roller 70 falls between them when the clamping member 52 is pivoted against the carriage base 16
  • the first and second stationary surfaces 81 , 82 are stationary
  • the first stationary surface 81 is integral to the clamping member 52A and the second stationary surface is integral to the base 16A This can be accomplished, for example, by injection-molding the clamping member 52A having the first stationary surface 81 , and the base I 6A having the second stationary surface 82
  • the first stationary surface 81 is shown as a single raised and rounded surface fitting within the second stationary surface 82, which is shown as a single groove or trough
  • the first stationary surface 81 could be made as a groove or trough and the second stationary surface 82 could be made as a raised surface
  • multiple stationary surfaces could be used instead of a single pair of stationary surfaces 81 , 82. The choice of materials for forming the stationary surfaces 81 , 82 can be important to allow for minimal friction between the bag and the first and second stationary surfaces 81.
  • the clamping member 52 can include an upper roller groove 88 in which the upper roll 84 can fit.
  • the position of the upper roller 84 in the upper roller groove 88 creates the light-tight seal Light is also prevented from entering the imaging unit 12 along the side walls 22, 24 of the carriage 10
  • the side walls 22, 24 of the carriage 10 extend up to and mate with the upper roller 84 of the imaging unit 12, shown in Figure 1 1
  • Side walls 22, 24 include cut-aways 90, 92 which align with the upper roller groove 88 in the clamping member 52 and similarly mate with the upper roller 84
  • a spring 94 can be attached to the imaging unit 12 as shown in Figures 1 and 14
  • the upper roller 84 when the upper roller 84 is held down within the upper roller groove 88, horizontal movement of the upper roller 84 relative to the carriage 10 is reduced Because the upper roller 84 should not move horizontally relative to the imaging unit 12, the upper roller 84 prevents horizontal movement of the carriage 10 relative to the imaging unit 12 when the upper roller 84 is within the upper roller groove 88 Preventing horizontal movement of the carriage 10 is important for effective feeding of the sheets 18 into the imaging station of the imaging unit 12
  • a compliant member such as a strip of felt or a plurality of brushes, could maintain intimate contact and light-tightness between the clamping member 52 and the upper surface 82 of the entry port 14
  • another light-tight member having a living hinge which could bias a portion of the light-tight member into a mating groove (not shown) on the top surface 86 of the clamping member 52 for light-tightness
  • Still another upper light-tight member could be biased downwardly so that it would fit into a mating groove (not shown) in the carriage 10
  • the biasing could be accomplished by a living hinge connected to or a part of the light-tight member
  • the carriage 10 can maintain light-tightness even when the imaging unit 12 is opened for servicing, such as for removing a misfed sheet of film
  • a lid 96 can be slid into the carriage 10 to cover the sheets 18 within the carriage 10
  • the lid 96 is generally a thin, rectangular sheet of material, such as a metal or plastic
  • the lid 96 can be slid between the upper surface 86 of the clamping member 52 and the corresponding upper surface 83 of the entry port 14
  • the carriage 10 can include a lid slot 97 on each of the side walls 22, 24 to guide the lid 96 over the sheets of photosensitive material 18, as shown in Figure 15
  • the lid 96 must contact the upper roller 84 and force the roller 84 out of the groove 88 in the clamping member 52
  • the trailing end 98 of the lid 96 can include a lip 100 which is generally perpendicular to the remainder of the lid 96
  • the lip 100 can be grasped and pulled to remove the lid 96 once within in the imaging unit 12, and also provides further light-tightness for the carriage 10
  • the apparatus 102 includes a locking sensor 108 and a locking hole 1 10
  • the locking sensor 108 can sense both the presence of one or more sheets of photosensitive materials 18 and the engagement of the lid 96 with the carriage 10.
  • the sensor 108 If the sensor 108 senses the presence of one or more sheets 18, but not the engagement of the lid 102, the sensor 108 signals the locking solenoid 106 to insert the locking member 104 into the locking hole 1 10, thereby preventing removal of the carriage 10 from the imaging unit 12.
  • the shiftable walls 1 16, 1 18 are shown in a vertical position relative to the base 1 14 Within this position, the front wall 1 16 and back wall 1 18 include S- shaped folds 128 where the front and back walls 1 16, 1 1 8 meet the side walls 120, 122. These folds 128 are made of a flexible material and are pinned at the base 1 14 (pinning not shown) When a force is applied to the front wall 1 16 in a direction away from the back wall 1 18, the two S-shaped folds 128 adjacent to the front wall 1 16 will partially unfold creating the front ramp 124, as shown Similarly, when a force is applied to the back wall 1 18 in a direction toward the front wall 1 16, the two S-shaped folds 128 adjacent to the back wall 1 18 will partially unfold creating the back ramp 126

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

On décrit un compartiment (10), et sa méthode d'utilisation, pour stocker des feuilles de matériaux, tels que les matériaux photosensibles, et permettre ainsi de transférer des feuilles individuelles entre le compartiment (10), et une unité d'imagerie (12) à l'aide d'un mécanisme d'alimentation de cette unité. Le compartiment (10) s'insère dans l'unité d'imagerie en ménageant un espace protégé contre la lumière pour les matériaux photosensibles. Ce compartiment comporte une rampe avant (20B) qui permet de guider les feuilles à l'intérieur de l'unité d'imagerie et une rampe arrière (26B) qui permet de séparer les feuilles bloquées. En outre, il comporte un dispositif de fixation qui permet d'extraire un sac protégé contre la lumière renfermant les matériaux photosensibles.
EP95942855A 1994-11-23 1995-11-02 Compartiment d'unite d'imagerie pour materiaux photosensibles Withdrawn EP0793818A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US34446394A 1994-11-23 1994-11-23
US344463 1994-11-23
PCT/US1995/014796 WO1996016353A1 (fr) 1994-11-23 1995-11-02 Compartiment d'unite d'imagerie pour materiaux photosensibles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0793818A1 true EP0793818A1 (fr) 1997-09-10

Family

ID=23350645

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95942855A Withdrawn EP0793818A1 (fr) 1994-11-23 1995-11-02 Compartiment d'unite d'imagerie pour materiaux photosensibles

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0793818A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU4406596A (fr)
WO (1) WO1996016353A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6139005A (en) * 1997-09-29 2000-10-31 Eastman Kodak Company Film supply system for use with a photosensitive film imager

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0215427B1 (fr) * 1985-09-12 1993-05-05 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Film-pack à film plan et procédé et appareil pour chargement de film plan
DE3752021T2 (de) * 1986-05-23 1997-05-28 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Filmpackung

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9616353A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4406596A (en) 1996-06-17
WO1996016353A1 (fr) 1996-05-30

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