US3684276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film pickup system
Assignee: Philips Electronics Ltd Canada
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Filing: 1970-11-27
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-11-27
Abstract
Abstract An x-ray apparatus is disclosed in which a sheet of film is selected for exposure, advanced to an exposure station from a film supply magazine and, after exposure, is transported to an exposed film magazine. A film pickup system removes a sheet of film from a stack of sheets in the supply magazine and comprises a sheet supporting assembly and an actuator for moving a sheet on one side of the stack into engagement with part of the sheet supporting assembly. The stack is flexed relative to the sheet engaging the supporting assembly so that the sheet is readily separated and removed from the stack for exposure.
Inventors
- 👤 Cecil K Bridgeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02; G03B42/04; G03B42/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In an X-ray mechanism, an apparatus for handling sheets of film which are moved one at a time from a film supply station to an exposure station comprising: a. film storage means including structure defining a storage volume for a stack of film sheets; b. film sheet support means for supporting a single sheet of film apart from said stack; c. film stack support means for supporting a stack of film sheets in a storage configuration; d. actuator means for flexing a stack of film sheets from said storage configuration to a configuration in which a single sheet at one side of a stack engages said sheet support means and for enabling a stack to return to its storage configuration; e. said film sheet support means maintaining a single sheet from one side of a stack in the flexed configuration after remaining sheets in a stack have returned to the storage configuration; and, f. film sheet advancing means for moving a film sheet supported by said film sheet supporting means away from said supply station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In an X-ray mechanism, an apparatus for handling sheets of film which are moved one at a time from a film supply station to an exposure station comprising: a. film storage means including structure defining a storage volume for a stack of film sheets; b. film sheet support means for supporting a single sheet of film apart from said stack; c. film stack support means for supporting a stack of film sheets in a storage configuration; d. actuator means for flexing a stack of film sheets from said storage configuration to a configuration in which a single sheet at one side of a stack engages said sheet support means and for enabling a stack to return to its storage configuration; e. said film sheet support means maintaining a single sheet from one side of a stack in the flexed configuration after remaining sheets in a stack have returned to the storage configuration; and, f. film sheet advancing means for moving a film sheet supported by said film sheet supporting means away from said supply station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said film stack supporting means comprises a first rigid member supporting a stack in the storage configuration and a second flexible member associated with said first member adjacent a location of a stack, said actuator means engaging said first and second members of said stack supporting means and moving said second member relative to said first member to flex a stack from the storage configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises a force transmitting member, a lost motion force applying member disposed between said first stack supporting member and said force transmitting member, and at least a rigid force applying member disposed between said second stack supporting member and said force transmitting member, said force transmitting member moving to move said force applying members and actuate said stack supporting means, said rigid force applying member moving relative to said lost motion force applying member to effect flexing of said stack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said film sheet support means defines sheet contact locations on which a single sheet of film is supported when said actuator is operative, said sheet supporting means comprising holding means for establishing a force urging a single sheet into engagement with said sheet supporting locations to maintain the sheet in position when the stack is in its storage configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 4 wherein said holding means comprises a vacuum source communicating with said sheet supporting locations for establishing a differential pressure force on a sheet engaging said location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 5 further including at least a conveyor having a portion located at least at one sheet contact location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an X-ray apparatus comprising a film handling system for storing cut sheets of film and for transporting sheets of the film one at a time to an exposure station: a. a film storage means including structure defining a storage volume for a stack of film sheets; b. film sheet supporting means defining at least two film sheet engaging locations on which a single sheet of film is supportable; c. stack supporting means for supporting the stack of film sheets; d. actuating means cooperating with said stack supporting means for effecting engagement between a sheet of film on one side of a stack with said locations; e. said actuating means comprising movable members for flexing the stack of film sheets relative to a sheet of film engaging said locations to separate the sheet of film from the stack of film sheets; and, f. sheet conveyor means for moving a sheet of film from said locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an X-ray apparatus comprising a film handling system for storing cut sheets of film and for transporting sheets of the film one at a time to an exposure station: a. a film storage means including structure defining a storage volume for a stack of film sheets; b. film sheet supporting means defining at least two film sheet engaging locations on which a single sheet of film is supportable; c. stack supporting means for supporting the stack of film sheets; d. actuating means cooperating with said stack supporting means for effecting engagement between a sheet of film on one side of a stack with said locations; e. said actuating means comprising movable members for flexing the stack of film sheets relative to a sheet of film engaging said locations to separate the sheet of film from the stack of film sheets; and, f. sheet conveyor means for moving a sheet of film from said locations.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of separating a single sheet of film from a stack of film sheets comprising: a. supporting a stack of film sheets; b. stationing a film sheet supporting means adjacent the stack; c. moving the stack relative to the film sheet supporting means to engage a single sheet on one side of the stack with the supporting means; d. establishing a holding force between the single sheet and the supporting means; e. flexing the stack of film sheets away from tHe single sheet to produce relative movement between the single film sheet and an adjacent film sheet of the stack; and, f. separating the single film sheet from the adjacent film sheet while maintaining the single sheet supported on the sheet supporting means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of separating a single sheet of film from a stack of film sheets comprising: a. supporting a stack of film sheets; b. stationing a film sheet supporting means adjacent the stack; c. moving the stack relative to the film sheet supporting means to engage a single sheet on one side of the stack with the supporting means; d. establishing a holding force between the single sheet and the supporting means; e. flexing the stack of film sheets away from tHe single sheet to produce relative movement between the single film sheet and an adjacent film sheet of the stack; and, f. separating the single film sheet from the adjacent film sheet while maintaining the single sheet supported on the sheet supporting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2384021A
Cited
US3275317A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |