X-ray film cassette

Claim 2

An X-ray cassette for supporting a sheet of sensitized film comprising in combination a first flexible magnetized sheet, a first X-ray intensifying screen disposed adjacent said first sheet, a second X-ray intensifying screen disposed adjacent said first screen, a second sheet responsive to a magnetic force and positioned relative to said first sheet and to said screens to cooperate with said first sheet to force said screens toward each other, said first and second sheets each having dimensions at least substantially equal to the corresponding dimensions of said screen, and supporting means for supporting said screens about their edges and affording separation of said screens for insertion and removal of a said sheet of film between said screens.

Claim 3

An X-ray cassette according to claim 1 wherein said sheets are disposed on opposite sides of said screens and the magnetic forces penetrate the screens and draw the sheets together to force said screens toward each other.

Claim 4

An X-ray cassette according to claim 1 wherein a magnetic metal sheet is secured to said first sheet, the surface thereof opposite said first screen.

Claim 5

An X-ray cassette according to claim 1 wherein said second sheet is a sheet of flexible magnetized material.

Claim 6

An X-ray cassette according to claim 4 wherein said first and said second sheets are positioned adjacent each other, said first and said second sheet are each formed with areas of opposite polarity and have areas of similar polarity in opposed relationship causing said sheets to separate and force one screen adjacent said first sheet in a direction toward said second screen.

Claim 7

An X-ray cassette for supporting a sheet of sensitized film comprising in combination a first rectangular plate comprising a flexible magnetized sheet having dimensions exceeding the corresponding dimensions of a said sheet of film, said plate having a first and second surface, an X-ray intensifying screen disposed adjacent said second surface of said first plate, a second X-ray intensifying screen disposed contiguous to said first screen, a second plate comprising a sheet responsive to a magnetic force, said second plate being positioned adjacent said second screen and cooperating with said magnetized sheet to force said screens toward each other, and supporting means for supporting said first plate and said second plate to seal the cassette about the edges of a said film and to permit separation of said plates and said screens affording insertion and removal of a said film between said screens.

Claim 8

An X-ray cassette for supporting a sheet of sensitized film comprising in combination a first rectangular plate comprising a flexible magnetized sheet having dimensions exceeding the corresponding dimensions of a said sheet of film, said plate having a first and second surface, an X-ray intensifying screen disposed adjacent said second surface of said first plate, a second X-ray intensifying screen disposed contiguous to said first screen, a second plate comprising a sheet responsive to a magnetic force, said second plate being positioned adjacent said second screen and cooperating with said magnetized sheet to force said screens toward each other, and supporting means for supporting said first plate and said second plate to seal the cassette about the edges of a said film and to permit separation of said plates and said screens affording insertion and removal of a said film between said screens.

Claim 9

An X-ray cassette according to claim 6 wherein said second plate is a sheet of flexible magnetic material comprising anisotropic, substantially domain-sized particles of magnetic material in a flexible nonmagnetic matrix.

Claim 10

An X-ray cassette according to claim 6 wherein said second plate has a recessed surface in opposed relationship to said second surface of said first plate, said recessed surface accommodating said screens and a said sheet of film.

Claim 11

An X-ray cassette according to claim 8 wherein said supporting means comprises a flexible hinge secured along adjacent edges of said first and second plates.

Claim 12

An X-ray cassette according to claim 9 wherein said cassette includes a latch along the edge of said plates opposite said hinge, said latch comprising a tape strip of flexible material secured along one edge to one of said plates and having a strip of flexible magnet material secured along the other edge, said tape strip having a width sufficient to extend about an edge of said plates whereby said strip of flexible magnetic material can contact the other of said plates.

Claim 13

An X-ray cassette according to claim 6 wherein a magnetic metal sheet is secured to the first surface of said first plate.

Claim 14

An X-ray cassette according to claim 6 wherein said second plate is a sheet of magnetic material which is penetratable by X-ray radiation, and said flexible magnetized sheet comprises anisotropic substantially domain-sized particles of permanent magnet material and finely divided particles of lead in a nonmagnetic flexible matrix.

Claim 15

An X-ray cassette according to claim 6 wherein said first plate has a thickness of between 0.020 and 0.125 inch and said second plate has a thickness between 0.0005 and 0.125 inch.

Claim 16

An X-ray cassette for supporting a sheet of sensitized film comprising in combination a first rectangular plate comprising a frame supporting a resilient sheet and a first X-ray intensifying screen, a second rectangular plate comprising a sheet of flexible magnetically-responsive material recessed on a first surface, a pair of rectangular sheets of flexible magnetized material disposed in said recess on said first surface in adjacent relationship, said sheets each being formed with areas of opposite polarity, with the areas of similar polarity on said sheets being positioned in opposed relationship causing said sheets to separate, and a second X-ray intensifying screen positioned adjacent the surface of one of said sheets opposite said sheet of magnetically-responsive material and in a position adjacent said first X-ray intensifying screen, and supporting means for supporting said first plate and said second plate for holding the edges thereof together to confine a said sheet of film between said screens whereby the magnetic force between said sheets of flexible magnetized material will force said second screen toward a said film and toward said first screen against the bias of said resilient sheet.

Claim 17

An X-ray cassette for supporting a sheet of sensitized film comprising in combination a first rectangular plate comprising a frame supporting a resilient sheet and a first X-ray intensifying screen, a second rectangular plate comprising a sheet of flexible magnetically-responsive material recessed on a first surface, a pair of rectangular sheets of flexible magnetized material disposed in said recess on said first surface in adjacent relationship, said sheets each being formed with areas of opposite polarity, with the areas of similar polarity on said sheets being positioned in opposed relationship causing said sheets to separate, and a second X-ray intensifying screen positioned adjacent the surface of one of said sheets opposite said sheet of magnetically-responsive material and in a position adjacent said first X-ray intensifying screen, and supporting means for supporting said first plate and said second plate for holding the edges thereof together to confine a said sheet of film between said screens whereby the magnetic force between said sheets of flexible magnetized material will force said second screen toward a said film and toward said first screen against the bias of said resilient sheet.