US4692083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for air jet assisted film unloading from x-ray cassettes
Assignee: Sterling Diagnostic Imaging Inc
•
Filing: 1984-08-22
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Granted: 1987-09-08
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Expires: 2004-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A release mechanism for a side opening x-ray cassette uses an air jet to release the x-ray film from sticking and facilitating its removal from the cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F. LeRoux
- 👤 Quayton R. Stottlemyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02; G03B42/04; G03B42/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An x-ray cassette unloading apparatus, said cassette having adjacent plates contacting a film sheet therebetween and an exit slot, said apparatus having a housing defining a film sheet entrance slot and guide means adapted to position the cassette exit slot in alignment therewith, said apparatus including: means to separate said plates, and means to direct a fluid stream through said entrance and exit slots of sufficient momentum to loosen a film sheet from contact with the cassette plates, thereby permitting the film sheet to slide freely from the cassette into the entrance slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An x-ray cassette unloading apparatus, said cassette having adjacent plates contacting a film sheet therebetween and an exit slot, said apparatus having a housing defining a film sheet entrance slot and guide means adapted to position the cassette exit slot in alignment therewith, said apparatus including: means to separate said plates, and means to direct a fluid stream through said entrance and exit slots of sufficient momentum to loosen a film sheet from contact with the cassette plates, thereby permitting the film sheet to slide freely from the cassette into the entrance slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fluid stream is a gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the fluid stream is air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the film sheet defines a plane and the directing means includes a pair of jet streams symmetrically disposed on either side of said plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the film sheet defines a plane and the directing means includes a pair of jet streams symmetrically disposed on either side of said plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the film sheet defines a plane and the directing means includes a jet disposed in the plane of but outside of the slide path of the film sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the film sheet defines a plane and the directing means includes a jet disposed in the plane of but outside of the slide path of the film sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the film sheet defines a plane and the directing means includes a jet disposed on one side of said plane.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of unloading a film sheet from an x-ray cassette, the cassette having adjacent plates contacting a film sheet and defining a film sheet exit slot, comprising the steps of: separating the cassette plates, directing a fluid stream through the exit slot of sufficient momentum to loosen a film sheet from contact with the cassette plates, thereby permitting the film sheet to slide freely from the cassette.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of unloading a film sheet from an x-ray cassette, the cassette having adjacent plates contacting a film sheet and defining a film sheet exit slot, comprising the steps of: separating the cassette plates, directing a fluid stream through the exit slot of sufficient momentum to loosen a film sheet from contact with the cassette plates, thereby permitting the film sheet to slide freely from the cassette.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 which includes the step of supplying air for the fluid stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 which includes the additional step of directing the fluid stream in the plane of the film sheet but outside of the slide path of the film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 10 which includes the additional step of directing a pair of jet streams symmetrically disposed on either side of the plane of the film.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-09-07 | 1991-03-09 | 1991-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-07 | 1995-03-09 | 1995-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-07 | 1999-03-09 | 1999-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |