Radiation image recording and read-out apparatus

Claim 1

A radiation image recording and read-out apparatus comprising: (i) a sheet storing section for storing a plurality of stimulable phosphor sheets capable of recording a radiation image thereon, (ii) an image recording section for recording a radiation image on each of said stimulable phosphor sheets by exposing said stimulable phosphor sheet to a radiation carrying image information, (iii) an image read-out section provided with a stimulating ray source for emitting stimulating rays for scanning said stimulable phosphor sheet carrying said radiation image recorded thereon at said image recording section, and a photoelectric read-out means for detecting light emitted by said stimulable phosphor sheet scanned with said stimulating rays to obtain an electric image signal, (iv) an erasing section for having said stimulable phosphor sheet release the radiation energy remaining on said stimulable phosphor sheet prior to the next image recording on said stimulable phosphor sheet for which the image read-out has been conducted at said image read-out section, and (v) a sheet conveyance means provided with a sheet holding mechanism for holding said stimulable phosphor sheet transferably with respect to said sheet storing section, said image recording section, said image read-out section, and said erasing section, said sheet conveyance means moving said sheet holding mechanism in an arbitrary sequence among said sections.