EP0238132A2 - Film cartridge for exposing and processing a radiographic film - Google Patents

Abstract

A light-impermeable film-carrying case, the envelope of which comprises a first section (1) containing an X-ray film (4), a second section (3) containing at least one sachet (5) of chemicals in the state liquid for developing and fixing the film and means (9) for the intentional tearing of the sachet, and a connection part (2) between these two sections (1,3) of the envelope, and in which each sachet (5) includes a first appendage (6) which extends from one side of one end of the bag, which is folded along the bag and which projects beyond the end of the second section (3 ) of the envelope, as well as a second appendage (8) which extends from the center of the same end of the bag (5) developing over part of the length of the second section (3) of the envelope parallel to the first appendage (6), and the tearing means are formed by an oblong element (9) of a rigid material, folded over on itself me, enclosing between its two branches the second appendages (8) of the bags (5), and extending beyond the length of the second section (3) of the envelope so as to form two folded tabs (11) on the outside of the two walls of the envelope (1-3).

Description

The present invention relates to a light-impermeable case containing an X-ray film and the chemicals for developing and fixing this film, this case being intended to be used for the performance of an X-ray and for the subsequent treatment of the film, without having to resort to a dark room.

There are known cases of the type mentioned, used especially for indoor radiography, which include an envelope divided into two sections placed in communication, in one of which is an X-ray film. The other section contains a plastic bag containing chemicals in the liquid state for the monobain development-fixing of the film, or it contains two sachets containing, respectively and separately, the chemicals in the liquid state for the development and fixing of the film, as well as means for tearing bags on command. A case of this kind is used as a support for the film when it is introduced into the mouth of a patient to perform the radiography. When the exposure is completed, after removing the case from the patient's mouth, the means are activated to tear the respective sachet in order to release the chemicals therein and to let them act on the film to effect the development-fixing, or well to tear the first sachet and carry out the development of the film and then, at the appropriate moment, to also tear the second sachet and carry out the fixing.

The most important problems in this type of film holder are presented by the means for tearing the bag or bags of chemicals. Indeed, it is necessary that these means offer absolute security of not being able to act by accident until they have been expressly activated, that they give rise to, when they are activated, to a large and clean tearing of the sachets, such as to guarantee the exit of these sachets, in a very short time, of all the quantity of chemicals contained therein and the easy flow of the latter towards the film, and finally that they do not introduce operational difficulties in the industrial operations by which the components are assembled in the envelope. One or the other of these requirements is not sufficiently satisfied by the tearing means proposed until now, in the form of points intended to perforate the sachet, of strings intended to be drawn from the exterior of the envelope, masks intended to guide a tear obtained by pulling in opposite directions $ the two ends of the sachet, or simple stiffenings inserted in a sachet in order to allow the tearing by means of a traction exerted on a part of the bag.

The object of the present invention is to provide a film holder of the type mentioned, in which sachets of chemicals and the corresponding tearing means are improved so as to completely satisfy the requirements mentioned, and moreover, the tearing means are able to take part by themselves in a useful and active way in industrial operations by which the components are assembled in the envelope and fixed in the latter.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by a light-impermeable film holder case, comprising an envelope having a first section which contains an X-ray film, a second section which contains at least one sachet of chemicals in the state liquid for developing and fixing the film as well as means for the intentional tearing of said bag, and a connection part between said two sections of the envelope, characterized in that each bag comprises a first appendage which extends to from one side of the end of the bag turned towards said connection part, which is folded along the bag and which projects beyond the end of said second section of the envelope, and it also comprises a second appendage extending from the center of said end of the bag by developing over part of the length of said second section of the envelope parallel to said first appendage; and that said tearing means consist of an oblong element of rigid material, folded over on itself, enclosing between its branches said second appendages of all the bags, and extending beyond the length of said second section of the envelope by forming two folded tabs on the outside of the two walls of said envelope.

Thanks to this particular structure, the rigid element folded back on itself can be applied by an easy operation to the second appendage of the single sachet, or else to the second appendages approached of all the sachets if there are more of them. one, and it then connects between them the sachets, forming with them a coherent assembly which can be easily introduced into the second section of the casing envelope, and finally, by folding its tabs on the walls of the envelope, it determines with security the fixing in place of the sachets of chemicals and the sealing of the case. Thanks to its position, this rigid element cannot in any way give rise to accidental tearing of the bags to which it is adjacent. A traction exerted on the first appendage of a sachet then determines the safe and clean tearing of the latter, thanks to the fact that the end of the sachet, next to the root of the first appendage that is pulled, is held in place by the second appendage engaged between the branches of the rigid element folded back on itself. The tearing opens the sachet on the side facing the connection part between the two sections of the envelope, thus ensuring prompt passage without obstacles of the liquid chemicals leaving the sachet, from the second section in which the sachet is located towards the first section containing the radiographic film to be processed.

• la figure 1 est une vue frontale de l'extérieur de l'étui selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 en est une vue similaire de celle de la figure 1, mais avec la paroi frontale de l'étui emportée afin de montrer les composants intérieurs;
• la figure 3 est une coupe transversale faite à travers la deuxième section de l'enveloppe de l'étui, illustrée en exagérant les distances transversales entre les composants, pour clarté de représentation;
• la figure 4 montre un sachet isolé, en position étendue;
• la figure 5 montre un demi-produit à partir duquel, par un repliage longitudinal, on obtient le moyen de déchirement;
• la figure 6 montre en perspective deux sachets et le moyen de dé­chirement qui les relie l'un l'autre, dans une phase intermédiaire de l'-ssemblage; et
• la figure 7 montre à une échelle plus grande deux sections qui peu­vent être assignées au moyen de déchirement.

These and other characteristics and the advantages of the subject of the invention will emerge more clearly from the following description of a preferred embodiment, but given by way of nonlimiting example, comprising two sachets of chemicals, and represented sché matically in the accompanying drawing, in which:

• Figure 1 is a front view of the exterior of the case according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but with the front wall of the case carried in order to show the interior components;
• Figure 3 is a cross section through the second section of the casing envelope, illustrated by exaggerating the transverse distances between the components, for clarity of representation;
• Figure 4 shows an insulated bag, in the extended position;
• FIG. 5 shows a semi-finished product from which, by longitudinal folding, the tearing means are obtained;
• Figure 6 shows in perspective two bags and the tearing means which connects them to each other, in an intermediate phase of the assembly; and
• Figure 7 shows on a larger scale two sections which can be assigned by means of tearing.

The case comprises an envelope impermeable to light, but permeable to roentgen rays, formed, in a known manner, by a first section 1, a second section 3 and a part 2 for connection between sections 1 and 3. Preferably , this case is constituted by the junction, by means of a marginal weld, of two sheets of a suitable flexible plastic material, superimposed on each other, which can be formed by a single layer or by several layers, having different characteristics, coupled together. Between said sheets are arranged the interior components, among which there is an X-ray film 4. This is enclosed in the first section 1 of the envelope at the very moment of its formation and it can only be extracted therefrom by tearing of the envelope, which must be done after exposure, development and fixing of the film.

Each of the sachets intended for the second section 3 of the case, which in the embodiment shown are two in number, as it has been represented in FIG. 4 comprises in a known manner at least one bladder 5 formed by two sheets of lamellar material welded along the edges, or else by a sheet folded back on itself and welded. In general, the lamellar material forming the sachets must consist of several coupled layers, in order to correspond to the different requirements, which include weldability, protection against the passage of oxygen and mechanical resistance. For this purpose, the lamellar material may include an inner layer of weldable plastic, such as polyethylene, a layer capable of forming an oxygen barrier, which may be of an organic or inorganic type, and an outer layer of protection, such as a varnish or a thin sheet of paper or plastic.

Each sachet contains a certain quantity of chemicals in the liquid state, and it is characterized by a first oblong appendage 6 which extends from one side of one of the ends of the sachet, by a second oblong appendage 8 which extends from the center of the same end of the bag, and preferably anchored by a substantially triangular connection 7 which forms the root of the first appendix 6 and which ends by defining an acute angle in immediate proximity to the root of the second appendage 8.

For each case are provided, in the case shown by way of example, two similar sachets, one of them containing the chemicals for developing the film 4 and the other containing the chemicals for fixing the film. The two sachets can be constructively identical, but they must be made recognizable by marking in one way or another at least the ends of their first appendages; for example, the appendices themselves may be different in color for the two pouches, or they may have different numbers or letters, or, even better, they may have both.

The tearing means is obtained from an oblong piece of material rigid 9 (FIG. 5), for example and preferably a metal sheet by folding it over oneself along a longitudinal line 10, or else along two longitudinal lines 10ʹ, 10ʺ. At one of its ends, the tearing means 9 has two tongues 11.

To assemble them, two sachets 5ʹ, 5ʺ (Figure 6) are arranged in mutually symmetrical positions with respect to a center 0 located at the center of the roots of their second appendages 8. The second appendages 8 of the two sachets are superimposed one on the other and engaged between the branches of the tearing means 9 folded over on itself. The tearing means 9 is secured to the sachets 5 by tightening it and, therefore, the sachets come to constitute with the tearing means 9 a single coherent whole. By folding the roots of appendages 6, 8 of the sachets along the line L, the two sachets are arranged one against the other, enclosing between them the first appendages 6ʹ, 6ʺ respectively, as well as the tearing means 9 which contains the second appendages 8 of the sachets. This assembly is then threaded between the two sheets 3ʹ, 3ʺ which constitute the second section 3 of the envelope 1-3 (Figure 3). Finally, the tabs 11ʹ, 11ʺ (which project from the envelope) are folded and tightened on the walls 3ʹ and 3ʺ of the envelope, thereby closing the end of the envelope which was previously open, and sealing the components in the interior. Preferably, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the tongues 11ʹ, 11ʺ are part of the two opposite branches of the tearing means 9, and the folding of the tongue 11 of each branch is carried out towards the opposite branch of the means tear, so that a particular compactness of the seal is obtained.

Referring, for example, to the endoorale use of the case, the latter is arranged with its section 1 (containing the radiographic film 4) in the patient's mouth, while the other section 3 (containing the sachets with the chemicals) remains outside the mouth, and the connection part 2 connects these two sections between them. After carrying out the exposure, we draw the first appendix 6ʹ (protruding from the end of section 3) of the first bag 5ʹ containing the chemicals for development, and since the second appendage 8 of this bag is engaged in the tearing means 9, the bag tears. During this operation, the presence of the root 7 of the first appendage 6 of the sachet locates the force at a well-defined point in contact with the rigid tearing means 9, which gives rise to a clean and safe tearing, along a line of tear shown schematically at S in FIG. 4. The liquid which leaves the torn part flows through the connection part 2, in the immediate vicinity of which the tear was produced, towards the first section 1 of the envelope, where it acts on the film 4 contained therein, developing it. As soon as the development time has elapsed, appendix 6ʺ is drawn from the second bag 5ʺ which contains the chemicals for fixing, and the events described for the first bag are repeated in an identical manner for the second bag. The fixing liquid thus flows into the first section 1 of the envelope and it will act on the film 4, stopping the development of the latter and carrying out the fixing. Finally, after the time provided for the fixing has also elapsed, the envelope 1-3 can be torn (for example by pulling the walls 3ʹ, 3ʺ from the end sealed by the tabs 11ʹ, 11ʺ) to put bare film 4 and be able to extract it for examination, possibly after prior washing with water.

To form the tearing means 9, the semi-finished product according to FIG. 5 can be folded back on itself only along the longitudinal center line 10, thus taking a U shape, as can be seen in the figures. 6 and 7a. Alternatively, the semi-finished product according to Figure 5 can also be folded back on itself along two parallel lines 10ʹ, 10ʺ, thus taking an open C section (Figure 7b). This second form is the most suitable to be applied in mechanized assembly operations. One can also choose other forms technically equivalent to those indicated above.

As can be understood, the application of the invention has the effect, on the one hand, of considerably facilitating the industrial production of the insertion of the interior components into the casing of the case, and of their fixing in the latter, with a favorable influence on the industrial cost price of the article, and on the other hand, to confer on the case the best properties of reliability and safety in its operation.

Although in the embodiment shown the second section of the case includes two sachets of chemicals, it should be understood that in the field of the invention also belong cases containing a single sachet, in anticipation of a development-fixing monobain, or, on the contrary, more than two sachets to meet special treatment requirements. In addition, although sachets each having a single bladder containing a liquid chemical have been illustrated, each sachet could also form two or more than two bladders, in order to keep the different components of a product separate. better conservation, said components mixing reciprocally at the time of the tearing of the sachet and its bladders.

The treatment of the film in the case according to the invention can therefore be of the monobain type, with products stored in the already mixed state or else stored separately and mixed at the time of use; or it can be of the two-bath type, with the products intended for each bath kept in the already mixed state or kept separately and then mixed at the time of use; or else it is possible to provide for treatment with more than two baths, as may prove useful for satisfying special requirements, always with the possible possibility of a separate storage of a few components.

The case according to the invention is particularly suitable for endooral radiography but, of course, it can also be produced, generally in larger dimensions, for any other radiographic use to be carried out under conditions in which a dark room is not available, or it is not used sand in a practical way. In relation to this also, it should be understood that the profile given to the envelope 1-3, as it results from FIG. 1, does not condition the application of the invention, and that this profile could, for example , be asymmetrical or proportionate in a different way. The basic shape of the bags 5, indicated as rectangular, could be chosen in another way. The tearing means 9, instead of being made of metal sheet, could be made of rigid plastic. Also other modifications, and any substitution with technical equivalents, can be applied to what has been described and illustrated.

Claims (9)

1. Light-impermeable film holder comprising an envelope (1-3) having a first section (1) which contains an X-ray film (4), a second section (3) which contains at least one sachet (5) of products chemical in the liquid state for the development and for the fixing of the film (4) as well as means (9) for the intentional tearing of said sachet (5), and a connection part (2) between said two sections (1, 3) of the envelope, characterized in that each bag (5) comprises a first appendage (6) which extends from one side of the end of the bag (5) turned towards said connection part (2 ), which is folded along the sachet and which projects beyond the end of said second section (3) of the envelope, and it also comprises a second appendage (8) which extends from the center of said end of the bag (5) developing over part of the length of said second section (3) of the envelope, parallel to said first app endice (6); and that said tearing means consist of an oblong element (9) of rigid material, folded over on itself, enclosing between its branches said second appendages (8) of all the bags (5), and extending beyond of the length of said second section (3) of the envelope by forming two tongues (11) folded outside the two walls of said envelope (1-3). 2. Film holder case according to claim 1, characterized in that said first appendage (6) of each bag (5) has at its root a connecting part (7) which terminates in proximity to the root of the second appendage (8) , defining with the latter an acute angle. 3. Film holder case according to claim 1, characterized in that each bag (5) is made of a laminated material welded along the edges so as to define at least one bladder, having at least one weldable inner layer, at least one intermediate layer forming bar against the passage of oxygen and at least one outer layer of mechanical protection. 4. Film holder according to claim 3, characterized in that said weldable inner layer is made of polyethylene, said intermediate layer forming a barrier against the passage of oxygen is made of a suitable organic or inorganic material, and said outer protective layer mechanical consists of a varnishing or a thin sheet of paper or plastic. 5. Film holder case according to claim 1, characterized in that said sachets (5) are two in number, and said first appendages (6) of the two sachets (5) and the tearing means (9) containing the second appendices ( 8) said bags are arranged between the two bags (5) placed one facing the other in the second section (3) of the envelope. 6. Film holder case according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said tongues (11) of the tearing means (9) is presented by one of the branches of the tearing means, and each of them is folded towards the other branch and on the corresponding wall of the envelope (1-3). 7. Film holder case according to claim 1, characterized in that said tearing means (9) has a U-shaped section (FIG. 7a), which results from folding over oneself along a single central line (10). 8. Film holder case according to claim 1, characterized in that said tearing means (9) has a closed C section (FIG. 7b), which results from its folding over itself along two parallel lines (10ʹ, 10ʺ) . 9. Film holder case according to claim 1, characterized in that said tearing means (9) is made of sheet metal.

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