US20050040586A1 - Sheet body feeding guide structure - Google Patents
Sheet body feeding guide structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050040586A1 US20050040586A1 US10/900,325 US90032504A US2005040586A1 US 20050040586 A1 US20050040586 A1 US 20050040586A1 US 90032504 A US90032504 A US 90032504A US 2005040586 A1 US2005040586 A1 US 2005040586A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- guide
- sheet body
- stimulable phosphor
- phosphor sheet
- sheet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/36—Article guides or smoothers, e.g. movable in operation
- B65H5/38—Article guides or smoothers, e.g. movable in operation immovable in operation
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
- B65H2601/20—Avoiding or preventing undesirable effects
- B65H2601/25—Damages to handled material
- B65H2601/254—Permanent deformation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/17—Nature of material
- B65H2701/171—Physical features of handled article or web
- B65H2701/1719—Photosensitive, e.g. exposure, photographic or phosphor
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a sheet body feeding guide structure for protecting a surface of a sheet body against damage or the like when the sheet body is fed.
- a stimulable phosphor sheet (sheet body) which stores a part of the energy of an applied radiation and, when exposed to applied stimulating light such as visible light, emits light in proportion to the intensity of the stored energy of the radiation.
- a stimulable phosphor sheet which is stored in a cassette, for example, stores and records the radiation image information of a subject such as a human body or the like, and then is loaded into a radiation image information reading apparatus.
- the stimulable phosphor sheet is removed from the cassette and delivered to a reading unit in which stimulating light is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet to read the recorded radiation image information therefrom.
- the stimulable phosphor sheet is delivered to an erasing unit, which applies erasing light to the stimulable phosphor sheet to erase remaining radiation image information therefrom. Subsequently, the stimulable phosphor sheet is returned to the cassette, which is then discharged from the radiation image information reading apparatus.
- the stimulable phosphor sheet is fed from the cassette through a feed system including rollers and guide plates to the reading unit and the erasing unit, and then returned to the cassette.
- the image recording surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet are held in sliding contact with the guide plates and may possibly become scratched or otherwise damaged. If the image recording surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet are damaged, an image produced from the radiation image information that is subsequently recorded and reproduced suffers a reduction in image quality. Particularly, the presence of such damage poses a significant problem when the stimulable phosphor sheet is repeatedly used.
- a guide member for guiding a stimulable phosphor sheet is provided, and a layer softer than the stimulable phosphor sheet, e.g., a damper, is mounted on a plate which makes up the guide member.
- the damper is applied to the plate of the guide member using a double-sided adhesive tape.
- the plate is complex in shape and large in size, then it is considerably difficult to perform the process of applying the damper to the plate, resulting in an increased manufacturing cost and an increased number of man-hours.
- a sheet body feeding guide structure having a guide member providing a guide surface for guiding a sheet body, wherein a flocked material is electrostatically applied to at least the guide surface of the guide member, and a coating layer is disposed in covering relation to the flocked material.
- the flocked material comprises nylon, for example, and the coating layer is made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene.
- the sheet body preferably comprises a stimulable phosphor sheet
- the flocked material and coating layer preferably are made of electrically conductive materials.
- the flocked material is electrostatically applied to the guide member, the flocked material can easily and reliably be mounted over the entire guide surface, even if the guide member has a complex shape.
- the flocked material can thus be applied inexpensively and efficiently without being limited by the shape and size of the guide member.
- the coating layer is disposed in covering relation to the flocked material, the flocked material is reliably prevented from being dislodged when the sheet body moves in sliding contact therewith.
- the coefficient of friction between the flocked material and the sheet body can be reduced, effectively increasing the slidability of the sheet body. Therefore, any undue damage to the sheet body is reduced as much as possible.
- Image recording surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet that is used as the sheet body are protected against abrasion marks by the flocked material and the coating layer. Consequently, images that are produced from the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet maintain high image quality, and hence the stimulable phosphor sheet can be used repeatedly over a long period of time.
- the flocked material and the coating layer may be made of an electrically conductive material to give the guide structure itself a function of removing electrostatic charges.
- FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a radiation image information reading apparatus, which incorporates a sheet body feeding guide structure according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of guide plates of the sheet body feeding guide structure
- FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the guide plates
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another guide plate of the sheet body feeding guide structure.
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the other guide plate shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 1 shows in vertical cross section a radiation image information reading apparatus 50 , which incorporates a sheet body feeding guide structure 10 according to the present invention.
- the radiation image information reading apparatus 50 has an apparatus housing 52 accommodating therein cassette loaders 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, 56 d for removably loading four cassettes 54 , respectively.
- Each of the cassettes 54 comprises a casing 60 storing therein a stimulable phosphor sheet 58 having both opposite surfaces serving as image reading surfaces, and a lid 64 for opening and closing an opening 62 defined in the casing 60 .
- the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 has a transparent support layer for allowing recorded radiation image information to be read from its opposite surfaces.
- the cassette loaders 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, 56 d have respective support bases 66 for placing the cassettes 54 respectively thereon, and respective shutters 68 that are openably and closably positioned for shielding the interior of the apparatus housing 52 against entry of ambient light.
- the cassette loaders 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, 56 d incorporate therein respective cassette fixing mechanisms (not shown) for fixing the cassettes 54 in position and lid opening/closing mechanisms (not shown) for opening and closing the lids 64 of the respective cassettes 54 .
- a sheet feeder 70 is disposed in the apparatus housing 52 inwardly of the cassette loaders 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, 56 d in alignment therewith, for removing the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from a desired one of the cassettes 54 , and for returning the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 back to the cassette 54 after recorded radiation image information is read and remaining radiation image information is erased from the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 .
- the sheet feeder 70 has suction cups 72 for attracting and removing the stimulable phosphor sheets 58 from the cassettes 54 .
- the feed system 80 has a plurality of pairs of mutually opposing rollers 86 making up a vertical feed path 88 with the reading unit 84 positioned at the lower end of the vertical feed path 88 .
- the reading unit 84 comprises an auxiliary scanning feed mechanism 90 for feeding a stimulable phosphor sheet 58 in an auxiliary scanning direction indicated by the arrow D, an optical system 92 for applying a laser beam L as stimulating light in a main scanning direction to the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 while it is being fed in the auxiliary scanning direction, and a light collecting system 94 for photoelectrically reading light which is emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 upon exposure to the laser beam L.
- the auxiliary scanning feed mechanism 90 has first and second roller pairs 96 , 98 which are rotated in synchronism with each other.
- the first and second roller pairs 96 , 98 are movable toward and away from each other.
- the light collecting system 94 comprises a pair of light guides 100 a, 100 b having lower ends disposed along the position where the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is scanned by the laser beam L, and a pair of photomultipliers 102 a, 102 b mounted respectively on upper ends of the light guides 100 a, 100 b.
- a feeder 104 for upwardly feeding a stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from which recorded radiation image information has been read, is disposed downstream of the auxiliary scanning feed mechanism 90 with respect to the direction in which the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is fed.
- the feeder 104 extends upwardly to an area above a power supply. 106 , and an erasing feeder 108 is disposed near the power supply 106 .
- the erasing feeder 108 serves to retract a stimulable phosphor sheet 58 that has been fed into the area above the power supply 106 , and feed the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 in a horizontal direction indicated by the arrow E along a lower surface of the erasing unit 82 .
- the erasing unit 82 has a plurality of erasing light sources 110 .
- the erasing feeder 108 extends horizontally beneath the erasing unit 82 and then extends upwardly where it can connect to the feed system 80 .
- the feed system 80 comprises a fixed guide 120 interconnecting the cassette loader 56 a and the vertical feed path 88 , path switching guides 122 a, 122 b and 122 c interconnecting the cassette loaders 56 b to 56 d and the vertical feed path 88 , and a joint guide 124 interconnecting the erasing feeder 108 and the vertical feed path 88 .
- the path switching guide 122 a comprises a rotational shaft 134 having opposite ends rotatably supported on side plates 132 a, 132 b, and four guide members 136 fixedly mounted on the rotational shaft 134 .
- Guide rollers 138 are rotatably mounted on the respective guide members 136 .
- the path switching guides 122 b, 122 c are identical in structure to the path switching guide 122 a, and will not be described in detail.
- the guide structure 10 has a plurality of guide plates (guide members) 14 a, 14 b and a pair of guide plates (guide members) 14 c, 14 d providing guide surfaces 12 for guiding a stimulable phosphor sheet 58 .
- the guide plates 14 a, 14 b and 14 c, 14 d are disposed in confronting relation to opposite surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 along the vertical feed path 88 and have different shapes depending on the location where they are installed.
- the guide plates 14 a, 14 b are disposed vertically in a plurality of rows facing each other across the vertical feed path 88 , corresponding to the fixed guide 120 and the path switching guides 122 a, 122 b, 122 c.
- the guide plates 14 a are disposed closer to the cassette loaders 56 a through 56 d.
- a flocked material 16 a is electrostatically applied to the guide surface 12 of the guide plate 14 a by an adhesive.
- the flocked material 16 a comprises 66 nylon, for example, and is in the form of fibers each having a thickness of 1.5 D (denier) and a length of 0.5 mm.
- the flocked material 16 a is covered with a coating layer 18 a on the guide plate 14 a.
- the coating layer 18 a is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example.
- the guide plates 14 a have bent portions on vertical opposite ends thereof for preventing the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from becoming caught on the ends of the guide plate 14 a.
- the guide plates 14 b are disposed remotely from the cassette loaders 56 a through 56 d, and are of a substantially L-shaped cross section. Each guide plate 14 b has four clearance recesses 20 defined therein at positions where the respective guide members 136 are angularly movable.
- a flocked material 16 b is electrostatically applied to the vertical guide surface 12 of each guide plate 14 b by an adhesive.
- the flocked material 16 b and flocked materials 16 c, 16 d to be described below are identical to the flocked material 16 a and will not be described in detail.
- the flocked material 16 b is covered with a coating layer 18 b on the guide plate 14 b.
- the coating layer 18 b is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example. Vertical opposite ends of the guide plate 14 b are bent for preventing the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from becoming caught on the ends of the guide plate 14 b.
- the guide plates 14 c, 14 d are disposed in facing relation to each other across the vertical feed path 88 upwardly of the joint guide 124 . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the guide plates 14 c, 14 d are of a substantially L-shaped cross section. Each guide plate 14 c, 14 d has four openings 22 for avoiding interference with the roller pair 86 .
- Flocked materials 16 c, 16 d are electrostatically applied to vertical guide surfaces 12 of the guide plates 14 c, 14 d by an adhesive, and extend to boundary regions between the vertical guide surfaces 12 and upper horizontal surfaces thereof.
- the flocked materials 16 c, 16 d are covered with respective coating layers 18 c, 18 d on the guide plates 14 c, 14 d.
- the coating layers 18 c, 18 d are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example.
- Vertical opposite ends of the guide plates 14 c, 14 d are bent for preventing the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from becoming caught on the ends of the guide plates 14 c, 14 d.
- the guide structure 10 also is provided in the feeder 104 and in the erasing feeder 108 . Specifically, at least all those areas within the apparatus housing 52 that are held in sliding contact with stimulable phosphor sheets 58 are combined with an electrostatically applied flocked material, which is covered with a coating layer.
- cassettes 54 storing stimulable phosphor sheets 58 respectively therein, which contain images of desired regions of subjects such as patients recorded by an unillustrated X-ray imaging system, are loaded into the cassette loaders 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, 56 d.
- the lid 64 of that cassette 54 is opened.
- the sheet feeder 70 operates to remove the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from the cassette 54 and transfer the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 to the feed system 80 .
- the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is fed downwardly by the feed system 80 , and thereafter is supplied to the auxiliary scanning feed mechanism 90 .
- the first and second roller pairs 96 , 98 are rotated to feed the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 in the auxiliary scanning direction indicated by the arrow D, while at the same time the laser beam L emitted from the optical system 92 and deflected in the main scanning direction is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 , for thereby reading the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 .
- the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is fed upwardly of the erasing unit 82 by the feeder 104 and delivered to a horizontal position above the power supply 106 .
- the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is then fed horizontally in the direction indicated by the arrow E (see FIG. 1 ) along the lower surface of the erasing unit 82 by the erasing feeder 108 , during which time remaining radiation image information is erased by the erasing light source 110 .
- the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from which the remaining radiation image information has been erased is transferred from the erasing feeder 108 to the feed system 80 , which then feeds the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 to the sheet feeder 70 .
- the sheet feeder 70 returns the received stimulable phosphor sheet 58 to the cassette 54 in the cassette loader 56 a. Then, the lid 64 of the cassette 54 is closed, after which the operator removes the cassette 54 storing the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 therein from the cassette loader 56 a.
- the guide structure 10 comprises guide plates 14 a through 14 d, flocked materials 16 a through 16 d that are electrostatically applied to at least the guide surfaces 12 of the guide plates 14 a through 14 d, and coating layers 18 a through 18 d, which are disposed for covering the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d.
- the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is not brought into direct contact with the guide plates 14 a through 14 d. Rather, the image recording surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 are reliably protected against abrasion marks by the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d. Consequently, images that are produced from the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 maintain high image quality, and hence the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 can be used repeatedly over a long period of time.
- the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d are electrostatically applied to the guide plates 14 a through 14 d, the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d can easily and reliably be mounted over the entirety of the guide surfaces 12 , even if the guide plates 14 a through 14 d have a complex shape.
- the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d can thus be applied inexpensively and efficiently without being limited by the shape and size of the guide plates 14 a through 14 d.
- the coating layers 18 a through 18 d are disposed in covering relation to the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d, the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d are reliably prevented from being dislodged when the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 moves in sliding contact therewith.
- the coefficient of friction between the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d and the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is relatively small, effectively increasing the slidability of the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 . Therefore, any undue damage to the stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is reduced as much as possible with a simple arrangement.
- the flocked materials 16 a through 16 d may comprise electrically conductive piles, and the coating layers 18 a through 18 d may be made of an electrically conductive material, to impart to the guide structure 10 itself a function for removing electrostatic charges.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a sheet body feeding guide structure for protecting a surface of a sheet body against damage or the like when the sheet body is fed.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Heretofore, there has been employed a stimulable phosphor sheet (sheet body) which stores a part of the energy of an applied radiation and, when exposed to applied stimulating light such as visible light, emits light in proportion to the intensity of the stored energy of the radiation.
- A stimulable phosphor sheet, which is stored in a cassette, for example, stores and records the radiation image information of a subject such as a human body or the like, and then is loaded into a radiation image information reading apparatus. In the radiation image information reading apparatus, the stimulable phosphor sheet is removed from the cassette and delivered to a reading unit in which stimulating light is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet to read the recorded radiation image information therefrom. After recorded radiation image information is read, the stimulable phosphor sheet is delivered to an erasing unit, which applies erasing light to the stimulable phosphor sheet to erase remaining radiation image information therefrom. Subsequently, the stimulable phosphor sheet is returned to the cassette, which is then discharged from the radiation image information reading apparatus.
- In the radiation image information reading apparatus, the stimulable phosphor sheet is fed from the cassette through a feed system including rollers and guide plates to the reading unit and the erasing unit, and then returned to the cassette. At this time, the image recording surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet are held in sliding contact with the guide plates and may possibly become scratched or otherwise damaged. If the image recording surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet are damaged, an image produced from the radiation image information that is subsequently recorded and reproduced suffers a reduction in image quality. Particularly, the presence of such damage poses a significant problem when the stimulable phosphor sheet is repeatedly used.
- According to a structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-29879, a guide member for guiding a stimulable phosphor sheet is provided, and a layer softer than the stimulable phosphor sheet, e.g., a damper, is mounted on a plate which makes up the guide member.
- For manufacturing the guide member of the disclosed structure, the damper is applied to the plate of the guide member using a double-sided adhesive tape. However, if the plate is complex in shape and large in size, then it is considerably difficult to perform the process of applying the damper to the plate, resulting in an increased manufacturing cost and an increased number of man-hours.
- It is a major object of the present invention to provide a sheet body feeding guide structure which is of a simple and economical arrangement, and which is capable of reliably preventing damage to a sheet body.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet body feeding guide structure having a guide member providing a guide surface for guiding a sheet body, wherein a flocked material is electrostatically applied to at least the guide surface of the guide member, and a coating layer is disposed in covering relation to the flocked material. The flocked material comprises nylon, for example, and the coating layer is made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene.
- Further, the sheet body preferably comprises a stimulable phosphor sheet, and the flocked material and coating layer preferably are made of electrically conductive materials.
- Since the flocked material is electrostatically applied to the guide member, the flocked material can easily and reliably be mounted over the entire guide surface, even if the guide member has a complex shape. The flocked material can thus be applied inexpensively and efficiently without being limited by the shape and size of the guide member.
- Furthermore, inasmuch as the coating layer is disposed in covering relation to the flocked material, the flocked material is reliably prevented from being dislodged when the sheet body moves in sliding contact therewith. In addition, the coefficient of friction between the flocked material and the sheet body can be reduced, effectively increasing the slidability of the sheet body. Therefore, any undue damage to the sheet body is reduced as much as possible.
- Image recording surfaces of a stimulable phosphor sheet that is used as the sheet body are protected against abrasion marks by the flocked material and the coating layer. Consequently, images that are produced from the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet maintain high image quality, and hence the stimulable phosphor sheet can be used repeatedly over a long period of time.
- The flocked material and the coating layer may be made of an electrically conductive material to give the guide structure itself a function of removing electrostatic charges.
- The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.
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FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a radiation image information reading apparatus, which incorporates a sheet body feeding guide structure according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of guide plates of the sheet body feeding guide structure; -
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the guide plates; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another guide plate of the sheet body feeding guide structure; and -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the other guide plate shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 1 shows in vertical cross section a radiation imageinformation reading apparatus 50, which incorporates a sheet bodyfeeding guide structure 10 according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1 , the radiation imageinformation reading apparatus 50 has anapparatus housing 52 accommodating thereincassette loaders cassettes 54, respectively. Each of thecassettes 54 comprises acasing 60 storing therein astimulable phosphor sheet 58 having both opposite surfaces serving as image reading surfaces, and alid 64 for opening and closing anopening 62 defined in thecasing 60. Thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 has a transparent support layer for allowing recorded radiation image information to be read from its opposite surfaces. - The
cassette loaders respective support bases 66 for placing thecassettes 54 respectively thereon, andrespective shutters 68 that are openably and closably positioned for shielding the interior of theapparatus housing 52 against entry of ambient light. Thecassette loaders cassettes 54 in position and lid opening/closing mechanisms (not shown) for opening and closing thelids 64 of therespective cassettes 54. - A
sheet feeder 70 is disposed in theapparatus housing 52 inwardly of thecassette loaders stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from a desired one of thecassettes 54, and for returning thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 back to thecassette 54 after recorded radiation image information is read and remaining radiation image information is erased from thestimulable phosphor sheet 58. Thesheet feeder 70 hassuction cups 72 for attracting and removing thestimulable phosphor sheets 58 from thecassettes 54. - Below the
sheet feeder 70 are disposed anerasing unit 82 and areading unit 84, which are connected to thesheet feeder 70 through afeed system 80. Thefeed system 80 has a plurality of pairs of mutuallyopposing rollers 86 making up avertical feed path 88 with thereading unit 84 positioned at the lower end of thevertical feed path 88. - The
reading unit 84 comprises an auxiliaryscanning feed mechanism 90 for feeding astimulable phosphor sheet 58 in an auxiliary scanning direction indicated by the arrow D, anoptical system 92 for applying a laser beam L as stimulating light in a main scanning direction to thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 while it is being fed in the auxiliary scanning direction, and alight collecting system 94 for photoelectrically reading light which is emitted from thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 upon exposure to the laser beam L. - The auxiliary
scanning feed mechanism 90 has first andsecond roller pairs second roller pairs light collecting system 94 comprises a pair oflight guides stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is scanned by the laser beam L, and a pair ofphotomultipliers light guides - A
feeder 104, for upwardly feeding astimulable phosphor sheet 58 from which recorded radiation image information has been read, is disposed downstream of the auxiliaryscanning feed mechanism 90 with respect to the direction in which thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 is fed. Thefeeder 104 extends upwardly to an area above a power supply. 106, and anerasing feeder 108 is disposed near thepower supply 106. - The
erasing feeder 108 serves to retract astimulable phosphor sheet 58 that has been fed into the area above thepower supply 106, and feed thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 in a horizontal direction indicated by the arrow E along a lower surface of theerasing unit 82. The erasingunit 82 has a plurality of erasinglight sources 110. Theerasing feeder 108 extends horizontally beneath theerasing unit 82 and then extends upwardly where it can connect to thefeed system 80. - The
feed system 80 comprises afixed guide 120 interconnecting thecassette loader 56 a and thevertical feed path 88,path switching guides cassette loaders 56 b to 56 d and thevertical feed path 88, and ajoint guide 124 interconnecting theerasing feeder 108 and thevertical feed path 88. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thepath switching guide 122 a comprises arotational shaft 134 having opposite ends rotatably supported onside plates guide members 136 fixedly mounted on therotational shaft 134.Guide rollers 138 are rotatably mounted on therespective guide members 136. Thepath switching guides path switching guide 122 a, and will not be described in detail. - The
guide structure 10 has a plurality of guide plates (guide members) 14 a, 14 b and a pair of guide plates (guide members) 14 c, 14 d providingguide surfaces 12 for guiding astimulable phosphor sheet 58. Theguide plates stimulable phosphor sheet 58 along thevertical feed path 88 and have different shapes depending on the location where they are installed. - The
guide plates vertical feed path 88, corresponding to the fixedguide 120 and the path switching guides 122 a, 122 b, 122 c. Theguide plates 14 a are disposed closer to thecassette loaders 56 a through 56 d. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , a flockedmaterial 16 a is electrostatically applied to theguide surface 12 of theguide plate 14 a by an adhesive. The flockedmaterial 16 a comprises 66 nylon, for example, and is in the form of fibers each having a thickness of 1.5 D (denier) and a length of 0.5 mm. The flockedmaterial 16 a is covered with acoating layer 18 a on theguide plate 14 a. Thecoating layer 18 a is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example. - The
guide plates 14 a have bent portions on vertical opposite ends thereof for preventing thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 from becoming caught on the ends of theguide plate 14 a. - The
guide plates 14 b are disposed remotely from thecassette loaders 56 a through 56 d, and are of a substantially L-shaped cross section. Eachguide plate 14 b has fourclearance recesses 20 defined therein at positions where therespective guide members 136 are angularly movable. A flockedmaterial 16 b is electrostatically applied to thevertical guide surface 12 of eachguide plate 14 b by an adhesive. The flockedmaterial 16 b and flockedmaterials 16 c, 16 d to be described below are identical to the flockedmaterial 16 a and will not be described in detail. - The flocked
material 16 b is covered with acoating layer 18 b on theguide plate 14 b. Thecoating layer 18 b is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, for example. Vertical opposite ends of theguide plate 14 b are bent for preventing thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 from becoming caught on the ends of theguide plate 14 b. - The
guide plates vertical feed path 88 upwardly of thejoint guide 124. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 , theguide plates guide plate openings 22 for avoiding interference with theroller pair 86. - Flocked
materials 16 c, 16 d are electrostatically applied to vertical guide surfaces 12 of theguide plates materials 16 c, 16 d are covered with respective coating layers 18 c, 18 d on theguide plates guide plates stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from becoming caught on the ends of theguide plates - In addition to the
feed system 80, theguide structure 10 also is provided in thefeeder 104 and in the erasingfeeder 108. Specifically, at least all those areas within theapparatus housing 52 that are held in sliding contact withstimulable phosphor sheets 58 are combined with an electrostatically applied flocked material, which is covered with a coating layer. - Operation of the radiation image
information reading apparatus 50, in relation to theguide structure 10 according to the above embodiment, will be described below. - First, as shown in
FIG. 1 ,cassettes 54 storingstimulable phosphor sheets 58 respectively therein, which contain images of desired regions of subjects such as patients recorded by an unillustrated X-ray imaging system, are loaded into thecassette loaders stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from among each of thecassettes 54 in thecassette loaders cassette 54 in thecassette loader 56 a, thelid 64 of thatcassette 54 is opened. Thesheet feeder 70 operates to remove thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 from thecassette 54 and transfer thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 to thefeed system 80. - The
stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is fed downwardly by thefeed system 80, and thereafter is supplied to the auxiliaryscanning feed mechanism 90. In the auxiliaryscanning feed mechanism 90, the first and second roller pairs 96, 98 are rotated to feed thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 in the auxiliary scanning direction indicated by the arrow D, while at the same time the laser beam L emitted from theoptical system 92 and deflected in the main scanning direction is applied to thestimulable phosphor sheet 58, for thereby reading the radiation image information recorded on thestimulable phosphor sheet 58. - After the radiation image information is read from the
stimulable phosphor sheet 58, thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 is fed upwardly of the erasingunit 82 by thefeeder 104 and delivered to a horizontal position above thepower supply 106. Thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 is then fed horizontally in the direction indicated by the arrow E (seeFIG. 1 ) along the lower surface of the erasingunit 82 by the erasingfeeder 108, during which time remaining radiation image information is erased by the erasinglight source 110. - The
stimulable phosphor sheet 58 from which the remaining radiation image information has been erased is transferred from the erasingfeeder 108 to thefeed system 80, which then feeds thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 to thesheet feeder 70. Thesheet feeder 70 returns the receivedstimulable phosphor sheet 58 to thecassette 54 in thecassette loader 56 a. Then, thelid 64 of thecassette 54 is closed, after which the operator removes thecassette 54 storing thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 therein from thecassette loader 56 a. - In the present embodiment, the
guide structure 10 comprisesguide plates 14 a through 14 d, flockedmaterials 16 a through 16 d that are electrostatically applied to at least the guide surfaces 12 of theguide plates 14 a through 14 d, and coating layers 18 a through 18 d, which are disposed for covering the flockedmaterials 16 a through 16 d. - When a
stimulable phosphor sheet 58 that has been removed from thecassette 54 in thecassette loader 56 a is fed via thevertical feed path 88 to thereading unit 84, and also when thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 from which recorded radiation image information has been read is returned from the erasingfeeder 108 via thevertical feed path 88 to thecassette 54, opposite surfaces of thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 are kept in contact with the flockedmaterials 16 a through 16 d. - Therefore, the
stimulable phosphor sheet 58 is not brought into direct contact with theguide plates 14 a through 14 d. Rather, the image recording surfaces of thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 are reliably protected against abrasion marks by the flockedmaterials 16 a through 16 d. Consequently, images that are produced from the radiation image information recorded on thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 maintain high image quality, and hence thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 can be used repeatedly over a long period of time. - Since the flocked
materials 16 a through 16 d are electrostatically applied to theguide plates 14 a through 14 d, the flockedmaterials 16 a through 16 d can easily and reliably be mounted over the entirety of the guide surfaces 12, even if theguide plates 14 a through 14 d have a complex shape. The flockedmaterials 16 a through 16 d can thus be applied inexpensively and efficiently without being limited by the shape and size of theguide plates 14 a through 14 d. - Inasmuch as the coating layers 18 a through 18 d are disposed in covering relation to the flocked
materials 16 a through 16 d, the flockedmaterials 16 a through 16 d are reliably prevented from being dislodged when thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 moves in sliding contact therewith. The coefficient of friction between the flockedmaterials 16 a through 16 d and thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 is relatively small, effectively increasing the slidability of thestimulable phosphor sheet 58. Therefore, any undue damage to thestimulable phosphor sheet 58 is reduced as much as possible with a simple arrangement. - The flocked
materials 16 a through 16 d may comprise electrically conductive piles, and the coating layers 18 a through 18 d may be made of an electrically conductive material, to impart to theguide structure 10 itself a function for removing electrostatic charges. - Although a certain preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (5)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003284618A JP2005053620A (en) | 2003-08-01 | 2003-08-01 | Guide structure for conveying sheet body |
JP2003-284618 | 2003-08-01 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050040586A1 true US20050040586A1 (en) | 2005-02-24 |
Family
ID=34190858
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/900,325 Abandoned US20050040586A1 (en) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-07-28 | Sheet body feeding guide structure |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050040586A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2005053620A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007115069A2 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-11 | Positioning Systems, Inc. | System for moving and positioning and object such as a tool |
US20080067733A1 (en) * | 2006-06-19 | 2008-03-20 | Shinichi Iwakiri | Paper Feeding Apparatus for Feeding Sheets of Paper |
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US3620811A (en) * | 1969-11-03 | 1971-11-16 | Goodrich Co B F | Supple poromeric laminate |
US5108777A (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1992-04-28 | Microfibres, Inc. | Electrostatic flocking method |
US5593395A (en) * | 1987-08-07 | 1997-01-14 | Martz; Joel D. | Vapor permeable dressing |
US6013406A (en) * | 1997-03-11 | 2000-01-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Toner for developing electrostatic images, and image-forming method |
US6077635A (en) * | 1997-06-18 | 2000-06-20 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Toner, two-component developer and image forming method |
US20010008672A1 (en) * | 1996-03-20 | 2001-07-19 | Jean Norvell | Flocked articles |
US20010041079A1 (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2001-11-15 | Michlin Steven Bruce | Electrical contact device for a developer roller |
US20020024895A1 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2002-02-28 | Sony Corporation | Disc support plate and disc recording and/or reproducing device |
US20020034404A1 (en) * | 2000-09-01 | 2002-03-21 | Hisayoshi Kojima | Cartridge having developer supply opening and image forming apparatus usable therewith |
US20020130458A1 (en) * | 2001-03-19 | 2002-09-19 | Naofumi Okada | Paper feeder for an image forming apparatus |
US20030091347A1 (en) * | 2001-07-12 | 2003-05-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image formation on heat-developable light-sensitive material and image forming apparatus |
-
2003
- 2003-08-01 JP JP2003284618A patent/JP2005053620A/en active Pending
-
2004
- 2004-07-28 US US10/900,325 patent/US20050040586A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3620811A (en) * | 1969-11-03 | 1971-11-16 | Goodrich Co B F | Supple poromeric laminate |
US5593395A (en) * | 1987-08-07 | 1997-01-14 | Martz; Joel D. | Vapor permeable dressing |
US5108777A (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1992-04-28 | Microfibres, Inc. | Electrostatic flocking method |
US20010008672A1 (en) * | 1996-03-20 | 2001-07-19 | Jean Norvell | Flocked articles |
US6013406A (en) * | 1997-03-11 | 2000-01-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Toner for developing electrostatic images, and image-forming method |
US6077635A (en) * | 1997-06-18 | 2000-06-20 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Toner, two-component developer and image forming method |
US20010041079A1 (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2001-11-15 | Michlin Steven Bruce | Electrical contact device for a developer roller |
US20020024895A1 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2002-02-28 | Sony Corporation | Disc support plate and disc recording and/or reproducing device |
US20020034404A1 (en) * | 2000-09-01 | 2002-03-21 | Hisayoshi Kojima | Cartridge having developer supply opening and image forming apparatus usable therewith |
US20020130458A1 (en) * | 2001-03-19 | 2002-09-19 | Naofumi Okada | Paper feeder for an image forming apparatus |
US20030091347A1 (en) * | 2001-07-12 | 2003-05-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image formation on heat-developable light-sensitive material and image forming apparatus |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007115069A2 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-11 | Positioning Systems, Inc. | System for moving and positioning and object such as a tool |
WO2007115069A3 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2008-02-07 | Positioning Systems Inc | System for moving and positioning and object such as a tool |
US20080067733A1 (en) * | 2006-06-19 | 2008-03-20 | Shinichi Iwakiri | Paper Feeding Apparatus for Feeding Sheets of Paper |
US7740240B2 (en) * | 2006-06-19 | 2010-06-22 | Duplo Corporation | Paper feeding apparatus for feeding sheets of paper |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2005053620A (en) | 2005-03-03 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO. LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TAKATA, KENJI;REEL/FRAME:015632/0350 Effective date: 20040722 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FUJIFILM CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FUJIFILM HOLDINGS CORPORATION (FORMERLY FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.);REEL/FRAME:018904/0001 Effective date: 20070130 Owner name: FUJIFILM CORPORATION,JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FUJIFILM HOLDINGS CORPORATION (FORMERLY FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.);REEL/FRAME:018904/0001 Effective date: 20070130 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |