X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Photographic detector support – Dental
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2002-11-05
Kim, Robert H. (Department: 2882)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Photographic detector support
Dental
C378S168000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06474864
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to methods for manufacturing intraoral radiographic film packets with comfort enhancing features, and, in particular, to improvements to intraoral radiographic film packets which allow for ease of handling and positioning in manufacturing operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A common problem experienced by people visiting the dentist is the discomfort and pain associated with the taking of dental x-rays caused by the positioning of intraoral radiographic film packets in the patient's mouth. The typical intraoral radiographic film packet includes relatively hard and/or relatively sharp edges that press against and irritate the gums and other oral soft tissue of the person whose teeth are being x-rayed. A variety of intraoral x-ray dental packets are known in the prior art which include features intended to be comfort enhancing. In addition, attempts have been made to create comfort enhancing structures into which intraoral-x-ray dental packets can be inserted prior to placement in the patient's mouth. One example of this type of structure is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,008 titled “Dental Film Cartridge Cushion,” by Reginald B. Jackson, Aug. 27, 1991. Jackson utilizes a cartridge cushion comprising a foam sheet sandwich into which the x-ray dental packet is placed for the purpose of cushioning and increasing the comfort to the patient. Jackson requires the manual insertion of the x-ray packet into the cartridge cushion. Thus, Jackson adds significant bulk to the packet and enhances the possibility of triggering a gag reflex action in the patient. Additionally, after the cartridge cushion is removed from the packet, it would be possible to reuse the cartridge cushion which would not be sanitary.
A second example of an add-on structure is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,491 titled “Dental Film Packet,” by Muylle et al., Feb. 8, 1994. Muylle et al. teaches sealing a film pack in an envelope consisting of a pair of thin pockets of injection molded plastic which are sealed with a band of adhesive tape. The envelope has no sharp edges and generally rounded comers. Thus, as with Jackson's device, this device requires manual insertion of the packet, adds significant bulk to the packet, enhances the possibility of triggering a gag reflex in the patient, and can also be reused in a non-sanitary manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,631,497 titled “Dental X-ray Film Package,” by Harry L. Marler, Jun. 7, 1927. Marler teaches a dental x-ray film package wherein a sensitized sheet is sandwiched between two opaque sheets. A heavy band of rubber is stretched about the periphery of the package to hold the package securely together and to provide the light-tight joint.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,537,925 titled “Dental X-ray Film Package,” by Leonard M. Bolin, May 12, 1925, teaches a dental x-ray film package wherein a pair of film sheets and the cover sheet are inserted into a container. The container consists of a frame including a backing portion in an enlarged continuous beading about the periphery thereof. The beading must be forced away from the backing portion and stretched peripherally in order to insert the film sheets and cover sheet therein. The container thus serves to hold the package together and provide the light-tight seal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,657 titled “Intraoral Radiographic Film Packet,” by Alan Kirsch et al., Dec. 13, 1988, teaches a dental radiographic film packet which includes soft comers for greater patient comfort. The packet is constructed by removing all material from the comers of a typical dental radiographic film packet with the exception of the film chip. Individual comer covers which are seamless pockets are then added to the four comers of the packet. The comer covers create an airspace at each comer around the edge of the film chip.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,084,092 titled “Dental Film Holder,” by Ralph Kenney, Jun. 15, 1937, teaches a dental film holder that is a stretchable vellum rubber plate with integral comer pockets into which an x-ray dental packet may be manually inserted. Kenney's dental film holder is intended to be reusable. The plastic envelope of an intraoral dental radiographic film packet of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,093 titled “Dental X-ray Packet Having A Uniform Overall Thickness And Method Of Making Same,” by Terry N. Lindenmuth et al., May 6, 1969, is typically constructed by joining at the margin thereof two generally parallel sheets of flexible plastic material (typically flexible PVC). Two webs of plastic (which may be referred to as the base and top webs) form the envelopes of the dental film packets. The dental film, lead and opaque sheets are inserted and deposited on the base web and the top web is placed there over. The top and base webs are then sealed at the margin of the each packet to form a continuous web of sealed packets. The continuous web of sealed packets is subsequently die-cut to form a plurality of individual film packets.
Any subsequent operation requiring accurate positioning of the individual film packets such as for the purpose of molding a compliant bead as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,740 titled “Intraoral Dental Radiographic Film Packet Improvement,” by Elmer W. Liese, Jr. et al., Mar. 27, 1990, becomes very difficult due to several factors including: a) size variation resulting from the die-cutting of flexible material with residual web stress; b) deflection of the marginal area (laminated perimetric edge) of individual film packets (the marginal area does not remain planar after the die-cutting operation); c) the flexible nature of the laminated perimetric edge when placed in a positioning fixture; and d) poor encapsulation of the perimetric edge due to easy and randomized deformation of the marginal area.
From the foregoing it can be seen that many attempts to add a comfort enhancing feature to dental x-ray film packets resulted in structures requiring manual assembly and/or modification of individual film packets in order to receive comfort enhancing structure. Further, such prior art attempts, particularly those seeking to provide the comfort enhancing feature via a frame, have resulted in a significant increase in bulk thereby enhancing the possibility of inducing a gag reflex, and/or also resulted in a structure in which additional manual steps are required for assembly and/or disassembly. Also, the prior art designs fail to provide the features and operations that allow for automated, accurate positioning of individual film packets for automated application of comfort enhancing features thereto that overcome the problems of size variation resulting from the die-cutting of flexible material with residual web stress, deflection of the marginal area of individual film packets, and the flexible nature of the laminated perimetric edge when placed in a positioning fixture for application of a comfort-enhancing perimetric edge bead.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a semi-rigid envelope for an intraoral dental radiographic film packet that permits accurate positioning in manufacturing operations such as for the application of a comfort-enhancing bead to the perimetric edges of the marginal area thereby reducing the cutting sensation of the packet by implying a softer, smoother, more rounded feel to the patient's gums, lips and other sensitive tissues of the oral cavity.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dental film packet wherein the size of the packet is not affected by residual stress in the marginal area after die-cutting a continuous web of sealed dental packets into individualized dental packets.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dental film packet with improved dimensional tolerances wherein the packet is easier to accurately position for subsequent operations such as the application of a comfort-enhancing edge bead.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dental film packet that is resistant to deformation
Earnhart Edgar G.
Konte Bruce W.
McGovern Michael R.
Merz Gary E.
Resch Douglas T.
Bocchetti Mark G.
Eastman Kodak Company
Kao Glen
Kim Robert H.
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