X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Photographic detector support – Dental
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-10-30
Kim, Robert H. (Department: 2882)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Photographic detector support
Dental
C378S168000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309101
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to x-ray film packets and, in particularly, to intraoral radiographic film packets with comfort enhancing features.
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 rear graphic film packet includes relatively hard and/or sharp edges which 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 intra-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 Wilfried 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 corners. 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, 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 the 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 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 corners for greater patient comfort. The packet is constructed by removing all material from the corners of a typical dental radiographic film packet with the exception of the film chip. Individual corner covers which are seamless pockets are then added to the four corners of the packet. The corner covers create an airspace at each corner around the edge of the film chip.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,084,092 titled “Intraoral Radiographic Film Packet,” by Alan Kirsch et al., Dec. 13, 1988, teaches a dental film holder that is a stretchable vellum rubber plate with integral corner pockets into which an x-ray dental packet may be manually inserted. Kenney's dental film holder is intended to be reusable.
From the foregoing it can be seen that many attempts to add a comfort enhancing feature to dental x-ray film packets have 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 have failed to provide a dental x-ray film packet in which the comfort enhancing feature is formed integrally therewith during manufacture and without requiring manual assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an intraoral radiographic film packet with a comfort enhancing perimeter.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an intraoral radiographic film packet which has a comfort enhancing perimeter integrally formed therewith.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an intraoral radiographic film packet including a comfort enhancing perimeter which does not significantly increase the bulk of the film packet.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a comfort enhancing perimeter feature for an intraoral radiographic film packet which cannot be reused in a non-sanitary manner.
The foregoing and numerous other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a review of the detailed description, claims and drawings set forth herein. These features, objects and advantages are accomplished by forming each of the two outer thermoplastic layers of the x-ray packet with a perimetric hollow semicylindrical feature. Sandwiched between these two outer thermoplastic layers are the typical elements comprising a dental film pack including a paper wrap, the film chip and a lead shield. With these typical elements sandwiched between the two outer thermoplastic layers, the two outer thermoplastic layers are sealed to one another both inside and outside the perimetric cylinder formed by the interface of the two perimetric semicylindrical features. Sealing can be accomplished by heat sealing, RF sealing, or any other type of sealing which would yield a substantially airtight perimetric cylindrical chamber. In such manner, the dental film packet is created which includes an integrally formed perimetric cushion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1537925 (1925-05-01), Bolin
patent: 1631497 (1927-06-01), Marler
patent: 2084092 (1937-06-01), Kenney
patent: 4108308 (1978-08-01), Franke et al.
patent: 4626216 (1986-12-01), Strong-Grainger
patent: 4791657 (1988-12-01), Kirsch et al.
patent: 4805201 (1989-02-01), Strong-Grainger
patent: 4847884 (1989-07-01), Dove
patent: 4852143 (1989-07-01), Scheier et al.
patent: 4911871 (1990-03-01), Liese, Jr.
patent: 4912740 (1990-03-01), Liese, Jr.
patent: 4913288 (1990-04-01), Tanaka
patent: 4922511 (1990-05-01), Gay
patent: 5044008 (1991-08-01), Jackson
patent: 5077779 (1991-12-01), Steinhausen, Jr.
patent: 5170423 (1992-12-01), Yurosko
patent: 5285491 (1994-02-01), Muylle et al.
patent: 5395681 (1995-03-01), Hargarter et al.
patent: 5784433 (1998-07-01), Higa
Bacchetta Richard W.
Schwallie Scott H.
Bocchetti Mark G.
Eastman Kodak Company
Hobden Pamela R.
Kim Robert H.
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