Eastman-kodak Company

Richard W Bacchetta

Scott H Schwallie

Dennis R Zander

Fugui He

Charles C Hinckley

Thomas C Littlefield

David C Allen

An intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which includes a molded thermoplastic frame (preferably injection molded) to which an x-ray dental packet is sealed. The sealing method can be any one of a number of processes including, but not limited to RF sealing, induction heat sealing, or ultrasonic sealing, as well as using any one of various adhesives to affix the x-ray dental packet to the frame. The injection molded thermoplastic frame provides a cushion to buffer and a soft rounded edge to mask the sharp edges that occur on plastic encased x-ray dental packets. Sealing of the injection molded thermoplastic frame to the x-ray dental packet during manufacture results in a packet which includes a comfort enhancing perimeter frame permanently integrated therewith. In such manner, the dental film packet is manufactured with an integrally formed perimetric cushion. The dental film packet is preferably formed with an outer envelope wherein one of the opposing outer sheets is more rigid than the other. In this way, the laminated perimetric edge formed to bond the two outer sheets together is generally coplanar with the more rigid of the two outer sheets. This resultant planar surface on one side of the packet aids in the accurate positioning of the packet into the frame and further enhances the ability to die cut the packet and maintain outside dimension tolerances.

Intraoral dental radiographic film packet with thermoplastic comfort enhancing integrated frame

An intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which includes an integrally formed comfort enhancing perimetric bracket. The packet comprises a pair of opposing outer sheets and a continuous enclosing seal bonding the two outer sheets together to form an envelope with a perimetric projection with a film chip residing in the envelope. The perimetric projection is folded over and affixed to the packet to form an integral perimetric bracket with a rounded or creased perimetric edge.

Intraoral dental radiographic film packet with comfort enhancing folded edge

A reusable bite block/film packet holder is taught which includes comfort enhancing features for holding intraoral radiographic film packets therein and for proper positioning in a patient's mouth. The bite block/film packet holder includes a bite-block and a support bracket extending at an angle of about 90&deg; from the bite-block. There is a slot in the bite-block immediately adjacent the support bracket for engaging an edge of an intraoral film packet inserted therein. A perimetric border at the peripheral edge of the support bracket has a generally rounded cross-sectional configuration and extends beyond the dimensions of the intraoral film packet inserted in the slot. Thus, the sharp, die-cut edges of the film packet are prevented from uncomfortably engaging the soft/sensitive tissues of a patient's mouth. Rather the rounded, soft-feeling perimetric border of the bite block/film packet holder is the contacting element.

Intraoral radiographic film packet holder with comfort enhancing edge

A reusable comfort enhancing frame for holding an intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which includes four integrally formed side members with a single contiguous perimetric contact surface having a generally rounded cross-sectional configuration and rounded comers. There is a pocket formed in the four integrally formed side members adapted to have the intraoral x-ray film packet inserted and retained therein, and removed therefrom. In one embodiment, there is a slot in one of the four integrally formed side members through which the intraoral x-ray film packet can be inserted to reside in the pocket. In a second embodiment, the pocket is a snap-in pocket comprising at least one lip element projecting from an interior peripheral wall of the four integrally formed side members and at least two snap-fit elements also projecting the interior peripheral wall of the four integrally formed side members.

Intraoral dental radiographic film packet with thermoplastic comfort enhancing re-usable frame

An intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which includes a perimetric comfort enhancing feature. The intraoral x-ray film packet includes an envelope formed by a first outer sheet having a first generally semicylindrical perimetric element formed therein; a second outer sheet including a second generally semicylindrical perimetric element formed therein, the first and second generally semicylindrical perimetric elements forming a perimetric cushion; and a pair of continuous perimetric seals affixing the first and second outer sheets together, one perimetric seal residing on each side of the perimetric cushion. The packet also includes a film chip residing between the first and second outer sheets. The second outer sheet includes a pair of overlapping sections which are sealed together to form a tab portion to facilitate removal of the envelope after exposure.

Intraoral dental radiographic film packet with formed comfort enhancing perimeter

There is described a container used to extract antigens for an immunoassay, having a wall means defining open and closed opposite ends. The container is provided with dividing members located in the closed end of the container which divides the volume of the closed end into at least two separate regions. A portion of the container's wall means adjacent to the closed end is shaped and sized to cooperate with a depositing device to ensure that separate reagents are separately deposited on opposite sides of the dividing members.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Richard W Bacchetta