Radiation image erase unit for use with stimulable phosphor sheet

Abstract

A radiation image erase unit for erasing a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet by exposing the same to erasure light in a radiation image read-out system having an image read-out unit for radiating stimulating rays to the stimulable phosphor sheet to cause the same to emit light representative of the radiation image stored therein, and for converting the emitted light photoelectrically to an electric signal. The radiation image erase unit includes a casing including a side panel having openings defined therein, a plurality of erase light sources disposed in the casing, a feed mechanism disposed in or outside the casing for delivering the stimulable phosphor sheet to a prescribed position in the casing, and forced-cooling air blowers having outlets disposed in the openings, respectively, of the side panels and directed toward the stimulable phosphor sheet positioned in the casing. The radiation image erase unit also includes a baffle member for preventing the stimulable phosphor sheet from rising or flying up by air discharged from the forced-cooling air blowers, and/or a blow-away prevention plate for preventing the stimulable phosphor sheet from being displaced and for permitting the stimulable phosphor sheets with remaining images removed therefrom to be accurately sorted out according to their size.