Cover material

Abstract

To provide a technology that enables a cover member for covering an imaging plate to be less likely to be erroneously inserted into a reading device.SOLUTION: A cover member covers an imaging plate. The cover member includes an anti-insertion part against insertion of the imaging plate that is provided in a reading device for reading a radiological image from the imaging plate into an insertion port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cover member that covers an imaging plate. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cover member that covers an imaging plate used for X-ray photography. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-284280 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an imaging plate is inserted into a reader that reads a radiation image from the imaging plate, there is a possibility that the cover member that covers the imaging plate may be inserted incorrectly.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that can make it difficult for a cover member that covers an imaging plate to be erroneously inserted into a reading device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the cover member is a cover member that covers an imaging plate and has an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion of the imaging plate into an insertion port provided in a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from the imaging plate. Effect of the Invention

[0007] One aspect of the cover member is that it has an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion into the insertion opening of the reading device, making it difficult for the cover member to be erroneously inserted into the reading device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an imaging plate assembly housed in a waterproof bag. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 12] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second cover portion. FIG. [Figure 13] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second cover portion. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 17]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Figure 28] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cover member. [Figure 29] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cover member. [Diagram 30] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams showing an example of an imaging plate assembly 1A. The imaging plate assembly (also called IP assembly) 1A includes, for example, an imaging plate 2 and a cover member 3A that covers the imaging plate 2. The IP assembly 1A is used, for example, for photographing the inside of a human mouth. However, the use of the IP assembly 1A is not limited to this.

[0010] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of an imaging plate 2 and a cover member 3A arranged side by side. Figure 3 shows an example of an imaging plate 2 placed on a part of the cover member 3A. Figures 1 and 3 are perspective views, and Figure 2 is a side view.

[0011] The imaging plate 2 is a recording medium for recording a radiation image. The imaging plate 2 has a radiation image forming layer 20. The imaging plate 2 has a surface on which the radiation image forming layer 20 is located and a back surface opposite to the surface. The imaging plate 2 has, for example, a generally rectangular flat shape with rounded corners. The radiation image forming layer 20 is a layer that accumulates the energy of irradiated radiation and emits photostimulable light according to the accumulated energy. The imaging plate 2 has a film made of a resin. The film has a surface on which the radiation image forming layer 20 is provided and a back surface opposite to the surface. The radiation image forming layer 20 is made of, for example, a photostimulable phosphor applied to the surface of the film. For example, X-rays are used as the radiation irradiated to the radiation image forming layer 20. When X-rays from an X-ray generator penetrate the object to be photographed and irradiate the imaging plate 2, energy according to the intensity of the X-rays is accumulated in the radiation image forming layer 20. Since the intensity of the X-rays is based on the distribution of X-ray absorbing regions in the object to be photographed, the distribution of energy stored in the radiation image forming layer 20 is an X-ray radiation image of the object to be photographed. In this way, the imaging plate 2 records, for example, a radiation image formed by X-rays as a latent image.

[0012] The imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3A is housed, for example, in a waterproof bag 5 (see FIG. 5 described later). The imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3A is placed in a person's oral cavity while being housed in the waterproof bag 5. With the imaging plate 2 placed in the oral cavity, radiation is irradiated onto the radiation image forming layer 20 of the imaging plate 2. For example, a radiation image of teeth is recorded on the radiation image forming layer 20 of the imaging plate 2.

[0013] The radiation image recorded on the imaging plate 2 is read by a reading device. The radiation image reading device 10 has, for example, an insertion opening 11 into which the imaging plate 2 is inserted (see Figs. 6 to 10 described later). The imaging plates are inserted, for example, one by one, into the insertion opening of the reading device. The reading device reads the radiation image from the radiation image forming layer 20 of the imaging plate 2 inserted through the insertion opening, and generates image data representing the read radiation image. The generated image data may be displayed, for example, on a display unit provided in the reading device. The reading device may also transmit the generated image data to an external device. If the external device is a display device, the display device may display the image data from the reading device.

[0014] Hereinafter, the front surface of the imaging plate 2 will be referred to as the read surface 21 , and the rear surface of the imaging plate 2 will be referred to as the non-read surface 22 .

[0015] The cover member 3A is a member that protects the imaging plate 2. The cover member 3A is made of, for example, a radiation-transmitting material. The cover member 3A is also made of, for example, a material that blocks visible light. The cover member 3A may be made of at least one of paper and resin, or may be made of a material other than paper and resin.

[0016] The cover member 3A has, for example, a structure in which a single sheet member is folded in two, and has a folding point 30. The cover member 3A can be opened and closed, for example, with the folding point 30 as a base point (in other words, an opening and closing axis). The cover member 3A has a first cover part 31 and a second cover part 32 that are connected to each other at the folding point 30. When one of the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 32 is called a first region, the other of the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 32 may be called a second region.

[0017] The first cover part 31 is, for example, a rectangular sheet part. The second cover part 32 has, for example, a structure in which the end of a rectangular sheet part is folded. One end in the longitudinal direction of the first cover part 31 and one end in the longitudinal direction of the second cover part 32 are connected to each other. The second cover part 32 can be opened and closed relatively to the first cover part 31, with a connection point with the first cover part 31 (in other words, a bending point 30) as a base point. The longitudinal length of the first cover part 31 may be the same as the longitudinal length of the second cover part 32, may be greater than the longitudinal length of the second cover part 32, or may be smaller than the longitudinal length of the second cover part 32. Hereinafter, the bending point 30 may be referred to as a connecting point 30.

[0018] The second cover part 32 includes a flat first part 32a capable of covering the imaging plate 2, and a flat second part 32b bent from the first part 32a. One end of the first part 32a in the longitudinal direction of the second cover part 32 is connected to the first cover part 31 at a connection point 30. The second part 32b is bent outward from the other end of the first part 32a in the longitudinal direction of the second cover part 32. The second part 32b constitutes one end of the second cover part 32 in the longitudinal direction. When the second cover part 32 is called the first region and the first cover part 31 is called the second region, the first part 32a may be called the third region and the second part 32b may be called the fourth region. In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the bending angle of second portion 32b relative to first portion 32a is shown as 90 degrees, but it may be configured to be able to be less than 90 degrees, or to be able to be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

[0019] When no external force is applied to the cover member 3A, for example, the second cover portion 32 is in a state in which it is relatively open to the first cover portion 31, and the cover member 3A is in an open state. In other words, when no external force is applied to the cover member 3A, the cover member 3A can maintain the open state by itself. When an external force is applied to at least one of the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32 so that the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32 approach each other, the cover member 3A is in a closed state, and the imaging plate 2 can be sandwiched between the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32. For example, when the first portion 32a of the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32 are sandwiched between fingers from the outside, the cover member 3A is in a closed state. The imaging plate 2 is covered by the cover member 3A in the closed state. In this example, the state in which the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A corresponds to the state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered by the cover member 3A. FIG. 3 shows an example of a state in which the imaging plate 2 is placed on the first cover portion 31 of the cover member 3A in the open state.

[0020] When no external force is applied to the cover member 3A, the cover member 3A may be in a closed state. In other words, the cover member 3A does not have to be able to open by itself. In this case, when the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A, the user of the IP assembly 1A manually operates the cover member 3A to open the cover member 3A.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A, in other words, an example of a state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered by the cover member 3A. The imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A so that the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 2 and the longitudinal direction of the first cover portion 31 are parallel to each other. The imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A so that the read target surface 21 and the non-read surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 are in contact with the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32, respectively. In a state in which the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A, in other words, in a state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered by the cover member 3A, the first cover portion 31 covers the entire area of ​​the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2, and the first portion 32a of the second cover portion 32 covers most of the non-read surface 22 of the imaging plate 2. The first cover portion 31 is located on the read target surface 21 side of the imaging plate 2, and the second cover portion 32 is located on the non-read surface 22 side of the imaging plate 2.

[0022] The second portion 32b is bent from the first portion 32a when no external force is applied thereto. Here, the state in which the second portion 32b is not subjected to an external force is called the first state. When the second portion 32b is subjected to an external force, it changes from the first state to a second state in which the bending angle is smaller than that of the first state, and attempts to return from the second state to the first state in response to the release of the external force. When the second portion 32b is subjected to an external force, it may change from the first state to the second state in which it is flattened with the first portion 32a. For example, when the cover member 3A is in a closed state as shown in FIG. 4, if an external force is applied to the second portion 32b such that the second portion 32b falls to the side opposite to the first portion 32a, the second portion 32b changes from the first state to the second state and becomes flat with the first portion 32a. When the external force is removed, the second portion 32b returns from the second state in which it is flat with the first portion 32a to the first state in which it is bent from the first portion 32a. When it returns from the second state to the first state, the bending angle of the second portion 32b may be smaller than the original bending angle. Also, the second portion 32b may not change until it becomes flat with the first portion 32a. Also, when no external force is applied to the second portion 32b, the second portion 32b may be in an unbent state. In other words, the second portion 32b may not be able to be in a bent state by itself. In this case, when the second portion 32b needs to be bent (standing up) in the cover member 3A, the user can manually operate the cover member 3A to put the second portion 32b in a bent state (in this case, the relationship between the first state and the second state and the application and release of the external force is reversed).

[0023] In the following description of the IP assembly 1A, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that no external force is applied to the second portion 32b and that the second portion 32b is bent. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the IP assembly 1A refers to the IP assembly 1A in which the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3 (in other words, the IP assembly 1A in which the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3).

[0024] 4, when the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A, a portion 22a of the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 becomes an exposed area 22a that is not covered by the second cover portion 32. Note that when the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A, the first portion 32a may cover the entire area of ​​the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2.

[0025] The imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3A is housed in the waterproof bag 5 with the second portion 32b flat with the first portion 32a as shown in FIG. 5. When the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A with the second portion 32b flat with the first portion 32a, the entire area of ​​the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 is covered with the second cover portion 32 as shown in FIG. 5. When the second portion 32b is flat with the first portion 32a, for example, the first length (length in the left-right direction in FIG. 5) of the first cover portion 31 along the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 2 is the same as the second length (length in the left-right direction in FIG. 5) of the second cover portion 32 along the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 2. Note that when the second portion 32b is flat with the first portion 32a, the first length and the second length may be different from each other. In this case, the first length may be greater than the second length, or the second length may be greater than the first length. However, in order to prevent the reading surface 21, which is the radiation image forming surface 20 of the imaging plate 2, from being accidentally exposed to external light, the first length of the first cover portion 31 must be at least equal to or greater than the total longitudinal length of the imaging plate 2.

[0026] When imaging, the waterproof bag 5 housing the cover member 3A and the imaging plate 2 is placed in the oral cavity. In addition to these, further exterior members and a positioning tool (none of which are shown) may also be placed in the oral cavity (this also applies to other embodiments described below). Radiation is then irradiated so as to be incident on the radiation image forming layer 20 of the imaging plate 2 in the waterproof bag 5, and imaging is performed. The imaging plate assembly 1A may be configured as a complete set including the waterproof bag 5 and further exterior members (this also applies to each embodiment of the imaging plate assembly disclosed in the present invention).

[0027] When the imaging is completed, the set used for imaging, including the waterproof bag 5, is removed from the oral cavity. Then, the imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3A is removed from the waterproof bag 5. The imaging plate 2 removed from the waterproof bag 5 is carried close to the insertion opening 11 of the reading device 10 while being held between the cover member 3A, for example, by a person's fingers. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP assembly 1A located close to the insertion opening 11 of the reading device 10. Of the configuration of the reading device 10, only the configuration around the insertion opening 11 is shown in FIG. The insertion opening 11 has an elongated shape corresponding to the shape of the imaging plate 2.

[0028] When the imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3A is brought close to the insertion port 11 of the reading device 10, the imaging plate 2 is removed from the cover member 3A and inserted into the insertion port 11. At this time, for example, the exposed area 22a of the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 is touched with a person's finger, and the imaging plate 2 is directly pushed out from the cover member 3A by the person's finger and inserted into the insertion port 11, as shown in FIG. 7. The reading device 10 reads a radiation image from the inserted imaging plate 2. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 7 shows that the imaging plate 2 and the insertion port 11 are spaced apart when the imaging plate 2 is pushed out. However, in actual use, when the imaging plate 2 is pushed out, the imaging plate 2 and the insertion port 11 are kept at an extremely close distance or are kept in contact with each other, so that the reading target surface 21, which is the radiation image forming surface 20, is not accidentally exposed to external light.

[0029] When the reading device 10 is configured so that the insertion opening 11 faces upward and the imaging plate 2 is dropped downward to be inserted into the insertion opening, the imaging plate 2 may be inserted into the insertion opening by simply opening the cover member 3A without being pushed out by a finger. Alternatively, the imaging plate 2 may be slightly pushed out by a finger and then moved toward the insertion opening by its own weight to be inserted into the insertion opening.

[0030] The coefficient of friction between the surface of the cover member 3A that comes into contact with the imaging plate 2 and the imaging plate 2 may be set to be small. This makes the imaging plate 2 more slidable relative to the cover member 3A, and easier to insert into the insertion slot 11. For example, consider a case where the base material of the cover member 3A is paper. In this case, the coefficient of friction between the inner surface and the imaging plate 2 may be reduced by providing a smooth resin layer made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like on the inner surface of the first cover part 31 that comes into contact with the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2. In addition, a resin layer made of PET or the like may be further provided on the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2, thereby reducing the coefficient of friction between the inner surface of the first cover part 31 and the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 while reducing mechanical damage. In addition, the coefficient of friction between the inner surface and the imaging plate 2 may be reduced by providing a resin layer made of PET or the like on the inner surface of the first part 32a of the second cover part 32 that comes into contact with the non-read target surface 22 of the imaging plate 2. Furthermore, a resin layer made of PET or the like may be provided on the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 to reduce the coefficient of friction between the inner surface of the first portion 32a of the second cover part 32 and the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2. The method of providing a resin layer on the surface of the cover member 3A or the imaging plate 2 may be coating, or a resin layer prepared in advance may be pasted.

[0031] The cover member 3A has an anti-insertion portion that resists the insertion of the reader 10 into the insertion port 11. The anti-insertion portion is configured to resist the insertion into the insertion port 11, for example, in the height direction of the insertion port 11. For example, in the second cover portion 32, the second portion 32b rising from the first portion 32a functions as the anti-insertion portion. In a state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A, as shown in FIG. 6, the maximum dimension H1 of the IP assembly 1A along the thickness direction of the imaging plate 2 is set to be larger than the height H11 of the insertion port 11. Also, in a state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A, when the cover member 3A is in a closed state, the dimension W1 of the cover member 3A along the width direction of the imaging plate 2 is set to be smaller than the width W11 of the insertion port 11. The width direction of the imaging plate 2 is a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction of the imaging plate 2. It can be said that the dimension W1 of the cover member 3A along the width direction of the imaging plate 2 is the dimension of the IP assembly 1A along the width direction of the imaging plate 2. The dimension W1 of the cover member 3A along the width direction of the imaging plate 2 coincides with the dimensions of the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32 along the width direction of the imaging plate 2. However, this is not the case when the IP assembly 1A is configured to further include other parts. When the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A, the dimension (height) of the second portion 32b along the thickness direction of the imaging plate 2 may be set to be larger than or equal to the height H11 of the insertion opening 11, or may be set to be smaller than the height H11, since it can function as an anti-insertion portion. The dimension of the second portion 32b along the thickness direction of the imaging plate 2 when the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A can be said to be the dimension of the second portion 32b along the thickness direction of the first portion 32a.

[0032] In the above example, the second portion 32b is bent, but may be bent to be curved. The second portion 32b may not be bent. In this case, the thickness of the second portion 32b may be set to be greater than the thickness of the first portion 32a, and the outer surface of the second portion 32b may protrude outward from the outer surface of the first portion 32a. This allows the second portion 32b to function as an anti-insertion portion. The thickness of the second portion 32b may be set to be greater than, equal to, or smaller than the height H11 of the insertion opening 11.

[0033] In this way, since the cover member 3A has an anti-insertion portion that resists insertion into the insertion port 11 of the reading device 10, when the imaging plate 2 is inserted into the insertion port 11, the cover member 3A is less likely to be erroneously inserted into the reading device 10.

[0034] Furthermore, in the cover member 3A, the second portion 32b that bends from the first portion 32a functions as an insertion prevention portion, so that the insertion prevention portion can be realized with a simple structure.

[0035] Furthermore, the second portion 32b, which is bent from the first portion 32a, can change from the first state to a second state in which the bending angle is smaller than that of the first state, by receiving an external force. Therefore, when the second portion 32b is in the second state, such as when the cover member 3A is housed in the waterproof bag 5, visible light as external light emitted by surrounding lighting devices (e.g., fluorescent lamps or LEDs (light-emitting diodes)) or sunlight is less likely to be incident on the imaging plate 2. This makes it difficult for information on the radiation image to be lost from the imaging plate 2. Furthermore, when the second portion 32b is flat with the first portion 32a in the second state, it becomes even more difficult for surrounding visible light to be incident on the imaging plate 2, so that information on the radiation image is less likely to be lost from the imaging plate 2.

[0036] Incidentally, the second portion 32b may be in the second state with a small bending angle while the IP assembly 1A is taken out of the waterproof bag 5 and carried close to the insertion opening 11. In other words, after taking the IP assembly 1A out of the waterproof bag 5, the user of the IP assembly 1A may carry the IP assembly 1A close to the insertion opening 11 in a state in which the second portion 32b is in the second state by pressing the second portion 32b against the imaging plate 2. This makes it difficult for the imaging plate 2 to be irradiated with ambient visible light after the imaging plate 2 is taken out of the waterproof bag 5, and therefore makes it difficult for radiation image information to be lost from the imaging plate 2.

[0037] 8, the reading device 10 may have a receiving portion 12 on the periphery of the insertion opening 11 that receives the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 pushed out from the cover member 3A. The receiving portion 12 is located, for example, below the insertion opening 11. By providing the receiving portion 12 that receives the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 in this manner, even if the imaging plate 2 and the insertion opening 11 are separated when the imaging plate 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 11, ambient visible light is less likely to be incident on the read target surface 21, and therefore radiation image information is less likely to be lost from the imaging plate 2.

[0038] 9, the insertion opening 11 may be recessed from the surroundings. This makes it difficult for surrounding visible light to be incident on the imaging plate 2 when the imaging plate 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 11. Therefore, even if the imaging plate 2 and the insertion opening 11 are separated when the imaging plate 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 11, loss of radiation image information from the imaging plate 2 is difficult.

[0039] 10, the insertion opening 11 may be recessed from the surroundings and a receiving portion 12 may be provided. In this case, ambient visible light is further prevented from being incident on the imaging plate 2, so that even if the imaging plate 2 and the insertion opening 11 are separated when the imaging plate 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 11, radiation image information is less likely to be lost from the imaging plate 2.

[0040] The cover member 3A may be shipped and distributed with the second portion 32b bent, or may be shipped and distributed with the second portion 32b not bent (i.e., the second cover portion 32 is flat). In the former case, the second portion 32b may be bent in the manufacturing stage after the cover member 3A having the flat second cover portion 32 is produced, or the cover member 3A with the second portion 32b bent in advance may be produced as a molded product. In the latter case, the user of the IP assembly 1A may bend the second portion 32b of the cover member 3A covering the imaging plate 2 at the stage of inserting the imaging plate 2 into the insertion port 11 of the reader 10, for example, to make it difficult for the cover member 3A to be erroneously inserted into the insertion port 11.

[0041] 11, the cover member 3A may include a biasing member 35 that biases the second portion 32b in a direction in which the second portion 32b is bent from the first portion 32a. This makes it easier to maintain the posture of the second portion 32b. This makes it less likely that the bending angle of the second portion 32b will be unintentionally small, causing the cover member 3A to be erroneously inserted into the reading device 10.

[0042] The biasing member 35 is provided, for example, on the outer surface of the boundary between the first portion 32a and the second portion 32b. For example, an elastic sheet made of resin or the like is used as the biasing member 35. The elastic sheet as the biasing member 35 is attached to the boundary between the first portion 32a and the second portion 32b in a state where it is pulled along its surface direction and the longitudinal direction of the second cover portion 32. As a result, the second portion 32b is biased in a direction bending from the first portion 32a by the contraction force of the elastic sheet. Note that the configuration of the biasing member 35 is not limited to this. The shape of the biasing member 35 is not limited to a shape long in the width direction of the cover member 3A as shown in FIG. 11, but may be a shape short in the width direction. In addition, the biasing member 35 may be composed of a single part or may be composed of multiple parts. The configuration of the biasing member 35 may be a configuration that can maintain at least a biasing force that can maintain a predetermined posture of the second portion 32b.

[0043] The second cover part 32 may include a processed part 320 located at the boundary between the first part 32a and the second part 32b. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second cover part 32 including the processed part 320. The processed part 320 is configured such that the strength against external forces is smaller than the strength of the part around the processed part 320. By providing such a processed part 320 on the second cover part 32, the second part 32b becomes easy to bend at the processed part 320. Therefore, the second part 32b that bends from the first part 32a and functions as an anti-insertion part can be easily realized. It can be said that the processed part 320 is a processed part that makes the second cover part 32 easy to bend. In addition, it can be said that the processed part 320 is a part that is processed so that the second cover part 32 becomes easy to bend.

[0044] The second cover portion 32 having the processed portion 320 may be bent by the processed portion 320 in a manufacturing stage before the cover member 3A is shipped, or may be bent by the processed portion 320 by a user of the IP assembly 1A after the cover member 3A is shipped. In the latter case, for example, at the stage of inserting the imaging plate 2 into the insertion port 11 of the reading device 10, the user may make it difficult for the cover member 3A to be erroneously inserted into the insertion port 11 by bending the second portion 32b of the cover member 3A by the processed portion 320. The user can easily bend the second cover portion 32 by using the processed portion 320.

[0045] The processed part 320 may be a cut. In this case, the shape of the cut may be a straight line, a dotted line, or a chain line. The processed part 320 may have at least one of a recess and a through hole. In this case, the processed part 320 may be configured, for example, as an elongated recess (in other words, a groove) or a horizontally long through hole, or may be configured as a plurality of recesses, a plurality of through holes, or a combination of at least one recess and at least one through hole. The processed part 320 may be configured with a thickness set smaller than the thickness of the surrounding part of the processed part 320. The processed part 320 may be configured with a hardness set lower than the hardness of the surrounding part of the processed part 320. In this case, in the second cover part 32, for example, the processed part 320 may be configured only of paper or resin, and the part other than the processed part 320 may be configured of paper and a resin layer provided on its surface. The processed part 320 may be configured with a density of the material set lower than the density of the material of the surrounding part of the processed part 320. In this case, in the second cover part 32, for example, the processed part 320 may be made of paper with a low fiber density, and the part other than the processed part 320 may be made of paper with a high fiber density. Also, the processed part 320 may be made of fewer layers than the surrounding parts. In this case, in the second cover part 32, for example, the processed part 320 may be made of one layer of paper, and the part other than the processed part 320 may be made of two layers of paper.

[0046] In the above example, the bending region of the second portion 32b bending from the first portion 32a is parallel to the width direction of the imaging plate 2 covered by the cover member 3A, but the shape of the bending region of the second portion 32b is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the bending region 321 of the second portion 32b may be oblique to the width direction of the imaging plate 2. Furthermore, the bending region 321 may be a curved line instead of a straight line.

[0047] The anti-insertion portion may be provided not only in the second cover portion 32 but also in the first cover portion 31. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP assembly 1A including a cover member 3A (also referred to as a cover member 3AA) in which an anti-insertion portion is provided in both the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32.

[0048] In the cover member 3AA, the first cover part 31 includes a flat first part 31a capable of covering the imaging plate 2 and a flat second part 31b bent from the first part 31a. One end of the first part 31a in the longitudinal direction of the first cover part 31 is connected to the second cover part 32. The second part 31b is bent outward from the other end of the first part 31a in the longitudinal direction of the first cover part 31. When the first cover part 31 is called the first region and the second cover part 32 is called the second region, the first part 31a may be called the third region and the second part 31b may be called the fourth region. In the example of FIG. 14, the bending angle of the second part 31b with respect to the first part 31a is shown as 90 degrees, but it may be configured to be less than 90 degrees, or may be configured to be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Additionally, the second portion 31b may be bent so as to be curved.

[0049] Similarly to the second portion 32b, the second portion 31b is bent when no external force is applied thereto. Here, the state in which the second portion 31b is not subjected to an external force is called a first state. When the second portion 31b is subjected to an external force, it changes from the first state to a second state in which the bending angle is smaller than that of the first state, and attempts to return to the first state in response to the release of the external force. When the second portion 31b is subjected to an external force, it may change from the first state to a second state in which it is flattened with the first portion 31a. Note that, when the second portion 31b returns to the first state from the second state, the bending angle of the second portion 31b may be smaller than the original bending angle. Also, the second portion 31b may not be able to change until it is flattened with the first portion 31a. Note that, when no external force is applied to the second portion 31b, the second portion 31b may be in an unbent state. In other words, the second portion 31b may not be able to be in a bent state by itself. In this case, when it is necessary for the second portion 31b of the cover member 3AA to bend (raise), the user can manually operate the cover member 3AA to place the second portion 31b in a folded state (in this case, the relationship between the first and second states and the application and release of external force is reversed).

[0050] When the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A with the second portion 31b bent, the first portion 31a of the first cover part 31 covers most of the surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 to be read.

[0051] In the cover member 3AA, the imaging plate 2 and the cover member 3A covering it are housed in the waterproof bag 5 with the second portion 31b being flat with the first portion 31a and the second portion 32b being flat with the first portion 32a. When the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A with the second portion 31b being flat with the first portion 31a, the first cover part 31 covers the entire area of ​​the reading target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2.

[0052] When the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A in a state in which the second portion 31b is bent, the first portion 31a of the first cover part 31 may cover the entire area of ​​the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2. In this case, accidental exposure of the read target surface 21 is suppressed.

[0053] In the cover member 3AA, not only the second portion 32b of the second cover portion 32 but also the second portion 31b of the first cover portion 31 function as an insertion resistance portion that resists insertion into the insertion opening 11 in the height direction of the insertion opening 11. When the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3AA, the dimension (height) of the second portion 31b along the thickness direction of the imaging plate 2 may be set to be larger than, the same as, or smaller than the height H11 of the insertion opening 11.

[0054] In this way, by providing the anti-insertion portions on both the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 32, the cover member 3A is less likely to be erroneously inserted into the reading device 10. Furthermore, when the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover member 3A, the orientation of the imaging plate 2 relative to the cover member 3A is not restricted.

[0055] The cover member 3AA may include a biasing member 35 that biases the second portion 31b in a direction to bend the second portion 31b from the first portion 31a. In the cover member 3AA, the first cover portion 31 may include a processed portion 320 located at the boundary between the first portion 31a and the second portion 31b.

[0056] In the above example, the second portion 32b is bent outward, but may be bent inward. Figs. 15 and 16 are schematic diagrams showing an example of an IP assembly 1B including a cover member 3B having an inwardly bent second portion 32b. The IP assembly 1B includes the imaging plate 2 and a cover member 3B that covers it. The cover member 3B is similar to the cover member 3A except that the second portion 32b is bent inward. Fig. 15 is a perspective view, and Fig. 16 is a side view.

[0057] The second portion 32b is shown bent inwardly from the first portion 32a by, for example, 90 degrees. The bend angle of the second portion 32b with respect to the first portion 32a may be less than 90 degrees, or may be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. The second portion 32b may be bent in a curved manner.

[0058] The second portion 32b is bent inward from the first portion 32a when no external force is applied thereto. Here, the state in which the second portion 32b is not subjected to an external force is called the first state. When the second portion 32b is subjected to an external force, it changes from the first state to a second state in which the bending angle is larger than that in the first state and the second portion 32b is on the back side of the first portion 32a, and attempts to return from the second state to the first state in response to the release of the external force. For example, when an external force that bends the second portion 32b further inward is applied to the second portion 32b, the second portion 32b changes from the first state to the second state. Then, when the external force is removed, the second portion 32b returns from the second state to the first state. When the second portion 32b returns to the first state from the second state, the bending angle of the second portion 32b may be larger than the original bending angle. When no external force is applied to the second portion 32b, the second portion 32b may be in an unbent state. That is, the second portion 32b may not be able to bend by itself. In this case, when it is necessary to bend the second portion 32b in the cover member 3B, the user can manually operate the cover member 3B to bring the second portion 32b into a bent state (in this case, the relationship between the first state and the second state and the application and release of an external force is reversed). In this case, the second cover part 32 may be made of a material that can be bent when an external force is applied and that naturally returns to its original state when the external force is removed. For example, Yupo paper (registered trademark) can be given as such a material.

[0059] The second portion 32b may be changed from a first state to a second state in which it contacts the inner surface of the first portion 32a by receiving an external force. Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state in which the second portion 32b contacts the inner surface of the first portion 32a. Note that the second portion 32b does not have to bend inward to the extent that it contacts the inner surface of the first portion 32a.

[0060] Similar to the cover member 3A, the cover member 3B may be in a closed state when no external force is applied to the cover member 3B. In other words, the cover member 3B may not be able to open by itself. In this case, in the cover member 3B when no external force is applied, the second portion 32b that is bent inwardly comes into contact with the imaging plate 2.

[0061] 18, the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3B such that the second portion 32b contacts the inner surface of the first portion 32a. When the user of the IP assembly 1B sandwiches the imaging plate 2 between the cover members 3B, the user holds the IP assembly 1B by pinching the portion 32aa of the first portion 32a that contacts the second portion 32b and the first cover portion 31 with his / her fingers from the outside. When the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3B, the second portion 32b has a surface 32bb that contacts the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2. When the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3B, the maximum dimension H2 of the IP assembly 1B along the thickness direction of the imaging plate 2 is set to be larger than the height H11 of the insertion opening 11. When no external force is applied to the second portion 32b, the dimension (height) of the second portion 32b along the thickness direction of the first portion 32a may be set to be larger than, the same as, or smaller than the height H11 of the insertion opening 11.

[0062] In a state where the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3B, similarly to the IP assembly 1A, a part 22a of the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 becomes an exposed area 22a that is not covered by the second cover portion 32. Note that, when the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3B, the second cover portion 32 may cover the entire area of ​​the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2.

[0063] The imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3B is contained in a waterproof bag 5 in the state shown in Fig. 18. The waterproof bag 5 containing the cover member 3B and the imaging plate 2 is then placed in the oral cavity (although in addition to these, the waterproof bag 5 may also be placed in the oral cavity together with further exterior members and positioning tools (neither of which are shown)), and the radiation image forming layer 20 of the imaging plate 2 in the waterproof bag 5 is irradiated with radiation to be photographed.

[0064] When the imaging is completed, the waterproof bag 5 is removed from the oral cavity. Then, the cover member 3B and the imaging plate 2 are removed from the waterproof bag 5. The imaging plate 2 removed from the waterproof bag 5 is carried close to the insertion port 11 of the reading device 10 while being held between the cover member 3B, for example, by a person's fingers, that is, in the state shown in FIG.

[0065] In the cover member 3B, the second portion 32b that bends inward from the first portion 32a functions as an insertion prevention portion. When the imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3B is inserted into the insertion port 11 of the reader 10, the force of pinching the cover member 3B with the fingers is weakened, and the closed cover member 3B tries to open. At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the second portion 32b tries to return to the first state, and the angle of bending inward of the second portion 32b becomes smaller. As a result, even in the state of FIG. 18 or FIG. 19, the portion 32aa and the vicinity thereof are raised by the rise of the thickness or length of the second portion 32b, so that the cover member 3B is less likely to be erroneously inserted into the insertion port 11. Also, when the second portion 32b tries to return to the first state, the imaging plate 2 moves toward the outside of the cover member 3B due to friction between the surface 32bb of the second portion 32b and the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 (see the arrow in FIG. 19). This increases the exposed area of ​​the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 that is not covered by the cover member 3, making it easier for a user to touch the exposed area and directly push out the imaging plate 2. This makes it easier for the imaging plate 2 to be inserted into the insertion port 11.

[0066] Even if the cover member 3B cannot open by itself, when the force with which the cover member 3B is pinched between the fingers is reduced in the state shown in Figure 18, the second portion 32b will attempt to return to the first state, and the cover member 3B will open slightly from the state shown in Figure 18, as shown in Figure 19.

[0067] The coefficient of friction between the surface 32bb of the second portion 32b that comes into contact with the imaging plate 2 when the second portion 32b is in the second state and the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 may be increased. This makes it easier for the imaging plate 2 to move toward the outside of the cover member 3B when the second portion 32b tries to return from the second state to the first state, and therefore makes it easier for the imaging plate 2 to be inserted into the insertion opening 11 by utilizing the propulsive force of the movement.

[0068] Here, the coefficient of friction between the surface 32bb of the second portion 32b and the non-read surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 is defined as a first coefficient of friction. Also, the coefficient of friction between the inner surface of the first cover part 31 that comes into contact with the imaging plate 2 and the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 is defined as a second coefficient of friction. When the first coefficient of friction is increased, the first coefficient of friction may be set to be greater than the second coefficient of friction.

[0069] There are various methods for setting the first friction coefficient to be larger than the second friction coefficient. For example, consider a case where the base material of the cover member 3B is paper. In this case, the base material paper may be exposed from the inner surface of the first cover part 31, and a resin layer made of rubber, urethane, or the like may be applied or attached to the surface 32bb of the second part 32b, so that the first friction coefficient is larger than the second friction coefficient. In this case, the resin layer may be provided on the entire outer surface of the second part 32b (the surface on the side where the surface 32bb is located), or the resin layer may be provided on a part of the outer surface of the second part 32b. Alternatively, the base material paper may be exposed from the surface 32bb of the second part 32b, and a resin layer made of PET or the like may be provided on the inner surface of the first cover part 31, so that the first friction coefficient is larger than the second friction coefficient. Alternatively, a resin layer made of PET or the like may be provided on the inner surface of the first cover portion 31, and a resin layer made of rubber, urethane or the like may be provided on the surface 32bb of the second portion 32b, so that the first friction coefficient is made larger than the second friction coefficient. In this case, a resin layer may be provided on the entire outer surface of the second portion 32b, or a resin layer may be provided on a part of the outer surface of the second portion 32b. Alternatively, the roughness of the paper exposed from the surface 32bb of the second portion 32b may be made larger than the roughness of the paper exposed from the inner surface of the first cover portion 31, so that the first friction coefficient is made larger than the second friction coefficient. Also, the first friction coefficient may be made larger than the second friction coefficient by providing a resin layer on the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 by a method such as coating or pasting.

[0070] In addition, when the user carries the IP assembly 1B close to the reading device 10, unlike Figure 18, the user may hold the IP assembly 1B by pinching the second cover part 32 and the first cover part 31 with their fingers from the outside so that the second part 32b does not come into contact with the first part 32a.

[0071] As with the cover member 3A, in the cover member 3B, the anti-insertion portion may be provided not only in the second cover portion 32 but also in the first cover portion 31. This makes it difficult for the cover member 3B to be erroneously inserted into the reading device 10.

[0072] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP assembly 1B including a cover member 3B (also referred to as a cover member 3BB) in which an insertion prevention portion is provided on both the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32. The cover member 3BB is obtained by bending the second portions 31b and 32b inward in the cover member 3AA shown in Fig. 14 described above. Just as the same thing as described above regarding the second portion 32b included in the cover member 3A can also be said about the second portion 31b included in the cover member 3AA, the same thing as described above regarding the second portion 32b included in the cover member 3B can also be said about the second portion 31b included in the cover member 3BB.

[0073] 20, that is, in a state in which the second portion 31b is in contact with the first portion 31a and the second portion 32b is in contact with the first portion 32a, is contained in the waterproof bag 5. The second portion 31b has a surface 31bb that contacts the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2.

[0074] After photographing, the imaging plate 2 is taken out of the waterproof bag 5 and carried close to the insertion opening 11 of the reading device 10 while being sandwiched between the cover member 3B as shown in Fig. 20. When sandwiching the imaging plate 2 between the cover member 3BB, the user of the IP assembly 1B holds the IP assembly 1B by sandwiching with his / her fingers from the outside the portion 31aa of the first portion 31a that contacts the second portion 31b, and the portion 32aa of the first portion 32a that contacts the second portion 32b.

[0075] In the cover member 3BB, not only the second portion 32b of the second cover portion 32 but also the second portion 31b of the first cover portion 31 functions as an insertion resistance portion that resists insertion into the insertion port 11 in the height direction of the insertion port 11. When the imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3BB is inserted into the insertion port 11 of the reader 10, the force of pinching the cover member 3BB with fingers is weakened, and the closed cover member 3BB tries to open. At this time, the second portion 31b tries to return from the second state to the first state, so that the inward bending angle of the second portion 31b becomes smaller, and the second portion 32b tries to return from the second state to the first state, so that the inward bending angle of the second portion 32b becomes smaller. As a result, like the second portion 31b, the cover member 3BB is less likely to be erroneously inserted into the insertion port 11. Furthermore, when the second portions 31b and 32b attempt to return to the first state, the imaging plate 2 moves toward the outside of the cover member 3BB (the left side in FIG. 20) due to friction between the surface 31bb of the second portion 31b and the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 and friction between the surface 32bb of the second portion 32b and the non-read surface 22 of the imaging plate 2. The propulsive force of the imaging plate 2 at this time is greater than when the anti-insertion portion is provided only on the second cover portion 32. This makes it easier for the imaging plate 2 to be inserted into the insertion slot 11.

[0076] Similarly to the cover member 3A, the cover member 3B (including the cover member 3BB) may include a biasing member 35 that biases the second portion 32b in a direction in which the second portion 32b is bent from the first portion 32a. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the cover member 3B includes a biasing member 35 that biases the second portion 32b in a direction in which the second portion 32b is bent from the first portion 32a. The biasing member 35 is provided, for example, on the inner surface of the boundary between the first portion 32a and the second portion 32b. For example, an elastic sheet as the biasing member 35 is attached to the boundary between the first portion 32a and the second portion 32b in a state in which it is pulled along the surface direction and the longitudinal direction of the second cover part 32. As a result, the second portion 32b is biased in a direction in which the second portion 32b is bent from the first portion 32a by the contraction force of the elastic sheet. The cover member 3BB may include a biasing member 35 (not shown) that biases the second portion 31b in a direction in which the second portion 31b is bent from the first portion 31a.

[0077] In the cover member 3B (including the cover member 3BB), the second cover portion 32 may include a processed portion 320 located at the boundary between the first portion 32a and the second portion 32b. In the cover member 3BB, the first cover portion 31 may include a processed portion 320 located at the boundary between the first portion 31a and the second portion 31b.

[0078] In addition, in the cover member 3BB, the second portion 31b may be bent outward as shown in Fig. 14. In addition, in the cover member 3BB, the second portion 32b may be bent outward as shown in Fig. 1 etc. Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state in which the second portion 32b in the cover member 3BB is bent outward.

[0079] In the above example, the anti-insertion portion is configured by bending a part of the cover member that covers the imaging plate 2, but the anti-insertion portion is not limited to this. Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP assembly 1C including a cover member 3C having an anti-insertion portion with another configuration and an imaging plate 2 covered by the cover member 3C.

[0080] The cover member 3C is obtained by modifying the shape of the second cover portion 32 in the cover member 3A shown in Figures 1 to 4. Figure 23 shows the cover member 3C in an open state. Figure 24 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a state in which the IP assembly 1C in a state in which the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3C is viewed from the first cover portion 31 side.

[0081] The second cover portion 32 of the cover member 3C is sheet-like and is not bent. The second cover portion 32 has a wide portion 32x that is partially enlarged in the width direction. The width direction of the second cover portion 32 is perpendicular to the thickness direction and longitudinal direction of the second cover portion 32. The wide portion 32x is provided, for example, at an end portion of the second cover portion 32 opposite to the end portion of the second cover portion 32 on the connection portion 30 side in the longitudinal direction.

[0082] In the cover member 3C, the wide portion 32x functions as an insertion resistance portion that resists insertion into the insertion port 11 in the width direction of the insertion port 11. In a state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A, the maximum dimension W2 of the cover member 3C along the width direction of the imaging plate 2 is set to be larger than the width W11 (see FIG. 6) of the insertion port 11. In a state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A, the maximum dimension W2 of the cover member 3C along the width direction of the imaging plate 2 can be said to be the maximum dimension of the IP assembly 1C along the width direction of the imaging plate 2. The maximum dimension W2 of the cover member 3C coincides with the maximum dimension in the width direction of the second cover portion 32.

[0083] In this manner, the cover member 3C is provided with the wide portion 32x that functions as an insertion prevention portion, so that it is difficult for the cover member 3C to be erroneously inserted into the insertion port 11.

[0084] The position of the wide portion 32x is not limited to the above example. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the wide portion 32x may be provided in the center of the second cover portion 32 in the longitudinal direction of the second cover portion 32. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 26, the wide portion 32x may be provided in the end portion of the second cover portion 32 on the connection portion 30 side in the longitudinal direction of the second cover portion 32. The dimension of the wide portion 32x in the longitudinal direction of the second cover portion 32 may be less than half the longitudinal dimension of the second cover portion 32 as shown in FIGS. 23 to 26, or may be more than half. As shown in FIG. 27, the widthwise dimension of the second cover portion 32 may be made larger than the widthwise dimension of the first cover portion 31 as a whole, and may be larger than the width W11 of the insertion opening 11. In this case, the entire second cover portion 32 functions as an anti-insertion portion.

[0085] The cover member 3C sandwiching the imaging plate 2 may be accommodated in the waterproof bag 5 in a state in which both ends of the wide portion 32x of the second cover part 32 that protrude outward from the first cover part 31 (i.e., both ends in the longitudinal direction of the wide portion 32x) are bent so as to wrap around to the outer surface of the first cover part 31. In this case, it is possible to reduce the size of the waterproof bag 5 that accommodates the cover member 3C, and it becomes easy to insert the waterproof bag 5 into the oral cavity during X-ray photography. In this case, the second cover part 32 may be made of a material that can be bent when an external force is applied and that naturally returns to its original state when the external force is removed. For example, Yupo paper (registered trademark) is an example of such a material. In this case, when the cover member 3C is taken out of the waterproof bag 5, both ends of the wide portion 32x that were bent in the waterproof bag 5 can naturally return to their original state. Therefore, the user does not need to manually straighten both bent ends of the wide portion 32x after taking the cover member 3C out of the waterproof bag 5.

[0086] Also, in the cover member 3C, the anti-insertion portion may be provided on both the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32. FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cover member 3C (also called a cover member 3CC) in which the anti-insertion portion is provided on both the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32. In the cover member 3CC, the first cover portion 31 has a wide portion 31x that is partially enlarged in the width direction. In the cover member 3CC, not only the wide portion 32x of the second cover portion 32 but also the wide portion 31x of the first cover portion 31 functions as an anti-insertion portion. As with the wide portion 32x, the position of the wide portion 31x and the dimension of the wide portion 31x along the longitudinal direction of the first cover portion 31 are not limited to the example of FIG. 28. Also, the width dimension of the first cover portion 31 may be made larger than the width W11 of the insertion opening 11 as a whole.

[0087] In the cover member 3CC, the first cover portion 31 may have a second portion 31b that bends outward or inward instead of the wide portion 31x. Also, in the cover member 3CC, the second cover portion 32 may have a second portion 32b that bends outward or inward instead of the wide portion 32x. Fig. 29 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state in which the second cover portion 32 has a second portion 32b that bends outward instead of the wide portion 32x.

[0088] 30, the wide portion 32x may be bent outward or inward. In this case, the wide portion 32x functions as an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion into the insertion opening 11 in the height direction and width direction of the insertion opening 11. Similarly, the wide portion 31x may be bent outward or inward.

[0089] In each of the above examples, the imaging plate 2 is covered with a cover member so that the read target surface 21 and the non-read surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 come into contact with the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32, respectively. However, the imaging plate 2 may be covered with a cover member so that the read target surface 21 and the non-read surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 come into contact with the second cover portion 32 and the first cover portion 31, respectively. FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered with a cover member 3A so that the read target surface 21 and the non-read surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 come into contact with the second cover portion 32 and the first cover portion 31, respectively. Note that the insertion posture (direction) when inserting the imaging plate 2 into the insertion port of the reading device is not limited to the state shown in FIG. 6. For example, even if the cover member and the imaging plate 2 are rotated 180 degrees or 90 degrees left and right from the state shown in FIG. 6, the cover member and the imaging plate assembly of the present invention are applicable.

[0090] As described above, the imaging plate assembly and the cover member have been described in detail, but the above description is merely illustrative in all respects, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the above-described various examples can be combined and applied as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. It is understood that countless examples not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0091] <Additional Notes> The present specification and drawings disclose the following aspects.

[0092] The cover member of the first aspect is a cover member that covers an imaging plate and has an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion of the imaging plate into an insertion port provided in a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from the imaging plate.

[0093] According to the first aspect, the cover member has an anti-insertion portion that resists insertion into the insertion port of the reading device, so that when the imaging plate is inserted into the insertion port, the cover member is less likely to be erroneously inserted into the reading device.

[0094] A second aspect is the cover member according to the first aspect, wherein the anti-insertion portion resists insertion into the insertion opening in at least one of a height direction and a width direction of the insertion opening.

[0095] A third aspect is a cover member related to the second aspect, wherein the cover member has a first region located on a first surface side of the imaging plate and a second region located on a second surface side of the imaging plate opposite the first surface, and the anti-insertion portion is provided in at least one of the first region and the second region.

[0096] A fourth aspect is the cover member according to the third aspect, in which the first area has a third area capable of covering at least a part of the first surface, and a fourth area that bends from the third area and serves as the anti-insertion portion. In this case, the fourth area that bends from the third area functions as the anti-insertion portion, so that the anti-insertion portion can be realized with a simple structure.

[0097] A fifth aspect is a cover member according to the fourth aspect, in which the fourth region is bent inward from the third region, and when the fourth region receives an external force, the fourth region changes from a first state in which the fourth region is bent inward from the third region to a second state in which the fourth region is bent at a larger angle than the first state and is on the back side of the third region, and when the external force is released, the fourth region tries to return from the second state to the first state, and when the fourth region is in the second state, a first friction coefficient between a surface of the fourth region that contacts the imaging plate and the first surface of the imaging plate is greater than a second friction coefficient between a surface of the second region that contacts the imaging plate and the second surface of the imaging plate. In this case, when the fourth region tries to return from the second state to the first state, the imaging plate can move toward the outside of the cover member due to friction between the fourth region and the first surface of the imaging plate. This makes it easier for the imaging plate 2 to be inserted into the insertion opening.

[0098] A sixth aspect is a cover member according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising a biasing member that biases the fourth region in a direction to bend the fourth region from the third region. In this case, the posture of the fourth region is easily maintained. Therefore, it is less likely that the posture of the fourth region will change naturally and the cover member will be erroneously inserted into the reading device.

[0099] A seventh aspect is a cover member according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, comprising a processed portion located at the boundary between the third and fourth regions, the processed portion having a strength against external forces smaller than the strength of the portion around the processed portion. In this case, the first region is easily bent at the processed portion, so that the fourth region that bends from the third region and functions as an anti-insertion portion can be easily realized.

[0100] The cover member of the eighth aspect is a cover member that covers an imaging plate and has a first region located on a first surface side of the imaging plate and a second region located on a second surface side of the imaging plate opposite the first surface, at least one of the first region and the second region having a processed portion, and the processed portion is configured to have a strength against external forces that is less than the strength of the portion surrounding the processed portion.

[0101] According to the eighth aspect, at least one of the first region and the second region is bent by the processed portion, so that when the imaging plate is inserted into the insertion port, the cover member is less likely to be erroneously inserted into the reading device. Also, at least one of the first region and the second region can be easily bent by utilizing the processed portion.

[0102] A ninth aspect is a cover member according to the eighth aspect, wherein the processed portion has at least one of a cut, a recess, and a through hole, the thickness of the processed portion is set smaller than the thickness of the surrounding portion of the processed portion, the hardness of the processed portion is set lower than the hardness of the surrounding portion of the processed portion, the density of the material of the processed portion is set lower than the density of the material of the surrounding portion of the processed portion, or the processed portion is composed of fewer layers than the surrounding portion of the processed portion.

[0103] An imaging plate assembly according to a tenth aspect comprises a cover member according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, and an imaging plate covered by the cover member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1A, 1B, 1C Imaging plate assembly 2 Imaging Plate 3A,3AA,3B,3BB,3C,3CC Cover member 10 Reading device 11 Insertion port 21 Reading surface 22 Non-readable side 31 First cover part 31a Part 1 31b Part 2 31bb,32bb side 31x wide part 32 Second cover part 32a Part 1 32b Part 2 32bb side 32x wide part 35 Pressing member 320 Processing Department

Claims

1. A cover member for covering the imaging plate, a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from the imaging plate, the radiation image reading device having an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion of the imaging plate into an insertion opening of the imaging plate; a first region located on a first surface side of the imaging plate; a second region located on a second surface side of the imaging plate opposite to the first surface; Preparation, The first region is a third region capable of covering at least a portion of the first surface; and When no external force is applied, the third region is bent, and the fourth region serves as the insertion prevention portion. A cover member having

2. A cover member according to claim 1, A cover member, wherein when the state of the fourth region when not subjected to an external force is a first state, the fourth region can change from the first state to a second state when subjected to an external force, in which the bending angle from the third region is smaller than in the first state.

3. A cover member as described in claim 1, The sheet member has a structure folded in two, A first sheet portion and a second sheet portion connected to each other at a folding portion, the first sheet portion constitutes the first region; A cover member, wherein the second sheet portion constitutes the second region.

4. A cover member for covering an imaging plate, a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from the imaging plate, the radiation image reading device having an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion of the imaging plate into an insertion opening of the imaging plate; a first region located on a first surface side of the imaging plate; a second region located on a second surface side of the imaging plate opposite to the first surface; Equipped with The first region is a third region capable of covering at least a portion of the first surface; and a fourth region bent from the third region and serving as the insertion prevention portion; having the fourth region curves inwardly from the third region; When the fourth region receives an external force, the fourth region changes from a first state in which the fourth region bends inward from the third region to a second state in which the fourth region bends at a larger angle than the first state and comes to the back side of the third region, and attempts to return from the second state to the first state in response to the release of the external force. A cover member, wherein a first coefficient of friction between a surface in the fourth region that contacts the imaging plate and the first surface of the imaging plate when the fourth region is in the second state is greater than a second coefficient of friction between a surface in the second region that contacts the imaging plate and the second surface of the imaging plate.

5. A cover member for covering an imaging plate, a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from the imaging plate, the radiation image reading device having an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion of the imaging plate into an insertion opening of the imaging plate; a first region located on a first surface side of the imaging plate; a second region located on a second surface side of the imaging plate opposite to the first surface; Equipped with The first region is a third region capable of covering at least a portion of the first surface; and a fourth region bent from the third region and serving as the insertion prevention portion; having A cover member comprising a biasing member that biases the fourth region in a direction to bend from the third region.

6. A cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A processed portion is provided at a boundary between the third region and the fourth region, A cover member, wherein the processed portion is configured to have a strength against external forces smaller than a strength of a portion surrounding the processed portion.

7. 7. The cover member according to claim 6, A cover member in which the processed portion has at least one of a cut, a recess, and a through hole, the thickness of which is set smaller than the thickness of the surrounding area of ​​the processed portion, the hardness of which is set lower than the hardness of the surrounding area of ​​the processed portion, the density of the material of which is set lower than the density of the material of the surrounding area of ​​the processed portion, or which is composed of fewer layers than the surrounding area of ​​the processed portion.

8. A cover member for covering an imaging plate, a first sheet portion located on a first surface side of the imaging plate; a second sheet portion located on a second surface side of the imaging plate opposite to the first surface; Equipped with the first sheet portion has an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion of the imaging plate into an insertion port of a radiation image reading device that reads a radiation image from the imaging plate, The first sheet portion has a wide portion that is partially enlarged in a width direction as the insertion prevention portion.

9. A cover member according to claim 8, The sheet member has a structure folded in two, A cover member, wherein the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are connected to each other at a folding location.

Images