Barrier Envelope Sealing for Photostimulable Phosphor Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for enclosing restored photostimuable phosphor imaging plates in barrier envelopes are inefficient, requiring significant manipulation and lacking aseptic properties, which complicates reuse and handling.

Innovation Solution

A process and apparatus that uses a roll of barrier envelope blanks with a U-shaped heat sealed portion, allowing for facile positioning and sealing of the imaging plates within a barrier envelope through a motor-driven indexing system, ensuring minimal handling and aseptic conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual methods are used to enclose restored imaging plates in barrier envelopes, then flexibility in handling is maintained, but significant manipulation is required and aseptic properties are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation requiredVSAvoidaseptic properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated indexing and sealing apparatus. The system uses a motor-driven indexing mechanism to automatically position barrier envelope blanks and imaging plates, then employs a sealing element to automatically seal the envelopes, eliminating the need for significant manual manipulation while maintaining aseptic properties through consistent automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus enables self-service operation where the system automatically performs the enclosure process. The indexing mechanism advances blanks and plates through the station, and the sealing element automatically seals the envelopes without requiring operator intervention for each individual sealing action, thereby reducing manipulation while ensuring consistent aseptic results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated indexing and sealing systems are implemented, then productivity and aseptic properties are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure efficiencyVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: a motor-driven indexing mechanism for advancing blanks and plates, a positioning station for alignment, and a separate sealing element for enclosure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving productivity while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indexing mechanism serves multiple functions by simultaneously advancing both the barrier envelope blanks and the restored imaging plates through the positioning station. This multi-functionality improves productivity by coordinating multiple components in a single automated cycle, while the universal indexing system reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If barrier envelope blanks are provided on a roll with U-shaped heat sealed portions, then ease of manufacture and handling are improved, but positioning precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblank fabricationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier envelope blanks are pre-manufactured on a roll with U-shaped heat sealed portions already formed, which improves ease of manufacture. The indexing mechanism then precisely positions these pre-prepared blanks at the positioning station, ensuring that the pre-formed sealed portions align correctly with the imaging plate edges, thereby maintaining positioning precision despite the simplified manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates efficient and aseptic enclosure of restored imaging plates within barrier envelopes, reducing manipulation and ensuring effective reuse, while accommodating imaging plates of varying sizes.

Implementation Method 1

heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed portion is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat sealing: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS7320204B2Process and apparatus for encapsulating a photo-stimuable phosphor imaging plate within a barrier envelope and a barrier envelope therefore

Publication Date: 2008.01.22 AIR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

There are disclosed by a process and apparatus for positioning and sealing photostimuable phosphor imaging plates within barriers envelope blanks therefore and formed on a roll thereof wherein a barrier envelope blank including a U-shaped heat sealed portion thereof of such roll is indexed to a positioning station whereat the barrier envelope blank is caused to be opened at a free end thereof thereby permitting insertion of a restored imaging plate into such barrier envelope whereupon the barrier envelope including restored imaging plate is indexed to a station whereat heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein and thereafter the thus heat sealed barrier envelope is indexed to a product station for removal from the roll of barrier envelope blanks.