US 4,234,795 AGranted

Apparatus for loading and unloading containers for X-ray film

AssigneeAgfa-Gevaert

InventorJurgen Muller

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Abstract

Apparatus for removing exposed sheets of X-ray film from and for thereupon introducing unexposed sheets into cassettes of the type having two pivotally connected sections and a locking mechanism for the sections has a housing with a cylindrical chamber which communicates with an opening for insertion or withdrawal of locked cassettes. A drum-shaped carrier is sealingly received in the chamber and is rotatable between a first position in which the open end of a diametrically extending compartment therein registers with the opening of the housing to allow for insertion or removal of a cassette. A cassette which is introduced into the compartment is automatically unlocked and opened during movement of the carrier to a second angular position in which the exposed sheet leaves the cassette by gravity and the cassette remains open during movement of the carrier to a third position in which the cassette receives an unexposed sheet. The carrier is thereupon rotated back to the first position and the cassette is automatically closed and locked before the open end of the compartment begins to communicate with the opening.

Claims10

Dependent claims

Apparatus for inserting photosensitive material into and for withdrawing such material from normally locked and closed containers, particularly for removing exposed sheets of X-ray film from and for introducing unexposed sheets of X-ray film into cassettes, comprising a housing having an internal chamber and an opening for insertion and withdrawal of containers, said opening communicating with said chamber;

a rotary carrier sealingly installed in said chamber for rotation from a first to a second and a third angular position and then again to said first angular position and having a compartment with an open end which registers with said opening in said first angular position of said carrier so that a container can be inserted into or withdrawn from said compartment when said carrier assumes said first position;
unlocking means for maintaining a container in said compartment in its open position only while said open end is so completely out of register with said opening that outside light reaching the latter is prevented from entering said compartment through said open end thereof;
means for receiving photosensitive material from a container in said compartment in said second angular position of said carrier;
and means for admitting photosensitive material into a container in said compartment in said third angular position of said carrier.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.