Multicassette autoloader for a storage phosphor reader
US7482613B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B42/04
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multicassette autoloader for vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes includes a front, a back and opposite sides. The autoloader includes an input bin for receiving multiple vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes stacked together in face-to-face contact, wherein the cassettes are oriented front-to-back with faces facing the autoloader sides, and wherein each of the cassettes contains a storage phosphor which is removable from the cassette; a storage phosphor read location at which a storage phosphor is removed from and replaced in a storage phosphor cassette positioned at the storage phosphor read location; and an output bin for receiving storage phosphor cassettes from the storage phosphor read location for subsequent removal. The input bin, the storage phosphor read location, and the output bin are configured in the autoloader such that the input bin and the output bin are side-by-side but spaced apart and the storage phosphor read location is positioned in a path between the input bin and the output bin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.