(19)
(11) EP 0 363 092 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
09.10.1991 Bulletin 1991/41

(43) Date of publication A2:
11.04.1990 Bulletin 1990/15

(21) Application number: 89309947.3

(22) Date of filing: 29.09.1989
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: G03C 3/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

(30) Priority: 05.10.1988 US 253996

(71) Applicant: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Allen, Mary Beth Madeline Eastman Kodak Company
    Rochester New York 14650 (US)
  • Gay, George Carroll c/o Eastman Kodak Company
    Rochester New York 14650 (US)
  • Steinhausen, Theodore Behn, Jr.
    Rochester New York 14650 (US)

(74) Representative: Baron, Paul Alexander Clifford et al
Kodak Limited Patent Department Headstone Drive
Harrow Middlesex HA1 4TY
Harrow Middlesex HA1 4TY (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Barrrier means for intraoral radiography


    (57) In oral radiography, there is a risk of cross-contamination as a result of inserting and removing dental x-ray packets from a patient's mouth. It is desired that the risk of cross-contamination be reduced. Described herein is an arrangement in which a dental x-ray film packet (28) is inserted into a disposable envelope (10) prior to insertion into the patient's mouth. The envelope (10) comprises a pair of flat, substantially rectangular wall members (12, 13) which are joined together along three adjacent edges by means of a heat seal (14). After the x-ray packet has been inserted into the envelope (10), flaps (18, 20) are sealed by means of an adhesive layer (26) applied to at least one of the flaps (18, 20). Once the x-ray packet has been exposed, it can be removed from the patient's mouth and then from its envelope (10) prior to normal processing and development. The presence of the envelope (10) around the packet (28) during exposure prevents contamination of the packet (28) itself by saliva-borne microorganisms.







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