JP7651522B2 - Cover material - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a cover member that covers an imaging plate.

Patent document 1 describes a cover member that covers an imaging plate used for X-ray photography.

JP 2005-284280 A

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

Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a technology that can make it difficult for a cover member that covers an imaging plate to be erroneously inserted into a reading device.

One embodiment 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.

One aspect of the cover member is that it has an insertion prevention portion that resists insertion into the insertion port of the reading device, making it difficult for the cover member to be erroneously inserted into the reading device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an imaging plate assembly housed in a waterproof bag. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly located near the insertion port of a reading device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second cover portion. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second cover portion. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cover member. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cover member. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an imaging plate assembly.

Figures 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams showing an example of an imaging plate assembly 1A. The imaging plate assembly (also called an 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, to photograph the inside of a human oral cavity. The use of the IP assembly 1A is not limited to this.

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.

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 substantially rectangular flat shape with rounded corners. The radiation image forming layer 20 is a layer that accumulates the energy of the irradiated radiation and emits photostimulable light according to the accumulated energy. The imaging plate 2 has a film formed 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, for example, composed of 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 a radiation image of the object to be photographed by X-rays. In this way, the imaging plate 2 records, for example, a radiation image by X-rays as a latent image.

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 then placed in a person's oral cavity while still 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.

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 port 11 into which the imaging plate 2 is inserted (see Figures 6 to 10 described below). The imaging plates are inserted, for example, one by one, into the insertion port of the reading device. The reading device reads the radiation image from the radiation image forming layer 20 of the imaging plate 2 inserted from the insertion port, 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.

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

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.

The cover member 3A has a structure in which, for example, roughly, one 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 the first region, the other of the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 32 may be called the second region.

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 longitudinal end of the first cover part 31 and one longitudinal end of the second cover part 32 are connected to each other. The second cover part 32 can be opened and closed relative to the first cover part 31, with the connection point with the first cover part 31 (in other words, the bending point 30) as the 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 the connection point 30.

The second cover part 32 has 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 the second portion 32b relative to the first portion 32a is shown as 90 degrees, but it may be configured so that it can be less than 90 degrees, or it may be configured so that it can be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

When no external force is applied to the cover member 3A, for example, the second cover part 32 is in an open state relative to the first cover part 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. Then, when an external force is applied to at least one of the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 32 so that the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 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 part 31 and the second cover part 32. For example, when the first part 32a of the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 32 are pinched by 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 pinched by the cover members 3A is the state in which the imaging plate 2 is covered by the cover members 3A. FIG. 3 shows an example of an imaging plate 2 placed on the first cover portion 31 of the cover member 3A in the open state.

When no external force is applied to the cover member 3A, the cover member 3 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.

4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A, in other words, an example of how 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. The imaging plate 2 is also sandwiched between the cover members 3A so that the reading target surface 21 and the non-reading 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 reading target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2, and the first portion 32a of the second cover portion 32 covers most of the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2. The first cover part 31 is located on the side of the imaging plate 2 that is to be read, the second cover part 32 is located on the side of the imaging plate 2 that is not ....

When no external force is applied to the second part 32b, the second part 32b is bent from the first part 32a. Here, the state in which the second part 32b is not subjected to an external force is called the first state. When the second part 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 part 32b is subjected to an external force, it may change from the first state to a second state in which it is flat with the first part 32a. For example, when the cover member 3A is closed as shown in FIG. 4, when an external force is applied to the second part 32b such that the second part 32b falls to the opposite side to the first part 32a, the second part 32b changes from the first state to the second state and becomes flat with the first part 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 is flat with the first portion 32a. Also, when no external force is applied to the second portion 32b, the second portion 32b may not be in a bent 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).

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).

When the imaging plate 2 is sandwiched between the cover members 3A, as shown in FIG. 4, 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.

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 target 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 length of the imaging plate 2 in the longitudinal direction.

When imaging, the cover member 3A and the waterproof bag 5 that contains the imaging plate 2 are placed in the oral cavity. In addition to these, further exterior members and a positioning tool (neither 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 that it is incident on the radiation image forming layer 20 of the imaging plate 2 inside the waterproof bag 5, and imaging is performed. Note that the imaging plate assembly 1A may be configured in the form of a complete set that includes the waterproof bag 5 and further exterior members (this also applies to each embodiment of the imaging plate assembly disclosed in the present invention).

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 port 11 of the reading device 10 while being held between the cover member 3A, for example, by a person's fingers. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP assembly 1A located close to the insertion port 11 of the reading device 10. Of the components of the reading device 10, only the configuration around the insertion port 11 is shown in Figure 6. The insertion port 11 has an elongated shape in accordance with the shape of the imaging plate 2.

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 of 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 the 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 separated 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 a state of no separation (contact), and the reading target surface 21, which is the radiation image forming surface 20, is in a state in which it is not accidentally exposed to external light.

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

In the cover member 3A, the coefficient of friction between the surface that contacts 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, making it easier to insert into the insertion port 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 contacts the reading 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 reading 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 reading target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 while reducing mechanical damage. Also, a resin layer made of PET or the like may be provided on the inner surface of the first portion 32a of the second cover portion 32 that contacts the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 to reduce the coefficient of friction between the inner surface and the imaging plate 2. Also, 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 portion 32 and the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2. The resin layer may be provided on the surface of the cover member 3A or the imaging plate 2 by coating or by attaching a resin layer that has been prepared in advance.

The cover member 3A has an anti-insertion portion that resists insertion into the insertion port 11 of the reading device 10. The anti-insertion portion is configured to resist 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 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 is the same as the dimension of the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 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 part 32b along the thickness direction of the imaging plate 2 may be set to be larger than the height H11 of the insertion opening 11, may be set to be the same as the height H11, or may be set to be smaller, as long as it can function as an anti-insertion part. The dimension of the second part 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 part 32b along the thickness direction of the first part 32a.

In the above example, the second portion 32b is bent, but it may be bent so as to be curved. Also, the second portion 32b does not have to 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 beyond 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, the same as, or smaller than the height H11 of the insertion opening 11.

In this way, since the cover member 3A has an insertion prevention 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.

In addition, in the cover member 3A, the second portion 32b that bends from the first portion 32a functions as an anti-insertion portion, so that the anti-insertion portion can be realized with a simple structure.

The second portion 32b, which bends 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 a 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 enter the imaging plate 2. This makes it difficult for radiation image information 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 enter the imaging plate 2, making it difficult for radiation image information to be lost from the imaging plate 2.

The second portion 32b may be in the second state with a small bending angle while the IP assembly 1A is removed from the waterproof bag 5 and carried close to the insertion opening 11. In other words, after removing the IP assembly 1A from the waterproof bag 5, the user of the IP assembly 1A may press the second portion 32b against the imaging plate 2 to place the second portion 32b in the second state, and then carry the IP assembly 1A close to the insertion opening 11. This makes it difficult for the imaging plate 2 to be irradiated with ambient visible light after the imaging plate 2 is removed from the waterproof bag 5, and makes it difficult for radiation image information to be lost from the imaging plate 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, the reading device 10 may have a receiving portion 12 on the periphery of the insertion port 11 that receives the reading 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 port 11. In this way, by providing the receiving portion 12 that receives the reading target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2, even if the imaging plate 2 and the insertion port 11 are separated when the imaging plate 2 is inserted into the insertion port 11, ambient visible light is less likely to be incident on the reading target surface 21, and radiation image information is less likely to be lost from the imaging plate 2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 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, radiation image information is unlikely to be lost from the imaging plate 2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 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.

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 during 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, for example, at the stage of inserting the imaging plate 2 into the insertion port 11 of the reading device 10, to make it difficult for the cover member 3A to be erroneously inserted into the insertion port 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cover member 3A may include a biasing member 35 that biases the second portion 32b in a direction that bends it from the first portion 32a. This makes it easier to maintain the position 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.

The biasing member 35 is provided, for example, on the outer surface of the boundary between the first part 32a and the second part 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 part 32a and the second part 32b in a state where it is pulled along its surface direction and the longitudinal direction of the second cover part 32. As a result, the second part 32b is biased in a direction bending from the first part 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 part 32b.

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 easier 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 easier to bend. It can also be said that the processed part 320 is a part that is processed so that the second cover part 32 becomes easier to bend.

The second cover portion 32 having the processing portion 320 may be bent at the processing portion 320 during the manufacturing stage before the cover member 3A is shipped, or may be bent at the processing portion 320 by a user of the IP assembly 1A after the cover member 3A is shipped. In the latter case, for example, when 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 at the processing portion 320. The user can easily bend the second cover portion 32 using the processing portion 320.

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, for example, an elongated recess (in other words, a groove) or a horizontally long through hole, may be composed of multiple recesses, may be composed of multiple through holes, or may be composed of 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 section 32, for example, the processed section 320 may be made of paper with a low fiber density, and the portion other than the processed section 320 may be made of paper with a high fiber density. Also, the processed section 320 may be made of fewer layers than the surrounding portion. In this case, in the second cover section 32, for example, the processed section 320 may be made of one layer of paper, and the portion other than the processed section 320 may be made of two layers of paper.

In the above example, the bending region of the second portion 32b that bends 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 curve rather than a straight line.

The anti-insertion portion may be provided not only on the second cover portion 32 but also on 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 called cover member 3AA) in which an anti-insertion portion is provided on both the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32.

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. The second portion 31b may also be bent so as to be curved.

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 the 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 flat with the first portion 31a. Note that when returning from the second state to the first 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 flat 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 (rise up), the user can manually operate the cover member 3AA to place the second portion 31b in a bent state (in this case, the relationship between the first and second states and the application and release of an external force is reversed).

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 portion 31 covers most of the reading target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2.

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 flat with the first portion 31a and the second portion 32b flat with the first portion 32a. When the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3A with the second portion 31b flat with the first portion 31a, the first cover portion 31 covers the entire area of the reading target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2.

When the imaging plate 2 is covered by the cover member 3A with the second portion 31b bent, the first portion 31a of the first cover portion 31 may cover the entire area of the reading target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2. In this case, accidental exposure of the reading target surface 21 is suppressed.

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 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 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 port 11.

In this way, by providing the anti-insertion portion on both the first cover portion 31 and the second cover portion 32, the cover member 3A is less likely to be erroneously inserted into the reading device 10. In addition, 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.

The cover member 3AA may include a biasing member 35 that biases the second portion 31b in a direction that bends the second portion 31b from the first portion 31a. In addition, 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.

In the above example, the second portion 32b is bent outward, but it may be bent inward. Figures 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 described above 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. Figure 15 is a perspective view, and Figure 16 is a side view.

The second portion 32b is shown bent inwardly from the first portion 32a by, for example, 90 degrees. The bending angle of the second portion 32b relative 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 also be bent so as to be curved.

When no external force is applied to the second portion 32b, the second portion 32b is bent inward from the first portion 32a. 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, the second portion 32b 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. Note that when no external force is applied to the second portion 32b, the second portion 32b may not be bent. In other words, the second portion 32b does not have to be able to bend by itself. In this case, when bending of the second portion 32b is required 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). Also, in this case, the second cover portion 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. One example of such a material is Yupo paper (registered trademark).

When subjected to an external force, the second portion 32b may change from a first state to a second state in which it comes into contact with the inner surface of the first portion 32a. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state in which the second portion 32b comes into contact with 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 comes into contact with the inner surface of the first portion 32a.

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

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 port 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.

When the imaging plate 2 is covered with the cover member 3B, similar to the IP assembly 1A, 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 3B, the second cover portion 32 may cover the entire area of the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2.

The imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3B is housed in the waterproof bag 5 in the state shown in FIG. 18. Then, the waterproof bag 5 housing the cover member 3B and the imaging plate 2 is placed in the oral cavity (although it may also be placed in the oral cavity together with further exterior members and positioning tools (neither of which are shown)), and radiation is irradiated onto the radiation image forming layer 20 of the imaging plate 2 in the waterproof bag 5 to capture an image.

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. 18.

In the cover member 3B, the second part 32b that bends inward from the first part 32a functions as an anti-insertion part. When the imaging plate 2 covered with the cover member 3B is inserted into the insertion port 11 of the reading device 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 part 32b tries to return to the first state, and the angle of bending inward of the second part 32b becomes smaller. As a result, even in the state of FIG. 18 or FIG. 19, the area around the part 32aa is raised by the rise of the thickness or length of the second part 32b, so that the cover member 3B is less likely to be erroneously inserted into the insertion port 11. Also, when the second part 32b tries to return to the first state, the friction between the surface 32bb of the second part 32b and the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 causes the imaging plate 2 to move toward the outside of the cover member 3B (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 the user to touch the exposed area and directly push out the imaging plate 2. This makes it easier to insert the imaging plate 2 into the insertion port 11.

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 FIG. 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 FIG. 18, as shown in FIG. 19.

The coefficient of friction between the surface 32bb of the second portion 32b that contacts the imaging plate 2 and the non-reading surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 when the second portion 32b is in the second state 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 attempts 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 port 11 by utilizing the propulsive force of this movement.

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 the first coefficient of friction. Also, the coefficient of friction between the inner surface of the first cover portion 31 that contacts the imaging plate 2 and the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 is defined as the 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.

There are various methods for setting the first friction coefficient to be greater than the second friction coefficient. For example, consider the case where the base material of the cover member 3B is paper. In this case, the base paper may be exposed from the inner surface of the first cover part 31, and a resin layer made of rubber or 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 greater than the second friction coefficient. At this time, a resin layer may be provided on the entire outer surface of the second part 32b (the surface on which the surface 32bb is located), or a resin layer may be provided on a part of the outer surface of the second part 32b. Alternatively, the base 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 greater 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 greater 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 greater than the roughness of the paper exposed from the inner surface of the first cover portion 31, so that the first friction coefficient is greater than the second friction coefficient. Also, the first friction coefficient may be greater 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.

When the user carries the IP assembly 1B close to the reading device 10, unlike FIG. 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.

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

Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP assembly 1B including a cover member 3B (also referred to as cover member 3BB) in which an anti-insertion 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 Figure 14 above. Just as the same thing as described above regarding the second portion 32b of the cover member 3A can also be said about the second portion 31b of the cover member 3AA, the same thing as described above regarding the second portion 32b of the cover member 3B can also be said about the second portion 31b of the cover member 3BB.

The imaging plate 2 and the cover member 3BB that covers it are housed in the waterproof bag 5, for example, in the state shown in FIG. 20, that is, in a state where the second part 31b is in contact with the first part 31a and the second part 32b is in contact with the first part 32a. The second part 31b has a surface 31bb that contacts the reading target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2.

After photographing, the imaging plate 2 is removed from the waterproof bag 5 and carried close to the insertion port 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 pinching with their 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.

In the cover member 3BB, not only the second part 32b of the second cover part 32 but also the second part 31b of the first cover part 31 functions as an anti-insertion part 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 reading device 10, the force of pinching the cover member 3BB with the fingers is weakened, and the closed cover member 3BB tries to open. At this time, the second part 31b tries to return from the second state to the first state, so the inward bending angle of the second part 31b becomes smaller, and the second part 32b tries to return from the second state to the first state, so the inward bending angle of the second part 32b becomes smaller. As a result, like the second part 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 friction between the surface 31bb of the second portion 31b and the read target surface 21 of the imaging plate 2 and the friction between the surface 32bb of the second portion 32b and the non-read surface 22 of the imaging plate 2 causes the imaging plate 2 to move toward the outside of the cover member 3BB (the left side in FIG. 20). 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 port 11.

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 to bend the second portion 32b 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 to bend the second portion 32b 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 to bend from the first portion 32a by the contraction force of the elastic sheet. The cover member 3BB may also include a biasing member 35 (not shown) that biases the second portion 31b in a direction that bends it away from the first portion 31a.

In addition, in the cover member 3B (including the cover member 3BB), the second cover part 32 may have a processed part 320 located at the boundary between the first part 32a and the second part 32b. In addition, in the cover member 3BB, the first cover part 31 may have a processed part 320 located at the boundary between the first part 31a and the second part 31b.

In the cover member 3BB, the second portion 31b may be bent outward as shown in FIG. 14. 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 is bent outward in the cover member 3BB.

In the above example, the anti-insertion portion is formed by bending a portion of the cover member that covers the imaging plate 2, but the anti-insertion portion is not limited to this. Figure 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP assembly 1C that includes a cover member 3C having an anti-insertion portion of a different configuration and an imaging plate 2 that is covered by the cover member 3C.

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

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 larger 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 the end of the second cover portion 32 opposite the end on the connection point 30 side of the second cover portion 32 in the longitudinal direction.

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. When 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 of the insertion port 11 (see FIG. 6). When 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.

In this way, the cover member 3C has a wide portion 32x that functions as an insertion prevention portion, making it less likely to be inserted incorrectly into the insertion port 11.

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 of the second cover portion 32 on the connection point 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 width dimension of the second cover portion 32 may be larger than the width 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.

The cover member 3C that sandwiches 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 portion 32 that protrude outward from the first cover portion 31 (i.e., both ends in the longitudinal direction of the wide portion 32x) are bent so as to wrap around the outer surface of the first cover portion 31. In this case, it is possible to reduce the size of the waterproof bag 5 that accommodates the cover member 3C, making it easier to insert the waterproof bag 5 into the oral cavity during X-ray photography. In this case, the second cover portion 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. An example of such a material is Yupo paper (registered trademark). In this case, when the cover member 3C is removed from 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, after removing the cover member 3C from the waterproof bag 5, the user does not need to manually straighten both bent ends of the wide portion 32x.

In addition, 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 in FIG. 28. In addition, the width dimension of the first cover portion 31 may be made larger than the width W11 of the insertion opening 11 overall.

In the cover member 3CC, the first cover part 31 may have a second part 31b that bends outward or inward instead of the wide part 31x. Also, in the cover member 3CC, the second cover part 32 may have a second part 32b that bends outward or inward instead of the wide part 32x. Figure 29 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second cover part 32 having a second part 32b that bends outward instead of the wide part 32x.

The wide portion 32x may be bent outward as shown in FIG. 30 or inward. In this case, the wide portion 32x functions as an anti-insertion portion that resists insertion into the insertion opening 11 in the height and width directions of the insertion opening 11. Similarly, the wide portion 31x may be bent outward or inward.

In each of the above examples, the imaging plate 2 is covered with a cover member so that the readable surface 21 and the non-readable 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 readable surface 21 and the non-readable 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 readable surface 21 and the non-readable 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 (orientation) 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.

Although the imaging plate assembly and cover member have been described in detail above, the above description is illustrative in all respects and this disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the various examples described above 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 this disclosure.

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

The cover member according to 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.

According to the first aspect, the cover member has an insertion prevention 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.

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

The third aspect is a cover member according to the second aspect, in which 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.

The fourth aspect is a cover member according to the third aspect, in which the first area has a third area capable of covering at least a portion 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.

The 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 attempts to return from the second state to the first state in response to the release of the external force, and when the fourth region is in the second state, the first friction coefficient between the surface of the fourth region that contacts the imaging plate and the first surface of the imaging plate is greater than the second friction coefficient between the 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 attempts to return from the second state to the first state, the friction between the fourth region and the first surface of the imaging plate allows the imaging plate to move toward the outside of the cover member. This makes it easier for the imaging plate 2 to be inserted into the insertion opening.

The sixth aspect is a cover member according to the fourth or fifth aspect, which includes a biasing member that biases the fourth region in a direction that bends the fourth region from the third region. In this case, the position of the fourth region is more likely to be maintained. This makes it less likely that the position of the fourth region will change naturally, causing the cover member to be erroneously inserted into the reading device.

The seventh aspect is a cover member according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, which includes a processed portion located at the boundary between the third and fourth regions, and the processed portion is configured such that its strength against external forces is smaller than the strength of the portion surrounding the processed portion. In this case, since the first region is easily bent at the processed portion, it is possible to easily realize the fourth region that bends from the third region and functions as an anti-insertion portion.

The cover member according to the eighth aspect is a cover member that covers an imaging plate, and includes 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 at least one of the first and second regions has a processed portion, and the processed portion is configured such that its strength against external forces is smaller than the strength of the portion surrounding the processed portion.

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

The ninth aspect is a cover member according to the eighth aspect, in which 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 portion surrounding the processed portion, the hardness of the processed portion is set lower than the hardness of the portion surrounding the processed portion, the density of the material is set lower than the density of the material of the portion surrounding the processed portion, or the processed portion is composed of fewer layers than the portion surrounding the processed portion.

The imaging plate assembly according to the 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.

1A, 1B, 1C Imaging plate assembly 2 Imaging plate 3A, 3AA, 3B, 3BB, 3C, 3CC Cover member 10 Reading device 11 Insertion opening 21 Reading target surface 22 Non-reading surface 31 First cover portion 31a First portion 31b Second portion 31bb, 32bb Surface 31x Wide portion 32 Second cover portion 32a First portion 32b Second portion 32bb Surface 32x Wide portion 35 Urging member 320 Processed portion

Claims (9)

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 anti-insertion portion.
A cover member having The 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 . The cover member according to 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 . 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;
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. 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;
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. 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. 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. A cover member for covering the 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. The 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.

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