Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a functional material to a receiver includes a pressurized source of solvent in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. The solvent is in a liquid state within the pressurized source. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet such that the thermodynamically stable mixture is ejected from the outlet. A receiver having a back is positioned a predetermined distance from the outlet of the discharge device. The solvent of the thermodynamically mixture evaporates at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device and a predetermined amount of the functional material contacts the receiver at a predetermined distance from the back of the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing and coating includes providing a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a solvent and a marking material. A printhead is connected to the pressurized source. The printhead is configured to produce a first shaped beam of the marking material and a second shaped beam of the marking material. The marking material can be different marking materials or the same marking material.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a fluid and a marking material. Portions of a printhead define a delivery path, which is connected to the pressurized source. The printhead includes a discharge device having an outlet with a portion of the discharge device being positioned along the delivery path. The discharge device is shaped to produce a shaped beam of the marking material. The fluid is in a gaseous state at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device. An actuating mechanism is positioned along the delivery path and has an open position at least partially removed from the delivery path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a functional material to a receiver includes a pressurized source of solvent in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. The solvent is in a liquid state within the pressurized source. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet such that the thermodynamically stable mixture is ejected from the outlet. A receiver having a back is positioned a predetermined distance from the outlet of the discharge device. The solvent of the thermodynamically mixture evaporates at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device and a predetermined amount of the functional material contacts the receiver at a predetermined distance from the back of the receiver.

Abstract: An intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which has an outer envelope wherein one of the two opposing outer sheets is more rigid than the other and serves as a stiffening sheet such that it has a tensile modulus of at least about 700 Kg/cm2. This is preferably accomplished by making both sheets from a thermoplastic material such as PVC and reducing the amount of plasticizer in the more rigid of the two sheets to less than 30%. A continuous perimetric seal is formed affixing the two outer sheets together and forming a perimetric laminated edge which is substantially coplanar with the more rigid of the two sheets. A film chip resides between the two outer sheets. The coplanar perimetric laminated edge and the added rigidity aid in improving accurate sizing of each individual packet and prevention of deflection of the marginal area of individual packets in subsequent operations.

Abstract: A method for inserting one or more canisters into a flexible pouch having a re-sealable end portion for permitting insertion of the canisters, a collapsable and flexible floor portion on which one or more of the canisters are positioned, and a side portion for enclosing the canisters and connecting the end portion to the floor portion, the method comprising the steps of positioning the canisters into a position adjacent said pouch; attaching one or more of the canisters to a mechanical arm for providing transportation to said pouches; and placing the canisters through the re-sealable open end and onto the collapsible and flexible floor portion so that the floor portion forms a stable storage platform for the canisters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of focusing a functional material is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of fluid in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet. The discharge device is shaped to produce a collimated beam of functional material, where the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location before or beyond the outlet of the discharge device. The fluid can be one of a compressed liquid and a supercritical fluid. The thermodynamically stable mixture includes one of the functional material being dispersed in the fluid and the functional material being dissolved in the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of delivering a functional material is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of fluid in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet. The discharge device is shaped to produce a collimated beam of functional material, where the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location before or beyond the outlet of the discharge device. A beam control device is positioned proximate to the outlet of the discharge device such that the collimated beam of functional material is controlled after the collimated beam of functional material moves through the outlet of the discharge device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of focusing a functional material is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of fluid in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet. The discharge device is shaped to produce a collimated beam of functional material, where the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location before or beyond the outlet of the discharge device. The fluid can be one of a compressed liquid and a supercritical fluid. The thermodynamically stable mixture includes one of the functional material being dispersed in the fluid and the functional material being dissolved in the fluid.

Abstract: A method has been developed to connect an intermittent parts manufacturing process with a continuous motion assembly process. The method of connection utilizes pucks as a transport vehicle to carry components from the manufacturing process to the assembly process. In addition to eliminating timing problems between the intermittent and continuous processes, the pucks also provide a means of transporting difficult to convey parts. A means of accurately aligning the pucks to the die set in which parts are manufactured and to downstream assembly operations to improve the accuracy and reliability with which the parts are loaded into and removed from the transport pucks has also been developed.

Abstract: An assembly technique has been developed which reliably inserts the outer disk of an exposed film indicator into the crimp diameter of the cartridge end cap. This process gimbals the fixture containing the film cartridge, and rocks it in a manner that creates a circular wobble motion.

Abstract: A magnetic orientation process has been developed for the assembly of additional features to film cartridges to minimize the impact of the existing manufacturing process. This process orients the assembled film cartridge after it has been inserted into the packaging canister allowing an exposed film indicator to be added to the cartridge after it has been fully assembled and inserted into the canister. The orientation process uses magnetics to consistently orient the cartridge in the canister for subsequent assembly operations.

Abstract: A visual exposed film indication feature has been developed for assembly of additional features to film cartridges which minimize the impact on the existing manufacturing process. This process which uses a spring loaded conical centering device locates the center of the film spool after the assembled cartridge has been inserted into the packaging canister, without having to first rotationally orient the assembled film cartridge. It allows the exposed film feature to be added to the cartridge as a final step in the manufacturing sequence.

Abstract: A method to locally heat a thermoplastic hinge and fold its semicylindrical members together so as to form a film cartridge. The cooled integrated hinge is locally heated in a manner whereby the semicylindrical members remain cool. When the thermoplastic hinge is ductile from the heat, the semicylindrical members are folded together.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for forming individual pillowed chips of light lock material are provided. An ultrasonic horn and ultrasonic anvil are used to form pillows in a composite web of light lock material. The pillowed web material is then notched and cut to produce individual chips of light lock material. Each individual chip has one pillowed edge and one non-pillowed, notched edge. The pillowing and notching facilitate placement of the individual chips of light lock material into a film cartridge.

Abstract: A spool (10) including a core (12) and end disks (18, 24) retained by tabs (16, 22) is assembled by sliding each end disk over the core into proximity with its associated tabs, contacting the end disk with at least a single point tool (106; 228-252) and rotating the tool to snap the disks past the tabs one by one. A transducer assembly (142-160) measures axial force applied to the core to detect successful installation of each end disk.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for placing individual pillowed chips of light lock material in a cartridge are provided. A vacuum plate mounted on a pivotable arm picks up a chip and releases it into a cartridge. The cartridge has a recessed area into which the pillowed edge of the chip fits. Once positioned with the cartridge, utilizing a tuck plate, the chip is sealed in place using an ultrasonic horn.

Abstract: Webs (12, 14) to be spliced are provided with end edges (24, 26) which are positioned with an overlap (38), covered by a metal buffer strip (60) and joined by application of ultrasonic energy (54, 62, 64).

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for forming individual pillowed chips of light lock material are provided. An ultrasonic horn and ultrasonic anvil are used to form pillows in a composite web of light lock material. The pillowed web material is then notched and cut to produce individual chips of light lock material. Each individual chip has one pillowed edge and one non-pillowed, notched edge. The pillowing and notching facilitate placement of the individual chips of light lock material into a film cartridge.

Abstract: A cut end (18) of a web (14) is held by a vacuum shuttle head (105, 106, 108, 136, 138) and a central vacuum finger (114-124) holds a central tongue (22) of the web during insertion into a preassembled cartridge (50, 52, 26). During winding the cartridge is rotated (174-184) to avoid scraping the web on the cartridge.