Abstract: There are disclosed by a process and apparatus for positioning and sealing photostimuable phosphor imaging plates within barriers envelope blanks therefore and formed on a roll thereof wherein a barrier envelope blank including a U-shaped heat sealed portion thereof of such roll is indexed to a positioning station whereat the barrier envelope blank is caused to be opened at a free end thereof thereby permitting insertion of a restored imaging plate into such barrier envelope whereupon the barrier envelope including restored imaging plate is indexed to a station whereat heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein and thereafter the thus heat sealed barrier envelope is indexed to a product station for removal from the roll of barrier envelope blanks.

Abstract: There are disclosed by a process and apparatus for positioning and sealing photostimuable phosphor imaging plates within barriers envelope blanks therefore and formed on a roll thereof wherein a barrier envelope blank including a U-shaped heat sealed portion thereof of such roll is indexed to a positioning station whereat the barrier envelope blank is caused to be opened at a free end thereof thereby permitting insertion of a restored imaging plate into such barrier envelope whereupon the barrier envelope including restored imaging plate is indexed to a station whereat heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein and thereafter the thus heat sealed barrier envelope is indexed to a product station for removal from the roll of barrier envelope blanks.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories wherein a dental aspirator tip and in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a vacuum means for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the aspirator tip and the vacuum means a separation chamber for the separation of effluent, and solids, including amalgam and other particulate matter from the air stream, the separation chamber being in communication with a collection chamber for the separation collection of solids, amalgam and other particulate matter, from the effluent which is discharged, the collection chamber being removably replaceable from the system for the recycling of the contents.

Abstract: There are disclosed by a process and apparatus for positioning and sealing photostimuable phosphor imaging plates within barriers envelope blanks therefore and formed on a roll thereof wherein a barrier envelope blank including a U-shaped heat sealed portion thereof of such roll is indexed to a positioning station whereat the barrier envelope blank is caused to be opened at a free end thereof thereby permitting insertion of a restored imaging plate into such barrier envelope whereupon the barrier envelope including restored imaging plate is indexed to a station whereat heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein and thereafter the thus heat sealed barrier envelope is indexed to a product station for removal from the roll of barrier envelope blanks.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an improved mounting assembly for a dental x-ray assembly comprised of a base plate member having outwardly-extending wall portions defining a U-shaped chamber along a longitudinal axis thereof and having upper threaded orifices and lower threaded orifices having axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base plate member and wherein a bearing block member is mounted with the U-shaped chamber for rotation by screw members threaded within the upper threaded orifices after mounting of the base plate member to a vertical support member in a vertical plane in a plane perpendicular to the vertical support member and wherein the block member is secured in the base plate member by locking means disposed in a lower threaded orifice once the bearing block is adjusted to a point eliminating any swinging of the dental x-ray assembly.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention achieved by adjustable linkage mounting member for shaft members associated with articulating positioning arm members of a dental x-ray assembly wherein each adjustable linkage mounting member is comprised of a housing member mounted within a chamber thereof for receiving a shaft member of a positioning arm member and having a brake shoe disposed in the chamber in frictional contact with the shaft member and wherein frictional contact is adjustable in response to a threaded member disposed in the chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for withdrawing an exhaust stream including gas, liquids and solids from the dental operatory connected to the suction side of a vacuum pump wherein solids and liquids are sequentially removed such that compressed gas from the vacuum pump is passed through a heat exchanger for cooling, thus permitting the use of lightweight, less expensive conduit piping for a vent exhaust conduit.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an improved mounting assembly for a dental x-ray assembly comprised of a base plate member having outwardly-extending wall portions defining a U-shaped chamber along a longitudinal axis thereof and having upper threaded orifices and lower threaded orifices having axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base plate member and wherein a bearing block member is mounted with the U-shaped chamber for rotation by screw members threaded within the upper threaded orifices after mounting of the base plate member to a vertical support member in a vertical plane in a plane perpendicular to the vertical support member and wherein the block member is secured in the base plate member by locking means disposed in a lower threaded orifice once the bearing block is adjusted to a point eliminating any swinging of the dental x-ray assembly.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories wherein a dental aspirator tip and in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a vacuum means for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the aspirator tip and the vacuum means a separation chamber for the separation of effluent, and solids, including amalgam and other particulate matter from the air stream, the separation chamber being in communication with a collection chamber for the separation collection of solids, amalgam and other particulate matter, from the effluent which is discharged, the collection chamber being removably replaceable from the system for the recycling of the contents.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention achieved by adjustable linkage mounting member for shaft members associated with articulating positioning arm members of a dental x-ray assembly wherein each adjustable linkage mounting member is comprised of a housing member mounted within a chamber thereof for receiving a shaft member of a positioning arm member and having a brake shoe disposed in the chamber in frictional contact with the shaft member and wherein frictional contact is adjustable in response to a threaded member disposed in the chamber.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories wherein a dental aspirator tip and in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a vacuum means for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the aspirator tip and the vacuum means a separation chamber for the separation of effluent, and solids, including amalgam and other particulate matter from the air stream, the separation chamber being in communication with a collection chamber for the separation collection of solids, amalgam and other particulate matter, from the effluent which is discharged, the collection chamber being removably replaceable from the system for the recycling of the contents.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories in which a dental aspirator tip in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a two stage side channel blower for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the dental aspirator tip and the two stage side channel blower, a solid debris collector and separation chamber for the passage of air and collection of effluent and debris, the air outlet port in the separation chamber having a float valve sealing means, the float valve sealing means having a pivotal lever with a sealing means at one end for engagement with the air outlet port and a float at the opposing lever end for contact with a fluid or foam level within the separation tank, the float depending from the lever end a sufficient distance so as to cause the sealing means to seal the outlet port before any foam can exit the separation tank.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for withdrawing an exhaust stream including gas, liquids and solids from the dental operatory connected to the suction side of a vacuum pump wherein solids and liquids are sequentially removed such that compressed gas from the vacuum pump is passed through a heat exchanger for cooling, thus permitting the use of lightweight, less expensive conduit piping for a vent exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories in which a dental aspirator tip in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a two stage side channel blower for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the dental aspirator tip and the two stage side channel blower, a solid debris collector and separation chamber for the passage of air and collection of effluent and debris, the air outlet port in the separation chamber having a float valve sealing means, the float valve sealing means having a pivotal lever with a sealing means at one end for engagement with the air outlet port and a float at the opposing lever end for contact with a fluid or foam level within the separation tank, the float depending from the lever end a sufficient distance so as to cause the sealing means to seal the outlet port before any foam can exit the separation tank.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories wherein a dental aspirator tip and in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a vacuum means for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the aspirator tip and the vacuum means a separation chamber for the separation of effluent, and solids, including amalgam and other particulate matter from the air stream, the separation chamber being in communication with a collection chamber for the separation collection of solids, amalgam and other particulate matter, from the effluent which is discharged, the collection chamber being removably replaceable from the system for the recycling of the contents.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a hand piece in an air abrasion system for delivering an abrasive laden air stream to a surface, the nozzle assembly having a connecting member having a channel and being removably mountable to said hand piece, an arcuate conduit member having a channel, the conduit member secured to the connecting member and a nozzle member formed with the channel, the nozzle member mounted within the channel of the conduit member, the nozzle member defined by a tapered channel portion in fluid communication with the channel of the conduit member and a cylindrically-shaped channel portion in communication with said tapered channel portion for directing the abrasive laden air stream in a substantially cylindrically-shaped cross section to the surface to be abraded.