Apparatus for stacking sheet members, apparatus for measuring dimensions of sheet members, and apparatus for and method of marking sheet members

Abstract

An apparatus for stacking a predetermined number of X-ray films has a sheet member holding device disposed above a stacking position for temporarily holding at least a first X-ray film, and an actuating device for displacing the sheet member holding device from the stacking position to drop the X-ray film held by the sheet member holding device into the stacking position. The apparatus is capable of stacking a plurality of X-ray films highly accurately and efficiently in the stacking position while avoiding damage to the X-ray films.

1 . An apparatus for marking a sheet member, comprising: 
 an exposure head; and    a control system connected to said exposure head for controlling said exposure head to mark a sheet member;    said exposure head having a light source comprising a plurality of white LEDs;    said control system comprising a controller and a driver;    said controller having a data storage unit for storing exposure time data, marking data, and current data for the sheet member;    said driver having an exposure time data controller, a marking data controller, and an LED driver for storing said exposure time data, said marking data, and said current data, respectively, supplied from said controller;    the arrangement being such that when said sheet member has reached a predetermined position, the exposure time data and the marking data are read from said exposure time data controller and said marking data controller, and said LED driver is energized to mark said sheet member.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said light source comprises a plurality of segments made up of linear arrays of said white LEDs, said segments being combined to substantially represent a shape of numeral “8”.  
   
   
       3 . A method of marking a sheet member, comprising the steps of: 
 determining and storing exposure time data, marking data, and current data for the sheet member;    determining a position to start marking the sheet member based on a detected signal which is generated when said sheet member has reached a predetermined position; and    energizing white LEDs to mark said sheet member based on said exposure time data, said marking data, and said current data from the determined position.