Abstract:
An intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which includes compounding flavor/scent chemistry into a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is then used to form a molded thermoplastic frame (preferably injection molded) thereby providing an intraoral radiographic film packet which has a comfort enhancing perimetric edge which is preferably permanently integrated therewith during manufacture. The comfort of the intraoral radiographic film packet is augmented through the addition of pleasing flavors and/or scents incorporated into the thermoplastic material. This flavor and/or scent can be fully compounded into the comfort edge thermoplastic materials as noted above, or alternatively, it can be compounded directly into the thermoplastic materials used to produce the packet layers prior to film insertion and thermal seal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/533,868, filed Mar. 24, 2000, by Resch, et al., and entitled, “INTRAORAL DENTAL RADIOGRAPHIC FILM PACKET WITH INJECTION MOLDED COMFORT-ENHANCING EDGE BEAD”; U.S. application Ser. No. 09/534,392, filed Mar. 24, 2000, by Earnhart, et al., and entitled, “METHOD FOR MAKING AND HANDLING AN INTRAORAL X-RAY FILM PACKET”; and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/534,516, filed Mar. 24, 2000, by Resch, et al., and entitled COMFORT-ENHANCING INTRAORAL DENTAL RADIOGRAPHIC FILM PACKET AND METHOD FOR FORMING SAME. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to x-ray film packets and, in particular, to intraoral radiographic film packets with scented and/or flavored comfort enhancing features. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A common problem experienced by people visiting the dentist is the discomfort and pain associated with the taking of dental x-rays caused by the positioning of intraoral radiographic film packets in the patient&#39;s mouth. The typical intraoral radiographic film packet includes relatively hard and/or relatively sharp edges that press against and irritate the gums and other oral soft tissue of the person whose teeth are being x-rayed. A variety of intraoral x-ray dental packets are known in the prior art which include features intended to be comfort enhancing. In addition, attempts have been made to create comfort enhancing structures into which intraoral-x-ray dental packets can be inserted prior to placement in the patient&#39;s mouth. One example of this type of structure is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,008 to Jackson. Jackson utilizes a cartridge cushion comprising a foam sheet sandwich into which the x-ray dental packet is placed for the purpose of cushioning and increasing the comfort to the patient. Jackson requires the manual insertion of the x-ray packet into the cartridge cushion. Thus, Jackson adds significant bulk to the packet and enhances the possibility of triggering a gag reflex action in the patient. Additionally, after the cartridge cushion is removed from the packet, it would be possible to reuse the cartridge cushion which would not be sanitary. 
     A second example of an add-on structure is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,491 to Muylle et al. Muylle et al. teaches sealing a film pack in an envelope consisting of a pair of thin pockets of injection molded plastic which are sealed with a band of adhesive tape. The envelope has no sharp edges and generally rounded corners. Thus, as with Jackson&#39;s device, this device requires manual insertion of the packet, adds significant bulk to the packet, enhances the possibility of triggering a gag reflex in the patient, and can also be reused in a non-sanitary manner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,631,497 to Marler teaches a dental x-ray film package wherein a sensitized sheet is sandwiched between two opaque sheets. A heavy band of rubber is stretched about the periphery of the package to hold the package securely together and to provide the light tight joint. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,537,925 to Bolin teaches a dental x-ray film package wherein a pair of film sheets and the cover sheet are inserted into the container. The container consists of a frame including a backing portion in an enlarged continuous beading about the periphery thereof. The beading must be forced away from the backing portion and stretched peripherally in order to insert the film sheets and cover sheet therein. The container thus serves to hold the package together and provide the light tight seal. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,084,092 to Kenney teaches a dental film holder that is a stretchable vellum rubber plate with integral corner pockets into which an x-ray dental packet may be manually inserted. Kenny&#39;s dental film holder is intended to be reusable. 
     From the foregoing, it can be seen that nothing in the prior art sought to augment the comfort of a dental x-ray film packet through the addition of a flavor or scent adding compound thereto. The addition of flavors or scents can make the typically unpleasant experience of having dental x-rays taken less objectionable by masking the normal flavor/scent of the film packet which the patient may find objectionable. Further, such prior art fails to teach such flavor/scent augmentation through the compounding of flavor/scent chemistry directly into the thermoplastic materials from which a comfort enhancing frame is to be molded. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an intraoral radiographic film packet with a comfort enhancing perimeter which is scented and/or flavored. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an intraoral radiographic film packet which has a thermoplastic comfort enhancing perimeter frame permanently integrated therewith during manufacture, the thermoplastic from which the comfort enhancing perimeter frame is molded having flavor/scent chemistry compounded therein prior to molding. 
     The foregoing and numerous other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a review of the detailed description, claims and drawings set forth herein. These features, objects and advantages are accomplished by compounding flavor/scent chemistry into a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is then used to form a molded thermoplastic frame (preferably injection molded) thereby providing an intraoral radiographic film packet which has a comfort enhancing perimetric edge which is preferably permanently integrated therewith during manufacture. The comfort of the intraoral radiographic film packet is augmented through the addition of pleasing flavors and/or scents incorporated into the thermoplastic material. This flavor and/or scent can be fully compounded into the comfort edge thermoplastic materials as noted above, or alternatively, it can be compounded directly into the thermoplastic materials used to produce the packet layers prior to film insertion and thermal seal. The flavor/scent can also be incorporated into these same thermoplastic materials by means of a secondary process such as a spray or dip type or some form of a continuous coating process. If the secondary process such as dipping or spraying is employed as the means to add the scent/flavor to the thermoplastic material then the packet is conveyed through a bath containing the flavor/scent in solution at a set concentration. The packet is allowed to move through the bath containing the solution at a fixed speed and concentration in order to allow the flavor/scent to be absorbed into the thermoplastic at room temperature. A similar setup for equipment can be employed if the dental packets are sprayed with this solution. In both instances the cycle or process includes a drying step prior to any packaging. The flavor/scent chemistry is the same whether compounding or secondary operations are used to incorporate this modifier into the thermoplastic material. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved dental film packet of the present invention prior to application of a perimetric edge bead. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Bernoulli positioning device used in the practice of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan schematic of the dental film packet of FIG. 1 residing in the Bernoulli positioning device shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation/partial cross-sectional view of a robotic arm (in ghost) acquiring the dental film packet from the Bernoulli positioning device. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation/partial cross-sectional view of a robotic arm placing the dental film packet into an injection mold base. 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the dental film packet residing in the injection mold base. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dental film packet residing between the mold base and upper mold half. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the area within circle A of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the dental film packet shown in FIG. 1 with a comfort enhancing perimetric edge bead molded thereto. 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic depicting an apparatus for compounding the thermoplastic material and the flavor/scent chemistry. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an improved dental film packet  30  prior to the application of an injection molded perimetric edge bead. Dental film packet  30  includes an envelope comprising a first outer sheet or stiffening sheet  32  and an opposing second outer sheet  34 . Second outer sheet  34  is actually comprised of a pair of overlapping sections  36  and  38 . Outer sheets  32  and  34  are preferably made of a soft thermoplastic material such as, but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or a di-block polyamide copolymer. 
     Sandwiched between outer sheets  32  and  34  are the typical elements found in a dental x-ray film packet. There is a paper wrap element  42 , the film chip  44  and a lead foil  46 . The dental x-ray film packet  30  is assembled by placing the paper wrap element  42 , the film chip  44  and a lead foil  46  between outer sheets  32  and  34  and sealing the outer sheets  32  and  34  to one another to form a perimetric laminated edge  48 . Perimetric laminated edge  48  can be formed by heat sealing, RF sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or any other sealing mechanism which can create a substantially airtight bond between outer sheets  32  and  34 . There is also a transverse seal (indicated by line  52 ) affixing overlapping sections  36  and  38  together. Overlapping section  38  is preferably formed with a tab portion  54  which extends past transverse seal  52  to facilitate removal of the envelope for extraction and development of the film chip  44  after exposure. 
     Outer stiffening sheet  32  is preferably formed from a more rigid material than that of outer sheet  34 . In this manner, the laminated perimetric edge  48  becomes substantially coplanar with outer stiffening sheet  32 . This flatter surface aids in the accurate positioning of the packet  30  in subsequent operations. Further, the more rigid material enhances the ability to die cut the packet  30  and maintain outside dimensions within tolerances. This enhances the ability to fit and accurately place the packet  30  in subsequent operations such as, for example, placement of the packet  30  in a comfort enhancing frame or applying a comfort enhancing bead thereto. This level of accuracy within dimensional tolerances is needed for automated assembly. As long as the material is more rigid, both outer sheets  32  and  34  forming the outer envelope of the packet  30  can be made of this more rigid material to garner the same benefits of positioning and dimensional control stated above. 
     One way of making outer stiffening sheet  32  more rigid is by reducing the amount of plasticizer used in the thermoplastic material of outer stiffening sheet  32  such that the thermoplastic material is less than 30 percent plasticizer. For example, in the case of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the plasticizer could be dioctyl adipate (DOA), diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) or dioctyl phthalate (DOP). The effect of reducing the amount of plasticizer is to increase the stiffness or modulus of the material from which outer sheet  32  is made so that during the heat sealing operation to form the perimetric laminated edge  48 , the application of heat and the effects of the heating fixture do not as readily deform the material toward the center of the thickness of the packet  30 . 
     The stiffening sheet  32  preferably has a tensile modulus in the range of from about 700 to about 28,000 Kg/cm 2 . The envelope is formed by joining together the two outer plastic sheets at the marginal or peripheral area to form a perimetric laminated edge that preferably has a tensile modulus in the range of from about 400 to about 28,000 Kg/cm 2 , and most preferably about 15,700 Kg/cm 2 . By way of example, if PVC is used as the material for outer sheets  32  and  34 , then outer stiffening sheet  32  should have a thickness in the range of from about 0.10 to about 0.33 mm. This combination of thickness and tensile modulus will achieve the necessary rigidity for the perimetric laminated edge  48  to remain substantially coplanar with outer stiffening sheet  32 . Further, this combination of thickness and tensile modulus when laminated to second outer sheet  34  results in a perimetric laminated edge  48  which will not deform under the forces applied thereto by a Bernoulli positioning apparatus, such forces preferably being in the range of from about 5 to about 80 millinewtons and which are in a direction that is substantially parallel to the plane of outer stiffening sheet  32 . Again, by way of example, using an outer sheet  34  made of PVC with a nominal thickness of about 0.20 mm and with a tensile modulus of about 310 Kg/cm 2  in combination with an outer stiffening sheet  32  having a thickness of about 0.20 mm and a tensile modulus of about 15,700 Kg/cm 2  results in a perimetric laminated edge  48  with a thickness of about 0.33 mm and a tensile modulus of about 15,600 Kg/cm 2 . This exemplary perimetric laminated edge  48  will not deform as result of a force in the range of from about 5 to about 80 millinewtons applied to the perimetric laminated edge  48  and parallel to the plane of outer stiffening sheet  32 . 
     Looking next at FIG. 3, during the manufacturing process, the intraoral dental radiographic film packet  30  is delivered it to a Bernoulli fixture  50 . Delivery of the intraoral dental radiographic film packet  30  to a Bernoulli fixture  50  may be accomplished in a variety of ways such as, for example, a pick-and-place type mechanism with a vacuum cup used for packet acquisition and release. Application of the Bernoulli effect is used to orient and precisely position individual dental radiographic film packets  30 . Compressed air is directed through a number of low angled air holes  53  in the top surface  55  of Bernoulli fixture  50 . Air holes  53  are preferably inclined at an angle in the range of from about 15° to about 30° from horizontal, and most preferably at an angle of about 25° from horizontal. The angle of inclination of air holes  53  can be shallower than 15° but machining of such shallow angled holes becomes more difficult. This creates a laminar flow of air along the surface  55 . This airflow imparts a force on the dental packet  30 , driving the dental packet  30  against the fixture reference features  56  which provide hard stops in two dimensions and thereby fixes the location of the dental packet  30  in a horizontal plane. Because of the airflow velocity, the pressure between the surface  55  of the Bernoulli fixture  50  and the packet  30  is lower than the pressure on the side of the packet  30  away from the Bernoulli fixture  50 . Thus the packet  30  remains attracted to the surface  55 , rather than being pushed away. As mentioned above, perimetric laminated edge  48  should not deform under the forces applied thereto by the Bernoulli fixture  50 , such forces preferably being in the range of from about 5 to about 80 millinewtons and in a direction that is substantially parallel to the plane of outer stiffening sheet  32 . There are preferably also three locating ports  64  in top surface  55 . 
     As shown schematically in FIG. 4, with the packet  30  accurately oriented in a known position against fixture reference features  56 , packet  30  can be picked up by a robotic arm  58  having a vacuum cup  60  disposed on the end thereof (see FIG.  5 ). The robotic arm  58  may include locating pins  62  adapted to engage locating ports  64  in Bernoulli fixture  50  to ensure repeatable and precise acquisition of dental packets  30 . Locating pins  62  engaging with locating ports  64  is just one method of ensuring repeatable and precise acquisition of dental packets  30 . Other methods for repeatable and precise acquisition by a robotic arm are well known to those skilled in the art. 
     Once a dental film packet  30  has been acquired by vacuum cup  60  disposed on the end of robotic arm  58 , the robotic arm  58  delivers the dental film packet  30  to an injection mold base  66  (see FIGS.  6  and  7 ). Injection mold base  66  includes locating ports  68  which, in conjunction with locating pins  62 , ensure repeatable and precise placement of dental packets  30  into injection mold base  66  with reference to a lower bead canal  70  in the surface of injection mold base  66 . With the dental film packet  30  so placed, vacuum pressure to vacuum cup  60  is discontinued and the robotic arm  58  leaves the dental film packet  30  on the injection mold base  66  as shown in FIG.  6 . An upper mold portion  72  is then placed in abutting position with injection mold base  66  as depicted in FIG.  8 . Upper mold portion  72  includes a packet cavity  74  in which a dental packet  30  resides (see FIG.  9 ), and an upper bead canal  76 . Packet cavity  74  and upper bead canal  76  are separated by a continuous lip element  78 . With injection mold base  66  and upper mold portion  72  residing in abutting position, perimetric laminated edge  48  extends into the mold cavity formed by lower bead canal  70  and upper bead canal  76 . A comfort-enhancing perimetric edge bead  80  (see FIGS. 10 and 11) can then be formed on perimetric laminated edge  48  by injection molding of a thermoplastic material into the mold cavity formed by lower bead canal  70  and upper bead canal  76 . The perimetric edge bead  80  is comprised of a generally compliant material and is of a generally rounded cross-section so as to reduce the cutting sensation of the packet  30  by implying a softer, smoother, more rounded feel to the patient&#39;s gums, lips and inside of the oral cavity. A soft thermoplastic material such as, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is preferably used for perimetric edge bead  80 . The thermoplastic material preferably has a relatively low durometer material (e.g. 50 to 90 Shore A) to enhance the soft feeling. Other materials that can be used for injection molding of perimetric edge bead  80  include, for example, thermoplastic elastomers and di-block polyamide copolymers. 
     It should be clear to those skilled in the art that the ability to accurately position a packet  30  in a Bernoulli fixture  50  by driving it against hard stop reference features  56  is affected by the flexibility of the marginal area (perimetric laminated edge  48 ). The added rigidity of outer sheet  32  should be great enough to resist deformation under the forces applied by the Bernoulli fixture  50 . In addition, the added rigidity and planarity of marginal area (perimetric laminated edge  48 ) ensures residence in the mold cavity formed by lower bead canal  70  and upper bead canal  76 . This, in turn, ensures encapsulation of the die-cut perimetric edge of the packet  30  which allows for the application of the comfort-enhancing perimetric edge bead  80  which encapsulates at least part of the sharp edges of the die-cut perimetric edge of the perimetric laminated edge  48 . 
     Although stiffening sheet  32  has been described herein as being an outer sheet it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that an extra or third sheet could be applied outside the stiffening sheet  32 . This extra or third sheet would however add to expense and bulk of each packet  30 . Thus for the purposes of this application the term “outer sheet” includes an envelope forming sheet in which the paper wrap element  42 , the film chip  44  and a lead foil  46  reside and which forms at least in part the laminated perimetric edge  48 . 
     As mentioned above, the process by which the ingredients of the thermoplastic material and the flavor/scent chemistry are intimately melt mixed together into as nearly a homogeneous mass as is possible is known as compounding. Due to the nature of both the thermoplastic resin or elastomer and these modifiers, compounding can take on a wide range of mixing such as, for example, in the form of dry powders, slurries, pastes and doughy consistencies. Due to the wide range of mixing forms there is a corresponding wide range of mixing operations. Thus, the resulting configurations of equipment and parameters for optimum distribution and dispersion of the modifiers can vary greatly. 
     The task of mixing becomes one of changing the original distribution of two or more nonrandom or segregated masses so that an acceptable distribution and dispersion of one mass throughout the other is achieved. Thus, the challenge becomes one of deforming or redistributing masses in order to achieve the desired effect. The compounding process exerts shearing forces on these modifiers to produce a distribution of particle sizes (primary particles and agglomerates). This is the key step in the compounding process to achieve good overall dispersion of the modifier. The shearing forces are introduced through the use of either a single or twin set of segmented screws (both intermeshing and non-intermeshing) that can be set up to run in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner to maximize the dispersion efficiency of a given formulation. 
     The compounding process also exerts shear forces on the polymers. The viscosity is thus reduced so that the polymer will flow under pressure through a designed orifice (die). The thermoplastic material is essentially a fluid subjected only to laminar flow and is capable of being deformed. Thus, the problem of mixing in thermoplastics is that of subjecting such materials to laminar shear deformation in such a manner that an initially nonrandom distribution of ingredients approaches some arbitrary scale of randomness. 
     Mixing is usually complicated by the ingredients (modifiers) exhibiting interparticulate forces, so that the stresses accompanying the deformation must be considered as well as the deformation process itself. 
     The compounding process produces a long continuous strand, which is then cut to the desired individual length of single pellets suitable for use in other plastic conversion equipment such as injection molding machines. 
     Looking next at FIG. 12 there is schematically depicted an apparatus for compounding the thermoplastic material and the flavor/scent chemistry to be used in the molding of frame  56 . Raw material ingredients are fed by gravimetric feeders  100  to a twin-screw extruder  102 . The raw materials are blended and melted in the twin-screw extruder  102  which includes a die  104  at the end thereof. Strands of thermoplastic material exit die  104  and enter cooler  106 . The cooled strands of thermoplastic material are then delivered to a pelletizer  108  producing pellets of thermoplastic material which are delivered to bin  110 . 
     The modifiers or additives to give flavor/scent to the thermoplastic material are added to the mixture via the gravimetric feeders  100 . The modifiers or additives can be any one of several flavors and/or scents and/or adroitness from a number of different chemical categories. These categories include (but are not limited to) esters, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, amines, phenols, and amides including certain natural flavors and oils for flavors and/or scents and/or adroitness such as mint, and all synthetic flavors of an aromatic character. Thus, any aromatic organic compound that has odor and/or flavor characteristics could be made use of in the preparation of these additives or coatings depending on the desired result. 
     The use of animal products should be avoided. All agents should be either synthetic aromatic organic compounds or plant extracts. 
     Other categories of flavor/scent additives include plant extracts and the aliphatic organic compound ethyl acetate. Examples include peppermint, spearmint, vanilla and bubblegum. The range of percent composition will be defined to optimize the benefit of the invention without compromising product integrity and manufacturability. 
     Specific flavor/scent/odorant chemistries include octanol for an orange flavor and either 2-propionyl-1-pyroline or 2-propionyltetrahydropyridine, which result in intense roast smelling olfactory stimulation. 
     The weight percent of the flavor and/or scent additive in the polymer formulation is variable depending on the strength of the flavor or scent desired. In such manner, x-ray film packets can be targeted to different groups. For example, children may prefer a relatively strong cherry flavor. Adults may prefer a more subtle mint or citrus flavor. The flavor and/or scent additive can be as high as thirty-five (35) weight percent in any polymer recipe in order to achieve the desired flavor/scent effect. 
     The additive to achieve the flavor/scent is preferably integral (fully compounded) to the comfort edge bead  80 . A variety of thermoplastics. may be used to produce the molded comfort edge. Examples include but are not limited to polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide and various copolymers of said thermoplastics. However, as mentioned above the flavor/scent chemistry can be compounded into the thermoplastic material used to form one or both of sheets  32 ,  34  as opposed to the comfort edge bead  80 , or the flavor/scent chemistry can be compounded into both the thermoplastic material used to form one or both of sheets  32 ,  34  and the comfort edge bead  80 . 
     The integrated thermoplastic layers can be comprised of a number of different polymers such as polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic elastomers, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyurethanes (both ester and ether based) and flexible polyamides. 
     The interfacial area between the thermoplastic material and any ingredients must be greatly increased so that ultimate dispersion and distribution can be achieved in order to assure uniformity. The mixture components should be distributed so that for any practical unit of volume, the ratio of components within the unit is the same as that of the whole system. In other words, the mixture should be substantially homogeneous. 
     Example 
     The table below presents the ranges of constituents which can be mixed to achieve an orange flavored thermoplastic material for use in the present invention, either in the material forming the comfort edge bead  80 , or for the material forming one of the outer sheets  32 ,  34 . 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE  
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Constituent 
                 Percent by weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Base PVC polymer 
                 52 to 37 
               
               
                   
                 DOA (DEHP) plasticizer 
                 30 to 35 
               
               
                   
                 Calcium-zinc heat stabilizer complex 
                 0.5 to 2.0 
               
               
                   
                 Colorants (such as monoazo pigments) 
                 1.0 to 3.0 
               
               
                   
                 Scent/flavor (octanol orange flavor) 
                 15 to 20 
               
               
                   
                 Lubricant (fatty acid such as stearic acid) 
                 0.02 to 0.5  
               
               
                   
                 Processing aid such as poly-alpha- 
                 1.0 to 3.0 
               
               
                   
                 methylstyrene 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Other ingredients such as antistatic modifiers and impact modifiers can also be added depending on the application and the level of other ingredients. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are apparent and which are inherent to the apparatus. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed with reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth and shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     PARTS LIST 
       30  dental film packet 
       32  first outer sheet or stiffening sheet 
       34  opposing second outer sheet 
       36  overlapping sections 
       38  overlapping sections 
       42  paper wrap element 
       44  film chip 
       46  lead foil 
       48  laminated perimetric edge 
       50  Bernoulli fixture 
       52  transverse seal 
       53  low angled air holes 
       54  tab portion 
       55  top surface 
       56  fixture reference features 
       58  robotic arm 
       60  vacuum cup 
       62  locating pins 
       64  locating ports 
       66  injection mold base 
       68  locating ports 
       70  lower bead canal 
       72  upper mold portion 
       74  packet cavity 
       76  upper bead canal 
       78  continuous lip element 
       80  perimetric edge bead 
       100  gravimetric feeders 
       102  twin-screw extruder 
       104  die 
       106  cooler 
       108  pelletizer 
       110  bin