Abstract: A miniaturized multilamp photoflash array having a circuit board with a printed circuit thereon and a multiplicity of flashlamps electrically connected to the printed circuit with a continuous strip of switching material forming a plurality of switches coupling each of the lamps to a common circuit.

Abstract: A miniaturized multilamp photoflash array having a plurality of flashlamps affixed to a printed circuit on the inner surface of a circuit board with a continuous strip of switching material forming a plurality of normally closed (N/C) switches coupling the flashlamps to a common conductor and a plurality of normally open (N/O) switches coupling all but one of a plurality of flashlamps to an energizing conductor.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp has an envelope containing a filamentary combustible material in a combustion-supporting atmosphere and is positioned adjacent an ignition means having a pair of electrical conductors sealed into one end of the envelope and bent to form loops within the envelope whereon a covering of primer material is disposed.

Abstract: A photoflash unit in the form of a multilamp photoflash array has at least one normally open (N/O) radiation-responsive switch which includes an admixture containing silver-coated metal particles.

Abstract: A miniaturized multilamp photoflash array includes an envelope with a printed circuit of spaced electrical conductors on an inner surface, a plurality of flashlamps each having a pair of electrically conductive leads and a reflector unit affixed to the envelope and having a formed member forcing the conductive leads against the printed circuit and a sonic projection sealed to the envelope intermediate the spaced electrical conductors of the printed circuit.

Abstract: A miniaturized multilamp photoflash array includes a housing member having a back portion with a printed electrical circuit on one surface thereof and a light transmittable front portion affixed to the back portion with a plurality of flashlamps affixed to and supported by the array and each flashlamp having a pair of electrical conductors in electrical contact with the printed circuit on one surface of the back portion of the housing member.

Abstract: Apparatus for starting and operating a discharge lamp includes a starter device having a normally-closed (N/C) switch including a pair of contacts each connected to a bimetal with the bimetals having opposite flexure deviations. Circuitry is provided for coupling one bimetal to a ballast and also to a discharge lamp whereby short-circuit current flows through both bimetals to open the switch and initiate conductivity of a discharge lamp and through one bimetal to maintain the switch operational and continue lamp conductivity.

Abstract: A ballast apparatus for series-sequenced gaseous discharge devices having series-connected filaments wherein a transformer is connected to a potential source and to a pair of series-sequenced gaseous discharge devices with a starting capacitor shunting one of the gaseous discharge devices and a circuit means series-connects a filament of each of the gaseous discharge devices to the transformer by way of a rectifier means.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp having a hermetically sealed envelope with support wires therethrough has an arc tube therein with support wires whereby a starter device having first and second contacts of a normally-closed switch has a first bimetal coupling the first contact to one support wire and a second bimetal coupling a second contact to another support wire with the bimetals positioned to flex in opposite directions and enhance the operation of the contacts and of the high intensity discharge lamp.

Abstract: A ballast apparatus for series-sequenced gaseous discharge devices includes at least one pair of series-sequenced discharge devices having series-connected filaments with a first rectifier means coupling a filament of one discharge device to the transformer and a second rectifier means coupling the series-connected filaments to the transformer whereby current flow is inhibited until both discharge devices are secured in the fixtures and dangerous socket-to-ground voltages are prevented during discharge device installation.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp includes a glass envelope having a pair of electrical conductors forming a recessed seal with a primer material bridging the electrical conductors and extending into the recessed seal to contact the electrical conductors. Also, a process for fabricating a photoflash lamp is provided wherein the electrical conductors and glass envelope are moved with respect to one another to provide a recess in the envelope adjacent the electrical conductors. A primer material in liquid form is bridged across the electrical conductors and subjected to a vacuum to insure removal of any gap between the electrical conductors and the primer material.

Abstract: A multilamp photoflash unit includes a housing member having a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities of a relatively opaque material with a reflective surface adjacent the lamp whereby back radiation from the lamp is reduced. Also, a reflector having cavities of opaque pigmented plastic resin material and a reflective surface may be disposed within a plastic housing and serve to inhibit back radiation from a lamp.

Abstract: A multi-lamp photoflash unit has a plastic housing member with a back portion having a plurality of cavities formed to receive a reflector unit wherein is disposed a plurality of flashlamps and a light transmitting front portion formed to fold over and enclose the flashlamps and is characterized by the improvement wherein at least one part of one of the front and back portions of the plastic housing is folded over the edge of the other, aligned in parallel with and sealed to the other of the front and back portions to provide a shear-type seal. The multi-lamp photoflash unit is fabricated by a process wherein the front and back layers are contacted, one is folded over, aligned with and sealed to the other by spaced spot seals.

Abstract: A self-sequencing multilamp photoflash array responsive to a low voltage source includes radiation-responsive switches having a pair of electrical conductors spaced by a switch paste comprising a heat sensitive silver compound, a powdered metal in stoichiometric excess and an organic binder. The array has a flashlamp coupled to a pair of electrical conductors and a plurality of series connected flashlamps and radiant-responsive switches connected in parallel to the electrical conductors with each switch responsive to a previously energized flashlamp. Also, a process is provided for fabricating the switches and the array.

Abstract: A multilamp photoflash array includes a plurality of interdigitated flashlamps connected to a printed circuit board and disposed within a housing member having a pair of substantially identical light transmitting side members affixed to one another and thermoformed from a single plastic sheet. The array is fabricated by a process wherein a printed circuit board is formed, flashlamps are electrically connected thereto, a housing member is thermoformed from a single plastic sheet, folded and sealed to itself and to the printed circuit board to provide an envelope containing the flashlamps.

Abstract: A flashlamp unit for individual and sequential firing of flashlamps includes a pair of flashlamps connected in an electrical circuit with a radiation-responsive N/O arc gap switch in series connection with one of said pair of flashlamps and including an arc gap having a radiation-responsive material thereover and therebetween.

Abstract: A filamentary-type photoflash lamp suitable for use with a relatively low voltage high current power source includes a glass envelope with a shredded metal fill, a pair of leads interconnected by a filament wire and a primer having percussively-ignitable and powdered combustible incandescible material on the leads with the primer material responsive to heat generated by the filament wire. A process for fabricating the above-described photoflash lamp is also provided as well as a primer material composition.

Abstract: A sequentially operable multilamp photoflash array includes a plurality of radiation-responsive normally open (N/O) connect type switches which are prepared from a composition which includes a filler material, a binder, silver coated particulate solids and silver-salt coated particulate solids. The switches are fabricated by a process wherein the silver coated particulate solids are stirred in potassium permanganate, added to an admixture of silver coated glass beads, a filler material and an organic binder and deposited onto a printed circuit board.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically measuring aperture size of a slotted apertured material includes a means for supporting and transporting a slotted apertured material having a plurality of slots with each having a longitudinal axis and a comparator mask overlaying the apertured material and having alternate light transparent and opaque sectors, a light source and a light detector disposed on opposite sides of the slotted apertured material and having a light beam directed therethrough wherein a rhombic-shaped aperture controls the size and shape of the light beam impinging the detector whereby advancement of the rhombic-shaped aperture along a diagonal axis provides a reduced rate of change in light transmitted by the slots and received by the light detector whereby fluctuations in light transmission are reduced for random variations in mask placement.

Abstract: A reflector unit for a relatively rigid housing member of a multi-lamp photoflash unit includes a plurality of cavities having a back surface formed to nest in the cavities of the housing member and a front surface having reflector material thereon and formed to receive a flashlamp.