Abstract: A method of treating a plate comprising a substrate carrying an image includes the step of providing a shield on the plate prior to heating the plate so as to prevent contaminants contacting the plate during the heating step. The plate may be a radiation sensitive plate which has been image-wise exposed and developed and which comprises a substrate coated with a radiation sensitive layer comprising for example a quinone diazide and a novolak resin. The radiation sensitive plate may be for the production of a lithographic printing plate and the shield may be in the form of, for example, a layer of a salt such as sodium dedecyl phenoxy benzene disulphonate.

Abstract: First and second underwater tubular members are assembled together so that the outer surface of the first tubular member and the inner surface of the second tubular member are spaced apart to form an annular cavity. The cavity is sealed, cleaned and dried and filled with a gas at a pressure greater than the surrounding water pressure. The pressure in the cavity is reduced prior to detonating an explosive charge within the first tubular member to weld the members together. The cavity may be subdivided into a plurality of zones by further seals, the pressure in the zones being separably adjustable so as to be able to control the pressure difference across each seal.

Abstract: A diffractometer comprises means for illuminating a specimen plane and a lens for converging rays diffracted from the specimen plane. In order that existing optical apparatus may readily be adapted for use as a diffractometer, the illuminating means (12a, 12b, 13, 14) is arranged to illuminate the specimen plane (0--O') at an acute angle, and a positive lens (15) having its principal axis normal to the specimen plane (0-0') is arranged to converge rays diffracted normally from the specimen plane. The invention is particularly applicable to converting microscopes for use as diffractometers, which then are suitable for use in monitoring respirable air-borne fibers.

Abstract: A diffractometer comprises means for illuminating a specimen plane and a lens for converging rays diffracted from the specimen plane. In order that existing optical apparatus may readily be adapted for use as a diffractometer, the illuminating means (12a, 12b, 13, 14) is arranged to illuminate the specimen plane (0-0') at an acute angle, and a positive lens (15) having its principal axis normal to the specimen plane (0-0') is arranged to converge rays diffracted normally from the specimen plane. The apparatus is particularly susceptible to compact construction by arranging, in successive order from the specimen plane (0-0'), a field stop (17), the positive lens (15), an aperture stop (16) and a photo-detector (19), which parts advantageously can form a modular assembly. The invention is particularly applicable to converting microscopes for use as diffractometers, which then are suitable for use in monitoring respirable air-born fibers.

Abstract: Image-shearing apparatus comprises a television camera tube for receiving an optical image from a microscope objective. Electrical circuitry receives the output signal from the camera tube and provides a display image in which a horizontal band is uniformly shifted relative to the remainder of the frame. The amount of lateral shift is adjustable, preferably in a calibrated manner. Then, by registering an edge portion of the image in the shifted band with an adjacent edge portion outside the band, the apparatus may be used with particular advantage in sizing.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable material suitable for use in the production of lithographic printing plates comprises a polymer which includes a plurality of structural units represented by the Formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl or substituted alkyl group, an aryl or substituted aryl group, or a heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic group; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an aralkyl group, an aralkoxy group or an alkoxy carbonyl group; Z represents a hydroxyl group, or an ester group and a is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A method of recovering an underwater pipe comprises inserting a recovery line attachment into the pipe, explosively deforming the pipe so that it is mechanically secured to the attachment, and bringing the pipe to the surface by means of a lifting line secured to the attachment. The attachment may include a body insertable into the end of the pipe and a portion having a generally conical surface so that it forms a water tight seal with the pipe when the pipe is explosively deformed into engagement with it.

Abstract: Hardness testing apparatus, for use in assessing dimensions, from which a hardness value can be determined, of an indentation formed under controlled conditions in a surface of a specimen, having a photosensitive detector for sensing brightness over an image in which the indentation differs in brightness from the rest of the image. The detector produces electrical signals representative of sensed brightness. Discrimination circuitry discriminates signals representative of brightness within the indentation from signals representative of brightness outside the indentation. Correlation of discrimination results provides an assessment of indentation dimensions. Preferably oblique lighting is used to provide enhanced brightness differentation between a multifaceted indentation and other specimen surface features. The oblique light is directed so as to be specularly reflected from a facet of the indentation vertically with respect to the general specimen surface.

Abstract: A light sensitive material suitable for coating onto a support to produce a light sensitive plate for use in, for example, the manufacture of a printing plate comprises groups of the formula: ##STR1## attached to carbon atoms, wherein ##STR2## wherein R.sub.5 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R is an aromatic radical; a is zero or unity; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, cyano groups, or specified aliphatic or aromatic groups; X is a deactivating group; R.sub.4 is a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group, a cyano group or a specified aliphatic or aromatic group; and Ph is a phenyl group. The material may be produced by reacting a polymer containing epoxide groups, hydroxyl groups, or primary and/or secondary amino groups with the halosulphonyl group of a compound having the forula: ##STR3## wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 R.sub.3, and a have the above meanings, wherein X has the above meaning or is a halosulphonyl group and R.sub.

Abstract: A concentrate for dilution with water to obtain a fountain solution for lithographic printing comprises a lithographic desensitizing material dissolved in a vehicle liquid comprising an organic solvent liquid optionally in admixture with water. Preferred desensitizing materials are organo substituted ammonium salts of desensitizing acids and a preferred organic solvent liquid is isopropyl alcohol. The fountain solution obtained on dilution of the concentrate may be used with printing machines having integrated damping/inking equipment.

Abstract: During the processing of an image-wise exposed radiation sensitive device, such as a radiation sensitive plate for lithographic printing plate production, by contacting the device with developer liquid, a temperature sensitive member is immersed in the developer liquid. The member produces an output signal in dependence on the temperature of the developer liquid. This signal is used to control the degree to which the device is processed in a manner dependent on the temperature of the developer liquid for example by controlling the residence time of the device in the developer liquid, by controlling the degree to which the developer liquid is agitated in contact with the device, or by controlling the degree to which the device is subjected to an overall exposure to radiation prior to or during contact with the developer liquid.

Abstract: Water filled cavities are dried by replacing the water with a first liquid which is miscible with water and this is then replaced by a second liquid which is miscible with the first and which has a high vapor pressure. The second liquid is then replaced by a gas. The invention is particularly useful for removing water from between members which are to be explosively welded together underwater so as to improve the quality of the welded joint obtained.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for providing a fluid tight seal between the rim of a skirt or like member and a second member is in the form of first and second resilient concentric rings for mounting on the rim. The first ring is a sealing ring which has an annular face intended for sealing engagement with the second member. The second ring is radially displaceable so as to accommodate changes in dimension of the first ring when the first ring is deformed by the first and second members being urged together under pressure. In an embodiment, the annular face includes one or more sealing lips protruding from the face.

Abstract: A transit isolator which comprises: (i) a first frame including (a) a pair of spaced generally parallel horizontal members, from which is slidably suspended an isolator in the form of a flexible film envelope having a plurality of sleeves in the sides thereof, (b) a basal structure, preferably comprising a stretcher, adapted to support said horizontal members, and (c) an end frame defining a closable port through which a patient may be conveyed into and out of the flexible film envelope; and (ii) a second frame comprising an end section adapted to slide along the horizontal members of said first frame and to which is attached that end of said flexible film envelope remote from the closable port, whereby movement of said end section along the horizontal members of the first frame causes the flexible film envelope to become compressed in the manner of a concertina in the direction towards said closable port.

Abstract: Hardness testing apparatus, for use in assessing dimensions, from which a hardness value can be determined, of an indentation formed under controlled conditions in a surface of a specimen, having a photosensitive detector for sensing brightness over an image in which the indentation differs in brightness from the rest of the image. The detector produces electrical signals representative of sensed brightness. Discrimination circuitry discriminates signals representative of brightness within the indentation from signals representative of brightness outside the indentation. Correlation of discrimination results provides an assessment of indentation dimensions. Preferably oblique lighting is used to provide enhanced brightness differentation between a multifaceted indentation and other specimen surface features. The oblique light is directed so as to be specularly reflected from a facet of the indentation vertically with respect to the general specimen surface.

Abstract: A plurality of members such as riser pipes are linked by means of a plurality of cylinders to a frame to which tension is to be applied. Each member is linked to the frame by a separate cylinder and the cylinders are interconnected so that the hydraulic fluid pressures in the cylinders are in a fixed proportion relative to one another.

Abstract: Cost saving and improved reliability are achieved in document handling apparatus controlled by code markings on the documents. By using only as many reading heads as there are channels containing code markings one after another in a predetermined feeding direction of the document through the machine, to generate pulses corresponding to the markings, simplified digital control circuitry, including shift registers, can be used to control the operation of document handling stations synchronously with the arrival times of the document at the stations.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive composition comprises a quaternary ammonium salt and a chemical sensitizer of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.21 is aryl, arylalkenyl or arylalkyl, R.sup.22 is aryl, alkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkyl, carboxylic acid or salt, or hydrogen and X is carboxylic acid or salt. The quaternary ammonium salt is of the type which will accept at least one electron on exposure to radiation to form a substance capable of causing metal to be deposited onto said substance from an electroless plating solution in contact with said substance and comprising a salt of said metal and a reducing agent. A radiation sensitive plate comprises a metallic substrate coated with a radiation sensitive layer comprising a quaternary ammonium salt. The layer may be formed of the above composition.

Abstract: Signal processing circuitry for a bar-coded data input terminal having a bar-code reading device, such as light pen, for reading bar-coded identity data, from bar-coded identity labels, attached to items to be identified for instance takes an output signal from the reading device and derives a processed signal in which changes of signal level are cleaner than corresponding level changes in the output signal. The signal processing circuitry employs a high gain operational amplifier to an input of which the output signal is passed through a capacitor. The amplifier has a capacitor and two diodes, with their conduction directions opposite, connected in parallel between the input and the output of the amplifier, from which an amplified signal opposite to the reading device output signal is delivered. A threshold detector receives the amplified signal and provides a processed signal in which signal level changes in dependence upon the amplified signal passing through threshold levels.

Abstract: A positive working radiation sensitive plate is image-wise exposed, developed and desensitized, and dried. Thereafter an oleophilic composition including a solvent capable of softening the image is applied to the plate and the plate is then washed to remove the oleophilic composition from the non-image areas. The image accepts ink readily even when the image-wise exposure is effected using a continuous tone original in the absence of a half-tone screen.