Abstract: A stainable polymeric sheet material adapted to the production of a light polarizer therefrom is provided by a method, according to which, a support sheet of amorphous polymeric material is uniaxially stretched in a first direction (at or above the glass transition temperature of the polymeric support material), a layer of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is coated from an aqueous PVA-containing composition onto the uniaxially stretched support material, and the PVA-coated uniaxially stretched polymeric sheet material is stretched along a second direction, at an angle within about .+-.60 degrees to a normal to the first direction of stretch. The method provides a material which can be converted, by incorporation of visible dichroism into the PVA layer, to a light polarizer which combines efficient light polarizing properties and good mechanical strength and resistance to fracture along the stretch directions.

Abstract: A relatively thin, flat or planar battery is disclosed which includes one or more cells in series relationship each comprising a planar anode in superposed relationship with a planar cathode and a separator disposed intermediate and extending substantially coextensive the facing surfaces of the anode and cathode possessing marginal portions and an aqueous electrolyte permeable central portion. Each cell includes an aqueous electrolyte disposed in the central portion of the separator and in contact with the facing surfaces of both the anode and the cathode and an electrically nonconducting, sealant extending intermediate and providing adhesive contact between the marginal portions of the separator and next adjacent facing surfaces. Each battery is designed to include a planar anode and/or cathode next adjacent a surface of the battery which electrode includes a conductive metal sheet; a gas permeable, water-vapor impermeable plastic sheet and an electrochemically active negative or positive material.

Abstract: Copolymeric mordant materials containing recurring units according to the following formula are disclosed: ##STR1## In such copolymers, each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can independently be alkyl; substituted alkyl; cycloalkyl; aryl; aralkyl; alkaryl; or at least two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, together with the quaternary nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, can complete a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring; and X is an anion. The molar ratio of a:b can range from about 0.1:1 to about 10:1, e.g., about 0.3:1 to about 3:1. The copolymeric mordant materials can be utilized as image-receiving layers and in photographic products and processes of the diffusion transfer type. The mordants are especially adapted to the production of dye images free of objectionable haze, yellowing or related image defects.

Abstract: A photosensitive element comprising a support carrying photosensitive silver halide grains in a substantially predetermined spaced array and methods for forming such photosensitive elements.

Abstract: A fine-grain emulsion in a plurality of predetermined spaced depressions is coalesced to form, in situ, a plurality of single effective silver halide grains in a predetermined spaced array by the action of a solution of a silver halide solvent containing a dissolved silver salt.

Abstract: The sensitometric properties of multicolor diffusion transfer film units may be modified after the photosensitive element has been coated. Sensitometric modification is effected by a photoexposure through a layer of a color correction dye(s). In a preferred embodiment, the color correction dye(s) is bleachable and is contained in a layer over the image-receiving layer.

Abstract: Copolymeric mordant materials containing recurring units according to the following formula are disclosed: ##STR1## In such copolymers, each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can independently be alkyl; substituted alkyl; cycloalkyl; aryl; aralkyl; alkaryl; or at least two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, together with the quaternary nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, can complete a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring; and X is an anion. The molar ratio of a:b can range from about 0.1:1 to about 10:1, e.g., about 0.3:1 to about 3:1.The copolymeric mordant materials can be utilized as image-receiving layers and in photographic products and processes of the diffusion transfer type. The mordants are especially adapted to the production of dye images free of objectionable haze, yellowing or related image defects.

Abstract: Diffusion transfer films and processes are disclosed wherein the processing composition includes a light-reflecting pigment and a pH-sensitive optical filter agent, and the image-receiving element carries a layer containing a substantially non-diffusible agent adapted to decolorize optical filter agent immediately adjacent the interface between said processing composition and said layer containing said decolorizing agent.

Abstract: An electronic flash adaptable for releasable connection to a camera of the type having an exposure control circuit automatically switchable from an ambient mode of operation to a flash mode of operation, includes an on/off power control switch adapted for automatically switching the camera control circuit to a flash mode of operation in correspondence with the powering up of the electronic flash. The electronic flash is powered by way of an extendable grip type switch which may be either stowed out of interfering relation with the position normally grasped by the camera user to accommodate use of the camera in an ambient mode of operation or extended into interfering relationship with the position normally grasped by the camera user to accommodate a flash exposure mode of operation.

Abstract: An audio system having an audio tape drive system and transducer intercoupled in a single unit of concentrated mass with tape contact confined to a short length of one side of the magnetic tape. A magnetic transducer head is mounted within a drive capstan so that both head and capstan contact essentially the same short length of the magnetic tape and a vacuum system is employed to draw the tape against both to thereby concentrate the mass and eliminate spaced tape engaging components so as to reduce tape flutter. Preferably, a capstan drive motor, a capstan, and a vacuum pump are mounted together and operate on an axis passing through the center of the capstan so as to concentrate the mass of the system at this point.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for avoiding undesirable wakes or blemishes in a coating of processing fluid deposited on a moving run of an exposed film strip. Such apparatus includes a doctoring surface which traverses the film strip at an oblique angle to the direction of film strip advancement for continuously urging and guiding particles carried by the film strip towards at least one of the longitudinal margins thereof and, hence, away from the useful intermediate portion of the film strip.

Abstract: A high voltage, low impedance laminar battery comprising a stack of series connected cells confined under pressure in a housing. The cells comprise laminar anodes, cathodes and separators. The cells are connected in series by laminar conductive intercell connectors. An annular spacer is associated with each cell. The spacers are separated by interdigitated ones of the separators and intercell connectors.

Abstract: A receiving element for use in a photographic silver diffusion transfer process which comprises a transparent support carrying a layer comprising gelatin, hydroxyethyl cellulose and noble metal silver-precipitating nuclei; wherein said nuclei are present in a level of from about 0.1-0.4 mgs/ft.sup.2, gelatin is present at a level of from about 0.05 to 1.5 mgs/ft.sup.2 and hydroxyethyl cellulose is present at a level of about 0.1 to 7 mgs/ft.sup.2. Preferably, the noble metal is palladium. The receiving element is particularly useful in an additive color diffusion transfer process.

Abstract: A system for spatially stabilizing the field of view of a photocell on a camera includes a ring mounted for pendulous movement about its central axis, parallel to the optical axis of the camera objective, a photocell lens mounted on the ring for limited pendulous movement about an axis perpendicular to the ring axis, and a photocell for receiving light passed by the lens from the scene being photographed. The pendulously mounted ring provides a roll sensitive control that maintains the field of view of the photocell, as determined by the photocell lens, in a fixed position in response to rotation of the camera about its optical axis while the pivotal lens mounting provides a pitch sensitive control that maintains the field of view of the photocell in a fixed spatial position in response to changes in the elevation angle of the camera.

Abstract: A receiving element for use in a photographic silver diffusion transfer process which comprises a transparent support carrying a layer comprising gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol and noble metal silver-precipitating nuclei; wherein said nuclei are present in a level of from about 0.1-0.4 mgs/ft.sup.2, gelatin is present at a level of from about 0.05 to 1.5 mgs/ft.sup.2 and polyvinyl alcohol is present at a level of about 0.1 to 5 mgs/ft.sup.2. Preferably, the noble metal is palladium. The receiving element is particularly useful in an additive color diffusion transfer process.

Abstract: Translucent screens are provided comprising a dispersion of starch particles in a continuous polymeric phase.

Abstract: An electronic flash device is powered from a high voltage, low internal impedance battery which may be connected directly across a flash discharge tube to provide a flash discharge current through the tube without the use of a primary storage capacitor.

Abstract: An electronic flash device is preferably powered by a high voltage, generally planar multicell battery having a low internal impedance and a high current discharge capability to enable a flash storage capacitor to be quickly charged upon the battery being directly connected to the capacitor. Actuation of a photographic cycle initiating button on an associated camera operates to directly connect the battery to the flash storage capacitor thereby enabling the capacitor to be quickly charged to its required voltage in readiness to provide an illuminating flash of light during the exposure interval which commences at a minute time after the button actuation.

Abstract: A relatively thin, flat or planar battery which includes one or more cells, each cell having a planar anode in superposed relationship with a planar cathode and a separator disposed intermediate and extending substantially coextensive the facing surfaces of the anode and cathode and possessing an aqueous electrolyte solution disposed in the central portion of the separator. The end cell anode comprises a zinc sheet carrying a coating of zinc particles wherein both the sheet and the particles are in contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for permitting viewing of images carried by a motion picture film strip contained within a film cassette, of the type having a permanent prismatic reflective element at its exposure/projection station, through the taking lens of a motion picture camera. The viewing apparatus includes means for cooperating with the movie camera and the cassette for directing light into the reflecting prism to result in projection of the image carried by the frame of the film strip at the projection station along the taking lens axis of the camera. An optical viewing attachment is provided for establishing visual access along the lens axis. The viewing attachment includes an objective lens disposed along the lens axis to receive an aerial image formed by the camera's taking lens, and a reflective element disposed along the lens axis outwardly from the objective lens to receive the image formed by the objective lens and to direct this image along a viewing axis substantially perpendicular to the lens axis.