Abstract: A film welding apparatus is provided for solvent welding a first film to a second film. The apparatus has a movable backing surface adapted to support the first film, a pressing roller adapted to press the second film against the first film, and a solvent dispenser adapted to dispense a solvent between the first and second films.

Abstract: A slide blank comprises a support at least part of which is essentially transparent; an imageable layer superposed on one face of the support, the imageable layer not being substantially photosensitive but comprising a color-forming composition, which, upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, forms a colored material, thereby forming in the imageable layer an image which can be viewed in transmission; and a protective layer superposed on the imageable layer on the opposed side thereof from the support, at least part of the protective layer being essentially transparent; the support, imageable layer and protective layer being secured together to form a slide blank having a thickness of at least about 0.8 mm, and the thickness of the protective layer being such that no part of the imageable layer containing the color-forming composition is more than about 0.2 mm from one external surface of the slide blank. This slide blank can be imaged to produce a ready-mounted slide.

Abstract: A slide blank comprises a support; a mask layer having a substantially transparent central portion and a non-transparent peripheral portion surrounding the central portion; and an imageable layer which is not substantially photosensitive but is imageable to form an image which can be viewed in transmission. The support, mask layer and imageable layer are secured together so that the support and the imageable layer extend across essentially the entire transparent central portion of the mask layer, at least the portion of the support adjacent the central portion of the mask layer being substantially transparent. This slide blank can be imaged to produce a ready-mounted slide.

Abstract: Various configurations of rectangular optical information storage card include an information surface arranged in a generally concentric and/or spiral format so that the information surface can be read as the card is rotated. Such configurations can include an embossed layer to form an information surface.

Abstract: A method for forming photosensitive silver halide grains which comprises coalescing a fine-grain silver halide emulsion layer carried on a substantially planar surface of a support.

Abstract: A surface-type metal microporous filter is provided having a substantially uniform pore size of less than 15 micrometers and an open area greater than 10%. Methods for preparing such a filter by electrodeposition techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surface relief patterns of predetermined configuration are fabricated by a process which involves exposing a photosensitive material at a first position to a laser interference pattern, rotating said material about an axis perpendicular to its surface to a second position, exposing said material at said second position to a laser interference pattern, wherein at least one and preferably both of said exposures is individually below the effective threshold for linear response of said material, the points of intersection of the two fringe patterns being exposed above said threshold as a result of the combined exposures, and developing said material. The method provides a facile technique for the manufacture of surface relief patterns and is particularly useful when the pattern is of submicrometer size and difficult to manufacture by mechanical means.

Abstract: A photosensitive silver halide element comprising a support carrying photosensitive silver halide grains in a predetermined spaced array is prepared by a method which comprises at least partially coalescing fine-grain silver halide in a plurality of spaced depressions in a hydrophobic layer, superposing said layer with a hydrophilic layer during or subsequent to said coalescence, and then separating said hydrophilic layer and said hydrophobic layer whereby said coalesced silver halide grains are retained on said hydrophilic layer in a pattern corresponding substantially to the pattern of said spaced depressions.