Abstract: A particle collection system of an imaging apparatus includes an air flow generation device to generate an air flow for transporting airborne particles, a charging device that is located upstream of the air flow generation device in a ventilation direction to charge the floating fine particles in the air flow, and a particle collection device that is located downstream of the charging device in the ventilation direction to collect the airborne particles which are charged by the charging device. The charging device includes a discharging electrode and a counter electrode, and the particle collection device includes a tubular ventilation passage. A length of the tubular ventilation passage in the ventilation direction is greater than an opening diameter of the tubular ventilation passage, and the opening diameter of the tubular ventilation passage is less than or equal to a gap between the discharging electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: A dust is electrostatically charged using an ion-releasing means adapted to release only ionized air with occurrence of a corona discharge, thereby reducing the amount of power consumed and the amount of ozone generated to the utmost.

Abstract: An anvil arrangement for receiving rapper impacts and transmitting them to a discharge electrode of a precipitator has an electrode tube made of deformable material, having an open end and forming part of the discharge electrode. An anvil having a head and a shank is connected to the head and the shank has a size for insertion into the open end of the tube. The head is larger than the tube for engagement against the open end of the tube. The shank has a recess therein and at least one crimp in the tube near the open end thereof and in the vicinity of the recess of the shank for retaining the anvil to the tube. An alternate embodiment receives the electrode tube therein and engages the tube with an angled groove.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure from which various types of active semiconductor devices can be formed is made of a semiconductor island on a transparent substrate, having thereon an electrically insulating layer of a protective material, such as silicon dioxide, which extends onto and covers the sides of the semiconductor island. The protective layer can either cover only the sides of the semiconductor island or extend over the top edge of the island. The protective layer is made by etching through a photoresist mask made of a negatively reacting photoresist which is formed by exposure to irradiation from beneath the uncovered surface of the substrate, whereby the thickness of the silicon island and the flux density of the irradiation are selected so that for a particular duration, the irradiation is completely attenuated by the semiconductor island.

Abstract: Presensitized printing plates for lithographic printing which comprise an aluminum support having an anodically oxidized aluminum oxide film thereon and a light-sensitive layer containing internal latent image type silver halide grains which are not fogged on the anodically oxidized aluminum oxide film on the support.

Abstract: A method of forming a microscopically texturized surface on a crystalline semiconductor material is disclosed which method includes the use of a radioactive source for uniformly irradiating the surface. The radioactive source includes a plane surface having a uniform distribution of radioactive material thereon In one arrangement the radioactive source surface area is at least the size of the polished crystalline semiconductor surface to be texturized, and the radioactive source is positioned closely adjacent the polished surface for a predetermined time period for uniform irradiation of the same. If desired, the radioactive source and crystalline surface may be relatively movable during irradiation of the surface, in which case the source may be in the form of an elongated strip of sufficient length to extend beyond opposite edges of the polished surface area to be texturized.

Abstract: Light-sensitive compositions containing a quinone diazide which are useful in positive-working photoresists and positive-working lithographic printing plates are developed with a developing composition comprising methyltriethanol ammonium hydroxide. The developing composition provides the advantage that it is free of metal ions and, accordingly, does not contaminate the surface of the image. It is additionally advantageous in that it provides extended development latitude, increased exposure latitude, improved resist contrast, improved prebake latitude, a low depletion rate and minimal loss of image layer thickness.

Abstract: Means and method for forming a raised metallic relief wherein a metal foil affixed to a support film is selectively etched, affixed to a wood surface, and then exposed to a scanning concentrated laser beam to vaporize the support film and wood in areas unprotected by the metal sheet. The metal design is left on the wood surface in the form of a raised relief.

Abstract: A photo-induced thermally degradable imaging system comprising a continuous, water-insoluble film of a peroxide copolymer of oxygen and a vinyl aromatic monomer having the structural formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN R.sub.1 can be hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryl group containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms or a halogen atom and b is an integer from 1 to 2, on a substrate.

Abstract: A moire contour map of a three-dimensional object is obtained by a moire contour measuring system. The moire contour map is used for making a profiling model to be used in a profiling machine to make a number of plates having configurations corresponding to the contour lines of the moire contour map. The number of plates prepared by the profiling machine are stacked to form a stack of plates having a contour approximately equivalent to the contour of the original three-dimensional object. The stacked plates are bound together and a surface smoothing cover or a filling agent is applied on the surface of the stacked plates to form a replica of the object.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive linear polymers comprise repeating structural units containing an o-nitrophenyl acetal. The polymer is formed, for example, by the linear polycondensation of o-nitrobenzaldehyde with a particular dihydroxy alcohol. The polymers are useful as coatings to form positive-working radiation-sensitive elements such as photoresists or lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: A pattern-forming material comprises a substrate and a radiation sensitive chalcogenide layer disposed thereon. The radiation sensitive chalcogenide layer consists of an amorphous layer having a chemical composition of 75 to 95 mol% of selenium and 5 to 25 mol% of germanium and a silver layer superimposed thereon. The pattern-forming materials having the radiation sensitive chalcogenide layer of the invention are particularly useful in lithographic applications.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of an expanded article having an embossed surface comprises exposing the surface of a layer of photo-setting and expandable resin composition to partially screened light to cure only that portion of the layer of resin composition which has been exposed to the light, and then heating to expand the layer of resin composition, whereby indentations are formed in the surface.

Abstract: Substituted dioxolanes are provided having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are H or a phenyl group substituted with up to 5 substituents of lower alkyl or nitro, with the proviso that at least one of F.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is a phenyl group having an orthonitro substituent; and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each H or lower alkyl. These dioxolanes, as well as appropriate dioxanes, are used to intercalate a polyoxymethylene polymer to make such a polymer having thermally stable but photochemically sensitive and degradable random linkages ##STR2## in the chain where n is 0 or 1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are H or lower alkyl and at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is a phenyl group with an orthonitro substituent. By exposing a film of the polymer to light through a transparency followed by heating or a heated treatment with base, a relief image of the copy on the transparency is obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a radiation-sensitive copying composition comprising a compound (1) which splits-off an acid upon irradiation and a compound (2) having at least one group selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic ortho acid ester group and a carboxylic acid amide acetal group, which composition, upon irradiation, forms an exposure product having a higher solubility in a liquid developer than the non-irradiated composition.

Abstract: A positive relief image is produced by coating a substrate with a layer of a copolymer containing about 90-98 mole percent of polymerized lower alkyl methacrylate units and about 2-10 mole percent of polymerized lower haloalkyl methacrylate units, heating the layer to cause cross-linking between polymer chains by removal of hydrogen halide, patternwise exposing the layer with high energy radiation such as a scanning electron beam, and removing the exposed portion of the layer with a solvent developer.The purpose of this abstract is to enable the public and the Patents and Trademark Office to rapidly determine the subject matter of the technical disclosure of the application. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope thereof.

Abstract: Electrostatic imaging apparatus for transfer development of latent images employing a developer donor member with a plurality of raised micro-pins on the donor surface, for self-spacing the donor from the imaging surface. Methods of producing such donors are disclosed.

Abstract: A letter press printing plate is disclosed for wrapping around a drum. The printing surface is formed with a light-sensitive material layer on a metal backing plate with two different levels, the high level representing areas of solid or dark tones of printing and the low level representing areas of light tones of printing. The printing plate overcomes the problem of even transfer of ink from the solid or dark tones of printing areas and the light tones of printing areas. A method of forming the letter press printing plate is also disclosed wherein a photo polymer layer on a backing plate is first exposed to a negative representing areas of solid or dark tones and light tones of printing. The photo polymer layer is then dissolved away to the backing plate in areas where no printing occurs and formed into a two-level printing surface with the areas of solid or dark tones being at a high level and the areas of light tones being at a low level.

Abstract: The anchorage of silver images to their supports, especially in wash-off films developed by tanning developing agents, is improved by incorporating cyclohexylamine or a derivative thereof in the silver halide emulsion layer, in a layer coated between the emulsion and the support, in an overcoat, or in the processing bath.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat resistant, light resistant, chemically resistant and abrasion resistant noble metal image comprising forming a silver image on a photographic material which comprises a substrate having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer, either directly or on at least one subbing layer on the substrate, by exposing and developing the photographic material, converting the silver image into a noble metal image by contacting the silver image with a compound containing a noble metal having an ionization tendency smaller than the ionization tendency of silver, and then heating the photographic material in an oxygen-containing gas to thermally decompose and substantially remove the organic components on the substrate.

Abstract: A multilayer image-forming material which comprises an organic sulfur compound and a metal capable of interreacting upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation to form an interreaction product or products (hereinafter product and products will simply termed "product"). When the image-forming material is imagewise irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, an interreaction product of the organic sulfur compound and the metal is formed in the irradiated portions of the material, and the physical, chemical and pysico-chemical properties of the thus formed interreaction product are different from those of the respective organic sulfur compound and metal in the non-irradiated portions. Utilizing this difference in properties, the present image-forming material is useful for various applications.

Abstract: This application relates to procedures wherein a photographic image in silver prepared by diffusion transfer is treated in such a manner as to provide a printing plate or inking master useful in photomechanical reproduction or to provide a non-silver image of the original subject matter, e.g., a document or the like to be reproduced.

Abstract: An X-ray mask for variable resist exposure for use with X-ray lithography so that multi-level devices, using a single exposure of X-rays, can be made.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed by which a processed photosensitive material can be provided with a lenticular surface with each lenticule having a predetermined profile. The lenticules are arranged relative to one another with such a degree of accuracy that any speckle and scintillation that might be produced when the processed material is utilized as an element of a transmission or reflection type screen is reduced to a minimum, if not completely eliminated. Once the exposure factors for the emulsion have been established, the exposure profile can be determined for a particular lenticule profile to be imaged onto the photographic material or emulsion. The exposure profile can be utilized to provide a transparency master target pattern which can be of a relatively large size.

Abstract: A method of making a printing plate for intaglio printing having text characters and/or other indicia recessed therein for receiving printing ink which has a plurality of relatively thin barriers separating the text characters into a plurality of ink wells and defining surfaces for supporting a doctor blade during printing, the support surfaces intersecting the edges of each of the text characters at generally right angles and intersecting other supports at generally right angles to improve the quality of the printing of the text characters by minimizing the non-printing areas within the edges of the text characters and effectively retaining the shape of the edges of the characters, and a film or other photographic product for use in making such plates. The doctor blade supports are also designed to compensate for uneven material removal by chemical etching or the like so that the thickness of the supports are more uniform to minimize the non-printed areas within the edges of the characters.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article carrying a relief image intended for printing comprises exposing to an appropriate activating radiation the surface of a receptor material having at least a part of its thickness from the surface thereof formed of a homogeneous mixture of a solid material whose aptitude for softening when heated is modified when it is exposed to said activating radiation, and of at least one substance which releases a gas upon being heated, in such a manner as to transcribe therein a latent image in the form of differences in aptitude for softening and by heating the receptor material to a temperature such that its exposed parts and its non-exposed parts are softened to different degrees, said temperature being at least equal to that at which said substance releases said gas, thereby causing swelling of the exposed parts and the non-exposed parts to different heights thereby forming a relief image based on differential capacity for softening.

Abstract: A metallic image forming article comprising a support, an intermediate layer comprising Al and a metal having an ionizing tendency lower than that of Al, and a photosensitive resin layer on the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A process for reproducing an original having visible light absorptive image markings on a light transparent background by exposing to visible light passing through the original a normally water-removable heat-sensitive recording layer which consists essentially of a hydrophilic water-removable binder having generally homogeneously distributed therethrough finely divided particles of a hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer normally solid at room temperature together with finely divided material capable of absorbing visible light and converting it into heat and is otherwise generally transparent. The exposure is for a time lasting no longer than 10.sup.-.sup.1 second to visible light of an intensity of at least 0.3 watt, sec. per sq.cm.

Abstract: Lenticules of predetermined optical power and size are formed photographically in the emulsion of a photographic film. An emulsion is exposed to a target having a profile mathematically related to the cross sections desired in the lenticules to be formed. Exposure can be to a cyclically uniform target through a cylindrical lens, by scanning the cyclical target across the emulsion, or by scanning a single profile across the film emulsion in a raster pattern. Upon processing the emulsion in a prescribed manner, a phase image comprising contiguous cylindrical lenticules having cross sections which are predetermined in accordance with the target profile is formed in the emulsion. In a second embodiment, lenticules in an array or matrix having predetermined profiles are produced by exposing two emulsions to a target as above described and processing both emulsions to density images. The density image carrying processed emulsions are then superimposed, the density images formed thereon being orthogonally oriented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed by which a processed photosensitive material can be provided with a lenticular surface with each lenticule having a predetermined profile. The lenticules are arranged relative to one another with such a degree of accuracy that any speckle and scintillation that might be produced when the processed material is utilized as an element of a transmission or reflection type screen is reduced to a minimum, if not completely eliminated. Once the exposure factors for the emulsion have been established, the exposure profile can be determined for a particular lenticule profile to be imaged onto the photographic material or emulsion. The exposure profile can be utilized to provide a transparency master target pattern which can be of a relatively large size.

Abstract: Light-sensitive compositions including a polymer of the type that is reactable with an azide sensitizer when exposed to light and a sensitizing amount of a naphthalene sensitizer having ortho diazo and oxo substituents at the 1,2 or the 2,1 positions of the naphthalene nucleus and further having an azidosulfonyl substituent group of which the sulfonyl moiety is bonded directly to the naphthalene nucleus at the 4 or the 5-position, are advantageous in the preparation of positive-working photolithographic materials. IN the azidosulfonyl group, the azido moiety can be linked directly or indirectly to the sulfonyl moiety, such as in the compounds 2-diazo-1,2-dihydro-1-oxo-5(4'-azidophenoxysulfonyl)naphthalene and 5-azidosulfonyl-2-diazo-1,2-dihydro-1-oxonaphthalene. The light-sensitive compositions can be coated on support materials to prepare composite photographic elements having utility as photolithographic printing masters and photoresists for etching operations.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in processes wherein an oxidation-reduction reaction is utilized to form an image. In one aspect of this invention, the improvement comprises employing an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent which undergo imagewise redox reaction in the presence of catalytic material, the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent being so chosen that the reaction products are noncatalytic for the oxidation-reduction reaction. In another aspect of this invention, a substitution inert metal complex is utilized as the oxidant in oxidation-reduction image-forming processes. Novel processing compositions and photographic materials are also described. In a specific aspect, this divisional application relates to processes for tanning a crosslinkable colloid with the reaction products of the above redox reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the preparation of a relief printing master which is based on irradiation of a film of a composition comprisingA. a degradable polymer containing segments characterized by the structural formula ##EQU1## wherein R is H, an alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a chlorine or fluorine substituted alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a cyano substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, andB. a photosensitizer which upon exposure to actinic radiation assumes a .sup.3 (n, .pi.*) or a .sup.1 (n, .pi.*) state.The polymer and photosensitizer combination, which is in the form of a thin film upon a suitable substrate, is exposed in an imagewise manner to actinic radiation to thereby degrade the polymer. Upon such degradation, depressions are formed in the exposed areas thereby rendering the exposed film suitable for use as a relief printing master.

Abstract: The effective sensitivity of a photo- or electron beam resist is improved by contacting the resist film with developer solution and water prior to exposure.

Abstract: The development of an exposed electron beam sensitive resist film in a two-stage process, rather than in a single stage, with a water wash between stages, improves the sensitivity and resolution that can be achieved for the resist.

Abstract: A colored image in a polymer binder is obtained by polymerization of a mixture comprising (1) at least one polymerizable monomer, (2) a halogen containing activator (free radical source), (3) a binder, and (4) at least one normally bleachable dye, dissolved in said mixture; the polymerization being accomplished by imagewise exposure of said composition to a suitable dose of radiation, and is accompanied by fixing of the dye to the photopolymer. As a consequence, the dyes lose their bleaching characteristic and when the exposed areas are developed with a strong acid such as one which would normally bleach the dye, the dye is leached from only the unexposed areas. If the developer also includes an aliphatic alcohol, the unexposed areas may be removed, leaving a relief image with color in the raised portions.

Abstract: A method for forming micropatterns comprising, superposing a transparent raised image formed on a transparent substrate on a photosensitive layer of a photographic material or forming a transparent raised image on the photosensitive layer of the photographic material, uniformly exposing the photosensitive layer through the transparent raised image to light to which the photosensitive layer is sensitive so that the light intensity at edges of the transparent image is non-uniform, and developing the photosensitive layer to form a micropattern corresponding to the outlines of the transparent raised image.