Abstract: Described herein is an improved homogeniz head in which a variable orifice can be readily provided. The head (10) comprises a casing section (12) and a plug section (14). The casing section (12) has an internally threaded portion (120) which has a series of notches (126) formed in the threads (124). The plug section (14) has an externally threaded portion (14) which has a series of flats (154) formed on the threads (152). The two threaded portions (120, 140) are engaged and the cooperation of the notches (126) and flats (154) define homogeniz orifices through which the material being homogeniz passes. The orifices so formed are variable in size depending on the relative positioning of the notches (126) relative to the flats (154).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for distributing liquid by gravity, particularly in a photographic coating process.The device comprises: a) a rigid cylindrical outer pipe; an inner casing produced from a flexible material and the external diameter of which is less than or equal to the internal diameter of the pipe, said casing being arranged so as to define, with the pipe, substantially concentric first and second zones isolated from each other, the second zone being connected to a source of fluid so as to be able, under the effect of the pressure of the fluid, to cause the relative volumes of the first and second zones to vary in order to control the flow of liquid in the first zone; and c) a source of pressurized fluid connected to the second zone.

Abstract: A device for producing discrete rolls of chilled solutions or dispersions wherein the combination of a distribution bar, an auxiliary weir hopper and a puddle hopper allows for continuous coating of a rotating chiller drum in producing discrete rolls separated from each other by a time gap built into the deposition of the solutions or dispersions from the hopper to the rotating chilled drum.

Abstract: A method of cutting, slicing or perforating photographic imaging elements using certain cutting tools is disclosed. The cutting tool material includes zirconia and yttria at a molar ratio of yttria to zirconia from about 0.5:99.5 to about 5:95. The cutting tool is essentially a tetragonal crystal phase grain for the interior in a surface of cubic crystal phase grain or monoclinic crystal phase grain. This provides a hard, tough outer surface with a tough core. The cutting tool material can also be a composite of zirconia-alumina with or without surface modification.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for coating a photographic support.The process consists of depositing on a support a succession of at least two layers, at least one of which consists of a photosensitive composition, the top layer, situated at the opposite side to the support, containing a given concentration of at least one surfactant, the process being characterized in that a surfactant present in the top layer is introduced into the layer adjacent to the top layer at a concentration equal to at least 25% of the concentration of the same surfactant in the said top layer.

Abstract: There is described a process for purifying ethylene glycol recovered from scrap polyester by contacting the recovered ethylene glycol with, in either order, a first adsorbent that has a high affinity for polar contaminants and a second adsorbent that has a high affinity for non-polar contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for treating a polyester support such as polyethylene napthalate or polyethylene terephthalate. The treatment is carried out at near atmospheric pressure in a gas of helium and nitrogen or oxygen. The treatment uses anodized aluminum electrodes and an atmospheric glow discharge results when the electrodes are connected to an RF generator and spaced about 2 mm apart. The process and apparatus improve adhesion of subsequently coated emulsions on the polyester support.

Abstract: The present invention is an edge blade attached to an edge guide for removing an edge of a falling curtain. The edge of the falling curtain is intercepted by the edge blade and is vacuumed away by a vacuum tube disposed near the edge blade wherein the air flow is blocked to said suction means from the outboard direction and directing said suction means to draw air from the inboard direction towards the curtain; and flushing liquid is distributed to encompass the intercepted liquids of the free falling curtain.

Abstract: A solution containing a dimethylamine silver chloro-iodide complex is added with an antifoggant to a silver chloride emulsion to form a stable AgICl emulsion.

Abstract: There is described a process and apparatus for the depolymerization of polyester resins, such as polyethylene terephthalate into component monomers using a countercurrent or crossflow reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is an edge blade attached to an edge guide for removing an edge of a falling curtain. The edge of the falling curtain is intercepted by the edge blade and is vacuumed away by a vacuum tube disposed near the edge blade wherein the blade is extending from the edge guide into the falling curtain to intercept a part of the free falling curtain and positioning the blade above the impingement of the falling curtain on the support wherein the blade is angled into the free falling curtain so that the blade is closest to the support where the part of the free falling curtain is intercepted and farthest from the support at the edge guide. Air to the vacuum tube is blocked from the outboard direction, and the tube is directed to draw air from the inboard direction towards the curtain.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for improving the uniformity of a liquid curtain in a curtain coating system. The apparatus comprises means for, prior to the coating of the medium, forcing the liquid composition which flows on the forward face of the lip to wet the rear face of the lip of the coating device over a predetermined distance greater than the distance over which the liquid composition would naturally wet the rear face.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for preparing a photographic emulsion.The device according to the invention comprises a plurality of external circulation loops disposed in parallel and in which the content of a vessel containing at least a stirred gelatin solution is circulated, the loops having an identical configuration, means being provided for adding in an identical manner, to each of the loops, reagents required for the formation and/or growth of silver halide grains, the output of the circulation loops being recycled continuously in the vessel.

Abstract: A continuous method of preparing submicron particles of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent comprises the steps of continuously introducing the agent and rigid grinding media into a milling chamber, contacting the agent with the grinding media while in the chamber to reduce the particle size of the agent, continuously removing the agent and the grinding media from the milling chamber, and thereafter separating the agent from the grinding media. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding media is a polymeric resin having a mean particle size of less than 300 .mu.m. In another preferred embodiment, the agent, grinding media and a liquid dispersion medium are continuously introduced into the milling chamber. In a further embodiment, the agent and grinding media are recirculated through the milling chamber. The method enables the use of fine grinding media, e.g., of a particle size of less than about 300 .mu.m, in a continuous grinding process which provides extremely fine particles of the agent, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for treating a polyester support such as polyethylene naphthalate or polyethylene terephthalate. The treatment is carried out at near atmospheric pressure in a gas of helium and optionally nitrogen and/or oxygen. The treatment uses anodized aluminum electrodes and an atmospheric glow discharge results when the electrodes are connected to an RF generator and spaced about 2 mm apart. The process and apparatus improve adhesion of subsequently coated emulsions on the polyester support at high speeds and relatively low power by selecting a frequency of 40 kHz to 500 kHz.

Abstract: A metallic sheet (10) is laminated between a pair of photoresist layers (26, 30) having different properties which permit one photoresist (26) to be stripped from the metallic sheet, substantially without effecting the other photoresist (30). A thin gauge blank or article (56) is photo-chemically machined from the lamination and the photoresist (26) is stripped from one side, leaving the other photoresist (30) to provide electrical insulation on just one side of the article.

Abstract: There is described a process for depolymerizing polyethylene naphthalate polyester to monomer components which then can be used to make virgin polyester.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved flywheel for damping vibrations in a coating roll. The improved flywheel has an inner plate and an outer plate and sandwiched between the two plates are alternating rings of a solid body material such as aluminum or steel and conventional vibration damping material. Typically, the flywheel is attached to the coating roll outside of the bearing mounting block. The flywheel is designed such that movement of the inner and outer plates relative to each other works to compress the damping material sandwiched between the two plates. The plates are fastened together so that torsional motion between the plates, alternating rings, and coating roll is prevented. This compression of the damping material results in the absorption and dissipation of vibrational energy of the radial bending of the coating roll.

Abstract: A method for preparing a ceramic composite having a core/bulk of tetragonal zirconia alloy and a shell/surface comprising zirconium boride by sintering a zirconia or zirconia and alumina composite article in an argon atmosphere while in contact with boron carbide.

Abstract: A method of coating moveable supports at high speeds comprises moving a support along a path through a coating zone; forming two or more layers including a topmost layer of coating liquids to form a liquid coating composition; and applying the liquid coating composition to the moving support wherein the topmost layer of the liquid coating composition is shear thinning.