Abstract: An energy attenuating support plate (10) for protecting an object thereon, such as a roll (R) of photographic web, from damage due to shock during handling and transportation. The support plate (10) is engageably attached to either end of the core (C) of the roll (R) and provides a means of absorbing impact energy incurred by the support plate (10). The molded plastic plate (10) comprises first, second and third energy attenuation regions (24,30,40) that successively absorb as-received energy before such energy encounters the roll (R) supported thereon.

Abstract: In a vehicle (10) of the type having a first frame (12), apparatus for driving and turning the vehicle (18,24), and apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load (110), and wherein the apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load is mounted on a second frame (78) having an underside having a seating surface (72) thereon, the improvement comprising:a third frame (54), supported by the first frame, for supporting the second frame on the seating surface and having mounted thereon a plurality of biasing elements (64) for contacting the second frame to thereby allow limited off-vertical movement of the apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load with respect to the third frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering of ions present in a pressurized fluid stream. The apparatus comprises at least one ion exchange chamber having a first passage for providing fluid communication between the at least ion exchange chamber and the pressurized fluid stream and a second fluid passage for allowing fluid to exit the at least one ion exchange chamber. The first and second passages being positioned such that a substantially spiral vortex is created in the pressurized fluid stream as it flows through the at least one ion exchange chamber.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for limiting the movements of a shaft in response to the changes in tension in a sheet passing in contact with the shaft, and a cutting machine using such a device. The device comprises at least one cylindrically shaped member (10, 11) designed to be placed in contact with the said shaft (16) so as to limit the movements, each of the cylindrical members (10, 11) allowing two levels of contact with the shaft, a first variable level on a non-metallic surface of the member for normal tension conditions in the sheet (17) and a second, substantially fixed level for abnormally high conditions of tension in the sheet.

Abstract: A rack for supporting and accurately positioning rolls of web material (16-24) comprises a base member (10) having an upper surface (12) on which a plurality of support members (14, 26-32) are mounted by a plurality of individually removable brackets (34-40), the support members engaging axially extending ends (24) of the cores (18) of the rolls. A fixture (48-72, 88, 90) and method for assembling such a rack are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) referred to as a step and repeat sensitometer directs radiant energy (18) from a radiant energy source (16) into a diffuse integrating chamber (2) which uniformly mixes and directs the radiant energy (18) onto an exposure plane (14) where a radiation sensitive sample (1) is positioned so that individual areas of the sample (1) are exposed to readily adjustable levels of illuminance producing gradated exposures.

Abstract: Webs are provided with edge knurls whose effective height varies along the length of the web in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for producing thin polymeric film and includes a source (17) of a solution of polymer and solvent; a casting member (10) having an outer surface (12) for receiving a cast layer (18) of polymer and solvent, the layer having a transverse width; a casting die (16) for casting the layer of polymer and solvent onto the outer surface, the die including a transverse slot (20) with adjacent upstream and downstream lips (22, 24) between which the polymer and solvent flow during casting, the lips having lengths approximating the transverse width of the layer; and a device (11 ) for moving the outer surface past the casting die.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circular knife (12) as well as a cutting device (11-15) for cutting materials into webs. The cutting device comprises at least one circular knife (12) arranged on a shaft (11) and characterized in that the circular knife is directly mounted on the shaft, the knife being maintained in the cutting position by means of two spacer rings (13) located on both sides of the knife. The knife is characterized in that, when it is mounted according to the present invention device, it exhibits a suitable flexibility, in order, when operating, to generate a pressure on a lower knife whose variations with respect to a mean value do not exceed 10% in absolute value.

Abstract: A silver nitrate feed solution containing nitrites and nitric acid is treated to produce a low-nitrite silver nitrate product solution. In the process, the temperature of the feed solution is established in the range of from about 80.degree. C. to about the boiling point of the feed solution. The feed solution is introduced into a vessel having a stripping zone containing a contacting element and is dispersed over the contacting element. The feed solution is flowed counter to and intimately contacted in the stripping zone with a motive gas to strip nitrites from solution and form a low-nitrite silver nitrate product solution.

Abstract: A plasticizing apparatus (10) including a barrel (12) having a bore (14) therethrough. An auger (24) and a rotor (30) are positioned in the bore, each extending from opposed ends (16, 18) of the barrel (12) and having ends (26, 34) that are substantially flush. The auger (24) conveys particulate plastic material along the bore (14), the plastic being frictionally melted before passing the auger discharge end (26). The rotor (30) is provided to uniformly heat the melted plastic. Auger (24) and rotor (30) each are associated with independent means for rotating (28, 32) and means for controlling the speed of rotation (50, 52). The speed of rotation of the auger (24) controls the flow rate of plastic through the bore, and the speed of rotation of the rotor (30) controls the temperature of the melted plastic.

Abstract: Webs (12, 14) to be spliced are provided with end edges (24, 26) which are positioned with an overlap (38), covered by a metal buffer strip (60) and joined by application of ultrasonic energy (54, 62, 64).

Abstract: A wound spool (10) of film strip (24) of the type having a full width portion (26.sub.b), a reduced width lead end (26) and a transition portion (26.sub.a) extending between the full width and reduced width portions, the spool including a core (12,14) to which the lead end is attached, a pair of radially extended end flanges (18) at respective opposite ends of the core and a pair of circumferentially and axially extended shoulders (16) between the end flanges and the core for supporting the longitudinally extending edges of the full width portion. Each of the shoulders has an axially extended, essentially cylindrical portion (16.sub.b) adjacent a respective one of the end flanges for supporting one of the edges of the full width portion; an axially extended frusto-conical portion (16.sub.a) extended from the cylindrical portion toward the core for supporting the edges of the transition portion; the length (l.sub.2) of the core between the frusto-conical portions and the diameter (d.sub.

Abstract: The invention concerns a punch block support arm adaptable to a perforating device as well as a process for mounting punches on such a block. According to the invention, the block comprises a narrow slot (12, 20, 23) across the whole block thickness, and extending on the whole length of the punch array. The slot extends, at each of its ends (23), perpendicular to the alignment axis (26) of the punches (20, 22), in order to define a longitudinal bar (14) and two transversal bars (15, 16), the slot being located so that the distortion of the longitudinal bar brings relatively closer the portions of transversal bars so as to immobilize the punches.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a controlled relative displacement of two parallel surfaces along a single axis or along two orthogonal axes is disclosed. Controlled displacement along any axes, orthogonal or otherwise, may be obtained by stacking appropriately oriented single-axis units. The apparatus uses a force-generating means and connecting beams acting in concert to produce a relative displacement of two rigid parallel frames. An imaging means is mounted on one rigid frame and a photosensitive matrix on the other to provide an electro-optical detector system in which the image field may be periodically displaced along a closed trajectory to cover the interstices between the detector elements of the photosensitive matrix. A method for the use of the apparatus to generate electronic picture information is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spool (10) for a strip (24) of web material such as a photographic film strip of the type having a lead end (26), the spool including a core (12) to which the lead end is attached, a pair of radially extended end flanges (18) at respective opposite ends of the core and a pair of circumferentially and axially extended shoulders (16) between the end flanges and the core for supporting at least a portion of the longitudinally extending edges of the lead end. Each of the shoulders has an axially extended frusto-conical portion adjacent to and extended from the end flange to the core for supporting one of the edges of the lead end; the axial length (1.sub.3) and cone angle (.phi.) of each frusto-conical portion being sufficient for winding the lead end about the frusto-conical portions and for permitting the first convolution of the film strip to bow inwardly toward the core, thereby radially spacing the second convolution from the first convolution and a strip of tape (22) attaching the lead end to the core.

Abstract: The device prevents any relative translation movement in a first plane between two members moving one with regard to the other in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Two linkages P.sub.1 P.sub.4 and P.sub.2 P.sub.3 are flexibly connected at their middle parts by members F1,F6 and a reinforced part 7. The two linkages have one of their ends connected to the first member by a fixed pivot point P.sub.1 and a movable pivot point P.sub.3, the other end of the two linkages being connected to the second member by a fixed pivot point P.sub.2 and a movable pivot point P.sub.4, the fixed pivot points and the movable pivot points being comprised of flexible portions, F.sub.1 to F.sub.4,8 and 9 of the linkages.

Abstract: A cut end (18) of a web (14) is held by a vacuum shuttle head (105, 106, 108, 136, 138) and a central vacuum finger (114-124) holds a central tongue (22) of the web during insertion into a preassembled cartridge (50, 52, 26). During winding the cartridge is rotated (174-184) to avoid scraping the web on the cartridge.

Abstract: A device and a process are disclosed for driving a moving surface in a reciprocating motion in a plane, and having a magnitude A.sub.2. Two parallelograms are provided, which can be distorted in a plane perpendicular to the plane where the motion is carried out. Each of both parallelograms exhibits two parallel sides, one being common to both parallelograms and driven in a reciprocating motion having a displacement A.sub.1 =A.sub.2 /2, the other parallel side of the first parallelogram being stationary and the other parallel side of the second parallelogram being driven in a reciprocating motion having a displacement A.sub.2.