Abstract: A cassette for wound web material has an anti-clockspringing mechanism for securing the web against movement during storage and shipment. The roll of web material is mounted on a tubular core (12) arranged to rotate with the roll of material within the cassette (10).The cassette (10) has a jacket (16), end caps (22), and core plugs (34) for securing the end caps (22) onto end edges (18) of the jacket cassette (10). Each of the end caps (22) has a plurality of radially extending spaced apart stop (32). The anti-clockspringing mechanism comprises an arm (56) on the core plug (34) movable between a core-blocking position in which the arm (56) extends into a space between two adjacent ribs (32) and is retained therebetween for preventing rotation of the web roll, and a core-unblocking position on which the arm (56) is disengaged from the ribs (32) for allowing web rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing a liquefied sample and weighing the sample are provided. The method includes providing a balance for weighing the sample, removably mounting a magnetic mixer having a drive mechanism on the balance, mounting a holder on the magnetic mixer, placing a sample container containing the liquefied sample and a magnet capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation under influence of the drive means on the holder, operating the drive mechanism and rotating the magnet thereby mixing the liquefied sample, and weighing the liquefied sample. The power source of an air-powered balance mixer is connected such that any external noise is isolated when the mixer is not in use. Air flow from a pressurized air source is channeled through a nozzle and collected by the intake port of the air mixer. The nozzle drives the mixer without actually touching the mixer or the balance.

Abstract: A package system 10 for storing and transporting photographic film products in an environment substantially free of dirt, light and moisture has a support member 12 comprising a first portion 14, a medial portion and a second portion 16. The first and second portions 14,16 each comprise a plurality of spaced openings 24 for receiving a partial portion of the product in a substantially locked relation with the first and second portions 14,16, respectively to restrict translational movement of the product in the support member 12. A pair of spaced single foldable scored lines 17,19 in the medial portion of the support member 12 forms an end wall 20 therebetween that spatially separates the first portion 14 from the second portion 16. When product are nested in the first portion 14 of the support member 12 and the second portion 16 is brought into folded engagement with the an opposite portion of the nesting product, a container 30 is formed.

Abstract: The critical time in photographic processing apparatus is the time from when the first part of photographic material enters the apparatus to when the last part leaves the apparatus. During this time there are periods of time in which no processing takes place, for example, as the material is passed from one stage to the next. Described herein is a processing unit which minimizes the periods of time during which no processing is taking place. The unit comprises a processing tank (6) having processing solution (4) retained therein. Material (S) is fed into the tank (6) along a path (2), and around a looped path (8) until reaches a point (10) at which the material (S) can be deflected out of the tank (6), along path (14) and into a further processing tank (16), or can be deflected along path (12) so that further processing can take place in tank (6) prior to being passed on to the next stage.

Abstract: A method of attaching film web 10 having a remaining portion 12 and a trailing end portion 18 to a spool 24 is disclosed. The method of attachment comprises forming a necked down portion 20 terminating in an axially extending flap 22 on trailing end portion 18 of film web 10. Moreover, the method of the invention comprises forming an adhesive member 34 comprising a central portion 36 for securely attaching to a seat 32 on elongated core 26 of spool 24, a first end portion 38 for securely attaching to one side of trailing end portion 18 of film web 10 such that first end portion 38 does not extend beyond necked down portion 20, and a second end portion 40 for securely attaching to the opposite side of said trailing end portion 18 beyond necked down portion 20 on non-image area 16 of film web 10. Additionally, the method of the invention is practiced by flexibly attaching adhesive member 34 to spool 24 and film web 10.

Abstract: A package structure 10 for storing and transporting photographic film magazines comprises a container 12 having a open end 24 and a base 14 supporting opposing end walls 16 and opposing side walls 20,24. Side walls 20,22 have a plurality of spaced apart recesses 32,34, respectively, forming chambers or receptacles 30, for frictionally receiving the end portion and the hub extending from the opposite end portion of the 135 photographic film magazines disposed therein. A lid member 26, made from a flexible opaque laminate material environmentally compatible with the container 12, is hermetically sealed to a flange member 42 formed in the top edge 28 of the end and side walls 16,20,22. The sealed package 10 protects the enclosed product from deleterious environmental effects, such as dirt, light and moisture, and is convenient to use.

Abstract: A pump 10 for materials having a viscosity up to about 3.0.times.10.sup.5 cps, such as cellulose acetate, has a pump body 12 formed with a gear receiving means and, mounted thereon for closing the gear receiving means 13, a pair of side plates 16, 18 having bearing receiving cavities 21. The side plates 16, 18 have pressure relief means 50 for relieving pressure that builds-up in the intermesh of gears 14 when highly viscous material, such as cellulose acetate, is being pumped. This means of diverting the pressure buildup enables the pump 10 and component parts, such as shafts 22, 24 and plain bearings 20, to resist premature failure due otherwise to the resultant load caused by residual pressure buildup. In the preferred embodiment, wear resistant ceramic plain bearings 20 are press fitted in the bearing cavities. Grooves or channels 30 in the interior walls 32 of bearings 20 provide a means to lubricate shafts 22, 24 rotatably supported in the bearings 20.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 for processing photosensitive sheets in a tank 12 having a developer solution comprises a gas distributor 14 having a single gas distribution means 16 with at least two independent gas inlet lines 18,20 for providing a gas to the distributor 14. In another preferred embodiment, the gas distributor has independent first and second gas distribution means 26,28. In this embodiment, gas distributor 14 may be substantially star shaped and comprise a plurality of closed ended gas dispensing ducts 30 emanating from a common hub 32. In still another preferred embodiment, the gas distributor 14 is a substantially square shaped member comprising a plurality of closed ended dispensing ducts 30 alternatingly arranged in the same plane of member 31. The dispensing ducts 30 have a plurality of spaced openings 25 for emitting gas into the processing solution. In an alternative embodiment, an in-line check valve 36 prevents solution from flooding the gas distributor 14.

Abstract: An adjustable valve stem apparatus 10 adapted for use in an injection molding equipment or device comprises a cylindrical body 12 comprising internally threaded fixed portion 14 and moveable portion 16 threadably mounted on a double-ended screw 30. The fixed and moveable portions 14,16 are relatively oppositely threaded with threads of essentially equal pitch. Moveable portion 16 has a means 26 for removably mounting a valve stem 28 which communicates with a mold cavity. The double-ended screw 30 has a socket 38 formed in its top portion for adjusting the moveable portion 16 relative to the fixed portion 14 thereby correspondingly axially displacing the valve stem 28 from a first to second position relative to the workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 may be adjusted from the outside of the injection molding equipment, where equipment uptime is critical to the operation.

Abstract: A light-tight enclosure for storing and dispensing a roll of photosensitive web material wound about a hollow cylindrical core having open opposite ends. The enclosure comprises a flexible opaque bag with opposite sidewalls extending between opposing rearward and forward portions and opposing upper and lower portions. Each sidewall has a central aperture therein congruent with each core end. The rearward portion defines a closable opening for receiving the roll. A shallow neck portion projects from the forward portion to an end thereof defining an exit slot for dispensing the web material. A collar fits tightly inside each core end, with an annular flange thereon facing axially outward. An annular ring is attachable to each collar in spaced, inward-facing relation to the flange.

Abstract: In use with a photosensitive web roll located inside a light-tight container having an exit slot through which the web is withdrawable, a flexible enclosure is provided for light-shielding a leading end portion of the web extending from the roll through the slot and outside the container. The enclosure comprises a flexible, substantially rectangular, opaque sleeve adapted to enclose the web end portion. The sleeve includes opposing top and bottom walls disposed in adjacent, registered, facing relationship and extending between front and rear ends and opposite lateral sides thereof. The walls are light-tightly joined together along their front ends and lateral sides, but are left unjoined and separable along their rear ends to provide an opening therebetween through which the web end portion can be inserted into the sleeve toward the joined front ends.

Abstract: An anti-clockspringing mechanism for a web-roll comprises a unitary lock member having a cylindrical body rotatably mounted in a sidewall of the cartridge. A flange on a web-spool on which the web-roll is wound is provided with an annular lip having alternately spaced lugs and notches. The body has a handle on one side thereof extending toward the exterior of the cartridge, and a lock member on the opposite side of the body extending into the interior cavity of the cartridge. The lock member is in alignment with a sector of the annular lip and lies in the plane of the annular lip. The lock member further comprises at least one shoulder projecting from the opposite side of the body.

Abstract: A dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprises a support, a hydrophilic dye barrier/subbing layer comprising a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and a dye layer. The PVA is present in the mixture from about 15 to about 35 weight-percent. The dye-barrier/subbing layer provides improved dye transfer densities.

Abstract: In use with a photosensitive web roll located inside a light-tight container having an exit slot through which the web is withdrawable, a flexible enclosure is provided for light-shielding a leading end portion of the web extending from the roll through the slot and outside the container. The enclosure comprises a flexible, substantially rectangular, opaque sleeve adapted to enclose the web end portion. The sleeve includes opposing top and bottom walls disposed in adjacent, registered, facing relationship and extending between front and rear ends and opposite lateral sides thereof. The walls are light-tightly joined together along their front ends and lateral sides, but are left unjoined and separable along their rear ends to provide an opening therebetween through which the web end portion can be inserted into the sleeve toward the joined front ends.

Abstract: A unitary light-tight flip-top package, for securely containing light-sensitive material, comprises (1) a closable and openable rectanguloid box having bottom, front, rear, and opposite end walls and (2) a mating lid having a top wall movably connected to the box rear wall, with front and opposite end walls depending therefrom in close confronting relation to the corresponding box walls. The box and the lid walls are all formed from a single paperboard blank that is specially configured with various panels and flaps adapted to be folded into close cooperative relationships providing the unitary light-tight flip-top package desired.

Abstract: A package light-tightly enclosing a photosensitive web roll for use in cooperating apparatus comprises an opaque leader joined to the web and wrapped circumferentially at least twice around the roll and a pair of thin, readily foldable, disk-shaped, opaque end caps covering the roll ends. Each end cap has an inner annular portion that is folded into and sealed inside one of the roll core ends and an outer annular portion that is folded over the corresponding roll end periphery and onto the adjacent lateral edge portion of the first leader convolution. A pair of opposite lateral edge portion recesses extend inwardly from the leader opposite lateral edges, by an amount slightly exceeding the folded-over end-cap outer-annular-portion width, at a circumferential site on the leader where the first leader convolution ends.

Abstract: Dye-donor elements and assemblages for thermal dye transfer processing comprising a polymeric support having thereon, in order, a subbing layer and a dye layer comprising a dye dispersed in a binder, and wherein the subbing layer comprises a mixture of:(1) a polymer having an inorganic backbone which is an oxide of a Group IVa or IVb element, and(2) a copolymer comprising recurring units of:a) an acryloxyalkoxysilane or acrylamidoalkoxysilane, andb) an alkyl acrylate ester.In a preferred embodiment, the polymer is an organic titanate or a titanium alkoxide.

Abstract: Dye donor elements and assemblages for thermal dye transfer processing comprising a polymeric support having thereon, in order, a subbing layer and a dye layer comprising a dye dispersed in a binder, and wherein the subbing layer comprises a copolymer having recurring monomer units derived from at least one linear vinyl copolymer comprising: ##STR1## wherein: each R.sup.1 is, independently, H or methyl;R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each, independently, represents:a) a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; orb) a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of 5 to 8 carbon atoms;R.sup.4 represents:a) a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with at least 1 hydroxyl group; orb) from 2 to about 20 ethoxy groups substituted with at least 1 hydroxyl group;R.sup.