Abstract: A barrier filter useful for aseptically discharging both gaseous and liquid fluids from a chemical process system is disclosed The barrier filter comprises, within a common enclosure, one or several filter membranes having singularly or collectively a mixture or hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. The common enclosure of the barrier filter is provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. All filter membranes are located within the fluid path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A variety of membrane-based systems, into which such barrier filter is installed, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid-filtration receptacle well-suited for use in centrifugal sample concentration protocols, and particularly, wherein specifiable degrees of sample concentration are sought. Toward this end, the fluid-filtration receptacle is provided with an integral semi-permeable drain capable of being either completely or variably unsealed by a user to allow selective draining of a predetermined corresponding volume of said liquid from said receptacle. The fluid-filtration receptacle is preferably used in combination with a filtrate collection vial. The receptacle fits at least partially within the vial such that liquid (i.e., filtrate) drained from said receptacle collects within said vial.

Abstract: A process is provided for selectively removing protein aggregates and virus particles from a protein solution in a two-step filtration process. In a first step, a protein solution is filtered by tangential flow filtration through a cellulosic ultrafiltrate membrane at a transmembrane pressure of between about 1 and about 10 psi to produce a first permeate and a retentate stream. Water or aqueous buffer is added to the retentate stream to form an essentially constant volume retentate stream. The first permeate is filtered through a second ultrafiltration membrane to retain virus particles at a retention level of at least 3 LRV and to allow passage therethrough of a protein aggregate free and virus free protein solution.

Abstract: Reflective image-providing displays illuminated with chromatically-adjusted holographically diffused light are provided. In one particular and preferred embodiment, a liquid crystal display component is presented comprising a liquid crystal display element backed with a reflective transmission holographic diffuser. Chromatic adjustment is effected by the inclusion in said liquid crystal display component of a compensatory filter layer of relatively low density designed to restore the ambient color balance of input light, the balance being otherwise upset by transit through said liquid crystal display element. Achromatically illuminated images of good contrast are displayed and viewed from the liquid crystal display component under ambient lighting conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of a holographic eye-covering article, the eye-covering article having an interference pattern corresponding to a predetermined three-dimensional object holographically prerecorded in a planar hologram layer, the interference pattern capable of being "played back" to an observer without being "played back" to said bearer. Functionality of the eye-covering article is effected in part by a light transmissive eyepiece, the eyepiece being uniaxially-curved and preferably comprising in sequence a thin web, a planar layer comprising the holographically prerecorded interference pattern, an adhesive layer, and a rigid optical substrate.

Abstract: The principal embodiment of the present invention is a preloaded single-use instant camera. The single-use instant camera is provided with user-inaccessible film holding compartment in a sealed light-tight enclosure and a predetermined number of pressure-processable film units stacked in said compartment. The preloaded single-use instant camera is also provided with user operated manual means for sequentially withdrawing the preloaded pressure-processable film units, whereby withdrawal effect processing of said units.

Abstract: A projection screen having a construction well-suited for effecting lateral color constancy in rear screen projection display systems is disclosed. The projection screen includes a holographic transmission diffuser element capable of diffusing a beam of light into a horizontally-elliptical cone and a light-collimating element for uniaxially-collimating by transmission an expanding wavefront with the axis of collimation substantially orthogonal to a horizontal viewing axis. The use of the projection screen in a rear screen projection display system including red, green and blue image projectors is also disclosed. A method of manufacturing a holographic projection screen by drawing a holographic transmission diffuser web and a uniaxial light collimating web into overlapping relationship and bonding the webs is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate precursor element capable of being used on a printing press immediately after imagewise exposure without the requirement of bath processing. A preferred embodiment has in order (a) a substrate; and (b) a photoresist photohardenable upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, the photoresist comprising (i) a macromolecular organic binder; (ii) a photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one terminal ethylenic group capable of forming a high polymer by chain-propagated polymerization, and (iii) a polymerization initiator activatable by actinic radiation; and (c) an on-press removable polyphosphate-containing overcoat. The polyphosphate-containing overcoat imparts the plate with a non-tacky surface and an enhanced resistance to the adverse influence of ambient humidity.

Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of a polyvinylidene-based light polarizer (cf., a "K Sheet"-type polarizer). In one embodiment, the polyvinylidene chromophore of said polarizer is produced by the acid catalyzed dehydration of an oriented polymeric starting material, the acid catalyst being introduced in the method as a bonding agent used to secure the starting material to a carrier web (or other supporting substrate). Advantages of the method include reduced frequency of "streaking" and "mottling"; good processing speed; and the ability to use a low acid concentration, resulting in a correspondingly low-corrosion processing environment.

Abstract: Reflective image-providing displays viewed with holographically diffused light are provided. As one particular and preferred embodiment, a liquid crystal display component is presented comprising a liquid crystal display element backed with a reflective transmission holographic diffuser. Images of good contrast may be displayed and viewed from the liquid crystal display component under ambient lighting conditions and without further requirement of supplemental light sources, such as edge-lighting and backlighting.

Abstract: A light-diffusing holographic transflector comprising a holographic layer and a transflective layer is disclosed. The transflector is capable under good ambient lighting conditions of illuminating an LCD display element by holographic reflection, and under poor ambient lighting conditions, by the transmission therethrough of internal edge- or back-lighting. The transmission of light is accomplished to form a predetermined visually-perceptible image (e.g., graphics, designs, and logos) by the provision in said transflector of a corresponding pattern of light-transmitting microholes. The light-transmitting microholes are formed preferably by laser ablation or etching.

Abstract: A visible range synthetic light polarizing element is provided, the optical and polarizing properties thereof having been selectively effected by regulated exposure of said polarizing element to ultraviolet irradiation. The ultraviolet irradiation can be either polarized or non-polarized, but in either case, is at intensities greater than that produced incidentally or by ambient ultraviolet irradiation sources. The resultant light-polarizing element is characterized by its heightened luminous transmittance, an improvement accomplished without departure from good polarization efficiency (i.e., greater than 99.9%).

Abstract: The present invention particularly provides an identification card and an access system for its use. The identification card has recorded thereon visually-readable bearer information and encoded machine-readable data. The encoded machine-readable data includes encoded data representative of a personal identifier of the bearer and encoded data representative of at least one event or transaction. When used in the access system, the identification card is scanned by an information processing apparatus. When the bearer of the identification card presents a personal identifier to the information processing apparatus, the presented personal identifier is analyzed and compared with the encoded personal identifier data. If there is an acceptable correlation between the presented personal information and the encoded personal identifier data, and if there is a determination that access would not exceed a predetermined number of permissible occurrences, access is effected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizing holographic reflector module useful in the manufacture of a holographically-illuminated liquid crystal display assembly by combination thereof with a partial LCD stack. The polarizing holographic reflector module is substantially quadrangular in shape and comprises a reflective holographic diffuser, a light polarizer, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a removable protective liner. A method of manufacture is also provided wherein a web of polarizer material having a linear or downweb orientation is roll-to-roll laminated to a web of angularly offset reflective holographic diffusers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of rubber and surfactant to enhance the durability and resolution of on-press developable lithographic printing plates. The rubber is preferably incorporated into a photoresist as discrete particulate rubber. To ensure a uniform and stable dispersion, the rubber is suspended in the photoresist by means of a surfactant having an HLB approximately between 7.0 and 18.0.

Abstract: The principal embodiment of the present invention is a preloaded single-use instant camera. The single-use instant camera is provided with user-inaccessible film holding compartment in a sealed light-tight enclosure and a predetermined number of pressure-processable film units stacked in said compartment. The preloaded single-use instant camera is also provided with user operated manual means for sequentially withdrawing the preloaded pressure-processable film units, whereby withdrawal effect processing of said units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for developing a lithographic plate on a printing press without the requirement of bath processing, the printing press equipped with means for delivering ink and aqueous fountain solutions to the plate, the preferred plate having in order (a) a substrate; and (b) a photoresist photohardenable upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, the photoresist comprising (i) a macromolecular organic binder; (ii) a photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one terminal ethylenic group capable of forming a high polymer by chain-propagated polymerization, (iii) a polymerization initiator activatable by actinic radiation, and (iv) a disperse hydrophilic microgel. According to a product aspect, the present invention also provides a lithographic plate, configured as indicated, with the further combination therewith of an on-press removable polymeric overcoat.

Abstract: A projection screen is provided having a construction well-suited for effecting lateral color constancy in rear screen projection display systems. The inventive projection screen comprises a rigid light-transmissive faceplate and a homogenizing holographic transmission diffuser element proximate said faceplate. The holographic transmission diffuser element is made such that, upon illumination of an area of said diffuser element with a light beam having a wavelength of 400 nm to 700 nm, and impinging at an incident input angle of .+-.0.degree. to 30.degree.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lithographic printing plate developable on a lithographic printing press equipped with means for delivering lithographic ink and aqueous fountain solutions to the printing plate, the lithographic printing plate having in order (a) a printing plate substrate; and (b) a photoresist photohardenable upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, the photoresist comprising (i) a macromolecular organic binder; (ii) a photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one terminal ethylenic group capable of forming a high polymer by chain-propagated polymerization, (iii) a polymerization initiator activatable by actinic radiation, and (iv) an amphoteric hydrogen bond-forming developability stabilizer, the hydrogen bond-forming developability stabilizer being non-volatile miscible in the photoresist and soluble in said lithographic ink and fountain solutions; the amphoteric hydrogen bond-forming developability stabilizer possessing a strong hydrogen bond-forming func

Abstract: A device is provided including a flexible sheet having extents encompassing at least a circular area, said flexible sheet doubled-over upon itself through the center of the circular area such that the resultant respective halves of said circular area overlap and form a semicircular field of view; and a sleeve for maintaining the overlapping configuration of said doubled-over flexible sheet, yet allowing said flexible sheet to be displaced about the center of said circular area within the doubled-over configuration. In a particular embodiment, the encompassed circular area of said flexible sheet has at least one light-transmissive region within the circular area, such that transmission of light through the aforementioned field of view can be varied by said displacement of the flexible sheet within said doubled-over configuration. Such embodiment, when employing a polarizing sheet as said flexible sheet, can be used as a variable light transmission device.