Abstract: Photographic processing chemicals in solid form containing the necessary active ingredients and auxiliary substances and in addition at least one compound corresponding to formula (I)HO--R--O.sub.n H (I)whereinR denotes C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkyl andn denotes 1-200or at least one compound corresponding to the following formulaR.sub.1 --OH (II)whereinR.sub.1 denotes C.sub.10 --C.sub.18 -alkylor at least one water-soluble polymer, e.g. selected from polystyrene sulphonic acid and polyvinyl alcohol, or a mixture of at least two of the above mentioned compounds in a quantity of from 0.5 to 100 g/kg of solid substance are dust free or relatively dust free.

Abstract: Successive exposed photographic films are connected, either individually or in groups of two or more, to discrete sheet-like leaders which are transported along an elongated first path extending through the baths and the dryer of a developing unit. The leaders are separated from the respective webs downstream of the developing unit but upstream of a copying unit for developed films, and the separated leaders are directed into a second path to be gathered in a receptacle. The separation involves severing the leading end of each web close behind the respective leader, and the thus separated webs are caused to continue to advance along the first path through a magazine and thence into the copying unit.

Abstract: A light emitting diode exposure head for a recording apparatus which comprises an aligned assembly of a plurality of diode modules, each module including an array of said diodes and associated circuit boards mounted on a common base, the diode modules being supported in elevated position above the base, and interconnection circuit strips for the modules disposed on the base in partial overlapping relation beneath the margins of the elevated modules, the interconnection strips having a line of bonding pads for making wire-bonded connections with the circuit boards.

Abstract: A suction device for removing X-ray sheet films from a dispenser magazine of an X-ray sheet film cassette loading and unloading device has at least two suction elements and is displaceable so that for withdrawing an X-ray sheet film from a dispenser magazine it is movable to a withdrawal position, the withdrawn X-ray sheet film is taken from the suction device by a transporting roller pair, and a control device controls the transporting movement of the suction device and a tranasporting roller pair as well as the opening and closing of the dispenser magazine. The suction elements are arranged on a suction element axle which is movable in two displaceable suction element axial bearings, a lifting basket is articulately connected to a base plate by four hinge members, and a drive element is arranged on the base plate and moves the lifting basket and the suction element axle.

Abstract: A photographic direct positive material is disclosed comprising a support and one or more radiation sensitive emulsion layers containing internal latent image-forming silver halide grains characterized in that at least one of said emulsion layers further contains a masked stabilizer corresponding to general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Z represents a lower alkyl group, a nitro group or a halogen atom, n=0 to 4, and M represents a positive counterion.Preferred compounds are 1-(2-sulphonatobenzoyl)-5-methyl-benzotriazole, 1-(2-sulphonatobenzoyl)-6-methyl-benzotriazole or a mixture of both.The masked stabilizer is preferably incorporated in the emulsion layer(s). The material preferably further contains a nucleating agent. Improved direct positive sensitometric properties and wider exposure latitude before encountering rereversal are obtained.

Abstract: Electrophotographic method of obtaining lithographic printing plates comprising the following steps: (i) uniformly electrostatically charging a photoconductor element, (ii) image-wise discharging said photoconductor element, (iii) developing the resulting electrostatic charge pattern with dry toner particles of which more than 90% by volume have an equivalent particle size diameter less than 10 microns and more than 50% by volume have an equivalent particle size diameter less than 7 microns, (iv) electrostatically transferring the developed image to a toner receiving plate, said toner receiving plate comprising a plastic film support that is thermostable to a temperature of at least 140.degree. C. and a crosslinked hydrophilic layer thereon, said layer containing infrared absorbing substances in such an amount that the reflection density of said layer in the visible spectrum is between 0.4 and 1.4, and (v) fixing the transferred toner to said toner receiving plate by infrared radiation fusing.

Abstract: A continuous direct esterification and polycondensation process is disclosed in view of the production of polyester comprising units of ethylene terephthalate as the major repeating units, said polyester being substantially improved in particular in respect of its electroconductive properties. Said process comprises supplying terephtalic acid and ethylene glycol to bis(betahydroxy ethyl) terephthalate or its oligomer so as to carry out esterification, followed by polycondensing the resulting oligomer under increasingly reduced pressure, and wherein a solution in ethylene glycol of an electroconductivity enhancing additive, preferably a metallic salt, such as e.g. magnesium acetate, is added to the oligomer reaction mixture when the esterification rate has reached at least 80% and characterized in that said ethylene glycol solution is added to the oligomer reaction mixture in such manner that escape of the added ethylene glycol out of the said oligomer reaction mixture is prohibited.

Abstract: Method of forming thermal transfer dye images comprising exposing a recording element comprising at least one layer of an organic photochemical imaging composition comprising a heat-diffusible dye (precursor) monomer, said layer being permeable to said dye (precursor) monomer, to an image-wise distribution of actinic radiation to create a change in its permeability corresponding to said image-wise distribution of actinic radiation, wherein said change in permeability is brought about by the radiation-induced polymerization or crosslinking reaction of said organic photochemical imaging composition combined with a concurrent copolymerization or crosslinking reaction of said heat-diffusible dye (precursor) monomer, bringing said recording element in contact with an image-receiving element, overall heating at least one of said contacting elements to cause diffusion of the heat-diffusible dye (precursor) monomer from the areas having unchanged permeability and transfer to said image-receiving element, causing in t

Abstract: A strip of exposed and developed film has a series of exposures and corresponding exposure identification numbers. The strip is conveyed through a scanning station on its way to a printing station. The exposures and identification numbers are scanned in the scanning station to produce output signals indicative of density changes. The signals are processed to generate groups of data which are combined into a data set. Each group includes the position of a respective exposure on the strip, the identification number for the exposure and the position of the identification number on the strip. Film transport is carried out in such a manner that scanning of the strip and processing of the resulting signals are completed before arrival of the strip at the printing station. A control unit uses the data set to position the exposures in the printing station and to print the exposures. The control unit also uses the data set to mark a copy of an exposure with the identification number of the exposure.

Abstract: Method of preparing solvent-resistant polymer beads sizing 0.5-5 pm and having a glass transition temperature of at least 40.degree. C. by dissolving in a solvent mixture of water and water-miscible polar organic solvent an Alpha, Beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer (1) capable of forming a polymer that is soluble in the monomer(s) present in said solvent mixture but which is insoluble in said solvent mixture, a monomer (2) carrying COOH group(s), a monomer (3) carrying halogen atom(s), a free radical-forming polymerization initiator, and a graft-polymerizable polymer containing hydrophilic groups, heating the solution obtained to a temperature from 50.degree. C. to the reflux temperature thereof with stirring to form said beads, converting said COOH group(s) by reaction with a hydroxide into a carboxylic acid salt group, and causing said carboxylic acid salt group to react with said halogen atom to form ester cross-linkages. The beads can be used as spacing agents in a sheet or web material.

Abstract: For lifting and grasping a starting portion of a film located in a coil, the method includes driving a coil by a friction wheel abutting against an outer surface of the coil with an end edge of a starting portion of the coil located arbitrarily on the outer surface, placing a separating wedge under a prestress on the outer surface of the coil and lifting the starting portion of the film from the coil by an edge of the separating wedge, and first turning the coil against a latter uncoiling direction, and after a recognition of a position of the end edge of the starting portion of the film turning the coil in the uncoiling direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously treating two or more webs of photosensitive material has a tank with sets of pulleys for advancement of discrete webs. The sets of pulleys are installed in discrete compartments which are separated from each other by one or more light-intercepting partitions having one or more passages for the flow of liquid but preventing the penetration of light. Each set of pulleys is driven by a discrete motor or by a discrete clutch receiving torque from a single prime mover. The compartments are sealed by discrete closures. If the parts which are used to advance and treat a particular web happen to be defective or require attention for any other reason, the respective set of pulleys is arrested while the other set or sets of pulleys continue to transport the respective web or webs, and the cover for the compartment which confines the arrested set of pulleys is removed to afford access to the respective compartment.

Abstract: A dye acceptor element for the thermal sublimation printing process, having a base and a dye acceptor layer which contains a polyester formed from diols and dicarboxylic acids, the diol component of the polyester consisting to the extent of 0.5 to 60 mol % of a dimer diol, is distinguished by a high color density and a low tendency to sticking.

Abstract: An electrophotographic recording material comprising on an electrically conductive support a positively chargeable photoconductive recording layer which contains in an electrically insulating organic polymeric binder material at least one photoconductive p-type pigment substance, and at least one n-type photoconductive charge transport substance selected from one of the following classes:(i) aromatic monoketones;(ii) aromatic polyketones;(iii) aromatic polyketones of (ii) condensed with at least one molecule of malonoitrile, a malononitrile monocarboxy ester or a malonic acid diester;(iv) cyano alkylene compounds;(v) aromatic compounds with at least one electron withdrawing substituent,wherein said layer has a thickness in the range of 4 to 40 .mu.m and comprises 5 to 40% by weight of said p-type pigment substance and 0.

Abstract: A length of exposed film has a timing track which extends along one of the longitudinal margins thereof. The timing track includes a begin segment having a first width, an end segment having a different second width and a grating between the segments. The grating consists of alternating light and dark segments having a uniform width different from the widths of the begin and end segments. The two longitudinal margins of the film are scanned by respective sensors as the film advances towards a film processing apparatus. Whenever a segment passes by a sensor, the width of the segment and its position in the timing track are recorded. Since the widths of the begin and end segments differ from the width of the grating segments, the position of the begin or end segment relative to the grating can be established. This information, combined with a knowledge of which sensor detected the timing track, makes it possible to determine the orientation of the film.

Abstract: Method for making a transparent thermal dye transfer image comprising image-wise heating a first dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye-binder layer and transferring a first dye image to a dye-image-receiving layer provided on one side of the transparent film carrier of a receiving sheet, said first dye image having a certain density, and image-wise heating a second dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye-binder layer and transferring a second dye image to a dye-image-receiving layer provided on the outer side of said transparent film carrier of said receiving sheet, said second dye image being of the same hue as that of said first dye image and being in register with said first dye image to increase the density of said first dye image. The invention also provides a receiving sheet for use in thermal dye transfer processes, said receiving sheet comprising a transparent film carrier provided on either side with a transparent dye-image-receving layer.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye transfer methods comprising a support having thereon a dye/binder layer comprising a dye carried by a polymeric binder resin, said dye corresponding to the following general formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkoxy group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkoxyalkyl group or a halogen atom;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 (same or different) represent a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, a substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a substituted cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a substituted aryl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together represent the atoms necessary for completing a heterocyclic nucleus or substituted heterocyclic nucleus, or R.sup.1 and/or R.sup.2 together with Y represent the atoms necessary for completing a fused-on heterocyclic nucleus or substituted fused-on heterocyclic nucleus;Y represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a halogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: A drum, such as a drum for an electrostatic photocopying unit, is given a uniform coating of a liquid coating composition, such as an organic photoconductor, by arranging the drum on a vertical axis coaxially with a vessel containing a body of the coating composition of a depth generally equal to the vertical length of the drum, bringing the drum and vessel into substantially telescoping relation to dip the drum substantially into the coating composition, and causing the drum and vessel to undergo relative vertical displacement along the vertical axis by the sole force of gravity to thereby bring about a progressive vertical separation of the drum from the vessel leaving a coating of the composition on the drum surface. The separation is preferably controlled at a uniform rate by means e. g. of a hydraulic cylinder supporting a movable one of the drum and vessel in opposition to the force of gravity while the gravitational force can be augmented by increasing the effective mass of the movable one.

Abstract: Discrete light sensitive exposed but undeveloped sheets which are stacked in a dark box are transferred toward or into one or more developing machines by one or more suction cups which can jointly attract a single sheet at a time or each of which can attract the uppermost sheet of one of two or more stacks of sheets in the dark box. A suction cup which attracts a portion of the uppermost sheet of a stack in the dark box is caused to flex the attracted portion above and away from the sheet below the uppermost sheet in order to promote separation of the uppermost sheet from the remainder of the stack. The flexed uppermost sheet is then at least partially extracted from the dark box and is monitored to ascertain whether or not its underside adheres to one or more sheets.

Abstract: Apparatus for wiping moisture off the sides of running webs of photosensitive material in developing machines employs one or more deformable elastic wiping elements in the form of elongated lips or rings which are maintained in contact with the respective side or sides of the running web. Each wiping element extends transversely of the path of the running web and is imparted a movement having a component in a direction transversely of the running web. This reduces the likelihood of extensive localized wear upon the wiping element or elements.