Abstract: The method serves for the electroless deposition of a metal layer (7) from a metallization liquid on a top side of a flat article to be metallized, more in particular a flat disc, for example, a master disc (1) which is used for the reproduction of optical discs. According to the method the top side of the article is first made hydrophilic, if so necessary, after which, with the article supported in a horizontal position, a quantity of metallization liquid is provided on the top side which was previously made hydrophilic as a stable liquid layer (16) bounded by the edges of the article, after which the deposition of the metal from the liquid on the article takes place and the liquid layer is the removed entirely from the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal matrix suitable for use in the manufacture of optical discs, in which a master plate is used which comprises a recording double layer of a synthetic resin in which each layer comprises a laser light-absorbing dye, the master plate is exposed to modulated laser light in which the laser light in both layers of the recording layer is absorbed and in which as a result of the exposure information bits are formed in the form of bumps having variable longitudinal dimensions and the same width dimensions and the master plate on the side of the recording layer comprises a metal layer which is separated from the master plate, as well as a master plate which is suitable for use in the method described hereinbefore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an injection molding device having a mold cavity therein use of periodically generated signals representative of the mold cavity pressure and mold cavity volume. These signals are used to control the magnitude of the clamping force imposed on a movable mold member. During a first time period following closure of the gate, in response to the signals representative of cavity pressure and cavity volume, the clamping force imposed on the movable mold member is adjusted to maintain, in closed loop fashion, cavity pressure constant. During a second time period following closure of the gate, in response to the signal representative of the cavity volume, the clamping force imposed on the movable mold member is adjusted to maintain, in closed loop fashion, cavity volume constant.

Abstract: An information signal representing audio and/or video information is read together with a series of first data packets representing textual subinformation relating thereto from a record carrier on which such signal and data packets have been recorded together. A series of second subinformation data packets having the same format as the first subinformation packets are interleaved therewith so as to form a subinformation signal, such signal being combined with the main information signal to form a transmission signal for transmission to a receiver, the second subinformation packets representing textual subinformation unrelated to the main information signal. A receiver for such transmitted signal reproduces the information in the main information signal together with selected portions of the textual subinformation represented by the data packets, such selection being effected by a user in accordance with menus represented by the data packets and displayed on a video display unit of the receiver.

Abstract: Device for holding an optically readable disc in a flat position during playing has concentric annular depressions to which vacuum is supplied by a passage to a rotatably journalled connection having an airtight lead-through.

Abstract: A flexible product, more particularly an information-carrying disc, is removed from a carrier plate, more particularly a mold, by creating a partial vacuum at the side of the product facing away from the carrier plate. While the product is being displaced in a direction facing away from the carrier plate under the influence of the partial vacuum, the product is guided in such a way that it is displaced over the greatest distance at two opposite ends and the displacement of the parts of the product situated between these ends decreases gradually towards the center of the product.

Abstract: A method is described for the vacuum-coating of substrates, such as glass plates, foils, plastics substrates for optical discs etc., in which the substrates are introduced into a vacuum-coating arrangement and are vacuum-coated in accordance with a PVD (physical vapour-deposition) process such as for example cathode sputtering or vapour-deposition. In order to avoid pinholes in the coating the method is carried out in three steps, namely a first PVD step, in which the substrates and any particles adhering thereto are coated; a particle-displacement step in which the coated particles are displaced from their initial positions on the substrate; and an additional, second PVD step, in which the substrates are coated a second time to cover the defects formed in the coating by adhering particles in the first coating step.

Abstract: Method of producing a metal matrix for the manufacture of optically readable information carriers, in which a photoresist layer which contains an information track and is provided on a carrier is coated with an electroless gold layer, the gold layer at the side provided with the resist layer being exclusively in contact with organic material, the gold layer being provided with a first metal peel by electro-deposition, the carrier coated with the resist layer is removed, the gold layer-coated first metal peel provided by electro-deposition at the side having the gold layer with a second metal peel, the first metal peel being removed together with the gold layer and optionally a further metal copy of the second metal peel is produced by electro-deposition.

Abstract: For holding workpieces by vacuum suction a vacuum apparatus comprises a base carrying a plurality of spaced-apart support members (2) whose free end surfaces (3) define a supporting plane (4) for the workpiece, the spacings between the support members forming part of an evacuable vacuum space (6) which is peripherally sealed in a vacuum-tight manner by sealing means (7). The support members are made rim shaped and are of an elastically axially deformable material and the sealing means comprise a deformable sealing lip (8), so that after positioning the workpiece (5) and upon evacuation of the vacuum space (6) the sealing lip is moved under simultaneous axial deformation of the support members (2), causing the transverse dimensions of the support members to increase and at the same time the volume of the vacuum space to be reduced.