Abstract: The ink is formed by a solution of a direct dye in a mixture of water and glycol wetting agents, to which a pigment which is finely ground to particles of dimensions of not more than 1000 .ANG. is added in dispersion, in a concentration of between 0.1 and 2%. The pigment particles serve to anchor the gaseous nuclei of gases which are dissolved in the ink for the purpose of stabilizing the boiling point of the ink. The ink is particularly suited to an ink jet printer of the type in which expulsion of the droplets is produced by causing instantaneous vaporization of a portion of ink in a nozzle.

Abstract: The line of a document is focused onto a series of reading elements, such as the cells of a charge coupled device, from which a serial output signal is obtained and applied to an analogue-to-digital converter. In order to compensate for the fall-off in the transfer function of the objective and the said elements at high spatial frequencies, the signal is processed, before A/D conversion, by a multi-stage filter (27), comprising an adjustable band pass stage (36) for setting the zero level, an adjustable band pass stage (41) for setting the output level and an intermediate band pass stage (38) with unity gain, which eliminates sampling noise. Matching is provided by an input, low pass filter, emitter follower stage (33) and an output, high pass filter, emitter follower stage (43).

Abstract: The calculator is small enough and well protected enough to be carried in the pocket. In addition to a keyboard 28, circuit board 29, batteries 18 and an LCD data display 91, there is a printer comprising a platen 36 which draws paper from a roll in a compartment 101. A thermal printing head 33 is reciprocated along the writing line by a pin 44 engaging in an eccentric cam groove in a disc 46 rotated by a crown wheel 53 and a pinion 54 on the shaft of a motor. Another cam-follower pin 64 reciprocates a slide 66 which advances the platen incrementally after each traverse of the head 33. A slidable cover 14 is shown open, exposing the printing mechanism and operating a switch which enables the printer. Results appear on the LCD display and are printed. When the cover is slid closed it protects the printing mechanism and disables it via the switch. The calculator can nevertheless be used without the printer, results being displayed only on the LCD display 91.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for the automatic sequential handling of floppy disks and includes a disk writing and reading unit, a loading stacker and a receiving stacker. A single disk can be inserted in the top part of the unit, whereas a pack of disks is placed in the loading stacker. A plate dividing the loading stacker from the receiving stacker can be moved to bring the bottom part of the unit into communication with the loading stacker and the receiving stacker alternately.The disks are inserted one after another into the bottom part of the unit by a moving slider when the latter is shifted from left to right and the plate is lowered. A feeding tooth detaches the disk at the bottom of the pack and positions it with respect to the slider.During the right-to-left return movement of the slider, the plate is raised and a pair of pincers mounted on the slider withdraws the written or read disk from the bottom part of the unit, and lets it fall into the receiving stacker.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeder, connected to an automatic writing system, for feeding the fresh sheets to a printing station from a first container after a separation in a separate device. After the printing operation, each printed sheet is sent to a driving roller which, in cooperation with a curved guide, reverses the sheet for piling it in a second container positioned above the first container, so that the printed sheets are piled in the same order of printing and upsidedown.

Abstract: A support for fixing an object, for example an ashtray, palette, container or pen holder, removably in projecting manner to a substantially vertical structural member of office furniture, such as a leg of a chair or writing desk. The support comprises a wall of the object, following in complementary form substantially the shape of one side of a structural member having a predetermined cross-section, and a projection of the object opposite the wall. The wall and the projection bear against the structural member when in the operative position and are spaced from one another in such manner that the support may be removed by tilting it upwardly with respect to the structural member.