Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing photographic emulsions is disclosed. The mixer is a truncated hollow cone having a first circumference and a second end having a second circumference. The second circumference is larger than the first circumference. The cone is attached to an end of a central shaft attached to the first end. The rotation of the shaft produces micromixing of the photographic emulsion while minimizing air entrainment.

Abstract: A variable orifice device for passing fluent material under pressure includes a piece of resilient material bent out of its normal shape so that one surface is in tensile stressed condition and the other surface is in compressive stressed condition. A slit extends between the two surfaces. Because of the difference in the stressed conditions of the two surfaces, one end of the slit is open and the other end, at the compressively stressed surface, is in forced closed condition. The piece of resilient material is mounted in its bent, stressed condition in a frame which holds the material in the bent condition. The piece of resilient material may be cut from silicone rubber tubing such as is used for peristaltic pumps. The frame may be two annular members, one of which is a push fit in the other, with the other having an annular shoulder against which a disc of the resilient material is trapped and sealed by the one annular member.

Abstract: A fluid (liquid or gas) distributing apparatus comprises a series of annular conduits positioned concentrically and close to a region for mixing or performing a reaction. Each annular conduit has a plurality of orifices associated therewith which are spaced circumferentially and symmetrically proximate to the region and each orifice is positioned to deliver a liquid stream to the region. A feed line connects with a plurality of branch lines, each branch line connecting with one of the annular conduits. Valves in the lines control the flow of liquid to the annular conduits. The conduits in the series are arranged for use in the method of the invention in a sequence, beginning with the conduit of greatest flow resistance when the feed rate is low and continuing successively with the conduits of lower flow resistance as the fixed rate increases. The resulting uniform flow rates through the orifices and avoidance of back flow contribute to high yield and quality of product.

Abstract: A variable orifice device for passing fluent material under pressure includes a piece of resilient material bent out of its normal shape so that one surface is in tensile stressed condition and the other surface is in compressive stressed condition. A slit extends between the two surfaces. Because of the difference in the stressed conditions of the two surfaces, one end of the slit is open and the other end, at the compressively stressed surface, is in force closed condition. The piece of resilient material is mounted in its bent, stressed condition in a frame which holds the material in the bent condition. The piece of resilient material may be cut from silicone rubber tubing such as is used for peristaltic pumps. The frame may be two annular members, one of which is a push fit in the other, with the other having an annular shoulder against which a disc of the resilient material is trapped and sealed by the one annular member.