Abstract: A coater overlays actinic radiation curable composition on a long support in a liquid phase to constitute a coating layer. The actinic radiation curable composition includes polymerizable compound, and a first polymerization initiator for reacting upon ultraviolet radiation of a first wavelength range, and for rendering the coating layer semi-cured in first-stage curing. A second polymerization initiator reacts upon ultraviolet radiation of a broad wavelength range covering the first wavelength range, and completely cures the coating layer in second-stage curing after the first-stage curing, to obtain an anti-reflection layer. For the first-stage curing, optical filters are combined with an ultraviolet radiation source for the broad wavelength range, and cause transmission of radiation of the first wavelength range for reaction only upon the first polymerization initiator. In one embodiment, the optical filters are arranged in a web width direction of the long support.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet producing apparatus produces an optical compensatory sheet having a liquid crystal layer. In the apparatus, a rubbing unit is supplied with resin film having a first layer including resin, and subjects the first layer to a rubbing process, so as to form an orientation layer. A dust remover removes dust from the orientation layer by use of liquid such as perfluorocarbon, to which the orientation layer is insoluble. A liquid crystal layer coater is disposed downstream from the dust remover, for coating the orientation layer with coating liquid including liquid crystalline compound, so that the liquid crystal layer is formed.

Abstract: First, second and third dopes (114, 115 and 116) containing a solid electrolyte are co-cast from a casting die (89) onto a running belt (82). The casting die (89) is provided with a feed block (119). A catalyst that promotes a redox reaction of electrodes in a fuel cell is added to the first dope (114) and the third dope (116). A casting membrane (112) having a three-layer structure is peeled from the belt (82) as a three-layered membrane (62) and sent to a tenter drier (64). In the tenter drier (64), the membrane (62) is dried in a state that both side edges thereof are held by clips, while stretched so as to have a predetermined width. The membrane (62) is then sent to a drying chamber (69) and the drying thereof is proceeded while supported by rollers.

Abstract: An antiglare film producing method of film production by surface embossing to polymer film is provided. The polymer film includes a support of triacetyl cellulose, and an anti-reflection layer overlaid thereon. An embossing roller is used for surface embossing to a front surface of the support or a surface of the anti-reflection layer. In the film producing method, the embossing roller is produced according to electrodischarge machining (EDM). A surface of the embossing roller has an arithmetic average roughness Ra of 0.3-1.0 micron, and has a protruding and retreating pattern with an average cycle length RSm of 5-30 microns.

Abstract: A novel method of producing an optical film is disclosed. The method comprises steps (1) to (3) in this order: (1) preparing, on a surface of an alignment film, a layer of a polymerizable composition comprising a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic polymerization initiator; (2) aligning molecules of said polymerizable liquid crystal compound in said layer in a first alignment state; and (3) irradiating said layer with polarized ultraviolet light to carry out polymerization of said polymerizable liquid crystal compound and fix molecules of said polymerizable liquid crystal compound in a second alignment state thereby to form an optically anisotropic layer, wherein a percentage of polarized ultraviolet light having an extinction ratio ranging from 1 to 8 is not greater than 15% with respect to an energy density of polarized ultraviolet light per unit area (J/cm2).

Abstract: A process for alkali saponification of polymer film is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of applying solution of an alkali onto a polymer film having a temperature of not lower than room temperature, and washing away the alkaline solution from the film.

Abstract: According to the present invention, since the concavo-convex pattern of the embossing form is formed by electrical discharge machining, the peaks on the surface of the resultant embossing form are all of the same level or height, which enables the enhancement of the service life of the embossing form. Further, since the concavo-convex pattern of the embossing form is formed by electrical discharge machining, even a complicated and minute concavo-convex pattern can be formed. Accordingly, when applying the method of the present invention to, for example, the production of a substrate for a lithographic plate, an aluminum substrate for a lithographic plate which excels in plate wear, sensitivity and resistance to stains can be produced. And when applying the same to the production of an aluminum decorative laminate, an aluminum decorative laminate which excel in glossiness and paint adhesion can be produced.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for preparing grains of silver salt of an organic acid by reacting a solution containing silver ions and a solution containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, in which the reaction is performed in sealed mixing means and which comprises steps of supplying the solution containing silver ions into a reaction field solution before introduced into the sealed mixing means, and supplying the solution containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid into the reaction field solution or sealed mixing means to which the solution containing silver ions has been supplied, etc. According to the present invention, high quality grains of silver salt of an organic acid can be efficiently produced at low cost.

Abstract: According to the present invention, since the concavo-convex pattern of the embossing form is formed by electrical discharge machining, the peaks on the surface of the resultant embossing form are all of the same level or height, which enables the enhancement of the service life of the embossing form. Further, since the concavo-convex pattern of the embossing form is formed by electrical discharge machining, even a complicated and minute concavo-convex pattern can be formed. Accordingly, when applying the method of the present invention to, for example, the production of a substrate for a lithographic plate, an aluminum substrate for a lithographic plate which excels in plate wear, sensitivity and resistance to stains can be produced. And when applying the same to the production of an aluminum decorative laminate, an aluminum decorative laminate which excel in glossiness and paint adhesion can be produced.

Abstract: A coater overlays actinic radiation curable composition on a long support in a liquid phase to constitute a coating layer. The actinic radiation curable composition includes polymerizable compound, and a first polymerization initiator for reacting upon ultraviolet radiation of a first wavelength range, and for rendering the coating layer semi-cured in first-stage curing. A second polymerization initiator reacts upon ultraviolet radiation of a broad wavelength range covering the first wavelength range, and completely cures the coating layer in second-stage curing after the first-stage curing, to obtain an anti-reflection layer. For the first-stage curing, optical filters are combined with an ultraviolet radiation source for the broad wavelength range, and cause transmission of radiation of the first wavelength range for reaction only upon the first polymerization initiator. In one embodiment, the optical filters are arranged in a web width direction of the long support.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet producing apparatus produces an optical compensatory sheet having a liquid crystal layer. In the apparatus, a rubbing unit is supplied with resin film having a first layer including resin, and subjects the first layer to a rubbing process, so as to form an orientation layer. A dust remover removes dust from the orientation layer by use of liquid such as perfluorocarbon, to which the orientation layer is insoluble. A liquid crystal layer coater is disposed downstream from the dust remover, for coating the orientation layer with coating liquid including liquid crystalline compound, so that the liquid crystal layer is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains having a first feeding device for feeding a silver ion-containing solution, the solvent of which is water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, to a closed mixing device; a second feeding device for feeding a solution of a fatty acid alkali metal salt, the solvent of which is water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, to the closed mixing device; a third feeding device for feeding water, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent to the closed mixing device; and the closed mixing device for mixing matter fed from the first, second and third feeding devices, and discharging a liquid containing non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains.

Abstract: An antiglare film producing method of film production by surface embossing to polymer film is provided. The polymer film includes a support of triacetyl cellulose, and an anti-reflection layer overlaid thereon. An embossing roller is used for surface embossing to a front surface of the support or a surface of the anti-reflection layer. In the film producing method, the embossing roller is produced according to electrodischarge machining (EDM). A surface of the embossing roller has an arithmetic average roughness Ra of 0.3-1.0 micron, and has a protruding and retreating pattern with an average cycle length RSm of 5-30 microns.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet producing apparatus produces an optical compensatory sheet having a liquid crystal layer. In the apparatus, a rubbing unit is supplied with resin film having a first layer including resin, and subjects the first layer to a rubbing process, so as to form an orientation layer. A dust remover removes dust from the orientation layer by use of liquid such as perfluorocarbon, to which the orientation layer is insoluble. A liquid crystal layer coater is disposed downstream from the dust remover, for coating the orientation layer with coating liquid including liquid crystalline compound, so that the liquid crystal layer is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for preparing grains of silver salt of an organic acid by reacting a solution containing silver ions and a solution containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, in which the reaction is performed in sealed mixing means and which comprises steps of supplying the solution containing silver ions into a reaction field solution before introduced into the sealed mixing means, and supplying the solution containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid into the reaction field solution or sealed mixing means to which the solution containing silver ions has been supplied, etc. According to the present invention, high quality grains of silver salt of an organic acid can be efficiently produced at low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for preparing grains of silver salt of an organic acid by reacting a solution containing silver ions and a solution containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, in which the reaction is performed in sealed mixing means and which comprises steps of supplying the solution containing silver ions into a reaction field solution before introduced into the sealed mixing means, and supplying the solution containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid into the reaction field solution or sealed mixing means to which the solution containing silver ions has been supplied, etc. According to the present invention, high quality grains of silver salt of an organic acid can be efficiently produced at low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for preparing grains of silver salt of an organic acid by reacting a solution containing silver ions and a solution containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, in which the reaction is performed in sealed mixing means and which comprises steps of supplying the solution containing silver ions into a reaction field solution before introduced into the sealed mixing means, and supplying the solution containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid into the reaction field solution or sealed mixing means to which the solution containing silver ions has been supplied, etc. According to the present invention, high quality grains of silver salt of an organic acid can be efficiently produced at low cost.

Abstract: A process for alkali saponification of polymer film is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of applying solution of an alkali onto a polymer film having a temperature of not lower than room temperature, and washing away the alkaline solution from the film.

Abstract: A method for producing a silver salt of an organic acid, which comprises steps of reacting (1) a solution containing silver ions in water or in a mixture of an organic solvent and water, with (2) a solution or suspension containing an alkali metal salt of an organic acid in water, in a mixture of an organic solvent and water, or in an organic solvent to prepare a silver salt of an organic acid, and removing a byproduct salt by a desalting operation, wherein a dispersing agent having a molecular weight of 3000 or less is added and dispersed during a time period of from before the reaction to before the desalting operation. There is provided a method for producing a silver salt of an organic acid, which can provides low fog, high sensitivity and high concentration of blackening when it is used for photothermographic materials, and is suitable for the production of photothermographic materials having low haze and less image degradation after storage.

Abstract: A method for producing grains of aliphatic acid silver salt by mixing a solution containing silver ions and a solution of aliphatic acid alkali metal salt to attain reaction of them, wherein (1) 95-100% of the total molar number to be added of the aliphatic acid alkali metal salt is added under a condition that dilution factor of the solution of aliphatic acid alkali metal salt becomes 10-fold or higher at 1 second after the addition, (2) 95-100% of the total amount to be added of silver in the solution containing silver ions is added under a condition that dilution factor of the solution containing silver ions becomes 20-fold or higher at 1 second after the addition, and (3) 50-100% of the total amount to be added of the solution of aliphatic acid alkali metal salt is added simultaneously with the solution containing silver ions.