Abstract: A method for preparing non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains was disclosed. The method has the step of reacting a silver ion-containing solution, the solvent of which being water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, with a solution of a fatty acid alkali metal salt, the solvent of which being water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, to obtain fatty acid silver salt grains; in which the reaction is proceeded by mixing the silver ion-containing solution and the solution of the fatty acid alkali metal salt within a closed mixing means. The dispersion of the non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains prepared according to such method is excellent in dispersion stability and coating property.

Abstract: A part of a drive roller, whose peripheral surface is coated with an elastic body, is immersed in a cleaning liquid, and the rotation of the drive roller causes the surface of the elastic body to be wet with the cleaning liquid. The elastic body wet with the cleaning liquid continuously rubs a surface of a film being fed. Then, a wash nozzle sprays a cleaning liquid to the surface that has been rubbed by the elastic body. A shearing stress of the elastic body rubs off foreign matter adhering to the film. The foreign matter that has not been rubbed off by the elastic body is washed off by the cleaning liquid sprayed from the wash nozzle.

Abstract: A method for preparing non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains was disclosed. The method has the step of reacting a silver ion-containing solution, the solvent of which being water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, with a solution of a fatty acid alkali metal salt, the solvent of which being water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, to obtain fatty acid silver salt grains; in which the reaction is proceeded by mixing the silver ion-containing solution and the solution of the fatty acid alkali metal salt within a closed mixing means. The dispersion of the non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains prepared according to such method is excellent in dispersion stability and coating property.

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: Provided is a method for producing non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt comprising the steps of reacting a silver ion-containing solution, the solvent of which being a mixture of an organic solvent and water or water, with a solution of an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid, solvent of which being water, organic solvent or a mixture of an organic solvent and water, to obtain a fatty acid silver grain; adding a dispersing agent; and desalting the obtained fatty acid silver dispersion by ultra-filtration; characterized in that pH of the dispersion is kept at 6 or above during a period from a point of time immediately after the addition of the dispersing agent to a point of time an electric conductivity of the filtrate drops below 2000 &mgr;S/cm but not lower than 500 Ats/cm by the desalting operation.

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: 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.

Abstract: An emulsification and dispersion method of a hydrophobic, photographically useful compound comprising dispersing a water-insoluble phase containing the hydrophobic, photographically useful compound in water or in a hydrophilic colloid composition, wherein the water-insoluble phase at a temperature at which the prepared dispersion is stored may have a viscosity of from 100 poise or more to less than 1,000,000 poise at the shear rate of 10 sec.sup.-1. According to the present invention, a silver halide photographic material comprising a fine dispersion of a hydrophobic, photographically useful compound and having an excellent production suitability can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for dispersing a water-insoluble phase containing a hydrophobic, photographically useful compound in water or a hydrophilic colloid composition using an anionic surface active agent is disclosed, which comprises dispersing the hydrophobic, photographically useful compound by using an anionic surface active agent having a hydrophobic group and a group represented by --SO.sub.3 M or --OSO.sub.3 M (where M represents a cation) and a specific phosphorus-containing surface active compound, or, adding the anionic surface active agent for dispersion, and after the completion of dispersion further adding the specific phosphorus-containing surface active compound. According to the dispersion method of the present invention, a dispersion favored with maintenance of fine particle performance at the dispersion and free of grain growth during aged storage or generation of coarse grains or precipitated crystals can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating a moving web prior to the applying of a photosensitive coating liquid. In order to suppress the entrapment of air between the coating layer and the web, the surface of the web is electrostatically charged so that the coating liquid will be attracted to the web. Wide variations of the potential distribution across the web are avoided by subjecting the web to heat while simultaneously bleeding off part of the surface potential. The heating step increases the mobility of electrostatic charge and accelerates the charge redistribution across the web. The web is subsequently cooled to a temperature between 5.degree. and 25.degree. C. in order to preserve the surface potential of the web until the web is coated.