Abstract: A printing device comprising a polymer element capable of switching from an initial state to a final state when subjected to an event, the initial state and the final state being selected from an hydrophilic state and an hydrophobic state provided that the initial state differs from the second state, wherein said polymer element is impregnated with a print fluid, and a controller adapted to generate the event producing the switch of the polymer element, provided that the event is an optical, a thermal or a chemical event, wherein the controller is adapted to generate the event producing the switch of the polymer element on a localized zone and on a internal zone delimited by the localized zone, in order to form a fluid drop at the surface of the polymer element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling fluid movements. The device comprises a fluid guiding device, and a fluid moving device which comprises polymers whose hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties can be selected under the action of an external force. The fluid moving device comprises a plurality of polymer elements whose hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties can be selected. The elements are arranged along the guiding device and at least one actuating unit is used to generate the external force.

Abstract: An inorganic polymeric aluminosilicate material and a method for preparing the same, are disclosed. Instead of having a fibrous structure, the material has a structure consisting of spindles with a length in the range of from 10 to 100 &mgr;m and a width in the range of from 2 to 20 &mgr;m. This polymeric alumino-silicate can be used for the production of antistatic layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink reservoir for ink jet printing. This reservoir includes a solid electrolyte pellet inserted in the wall of the reservoir, which conducts O2− ions when subjected to an electric current. The reservoir allows to control the internal atmosphere of the reservoir above the free surface of the ink that it contains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for moving a fluid which can be used in the ink jet printing art. The device of the present invention includes a mechanism for moving the fluid by using polymers. The polymers have hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties that can be selected under the action of an external stress.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for moving fluids. The invention device includes an enclosure, a solid electrolyte which can produce oxygen in the enclosure so as to distort a membrane that acts to move a fluid in an enclosure. This device is useful to produce a head for ink jet printing.

Abstract: An inorganic polymeric aluminosilicate material and a method for preparing the same, are disclosed. Instead of having a fibrous structure, the material has a structure consisting of spindles with a length in the range of from 10 to 100 &mgr;m and a width in the range of from 2 to 20 &mgr;m. This polymeric aluminosilicate can be used for the production of antistatic layers.

Abstract: An organic-inorganic polymer comprising aluminosilicate having grafted thereon an organic radical having a —SH or —S(—CH2)n—S— group wherein n is from 0 to 4.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for decreasing the oxygen content of the atmosphere above photographic processing baths. The method comprises using a solid electrolyte which is a compound of bismuth, vanadium or another transition metal. The oxidation in air is thus minimized and the life of the bath is extended.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating a photographic effluent with an oxidation catalyst. This catalyst is prepared by forming in situ, in a porous membrane, a cerium derivative. In this way the thiosulfate and organics contents of photographic effluents are reduced.

Abstract: The invention concerns an inorganic aluminum-based polymer and another element chosen from amongst silicon, titanium and zirconium. The polymer material is obtained from hydrolisable salts and/or compounds such as alcoxides. Application to the production of ancillary layers in photographic products.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of extracting halide ions contained in a photographic processing solution. The invention concerns a method for the selective extraction of halide ions using a separative membrane comprising a support covered with an active layer comprising an inorganic hydrogel material and an ion carrier, one of the faces of the support having been surface-modified. This method effectively regenerates photographic solutions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for decontaminating a used photographic processing bath.This method consists of putting the processing bath in contact with a heat-reversible hydrophilic polymer which becomes hydrophobic above a temperature lower than the temperature of the processing bath.The tars and other organic contaminants present in the used photographic processing bath can be removed by cooling the heat-reversible polymer below the temperature where it becomes hydrophilic.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a novel photocatalytic composition, a photocatalytic element and a novel method for the photocatalytic treatment of effluents, comprising a gaseous or aqueous solution of the organic compounds to be destroyed.This novel photocatalytic composition consists of an inorganic gel comprising a photocatalyst and an aluminosilicate inorganic polymer binder of the Imogolite type.This composition destroys organic compounds efficaciously.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an organic/inorganic composite product.This composite product results from the formation of a polymeric alumino-silicate in situ in an organic polymeric matrix such as a polyalkyene glycol.Application to the obtaining of an antistatic layer, notably for photographic products.

Abstract: The invention concerns a homogeneous aqueous film-forming composition comprising a latex and an inorganic antistatic substance. The latex can be a polystyrene, and the antistatic substance is an inorganic fibrous polymer with the formula Al.sub.x Si.sub.y O.sub.z where x:y is between 1 and 3 and z between 2 and 6. This composition is useful for the production of antistatic layers for photographic materials.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for treating photographic baths containing organic contaminants and a device for implementing this method.The process for treating a photographic bath containing contaminants comprises the step of putting the photographic bath in contact with a photographically inert material, resistant to a high pH and having a lipophilic surface.This method affords an improvement in the processing of photographic products.

Abstract: The present invention improves the conservation of a photographic product with a cellulose ester type support. The present invention involves coating on the support or the photographic product with a transparent film-forming aqueous composition. The composition is a fibrous alumino-silicate polymer of formula Al.sub.x Si.sub.y O.sub.z in which x:y is between 1 and 3, and z is between 2 and 6. The support can be treated before the application of the photographic layers (as a substratum or under-layer) or after the application of the photographic layers (as a top layer). It is also possible to treat an exposed, developed film by applying a top layer of the said composition.