Abstract: An improvement in a mercury vapor discharge lamp having an envelope of light-transmitting vitreous material containing an inert starting gas and a quantity of elemental mercury at least in part convertible to soluble mercury, and first and second electrodes located within the envelope for an arc discharge therebetween. The improvement comprises an effective amount of a soluble copper-containing compound in combination with an effective amount of a selected one of a group of materials consisting of a soluble chloride, a soluble bromide, a soluble nonmetallic iron-containing compound, and a soluble nonmetallic manganese-containing compound. The copper-containing compound and the material in combination, when the lamp is pulverized into granules and subjected to a suitable aqueous acid solution, produce a concentration of extracted mercury of less than 0.2 mg/l of the aqueous solution.

Abstract: In a mercury vapor discharge lamp having an envelope of light-transmitting vitreous material and containing an inert gas and a quantity of elemental mercury at least partially convertible to soluble mercury, and first and second electrodes disposed within the envelope for establishing an arc discharge therebetween, an improvement comprising an effective amount of a nonmetallic copper-containing compound disposed in the lamp which, when the lamp is pulverized to granules and subjected to a suitable aqueous acid solution, dissolves in the aqueous acid solution, resulting in a concentration of extracted mercury less than 0.2 mg per liter of solution; and a method for reducing the amount of mercury extracted from a mercury vapor discharge lamp when the lamp is pulverized to granules and subjected to a suitable aqueous acid solution, such that the resulting concentration of extracted mercury is less than 0.

Abstract: A mercury vapor discharge lamp (e.g., a fluorescent lamp) having an envelope containing an inert starting gas and a quantity of elemental mercury at least partially convertible to soluble mercury. Enclosed within the lamp is an amount of chemical agent suitable for chemically combining a substantial portion of the soluble mercury as a sparingly soluble salt when the lamp is pulverized as a result of disposal. In one embodiment, the chemical agent is potassium periodate which is sealed within a enclosure which is rupturable upon pulverization of the lamp. The sealed enclosure may be disposed within the envelope or external to the envelope, such as within a cavity defined by a lamp base. In another embodiment, the chemical agent is mixed with the basing cement used to secure one or more of the the lamp bases to the envelope.

Abstract: A mercury vapor discharge lamp having an envelope of light-transmitting vitreous material containing an inert starting gas and a quantity of elemental mercury at least partially convertible to soluble mercury. Enclosed within the lamp is an amount of chemical agent suitable for electrochemically reducing a substantial portion of the soluble mercury to elemental mercury when the lamp is pulverized as a result of disposal. Preferably, the chemical agent is an element (i.e., copper or iron) which has an electrode potential for oxidation reactions higher than mercury. In a preferred embodiment, the chemical agent is sealed within an enclosure (e.g., glass) which is rupturable upon pulverization of the lamp. The sealed enclosure is disposed within the envelope or external to the envelope, such as within a cavity defined by a lamp base member. In another embodiment, the chemical agent is mixed with the basing cement used to secure the lamp bases to the envelope.

Abstract: A percussively-ignited photoflash lamp having an hermetically-sealed glass envelope containing no glass-to-metal seals therein. Ignition of the lamp is achieved by applying a percussive force (e.g. striking) to an external surface of the envelope which results in actuation of an ignition means disposed within the envelope. The ignition means, preferably a frictionally disposed, spring-loaded wire having a quantity of pressure sensitive primer thereon, ignites a quantity of shredded combustible material (e.g. zirconium) within the envelope to produce the desired flash. A method of making the lamp is also described.

Abstract: A percussively-ignited photoflash lamp having an hermetically-sealed glass envelope containing no glass-to-metal seals therein. Ignition of the lamp is achieved by applying a percussive force (e.g. striking) to an external surface of the envelope which results in actuation of an ignition means disposed within the envelope. The ignition means, preferably a frictionally disposed, spring-loaded wire having a quantity of pressure sensitive primer thereon, ignites a quantity of shredded combustible material (e.g. zirconium) within the envelope to produce the desired flash. A method of making the lamp is also described.

Abstract: A solution containing dissolved tungsten and dissolved aluminum is spray dried to recover a tungsten-and-aluminum containing powder. The powder is then fired to eliminate hydrated water and volatiles and to convert the aluminum compound into alumina. The powder is next fired at a higher temperature in a reducing atmosphere to reduce the tungsten compound to elemental tungsten. A coating suspension containing the tungsten-alumina powder is then prepared and electrophoretically deposited on cathode heaters.