Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating caps from gas discharge lamps which include a hollow cylindrical glass tube body and a cap at each end of the tube body. A break-off line is formed near each end of the tube body, and the caps are then removed from the lamps by venting and blowing-off the ends of the gas discharge lamp in a single working operation by directing a plasma flame of a plasma nozzle towards each break-off line and burning a hole in the lamp. The discharge flow of gas from the plasma nozzle flows through the hole produced in the lamp into the interior thereof and the gas pressure blows off the ends of the gas discharge lamp with the caps.

Abstract: The formation of leachable mercury upon disposal or during TCLP testing of mercury vapor discharge lamps is substantially prevented by maintaining the amount of elemental iron at a level which is at least about 100 to about 1000 milligrams per kilogram of the total weight of lamp material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and/or device wherein a cathode ray tube (CRT) is dismantled into components, in a relatively dust free and safe environment, utilizing an energy efficient method, creating an end product of crushed leaded glass, leaded dust, nickel containing material and steel in a form suitable for recycling. The present invention is especially useful in lieu of discarding or landfilling CRTs, since the leaded glass of CRTs has been regulated and classified as a "regulated hazardous waste" accordingly to recent United States government land ban regulations, and are therefore banned from landfilling.

Abstract: A device (10) for processing used light bulbs containing gases and powdered coatings in order to separate the gases and coatings from the bulb housing materials. The device (10) includes a screw-type auger (44)journaled within an elongated inclined cylindrical housing (20) which performs the fracturing and separating actions assisted by a vacuum filtration system (14). The invention comprises a specially-shaped fin configuration for the auger (44) to create additional turbulence within the cylindrical housing (20) to ensure that any hazardous vapors or coatings are fully removed from the glass housing.

Abstract: The formation of leachable mercury upon disposal or during TCLP testing of mercury vapor discharge lamps is substantially prevented by incorporation in the lamp structure or in the test solution of an oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: The formation of leachable mercury upon disposal or during TCLP testing of mercury vapor discharge lamps is substantially prevented by incorporation of an organic or inorganic metal mercury antioxidant in the lamp structure or in the test solution.

Abstract: The formation of leachable mercury upon disposal or during TCLP testing of mercury vapor discharge lamps is substantially prevented by incorporation of an organic or inorganic metal completing agent in the lamp structure or in the test solution.

Abstract: A scratch is made at least at one corner portion of the cathode ray tube and heat is applied so as to flank the scratch from the two sides. More specifically, electrical heating wires are disposed at the two sides of the scratch formed on the cathode ray tube and the electrical heating wires are used to apply the heat in a linear manner from the two sides of the scratch. Preferably, scratches are formed at the four corners positioned at the panel portion rather than the frit glass portion where the panel portion and the funnel portion of the cathode ray tube are joined, electrical heating wires to which tension is applied are disposed at the four corner positions of the panel portion so as to flank the scratches from the two sides, and heat is applied to the cathode ray tube by the electrical heating wires. Tension is applied to the electrical heating wires by springs.

Abstract: A scratch is made at least at one corner portion of the cathode ray tube and heat is applied so as to flank the scratch from the two sides. More specifically, electrical heating wires are disposed at the two sides of the scratch formed on the cathode ray tube and the electrical heating wires are used to apply the heat in a linear manner from the two sides of the scratch. Preferably, scratches are formed at the four corners positioned at the panel portion rather than the frit glass portion where the panel portion and the funnel portion of the cathode ray tube are joined, electrical heating wires to which tension is applied are disposed at the four corner positions of the panel portion so as to flank the scratches from the two sides, and heat is applied to the cathode ray tube by the electrical heating wires. Tension is applied to the electrical heating wires by springs.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting a cathode-ray tube (2) from a waste cathode-ray tube device (1) and recycling the cathode-ray tube (2) includes a conveyor (15) having a moving pallet (21) for detachably holding a panel portion (10) of the cathode-ray tube (2) by vacuum adsorption portions (63a) through (63d) and sequentially conveying the panel portion (10) to a predetermined position, a device for leaving only the cathode-ray tube (2) by scrapping the waste cathode-ray tube device (1) held on the moving pallet (21) and separating and removing a device housing (4) from the waste cathode-ray tube device (1), and a conveyor for conveying the separated device housing (4). According to an apparatus for and method of collecting a used cathode-ray tube, a cathode-ray tube can be collected from a waste cathode-ray tube device easily and inexpensively, and natural resources can be recycled.

Abstract: An electron source is constituted of a substrate, and an electron-emitting element provided on the substrate. The electron-emitting element comprises a plurality of electrode pairs having an electroconductive film between each of the electrode pairs. An electron-emitting region is formed on the electroconductive film of selected ones of the electrode pairs. A method of testing the electrode pairs and/or the thin film for a defect and then generating an electron-emitting region so as to have no defect is available.

Abstract: A scratch is made at least at one corner portion of the cathode ray tube and heat is applied so as to flank the scratch from the two sides. More specifically, electrical heating wires are disposed at the two sides of the scratch formed on the cathode ray tube and the electrical heating wires are used to apply the heat in a linear manner from the two sides of the scratch. Preferably, scratches are formed at the four corners positioned at the panel portion rather than the frit glass portion where the panel portion and the funnel portion of the cathode ray tube are joined, electrical heating wires to which tension is applied are disposed at the four corner positions of the panel portion so as to flank the scratches from the two sides, and heat is applied to the cathode ray tube by the electrical heating wires. Tension is applied to the electrical heating wires by springs.

Abstract: A flat panel display having a repair capability, a process for repairing such a display having defects involving short circuits between a field emission tip and an adjacent conductor, and a process for forming a flat panel display with repair capability, are described. The flat panel display has a dielectric base substrate, upon which are formed cathode columns of parallel, spaced conductors. Gate lines, also formed of parallel, spaced conductors, are located over and perpendicular to the cathode columns. A dielectric layer is formed between the cathode columns and the gate lines. Pixels of the display are located at the intersections of the cathode columns and the gate lines. A plurality of openings are formed in the gate lines and in the dielectric layer, at each of the pixels. A plurality of field emission microtips, at each of the pixels, connects to and extends up from the cathode columns and into the openings.

Abstract: So-called "retrofitting" of old style fluorescent lighting fixtures is carried out in a punch and die press provided with a special punch and die assembly having guide blocks positioned laterally of the punch and die for receiving pre-existing notches flanking the unnotched portion of the notched edge margin of a so-called "trougher raceway" strip portion of the old fluorescent lighting feature to be retrofitted, the punch of which assembly has cutting edges configurated for piercing the metal work strip backwardly of the notched edge thereof and at the ends of a longitudinal cut to be made and at the back ends of mutually spaced lateral end cuts to be made and for executing severing stokes along such cutting edges and thereby cutting out and removing a slug of metal exactly conforming in shape and dimension to the pre-existing guide notches.

Abstract: A safety panel that is bonded to a front surface of a panel of a cathode ray tube envelope can be peeled easily without damaging the safety panel. A cathode ray tube (5) has a safety panel (3) that is bonded to a front surface of a panel (2) through a resin layer (4). When the safety panel (3) is to be peeled, the surface of the safety panel (3) is rapidly heated by a sheet-shaped infrared heater (6) and the resin layer (4) is heated up to a melting point and softened by the heat conduction. Then, a spatula (7) is inserted into a spacing between the safety pane (3) and the resin layer (4) to thereby peel the safety panel (3).

Abstract: Picture tubes are reprocessed by heating the picture tube to at least the fusing temperature of the solder at the joint and separating the screen and the cone under the influence of gravity. This method effects a clean separation of the screen and the cone by slowly heating the aerated picture tube which is arranged, during heating, in such a way that the joint between the screen and the cone is inclined with respect to the horizontal, and displacing the screen and the cone in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method for recycling of coated glass, especially for reuse in a glass melt, comprises the steps of crushing the glass; transferring the crushed glass into a mixing unit; mixing the crushed glass for a predetermined time period; during the mixing step, adding liquid to the crushed glass and cleaning the crushed glass with the liquid; and removing the cleaned crushed glass from the mixing unit. The method is especially useful for recycling cathode-ray tubes.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled system for testing and selectively reconditioning a CRT in accordance with the Beltron process. The microprocessor monitors the function and filament voltage selection switches actuated by an operator. Once the filament voltage and functions have been specified, the microprocessor automatically controls the application of filament voltage, AC voltage and relatively high DC voltage to the CRT and displays the progress and results of the selected function. The system tests the emission characteristics of the cathode in each gun element, causes simultaneous cleaning of the cathode/grid elements by controlling the application of an AC voltage across each cathode/grid circuit while the filament voltage is at an elevated level, and restores those cathode/grid circuits requiring restoration by controlling the application of a relatively high DC voltage to each cathode/grid circuit in serial fashion for the several gun elements while maintaining the filament voltage at an elevated level.

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 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 method of manufacturing gas lasers, such as He-Ne lasers or Ar lasers characterized by positioning the laser housing within a vacuum chamber, evacuating the vacuum chamber to evacuate the laser housing through a filling tube provided in the housing, baking the housing, then filling the vacuum chamber with the laser gas, which enters into the laser housing through the filling tube, subsequently forming a solder closure in the end of the sealing tube, the removing the laser housing from the vacuum chamber and subsequently permanently sealing the filling tube by pinching off the solder closure to form a cold-weld seal of the tube.

Abstract: A device for reconditioning a neutron tube, comprising on the one hand invariant elements and on the other hand sensitive elements which are subject to wear and gaseous elements which are consumable and which are introduced by way of reservoirs. In accordance with the invention the sensitive elements, for example target (6) and gas reservoirs (7, 8) are collected in the same part (1') of the tube, which part is separable from the other part (1) by means of a tight connection system (12, 12', 13, 14 and 15) in order to make the replacements necessary for reconditioning.

Abstract: A RF electron gun, such as for use in a linear electron accelerator, having a cathode activating device which, in one embodiment, includes means for altering the phase of the accelerating electric field to accelerate emitted electrons in the reverse direction to cause them to strike the cathode, thereby activating the cathode. In another embodiment, laser light is directed onto the cathode for activation thereof and, in a further embodiment, the electric field is positioned and directed at the cathode to cause the activation thereof.

Abstract: A method of salvaging a color selection electrode for a CRT having a coating of a compound of a heavy metal and an alkali silicate on a surface of the electrode includes the steps of immersing the electrode in a stripping solution consisting essentially of ammonium bifluoride, a suitable detergent, and water; agitating the solution to remove the coating from the electrode; rinsing, and then drying the electrode.

Abstract: Process for repairing or restoring a part with a locallly damaged surface, articularly an anticathode or target consisting of depositing in preferred manner at damaged points of said surface, preferably by chemical vapor deposition, the material constituting said part and then machining said surface in such a way that it conceals its original state.

Abstract: In recovering flat glass faceplates used in color cathode ray tubes (CRTs) where the CRT is rejected during manufacture, the faceplate is cleaned for re-use with a high pressure vapor blast incorporation small particles in a slurry form. The particles may be comprised of small plastic beads or pellets, with walnut shells reduced to particle size on the order of 40-100 mesh and pressures in the range of 20-30 p.s.i. used in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: In a method of separating a glass panel and a glass body of a cathode ray tube, the panel and body being secured together by an adhesive that comprises a frit and a binder that is susceptible to attack by nitric acid, the tube is at least partially immersed in a bath containing nitric acid such that at least the junction of the panel and body is immersed in the acid, and the acid is subjected to ultrasonic excitation, for example by transducers disposed in the acid in the bath.

Abstract: The invention is a method of assembling an electric lamp having a canted arc tube. The invention permits the lamp to be assembled using a standard bulged tube outer envelope having an elongate neck portion of the type normally used for lamps in which the arc tube is mounted coaxially with the envelope axis.In the inventive method, a stem assembly having a pair of rigid conductors extending therefrom is first sealed in the open end of the neck portion in a gas-tight manner. The envelope is severed around its circumference in the region where the neck portion merges into the bulbous portion of the envelope. After the two portions are separated, a frame holding the arc tube is welded to the rigid inductors of the stem assembly with the arc tube positioned at the desired angle with respect to the lamp defined by the elongate neck portion. The two envelope portions are then resealed in a gas-tight manner and a lamp cap secured to the neck portion.

Abstract: A resin bonding system which bonds an implosion protection panel to the faceplate of a CRT tube and is cured by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The resin bonding system is designed for differential adhesion so that the faceplate separates more easily from the resin than does the implosion protection panel, thus achieving superior implosion performance.

Abstract: Process for the production of a matrix of electronic components.The matrix and the associated control circuits are produced in redundant form. The redundant elements can be interconnection lines between the electronic components of a matrix row or column and the associated control circuits or the actual electronic component. A row or column of electronic components represents a subassembly, which is tested by means of optical addressing, consisting of transmitting light rays onto photodiodes located at the periphery of the matrix and connected to each subassembly. As a function of the test result, the matrix is reconstituted by disconnecting the defective electronic components in the redundant subassemblies and then reconnecting the satisfactory subassemblies to one another. This process is more particularly applicable to a matrix of elements used for the control of a matrix display.

Abstract: Peripheral electrodes formed at the same time as the electrode arrays of a display panel and surrounding each array are cut into at least two segments. Two cut electrodes can thus be repaired together with each peripheral electrode by applying conductive deposits which serve to join the ends of each cut electrode to a peripheral electrode segment.

Abstract: A method of sealing an electron gun mount of a cathode-ray tube to a back section thereof comprises the steps of applying a glass frit between an edge of the back section and the mount where the sealing is to be effected, heating the glass frit to a temperature sufficient to cause the frit to become vitreous, thereby sealing the mount to the back section, and flowing a gas containing a reducing agent past the electron gun during the heating step.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed comprising a cathode ray tube having a glass face panel with a cathodoluminescent screen on the inner surface thereof. The screen has a phosphor constituent vulnerable to patterned discoloring known as character burn. Character burn is caused by static area electron bombardment of such time and intensity as to discolor the phosphor, but not appreciably degrade phosphor efficiency. The tube according to the invention is characterized by having a conditioned screen uniformly burn-discolored throughout at least in the visible portion of the screen to render substantially imperceptible patterned character burn resulting from use. A process is also disclosed for use in the manufacture of cathode ray tubes and display monitors, and the reclamation of character-burned cathode ray tubes to render character burn substantially imperceptible.

Abstract: A method of processing regunned cathode ray tubes by exhausting/baking the tube, aging the cathode, and only then flashing the getter. Finally, the gettered tube is high voltage conditioned before testing.