Abstract: An aromatic air circulation and filtration system including a plurality of scented air filters adapted to be inserted within an existing air duct system. Also, included is an electrostatic air filter that has a layer of a air pervious material with a pair of thin conductive mesh grids each coupled on an opposite side. A turbine is coupled to the electrostatic filter for supplying power. Whereby when powered, the electrostatic filter acts to attract and contain particles. Finally, a control system is included for conveniently operating the system.

Abstract: A secondary air filter assembly that can be attached to the exhaust port of an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The assembly includes an adapter plate that is adhered, clipped or otherwise affixed to the exhaust port, and a filter carrier that is removably attached to the base. The filter is preferably affixed as a unit to the filter carrier so that the entire filter/carrier unit can be replaced at once. The adapter base can also be used as an attachment for other accessories.

Abstract: An electrostatically enhanced separator (EES) which provides mechanical separation and electrostatic separation to yield a compact and highly efficient separation system. The EES (10) may be incorporated in a collection system as well using a conventional collection device such as a cyclone collector (32), bag filter (37) or electrostatic precipitator (38). The EES (10) includes a cylindrical-walled separation chamber (11) with an inlet passage (13), a clean flow outlet (21), and a particle outlet passage (15). The inlet passage (13) and particle outlet passage (15) are both thin elongated slits which open tangentially to the cylindrical wall of the chamber for providing a substantially flush incoming flow path dispersed lengthwise along the wall.

Abstract: A miniature air purifier produces a corona discharge surrounding a needle-like emitter point connected to a novel negative 8,000-volt DC power supply. The power supply operates from a nine volt battery and contains a step-up voltage inverter having a single transformer outputting high voltage spikes with a voltage multiplier operating on the output of the inverter. The production of high voltage spikes of about 200 Hz rather than a sinusoidally varying voltage significantly reduces current consumption. The needle-like emitter point is located about 1/4-inch from an 80% open mesh metallic grid held at ground potential. Corona discharge at the emitter point ionizes the air and creates ozone, and nitric oxide both of which combine with direct electron impact decomposition to detoxify and destroy a wide variety of airborne pollutants including pathogens, chemicals and allergens.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system for high-efficiency collection of particulate debris generated in a machining area during machining of a workpiece, especially post-cure machining of a composite workpeice, that includes a vacuum subsystem for generating a localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the machining area and a particulate charging, electric field generating subsystem integrated in combination with the workpiece and the vacuum subsystem for charging particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece and for creating an electric field that directs the charged particulate debris into the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field. The vacuum subsystem includes a vacuum pump, a hose fluidically interconnected to the vacuum pump, and a nozzle fluidically connected to the hose distal the vacuum pump and having a configuration that defines the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field.

Abstract: An air ionization device for use in industrial, commercial or residential settings which includes a core section shaped to provide internal venturi action in order to force air outwardly from an ozone manifold. Air fins are provided at the front of the cabinet to prevent turbulence of air as it exits the cabinet. The device further includes electronics for providing controlled negative ozone and ionization output, and a 12 VDC power supply for operating system fans and relays. The device can operate as a master unit to control up to four slave units (i.e. up to five units on one system) for providing even distribution of ions and ozone over large industrial areas. In addition, various features are provided to allow for facile servicing of the device, including a purging hose mounted inside the core, removably replaceable ionization needles, and ozone relief holes positioned directly behind the ionization needles for constantly purging the needles and keeping them clean.

Abstract: The suction hood has an air depollution apparatus that is associated therewith and includes, inside a container that is connected to an intake grille in a downward region and to a discharge grille in an upward region, a mechanical filter, an activated-charcoal filter, suction fans that are adapted to produce a flow of air, and a collection device. The collection device includes, in succession: an electrification grid, which is supplied at a high voltage with negative polarity and is arranged on a horizontal plane that lies transversely to the container; a partition, which is arranged at an angle in front of the electrification grid so as to convey the stream of air toward at least one region that has a narrower cross-section; a negatively-charged deflector plate and a positively-charged collector plate that are arranged vertically so as to face each other at a short distance, so as to delimit the respective above- mentioned region having a narrower cross-section.

Abstract: A self contained air movement system for air purification and infection control includes an elongated upright enclosed housing including a base module, sidewalls, and an upper module. A fan intermediate the base module and the upper module draws unclean air from a room containing the system through the base module, then discharges a purified air stream from the upper module. The base module includes a downward facing air intake opening spaced from the floor. A pair of pre-filters are disposed on the base module in stacked relationship for trapping relatively large particulate matter from the entering air stream. The upper module includes a discharge grille opening to the environment with angled louvers for guiding and re-directing the purified air stream from a downstream HEPA-type filter into an inclined stream, flowing proximate to and along the ceiling of the room in which the system is located.

Abstract: An air cleaner assembly for ionizing and filtering air is supported by an electrical receptacle mounted in a wall. A housing supports an enclosed filter and a fan forces air into the housing, wherein the air is filtered and ionized. The filtered and ionized air is forced out of the housing through a grill mounted within the housing. A plug connected to the housing is mateable with the wall mounted electrical receptacle to provide power to the fan and to force air into the housing, through the filter, past the ionizer and out through the outlet grill.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating gas or vapor includes an impeller arranged in a conduit which draws dusty or fume-laden air through the duct. One or more nozzles are arranged to spray fine droplets of water onto the impeller. Downstream of the impeller, a set of angled collection plates collect the fine water droplets emitted by the nozzle, together with dust or fumes collected by the droplets. The nozzle is connected to a high voltage source, so that the droplets emitted by the nozzle are electrostatically charged. This causes them to attract dust particles and other contaminants. The collection plates are earthed, so that the charged droplets are attracted to them, improving the effectiveness of the apparatus.

Abstract: A high efficiency air filtration method and apparatus utilizes a fibrous filter medium that is polarized by a high potential difference which exists between two electrodes. The electrodes include an insulated electrode and an uninsulated electrode. A corona precharger is positioned upstream of the electrodes and filter. The corona precharger creates charged particles that have an opposite charge (e.g., a positive of negative charge) determined with respect to a polarization dipole proximal to the insulated electrode. These particles cancel a trapped charge that tends to accumulate on the filter surfaces proximal to the insulated electrode.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing solids particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has a fiber filter between the filter layer and the motor where the fiber filter has an electrically charged non-woven material for removing very fine air particles in the chamber, intersecting the air path and generally coterminous with the disposable filter layer.

Abstract: The particle collection efficiency of a fibrous filter is significantly increased by imposing a high voltage potential on electrodes placed on either side of the filter. This creates a strong electrostatic field across the filter which electrically enhances the fiber's particle collection ability. The electrostatic field strength, and particle collection efficiency, increase with the voltage employed to establish the electrostatic field. An insulated electrode as the front electrode in combination with a conductive electrode as the rear electrode enables a very high electrical potential to be imposed on the electrodes without resulting in arcing between electrodes. Pre-charging of dust particulates with the same polarity as the insulated electrodes further increase collection efficiency without resulting in a charge buildup in front of the electrodes or a blocking of airflow by particles collecting on the electrodes.

Abstract: Ionization apparatus including a housing, a high voltage source having a high voltage terminal and a ground return terminal, an ionization electrode inside the housing electrically connected to the high voltage terminal and a grounding wire mounted to the exterior surface of the housing and electrically connected to the ground return terminal.

Abstract: An electric circuit is disclosed which includes an electric fan for dispersing air, a power switch for energizing the electric fan, and a convenience outlet for supplying power through the electric circuit to an external power consuming apparatus. The convenience outlet is operable separately and independently of the electric fan. In one embodiment for use in a humidifier the electric circuit further includes a refill light, a refill light switch, and a power light. In another embodiment for use in an air purifier the circuit further includes a filter sensor, a filter replacement indicator light, an ionizer for emitting ions, a negative ion switch, an ion indicator light and a power indicator light.

Abstract: Various types of air cleaning devices for cleaning air fed to a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle are described. These air cleaning devices are arranged to incorporate with a cowl top structure of the vehicle. In one type, an air filter is disposed in an external air introduction passage led to the passenger compartment, and when the air filter is blocked with arrested dusts, a bypass passage is established to keep the feeding of atmospheric air to the passenger compartment. In a modified type, the bypass passage is instantly blocked and an internal air circulation mode is established. In one type, an electrostatic air collecting unit is used for arresting very fine particles in the atmospheric air fed to the passenger compartment. In order to achieve a smoothed air flow in the electrostatic air collecting unit, smoothly curved air guide passages are defined between positive and negative electrode plates.

Abstract: An improved air ionizing apparatus that may be used as part of an air filtering system. The apparatus consists of an air passageway with at least one negatively charged ionizing member therein and a conductive strip, positively charged with respect to the ionizing member extending around at least a major portion of the interior periphery of the outlet of the passageway. The conductive strip attracts the negative ions, causing them to disperse as air directed down the passageway propels them toward and through the outlet of the passageway.

Abstract: A non-ionizing, clog-resistant filter for extracting fine particulate contaminants such as smoke from a gaseous fluid stream such as air uses interaction between Van der Waals forces and a non-ionizing electrostatic field to efficiently capture the contaminant particles in a filter material whose pores are many times larger than the diameter of the particles to be captured. The filter material is physically so configured to further enhance that interaction, and is disposed between at least a pair of electrodes of opposite polarity. The material may be spaced from the electrodes, but preferably touches one of them. The particles are trapped deeply into the thickness of the filter material and leave ample room for continued air flow. The electrostatic voltage is preferably between 3 and 9 kV and is largely independent or electrode spacing. The configuration of the filter material is such that the flow velocity through the material is less than 0.1 m/sec, preferably on the order of 0.03 m/sec.

Abstract: An air purifier is provided having a purifier housing and an air way housing mounted therein. A fan having a cylindrical whirlpool leaf construction is mounted within the air way housing and air is directed in a predetermined direction through an air exit opening formed in a wall of the purifier housing. An extended and tapered discharging copper needle is electrically coupled to a high voltage generator contained within the purifier housing and produces negative ions. The discharging needle is pointed in contour and has an apex end located adjacent the air exit opening. The discharging needle extends in the direction of the passage of high pressure air from the purifier housing which allows the discharging needle to vibrate responsive to the high pressure air flow and increases the amount of negative ions mixed with the air passing from the purifier housing.

Abstract: A negative image silver halide photographic emulsion comprising substantially surface latent image-type silver chlorobromide or silver chlorobromoiodide grains with an iodide content of up to about 7 mol%, wherein the mean grain size of the silver halide grains is not greater than about 0.7.mu., a binder is present in an amount of not more than about 250 g per mol of silver halide, and at least one compound represented by the following general formula (I):r.sup.1 nhnhcho (i)wherein R.sup.1 represents an aryl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silver halide photographic emulsion and particularly to a silver halide photographic emulsion spectrally sensitized for argon laser beam exposure having an improved high spectral sensitivity to flash exposure using flash rays having main emission peaks at wave lengths of 514.5 nm, 488.0 nm and 476.5 nm (argon laser rays).

Abstract: A photographic process for forming photographic images comprising processing a photographic element comprising a support and at least a silver halide photographic emulsion layer having image-wise distributed therein a material possessing a catalytic action with a cobalt (III) complex with a photographic processing solution containing at least a cobalt (III) complex having a coordination number of 6 in the presence of a primary aromatic amine developing agent, in which the formation of fog is prevented by contacting the photographic processing solution with one side of a fine open-cell porous diaphragm of a hydrophobic material, such as a porous Teflon film, the other side of which is in contact with an acid solution, whereby fogging components in the processing solution are removed from the processing solution into the acid solution through the porous diaphragm.

Abstract: An image forming method comprising development processing a silver halide photographic material in the presence of at least one block copolymer represented by the following general formula (I):y[(ch.sub.2 ch.sub.2 ch.sub.2 ch.sub.2 o).sub.m --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --R].sub.x (I)and/or the general formula (II):ho(ch.sub.2 ch.sub.2 o).sub.a (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.b (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.c H (II)wherein Y represents an organic residue of x valence; R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms; m is an integer of from 5 to 50; n is an integer of from 10 to 100; b is an integer of from 8 to 50; a + e ranges from 5 to 100; and the polyoxyethylene moieties therein comprise about 10 to about 70% by weight of the total weight of the compound; and x represents an integer of from 1 to 3.

Abstract: A method for forming images which comprises processing a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive element containing in the uppermost layer thereof a matting agent composed of methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymers having a methyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid molar ratio of 6:4 to 9:1 at a temperature above about 30.degree. C. The matting agent is capable of being dissolved into alkaline processing solutions and does not adversely affect the transparency and graininess of the images formed.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with photographic products, particularly diffusion transfer photographic film units, useful in photographic processes conducted outside of a camera wherein post-exposure fogging by ambient light is prevented by a compound initially present as a substantially colorless compound which is activated by base to provide a light-absorbing reagent or colored optical filter agent which is capable of being irreversibly discharged without a change in pH. The colorless compound or filter agent precursor is initially disposed in a layer of the film unit, for example, in a layer coated over the photosensitive element. Subsequent to imagewise exposure of the photosensitive element, the colored optical filter agent is generated by contacting the colorless precursor with a basic processing composition.

Abstract: In a method for separately treating the used developing fluid from the remaining used photographic processing fluids prior to feeding the used fluids to a sewer system. The used developing fluid is continually withdrawn from the developing tank and chemically neutralized in a collecting vessel by a chemical oxidizing agent such as acetic acid or hydrogen peroxide prior to feeding the fluid to a sewer system. The method includes the continued withdrawal of spent fixer fluid to a silver recovery device and recirculation of the regenerated fixer fluid to the fixer tank.

Abstract: A process for thermal development, which comprises irradiating with microwaves an imagewise exposed thermally developable recording material in thermal contact with a conductive layer or material having a surface electric resistance ranging from about 1 ohm/.quadrature. to about 10.sup.5 ohm/.quadrature., whereby the heat generated in the conductive layer or material develops the thermally developable recording material.

Abstract: An enclosed conduit such as a tube, and a method for processing webs with a liquid solution, wherein the web is positioned helically around the periphery of the tube. The tube has openings, such as being porous, at least in the helical path of the web. A liquid solution cushion or bearing is formed between the web and periphery of the tube in at least the helical path of the web by continuously directing the liquid solution outwardly through the openings. In one embodiment, the web is transported by drive rollers or belts against which the web is forced, and edge deflected between the convolutions of a helical rail or band wrapped around the periphery of the tube. In another embodiment, the tube is provided with axially spaced, radially extending protuberances on its periphery for edge deflecting the web along a helical path.

Abstract: A covering power imaging heat developable and heat stabilizable photographic material comprising in reactive assocation (a) photographic silver salt, (b) a photographic silver salt developing agent, (c) an activating concentration of a certain development activator precursor and (d) a polymeric binder, enables an image to develop and be stabilized even though the photothermographic material contains no separate post-processing image stabilizer, and also enables silver image development efficiency of at least 90% when the material is heated to a temperature within the range of about 120.degree. to 200.degree. C. An image can be developed in this heat developable and heat stabilizable photographic material by merely heating the material after imagewise exposure to moderately elevated temperatures. Other addenda employed in heat developable materials can be employed in the described heat developable photographic materials.

Abstract: A process for developing photographic silver halide lith-materials in an automatic processing machine with a lith-developer, wherein two replenishers are used, one for compensation of the developer exhaustion resulting from aerial oxidation and a second replenisher serving for the compensation of exhaustion by development.

Abstract: A heat developable light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive layer containing (1) an oxidation-reduction image-forming combination of (a) a silver salt oxidizing agent and (b) a reducing agent and (2) a catalytic amount of a light-sensitive silver halide or a compound capable of reacting with the silver salt (a) to form a light-sensitive silver halide, the light-sensitive layer further containing (3) at least one specific phthalazinone compound. The development of the above light-sensitive material is carried out simply by heating the material at a temperature of about 90.degree. to 180.degree. C. for 1 to 60 seconds after imagewise exposure. An image of black tone can be obtained without contaminating the developing machine.

Abstract: A light-sensitive silver halide photographic element containing an inorganic bismuth compound in the emulsion layer and/or constitutive layer and a method for developing said element after imagewise exposure is described.

Abstract: Direct-print images of improved stability against prolonged light-exposure are obtained in a photodevelopable element by spectrally sensitizing the photodevelopable emulsion, providing in the emulsion layer or a superposed layer a compound absorbing radiation in the inherent sensitivity range of the silver halide, and effecting image-wise exposure with radiation comprising light of the spectral range for which the silver halide has been spectrally sensitized.

Abstract: A photographic silver halide emulsion capable of forming on exposure an internal latent image can be formed having a desired characteristic curve by providing a first photographic silver halide emulsion comprised of silver halide grains internally sensitized with a combination of middle chalcogen and noble metal sensitizers capable of forming on exposure an internal latent image and blending therewith a second, higher contrast photographic silver halide emulsion comprised of silver halide grains internally sensitized with a relatively lower proportion of middle chalcogen to noble metal sensitization. Both the first and second photographic silver halide emulsions are sensitized with the same middle chalcogen and noble metal sensitizers.

Abstract: Lithographic developer in an automatic photographic film processor is replenished from at least two stable solution concentrates. As each quantity of lithographic film is processed predetermined amounts of the solution concentrates and water are mixed and immediately added to the developer. The solution concentrates, stable before mixing, contain all the constituents needed to replenish the developer solution to maintain activity at a desired level. The amount of each solution concentrate is predetermined from the concentration of each solution concentrate and the quantity and developer requirements of the film. The frequency of replenishment is predetermined from the usage pattern.

Abstract: Light-sensitive silver halide photographic materials containing, as an anti-foggant, a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are individually an aryl or aralkyl group; Z is N, P, As or Sb; and X is an anion. The compositions are particularly suitable for use on polyester supports.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing dry film. The non-emulsion side of the film is placed in contact with a plate surface that is at or above the developing threshold potential of the film. A second heated plate surface, at the same temperature as the first plate surface, is placed in close non-contiguous relation with the exposed emulsion side of the film whereby the film is heated under adiabatic conditions during processing. The film is removed from the developing region and allowed to cool in air.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for processing spent photographic wash water, so that it may be recycled for reuse in the washing step of a photographic developing process, involving passing the spent wash water through an oxidation reaction apparatus to convert any thiosulfate salts in the spent wash water to sulfate salts, and then returning the sulfate water to the developing process for reuse as wash water. In the reactor, the thiosulfate salts in the wash water react in the presence of an oxidation catalyst with oxygen from spent drying air passed to the reactor.

Abstract: Novel o-nitro-substituted arylidene dyes are provided in which the o-nitro aryl group of the arylidene dye is joined through a methine chain linkage to a basic heterocyclic radical containing an electron donating atom. These dyes are photobleachable. The photobleachable properties are useful to provide light-sensitive elements in which images can be formed in or on a support by exposure to light to which the dye is sensitive and to provide photobleachable halation protection in photographic elements having coated thereon a photographic imaging layer. The o-nitro-substituted arylidene dyes can be used for antihalation purposes in photothermographic elements. The dyes can be incorporated within silver halide emulsions to reduce internal light scattering (i.e., internal halation) or to desensitize the emulsion. The dyes are also useful in filter layers.

Abstract: Photographic elements, processes for forming images in photographic elements and new compounds are disclosed. Generally, the invention relates to immobile compounds which can be used to provide positive images from negative recording-developing photographic materials such as negative silver halide emulsions. The compounds contain a photographically useful group such as a dye or dye precursor and are capable of releasing said photographically useful group under alkaline conditions, and are also capable of reaction with an oxidized silver halide developing agent before substantial release of said photographically useful group occurs, to provide a reaction product having a substantially lower rate of release of said photographically useful group. In specific embodiments, the compounds of this invention contain an electrophilic cleavage group located in the linkage between a ballast group and a photographically useful moiety wherein said electrophilic cleavage group is a carbamic acid derivative.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically replenishing the chemical solutions consumed in a film developing process, which results in a lessening of the chemical activity of the solutions, and where the consumption of some of the chemicals in some of the solutions are dependent on the amount of imagery processed and the rest of the solutions are dependent on the amount of bulk or non-imagery processed. The process generally involves extracting samples of one of the image dependent and one of the bulk dependent solutions, analyzing the samples to determine the chemical activity therein, and replenishing all of the image dependent solutions in relation to the chemical activity in the image dependent sample and all of the bulk dependent solutions in relation to the chemical activity in the bulk dependent sample. Provisions may be made to recycle or regenerate some of the solutions.

Abstract: An intra packet film processing method and apparatus which includes the injection of a monobath film processing solution into a film packet by means of a hypodermic needle so as to uniformly coat the emulsion surfaces of the film while remaining in a light-tight condition in the packet. Since the film in most instances has emulsion surfaces on both sides thereof hypodermic needles are inserted from opposite sides so as to uniformly coat both surfaces of the film. The film is supported so that its outer ends may flex away from the needle as the needle is caused to penetrate the covering surfaces of the film. The flexing of the film reduces the attack angle of the needle and allows the tip of the needle to slide along the film surfaces without penetrating the film. Either the needles or the film are rotated about an axis extending through the plane of the film so as to engage both needles with opposite surfaces of the film packet to uniformly penetrate the covering materials of the packet.

Abstract: A photographic film assemblage including a container, a plurality of self-developing film units within the container which are adapted to be sequentially exposed and treated with a liquid processing composition, and members associated with the container so as to form an integral part of the assemblage for controlling the distribution of the liquid processing composition during treatment of a film unit. A photographic apparatus with which the film assemblage is adapted to be used includes structure for locating the distribution control members in operative association with a film unit located in position for exposure and subsequent treatment with the liquid processing composition.

Abstract: Equidensity images can be produced by imagewise exposure and photographic processing of a photographic material containing at least two silver salt emulsions which may be arranged in one layer as a mixture or in two layers, wherein one silver salt emulsion is a fogged direct positive emulsion and the other is a negative emulsion.

Abstract: My invention is directed to a photographic element capable of forming either a positive or a negative image, depending upon the choice of electromagnetic wavelengths to which it is exposed. The element inludes internally fogged photographic silver halide grains which are substantially free of surface fog. Associated with the grains is a desensitizer containing an imidazoquinoxaline nucleus having a reduction potential more positive than -0.90 volts and an oxidation potential more positive than +0.80 volt. The desensitizer is present in an amount of no more than that required to cover 25 percent of the silver halide grain surfaces. Also associated with the grains is a spectral sensitizing dye having an absorption peak at least 20 nm removed from any absorption peak exhibited by the desensitizer.