Abstract: A container assembly for bulk materials and a kit for assembling same are disclosed. A forming member having a plurality of sidewalls defines an internal cavity for receiving bulk materials. The sidewalls are arranged relative to one another and are locked into position so as to define a geometric volume of predetermined shape, by means of a locking assembly. The locking assembly can be integrally attached to or can be separable from the sidewalls, and can form a bottom of the container assembly. A tubular sleeve of continuous material is sized to snugly engage and overlie substantially the entire outer surface area of the sidewalls. The sleeve provides the containment strength, while the forming member provides structural shape and stability to the container assembly. Additional layers of corrugated material or woven polypropylene material or their combination may be used as inserts engaging the inner peripheral sidewall areas of the forming member to provide additional strength to the container assembly.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes at least one polarizer located interior or internally of substrates of the display. In certain embodiments, the polarizer may be spin-coated onto the interior of one of the substrates, preferably the passive substrate of the display. Such a polarizer may also be located interior of color filters on the copassive substrate. Thus, light being transmitted through the display proceeds through the front polarizer prior to being de-polarized by the color filters. The result is improved contrast ratios in the display due to the minimization of the de-polarizing of color filters. In certain embodiments, the internal polarizer(s) may be photo-patternable by way of ultraviolet photo-imaging.

Abstract: A container assembly for bulk materials and a method and kit for assembling same are disclosed. A forming member having a plurality of sidewalls defines an internal cavity for receiving bulk materials. The sidewalls are arranged relative to one another and are locked into position so as to define a geometric volume of predetermined shape, by means of a locking assembly. The locking assembly can be integrally attached to or can be separable from the sidewalls, and can form a bottom of the container assembly. A tubular sleeve of continuous material is sized to snugly engage and overlie substantially the entire outer surface area of the sidewalls. The sleeve provides the containment strength, while the forming member provides structural shape and stability to the container assembly.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes at least one polarizer located interior or internally of substrates-of the display. In certain embodiments, the polarizer may be spin-coated onto the interior of one of the substrates, preferably the passive substrate of the display. Such a polarizer may also be located interior of color filters on the copassive substrate. Thus, light being transmitted through the display proceeds through the front polarizer prior to being de-polarized by the color filters. The result is improved contrast ratios in the display due to the minimization of the de-polarizing of color filters. In certain embodiments, the internal polarizer(s) may be photo-patternable by way of ultraviolet photo-imaging.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes at least one polarizer located interior or internally of substrates of the display. In certain embodiments, the polarizer may be spin-coated onto the interior of one of the substrates, preferably the passive substrate of the display. Such a polarizer may also be located interior of color filters on the copassive substrate. Thus, light being transmitted through the display proceeds through the front polarizer prior to being de-polarized by the color filters. The result is improved contrast ratios in the display due to the minimization of the de-polarizing of color filters. In certain embodiments, the internal polarizer(s) may be photo-patternable by way of ultraviolet photo-imaging.

Abstract: A normally white (NW) twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal display (LCD) outputs improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and/or reduced inversion. The display includes a pair of negative tilted retarders located on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer, each of the tilted retarders including a tilt or incline angle which varies throughout the thickness of the layer. Additionally, one or two negative uniaxial or biaxial retarders may also be provided on opposite sides of the LC layer. As a result of the particular orientations, alignments, and retardation values described in different embodiments herein, the display exhibits improved contrast and/or reduced inversion, often in the same viewing areas.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a patternable diffusing layer therein positioned between the display's substrates. The diffusing (or diffuser) layer includes a host material having a plurality of particles (e.g. substantially transparent spherical balls or spacers) provided therein in order to perform a diffusion function. The refractive index n.sub.p of the particles is different (i.e. .DELTA.n) from the refractive index n.sub.h of the host material by at least about 0.05, and .DELTA.n is preferably from about 0.05-0.15. In certain embodiments, photoimageable color filters, with diffusing particles embedded therein, function as discrete diffusing members across the passive substrate. In other embodiments, a substantially continuous diffusing layer with a transparent host, including spherical balls embedded therein, may be provided across the passive substrate between the substrate and the color filters.

Abstract: A multi-domain liquid crystal display includes multiple liquid crystal alignment domains per pixel. In certain embodiments, only a single mechanical buffing step is required per substrate to provide the multiple domains per pixel. A continuous base underlying mechanically buffed alignment layer is provided, and a reactive alignment layer is provided thereon. The reactive alignment layer is doped so as to cause twist of molecules therein. The reactive layer may be photo-polymerizable and patterned so as to form an array of alignment portions and expose/uncover a corresponding array of areas of the underlying buffed alignment layer. Thus, liquid crystal molecules contacting the patterned reactive alignment portions are aligned in one direction while liquid crystal molecules contacting the exposed mechanically buffed polyimide layer are aligned in another direction. Multiple domains are thus provided, with only a single mechanical buffing step being necessary.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a patternable diffusing layer therein positioned between the display's substrates. The diffusing (or diffuser) layer includes a host material having a plurality of particles (e.g. substantially transparent spherical balls or spacers) provided therein in order to perform a diffusion function. The refractive index n.sub.p of the particles is different (i.e. .DELTA.n) from the refractive index n.sub.h of the host material by at least about 0.05, and .DELTA.n is preferably from about 0.05-0.15. In certain embodiments, photoimageable color filters, with diffusing particles embedded therein, function as discrete diffusing members across the passive substrate. In other embodiments, a substantially continuous diffusing layer with a transparent host, including spherical balls embedded therein, may be provided across the passive substrate between the substrate and the color filters.

Abstract: A normally white (NW) twisted nematic liquid crystal display (LCD) outputs improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and/or reduced inversion. The display includes a pair of negative tilted retarders (#2 and #6) located on one side of the liquid crystal layer (#10), each of the tilted retarders including a tilt or incline angle which varies throughout the thickness of the layer. Additionally, one or two negative uniaxial or biaxial retarders (#4 and #7) are provided on the same side of the liquid crystal layer as the tilted retarders. As a result of the particular orientations, alignments, and retardation values described in the different embodiments, the display exhibits improved contrast and reduced inversion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dialysis solution that contains amino acids for treating and/or preventing malnutrition in a peritoneal dialysis patient. The amino acid composition is optimized to minimize metabolic acidosis while normalizing amino acid plasma profiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dialysis solution that contains amino acids for treating and/or preventing malnutrition in a peritoneal dialysis patient. The amino acid composition is optimized to minimize metabolic acidosis while normalizing amino acid plasma profiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dialysis solution that contains amino acids for treating and/or preventing malnutrition in a peritoneal dialysis patient. The amino acid composition is optimized to minimize metabolic acidosis while normalizing amino acid plasma profiles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a club shaped device having a removable cover which encloses substantially all of the club and is fastened thereto. In one embodiment, the club shaped device is composed of a head and a handle both constructed out of a resilient material, such as dense foam rubber. The handle has a hollow interior area which has an opening at its bottom. The edges of the removable covering are placed into the opening and a removable plug is shoved into the opening to steadfastly hold the cover's edges against the handle's inner wall. In one embodiment, the present invention is used for cleaning and dusting. In another embodiment, the present invention is used as a soft club novelty item to allow users to vent their frustration without causing injury to the items struck by the club.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a display device having n display elements, where n is a positive integer greater than one, comprises a device for poviding a repetitive digital signal having a predetermined sequence of n digital values. The digital signal is converted to analog form in accordance with a predetermined transfer function and the resulting analog signal is compared with a second signal. A display enable signal is generated in the event that the magnitude of the analog signal bears a predetermined relationship to the magnitude of the second signal. A decoder circuit has a plurality of output terminals at which n distinct output signals, corresponding respectively to the n digital values, can be provided. The decoder circuit is responsive to the display enable signal for providing one of the n output signals when it receives the corresponding one of the n digital values.