Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generating data representative of a three-dimensional distribution of the light backscattering potential of a transparent or semi-transparent object such as a human eye. The apparatus includes an interferometer, both the reference beam and measurement beam of which are directed toward the object and reflected by respective reference and measurement sites thereof, such that axial motion of the object during measurement affects both beams equally. The measurement beam is raster scanned transversely across each measurement site for which data is obtained. Also, the frequency of one of the beams is shifted by a non-moving frequency shifter, such that the reflected beams combine and are modulated by a heterodyne beat frequency, which is detected when the object path difference is matched with the interferometer path difference.

Abstract: A stand alone flat bed scanner including a CPU, a removable storage medium, a control system displaying digital image and controls for controlling the mode of operation, degree of resolution, related parameters associated with generating, storing and displaying digital data. Ports for printers, accessories and other peripherals, an internal hard drive, and software adapted to display images directly on a television screen, and/or to display images projected from an LCD projector upon a screen, including battery, and a pivotal handle for portable use in environments not having an external power supply. One embodiment, not including an incorporated flat bed scanner function, adapted to receive image data from a conventional scanner unit.

Abstract: A simplified method and apparatus for creating counterfeit-resistant labels is described. A laser is used to mark a retro-reflective material such that light only from specific directions are reflected back towards the source. During authentication of the labels, the label is tilted to verify that only light from the specific directions are reflected back towards the source.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for simultaneously biasing multiple magneto-resistive read elements in a disc drive head/disc assembly. A preamplifier circuit sequentially applies read bias currents to successive pairs of heads of the head/disc assembly, wherein the read bias current applied to a selected one of each pair of the heads is used to transduce the servo data from the associated disc recording surface, and the read bias current applied to the remaining one of each pair of the heads is used to prepare the remaining one of each pair of the heads to subsequently transduce the servo data from the associated disc recording surface. The preamplifier circuit includes at least first and second read bias current sources and a head selection circuit.

Abstract: In a recording/reproduction apparatus, when a rotational-speed-mode setting instruction is received from an I/F unit, a CPU reads out a control procedure from a storage device, controlling other components in accordance with the procedure. As a result, a node switch driving circuit controls field windings of a pulse motor to a switching sequence, driving the pulse motor to rotation at a predetermined rotational speed. Since the control is feedback control, the pulse motor rotates at the predetermined rotational speed specified by an instruction setting a rotational-speed mode with a high degree of reliability. Data can thus be recorded into and reproduced from a magnetic disk at a variable speed.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing formed by upper and lower casing halves and a single reel around which a magnetic tape with a leader pin fixed to its leading end is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. A spring member removably holds upper and lower end portions of the leader pin on the cartridge casing. The spring member includes upper and lower holding portions which are respectively brought into abutment against the upper and lower end portions of the leader pin and are connected to each other.

Abstract: In a thin film magnetic head including a first magnetic layer 36, a write gap layer 41 and a second magnetic layer 42, 47 formed on a substrate 31, 32 and one or more thin film coil layers provided between the first and second magnetic layers, in order to shorten a magnetic path length of the thin film coil and to improve characteristics by reducing a spacing between successive coil windings of at least one thin film coil layer, a silicon oxide film 37 is formed on the first magnetic layer 36, coil-shaped recesses 38 are formed by a reactive ion etching in a surface of the silicon oxide layer with a narrow spacing, a copper layer is deposited by Cu-CVD, the copper layer is polished by CMP such that the surface of the silicon oxide layer is exposed to form coil windings 40 of the first thin film coil layer, and the write gap layer is formed on the coil windings.

Abstract: The present invention is a surge protector circuit and method of protecting electronic equipment which do not load down a circuit at high frequencies and do not degrade a signal in high speed data transmission. A gas tube is connected in parallel with low capacitance diodes and an avalanche semiconductor device, such as a TVS. The diodes and the avalanche semiconductor clamp the voltage transient and allow the slower gas tube more time to fire, discharging the surge. The addition of the low capacitance diodes in series with the avalanche semiconductor, reduces the line-to-line and line-to-ground capacitances of the surge protector and keeps the surge protector circuit from loading down the rest of the circuit and degrading the signal.

Abstract: A chip capacitor includes a multilayer body composed of a plurality of stacked sheet layers made of ceramics; capacitor electrodes and via hole electrodes disposed inside the multilayer body; and outer electrodes formed on only main surfaces of the multilayer body such that they are electrically connected to the capacitor electrodes via the via hole electrodes. Some of the capacitor electrodes are electrically connected by the via hole electrodes, and the other capacitor electrodes are electrically connected by other via hole electrodes.

Abstract: A chip capacitor includes a multilayer body composed of a plurality of stacked sheet layers made of ceramics; capacitor electrodes and via hole electrodes disposed inside the multilayer body; and outer electrodes formed on only main surfaces of the multilayer body such that they are electrically connected to the capacitor electrodes via the via hole electrodes. Some of the capacitor electrodes are electrically connected by the via hole electrodes, and the other capacitor electrodes are electrically connected by other via hole electrodes.

Abstract: An adapter or housing for a module, such as a single in-line memory module (SIMM) or the like, and method of using the same are disclosed where the SIMM and attached housing fit a predetermined shape SIMM socket. The housing replaces SIMM board material that would otherwise be used to help secure the SIMM to a predetermined shape SIMM socket or connector. The configuration of the housing allows a SIMM or the like to be snapped or slid and secured into the housing. If desired, an adhesive, potting material and other bonding material can be used to secure the SIMM board to the housing and/or pot the SIMM within the housing.

Abstract: A sub word line is selected when an associated word line and any of sub decode lines are driven to attain a boosted potential. In a sub decoder selectively driving any of the sub decode lines, the pull-down transistors allowing the sub decode line to discharge are turned on successively with time in a pulsing manner.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided which ensures the symmetry of memory data transmission time and a high-speed operation and has large write/read operation margin with no need of increasing the chip area. By placing a horizontally long peripheral circuit section in the middle in the vertical direction of a semiconductor chip, placing a vertically long shift register section above and below and perpendicularly to the peripheral circuit section, and making the memory core and shift register arrangement symmetrical in the horizontal direction, the data/signal lines between the memory core and the shift register section can be made short and the symmetry of the interconnections can be maintained, which allows the implementation of a high-speed and large-margin semiconductor memory device.

Abstract: Switch MOSFETs are interposed between a sense amplifier disposed in a dynamic RAM and complementary bit lines: after signal voltages were read out by the selecting operations of the word lines from a plurality of dynamic memory cells selected, to the plurality of pairs of complementary bit lines in accordance with their individual storage informations, the switch control signal of the switch MOSFETs is changed from a select level to a predetermined intermediate level. The switch MOSFETs, as fed with the intermediate potential at their gates, are turned ON as a result that sense nodes are set to one level in accordance with the amplifying operations of the sense amplifier. An amplification signal generated by the amplifying operation is transmitted through the column select circuit to input/output lines in response to the column select signal, and the switch control signal is returned from the intermediate potential level to the select level in response to the selecting operation of the column select circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first conductive layer, an insulator layer disposed on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer disposed on the insulator layer. A first fuse is disposed in the first conductive layer and provides a first signal, and a second fuse is disposed in the second conductive layer in alignment with the first fuse and provides a second signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device capable of preventing occurrence of a defect caused by a lowering in the etching precision in an end area of the memory cell array and realizing an inexpensive chip having high operation reliability and high manufacturing yield is provided. A first block is constructed by first memory cell units each having a plurality of memory cells connected, a second block is constructed by second memory cell units each having a plurality of memory cells connected, and the memory cell array is constructed by arranging the first blocks on both end portions thereof and arranging the second blocks on other portions thereof. The structure of the first memory cell unit on the end side of the memory cell array is different from that of the second memory cell unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which receives addresses in synchronism with a clock signal and receives data in synchronism with a strobe signal includes address-latch circuits, a first control circuit which selects one of the address-latch circuits in sequence in response to the clock signal, and controls the selected one of the address-latch circuits to latch a corresponding one of the addresses in response to the clock signal, and a second control circuit which selects one of the address-latch circuits in sequence in response to the strobe signal, and controls the selected one of the address-latch circuits to output a corresponding one of the addresses in response to the strobe signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a circuit configured to automatically generate a sleep signal upon detecting that one or more chip select signals has been in a first state for a predetermined number of clock cycles.

Abstract: An improved oil and gas well servicing apparatus for blending and delivering a slurry of fracturing fluid and particulate matter at constant flow rate and pressure to a downhole pump is disclosed. Multiple blending tubs are mounted on a trailer or skid and are manifolded together in a slurry discharge manifold. The slurry discharge manifold combines the slurry discharged by the blending tubs and incorporates pipe sections of equal length to connect the blending tubs to the manifold. It is believed that the slurry discharge manifold and equal length piping provide balanced pressure drop between the individual blending tubs and creates a constant outlet pressure from the slurry discharge manifold. A fluid intake manifold may also be included to distribute fracturing fluid to the blending tubs. Hose connectors on each of the manifolds are provided on both sides of the apparatus for convenient operation from either side.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a magneto-optical disk including an optical head for projecting a laser beam onto a magneto-optical disk and receiving the laser beam reflected by the disk, an up-down block arranged movably between a lower position and an upper position, an up-down motor for moving said up-down block up and down, a turntable for supporting the disk and a spindle motor secured to said up-down block and having a driving shaft coupled with said turntable for rotating the turntable, a position detecting device for detecting a position of said up-down block to derive a position signal when the up-down block is driven into the upper position, a rotation detecting device for detecting a rotation of said optical information record disk to derive a rotation signal when the optical information record disk is rotated at a predetermined revolving speed, and a control device for initiating a focus control for moving said objective lens and turntable relative to each

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a magneto-optical disk including an optical head for projecting a laser beam onto a magneto-optical disk and receiving the laser beam reflected by the disk, an up-down block arranged movably between a lower position and an upper position, an up-down motor for moving said up-down block up and down, a turntable for supporting the disk and a spindle motor secured to said up-down block and having a driving shaft coupled with said turntable for rotating the turntable, a position detecting device for detecting a position of said up-down block to derive a position signal when the up-down block is driven into the upper position, a rotation detecting device for detecting a rotation of said optical information record disk to derive a rotation signal when the optical information record disk is rotated at a predetermined revolving speed, and a control device for initiating a focus control for moving said objective lens and turntable relative to each

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a magneto-optical disk including an optical head for projecting a laser beam onto a magneto-optical disk and receiving the laser beam reflected by the disk, an up-down block arranged movably between a lower position and an upper position, an up-down motor for moving said up-down block up and down, a turntable for supporting the disk and a spindle motor secured to said up-down block and having a driving shaft coupled with said turntable for rotating the turntable, a position detecting device for detecting a position of said up-down block to derive a position signal when the up-down block is driven into the upper position, a rotation detecting device for detecting a rotation of said optical information record disk to derive a rotation signal when the optical information record disk is rotated at a predetermined revolving speed, and a control device for initiating a focus control for moving said objective lens and turntable relative to each

Abstract: A call pricing center that assists Internet Protocol (IP)-compatible devices in defining preferences, including prices, for completing an IP routed transaction. A centralized routing engine associated with a clearinghouse uses the preferences to assist IP devices in making routing decisions. The pricing center provides IP network operators and retail IP telephony gateway operators with significant flexibility by allowing them to designate preferences and preference criteria. A source gateway operator may set preferences such as the maximum price that it is willing to paid for a call, the maximum delay that will be tolerated and the maximum autonomous system hop count that will be tolerated. A destination gateway operator may also set preferences relating to the prices it will charge for terminating calls. Using preference criteria, a gateway operator may specify particular times call prices are to be effective and to what called number ranges they are to be applied.

Abstract: A unique byte is used to bookend commands and data for the purpose of allowing inband signalling and command communication between the IWF and the BSC portions of a mobile communication system having DS0 maximum data rate transfer capability per data channel. The receipt of two consecutive ones of the unique bytes indicates that the next 2 bytes will be a command. The receipt of 3 consecutive ones of the unique bytes indicates the next byte will be data. This inband signalling and data transfer allows the IWF functionality to be remote from the main switch used by a given BSC.

Abstract: In a synchronous multiplex network including a plurality of multiplex transmission apparatuses, an overhead is passed through intervening multiplex transmission apparatuses such that administration and maintenance operation information is transmitted and received through the overhead between arbitrary multiplex transmission apparatuses. The multiplex transmission apparatus receives a multiplexed signal comprising a payload having a plurality of main signals multiplexed therein and overhead bytes including a plurality of administration and maintenance operation information, performs termination processing for the administration and maintenance operation information and transmission processing for the payload, thereafter converts the multiplexed signal into a different multiplexed signal comprising a payload which has been processed for transmission and a plurality of administration and maintenance operation information, and transmits the different multiplexed signal.

Abstract: A new laser oscillation device is provided which is capable of readily cooling down a laser medium without employing any large-size complicated separate or discrete devices such as fan blowers while at the same time improving the laser oscillation efficiency to thereby easily generate high-output laser light. To this end, a Lorentz force drive electromagnetic pump means and a cooling means are provided in a way such that the Lorentz force drive electromagnetic pump means is operable to drive the laser medium while allowing the cooling means to cool down the laser medium being driven.

Abstract: Reflective powder, such as barium sulfate, within a reflector chamber of a solid-state optical pumping laser is effectively isolated from coolant-water, preventing contact therewith. Degeneration of reflectors and diminution of lasing magnitude is avoided. Water seals are shielded from substantially all light from the flashlamps by a light barrier. Ultraviolet light from the flashlamps is blocked from contacting the water seals. Degradation of the seals is eliminated; and water leakage-contact with the reflective powder is prevented.

Abstract: An intracavity resonant Fabry-Perot saturable absorber (R-FPSA) induces modelocking in a laser such as a fiber laser. An optical limiter such as a two photon absorber (TPA) can be used in conjunction with the R-FPSA, so that Q-switching is inhibited, resulting in laser output that is cw modelocked. By using both an R-FPSA and a TPA, the Q-switched modelocked behavior of a fiber laser is observed to evolve into cw modelocking.

Abstract: An intracavity resonant Fabry-Perot saturable absorber (R-FPSA) induces modelocking in a laser such as a fiber laser. An optical limiter such as a two photon absorber (TPA) can be used in conjunction with the R-FPSA, so that Q-switching is inhibited, resulting in laser output that is cw modelocked. By using both an R-FPSA and a TPA, the Q-switched modelocked behavior of a fiber laser is observed to evolve into cw modelocking.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a reliable estimate of the transmitter clipping error compliant with T1.413 ADSL standard is disclosed. An architecture is disclosed that uses the clipping error estimate at the receiver to reconstruct a frequency-domain compensation signal. The method for computing the compensation signal is disclosed along with an asymmetric digital subscriber line modem supporting T1.413 standard transmission/reception functions over a discrete multi-tone communications system capable of estimating clipping errors and computing clipping compensation signals.

Abstract: A transmitter encodes a number 2N data bits by using N data bits to select one of 2N levels of a cosine wave and the other N data bits to select one of 2N levels of a sine wave. The modulation attains the cosine wave levels at instants offset by half an N-bit symbol interval with respect to the sine wave levels, and is called Offset QAM (OQAM). A received OQAM signal is amplified, filtered and digitized at a sampling rate of preferably only one sample per N-bit half-symbol interval. Successive N-bit half-symbols comprise information modulated alternately on a cosine and a sine carrier wave. The receiver may remove this successive rotation by applying successive derotations of successive digitized samples by like amounts. The derotated samples are then correlated with known sync half-symbols. The sync correlations determine a set of channel coefficients describing the dependence of each digitized sample on one or more unknown half-symbols.

Abstract: A locking device for use in restraining a jet pump downcomer of a nuclear reactor, including an upper jaw; a lower jaw placed in an opposing position below the upper jaw; and a tightening screw movably supporting the upper jaw and the lower jaw. When installed on a jet pump downcomer, the complete assembly includes a restraining ring; a downcomer carried by the restraining ring; a wedge supported by the restraining ring and the downcomer; and a guide bolt extending in an axial direction in relation to the downcomer such that the wedge is movably supported by the guide bolt. The wedge is interposed between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, and one end of the upper jaw and a corresponding end of the lower jaw are moveably supported by the guide bolt. The upper jaw and lower jaw are supported at their respective opposite ends by the tightening screw.

Abstract: A sample cell for use in x-ray imaging, including structure defining a chamber for a sample and, mounted to said structure, a body of a substance excitable by an appropriate incident beam to generate x-ray radiation, the cell being arranged so that, in use, at least a portion of the x-ray radiation traverses said chamber to irradiate the sample therein and thereafter exits the structure for detection.

Abstract: System and method for radiographic imaging of tissue using a non-radioactive, radio-opaque imaging agent that accumulates intracellularly in tissue in proportion to its functional, or physiological, activity. In one embodiment, the imaging agent is a cell-membrane permeable, radio-opaque, high affinity ligand for the intracellular enzyme hexokinase. The imaging agent is administered to a patient, and after an accumulation interval, radiographic images are acquired. The imaging agent preferentially accumulates in malignant tissue and increases its radio-opacity because of its elevated glucose metabolic rate relative to benign and normal tissue. The tissue being examined is transilluminated by X-ray beams with preselected different mean energy spectra, and a separate radiographic image is acquired during transillumination by each beam. An image processing system performs a weighted combination of the acquired images to produce a single displayed image.

Abstract: A local routing system is provided for selectively routing traffic in a telecommunications network according to a local service provider's preferences. The local service provider provides service for telephone lines acquired from a local exchange carrier. The telecommunications network supports an originator subscribing to the local service provider. The originator initiates a trigger when originating a call to a destination by dialing a number. The local routing system includes a classifier, a determiner, and a router. The classifier analyzes the dialed number and categorizes the call into one of several predetermined classes of traffic. The determiner determines whether the local service provider has a routing preference for the class of traffic into which the classifier has placed the call.

Abstract: A CMOS implementation for a DC holding circuit in direct access arrangement (DAA) circuitry is disclosed that provides desirable inductive behavior while minimizing power dissipation required by the CMOS integrated circuit, particularly at high loop currents. The DC holding circuitry disclosed may include MOS transistors located on a CMOS integrated circuit and an off-chip power dissipating resistor that acts to dissipate power external to the CMOS integrated circuit. The CMOS implementation disclosed also allows a path for drawing DC current to power other CMOS circuits (e.g., ADCs and DACs) in the CMOS integrated circuit.

Abstract: A cable television system provides conditional access to services. The cable television system includes a headend from which service “instances”, or programs, are broadcast and a plurality of set top units for receiving the instances and selectively decrypting the instances for display to system subscribers. The service instances are encrypted using public and/or private keys provided by service providers or central authorization agents. Keys used by the set tops for selective decryption may also be public or private in nature, and such keys may be reassigned at different times to provide a cable television system in which piracy concerns are minimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides data analysis stations respectively for a probing tester and an automatic particle inspection machine. And, in the data analysis station, the coordinates on which the disposition of the chips are described on a product basis are equal to those on which the locations of the defects are described. Further, the station provides a function of determining which of the chips each defect belongs to. These data analysis stations are connected through a communication line. The present invention is capable of analyzing the data on a chip basis, resulting in being able to grasp the relation between how the defects are caused on each chip and the product character of the chip.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a method for an encoder to encode audiovisual information for transmission to the decoder without any prior knowledge of the computational capabilities of the decoder. A descriptor containing parameters that can be used to estimate the complexity of the decoding process is embedded in the system stream. The encoder also encodes the video information in such a manner that the decoder can choose to ignore some of the information and only decode a subset of the encoded information in order to reduce the computational requirements. This method allows more than one decoder to decode the same bitstream giving different resolutions depending on the computational capability of the decoder.

Abstract: In an image coding method of the present invention, after a process such as DCT is performed to digital image data, quantization process is performed, and then, to resultant quantized transform coefficients, variable length coding process is performed with reference to a variable length code table showing how variable length codes are allocated, and in a comparison process between an event derived from the quantized transform coefficients and a reference event included in the variable length code table, transformation process is performed to increase a possibility of performing variable length coding with satisfactory coding efficiency.

Abstract: In an image coding method of the present invention, after a process such as DCT is performed to digital image data, quantization process is performed, and then, to resultant quantized transform coefficients, variable length coding process is performed with reference to a variable length code table showing how variable length codes are allocated, and in a comparison process between an event derived from the quantized transform coefficients and a reference event included in the variable length code table, transformation process is performed to increase a possibility of performing variable length coding with satisfactory coding efficiency.

Abstract: It is an object to encode an image signal or a shape signal more efficiently than the prior art. As a means to accomplish the object, the change pixel detector 2 receives the input signal 1 as an input signal and detects the pixel which changes the two-valued pixel value. Further, the change pixel predictor 4 also reads out the reference image stored in the memory 3, and predicts the change pixel of the particular input signal. The difference value calculator 5 subtracts the output of the change pixel predictor 4 from the output of the change pixel detector 2. The difference value rounder 7 compares the tolerance value e and the prediction error D, and outputs x which requires the minimum bit number for being encoded in the value D−e≦x≦D+e. The output of the difference value rounder 7 is encoded by the decoder 8 to become the encoded signal 9.

Abstract: An image data processing method is constructed to include a step of storing an image data which includes a first image data related to a first object and a second image data related to a background or a second object which is different from the first object, a step of storing distribution information which indicates a probability of each pixel data being included in the first image data, with respect to at least one portion of the first image data, and a step of adding the distribution information when extracting the first image data from the image data.

Abstract: A device comprising a planar optical waveguide, consisting of a transparent carrier (40) and a wave-guiding layer (41), wherein the waveguide at least has a diffractive element (42) for coupling excitation radiation into the wave-guiding layer, and there is located on the wave-guiding layer a further, tightly sealing layer (43) made from a material which, at least at the support surface, is transparent both to the excitation radiation and to the evanescently excited radiation at least to the penetration depth of the evanescent field, and which, for an analysis sample, has, at least in a partial region of the guided excitation radiation, a cavity (45) which is open to the upper side or a cavity (6) which is closed to the upper side and connected by means of an inflow channel (2) and an outflow channel (3), the depth of the cavity corresponding at least to the penetration depth of the evanescent field, and wherein the diffractive element (42) is fully covered by the material of the layer (43) at least in the co

Abstract: A tape indexing arrangement for video recorders records the index on the tape using standard broadcast teletext codes. When a tape is inserted the contents list it contains is written onto an index RAM in the recorder (200). When a new programme is recorded a programme identification is generated from PDC or EPG data (202). At a suitable later time the contents of the index RAM are recorded on the tape (204).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an encoded data stream representing a number of pictures or frames and having a number of layers including a picture layer in which time code information attached to the original data is described or inserted therein for each picture. Such time code information may be inserted into a user data area of the picture layer of the encoded data stream.

Abstract: To perform rapid decoding of video data and audio data when a plurality of programs continuously played back by a digital VTR and input from a digital interface are changed.

Abstract: A toner cartridge extending in a longitudinal direction thereof has a fresh toner chamber and a water toner chamber. The fresh toner chamber and waste toner chamber extend parallel to each other so that the fresh toner chamber and the waste toner chamber are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The waste toner chamber incorporates a toner-conveying member such as a screw conveyor. The screw conveyor extends between the opposed longitudinal ends, and causes the waste toner to move further into the waste toner chamber. The waste toner chamber has an entrance formed therein through which waste toner is received from a print process cartridge. The entrance opens yieldably when a waste toner exit enters the waste toner chamber through the entrance and closes when the waste toner exit moves out of the enters the waste toner chamber.

Abstract: A knocking writing utensil which automatically returns a writing medium to a withdrawn position when a clip is used, includes an engagingly-locking protrusion formed on an engagement body that moves inside an external cylinder together with a refill. An engaging-lock receiving protruding portion including an engaging-lock receiving portion at its front end is formed on the rear surface of a non-proximal end of a clip with its proximal end fixed to the external cylinder. A guide hole is formed in the external cylinder so as to correspond to the engaging-lock receiving protruding portion. A cam portion for abutting on the engagingly-locking protrusion is formed on a knock bar integrated with a knock body.

Abstract: The brush (1) includes a core (2) formed from a metal wire bent into a U and the branches of which are twisted to trap radial bristles (3) between them, the core (2) being fixed to the end of a wand (6). The branches of the core are twisted, turning to the left, to form turns which turn in the clockwise direction about the axis (X) of the core when progressing from the wand towards the end of the brush, whereas the bristles (3) of the brush form helical layers (S) rising from left to right in the area located between the core and an observer who holds the brush substantially vertical in front of him/her with its tip pointing upwards.