Abstract: A fluorescent lamp starter circuit that incorporates the series arrangement of a glow-switch and a semiconductor switch. The semiconductor switch is coupled to a solid state timer. The solid state timer renders the semiconductor switch non-conductive after it has timed a predetermined maximum operation interval. The duration of lamp ignition attempts is thereby limited.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light bulb comprising a base BA to which a filament FIL is connected, which filament is intended to emit a luminous radiation and has turns arranged in spiraling fashion around an axis of revolution AX. According to the invention, the light bulb in addition comprises a plurality of hooks H1, H2, and H3, each being in contact with one of the turns of the filament, and being connected to the base BA by means of a support SUP. The invention enables to keep the filament FIL securely in position, which reduces the risk that several turns of said filament will come into contact with the support SUP, thus creating a destructive short-circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for toasting of bread etc. comprising a housing (2) with a slot (3) which issues into a toasting space (4) into which products to be toasted can be introduced, while heater elements (5) are arranged on both sides of this space (4) which each cooperate with a reflector (7) for reflecting radiation in the direction of the toasting space (4), and the housing (2) is made at least partly of a transparent material. In order to obtain an evenly distributed browning and a good view of the products in the toasting space (4), the reflectors (7) cover the whole area of the toasting space (4) and are made of a transparent material.

Abstract: A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is provided with a discharge vessel (10). The discharge vessel comprises tubular end portions (11; 11′), which each have a longitudinal axis (12; 12′). The discharge vessel (10) encloses a discharge space (18) containing a filling of mercury and an inert gas in a gastight manner. Electrodes (20; 20′) are arranged in the discharge space (18). An auxiliary amalgam is provided on a carrier (25; 25′) in the proximity of the electrodes (20; 20′). According to the invention, a part of the carrier (25; 25′) is arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis (12; 12′). Preferably, a stem (21; 21′) in the tubular end portion (11; 11′) carries, apart from the electrode (20; 20′), a support in the form of a wire (23; 23′) or an extended exhaust tube, which support carries the carrier (25; 25′). In an alternative embodiment, the carrier is clamped directly onto the stem.

Abstract: A skin care device (1) includes a cleaning tool (18) which can be driven by a driving mechanism (8). The device also includes a drivable padding holder (19) and a padding configuration (31) retained by the padding holder (19). The configuration includes a padding interior (23), which is enveloped in a padding cover (24). The cover (24) may consist of a microfiber tissue material.

Abstract: A display device is provided which includes a first substrate having at least one transparent, first picture electrode of a first material, a second substrate having at least one second picture electrode of a second material which, jointly with the picture electrode on the first substrate and an intermediate opto-electronic material, defines a pixel, and means for supplying electric voltages to the picture electrodes, wherein at least one of the picture electrodes is coated with at least one layer of a passivating material such that any asymmetry in operation of the device is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The lighting unit comprises a first lighting element (10) and a second lighting element (11). In operation, the first lighting element (10) has a comparatively high light output. The second lighting element (20, 20′) has a light output, in operation, which is relatively low in comparison with that of the first lighting element (10). The lighting unit comprises a control mechanism (40) including a switching means with a toggle function that is responsive to sequential switches in the power applied to the lighting unit. By selecting the proper switching sequence, either the first lighting element or the second lighting element or both lighting elements are switched on. Preferably, the first lighting element is a compact fluorescent discharge vessel (10), and the second lighting element comprises a plurality of LEDs (20, 20′). The lighting unit enables remote-controlled switching between orientation light (night lamp) and normal light, using the toggle function in the lighting unit.

Abstract: The electric lamp has a light source (3) having a first (31) and a second light-generating portion (32) in a concave reflector (2). The reflector has an axis of symmetry (20) and a first (21) and a second reflector portion (22), each having an optical axis (23 and 24, respectively) which is parallel to the axis of symmetry (20). Each reflector portion (21, 22) surrounds its optical axis (23, 24) for the greater part. The light source portions (31, 32) each coincide with a respective one of the optical axes (23, 24). The lamp produces a light beam which has only one maximum.

Abstract: In a method of providing a surface with a protection layer having at least a first surface area (2) and a second surface area (1), which surface areas (1, 2) are distinguishable in that the surface areas (1, 2) differ from each other in at least one visual property, parts of the surface situated outside the first surface area (2) are masked with a mask layer which partially covers the surface, and the surface is subjected to an electrochemical treatment (14, 20), whereby non-masked parts of the surface are treated. As the mask layer provided on the surface is a sol-gel layer forming the protection layer in the second surface area (1), a wear-resistant surface-protection layer having visually distinguishable surface areas is provided in an efficient manner. An object which can be obtained by the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: A shaving head comprises a cutting member a hair manipulator. The cutting member has a cutting edge which extends in a direction perpendicular to a shaving direction of the shaving head. The hair manipulator is arranged in front of the cutting edge, seen in the shaving direction, and can be driven in a direction parallel to the cutting edge. Hairs trapped by the hair manipulator are moved along the cutting edge while being cut, so that the cutting forces in the shaving direction are reduced. The cutting member can also be driven in a direction parallel to the cutting edge such that, seen in this direction, the cutting member and the hair manipulator move in opposite directions for a longer period of time than in equal directions. In this manner the cutting member has a stretching effect on the skin present immediately in front of the cutting edge, and said stretching effect of the cutting member intensifies a similar stretching effect of the hair manipulator.

Abstract: A low mercury consumption electric lamp is provided having a layer of a luminescent material comprising a phosphor selected from the group consisting of: (a) cool white phosphor comprising calcium halophosphate activated with antimony and manganese having an average particle size of about 8 to about 12 microns; and (b) a two phosphor blend of about 50% white calcium halophosphate activated with antimony and manganese and about 50% blue halo calcium halophosphate activated with antimony, wherein the blue halo phosphor has an average particle size of about 6.6 to about 10 microns.