Abstract: A necktie knot forming device is provided. The knot forming device is temporarily attached to the tie prior to forming the knot and retains the tie and the device in position during the knot formation process. Once the knot is substantially completely formed, the device is then removed from the tie and a neat, consistent, four-in-hand knot remains in the tie.

Abstract: A sputter-coated layer system including a non-nitrided and non-oxidized nickel or nickel alloy layer located between two layers of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 of the requisite thicknesses and used for architectural and automotive glass substrates so as to be heat treatable and have .DELTA.E characteristics sufficiently low to render the products matchable as between heat treated and non-heat treated products having the same coating thereon.

Abstract: A cursor control system and method of implementing same is provided for adjusting the cursor blinking frequency so that the cursor blinks on the display screen at a frequency which i a function (linear or non-linear) of a measured physical condition (e.g. pulse rate) of the user. For example, the cursor frequency may be adjusted so that the cursor blinks on the display screen at a rate or frequency corresponding to the measured pulse rate of the user.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating the rear wheel assembly of a wheeled vehicle for a predetermined period of time in response to actuation of a turn signal. An auxiliary light and corresponding circuit are provided on the underside of a semi-trailer or other wheeled vehicle, the light being turned on in response to actuation of the turn signal on the same side of the vehicle so as to illuminate the rear wheel assembly. The light remains on for a predetermined period of time after the turn signal is turned off or deactuated, due to the dissipation of charge in a storage capacitor provided in the circuit. The circuit operatively associated with the auxiliary light is provided with a switching transistor as well as the storage capacitor, the transistor functioning to cause the auxiliary light to be illuminated when both (i) the vehicle's lights are on; and (ii) the turn signal on the appropriate side of the vehicle is actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a barrier coating on a portion of discrete objects such as fasteners utilizing a liquid coating material is provided. The present invention introduces either a plurality of loose or interconnected parts onto a magnetized conveyor system and optically senses when parts are present. When parts are sensed, the sensor triggers a discrete shot of liquid coating material such as a fluorocarbon to be deposited onto a predetermined portion of each part. These parts can then be transferred to a second magnetized conveyor system that supports an opposite surface of the parts than the first conveyor. The invention can also remove excess coating material and also be provided with dryers or heaters to fix the coating material to the parts if necessary.

Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display assembly including a flex circuit for interfacing substantially all of the row and column address lines of the display panel with a display output controller. The flex circuit is preferably made of two planar sheets laminated to one another, the first flex circuit sheet interfacing the row address lines with the display output controller and the second sheet interfacing the column address lines of the active matrix with the controller. The flex circuit includes a plurality of extension members, each extension member being electrically adhered to a driver TAB mounted to a peripheral side of the display panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for application of liquid materials onto substrates is provided. The present invention allows high speed selective application of curable liquids to a continuous succession of discrete substrates and subsequent curing of those liquids in order to form a solid or foamed coating on at least a portion of the substrates. The present invention provides increased speed efficiency and adherence of the liquid cured onto the substrates.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product is provided which includes a dry mixture of loose-fill fiberglass and an inorganic adhesive in the form of a redispersible powder. During application, the dry loose-fill mixture is coated with a liquid (e.g. water) so as to activate the adhesive. Thereafter, the loose-fill mixture with activated adhesive is blown or sprayed into a cavity (open or closed) so as to insulate same.

Abstract: A device for identifying cells as either conforming or non-conforming in a cell-based transmission system, which includes an n-bit word-length counter having an input coupled to a source of clock pulses, a parallel n-word gate coupled to a parallel output of the n-bit word length counter and having a gate input coupled to a source of cell arrival signals. A processor is coupled to an output of gate having a first comparer for comparing TAT and t.sub.a (k), a second comparer for comparing t.sub.a (k)[n-1] with zero and t.sub.a (k-1)[n-1] with 1, a setting device for setting TAT=t.sub.a (k) in the event that either of the comparisons in the first and second comparers are true. A third comparer is provided for comparing TAT and t.sub.a (k)+L and if TAT is less than or equal to t.sub.a (k)+L, an indexing device for indexing TAT by I and declaring the cell conforming, and an output device for declaring the cell non-conforming if TAT is greater than t.sub.a (k)+L.

Abstract: A mechanical plug device for an environmental monitoring well is disclosed for sealing the exposed top end of a well casing in order to prevent pollutants from entering the monitoring well. The plug is lockable to prevent unauthorized access to the monitoring well. A valve assembly is attached to the plug so as to allow a user to selectively fluidly communicate with a sampling port and the interior of the monitoring well, thereby permitting fluid samples to be extracted through the plug without removing the plug from the well and without exposing the well interior to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display including an array of thin film transistors. Each thin film device in the array includes gate, source and drain electrodes. At least one of the source and drain electrodes include first and second metal layers offset with respect to one another so as to reduce the channel length of the transistors. Because of the reduced TFT channel length, the TFT channel width can also be reduced while maintaining the same ON current. Thus, the gate-source capacitance is reduced which in turn reduces pixel flickering and image retention and improves gray level uniformity. The first and second source-drain metal layers are of different materials so that the etchant for the second metal does not etch the first metal layer deposited. The TFT may be either a linear TFT or a ring-shaped TFT according to different embodiments of this invention.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus and method are provided for feeding fine powdered coating material such as thermoplastic type material to a succession of discrete articles passing by the apparatus. The invention also provides a powder feed system that deposits an excess of powdered coating material than that required to form the coating and provides for recirculation of the powder not ultimately used to form the coating back to the powder feeding apparatus.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) having a reduced channel length and method of making same are disclosed for liquid crystal display (LCD) applications. The method of making the TFT includes the following process steps: (i) depositing and patterning the gate on a substrate; (ii) depositing and patterning an intrinsic a-Si layer, a n+ a-Si layer, and a source metal layer (e.g. Cr) over the gate; (iii) depositing and patterning an ITO layer to form a pixel electrode portion and a TFT source portion; (iv) etching the source metal layer so that it remains only under the ITO source portion so as to form the TFT source electrode; (v) depositing and patterning a metal (e.g. Mo) to form the drain of the TFT; and (vi) etching the n+ a-Si layer in the TFT channel area so that only the intrinsic semiconductor layer remains between the source and drain. The resulting TFT has a reduced channel length (e.g. less than about 4 .mu.m) less than the feature size of the lithography used so as to maximize I.sub.ON /C.sub.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being defined by n.sub.x =n.sub.y >n.sub.z where the "z" direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the "x" and "y" directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. According to certain embodiments, a pair of positive and a pair of negative retardation films are provided such that the two positive retarders sandwich both the liquid crystal layer and the negative retarders therebetween. By providing the positive and negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided.

Abstract: A selectively detachable combination cosmetic applicator device is provided. The cosmetic applicator device includes a nail polish applicator container that is releasably attached to a nail polish remover container. The device also incorporates an on-board chamber for storing absorbent materials or the like. The chamber is prohibited from contact with either the nail polish or the nail polish remover. The containers of the device can readily be refilled and can be used at the same time when they are detached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the application for one or more deposits of material to a succession of discrete articles such as fasteners as is provided. The method and apparatus of the present invention deposits a droplet or extended bead of thermoplastic or thermoset material onto the surface of a part that is urged into a postion once it solidifies to extends above the surface of the part to create assembly resistance when the part is assembled into or over another part.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) for a liquid crystal display (LCD) and method of making same is disclosed, the TFT having a source and drain electrode where at least one of the source and drain includes first and second conductive layers offset from one another by a distance .DELTA.L so that the resulting TFT channel length L.sub.T is equal to L.sub.T =L.sub.1,2 -.DELTA.L where L.sub.1,2 is either a channel length defined in the first conductive layer or a channel length defined in the second conductive layer. The TFT manufacturing process includes the steps of: a) providing a conductive gate layer and patterning same to form a gate electrode; b) depositing a substantially transparent conductive layer (e.g. ITO) and patterning same to form a pixel electrode; c) depositing and patterning a semiconductor layer (e.g.

Abstract: A lubrication system for equipment (e.g. centrifugal pump) employing a rotating shaft and corresponding support bearings is disclosed. The lubrication system includes a lubricant dispenser having a plurality of blades or dispensing members pivotally attached thereto, the dispenser affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith. Centrifugal force created by rotation of the shaft to which the dispensing blades are attached causes the blades to extend radially outward from the shaft center during operation so as to dispense the lubricant throughout a lubricating or misting chamber in order to lubricate the adjacent bearings. The system is also advantageous in that the blades are permitted to pivot or flap downward toward the shaft in either direction so that the dispenser may be more easily inserted into the misting chamber during manufacturing of the device or replacement of the lubricating system.

Abstract: A forming roll includes a base component having an angularly extending surface thereabout, a solder material applied to the surface and a wear ring on the solder and shaped to complement the angled surfaces of the base component. The Base component and the wear ring are made of materials with different thermal expansion coefficients so that when the parts are heated and then cooled a compressive strain results.

Abstract: A seal construction is provided for sealing a rotating pump shaft against passage of a fluid along its central axis. The seal construction includes front and rear sealing flanges mounted coaxially to and rotatable with the pump shaft. Stationary engaging members are provided adjacent the rear surface of the front sealing flange and the front surface of the rear sealing flange for sealing engagement therewith. A temperature stabilized chamber is provided adjacent each sealing flange including means for recirculating and cooling fluid disposed therein so as to maintain the fluid between adjacent engaging members at a substantially constant temperature thereby maintaining a flatness of the sealing engagement between the sealing flange surfaces and the engaging members. The recirculating/cooling system includes a gland having first, second, third, and fourth fluid passages defined therein.