Abstract: The invention concerns a method of manufacturing a black zirconia-based article, characterized in that it includes successive steps consisting of: producing a first mixture comprising a zirconia powder, 3 to 70% by weight of a stabilizer selected from the group of oxides comprising yttrium oxide, magnesium oxide, cerium oxide and calcium oxide, 1% to 10% by weight of a pigment selected from the group formed on the one hand by a cobalt oxide and iron oxide powder and on the other hand, by a spinel CoFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 powder; producing a second mixture comprising said first mixture and a binder; producing a granulated mixture by granulating said second mixture; forming a rough model by giving said second granulated mixture the shape of the desired article; sintering in air for at least 30 minutes at a temperature less than 1,400.degree. C. when said pigment is a cobalt oxide and iron oxide powder and less than 1,600.degree. C. when the pigment is a spinel CoFe.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: This apparatus operates with disposable strips which are inserted therein by a user. It comprises a circulation passage (29) for the strips (34) wherein a cursor (35) is able to slide, each strip being able to be coupled to the cursor. A mechansim is provided so that the cursor (35) is able to move in the passage (29) only if it is coupled to a strip. Moreover, the cursor (35) remains blocked in the vicinity of the opening (28) of the circulation passage when no strips (34) are present. This invention can be applied in particular to objects dispensing devices such as medical tablets or to blood sugar level measuring devices.

Abstract: Horlogical piece intended to be worn on the wrist including either a dipole antenna (4) or a slot antenna (30; 40) and a first case (5) comprising organs (7, 8, 10) for displaying the time, and a micro receiver (6). The horlogical piece further comprises a second case (2) intended to receive the first case (5) such that the exterior surface of the first case and the interior surface of the second case defined a mounting slot (25). The antenna (4; 30; 40) comprises a dielectric substrate (13; 33; 43), and at least one printed circuit conductive element (11, 12; 31; 41) fixed the substrate (13; 33; 43).In addition, the antenna (4; 30; 40) is located in the mounting slot (25) such that it is wound around the first case (5).

Abstract: This timepiece comprises a barrel (1), a spring (1a), hands (5) and an electric energy generator (2) intended to provide, by way of a rectifier (4) a continuous voltage to a regulating circuit (6). This regulating circuit controls the speed of the generator in such a way so as to impose to the hands a rotational speed which corresponds to a correct indication of the current time. The regulating circuit comprises a transistor (10) for short-circuiting the generator and for braking it when said regulating circuit observes that the generator is rotating at a speed which is too large to ensure a correct indication of the time.Means (13 to 17) are provided for counting the number of times that the generator is braked during periods of predetermined duration and means for providing, as a function of the result of this counting, a visual indication of the power reserve.

Abstract: The arrangement (42) according to the invention is formed by a watch comprising a dial (8) on which is shown a map (14) centered on a given geographic location, Mecca in particular. The arrangement (42) comprises a device (48) for indicating the direction of the terrestrial magnetic north and a device (16) enabling the angular positioning of the map in the general plane of the arrangement (42) corresponding to the plane of the dial (8). The different geographic regions shown on the map (14) are graphically arranged so that any point whatsoever of the contours of such regions substantially shows an angular spread (.OMEGA.), relative to a center of reference (22) corresponding to the above-mentioned given geographic location and to a reference direction (24) equal to the magnetic azimuth of the great circle passing through said point and the reference point (22) augmented by 180.degree..

Abstract: A method for obtaining a finished or semi-finished item in sintered zirconia having a metallic appearance comprises the steps of providing at least one previously shaped and sintered zirconia item in its finished or semi-finished shape, placing the item in an oven in which there is a plasma containing hydrogen, bringing the item to a temperature of around 800.degree. C. or more, and maintaining the item at this temperature for a period of time from around a quarter of an hour to three hours, preferably two hours.

Abstract: Hydrophobic liquid salts of the general formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and each represent a straight or branched chain alkyl radical, a fluoroalkyl radical or an alkoxyalkyl radical of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R.sub.2, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical with 1 to 3 carbon atoms.The invention has applications as an electrolyte solvent in electrochemical photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: An angular speed measuring device includes an oscillator for producing an excitation signal which induces mechanical vibrations in a rotating tuning fork, and an analog processing circuit for processing an electrical detection signal derived from the tuning fork. The analog processing circuit comprises a temperature-independent phase shifter responsive to the excitation signal for producing two signals in quadrature. The quadrature signals are applied to two multipliers which also receive the detection signal. The output signals from the multipliers are dependent on the fixed phase shift .phi. between the excitation signal and the detection signal, which is fixed for a given tuning fork, and on the variable phase shift .psi. which is a function of the rotational speed of the tuning fork, but the multiplier output signals are independent of temperature. After A/D conversion, the multiplier output signals are processed in a microprocessor to determine the angular speed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a linearly or circularly polarized antenna, comprising a dielectric substrate and a conductive element fixed on the dielectric substrate and being delimited at its periphery by an edge which confers to this element a double planar symmetry along two perpendicular axes. In one embodiment, the conductive element includes an excitation point located on a first axis and a first pair of slots which extends along the second of the axes from the periphery towards the center of the conductive element. In another embodiment, the conductive element includes an excitation point which is located on a third axis by bisecting the angle formed between the first and second axis and having two pair of slots which extend respectively along the first and second axis, from the periphery towards the center of the conductive element.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising a low molecular weight liquid crystal in the interior of which a cross-linking network is formed by polymerization of a prepolymer of formula I: ##STR1## X being a non-mesogenic bivalent radical, the free bonds of which form an angle smaller than 180.degree.;B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 being rigid cyclic groups which would confer liquid crystal properties to the prepolymer if X was such that=180.degree..R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being the same or different, each representing an optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, arylalkyl or aralalkoxy chain;A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 being the same or different, each representing a reactive polymerizable function. Display cells comprising the liquid crystal composition having a low commutation voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable transparency electro-optical device comprising: at least one lens formed by an electro-optical cell (4) comprising a first plate (6) and a second plate (8) each provided with a control electrode (14, 16) and a sealing frame (10) interposed between the two plates to form a sealed volume enclosing an electro-optical material (12), voltage generating means (18) connected to said electrodes to apply a variable voltage to said material in order to automatically or manually vary the transmission of the cell (4) as a function of the ambient light. According to the invention the cell (4) comprises at least one element (6) charged with a photochromic substance having an absorption that varies in reversible manner as a function of the intensity of the light impinging on said cell. The invention has particular applications in devices for protecting the eyes.

Abstract: Microcontactor able to be activated by a magnet comprising a flexible beam (5) in one or more conducting materials (13, 14, 15), having one end (4) attached to an insulating substrate (1) via the intermediary of a foot (3), and one free distal end (6) positioned above a contact stud (2) arranged on said substrate (1), said foot (3) and stud (2) being composed of conducting materials and provided with connecting means (7, 8, 9, 10) to an external electronic circuit, and said beam (5) being at least partly composed of a ferromagnetic material in which the beam (5), the foot (3) and the stud (2) are elements formed by electrodeposition of conducting materials from two areas (9, 10) of the substrate, said electrodeposition being carried out through a succession of masks (20, 30, 40) which are subsequently removed.

Abstract: The piezo-electric device (9) which connects a glass (8) to a movement (3) of the timepiece (1) is arranged in such a way as to deform in flexion in response to an exciting signal applied to its electrodes. The attachment zones (9a,9b) of this device (9) to this glass (8) and respectively to this movement (3) are distinct one from the other when the timepiece (1) is looked at in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the principal faces of the device (9). Thanks to this arrangement, the sound produced by the displacement of the glass (8) when the exciting signal is applied to the electrodes of the piezo-electric device (9) is more intense than in a known timepiece.

Abstract: A device in three separable modules, for the transdermic administration of drugs by electrophoresis or iontophoresis, comprises a first active module provided with at least one system of elecrodes and one drug reservoir, a second power module provided with a power supply and a third electronic module provided with an electronic circuit, control organs and a display screen, in which the power module is situated between the two other modules and comprises, in addition to the power supply formed by one or more batteries, mechanical assembly means and electrical connection or interconnection means with the two other modules means for attaching the device to the body of a patient.

Abstract: The composite wall comprises a first sheet and second sheet separated by an intermediate layer as well as an ultrasonic detection device placed on a face of said second sheet and comprising a transducer element able to emit an incidental ultrasonic signal of frequence f, and able to receive an ultrasonic signal reflected on a face of said first sheet. The intermediate layer comprises at least facing the transducer element, an inserted element whose two faces are respectively in close contact with the first and second sheets. Further, the frequence f of the transducer element satisfies the following relationships:f.apprxeq.K.sub.1. V.sub.1 /2e.sub.1 .apprxeq.K.sub.2.V.sub.2 /2e.sub.2 .apprxeq.K.sub.3.V.sub.3 /2e.sub.3where K.sub.1, K.sub.2 and K.sub.3 are defined integers, e.sub.1, e.sub.2 and e.sub.3 are respectively the thickness of the first sheet, the second sheet and the inserted element, and V.sub.1, V.sub.2 and V.sub.

Abstract: According to this method the longitude of the place where one is situated on the surface of the earth is determined by comparing the local time with the time of a reference time zone, and the latitude of the place where one is situated is determined by measuring the inclination of the earth's magnetic field in relation to the horizontal.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing an electrical connection, and connection thus obtained between a strip of a plastic material (1) having a conductive coating on a single face (5) and a second conductor (15) positioned on the non-conductive side (3) of said strip consisting of forming into a loop the lug (7), formed by the end portion of said strip, by thermoforming between two parallel cylinders of which at least one is heated, driven in rotation to come to press the non-conductive face of the lug (7) against a non-conductive portion of the strip.

Abstract: Watch comprising an arrangement for detecting the direction of the terrestrial magnetic north formed by a permanent magnet and at least two magnetic sensors (34, 36) arranged for detecting the flux of the magnetic field of the magnet. The watch moreover comprises electronic management and control means serving, as a function of the signals coming from the two sensors, to control indicating means (16) arranged so as to indicate either a selected geographic azimuth or the direction of a predefined locality, in particular Mecca.

Abstract: A universal timepiece (10) having a manually operable outer ring (33) for selecting one of twenty-four time zones, where a display indicates the time of the time zone selected. For this purpose a device for detecting the rotational position of the outer ring (33) is provided which has a special arrangement of permanent magnets (39a-j) in the outer ring (33) and of magnetic switches (27a-h) in the timepiece casing (11, 12) in a specific number as well as evaluating electronics in the timepiece movement (21). The permanent magnets (39a-j) determine the binary statuses of the magnetic switches (27a-h), which are interpreted together as a signal or as a status pattern. The special arrangement of the magnetic switches (27a-h) and the permanent magnets (39a-j) effect for each rotational position an intrinsic status pattern different in each case from the others which permits a clear indication of the selected rotational position of the outer ring (33).