Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a timepiece comprising at least one first part produced by a microfabrication or microforming method in at least one first material, said method comprising at least: a step of depositing, on said first part, without moulding, at least one second part of said timepiece in at least one second material, and a step of treating the second material in order to connect together the components on the first part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grating coupler comprising: —an optical substrate arranged to transfer a light beam, and—a diffraction grating arranged on, or imbedded in, the surface of said optical substrate, said diffraction grating comprising diffraction grating elements comprising each a coating arranged asymmetrically on said diffraction grating elements. The grating coupler is further arranged to satisfy the condition: (n1×sin(I?I)+?2)/?×P>1, wherein n1 is the refractive index of the optical medium to the incident light side of the diffraction grating elements, n2 is the refractive index of the optical medium to the diffracted light side of the diffraction grating elements, lal the absolute value of the incident angle of the light beam incident on the grating coupler ? is the vacuum wavelength of the diffracted light, and P is the period of the diffraction grating elements.

Abstract: A tamper seal includes an optical waveguide arranged to guide a propagating light-beam along a propagation direction. First and second portions of the tamper seal are configured to be arranged on first and second parts, respectively, of an object, said first and a second parts being movable relative to each other. The first portion comprises an input coupler arranged to couple incident light into said optical waveguide. The second portion includes at least one outcoupling surface arranged to couple out at least partially light guided in the optical waveguide. The input coupler, optical waveguide and outcoupling surface are arranged to transmit light from the input coupler to the outcoupling surface. The optical waveguide is further designed to be at least partially disruptable between the two portions, wherein the optical waveguide loses or at least partially changes its optical guiding properties after its disruption.

Abstract: The invention concerns a photoelectric conversion device comprising: at least one photoconversion element comprising at least one organic photoconversion layer or an inorganic layer comprising quantum dots or perovskites; at least a first grating structure arranged on a first side of the photoconversion element; and at least a second grating structure arranged on a second side of the photoconversion element; wherein said at least a first grating structure is arranged so as to direct a near-infra-red light portion of light incident on said first grating structure into said photoconversion element, the said at least a second grating structure being arranged to reflect at least a part of said near-infra-red light portion back into said photoconversion element and to pass visible light out of the photoelectric conversion device.

Abstract: An oscillator system (30) of a mechanical timepiece, comprising: at least one balance wheel (35) that is free to rotate about an axis; and at least one hairspring (31) connecting the at least one balance wheel (35) to a fixed point or to another balance wheel (36), the hairspring (31) including: a first coil (32) connected to the at least one balance wheel (35); and a second coil (33) connected to the fixed point or to the another balance wheel (36); and a transition section (34) connecting the first coil (32) to the second coil (33), wherein an approximately linear restoring torque for the at least one balance wheel (35) is primarily provided by elastic deformation of the transition section (34) and the coils (32, 33), in order to generate an oscillatory motion for the at least one balance wheel (35).

Abstract: A security device for the identification or authentication of valuable goods is described, including a thin material layer (22, 26) presenting a stochastic pattern including micro/submicrostructures, where the latter are arranged in blobs (2) each of which presents a complexity factor Cx = L 2 4 ? ? · A , where L is the perimeter of the blob and A its area, and wherein blobs having a Cx value greater than or equal to 2 cover at least 5%, preferably at least 15%, of the device surface. According to a preferred embodiment, the material layer may include a film including at least a first and a second polymers arranged respectively within a first and a second phases defining the micro/submicrostructures. Preferred processes of fabrication are also disclosed, as well as a method for securing a valuable good based on such a security device.

Abstract: A diffractive optical filter comprises a bulk material (1) having a first refractive index, a volume diffraction grating structure (2,3) having a second, different, refractive index embedded in the bulk material (1), and a mirror (4) formed within or on the surface of the bulk material (1) behind the grating structure (2,3). By placing the mirror (4) immediately behind the grating structure (2,3) the diffractive structure is effectively doubled and consequently the number of effective optically active layer is doubled. Such diffractive optical filters may be used as diffractive identification devices bonded to articles whose authenticity needs to be established.

Abstract: Extracts of the Canelo tree are prepared and used to cleanse wounds, to act as an anti-rheumatic, anti-ulceretic, to eliminate body odors, treat chronic infections, as a natural flavor extract, as a pest repellancy agent and as a phyto nutrient. Such extract has therapeutic uses including the treatment of pancreatic cancer and the treatment of fungal, yeast and bacterial infections. The significant concentrations of bioflavinoids in Canelo tree extract makes such extract particularly useful in the maintenance of normal blood vessel conditions and as a protectorant of capillaries. A synergistic effect is apparent in a mixture of ascorbic acid and Canelo tree extract. Canelo tree extract also contains Sesamin and is therefore useful as an insect repellant, particularly when incorporated into building materials to protect such materials against undesired infestation by insects.

Abstract: The Chilean Chilco plant, and extracts therefrom, is used to generate particular formulations having use medicinally as a diuretic, anti-pyretic and principally as a regulator of female menstruation. Other aspects of the invention include the use of Chilco extracts as enhancers of sexual function in both male and females.

Abstract: A syringe comprising means making it possible to make the plunger (3) integral with the end (5) of the plunger stem (4) during the first filling, and to cause the disconnection between these elements during a refilling attempt.According to the invention, the connecting means between the plunger (3) and the stem (4) comprise an intermediate memorization member (6) formed such that, during filling, it ensures that these two elements (3, 4) are integral while the injection, that is to say the pressure on the plunger stem (4), causes the displacement of the intermediate member (6) relative to the two elements (3, 4) so that the latter become detached upon any second filling attempt.

Abstract: Impregnable locking system of the fastening of display-boxes called "blisters", consisting of a box in two articulated halves having on the side opposite their hinge fastening flaps destined to be held one against the other by this system, characterized in that it consists of a clip destined to cover these two flaps, and between which is attached a transverse shaft, a vertical notch made in the flaps allowing this shaft to go through when the clip is put into place, two gears which being slid onto this shaft, between the outer side of each flap and the corresponding side of the clip. A device is provided so that these gears are constantly pushed towards each other, and once this clip is placed on the flaps, the gears come to rest in lodgings made in the outer sides of the flaps, thereby immobilizing the clip onto the flaps.

Abstract: Impregnable locking system of the fastening of display-boxes called "blisters", consisting in a box in two articulated halves having on the side opposite their hinge fastening flaps destined to be held one against the other by this system, characterized in that it consists in a clip destined to cover these two flaps, and between which is attached a transversal shaft, a vertical notch made in the flaps allowing this shaft to go through when the clip is put into place, two gears being slid onto this shaft, between the outer side of each flap and the corresponding side of the clip, the means being provided so that these gears are constantly pushed towards each other, and once this clip placed on the flaps, the gears come to rest in the lodgings made in the outer sides of the flaps, therefore immobilizing the clip onto the flaps, external means being provided to push the gears in the opposite direction to take them out of the lodgings to allow the extraction of the clip and to free the flaps of the blister to all