Abstract: A flexible electroluminescent lamp assembly is provided, having a plurality of films, each film including a flexible plastic substrate and at least one electrically conductive layer. In one embodiment, a first light-emitting film is arranged between two other films and includes an electroluminescent layer and a light-transmissive conductor. The second and third films provide busbar and back electrodes, respectively. Alternatively, flexible electroluminescent lamp assemblies may be produced by securing between two plastic substrates back electrode, dielectric layer, electroluminescent layer, light-transmissive conductor, and busbar in that order. The films are produce independently and then laminated together to provide a lamp assembly of indefinite or desired length.

Abstract: A flexible electroluminescent lamp assembly comprises a plurality of films, each film including a flexible plastic substrate and at least one electrically conductive layer. In one embodiment, a first light-emitting film is arranged between two other films and includes an electroluminescent layer and a light-transmissive conductor. The second and third films provide busbar and back electrodes, respectively. Alternatively, flexible electroluminescent lamp assemblies may be produced by securing between two plastic substrates back electrode, optional dielectric layer, electroluminescent layer, light-transmissive conductor, and busbar in that order. The films are produced independently and then laminated together to provide one or more lamps.

Abstract: System and means for irreversibly recording the incidence of a predetermined temperature comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal system and an activator material capable of interacting with the liquid crystal system to induce a unique irreversible change in the optical properties thereof sustantially at the predetermined temperature. The system preferably includes means for separating the liquid crystal system and activator at temperatures below the activation temperature of the activator.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer is provided with a mechanism for inhibiting the incentive in response to high flow rate bursts of inhalation so as to promote proper long inhalation efforts by a patient. In one embodiment, the spirometer includes a transparent column located in the inhalation flow path and in which an object is disposed and caused to rise in the column in response to inhalation efforts by the patient. The incentive-inhibiting mechanism may comprise a valve in the rising object which opens in response to excessive flow rate to permit flow through the object and thereby preclude the object from rising. Alternatively, the incentive-inhibiting object may be disposed to admit air into the flow path downstream of the object in response to high flow rate inhalation bursts to thereby reduce the flow rate acting on the object. A variety of embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Thermometric compositions for recording changes in temperature comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal system together with a chemically inert substance which is miscible with the crystal system. By varying the amount of the second component in the composition, the clearing point of the composition, that is the temperature at which there is a phase change to the isotropic phase, can be varied in a predictable manner.