Abstract: Solid optical guide (10) with microprisms (20) of refractive index n, for uniformly illuminating a surface (4) in grazing incidence at an angle &thgr;1 in which a plane angle &dgr; of the cross-section develops with respect to the surface (4) a substantially perpendicular face (15) and a substantially parallel face (14), in which microprisms (20) are structured in hollows, one facet (21) of said microprisms oriented towards the face (15) has its edge (22) formed with the parallel face (14) inclined at an angle {right arrow over (&agr;)} with respect to the axis of the guide and its edge (23) formed with the perpendicular face (15) inclined at an angle {right arrow over (&ggr;)} with respect to the perpendicular to the surface to be illuminated, the values {right arrow over (&agr;)} and {right arrow over (&ggr;)} being determined from characteristics n, &thgr;1 and &dgr; of the guide.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of electro-optic cells is disclosed, in particular for manufacturing liquid crystal display cells (2) or photovoltaic cells, each cell including a cavity (5) filled with a liquid and defined by sealed partitions (8, 9) between two plates (3, 4), in particular made of glass, provided with electrodes within the cavity. In a first step, a batch of cells (2) is manufactured, whose cavities are filled with the desired liquid and sealed. In a second step, the external contour (20) of each cell is cut, and if necessary a hole (10) passing through the cell, by means of a very high pressure water jet (30), the water either being loaded or not with an abrasive agent. Thus, the external layers (25, 26) such as a polarizer and a reflector may be applied onto the batch prior to the cutting step.

Abstract: Illumination device for the dial (4) of a display device formed by a case (1) sealed by a crystal (8) arranged above the dial (4) and held by a fitting ring (9), said device including at least one light source (13, 33, 35, 43, 53) arranged in at least one recess arranged in at least one light guide (20, 30, 40, 50) positioned at the periphery of the dial (4), said guide having a polished internal surface (21) oriented towards the dial (4) and an external surface (22) held in a space delimited by the dial (4), the crystal (8) and the inner wall (10) of the fitting ring (9), characterised in that all or part of said external surface (22) of the guide is arranged to allow a progressive increase along the guide (20, 30, 40, 50) of the quantity of light diffused by said external wall gradually as one moves away from one of the light sources (13, 33, 35, 43, 53).

Abstract: Device producing an aesthetic effect by means of a field-effect or charge-effect optical shutter (5), allowing, by the switching of a power source (8), a colored decorative design (11) printed onto a non Lambertian optimized diffuse reflector (12), placed against the back face (5a) of the optical shutter, to be uncovered or masked; timepiece wherein the dial is formed wholly or partly by such a device.

Abstract: A temperature indicator has a substrate (1) comprising several distinct juxtaposed zones (I to VIII), each being covered by a first thermosensitive material (A) and at least one second thermosensitive material (B, C) each of which reacts within a predetermined temperature range which is different for each zone but of constant scope. There is no overlapping of the temperature ranges of each material is within each zone. Each of the thermosensitive materials (A,B,C) has a portion of its range of reaction temperatures in common with a portion of the temperature range of one of the materials (A,B,C) of an adjacent zone. This overlapping is lower by one step in each of the temperature ranges. With three thermosensitive materials per zone, 24 sensing elements are available, which enables obtaining 18 times a single non-active sensor, namely 18 temperatures at the step resolution. The temperature is read at the side of the non-active zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a watch comprising a device for indicating the temperature (16) of the environment in which the watch is situated comprising a first series of thermochromic liquid crystal temperature sensors (18) facing a first temperature scale (20) arranged in such a way that the reading given by the sensors (18) of the first series, in combination with said scale, is directly representative of the temperature of the environment in contact with the sensors, and wherein the device differentiates the temperature indicated by the sensors according to whether the watch is worn or not worn.

Abstract: An optically pumped laser comprising a securing arrangement (14) for the bar assuring, on one hand, the rigid interconnection of the bar (4) and the framework (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) by gripping the former and in bearing on the latter and, on the other hand the thermal insulation of the lateral faces of the bar. The securing arrangement (14) is obtained from an elastically deformable fitting of plastics material.