Abstract: A method for upgrading used or rejected electric battery cells, which include upgradable compounds, such as iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and fixed and volatile carbon, and heavy metals and dangerous compounds. The used or rejected battery cells are introduced as a load into a furnace for melting metal, such as a cupola furnace, a free arc furnace, or an induction furnace. A device for purifying gases produced by the furnace and for capturing and removing noxious elements, such as mercury, chlorides, and fluorides, and heavy molecules such as dioxins, furans, and aromatic substances, is provided in a discharge route of the hot gases, downstream from the melting furnace.

Abstract: A stator element of a progressive cavity pump having a reinforcement tube having a longitudinal axis, an inner face (22), and an outer face, and an elastomer liner fixed to the inner face of the reinforcement tube, wherein a portion of the reinforcement tube has a substantially constant thickness (e) and in that said portion of the reinforcement tube is deformed such that it comprises at least a first relief pattern and a second relief pattern, the first relief pattern having the shape of a helical strip that is right-handed relative to the longitudinal axis, the second relief pattern having the shape of a helical strip that is left-handed relative to the longitudinal axis, the first and second relief patterns meeting in at least one section.

Abstract: A reflector for a vehicle wheel, or a bicycle wheel, contains an air valve attachment, and a reflective surface affixed to the air valve attachment. The reflective surface contains a portion which is aligned perpendicular to the axis of the air valve attachment. A bicycle wheel and a kit are also described herein.

Abstract: Stator element of a progressive cavity pump and progressive cavity pump The invention relates to a stator element of a progressive cavity pump. The stator element comprises: a reinforcement tube (20) having a longitudinal axis (A-A), an inner face (22), and an outer face (24), and an elastomer liner fixed to the inner face of the reinforcement tube, characterized in that at least a portion of the reinforcement tube (20) has a substantially constant thickness (e) and in that said portion of the reinforcement tube (20) is deformed such that it comprises at least a first relief pattern (28) and a second relief pattern (30), the first relief pattern (28) having the shape of a helical strip that is right-handed relative to the longitudinal axis (A-A), the second relief pattern (30) having the shape of a helical strip that is left-handed relative to the longitudinal axis (A-A), the first and second relief patterns meeting in at least one section (32).

Abstract: A method for recycling used cells such as saline cells, alkaline cells, button cells and used rechargeable batteries, includes the step of introducing the cells and/or rechargeable batteries as feedstock into a metal melting furnace, at the charging door thereof. The cells and/or rechargeable batteries are subjected to a compression operation in order to remove the electrolytes contained in the cells and/or rechargeable batteries, prior to introducing the cells and/or rechargeable batteries into the metal melting furnace. The method can be used for recycling used cells and rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A method and system for management of a vacuum pump connected to a braking system of a motor vehicle, and use of an electronic control unit connected to the vacuum pump. At least one differential pressure threshold associated with the vacuum pump, selected from a first differential pressure threshold controlling stopping of operation of the vacuum pump, a second differential pressure threshold controlling starting of the vacuum pump, and a third differential pressure threshold, lower than the second threshold and signalling alerts representative of operating faults, is determined by taking into account a first set of data representative of the detection or otherwise of a repetitive braking situation and/or a second set of data representative of altitude of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for upgrading used or rejected electric battery cells, which include upgradable compounds, such as iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and fixed and volatile carbon, and heavy metals and dangerous compounds. The used or rejected battery cells are introduced as a load into a furnace for melting metal, such as a cupola furnace, a free arc furnace, or an induction furnace. A device for purifying gases produced by the furnace and for capturing and removing noxious elements, such as mercury, chlorides, and fluorides, and heavy molecules such as dioxins, furans, and aromatic substances, is provided in a discharge route of the hot gases, downstream from the melting furnace.

Abstract: A method and system for management of a vacuum pump connected to a braking system of a motor vehicle, and use of an electronic control unit connected to the vacuum pump. At least one differential pressure threshold associated with the vacuum pump, selected from a first differential pressure threshold controlling stopping of operation of the vacuum pump, a second differential pressure threshold controlling starting of the vacuum pump, and a third differential pressure threshold, lower than the second threshold and signalling alerts representative of operating faults, is determined by taking into account a first set of data representative of the detection or otherwise of a repetitive braking situation and/or a second set of data representative of altitude of the vehicle.

Abstract: A process, system, and kit for evaluating the relief of the skin using a substrate with an adhesive surface. The process includes the steps of applying the substrate onto a test zone of the skin so that the adhesive surface is in contact with the skin at contact locations; removing the substrate; and evaluating the image formed on the adhesive surface. The image results from the modification of the adhesive surface at the contact locations. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive surface, when applied to the skin, is not in appreciable contact with the sunken zones of the skin, such as the wrinkles or lines.

Abstract: A process, system, and kit for evaluating the relief of the skin using a substrate with an adhesive surface. The process includes the steps of applying the substrate onto a test zone of the skin so that the adhesive surface is in contact with the skin at contact locations; removing the substrate; and evaluating the image formed on the adhesive surface. The image results from the modification of the adhesive surface at the contact locations. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive surface, when applied to the skin, is not in appreciable contact with the sunken zones of the skin, such as the wrinkles or lines.

Abstract: A process, system, and kit for evaluating the relief of the skin using a substrate with an adhesive surface. The process includes the steps of applying the substrate onto a test zone of the skin so that the adhesive surface is in contact with the skin at contact locations; removing the substrate; and evaluating the image formed on the adhesive surface. The image results from the modification of the adhesive surface at the contact locations. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive surface, when applied to the skin, is not in appreciable contact with the sunken zones of the skin, such as the wrinkles or lines.

Abstract: A process, system, and kit for evaluating the relief of the skin using a substrate with an adhesive surface. The process includes the steps of applying the substrate onto a test zone of the skin so that the adhesive surface is in contact with the skin at contact locations; removing the substrate; and evaluating the image formed on the adhesive surface. The image results from the modification of the adhesive surface at the contact locations. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive surface, when applied to the skin, is not in appreciable contact with the sunken zones of the skin, such as the wrinkles or lines.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of making contactless smart cards. To facilitate the fixing of an integrated circuit chip in a contactless smart card, and in particular the chip connection with the antenna incorporated in the card, the method consists in soldering on the chip contact pads a gold wire with at least one end projecting above the chip. The wire is preferably soldered while the chip is still part of a semiconductor wafer. The wire can be soldered between two contact pads on a common chip; it can also be soldered between two contact pads of two adjacent chips on the wafer and then sawed during dicing. When the chip is incorporated in the card, it is pressed against the antenna so that the soldered wire is in contact with the coiled or printed antenna feeder end.

Abstract: An electronic chip device includes an interface support film having a support film and at least one flat conductive interface placed on the support film, as well as a microcircuit connected to the interface. The interface support film possesses such properties that it can be creased or folded on itself without deterioration. The support film possesses a thickness of less than 75 &mgr;m, the best results being obtained with a thickness of between 10 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m. Preferably the support film is selected from among polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene teraphtalate (PET). In one embodiment, the device includes a compensation film placed on the support film. The compensation film has a recess containing the microcircuit and its connections. The recess can contain a material to encapsulate the microcircuit and its connections.

Abstract: A method for operating a cathode-ray tube electron gun, suitable for multimode operation, for example, in order to display television images and multimedia images of the SVGA, XGA type, in which the zone for forming the electron beam generated by the cathode has at least two control electrodes. The two control electrodes are connected to voltage sources in such a way that the potential difference between the two control electrodes increases when the beam current decreases.

Abstract: An electronic chip device includes an interface support film having a support film and at least one flat conductive interface placed on the support film, as well as a microcircuit connected to the interface. The interface support film possesses such properties that it can be creased or folded on itself without deterioration. The support film possesses a thickness of less than 75 &mgr;m, the best results being obtained with a thickness of between 10 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m. Preferably the support film is selected from among polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene teraphtalate (PET). In one embodiment, the device includes a compensation film placed on the support film. The compensation film has a recess containing the microcircuit and its connections. The recess can contain a material to encapsulate the microcircuit and its connections.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in a method of making a plurality of color picture tubes of approximately the same size and including a mix of at least two different types of electron guns therein. The electron guns include each a plurality of electrodes, with each electrode having openings for the passage of three electron beams. The improvement comprises selecting materials for each electrode of the at least two different types of electron guns that will produce a minimum difference in the focus voltage sensitivities between the two different types of electron guns.

Abstract: An improved color picture tube includes a screen and an inline gun for generating and directing three inline electron beams along separate paths toward the screen. The electron gun includes electrodes that provide a beam-forming region, a prefocus region and a main focus region. The beam-forming region of the gun includes a cathode, a G1 electrode, a G2 electrode and a first portion of a G3 electrode. The prefocus region includes a second portion of the G3 electrode, a G4 electrode and a first portion of a G5 electrode. The main focus region includes a second portion of the G5 electrode and a G6 electrode. The improvement resides in the beam-forming region, the prefocus region and the main focus region each being astigmatic.

Abstract: An aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution (3) is added, in a quantity which is deficient relative to that required to decompose the entire amount of calcium chloride, to an aqueous calcium chloride solution (2), the sodium chloride which precipitates (6) is separated and the remaining amount (9) of the sodium hypochlorite solution is then added to the resulting mother-liquor (7). Single FIGURE.