Abstract: The invention provides a method of using a water heater arranged for heating an aqueous liquid wherein the water heater comprises a heating element to heat aqueous liquid in the water heater. The method comprising (a) heating aqueous liquid in the water heater with the heating element, wherein the heating element is in contact with the aqueous liquid; and (b) applying a first AC voltage between the heating element and a counter electrode and applying a second AC voltage between the heating element and the counter electrode, wherein the second AC voltage has a second AC frequency selected from the range of 0.02 Hz-5 Hz and wherein the ratio between the first AC frequency and the second AC frequency is 2 or more.

Abstract: An electric water heating system (101) with limited scale precipitation comprises a container (102) for receiving water and defining an inner storing space for water to be heated. The water stored in said inner storing space can be heated by an electric heating element (104) present in the inner storing space. Furthermore, an anode element (105) and a cathode element (106) are provided, either connected to or connectable to a DC power source (107) to create a potential difference between the cathode element (106) and the anode element (105). The cathode element (106) is located in the inner storing space adjacent to the heating element (104).

Abstract: The invention relates to a steam generating device comprising a steam chamber provided with a hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating comprises an alkali metal silicate compound and boron, preferably a salt of boron with a metallic element. The coating promotes steaming and is resistant to flaking. The invention also relates to a method of producing the hydrophilic coating in the steam chamber of a steam generating device, and to an iron, comprising the steam generating device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steam generating device comprising a steam chamber provided with a hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating comprises an acid phosphate compound and boron, preferably a salt of boron with a metallic element. The coating promotes steaming and is resistant to flaking. The invention also relates to a method of producing the hydrophilic coating in the steam chamber of a steam generating device, and to an iron comprising the steam generating device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for application of a decorative pattern to a substrate coated with a coating layer, an element comprising a surface coated with a coating layer with such a pattern, as well as a device provided with such an element. The method employs laser ablation of the pattern in a coating layer, followed by the application of ink in the laser-ablated pattern. The method according to the invention is more flexible with respect to the nature of the coating than known methods.

Abstract: The wear indicator (10) is for a workpiece portion of a personal care appliance such as a power toothbrush (IS). The wear indicator includes a member of water-soluble material which has magnetic particles positioned therein. Upon repeated contacts with water, which correlates with use of the device, the member dissolves or swells, depending on the material selected. A magnet positioned adjacent the member influences the position of the magnetic particles in the member, aligning them into a three-dimensional image which is recognizable by the user, wherein the appearance of the image correlates with sufficient wear on the workpiece that it should be replaced.

Abstract: Method of applying a marking or image on a substrate which is provided with a coating by means of a sol-gel process. After the application of a layer of a sol-gel solution on the substrate, an ink which is compatible with the sol-gel is applied on the wet layer. The ink penetrates into the layer and then the layer is cured to form the coating.

Abstract: As the chemical resistance of sol gel based coatings is superior to that of regular decorative coatings based on organic material, sol gel coatings are generally very well suited to serve as coatings that are exposed to cosmetic formulations, such as lotions and shampoos. The invention relates to a utensil which is provided with a sol gel coating comprising an organosilane compound that has been fluorinated. The invention also relates to the use of such a sol gel coating on a utensil.

Abstract: In a method of providing a surface with a protection layer having at least a first surface area (2) and a second surface area (1), which surface areas (1, 2) are distinguishable in that the surface areas (1, 2) differ from each other in at least one visual property, parts of the surface situated outside the first surface area (2) are masked with a mask layer which partially covers the surface, and the surface is subjected to an electrochemical treatment (14, 20), whereby non-masked parts of the surface are treated. As the mask layer provided on the surface is a sol-gel layer forming the protection layer in the second surface area (1), a wear-resistant surface-protection layer having visually distinguishable surface areas is provided in an efficient manner. An object which can be obtained by means of the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: A heating element employing a substrate, an electrically insulating layer, and a resistive layer. The electrically insulating layer of the heating element includes a first layer that is obtained by a sol-gel process, and a second layer including a resin.

Abstract: In a method of providing a surface with a protection layer having at least a first surface area (2) and a second surface area (1), which surface areas (1, 2) are distinguishable in that the surface areas (1, 2) differ from each other in at least one visual property, parts of the surface situated outside the first surface area (2) are masked with a mask layer which partially covers the surface, and the surface is subjected to an electrochemical treatment (14, 20), whereby non-masked parts of the surface are treated. As the mask layer provided on the surface is a sol-gel layer forming the protection layer in the second surface area (1), a wear-resistant surface-protection layer having visually distinguishable surface areas is provided in an efficient manner. An object which can be obtained by means of the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: Method of applying a marking or image on a substrate which is provided with a coating by means of a sol-gel process. After the application of a layer of a sol-gel solution on the substrate, an ink which is compatible with the sol-gel is applied on the wet layer. The ink penetrates into the layer and then the layer is cured to form the coating.

Abstract: In a method of providing a surface with a protection layer having at least a first surface area (2) and a second surface area (1), which surface areas (1, 2) are distinguishable in that the surface areas (1, 2) differ from each other in at least one visual property, parts of the surface situated outside the first surface area (2) are masked with a mask layer which partially covers the surface, and the surface is subjected to an electrochemical treatment (14, 20), whereby non-masked parts of the surface are treated. As the mask layer provided on the surface is a sol-gel layer forming the protection layer in the second surface area (1), a wear-resistant surface-protection layer having visually distinguishable surface areas is provided in an efficient manner. An object which can be obtained by the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: Method of applying a marking or image on a substrate which is provided with a coating by means of a sol-gel process. After the application of a layer of a sol-gel solution on the substrate, an ink which is compatible with the sol-gel is applied on the wet layer. The ink penetrates into the layer and then the layer is cured to form the coating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heating element, at least comprising a substrate, an electrically insulating layer, and a resistive layer. The electrically insulating layer of said element comprises a layer which is obtained by means of a sol-gel process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a lacquer composition, said method comprising the steps of mixing together an organosilane compound and silica particles under basic conditions. A metal alkoxide is added to the reaction mixture in order to prevent premature gelation of the reaction mixture. A lacquer composition which is obtainable by the above method is also disclosed, as well as a method of applying a lacquer coating to a substrate and the coated substrate obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel hybrid lacquer composition, which can be obtained by treating an organosilane compound with water in the presence of a polycarboxylic acid which functions both as a catalyst and as a crosslinking agent. The lacquer composition can be prepared, in a simple manner in a short period of time and has a good pot life. Lacquer coatings obtained by thermally curing the lacquer composition exhibit good optical properties as well as a good wear-resistance and chemical resistance. The lacquer composition adheres well to polar synthetic-resin substrates. Apolar synthetic resin substrates require the use of a primer, which, after it has been treated with water, yields a lacquer composition in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel hybrid lacquer composition, which can be obtained by treating an organosilane compound with water in the presence of a polycarboxylic acid. The lacquer composition can be prepared, in a simple manner in a short period of time and has a good pot life. Lacquer coatings obtained by thermally curing the lacquer composition exhibit good optical properties as well as a good wear-resistance and chemical resistance. The lacquer composition adheres well to polar synthetic-resin substrates. A polar synthetic resin substrates require the use of a primer, which, after it has been treated with water, yields a lacquer composition in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to utensils for personal care, such as an electric shaver. If these utensils are provided with a coating of lacquer containing a network of a hydrolytically condensed organosilane compound, at least the surfaces provided with said coating of lacquer exhibit a good resistance to a great variety of compositions for personal care, such as shaving locations.

Abstract: A picture display device is provided with a display screen for transmitting light in a spectral range, and a selectively transmissive coating. The local transmission of the coating in the spectral range is dependent on the radiation which is locally incident on the coating, while the transmission of the coating automatically decreases as the intensity of the incident radiation increases. The transmission of the coating is preferably dependent on the radiation which is incident on the coating at a wavelength outside the spectral range. Such a device has the advantage that the contrast is enhanced in an optimum way, even if the ambient light is not homogeneously distributed across the display screen.