Abstract: An injection molding nozzle with an electrical heating element having a terminal for connecting external leads with an insulative connector formed of ceramic material. The insulative connector has a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal bores in which the outer end portions of the heating element conductive wires and the bared inner end portions of the external leads overlap and are secured together by set screws. A steel cap fits over the ceramic connector to protect it and provide the combination with sufficient structural strength to prevent damage during use. A resilient seal mounted between the ceramic connector and the cap also prevents damage to the connector and prevents moisture entering into the connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for demisting the surface of a bathroom mirror using hot air supplied by a portable hand-held hot-air blower, and including air-conducting apparatus having duct elements that are detachably mounted along the perimeter of the mirror surface using suction cups or the like. Each duct element has a plurality of spaced-apart nozzles or apertures, and a tubular inlet member is pivotally attached in flow communication with the air-conducting apparatus, and is adapted to slidably and removably receive the tubular exhaust nozzle of the portable blower such that hot air supplied by the blower will exit the duct nozzles and move across the surface of the mirror so as to remove water condensate from the mirror surface.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient coating or layer is produced by applying to a substrate a composition containing a dispersion of conductive particles in a solution of a solvate or solvatable crystalline organic polymer. The coating or layer so formed can be incorporated into temperature self-regulating heating devices.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient composition including a monomeric crystalline organic material is disclosed having a preselected switching temperature below about 150.degree. Fahrenheit. Devices incorporating same and related method of manufacture are set forth. The material includes a continuous, single phase solution of a polymer, for providing cohesion and flexibility to the positive temperature coefficient material.

Abstract: A mirror heating system includes a sheet heater, sized and adapted to cover most of the back of the mirror surface, that can be mounted on the wall or other flat surface before the mirror is put into place. The system is designed so that, despite the needed electrical connections, the front and rear surfaces of the heating system remain essentially planar and parallel.

Abstract: A waterdrop repellent mirror provide a vibration plate which piezoelectric oscillator is affixed on the back side of the mirror, and a heater is placed therein to heat up the mirror surface. The piezoelectric oscillator on the rear surface of the mirror give ultra sonic wave vibration to the mirror through the vibration plate. When mirror surface resonate by inputting the vibration of the oscillator to the mirror, any waterdrop sticked on the mirror surface are dispersed. Re-sticked fine mist of waterdrop or frozen frost on the mirror surface can be removed by heated up the mirror, thereby clear mirror surface can be secured.

Abstract: A, completely non-fogging mirror device, for use in high heat/humidity environments, such as a shower. This device has a relatively permanent storage/heating housing and a portable mirror unit that fits within a cavity in the housing unit, this portable mirror unit having a reflective surface. The reflective surface is heated by transferring heat from a heating element within a storage housing, the heater element being energized from a power supply. Actual heating of the reflective surface is from a reservoir of liquid permanently stored within the mirror unit such that the reflective surface retains an elevated temperature to prevent fogging while the liquid remains hot. A thermostat is provided to regulate the temperature of the heater element, and thus the liquid. Also, there is provided a timer unit with an optional sound-producing unit to govern the heating time. An accessory unit is described that permits hanging the mirror unit, after heating, in any location in the environment where is will be useful.

Abstract: A cleaning arrangement for an outside rear view mirror of an automobile cleans and removes frost, ice and water droplets from the mirror. A heating element is provided to quickly heat and melt frost and ice into water droplets. A piezoelectric element is provided to vibrate the mirror to cause water droplets to be atomized and removed from the mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus including a housing, wherein the housing defines a top wall formed with a series of aligned bores therethrough, each of the bores receiving a rechargeable battery powered hair salon utensil such as, a hair dryer, large diameter hair curling iron, small diameter hair curling iron, electric razor, etc., therewithin. A recharging plug is provided within each bore for providing recharging of each utensil. Optionally, the organization includes replacement battery packs selectively mounted to each utensil to ensure continuous use of each utensil. Further, a mirror structure is mounted rearwardly of a forward wall of the housing and nested therewithin and selectively retracted therefrom, wherein the mirror is heated by proximity to the recharging cells of the organization minimizing fogging of the mirror in use.

Abstract: The mirror assembly uses a reflective coating as a heating element for preventing fog formation on a mirror exposed to a humid environment such as is found in a bathroom. As compared to other typically reflective mirror coatings, the coating used in this invention has a relatively high resistance. The coating may be split into separate conductive elements with one or more scribe lines in order to control the length of the conductive path from inlet bus to outlet bus. The buses are made from an ultra thin foil tape which can be adhered to the reflective coating and which is solderable for securement of power lines thereto. The bus tape possesses both in plane and through plane conductive characteristics and can simply be cut to any length desired for the mirror sizes being produced.

Abstract: A heating device in which a conventional voltage stabilizer having internal heat protection circuitry for limiting the heat which it will or can internally generate and having internal electrical short circuit protection means is employed to generate heat for transfer top heat transfer means. The heating device may be used in connection with automotive external rear view mirrors for removing fog, ice and/or water which condenses on the outer surface of the mirror.

Abstract: A bathroom cabinet includes a main mirror that is kept defogged by directing heated air thereagainst. The amount of air and the temperature of that air is controlled according to the temperature and relative humidity in the room. A lighting assembly is also included in the cabinet.

Abstract: Oxygen is extracted from a fluid mixture feedstock by circulating a carrier fluid from an oxygen loading station to an electrochemical cell. The carrier fluid includes a carrier compound capable of reversibly binding oxygen, with oxygen binding dependent on the oxidation state of the compound. Oxygen bound to the carrier compound in a first oxidation state is released as the oxidation state is altered at the first electrode of the electrochemical cell. The carrier compound is then returned to the first oxidation state at the second electrode at the electrochemical cell. The loading station typically comprises an oxygen-permeable membrane which prevents bulk mixing of the fluid mixture and the carrier fluid.

Abstract: A layer of conductive polymer having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity and a uniform thickness, is laminated between copper foils to form a composite sheet which is die-cut to form a planar heater assembly. A small portion of the laminated heater assembly is bent laterally outwardly to form a connector tab, and the heater assembly is adhesively bonded to the back surface of a rear view mirror having a corresponding shape and size. A plastic case supports the mirror and spring-like electrical contact terminals which engage the copper foils on the tab, and the terminals are connected to electrical conductors to provide for heating the entire mirror according to variations in temperature on the mirror surface. The tab may be lanced from the heater assembly or be formed from a projecting edge portion, and the heater assembly may be enclosed within a flexible plastic film to provide resistance to chemical corrosion.

Abstract: A self-cleaning plate shaped device for use in an automotive rear view mirror. The device preferably includes a mirror and a vibrator disposed on the mirror for propagating oscillations in the mirror substantially entirely parallel to the plane of the mirror. The vibrations remove foreign substances from the mirror. The mirror also includes a heater disposed on the back of the mirror for distributing heat substantially entirely throughout the mirror. When the mirror is heated by the heater, a moisture blur or the like are evaporated quickly and removed from the reflecting surface of the mirror. Further, frost, ice and the like is melted into water drops, and removed from the reflecting surface of the mirror due to the vibration of the mirror by the vibrator.

Abstract: A heated dental mirror is disclosed which includes in combination a handle portion and separable reflecting portion. The handle portion includes a hollow, cylindrical body within which are positioned a two cell electrically rechargeable battery. The body includes a first phone jack to facilitate recharging of the battery by employing a battery recharging stand. An electrical circuit is provided in the handle portion which includes an LED and a second phone jack wherein electrical energy from the battery will simultaneously energize both the LED and the second phone jack. The separable reflecting portion is removably connectable at the second phone jack to facilitate sterilization of the reflecting portion when desired. The reflecting portion includes a pair of first and second reflecting surfaces, one of which surfaces is positioned to receive and reflect illumination from the LED.

Abstract: A device for defogging a wall mounted bathroom mirror includes an elongated housing adjustably suspended above and outwardly of the mirror by a pair of brackets. Ambient air drawn into the housing by a fan is filtered, heated by an electric heating element and discharged through an elongated air outlet on the housing toward the mirror. The air outlet is provided with a plurality of adjustable longitudinal louvers for selectively varying the heated air flow direction. Each louver is provided with an electric heating element for further heating the discharged air.

Abstract: An external rear view mirror for a motor vehicle is provided, and includes an electrically heatable mirror body that is detachably connectable to a holder that is adjustable in all directions. In order to simplify mounting of the mirror body, the electrical leads for the heating are connected to the holder. In addition, both the holder and the mirror body are provided with electrical contacts that communicate with one another when the mirror body is mounted on the holder.

Abstract: A mirror defogger assembly having a plurality of adhesively coated elements for covering a variety of mirror shapes. Mirror heating elements are activated by means of a humidistat signaling a control module when humidity reaches a preset level. Heating elements are capable of front or rear mounting on the mirror. Humidistat signal can be electronic pulse, ultra-sound transmission, infrared beam, or radio signal. Control module operates on alternating current and has the ability to respond to manual command. Heating elements are provided with an automatic shut off sensor to prevent overheating damage.

Abstract: A layer of conductive polymer having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity and a unifrom thickness, is laminated between copper foils to form a composite sheet which is die-cut to form a planar heater assembly. A small portion of the laminated heater assembly is bent laterally outwardly to form a connector tab, and the heater assembly is adhesively bonded to the back surface of a rear view mirror having a corresponding shape and size. A plastic case supports the mirror and spring-like electrical contact terminals which engage the copper foils on the tab, and the terminals are connected to electrical conductors to provide for heating the entire mirror according to variations in temperature on the mirror surface. The tab may be lanced from the heater assembly or be formed from a projecting edge portion, and the heater assembly may be enclosed within a flexible plastic film to provide resistance to chemical corrosion.

Abstract: A mirror heating device for securement to a rear coated surface of a mirror for heating a mirror to a temperature exceeding the ambient temperature of the mirror when used in an area where there is water vapor in the air. The device comprises a first conductive strip which is securable adjacent an edge of the rear surface of the mirror. A connection is made to the first conductive strip to apply a d.c. voltage thereto. A second conductive strip is located adjacent an opposed edge of the rear coated surface of the mirror and a ground connection is connected to that second strip. An intermediate resistive conductor element extends between the first and second conductive strips and is in contact therewith to heat the mirror. An electrical insulator extends over the first and second conductive strips and the intermediate resistive conductor to insulate same.

Abstract: A mirror for domestic use in the bathroom or kitchen having electric heating means in the form of a resistance heater having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and being an elongated cable supported by a molded plastic member in direct contact with the rear surface of the mirror.

Abstract: A heating device for a mirror includes a substrate having an electrical buss system deposited on one surface thereof including a plurality of interdigitated electrodes and two buss bars. There is provided a plurality of heater-lets formed of an electrically resistive layer of material having a positive temperature coefficient. The plurality of heater-lets have varying sizes and shapes and are deposited over the electrical buss system between the adjacent electrodes of the interdigitated electrodes. Each of the plurality of heater-lets are separated from its neighbor by spaces of varying sizes and shapes so as to form a plurality of individual heating areas of variable intensity. A first adhesive layer is deposited over the resistive layer and adheres to the exposed areas of the substrate. An electrical barrier layer is secured to the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer is disposed on the electrical insulated barrier layer. A removable protective covering is secured to the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: A bathroom mirror defogger includes a translucent spherical psuedo light bulb-type housing having an electric plug base extending therefrom along the central axis of the housing and adapted to be screwed into a lamp socket in a light bar immediately juxtaposed to a side and/or top edge of a bathroom wall mirror. The housing is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet and encloses an electric heating coil and motor driven fan. The air outlet is positioned laterally of the central axis on a portion of the housing rotatable about the central axis so that the orientation of the outlet can be adjusted relative to the mirror surface. The fan aspirates air through the inlet across the heating coil and pumps the resultant warmed air out through the outlet and against the mirror surface to remove or prevent moisture condensation thereon from a shower or hot water present in the bathroom.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a laiminar resistive element which exhibits PTC behavior and two electrodes which exhibit ZTC behavior. The electrodes have a geometry which results in a resistance that is greater than the resistance of the resistive elements. The electrical device, which may be a heater, can be designed to produce a uniform power distribution over the surface of the device.

Abstract: A self regulating heating device for a mirror is disclosed including a substrate having an electrical buss system deposited on one surface including a plurality of interdigitated electrodes and two buss bars. Stripes of positive temperature coefficient resistive material are printed perpendicularly over the buss system to form a plurality of heater areas and exposed substrate areas. A first adhesive layer is deposited over the resistive layer and adheres to the exposed areas of the substrate. An electrical barrier layer is secured to the first adhesive layer and a removable protective covering is secured by the second adhesive layer. The buss bars are tapered such that the power density at any point along their length is substantially equal to the average power density of the heater areas.

Abstract: Uniform electrical heating of a circular, single crystal germanium window (18) uses its bulk resistance and pairs of electrodes (20) equally spaced about the window's periphery. The electrode pairs are sequentially switched at a rate high enough to avoid thermal switching transients.

Abstract: An accessory, via several embodiments, is used to keep vehicle outside rear view mirrors clear of water, snow, ice, and dirt, using many available components mountable on supports of present vehicle outside rear view mirrors. Each accessory installation includes controls located inside a vehicle within convenient reach of a driver. In a preferred accessory embodiment for large trucks, a weatherproof housing is secured to standard supports, and inside is an electrical wiper motor and optionally a mirror washer liquid tank. Electrical circuit leads and liquid conduits extend respectively from the electrical wiper motor and the washer liquid tank into the cab of the truck, where an electrical switch and a liquid valve are located within reach of a driver. Also electrical leads extend from a switch in the cab to the rear of the outside rear view mirrors, where accessory heaters are mounted for use in snow and ice removal.

Abstract: A planer heater includes a thin metal plate having a relatively high specific resistance such as stainless, nichrome, nickel-chrome iron alloy, etc. The thin metal plate is subjected to etching-working to form a mesh-like heat generating body, opposite ends of which are provided with terminal portions for connection into an electrical circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates a heater-equipped outer rearview mirror having a flat heater positioned between a mirror and a mirror holder. The flat heater has a terminal fixing portion which protrudes from a back face thereof and is connected to terminals of lead wires. The mirror holder includes a box, which is provided at the back face thereof so as to accommodate the terminal fixing portion, a hole, which penetrates therethrough to permit lead wires connected to the terminals at one end and to a connector at the other end to pass therethrough from the front face of the mirror holder toward the back face thereof, and a connector holding portion which protrudes from the back face of the mirror holder so as to hold the connector therein. With the above construction, the holding of the connector is effected by merely inserting the connector into the connector holding portion of the mirror holder. Therefore, the secure mounting of the connector in the mirror case is ensured.

Abstract: The problem of fogged mirrors and wet human body parts in a bathroom after bathing is solved by a device that both selectively defogs the mirror and dries human body parts including the hair. One form of device includes a frame portion that supports the mirror while another form attaches to the mirror. Each form has a housing portion defining a pair of defogging passages and a drying passage in flow receiving relation to the defogging passages with the passages being supplied heated air from a common source. Manually operated valves control the flow through defogging manifolds and between the defogging passages and the drying passage through a drying opening. Controls are also provided to regulate the amount of heat, airflow and time of operation.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror arrangement includes a base and a housing accommodating a mirror. A mechanism movably connects the mirror housing to the base. A device serves to heat the gap between the base and the mirror housing in order to melt ice which may freeze the mirror housing to the base and thus which may prevent adjustment of the orientation of the mirror housing.

Abstract: A heating element for bathroom and similar mirrors is formed as a laminate for placing behind a conventional mirror glass. The laminate has separate foil conductor patterns forming distribution and return conductors for the supply current, and a continuous conductor layer formed by a higher resistivity conducting paint or coating extending between the conductor patterns. Preferably the conductor patterns are formed as longitudinal bands on a continuous web of insulative substrate material which is then cut into lengths which are mounted on backing sheets of appropriate size and which carry buses to establish connection between the conductor bands and an electrical supply.

Abstract: A combined mirror and dryer air outlet assembly is mountable to a support such as a wall or a pole. An attachment member such as a cup is affixed to the support. A rotatable housing is connected thereto in a manner to prevent separation, yet permit relative rotation. A mirror and air outlet are mounted on the housing, usually at the front. This permits the height of the air outlet to be changed by rotating the housing. In a preferred version, the housing contains a blower fan and motor as well as an electric heating coil.

Abstract: An anti-dazzle device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, wherein a mirror face member is provided with an electric heater and a film layer containing a heat-sensitive color-changing material which becomes not transparent when it is heated by the heater, whereby the mirror face member can be easily prevented from being dazzled by the activation of the heater.

Abstract: An electrical heating device for a mirror includes a pair of electrically conductive heating lining plates providing for heat distribution on a mirror, and electrical conductors connected to the plates for connecting the plates to a source of power. An insulating layer is disposed between the plates, the insulating layer having openings, and PTC resistor platelettes disposed in the openings and in electrical contact with the pair of plates. One of the plates has a larger area than the insulating layer such that an outer peripheral edge portion of the one plate is spaced outwardly of the outer peripheral edge of the insulating layer, the other of the pair of plates not being larger in area than the insulating layer. The larger of the plates is adapted to be adhered to the backside of a mirror glass for defogging and demisting the mirror.

Abstract: A planar heater for a liquid crystal element includes a thin metal plate having a relatively high specific resistance such as stainless, nichrome, nickel-chrome iron alloy, etc. The thin metal plate is subjected to etching-working to form a mesh-like heat generating body, opposite ends of which are provided with terminal portions for connection into an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A self-temperature regulating hermetically sealed dental mirror includes a mirror encasement comprised of an inverted metal cup that contains electronic heating and temperature control components secured in its interior cavity by a heat conductive resin base potting material. The external surface of the closed end of the cup is a light reflective surface that functions as a mirror. The open end of the inverted cup is imbedded in a plastic base that is molded around and sealed to the sides of the cup in such a manner that the potting material and electronic components are completely sealed and not exposed to the exterior. A molded handle extends radially outwardly from the base, and electric wire leads for conducting electricity to the heating components are positioned longitudinally through the handle. A male jack plug is molded into the distal end of the handle for connecting the wire leads to a power source.

Abstract: A multiple component electrical heating device for mirrors including at least one plate-shaped electrical heating element having two main faces being connected with two of at least three metal strips which are spaced from one another and extend parallel with each other, in an electrical current-conducting and heat-conducting manner. A first one of the two main faces of the heating element is in electrical current- and heat-conducting contact with at least a first one of the metal strips and is electrically and heat-insulated from the two strips next adjacent the first metal strip. A metal bridge connects with one another, in electrical current- and heat-conducting contact, the two metal strips next adjacent the first metal strip. The other main face of the heating element is in electrical current- and heat-conducting contact with the metal bridge.

Abstract: A pattern generator in which a workpiece to be machined into a desired pattern shape is held in vacuum and is irradiated with a laser beam condensed to be fine, while scanning the laser beam so as to depict the desired pattern shape, whereby the workpiece is directly machined in conformity with the desired pattern shape. As the workpiece, one in which a shading film (for example, chromium film) is deposited on a transparent glass substrate is employed, and it is irradiated with the laser beam in the vacuum, whereby the irradiated parts of the shading film are vaporized to fabricate a shading mask pattern of good quality.

Abstract: Electrodes (18) are positioned in intimate contact with an outer surface of a thin electrically-insulating protecting layer (16) of architectural reflective glass (20). Application of a voltage of sufficient magnitude substantially destroys the insulating layer (16) located beneath the electrodes (18). A subsequent application of voltage results in a passage of current through the underlying thin, light-reflective metal or metal oxide layer (14) and in concomitant output of heat.

Abstract: An economical mirror unit adapted for exterior mounting on an automobile has a single self-regulating electrical resistance heater disc of a material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity mounted in a recess on a heat-distributing metal plate and enclosed in the recess by a glass reflecting member mounted over the recess so that the heater serves to defog the reflecting surface of the member. Various portions of the plate have selected different spacings from the glass reflecting member for heating various overlying portions of the reflecting member to a substantially uniform temperature so that the heater is operable at a high temperature to rapidly and uniformly defog the mirror without risk of damage to the glass reflecting member.

Abstract: An electrical heating device is disclosed for heating a plate which, for example, is used for heating the outside rear view mirror of a vehicle. The heating device includes a positive temperature coefficient resistor constructed as a resistive body in the form of a flat cylindrical ring. One flat surface of the ring is seated upon the plate to be heated which is used as one electrical terminal of the resistor. Another metal plate is seated against the other flat surface of the ring and serves as the second electrical terminal and also as a heat distributing plate for the resistive body. A two part fastening means comprising a headed shank and a press-on nut is provided, with the shank extending through the plates and the resistive body to press them against one another to obtain good electrical and thermal conduction.

Abstract: In a substantially transparent insulating structure, positionable between a warmer region and a colder region, the improvement comprising an infrared reflecting visible light transmitting coating, applied to a surface of a pane in the structure. The coating reflects a substantial portion of infrared radiation incident thereon, so as to restrict substantial transmission of infrared radiation from the warmer region to the colder region. The reflected infrared radiation heats the surface exposed in use to the warmer region sufficiently to inhibit formation of a visibility-impeding layer thereon, without using electrical energy therefor. The reflected infrared radiation is reradiated into the warmer region, thereby inhibiting reradiation of such reflected infrared radiation into the colder region. The coating further transmits a substantial portion of visible light radiation incident thereon, to enable substantially clear visibility therethrough.

Abstract: A heated mirror includes a transparent substrate with a reflective coating covering at least one of the substrate surfaces. The reflective coating includes a stack of transparent, non-metallic layers which have alternately high and low indices of refraction. At least one of the layers has a high index of refraction and is constructed from electrically conductive, transparent, non-metallic material through which electric current flows to heat the mirror. The remaining layers of the coating are constructed of transparent, dielectric material.

Abstract: This invention is a side-view mirror apparatus for vehicles. It includes a supporting frame having vertically spaced mounting members and an upright mirror assembly carried by such mounting members for rotation about an upright axis. A vertically arranged hollow shaft is secured at its upper end to the mirror assembly and is journaled for rotation in both of the mounting members. The mirror assembly includes two generally parallel back-to-back mirrors having sandwiched therebetween a planar arranged electrical heating element, one of the mirrors being non-glare. An elongated electrical conductor is received by the hollow portion of the shaft and is connected at one of its two ends to the heating element. The conductor is insulated from the shaft and a rotary drive is connected to the shaft for rotatably adjusting the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A dental mirror warmer to prevent fogging when the mirror is placed in a patient's mouth includes a housing with a cover having an opening. Below the opening is a heating well to receive the reflective end of the mirror. The well has a stainless steel wall connected to a transformer which supplies high current at low voltage to heat the wall. The supply to the transformer is controlled by a photoresponsive device responsive to insertion of the mirror and a timing circuit which permits current supply for a short heating interval. A temperature sensor shortens the interval when heating cycles are initiated frequently. The photoresponsive device is mounted in the housing in juxtaposition with a light transmissive opening in a wall of the heating well. The photoresponsive device includes a source of light arranged to direct light into the heating well through the opening and a photoresponsive element arranged to receive light reflected from the reflective surface of a mirror inserted into the heating well.

Abstract: A control circuit for electrically heatable windshields of automotive vehicles which controls the quantity of heat supplied by the vehicle alternator to the windshield heating element to be adequate for deicing the windshield yet limited to avoid windshield damage and to minimize decoupling time of the alternator from the vehicle battery. The control circuit, which employs an inexpensively installed temperature sensor element that senses ambient temperature, responds to the temperature difference between the ambient and a reference deicing temperature and to the supplied heating power for controlling the duration of the heating period.

Abstract: A method of producing a heated mirror by selective removal of conductive reflective material from an insulating substrate to define a conductive path with a predetermined resistance. The conductive reflective material can be removed by scoring down to the substrate or by scoring and etching. Conductive paths are defined by tracks in a serpentine, spiral or interleaved comb pattern. Isolated regions may be left to designate a Trade Name which is visible when the mirror is demisted. Different insulating backings and terminals are also described.