Abstract: A metal can for holding a carbonated or otherwise pressurized beverage or the like, having a rigid metal lid formed with an eccentrically disposed, upwardly projecting annular flange defining an aperture of average diameter between about 0.625 inch and about 1 inch, and a flexible metal foil closure extending over the aperture and peelably bonded by a heat seal to the sloping outer surface of the flange.

Abstract: A metal can for holding a carbonated or otherwise pressurized beverage or the like, having a rigid metal lid formed with an eccentrically disposed, upwardly projecting frustoconical annular flange defining an aperture of average diameter between about 0.625 inch and about 1 inch, and a flexible metal foil closure extending over the aperture and peelably bonded by a heat seal to the sloping outer surface of the flange.

Abstract: Porous membranes incorporating porous anodic films are disclosed. The membranes, which may be used as filters, gaseous diffusion media, dialysis membranes, etc., are produced by porous anodizing aluminum or other porous anodizable metal, creating a weakened stratum in the resulting porous anodic film (e.g. by a voltage reduction procedure during the anodizing step), attaching a support to the porous anodic film and separating the film along the weakened stratum. If the support is perforated the resulting structure is suitable as a separation device. If imperforate, the support can subsequently be perforated, if required, or replaced by a perforate support or supporting structure. The resulting structure has a non-metallic imperforate or perforated supporting layer (made, for example of plastic or ceramic) or other supporting structure, reinforcing a porous anodic film in which the pores completely penetrate the film.

Abstract: A catalyst device comprises a porous catalytically active inorganic membrane, means for presenting a fluid reactant to a first surface of the membrane and means for recovering a fluid reaction product from the second surface of the membrane. The membrane is preferably an anodic aluminum oxide membrane with a deposit of catalytically active material present within the pores, preferably concentrated in the ends of the pores adjacent the second surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A porous anodic aluminum oxide membrane, at least one surface of which is profiled on a scale of 0.01 to 50 mm, may be made by profiling a surface of an aluminium metal substrate anodizing the substrate to form a porous membrane on the surface and separating the membrane from the substrate. The profiling may consist of a system of parallel ribs and troughs. Structure having an interesting properties as filters can be built up by the use of several such membranes bonded to one another along the crests of the ribs.

Abstract: The invention provides porous anodic aluminium oxide film having a major face with an area of at least 50 cm.sup.2, the film material containing phosphorus derived from the anodizing electrolyte, preferably at least 5 microns thick and preferably having pores spaced 0.1-0.5 microns apart. The film may be made by anodizing one or more aluminium metal anodes of suitable area in an electrolyte based on phosphoric acid at a concentration of 5-150 g/l maintained at a temperature in the range 5.degree.-50.degree. C. using an anodizing voltage of 40-200 V. After separation from the metal substrate, the films have intersecting properties for use in filters.

Abstract: An anodic aluminum oxide film (12) has a system of larger pores (14) extending in from one face (16) and interconnecting with a system of smaller pores (24) extending in from the other face (26). The film is made by anodizing an aluminum metal substrate, then reducing the applied voltage at a rate to permit partial or complete recovery of the oxide film, either continuously or incrementally in small steps down to a level preferably below 3 V, and separating the oxide film from the substrate.