Abstract: There is provided a beach mat comprising a generally rectangular sheet of a flexible material which can be folded into a bag for carrying beach clothes. The rectangular sheet has secured along an obverse face thereof a substantially continuous loop of flexible material sewn along two substantially parallel portions of its length over a substantially central portion of the sheet. A free standing loop extends from each end of the sewn down portions, one loop portion extending beyond a first end of the sheet. Flexible fastening means are secured to the reverse face of the sheet along one edge thereof and second, mating flexible fastening means are connected to the obverse face of the sheet at a location of approximately one-third the distance from the second edge towards the first edge.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for weaving by means of small bores, consisting of a lower block and an upper block, one surface of a block is provided with centering ribs forming channels. The bars are accommodated in the channels and maintained by pressing the upper block towards the lower block.

Abstract: To mechanically assist the suction action of a dredge head in dislodging particles embedded, e.g., on the ocean floor, a plurality of fingers extend downwardly from along the upper edge of an obliquely downwardly and forwardly facing nozzle opening. The fingers are resiliently connected to the nozzle and thus are capable of being bent downwardly so as to be juxtaposed across and thus temporarily block, the nozzle opening, whereby the intake of oversized particles is prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus for directing flow of water passing an ocean floor dredge head into a downwardly direction, and deflecting water from directly impinging upon the dredge nozzle body. The invention comprises a dredge vehicle chassis from which is pivotally suspended a dredge nozzle body and a water-flow deflecting shield, forwardly of the nozzle. Both the nozzle body and the shield are substantially vertically elongated members suspended substantially by the top of each element from the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: This invention provides a two-stage leaching procedure for manganese nodules for obtaining directly from a second leaching stage a substantially pure stream of copper free of other metal values, the other metal values, including manganese, nickel and cobalt, having been previously extracted in an earlier leaching stage. Both leaching operations are carried out utilizing an ammoniacal aqueous solution on a reduced manganese nodule.

Abstract: This invention provides a two-stage leaching procedure for manganese nodules for obtaining directly in one leaching stage the metal values other than manganese in one ammoniacal aqueous solution. The manganese nodules are reduced and then leached initially utilizing a solution of an ammonium salt, e.g., ammonium sulfate, to selectively leach out the manganese value, followed by a second stage leaching with an ammoniacal solution, to leach out the nickel, cobalt and copper values. The nickel, cobalt and copper values can then be individually separated from the second leach solution by liquid ion exchange extraction.

Abstract: A ball projecting device is provided for propelling a ball pneumatically, wherein the speed of the ball projected is, at least in part, determined by utilizing a pneumatically operated, preferably variable, detent in the barrel of the device. The detent holds the ball within the barrel until a predetermined air pressure is built up behind the ball, which then causes the detent to quickly, almost immediately, collapse, permitting the ball to be projected out of the barrel.The invention further comprises a ball feeding mechanism, for feeding projectile balls to the barrel, the feeding mechanism comprising a rotating multi-apertured disk, rotating about an axis transverse to the horizontal and an overhanging ball guard device to prevent the blocking of the feed mechanism with a plurality of balls.

Abstract: This invention provides a leaching procedure for manganese nodules for obtaining directly from a leaching stage all of the metal values, including manganese, utilizing an ammoniacal aqueous solution. The manganese nodules are reduced and then leached utilizing an ammoniated solution of an ammonium salt comprising at least about 150 grams per liter of ammonium ion and at least 0.83 Normal in the anion, other than hydroxyl. The resultant leach solution comprises the dissolved manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper values from the nodule ore, and can subsequently be treated, as by liquid ion exchange, to separate out the individual metal values.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated planter system comprising a planter unit having an outer container and an inner container, the inner container being supported interiorly of the outer container. A lower portion of the inner container is porous to the flow of liquid which is held in the intermediate space between the two containers. The intermediate space provides a water table volume and humidifying space and is open to the space above the inner container.The water level within the intermediate space is regulated by a valve which is set to open when the water reaches a first low water level and to close when the water reaches a second high water level. The high water level is above the porous portion of the inner container and the low water level is below the porous portion. The automated planter thus provides the necessary alternate wet and dry periods for any plants growing within the inner container.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for imprinting light-transmitting, i.e., translucent to transparent, sheet material wherein the opposite faces of the sheet are initially imprinted with substantially exactly registering, mirror images. At least one side thereof, has a raised imprint formed thereon by applying a raised printing material onto the wet ink of the initial imprint, e.g., by the thermographic method.This process is especially applicable to heat resistant plastics, especially polyesters.

Abstract: This invention provides an article of chemiluminescent jewelry, preferably having provision for separately releasably sealed compartments containing chemiluminescent components or replacement means for replaceably providing a chemiluminescent material.

Abstract: Device for single-lining a plurality of disorderly advanced containers, comprising a number of parallel adjacent conveyors of which a first set serve to advance the containers against an inclined ramp so as to push the containers upon a second set of conveyors moving at an increased speed rate.

Abstract: Ocean floor nodules are treated with halogenating agents to produce a pregnant leach solution which is subjected to selective solvent extraction to isolate metal values contained in the ore.

Abstract: This invention provides a stabilized firmly anchored inflatable article comprising a flexible member and a rigid member attached thereto. The flexible member is so designed that portions of its surface press against a rigid surface surrounding the rigid member when the flexible member is inflated. This invention also provides a pneumatic system connected with the inflatable article for providing fluid under pressure to the inflatable article and a motor vehicle including the pneumatic system.The pneumatic system comprises the inflatable article, a fluid pump, drive means for the fluid pump and a regulating valve for controlling the flow of fluid between the inflatable article and the pump.This invention further provides a multi-port valve for use as the regulating valve.

Abstract: This invention provides a means and method for testing of devices intended to operate in, or immediately beneath, the consolidated soil surface of the ocean floor. The mechanical and rheological properties of the consolidated soil surface are simulated by an electroconsolidation procedure which permits rapidly carrying out a series of tests on a surface which closely simulates the actual ocean floor surface.

Abstract: A thermopneumatic support device for providing support over a range of positions for objects, such as high temperature steam piping, subject to temperature changes and thus to changes in position resulting from thermal expansion or contraction. The device utilizes the heat energy of the object being supported in order to provide the necessary power to move the object over a range of positions. The heat energy from the object being supported provides the power for moving the thermopneumatic support in direct proportion to the expansion or contraction resulting from the variation in temperature of the object being supported. The device comprises pneumatic actuating means comprising a sealed chamber containing a fixed mass of a compressible fluid which is in thermal contact with the object being supported.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for selectively extracting cobalt value from an aqueous ammoniacal solution containing dissolved nickel and cobalt. The solution is contacted, at a pH of at least about 8.5, with an organic solution of a hydrocarbon-substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline while maintaining the pH of the aqueous solution at least at about 8.5. by adding ammonia or ammonium hydroxide. There are also dissolved in the aqueous solution ammonium ion and halide ion. The cobalt value is selectively extracted into the organic solution which is then separated from the aqueous solution; the cobalt can be stripped from the organic solution.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating manganese oxide ores in an aqueous medium, with hydrogen halide or sulfuric acid, and a hydrogen sulfide or a metal sulfide, e.g. an ore. A leach liquor containing the desirable metal halides is then separated from the solid, insoluble residue. Any iron value in either the manganese oxide ore or in any metal sulfide ore present is not dissolved or is converted to an insoluble iron oxide. Elemental sulfur is also obtained.The metal values in the leach liquor are recovered by crystallization of the manganese halide and liquid ion exchange extraction of the other metal values present.

Abstract: This invention provides a halidation process for obtaining a high purity manganese oxide from a manganiferous ore, while reclaiming a substantial portion of the hydrogen halide reagent. The process comprises halidating the ore with a hydrogen halide and leaching to form the corresponding halogen and an aqueous solution comprising dissolved manganese halide and ferric halide. The hydrogen halide can be in the gaseous state and/or dissolved in the aqueous leach solution.The manganese halide and the ferric halide are preferably individually separated from the leach solution by crystallization and by selective extraction, respectively. The crystallized manganese halide is reacted with water at a temperature of from about 400.degree. C to about 700.degree. C to yield the corresponding hydrogen halide, which is recycled, and manganese oxide.In one embodiment, a concentrated leach solution is formed at a temperature of at least about 90.degree.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for obtaining the nonferrous metal values from a manganese oxide ore, by reacting the ore with an aluminum halide or a ferric halide at a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C and preferably, at least about 130.degree. C. The manganese oxide ore can be treated with or without reduction. If reduction of the manganese oxide ore is desired, it can be accomplished prior to, or simultaneously with, the reaction with the aluminum halide or ferric halide.The resulting nonferrous metal halides can be separated from the reacted ore residue by conventional methods such as leaching or evaporation.