Abstract: A rechargeable electric corkscrew for removing a cork from a bottle comprises a reversible drive having a switch for switching the drive between rotation in a first sense and an opposite sense. A body houses the drive and a rechargeable power source and has a rotatably mounted auger extending in a longitudinal direction. A sleeve has a first end adapted for slidably mounting onto the body. The sleeve has a second end surrounding the auger comprising cantilevered members each having an abutment surface adapted to abut a mouth of the bottle. The cantilevered members are adapted to flex for positioning the abutment surfaces relative to each other about the mouth. The cantilevered members has a base end having a radial extent for stably supporting the corkscrew in an upright condition. The corkscrew is also provided with a cutter for cutting a foil wrapper which covers the mouth of the bottle.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating and recovering nickel and copper values from a nickel-copper matte which may contain iron and arsenic. Finely divided nickel-copper matte is leached in aqueous sulphuric acid solution under oxidizing conditions at atmospheric pressure and at a minimum temperature of about 80.degree. C. to selectively leach nickel from the matte to produce a nickel sulphate solution having a final pH in the range of about 4.0 to 6.5, preferably about 6.5, and to produce a copper-rich sulphide residue. The copper-rich sulphide residue is separated from the nickel sulphate solution and leached in a closed reaction vessel at a minimum temperature of about 120.degree. C. under a non-oxidizing atmosphere in a sulphuric acid solution containing an effective amount of copper and sulphuric acid to provide a terminal concentration of at least about 2 g/L Cu.sup.

Abstract: There is disclosed an affordable method and system of fully automating the instruction of a plurality of students which incorporates the use of a single CPU in conjunction with student questioning, responding and information feedback devices and which no longer relies upon the ability, mindset or even presence of a classroom teacher. The method further includes a fully-automated directly-integrated marks, records, reports and lesson management system.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing the surface of contents of a container comprises a disc-like member having a central portion and a flexible perimeter and having a centrally located upstanding hollow handle having a purge valve at the upper end thereof. The purge valve has a closed position for preventing egress of air upwardly through said hollow handle and an open position to permit free passage of air therethrough. The disc-like member is contoured to correspond with the shape of the interior plan of the container.

Abstract: A bottle for storing and dispensing viscous liquids comprises a bottom, sides, a face having a substantially uniform wall thickness and a closable top. The bottle is integrally molded from an olefin material. The face has a pump integrally molded therein. The pump comprises at least one endless ridge defining a valley. The valley has a wall thickness of about 40% of the wall thickness of the face.

Abstract: A palletized merchandising system comprises a pallet, a plurality of like containers stacked in layers on the pallet and a divider sheet interposed between the layers of like containers. The like containers comprise a unitary blow molded body of a generally parallelepiped shape. The like containers have a top face, bottom face, a front face and side walls and a diagonally extending parting line. A pour spout in the top face is spaced along the parting line towards one corner of the top face. A handle on the top face extends upwardly from the top face and is spaced along the parting line. A recess in the bottom face extends upwardly therefrom and is spaced along the parting line. The recess is sized to receive a handle of a like container in a stacking relation. The divider sheets have a plurality of apertures adapted to receive the handles of the like containers and to orient the front face of the like containers when an upper layer of like containers is stacked over a lower layer of like containers.

Abstract: A size reduction machine for use in process industries to continuously and precisely reduce the size of particles, while controlling fines, comprises an impeller mounted on a rotatable shaft, a drive operably connected to the shaft for effecting rotation of the shaft. The shaft and impeller are vertically mounted within a vertically extending channel having an input and an output. A screen has a tapered apertured wall formed in a frusto-conical shape. The screen is rigidly mounted within the channel so that any particles passing from the input to the output pass through the screen. The impeller is shaped and mounted so that a gap between an edge of the impeller and an interior of the screen remains substantially constant as the impeller rotates relative to the screen. The improvement comprises the drive being operably connected to the shaft at a point under where the impeller is mounted onto the shaft.

Abstract: A novelty item is disclosed comprising a solid block of material having an slug having a first and second finger. The slug is surrounded by the block and adapted to be retained by the block. The first finger has divergent walls cut at a first angle to the top surface of the block. The second finger has convergent walls cut at a second angle to the top surface of the block and the remainder of the slug has walls cut at substantially right angles to the top surface freeing the slug from the block, whereby the thickness of the cut is less than the ratio of the thickness of the block to the tangent of the greater of the first and second angle.

Abstract: A foot or top plate assembly for a shoring structure or tower comprises a wedged pin, a screw jack having an end adapted to receive the wedged pin in a friction fit, a foot plate having a first support for receiving the wedged pin in a friction fit and a second support for supporting the wedged pin. The first and second supports adapted to receive the hollow end in a sliding fit. The wedged pin connects the foot plate to the screw jack, whereby as the wedged pin is moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position the base plate moves relative to the screw jack.

Abstract: In combination, a molded bottle and a stick dispenser wherein the bottle comprises front and rear faces and side edges. One of the side edges has a cavity for nesting the stick dispenser. The stick dispenser has end surfaces and the cavity has end surfaces. Each of the end surfaces of the stick dispenser has a recess and each of the ends of the cavity has a domed surface. The domed surfaces are sized and spaced to receive each of the recesses of the stick dispenser in a snap fit.

Abstract: A shoring post comprises a support post slidingly engaging a telescoping sleeve member and a screw device for incrementally adjusting the length of the shoring post. The telescoping member having a plurality of pairs of diametrically opposed holes spaced therealong. A pin member for inserting through a pair of the diametrically opposed holes of the telescoping member to releasably extend the shoring post. A quick release washer for quickly reducing an overall length of the shoring post. The washer comprising a ring portion having a pair of diametrically opposed cam lobes. The lobes having an inclined surface, a cradling surface and a stop. The washer is mounted between the pin and the support post. The washer has a load transfer position wherein the pin is cradled between the cradling surface and the stop surface and a quick release position whereby as the washer is rotated relative to the pin, the pin travels along the inclined surface reducing the overall length of the shoring post.

Abstract: An assay for directly and rapidly determining the alcohol concentration of a lower alcohol in a biological fluid without dilution, comprises a solid carrier. The carrier is impregnated with a solution having the following constituents mixed in effective amounts: a cross-linked stabilized enzyme for oxidizing the alcohol in the presence of a reducible compound to produce a corresponding aldehyde and a reduction product, a chromogen which reacts with the reduction product in the presence of an agent to produce a colored compound indicative of alcohol presence in the biological fluid, a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme, an agent for converting the chromogen to the colored compound, and a buffer to maintain the solution at a predetermined acidic pH.

Abstract: A concrete forming apparatus for use in construction of buildings having poured concrete floors spanning between two adjacent supports at a desired height is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame having extensible strut members extending capable of temporarily fixing the height of the frame, supports for supporting and maneuvering the frame and rollers for rolling the frame along as the frame is flown from under the concrete floor up onto the concrete floor. The supports include a first trucking device adapted to engage the frame for raising the frame from a rest position whereby the frame is spaced above a floor surface to a pouring position whereby the upper deck is substantially at the desired height and for rolling the frame to a desired location. The supports further include a support device for supporting the frame while in the pouring position during the pouring and curing of the concrete floor having means for finely adjusting the height of the frame prior to the pouring of the concrete.

Abstract: A method for producing foam-filled stud walls includes introducing at least a portion of an unfilled stud wall between a backplate, with the sheathing against the backplate, and a dam having a compressible membrane draped over one face thereof and a non-adhering sheet draped over the compressible membrane for presenting to the studs; moving the dam against the bottom portion of the open side of the stud wall; introducing foam between the backplate and the dam to fill the stud wall therebetween; moving the dam while unrolling the non-adhering sheet and compressible membrane; introducing additional foam to fill a further portion of the stud wall; repeating the two preceding steps on to completion of filling; moving the dam away from the stud wall; and advancing the filled portion of the stud wall from between the backplate and dam.