Abstract: A grapple prong comprising an elongate member terminating in a grapple prong and having a connecting formation thereon for connecting the tong head for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis. The tong is provided with a secondary prong thereon which is radially offset from the prong with respect to the pivotal axis. An attachment for converting a conventional grapple prong into a tong having two prongs is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite image on an image recording medium from first and second component images, represented by digital image data, comprising the steps of converting the digital image data of each image into electromagnetic radiation image data; and forming the composite image by successively exposing the recording medium to the electromagnetic radiation image data of the first and second images so that the images are created on the medium in overlapping relationship to form a join region. The medium is doubly exposed, first by the image data of the first image and then by the image data of the second image. The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation representing the first image is progressively ramped off in the join region and the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation representing the second image is progressively ramped on in the join region.

Abstract: A retaining wall module (1) comprises a wall panel member (2) having a front and a rear provided with a transverse loop (10) at its rear and a footing member (4) mechanically connected to the panel member (2) by means of engagement with the loop (10). In one embodiment the footing member (4) comprises an elongate base and a head (8) at one end of the base for engagement with the loop (10). Also provided is a retaining wall module comprising a pair of opposing wall panel members (2), each having a front and a rear and provided with a transverse loop (10) at its rear and a footing member (46) extending between the rears of the wall panel members (2) and being mechanically connected to each wall panel member (2) by means of the loops (10).

Abstract: A method of selectively leaching zinc from a source material containing zinc in sulphide form and iron, comprises the steps of subjecting the source material to bioleaching with a strict sulphur oxidizing micro organism or a mixed culture of sulphur oxidizing and iron oxidizing micro organisms, in the presence of a nutrient solution containing less than about 15 mg/L phosphate ions. In another embodiment, the source material is in the form of a slurry having a solids concentration of at least about 25% on a weight per volume basis and a nutrient solution containing from about 1 mg/L to less than about 100 mg/L ammonium ions, from about 0.5 mg/L to less than about 40 mg/L magnesium ions and from about 2 mg/L to less than about 60 mg/L phosphate ions.

Abstract: A method of solvent extraction for extracting a required component, such as a metal value, dissolved or dispersed in a support medium, constituting a first phase, e.g. an aqueous phase, by mixing the first phase with an extractant, constituting a second phase, e.g. an organic phase, insoluble or immiscible with the first phase. The second phase has a greater affinity for the required component in order to extract the component from the first phase into the second phase. After the mixing step, the phases are subjected to a settling phase in which the phases are caused to flow in counter-current fashion with respect to each other in order to separate the phases. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A proportional fluid injector apparatus utilizing foaming agents. A pump is connected to a foaming agent and is operably connected to a differential proportional valve having a venturi. A first diaphragm control valve is operably connected between the pump and the venturi. A second diaphragm control valve is operably connected between the downstream and upstream sides of the pump and is also connected to a pilot line connected upstream of the venturi. The spring pressure exerted on the diaphragm in the first control valve is such that excess fluid from the pump returns upstream of the pump when the downstream pressure in the pump exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A fluid flow passage defined by a surface which surrounds the passage is provided with a plurality of projections, such as fibrils or brush like bristles, on the surface extending transversely to the flow passage. The projections serve to counteract or dampen the generation of high frequency sound energy or noise. The flow passage may be part of a medical or dental aspirator or industrial vacuum intake system or high pressure steam or gas exhaust system.

Abstract: A system for automatically replacing ballast water in a ballast tank of a ship comprises a water inlet port on a part of the ship where the water pressure acting on the ship when in forward motion in the water is higher than the pressure of the ballast water being replaced, a water discharge outlet in the ballast tank and a water inlet passage extending between the water inlet port and the ballast tank for introducing water into the ballast tank at a higher pressure than the ballast water in the tank. In this way the ballast water is forced from the ballast tank through the discharge outlet to be replaced by water introduced through the inlet port. A method for replacing ballast water in the ballast tank of a ship is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of nickel and/or cobalt values from a solution comprises the steps of effecting a cobalt solvent extraction in the presence of magnesium ions with a cobalt extractant to produce a cobalt extractant loaded with cobalt ions and a first raffinate containing nickel and magnesium ions in solution. The first raffinate is subjected to magnesium solvent extraction with a magnesium extractant to produce a magnesium extractant loaded with magnesium and cobalt ions and a second raffinate. The second raffinate is subjected to nickel solvent extraction with a nickel extractant to produce a nickel loaded extractant and a third raffinate.

Abstract: A surface profiler 10 has a forward support wheel 20, an intermediate support wheel 21 and a rearward support wheel 22 for travelling along a surface, the profile of which is to be measured. The wheels 20, 21, 22 are spaced apart at predetermined distances longitudinally of the direction of travel for travel along substantially the same line along the surface. The profiler 10 further comprises a forward frame member 40 supported by the forward and intermediate support wheels 20, 21 and a rearward frame member 41, supported by the intermediate and rearward support wheels 21, 22. The forward and rearward frame members 40, 41 are pivotally connected together about the rotation axis of the intermediate support wheel 21. Angle measuring means 30 is provided for measuring the relative orientation of the forward and rearward frame members 40, 41 with respect to the rotation axis of the intermediate support wheel 21.

Abstract: A transshipper for the transfer of cargo from a barge to a ship or elsewhere comprises a pair of buoyant vessels, a platform supported by the buoyant vessels in a raised position above the buoyant vessels through a plurality of vertical columns connecting the platform to the buoyant vessels. In one embodiment the buoyant vessels are provided with ballast chambers for receiving water as ballast inside the buoyant members. In another embodiment the transshipper is further provided with a lifting conveyor for raising material to be unloaded from a barge to the platform. Winches are provided for raising and lowering the lifting conveyor relative to the barge.

Abstract: A kit for supporting a pair of trousers on a wearer's body comprises a plurality of connectors for connection to the upper part of the trousers at two pairs of spaced locations at the front and rear of the trousers. The kit also includes a belt for attachment to the connectors such that the belt extends from the one of the connectors in the front of the trousers upwards along the wearer's chest and over the wearer's shoulder down the wearer's back and connected to one of the connectors at the rear of the trousers and extending along the wearer's back towards and connected to the second one of the connectors at the rear of the trousers. The belt then extends upwardly along the wearer's back and over the wearer's other shoulder down the wearer's chest towards and connected to the other one of the connectors at the front of the trousers. A method for supporting a pair of trousers on a wearer's body is also provided.

Abstract: A method of transforming input image data into output image data in order to form an output image which comprises a plurality of specified image areas is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of different sets of color transform look-up tables, associating the different sets of look-up tables with the plurality of specified image areas. The output data is coded to identify an associated one of the different sets of look-up tables responsive to one of the specified image areas for which the output data is being obtained. A color transformation is then performed on the input image data to obtain the output data using one of the different sets of look-up tables identified by the coding. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing an image on a printing medium comprises producing a pulse train of modelocked laser pulses, providing a source of image input data in the form of a series of gate pulse of varible length and modulating the pulse train with reference to the gate pulses to produce a gated pulse train for producing the image on the printing medium. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the recycling of scrap metal, such as copper wire, comprises the steps of combining the scrap metal with a concentrate of a metal similar to the scrap metal in a pressure vessel (10) and subjecting the metal concentrate to pressure oxidation along with the scrap metal. In one example the scrap metal comprises copper wire and the metal concentrate comprises a copper matte. An apparatus (16) for feeding the scrap metal to the autoclave (10), without interrupting the operation of the autoclave (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of precious metals from a copper sulphide ore or concentrate, by treating a leach residue of the ore or concentrate, includes the steps of removing elemental sulphur from the leach residue to obtain a low sulphur residue and subjecting the low sulphur residue to an oxidative leach at elevated temperature and pressure to oxidize sulphur and precious metal compounds present in the low sulphur residue to produce a residue for the extraction of the precious metals therefrom.

Abstract: Eyewear (10) comprises a frame (12) for housing a pair of eye lenses (14.1), (14.2) therein. The frame (12) has a bridge portion (16) for resting on a user's nose and a pair of temple members (18.1), (18.2) for locating the frame (12) in position on the head of a user. The temple members (18.1), (18.2), respectively, are pivotally connected by means of a pair of pivotal connections (19.1), (19.2) which are spaced from each other and located asymmetrically with respect to the bridge portion (16). In another embodiment (70) the frame (12) has a bridge portion (16) with opposing sides for resting on a user's nose, the opposing sides being asymmetrical with respect to each other. In a further embodiment the frame (12) has a bridge portion (16) with opposing sides and a nose pad (72), (74) on each of the opposing sides for resting on a user's nose, the nose pads (72), (74) being located at different positions on the respective sides of the bridge portion (16).

Abstract: A process for the extraction of a metal from an ore or concentrate comprises subjecting the ore or concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic solution containing halogen ions and a source of bisulphate or sulphate ions, such as H.sub.2 SO.sub.4. The metals which can be extracted by the process comprises copper, as well as non-cuprous metals, such as zinc, and precious metals, such as gold and silver.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of zinc from a sulphide ore or concentrate containing copper and zinc includes subjecting the concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic halide solution to obtain a resulting pressure oxidation slurry and subjecting the slurry to a liquid/solid separation step to produce a liquor containing copper and zinc in solution. The liquor containing the copper and zinc is subjected to a first solvent extraction with a copper extractant to remove copper from the solution and to produce a copper depleted raffinate. The copper depleted raffinate is subjected to a second solid extraction with a zinc extractant to produce a zinc depleted raffinate and the zinc depleted raffinate is recycled to the pressure oxidation step.

Abstract: A heat exchanger 10 comprises a pressure vessel 14 having a feed inlet 11 in an upper part thereof for particulate material to be subjected to heat exchange and an outlet 13 at a lower part thereof for the outflow of particulate material from the vessel 14. A plurality of heat exchange elements, such as heat exchange plates 12, arranged in spaced relationship inside the pressure vessel 14 to define flow passages between adjacent heat exchange elements 12 is provided for particulate material to flow therethrough under the force of gravity. The pressure vessel 14 has an inside wall extending around the heat exchange elements 12 and further comprises a trap, such as a baffle 22, between the heat exchange elements 12 and the inside wall for trapping particulate material leaking from the flow passages between the heat exchange elements 12 to form a gas barrier 26 between the heat exchange elements 12 and the pressure vessel 14.