Abstract: A process for the extraction of Ni/Co values from an ore or concentrate comprises the steps of subjecting the ore or concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic solution containing halide, copper and sulphate ions to obtain a liquor containing Ni/Co values from the resultant pressure oxidation slurry. The liquor is subjected to a selective precipitation treatment to obtain a solid containing Ni/Co hydroxide. The solid is subjected to a Ni/Co leaching stage with an ammonium solution to produce a leach solution containing Ni/Co values and a residue. The Ni/Co values are separated by solvent extraction to produce solutions suitable for electrowinning of Ni and Co. The process also provides for the recovery of precious metals and other metals such as copper.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of electrowinning a metal from an electrolyte comprises the steps of measuring the redox potential of the electrolyte to obtain a measured value, comparing the measured value with a predetermined optimum value and adding a redox agent to the electrolyte to adjust the redox potential of the electrolyte to the optimum value. One embodiment of apparatus (10) for carrying out the method comprises a redox potential measuring device (20) having a housing for the flow of electrolyte therethrough and including a pair of electrodes (22, 24) for measuring the redox potential of an electrolyte flowing through the housing to produce an output measurement value and a redox controller (26) responsive to the output measurement value for controlling the addition of redox agent to the electrolyte of an electrolysis cell (12).

Abstract: Flotation apparatus (10) for removing finely divided bodies of an insoluble substance dispersed in an aqueous medium, such as oil and solids dispersed in water, comprises a vertical flotation column (12) having a feed inlet (14) and an outlet (22) for the aqueous medium, a sparging system (16) for generating gas bubbles rising upwardly in the aqueous medium to capture and raise the finely divided bodies of the insoluble substance to the surface of the aqueous medium in the column to form a layer (31) of the insoluble substance on the surface of the aqueous medium, a launder (18) for receiving an overflow of the insoluble substance and an outlet (20) for the insoluble substance in the launder. The apparatus (10) can be used in both countercurrent and co-current fashion. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a mechanism for the intermittent dumping of the layer (31) of insoluble substance from the column (12).

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a fluidized bed in a fluidized bed roasting process for metal sulphide concentrate comprises the step of controlling the particle size distribution of the particulate material in the bed so that a minimum amount of no less than about 30% of the concentrate falls in a size range of from about 100 to about 420 microns. The minimum amount preferably falls in the range of from about 35% to about 40%. In one embodiment of the invention the particle size distribution is controlled by maintaining the amount of lead in the concentrate in a range from about 3% to about 4%, preferably 3.7% to about 3.8%. In another embodiment the particle size distribution is controlled by using a pelletized feed or by the combination of the steps of using a pelletized feed and regulating the lead content of the concentrate.

Abstract: A washing method performed in a washing machine having a wash basket for containing wash water and a wash load includes the step of attaching a tile 10 of a ceramic material to the inside of the wash basket 12 so that the tile 10 is exposed to the wash water in the wash basket 12. A laundry tile 10 of ceramic material for use in the method is provided. It comprises a front side 14 and a rear side 18, wherein the front side 14 is at least partially unglazed. In one embodiment attachment strips 20,22 are provided for attaching the tile 10 by its rear side 18 to the inside of the wash basket 12 of a washing machine.

Abstract: A method of replacing an existing underground pipe (44) with a new pipe (48) comprises the steps of moving a pipe removing tool (70) along the existing pipe (44) to remove the existing pipe and dragging the new pipe (48) behind the tool (70) to replace the existing pipe while imparting vibratory motion to the tool (70) or continuously applying a dressing material ahead of the new pipe to act as lubricant or to fill in the annular space between the new pipe and the surrounding soil. According to another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of pushing out the old pipe (126) in one direction by means of a pipe removing tool (110) connected to a hydraulic unit (10) through a stem and replacing the old pipe (126) by means of a new pipe (48) by dragging the new pipe along behind the stem moving in the opposite direction during a return run.

Abstract: Eyewear 10 comprises a frame 12 for housing a pair of lenses 14 therein. The frame 12 has a bridge portion 16 for bridging a user's nose and a pair of temple members 18 for locating the frame 12 in position on the head of a user. The frame 12 has a nose pad 20 in the form of a projection extending downwardly from the bridge portion 16 for resting by gravity on the frontal part of the bridge of a user's nose at the origin of the nose. According to another embodiment, a nose pad 30 which is detachable from the frame 12 is provided. The frame 12 and the nose pad 30 are provided with mutually engaging formations 32, 34 for detachably attaching the nose pad 30 to the frame 12.

Abstract: A materials handling system (30) for controlling the gravity discharge of material through a discharge opening (33) onto a conveyor (34) comprises a gate (40) extending across the discharge opening (33) and having a plurality of outlet openings (40.4) therein for the through flow of material from the discharge opening (33) through the gate (40). The gate (40) has closure members (71) for the outlet openings (40.4). First and second linkage members (71.4, 71.5) extend along the gate (40) and a power source (71.6, 71.7) for moving the linkage members (71.4, 71.5) relative to the gate (40) and independently of each other, is provided. Coupling members (71.8) for selectively coupling the closure members (71) to either one or the other of the linkage members (71.4, 71.5) is provided. In an another embodiment, a feeder deck (60) is provided below the gate (40). The feeder deck (60) has a materials receiving surface (61.5), corresponding with each outlet opening (40.4) in the gate (40). A scraper (61.

Abstract: A materials handling system for controlling the gravity discharge of material through a discharge opening 33 onto a conveyor 34 comprises a gate 40 extending across the discharge opening 33 and having at least one but preferably a plurality of outlet openings 40.4 therein for the through flow of material from the discharge opening and a feeder deck 60 below the gate 40 having a surface for receiving material discharged from the discharge opening 33 through the gate 40. The feeder deck surface is movable transversely of the discharge opening 33 for controlling the flow of material through the gate 40 and for discharging the material onto the conveyor 34. The materials handling system can be employed for controlling the gravity discharge of material from a plurality of in-line domes 100 or from a plurality of holds 112 of a self-unloading ship 110.

Abstract: A folded single sheet mailer is provided which comprises a rectangular sheet (12) provided with transverse and longitudinal lines of perforation and transverse and longitudinal glue lines. The sheet (12) is folded onto itself along a transverse fold line (14) which is offset with respect to the center of the sheet (12). The sheet (12) is then folded along a plurality of secondary fold lines (28,30) and sealed to produce an outgoing envelope which can be mailed. The mailer includes a return envelope for use when placing an order.

Abstract: A sparger (100) for producing gas bubbles in a liquid comprises a body member (102) having a gas inlet (105) and an outlet portion (106) provided with a gas outlet (108). The outlet portion (106) has an internal bore (110) which is in communication with the gas inlet (105) and the gas outlet (108). The bore (110) has opposite sides which converge in the direction of the outlet (108) to form a tapered region (112) in the bore (110). The bore (110) has a substantially constant diameter along at least a part of its length in an area between the tapered region (112) and the outlet (108). The sparger (100) further comprises a valve member (114) which is moveable into said tapered region (112) towards the outlet (108) for controlling the flow of gas through the outlet (108).

Abstract: A waste debarker 10 comprises a housing 12 in which is mounted a rotatable first cutting drum 14 and a rotatable second cutting drum 16 arranged in a longitudinally spaced relationship with respect to the first drum 14. The first drum 14 has a plurality of circumferentially extending flanges 24 spaced along the length thereof for supporting cutting teeth 26 thereon. The second drum 16 has a plurality of discrete lugs 34 arranged on its surface for supporting cutting teeth 26 thereon. The lugs 34 are offset with respect to the flanges 24 on the first drum 14 and extend in between the flanges 24 as the drums 14,16 are rotated. The second drum 16 is located at a higher elevation than the first drum 14. A method of debarking waste material is also provided.

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, nickel and cobalt. During pressure oxidation the metal may be precipitated as an insoluble basic salt, such as basic copper sulphate, or substantially completely solubilized and precipitated later as the basic metal salt.

Abstract: In one embodiment, eyewear, such as sunglasses (10), comprises a frame (12) for housing a pair of lenses (14.1) and (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) and (18.2) for locating the frame (12) in position on the head of a user. The frame includes lens retaining portions (20.1) and (20.2) for housing the lenses (14.1) and (14.2). Each lens retaining portion (20.1), (20.2) comprises a pair of spaced frame portions (22.1), (22.2) and (24.1), (24.2) for receiving the respective lens (14.1), (14.2) therebetween. The lens retaining portions (20.1), (20.2) extend from the bridge portion (16) in opposite directions away from the bridge portion (16). One lens retaining portion (20.1) is larger than the other lens retaining portion (20.2) for extending at least partially around the side of a user's face. In a further embodiment the frame (12) also includes ventilation means, such as a ventilation opening (26) between the one lens (14.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of copper from a sulphide copper ore or concentrate comprises subjecting the ore or concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic chloride solution to obtain a resulting pressure oxidation filtrate and an insoluble basic copper sulphate salt. The pressure oxidation is conducted in the presence of a source of bisulphate or sulphate ions, such as sulphuric acid. The amount of the sulphate source added contains at least the stoichiometric amount of sulphate ions required to produce the basic copper sulphate salt less the amount of sulphate generated in situ in the pressure oxidation. In a particular embodiment, the pressure oxidation is carried out at a predetermined H.sup.+ /Cu ratio so that the pressure oxidation filtrate contains a major portion of the copper in the ore or concentrate and the basic copper salt contains a minor portion of the copper in the concentrate. The invention further provides for the selection of the H.sup.

Abstract: Flotation apparatus (10) for removing finely divided bodies of an insoluble substance dispersed in an aqueous medium, such as oil and solids dispersed in water, comprises a vertical flotation column (12) having a feed inlet (14) and an outlet (22) for the aqueous medium, a sparging system (16) for generating gas bubbles rising upwardly in the aqueous medium to capture and raise the finely divided bodies of the insoluble substance to the surface of the aqueous medium in the column to form a layer (31) of the insoluble substance on the surface of the aqueous medium, a launder (18) for receiving an overflow of the insoluble substance and an outlet (20) for the insoluble substance in the launder. The apparatus (10) can be used in both countercurrent and co-current fashion. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a mechanism for the intermittent dumping of the layer (31) of insoluble substance from the column (12).

Abstract: A footwear device (2000) comprises a rigid base (2100) for supporting the foot (2001) of a user thereon, a heel counter (2300) on the rigid base (2100) for contact with the foot (2001) of a user in a first area of the foot posterior to the posterior aspect of the heel of the foot, a medial forefoot counter (2201) associated with the rigid base (2100) for contact with the foot (2001) of a user in a second area of the foot medial to the medial aspect of the head of the first metatarsal of the foot, and a forefoot/midfoot compression member (2400) for contact with the foot (2001) of a user in a third area of the foot located on the dorsum of the foot for exerting a downwardly and rearwardly directed force on the dorsum of the foot. The footwear device (2000) further includes a sports implement interface member (2101) on the rigid base (2100) for interfacing with a sports implement, such as a snow ski, or an ice skate blade or an in-line skate wheel system.

Abstract: A removable traction device (10) for a tire (14) on a vehicle comprises an elongated member (12) for fitting around the tire (14) along the ground-engaging tread of the tire. The elongate member (12) has an inner surface for contact with the ground-engaging tread of the tire (14) and an outer surface which is provided with traction assistance means thereon. In one embodiment, the elongate member is elastic or stretchable in its longitudinal direction. According to another specific embodiment, the elongated member is in the form of an endless belt and is provided with a circumferentially extending rib (18) on its inner surface for forming a stretch fit around the tire (14). In another embodiment, the member (12) is provided with a plurality of openings (22) between its inner and its outer surfaces.

Abstract: A motion detection and imaging method and device 10 for carrying out the method are provided. The device 10 comprises a housing 12 containing a CCD 18 for providing digital image data, a lens 16 for focusing an image on the CCD 18 and a solid state non-volatile memory 24 for storing the digital image data. In one embodiment, the device includes a motion detector 26 for triggering the storage of the digital data.

Abstract: Flotation apparatus (10) for removing finely divided bodies of an insoluble substance dispersed in an aqueous medium, such as oil and solids dispersed in water, comprises a vertical flotation column (12) having a feed inlet (14) and an outlet (22) for the aqueous medium, a sparging system (16) for generating gas bubbles rising upwardly in the aqueous medium to capture and raise the finely divided bodies of the insoluble substance to the surface of the aqueous medium in the column to form a layer (31) of the insoluble substance on the surface of the aqueous medium, a launder (18) for receiving an overflow of the insoluble substance and an outlet (20) for the insoluble substance in the launder. The apparatus (10) can be used in both countercurrent and co-current fashion. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a mechanism for the intermittent dumping of the layer (31) of insoluble substance from the column (12).