Abstract: A new depressant composition is provided for the enhanced separation into separate value metal concentrates of copper, nickel, zinc, lead present in polymetallic and massive sulphide ores.The depressant is added in an aqueous solution prepared by dissolving first a mixture of quebrachio and dextrin, or quebracho and guar gum. To the solution of modified quebracho a water soluble salt of lignin sulphonate is added. The aqueous polymer of modified quebracho lignin sulphonate is further mixed with one or more of the following inorganic reagents: water soluble cyanide, metal sulphates and water soluble sulphites. The resulting depressant is added together with conventional flotation reagents in conventional mineral separation stages as required.

Abstract: A bag holder for holding the mouth of a bag open comprises a member defining an opening adapted to be received in the mouth of a bag and a flexible, resilient, elongate loop adapted for location around the exterior of the bag and the member to retain the bag on the member and hold the mouth of the bag open. The holder may be provided in the form of a kit of parts, the member being formed of elongate first and second parts of thin and flat edge overall, the first part being relatively rigid and the second part more flexible and longer than the first part. The free ends of the second part are adapted for engaging respective end portions of the first part to form the parts into a bow-shaped configuration defining an opening.

Abstract: A three dimensional sight and sound reproduction apparatus for individual use is disclosed. The apparatus includes a headset having a central rib connecting an eye covering portion, a pair of depending lens and a rear portion. The eye covering portion substantially blocks ambient light from being viewed by the wearer of the headset and includes a first and second liquid crystal display screen spaced apart sideways. The images on the screens can be focused by use of lenses. Depending ear limbs are also provided containing a first and the second earphone adjacent to the ears of the wearer and being adjustable to suit the location of the individual wearer's ears.

Abstract: A plastic encapsulated integrated circuit package in which a chip is secured to the upper surface of a base and is connected to leads which have their lower surfaces in a plane above that of the bottom of the base. An electrostatic shield is electrically connected to the bottom of the base and underlies the leads without touching them, to reduce crosstalk. The support for the base is integrally connected by a conductive strip to the lead for the ground pin of the chip, to ground the shield. The whole is plastic encapsulated. To permit encapsulation, the shield extends towards but stops short of the dam bars for the leads.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a children's game comprises a game board, game cards and a die. The game board includes respective start and finish points linked by a path formed of a chain of discrete spaces. The path includes representations of creatures and their names, portions of each representation and associated name being located in separate spaces. The game cards each carry a portion of a representation of a creature and a portion of its name corresponding to a space of the path. Players use the die to move along the path, attempting to form new or existing creatures or names with the cards in conjunction with the representations and names on the board in the spaces adjacent the space the players land upon.

Abstract: A thrust vectoring structure is provided for VSTOL aircraft having a pressurized gas generator and at least one rearward facing outlet with an opening for discharging pressurized gas from the pressurized gas generator. The thrust vectoring structure has a plurality of horizontal dividers extending between the sides of the opening. A front flap is rotatably mounted adjacent the front edge of the dividers and a rear flap is rotatably mounted adjacent the rear edge of the dividers. The flaps are rotatable from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

Abstract: A sod harvester in which sod is cut, conveyed upwardly, and then travels downwardly over a floppy conveyor and falls into a roll forming enclosure formed by a bottom conveyor and a vertical conveyor. The floppy conveyor swings downwardly at the start of roll forming, to reduce the free fall of the sod, and swings upwardly as the roll grows. When the roll is formed, the bottom conveyor is unlatched and tilts downwardly to discharge the roll, at the same time pulling into cocked position a core tube injector arm. When the roll discharges, the bottom conveyor snaps upwardly, releasing the core tube injector arm which injects a fresh core tube into the roll forming enclosure. The sod is rolled with its grass side outwardly to facilitate laying and to protect the grass roots. A tray on a cart at the end of the harvester receives the discharged roll and can convey it to either side of the cart.

Abstract: A flexible drive coupling for transmitting rotational forces between respective flanges of a driving shaft and a driven shaft. The flexible drive coupling has, in a substantially planar circular configuration, a number of wedges. The wedges have respective end faces facing the adjacent wedges and connected thereto by flexible elements. Alternate wedges attach respectively to the flanges of the driving and driven shafts. The flexible elements consist of a link between two end plates. The mating faces of the link and the end plates are curved so that they co-operate one with the other. An elastomeric filler occupies the space between the curved surfaces of the end plates and the links permitting each end plate to pivot with respect to the link by deforming the elastomeric filler. The end faces of the wedges and, the corresponding faces of the end plates of the flexible elements which face them, have co-operating tabs and recesses to prevent relative radial and axial movement.

Abstract: A convertible container has side walls, a rear door, front end walls sloping downwardly in the direction of the rear door, a floor commencing at the rear door, and a gated hopper lying between the floor and the front end wall. A movably mounted sheet has first and second positions, the first position of the sheet lying between the side walls, covering the hopper. In the second position the sheet is supported between the side walls, over the floor, sloping downwardly in the direction of the front end wall, and between the hopper and the rear door. The convertible container can be part of a convertible vehicle including a tractor, tilt mechanism for tilting the container between a tilted and a substantially horizontal position, wheels supporting the container, and a towing mechanism pivotally connecting the tractor and the front of the container. The hopper may be employed to discharge dry bulk goods when the sheet is in the second position and the container is in the substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A damage detection and evaluation system utilizes optical fibers to detect and assess damage to a structure. The optical fibers are intermittently etched in a controlled manner to weaken them so they fracture when a desired load is applied to the structure. Where visual inspection of the optical fibers is used to check for damage, a reference set of optical fibers is used. Where photodetection is used and minimal connections to the structure are required, one end of the optical fiber is made reflecting so an optical connection is only made to the other end. To further simplify the connection, a single input/output optical connection to a demultiplexing/multiplexing chip mounted on or within the structure is provided. Where orthogonal grids of fibers are not possible, the invention provides interdigitated optical fibers and volume backscattering to locate the position of the first fracture along the length of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A fire damper or the like having butterfly-type gas flow control blades includes a heat responsive blade release assembly that incorporates a standard fusible link accessible from externally of the assembly. The fusible link holds together pivoted side plates of a housing from which extends a pair of arms normally holding the blades in their open positions. When the link melts, the side plates move apart, allowing the arms to open and release the blades. The assembly is also adjustable to vary the extent to which the blades open.

Abstract: Processes for the selective leaching of magnesium-containing solids, which contain calcium and/or heavy metals, and the selective precipitation and crystallization of the leached magnesium are provided. The leaching is conducted with aqueous sulphur dioxide at elevated temperatures with feed pulp densities which are sufficiently high to produce a leach liquor which is substantially saturated with magnesium. The selective crystallization and precipitation processes which preferably follow the selective leaching process, utilize controlled cooling, heating and pH conditions to yield a high purity magnesium sulphite product.

Abstract: A deck tilting device includes a deck, a support frame and a deck tilting mechanism for selectively raising respective ends of the deck. The deck tilting mechanism comprises an operating member and two linkages. The operating member is mounted on the frame below the deck and is longitudinally movable relative to the frame. One of the linkages is located between the operating member and each end of the deck, each linkage including a connecting member pivotally mounted on the support frame and forming a pivotal link between the operating member and the deck. Longitudinal movement of the operating member towards one end of the deck results in corresponding movement of the respective connecting member and raising of the respective end of the deck.

Abstract: A non-radiating broadband microwave coupling device has a housing with first and second signal inputs and outputs, which are connected by respective first and second conductive connection line portions. A third output, also within the housing, is connected to these connection line portions by first and second semiconductor switches, which preferably are connected to parallel coupling line portions to provide inductive coupling. The semiconductor switches are selectively operable to close or switch the respective connection line through to the third output and open the other switch so that there is no significant power transfer to the third output. The connection line portions and the semiconductor switches are shielded within the housing. A corresponding terminator device has a termination resistor, which provides a ground connection for the coupling line portion not connected through to the output.