Abstract: Toxic wastes and other contaminants are removed from soil which is fed through a passage in an agitating means into a retort (10, 110) where the soil is agitated and brought into contact with the retort walls (11, 111, 111A) (at a temperature preferably above 500.degree. C.) to cause the toxic wastes or contaminates to be desorbed. The "off-gases" from the soil may be mixed with air/fuel in a combustion chamber (31, 131), to heat the retort; may be burnt in a secondary burner (40) to preheat and/or dry the soil feed; or be condensed in a condenser (41) and stored.

Abstract: In a bottle crate for plastic bottles, for non-returnable bottles in particular, having location members formed at the crate bottom for each bottle location department, at least one perferably annular contact member made out of a material softer than that of the carrier is arranged on at least the crate-side contact faces between each location member and bottle of the lower stack layer.

Abstract: A support device configured to support and enclose one or more supply lines, such as hoses, cables and leads, employed to deliver a fluid, gas or electrical power to an end-of-arm tool mounted to a robot. The support device is particularly suited for use with arc and spot welding robots and mechanical handling robots, which may require multiple fluid, gas and electrical lines. The support device is adapted to be mounted to a moving member of the robot, enabling supply lines to be safely routed along moving members from a suitable source to the end-of-arm tool. The support device serves to protect the lines from the working environment of the robot, and facilitates the repair and maintenance of the robot by permitting ready access to the lines. The lines can be correspondingly installed in segments, such that a limited segment of damaged line can be removed for repair or replacement, as opposed to the entire length of line being replaced.