Abstract: A syringe is provided which has a barrel, a plunger having a hollow center, with the needle stored in the hollow center. A storage compartment is used to encase the needle and keep it sterile while being stored within the plunger. A cap on the tip of the barrel having a protruding shoulder securely engages the tip of the barrel while being stored, and assists in preventing leakage of inoculant from the barrel of the syringe.

Abstract: The container of the present invention for storing and shipping syringes comprises a base with a plurality of ports, each adapted to receive a syringe, and a cover which fits over the syringes and locks onto the base. The base is made of insulative material so as to protect the medicinal fluid within the syringes from temperature extremes. The cover is transparent for easy identification of the contents. The sidewalls of the cover are corrugated to provide strength to the cover. The top of the cover and the bottom of the base are flat so that a plurality of containers can be stacked one upon another for shipping and storage.

Abstract: This invention relates to refining platinum group metal concentrates and the separation therefrom of silver and of the majority of base metals with which they naturally occur. In more detail the process comprises the steps of:(a) contacting a solid particulate mixture of base, silver and precious metal components, any of which components may be in metallic or chemically combined form, with a halogen-containing gas at a temperature which is sufficiently high for the base metal and silver components to form their halides and for the said halides substantially to volatilize from the said solid mixture, and(b) removing the said volatilized halides from the solid precious metal-containing component which remains.