Abstract: An aluminum ingot casting machine comprising a source of molten metal, a rotatable annular ring, carrying ingot casting moulds and a drive means for indexing the moulds. The machine includes a vacuum demoulder having a vacuum seal arrangement comprising a sealing element having a flexible core which can deform to form a vacuum seal against an ingot and a flexible abrasion resistant outer layer on said core, and retaining elements located on a lower face of the vacuum lifting head for releasably retaining the sealing element onto the lifting head. The vacuum seal comprises a flexible ring shaped body, being rounded in cross section, having a fibre cord core and an abrasion resistant flexible sheathing surrounding the core.

Abstract: A canister for use with a chemical oxygen generation cell. In some embodiments, the canister includes two main canister assemblies. One assembly houses the briquette, the ignition cone, and one or more filters. A second assembly houses a thimble and one or more filters. Once the components are placed within each assembly, the two assemblies can then be easily joined together to form the cell. In some embodiments, the sealed canister is constructed with at least one weakened area along at least one canister wall. Upon premature activation of the cell, pressure within the sealed canister causes at least one controlled rupture in the weakened area of the canister to vent gases and prevent an explosion.