Abstract: A chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air speeds at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are put into the chamber, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights. A horizontal conveyor airstream, much less in magnitude than the upward airstream, directs the classified-by-height particles to a side wall of the chamber, where they are removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for drying particulate materials such as seeds and grains in which an air dryer having a shape of a vertical, cylinder and at least one drying stage with a mesh screen disposed therein with a horizontal mesh screen. An upwardly vertical air flow having a velocity in the mesh openings at least equal or larger than to the suspension speed of the particles to be dried temporarily suspends the particles until enough accumulate to provide sufficient weight or downward pressure for the particles to overcome the upward air flow, pass downward through one or more mesh screens and reach the bottom of the dryer.

Abstract: A sun shield assembly composed of a canopy of pliable material which can withstand the environment of a beach, which canopy is generally rectangular in shape and which is spanned by spaced, laterally extending battens preferably received in pockets in the canopy, while the canopy is supported by at least one cross support beam, which beam includes spaced downwardly extending supporting legs; at each of the corners of the canopy, a grommet is provided from which extends a tether with a peg on the end of each to connect the tethers to the earth; the tethers are adjustable to respond to variations in wind velocity, commonly encountered at a beach.

Abstract: A method for preparing a ceramic suspension using alpha-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder containing agglomerated powder particles includes dissolving ionic or polymeric reagents as additional dispersing agents in water or an organic solvent as a dispersion medium. Alpha-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder is added thereto while being stirred. Ceramic molded articles may be produced from the suspension.

Abstract: A pop-up straw having an upper buoyant section and a lower flexible section is mounted within a container. When the container is opened, the upper end of the pop-up straw rises through the opening. The straw is particularly useful with a push in tab easy open end container. A collar which holds the upper portion of the straw is mounted below the opening and just below the downward extension of the tab. Opening the tab pushes downward against the upper end of the straw until the tab clears the upper end of the straw. The upper end of the straws then pops up through the opening.