AN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING GLASS STOPPERS FROM ACID BOTTLES
At present there is no equipment available to remove "frozen" glass stoppers from reagent bottles. The method published by Rice (1)of inverting the bottles containing the reagent has proved very successful, but this procedure is not always practical. The apparatus described below was developed to loosen the reagent-form stopper in 2'/*-liter acid bottles, but it may also be used to remove "frozen" stoppers from other types of bottles with either the reagent, mushroom, or flat squat form of stopper. Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus attached to a 21/2-liter acid bottle. Figure 2 is looking down on the apparatus. Figure 3 is a detailed drawing of the jaw-shaped stopper frame. The steel frame (B) is riveted to the U-shaped steel base (G) and supports FIC.I. FIG.3 a winged jig-screw (A). The steel frame (23)is strengthened on one side Cy a cross member (D) welded t o it a t each end. Two round-beaded nuts (E) are screwed on the lower end of ( C ) with a 3/le" space between and pinned t o (C). The steel jaw ( F ) is strengthened on one side by a cross member (0 welded a t each end. The slot (H) in the top of the jaw ( F ) is fitted between the roundheadednuts on the end of the winged jig-screw. When the apparatus is assembled as in Figure 1, a constant, uniform pull can be exerted on the stopper by turning up the winged jig-screw (A). In every case the stoppers in 2'/Jiter acid bottles have been loosened without the application of heat. "Frozen" stoppers in many reagent bottles were removed when the apparatus was firmly screwed down on the bottle and the smoky flame of a Bunsen burner flashed around the neck of the bottle.
Literature Cited (1) RICE,"A Note on Removing 'Frozen' Glass Stoppers," J.
(June, 1928).
CHEM.EDUC., 5, 756
