Solution to the stopper-in-the-bottle problem

A Solution to the Stopper-in-the-Bottle Problem Quite often, through selection of a stopper too small in size, a student gets s rubber stopper inside a flask or bottle. Removal of the stopper, which is too large simply to fall through the opening when the container is inverted, becomes a frustrating ~rahlem.The simdest solution that I have found is to w u r a small amount of toluene or xylenes overthe stopper, cork the container, and let stand overnight..~he solvent softens the rubber. The swollen stopper may then easily be cut into small pieces with a scapel, dull knife, or spatula and poured from the container. John W. Hill University of Wisconsin River Falls, Wisconsin 54022

384 1 Journal of Chemical Education