Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/466

438 Conquering the Obstinate Oyster PAIR of jaws are hinged to a T- shaped handle. Between the jaws is placed a slid- ing cam, termi- nating in a button protruding from the handle of the device. By pushing the button, the cam is pushed down between the jaws, thus spreading them, and opening the oyster.

Can Maidenly Modesty Ask for More?

SHELF is provided for the seats of the patrons, the seats being placed con- siderably above the workmen's floor. In front of the seats is placed a desk, the lower part of which forms a curtain, leaving just enough space above the floor to allow the workman to reach the shoes of the patron. A speaking tube is placed before the patron on the desk so that she may give instructions to the workman, and by means of an electric light signal, the completion of the pro- cess is announced.

A Muscle-Saving Potato Masher

SPINDLE, running ver- tically through the center of a hopper, is rotated by a suitably geared handle. A set of rotating arms at the bot- tom are actuated by the spindle to force the mashed vegetables through a per- forated plate or sieve. The chief im- provement consists in the rotating arms, which are toothed on the upper edge, thus serving to grate the potatoes before they are forced through the sieve, ob- viating any possibility of the potatoes' remaining lumpy or hard.

One Motion of the Handles Works These Scissors' Blades Twice

HE shorter blade of the scissors is ac- tuated by means of a ratchet, which, as the handles are spread apart, opens the scis- sors. A spring closes the blades when the plunger has passed the tooth of the ratchet. The de- vice may be made to close the blades twice for every movement of the handles by spreading the handles wide. By so doing two teeth actuate the plunger.

A Paper Milk-Bottle with a Window

RECTAN- GULAR opening is cut in the side of a bottle made of paper, pulp, or other opaque ma- terial. Into this opening is in- serted a section of transparent material, such as celluloid. A flange on the inside of the bottle pre- vents the window from being pushed out by interior pressure, and when the process is finished, the joints are covered with transparent cement.

A Salt and Pepper Shaker

RECEPT- ACLE is di- vided equally in two parts, to serve as a combined salt and pepper shaker. A screen is fitted on opposite sides of the device, so that either season- ing may be poured out singly. A ball is held near the screen in the salt compartment to break the lumps of salt to a fine con- sistency.