Abstract: Cutting devices including an elongate body having a handle and two rotatable cutting blades mounting on opposite sides of the body. One cutting blade is movable longitudinally relative to the other to enable variation in the longitudinal spacing between the cutting blades. In addition to or instead of the variable longitudinal spacing, one cutting blade is movable transversely relative to the other to enable variation in the transverse spacing between the cutting blades. Other cutting devices include a housing defining a blade-receiving cavity, an actuating mechanism pivotally mounted to the housing and a cutting assembly arranged in the cavity and including cutting blades. The cutting assembly is rotatable relative to the housing to selectively bring each cutting blade into a cutting position, and has a relaxed position in which the cutting blades are recessed within an outer periphery of the housing. The cutting assembly is biased into this relaxed position.

Abstract: A waste disposal device comprises a container having a lid. An externally accessible actuation mechanism comprising a rack and a pinion is connected to the lid, and is operatively configured to interface with a foot pedal. When the actuation mechanism is actuated by pressing the foot pedal, the lid opens, while the rack skips over the pinion. When the foot pedal is released, the rack engages the pinion, which in turn closes the lid and spins a cartridge of the device one revolution.

Abstract: A replaceable rotating cartridge capable of dispensing flexible tubing coupled to a lid of a container housing the cartridge. The cartridge is configured to accept a waste package insertable into the flexible tubing. The lid contacts an actuation device which actuates a rotation mechanism to rotate the cartridge while holding an end of the tubing stationary, thus sealably twisting and encapsulating the waste package inside the flexible tubing.

Abstract: Crafting and graphics instrument including a base plate, a movable rod, a control mechanism for controlling movement of the rod relative to the base plate such that movement of the rod in only one direction is allowed while movement of the rod in an opposite direction is prevented, and an actuating arm assembly movable to different angular positions relative to the base plate. The actuating arm assembly includes at least one shaped surface enabling formation of a line or cut by drawing a writing implement or a cutting implement along it. As the rod moves, the actuating arm assembly also moves so that the shaped surface is laterally displaced across a substrate on which the instrument is placed. This enables the formation of a series of parallel lines or cuts in or on the substrate. A table-mounted version is also disclosed.

Abstract: Hand-held cutting devices including a body having a handle portion and a cutting portion, and one or more rotatable cutting blades arranged on the cutting portion. The cutting portion is movable into different positions relative to the handle portion, or vice versa. When two cutting blades are provided, they may be arranged on opposite sides of a mounting wall and axially offset from one another. To prevent the user from being cut by one cutting blade when the other cutting blade is being used, yet still enable both cutting blades to be used when desired, a blade guard is movably connected to the cutting portion and movable between two positions in which it is alongside all of one cutting blade (the one not being used) but not all of the other cutting blade (the one being used), and vice versa.

Abstract: A waste disposal device has a rotatable geared rim to operate a cartridge. The device comprises a rotation mechanism. A flange supports a rotatable geared rim. The support flange is operatively configured to be driven by the rotation mechanism. The cartridge is also operatively configured to engage the geared rim so as to be capable of rotating with the support flange upon actuation of the rotation mechanism.

Abstract: Instruments for modifying flat substrates to emboss, imprint or cut one or more patterns thereon includes an operative unit for modifying the substrate and structure which positions the substrate relative to the operative unit to enable the unit to interact with the substrate and modify it. Several different combinations of operative units and positioning structure are envisioned with each providing a different form of the substrate. The different combinations may be used together to create a piece of art from individually modified substrates.

Abstract: Multi-section retaining/sorting/browsing apparatus including a base including a plurality of parallel slots and a plurality of dividers each arranged in connection with a respective slot. Adjacent dividers define object-retaining sections therebetween. Each divider has a pair of separated anchor portions and an object support portion coupled to the anchor portions and extending through a respective slot to provide a support for retaining objects. The anchor portions are rotatably retained in connection with the base to enable the dividers to be flipped forward and backward in a longitudinal direction. When file folders or other objects are retained in the object-retaining sections, it becomes possible to sort papers, documents or files in the sections and to browse through the contents of a file folder without removing them from the apparatus.

Abstract: Tissue box including a top panel, at least one side panel and a bottom panel defining an r compartment receivable of tissues. A raised shelf is formed in the compartment above the bottom panel for supporting the tissues in a position closer to the top panel than if the tissues were supported on the bottom panel. The bottom panel includes perforation lines enabling the formation of flaps capable of extending inward into the compartment when the perforation lines are severed. When the flaps are formed, the raised shelf is provided by the upper edges of the flaps. A separate tissue support platform can be arranged inside the compartment and supported on and/or by the flaps.

Abstract: An integrated cutting system for a waste disposal device comprising a waste storage receptacle and a film cutting and sealing device. A cartridge containing a continuous length of film is positioned over the receptacle. The integrated cutting system further includes an activation mechanism operatively configured to alternatively engage a cutting device or a film sealing device capable of twistably sealing the film of the cartridge when the film is dispensed from the cartridge. A selection mechanism is arranged to control the activation mechanism to either engage the cutting device while deactivating the film sealing device, or to engage the film sealing device while deactivating the cutting device. The cutting device comprises a blade positioned to sever the film from the cartridge.

Abstract: Crafting and graphics instrument including a base plate, a movable rod, a control mechanism for controlling movement of the rod relative to the base plate such that movement of the rod in only one direction is allowed while movement of the rod in an opposite direction is prevented, and an actuating arm assembly movable to different angular positions relative to the base plate. The actuating arm assembly includes at least one shaped surface enabling formation of a line or cut by drawing a writing implement or a cutting implement along it. As the rod moves, the actuating arm assembly also moves so that the shaped surface is laterally displaced across a substrate on which the instrument is placed. This enables the formation of a series of parallel lines or cuts in or on the substrate. A table-mounted version is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cutting device for making interior cuts includes first and second pivot members pivotally connected to one another at a pivot point and each including a handle portion with a finger-receiving aperture on one side of the pivot point and an arm portion on the other side of the pivot point. One or more rotatable, substantially circular cutting blades are arranged at a free end part of the arm portion of the first pivot member while one or more support rolls are arranged at a free end part of the arm portion of the second pivot member in a position opposite at least one of the cutting blade(s).

Abstract: Connector for connecting a pair of tubular components together, such as a pair of exhaust conduits of a dryer or an exhaust conduit of a dryer to a dryer vent or wall-mounted vent sleeve, including a pair of generally semi-cylindrical members each having a first, coupled edge and a second, free edge and rotatably connected together at the coupled edge, e.g., by a hinge, and separable from one another at the free edge. A quick connect/quick disconnect locking structure is arranged in connection with the semi-cylindrical members for locking them to one another with the free edges opposite one another.

Abstract: A frame assembly for pictures or other objects to be displayed includes a frame having front and rear panels defining a space therebetween for receiving objects to be displayed. A support mechanism optionally provided for supporting the frame in a substantially upright position enabling pictures to be viewed through a transparent area or window formed in one or both of the front and rear panels. The front panel includes retaining members formed along edges thereof, including at least two opposed edges, and each retaining member includes an extension portion extending rearward relative to a planar portion of the front panel and an inwardly projecting ridge formed on an inward surface of the extension portion. The rear panel is designed to fit snugly between the ridges and a rear surface of the front panel. The support mechanism may be a base separable from the frame or formed integral with the rear panel.

Abstract: Waste disposal device including a container defining a waste-receiving chamber, an insert defining a cavity receivable of a pack of flexible tubing for encapsulating waste packages and an inner lid connected to the container and selectively substantially covering or exposing an open top of the insert leading to the cavity. The inner lid and insert define a dispensing opening through which the tubing passes during use of the waste disposal device. An outer lid, optionally pivotally connected to the container, is movable between a position in which the waste-receiving chamber is accessible and a position in which the waste-receiving chamber is covered. A retention mechanism holds the waste package while a rotation mechanism causes rotation of the retention mechanism relative to the insert to cause a twist to be formed above a waste package when held by the retention mechanism and thereby encapsulate the waste package in the tubing.

Abstract: A frame assembly for pictures or other objects to be displayed includes a front panel and a rear panel spaced from the front panel to define a space therebetween for receiving an object to be displayed, e.g., one or more pictures. The front panel has a transparent area for viewing the object and a substantially planar portion, side walls extending rearward relative to the planar portion, and grooves arranged on an inward side of the side walls and preferably defined by retaining members formed in connection with the side walls. A respective portion of the rear panel, e.g., an edge projection formed thereon, is arranged to fit in the groove of each retaining member to thereby secure the rear panel to the front panel, with the objects being retained between the front and rear panels.

Abstract: Waste disposal device including a housing defining a waste compartment for receiving enclosed waste, flexible tubing received in the housing and which operatively receives waste therein, a retention mechanism for holding a quantity of waste received in a length of the tubing and a rotation mechanism for rotating the retention mechanism when the quantity of waste is held thereby and while a remaining length of the tubing is rotationally held stationary in order to twist the length of tubing receiving the waste and enclose the held quantity of waste. The compartment in the housing receives the enclosed waste. The waste is thus rotated while the cartridge is held against rotation thereby enabling the formation of the twist above the waste to enclose or encapsulate the waste. A pushing mechanism may be provided on a cover of the device to push the waste into engagement with the retention mechanism.