Abstract: A sharps container apparatus comprising a container including a door manually movable between a closed position and an open position, and a rubber band for biasing the door toward the closed position, the container being completely closed when the door is in the closed position, a bracket adapted to be securely mounted on a wall, and interengaging projections and slots on the bracket and on the container for securing the container to the bracket.

Abstract: A sharps container apparatus comprising a container including a door manually movable between a closed position and an open position, and a rubber band for biasing the door toward the closed position, the container being completely closed when the door is in the closed position, a bracket adapted to be securely mounted on a wall, and interengaging projections and slots on the bracket and on the container for securing the container to the bracket.

Abstract: A sharps container apparatus comprising a container including a door manually movable between a closed position and an open position, and a rubber band for biasing the door toward the closed position, the container being completely closed when the door is in the closed position, a bracket adapted to be securely mounted on a wall, and interengaging projections and slots on the bracket and on the container for securing the container to the bracket.

Abstract: A modular fence comprising at least two vertical end posts, a pair of vertically spaced, horizontal rails extending between the end posts and having ends connected to respective end posts by post connector members which allow for expansion and contraction of the rails, a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertical intermediate posts extending between the rails and having ends connected to respective rails by rail connector members which allow for expansion and contraction of the intermediate posts, and members located between adjacent intermediate posts for filling the spaces between the intermediate posts.

Abstract: A portable humidifier adapted to rest on a supporting surface, the humidifier comprising a base defining a water reservoir and including a bottom wall having therein an air inlet opening spaced horizontally from the reservoir, legs supporting the bottom wall above the supporting surface, a wicking element having a lower portion in fluid communication with the water reservoir, extending transversely relative to vertical, and extending above the inlet opening, and a fan for forcing air flow through the inlet opening and through the wicking element.

Abstract: A humidifier comprising a cabinet including a top wall having therein an air outlet, a bottom wall having therein an air inlet, and a water reservoir having portions on opposite sides of the air inlet, a wicking element including generally horizontally spaced-apart peripheral portions each located above a respective one of the reservoir portions, and also including a central portion located between the peripheral portions and above the inlet, material for transferring water from one of the reservoir portions to the respective peripheral portion of the wicking element and for transferring water from the other of the reservoir portions to the respective peripheral portion of the wicking element, and a fan supported by the cabinet and located above the wicking element for forcing air flow in a substantially vertical direction through the inlet and the central portion of the wicking element and out the outlet.

Abstract: A disposable cover and bag assembly comprising an outer cover member adapted to be connected to the open end of an outer canister and having a top including therein an opening, an inner cover member in the opening in the top of the outer cover member, and a bag having a mouth gripped between the inner and outer cover members.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rain gutter system comprising a gutter including an outer portion which, when in use, extends vertically and an inner portion which is located in spaced parallel relation to the outer portion and which includes an inner part which, when in use, extends vertically, and a support bracket including a rigid base portion which is adapted to be fixed to a structure and which, when in use, extends vertically, a rigid arm extending outwardly from the base portion and including an outer end engaged with the outer portion of the gutter, and means on the gutter and on the bracket for supporting the inner portion of the gutter from the bracket in response to upward arcuate movement of the gutter about a fulcrum provided by the engagement of the outer portion of the gutter and the arm.

Abstract: A toilet assembly comprising a toilet bowl, an upper member including a rearward end having a width, and only one hinge including a hinge post portion connected to the toilet bowl, and a hinge leaf portion which is pivotally connected to the upper member adjacent the rearward end of the upper member and which extends across substantially the entire width of the rearward end of the upper member.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a curved tube, the apparatus comprising an extruder for extruding a tube having a wall including a first portion having a thickness, and a second portion diametrically opposite the first portion and having a thickness less than the thickness of the first portion, and rollers for forming the tube into a curve with the first portion being radially outward and with the second portion being radially inward so that the thickness of the first portion becomes substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting arrangement is disclosed which facilitates mounting of a rainwater gutter assembly in its proper horizontal disposition on a fascia board or like supporting surface which is inclined with respect to the vertical. The mounting arrangement is adapted to be positioned generally between the supporting surface and the associated gutter, and includes a base portion adapted to be affixed to the supporting surface. The arrangement further includes a pad portion adapted to abut and mate with the base portion in any one of a plurality of relative positions. For secure cooperation of the elements, the mating surfaces of the base and pad portions are preferably of complemental, arcuate configurations, with first and second interengagable teeth respectively provided on the base and pad portions for securely maintaining them in the selected one of their plurality of relative positions.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a rainwater gutter assembly is disclosed which acts to substantially prevent the passage of water between a gutter of the assembly and its generally adjacent supporting surface. The sealing arrangement comprises a unitary, elongated sealing strip including a flexible sealing lip portion adapted to sealingly engage the associated surface, and a joining portion adapted to receive an upper edge portion of the gutter. Notably, the sealing strip preferably comprises a co-extrusion of materials exhibiting differing flexibility. In this manner, the sealing lip of the strip is formed of a relatively flexible material, while the joining portion of the strip preferably comprises a relatively rigid material.

Abstract: A disposal system for syringe and needle combinations is provided. The system includes a container which is adapted to receive a lid having a flexible resilient one-way valve adapted to allow insertion of a syringe and/or needle, while preventing re-emergence of the syringe and/or the needle. The lid further includes a passive bending structure adapted to allow bending of the needle, to render the needle unusable, prior to insertion of the syringe and/or the needle into the disposal system container.

Abstract: A unique temperature responsive operating mechanism is disclosed which is particularly suited for embodiment as a temperature responsive valve mechanism for use with a steam sterilization container. The mechanism includes a valve operating member which is movable by the action of a biasing spring from a first, opened position to a second, closed position with respect to an opening defined by the sterilization container. The mechanism further includes a temperature responsive, heat deformable member operatively associated with the biasing spring and the valve operating member to provide progressive movement of the valve operating member from its first to its second position in response to an elevation in temperature of the environment of the operating mechanism. Desired communication is provided between the interior and exterior of the sterilization container during a substantial portion of the steam sterilization process, with the mechanism subsequently tightly sealing the container.

Abstract: An improved closure member is provided for sealing the open end of a pipe and which is particularly suited for a plastic pipe system. The closure member comprises a tubular cylindrical body closed at one end and which is insertable into the open end of a pipe. An O-ring around the closure member engages the inner periphery of the pipe and fluidly seals the closure member to the pipe while an enlarged diameter flange at the outer end of the closure member abuts against the open end of the pipe in order to prevent over insertion of the closure member into the pipe. At least one and preferably two axially extending channels are formed along the outer periphery of the closure member which are open to the outer end of the closure member through the enlarged diameter flange.

Abstract: A modular sump pump assembly is disclosed that consists of three components--a base module, a power module and a switch module. The base module includes the pump casing and is adapted to be connected to the piping that is utilized for discharging the liquid from the sump. The power module, which comprises the pump impeller, the motor, the connecting drive shaft and related parts can be inserted at the pump impeller end into and removed from the base module by means of a bayonet-type joint so that servicing of the power module can be performed merely by twisting the power module relative to the base module to disconnect the bayonet-type joint, after which the power module can be lifted from the sump. The switch module is connected to the power module so that it also can be serviced merely by removal of the power module from the base module and then, if desired, disconnected from the power module.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a flexible pipe made of material such as polybutylene to a rigid component of a piping system made of metal or rigid thermoplastic material such as chlorinated polyvinylchloride. The apparatus comprises a compression fitting to which the rigid material can be connected, such as by a threaded connection, solvent weld or the like, and to which the flexible pipe can be connected by a compression joint which will provide a tight seal without cutting, abrading or otherwise causing damage to the flexible pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a sump pump that includes a submersible switch assembly for starting and stopping the pump automatically for removal of water from the sump. The submersible switch assembly includes a pivotally mounted float which contains a microswitch for starting and stopping operation of the pump according to the level of water in the sump. The float contains a raceway in which a gravity actuated roller element is located, and the trip arm of the microswitch extends into the raceway and is activated by movement of the roller element. The construction and arrangement of the trip arm and the raceway eliminates any likelihood that undesired hunting of the switch assembly will occur.