Abstract: A method of making a panel, the panel comprising a substantially rigid layer, and a flexible layer fixed to the rigid layer, the rigid layer having therethrough an endless cut dividing the rigid layer into a main portion and a cut-out portion, the flexible layer connecting the cut-out portion to the main portion and thereby holding the cut-out portion in place relative to the main portion.

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 rain gutter assembly including an elongated trough-like rain gutter having a rear wall, a trough and a leaf guard integrally connected by a pair of living hinges, grommets adapted to house a fastener for supporting the rain gutter, and a connector for sealingly connecting a pair of closely-spaced, aligned rain gutters.

Abstract: A chair comprising a seat, and a backrest including a lower portion which is connected to the seat and which has an upper end, a rear surface, and a forwardly facing lower body supporting surface, an upper portion having a lower end, an upper body supporting surface, and a surface opposite the upper body supporting surface, and structure connecting the lower end of the upper portion to the upper end of the lower portion for translational movement relative thereto between a locked position wherein the upper and lower body supporting surfaces are generally coplanar, and an intermediate position spaced upwardly from the locked position, and for pivotal movement relative thereto between the intermediate position and a folded-up position wherein the rear surface of the lower portion and the opposite surface of the upper portion are substantially in abutment.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the design of a package including a portion having therein a recessed area adapted to house an article, the apparatus comprising: a model of the package portion, a model of the article, the article model being locatable on the package model, and structure for identifying, in two dimensions, the position and orientation of the article model on the package model when the article model is located on the package model.

Abstract: A panel comprising a substantially rigid layer, and a flexible layaer fixed to the rigid layer, the rigid layer having therethrough an endless cut dividing the rigid layer into a main portion and a cut-out portion, the flexible layer connecting the cut-out portion to the main portion and thereby holding the cut-out portion in place relative to the main portion.

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: A humidifier comprising a trough adapted to contain water, a wicking assembly having a lower end located in the trough and including a plurality of wick portions each including a generally planar strip of wicking material having an end, and a pleated strip of wicking material secured to the planar strip, and a frame for supporting the wick portions in generally parallel, side-by-side relation, the frame including a first frame member extending generally perpendicular to the planar strips and adjacent the ends of the planar strips and having therethrough a slot elongated in a direction generally perpendicular to the planar strips, and an adhesive extending into the slot and adhering to the ends of the planar strips for securing the ends of the planar strips to the frame member, and a fan for causing air flow through the wicking assembly.

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 humidifier comprising a trough adapted to contain water, a mechanism for transferring water from the trough to the atmosphere, first and second containers adapted to contain water, and an arrangement for substantially emptying the first container into the trough before permitting water flow from the second container into the trough.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hinge assembly comprising a housing adapted to engage a toilet bowl and comprising an internal cavity including a bottom opening, and a cylindrical bearing surface having a horizontally extending axis, a hinge member supported by the bearing surface for rotation about the axis and including a hinge pin extending co-axially with the cylindrical portion and outwardly of the housing and adapted to be fixedly engaged with a toilet seat to effect toilet set rotation in common with rotation of the hinge member about the axis, an elongated actuating link extending into cavity in the housing through the bottom opening and including an upper end a lower stud portion having a lower threaded part, and an upper end connected to the hinge member for effecting rotation of the hinge member in response to link movement in the direction of link elongation, a nut adjustably threaded on the threaded lower part of the stud portion, and a helical spring located in encircling relation to the stud portion and

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: 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 compltetly 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: 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.