Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing active ingredient such as insect repellant. The device. The device generates two distinct air streams. A first air stream contains the active ingredient and a second air stream generated by a mechanical blower assists in carrying the dispensed active ingredient.

Abstract: A unit for dispensing repellant that is mounted on a fence post. The unit also has a lighting system for illuminating an area. The dispensing system and lighting system are operable independently of each other.

Abstract: An efficient system to heat the insole of a heated insole of a shoe in which the Intelligent Circuit (IC) for a flat lithium battery is located outside the shoe and the placement of the heater for the insole is between more efficient heat insulation and heat conducting members.

Abstract: A portable device which generates heat and which can be used alternatively as a corded, plug-in device or as a cordless, fuel-powered device. The device has dual heating capabilities—each of which is powered by a unique cartridge. For use as a plug-in device an electric cartridge that connects the device to an adapter is utilized, whereas for use as a portable device a fuel cartridge is utilized for supplying a hydrocarbon fuel to support combustion. Use of one of the cartridges prevents the use of the other.

Abstract: A combination flashlight and insect repellent dispensing apparatus. Light is produced by light bulbs or LEDs whereas insect repellent is dispensed by heating a volatilizable insecticide. The insecticide and portable light may be used either concurrently or independently of each other.

Abstract: A combination lantern and insect repellent dispensing apparatus. Light is produced by light bulbs or LEDs whereas insect repellent is dispensed by heating a volatilizable insecticide. The insecticide and portable light may be used either concurrently or independently of each other.

Abstract: A portable catalytically heatable appliance is provided. The appliance includes a catalyst support structure to flamelessly combust liquid or gaseous fuel and thereby provide a lower temperature heat source than a heat source that combusts fuel via flame. The fuel is ignited inside the catalytic support structure by a spark electrode. The ignition of the fuel inside the structure obviates the need for separate flame arresters. The ignition system includes a piezoelectric device that causes a voltage potential to form between the electrode and the catalytic support structure. A spark jumps from the electrode to an interior surface of the structure and ignites the fuel inside the structure, causing a flame to propagate. The flame heats the catalytic structure to an activation temperature, after which the fuel is combusted flamelessly on the surface of the catalytic structure.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a volatile substance includes a gas-fueled, portable heat source. The device includes a catalyst support structure to flamelessly combust liquid or gaseous fuel and thereby provide a lower temperature heat source than a heat source that combusts fuel via flame. The fuel is ignited inside the catalytic support structure by a spark electrode. A spark jumps from the electrode to an interior surface of the structure and ignites the fuel inside the structure, causing a flame to propagate. The flame heats the catalytic structure to an activation temperature, after which the fuel is combusted flamelessly on the surface of the catalytic structure. The device includes a heating plate for heating the volatile substance and for receiving heat from the catalytic structure. A heat box substantially surrounds the catalytic structure and heating plate. The heat box has a window through which volatile substances released from the heating plate may escape.

Abstract: A cordless, hydrocarbon fuel powered hairdryer. The invention incorporates a novel electronic control system which evaluates the thermal and electrical conditions within the hairdryer during its operation. Two fuel flow valves are provided. The first fuel flow valve is mechanically actuated and opens and closes the valve in the hydrocarbon fuel cartridge. The second fuel flow valve is a solenoid valve that cannot open without a predetermined voltage being supplied. Application of the predetermined voltage will allow gas to flow through this second valve and into the area where the fuel is ignited. Only when both valves (the mechanical and the solenoid) are open, can fuel flow. A microcontroller monitors the temperature conditions in the combustion area, and controls system conditions such as power to the solenoid valve and to the fan motor to prevent uncombusted gas from building up and presenting a safety hazard.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a volatile substance includes a gas-fueled, portable heat source. The heat source has a combustion nozzle capable of supporting a flame. The device includes a sole plate for heating the volatile substance and heat transfer means for enclosing the combustion nozzle and transferring heat from the flame to the sole plate. A heat box substantially surrounds the heat transfer means and sole plate. The heat box has a window through which volatile substances released from the sole plate may escape. The device also has a housing within which the heat box is held in spaced relation from the housing, the housing having a housing window adjacent to the heat box window. By use of the device, a flame at the combustion nozzle heats the sole plate to volatilize a volatile substance placed thereon, which may then escape into the atmosphere through the heat box window, with the housing remaining cool.

Abstract: A portable heating appliance having a member to be heated, includes first and second burners for heating the member; a portable fuel cartridge for supplying fuel to the burners, the furel cartridge including a fuel delivery valve for controlling the flow of fuel from the fuel cartridge, the fuel delivery valve including a control device for preventing the flow of fuel when in a first position and for permitting the flow of fuel when in a second, different position, and a first spring for biasing the control device to the first position; a plunger for actuating the fuel delivery valve in response to user actuation to start the flow of fuel from the fuel cartridge, the plunger pushing in the control device from the first position to the second position against the force of the spring to open the fuel delivery valve so that the latter permits the flow of fuel to the burners; the fuel cartridge further including a ring rotatably mounted on the housing of the cartridge and connected with the fuel delivery valve fo

Abstract: A convertible hair roller includes first and second flexible outer sheets connected together in parallel spaced relation, two parallel memory wires positioned between the sheets and capable of repeated deformation between a straight configuration and a circular configuration, with each memory wire automatically deforming from the straight configuration to the circular configuration upon application of heat of a predetermined temperature thereto so that the first and second sheets also automatically deform into a cylindrical configuration; and heat sink wires positioned transversely with respect to the memory wires between the first and second sheets for retaining heat applied to the hair roller. When heat is removed from the formed memory wires, they retain their circular configuration, but can be manually biased back to their flat configurations.

Abstract: A portable hair roller heating device includes a housing defined by top, side and bottom walls, the top wall including apertures through which elongated hair rollers can be inserted into the housing; a heating chamber in the housing for heating the hair rollers inserted through the apertures; two burner tubes with free ends extending into the heating chamber; a fuel delivery system for supplying fuel to the heating chamber through the burner tubes; an ignition device for igniting the fuel supplied to the heating chamber by the burner tubes so as to heat the chamber; a plurality of heat conducting tubes positioned adjacent the heating chamber and in line with the plurality of apertures for supporting the hair rollers in the housing and for conducting heat to the hair rollers from the heating chamber; a first screw-threaded well in the top wall for removably connecting a fuel supply cartridge thereto in an inoperative state when the heating appliance is not being used; a second screw-threaded well in the bottom

Abstract: A portable curling iron having a barrel to be heated, includes first and second burners which heat the barrel; a fuel supply cartridge which supplies fuel to the first and second burners, the cartridge including a fuel delivery valve which controls the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a plunger which applies a force to the valve in response to user actuation, to start the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a regulator assembly including a diaphragm which applies a reverse force to the plunger when the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, to maintain a substantially constant flow rate of fuel to the first and second burners; a valve stem through which the fuel travels from the cartridge to the second burner; a bimetallic element for applying a force to the valve stem to permit the fuel to pass to the second burner when the temperature is less than a predetermined start-up temperature and for removing such force when the predetermined start-up temperature is attained; and a spring which applies a revers

Abstract: A portable hair roller heating device for heating flexible hair rollers, includes an enclosed heating chamber defined by a top wall, side wall and bottom wall, the top wall having a plurality of apertures through which the hair rollers to be heated can be inserted; a cover hingedly connected on the top wall so as to cover portions of the hair rollers extending through the top wall; first and second burners positioned adjacent the heating chamber, the first burner having a first burner tube with a free end and the second burner having a second burner tube with a free end; a single junction tube joining together the free ends of the first and second burner tubes, the junction tube having a free end extending into the chamber for heating the same; a fuel supply cartridge which supplies fuel to the burners and which controls the flow of fuel from the cartridge, the cartridge including a fuel supply valve; an ignitor assembly for igniting the fuel escaping from the free end of said junction tube; and a plunger whi