Abstract: The invention provides means within an improved vapor dispensing device to accommodate or compensate for multiple orientations of an outlet into which the device is to be inserted. Orientation compensation is accomplished by inverted and/or rotatable electrical adapters, universal contacts on a base member, enlarged passive dispersion channels, enlarged emanators, multiple emanators, baffles cooperating with an emanator, and/or sleeves encasing multiple wicks to allow for operation of the device in multiple orientations.

Abstract: A plug stabilizing apparatus includes a prong connector well-secured by a receptacle chamber. The connect has a prong portion, a clip portion, and a neck support situated therebetween, wherein the clip portion is configured to accept a prong having substantially the same dimensions as the prong portion of the connector (e.g., prongs such as those used in connection with standard household plugs), and the clip portion includes one or more distal protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. Support pads are located between said neck support and/or distal protrusions and a back housing surface of a vaporizer device. The receptacle chamber has a first end configured to contact the neck support, a second end including an elongated opening and at least two clip supports configured to accept the distal protrusions, and a guide structure configured to guide the distal protrusions into the clip supports.

Abstract: An air purifier having dimensions that enable the air purifier to be more discrete is disclosed. The air purifier also includes components that enable the air purifier to mimic a particular environment in which the air purifier may be placed. In addition, the air purifier includes electrical plugs such that the air purifier is able to be plugged into a traditional wall outlet and the components enable the air purifier to mimic the appearance and function of the wall outlet. Furthermore, the air purifier includes one or more modules to sanitize incoming air, facilitate air flow through the air purifier, and/or dispense scented vapors.

Abstract: An improved variable resistor at least partially compensates for non-linearities in an electrical circuit containing a heating element, for example, a thin-film heating element. A controllable heater includes a heating element, a voltage source (for example, a standard AC electrical outlet) coupled to the heating element, and a variable resistor coupled to the heating element and voltage source. The variable resistor includes a fixed resistive element (for example, one or more thin-film resistors) and a moveable element such as a slider control. The moveable element adjustably contacts the fixed resistive element at a contact point associated with the position such that the variable resistor has a resistance that is at least partially non-linearly related to the position, but wherein the heating element has a dissipated power that is at least partially linearly related to the position of the variable resistor.

Abstract: A passive vapor dispersing device which may be used for freshening or otherwise treating the air, characterized by both rapid and substantially linear delivery of volatizable fragrance or other materials. The device uses a packaged combination of liquid reservoir, wick and emanator which is assembled and shipped with the wick and emanator out of contact with each other, but is activated when the user opens the package and places the wick and emanator in contact. The housing for the device provides guide means for assisting the user in placing the wick and emanator in proper contact, and irreversible lock means for holding the components in contact and preventing access to the wick and emanator once activation has been achieved.

Abstract: A toilet paper roll holder vapor-dispensing device configured with an internal material delivery system and high intensity volatizable material. A toilet paper roll holder vapor-dispensing device is configured with adjustable vents and may be configured to have a tamper proof material delivery system. The device may also be configured to increase dispensation of a fragrance when toilet paper is taken off the toilet paper roll through a number of configurations such as using high intensity fragrance (e.g., scented oil). The toilet paper roll holder is configured to be substantially stationary when toilet paper is removed from a roll of toilet paper supported by the holder.

Abstract: A plug stabilizing apparatus includes a prong connector well-secured by a receptacle chamber. The connect has a prong portion, a clip portion, and a neck support situated therebetween, wherein the clip portion is configured to accept a prong having substantially the same dimensions as the prong portion of the connector (e.g., prongs such as those used in connection with standard household plugs), and the clip portion includes one or more distal protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. The receptacle chamber has a first end configured to contact the neck support, a second end including an elongated opening and at least two clip supports configured to accept the distal protrusions, and a guide structure configured to guide the distal protrusions into the clip supports.

Abstract: A multiple-outlet vapor-dispensing device is configured to interface with an electrical receptacle such that the functionality of that outlet is substantially maintained. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vapor-dispensing device is configured to connect to an electrical receptacle having at least one outlet. The vapor-dispensing device comprises a housing having a first device outlet and a second device outlet, the housing being attachable to the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of porous materials, for transporting liquids from a reservoir in a vapor dispensing device which addresses many of the shortcomings of the prior art, by selecting pore sizes and void volume ratios of the various wicking materials to fall within an effective range to obtain effective control of liquid delivery. For example, in accordance various aspects of the present invention, a porous polymeric wick is comprised of various polymeric materials having pore sizes less than about 250 microns and void volume ratios from about 25 to about 60%.

Abstract: A multiple-outlet vapor-dispensing device is configured to interface with an electrical receptacle such that the functionality of that outlet is substantially maintained. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vapor-dispensing device is configured to connect to an electrical receptacle having at least one outlet. The vapor-dispensing device comprises a housing having a first device outlet and a second device outlet, the housing being attachable to the outlet.

Abstract: A vapor-dispensing device exhibiting a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a discernable range of sensory fragrance intensity levels. The vapor-delivery device includes one or more control structure (e.g., a heat control, a vent control, and/or the like) configured to allow a user to specify the evaporation rate of the vapor-dispensing device over a continuous or discretized range of values. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two extremes of operation correspond to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones.

Abstract: A multiple-outlet vapor-dispensing device is configured to interface with an electrical receptacle such that the functionality of that outlet is substantially maintained. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vapor-dispensing device is configured to connect to an electrical receptacle having at least one outlet. The vapor-dispensing device comprises a housing having a first device outlet and a second device outlet, the housing being attachable to the outlet.

Abstract: A vapor dispensing device having a high transverse loading stability includes a relatively low profile with respect to the supporting wall or electrical receptacle such that the frequency and impact of accidental physical contact with the device are appropriately reduced. To achieve a low profile, the housing of a vapor dispensing device is designed such that the distance from the outlet face of the wall receptacle to a worst-case transverse loading point (dL) is less than the distance from the plug to a worst-case support point (dS).

Abstract: An electrical device capable of interfacing with multiple types of duplex receptacles includes at least one set of moveable outlet prongs that are adjustable such that they may be readily inserted into outlets of varying dimensions. Adjustability may be provided by, for example, a rotable or translatable connection between the prongs and one of the outlet plugs of the device. The prongs may be biased into position by a spring or other elastic member. By providing adjustable prongs on at least one outlet plug, the device is able to interface with both outlets in duplex receptacles of various sizes and types, including receptacles having ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) capabilities.

Abstract: A vapor dispensing device having a high transverse loading stability includes a relatively low profile with respect to the supporting wall or electrical receptacle such that the frequency and impact of accidental physical contact with the device are appropriately reduced. To achieve a low profile, the housing of a vapor dispensing device is designed such that the distance from the outlet face of the wall receptacle to a worst-case transverse loading point (dL) is less than the distance from the plug to a worst-case support point (dS).

Abstract: The present invention achieves advancement in the art by providing a method and apparatus for selective positioning of a wick material in a vapor-dispensing device that facilitates effective fragrance vapor delivery while offering significant advantages in manufacture, assembly, product performance, and product safety. In one embodiment, the wick is suitably selected and positioned such that sufficient surface area of the wick material is suitably exposed to the heating unit to enable effective evaporation of a vaporizable liquid, but the wick height relative to the heating element minimizes the amount of surface area of the wick in proximity to the heating element. Additionally, the positioning can reduce the need for protective overcaps and other apparatus for protecting the wick.

Abstract: A vapor-dispensing or other environment-altering apparatus is configured to integrate with a receptacle in a discreet manner. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an environment-altering apparatus is configured to mimic an electrical receptacle having an outlet pattern. The environment-altering apparatus has a front surface which includes an outlet pattern substantially corresponding to the outlet pattern of the electrical receptacle, and a plug configured to interface with the electrical receptacle. A device configured to modify one or more attributes of the environment is interposed between the front surface and plug pattern. These attributes include, for example, aromatic vapor density, insecticide vapor density, ambient light intensity, ionic air content, ultrasonic frequency intensity, and the like.

Abstract: A multiple-outlet vapor-dispensing device is configured to interface with an electrical receptacle such that the functionality of that outlet is substantially maintained. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vapor-dispensing device is configured to connect to an electrical receptacle having at least one outlet. The vapor-dispensing device comprises a housing having a first device outlet and a second device outlet, the housing being attachable to the outlet.

Abstract: A vapor-dispensing device exhibiting a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a discernable range of sensory fragrance intensity levels. The vapor-delivery device includes one or more control structure (e.g., a heat control, a vent control, and/or the like) configured to allow a user to specify the evaporation rate of the vapor-dispensing device over a continuous or discretized range of values. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two extremes of operation correspond to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones.

Abstract: A vapor-dispensing device exhibiting a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a discernable range of sensory fragrance intensity levels. The vapor-delivery device includes one or more control structure (e.g., a heat control, a vent control, and/or the like) configured to allow a user to specify the evaporation rate of the vapor-dispensing device over a continuous or discretized range of values. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two extremes of operation correspond to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones.