Abstract: The present invention relates to melting plate candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a support plate for a solid fuel and to the body of said solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquefy the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof and to more rapidly release volatile materials contained within said fuels. The heat conductive support plate is configured so as to have a capillary pedestal upon the surface thereof, which magnetically engages a wick holder comprising a preferably consumable wick and heat conductive fins which conduct heat from a flame upon said wick to said support plate, said magnetic engagement of said wick holder preventing accidental removal thereof from said pedestal. The fuel may be provided in various forms, configured to cooperatively engage said wick holder and support plate, and may comprise various volatile materials.

Abstract: An insect bait-and-switch liquid delivery apparatus for the control of flying insects, especially wasps. The apparatus includes a container for holding liquid bait, a feed station assembly mounted on the container for making the liquid bait available to an insect, and a cover enclosing the feed station assembly. The feed station assembly includes a tubular core which extends into the interior of the container for supporting a capsule containing liquid active toxic to the insect in an upright orientation so that it floats on the liquid bait. As the liquid bait is depleted due to the feeding action of insects, the capsule moves downwardly until it clears the lower end of the tubular core whereupon it tips and releases the liquid active to admix with the liquid bait. Thereafter, as the insects continue to feed they ingest a mixture of the liquid active and liquid bait.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are closures that are formed via an injection molding process with a thin breakable web. When they are first placed in a fluid conduit and exposed to line pressure the web will break open so as to thereby create a duckbilled type check valve. Thus, the closure can provide a seal during long-term storage prior to use. However, once used it functions as a check valve.