Abstract: A wick-based emanation device for dispensing a volatile liquid is disclosed. The dispensing device includes a housing and a fan mounted in the housing for generating an air stream used for dispersing the volatile liquid. Walls of the housing form an enclosure for mounting the fan and for receiving an exposed portion of the wick therein. A retention structure is provided for coupling the wick to the housing and securing the wick in the air stream generated by the fan. The volatile liquid migrates along the wick from the reservoir to the exterior of the container where it is evaporated from the surface of the wick by forced airflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in the housing. The wick is formed to have a width dimension W which does not exceed 1.2 times a dimension R of a blade of the fan extending from the fan axis of rotation to an edge of the fan blade farthest from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A container for a volatile liquid in a liquid dispensing device comprises a body and a neck extending from the body to define an opening. A retention structure is integral with the container body and is adapted to be releasably engaged with two opposing sidewalls of a housing of the dispensing device. The sidewalls are spaced apart in a first direction, and the retention structure is inhibits motion of the container in two opposing directions generally transverse to the first direction. The retention structure may be located on a side of the container body. A capillary member extends from inside the container to an exterior of the container. The volatile liquid migrates along the capillary member from the reservoir to the exterior of the container where it is evaporated from the surface of the capillary member by forced airflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A composite wick for delivering two liquids with different properties to a surface includes a first section provided for delivering a first liquid to the surface of the wick and a second section provided for delivering a second liquid to the surface of the wick. Preferably, the first section is made of hydrophobic materials and the second section is made of hydrophilic materials. Also, a composite wick includes a first section made of either a porous ceramic-based material or a porous sand-based material and a second section made of a porous plastic material, wherein the first and second section preferably are formed as concentric cylinders, with the first section being disposed within the second section.

Abstract: A wick-based delivery system includes a container for holding a liquid, and a porous wick, having a first section of a material with a pore size of a predetermined size and a second section of a material of a predetermined pore size that is greater than that of the material of the first section. The porous wick extends through an opening in the container so that when the liquid is added to the container, a lower region of the porous wick is in contact with the liquid, and an upper region of the porous wick is exposed to the ambient air. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first section and at least a portion of the second section are exposed to the ambient air. In another embodiment, only the second section is exposed to the ambient air.

Abstract: A wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid which includes a wick having an external surface and a discontinuity in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity.

Abstract: A wick-based emanation device for dispensing a volatile liquid is disclosed. The dispensing device includes a housing and a fan mounted in the housing for generating an air stream used for dispersing the volatile liquid. Walls of the housing form an enclosure for mounting the fan and for receiving an exposed portion of the wick therein. A retention structure is provided for coupling the wick to the housing and securing the wick in the air stream generated by the fan. The volatile liquid migrates along the wick from the reservoir to the exterior of the container where it is evaporated from the surface of the wick by forced airflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in the housing. The wick is formed to have a width dimension W which does not exceed 1.2 times a dimension R of a blade of the fan extending from the fan axis of rotation to an edge of the fan blade farthest from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A container for a volatile liquid in a liquid dispensing device comprises a body and a neck extending from the body to define an opening. A retention structure is integral with the container body and is adapted to be releasably engaged with two opposing sidewalls of a housing of the dispensing device. The sidewalls are spaced apart in a first direction, and the retention structure is inhibits motion of the container in two opposing directions generally transverse to the first direction. The retention structure may be located on a side of the container body. A capillary member extends from inside the container to an exterior of the container. The volatile liquid migrates along the capillary member from the reservoir to the exterior of the container where it is evaporated from the surface of the capillary member by forced airflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A wick-based delivery system includes a container for holding a liquid. The container has an opening at its top surface and is non-vented. A porous wick, having a predetermined mean pore size of less than about four microns, and preferably less than about one micron, extends through the opening in the container. When the liquid is added to the container, a lower region of the porous wick is in contact with the liquid and an upper region of the porous wick is exposed to the ambient air. The opening in the container is also substantially sealed by the insertion of the porous wick.

Abstract: A wick-based delivery system includes a container for holding a liquid, and a porous wick, having a first section of a material with a pore size of a predetermined size and a second section of a material of a predetermined pore size that is greater than that of the material of the first section. The porous wick extends through an opening in the container so that when the liquid is added to the container, a lower region of the porous wick is in contact with the liquid, and an upper region of the porous wick is exposed to the ambient air. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first section and at least a portion of the second section are exposed to the ambient air. In another embodiment, only the second section is exposed to the ambient air.

Abstract: A composite wick for delivering two liquids with different properties to a surface includes a first section provided for delivering a first liquid to the surface of the wick and a second section provided for delivering a second liquid to the surface of the wick. Preferably, the first section is made of hydrophobic materials and the second section is made of hydrophilic materials. Also, a composite wick includes a first section made of either a porous ceramic-based material or a porous sand-based material and a second section made of a porous plastic material, wherein the first and second section preferably are formed as concentric cylinders, with the first section being disposed within the second section.

Abstract: The wick of a candle is anchored above the bottom of the candle a flame extinguishing distance so that the wick is extinguished by the candle's molten solid fuel when the wick is consumed. Placement of the wick in this manner helps to eliminate bum through. Additionally, a bottom cavity may be formed in the candle. The cavity may be used for the purpose of helping to anchor the wick a desired flame extinguishing distance above the bottom surface of the candle. The cavity may be advantageously filled with scrap wax material since it will not be consumed by the burning wick.

Abstract: A decorated candle product includes one of a candle and a candle holder containing the candle. A decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer web is heat shrunk to conform to a shape of the one of the candle and the candle holder. The web has a decorative feature located to cooperate with light emitted by the candle to augment the visual effect created when the candle is lit.

Abstract: A decorated luminary product includes either a candle or a candle holder containing the candle. A decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer web is heat shrunk to conform to a shape of the one of the candle and the candle holder. The web is decorated with a thermochromic ink or pigmentation to cooperate with heat emitted by burning the candle to provide a visible change in the ink or pigmentation, so as to provide a pleasing visual effect when the candle is burned.

Abstract: A decorated luminary product includes either a candle or a candle holder containing the candle. A decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer web is heat shrunk to conform to a shape of the one of the candle and the candle holder. The web is decorated with a thermochromic ink or pigmentation to cooperate with heat emitted by burning the candle to provide a visible change in the ink or pigmentation, so as to provide a pleasing visual effect when the candle is burned.

Abstract: A decorated luminary product includes either a candle or a candle holder containing the candle. A decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer web is heat shrunk to conform to a shape of either the candle or the candle holder. The web is decorated with a phosphorescent ink or pigmentation to cooperate with light emitted by the candle to provide a glow-in-the-dark effect when the candle is extinguished. Alternatively, the luminary product may be an oil lamp within a chimney or globe, and the phosphorescent ink or pigmentation may be charged by external ambient radiant energy to provide energy for emission in the absence of light.