Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate volatile liquid into an atmosphere, the apparatus comprising at least one evaporation element having at least one evaporation surface bearing at least one capillary channel and at least one wick, the wick making contact with the evaporation element at a surface other than the one bearing the capillary channel. Liquid transfer contact between wick and capillary channel is provided by means of at least one capillary passage passing from that part of the evaporation element contacting the wick to the capillary channel. The evaporation element is preferably a capillary sheet. The apparatus allows the use of wicks that are smaller than usual, with no loss in efficiency of dissemination. It is also cheaper and more convenient to manufacture.

Abstract: A disposable air treatment device that can be hung on the rim of a garbage bin which comprises a hanger component adapted to secure the air treatment device to a garbage bin, and a volatile material dispenser adapted to dispense a volatile material to the interior.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dissemination of volatile liquid, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere comprises a reservoir (1) containing volatile liquid (2) and at least one liquid transfer member (12) that is adapted to transfer liquid from the reservoir to the atmosphere. The transfer member is separated from the liquid, prior to putting the apparatus into operation, by a wall (5) having at least one breakable section (7), there being present at least one breaker element (11) that, when the apparatus is put into operation, is capable of breaking through the breakable section on being urged into contact therewith, thereby exposing the transfer member to the liquid. The transfer member preferably comprises capillary channels.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate volatile liquid into an atmosphere comprises a reservoir containing volatile liquid and a liquid transfer member that transfers liquid from the reservoir to the atmosphere via an orifice in the reservoir. The reservoir orifice is closed by a puncturable membrane, and the transfer member is mounted adjacent to the orifice on the side of the membrane remote from the liquid and adapted such that it can be pushed through the puncturable membrane into, and then held in contact with, the liquid in the reservoir, to permit the flow of the liquid from the reservoir to the atmosphere. The liquid transfer member preferably comprises capillary channels. The apparatus has the advantage of being leakproof in transit.

Abstract: A device adapted to disseminate vaporous material, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere by means of forced ventilation acting on an evaporation surface (6) supplied with a liquid volatile material that is vaporised thereby, the evaporation surface being essentially planar and having an orientation generally parallel to the direction of the forced ventilation. The ventilation is preferably supplied by an electrically-powered fan (8).

Abstract: A wick for a dispenser for a volatile liquid which includes a body defining an opening in the body in which the opening is adapted to receive a member associated with the dispenser.

Abstract: A device adapted to provide volatile liquid material to an atmosphere comprising a reservoir (1) containing volatile liquid material, a rod-like transfer member (3, 4) extending therefrom and adapted to transfer liquid from the reservoir, and at least one diffusion surface (7) adapted to receive the liquid from the transfer member and facilitate its evaporation into the atmosphere, the diffusion surface extending essentially laterally from the transfer member and comprising at least one non-integral, non-porous sheet bearing a surface capillarity (9), which sheet has an extent and a capillarity sufficient to allow an appropriate evaporation. The device is cheap and easy to construct, versatile and diffuses odour without major changes of the odour over time.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing a volatile material to an ambient environment comprising: a refill containing a volatile liquid, a porous wick having a lower portion extending within the refill and adapted to be in fluid communication with said volatile liquid within the reservoir and an upper portion extending outside of the reservoir and adapted to be in fluid communication with an ambient environment, and a shaped recess within the upper portion of the porous wick, and further, housing element adapted to engage the shaped recess in the upper portion of the porous wick when the dispensing device is assembled. The dispensing device denies the use of inappropriate refills in the device. The dispensing device is particularly useful in dispensing volatile materials such as fragrances, odor masking agents, insecticides, medicaments as well as other volatile materials which may have a cosmetic, insecticidal or medical effect to an ambient environment.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for dispensing a liquid into the surrounding atmosphere employs a forced airflow through a small cross-section outlet nozzle (48) to draw the liquid from an adjacent exit nozzle (50) into the airflow. The air outlet nozzle preferably has a cross-section less than that of the liquid exit nozzle. The liquid exit nozzle may partially overlie the airflow path from the air outlet nozzle. The nozzle may be formed in or carried by a unit (24) having sealed connections with the airflow source (16) and a container holding the liquid.

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 device is described which includes a vertical body, the vertical body having contained therein a wick and a source of a vaporizable material. The vertical body further includes at an open end a silky material with irregular shapes to simulate the profiles of a flame such as a candle flame. Within the vertical body is a means for supplying an air current such that, when operating, the air current passes upward causing the silky material to flutter and simulate a flame, while also entraining vaporizable material which is present in the wick.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to provide to at least one atmosphere a volatile liquid whose presence therein in vapour form is desired, the apparatus comprising a source of volatile liquid, means of emitting this liquid to the atmosphere in a vapour phase and control means adapted to regulate the quantity of the emission, control being exerted remotely by means of an electromagnetic signal. The apparatus preferably comprises part of a system of apparatus for releasing liquid into a plurality of atmospheres, all of which are centrally controlled by radio frequency signals. The apparatus permits the central regulation of the emission of fragrance in a number of different atmospheres, for example, a plurality of rooms in a house.

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 powered dispensing device for the provision of an evaporable liquid to an atmosphere comprises a reservoir containing evaporable material, a wick extending from said reservoir and providing said evaporable material to a headspace surrounding an exposed end of the wick, and a blower or fan, which, when operating, induces a flow of air containing evaporable material from the headspace into the atmosphere. The device is particularly suited for the dispensing of evaporable materials, such as fragrances, odour masking agents, insecticides and medicaments into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A unit (1) for the transfer and distribution of a liquid (27) using capillary action has an elongated shaft (2) and a screen (3). The shaft (2) includes a first capillary medium (4) suitable for drawing the liquid (27) from a reservoir (26) into the shaft (2) when a bottom portion (20) of the shaft (2) is disposed in the liquid. The screen (3) is connected to the shaft (2) and includes a second capillary medium (5) suitable for receiving the liquid (27) drawn by the first capillary medium (4) and distributing it over at least a major part of the screen (3) where it evaporates.

Abstract: A disposable air treatment device that can be hung on the rim of a garbage bin which comprises a hanger component adapted to secure the air treatment device to a garbage bin, and a volatile material dispenser adapted to dispense a volatile material to the interior.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning device (1, 1?) especially for cleaning surfaces, as toilet bowls and the like, having a cleaning head (3, 3?) and a handle (2, 2?). The cleaning device further comprises delivering means operable, in use, to deliver a single dosage of cleaning material (17), preferably contained in a small container, into or next to the cleaning head (3, 3?) and to release the cleaning material (17) from the cleaning head (3, 3?). Thereby exactly the amount of cleaning material needed for the cleaning action is dispensed and distributed over the surface by the cleaning head, no overdosing occurs.

Abstract: A wick for a dispenser for a volatile liquid which includes a body defining an opening in the body in which the opening is adapted to receive a member associated with the dispenser.

Abstract: A device is described which includes a vertical body, the vertical body having contained therein a wick and a source of a vaporizable material. The vertical body further includes at an open end a silky material with irregular shapes to simulate the profiles of a flame such as a candle flame. Within the vertical body is a means for supplying an air current such that, when operating, the air current passes upward causing the silky material to flutter and simulate a flame, while also entraining vaporizable material which is present in the wick.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for disseminating volatile liquid such as fragrance into an atmosphere from an evaporating surface adapted to oscillate in the atmosphere. Oscillation is caused and maintained by means of two magnets, one a permanent magnet, the other an electromagnet, one of which is attached to the evaporating surface. The electromagnet is caused to repel the permanent magnet at such points in the oscillation that the oscillation is maintained.