Abstract: A method of emitting a volatile material from a volatile material dispenser includes the steps of identifying a first vapor pressure of a first fragrance characteristic of the volatile material, identifying a second vapor pressure of a second fragrance characteristic of the volatile material that is different than the first vapor pressure, heating the volatile material to a first temperature associated with the first fragrance characteristic, and heating the volatile material to a second temperature associated with the second fragrance characteristic that is different than the first temperature.

Abstract: A piezoelectric dispenser includes a refill having a container having a neck and defining a fluid reservoir, a wick holder affixed to the neck, and a wick retained by the wick holder that has an upper end that is in communication with a piezoelectric assembly, the wick defining a longitudinal axis. The dispenser further includes a housing having a base and an overhanging cover that defines a fluid outlet and extends inward from the base at a shoulder, toward the longitudinal axis, the overhanging cover being disposed around and above the upper end of the wick and housing the piezoelectric assembly. The piezoelectric assembly includes a coil compression spring and the base is provided on a rear side of the refill with the left, right, and front sides being exposed to a surrounding environment after the refill has been coupled with the overhanging cover.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser comprises a base that houses a printed circuit board. The base includes at least one button and a plurality of visual indicators along a front portion. The volatile material dispenser further comprises a stand assembly that is coupled with the base. The stand assembly includes a platform defining a front portion and a rear portion, a stand that is disposed above and on the rear portion of the platform, a manifold that is disposed at an upper end of the stand and defines an outer side surface from which extends a plurality of radially spaced ribs, and a piezoelectric assembly disposed within the manifold. The volatile material dispenser further comprises a cover that is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the base. The cover defines a chimney that defines a longitudinal axis. The manifold includes a refill chassis.

Abstract: A volatile material atomizing device comprises a housing having a fan, a fluid outlet, a plurality of air inlets and a plurality of air outlets. The plurality of air outlets are positioned at least partially around the fluid outlet. A fluid reservoir includes a wick and containing a volatile material. The fluid reservoir is disposed within the housing. An atomizing assembly is in fluid communication with the wick and positioned in the housing. The atomizing assembly is configured to dispense the volatile material out of the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a base and a stand assembly that is coupled with the base. The base includes a fan and a battery therein. The stand assembly includes a platform, a stand that extends from the platform, and a manifold that extends from the stand. The volatile material dispenser also includes a shroud and an air deflector. The shroud is positioned on the base and defines a chimney. The air deflector is positioned between the shroud and the manifold. The air deflector is configured to direct air out of the chimney.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a base that houses a printed circuit board. The volatile material dispenser also includes a stand assembly and a shroud. The stand assembly is coupled with the base. The stand assembly includes a platform, a stand that extends from the platform, and a manifold that extends from the stand. The manifold contains a circular piezoelectric element. The shroud is positioned on the base. The shroud defines a chimney that is centered along a longitudinal axis. The manifold includes an annular wall that extends from the manifold. A spring is disposed within the manifold and is coaxial with the annular wall. A top end of the spring is wrapped around the annular wall and a bottom end of the spring applies a force against the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a base that houses a printed circuit board, a stand assembly that is coupled with the base, the stand assembly including a platform, a stand that extends from the platform, and a manifold that extends from the stand, the manifold containing a circular piezoelectric element. The dispenser further includes a shroud that is coupled with the stand assembly and defines a chimney, and a refill comprising a wick, the refill being removably coupled with the manifold. The manifold includes a cylindrical wall that extends upward from the manifold, a spring is disposed within the manifold and is coaxial with the cylindrical wall, and a top end of the spring is wrapped around the cylindrical wall and a bottom end of the spring applies a force against the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a base that houses a printed circuit board, a stand assembly that is coupled with the base, the stand assembly including a platform, a stand that extends from the platform, and a manifold that extends from the stand, the manifold containing a circular piezoelectric element. The dispenser further includes a shroud that is coupled with the stand assembly and defines a chimney, and a refill comprising a wick, the refill being removably coupled with the manifold. The manifold includes a cylindrical wall that extends upward from the manifold, a spring is disposed within the manifold and is coaxial with the cylindrical wall, and a top end of the spring is wrapped around the cylindrical wall and a bottom end of the spring applies a force against the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A volatile material atomizing device comprises a housing having a fan, a fluid outlet, a plurality of air inlets and a plurality of air outlets. The plurality of air outlets are positioned at least partially around the fluid outlet. A fluid reservoir includes a wick and containing a volatile material. The fluid reservoir is disposed within the housing. An atomizing assembly is in fluid communication with the wick and positioned in the housing. The atomizing assembly is configured to dispense the volatile material out of the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A method of emitting a volatile material includes the step of programming a volatile material dispenser to include at least two intensity levels, wherein upon initiation of each of the intensity levels for an operating cycle, a resistor is operated at a first percentage of its power rating for a first period of time. Upon selection of a first of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at a second percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle. Upon selection of a second of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at the second percentage of its power rating for a second period of time and, after the second period of time, operating the resistor at a third percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle.

Abstract: A method of emitting a volatile material includes the step of programming a volatile material dispenser to include at least two intensity levels, wherein upon initiation of each of the intensity levels for an operating cycle, a resistor is operated at a first percentage of its power rating for a first period of time. Upon selection of a first of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at a second percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle. Upon selection of a second of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at the second percentage of its power rating for a second period of time and, after the second period of time, operating the resistor at a third percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly is adapted to control product flow through a dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a housing. A plunger is disposed within the housing and has a first axial surface. A stopper is also disposed within the housing and has a second axial surface facing the first axial surface. At least one flow pathway is provided on at least one of the first and second axial surfaces.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly is adapted to control product flow through a dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a housing. A plunger is disposed within the housing and has a first axial surface. A stopper is also disposed within the housing and has a second axial surface facing the first axial surface. At least one flow pathway is provided on at least one of the first and second axial surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heaters for dispensing volatile air treatment chemicals. Semi-circular electrical contacts are provided in a ring-type heater, and alignment and anchoring features are provided to facilitate use of a spring to accommodate thermal expansion.

Abstract: Methods determine how effective a product that dispenses an insect repellent or insecticide is in controlling flying insects such as mosquitoes, with no or reduced need for human test subjects. An insect trap or other automated monitoring device is positioned in a test environment and operated in a manner so as to mimic some human attribute (e.g. by dispensing carbon dioxide). Trap/monitoring results in the presence and absence of the operating product are obtained in order to judge relative effectiveness of the active. Further, the real time evaluation of insect populations permits evaluation of time needed to achieve base effectiveness and length of time that effectiveness can be sustained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heaters for dispensing volatile air treatment chemicals. Semi-circular electrical contacts are provided in a ring-type heater, and alignment and anchoring features are provided to facilitate use of a spring to accommodate thermal expansion.