Abstract: A plug-in oil diffuser comprises a plug extending from a housing to be plugged into a wall electrical outlet. A non-plastic faceplate is removably coupled to the housing. The non-plastic faceplate has a cavity therein with an opening to receive at least a portion of the housing. An annular insert is disposed in the opening of the non-plastic faceplate and has an exterior secured to the opening of the non-plastic faceplate and an interior removably secured to the housing.

Abstract: Fragrance dispensers with features that are capable of reducing wastage of fragrance, or of conserving fragrance, are disclosed. Such a fragrance dispenser may have a configuration that collects fragrance that is expelled from the fragrance dispenser, but has not vaporized or atomized sufficiently to dissipate into the environment, as well as fragrance that condenses immediately after it has been expelled from the fragrance dispenser. A spill-resistant bottle that may be used with a fragrance dispenser has a shape that orients an opening of the bottle in a somewhat upward orientation to prevent fragrance from spilling out when the bottle is tipped over. Fragrance dispensers with configurations that generate vortices to deliver fragrance into the surrounding environment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing configured to receive a refill containing a volatile material and a wick, the housing including a first cavity supporting a heater arrangement and a second, separate cavity supporting a fan arrangement for dispersing a vapor plume of the volatile material. The first cavity is substantially unobstructed between an upper, interior surface of the housing and an upper surface of the heater arrangement. The housing also includes an aperture through which the vapor plume exits the housing and a plurality of openings through which air from the fan arrangement directs the vapor plume away from the aperture. When a refill is received within the hosing, the upper surface of the heater arrangement is disposed nearer the aperture than a distal end of the wick, and a radial gap is formed between the heater arrangement and the wick.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing and dispensing a pesticide features an elongated body structure, and heatsink attached to the elongated body structure at a distal end thereof. A loading port on the elongated structure feeds solid pesticide material into a closed-ended vaporization chamber inside the heatsink via a delivery passage running longitudinally of the elongated structure. A heater is operably arranged with the heatsink to vaporize the solid pesticide material. The heatsink interior features a second exhaust chamber that is radially offset from the vaporization chamber, and is only fluidly communicated therewith by a radial port near the end of the vaporization chamber fed by the delivery passage. The loaded solid pesticide falls past the radial port into the vaporization chamber, while the resulting vapor is forced through the radial port into the exhaust chamber by pressurized air fed through the delivery passage.

Abstract: A refill comprises, a container having a body forming a reservoir and an opening in communication with the reservoir, a first composition disposed within the reservoir, a second composition disposed within the reservoir and substantially separated from the first composition, a single wick in contact with the first and second compositions and configured to sequentially emit the first and second compositions. A method of emitting the first and second compositions includes the steps of emitting the first composition until the first composition is substantially depleted and emitting the second composition after the first composition is substantially depleted.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing having at least one wall and a cavity disposed within the housing and a refill having a volatile material therein and a wick in contact with the volatile material and extending out of the refill. The dispenser further includes a heater arrangement disposed within the cavity and surrounding the wick when the refill is inserted into the dispenser. The heater arrangement provides a reduced power consumption of at least about 30% as compared to other similar volatile material dispensers that have an average rate of weight loss that is similar to or less than the volatile material dispenser.

Abstract: An aroma-diffusing apparatus includes a housing defining a top opening, a lamp socket mounted in the housing and holding a lamp bulb, an aroma capsule including a disposable heat-transfer container detachably mounted in the top opening of the housing, a breathing film bonded to the disposable heat-transfer container to hold an aromatic substance held in the disposable heat-transfer container and a sealing film bonded to the heat-transfer container to seal the aromatic substance in the heat-transfer container, and a cable bracket affixed to the lamp socket for keeping the cable from becoming tangled.

Abstract: A modular volatile material dispensing system includes a supporting plate having a front side and a rear side. The rear side of the supporting plate is configured to removably attach to an electrical plate and a non-electrical plate. The modular volatile material dispensing system includes a cover plate attached to the front side of the supporting plate to form a compartment therebetween, which is adapted to hold a volatile material therein.

Abstract: A scent bowl may include a base having an external concave base surface and at least one sidewall extending from the base. A majority of the base and the at least one sidewall may be formed of ceramic material. A system for scenting the air in a room with scent from a scent bowl may include a scent bowl warmer configured to generate heat at a first temperature and a detachable and separate scent bowl including a base having an external concave base surface and at least one sidewall extending from the base and a scent emitter therein, the scent emitter having a fragrance and a second temperature at which the fragrance evaporates. The first temperature is high enough to evaporate at least a portion of the fragrance from the scent emitter in the bowl in less than three hours.

Abstract: An air freshener is configured to be carried by a power outlet of an automobile. The air freshener includes a scent capsule disposed in a housing. A heat source is disposed in the housing adjacent and opposing a permeable membrane of the scent capsule. The heat source is configured to heat the fragrant material in the scent capsule and accelerate permeation of the fragrant material through the permeable membrane of the sent capsule. A hatch is pivotally coupled to the housing and substantially contained within a hatch cavity with an outer surface that is substantially flush with an exterior of the housing in a closed position. The hatch can include a capsule cavity therein, carrying the scent capsule, and facing an interior of the housing in the closed position.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing having at least one wall and a cavity disposed within the housing and a refill having a volatile material therein and a wick in contact with the volatile material and extending out of the refill. The dispenser further includes a heater arrangement disposed within the cavity and surrounding the wick when the refill is inserted into the dispenser. The heater arrangement provides a reduced power consumption of at least about 30% as compared to other similar volatile material dispensers that have an average rate of weight loss that is similar to or less than the volatile material dispenser.

Abstract: An aircraft sink water heater includes an electric heater with coils engaging water tube coils. The system quickly heats a small volume of water in the tube coils, sufficient to wash a user's hands.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for vaporizing a liquid to form vapor preferably in a gas stream. The apparatus includes a composite metal structure, the structure comprising a plurality of passageways for providing heat to vaporize the liquid in the gas stream to form a gas/vapor mixture. A non-corrosive interface lies between the metal structure and the gas/vapor mixture, the interface being chemically inert to the gas/vapor mixture and the structure permitting heat to be conducted rapidly therethrough to vaporize the liquid. The apparatus further includes an inlet for the gas and an inlet for the liquid to be vaporized to flow into the plurality of passageways and an exit through which the gas/vapor mixture exits the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporator device for volatile substances, preferably usable in vehicles, which is activated by the movement of the device, whereby the device will begin to evaporate a volatile substance when the user is in the vehicle. The device comprises a casing, a diffuser, and at least one movement sensor, the diffuser being operable by the sensor.

Abstract: A vaporizing dispenser comprising a user-activatable chemical reaction heat source and a volatile compound inside a container such that convection currents from the activated heat source volatilize the volatile compound and carry it out of the container.

Abstract: An aroma diffusing night lamp system having the characteristics of high heating performance, high level of safety and angle adjustability is disclosed to include a night lamp unit formed of a lamp socket holding a light emitting device, an electric plug rotatably coupled to the lamp socket and a safety lampshade surrounding the light emitting device, and an aroma diffuser unit formed of an electrically insulative heater holder, a heater carried in the electrically insulative heater holder and an outer lampshade that is mounted on the lamp socket around the safety lampshade and defines a top trough that holds an aromatic substance and has the bottom wall thereof kept in contact with the heater for enabling the aromatic substance to be heated into vapor safely.

Abstract: A high-performance, modular, multipurpose, cartridge-based, liquid dispensing air freshener system that uses at least one refillable or disposable liquid filled cartridge. It can also use fixed tanks and dispense pesticides or any other liquid that can be vaporized. This programmable device can use an unlimited number of cartridges to discharge numerous different fragrances of which can be dispensed separately or mixed. A variety of chassis size and shape configurations can be used, such as a micro-sized unit that allows extreme portability so that it can be used in cars, at office desks or easily carried around in a pocket or purse; it can also function as a compact plug-in air freshener. Cartridges can be automatically selected so that the system can dispense a different scent for different time intervals or mix scents. It can be built into an automotive dash panel or designed to fit into a car style stereo slot.

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: A chemical heating assembly includes a face plate, a chemical packet, a housing, a pair of electrical prongs carried by the housing, and a light assembly. The housing includes a first sliding arrangement and a first snap-fit arrangement, is connected to the face plate, and at least partially defines a pocket for the chemical packet. The light assembly includes a lamp, a second sliding arrangement engaged with the first sliding arrangement, and a second snap-fit arrangement coupled with the first snap-fit arrangement. The light assembly is mechanically connected to the housing and electrically connected with the pair of electrical prongs using the first and second sliding arrangements and the first and second snap-fit arrangements.

Abstract: An evaporation device for evaporating volatile substances such as aromatics and/or insecticides comprising a housing; and a receptacle arrangement carried by the housing having two receiving chambers for substances to be evaporated. Wicks inserted into the receiving chambers include wick ends protruding from the receiving chambers. A heater arrangement is carried in the housing for providing heat to the protruding wick ends for producing an evaporated substance. At least one blower is provided for generating a targeted air stream to entrain the evaporated substance. A control unit is provided for controlling the heater arrangement to evaporate the substances and for controlling the blower to be switched on at defined evaporation times.

Abstract: A diffusion device includes a housing and an opening in the housing adapted for insertion of a container having an active material therein and a wick extending therefrom. The device further includes a heater disposed in a rear portion of the housing and spaced from the wick when a container is inserted into the housing. A vent is disposed in a front portion of the housing. An active material diffusion-interference member is disposed directly above and axially aligned with the wick when the container is inserted into the device, wherein the diffusion-interference member inhibits diffusion of the active material from the housing such that heat generated by the heater is trapped around the wick, thus increasing volatilization and dispersion of the active material from the diffusion device as compared to a diffusion device that does not have a diffusion-interference member.

Abstract: A light and air freshener in combination. The air freshener has one or more reservoirs which may be refilled or replaced. The light illuminates the reservoirs, to provide an aesthetically pleasing effect. The light may be specular and aimed towards a space between plural reservoirs. This arrangement provides the benefit that surface near the air freshener may be illuminated in an aesthetically pleasing manner while providing the functionality of a night light.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices and containers for emitting volatile compositions. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a device that includes a holding mechanism for substantially concurrently and releasably retaining two containers. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a first container having a first volatile composition and a second container having a second volatile composition where the first and the second containers are operably connected to each other to form a cartridge. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of emitting a first and a second volatile composition.

Abstract: In an evaporator for evaporating mists of liquid raw material to thereby generate start gas for layer-formation, an evaporator body has an evaporator chamber defined therein, and a mist supply throat for introducing the mists into the evaporating chamber. The evaporator chamber is defined by a principal evaporating face which opposes to the mist supply throat. The evaporator body also has a start-gas supply passage which is formed therein between the mist supply throat and the principal evaporating face such that the start gas flows out of the evaporating chamber through the start-gas supply passage. A ridge member is provided on an inner side wall surface of the evaporating chamber between the start-gas is supply passage and the principal evaporating face so that a tip edge of the ridge member is directed to the principal evaporating face.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for dispensing air treatment chemicals. There is a substrate bearing a first volatile air treatment chemical that is capable of being dispensed from the substrate when the substrate is heated, and an indicator unit holding a volatile indicator chemical separate from the first volatile air treatment chemical such that the volatile indicator chemical is capable of being dispensed from the unit when the unit is heated. The extent of dispensing of the first volatile air treatment chemical can be indicated by a visible cue whose appearance results from the dispensing of the volatile indicator chemical. In one form the unit also holds a second air treatment chemical. In another the indicator unit is a replaceable cartridge positionable more remote from the heater than the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for dispensing air treatment chemicals, and refill units for use therewith. Some of these devices have a well facing the heater and a transparent wall to view the use up of the air treatment chemical. Other of these devices have a refill with wells positioned in opposing directions.

Abstract: A steamer head for steaming surface coverings comprises a body and coupling means couplable to a support member to support the steamer head against a surface. The steamer head can be used with a support member to form a steamer apparatus. In one embodiment, the support member includes a paint roller whereby the roller mount of the paint roller is inserted into openings in the body of the steamer head.

Abstract: A chemical heating assembly includes a face plate, a chemical packet, a housing, a pair of electrical prongs carried by the housing, and a light assembly. The housing includes a first sliding arrangement and a first snap-fit arrangement, is connected to the face plate, and at least partially defines a pocket for the chemical packet. The light assembly includes a lamp, a second sliding arrangement engaged with the first sliding arrangement, and a second snap-fit arrangement coupled with the first snap-fit arrangement. The light assembly is mechanically connected to the housing and electrically connected with the pair of electrical prongs using the first and second sliding arrangements and the first and second snap-fit arrangements.

Abstract: The present invention provides vapor dispensing devices having improved refill units, detectors which sense changes in the environments surrounding the device, and optionally, make corresponding changes to the device and/or auxiliary devices, volatizable material delivery systems, volatizable material enhancers, nightlights, and various other features.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a plug and a heating element. The plug comprises a body in which conducting poles are mounted for connection to an electrical socket, and the heating resistance comprises a body in which at least one electrical heating element, connected by means of electrical wires to the poles of the plug, the body of the heating element having a housing to receive a wick impregnated with volatile substances. At least one bridge connects the body of the plug to the body of the heating element, so as to avoid relative translation of the body of the plug with respect to the body of the heating element. The bridge has a breakable weakened part.

Abstract: Vapor-emitting devices according to various embodiments of the invention include active end of use indicators to warn users that it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device. Some embodiments of the vapor-emitting devices include intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator, while other embodiments include non-intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator. The indicators may be visual and/or auditory cues for notifying users it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device.

Abstract: An evaporator device for active substances is designed for using active substances established in a paper tablet or the like, or in a tray with a semipermeable membrane, in gel form, comprising a base body with a U-shaped profile inside coupled by insertion to a support provided with two housings and, the former adapted in size and shape to receive within it a tray and the second to receive a tablet, so that both the tray and tablet can be placed in the same support opposite the heating surface of the device. This allows using the device equally with either format of the active substance. The device also includes a safety mechanism comprising teeth that lock in the closed position, preventing or making it difficult for children to displace or extract the support from the casing, that requires pressing inwards on two lateral opposing areas of the casing to open.

Abstract: Incorporates a device for active substances (3) which has a wick (6) and a first heating resistor (8) for operating the diffuser on normal system. It also has a single button (12) connected through an electronic circuit (10) to an additional second heating resistor (9) located in the same channel and after the first heating resistor (8) in the vicinity of the wick (6). Activation of the button (12) determines the switching on of the second heating resistor (9) and can also activate at the same time a fan (4) or even based on a fan speed (4) increase the same, moving from normal operating mode to boost mode in which a substantial and instant increase in evaporation and diffusion of the active substances is produced.

Abstract: A humidifier that includes two water reservoir compartments connected via an opening large enough to allow exchange of water between the two compartments, and an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates on the water in the smaller of the two compartments downstream of the larger compartment.

Abstract: The device forms a single unit that includes the way by which the evaporation of active substances is achieved, as well the way that allows automatically lighting a small lamp or LED that emits a small light illuminating the container of the active substance to be evaporated. This allows one to see the contents in the dark and, in addition, constituting a light in the dark for the area surrounding the device, with the particularity that the volume of this device does not increase with respect to the devices meant to individually evaporate active substances and emit a light. The design of the device includes a general casing comprising a pinholder body for a plug and the container itself for the active substance, in such a way that the body incorporates a sensor that emits a signal for the automatic activation of the lamp or illumination LED when the light intensity is below a pre-established threshold.

Abstract: A heating device for the vaporization of active substances, such as air freshener fragrances, disinfectants, sanitizing agents, insecticides and the like, in which a wick is immersed in a fluid active substance and heat is applied to produce vaporization. The heating is produced by one or more electrical resistance elements embedded in a circular heating ring which is hinged to move over the end of the wick and encircle it. The internal wires which carry electrical current from a source of electrical power are led through the hinged area for connection to the electrical resistance elements, and a feature of the invention is the protection of such wires as they pass through the hinged area.

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: The system is based on a change in the intensity of evaporation caused by a chimney effect, modifying the flow of air that circulates through the environment apparatus in the surrounding area of the wick. It consists of using a casing (1) with slots (6) for the passage of air in its upper part. This is done in such a manner that said casing (1) can be used in isolation, thus attaining an apparatus that does not regulate the evaporation intensity, but that has a complementary part (7) joined to the upper part of said casing (1). This assembly, enabling free turning, has complementary slots (9), that determine a greater or lesser flow of air and the consequent regulation of the intensity of the evaporation, depending on the greater or lesser degree of opposition they have to the slots (6).

Abstract: A volatizer has a case that deforms to interrupt electrical current flow through an internal heating element.

Abstract: An apparatus including a replacement refill assembly for dispersing a volatile active into air. The replacement refill assembly includes a reservoir for containing a composition having a volatile active and a wick having an emanating surface from which the active may be volatized. A retainer is included in the apparatus for receiving and retaining the replacement refill assembly. A wire heating element is resiliently supported by opposing spring members so that when the refill assembly is received within the retainer, the spring members bias the heating element against the emanating surface of the wick while yielding an amount sufficient to prevent the heating element from breaking. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes an air regulator, such as a baffle, for minimizing the flow of air across the heater element. A method and apparatus for controlling the source of power in the apparatus to periodically heat and clean the heating element is further described.

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: Electric vaporiser for a fragranced or insecticidal active substance with adjustment of the evaporation intensity, includes a support technical body, onto which a porous element impregnated with the active substance and an electric heating device located in the proximity of the porous element are fixed, in order to determine the evaporation of the active substance in an evaporation area. The electric heating device is housed in a drawer which is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the porous element, between a position of maximum evaporation intensity, near or adjacent to the porous element, and a position of minimum evaporation intensity, far from the porous element. The control mechanism which causes the shifting of the electrical device includes a variable-radius cam obtained in an adjustment disc, with which a pin integral with the drawer and protruding therefrom engages; the mechanism is located entirely outside the evaporation area.

Abstract: The indicator is a non-electric indicator and is based on a thermochromic material which is applied on a diffuser or thermodiffuser device of volatile substances (1), so that when heating of the latter takes place to evaporate the volatile substance contained in a reservoir associated with said device (1), when a determined temperature is reached the indicator, constituted by a plastic insert (4) with thermochromic pigments, changes colour and indicates that the diffuser device (1) is in diffusion conditions. The colour change product can be constituted by the combination of some thermochromic and normal paints applied on the external surface of the device, so that when a determined temperature is reached the thermochromic paint changes colour and originates an indication of the device being in diffusion conditions.

Abstract: An electrically heated chemical delivery system including a heat sensitive chemical and an electrical heater adjacent to the heat sensitive chemical. The heater includes a heater element with a first heater side and a second heater side and a flexible printed circuit in electrical contact with both the first heater side and the second heater side. The flexible printed circuit includes at least one fold allowing electrical contact with both the first heater side and the second heater side.

Abstract: A device 1 for evaporating volatile liquids comprises a casing 2 and a bottle 3 containing the volatile liquid. the device 1 contains within it a heater which is heated by connecting the device into a wall socket by means of an electric plug 4. The device comprises container-receiving means 40 which interact with engagement means 8 formed on the neck of the bottle 3. Release of the bottle is effected by means of a button 7 which causes deformation of the container-receiving means 40 leading to release of the bottle 3. The button 7 is located on the same face of the device 1 as the electric plug 4. This means that the button is not accessible whilst the device is connected to a wall socket. This prevents appropriate removal of the bottle 3 from the casing 2 whilst the device 1 is connected to an electric current.

Abstract: A plug-in type dispenser of liquid volatiles, such as insecticides, fragrants, and the like, of the type having a heater for evaporating the liquid volatiles from a wick, provides improved volatile dispersion characteristics and in-use indication. Air flow through the dispenser and around the wick is increased, and the outlet is sized and configured to avoid condensation on the inside and outside of the housing as well as to increase the vertical component of the expelled air stream. An internal lamp transmits light to be reflected off of an exterior in-use indicator surface of the housing to provide visual indication that the dispenser is active.

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: An evaporator includes a housing, a bottle containing a substance to be evaporated, a wick having a lower portion disposed within the bottle and an upper portion protruding from the bottle, a heating device disposed within the housing at a position proximate to the upper portion of the wick, and an adjustment mechanism within the housing for displacing at least the upper portion of the wick toward or away from the heating device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wick. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a hollow cylindrical portion that engages the upper portion of the wick, and a dial portion for rotating the hollow cylindrical portion about an axis of rotation.

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 multi-functional electrical vaporizer for a liquid substance includes a bottle for holding the liquid substance, a wick for drawing the liquid substance out of the bottle, an electrical heating device positioned proximate to an upper portion of the wick, an electrical plug assembly, an electrical circuit for powering the electrical heating device, a housing structure with respect to which the bottle is detachably secured and in which at least the electrical plug assembly, the electrical circuit, and the electrical heating device are disposed, and a cover that is joined to and at least partially covers the housing structure. The housing structure, which includes a first shell and a second shell that are joined together, is configured to receive any of a plurality of different additional functional devices. The cover is provided with at least one access window corresponding to whatever additional functional device the housing structure is to be equipped with.