Abstract: Detachable tube assemblies, such as those useful in remote spraying devices, are disclosed. Tube segments are interconnected using radial extensions interfit with alignable radial holes on tubes to be coupled together. An actuator rod is provided with flexible barbs and a disk guide. The rod can be used to remotely actuate a spray.

Abstract: Illuminated, decorative light objects are disclosed that provide at least one aesthetic lighting display or light show, and to a user interface for the same. A disclosed decorative light object includes a translucent housing. The housing has a bottom opening leading into a cavity. The object also includes a base assembly that covers the bottom opening of the housing. The base assembly includes a user interface. The user interface includes light show circuitry, memory for storing a plurality of light shows, switches or buttons for recalling the light shows from the memory and at least one light group comprising red, green and blue lights. The switches of the user interface are supported in the bottom opening. The light show circuitry, memory and lights are supported within the cavity. Preferably, a translucent light pipe with a roughened lambertian outer surface covers and hides the circuitry and the lights. As the light shines through the light pipe it is diffused thereby creating a warm glowing appearance.

Abstract: An atomizer 10 atomizes a multi-component liquid from a reservoir 20 into a cloud 14 comprising small droplets 38 which are ejected into the atmosphere to a certain height and allowed to fall toward a surface 12. Essentially complete evaporation is assured by maintaining the size of the droplets, the liquid's component vapor pressures and the height through which the droplets fall according to a predetermined relationship. Also, the suitability of a liquid for evaporation in a vibrating plate atomizer is determined by measuring the rate of size decrease and the surface tension of a pendant drop of the liquid after a predetermined amount of the liquid has evaporated from the drop.

Abstract: Devices for dispensing cleaning chemicals from under the rim of a toilet bowl are suspended from either an open bottom toilet bowl rim or a toilet bowl rim with bottom wall holes, using a brush or brush-like suspender. Bristles of the brush flex together to permit the brush to extend into toilet bowl rim holes or an entrance of an open bottom rim. They then expand away from each other to retain the dispenser directly under the rim, in an essentially hidden manner.

Abstract: A packaged animal poison includes a binder/rodenticide/bait mix molded into a cellulosic housing. The housing is covered with a removable cover. The housing defines an internal cavity in which the rodenticide is disposed, a lower wall extending laterally beyond the cavity, and an outer lower surface with adhesive at its underside. The package itself may also contain rodent attractant material and/or a human aversion agent.

Abstract: A wick-based delivery system includes a container for holding a liquid that has an opening therein. A porous wick is positioned in the container so that a lower region of the wick is in contact with the liquid in the container and an upper region of the wick is exposed to the ambient air. The porous wick has discrete inner and outer concentric cylindrical sections, the inner cylindrical section being made of a sand-based material and the outer cylindrical section being made of a plastic material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brush for cleaning toilet bowls and the like. The brush has a permanent handle and can be used with a replaceable/disposable brush head that is flushable after use. The brush is a stack of sheets of water-dissolvable material. The sheets are compressed to both bind them together into a stack. There is a longitudinal slit in the rear of the brush head to create left and right rear attachment tabs. A wand provides a remote system for clamping and unclamping the brush head. The wand has a jaw whose mouth has two wedge shaped teeth that are offset from each other to clamp the corresponding tabs while driving the tabs in opposite directions in the jaw.

Abstract: A vortex generator creates a waveform within a housing. The waveform evolves into a vortex as it exits an orifice of the housing. The vortex carries a bolus of active substances held within the housing. A different number of actives can be used. To form a waveform, the housing has a diaphragm with an actuator for moving the diaphragm. The housing may have a mechanism for facilitating directional pointing and/or causing oscillating movement of the housing to enable multi-directional targeting of the vortex.

Abstract: A lavatory freshening and/or cleaning system comprises a dispenser for dispensing a liquid composition from under the rim of a lavatory bowl. The dispenser is in the form of a reservoir arranged for suspension from the rim of lavatory bowl, and the reservoir contains the liquid composition. The liquid composition comprises a combination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants having a total concentration of 22.5 wt. %, a thickening agent having a concentration of 0.40 wt. % and a perfume having a concentration of 6.00 wt. % and having a viscosity of a bout 3,500 mPa s.

Abstract: A bait station for crawling insects includes a base and a cover fastened to the base. The base includes a bait cup bisected by a divider wall so that different baits may be offered to the insects. The cover has a roof that is spaced above and spans over the bait cup so that insects may crawl through doorways formed in the cover to access the bait in the bait cup. A support rib extends downwardly from the roof to engage the bait cup and divider wall to not only provide crush resistance and support for the roof but also to provide a bait retention feature. The support rib may also be configured to serve as a reservoir for water or other insect attractant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mats for dispensing volatile materials. A mat of the present invention includes a moat on an upper surface of the mat defining a first mat portion and a second mat portion, preferably connected at the bottom of the moat. Both portions are impregnated with the same or different volatiles. The moat is formed by pressing the upper wall of the mat with a hot forming die. While pressed against the upper wall, the hot die melts the mat material leading to the close of the pores in the material and as a result, a barrier along moat walls is formed. The moat and barrier act to prevent or reduce bleeding of the volatiles between two portions of the mat. The mat provides for both instant burst of volatile and then a sustained vaporization of volatile. Methods for making and using the mat are also disclosed.

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 pressure resistant plastic bottle for containing and dispensing an aerosol composition. The plastic bottle is comprised of a hollow elongate body having a central portion, a top portion and an opposite bottom portion with the central portion having an inwardly concave configuration extending along its longitudinal direction. The bottom portion of the elongate body is integral with the central portion and defines an outwardly projecting convexly shaped configuration. The top portion of the bottle is integral with the central portion and has an outwardly convex configuration extending along its longitudinal direction and defines a neck having an opening for receiving and dispensing the aerosol composition. A closure covers the opening and is sealingly attached to the neck to contain the aerosol within the plastic bottle.

Abstract: Vibratory shavers are provided having a battery powered DC motor, which when energized rotates a weight eccentrically mounted to a motor shaft. The rotating weight imparts vibratory motion in the shaver housing and thereby a razor cartridge attached to the head of the shaver. The housing is specially designed so that the shaver head will move more front to back than side to side. This can be achieved (a) with the shaver housing having a wider aspect than a front to back aspect; (b) by thickening the side walls of the neck of the shaver relative to the front and back walls of the neck; and (c) by appropriately positioning and designing braces of varied thicknesses. The housing of the shaver may be permanently sealed and provided with a battery that may be recharged via induction. Alternatively, a cap can be provided to provide access to a replaceable battery.