Abstract: A decorated luminary product includes a candle holder containing a candle, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the candle holder has a hammered texture such that light passing through the candle holder varies substantially as a result of variation of refraction of the light. A decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer may be heat shrunk to conform to the outer surface of the candle holder. The web is decorated with an ink or pigmentation to cooperate with light and/or heat emitted by burning the candle, so as to provide a pleasing visual effect when the candle is burned, while the hammered texture of the candle holder causes variations in the refraction of light emitted from the candle, causing further visual effects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are acidic aqueous hard surface cleaners and methods for using them. The cleaners include a surfactant and a poly D-glucosamine such as chitosan. They provides residual benefits on the hard surface such as soil resistance and resistance to bacteria, molds and biofilms.

Abstract: A heat storage unit (2) includes a body having a passage (12) formed therein through which a flowable product passes. A heatable element (10) is incorporated within the body of the heat storage unit (2) in thermal communication with the passage (12). Meanwhile, a heat-retentive material (8) is in thermal communication with the heatable element (10). The heatable element (10) includes either a magnetically-compatible material or a microwave-compatible material that is heated by locating the heatable element in a field (F) generated by a charging device (6), for example.

Abstract: A battery operated atomizer device comprising, in a housing (22), a liquid reservoir (30) from which a capillary type liquid delivery system (38) extends to contact a piezoelectric actuator an atomization plate assembly (34), the assembly (34) being supported by means of wire-like elements (36) in cantilever fashion over the liquid delivery system, the liquid delivery system comprising an outer tubular member (52) and a solid rod (56) which have facing surfaces configured to define between them, longitudinal capillary liquid passages.

Abstract: A valve assembly can automatically dispense aerosol content from an aerosol container at predetermined intervals without the use of electric power. A diaphragm at least partially defines an accumulation chamber that receives gas propellant from a portion of the can during an accumulation phase. Once the internal pressure of the accumulation chamber reaches a predetermined threshold, the diaphragm moves, carrying with it a seal so as to unseal an outlet channel, and thereby initiate a spray burst of the main active chemical. The diaphragm assumes its original position when the pressure within the accumulation chamber falls below a threshold pressure.

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: A zippered bag includes two sheets sealed to each other along a plurality of edges to form opposing bag sides. The bag also includes a first fastener strip including an inner wall and an outer wall hinged to the inner wall, with the first fastener strip being attached to one of the opposing bag sides. The inner wall includes a first profile having a length extending in the direction from one edge to another edge of the bag side. A second fastener strip includes a second profile, the second fastener strip being attached to the other one of the opposing bag sides. The second profile has a length extending in the direction from one edge to another edge of the bag side and the first and second profiles are adapted to interlock to close the bag. A slider straddles the first and second fastener strips such that the slider is movable between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A shave gel is disposed within a container having a container body defining a space for storage of the product and a valve in fluid communication with the space. A hollow stem is disposed in fluid communication with the valve and includes an exterior end that has at least one side opening therethrough. The valve is actuable to dispense product through the side opening.

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser assembly (1) having a container (2) that contains a liquid product, and a propellant for propelling the liquid product from the container (2). The propellant is a dual phase hydrocarbon propellant, is free of normal butane, and is at most 25% by weight of the contents of the container. A valve (4) is attached to the container (2) for selectively dispensing the liquid product from the container (2) as a mist, the mist having an average particle size of less than 35 &mgr;m (0.0014″), over at least 75% of the life of the dispenser assembly (1). The dispenser assembly (1) is capable of dispensing over 98% by weight of the liquid product from the container (2). A vapor tap (24) is formed in the valve (4) to facilitate thorough mixing of the propellant and the liquid product prior to dispensing, and a valve stem (12) is disposed in the valve (4). The valve stem (12) defines at least one stem orifice (26) for flow of the product during dispensing.

Abstract: A nozzle insert, and/or an actuator nozzle structure, for use in dispensing a material to be dispensed from an aerosol can. The nozzle insert or actuator nozzle structure divide the spray of dispensed material into two independent, simultaneously emitted aerosol streams, which may have different attributes and may be emitted in different directions. One stream may be an upwardly directed fogger stream and the other stream may be a forwardly directed, aimable stream. This permits a user to direct, for example, an insecticide at a particular target, while simultaneously more generally fogging an area of interest.

Abstract: A hard surface antimicrobial cleaner is disclosed. The hard surface antimicrobial cleaner includes a disinfectant and a polysiloxane with at least one poly(oxyalkylene) side chain wherein the cleaner kills bacteria on a hard surface for at least 24 hours after being sprayed onto and wiped from the hard surface. The hard surface antimicrobial cleaner may include a solvent, a sequesterant, a surfactant, or a water soluble organosilane. Another version of the cleaner also includes a disinfectant and a polysiloxane with at least one poly(oxyalkylene) side chain and inhibits biofilm formation on a hard surface for at least 24 hours after being sprayed onto the hard surface.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing cleaning chemicals such as toilet bowl cleaners. It has a dosing chamber containing therein a floating shuttle that seals a lower opening in the dosing chamber and floats up there from as an aliquot of chemical is prepared for release during the next cycle. There is also a float controlled external valve head at a lower end of the dispenser for alternately opening and closing a lower opening in the dosing chamber. The level of water in the toilet tank controls the movement of the valve head, and dispensing of the cleaner chemical controls movement of the floating shuttle. A grommet provides a valve seat for both the floating shuttle and valve head.

Abstract: The invention is an automated sprayer for spraying the walls of a bath and shower enclosure with a cleanser. The sprayer has a housing that can be mounted inside the shower enclosure and that defines a tray in which an inverted bottle of cleanser is stored. The bottom of the tray has a tube extending downwardly along a longitudinal axis through which the cleanser can pass. A motorized head disposed beneath the tube can be rotated about the axis for metering cleanser from the bottle and spraying cleanser outward. The sprayer includes timer circuitry that delays commencement of a spray for a set time and automatically stops spraying after a predetermined period. The sprayer also includes a system for signaling the beginning of a spray cycle including audio and visual alarms. An automated method of cleaning the shower enclosure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nozzles are disclosed that are suitable for dispensing a liquid material to be dispensed from an aerosol can or other liquid reservoir. The nozzles are designed to deliver two streams of liquid which visually appear to substantially retain their separate character for a defined distance from the dispenser. The nozzles can have two parallel, horizontal, vertically aligned outlet paths, that are both truncated at their outer end at angles that are pointed away from each other.