Abstract: A method of attaching two or more different refills to a volatile material dispenser includes the steps of providing a volatile material dispenser that includes a housing and a cavity adapted to accept two or more different refills containing volatile materials and attaching a first refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser. The method further includes the steps of removing the first refill from the cavity and attaching a second refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser, wherein the second refill has at least one feature that is different than at least one feature of the first refill.

Abstract: A rotatable electrical plug assembly for a volatile material dispenser includes a support block including a base having a base member and a wall extending from the base member and forming a cavity with the base member. The plug assembly further includes a cover disposed within the cavity and electrical plug pins extending through apertures in the base and including contacts that extend at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the plug pins, wherein the contacts are disposed between the base member and the cover. A ratio of an overall plug assembly thickness over a plug pin thickness is less than about 1.5.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a material is disclosed that includes a housing for receipt of a dispenser holding a material. A fan is disposed within the housing. Upon activation, the fan draws air into the housing and diffuses the material charged air from the housing with a substantially 360 degree dispersal pattern.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes a housing that has a sidewall with at least one surface variation provided thereon. A dispensing opening is provided on a first side of the sidewall. A manual actuation button is provided on a second different side of the sidewall. A gripping force between about 25 N to about 40 N is utilized to hold the housing within a human hand without additional support.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes a housing that has a sidewall with at least one orifice and at least one protrusion in alignment with the at least one orifice. An exterior surface of the at least one protrusion provides a visual contrast in color, texture, or surface finish that differs from that of an exterior surface of the sidewall adjacent the orifice.

Abstract: A rotatable electrical plug assembly for a volatile material dispenser includes a support block including a base having a base member and a wall extending from the base member and forming a cavity with the base member. The plug assembly further includes a cover disposed within the cavity and electrical plug pins extending through apertures in the base and including contacts that extend at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the plug pins, wherein the contacts are disposed between the base member and the cover. A ratio of an overall plug assembly thickness over a plug pin thickness is less than about 1.5.

Abstract: A support block for a rotatable plug assembly includes a base and electrical plug pins extending outwardly therefrom. A medial wall extends from the base. A cap is hingedly attached to the medial wall and is moveable between open and closed positions. A sidewall extends from the medial wall and has at least one notch disposed therein. At least one electrical wire is connected to the support block and extends through the at least one notch. The cap fixedly retains the at least one electrical wire within the at least one notch when in the closed position.

Abstract: A method of attaching a refill to a volatile material dispenser includes the step of providing a volatile material dispenser that includes a housing, a first implement that attaches a refill containing a volatile material to the housing, and a second implement that attaches the refill to the housing, wherein the first and second implements include different features. The method further includes the step of attaching the refill in a first orientation to the volatile material dispenser, wherein in the first orientation, the first implement retains the refill. Still further, the method includes the step of attaching the refill in a second orientation different than the first orientation to the volatile material dispenser, wherein in the second orientation, the second implement retains the refill.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes an upper housing with an opening extending therethrough and a lower housing with an opening extending therethrough, wherein the upper housing is secured to the lower housing to define a cavity therebetween. Electrical circuitry is disposed within the cavity, wherein the electrical circuitry includes a heater and a USB interface that extends from the upper and lower housings. Further, a volatile material cartridge is disposed within the cavity. The dispenser is adapted to dispense volatile material from the volatile material cartridge through the openings in the upper and lower housings in a passive mode and an active mode, wherein the USB interface is coupled to a power source to energize the heater in the active mode.

Abstract: Wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human are disclosed. They are of the type that are clipped onto a belt or the like, and use a powered fan to dispense active. They are configured with fan rotor arrangements to minimize power use while still achieving acceptable air flow rates. These changes permit use of smaller batteries and more compact arrangements for battery positioning. This in turn permits a much more compact and lightweight construction to achieve the desired results. The devices are also provided with a rotatable clip structure to render use of the device more comfortable when the user is seated and to provide greater control over the direction of the dispensing. Further, they are provided with modified lids to facilitate active refill replacement.

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 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 volatile material dispenser includes an upper housing with an opening extending therethrough and a lower housing with an opening extending therethrough, wherein the upper housing is secured to the lower housing to define a cavity therebetween. Electrical circuitry is disposed within the cavity, wherein the electrical circuitry includes a heater and a USB interface that extends from the upper and lower housings. Further, a volatile material cartridge is disposed within the cavity. The dispenser is adapted to dispense volatile material from the volatile material cartridge through the openings in the upper and lower housings in a passive mode and an active mode, wherein the USB interface is coupled to a power source to energize the heater in the active mode.

Abstract: A refill for a volatile material includes a container having a reservoir portion and a neck portion. The refill further includes a plug assembly disposed within the neck portion of the container and a channel through a central portion of the plug assembly. Still further, the refill includes a porous wick extending through the channel, wherein the wick includes an upper portion extending outside the container and a lower portion disposed within the reservoir portion. A slit is formed in the lower portion of the wick to form a barb that catches on the plug assembly to prevent removal of the wick from the container.

Abstract: A flameless candle that releases a volatile active includes at least one LED positioned in a tip (106), a cartridge mount (128), and a support structure (102, 141). The at least one LED emits a flickering light that emulates a flame of a candle. The cartridge mount (128) receives and secures a replaceable cartridge (104a) containing a volatile active to be released into the atmosphere over time. The support structure (120, 141) supports the at least one LED and the cartridge mount (128). The support structure (120, 141) is configured to allow airflow across the replaceable cartridge (104a) when the replaceable cartridge (104a) is mounted in the cartridge mount (128).

Abstract: Objects of the invention relate to a detachable breakaway power supply device that can be selectively coupled to an electrical appliance. A first coupling element is carried by the appliance and a second coupling element is carried by the detachable power supply device. The power supply device is carried by a conventional power supply cord. Attractive magnetic forces between the first and second coupling elements permit selective, removable attachment and electrical contact between the appliance and the power supply device. This arrangement provides a breakaway mechanism in which disturbance of the power supply cord, e.g., by tripping, results in the separation of the power supply device from the appliance to prevent overturning of the appliance and spilling of its contents.

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.