Abstract: Devices having one or more transfer elements (wick, emanator) formed from plant material derived from the stems of sola plants from the genus Aeschynomene L., family Fabaceae in air fresheners or evaporation devices for other actives (fragrances, insecticides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals). Methods of assembling a device having one or more transfer elements (wick, emanator) formed from plant material derived from the stems of sola plants from the genus Aeschynomene L., and for using the device to transfer or evaporate liquids containing active are also provided. The material when used in form of a wick or emanator shows excellent liquid transfer and of both aqueous and non-aqueous liquids and a low fractionation of a mixture of actives.

Abstract: A candle comprising a body of combustible wax and a wick, there being dispersed within the body inclusions of a combustible wax that has a higher melting point than has the wax of the body, said inclusions comprising a modifier, typically a fragrance or a pyrotechnic substance.

Abstract: A device adapted to provide volatile liquid material to an atmosphere, comprising a reservoir containing volatile liquid material, a rod-like transfer member extending therefrom and adapted to transfer liquid from the reservoir, and at least one diffusion surface adapted to receive the liquid from the transfer member and facilitate its evaporation into the atmosphere, the diffusion surface extending essentially laterally from the transfer member and comprising at least one non-integral, non-porous sheet bearing a surface capillarity, which sheet has an extent and a capillarity sufficient to allow an appropriate evaporation. The device is cheap and easy to construct, versatile and diffuses odor without major changes of the odor over time.

Abstract: Devices having one or more transfer elements (wick, emanator) formed from plant material derived from the stems of sola plants from the genus Aeschynomene L., family Fabaceae in air fresheners or evaporation devices for other actives (fragrances, insecticides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals). Methods of assembling a device having one or more transfer elements (wick, emanator) formed from plant material derived from the stems of sola plants from the genus Aeschynomene L., and for using the device to transfer or evaporate liquids containing active are also provided. The material when used in form of a wick or emanator shows excellent liquid transfer and of both aqueous and non-aqueous liquids and a low fractionation of a mixture of actives.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate a volatile liquid, for example, a fragrance, into an atmosphere, the apparatus comprising a reservoir containing the liquid and a porous liquid transfer member through which the liquid is conveyed from the reservoir to the atmosphere and from which part extending into the atmosphere it is disseminated, the reservoir consisting of a collapsible bladder that reduces in volume responsive to atmospheric pressure and the loss of liquid, the porous transfer member being encased in an impermeable sleeve that is open to the liquid at that end of the member remote from the that part in the atmosphere, the transfer member additionally comprising at or adjacent to the open end means that interact with the collapsing bladder to maintain liquid contact with the transfer member.

Abstract: A device adapted to disseminate one of a plurality of volatile liquids into an enclosed atmosphere, the device comprising (i) an enclosure (1) within which is defined a plurality of separate compartments (3,4), each compartment having at least one inlet and at least one outlet port (10, 9), and within the compartment, a source of volatile liquid (5), (ii) a source of forced air current external to the compartments and adapted to blow air through them into the atmosphere; characterised in that the device additionally comprises automatic liquid regulating means in the form of paired port closures (11, 12) for both inlet and outlet ports of each compartment, slidable between a number of inlet and outlet port-closing rest positions equal to the number of compartments, such that, in any rest position, the inlet and outlet ports of only one compartment are open.

Abstract: A plug-in device adapted to disseminate a plurality of volatile liquids, such as fragrances, individually into an atmosphere, the device comprising a plurality of volatile liquids and a dissemination means, the liquids being accommodated on a rotatable wheel, which wheel is rotated such that the individual liquids come into liquid disseminating proximity to the liquid disseminating means. The device substantially overcomes the problem of “habituation” encountered with a single fragrance air freshener.

Abstract: A device adapted to disseminate into an atmosphere in a desired sequence and timing, a plurality of active volatile liquids, such as fragrances, comprising a plurality of individual liquid reservoirs, a dissemination element associated with each reservoir, a source of forced air current and a conduit from the source of forced air current to each dissemination element, the conduit being a single conduit that is adapted to be movable so as to supply air current to each dissemination element in a desired sequence. The device may be provided as a simple plug-in type and overcomes the problem of “habituation” encountered with a single fragrance.

Abstract: A device adapted to disseminate into an atmosphere in sequence a plurality of active volatile liquids, such as fragrances, comprising a plurality of individual liquid reservoirs, a dissemination element associated with each reservoir, a central source of forced air current and one air channel per reservoir leading from an entrance at the central source to each dissemination element, air current being provided to one channel at a time by means of an air-tight rotatable barrier comprising a plurality of apertures, the spacing of these apertures being adapted to close all but one entrance at any given time. The device may be provided as a simple plug-in type and substantially overcomes the problem of “habituation” encountered with single fragrance air fresheners.

Abstract: An active volatile liquid-dispensing device comprising a gel and a separate source of active volatile liquid (“the source”), the gel (a) comprising volatile material the emission of which causes the reduction in size of least one physical property of the gel, and (b) being equipped with a screening means that screens the source from the atmosphere, which screening means is caused to open by the size reduction in physical property, thus causing a progressively greater exposure of the source to the atmosphere with passage of time, the exposure of the gel to the atmosphere remaining essentially constant. The physical property utilised is usually reduction in weight or shrinkage in physical dimensions. The devices permit a more controlled release of active into the atmosphere and a longer life, and are especially useful as air fresheners.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for disseminating volatile liquid such as fragrance into an atmosphere from an evaporating surface adapted to oscillate in the atmosphere. Oscillation is caused and maintained by means of two magnets, one a permanent magnet, the other an electromagnet, one of which is attached to the evaporating surface. The electromagnet is caused to repel the permanent magnet at such points in the oscillation that the oscillation is maintained.

Abstract: A method of disseminating to where it is required a substance that is advantageously disseminated after undergoing a heat-induced change of state or heat-induced fluidification, comprising the provision of the substance in a container that comprises a secondary induction coil, the container being adapted to be used in association with an apparatus provided with a primary induction coil, the coils being in a heat-providing relationship when the container is in association with the apparatus, and providing to the primary induction coil sufficient electricity to generate the necessary heat in the secondary induction coil. An apparatus to achieve this is also provided. Control of the temperature attained in the container may be regulated by choice of coil construction and positioning, thus permitting many different applications (air freshening, skin and hair care materials, cleaning and polishing materials) from a single base unit with a primary coil.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate volatile liquid, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere comprises a reservoir (1) containing volatile liquid and, extending into and therefrom, an essentially cylindrical liquid transfer member (4) that transfers liquid from the reservoir to an evaporating surface (6) through which the transfer member passes by means of a hole in the evaporating surface. The evaporating surface comprises a rigid sheet that extends essentially laterally from the transfer member and bears on its surface capillary channels adapted to accept liquid from the transfer member and spread it over the surface of the evaporating surface.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate a volatile liquid, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere in which its presence in vapour form is desired, the apparatus comprising a reservoir (1) of volatile liquid (2) and a porous wick that extends from the liquid in the reservoir to the atmosphere where it provides an evaporating surface, the wick being formed in at least two parts, at least one of which parts is in contact with the liquid and which comprises substantially no evaporating surface (3), and at least one other of which parts forms an evaporating surface (8,9), the parts being integral in the apparatus and that part comprising the evaporating surface being adapted to be movable either into liquid transfer contact or into non-liquid transfer separation with that part in contact with the liquid. The apparatus is simple, rugged, effective, cheap to make and easy to use. It is especially useful as an air freshener in motor vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus for disseminating a volatile liquid, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere from a reservoir, dissemination being achieved by means of a transfer member in contact with the liquid and a capillary member in liquid transfer contact with the transfer member. The capillary member comprises an evaporating surface bearing primary capillary channels, at least some of these primary capillary channels being intersected by at least one secondary capillary channel, the secondary capillary channel being substantially smaller in cross-sectional area than that of the primary channels, such that liquid will flow in both primary and secondary channels.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate individually into an atmosphere a plurality of liquids, such as fragrances, the apparatus comprising (i) a source of forced ventilation; (ii) extending radially from the source, a plurality of passages, each having an entrance and an exit for the forced ventilation, the exit leading to the atmosphere; and (iii) at or near the exit of each passage an evaporative source of volatile liquid; the apparatus additionally comprising a movable barrier that surrounds the source, this barrier having one port that is movable into correspondence with a single passage at a time, such that forced ventilation flows down only that passage.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to provide in an atmosphere one of at least three volatile liquids, the apparatus comprising a source of air current, radially extending from the source of air current a plurality of coplanar air channels, corresponding to the number of volatile liquids, placed such that the air current flows through them, each channel leading to a different volatile liquid-emitting member and then into the atmosphere; and located in each channel between the source and the volatile liquid-emitting member, means of blocking the channel and preventing the flow of air therethrough. The apparatus allows an easy change from one liquid to another and control over the time of the emission of each liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate volatile liquid, such as an insecticide or a fragrance, into an atmosphere, the apparatus comprising a reservoir containing volatile liquid and a liquid transfer member adapted to have contact with both liquid and atmosphere, the transfer member being slideable within a liquid-impermeable sleeve and having a liquid-impermeable lower end, the liquid-impermeable lower end and liquid-impermeable sleeve combining, when the transfer member is in a raised position, to deny access of the liquid to the transfer member, the transfer member being held in the raised position by suitable releasable locking means that, when released, allows the transfer member to be moved with respect to the sleeve to a lowered position in liquid transfer contact with the liquid. The apparatus is convenient to use and leakproof, and it permits liquid dissemination to be stopped and started at will.