Abstract: Provided is a smoking substitute apparatus comprising an enclosure and an aerosol generator, the enclosure at least partially enclosing the aerosol generator, the aerosol generator comprising a heater and being operable to generate an aerosol by vaporizing an aerosol precursor, wherein at least part of the enclosure adjacent the heater is formed from plastics material, there being provided a heat shield between said part of the enclosure and the heater and there being a heat insulating gap between said part of the enclosure and the heat shield. Also provided is: a smoking substitute system comprising a base unit, and the smoking substitute apparatus, wherein the smoking substitute apparatus is removably engageable with the base unit; and a method of using the smoking substitute apparatus to generate an aerosol.

Abstract: A smoking substitute apparatus. The smoking substitute apparatus comprising at least one air inlet and an air inlet passage, an aerosol generator and an outlet, the aerosol generator comprising a heater and being operable to generate an aerosol by vaporizing a liquid aerosol precursor, air flowing in use through said at least one air inlet and air inlet passage, entraining the aerosol and flowing to the outlet when a user draws on the apparatus. A partition wall is provided between the aerosol generator and air inlet passage, in use the partition wall being heated by the heater of the aerosol generator and thereby heating the air in the air inlet passage before entraining the aerosol. The partition wall is formed at least in part by an electrical contact for the heater.

Abstract: Provided is a reusable greeting card that includes a forward cover, and a replaceable decorative placard with an externally-exposed surface that is to be outwardly displayed adjacent to the forward cover to be viewable by a viewer observing the greeting card. The decorative placard includes a decoration specific to a theme of the greeting card. A support interchangeably receives the decorative placard and at least a second decorative placard to be outwardly displayed adjacent to the forward cover. The second decorative placard has a second decoration specific to a second theme that is different from the theme of decorative placard. A plurality of writing pages on which customized greeting content is to be applied by a user is also provided to the greeting card. The writing pages are at least partially concealed from view by the forward cover.

Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for delivering or dispensing substances. The delivery apparatus comprises a housing, a cartridge for containing the fluid or liquid to be delivered, a conduit system, a nozzle, a pump and an actuating mechanism for actuating a stream of fluid or liquid. The delivery apparatus may include a motor and power source adapted to power the pump. The cartridge containing the fluid or liquid is typically an off-the-shelf container that may be purchased in stores, such as insecticides or household cleaners. The conduit system has an intake opening in fluid communication with the fluid inside the container and another portion in fluid communication with the intake of the nozzle. The conduit system further includes a structure for causing the stream of fluid or liquid to be generally laminar.

Abstract: A dispensing device including a housing, a container portion for containing a substance to be dispensed, a nozzle portion, a dispensing mechanism and a power source for providing power to the dispensing mechanism, wherein, when actuated, the dispensing mechanism causes the substance to move from the container and through the nozzle.

Abstract: An economical system and method for extracting amplitude and frequency information from a modulated AC signal are provided. In one embodiment, the invention includes a circuitry implementing op amps, a dual diode, a filter, and a comparator to receive and manipulate the modulated AC signal. The dual diode receives and splits the AC signal into two separate paths, including a baseline path and a filtering path. The AC signal passing through the baseline path remains substantially unchanged, and the AC signal passing through the filtering path passes through a low-pass filter. The signal is then sent through a comparator for comparing amplitudes of the AC signal from the two paths, and the comparator output is received by a microprocessor for controlling a display that generates a visual indicia responsive to the comparator output.

Abstract: A lighting system, apparatus and method that can be integrated into an office or household item. The lighting system has one or more light modules, each comprising three lights of a different color. The light modules further have a cover component having a hole positioned above the lights. The lighting system may further have a cushioned layer coupled to the light modules. The light modules are coupled to a power source and an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to operate the light modules.

Abstract: A surface treatment device, including a body, at least one actuable vibration component associated with the body, and a contact component associated with the body, the contact component configured to contact a target surface.

Abstract: A surface treatment device, including a body having a nozzle, a cartridge configured to be removeably attachable to the body, wherein the cartridge can receive treatment fluid, a spray pump associated with the body, wherein the spray pump can spray the treatment material through the nozzle onto a target surface, and a contact component associated with the body, the contact component configured to contact the target surface.

Abstract: A surface treatment device comprising a body, a motor disposed in the body, an applicator operably coupled to the motor, and a container coupled to the applicator via a fluid flow path, the container containing a surface treatment substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for delivering or dispensing substances. The delivery apparatus comprises a housing, a cartridge for containing the fluid or liquid to be delivered, a conduit system, a nozzle, a pump and an actuating mechanism for actuating a stream of fluid or liquid. The delivery apparatus may include a motor and power source adapted to power the pump. The cartridge containing the fluid or liquid is typically an off-the-shelf container that may be purchased in stores, such as insecticides or household cleaners. The conduit system has an intake opening in fluid communication with the fluid inside the container and another portion in fluid communication with the intake of the nozzle. The conduit system further includes a structure for causing the stream of fluid or liquid to be generally laminar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and apparatus for reinforcing a fence structure for example, to resist the potentially detrimental forces caused by wind and other environmental factors. An elongate stiffening insert for reinforcing a fence structure is configured to appear in cross section to generally resemble a Z-shape. The stiffening insert fits inside a fence post to reinforce the fence structure. The stiffening insert generally extends below the ground to provide support.

Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.