Abstract: A bird feeder including a container or holder for holding bird feed that has both open top and bottom ends, a plurality of feeding ports, a plurality of perches, a removable base and a manually operated latch member supported by the base. The latch member includes a plurality of latch extensions for engagement with holes in the base and a plurality of fingers for releasable engagement with the port assemblies. The feed port assembly includes a port member, an insert member for engagement with the fastener and a container for securing the port member with the insert member. A mount supports the bird feeder from below.

Abstract: A candle with a decorative light element is provided. A light emitting device is disposed within the main body of the candle, and a sensor connected to the light emitting device detects the presence of a flame on the wick. When a flame is detected by the sensor, the light emitting device is activated. The portion of the candle from which the wick projects is preferably substantially opaque, and the portion of the candle in which the light emitting device is disposed is preferably at least partially light transmissible or translucent, so that the glow of the flame does not interfere with the glow of the light emitting device within the candle.

Abstract: A lamp having a hydrocarbon fuel source is provided. The lamp includes a housing and a fuel source containing hydrocarbon fuel. A mantle is disposed inside the housing and is in communication with the exit of the fuel source. A cover is attached to the housing in thermal communication with the interior housing. The cover has a slot and a replaceable pad is disposable in the slot; the pad preferably contains a volatilizable substance. When the fuel egresses the fuel source and is ignited and burns, heat generated from the fuel is conducted through the cover to the pad so that the volatilizable substance is volatilized. The volatilizable substance is preferably an insect repellent. The lamp may be portable such as a flashlight. A separately attachable cover that may retrofit an existing lamp is also provided.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a volatile substance includes a gas-fueled, portable heat source. The device includes a catalyst support structure to flamelessly combust liquid or gaseous fuel and thereby provide a lower temperature heat source than a heat source that combusts fuel via flame. The fuel is ignited inside the catalytic support structure by a spark electrode. A spark jumps from the electrode to an interior surface of the structure and ignites the fuel inside the structure, causing a flame to propagate. The flame heats the catalytic structure to an activation temperature, after which the fuel is combusted flamelessly on the surface of the catalytic structure. The device includes a heating plate for heating the volatile substance and for receiving heat from the catalytic structure. A heat box substantially surrounds the catalytic structure and heating plate. The heat box has a window through which volatile substances released from the heating plate may escape.

Abstract: A cordless, hydrocarbon fuel powered hairdryer. The invention incorporates a novel electronic control system which evaluates the thermal and electrical conditions within the hairdryer during its operation. Two fuel flow valves are provided. The first fuel flow valve is mechanically actuated and opens and closes the valve in the hydrocarbon fuel cartridge. The second fuel flow valve is a solenoid valve that cannot open without a predetermined voltage being supplied. Application of the predetermined voltage will allow gas to flow through this second valve and into the area where the fuel is ignited. Only when both valves (the mechanical and the solenoid) are open, can fuel flow. A microcontroller monitors the temperature conditions in the combustion area, and controls system conditions such as power to the solenoid valve and to the fan motor to prevent uncombusted gas from building up and presenting a safety hazard.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a volatile substance includes a gas-fueled, portable heat source. The heat source has a combustion nozzle capable of supporting a flame. The device includes a sole plate for heating the volatile substance and heat transfer means for enclosing the combustion nozzle and transferring heat from the flame to the sole plate. A heat box substantially surrounds the heat transfer means and sole plate. The heat box has a window through which volatile substances released from the sole plate may escape. The device also has a housing within which the heat box is held in spaced relation from the housing, the housing having a housing window adjacent to the heat box window. By use of the device, a flame at the combustion nozzle heats the sole plate to volatilize a volatile substance placed thereon, which may then escape into the atmosphere through the heat box window, with the housing remaining cool.