Abstract: A plug-in diffuser, for use with a substance to be thermally diffused, includes first and second electrical assemblies, each including a male terminal and a female terminal electrically connected to the male terminal. A thermal cutoff mechanism switches from a conductive state to a non-conductive state at a threshold temperature. The male and female terminals of at least one of the terminal assemblies is electrically connected through the thermal cutoff mechanism. A receptacle holds the substance, and a heating element is connected between the first and second terminal assemblies for heating the substance held in the receptacle when the diffuser is plugged into an electrical outlet via the male terminals. The female terminals cooperate to form an electrical socket into which an external device can be plugged.

Abstract: A piston-powered fluid dispensing system is disclosed. The fluid dispensing system comprises an apertured base, a hollow elongated cylinder, an apertured piston, a hollow orificed overcap, an elongated fluid passageway, an externally-channeled hollow extension, and three valves. The elongated cylinder, which defines a longitudinal axis, carries the base at one end portion and defines a hollow neck at the opposite end portion. The piston, disposed in the cylinder for providing two cylinder chambers, defines a circumferential portion that is slidably engageable with the cylinder substantially along the length of an inner surface. The overcap, carried by the cylinder and rotatable about the longitiudinal axis, defines an internal fluid-mixing region and a throat that is in fluid communication with the fluid-mixing region. The throat, carrying the externally-channeled extension, is slidably engageable with an inner surface portion of the cylinder neck.

Abstract: A fluid-dispensing system is disclosed. The dispensing system comprises an apertured base, a hollow cylinder, an apertured piston, an orificed overcap, a fluid passageway, an apertured extension, and three valves. The piston, slidably engageable within the cylinder, divides the cylinder into two chambers. The cylinder defines a hollow neck at one end portion thereof. The overcap defines an apertured throat that is slidably engageable within the cylinder neck. The throat aperture of the overcap provides fluid communication between one cylinder chamber and a fluid-mixing region spaced from the fluid-dispensing system. The fluid passageway, disposed through the piston aperture, provides fluid communication between a pressurized-fluid source and the fluid-mixing region via at least one orifice of the overcap. The base defines an apertured sleeve. The hollow extension, slidably engageable within the sleeve, is in fluid communication with the one overcap orifice via the fluid passageway.

Abstract: An overcap assembly for a container having a pressure valve or the like, for dispensing a product selectively as a spray or a fog. The assembly has an overcap and a nozzle device which can be attached to the overcap outlet and is rotatable or otherwise movable between two positions relative to the overcap. In one position, a first outlet of the nozzle device communicates with the pressure valve of the container, while a second outlet of the nozzle device does so in the second relative position. One outlet is suitable for producing a spray, while the other is for producing a fog. Preferably, locking members are provided to lock the overcap actuator in a position to hold the container valve open when the nozzle device is in one (but not the other) of the two positions, to ensure complete use of the product in the container.

Abstract: A valve actuator for use with an aerosol container comprises a cap mountable on the discharge end of the container and having an operating member movable to effect opening of a normally closed valve carried by the container and an actuator device arranged for movement relative to the cap and having a surface for engaging the operating member as the actuator device is moved from a first position to a second position so that the operating member remains in valve opening position so long as the actuator device is in the second position. A trigger is provided on the actuator device or the operating member for controlling the operating member when the actuator means is in the first position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pump dispensing type container and more particularly to the manner in which the customary pump button and overcap are assembled with respect to the container and pump assembly. Orientation of the pump button with respect to the overcap has been a problem. According to this invention the pump button is so related to the overcap so that the pump button need not be initially oriented with respect to the overcap, but after the pump button and overcap have been assembled with the container and pump assembly, the overcap will be held in place in a non-dispensing position until such time as the ultimate user rotates the pump button into alignment with the overcap. At this time the pump button is in position for actuation and is held in place by its interlocking with the dispensing tube of the pump.

Abstract: A hose-end valve device to control the flow of water from a garden hose and liquid from an attached pressurized container with a single motion. The control device includes a camming ring rotatably mounted on an extension of a hose coupling. Rotational movement of the camming ring with respect to a tubular member which is attached to an actuator panel causes axially interacting camming surfaces to change the relative axial positions of the ring and tubular member thereby opening or closing an axially movable water flow valve, depending on the direction of rotation. Rotational movement of the camming ring with respect to a fixed frame opening causes radially interacting camming surfaces to move the actuator panel radially which depresses or raises the valve stem of the pressurized container. A preferred axially movable valve is an accordion-like self-closing washer-valve.

Abstract: A rolling device for supporting a roll of toilet tissue and for containing an air-treating substance. The device includes a pair of axially aligned body members forming an elongated cage for the air-treating substance, such body members being spread apart and adjusted in their relative axial positions by a spring which is compressible therebetween and made of a material which undergoes stress relaxation at ambient temperatures such that it readily takes a new set upon mounting. The body members each have an axial protuberance extending from an end surface, such end surfaces preferably being somewhat convex to help minimize the bearing surface of the device with the socket structures in which it is mounted. The air-treating material is preferably in beads free to tumble as the cage is rotated. The spring is preferably a polyolefinic material and preferably includes helical strands extending around the cage. The strands preferably have reduced cross-sections near their ends.