Abstract: Dispensers for dispensing an insect control active include a porous substrate impregnated with an insect control active. The porous substrate has a minimal bending moment of about 150 to about 275 g-cm. Upon activation, the dispenser exhibits an effective release rate of the insect control active of about 0.1 to about 0.3 mg/hr.

Abstract: A cap-locking assembly includes an inner cap having a ribbed outer surface and a locking cap. The locking cap includes opposing first and second engagement mechanisms, opposing first and second stabilizing ridges, and a plurality of ramped tabs, all of which are disposed on the interior surface of the locking cap. When the ramped tabs engage a lower edge of the inner cap they retain the inner cap inside the locking cap. Further, the opposing first and second stabilizing ridges coaxially align the inner cap and the locking cap. Finally, the opposing first and second engagement mechanisms engage with the ribbed outer surface of the inner cap upon application of an inward force to the locking cap.

Abstract: A dispensing device for release of a volatile material includes a base, a drive arm coupled to a pendulum based drive mechanism, and a refill coupled to the drive arm. The refill includes a support base, at least one flange, a substrate coupled with the at least one flange, and a use-up cue.

Abstract: A dispensing device for release of a volatile material includes a base, a drive arm coupled to a pendulum based drive mechanism, and a refill coupled to the drive arm. The refill includes a support base, at least one flange, a substrate coupled with the at least one flange, and a use-up cue.

Abstract: A cap-locking assembly includes an inner cap having a ribbed outer surface and a locking cap. The locking cap includes opposing first and second engagement mechanisms, opposing first and second stabilizing ridges, and a plurality of ramped tabs, all of which are disposed on the interior surface of the locking cap. When the ramped tabs engage a lower edge of the inner cap they retain the inner cap inside the locking cap. Further, the opposing first and second stabilizing ridges coaxially align the inner cap and the locking cap. Finally, the opposing first and second engagement mechanisms engage with the ribbed outer surface of the inner cap upon application of an inward force to the locking cap.

Abstract: A method of emitting a volatile material includes the step of programming a volatile material dispenser to include at least two intensity levels, wherein upon initiation of each of the intensity levels for an operating cycle, a resistor is operated at a first percentage of its power rating for a first period of time. Upon selection of a first of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at a second percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle. Upon selection of a second of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at the second percentage of its power rating for a second period of time and, after the second period of time, operating the resistor at a third percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle.

Abstract: Dispensers for dispensing an insect control active include a porous substrate impregnated with an insect control active. The porous substrate has a minimal bending moment of about 150 to about 275 g-cm. Upon activation, the dispenser exhibits an effective release rate of the insect control active of about 0.1 to about 0.3 mg/hr.

Abstract: A method of emitting a volatile material includes the step of programming a volatile material dispenser to include at least two intensity levels, wherein upon initiation of each of the intensity levels for an operating cycle, a resistor is operated at a first percentage of its power rating for a first period of time. Upon selection of a first of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at a second percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle. Upon selection of a second of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at the second percentage of its power rating for a second period of time and, after the second period of time, operating the resistor at a third percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle.

Abstract: Methods and devices include having a container (1) for holding a liquid with a viscosity ?, and a porous wick (5) with an average pore size of at least about 4 microns to about 50 microns and a porosity ? between about 0.20 to about 0.75, and having a length L and a total exposed surface area A exposed to the ambient air. The viscosity of the liquid and the dimensions of the wick are such that a quantity A/?L is in a range of about 4×10?4 to about 18 cm/poise.

Abstract: Disclosed are substrates suited for dispensing air treatment chemicals upon being heated. Granular particles, preferably sand with a phenolic binder, are adhered together to form a substrate body having a network of pores. A volatile air treatment chemical is disposed in the pores. The particle size and pores are such that the smaller particles of the substrate are grouped at one end, preferably an end adjacent to a projecting nose. This structure tends to wick the volatile air treatment chemical towards the nose, and heating that area can lead to efficient, and rechargeable, dispensing. Methods for using such substrates, and methods for forming such substrates, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heaters for dispensing volatile air treatment chemicals. Semi-circular electrical contacts are provided in a ring-type heater, and alignment and anchoring features are provided to facilitate use of a spring to accommodate thermal expansion.

Abstract: Disclosed are substrates suited for dispensing air treatment chemicals upon being heated. Granular particles, preferably sand with a phenolic binder, are adhered together to form a substrate body having a network of pores. A volatile air treatment chemical is disposed in the pores. The particle size and pores are such that the smaller particles of the substrate are grouped at one end, preferably an end adjacent to a projecting nose. This structure tends to wick the volatile air treatment chemical towards the nose, and heating that area can lead to efficient, and rechargeable, dispensing. Methods for using such substrates, and methods for forming such substrates, are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods determine how effective a product that dispenses an insect repellent or insecticide is in controlling flying insects such as mosquitoes, with no or reduced need for human test subjects. An insect trap or other automated monitoring device is positioned in a test environment and operated in a manner so as to mimic some human attribute (e.g. by dispensing carbon dioxide). Trap/monitoring results in the presence and absence of the operating product are obtained in order to judge relative effectiveness of the active. Further, the real time evaluation of insect populations permits evaluation of time needed to achieve base effectiveness and length of time that effectiveness can be sustained.

Abstract: A useful life indicator is provided to display an indication of the remaining useful life of an associated product such as an impregnated substrate of an air treatment chemical dispenser. The cue is preferably a well having a volatile indicator material positioned therein. The well's cavity is configured to achieve clumping of the remaining indicator material as some volatizes due to capillary attraction. This presents a shrinking display that can be coordinated with the level of use of the air treatment chemical dispenser. The cue may also be used in connection with monitoring other products such as perishable products.

Abstract: A fuel charge for use with a melting plate candle assembly includes an outer shell of fuel material surrounding an inner core of fuel material having different properties than the fuel material of the outer shell. The outer shell is substantially solid and may contain fuel additive that slows capillary flow of liquid fuel to the flame through the wick. The inner core may include liquid fuel, discrete solid fuel particles, or a solid fuel mass. The fuel additive is disposed in the fuel charge so as to slow migration of liquefied fuel to a flame on a wick only after a substantial portion of the fuel charge has been liquefied by heat from the flame.