Abstract: Interactive entertainment devices including a toy magic wand with integrated electronics for, among other things, detecting wand motion and responding accordingly, such as illuminating one or more LEDs, displaying images on one or more LCD displays, playing sound effects or character speech, emitting infrared (IR) signals via one or more IR emitters, or some combination thereof. An exemplary device may include a “fairy house” or “wizard tower” playset with integrated electronics for receiving one or more received IR signals and responding or reacting accordingly. For example, depending on the nature of the received IR signals, the electronics may illuminate one or more LEDs, display images on one or more LCD displays, play sound effects or character speech, emit IR signals via one or more IR emitters, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: Interactive entertainment devices including a toy magic wand with integrated electronics for, among other things, detecting wand motion and responding accordingly, such as illuminating one or more LEDs, displaying images on one or more LCD displays, playing sound effects or character speech, emitting infrared (IR) signals via one or more IR emitters, or some combination thereof. An exemplary device may include a “fairy house” or “wizard tower” playset with integrated electronics for receiving one or more received IR signals and responding or reacting accordingly. For example, depending on the nature of the received IR signals, the electronics may illuminate one or more LEDs, display images on one or more LCD displays, play sound effects or character speech, emit IR signals via one or more IR emitters, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: Interactive entertainment devices including a toy magic wand with integrated electronics for, among other things, detecting wand motion and responding accordingly, such as illuminating one or more LEDs, displaying images on one or more LCD displays, playing sound effects or character speech, emitting infrared (IR) signals via one or more IR emitters, or some combination thereof. An exemplary device may include a “fairy house” or “wizard tower” playset with integrated electronics for receiving one or more received IR signals and responding or reacting accordingly. For example, depending on the nature of the received IR signals, the electronics may illuminate one or more LEDs, display images on one or more LCD displays, play sound effects or character speech, emit IR signals via one or more IR emitters, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a wall of an enclosure with a fluid is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir for the fluid, a nozzle assembly through which the fluid can be sprayed on the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and the nozzle, a pump for delivering fluid from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and to the nozzle when the pump assembly is activated, and a controller in electrical communication with the pump wherein the controller executes a stored program to activate and deactivate the pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle which directs the fluid in a fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes a deflection shield that is dimensioned to contact and redirect fluid in the fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes mounting structure for attaching the nozzle near the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure. The flow off of the deflector shield is laminar.

Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a wall of an enclosure with a fluid is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir for the fluid, a nozzle assembly through which the fluid can be sprayed on the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and the nozzle, a pump for delivering fluid from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and to the nozzle when the pump assembly is activated, and a controller in electrical communication with the pump wherein the controller executes a stored program to activate and deactivate the pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle which directs the fluid in a fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes a deflection shield that is dimensioned to contact and redirect fluid in the fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes mounting structure for attaching the nozzle near the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure. The flow off of the deflector shield is laminar.

Abstract: A valve having a membrane for controlling flow through the valve, the membrane having open and closed positions. An element urges the membrane to the closed position, and a vacuum pressure at one end of the valve may overcome the urging of the element, thereby moving the membrane to the open position. An actuator is provided for easing or initiating the movement of the membrane. In some embodiments, the valve may take the form of a valve assembly for use in a variety of applications, for example, a valve assembly for relieving a vacuum pressure wherein the assembly includes intake and exhaust ends, a membrane for controlling flow through the assembly, a spring providing a closing bias to the membrane that the vacuum pressure may overcome to move the membrane, and an actuator for initiating the movement of the membrane.

Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a wall of an enclosure with a fluid is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir for the fluid, a nozzle assembly through which the fluid can be sprayed on the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and the nozzle, a pump for delivering fluid from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and to the nozzle when the pump assembly is activated, and a controller in electrical communication with the pump wherein the controller executes a stored program to activate and deactivate the pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle which directs the fluid in a fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes a deflection shield that is dimensioned to contact and redirect fluid in the fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes mounting structure for attaching the nozzle near the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure. The flow off of the deflector shield is laminar.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device including a fluid reservoir, a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, an electric motor, a bladder in fluid communication with the pump, the bladder including at least in part, an elastic portion, a nozzle valve in fluid communication with the bladder, the nozzle being adjustable from an open mode to a closed mode, and from a closed mode to an open mode, a pressure release valve in fluid communication with the bladder and the fluid reservoir; and an electronic control unit for controlling delivery of the fluid. The invention also encompasses a method of delivering a treating fluid in a fine mist, including powering-up a fluid delivery device, comparing a signal being received from an ambient light sensor to predetermined trigger values consistent with dusk and dawn ambient light conditions, and dispensing treating fluid for a selected duration period on the basis of the signal being received from the ambient light sensor.

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 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: A device for spraying an inner surface of a wall of an enclosure with a fluid is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir for the fluid, a nozzle assembly through which the fluid can be sprayed on the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and the nozzle, a pump for delivering fluid from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and to the nozzle when the pump assembly is activated, and a controller in electrical communication with the pump wherein the controller executes a stored program to activate and deactivate the pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle which directs the fluid in a fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes a deflection shield that is dimensioned to contact and redirect fluid in the fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes mounting structure for attaching the nozzle near the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure. The flow off of the deflector shield is laminar.

Abstract: 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. In one embodiment, the fluid pump is a peristaltic pump. The present invention may further include a valve having a membrane for controlling flow through the valve, the membrane having open and closed positions; and an element urges the membrane to the closed position, and a vacuum pressure at one end of the valve may overcome the urging of the element, thereby moving the membrane to the open position.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device including a fluid reservoir, a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, an electric motor, a bladder in fluid communication with the pump, the bladder including at least in part, an elastic portion, a nozzle valve in fluid communication with the bladder, the nozzle being adjustable from an open mode to a closed mode, and from a closed mode to an open mode, a pressure release valve in fluid communication with the bladder and the fluid reservoir; and an electronic control unit for controlling delivery of the fluid. The invention also encompasses a method of delivering a treating fluid in a fine mist, including powering-up a fluid delivery device, comparing a signal being received from an ambient light sensor to predetermined trigger values consistent with dusk and dawn ambient light conditions, and dispensing treating fluid for a selected duration period on the basis of the signal being received from the ambient light sensor.

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: 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.