Abstract: A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds carried by a volatile compound mass is provided, including a base carrying a selectively activatable airflow generator and having a base outlet port defined therein. A resealable pod can include a tray and a cover, moveable relative to one another, and collectively defining a containment chamber that contains the volatile compound mass. The containment chamber has an inlet and an outlet, being openable and closeable by relative movement of the tray and the cover. The pod is positionable upon the base such that the base outlet port is in fluid communication with the chamber inlet to enable airflow generated by the airflow generator to pass through the base outlet port, the chamber inlet, the containment chamber, and the chamber outlet to thereby diffuse the one or more volatile compounds carried by the volatile compound mass.

Abstract: Diminishing gel compositions are disclosed and described. A diminishing gel composition can include a polymer matrix, a gel-diminishing agent, and a releasable active agent, such as an olfactory agent. The gel-diminishing agent can facilitate a visually noticeable or detectible gradual decrease in volume of the gel composition while in use. The releasable active agent can be released from the gel composition at a rate and amount that is sufficient to produce a desired result, such as an effective olfactory event.

Abstract: A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds carried by a volatile compound mass is provided, including a base carrying a selectively activatable airflow generator and having a base outlet port defined therein. A resealable pod can include a tray and a cover, moveable relative to one another, and collectively defining a containment chamber that contains the volatile compound mass. The containment chamber has an inlet and an outlet, being openable and closeable by relative movement of the tray and the cover. The pod is positionable upon the base such that the base outlet port is in fluid communication with the chamber inlet to enable airflow generated by the airflow generator to pass through the base outlet port, the chamber inlet, the containment chamber, and the chamber outlet to thereby diffuse the one or more volatile compounds carried by the volatile compound mass.

Abstract: Wax melt compositions loaded with a volatile agent for release therefrom having beneficial performance properties and behavior are disclosed and described. In certain embodiments, such was melt compositions can include a wax component, a releasable volatile agent, a first inorganic thickener that is hydrophobically modified, and a second inorganic thickener.

Abstract: A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds includes a base and a pod tray, carried by the base. At least one pod is carried by the pod tray. The pod has a housing holding a volatile compound mass, the housing and mass being moveable relative to one another. An actuator is carried by the base, the actuator being operable to engage the pod and move the housing and the volatile compound mass relative to one another. The pod and the actuator are positionable relative to one another such that one or both of the pod and the actuator can be positioned proximate to one another to enable the actuator to engage the pod and move the housing and the volatile compound mass relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for activating a volatile dispensing device. The apparatus includes a puncturing mechanism formed between a first portion and a second portion of an activation arm and the puncturing mechanism being shaped to move laterally to puncture a volatile container as a compressive load is applied to the activation arm through the first and second portions.

Abstract: Diminishing gel compositions are disclosed and described. A diminishing gel composition can include a polymer matrix, a gel-diminishing agent, and a releasable active agent, such as an olfactory agent. The gel-diminishing agent can facilitate a visually noticeable or detectible gradual decrease in volume of the gel composition while in use. The releasable active agent can be released from the gel composition at a rate and amount that is sufficient to produce a desired result, such as an effective olfactory event.

Abstract: A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds includes a base and a pod tray, carried by the base. At least one pod is carried by the pod tray. The pod has a housing holding a volatile compound mass, the housing and mass being moveable relative to one another. An actuator is carried by the base, the actuator being operable to engage the pod and move the housing and the volatile compound mass relative to one another. The pod and the actuator are positionable relative to one another such that one or both of the pod and the actuator can be positioned proximate to one another to enable the actuator to engage the pod and move the housing and the volatile compound mass relative to one another.

Abstract: Wax melt compositions loaded with a volatile agent for release therefrom having beneficial performance properties and behavior are disclosed and described. In certain embodiments, such was melt compositions can include a wax component, a releasable volatile agent, a first inorganic thickener that is hydrophobically modified, and a second inorganic thickener.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for volatile fluid dispensers with novel activation mechanisms. The device includes a container assembly that includes a reservoir that is sealed to contain a volatile fluid, and an internal barrier. The device also includes a wicking assembly that includes a wick and a puncture element. The application of a force along a longitudinal axis of the wick to the puncture element breaks an internal barrier and allows the fluid in the reservoir to contact the wick.

Abstract: A system for diffusing one or more volatile compounds included in a volatile compound mass includes a base and a pod tray, carried by the base. At least one pod is carried by the pod tray, the pod having a housing holding a volatile compound mass. The volatile compound mass and the housing are moveable relative to one another. An actuator is carried by the base, the actuator operable to engage the pod and move the housing and the volatile compound mass relative to one another. The pod and the actuator are positionable relative to one another such that the pod and the actuator can be positioned proximate to one another to enable the actuator to engage the pod and move the housing of the pod and the volatile compound mass relative to one another to thereby diffuse the volatile compound.

Abstract: Aqueous-based gels capable of free standing, free-standing air fresheners, and methods for manufacturing aqueous-based gels are provided herein. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an aqueous gel capable of free standing includes a C12-C24 fatty acid or a salt thereof, a freeze/thaw stabilizer, xanthan gum, a gluco- or galactomannan, and water. The xanthan gum and the gluco- or galactomannan are present in the aqueous-based gel in a xanthan gum:gluco- and/or galactomannan ratio in the range of about 50:50 to about 75:25.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for fluid dispensers with rotational activation mechanisms. The device may include a reservoir that is sealed to prevent an escape of fluid. The sealed reservoir includes an internal barrier. The device includes a wicking assembly that includes a wick and a rotational element. Rotation of the rotational element breaks the internal barrier of the sealed reservoir and allows the fluid in the reservoir to contact the wick.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for volatile fluid dispensers with novel activation mechanisms. The device includes a container assembly that includes a reservoir that is sealed to contain a volatile fluid, and an internal barrier. The device also includes a wicking assembly that includes a wick and a puncture element. The application of a force along a longitudinal axis of the wick to the puncture element breaks an internal barrier and allows the fluid in the reservoir to contact the wick.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for activating a volatile reservoir using a lateral force. The apparatus includes a container assembly that includes a volatile reservoir sealed to prevent an escape of a volatile where a seal of the volatile reservoir is at least in part formed with an internal barrier. The container assembly has an opening shaped to receive a puncturing end of a wicking assembly. The internal barrier is positioned to break under a lateral force resulting from insertion of the puncturing end of the wicking assembly into the container assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for activating a volatile dispensing device. The apparatus includes a puncturing mechanism formed between a first portion and a second portion of an activation arm and the puncturing mechanism being shaped to move laterally to puncture a volatile container as a compressive load is applied to the activation arm through the first and second portions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a release of airborne chemicals. The apparatus includes a wall thickness between an inside surface and an outside surface, and the inside surface is shaped to connect to a chemical source covering that releases an airborne chemical from a chemical source. The wall thickness also has multiple openings connecting the inside surface to the outside surface, and the openings occupy fifteen percent to forty five percent of the outside surface.

Abstract: A substantially streak-free no-rinse hard surface cleaner composition is disclosed that comprises nonionic surfactant, alkanolamine; hydroxide and/or silicate builder, boric acid and/or borate salts, and water. The no-rinse cleaner is virtually streak-free by virtue of the added boric acid or borate. In a preferred embodiment, the substantially streak-free no-rinse cleaner comprises amine oxide surfactant, MEA, hydroxide, ethanol, sodium tetraborate pentahydrate and/or boric acid, and water. The present invention also comprises a method for improving the filming and streaking performance of alkaline no-rinse cleaners by the addition of borate salts and/or boric acid to the conventional cleaner.

Abstract: A multi-surface kitchen cleaning system is described that allows for easier cleaning of all residential and commercial kitchen surfaces from all angles, especially underneath a range hood and up inside an oven, and which comprises an alkaline/nonionic composition contained in and dispensable from a package comprising an angled-neck sprayer bottle fitted with an invertible trigger sprayer assembly, wherein the cleaning system may be used in an entirely upside-down orientation to spray upwards at an acute angle.

Abstract: A method for producing low-VOC fragranced hydrogel spheres of improved optical clarity and fragrance delivery is described and comprises the steps of combining a stable oil-in-water fragrance microemulsion absent co-solvents with a coarse dry granular, super-absorbent, hydrogel-forming copolymer. The resulting discrete hydrogel spheres have transparent optical beauty and liberate fragrance into an environment leaving behind only a small amount of emulsifier once evaporated. The air freshener produced by the disclosed method provides decoration in a home when the spheres are placed in a decorative jar.