Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes at least one reservoir with a delivery mechanism in communication therewith. The delivery mechanism draws an air treatment material from the reservoir and provides the air treatment material in response to a decreased level of active air treatment material or the detection of a malodor. Additionally, the delivery mechanism includes a control system and a detection system. The control system activates the detection system at a timed interval or in response to a change in one or more ambient conditions (e.g., motion, temperature, light, humidity, etc.). Once activated, the detection system samples the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the quality of the environment.

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 substantially dry, water-activated cleaning article is described that comprises a two-layer nonwoven substrate impregnated with a cleaning composition minimally comprising a nonionic surfactant and a microbially-derived polysaccharidic polymer.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with a porous protuberance is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to intermittently dip the porous member into a volatile liquid and to expel air out through vents.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with an evaporative member is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to bring the evaporative member into repeated contact with the exposed end of a liquid transfer means to wick volatile liquid out from a reservoir onto the evaporative member and to expel vapors out through vents.

Abstract: A substantially dry, water-activated cleaning article is described that comprises a two-layer nonwoven substrate impregnated with a cleaning composition minimally comprising a nonionic surfactant and a microbially-derived polysaccharidic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for dispensing a volatizable material when needed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a sensor to detect malodors, where the sensing of a malodor is used to activate fragrance emission when needed, and not, when not needed. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor is able to distinguish between different malodors in different locations, such that a single system may be used in different locations. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes an indicator configured to indicate to the sensor the type of malodor to detect to activate fragrance emission. In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator is included with the container of volatizable liquid, either mechanically or electrically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for detecting a malodor and dispensing an air treatment when needed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a selection mechanism which allows the user to choose how the system dispenses the air treatment, a sensor, a timing control circuit coupled with the sensor, and a delivery system coupled with the timing control circuit. Upon detection of a malodor by the sensor, the sensor communicates with the timing control circuit which, in turn, communicates with the delivery system to dispense the air treatment. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an air-freshening system is shown that combines a continuous dispensing system with a sensing dispensing system.

Abstract: An electrical vapor-dispersing device is described that vaporizes volatizable material continuously and uninterrupted when first plugged into an AC electrical source, but upon operation of an initiator switch begins cycling fixed “OFF/ON” periods preset at from about 6 to about 18-hours to conserve both energy and volatizable material. In the preferred embodiment, an LED signals when the total elapsed “on-time” reaches a set value and refill of the volatizable material is required. The device is returned to constant operation only by unplugging from the electrical source and plugging back in to the electrical mains, or by electrical power failure/interruption.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes at least one reservoir with a delivery mechanism in communication therewith. The delivery mechanism draws an air treatment material from the reservoir and provides the air treatment material in response to a decreased level of active air treatment material or the detection of a malodor. Additionally, the delivery mechanism includes a control system and a detection system. The control system activates the detection system at a timed interval or in response to a change in one or more ambient conditions (e.g., motion, temperature, light, humidity, etc.). Once activated, the detection system samples the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the quality of the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides vapor dispensing devices having improved refill units, detectors which sense changes in the environments surrounding the device, and optionally, make corresponding changes to the device and/or auxiliary devices, volatizable material delivery systems, volatizable material enhancers, nightlights, and various other features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for detecting a malodor and dispensing an air treatment when needed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a selection mechanism which allows the user to choose how the system dispenses the air treatment, a sensor, a timing control circuit coupled with the sensor, and a delivery system coupled with the timing control circuit. Upon detection of a malodor by the sensor, the sensor communicates with the timing control circuit which, in turn, communicates with the delivery system to dispense the air treatment. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an air-freshening system is shown that combines a continuous dispensing system with a sensing dispensing system.

Abstract: Vapor-emitting devices according to various embodiments of the invention include active end of use indicators to warn users that it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device. Some embodiments of the vapor-emitting devices include intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator, while other embodiments include non-intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator. The indicators may be visual and/or auditory cues for notifying users it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with an evaporative member is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to bring the evaporative member into repeated contact with the exposed end of a liquid transfer means to wick volatile liquid out from a reservoir onto the evaporative member and to expel vapors out through vents.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with a porous protuberance is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to intermittently dip the porous member into a volatile liquid and to expel air out through vents.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device is described that comprises a pressurizable vessel with at least one opening equipped with a pressure-responsive valve that controllably releases vapor in bursts when the vessel is heated through a controlled heating means.

Abstract: A heating device for the vaporization of active substances, such as air freshener fragrances, disinfectants, sanitizing agents, insecticides and the like, in which a wick is immersed in a fluid active substance and heat is applied to produce vaporization. The heating is produced by one or more electrical resistance elements embedded in a circular heating ring which is hinged to move over the end of the wick and encircle it. The internal wires which carry electrical current from a source of electrical power are led through the hinged area for connection to the electrical resistance elements, and a feature of the invention is the protection of such wires as they pass through the hinged area.

Abstract: The invention provides means within an improved vapor dispensing device to accommodate or compensate for multiple orientations of an outlet into which the device is to be inserted. Orientation compensation is accomplished by inverted and/or rotatable electrical adapters, universal contacts on a base member, enlarged passive dispersion channels, enlarged emanators, multiple emanators, baffles cooperating with an emanator, and/or sleeves encasing multiple wicks to allow for operation of the device in multiple orientations.

Abstract: The present invention provides vapor dispensing devices having improved refill units, detectors which sense changes in the environments surrounding the device, and optionally, make corresponding changes to the device and/or auxiliary devices, volatizable material delivery systems, volatizable material enhancers, nightlights, and various other features.