Abstract: A container for a volatile liquid in a liquid dispensing device comprises a body and a neck extending from the body to define an opening. A retention structure is integral with the container body and is adapted to be releasably engaged with two opposing sidewalls of a housing of the dispensing device. The sidewalls are spaced apart in a first direction, and the retention structure is inhibits motion of the container in two opposing directions generally transverse to the first direction. The retention structure may be located on a side of the container body. A capillary member extends from inside the container to an exterior of the container. The volatile liquid migrates along the capillary member from the reservoir to the exterior of the container where it is evaporated from the surface of the capillary member by forced airflow generated by a motorized fan mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A device adapted to provide volatile liquid material to an atmosphere, comprising a reservoir containing volatile liquid material, a rod-like transfer member extending therefrom and adapted to transfer liquid from the reservoir, and at least one diffusion surface adapted to receive the liquid from the transfer member and facilitate its evaporation into the atmosphere, the diffusion surface extending essentially laterally from the transfer member and comprising at least one non-integral, non-porous sheet bearing a surface capillarity, which sheet has an extent and a capillarity sufficient to allow an appropriate evaporation. The device is cheap and easy to construct, versatile and diffuses odor without major changes of the odor over time.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to spray into an atmosphere a volatile liquid, the apparatus comprising an aerosol container (12) comprising a liquid-containing vessel with spray-actuating button (11), the aerosol container being fixed to the apparatus by means of a resilient support member (15,16) integral with the container, the container having a rest position, in which the button is in a non-depressed position in relation to a pressure pad (10) fixed within the apparatus, and a spray position, in which the button is in spray-actuating contact with the pressure pad against the resilience of the resilient member seeking to maintain the rest position. The apparatus is simple to construct and operate, and may be constructed such that only appropriate refills can be used.

Abstract: A plug-in device adapted to disseminate a plurality of volatile liquids, such as fragrances, individually into an atmosphere, the device comprising a plurality of volatile liquids and a dissemination means, the liquids being accommodated on a rotatable wheel, which wheel is rotated such that the individual liquids come into liquid disseminating proximity to the liquid disseminating means. The device substantially overcomes the problem of “habituation” encountered with a single fragrance air freshener.

Abstract: A device adapted to disseminate into an atmosphere in a desired sequence and timing, a plurality of active volatile liquids, such as fragrances, comprising a plurality of individual liquid reservoirs, a dissemination element associated with each reservoir, a source of forced air current and a conduit from the source of forced air current to each dissemination element, the conduit being a single conduit that is adapted to be movable so as to supply air current to each dissemination element in a desired sequence. The device may be provided as a simple plug-in type and overcomes the problem of “habituation” encountered with a single fragrance.

Abstract: A device adapted to disseminate into an atmosphere in sequence a plurality of active volatile liquids, such as fragrances, comprising a plurality of individual liquid reservoirs, a dissemination element associated with each reservoir, a central source of forced air current and one air channel per reservoir leading from an entrance at the central source to each dissemination element, air current being provided to one channel at a time by means of an air-tight rotatable barrier comprising a plurality of apertures, the spacing of these apertures being adapted to close all but one entrance at any given time. The device may be provided as a simple plug-in type and substantially overcomes the problem of “habituation” encountered with single fragrance air fresheners.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for disseminating volatile liquid such as fragrance into an atmosphere from an evaporating surface adapted to oscillate in the atmosphere. Oscillation is caused and maintained by means of two magnets, one a permanent magnet, the other an electromagnet, one of which is attached to the evaporating surface. The electromagnet is caused to repel the permanent magnet at such points in the oscillation that the oscillation is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate volatile liquid, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere comprises a reservoir (1) containing volatile liquid and, extending into and therefrom, an essentially cylindrical liquid transfer member (4) that transfers liquid from the reservoir to an evaporating surface (6) through which the transfer member passes by means of a hole in the evaporating surface. The evaporating surface comprises a rigid sheet that extends essentially laterally from the transfer member and bears on its surface capillary channels adapted to accept liquid from the transfer member and spread it over the surface of the evaporating surface.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate a volatile liquid, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere in which its presence in vapour form is desired, the apparatus comprising a reservoir (1) of volatile liquid (2) and a porous wick that extends from the liquid in the reservoir to the atmosphere where it provides an evaporating surface, the wick being formed in at least two parts, at least one of which parts is in contact with the liquid and which comprises substantially no evaporating surface (3), and at least one other of which parts forms an evaporating surface (8,9), the parts being integral in the apparatus and that part comprising the evaporating surface being adapted to be movable either into liquid transfer contact or into non-liquid transfer separation with that part in contact with the liquid. The apparatus is simple, rugged, effective, cheap to make and easy to use. It is especially useful as an air freshener in motor vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus for disseminating a volatile liquid, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere from a reservoir, dissemination being achieved by means of a transfer member in contact with the liquid and a capillary member in liquid transfer contact with the transfer member. The capillary member comprises an evaporating surface bearing primary capillary channels, at least some of these primary capillary channels being intersected by at least one secondary capillary channel, the secondary capillary channel being substantially smaller in cross-sectional area than that of the primary channels, such that liquid will flow in both primary and secondary channels.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to disseminate individually into an atmosphere a plurality of liquids, such as fragrances, the apparatus comprising (i) a source of forced ventilation; (ii) extending radially from the source, a plurality of passages, each having an entrance and an exit for the forced ventilation, the exit leading to the atmosphere; and (iii) at or near the exit of each passage an evaporative source of volatile liquid; the apparatus additionally comprising a movable barrier that surrounds the source, this barrier having one port that is movable into correspondence with a single passage at a time, such that forced ventilation flows down only that passage.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to provide in an atmosphere one of at least three volatile liquids, the apparatus comprising a source of air current, radially extending from the source of air current a plurality of coplanar air channels, corresponding to the number of volatile liquids, placed such that the air current flows through them, each channel leading to a different volatile liquid-emitting member and then into the atmosphere; and located in each channel between the source and the volatile liquid-emitting member, means of blocking the channel and preventing the flow of air therethrough. The apparatus allows an easy change from one liquid to another and control over the time of the emission of each liquid.

Abstract: A device adapted to disseminate a volatile liquid, such as a fragrance, into an atmosphere comprises a reservoir (1) containing the liquid (6) and a capillary means (8) for conveying the liquid from the reservoir to the atmosphere. The reservoir has an upper orifice (2) into which the capillary means fits loosely. This orifice is in liquid-tight contact with a tubular member (3), which extends downwards into the reservoir, the tubular member and reservoir being proportioned such as to define a liquid-retaining volume regardless of the orientation of the device. The liquid is preferably introduced by means of a sealed cartridge (5), which may be supplied separately or as an integral part of the device. The device allows the use of a wide variety of capillary means and has the advantage of being spillproof.