Abstract: A vapor-dispensing device that, through a delivery system, facilitates evaporation of multiple volatizable materials into an environment. In one embodiment, a common evaporative region is utilized; in another, a controller suitably controls an aspect or characteristic of the evaporation.

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: An air purifier having dimensions that enable the air purifier to be more discrete is disclosed. The air purifier also includes components that enable the air purifier to mimic a particular environment in which the air purifier may be placed. In addition, the air purifier includes electrical plugs such that the air purifier is able to be plugged into a traditional wall outlet and the components enable the air purifier to mimic the appearance and function of the wall outlet. Furthermore, the air purifier includes one or more modules to sanitize incoming air, facilitate air flow through the air purifier, and/or dispense scented vapors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of porous materials, for transporting liquids from a reservoir in a vapor dispensing device which addresses many of the shortcomings of the prior art, by selecting pore sizes and void volume ratios of the various wicking materials to fall within an effective range to obtain effective control of liquid delivery. For example, in accordance various aspects of the present invention, a porous polymeric wick is comprised of various polymeric materials having pore sizes less than about 250 microns and void volume ratios from about 25 to about 60%.

Abstract: A multiple-outlet vapor-dispensing device is configured to interface with an electrical receptacle such that the functionality of that outlet is substantially maintained. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vapor-dispensing device is configured to connect to an electrical receptacle having at least one outlet. The vapor-dispensing device comprises a housing having a first device outlet and a second device outlet, the housing being attachable to the outlet.

Abstract: A multiple-outlet vapor-dispensing device is configured to interface with an electrical receptacle such that the functionality of that outlet is substantially maintained. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vapor-dispensing device is configured to connect to an electrical receptacle having at least one outlet. The vapor-dispensing device comprises a housing having a first device outlet and a second device outlet, the housing being attachable to the outlet.

Abstract: A vapor-dispensing or other environment-altering apparatus is configured to integrate with a receptacle in a discreet manner. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an environment-altering apparatus is configured to mimic an electrical receptacle having an outlet pattern. The environment-altering apparatus has a front surface which includes an outlet pattern substantially corresponding to the outlet pattern of the electrical receptacle, and a plug configured to interface with the electrical receptacle. A device configured to modify one or more attributes of the environment is interposed between the front surface and plug pattern. These attributes include, for example, aromatic vapor density, insecticide vapor density, ambient light intensity, ionic air content, ultrasonic frequency intensity, and the like.

Abstract: A vapor dispensing device having a high transverse loading stability includes a relatively low profile with respect to the supporting wall or electrical receptacle such that the frequency and impact of accidental physical contact with the device are appropriately reduced. To achieve a low profile, the housing of a vapor dispensing device is designed such that the distance from the outlet face of the wall receptacle to a worst-case transverse loading point (dL) is less than the distance from the plug to a worst-case support point (dS).

Abstract: A multiple-outlet vapor-dispensing device is configured to interface with an electrical receptacle such that the functionality of that outlet is substantially maintained. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vapor-dispensing device is configured to connect to an electrical receptacle having at least one outlet. The vapor-dispensing device comprises a housing having a first device outlet and a second device outlet, the housing being attachable to the outlet.

Abstract: A vapor-dispensing device exhibiting a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a discernable range of sensory fragrance intensity levels. The vapor-delivery device includes one or more control structure (e.g., a heat control, a vent control, and/or the like) configured to allow a user to specify the evaporation rate of the vapor-dispensing device over a continuous or discretized range of values. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two extremes of operation correspond to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones.

Abstract: A vapor-dispensing device exhibiting a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a discernable range of sensory fragrance intensity levels. The vapor-delivery device includes one or more control structure (e.g., a heat control, a vent control, and/or the like) configured to allow a user to specify the evaporation rate of the vapor-dispensing device over a continuous or discretized range of values. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two extremes of operation correspond to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones.

Abstract: The invention provides personal wash compositions which deposit high levels of sunscreen while maintaining good lather. Enhanced deposition, from bar or liquid, is based on specific sunscreens used, particularly on their solubility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to skin cleansing bar composition in which polyalkylene glycols of very specific molecular weights are used to define compositions which are mild, foam well and provide consumer-desired sensory profiles. A significant amount of these specific PEGs must be incorporated into the bar to deliver these desired effects. To properly process such a bar composition, the cast-melt method is the preferred technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid detergent compositions generally comprising anionic/amphoteric/nonionic surfactant systems. Addition of specific polyol esters wherein the melting temperature and HLB are specifically defined has been found to remarkably enhance the oil/humectant structuring and releasing capabilities of a skin cleansing bar. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing the bar's capability of including high levels of oil and/or humectant by carefully balancing the polyol ester's weight ratio to the oil and/or humectant. In the third embodiment, the invention relates to a method of enhancing the bar's capability of incorporating high levels of oil and/or humectant and delivering the oil and/or humectant for skin benefit by carefully balancing the polyol ester's weight ratio to the other costructurants such as PEG 8000 and fatty acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to personal wash bar compositions, particuly compositions comprising (1) lathering anionic surfactants (e.g., sodium acyl isethionate or fatty acid soap); (2) specific solid, less hygroscopic amphoteric surfactants (e.g., disodium N-lauryl iminodipropionate). The invention relates to the incorporation of significant levels of said solid amphoteric surfactant into the specific bar compositions to achieve superior skin mildness and bar user properties. The invention especially addresses the advantages of using solid, less hygroscopic amphoteric surfactants to reduce the processing difficulties in extrusion and modified extrusion processes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to specific synthetic bar compositions wherein relatively small amounts of specified alkoxylated nonionic surfactant has been found to enhance mildness of bar compositions without sacrificing processability and desired user properties, such as lather and bar smoothness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chip compositions containing specific polyol ester as the major carrier for liquid skin benefit agents. Addition of specific polyol esters wherein the melting temperature and HLB are specifically defined has been found to remarkably enhance the oil/humectant structuring capability of a skin cleansing bar. Such a polyol ester also permits the liquid benefit agents to be released into a personal wash liquor and then to be delivered to skin via personal wash. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing the bar's capability of including high levels of oil and/or humectant by applying the adjuvant technology. That is, by coextruding and stamping the mixture of chips containing skin benefit agents and base chips containing a surfactant system, high levels of oils and/or humectants can be incorporated into solid toilet bars by standard extrusion technology.

Abstract: Novel chip compositions comprise specifically defined carriers; benefit agent; and thickening agent (e.g., fumed silica). Use of chips comprising excess of these carriers over benefit agent and thickening agent has been found to allow significant deposition of benefit agent without compromising processing. In a second embodiment, the invention comprises bar compositions comprising mixtures of the chips of the invention and chips containing defined surfactant systems. A process for forming the chips of the invention and a method of enhancing deposition without compromising processing using the chips of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to bar compositions comprising an alkali metal salt of hydrophobically modified ethylenediaminetriacetic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to personal wash bar compositions comprising hydrophobic, low viscosity (less than 1000 cp) emollient agents which have been specifically pre-thickened with defined polymer composition. Use of the specific thickeners allow incorporation of the low viscosity oil (viscosity less than 1000 cp) in the personal wash compositions to deliver enhanced skin benefits and desired user properties without compromising foaming and bar processing.