Abstract: Methods and devices include having a container (1) for holding a liquid with a viscosity ?, and a porous wick (5) with an average pore size of at least about 4 microns to about 50 microns and a porosity ? between about 0.20 to about 0.75, and having a length L and a total exposed surface area A exposed to the ambient air. The viscosity of the liquid and the dimensions of the wick are such that a quantity A/?L is in a range of about 4×10?4 to about 18 cm/poise.

Abstract: Volatile impregnated substrates, such as wicks and mats, that can be used in a dispensing device that uses a heat source or otherwise uses active means to promote the release of the volatile material from the substrate are disclosed. The preferred substrate has a structure including sand particles adhered together by a binder to form a network of pores and passages. The binder is selected from thermoset polymeric materials and mixtures thereof. A volatile material is disposed in the pores before the substrate is installed in the dispensing device. The impregnated substrate is positioned in the dispensing device on or near the heat source of the dispensing device. The heat source is activated thereby elevating the temperature of the substrate such that volatile material is released from the pores. In one embodiment, the sand particles comprise silica sand and the binder is a cured novolac resin.

Abstract: Volatile impregnated substrates, such as wicks and mats, that can be used in a dispensing device that uses a heat source or otherwise uses active means to promote the release of the volatile material from the substrate are disclosed. The preferred substrate has a structure including sand particles adhered together by a binder to form a network of pores and passages. The binder is selected from thermoset polymeric materials and mixtures thereof. A volatile material is disposed in the pores before the substrate is installed in the dispensing device. The impregnated substrate is positioned in the dispensing device on or near the heat source of the dispensing device. The heat source is activated thereby elevating the temperature of the substrate such that volatile material is released from the pores. In one embodiment, the sand particles comprise silica sand and the binder is a cured novolac resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated sprayer for spraying the walls of a bath and shower enclosure with a cleanser. The sprayer has a housing that can be mounted inside the shower enclosure and that defines a tray in which an inverted bottle of cleanser is stored. The bottom of the tray has a tube extending downwardly along a longitudinal axis through which the cleanser can pass. A motorized head disposed beneath the tube can be rotated about the axis for metering cleanser from the bottle and spraying cleanser outward. The sprayer includes timer circuitry that delays commencement of a spray for a set time and automatically stops spraying after a predetermined period. The sprayer also includes a system for signaling the beginning of a spray cycle including audio and visual alarms. The invention focuses on methods of using such equipment, as well as a container for supplying such equipment.