Abstract: The present invention relates to melting plate candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a support plate for a solid fuel and to the body of said solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquefy the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof and to more rapidly release volatile materials contained within said fuels. The heat conductive support plate is configured so as to have a capillary pedestal upon the surface thereof, which magnetically engages a wick holder comprising a preferably consumable wick and heat conductive fins which conduct heat from a flame upon said wick to said support plate, said magnetic engagement of said wick holder preventing accidental removal thereof from said pedestal. The fuel may be provided in various forms, configured to cooperatively engage said wick holder and support plate, and may comprise various volatile materials.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing contents of a first container in fluid communication with a delivery apparatus includes an actuating element carried by the delivery apparatus and a valve element carried by the first container. At least one of the actuating element and the valve element defines a flow path from the first container to the delivery apparatus when the actuating element and the valve element are engaged with one another. The actuating element is engageable with a circular cylindrical valve of a second container to prevent flow of contents of the second container into the delivery apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to melting plate candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a support plate for a solid fuel and to the body of said solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquify the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof and to more rapidly release volatile materials contained within said fuels. The heat conductive support plate is configured so as to have a capillary lobe upon the surface thereof, which cooperatively engages a wick holder comprising a preferably consumable wick and heat conductive fins which conduct heat from a flame upon said wick to said support plate, said wick holder further engaging said solid fuel, and said support plate being configured so as to cause the flow of liquified fuel to the wick holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a melting plate and to the body of a solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquify the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof. The heat conductive elements and melting plate are configured so as to engage said solid fuel, and to cause the flow of liquified fuel to the wick. The fuel may be provided in various forms, configured to cooperatively engage the heat conductive elements and melting plate of the candle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensers for active materials, which dispensers employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a simmer plate and to the body of a solid fuel containing the active material, so as to more rapidly liquify the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to volatilize the active material. The heat conductive elements and simmer plate are configured so as to engage said solid fuel, and to cause the flow of liquified fuel to the wick. The fuel may comprise various active ingredients, such as fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, odor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal and medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy compositions, and the like, and may be provided in various forms.

Abstract: A heated volatile dispenser and a volatile carrier for use therewith are disclosed. The volatile dispenser has a closed heating chamber having ceiling and exit vents. A fuel burner is contained within the heating chamber, and a carrier holder is positioned over the fuel burner. The carrier holder holds a volatile carrier in a location above the fuel burner such that hot gases from the fuel burner pass the carrier holder and directly heat a volatile carrier held thereby. The volatile carrier may be held in an edge-on orientation with respect to the flow of hot gases, or transversely with respect to them. The volatile carrier has an inward end that has a cross-sectional profile made to be complementary to that of an insert slot through which the volatile carrier must be inserted for use. An alternative embodiment is shown that uses a candle as a fuel burner.

Abstract: Dual functional dispensers, wherein the dispensers comprise dispensing units independently capable of dispensing an actively dispersed spray or an evaporative long term dispersible material, comprise active dispensers in combination with passive dispensers of volatile materials. The passive dispenser may comprise the external shell of said dual function dispenser, and may be fashioned of a porous ceramic, plastic, or paper material impregnated with an evaporative passively dispersible material selected from the group consisting of fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, malodor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, and aroma therapy compositions. The actively dispersed material may be the same or different. Refill units for such dispensers may comprise a spray can and associated control means, and an evaporative dispenser of dispersible material, provided either separately or as an integral unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are dispensers for dual functional use, wherein the dispensers are independently capable of dispensing a spray or an evaporative long term dispersible material. Also disclosed are refill units for such dispensers, which refill units comprise a spray can and associated control means, and an evaporative dispenser which may be activated by removal of a covering membrane which is impermeable to a volatile dispersible material. The spray and the evaporative volatile dispersible may or may not be the same material, permitting the consumer greater flexibility and choice.

Abstract: A heated volatile dispenser and a volatile carrier for use therewith are disclosed. The volatile dispenser has a closed heating chamber having ceiling and exit vents. A fuel burner is contained within the heating chamber, and a carrier holder is positioned over the fuel burner. The carrier holder holds a volatile carrier in a location above the fuel burner such that hot combustion products from the fuel burner pass the carrier holder and directly heat a volatile carrier held thereby. The volatile carrier may be held in an edge-on orientation with respect to the flow of hot gases, or transversely with respect to them. The volatile carrier has an inward end that has a cross-sectional profile made to be complementary to that of an insert slot through which the volatile carrier must be inserted for use. Methods of dispensing volatiles are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensers for active materials, which dispensers employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a simmer plate and to the body of a solid fuel containing the active material, so as to more rapidly liquify the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to volatilize the active material. The heat conductive elements and simmer plate are configured so as to engage said solid fuel, and to cause the flow of liquified fuel to the wick. The fuel may comprise various active ingredients, such as fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, odor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, herbal and medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy compositions, and the like, and may be provided in various forms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a melting plate and to the body of a solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquify the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof. The heat conductive elements and melting plate are configured so as to engage said solid fuel, and to cause the flow of liquified fuel to the wick. The fuel may be provided in various forms, configured to cooperatively engage the heat conductive elements and melting plate of the candle.