Abstract: A fluid application system includes a diluent reservoir, a chemical container, a sprayer housing, a manifold located in the sprayer housing, and a pump assembly in fluid communication with an outlet of the manifold. The manifold includes a diluent inlet in fluid communication with the diluent reservoir, a chemical inlet in fluid communication with the container, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the diluent inlet and the chemical inlet and the outlet of the manifold. The pump assembly draws a mixture of the chemical and the diluent from the manifold and sprays the mixture of the chemical and the diluent from the nozzle.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a container having a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end. The dispensing system also includes an electro-responsive wire that imparts motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing adapted to receive a container that includes a tilt-activated valve stem. The housing includes a resilient retaining structure. The resilient retaining structure is adapted to retain a portion of the container. An electric drive unit is disposed within the housing. The drive unit includes a cam for engaging a portion of the container to actuate the valve stem.

Abstract: An overcap for a dispenser includes a housing mountable on a container. The container includes a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end. The discharge end of the valve stem is adapted to be in fluid communication with a discharge orifice of the housing. A drive unit is disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a solenoid, a bi-metallic actuator, a piezo-linear motor, or an electro-responsive wire, which is adapted to impart transverse motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container.

Abstract: A candle assembly comprises a fuel element having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a channel extending through the fuel element from the first surface to the second surface. A support structure is adapted to support the first surface of the fuel element within a central portion of the support structure. A wick retainer has a flat portion with a centralized conduit extending outwardly from a top surface of the flat portion. A wick has a first end disposed within the wick retainer, wherein the wick and wick retainer are embedded in the fuel element prior to use such that a second end of the wick extends outwardly beyond the second surface of the fuel element.

Abstract: A volatile material dispensing system includes a housing retaining a container having a tilt-activated valve stem. A displacement member is disposed on the tilt-activated valve stem. A drive unit is disposed within the housing. The drive unit includes a gear mechanically associated with an actuating cam mounted on a transfer shaft to displace the displacement member. The transfer shaft is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container. The actuating cam rotates in a plane not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing adapted to receive a container, wherein the container includes a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end. The discharge end of the valve stem is adapted to be in fluid communication with a discharge orifice of the housing. A drive unit is disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit includes a bi-metallic actuator, a piezo-linear motor, an electro-responsive wire, or a solenoid, which is adapted to impart transverse motion to a body of the container.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a drive unit adapted to be mounted on a container. The drive unit is adapted to be activated in response to a signal from at least a sensor to radially displace a tilt-activated valve stem of the container. The volatile material dispenser further includes a flexible tube having a discharge end fixedly held with respect to the container. The flexible tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with the tilt-activated valve stem.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing adapted to be releasably mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem. The housing includes a discharge orifice. A drive unit is disposed within the housing, wherein the drive unit is activated in response to a signal from at least a sensor, and wherein the drive unit is adapted to radially displace the tilt-activated valve stem in response to the signal.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a drive unit adapted to be releasably mounted on a container having a tilt-activated valve stem. The drive unit is adapted to radially displace the tilt-activated valve stem. A flexible tube having a discharge end is fixedly held with respect to the container. The flexible tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with the tilt-activated valve stem.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a tilt-activated valve stem operably connected to a valve on a container and a vibe motor in communication with the valve stem. The vibe motor is adapted to impart radial motion to the valve stem upon activation.

Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of an enclosure with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device can include a container for the chemical, a container holder, a sprayer through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally at least halfway around a perimeter of the sprayer, a clip attaching the sprayer near a rim of the toilet bowl, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the container and the sprayer, and a retention mechanism retaining the container in the container holder. One form of the retention mechanism includes a retainer having a plurality of flexing tabs that engage a flange on the holder. In another form, the retention mechanism can include inwardly directed flanges on an inner wall of the holder, a projection spaced apart from each flange, and a retainer with a plurality of fins. A refill for a dispensing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a container includes a bracket and a connector. The bracket has upper and lower portions. An annular wall is disposed between the upper and lower portions. A plurality of projections extend from the lower portion. The projections are adapted to releasably engage an upper portion of a container. A tab extends radially inwardly from the upper portion. The connector has a prong, wherein a distal portion of the prong is spaced circumferentially from the connector. The prong is adapted to be secured within a slot defined between the tab and the annular wall.

Abstract: A personal growth system and method for personal growth are provided. The personal growth system may be web-enabled and may include a communication interface operable to communicate with an endpoint user interface. The user interface generally includes a display area. The personal growth program is operable to generate, for a user in the display area, a first information request for the user and to obtain first user input relating to the user's current state of being. The personal growth system also may include a recommendation database defining guided experiences, each of which may include at least one instruction that leads the user through the guided experience. The personal growth system may communicate applicable guided experiences to the endpoint based on the first user input. The instructions of the guided experiences may specify an act intended to generate a result.

Abstract: A candle assembly comprises a fuel element having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a channel extending through the fuel element from the first surface to the second surface. A support structure is adapted to support the first surface of the fuel element within a central portion of the support structure. A wick retainer has a flat portion with a centralized conduit extending outwardly from a top surface of the flat portion. A wick has a first end disposed within the wick retainer, wherein the wick and wick retainer are embedded in the fuel element prior to use such that a second end of the wick extends outwardly beyond the second surface of the fuel element.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes an upper housing with an opening extending therethrough and a lower housing with an opening extending therethrough, wherein the upper housing is secured to the lower housing to define a cavity therebetween. Electrical circuitry is disposed within the cavity, wherein the electrical circuitry includes a heater and a USB interface that extends from the upper and lower housings. Further, a volatile material cartridge is disposed within the cavity. The dispenser is adapted to dispense volatile material from the volatile material cartridge through the openings in the upper and lower housings in a passive mode and an active mode, wherein the USB interface is coupled to a power source to energize the heater in the active mode.

Abstract: Disclosed are automated aerosol dispensers for delivering chemicals (e.g. cleaners, fragrances, insect control agents) from the dispenser to selected locations (e.g. the air; a toilet bowl; a shower enclosure). There is an actuator (e.g. a push button or a foot pedal) for initiating dispensing, and a holder for an aerosol container. The aerosol container stores the chemical before use. There is a switch associated with the holder that recognizes when the aerosol container has been mounted to the holder, and when thereafter that aerosol container has been dismounted from the holder. A controller controls dispensing of the chemical from the aerosol container in response to actuation. The controller has a timer that determines the amount of time that chemical is to be delivered from the aerosol container upon the dispenser being actuated by the actuator. A database is provided for assisting the controller in varying the time that the timer permits dispensing in response to activation.

Abstract: A high volume piezoelectric atomizer for use with common consumer spray products is disclosed. The piezoelectric atomizer may include an actuator, a substrate and a supply of a liquid product to be dispensed. The substrate may include a plurality of tapered perforations in direct contact with the supply of a liquid product. A control circuit vibrates the actuator, substrate and its tapered perforations against the supply at velocities of at least 500 mm/s. Droplets are dispensed at a delivery rate of approximately 0.2 g/s resulting in plumes of at least 2 feet in length resulting in a Valpey factor of at least 51.0.