Abstract: A dispensing system includes a substrate made of a porous material that defines a channel. The system also includes a base in contact with the substrate, A container for discharging a flowable medium into the channel is completely accommodated within the base and is partially exterior to the substrate.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a substrate made of a porous material that defines a channel. The system also includes a base in contact with the substrate, A container for discharging a flowable medium into the channel is completely accommodated within the base and is partially exterior to the substrate.

Abstract: A dispensing device includes a housing, a substrate having a surface and disposed within the housing, a reservoir disposed within the housing and having a volatile active, and an activator operatively connected to the reservoir. When the activator is activated, the volatile active is released from the reservoir onto the surface to create a first quantity of volatile active having a first emanation rate and a second quantity of volatile active having a second emanation rate.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a substrate and a mechanism for discharging a flowable medium through the substrate. The discharge of the flowable medium through the substrate results in a visible plume of the flowable medium for at least 3 seconds.

Abstract: A dispensing device includes a housing, a substrate having a surface and disposed within the housing, a reservoir disposed within the housing and having a volatile active, and an activator operatively connected to the reservoir. When the activator is activated, the volatile active is released from the reservoir onto the surface to create a first quantity of volatile active having a first emanation rate and a second quantity of volatile active having a second emanation rate.

Abstract: Dispensing devices are disclosed that include a base, a reservoir that has a volatile active, and a housing. The housing includes a horizontal component and a vertical wall extending upwardly from the horizontal component. The horizontal component and the vertical wall define an interior volume of the housing. An activator is operatively connected to the reservoir. When the activator is activated, the volatile active is released from the reservoir into the interior volume of the housing to create a first quantity of volatile active having a first emanation rate and a second quantity of volatile active having a second emanation rate.

Abstract: Dispensing devices are disclosed that include a base, a reservoir that has a volatile active, and a housing. The housing includes a horizontal component and a vertical wall extending upwardly from the horizontal component. The horizontal component and the vertical wall define an interior volume of the housing. An activator is operatively connected to the reservoir. When the activator is activated, the volatile active is released from the reservoir into the interior volume of the housing to create a first quantity of volatile active having a first emanation rate and a second quantity of volatile active having a second emanation rate.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a substrate and a mechanism for discharging a flowable medium through the substrate. The discharge of the flowable medium through the substrate results in a visible plume of the flowable medium for at least 3 seconds.

Abstract: A dispensing device includes a housing, a substrate having a surface and disposed within the housing, a reservoir disposed within the housing and having a volatile active, and an activator operatively connected to the reservoir. When the activator is activated, the volatile active is released from the reservoir onto the surface to create a first quantity of volatile active having a first emanation rate and a second quantity of volatile active having a second emanation rate.

Abstract: A refill is disclosed for an electronically activated dispenser of liquid volatiles, such as insecticides and fragrances. There is a bottle having a wick, a wick holder, a vent hole, an outlet, and a removable cap. When the cap is in place it covers both the wick and a vent hole. The cap seals the vent hole via an interference fit with a well adjacent the vent hole and also either a direct abutment against the vent hole or a surrounding of the vent hole. Also disclosed is a refill where the porous wick and vent hole are within defined size ranges so as to facilitate the use of a pyrethrum insecticide.

Abstract: An active material diffuser includes a container and a device for emitting an active material, wherein the device is adapted to be disposed within the container during use of the device. The diffuser further includes a cover disposed atop the container and enclosing the device within the container when the device is not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus including a replacement refill assembly for dispersing a volatile active into air. The replacement refill assembly includes a reservoir for containing a composition having a volatile active and a wick having an emanating surface from which the active may be volatized. A retainer is included in the apparatus for receiving and retaining the replacement refill assembly. A wire heating element is resiliently supported by opposing spring members so that when the refill assembly is received within the retainer, the spring members bias the heating element against the emanating surface of the wick while yielding an amount sufficient to prevent the heating element from breaking. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes an air regulator, such as a baffle, for minimizing the flow of air across the heater element. A method and apparatus for controlling the source of power in the apparatus to periodically heat and clean the heating element is further described.

Abstract: A nozzle insert, and/or an actuator nozzle structure, for use in dispensing a material to be dispensed from an aerosol can. The nozzle insert or actuator nozzle structure divide the spray of dispensed material into two independent, simultaneously emitted aerosol streams, which may have different attributes and may be emitted in different directions. One stream may be an upwardly directed fogger stream and the other stream may be a forwardly directed, aimable stream. This permits a user to direct, for example, an insecticide at a particular target, while simultaneously more generally fogging an area of interest.

Abstract: Nozzles are disclosed that are suitable for dispensing a liquid material to be dispensed from an aerosol can or other liquid reservoir. The nozzles are designed to deliver two streams of liquid which visually appear to substantially retain their separate character for a defined distance from the dispenser. The nozzles can have two parallel, horizontal, vertically aligned outlet paths, that are both truncated at their outer end at angles that are pointed away from each other.

Abstract: A nozzle insert, and/or an actuator nozzle structure, for use in dispensing a material to be dispensed from an aerosol can. The nozzle insert or actuator nozzle structure divide the spray of dispensed material into two independent, simultaneously emitted aerosol streams, which may have different attributes and may be emitted in different directions. One stream may be an upwardly directed fogger stream and the other stream may be a forwardly directed, aimable stream. This permits a user to direct, for example, an insecticide at a particular target, while simultaneously more generally fogging an area of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a hold termination message service in a communications network. An on-hold telephone call between a hold initiating party and a holding party is monitored at a network node for a hold termination signal, such as a DTMF signal, from the holding party. A hold termination message can be recorded when the hold termination signal is detected. The hold termination message is then delivered from the network node to the hold initiating party.

Abstract: Disclosed is an eductor for mixing water with a foamable concentrated surfactant. A venturi aspirates the surfactant into a water stream. The diluted surfactant is then delivered into a bottle, pail, bucket, or other container, e.g. for use in custodial applications. A baffle chamber and spider baffle are provided downstream of the venturi in the eductor to reduce foaming. The baffle can be cross shaped, with a large central region.