Abstract: A volatile material refill includes a container with a volatile material disposed therein, a plug assembly disposed within an opening, and a wick retained within the container by the plug assembly. The refill further includes an attachment connected to a top portion of the container for assisting in retaining the refill in at least one volatile material dispenser.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing, a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, and a compatible volatile material refill that includes a first set of dimensions and a wick extending therefrom. An adapter is removeably attached to a portion of the compatible volatile material refill. The retention mechanism non-removeably retains the adapter to the housing when the compatible volatile material refill and adapter combination are inserted therein. Further, when the compatible volatile material refill is removed from the adapter, the adapter prevents incompatible volatile material refills having a second set of dimensions different from the first set of dimensions from being attached to the housing.

Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing, a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, a first refill having a wick extending therefrom, and a first adapter removably attached to a portion of the first refill. The retention mechanism non-removably retains the first adapter to the housing when the first refill and the first adapter combination are inserted therein. When the first refill is removed from the dispenser, the first adapter remains in the dispenser such that a second refill with a second adapter removably attached thereto can be inserted into and retained by the first adapter.

Abstract: A volatile material refill includes a container with a volatile material disposed therein, a plug assembly disposed within an opening of the container, a pivotal wick retained in the container by the plug assembly, and a sheath extending around at least a portion of the wick.

Abstract: This wicking apparatus includes a liquid reservoir, a wick holder, and a wick. The wick holder has a top part for fitting on the reservoir neck and a bottom part for insertion into the reservoir opening, the top part being plate-formed with a central opening, and with two peripheral projections that are spaced apart and that extend downward from the plate towards the reservoir body, projections for contacting inner and outer walls of the reservoir neck, and a second projection for contacting an outer wall of the reservoir neck, the bottom part having wick supporting arms that extend downwards and have flexible end portions projecting inwardly towards the centre of the reservoir opening. The wick is step-shaped with a larger diameter part, and a smaller diameter part: the interface between them defines a shoulder which is supported and held in place by the flexible end portions of the supporting arms.

Abstract: A hydrophilic fiber wick is provided, the wick made up of a self-sustaining fluid transmissive body having a plurality of bicomponent fibers bonded to each other at spaced apart contact points. The bicomponent fibers have at least one biodegradable material and collectively define tortuous fluid flow paths through the fluid transmissive body.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air freshener apparatus capable of being attached to an air-vent for receiving air. The air freshener apparatus comprises an enclosure formed by a front portion and a back portion. The enclosure removably secures a reservoir having an aromatic substance. Further, an attaching member extends from the back portion to attach the enclosure to the air-vent. Furthermore, an air-vent opening is configured on the back portion for receiving the air from the air-vent on removably attaching the enclosure to the air-vent, and further, directing the air to the reservoir for obtaining a mixture of the air and the aromatic substance. Furthermore, an adjustable opening is configured on the front portion for dispensing the mixture out of the enclosure. Moreover, a regulating means is provided for adjusting the adjustable opening for dispensing required amount of the mixture therefrom, and a lighting member is provided for illumination purpose.

Abstract: A fragrance delivery device that includes a hollow vessel containing a first fragrance medium and further comprising a porous exterior surface with a porous wicking extension extending therefrom; and a reservoir containing a second fragrance medium, the second fragrance medium in fluid communication with the wicking extension.

Abstract: A slow release deer and rodent outdoor deterrent device includes: a) a waterproof hollow housing having a top and a bottom, a top wick orifice and a bottom wick; b) a wick externally extending from outside the hollow housing top, through the top wick orifice and into the hollow housing, through the bottom wick orifice and externally below the hollow housing bottom; c) a teabag containing dried repellant that is activated by water contact. The teabag acts as a two way filter to permit water to enter the teabag and permit a water-dissolved repellant brew to exit the teabag, the teabag being inside the housing in contact with the wick. The device is placed outdoors proximate vegetation to be protected and releases repellent when wetted by rain or watering.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an ampoule for the storage and dispersion of a volatile liquid comprised of (a) an outer shell composed of an impermeable material and defining at least one opening; (b) a porous diffusion member defining an internal reservoir positioned inside said outer shell; (c) a volatile liquid contained within such internal reservoir; and (d) a film member adhered to said outer shell and covering said at least one opening; wherein said film member is disposed such that an air space is present between said porous diffusion member and said film member; and wherein said porous diffusion member is configured such that molecules of the volatile liquid can only enter into said air space via diffusion through said porous diffusion member. Such ampoules are particularly suited for the storage and dispersion of organic chemicals useful as bed bug attractants, especially where such attractants are formulated in a highly volatile liquid, such as a C8-C12 alkane.

Abstract: A discharge device and a method for evaporating a liquid to the atmosphere are proposed. The liquid pressurized by gas is supplied to an evaporator via a flow restriction device which restricts the flow rate of the liquid such that continuous release and evaporation of the liquid is possible. Further, an evaporator is proposed. The evaporator comprises an evaporation surface which is designed preferably by microstructuring such that the surface area is increased and/or the liquid forms an essentially uniform film on the evaporation surface.

Abstract: A snowglobe assembly for emitting a fragrance to an ambient environment. A motor may be provided to agitate particulate material inside the globe.

Abstract: A volatile liquid droplet dispenser for containing a liquid to be dispensed, with a first substrate having a space for containing the liquid, and having an outlet With at least one outlet nozzle, the first substrate further having the space adjacent to the liquid outlet, to receive the liquid such that the liquid may exit through at least one outlet nozzle of the outlet, a second substrate having a liquid inlet, and an actuating membrane arranged to actuate liquid in the space. The first substrate also has a fluidic channel interconnected to the space and arranged to laterally connect the liquid inlet means to the space, thereby conveying the liquid to the space by way of lateral capillary action. The outlet is eccentric to the liquid inlet and in a vertical plane that is substantially the same or lower than the plane of the liquid inlet, depending on the liquid used.

Abstract: The device for presenting a given fragrance comprises a presenting rod (10) in a confining enclosure (20), this confining enclosure comprising a collar (21) and this presenting rod comprising a porous portion (11) loaded with this fragrance and designed to fit through this collar, and another portion forming a head (12) suitable for grasping and designed to close this collar in a rest configuration such that the porous portion is, inside this confining enclosure, in a region where the fragrance exists in the gaseous state only, the constituent materials of the presenting rod underneath the head and those of the confining enclosure having no smell of their own.

Abstract: A device adapted to provide volatile liquid material to an atmosphere, comprising a reservoir containing volatile liquid material, a rod-like transfer member extending therefrom and adapted to transfer liquid from the reservoir, and at least one diffusion surface adapted to receive the liquid from the transfer member and facilitate its evaporation into the atmosphere, the diffusion surface extending essentially laterally from the transfer member and comprising at least one non-integral, non-porous sheet bearing a surface capillarity, which sheet has an extent and a capillarity sufficient to allow an appropriate evaporation. The device is cheap and easy to construct, versatile and diffuses odor without major changes of the odor over time.

Abstract: A diffusion device includes a housing and an opening in the housing adapted for insertion of a container having an active material therein and a wick extending therefrom. The device further includes a heater disposed in a rear portion of the housing and spaced from the wick when a container is inserted into the housing. A vent is disposed in a front portion of the housing. An active material diffusion-interference member is disposed directly above and axially aligned with the wick when the container is inserted into the device, wherein the diffusion-interference member inhibits diffusion of the active material from the housing such that heat generated by the heater is trapped around the wick, thus increasing volatilization and dispersion of the active material from the diffusion device as compared to a diffusion device that does not have a diffusion-interference member.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for dispensing a volatile substance into an atmosphere employing a novel heat source to promote the release of the volatile substance. The present invention also provides methods for dispensing a volatile substance into an atmosphere employing the novel device.

Abstract: This invention relates to an assembling structure of water conduction device for mist maker in which the water conduction device comprises a mounting seat and a capillary water-conduction fiber; resilient pieces being provided at both sides of the mounting seat, which have engaging means provided thereon; a mounting hole being further provided within the housing of the mist maker, in which the mounting seat of the water conduction device is assembled, the engaging means provided on the resilient pieces of the mounting seat being interlocked on the wall face of the assembling hole of the housing such that the water conduction device can be mounted within the housing of the mist maker. If the water conduction device is to be replaced, two resilient pieces has to be pressed such that the engaging means are released from the interlocking with the wall face of the assembling hole, then the water conduction device can be detached for replacement.

Abstract: A clip on type air freshener device having a housing with openings in walls thereof permitting air flow through a cavity in the housing. A bottle that holds a supply of fragrance bearing liquid is mounted on the housing and has a wick with a portion thereof projecting into the cavity in the housing. An open ended sleeve is mounted on housing in axial alignment with such projecting wick portion and is adjustably moveable axially along the wick selectively in one position to completely cover the wick projecting portion and in another position leave at least a major portion thereof exposed to air flow through said housing openings. The wick cover is exposed through an opening in the housing giving the user a visual indication as to the amount of wick exposed for evaporation of the fragrance during usage of the device.

Abstract: A wick which comprises a network matrix ceramic that is contacted either directly or indirectly with a liquid composition such as a fragrance-containing composition. The wick absorbs and transports the liquid composition through capillary action, and the composition is subsequently diffused into the surrounding ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A fragrance diffuser kit is provided comprising a decanter, a fragrance refill set, a removable snuffer cap and a removable decorative vented lid. The decanter may be selected from a plurality of unique and decorative designs that are suitable for prominent display as a piece of home décor. The fragrance refill set comprises a bottle of high-quality fragrance composition for filling the decanter and a replacement wick, whereby the user may select and change the fragrance emitted by the fragrance diffuser. The decanter incorporates a wick holder having a top opening that communicates with a top opening in the decanter body so that a wick from the fragrance refill set may be inserted and held in a position to absorb and emit the fragrance composition contained in the decanter. The snuffer cap may be used to stop the emission of the fragrance composition and the vented lid may be used to hide the wick and snuffer cap, if present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device generally in the form of an oil lamp and adapted to a dual function of diffusing light and a volatile material. The device includes a fuel and a wick formed of combustible material, and a heat conductive element adapted to receive a gel or solid material capable of melting at the burning temperatures of the device. The material is a carrier for a volatile substance that is released into the atmosphere upon melting of the carrier material. Fragrances are preferred embodiments of the volatile substance. Methods for use of the device in the simultaneous diffusion of light and volatile substances, namely fragrances, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fragrance is held in one or more layers of a three-layer liquid mixture. The three layers are mutually immiscible to form an aesthetically pleasing effect while the specific gravities of the layers are adjusted so as to provide for their transfer to the atmosphere via a simple wick. Such adjustment is determined as a function of the wicking material that is used. The formulation of the mixture involves the combination of two mutually immiscible non-aqueous components that are temporarily rendered miscible during the formulation process.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an air freshener device that emits fragrance through the evaporation of a fragrance-containing fluid comprising: a container, comprising a particular volume of the fragrance-containing fluid; a wick disposed partially in, and partially out of the fragrance-containing fluid, the wick having an immersion section immersed in the fluid so as to displace a displacement volume of fluid and a non-immersion section extending outward from a surface of the fluid, the immersion and non-immersion section being disposed on opposite lateral ends of the wick; the wick further comprising a displacement portion and a wicking portion, the displacement portion being configured to displace a desired first volume of fluid, the wicking portion being configured to wick a second volume of fluid; the displacement portion and the wicking portion designed to achieve a desired ratio between the displaced first volume of fluid and the wicked second volume of fluid.

Abstract: Devices having one or more transfer elements (wick, emanator) formed from plant material derived from the stems of sola plants from the genus Aeschynomene L., family Fabaceae in air fresheners or evaporation devices for other actives (fragrances, insecticides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals). Methods of assembling a device having one or more transfer elements (wick, emanator) formed from plant material derived from the stems of sola plants from the genus Aeschynomene L., and for using the device to transfer or evaporate liquids containing active are also provided. The material when used in form of a wick or emanator shows excellent liquid transfer and of both aqueous and non-aqueous liquids and a low fractionation of a mixture of actives.

Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for storing and dispensing a soluble substance, such as a flavoring, into a liquid. A useful application of the subject invention includes the case where lime-flavored liquid is contained in a foam artificial lime stored in the neck of a beer bottle, attached to a beer bottle or can, or attached to the 6-pack or 12-pack carton. The artificial lime may be retrieved from the neck or a protective covering and acted upon so it diffuses the lime-flavored liquid into the beer when it is inserted into the beer bottle. Alternately, juice from the artificial lime may be squeezed into the beer, or the artificial lime may be simply retrieved and discarded. Rather than needing to buy a natural lime, cut it up and push a wedge into a beer bottle, an artificial lime, or a packaged natural lime, may be stored directly in or with the beer bottle and placed in functional contact with the beer at time of consumption.

Abstract: A cedar oil evaporator includes: a housing having openings therein for ventilation of air; a reservoir within the housing containing cedar oil; and a carrier for wicking away the cedar oil from the reservoir for dispersing cedar oil via air that passes through the housing. Each carrier is a length of cotton twine having a diameter of one-sixteenth of an inch or smaller and a length of twelve and one-half feet or longer. The housing includes a door movable about a hinge between a first position, wherein the reservoir is accessible for removal from the housing; and a second position, wherein the reservoir is inaccessible for removal. An extent of the carrier that is received within the reservoir for immersion in the cedar oil preferably represents 10% or less of the overall length of the carrier, the remainder being randomly exposed within the interior space of the housing.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with a porous protuberance is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to intermittently dip the porous member into a volatile liquid and to expel air out through vents.

Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with an evaporative member is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to bring the evaporative member into repeated contact with the exposed end of a liquid transfer means to wick volatile liquid out from a reservoir onto the evaporative member and to expel vapors out through vents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporation apparatus capable of supplying active ingredients sufficiently and stably. One embodiment of the invention includes a retention vessel keeping a liquid formulation which contains active ingredients, a liquid absorbing mechanism which absorbs the liquid formulation from said retention vessel, an evaporation mechanism which evaporates active ingredients of said liquid formulation absorbed into said liquid absorbing mechanism and adjusting means which adjusts the evaporation of active ingredients.

Abstract: A protective covering constructed from an electrostatically charged sheet having a top and bottom surface and an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer has top and bottom surfaces, the bottom surface of the absorbent layer being bonded to the top surface of the electrostatically charged sheet. The absorbent layer is divided into a plurality of cells for containing liquid spilled on the absorbent layer. The absorbent layer can be constructed from paper, open cell foam, fibrous mat, or any other absorbent material. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cells are constructed by providing hydrophobic barriers in the absorbent layer. The barriers can be constructed from paraffin, plastic, or any other material that can penetrate the absorbent layer. In one embodiment of the present invention, a hydrophobic layer is bonded to the top surface of the absorbent layer.

Abstract: A diffuser for an air freshener product includes a casing having front and rear casing portions fastened together. A neck opening is formed inside said casing into which a neck of an air freshener reservoir is secured. A wick extends from the neck of the air freshener reservoir into the interior of the casing. The casing has openings in the front and back through which air flows. An air flow control element is provided in the casing to permit a user to change the air flow to the wick and thereby vary the air freshener product dispersed into the air. The air flow control element has a knob extending from the casing that is operable by the user. The rear portion of the casing has a fastener to which is attached a clip having two extended flexible arms that engage into a vent grill of an air conditioner system of a vehicle. The clip is securable in the fastener at positions oriented 90 degrees from one another to enable the clip to be fastened to vertically or horizontally oriented air conditioner grill slats.

Abstract: A liquid-absorbing core which is for use in suction type drug volatilizers which comprises hydrophilic fibers and/or water-absorbing fibers. The hydrophilic fibers have an affinity for water, and are rayon, cotton, etc. Especially preferred is rayon because it has a high affinity for water. Examples of the water-absorbing fibers include water-absorbing synthetic fibers made of a polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol or polysodium acrylate and other synthetic fibers treated by, e.g., adding and adhering polyvinyl alcohol or polysodium acrylate thereto or coating them with the polymer. In the liquid-absorbing core, the hydrophilic fibers and/or water-absorbing fibers may be disposed so as to have a porosity of 10 to 80%.

Abstract: A scent-delivery system is disclosed that utilizes as least one of (1) a venturi-effect delivery device for promoting evaporation of volatile compounds or (2) a pendulum for energy-efficient movement of solid or liquid forms containing the volatile compounds. When the venturi-effect delivery device is used, a flow of air therethrough drives the evaporation of volatile compounds. The pendulum can be used to move the venturi-effect delivery device to generate the relative movement between the air and the device, hence creating a “flow” of air.

Abstract: Air deodorizer provided with a container for being at least partly filled with a deodorizing fluid and a hollow wick, wherein the container, or a part connected thereto, abuts on the wick around said hollow wick, such that leakage between the outer wall of the wick and the container is substantially prevented, wherein the wick is provided with a seal for preventing leakage through the hollow part of the wick, which seal is at least partly arranged within the hollow part of the wick.

Abstract: A wick assembly for use in a dispenser for a volatile liquid includes a wick having an external surface and a discontinuity in the surface providing a location in the wick of less resistance to a force applied to the wick than a location adjacent to the discontinuity. In one embodiment, the wick is adapted to be positioned to extend from an inside of a container, through an opening defined in the container, to an outside of the container, and the wick is formed such that a portion of the wick will block the opening when the wick is broken at the discontinuity.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an air freshener device that emits fragrance through the evaporation of a fragrance-containing fluid comprising: a container, comprising a particular volume of the fragrance-containing fluid; a wick disposed partially in, and partially out of the fragrance-containing fluid, the wick having an immersion section immersed in the fluid so as to displace a displacement volume of fluid and a non-immersion section extending outward from a surface of the fluid, the immersion and non-immersion section being disposed on opposite lateral ends of the wick; the wick further comprising a displacement portion and a wicking portion, the displacement portion being configured to displace a desired first volume of fluid, the wicking portion being configured to wick a second volume of fluid; the displacement portion and the wicking portion designed to achieve a desired ratio between the displaced first volume of fluid and the wicked second volume of fluid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices and containers for emitting volatile compositions. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a device that includes a holding mechanism for substantially concurrently and releasably retaining two containers. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a first container having a first volatile composition and a second container having a second volatile composition where the first and the second containers are operably connected to each other to form a cartridge. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of emitting a first and a second volatile composition.

Abstract: Improved transfer elements (wick, emanator) of plant material including material derived from the stems of plants of the family Fabaceae selected from a plant of the genus Aeschynomene, a plant of the genus Sesbania, and a plant of the genus Robinia, and devices having at least one such transfer element including air fresheners and evaporation devices for other actives (fragrances, insecticides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals). Methods of assembling a device having at least one transfer element, and for using the transfer element or device to transfer or evaporate liquids containing active are also provided.

Abstract: A passive vapor dispersing device which may be used for freshening or otherwise treating the air, characterized by both rapid and substantially linear delivery of volatizable fragrance or other materials. The device uses a packaged combination of liquid reservoir, wick and emanator which is assembled and shipped with the wick and emanator out of contact with each other, but is activated when the user opens the package and places the wick and emanator in contact. The housing for the device provides guide means for assisting the user in placing the wick and emanator in proper contact, and irreversible lock means for holding the components in contact and preventing access to the wick and emanator once activation has been achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides wicks for use in vapor dispensing devices which can facilitate manufacture or assembly of the vapor dispensing devices. In one embodiment, a wick of the present invention comprises a porous body, a first end and a second end, the first end having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the body, and the second end having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the body.

Abstract: An electrical vapor-dispersing device is described that vaporizes volatizable material continuously and uninterrupted when first plugged into an AC electrical source, but upon operation of an initiator switch begins cycling fixed “OFF/ON” periods preset at from about 6 to about 18-hours to conserve both energy and volatizable material. In the preferred embodiment, an LED signals when the total elapsed “on-time” reaches a set value and refill of the volatizable material is required. The device is returned to constant operation only by unplugging from the electrical source and plugging back in to the electrical mains, or by electrical power failure/interruption.

Abstract: Glycolic disinfectant compositions and related methods and apparatus for electrostatic dispensation.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an airspace with a volatile substance includes means for detecting the presence of a specific component in a volatile substance and means for controlling a volatile substance dispenser to dispense the volatile substance only if the volatile substance contains the specific component.

Abstract: A fragrance disperser in one form includes a single fan that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance. A second form has the fan reversible to provide two different airstreams that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power. An alternative source has a reservoir for fragrance and a wick located in an air passage forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance. Where two fragrances are provided, the fragrance sources may be located side-by-side and matching fragrances may have, for example, matching indicia on the sources so that the match can be easily determined visually.

Abstract: A spill-proof aerator is disclosed that is adapted to flamelessly diffuse a liquid solution into the atmosphere. The device comprises a liquid solution having less than 20% volatile organic compounds housed in a vessel with at least one wall, wherein an opening is disposed in the wall. The device further includes a wick assembly including at least a wick of porous material capable of being disposed in the opening of the vessel for at least partial submergence in the liquid solution. The wick is further disposed for drawing up the liquid solution thorough capillary action. The wick assembly is reusable and adapted to removably seal the opening in the vessel.

Abstract: An aqueous biocidal composition comprising, a nitrogen-containing biocide, a sulphur-containing biocide and an oleophilic carrier. A method and device for dispersing such a biocidal composition. A pouch for protecting produce that incorporates the biocidal composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a vapor dispersing device having a frangible ampoule containing a volatizable material and a jacket around the ampoule for transferring the volatizable material to an evaporative pad. The jacket may include an extension serving as a wick between the ampoule and the evaporative pad. A portion of the device housing is movable to rupture the ampoule to initiate the transfer of the volatizable material.

Abstract: A refill for a volatile material includes a container having a reservoir portion and a neck portion. The refill further includes a plug assembly disposed within the neck portion of the container and a channel through a central portion of the plug assembly. Still further, the refill includes a porous wick extending through the channel, wherein the wick includes an upper portion extending outside the container and a lower portion disposed within the reservoir portion. A slit is formed in the lower portion of the wick to form a barb that catches on the plug assembly to prevent removal of the wick from the container.

Abstract: A passive fragrance delivery system having: a longitudinal body having a proximal and distal end, a diameter and length, with an inner core and outer sheath substantially of the same length and having an axis extending vertically there through; the inner core made from a material that is substantially rigid and substantially provides a structure for the outer sheath; wherein the body has the characteristic which permits capillary action of a liquid when one end of the body is place into a liquid source, wherein the second end within a predetermined period becomes occupied with the liquid source; the body further providing emission of the liquid source between the ends.