Abstract: A fragrance diffuser (100) comprises a housing defining a chamber (116) for holding a fragrance-emitting block (110), a heating element (112) located within the housing, a timing and indicating circuit board (114) to signal when the predicted life of the fragrance emitting block has expired, a power supply connection plug (134) for providing electrical power to the heating element and the timing and indicating board, and a keying system (234, 236, 238) incorporated in the chamber (116) and on the fragrance-emitting blocks (110). The blocks are encoded or keyed to indicate that they possess particular predefined characteristics, such that only blocks having those characteristics may be inserted. The diffuser is constructed with a downwardly-projecting housing extension (132) for the power supply connection to allow the use of an adjacent electric power outlet when the diffuser is properly installed.

Abstract: An insect-repellent device comprising a housing to hold a charger and a circuit board, two insect-repellent units movably received in two recessed surface portions on the outside of the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board by two separate electric wires, two reel assemblies fastened on housing at two opposite sides and controlled to let off or take up the insect-repellent units, a power switch for power control, a sterilization control switch for sterilization control, and indicator lamps for power and sterilization indications respectively.

Abstract: A device for heating a fragrant gel is assembled from a base plate and a tray holder adapted to hold a gel cartridge. Electrical terminal prongs connect to a heating element which is disposed in an elongated channel in the base plate. The tray holder has a complimentary elongated channel, such that the heating element is completely sealed and electrically insulated when the holder is joined to the plate. The opposite convex side of the channel forms an elongated rail in the holder which acts both as a heat-distribution and a cartridge retaining member.

Abstract: A single device adaptable to alter any one of a variety of air characteristics such as temperature, humidity, ion content, odor, etc. Several interchangeable cartridges are provided. Each cartridge has an apertured support structure, an air treatment element that alters a particular characteristic of an air flow through the cartridge, and male connectors. The device has a housing, a fan, and female connectors that cooperate with the male connectors to position any one of the cartridges on the housing to receive an air flow discharged from the fan. When interfitted, the connectors also complete an electric circuit to a power supply that provides current to any electrically-operable cartridge. A removable protective envelope contains the cartridge. The protective envelope has an arm that inserts through a housing slot to trip a switch controlling current flow from the power supply. When the protective envelope is removed, current flow to the cartridge is disabled, allowing safe handling of the cartridge.

Abstract: A fragrance diffuser (100) comprises a housing defining a chamber (116) for holding a fragrance-emitting block (110), a heating element (112) located within the housing, a timing and indicating circuit board (114) to signal when the predicted life of the fragrance emitting block has expired, a power supply connection plug (134) for providing electrical power to the heating element and the timing and indicating board, and a keying system (234, 236, 238) incorporated in the chamber (116) and on the fragrance-emitting blocks (110). The blocks are encoded or keyed to indicate that they possess particular predefined characteristics, such that only blocks having those characteristics may be inserted. The diffuser is constructed with a downwardly-projecting housing extension (132) for the power supply connection to allow the use of an adjacent electric power outlet when the diffuser is properly installed.

Abstract: A heating element for use within a smoking device which is intended to be held in the lips of a consumer, and which without burning, heats a flavor-generating medium within the device to produce an aerosol, vapor, or flavor, which the consumer may inhale. More particularly, an electrically-powered heating element having a plurality of discrete resistive heating segments, only one of which is active at any given time. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element is contained within the device so that the individual heating segments of the element are adjacent to a flavor-generating medium. As each segment of the heating element is provided with power, the flavor-generating medium adjacent to that segment is heated, but is not burned. This heating causes the flavor-generating medium to produce a flavor, aerosol, or vapor, which the consumer of the device may inhale.