The Dial Corporation

Webasto Vehicle Systems International Gmbh

David Rinaldis

Michael Jurgen Strasser

Mengtao Pete He

Carl Triplett

Mary J Conway

Ralf Groene

Francis Joseph Mills, Iv

Robert Stancel

Debra A Park

Kristopher J Stathakis

Christopher Cowart

The present invention provides an intermediary device which alters a surrounding environment and attaches to and/or integrates with at least one other device with little or no effect on devices to which the intermediary device is attached.

Intermediary device

An improved variable resistor at least partially compensates for non-linearities in an electrical circuit containing a heating element, for example, a thin-film heating element. A controllable heater includes a heating element, a voltage source (for example, a standard AC electrical outlet) coupled to the heating element, and a variable resistor coupled to the heating element and voltage source. The variable resistor includes a fixed resistive element (for example, one or more thin-film resistors) and a moveable element such as a slider control. The moveable element adjustably contacts the fixed resistive element at a contact point associated with the position such that the variable resistor has a resistance that is at least partially non-linearly related to the position, but wherein the heating element has a dissipated power that is at least partially linearly related to the position of the variable resistor. Such a system may be used in conjunction with a vapor-delivery device to provide more linear control over the intensity of fragrance provided within an environment.

Methods and apparatus for a variable resistor configured to compensate for non-linearities in a heating element circuit

A vapor-dispensing device exhibiting a range of evaporation rates corresponding to a discernable range of sensory fragrance intensity levels. The vapor-delivery device includes one or more control structure (e.g., a heat control, a vent control, and/or the like) configured to allow a user to specify the evaporation rate of the vapor-dispensing device over a continuous or discretized range of values. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two extremes of operation correspond to a range of sensory fragrance intensity values that span at least three minimum perceivable intensity zones.

Methods and apparatus for a controllable vapor-dispensing device

A vapor dispensing device having a high transverse loading stability includes a relatively low profile with respect to the supporting wall or electrical receptacle such that the frequency and impact of accidental physical contact with the device are appropriately reduced. To achieve a low profile, the housing of a vapor dispensing device is designed such that the distance from the outlet face of the wall receptacle to a worst-case transverse loading point (d) is less than the distance from the plug to a worst-case support point (d).

Vapor dispensing device having improved transverse loading stability

Combined vapor dispenser base and refill assembly

Vapor dispenser refill

A device for changing the passage of light through a window, especially through a transparent cover of a motor vehicle roof toward the motor vehicle interior, by at least two strip-shaped grid structures which are arranged to be able to move on top of one another. In order to achieve adjustable light effects, especially in a motor vehicle interior, at least one grid structure is formed from alternately transparent and opaque strips and another grid structure is formed from at least two colored strips of different color in a repeating sequence and the mutual positioning of the grid structures can be set by an actuating means.

Device for changing the passage of light through a window, especially through the transparent cover of a motor vehicle roof

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

David Rinaldis