Abstract: Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a description of a public-surface contact-avoidance device comprising a container configured to store an item to be used repeatedly by a user; and a public contact device attached to the container; wherein the container is configured to be held by the user in a manner that allows the user to contact the public contact device with public surfaces without requiring the user to touch the public surfaces with the user's hands. In some embodiments, a liquid container comprises a bottle comprising a storage portion and a lid portion, the bottle being configured to store liquid for drinking; and a contact device affixed to the bottle; wherein the contact device is configured to be used to actuate a door without requiring contact between the door and the user's hands.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a description of a sanitizing system for sanitizing a mobile electronic device comprising: a housing; a sanitizer contained within the housing configured to emit radiation with a sanitizing effect; and an entry system with a default closed position, the entry system being configured to permit a mobile electronic device to pass through the entry system and then automatically return to the default closed position, the entry system comprising a first outer enclosure and a second inner obstruction; wherein the entry system blocks radiation emitted within the sanitizing system to a level acceptable for consumer use, or wherein the second inner obstruction provides more radiation attenuation than the first outer enclosure, and/or wherein the combination of the first outer enclosure and the second inner obstruction provides more radiation attenuation than the first outer enclosure by itself. Disclosed are internal reflectors to help distribute sanitizing radiation generally evenly.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a domestic appliance communication system that provides consumers with the ability to remotely access information about their domestic appliances, and in particular domestic appliances which utilize consumable resources which may need to be periodically replaced or replenished. The domestic appliance communication system may periodically receive status information from the domestic appliances owned by a consumer or household and provide updated status information to the consumer, either on demand or via alerts triggered in response to certain events. The present disclosure also describes implementations and improvements which may be made to domestic appliances in order to provide periodic measuring and transmitting of status information to a remote system, such as the domestic appliance communication system.

Abstract: A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid.

Abstract: Various dispensing devices, such as foaming soap pumps, are disclosed. The soap pump can include a fluid storage unit and a fluid handling unit. The fluid storage unit can include a reservoir that is configured to hold a quantity of product, such as liquid soap. The fluid handling unit can include a pumping assembly and dispensing assembly. The soap pump can be configured to withdraw liquid soap from the reservoir, convert the liquid soap to foamed soap, and dispense the foamed soap from the discharge assembly.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In some embodiments, the mirror comprises one or more adjustable sections. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light column configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of a mirror section. In some embodiments, the light column can produce various color temperatures. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises a capacitive touch sensor that allows control of one or more features of the light emitted from the light source. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured control on/off settings and other features of the emitted light.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.

Abstract: A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror is rotatable within a support portion of the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror.

Abstract: A layered graph data structure can be stored using a vertex table and an edge table. The vertex table includes a vertex identifier column and a first graph identifier column. The edge table includes a second graph identifier column, a node identifier column, and an edge type column. Queries of the layered graph data structure include a target entity and a graph level, and iterative searching of the vertex table and the edge table is performed based on the graph level and data stored in edge type column.

Abstract: A mirror system can include a mirror assembly and a protective portion, such as a holder or cover. A mirror assembly can include a housing portion, a mirror, a light source, a light conveying channel, and an orienting structure. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a component interaction actuator, such as a switch, configured to automatically activate or deactivate when two components in the mirror system interact or cease interacting. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly is configured to turn on upon removal of at least a portion of the mirror assembly from at least a portion of the protective portion and to turn off upon at least a portion of the mirror assembly being received by at least a portion of the protective portion. In some embodiments, a user can hold the mirror assembly and use the orienting structure as a finger-retaining portion. In some embodiments, the user can use the orienting structure as a stand for the mirror assembly.

Abstract: A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In some embodiments, the mirror comprises one or more adjustable sections. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light column configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of a mirror section. In some embodiments, the light column can produce various color temperatures. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises a capacitive touch sensor that allows control of one or more features of the light emitted from the light source. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to control on/off settings and other features of the emitted light.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror. Certain embodiments of the mirror include an algorithm to adjust light based on the position of a user relative to the mirror, the level of ambient light, and/or the activation of different light modes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror is rotatable within a support portion of the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror.