Abstract: A portable compliance dispenser provides a compliance module that is removably attached to a replaceable refill container, which carries any suitable liquid material, such as sanitizer. The compliance module is configured to be worn or carried by an individual and communicates hygiene compliance data to a remote monitoring station when material from the refill container is dispensed.

Abstract: Electronic dispensers and refill units for electronic dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary electronic dispenser includes a housing, a processor and a first battery secured to the dispenser. The first battery provides power to the processor. The dispenser further includes actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to move an actuator to dispense fluid from a refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes a rechargeable energy storage device for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry. Circuitry for charging the rechargeable energy storage device is also provided. The dispenser includes a holder for holding a refill unit and a connector for releasably connecting to a second battery that is provided with the refill unit. The second battery is installed in the connector when a refill unit is installed in the dispenser and removed from the connector when the refill unit is removed from the dispenser.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of controlling a motor for driving a load are disclosed herein. Exemplary methods include providing energy to a motor, sensing a parameter indicative of current. Determining the end of an inrush current and a start point that is after the inrush current and that is at about the beginning of a main current draw. Determining an end point at about the end of the main current draw. Continuing to provide energy to the motor for a time period that is a function of the time from the start point to the end point and de-energizing the motor.

Abstract: A hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container that dispenses material when a dispensing nozzle is actuated, includes a flexible main section having a receiving aperture through which the dispensing nozzle extends, so as to enable the main section to be removably attached to the dispensing container. Extending from the main section is a secondary section that is terminated by an attachment sleeve that is configured to removably retain the dispensing nozzle therein. A token, such as a magnet, is carried by the attachment sleeve and is detected by a sensor carried by the main section. Thus, when the dispensing nozzle is actuated to dispense material, the sensor detects the presence and non-presence of the token and accordingly updates a count value that is presented on a display that represents the number of actuations of the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: Electronic dispensers and refill units for electronic dispensers. An exemplary electronic dispenser includes a housing, a processor and a first battery secured to the dispenser. The first battery provides power to the processor. The dispenser further includes actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to move an actuator to dispense fluid from a refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes a rechargeable energy storage device for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry. Circuitry for charging the rechargeable energy storage device is also provided. The dispenser includes a holder for holding a refill unit and a connector for releasably connecting to a second battery that is provided with the refill unit. The second battery is installed in the connector when a refill unit is installed in the dispenser and removed from the connector when the refill unit is removed from the dispenser.

Abstract: A hygiene compliance monitor for a dispensing container that dispenses material when a dispensing nozzle is actuated, includes a flexible main section having a receiving aperture through which the dispensing nozzle extends, so as to enable the main section to be removably attached to the dispensing container. Extending from the main section is a secondary section that is terminated by an attachment sleeve that is configured to removably retain the dispensing nozzle therein. A token, such as a magnet, is carried by the attachment sleeve and is detected by a sensor carried by the main section. Thus, when the dispensing nozzle is actuated to dispense material, the sensor detects the presence and non-presence of the token and accordingly updates a count value that is presented on a display that represents the number of actuations of the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A product dispenser includes a housing adapted to receive a refill unit having a product reservoir. A multidirectional pushbar is carried by the housing and movable in a plurality of directions to actuate the pump. The multidirectional pushbar may be carried by a collar pivotally secured around a pushbar support member in the shape of a spherical zone. Pivoting movement of the multidirectional pushbar is converted into an actuating force by a transfer mechanism, which may include a vertically movable carriage. In other embodiments, the multidirectional pushbar may include ramped surfaces and may support a carriage having rolling elements. Lateral movement of the multidirectional pushbar causes the carriage to roll up the ramped surfaces and actuate a pump to dispense a product.

Abstract: A product dispenser includes a housing adapted to receive a refill unit having a product reservoir. A multidirectional pushbar is carried by the housing and movable in a plurality of directions to actuate the pump. The multidirectional pushbar may be carried by a collar pivotally secured around a pushbar support member in the shape of a spherical zone. Pivoting movement of the multidirectional pushbar is converted into an actuating force by a transfer mechanism, which may include a vertically movable carriage. In other embodiments, the multidirectional pushbar may include ramped surfaces and may support a carriage having rolling elements. Lateral movement of the multidirectional pushbar causes the carriage to roll up the ramped surfaces and actuate a pump to dispense a product.

Abstract: Methods for managing power consumption of a battery-powered device such as a fluid dispenser are disclosed. One method includes setting a duty cycle of a sensor used by the device to a first range and setting a timer upon detection of a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a second range. The method continues by checking for another triggering event during the second range. The checking step is repeated if the timer has not lapsed, but if the timer has lapsed the process returns to the setting step. Related methods may be used to adjust the duty cycle based upon a detected characteristic such as light, sound, motion or time.

Abstract: Methods for managing power consumption of a battery-powered device such as a fluid dispenser are disclosed. One method includes setting a duty cycle of a sensor used by the device to a first range and setting a timer upon detection of a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a triggering event and also setting the duty cycle to a second range. The method continues by checking for another triggering event during the second range. The checking step is repeated if the timer has not lapsed, but if the timer has lapsed the process returns to the setting step. Related methods may be used to adjust the duty cycle based upon a detected characteristic such as light, sound, motion or time.

Abstract: An electrically powered device includes at least one electrically powered component and a power source having at least two cells. One cell powers the electrically powered component and the remaining cells are held in reserve. A control circuit is connected to the electrically powered component and the power source. The control circuit includes a controller which generates a charge signal, a boost regulator circuit connected to the controller which receives power from the power source and generates a boost signal for conversion into a charge signal. A capacitor is connected to the controller and receives the charge signal and provides a predetermined voltage to the electrically powered component. A boost regulator circuit and the controller monitor the power source and draw power from one of the remaining cells held in reserve when the cell is fully depleted.

Abstract: Foam dispensers, refill units for foam dispensers, and liquid pumps for use in foam dispensers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an inverted foam pump includes a compression chamber having an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The compression chamber is in fluid communication with a flow restrictor, an atomizer, a mixing chamber, a foaming chip and an outlet. The inlet valve, outlet valve, flow restrictor, atomizer, mixing chamber, foaming chip and outlet extend along a common axis. An air inlet is included that extends into the mixing chamber; the air inlet is an opening to atmospheric pressure. During operation, the liquid pump is located below the liquid container and liquid flowing from the compression chamber is accelerated and atomized. The atomized liquid enters the mixing chamber at a velocity sufficient to draw in air from the air inlet to mix with the liquid to form a foam.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of touch-free devices and systems comprising touch-free devices operating in a concerted effort are disclosed below. An exemplary touch-free device includes a spout, a processor, memory, an object sensor, a communication interface and logic stored on the memory. The logic contains processor readable instructions for causing the touch-free device to communicate with a second touch-free device. Wherein the processor readable instructions coordinate the operation of the touch-free device with respect to the second touch-free device.

Abstract: A hygiene compliance module is configured to be retrofit with a compatible dispenser to enable hygiene compliance monitoring functions. The hygiene compliance module is configured to be coupled to the dispenser via a communication interface to receive power, ground, and dispenser actuation signals therefrom. In addition, the hygiene compliance module is enabled to communicate with a wireless data tag that is worn by a user of the dispenser and with a remote hygiene compliance monitoring station.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof.

Abstract: A sanitization station including a fluid source and one or more plasma generators for generating non-thermal plasma is disclosed. One or more nozzles spray a mist or stream of fluid through plasma generated by the one or more plasma generators to activate the fluid. The fluid is then used to sterilize an object. Another sanitization station includes a chamber for holding a fluid and a plasma generator in fluid communication with the chamber for generating plasma. A circulating source moves the fluid in the chamber past plasma generated by the plasma generator to activate the fluid and one or more spray nozzles coat the surface of an object with fluid that is activated by plasma.

Abstract: A hygiene compliance module is configured to be retrofit with a compatible dispenser to enable hygiene compliance monitoring functions. The hygiene compliance module is configured to be coupled to the dispenser via a communication interface to receive power, ground, and dispenser actuation signals therefrom. In addition, the hygiene compliance module is enabled to communicate with a wireless data tag that is worn by a user of the dispenser and with a remote hygiene compliance monitoring station.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser is configured to communicate with an RFID tag provided by a refill cartridge utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal. The digital signal read by the dispenser is processed by a controller to enable a dispensing function that is representative of the code associated with the RFID tag. In addition, the dispenser includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag provided by the refill cartridge. The dispenser may also be configured to communicate with the RFID tags that are disposed upon cartridges utilized by the dispenser. In addition, the dispenser may be configured to utilize cartridges that include adjustable or telescoping partitions that allow the size of the cartridge to vary.

Abstract: An electronic hand hygiene compliance system and award indicator that provides realtime reporting of the percent number of hand hygiene events against a programmed target number of hand hygiene events for a given functional area over a given period of time, yielding hand hygiene compliance. The system keeps up to date compliance for an established group interval until the data is written over by compliance data for the same group interval the following day. In addition, a random hand hygiene event can be identified for a given functional area during a given period of time to trigger an alarm for encouraging hand hygiene activity for a given dispenser or group of dispensers.

Abstract: A refilling station for personal dispensers includes a housing having one or more docks that are configured to receive and retain compatible personal dispensers therein. The refilling station also includes a manifold system that fluidly couples a refill container to one or more personal dispensers. Thus, when a personal dispenser is placed in the dock, it is automatically refilled with material, such as sanitizer, from the refill container. The refilling station may also include a sanitizing light to disinfect the personal dispensers as they are being refilled to reduce the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.