Abstract: A dispensing system includes an electronic device. The dispensing system includes a thermoelectric generation device coupled to the electronic device. The thermoelectric generation device includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The thermoelectric generation device includes an output coupled to the third portion that provides electrical power to the electronic device. The electrical power provided to the electronic device is a function of current induced within the third portion. The current induced within the third portion is a function of a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A collapsible liquid container for a fluid dispenser is provided and includes an upper wall, a collapsible sidewall, a bottom wall, fluid, and a dispensation mechanism. The upper wall, the collapsible sidewall, and the bottom wall cooperate to define a pressurized liquid reservoir. The fluid is contained within the liquid reservoir. A fluid dispenser includes a housing, a collapsing member, and a biasing member. The housing comprises an upper container portion and a support portion. The upper container portion at least partially defines an interior chamber for receiving the collapsible liquid container. The support portion extends downwardly from the upper container portion. The collapsing member is disposed within the interior chamber and is movably coupled with the upper container portion. The biasing member is coupled with the collapsing member and the housing and is configured to bias the collapsing member toward the dispensation zone.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems for dispensing soap sanitizer or lotion as a function of hand size are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser for dispensing a soap, sanitizer or lotion includes a housing, a processor in the housing, a reservoir for holding fluid, a pump for pumping the fluid and a sensor for sensing a parameter that is indicative of the hand size. The exemplary dispenser also includes circuitry for determining a dose volume of fluid to be dispensed as a function of the sensed parameter that is indicative of a hand size and circuitry for causing the pump to dispense the dose volume.

Abstract: A product dispenser may be customized by incorporating a backplane having multiple different electrical contacts points and multiple different connectors for receiving one or more dispenser plug-in circuit modules, where each plug-in circuit module has mating electrical contacts and connector members. Different dispenser plug-in circuit modules may be easily installed, i.e. plugged-in, during assembly and/or during installation of the product dispenser to change the operating features of a particular dispenser.

Abstract: A product dispenser may be customized by incorporating a backplane having multiple different electrical contacts points and multiple different connectors for receiving one or more dispenser plug-in circuit modules, where each plug-in circuit module has mating electrical contacts and connector members. Different dispenser plug-in circuit modules may be easily installed, i.e. plugged-in, during assembly and/or during installation of the product dispenser to change the operating features of a particular dispenser.

Abstract: A system for selectively revealing indicia to an observer comprises a transitioning window having a receiving surface and a viewing surface. The receiving surface is positioned in optical communication with an indicia holder that is configured to removably retain indicia, such as information content. During operation, the transitioning window transitions from a substantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state so as to reveal or otherwise display the indicia to an observer via the viewing surface.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems for dispensing soap sanitizer or lotion as a function of hand size are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser for dispensing a soap, sanitizer or lotion includes a housing, a processor in the housing, a reservoir for holding fluid, a pump for pumping the fluid and a sensor for sensing a parameter that is indicative of the hand size. The exemplary dispenser also includes circuitry for determining a dose volume of fluid to be dispensed as a function of the sensed parameter that is indicative of a hand size and circuitry for causing the pump to dispense the dose volume.

Abstract: A hygiene system for dispensing a hygiene product includes a container within which the hygiene product is contained and from which the hygiene product is dispensed. The container includes a nozzle that defines an opening through which the hygiene product is dispensed. A valve is movable between an opened valve position, in which the hygiene product is dispensed through the opening and past the valve, and a closed valve position, in which the valve restricts a flow of the hygiene product through the opening and past the valve. A dispense structure is attached to the container and movable with respect to the nozzle. The dispense structure is movable between an opened dispense position and a closed dispense position.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided including a housing that removably supports a container. A material is contained within the container. The material is dispensed from the container. The housing includes a wireless communication system that transmits a first set of information related to a user of the dispensing system. An example method of operating the dispensing system is also provided.

Abstract: A collapsible liquid container for a fluid dispenser is provided and includes an upper wall, a collapsible sidewall, a bottom wall, fluid, and a dispensation mechanism. The upper wall, the collapsible sidewall, and the bottom wall cooperate to define a pressurized liquid reservoir. The fluid is contained within the liquid reservoir. A fluid dispenser includes a housing, a collapsing member, and a biasing member. The housing comprises an upper container portion and a support portion. The upper container portion at least partially defines an interior chamber for receiving the collapsible liquid container. The support portion extends downwardly from the upper container portion. The collapsing member is disposed within the interior chamber and is movably coupled with the upper container portion. The biasing member is coupled with the collapsing member and the housing and is configured to bias the collapsing member toward the dispensation zone.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes an electronic device. The dispensing system includes a thermoelectric generation device coupled to the electronic device. The thermoelectric generation device includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The thermoelectric generation device includes an output coupled to the third portion that provides electrical power to the electronic device. The electrical power provided to the electronic device is a function of current induced within the third portion. The current induced within the third portion is a function of a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: An adjustable solar-power unit to power a dispenser includes a support housing maintaining a receiving aperture to rotatably retain a solar panel carrying holder therein. The adjustable solar-power unit is configured to be mounted remotely from the dispenser or may be configured to be integral with a housing that maintains the components of the dispenser. The holder may be rotated or pivoted so that the angle of incidence of the ambient light can be substantially perpendicular with that of the solar elements carried by the holder to generate an optimal amount of electrical power therefrom in order to power the dispenser.

Abstract: A method of neutralizing pathogens includes covering a surface to be disinfected with a coating including one or more types of minutely configured particles having a generally high conductivity. The surface is exposed to electromagnetic waves for a duration of time up to three minutes thereby killing the pathogens.

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: 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 dispensing system is provided including a housing that removably supports a container. A material is contained within the container. The material is dispensed from the container. The housing includes a wireless communication system that transmits a first set of information related to a user of the dispensing system. An example method of operating the dispensing system is also provided.

Abstract: A system for selectively revealing indicia to an observer comprises a transitioning window having a receiving surface and a viewing surface. The receiving surface is positioned in optical communication with an indicia holder that is configured to removably retain indicia, such as information content. During operation, the transitioning window transitions from a substantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state so as to reveal or otherwise display the indicia to an observer via the viewing surface.

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: 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: A refill unit for a foam dispenser including a liquid container and a diaphragm foam pump connected to the liquid container and diaphragm foam pumps. The diaphragm foam pump includes an elastomeric diaphragm having an air piston bore and a bellows. The air piston bore forms at least a portion of an air chamber. A reservoir is located at least partially within the bellows that includes a liquid inlet. The diaphragm foam pump includes a piston that forms a portion of the air chamber wherein the piston bore may be moved relative to the piston. Movement in a first direction causes air in an air chamber to be compressed and draws liquid into the reservoir and further movement in the same direction causes compressed air to flow into the reservoir where it mixes with the liquid and is expelled as a foam.