Abstract: A dispenser for rolled paper includes a shell mounted to a spindle assembly which is mounted to a wall for convenient access in a bathroom or other facility. The dispenser also includes a lid assembly mounted to the shell and spindle assembly for rotational or pivotal movement to and between closed and open configurations. When in the closed configuration, a free edge of the paper roll may be pulled from the roll and the roll rotates on the spindle assembly for dispensing the paper. The paper roll may be inspected and/or replaced by rotation of the lid assembly about a pivot pin to an open configuration. Cooperating cam and cam surfaces and the bias of a spring on the pivot pin urge the lid assembly away from the shell during rotation toward the open configuration to allow for proper clearance and positioning of the lid assembly relative to the shell.

Abstract: Dispensers are capable of being used in one orientation for dispensing paper towels upwardly when situated on a countertop and also in a second orientation for dispensing paper towels downwardly when mounted on a wall or other surface. Moreover, the dispensers can be easily modified to present a different finish by installing the desired outer shell components on the dispenser. The dispenser utilizes an inner cartridge adapted to house a stack of interleaved paper towels. The paper towels are urged by a spring toward a dispensing slot situated on a housing surrounding the cartridge. The spring urges the leading paper towel in the stack toward the dispensing slot in either orientation for convenient access to the towel by a user.

Abstract: A dispenser bottle containing liquid may be mounted to a wall by a mounting assembly including a base and a carriage plate. A mounting bracket may be anchored to the wall and the carriage plate is coupled to the mounting bracket and is spring biased toward an extended configuration relative to the mounting bracket. A release pin maintains the carriage plate and base in a retracted configuration. A collar projects from an upper end of the mounting bracket to capture a neck of the bottle. A projection extends upwardly from the base and into a socket on the bottom of the bottle when seated on the base. The combination of the mating socket and projection at the base and the collar around the neck of the bottle inhibits removal of the bottle from the mounting assembly when in the retracted configuration. The bottle may be conveniently removed from the mounting system by depressing the release pin thereby freeing the carriage plate to slide upwardly relative to the mounting bracket into an extended configuration.

Abstract: A trash bin is used in combination with a liner for various purposes, including the collection and disposal of trash. The trash bin has an outer bin, an inner bin, a lid assembly and a liner box mounted on a bottom end of an interior chamber of the trash bin. The liner box houses a roll of liners which can be pulled from a leading end of the roll to position the leading liner of the roll in the trash bin. After the liner is filled with trash, a user may pull the filled liner from the trash bin and by doing so pulls the next liner from the roll in the liner box for subsequent separation from the filled liner and installation in the trash bin for filling with trash.

Abstract: An air-treating apparatus for dispensing a volatilizable material, such as air freshener fragrance, into the atmosphere of an enclosed area. The apparatus includes a housing and a reservoir of the volatilizable material therein, and also includes a multiple-configured air flow path arrangement which enables air-flow through the apparatus in multiple configurations. The apparatus enables use of the consistent delivery rates of a volatilizable material producing a more consistent delivery rate than normally achieved with such devices.

Abstract: A permeable mat provides a two-state mat; one in which the mat has an impervious layer when laid flat during use, so water gets captured by an upper fabric layer. And a second state in which the mat becomes permeable when it is rolled and tumbled in the washer and drier, to allow the through-flow of air and water to effectively clean and dry the mat. A pattern of permeable elements may be included as part of the rubber backing to improve washing and drying by allowing easier passage through the mat by water and washing chemicals, allowing water drainage through the rubber layer during spinning cycle, reducing the need for very high spinning forces and speeds, allowing for air flow through the mat layers, improving drying time and efficiencies and lowering the structure of the mat unit, thereby allowing for better unrolling and tumbling during washing cycles.

Abstract: A system and method offer a garment provider the ability to automatically scan and track garments at multiple locations without adding processing stations. Various embodiments of this invention allow garment providers to achieve greater processing efficiencies and implement reporting and tracking protocols to provide customers with important data regarding garments in their program with a higher level of confidence. This invention is implemented in various embodiments with a system and/or method for tracking clothes and other textile articles utilizing multiple RFID reading modules throughout the system or method to achieve greater accuracy for reporting and tracking the items. One aspect of various embodiments of this invention is the reading of RFID tags on articles being dried in a commercial dryer. The movement of the articles induced by the action of the dryer provides for increased exposure of the RFID tags on the articles for more reliable detection.

Abstract: A mat system is made up of multiple mat modules with interlocking features that allow for separate mat modules to be assembled into different patterns or shapes to cover larger areas as an area mat, define long pathways such as in hallways and customize the shape of the mat may be used to better fit the specific location. The mat modules are secured to each other to provide larger mat systems with a safer and better-looking transition. The mat modules are constructed such that there is a first connecting arrangement and a second connecting arrangement. When the mat modules are assembled, the first connecting arrangement on one mat module will assemble to the second connecting arrangement and an adjacent mat module to provide a secure and seamless connection between the mat modules. These connecting features can be integral to the mat modules or separate pieces.

Abstract: A system and method offer a garment provider the ability to automatically scan and track garments at multiple locations without adding processing stations. Various embodiments of this invention allow garment providers to achieve greater processing efficiencies and implement reporting and tracking protocols to provide customers with important data regarding garments in their program with a higher level of confidence. This invention is implemented in various embodiments with a system and/or method for tracking clothes and other textile articles utilizing multiple RFID reading modules throughout the system or method to achieve greater accuracy for reporting and tracking the items. One aspect of various embodiments of this invention is the reading of RFID tags on articles being dried in a commercial dryer. The movement of the articles induced by the action of the dryer provides for increased exposure of the RFID tags on the articles for more reliable detection.

Abstract: A permeable mat provides a two-state mat; one in which the mat has an impervious layer when laid flat during use, so water gets captured by an upper fabric layer. And a second state in which the mat becomes permeable when it is rolled and tumbled in the washer and drier, to allow the through-flow of air and water to effectively clean and dry the mat. A pattern of permeable elements may be included as part of the rubber backing to improve washing and drying by allowing easier passage through the mat by water and washing chemicals, allowing water drainage through the rubber layer during spinning cycle, reducing the need for very high spinning forces and speeds, allowing for air flow through the mat layers, improving drying time and efficiencies and lowering the structure of the mat unit, thereby allowing for better unrolling and tumbling during washing cycles.

Abstract: A multi-component floor mat has a base or frame layer, intended to be positioned on the floor, that is dimensioned to accommodate a flexible textile mat or rug top layer portion that is releasably held in place on or in the base or frame layer by an attachment coupling feature associated with one or both portions, thereby allowing for the easy removal or replacement of the textile top layer of the mat and its economical laundering.

Abstract: A mat system is made up of multiple mat modules with interlocking features that allow for separate mat modules to be assembled into different patterns or shapes to cover larger areas as an area mat, define long pathways such as in hallways and customize the shape of the mat may be used to better fit the specific location. The mat modules are secured to each other to provide larger mat systems with a safer and better-looking transition. The mat modules are constructed such that there is a first connecting arrangement and a second connecting arrangement. When the mat modules are assembled, the first connecting arrangement on one mat module will assemble to the second connecting arrangement and an adjacent mat module to provide a secure and seamless connection between the mat modules. These connecting features can be integral to the mat modules or separate pieces.

Abstract: An article includes a surface adapted for presence in an environment containing odoriferous nitrogen-containing compounds, a bonding agent, and bacilli bacteria. A method for binding bacilli to a surface is also disclosed. First, the surface is provided. The surface is then heated and placed under pressure. Then, the bacilli and a bonding agent may be applied to the surface, either alone or as a pre-mixed composition. The pre-mixed composition may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion. A method for controlling odors from odoriferous nitrogen-containing compounds is also disclosed. The method includes applying bacilli bacteria to a surface and placing the surface in an area likely to include odoriferous nitrogen-containing compounds.

Abstract: A slip resistant floor mat includes a number of upstanding projections in the form of blades or teeth arranged on an upper surface thereof. The blades or teeth deflect under a load and dissipate the force of the load so that the tendency of the mat to slip on the underlying floor is reduced.

Abstract: A slip resistant floor mat includes a number of upstanding projections in the form of blades or teeth arranged on an upper surface thereof. The blades or teeth deflect under a load and dissipate the force of the load so that the tendency of the mat to slip on the underlying floor is reduced.

Abstract: An article includes a surface adapted for presence in an environment containing odoriferous nitrogen-containing compounds, a bonding agent, and bacilli bacteria. A method for binding bacilli to a surface is also disclosed. First, the surface is provided. The surface is then heated and placed under pressure. Then, the bacilli and a bonding agent may be applied to the surface, either alone or as a pre-mixed composition. The pre-mixed composition may be in the form of an aqueous dispersion. A method for controlling odors from odoriferous nitrogen-containing compounds is also disclosed. The method includes applying bacilli bacteria to a surface and placing the surface in an area likely to include odoriferous nitrogen-containing compounds.

Abstract: A floor mat includes a combination of a winged fiber pile and a liquid impervious base. The mat may be used in many consumer and industrial environments where protection from inclement weather is desired as well as in industrial clean rooms, laboratories and hospitals. The winged fibers have a high surface area because of their structure including a core surrounded by a plurality of lobes. Channels of one micron or less in width are formed between adjacent lobes to form paths for the capture and/or transport of gases, liquids or particles. The winged fibers are assembled in woven or non-woven fabrics for use in floor mats.