Abstract: An exemplary touch-free dispenser includes a housing, a dispenser outlet, a processor, a memory, an IR emitter and an IR receiver. Wherein the IR emitter and the IR receiver are arranged in a vertical orientation. Wherein the IR emitter has an IR emitter alignment axis and wherein the IR receiver has an IR receiver alignment axis. The IR emitter alignment axis intersects with the IR receiver alignment axis, and wherein a detection zone includes the intersection of IR emitter alignment axis and the IR receiver alignment axis.