Abstract: A vessel includes a memory and a processor operatively coupled to the memory. The memory is configured to store a vessel identifier. The processor is configured to initiate a timer for a shelf life of a solution placed into the vessel. The processor is also configured to conduct a measurement of the solution using one or more sensors in the vessel. The processor is also configured to compare the measurement to a threshold for the solution. The processor is further configured to activate a solution indicator to indicate that the solution should be discarded responsive to a determination that the shelf life has expired or a determination that the measurement exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A synergistic disinfectant composition comprises a C1-8 organic acid, an amino acid based surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a stabilizing agent. The C1-8 organic acid may include two or more types of the C1-8 organic acids with at least one of the C1-8 organic acids is alpha hydroxyl acid. The disinfectant composition has an antimicrobial activity of log reduction of at least 2 under Biocidal Product Registration (BPR) standard EN13727, EN1276, EN13624 or EN1499, and/or the EPA standard that applies the “Quantitative Methods for Evaluating the Activity of Microbicides used on Hard, Non-Porous Surface” issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the disinfectant composition may be stable during storage and retain their antimicrobial activity after at least one month at 40° C. When desired, the synergistic disinfectant composition may further comprise an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus including a base, and a source that emits UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object and render the target object pathogen reduced. An adjustable support is coupled to the base and includes an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated to adjust a position of the source relative to the base. A controller is operatively connected to the source to control emission of the UVC light and establish at least one of a suitable duration of a decontamination process and a suitable intensity of UVC light to render the target object pathogen reduced.

Abstract: A synergistic disinfectant composition comprises a C1-8 organic acid, an amino acid based surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a stabilizing agent. The C1-8 organic acid may include two or more types of the C1-8 organic acids with at least one of the C1-8 organic acids is alpha hydroxyl acid. The disinfectant composition has an antimicrobial activity of log reduction of at least 2 under Biocidal Product Registration (BPR) standard EN13727, EN1276, EN13624 or EN1499, and/or the EPA standard that applies the “Quantitative Methods for Evaluating the Activity of Microbicides used on Hard, Non-Porous Surface” issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the disinfectant composition may be stable during storage and retain their antimicrobial activity after at least one month at 40° C. When desired, the synergistic disinfectant composition may further comprise an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A fluid container cap includes a connection structure, a dispensing connector, and a movable restrictor that adjusts flow through the container cap is disclosed. A fluid container cap includes a connection structure, a dispensing connector, a restrictor, and a valve that is movably adjustable to alter fluid flow through the container cap is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hygiene monitoring and management system including a monitoring module and a display. The management module with an input and that receives data via the input. The received data includes one or more locations of a device in a facility, and the management module further includes one or both of software and hardware configured to generate data representative of cleaning behavior associated with the device based on the received data. The cleaning behavior includes timing and movement of the device in the facility, and a cleanliness level of at least one area in the facility.

Abstract: A closing engine including a framework, fluid drivers, and a flow control device. The framework has an inlet that receives a fluid and an outlet that dispenses the fluid. The fluid drivers are supported by the framework and pump fluid toward the outlet. The flow control device is coupled to the framework and is in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet, and the fluid drivers. The fluid drivers are cooperatively driven by a motive force from fluid flow through the inlet to dispense fluid via the outlet, and to drive the flow control device to distribute diluent to the diluent drivers in a coordinated manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a floor includes a housing, wheels by which the apparatus is adapted to move; a motive device for moving the apparatus, a steering mechanism, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning unit and an offset mechanism adapted to move the cleaning unit to or from an offset position projecting beyond one lateral side of the apparatus. In another embodiment, an apparatus for cleaning a floor includes a housing, wheels by which the apparatus is adapted to move, a motive device for moving the apparatus, a steering mechanism, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning unit and a swing mechanism indirectly linking the cleaning unit to the steering mechanism such that when the apparatus is in an operative mode, the cleaning unit reorients its position in synchronization with the path of travel of the apparatus. Optionally, a lifting device may raise and lower the cleaning assembly.

Abstract: A non-oxidizing, buffered disinfectant concentrate is provided to be included in a solution used to disinfect a membrane. The solution applied to the membrane is configured to have a pH that is compatible with the membrane. The disinfectant concentrate includes an aqueous solvent; a hydrotrope; a strong acid surface cleanser; a biocidal active, preferably, at least two biocidal actives; a buffer agent; and, optionally, an anionic surfactant. The biodical active may be selected to function both as a biocide and as a weak acid/buffer combination. A disinfectant solution applied to the membrane includes from about 0.1 wt % to about 3.5 wt % of this disinfectant concentrate.

Abstract: A system dynamically generates a cleaning coverage pattern of an area using waypoints and sensor data from one or more sensor modalities. To do this, a robotic cleaning device moves through an area to be cleaned, identifies consecutive waypoints through the area, and stores the waypoints in a memory. At least one sensor of the robotic cleaning device collects sensor data about a portion of the area as the device moves between the consecutive waypoints. A temporary map of the portion of the area between the consecutive waypoints is generated based on the collected sensor data, and a cleaning coverage pattern is generated using the temporary map. The area is then cleaned by moving the robotic cleaning device according to the cleaning coverage pattern. In certain embodiments, upon completing the cleaning, the consecutive waypoints are retained in the memory, while the temporary map may not be retained.

Abstract: A cleaning solution for accelerated cleaning of a membrane having an enzyme and an agent having a pH that is compatible with the enzyme. The cleaning solution may additionally include one or both of a binding agent and a surfactant. Once the cleaning solution has been included in a solution that is used to contact the membrane for a defined period of time, one or both of a binding agent and a reducing agent may be added to the solution that has contacted the membrane. Optionally, one or both of increasing a pH of the solution and increasing a temperature of the solution may be used to reduce an activity of the enzyme.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser including a body, a chamber coupled to or formed as part of the body and configured to contain a quantity of fluid, and a piston coupled to the body and rotatable within the chamber to different position. The piston is movable relative to the chamber in a first direction along an axis to draw fluid into the chamber, and the piston is movable relative to the chamber in a second direction opposite the first direction to discharge fluid from the chamber. The piston has stroke lengths that are selectable via the different rotational positions of the piston and that are associated with metered quantities of fluid to be drawn into the chamber. An anti-reversal feature is disposed between the piston and the body. The anti-reversal feature inhibits reversal of the piston during movement of the piston in the first direction or the second direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating mapping data for an autonomous vehicle (e.g., robotic devices). The methods include obtaining three-dimensional environmental data of an environment from a distance sensor. The three-dimensional environmental data includes information relating to one or more objects in the environment. The method further includes identifying at least one planar layer of two-dimensional data from the three-dimensional environmental data to be included in mapping data based on one or more characteristics of an autonomous vehicle, generating mapping data comprising the at least one planar layer of two-dimensional data from the three-dimensional environmental data, and transmitting the mapping data to the autonomous vehicle for use during operation within the environment.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a container (2), a suction unit (60), an air channeling unit (25), operative between the container (2) and the suction unit (60), wherein the air channeling unit (25) comprises: a collector (26) having a suction mouth (27) at an intake side of the air channeling unit (25), a deflector (28) positioned at the intake side and radially extending at least over a central portion of the suction mouth (27), the collector (26) and the deflector (28) delimiting a suction channel (29) connecting the suction mouth (27) to an inlet port (22) of the suction unit (60).

Abstract: A system and method of causing a robotic device to navigate an area, including accessing a map of an area of travel, causing a transport assembly of the robotic device to move the robotic device in the area at a first speed, collecting information about the area as the robotic device moves in the area by at least one sensor, and processing the information collected. The system and method also include comparing the information collected with the information regarding the area from the map, and determining a degree of confidence that the information collected matches the information regarding the area of travel from the map. When the determined degree of confidence is at or below a first threshold degree of confidence, a first reduced speed mode of operation causes the transport assembly of the robotic device to move at a second, lower speed.

Abstract: A formulation having at least one of a product stabilization solvent, a sequestrant or chelating agent, and an alkalinity agent capable of use in a cleaning operation at a reduced temperature. Optionally, the formulation may additionally comprise any one or more of a degreaser emulsifier solvent, a surfactant, a hydrotrope, a stabilizer, a biocide, and a buffer. An additive formulation of the invention, as defined herein, comprises these stated types of compounds and is combined with an alkalinity agent at the time of the formulations use in a reduced temperature dairy equipment cleaning operation. A full formulation of the invention, as defined herein, additionally comprises an alkalinity agent in addition to the other named compounds. In many cases, the full formulations are used in a reduced temperature dairy equipment cleaning operation without being combined with an additional alkalinity agent.

Abstract: A synergistic disinfectant composition comprises a C1-8 organic acid, an amino acid based surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a stabilizing agent. The C1-8 organic acid may include two or more types of the C1-8 organic acids with at least one of the C1-8 organic acids is alpha hydroxyl acid. The disinfectant composition has an antimicrobial activity of log reduction of at least 2 under Biocidal Product Registration (BPR) standard EN13727, EN1276, EN13624 or EN1499, and/or the EPA standard that applies the “Quantitative Methods for Evaluating the Activity of Microbicides used on Hard, Non-Porous Surface” issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the disinfectant composition may be stable during storage and retain their antimicrobial activity after at least one month at 40° C. When desired, the synergistic disinfectant composition may further comprise an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: An electro-chemical activation (ECA) system includes an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a neutralization chamber. The anode chamber includes an anode configured to convert water having an alkaline-metal chloride into an anodic electrolyte that includes hypochlorous acid. The cathode chamber includes a cathode configured to convert water into a cathodic electrolyte. The neutralization chamber includes a neutralization cathode configured to remove protons from the anodic electrolyte after it leaves the anode chamber. The ECA system is configured to recirculate the anodic electrolyte back through the anode chamber and the neutralization chamber at least one more time to produce a concentrated chlorine solution. The ECA system is further configured to recirculate the cathodic electrolyte back through the cathode chamber at least one additional time to produce a concentrated alkaline solution.

Abstract: A cleaning unit for cleaning floors comprising a drivetrain, a main controller, a safety module, and one or more cleaning aggregates for cleaning a floor upon which the cleaning unit moves. The main controller may operate the cleaning unit in one of an autonomous mode in which cleaning unit autonomously navigates while cleaning the floor or a manual mode in which the cleaning unit is maneuverable under an applied external force while cleaning the floor. The safety module may be responsive to a plurality of safety inputs such that if a safety input indicates an unsafe condition, the safety module initiates a lockout to stop movement by the cleaning unit. In the autonomous mode, the safety module may be responsive to a first set of safety inputs and in the manual operating mode, the safety module may be responsive to a second set of safety inputs.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus including a base, and a source that emits UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object and render the target object pathogen reduced. An adjustable support is coupled to the base and includes an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated to adjust a position of the source relative to the base. A controller is operatively connected to the source to control emission of the UVC light and establish at least one of a suitable duration of a decontamination process and a suitable intensity of UVC light to render the target object pathogen reduced.