Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are provided for dispensing fluid from a dispenser that includes a flexible membrane having different levels of pliability according to a voltage applied to the flexible membrane. According to some embodiments, a biasing device, such as a spring, is disposed on a first side of the flexible membrane and is configured to apply pressure to the flexible membrane. When a first voltage is applied to the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane becomes sufficiently pliable to enable the spring to flex the flexible membrane, pushing the flexible membrane into a pumping chamber disposed on the opposite side of the flexible membrane relative to the spring. The fluid is stored in the pumping chamber and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes the pumping chamber to compress. Such compression of the pumping chamber forces the pumping chamber to dispense the fluid through a pump outlet.

Abstract: A foam dispenser includes a housing, a drive motor, and a foam pump. The foam pump includes a pump housing, and a molded multi-chamber diaphragm. The molded multi-chamber diaphragm includes a liquid pump diaphragm having a liquid pump stem and two or more air pump chambers each having an air pump stem. The length of the liquid pump stem is longer than the air pump stem. The foam pump further includes one or more outlet valves, a mixing chamber, an outlet for dispensing foam wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the foam cartridge; and an actuator for sequentially actuating the liquid pump chamber and the two or more air pump chambers, wherein there is lost motion between the actuator and the liquid pump diaphragm.

Abstract: Among other things, a dispensing device and/or a refill container are provided. The dispensing device may comprise a dispenser component configured to dispense a refill material. A sensor component may be configured to identify an optical property (e.g., whether an optical brightener is present in the refill material) of the refill material. The dispensing device may evaluate the optical property against an optical profile to determine whether the refill material is a valid refill material (e.g., comprises the optical brightener) or an invalid refill material (e.g., does not comprise the optical brightener). Operation of the dispensing device may be enabled based upon the refill material being the valid refill material. If the refill material comprises the invalid refill material, then operation of the dispensing device may be disabled and/or a flush option (e.g., evacuating the invalid refill material from the dispensing device) may be activated.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of and system for generating an antimicrobial wipe to clean and disinfect a surface contaminated with bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the method includes applying non-thermal plasma to a moistened wipe to activate a liquid in the wipe. In some embodiments, the method includes applying non-thermal plasma to a liquid and then applying the activated liquid to a wipe. In one embodiment of a system for generating an antimicrobial wipe the system includes a housing having an opening; a supply of wipes disposed within the housing; a non-thermal plasma generator disposed within the housing; a power supply electrically coupled to the non-thermal plasma generator; and a feed system disposed within the housing, wherein the feed system moves one or more wipes from the supply of wipes past the plasma generator and out of the opening. As the feed system moves the wipes past the plasma generator, the plasma generator applies non-thermal plasma to the wipes.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for harvesting thermal energy for utilization by a dispensing system are provided herein. The dispensing system may comprise one or more thermal scavenging devices configured to collect thermal energy from a user. For example, a first thermal scavenging device, coupled to a top housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a palm of a user hand; a second thermal scavenging device, coupled to a bottom housing portion of the dispensing system, may collect thermal energy from a top portion of the user hand; and/or other thermal scavenging devices may be operatively coupled to the dispensing system. In this way, the collected thermal energy is transformed into electrical energy for powering the dispensing system (e.g., powering a current dispense event, stored for a subsequent dispense event, validation of a refill container, detection of a user, etc.).

Abstract: Among other things, a dispenser for dispensing material is provided herein. The dispenser includes a cover. The dispenser is configured to receive a container from which material is dispensed. The container is adapted to be supported by the cover. Biasing structure is adapted to apply a force to the container to facilitate dispensing the material from the container.

Abstract: Compliance modules for fluid dispensers are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments of the compliance modules include a housing, a processor, memory, wireless communication circuitry and voltage monitoring circuitry for detecting a change in voltage of a dispenser power supply. The processor, memory and voltage monitoring circuitry are located within the housing. A connector for electrically connecting the module to a power supply of the dispenser is also included. The compliance module receives power from the dispenser. The processor determines a dispense event has occurred as a function of a change in voltage detected by the voltage monitoring circuitry. The processor causes the wireless communication circuitry to transmit a signal indicative of a dispense event.

Abstract: A topical sanitizing composition for restoring skin's natural balance of bacteria is provided. The topical sanitizing composition includes about 0.02 wt. % to 10.0 wt. % of an active ingredient, at least about 40 wt. % of one or more C1-6 alcohols; and water. The active ingredient comprises one or more of a probiotic, probiotic derivative, and a prebiotic.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of manual dispensers and actuating mechanisms are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container of fluid and an actuating mechanism for causing fluid to be dispensed from the container. The actuation mechanism has a first pivot arm having a pivot point on a first end and a cam on a second end and a second pivot arm having a pivot point a first end and a curved contact surface on a second end. The actuating mechanism includes a pushbar. One of the first and second pivot members is connected to the pushbar. When the pushbar is pushed inward, the cam is configured to travel along the curved contact surface. Movement of the cam along the curved contact surface moves the engagement mechanism upward and downward in a substantially linear motion when the engagement mechanism is connected to a pump to cause the pump to prime with fluid and dispense the fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of dispensers for dispensing wet wipes are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a container, a plurality of wipes, and a wipes dispensing nozzle. The wipes dispensing nozzle has a first housing member and a second housing member that are movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the wipes dispensing nozzle has an opening that has a first diameter. In the second position, the nozzle has an opening that has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. When the nozzle is in the first position, a lead wipe of the plurality of wipes may be threaded through the wipes dispensing nozzle. In the first position, the wipes dispensing nozzle does not exert sufficient frictional force against a trailing wipe to cause the lead wipe to separate from the trailing wipe along a perforation line. In the second position, the wipes nozzle is in a closed dispensing position.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the disinfection of surfaces are provided. The compositions include a C1-6 alcohol, a primary enhancer, and an acidifying agent. The disinfectant composition is characterized by a pH of less than 3. Broad spectrum efficacy is achieved, and synergistic activity is exhibited against C. difficile spores.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the disinfection of surfaces are provided. The compositions include a C1-6 alcohol, and a primary enhancer selected from biguanides. The disinfectant composition is characterized by a pH of no more than about 2.5. Broad spectrum efficacy is achieved, and synergistic activity is exhibited against C. difficile spores.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of wipes dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary wipes dispenser having a self-centering nozzle includes a container, a plurality of wipes contained within the container, a fluid for wetting the plurality of wipes, a receiving member connected to the container, and an outlet nozzle housing for holding an elastomeric outlet nozzle. The nozzle housing is connected to the receiving member so that the nozzle housing is movable between two or more positions. A biasing member is connected to one of the receiving member, the nozzle housing and the elastomeric outlet nozzle. The elastomeric outlet nozzle moves from a centered upright position, the biasing member deflects and biases the outlet nozzle toward a centered position.

Abstract: A topical cleansing composition for stimulating the production of antimicrobial peptides on the skin is disclosed. The topical cleansing composition includes an active ingredient comprising one or more of a natural extract and a polypeptide; one or more surfactants; and water. The topical cleansing composition increases the concentration of antimicrobial peptides on skin, as compared to an otherwise identical topical composition without the active ingredient.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).

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: An exemplary foam dispensing system includes a dispenser housing configured to be mounted below a counter, a spout configured to be mounted above a counter, a container supported by the dispenser housing, a pump in fluid communications with the container and configured to be mounted below a counter. The pump includes an air pump portion and a liquid pump portion. The pump also includes a mixing chamber. Liquid pumped from the liquid pump portion is mixed with air pumped from the air pump portion in the mixing chamber. A dispense tube is included that is configured to extend from the mixing chamber below a countertop to one or more mix media located above the countertop proximate an end of the spout. The one or more mix media are located near an end of the spout. An outlet nozzle is also provided and is located downstream of the one or more mix media.

Abstract: An exemplary system for dispensing foam includes a container holding a foamable liquid, a pump, and a suck-back device. The suck back device has a housing having a small bore with first diameter and a large bore with a second diameter; a dual body piston with a first piston that reciprocates in the small bore and a second piston that reciprocates in the large bore; a flow restrictor located proximate the dual body piston, a suck back chamber formed at least in part by the large bore and the second piston, and a foam outlet. The flow restrictor is configured so that fluid flow into the suck back device causes the suck back chamber to compress and when the fluid flow stops, a biasing member causes the suck back chamber to expand and suck back residual foam into the suck back chamber.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods associated with trans-tissue substance delivery using non-thermal plasma to porate skin or tissues using contoured dielectrics/electrodes and grounding techniques. In some embodiments, a substance delivery system may be incorporated into the plasma generating device for automatically controlled skin treatments. In other embodiments, a skin treatment patch may include the electrode and the treatment substance.

Abstract: An exemplary dispenser includes a housing and a refill unit. The refill unit being removable and replaceable. The dispenser also includes a processor, memory, a dose count stored in memory that is indicative of the number of doses in a full refill unit, a level sensor for detecting a predetermined level the refill unit and a dispense count indicative of the number doses of product dispensed from the refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes memory and has logic stored in the memory for recalibrating the number of doses remaining in the refill unit as a function of the dose count, the number of doses of product dispensed and the predetermined level of product. The number of doses of product remaining in the refill unit may be displayed on the dispenser, on a remote station, or on both the dispenser and a remote station.