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: A dispensable hydroalcoholic gel composition is provided. The dispensable hydroalcoholic gel includes a C1-4 alcohol, a polyacrylate thickener, and a glyceryl ester.

Abstract: A dispensable gel composition is provided. The dispensable gel composition includes a C1-4 alcohol, a polyacrylate thickener, and a diol plug-preventing additive. The dispensable gel exhibits less misdirection during dispensing from a dispensing device than gel compositions that are otherwise identical, but for the presence of the plug-preventing additive.

Abstract: A hygiene compliance module is configured to be retrofit with a compatible dispenser to enable hygiene compliance monitoring functions. The hygiene compliance module is configured to be coupled to the dispenser via a communication interface to receive power, ground, and dispenser actuation signals therefrom. In addition, the hygiene compliance module is enabled to communicate with a wireless data tag that is worn by a user of the dispenser and with a remote hygiene compliance monitoring station.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methodologies of obtaining more accurate compliance metrics are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of determining a compliance metric includes determining a number of dispense events and determining a number of opportunities for obtaining dispense events. The number of opportunities for obtaining dispense events is a function of the time between an entry event and a exit event, in addition, the compliance metric is a function of the number of dispense events and the number of opportunities.

Abstract: A dispensable gel composition is provided. The dispensable gel composition includes a C1-4 alcohol, a polyacrylate thickener, and a plug-preventing additive. The dispensable gel exhibits less misdirection during dispensing from a dispensing device than gel compositions that are otherwise identical, but for the presence of the plug-preventing additive.

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: 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: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for automatically forming a wireless sensor network, implementing power management for the wireless sensor network, and/or self-healing within the wireless sensor network. For example, hub devices, configured to forward messages through the wireless sensor network to a gateway device having access to a network, may automatically join and configure into the wireless sensor network by locating and connecting to master devices using signal frequencies representing numbers of hops to the gateway device. A hub device may be configured to transition between a low power sleep state for power conservation and an awakened normal operational state for transmitting timing signals according to a duty cycle, and thus the hub device may be capable of operating from a battery. If a hub device determines that a master device has become inoperable, the hub device may automatically search for a new master device.

Abstract: An exemplary refill unit for an dispenser includes a container for holding a liquid. The container has bottom side with a neck extending from the bottom side. A pump is connected to the neck of the container. The pump has a liquid pump portion that has a liquid pump inlet. The liquid pump inlet is located above the bottom of the container. A shroud is located over the liquid pump inlet and extends downward toward the bottom of the container. An air bleed valve is included and located in the top of the shroud.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing power and/or communication to a device, such as a dispenser, a flush valve of a bathroom device, a hygiene opportunity measurement device, a hands free faucet, etc. For example, a mounting system comprises a mounting plate that may attach to a structure, such as a wall. The mounting plate may comprise a mounting connector that may be configured to mate with a device connector of the device to establish a connection. Power may be provided to the device through the connection. A communication may be provided for the device through the connection. For example, the device may send current device statuses, usage metrics, and/or other information to a remote source. The remote source may send instructions, data collection requests, functionality changes, and/or other information to the device.

Abstract: A network assembly includes an antenna sleeve for supporting an antenna. The network assembly includes a mounting assembly for movably attaching the antenna sleeve to a network device. The mounting assembly is movable with respect to the network device about a first axis. The antenna sleeve is movable with respect to the mounting assembly about a second axis.

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 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.