Abstract: A low voltage battery energized passive detection system generates a control signal in response to radiated heat from a human body part to energize, for settable periods of time water flow valves and ancillary equipment that may be associated with the act of washing. To minimize power demand, a programmable microchip may be employed as a control unit and have external settable parameters.

Abstract: A source of liquid soap for washbasins and the like is provided by a flexible, collapsible bag filled with liquid soap. A hollow open tipped needle is penetrably inserted through the material of the bag, which penetration develops a seal about the needle. The needle is connected through a conduit to a dispenser for the soap. A source of vacuum in communication with the conduit, the force of gravity or a force externally imposed upon the bag to compress it, actuates a flow of soap from the bag through the needle for discharge from the dispenser. As liquid soap is evacuated from the bag, the bag collapses. Upon depletion of the soap, the needle is withdrawn and inserted into a replacement bag of soap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proximity detecting device for detecting the presence of an object in a target area, comprising a low voltage power source, a circuitry for generating electrical pulses and supplying them to a light emitting diode (LED) in order to emit light pulses, and a receiver for reception of light pulses emitted from the LED and directed towards said target area, characterised in that said circuitry comprises a first circuitry containing a primary coil and switching means for connecting the primary coil for a period of time to said low voltage power source such as to accumulate a predetermined amount of magnetic energy in the primary coil, and a second circuitry containing said LED and a secondary coil magnetically coupled to said primary coil to transform the accumulated magnetic energy by mutual induction upon opening said switching means each time into one of said electrical pulses.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a water valve in response to the presence of a human body part by providing a passive detecting apparatus to produce a human-presence-indicating signal in response to variation in radiation by the body part, detecting with a first level detector circuit having an input coupled to the passive detecting apparatus whether the human-presence-indicating signal is between a first upper threshold level and a first lower threshold level, producing with a first circuitry responsive to the first level detector circuit a first active mode signal if the human-presence-indicating signal is either higher than the first upper threshold level or lower than the first lower threshold level, opening the water valve with a second circuitry responsive to the first active mode signal, after production of the first active mode signal, further detecting with a second level detector circuit more sensitive to the presence of a human body part than the first level detector circuit and having an

Abstract: A source of liquid soap for washbasins and the like is provided by a flexible, collapsible bag filled with liquid soap. A hollow needle is penetrably inserted through the material of the bag, which penetration develops a seal about the needle. The needle is connected through a conduit to a dispenser for the soap. A source of vacuum in communication with the conduit, the force of gravity or a force externally imposed upon the bag to compress it, actuates a flow of soap from the bag through the needle for discharge from the dispenser. As liquid soap is evacuated from the bag, the bag collapses. Upon depletion of the soap, the needle is withdrawn and inserted into a replacement bag of soap.

Abstract: A low voltage battery energized passive detection system generates a control signal in response to radiated heat from a human body part to open a solenoid operated valve for a predetermined limited time period. In anticipation of a reduction of available DC power, voltage level sensing circuitry disables the valve in the closed position to prevent the valve from remaining in the open position due to an insufficiency of DC power to effect closure of the valve.