Abstract: An anti-theft device for protecting a portable electronic device from theft or unauthorized removal in a retail environment is provided. The anti-theft device includes a shroud configured to at least partially receive and engage a portable electronic device. The anti-theft device also includes a dock configured to releasably engage the shroud. The dock is configured to engage the shroud in a locked configuration so as to prevent removal of the shroud and the portable electronic device from the dock and to disengage the shroud in an unlocked configuration so as to allow the shroud and the portable electronic device to be removed from the dock.

Abstract: A controlled plumbing fixture includes a plumbing fixture having an electromechanical valve for regulating the flow of water. A control assembly is operably associated with the valve for controlling operation thereof. A self-calibrating push button is operably associated with the control assembly for supplying a demand signal thereto and for thereby causing the control assembly to supply a control signal to the valve for causing operation thereof.

Abstract: A controlled plumbing fixture includes a plumbing fixture having an electromechanical valve for regulating the flow of water. A control assembly is operably associated with the valve for controlling operation thereof. A self-calibrating push button is operably associated with the control assembly for supplying a demand signal thereto and for thereby causing the control assembly to supply a control signal to the valve for causing operation thereof.

Abstract: A controlled plumbing fixture comprises a plumbing fixture, an electromechanical valve operably associated with the fixture for regulating water flow thereto, a control operably associated with the valve for controlling operation thereof, and a push button assembly cooperating with the control. The push button has an axially movable plunger, an axially movable signal supplying element, and an elastomeric member disposed about and slidably engaged with the signal supplying element for selectively positioning and maintaining the signal supplying element intermediate axially spaced first and second points. The push button is operably associated with the control for causing a demand signal to be supplied to the control for thereby causing the control to supply a control signal to the valve, so that operation thereof occurs upon actuation of said signal supplying element by movement of the plunger.

Abstract: The invention is to a method and apparatus for increasing the likelihood that a selected vehicle component has been serviced or checked in a timely manner. An indicator is actuated should the vehicle component not be serviced within a preselected time. The vehicle component is in operable association with a timer, which measures the elapsed time between a starting time and a preselected time. The timer is reset by a switch which is actuated by the servicing of the vehicle component. Should the timer reach a preselected time before the switch associated is actuated, then an indicator is actuated.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for enhancing hygiene in a food handling environment include an indicator to be worn by a worker in the food handling area, an activating device located outside of the food handling area, a hand cleaning station located proximate or within the food handling area (remote from the restroom), and a deactivating device operatively associated with the hand cleaning station. Upon leaving the food handling area, the indicator worn by the worker is activated when the worker enters a predetermined area proximate the activating device. Thereafter, the indicator is deactivated by the deactivating device only when it is determined that the worker has utilized the hand cleaning station proximate the food handling area. In such a manner, the prior art problem of worker contamination occurring between, for example, the restroom and food handling area is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A wash station comprises a sink and a water dispensing faucet operably associated with the sink for selectively dispensing water thereto. A first sensor is operably associated with the sink for determining the presence of a user. An electrically operated valve is in flow communication with the faucet for causing water to be selectively supplied thereto and operably associated with the first sensor for being actuated thereby. A soap dispensing faucet is operably associated with the sink for selecting dispensing soap. A second sensor is operably associated with the soap dispensing faucet for determining the presence of a user in operable association with the soap dispensing faucet. A pump is in operable association with a soap supply, in fluid communication with the soap dispensing faucet, and in operable connection with the second sensor for causing soap to be selectively supplied to the soap dispensing faucet upon detection of a user by the second sensor.

Abstract: A flushing control system for prisons and the like includes a fixture and a source of water. A solenoid operated valve is interposed between the fixture and the source for regulating the flow of water to the fixture. A capacitance sensor is operably associated with the fixture for requesting operation of the valve. A control mechanism is operably associated with the capacitance sensor and with the valve for causing operation of the valve to be delayed for a selected period after the sensor has been operated and for limiting the number of operations of said valve per unit time.

Abstract: A wash station comprises a sink and a faucet. A source of water and a source of soap are provided. An electrically operated valve is interposed between the water source and the faucet for selectively supplying water thereto, and a pump and valve are interposed between the soap source and the faucet for selectively supplying soap thereto. An electrically operated roll towel dispenser is disposed proximate the sink. A first infrared sensor is operably associated with the sink for determining the presence of a user. A control mechanism is operatively associated with the valves, the pump, the roll towel dispenser and the sensor for causing water and soap to be selectively supplied to the faucet and for thereafter causing a length of roll towel to be dispensed.

Abstract: A fresh water control system comprises a fresh water supply line having a plurality of spaced outlets. At least first and second fresh water manifolds are provided. Each manifold comprises an inlet in flow communication with an associated one of the outlets and at least a first remotely operable valve for selectively supplying fresh water to a remote fixture. At least first and second check valves are provided. The check valves are intermediate the supply line outlets. Each of the check valves permits fresh water to flow therebeyond in a first direction while preventing water from flowing therebeyond in an opposite second direction.

Abstract: The method of controlling operation of a plurality of fixtures comprises the steps of establishing a maximum fluid flow rate and determining which of the fixtures requires operation. A determination is then made of the fluid flow rate of the fixture requiring operation and a calculation is made of whether operation of the fixture requiring operation will cause the maximum flow rate to be exceeded. The fixture requiring operation is caused to operate if the maximum flow rate will not be exceeded and is prevented from operating if the maximum flow rate will be exceeded.

Abstract: A pinch valve control system for regulating the flow of water through the water distribution network of a building. Remote-controlled, fluid-operated pinch valves are spaced at various locations throughout the water distribution network of the building and may be selectively operated from a remote station to stop the flow of water in any pipe throughout the building's water distribution network. The use of pinch valves permits water flow to be increased or decreased gradually and reduces or eliminates water hammer. The pinch valve is operated by compressed fluid which enters the sleeve around the pinch valve to stop the flow of water in the pipe. To resume the water flow, the fluid in the pinch valve is released.

Abstract: A pinch valve control system for regulating the flow of water through the water distribution network of a building. Remote-controlled, fluid-operated pinch valves are spaced at various locations throughout the water distribution network of the building and may be selectively operated from a remote station to stop the flow of water in any pipe throughout the building's water distribution network. The use of pinch valves permits water flow to be increased or decreased gradually and reduces or eliminates water hammer. The pinch valve is operated by compressed fluid which enters the sleeve around the pinch valve to stop the flow of water in the pipe. To resume the water flow, the fluid in the pinch valve is released.

Abstract: A modular system for automatically controlling the operation of a water faucet comprises an electrically operable valve for installation in line of a water supply line to the faucet for controlling water flow to the faucet; a sensor for detecting the presence of an individual within a predetermined range of the sensor; a controller for connecting to the valve and the sensor for receiving a detection signal from the sensor and for operating the valve in response to the signal; and releasable connectors for connecting the valve and the sensor to the controller.

Abstract: A wash station comprises a sink and a faucet. A source of water and a source of soap are provided. An electrically operated valve is interposed between the water source and the faucet for selectively supplying water thereto, and a pump and valve are interposed between the soap source and the faucet for selectively supplying soap thereto. An electrically operated roll towel dispenser is disposed proximate the sink. A first infrared sensor is operably associated with the sink for determining the presence of a user. A control mechanism is operatively associated with the valves, the pump, the roll towel dispenser and the sensor for causing water and soap to be selectively supplied to the faucet and for thereafter causing a length of roll towel to be dispensed.

Abstract: An animal waterer comprises a bowl having an open top and a bottom drain, and a valve is operatively associated with the drain for selectively blocking and unblocking the drain. A water supply line cooperates with the valve and is operably associated with the bowl for supplying water to the bowl when the valve blocks the drain so that the bowl thereby fills with water and for causing water to drain from the bowl when the valve does not block the drain. A sensing system is operatively associated with the bowl and with the drain for causing the valve to block the drain when the presence of an animal is sensed so that the bowl is thereby filled with water for the animal to drink and for causing the valve to unblock the drain when no animal is sensed so that the bowl is drained of water.

Abstract: A flushing control system for prisons and the like includes a fixture and a source of water. A solenoid operated valve is interposed between the fixture and the source for regulating the flow of water to the fixture. A capacitance sensor is operably associated with the fixture for requesting operation of the valve. A control mechanism is operably associated with the capacitance sensor and with the valve for causing operation of the valve to be delayed for a selected period after the sensor has been operated and for limiting the number of operations of said valve per unit time.

Abstract: A solenoid operated flush valve has a main flush valve body including water inlet and outlet means. The main flush valve body includes generally horizontally extending nipple means which is in fluid communication with the water inlet and outlet means. A flow control means is removably mounted within the nipple means and includes valve insert means and solenoid means in cooperative engagement with the valve insert means. The valve insert means includes first and second ends and a side. The valve insert means includes a first passageway extending axially between the first and second ends thereof and a second passageway extending between one of the first and second ends and the side of the valve insert means. The second passageway is in fluid communication with the water outlet means through the side of the valve insert means. Means cooperate with the solenoid means for selectively blocking the second passageway to thereby regulate the flow of water flushing through the flush valve.