Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymer-based films (and articles of manufacture made therefrom or comprising thereof). In several embodiments, the film comprises biodegradable polymers. In several embodiments, the film comprises post-consumer recycled material. In several embodiments, the film comprises an odor absorbing agent (e.g., carbon). In several embodiments, an article of manufacture comprising a film as disclosed herein or the film itself is biodegradable.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a description of various embodiments of waste-receiving systems. In some embodiments, a waste-receiving system comprises at least one waste receptacle configured to be positioned inside of a cabinet, an electric drive system configured to transition the waste-receiving system from a retracted or closed position within a closed cabinet to an extended or open position that provides access to the waste receptacle inside of the waste-receiving system, such as by moving the waste receptacle at least partially outside of the cabinet or opening a cabinet door or access region. The system can include a sensor system configured to generate one or more electronic signals from an environment, such as from a user, and a processor in electronic communication with the sensor system and a motor, the processor configured to actuate the motor based at least in part on the one or more electronic signals received from the sensor system.

Abstract: A device may include an enclosure configured to receive, store, and dispense a cleaning fluid. A device may include a support base, wherein the enclosure and support base can be configured to support a roll of cleaning wipes in a manner that permits the roll to rotate when one or more cleaning wipes are removed from the roll, wherein the enclosure is configured to be securely attached to the support base by pushing the enclosure downward onto an attachment region of the support base; and wherein the enclosure is configured to be released from the support base by pushing the enclosure downward. A liquid dispenser can have an elongate interior reservoir, a protruding carry loop, and an engagement zone with contours that engage with a latch in a paper-towel holder. The dispenser can have a spray trigger underneath the carry loop and a protruding roll stop. It can be sized to fit within a cylindrical cardboard tube configured to hold paper towels. A paper-towel holder can support and engage a liquid dispenser.

Abstract: Accessibly positioned sanitizing materials can include paper towels and sanitizing sprays. A paper towel holder with a central support to hold a roll of paper towels can allow spinning dispensing of paper towels. The central support can also function separately as a removable disinfectant sprayer, enabling a user to carry and store paper towels and disinfecting solution in the same location, and providing a disinfecting sprayer nearby when paper towels are used to clean a surface. The structure described can also house other fluids for spraying.

Abstract: Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly can include a lid, and a multicomponent trim ring. The lid assembly can be rotatably connected with the body via a hinge unit. In certain embodiments, a flange of the trim ring is guided into and/or received into the hinge unit. A translating pin of the hinge unit can engage into the flange, thereby providing a rotatable connection between the trim ring and the body. In various embodiments, the translating pin is coupled with a handle to facilitate movement of the pin by a user during engagement of the trim ring and the hinge unit. A positioner can help to position the trash can against or adjacent to a wall or other structure. The movement of both the trim ring and the lid can be dampened.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.

Abstract: A device may include an enclosure configured to receive, store, and dispense a cleaning fluid. A device may include a support base, wherein the enclosure and support base can be configured to support a roll of cleaning wipes in a manner that permits the roll to rotate when one or more cleaning wipes are removed from the roll, wherein the enclosure is configured to be securely attached to the support base by pushing the enclosure downward onto an attachment region of the support base; and wherein the enclosure is configured to be released from the support base by pushing the enclosure downward. A liquid dispenser can have an elongate interior reservoir, a protruding carry loop, and an engagement zone with contours that engage with a latch in a paper-towel holder. The dispenser can have a spray trigger underneath the carry loop and a protruding roll stop. It can be sized to fit within a cylindrical cardboard tube configured to hold paper towels. A paper-towel holder can support and engage a liquid dispenser.

Abstract: Accessibly positioned sanitizing materials can include paper towels and sanitizing sprays. A paper towel holder with a central support to hold a roll of paper towels can allow spinning dispensing of paper towels. The central support can also function separately as a removable disinfectant sprayer, enabling a user to carry and store paper towels and disinfecting solution in the same location, and providing a disinfecting sprayer nearby when paper towels are used to clean a surface. The structure described can also house other fluids for spraying.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a description of a sanitizing system for sanitizing a mobile electronic device comprising: a housing; a sanitizer contained within the housing configured to emit radiation with a sanitizing effect; and an entry system with a default closed position, the entry system being configured to permit a mobile electronic device to pass through the entry system and then automatically return to the default closed position, the entry system comprising a first outer enclosure and a second inner obstruction; wherein the entry system blocks radiation emitted within the sanitizing system to a level acceptable for consumer use, or wherein the second inner obstruction provides more radiation attenuation than the first outer enclosure, and/or wherein the combination of the first outer enclosure and the second inner obstruction provides more radiation attenuation than the first outer enclosure by itself. Disclosed are internal reflectors to help distribute sanitizing radiation generally evenly.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror is rotatable within a support portion of the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror.

Abstract: Receptacle assemblies with user assists are disclosed. The receptacle assembly can include a container, a lid, a foot pedal, a linkage configured to transmit force from the foot pedal to the lid, and a user assist. The user assist can be configured to reduce the amount of force needed to be applied by the user to open the lid and/or to dampen movement of the pedal during closing of the lid.

Abstract: A device may include an enclosure configured to receive, store, and dispense a cleaning fluid. A device may include a support base, wherein the enclosure and support base can be configured to support a roll of cleaning wipes in a manner that permits the roll to rotate when one or more cleaning wipes are removed from the roll, wherein the enclosure is configured to be securely attached to the support base by pushing the enclosure downward onto an attachment region of the support base; and wherein the enclosure is configured to be released from the support base by pushing the enclosure downward. A liquid dispenser can have an elongate interior reservoir, a protruding carry loop, and an engagement zone with contours that engage with a latch in a paper-towel holder. The dispenser can have a spray trigger underneath the carry loop and a protruding roll stop. It can be sized to fit within a cylindrical cardboard tube configured to hold paper towels. A paper-towel holder can support and engage a liquid dispenser.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In some embodiments, the mirror comprises one or more adjustable sections. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light column configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of a mirror section. In some embodiments, the light column can produce various color temperatures. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises a capacitive touch sensor that allows control of one or more features of the light emitted from the light source. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured control on/off settings and other features of the emitted light.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.

Abstract: A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

Abstract: A household sprayer may include a liquid reservoir configured to store a liquid and a nozzle connected to the liquid reservoir, wherein the nozzle is configured to spray liquid. A household sprayer may include a nozzle actuator connected to the nozzle, wherein the nozzle actuator is configured to control the spray profile of liquid exiting the nozzle, and a pump connected to the nozzle and the liquid reservoir, wherein the pump is configured to cause liquid to flow from the liquid reservoir to the nozzle. A household sprayer may include a battery electrically connected to the pump, wherein the battery is configured to provide power to the pump. A household sprayer may include an outer housing enclosing the liquid reservoir, the pump, and the battery and a sensor disposed beneath the outer housing, wherein activating the sensor causes the pump to activate, thereby causing liquid to spray from the nozzle.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror is rotatable within a support portion of the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror.