Abstract: A commodity dispenser system includes a terminal dispenser device with a container configured to contain a commodity. The terminal dispenser device includes a user-controlled dispenser for selectively dispensing the commodity from the container. The terminal dispenser device includes a sensor and a communication device, and the sensor is configured to detect an inventory condition of the commodity within the container. The system further includes a server configured to communicate with the communication device of the terminal dispenser device, receive a communication corresponding to the inventory condition detected, and initiate an order for a replenishing shipment of the commodity to the dispenser device based, at least partly, on the communication corresponding to the inventory condition detected.

Abstract: A vapor dispensing apparatus includes a housing configured to support a refill therein. The housing has a vent formed therein. The refill includes a bottle having a body defining an interior volume for storing a vaporizable liquid. A wick, configured to draw the vaporizable liquid out of the bottle, includes an inferior portion disposed in the interior volume and a superior portion extending from the inferior portion and terminating outside the bottle adjacent the vent. The wick is an elongated member having a hollow wick core formed in the superior portion to provide a tubular wick section. An electric warmer is supported in the housing and configured to couple with a power supply. The electric warmer includes a heating element received in the hollow wick core for warming the wick above an ambient temperature.

Abstract: A volatile substance distribution system includes a base unit and a removable capsule. The distribution system further includes an indicator system configured to indicate a usage condition of the capsule. The indicator system includes a capsule sensor, a timing device, and an output device. The capsule sensor is configured to detect that the capsule is in the engaged position. The timing device is configured to track a cumulative usage time of the capsule according to an amount of time the fan is in the operating condition with the capsule in the engaged position as detected by the capsule sensor. The output device is configured to provide an indication of the usage condition when the cumulative usage time reaches a predetermined threshold time.

Abstract: A volatile substance distribution system includes a fan having a fan profile. The system includes a housing that defines a fluid passage. The fan is disposed in the fluid passage. The housing defines a receptacle configured to removably receive a capsule containing a volatile substance member. The fluid passage is fluidly connected to the capsule when the receptacle removably receives the capsule. The system further includes a shroud surface that partly defines the fluid passage and that opposes the fan. The shroud surface and the fan profile have a corresponding contour.

Abstract: A capsule of a volatile substance distribution system having a base unit configured to drive ambient temperature air through the capsule for distributing a volatile substance therefrom. The capsule includes a capsule housing. The capsule also includes a volatile substance member that is housed within the capsule housing. The volatile substance member includes a substrate and a volatile substance on the substrate. The substrate has a porosity that is within a predetermined range for absorption of the volatile substance and for controlled release of the volatile substance from the substrate when the base unit drives air through the capsule.

Abstract: A commodity dispenser system includes a terminal dispenser device with a container configured to contain a commodity. The terminal dispenser device includes a user-controlled dispenser for selectively dispensing the commodity from the container. The terminal dispenser device includes a sensor and a communication device, and the sensor is configured to detect an inventory condition of the commodity within the container. The system further includes a server configured to communicate with the communication device of the terminal dispenser device, receive a communication corresponding to the inventory condition detected, and initiate an order for a replenishing shipment of the commodity to the dispenser device based, at least partly, on the communication corresponding to the inventory condition detected.

Abstract: A low dose of borax and of liquid detergent is delivered to wash water in a multi-chamber single dose unit containing borax in a powder chamber and a liquid detergent in a liquid chamber. The treatment removes proteinaceous stains without a proteinase enzyme.

Abstract: A low dose of borax and of liquid detergent is delivered to wash water in a multi-chamber single dose unit containing borax in a powder chamber and a liquid detergent in a liquid chamber. The treatment removes proteinaceous stains without a proteinase enzyme.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an odorous material on a fabric includes applying a benzofurazan indicator to the fabric, tagging the odorous material with the indicator, exposing the fabric to a light at a predefined wavelength to produce fluorescence of the tagged odorous material, and observing the fluorescence of the tagged odorous material through a bandpass filter. Also disclosed is a system including the fabric, the indicator applied to the fabric and configured to tag the odorous material, at least one light source arranged about the fabric and configured to direct light on the fabric to produce fluorescence of the tagged odorous material, and an imaging device arranged about the fabric to capture an image of the fabric through a bandpass filter with the image including at least one illuminated portion representing the tagged odorous material. Also disclosed is a method for determining the efficacy of a laundry product.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of household cleaning, for example laundry products and methods. The invention is directed to the use of indicator materials, such as fluorescent indicator materials, for detecting or visualizing organic laundry soils, particularly those that tend to be invisible to the naked eye, such as sebum, perspiration, biological soils, odor-causing soils/stains and tannins. In addition, the present invention is directed to methods of using indicator materials, such as fluorescent indicator materials, to detect such soils on fabrics, and to determine and demonstrate the cleaning efficacy of a laundry product.