Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are provided for dispensing fluid from a dispenser that includes a flexible membrane having different levels of pliability according to a voltage applied to the flexible membrane. According to some embodiments, a biasing device, such as a spring, is disposed on a first side of the flexible membrane and is configured to apply pressure to the flexible membrane. When a first voltage is applied to the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane becomes sufficiently pliable to enable the spring to flex the flexible membrane, pushing the flexible membrane into a pumping chamber disposed on the opposite side of the flexible membrane relative to the spring. The fluid is stored in the pumping chamber and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes the pumping chamber to compress. Such compression of the pumping chamber forces the pumping chamber to dispense the fluid through a pump outlet.

Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are provided for dispensing fluid from a dispenser that includes a flexible membrane having different levels of pliability according to a voltage applied to the flexible membrane. According to some embodiments, a biasing device, such as a spring, is disposed on a first side of the flexible membrane and is configured to apply pressure to the flexible membrane. When a first voltage is applied to the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane becomes sufficiently pliable to enable the spring to flex the flexible membrane, pushing the flexible membrane into a pumping chamber disposed on the opposite side of the flexible membrane relative to the spring. The fluid is stored in the pumping chamber and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes the pumping chamber to compress. Such compression of the pumping chamber forces the pumping chamber to dispense the fluid through a pump outlet.

Abstract: A pump for dispensing fluid includes a dome portion for storing the fluid received through a pump inlet. The dome portion is movable between a compressed state and an uncompressed state. The pump includes a flexible membrane having a first pliability when a first voltage is applied and a second pliability when a second voltage is applied. The pump includes a first biasing device that applies a first force in a first direction to the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane moves the dome portion from the uncompressed state to the compressed state. The pump includes a second biasing device that applies a second force in a second direction to the dome portion to move the dome portion from the compressed state to the uncompressed state when the flexible membrane has the second pliability. Alternatively, the dome portion moves in the second direction in response to a gravitational force.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container for a fluid dispenser is provided. The refillable fluid dispenser includes a body, an output port and a dispensing mechanism. The body includes at least one wall that defines a reservoir for storing fluid therein. The output port is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispensing mechanism is associated with the output port. The dispensing mechanism is selectively operable between a closed position and an opened position. A fluid dispenser is also provided.

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, 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 dispensing system for dispensing an associated substantially viscous product includes a dispensing system housing and a first container. The first container is disposed within the dispensing system housing and has an elastically deformable wall defining a changeable volume for containing the associated product. The elastically deformable wall is expandable between an unexpanded state and an expanded state. The first container includes an outlet through which the associated product is expelled. Potential energy stored in the deformable wall in the expanded state is operable to expel the associated product from the first container through the outlet. The dispensing system includes a selectively engage-able valve operatively fluidly connected to the outlet for controlling the expulsion of a predetermined amount of the associated product from the outlet. An actuator is operatively coupled to the valve to selectively engage the valve.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes a dispensation conduit and a refill conduit. A refill system includes a refill reservoir and a refill distribution conduit. The refill distribution conduit is configured for selective fluid coupling with the refill conduit to facilitate refilling of the fluid dispenser.

Abstract: A dispensing system comprises a first electronic sensor and a controller. The first electronic sensor may be configured to detect a first change from a first amount of a fluid product in a dispensing system reservoir to a second amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. The controller may be coupled to the first electronic sensor and configured to receive a first signal from the first electronic sensor indicative of the first change. The dispensing system reservoir may be disposed in the dispensing system. A method for determining a remaining service interval for a dispensing system reservoir is also provided.

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 pump for dispensing fluid includes a dome portion for storing the fluid received through a pump inlet. The dome portion is movable between a compressed state and an uncompressed state. The pump includes a flexible membrane having a first pliability when a first voltage is applied and a second pliability when a second voltage is applied. The pump includes a first biasing device that applies a first force in a first direction to the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane moves the dome portion from the uncompressed state to the compressed state. The pump includes a second biasing device that applies a second force in a second direction to the dome portion to move the dome portion from the compressed state to the uncompressed state when the flexible membrane has the second pliability. Alternatively, the dome portion moves in the second direction in response to a gravitational force.

Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are provided for dispensing fluid from a dispenser that includes a flexible membrane having different levels of pliability according to a voltage applied to the flexible membrane. According to some embodiments, a biasing device, such as a spring, is disposed on a first side of the flexible membrane and is configured to apply pressure to the flexible membrane. When a first voltage is applied to the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane becomes sufficiently pliable to enable the spring to flex the flexible membrane, pushing the flexible membrane into a pumping chamber disposed on the opposite side of the flexible membrane relative to the spring. The fluid is stored in the pumping chamber and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes the pumping chamber to compress. Such compression of the pumping chamber forces the pumping chamber to dispense the fluid through a pump outlet.