Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dispenser which in one embodiment is a motorized electric dispenser that reliably detects a request for a portion of product and electromechanically dispenses a pre-determined length of product to the user, without the user needing to directly touch any part of the dispenser. The dispenser comprises a product path passing between an engagement opening and a capacitive sensor. A controller is operatively configured to identify a dispense request based upon a detection signal received from the capacitive sensor and activate a drive motor upon the identification of the dispense request. The dispense request is defined as an introduction of a user target within an introduction threshold distance from the capacitive sensor followed by a removal of the user target beyond a removal threshold distance away from the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dispenser which in one embodiment is a motorized electric dispenser that reliably detects a request for a portion of product and electromechanically dispenses a pre-determined length of product to the user, without the user needing to directly touch any part of the dispenser. The dispenser comprises a product path passing between an engagement opening and a capacitive sensor. A controller is operatively configured to identify a dispense request based upon a detection signal received from the capacitive sensor and activate a drive motor upon the identification of the dispense request. The dispense request is defined as an introduction of a user target within an introduction threshold distance from the capacitive sensor followed by a removal of the user target beyond a removal threshold distance away from the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A system for harvesting and storing energy including photovoltaic structure continuously harvesting energy from an internal lighting system, at least one supercapacitor for receiving and storing electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic structure, and a microprocessor continually powered by the supercapacitor and programmed to activate an electrically operated device when the stored energy in the supercapacitor exceeds a minimum voltage charge level sufficient to maintain operation of the microprocessor.