Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a new foam which includes a liquid having a plurality of bubbles therein and a plurality of particles suspended therein. The foam is made in a dispenser that suspends the bubbles in the liquid. The liquid may be a single liquid with particles therein or may be made from two liquids which are mixed together. The particles may be such that, prior to foaming the particles sink, float or are suspended in the liquid.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a new foam which includes a liquid having a plurality of bubbles therein and a plurality of particles suspended therein. The foam is made in a dispenser that suspends the bubbles in the liquid. The liquid may be a single liquid with particles therein or may be made from two liquids which are mixed together. The particles may be such that, prior to foaming the particles sink, float or are suspended in the liquid.

Abstract: A group monitoring system for dispenser usage compliance is provided. The system is for a predetermined group of interest in a predetermined facility type. A dispenser data collection system is operably connected to a plurality of dispensers and is capable of providing information. The information includes a unique dispenser identifier and a number of dispenser usage events. The information from the data collection system is received and the predetermined group within which each dispenser is associated is determined. The number of dispenser usage events is determined. A benchmark which corresponds to dispenser usage opportunities particular to the predetermined group and particular to the predetermined time period is determined. The dispenser usage compliance index particular to the predetermined group and particular to the predetermined time period is determined by dividing the dispenser usage events for the predetermined group and the predetermined time period by a denominator which equals the benchmark.

Abstract: A pump for dispensing foam that includes a pump head having a mixing chamber and a porous member. The pump head includes a tube and diaphragm. The pump includes a cap having a body defining a cavity that receives the tube. The cap is connected to the diaphragm to define an air chamber communicating with the mixing chamber. The pump includes a spring system received in the tube and cavity. The tube, cavity, and spring system define a liquid chamber that communicates with the mixing chamber. The spring system includes a spring positioned to be compressed such that liquid is urged from the liquid chamber to the mixing chamber and the diaphragm is configured to be compressed such that air is drawn from the air chamber to the mixing chamber. The liquid and air commingle into a mixture that is pushed through the porous member to form a foam.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a foaming component for use in association with a foam dispenser. The foaming component includes an air sparging element, a mixing chamber, and an air chamber. The mixing chamber is on one side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the mixing chamber. The air chamber is on the other side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the air chamber. The air chamber has an air inlet. The mixing chamber has a liquid inlet and an outlet, and the outlet is down stream of the inlet. The foaming component also forms part of a new foam dispenser. The foaming component and the foam dispenser are for use in the production of foam with a plurality of particles suspended therein. Another aspect of the invention is a dispenser with a foaming component therein.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a foaming component for use in association with a foam dispenser. The foaming component includes an air sparging element, a mixing chamber, and an air chamber. The mixing chamber is on one side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the mixing chamber. The air chamber is on the other side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the air chamber. The air chamber has an air inlet. The mixing chamber has a liquid inlet and an outlet, and the outlet is down stream of the inlet. The foaming component also forms part of a new foam dispenser. The foaming component and the foam dispenser are for use in the production of foam with a plurality of particles suspended therein. Another aspect of the invention is a dispenser with a foaming component therein.

Abstract: An anti-drip device is for use in association with a liquid dispenser having a nozzle. The anti-drip device is adapted to fit into the nozzle. The device has an outer cross sectional dimension, an inner cross sectional dimension and an inner surface. The inner cross sectional dimension is the sum of a length of the inner surface and the inner surface is shaped such that the inner cross sectional dimension is larger than a length of the outer cross sectional dimension.

Abstract: A group monitoring system for dispenser usage compliance is provided. The system is for a predetermined group of interest in a predetermined facility type. A dispenser data collection system is operably connected to a plurality of dispensers and is capable of providing information. The information includes a unique dispenser identifier and a number of dispenser usage events. The information from the data collection system is received and the predetermined group within which each dispenser is associated is determined. The number of dispenser usage events is determined. A benchmark which corresponds to dispenser usage opportunities particular to the predetermined group and particular to the predetermined time period is determined. The dispenser usage compliance index particular to the predetermined group and particular to the predetermined time period is determined by dividing the dispenser usage events for the predetermined group and the predetermined time period by a denominator which equals the benchmark.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a new foam which includes a liquid having a plurality of bubbles therein and a plurality of particles suspended therein. The foam is made in a dispenser that suspends the bubbles in the liquid. The liquid may be a single liquid with particles therein or may be made from two liquids which are mixed together. The particles may be such that, prior to foaming the particles sink, float or are suspended in the liquid.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a foaming component for use in association with a foam dispenser. The foaming component includes an air sparging element, a mixing chamber, and an air chamber. The mixing chamber is on one side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the mixing chamber. The air chamber is on the other side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the air chamber. The air chamber has an air inlet. The mixing chamber has a liquid inlet and an outlet, and the outlet is down stream of the inlet. The foaming component also forms part of a new foam dispenser. The foaming component and the foam dispenser are for use in the production of foam with a plurality of particles suspended therein. Another aspect of the invention is a dispenser with a foaming component therein.

Abstract: An anti-drip device is for use in association with a liquid dispenser having a nozzle. The anti-drip device is adapted to fit into the nozzle. The device has an outer cross sectional dimension, an inner cross sectional dimension and an inner surface. The inner cross sectional dimension is the sum of a length of the inner surface and the inner surface is shaped such that the inner cross sectional dimension is larger than a length of the outer cross sectional dimension.

Abstract: A foam dispenser for dispensing foam from a first and a second liquid includes a first and a second liquid container for first and second liquids respectively. The dispenser includes a pumping mechanism for pumping the first liquid, second liquid and gas. The dispenser also includes a first foaming mechanism for forming a first foam. It is in flow communication with the first liquid container and a gas inlet and it includes a first mixing zone. A second mixing zone is in flow communication with the second liquid container and the first foaming mechanism wherein the first foam is mixed with the second liquid to form a final foam.

Abstract: A user monitoring system is for use in association with dispensers, particularly soap dispensers, and it may be used to monitor the use of dispensers for a number of different purposes including proof of compliance, training, disciplinary action or evidence of good practice. The monitoring system includes a sensing system, a user identification system and data storage. The sensing system is for sensing a user. The user identification system is operably connected to and responsive to the sensing system for identifying a unique user whereby the user identification system is activated once the sensing system has sensed a user. The data storage is operably connected to the user identification system and is for recording the unique user. The user monitoring system may be connected to an automatic dispenser that dispenses liquid responsive to a signal from the sensing system.

Abstract: A soap dispenser is used in association with a pump operated bottle of liquid soap. The soap dispenser includes a back plate, a cover, a pump mechanism and an outer shell. The cover is releasably attached to the back plate. The cover and the back plate define a volute therebetween. The pump operated bottle is positioned in the volute and the pump mechanism is operably connected to the bottle. There is a means to operate the pump mechanism to dispense soap. The outer shell extends over a portion of the cover and is releasably attached thereto. The outer shell can be interchanged with a plurality of similar outer shells. There is a seal between the outer shell and the cover. The outer shell may have a window formed therein and a printed sheet or advertising sheet may be positioned behind the window. Alternatively, the outer shell may have a logo or other design thereon.