Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for detecting open status of the cover on a bathing unit and for operating such a bathing unit. A topside control panel for a spa system is configured to be mounted to a peripheral wall of a water receptacle and a spa cover concurrently covers the water receptacle and the topside control panel, which has a light detection sensor proximate a user interface and measures lighting conditions on the topside control panel. A processing unit is configured to receive signals from the light detection sensor conveying the lighting conditions on the topside control panel, derive a spa cover status indicator for the spa cover, and operate the user interface in accordance with a closed cover operational process, and operate the user interface in accordance with an open cover operational process, the open cover operational process being different from the closed cover operational process.

Abstract: A water quality monitoring device is provided for use with a bathing unit system. The monitoring device includes a housing configured to be fluidly coupled with a circulation system of the bathing unit system and comprising an upper portion and a lower portion which forms a chamber, wherein the housing is to allow water from the receptacle to flow through the chamber. The lower portion is releasably engaged with the upper portion and forms a container for holding fluid when disengaged from the upper portion. The monitoring device further includes a probe coupled to the upper portion of the housing and extending into the chamber, wherein the probe is configured to measure water quality measurements of the water flowing though the chamber and wherein, when the lower portion is disengaged from the upper portion, the probe is exposed and remains in situ relative to the upper portion.

Abstract: The battery (10) comprises a casing (12) housing prismatic cells (14) stacked in a longitudinal direction (X), and comprising spacers (16) between the cells (14). Each spacer (16) comprises at least one spacer element (18; 22) comprising a curved wall, the spacer element (18; 22) being deformable when compressed in the longitudinal direction (X) while extending in a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X). The extension of each spacer element (18; 22) in the transverse direction (Y) is free on a first length, then limited by a contact. The battery (10) comprises cooling fluid, the curved wall having two faces, each face being in contact with cooling fluid.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a desired beverage, the system comprising: a housing; a dispensing unit disposed in the housing for dispensing the selected beverage; a first user interface for sighted users, the first user interface being secured to the housing and comprising a screen; a second user interface for visually impaired users, the second user interface being secured to the housing and comprising a plurality of buttons each associated with a respective command; and a control unit disposed within the housing and operatively connected to the dispensing unit and the first and second user interfaces, the control unit for operating the system in a first mode of operation in which commands are to be inputted via the first user interface and a second mode of operation in which the command are to be inputted via the second user interface.