| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090000023 | Fluid dispenser having infrared user sensor - A dispensing system is disclosed which utilizes a controller in conjunction with a photodetector in order to provide automatic dispensing to a user when an object enters a target area. A controller is programmed to pulse a light source that is mounted proximate the photodetector. The controller constantly monitors the voltage at the receiving signal of the photodetector, and evaluates the difference in voltage from the light pulsed on and off. The controller sums the differences, and constantly updates the differences over a designated period to create an average difference value. The average difference value is summed with a target offset value and compared to a momentary voltage difference. When the momentary difference exceeds the sum of the target offset value and average difference, the controller sends a signal to a dispense mechanism which dispenses a fluid or other product on the object. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090125424 | Method and device for indicating future need for product replacement of random use dispensing - A method is presented for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval. The inventive method includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval; comparing the quantity remaining with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Based on the usage, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval. A dispenser incorporating such method is also described. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090145925 | Dispensing system with magnet and coil for power generation - A dispensing system is presented for providing power generation from the actuation that occurs to provide product. The dispensing mechanism includes a plunger and magnet. The magnet is secured to the dispensing mechanism so that it moves with the plunger. Surrounding the dispensing mechanism is a housing that includes a coil. The coil is positioned such that as the pump is actuated, the magnet moves relative to the coil, generating power to the coil. The generated power that is produced can be applied to electronic devices that include, but are not limited to, light-emitting diodes and controllers. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090204256 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INDICATING FUTURE NEED FOR PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OF RANDOM-USE DISPENSING - A method and device for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, and calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval. The quantity remaining is compared with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Thus, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20100064558 | SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY REVEALING INDICIA - A system for selectively revealing indicia includes a transitioning assembly that is configured to be retrofit with an existing dispenser. The transitioning assembly includes a transitioning window that is coupled to a switch that is configured to be mounted in operative contact with an actuator provided by the dispenser. Upon the engagement of the actuator, the switch is triggered, resulting in the transitioning window transitioning from an at least partially opaque state to an at least partially transparent state, so as to reveal indicia therebehind to an observer. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100078331 | ELECTROLYTIC DEVICE FOR GENERATION OF pH-CONTROLLED HYPOHALOUS ACID AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS FOR DISINFECTANT APPLICATIONS - An electrolytic device for the generation of hypohalous acid in aqueous solutions includes at least a single liquid chamber for receiving an aqueous solution containing halide ions therein, the single liquid chamber having an exterior wall and a solid anode contained within to provide for the oxidation of the halide ions, which, in turn, provides for the formation of hypohalous acid in aqueous solution, and a gas permeable cathode forming a portion of the exterior wall of the single liquid chamber, the cathode providing for the reduction of oxygen to provide hydroxyl ions in solution within the single liquid chamber to mix with the products generated at the anode. An embodiment of the electrolytic device including an anolyte chamber and a catholyte chamber separated by an ionomeric membrane is also described, whereby the anolyte chamber further includes an outlet including a pH control for determining and regulating the pH of the exiting anolyte effluent to between about 4 and 9. The product is suitable for disinfectant applications including as a hand sanitizer. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100163573 | Low cost radio frequency identification (RFID) dispensing systems - A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof. Additionally, a dispenser of variable size is presented that is adaptable, through adjustable partitions or a telescoping cup, to receive and maintain cartridges of various sizes. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100230435 | Touch-Free Biometric-Enabled Dispenser - A touch-free dispenser includes a dispenser controller coupled to a memory unit, which includes a database of previously-stored vein patterns. A vein-pattern sensor maintained by the dispenser images the unique vein pattern of a user's hand without contact. The imaged vein pattern is subsequently compared with stored vein patterns, such that if there is a match, the dispenser proceeds to dispense material, such as soap, from a refill container. Alternatively, if there is no match between the imaged vein pattern and the stored vein patterns, the dispenser enters a learn mode to allow the imaged vein pattern to be added to the database. Data associated with the use of the dispenser is also collected during its operation, which is stored and associated with the imaged vein patterns for subsequent analysis. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100237096 | WIRELESSLY-POWERED DISPENSER SYSTEM - A wirelessly-powered dispenser system includes a power receiver that is configured to receive a wireless power signal sent from a remotely-located power transmission module. The received wireless power signal is used by the dispenser to power a controller and pump to enable the automatic output of material, such as soap, provided by a replaceable refill container. As such, the dispenser can be installed in a wide range of locations where wired power is unavailable and without the need of battery replacement. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100332022 | HYGIENE COMPLIANCE MONITORING SYSTEM - A hygiene compliance monitoring system provides a dispenser that is associated with a data collection unit that collects dispensing events, such as the dispensement of material from the dispenser, which occurs during time segments of a predetermined duration. The hygiene event monitoring system also includes a portable data acquisition unit that is in wireless communication with the data collection unit of the dispenser. As such, when the data acquisition unit is brought within the range of reception of the data collection unit, the hygiene compliance data and time segment information are transmitted to the data acquisition unit and stored at a portable memory unit, which is removable. As such, the hygiene compliance data stored on the portable memory unit can be readily transferred to any desired computing device for analysis and report generation. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110108578 | METHODS FOR RESETTING STALLED PUMPS IN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED DISPENSING SYSTEMS - Various methods are disclosed for resetting a stalled pump in a fluid dispensing system. In one embodiment, it is determined whether a refill container is received in the dispensing system and then a pump actuator is moved to a loading position when the refill container is removed. Another method sets a run timer, starts a pump actuator, determines whether the pump actuator is still dispensing fluid from the fluid dispensing system upon lapsing of the run timer and then moves the pump actuator if the pump actuator is still dispensing upon the expiration of the run timer. And another method detects opening of a cover, energizes a motor to move an actuator to a loading position, determines when the actuator is at the loading position and then turns the motor off. | 05-12-2011 |
