An apparatus and method of using a device for dispensing fluid comprising a flexible and collapsible container, a fluid dispenser pump connected to the flexible and collapsible fluid container configured to draw fluid from the flexible and collapsible fluid container into the fluid dispenser pump and to dispense fluid through a fluid delivery channel to an exit port upon actuation of the pump. The dispenser pump having an actuator comprising a dose delivery button, and a sensor located in the apparatus and configured to actuate the dispenser pump upon physical contact of the dose delivery button by a user.

An image forming apparatus and method for determining a toner level and providing a notification are provided. The method of operating an image forming apparatus includes counting a number of times a lower toner hopper receives toner from an in-situ refillable upper toner hopper, calculating an estimate of toner volume transferred from the lower toner hopper to a surface of a photosensitive drum, determining an amount of toner consumed from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper based on the number of times the lower toner hopper receives toner from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper and the estimate of toner volume transferred from the lower toner hopper to the surface of the photosensitive drum, and generating an upper toner hopper refill notification when the amount of toner consumed from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper is determined to exceed a threshold value.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a solid dispenser including dispensing vanes coupled rotationally about respective parallel horizontal axes. The two dispensing vanes including a surface at a radial distance from the corresponding parallel horizontal axis with teeth arranged on and projecting from the surface. The surfaces of the dispensing vanes may be in contact between the parallel horizontal axes and are flexible in radial directions of the dispensing vanes. In one example embodiment, the dispensing vanes are configured to rotate in opposing directions about the respective parallel horizontal axes to selectively dispense ingredients from a hopper.

An exemplary dispenser includes a housing and a refill unit. The refill unit being removable and replaceable. The dispenser also includes a processor, memory, a dose count stored in memory that is indicative of the number of doses in a full refill unit, a level sensor for detecting a predetermined level the refill unit and a dispense count indicative of the number doses of product dispensed from the refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes memory and has logic stored in the memory for recalibrating the number of doses remaining in the refill unit as a function of the dose count, the number of doses of product dispensed and the predetermined level of product. The number of doses of product remaining in the refill unit may be displayed on the dispenser, on a remote station, or on both the dispenser and a remote station.

A dispensing system for a beverage comprises in a tap system a bore for housing a duct. Along the bore, close to or on the duct, at least two electrodes are provided such that at least at some locations along the duct, the two electrodes are provided opposite to one another with the duct in between, thus constituting a capacitor. An oscillating signal is provided to one electrode and a signal is read out from the other electrode. As a beverage is drawn through the duct in a container, capacitance of the capacitor changes. The flowing beverage may have different characteristics, but capacitance may also change as the beverage in the duct is in conducting contact with a container that may be in contact with an earth contact. The change of capacitance results in a change of the amplitude of a detection circuit connected to the second electrode.

An image forming apparatus and method for determining a toner level and providing a notification are provided. The method of operating an image forming apparatus includes counting a number of times a lower toner hopper receives toner from an in-situ refillable upper toner hopper, calculating an estimate of toner volume transferred from the lower toner hopper to a surface of a photosensitive drum, determining an amount of toner consumed from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper based on the number of times the lower toner hopper receives toner from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper and the estimate of toner volume transferred from the lower toner hopper to the surface of the photosensitive drum, and generating an upper toner hopper refill notification when the amount of toner consumed from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper is determined to exceed a threshold value.

Improvements in acoustically dispensed samples that are injected into an open port probe (OPP) are described. Apparatus and method are described that calibrate the volume dispensing determination and mechanisms in the acoustic dispenser to produce accurate and precise volumetric delivery.

A low power consumption leak detection device for a toilet tank includes a water level switch disposed within the toilet tank having a float. The float moves with a water level within the toilet tank from a starting position to a lower position. An electronic circuit is configured to be electrically disconnected from a power source when the float is in the starting position. The electronic circuit is configured to be electrically connected to the power source when the float is in the lower position and activate a timer having a preset time limit, which if reached sends an alarm signal to an alarm indicator. The alarm indicator notifies a resident of a potential water leak problem that can be fixed. The lower power consumption leak detection device only uses power when the water level drops thereby greatly extending the life of the battery and usefulness of the device.

A low power consumption leak detection device for a toilet tank includes a water level switch disposed within the toilet tank having a float. The float moves with a water level within the toilet tank from a starting position to a lower position. An electronic circuit is configured to be electrically disconnected from a power source when the float is in the starting position. The electronic circuit is configured to be electrically connected to the power source when the float is in the lower position and activate a timer having a preset time limit, which if reached sends an alarm signal to an alarm indicator. The alarm indicator notifies a resident of a potential water leak problem that can be fixed. The lower power consumption leak detection device only uses power when the water level drops thereby greatly extending the life of the battery and usefulness of the device.

A low power consumption fluid leak or overflow detection device for a fluid tank includes a fluid level switch disposed within the tank having a float. The float moves with a fluid level within the tank from a starting position to a second position. An electronic circuit is configured to be electrically disconnected from a power source when the float is in the starting position. The electronic circuit is configured to be electrically connected to the power source when the float is in the second position and activate a timer having a preset time limit, which if reached sends an alarm signal to an alarm indicator. The alarm indicator notifies a resident of a potential problem that can be fixed. The low power consumption leak or overflow detection device only uses power when the fluid level drops or rises thereby greatly extending the life of the battery.