Patent ID: 7821155

Claim:
A power system for a plurality of dispensers comprising: an AC transformer to receive a line voltage and generate an output voltage of about 2 volts AC to about 50 volts AC; a plurality of dispensers, each housing at least one electrical component operatively configured to dispense product through a dispensing aperture, each of the dispensers comprising a battery compartment so configured and dimensioned as to receive a plurality of conventional batteries disposed in a side-by-side arrangement, the battery compartment comprising two electrical connectors so configured and disposed as to make electrical contact with associated terminals of two of the plurality of conventional batteries when installed in the battery compartment; and a plurality of AC/DC power converters adapted to be disposed within the battery compartments such that at least one power converter is associated with each dispenser, the converters disposed in communication with the AC transformer such that the power converters receive the output voltage and provide a DC voltage to one or more electrical components housed within the respective dispensers; wherein the AC transformer is a single AC transformer disposed in power communication with the plurality of power converters; and each of the plurality of power converters is so configured and dimensioned so as to be interchangeable with the plurality of conventional batteries within a respective one of the battery compartments, each of the plurality of power converters comprising two electrical connectors so configured and disposed as to make electrical contact with the two electrical connectors of the respective battery compartment, thereby providing for retrofit installation of power converters into battery compartments of in-use dispensers previously powered by a respective plurality of conventional batteries.