1-sanitize-empty-string.php

<?php 
/**
 * A santization function that will take the incoming input, and make
 * sure that it's secure before saving it to the database.
 *
 * @since    1.0.0
 *
 * @param    array    $input        The name input.
 * @return   array    $new_input    The sanitized input.
 */
public function sanitize( $input ) {

	// Prepare the new array to save
	$new_input = array();

	// Set the name to save to the database
	$new_input['name'] =
		( $this->validator->is_valid_name( $input['name'] ) ) ?
		$this->validator->sanitize_input( $input['name'] ) :
		'';

	return $new_input;

}

2-sanitize-legit-value.php

<?php 
/**
 * A santization function that will take the incoming input, and make
 * sure that it's secure before saving it to the database.
 *
 * @since    1.0.0
 *
 * @param    array    $input        The name input.
 * @return   array    $new_input    The sanitized input.
 */
public function sanitize( $input ) {

	// Prepare the new array to save
	$new_input = array();

	// Set the name to save to the database
	$new_input['name'] =
		( $this->validator->is_valid_name( $input['name'] ) ) ?
		$this->validator->sanitize_input( $input['name'] ) :
		'';

	// Return false if the 'name' index isn't set
	return ( empty( $new_input['name'] ) ) ? false : $new_input;

}