Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling dispenser fluid refill

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017190563-A1
Application number	US-201715398170-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 4, 2017
Priority date	Jan 5, 2016
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A counter mountable fluid dispenser includes a below deck assembly and an above deck assembly. The below deck assembly includes a reservoir for storing a fluid, a dispensing mechanism in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a controller in circuit communication with the dispensing mechanism for operation of the dispensing mechanism. The above deck assembly includes a spout defining an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing fluid stored in the reservoir upon operation of the dispensing mechanism, an external supply port in fluid communication with the reservoir by a supply passage to supply fluid to the reservoir, an access door movable between a closed position blocking access to the external supply port and an open position permitting access to the external supply port, and a switch mechanism configured to disable the dispensing mechanism when the access door is in the open position.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A counter mountable fluid dispenser comprising:
a below deck reservoir for storing a fluid; an above deck spout including an outlet port at a front portion of the spout, the outlet port being in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing fluid stored in the reservoir, and an external supply port at a rear portion of the spout, the external supply port being connected with the reservoir by a supply passage to supply fluid to the reservoir; and an access panel assembled with the spout to define an upper surface of the spout, the access panel being slideable in a forward direction from a closed position blocking access to the external supply port and an open position permitting access to the external supply port.

2 . The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the spout further includes a latching mechanism securing the access panel in the closed position.

3 . The dispenser of claim 2 , wherein the latching mechanism comprises a flexible tab on the spout that interlocks with a portion of the access panel, the access panel including an aperture sized and positioned for insertion of a tool through the aperture to disengage the flexible tab from the access panel.

4 . A counter mountable fluid dispenser comprising:
a below deck assembly including a reservoir for storing a fluid, a dispensing mechanism in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a controller in circuit communication with the dispensing mechanism for operation of the dispensing mechanism; and an above deck assembly including a spout defining an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing fluid stored in the reservoir upon operation of the dispensing mechanism, an external supply port in fluid communication with the reservoir by a supply passage to supply fluid to the reservoir, an access door movable between a closed position blocking access to the external supply port and an open position permitting access to the external supply port, and a switch mechanism configured to disable the dispensing mechanism when the access door is in the open position.

5 . The dispenser of claim 4 , wherein the switch mechanism comprises a magnet carried by the access door and a magnetically operated switch disposed in the external supply port.
a controller in circuit communication with the supply access valve for controller operation of the supply access valve from a closed position to an open position in response to receipt of an authorized supply signal at the controller.

6 . A fluid dispensing system comprising:
a counter mountable fluid dispenser comprising:
a below deck reservoir for storing a fluid;
an above deck spout including an outlet port at a front portion of the spout, the outlet port being in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing fluid stored in the reservoir, and an external supply port at a rear portion of the spout, with the external supply port including a quick disconnect socket connected with the reservoir by a supply passage to supply fluid to the reservoir; and
an access door assembled with the spout, the access door being movable in a between a closed position blocking access to the external supply port and an open position permitting access to the external supply port; and
an external refill container for storing a refill fluid, the external refill container including a quick disconnect plug connectable with the quick disconnect socket; wherein the spout includes a release button disposed on an outer surface of the spout, the release button being depressible to disengage the quick disconnect plug from the quick disconnect socket.

Assignees

• Gojo Ind Inc

Inventors

• Proper Scott T
• Corney Richard E
• Brown Paul

Classifications

• B67D7/34

  Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid · CPC title

• B67D7/84

  Casings, cabinets or frameworks; Trolleys or like movable supports · CPC title

• A47K2005/1218

  Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap · CPC title

• B67D7/3245

  relating to the transfer method · CPC title

• A47K5/1217 Primary

  Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism · CPC title