Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling dispenser fluid refill
First Claim
1. 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 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.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid dispensing system comprising:
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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 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A counter mountable fluid dispenser comprising:
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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, the quick disconnect socket being configured to connect with a quick disconnect plug of an external refill container; and an access door assembled with the spout, the access door being movable between a closed position blocking access to the external supply port and an open position permitting access to the external supply port; 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 socket from a connected quick disconnect plug. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of filling a below deck reservoir of a fluid dispenser having an above deck spout, the method comprising:
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moving an access door assembled with the spout from a closed position blocking access to an external supply port in the spout to an open position permitting access to the external supply port, the external supply port being in fluid communication with the reservoir; connecting a quick disconnect plug on an external refill container with a quick disconnect socket of the external supply port; pouring refill fluid from the external refill container into the external supply port to refill the reservoir; pressing a release button on the spout to disengage the quick disconnect plug from the quick disconnect socket; and moving the access door to the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification