SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING DISPENSER FLUID REFILL

• US 20170190563A1
• Filed: 01/04/2017
• Published: 07/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Corney, Richard E., Proper, Scott T., Brown, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 10,189,698 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0288 Container connection means for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/0829
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0294 Combined with valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3245 relating to the transfer method
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/34 Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/84 Casings, cabinets or frameworks; Trolleys or like movable supports

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.

Claims

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.