SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING DISPENSER FLUID REFILL
First Claim
1. A fluid dispenser comprising:
- a reservoir for storing a fluid;
an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing fluid stored in the reservoir;
a supply passage connected with the reservoir to permit a supplying of fluid to the reservoir when the supply passage is in an open condition and to block the supplying of fluid to the reservoir when the supply passage is in a closed condition;
a controller configured to determine whether the supply passage is in the open condition or the closed condition; and
a fill level sensor operable to measure a fluid fill level of the reservoir, the fill level sensor being in circuit communication with the controller to transmit to the controller a fill level data signal corresponding to the fluid fill level;
wherein the controller is further configured to generate an improper filling notification signal when the fill level data signal received from the fill level sensor indicates an increase in the fluid fill level of the reservoir in combination while the supply passage is in the closed condition.
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid dispenser comprising:
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a reservoir for storing a fluid; an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing fluid stored in the reservoir; a supply passage connected with the reservoir to permit a supplying of fluid to the reservoir when the supply passage is in an open condition and to block the supplying of fluid to the reservoir when the supply passage is in a closed condition; a controller configured to determine whether the supply passage is in the open condition or the closed condition; and a fill level sensor operable to measure a fluid fill level of the reservoir, the fill level sensor being in circuit communication with the controller to transmit to the controller a fill level data signal corresponding to the fluid fill level; wherein the controller is further configured to generate an improper filling notification signal when the fill level data signal received from the fill level sensor indicates an increase in the fluid fill level of the reservoir in combination while the supply passage is in the closed condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fluid dispensing system comprising:
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a fluid dispenser comprising; a reservoir for storing a fluid; an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing fluid stored in the reservoir; an external supply port connected with the reservoir by a supply passage, the external supply port including a first connector; a fill level sensor operable to measure a fluid fill level of the reservoir and to transmit a fill level data signal corresponding to the fluid fill level; and a controller in circuit communication with the fill level sensor for receiving the fill level data signal; and an external refill container storing a refill fluid, the external refill container including a second connector connectable with the first connector to supply the refill fluid to the reservoir, and a memory storage device storing refill level data corresponding to a previously measured fluid refill level of the external refill container, the memory storage device being in circuit communication with the controller at least when the second connector is connected with the first connector for transmitting the refill level data to the controller; wherein the controller is further configured to generate an improper refilling notification signal when the fill level data signal indicates an increase in the fluid fill level of the reservoir that exceeds the fluid refill level of the external refill container. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for detecting improper refilling of a fluid dispenser including a reservoir, an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a supply passage connected with the reservoir, the method comprising:
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determining whether the supply passage is in an open condition permitting a supplying of fluid to the reservoir or a closed position blocking the supplying of fluid to the reservoir; measuring a fluid fill level of the reservoir; transmitting to a controller a fill level data signal corresponding to the fluid fill level; and operating the controller to generate an improper filling notification signal when the fill level data signal indicates at least one of an increase in the fluid fill level of the reservoir in combination with the supply passage being in the closed condition and an increase in the fluid fill level of the reservoir that exceeds a measured fluid refill level of an external refill container.
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Specification