IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,471,005
Granted Patent B2
US 11,471,005 · App. 17/468,751 · Granted Oct 18, 2022

Fluid dispenser and fluid refill system for fluid dispenser

Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella (Seven Hills, OH); Scott T. Proper (Stow, OH); Chin P. Richards (Tallmadge, OH); Eric M. Chalko (Alpharetta, GA); Aaron D. Marshall (Silver Lake, OH); Scott E. Urban (University Heights, OH); Christopher S. Welsh (North Royalton, OH); Paul R. Metcalfe (Solon, OH)
Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
A47K5/1204A47K2005/1218
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,471,005
App. No.
17/468,751
Granted
Oct 18, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fluid dispenser includes a dispensation conduit and a refill conduit. A refill system includes a refill reservoir and a refill distribution conduit. The refill distribution conduit is configured for selective fluid coupling with the refill conduit to facilitate refilling of the fluid dispenser.

Claims (64)

1. A counter-mount fluid dispenser comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted above a countertop;

an outlet nozzle located near a first end of the housing;

a dispensation conduit routed through at least a portion of the housing to the outlet nozzle

wherein a first end of the dispensation conduit is located proximate the outlet nozzle and a second end of the dispensation conduit is in fluid communication with a pump;

a reservoir;

a movable access member;

wherein the movable access member forms a part of the housing, the movable access member is movable between a non-accessing position and an accessing position;

wherein the dispensation conduit remains in place when the movable access member is moved between the non-accessing position and the accessing position and when the reservoir is refilled;

wherein the dispensation conduit is supplied fluid from the reservoir;

wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir;

a refill port;

wherein the refill port is at least partially concealed when the movable access member is in the non-accessing position and the refill port is accessible when the moveable access member is in the accessing position;

the refill port is configured to mate with a refill connector of a refill container;

wherein when the refill connector is inserted into the refill port, a sealing member forms a seal that prevents fluid from leaking out of the refill port.

2. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a valve that is biased closed by and opens when the refill connector is inserted into the refill port to allow fluid to flow into the reservoir.

3. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein the moveable access member moves outward from the housing to be in a accessing position.

4. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 3 wherein the moveable access member is located proximate the outlet nozzle.

5. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 4 , wherein the dispensation conduit and outlet nozzle are secured to the moveable access member and move along with the moveable access member.

6. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein the moveable access member rotates from the non-accessing position to be in a accessing position.

7. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein the moveable access member is located on a top of the housing.

8. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 7 wherein the moveable access member slides.

9. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 7 wherein the moveable access member rotates.

10. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 7 wherein the moveable access member pivots about an axis.

11. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 3 wherein the moveable access member slides out of the housing to be in the accessing position and into the housing to be in the non-accessing position.

12. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 3 wherein the housing is in the shape of a spout and the movable access member is located on the end of the spout.

13. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 1 wherein the refill port comprises a lock or latch, wherein the lock or latch retains the refill connector while the reservoir is being refilled.

14. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a keyed connection on the refill port to prevent unauthorized connection to the refill port.

15. A counter-mount fluid dispenser comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted above a countertop;

a reservoir;

an outlet nozzle located near a first end of the housing;

a dispensation conduit routed through at least a portion of the housing to the outlet nozzle

wherein a first end of the dispensation conduit is located proximate the outlet nozzle and a second end of the dispensation conduit is in fluid communication with a pump;

wherein the housing has an unseated position and a seated position;

wherein the housing is in the seated position during use;

wherein the dispensation conduit remains in place when the housing is moved from the seated position to the unseated position and remains in place when the reservoir is refilled;

a refill port;

wherein the refill port is located inside of the housing;

wherein when the housing is in the unseated position, the refill port is accessible; and

wherein when the housing is in the seated position the refill port is non-accessible;

the refill port is configured to mate with a refill connector of a refill container;

wherein when the refill connector is inserted into the refill port, a sealing member forms a seal that prevents fluid from leaking out of the refill port; and

wherein the refill port is in fluid communication with the reservoir; and

wherein the dispensation conduit is in fluid communications with the reservoir.

16. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 15 further comprising a vent for venting the reservoir.

17. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 15 further comprising a keyed connection on the refill port to prevent unauthorized connection to the refill port.

18. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 17 wherein the keyed connection is a mechanical connection.

19. A counter-mount fluid dispenser comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted above a countertop;

wherein the housing has an arcuate shaped upper surface and an arcuate shaped lower surface;

an outlet nozzle located near a first end of the housing;

a reservoir;

a dispensation conduit routed through at least a portion of the housing to the outlet nozzle

wherein a first end of the dispensation conduit is located proximate the outlet nozzle and a second end of the dispensation conduit is in fluid communication with a pump;

wherein the dispensation conduit remains in place when the reservoir is refilled;

a refill port;

wherein the refill port is located on the arcuate shaped lower surface;

wherein the refill port is not visible from directly above the housing; and

wherein the refill port includes a valve;

wherein the valve is biased to a closed position and is opened by a refill connector when a refill connector is connected to the refill port; and

wherein the refill port is in fluid communication with the reservoir; and

wherein the dispensation conduit is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

20. The counter-mount fluid dispenser of claim 19 further comprising a vent port, wherein the vent port is located on the arcuate shaped lower surface.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL, RECORDED ON OCTOBER 27, 2023 AT REEL 065382 FRAME 0587 Recorded Apr 22, 2026
From: SILVER POINT FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 075435/0852 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2026
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 074903/0480 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2023
From: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: SILVER POINT FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065382/0587 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2023
From: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 065369/0253 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2021
From: CIAVARELLA, NICK E.; PROPER, SCOTT T.; RICHARDS, CHIN P.; CHALKO, ERIC M.; MARSHALL, AARON D.; URBAN, SCOTT E.; WELSH, CHRISTOPHER S.; METCALFE, PAUL R.
To: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 058069/0348 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16928066 · Jul 14, 2020
Continuation 16027507 · Jul 5, 2018
Division 14638918 · Mar 4, 2015
Provisional Application 61974591 · Apr 3, 2014
Provisional Application 61947609 · Mar 4, 2014
Related Publication 20210401238A1 · Dec 30, 2021