Countermount dispensers

Abstract

Counter-mount soap dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary counter-mount soap dispenser system includes a base housing. The base housing is configured to receive a supply of soap. The base housing includes a processor; memory; motor control circuitry; an object sensor input, and power circuitry located in the base housing. The system includes a pump pod located away from the base housing. The pump pod includes a pod housing, a pump and a motor located in the housing. The pump pod further includes a liquid inlet connector in fluid connection with a pump inlet and one or more fluid outlet connectors in fluid communication with a pump outlet. The pump pod further includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting the pump motor to the motor control circuitry. The pump pod is located at least a foot from the base housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A counter-mount dispenser system comprising:
 a base housing:
 the base housing configured to receive a supply of liquid; 
   a processor; memory; motor control circuitry; an object sensor input, and power circuitry located in the base housing;   a pump pod separate from the base housing;
 the pump pod comprising:
 a housing; 
 a shank connector secured to the pump housing; 
 a pump and a motor located in the housing; 
 a liquid inlet connector in fluid connection with a pump inlet; 
 one or more fluid outlet connectors in fluid communication with a pump outlet; 
 an electrical connector for electrically connecting the pump motor to the motor control circuitry; and 
 wherein the shank connector is configured to secure the pump pod in a first position with respect to a shank; 
 
   wherein the pump pod is located at least a foot from the base housing.   
     
     
         2 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 1  further comprising a second shank connector for securing the pump pod to the shank in a second position with respect to the shank. 
     
     
         3 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid inlet connector is a quick connector and no tools are required for connecting a liquid supply tube to the quick connector. 
     
     
         4 . The counter-mount-dispenser system of  claim 1  further comprising a one-way check valve located in the pump pod proximate one of the liquid inlet connector and the fluid outlet connector. 
     
     
         5 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 1  further comprising a pump run input. 
     
     
         6 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 5 , wherein the pump run input is located on the pump pod. 
     
     
         7 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 1  wherein the pump pod comprises an object sensor output connector for providing the object sensor signal to the object sensor input in the base housing. 
     
     
         8 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 1 , wherein the shank mount connector comprises a clip. 
     
     
         9 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 8 , wherein the clip is configured to at least partially encircle the shank. 
     
     
         10 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 8 , wherein the clip fits over an end of the shank. 
     
     
         11 . The counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 10 , wherein the clip comprises one or more openings that are configured to receive a pin to secure the pump pod to the shank. 
     
     
         12 . A pump pod for a counter mount dispenser system comprising:
 a housing;
 the housing having a first portion and a second portion; 
 a slot located in at least one of the first portion and the second portion; 
 wherein the slot is configured to receive a pump outlet configuration member; 
 wherein the pump outlet configuration member is configured with one of a liquid pump outlet; a liquid/air mixture pump outlet; and both a liquid outlet and an air outlet; 
 a pump and a motor located in the housing; 
 a liquid inlet connector in fluid connection with a pump inlet; 
 one or more fluid outlet connectors in fluid communication with a pump outlet; 
 an electrical connector for electrically connecting the pump motor to the motor control circuitry; and 
   a first shank mount; and
 wherein the motor control circuitry is located separate and apart from the pump pod. 
   
     
     
         13 . The pump pod for a dispenser system of  claim 12 , wherein the pump outlet configuration member comprises a second shank mount. 
     
     
         14 . The pump pod for a dispenser system of  claim 12  further comprising a bracket configured to mount to a shank and to releasably receive the shank mount to mount the pump pod to a shank. 
     
     
         15 . The pump pod for a dispenser system of  claim 12  further comprising an object sensor input connector for connecting to an object sensor located in a dispensing spout. 
     
     
         16 . The pump pod for a dispenser system of  claim 15  wherein the pump pod further comprises an object sensor output connector. 
     
     
         17 . The pump pod for a dispenser system of  claim 12 , wherein the pod connector comprises a clip. 
     
     
         18 . The pump pod for a dispenser system of  claim 17 , wherein the clip is configured to at least partially encircle the shank. 
     
     
         19 . The pump pod for a dispenser system of  claim 17 , wherein the clip comprises one or more openings that are configured to receive a pin to secure the pump pod to the shank. 
     
     
         20 . A counter-mount dispenser system comprising:
 a base housing:
 the base housing configured to receive a supply of liquid; 
   a processor; memory; motor control circuitry; an object sensor input, and power circuitry located in the base housing;   a pump pod;
 the pump pod comprising
 a housing; 
 a pump and a motor located in the housing; 
 a liquid inlet connector in fluid connection with a pump inlet; 
 one or more fluid outlet connectors in fluid communication with a pump outlet; 
 an electrical connector for electrically connecting the pump motor to the motor control circuitry; 
 
   wherein the pump pod is located at least a foot from the base housing;   a liquid supply tube extends from the base housing to the pump pod to place the fluid supply in the base housing in fluid communication with the pump in the pump pod;   a fluid dispensing spout;   a fluid outlet tube extending from the pump pod and configured to extend through a dispensing spout; and   an object sensor located in the dispensing spout.