Counter mount above-counter fill dispensing systems and refill units for same

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems and refill units for dispensing systems are provided. One exemplary refill unit for a counter mount dispenser includes a collapsed bag and a tube extending down into the collapsed bag. A fitment is secured to the collapsed bag. The fitment has a filling orifice. A pump for pumping fluid out of the bag is also provided. The collapsed bag fits through an opening in a countertop so that the collapsed bag may be inserted from above the countertop through the opening and at least a part of the collapsed bag extends below the countertop. The collapsed bag is configured to be filled with a liquid after being inserted through the opening in the countertop and the volume of the collapsed bag expands when the collapsed bag is filled with liquid.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A refill unit for a counter mount dispenser comprising:
 a collapsed bag;   a tube extending down into the collapsed bag;   a fitment secured to the collapsed bag;   the fitment having a filling orifice;   a pump for pumping fluid out of the bag;   wherein the collapsed bag fits through an opening in a countertop so that the collapsed bag may be inserted from above the countertop through the opening and at least a part of the collapsed bag extends below the countertop; and   wherein the collapsed bag is configured to be filled with a liquid after being inserted through the opening in the countertop and the volume of the collapsed bag expands when the collapsed bag is filled with liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising a dispense tube extending upward from the fitment. 
     
     
         3 . The refill unit of  claim 2  wherein the collapsed bag may be removed from a dispenser system through the opening in the countertop after liquid is removed from the refill unit. 
     
     
         4 . The refill unit of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a mixing chamber; 
 an air inlet into the mixing chamber; 
 a passageway from an output of the liquid pump to the mixing chamber; and 
 wherein the dispense tube is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber such that during operation a mixture of air and liquid may be forced through the dispense tube and dispensed as a foam. 
 
     
     
         5 . The refill unit of  claim 4  further comprising an air compressor secured to the refill unit. 
     
     
         6 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the tube is a dip tube. 
     
     
         7 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the collapsed bag is folded. 
     
     
         8 . The refill unit of  claim 1  wherein the collapsed bag is rolled. 
     
     
         9 . The refill unit of  claim 1  further comprising a container filled with a fluid for filling the collapsed bag. 
     
     
         10 . A refill system for a counter-mount dispenser comprising:
 a container for holding a liquid;   a refill bag having a width and a length;   a tube;   the tube extending down into the refill bag;   wherein the refill bag is compressed toward the tube to reduce the overall width of the refill bag to fit through a standard hole in a countertop;   wherein the container is configured to be releasably placed in fluid communication with the refill bag to transfer fluid from the container to the refill bag after the refill bag is inserted through the hole in the countertop and the refill bag expands as it fills with liquid.   
     
     
         11 . A never out counter-mount dispenser system comprising:
 a spout for mounting above a countertop;   a first container for mounting below a countertop;   a second container for mounting below a countertop;   at least a portion of the spout is movable to expose an opening from the spout to the first container and an opening from the spout to the second container;   the first container configured for receiving a first refill bag;   the second container configured for receiving a second refill bag;   circuitry for causing the never out counter-mount dispenser system to dispense fluid from a first refill bag in the first container until the first refill bag is empty;   circuitry for causing the never out counter-mount dispenser system to dispense fluid from the second refill bag in the second container once the first refill bag is empty.   
     
     
         12 . The never out counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 11  further comprising a housing for holding a first fitment located on a first refill bag and a second fitment located on a second refill bag above the surface of the countertop. 
     
     
         13 . The never out counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 12  further comprising a first refill bag and a second refill bag. 
     
     
         14 . The never out counter-mount dispenser system of  claim 11  further comprising an air compressor for providing compressed air to mix with a liquid. 
     
     
         15 . A counter-mount dispenser comprising:
 a housing mountable on a countertop;   at least a portion of the housing is movable to expose an opening through the counter;   an actuator for causing a fluid to be pumped from a refill bag;   a receiving area for receiving a first empty refill bag, wherein at least a portion first empty refill bag is configured to pass through the opening;   wherein the first refill bag is inserted into the dispenser from above the counter when the refill bag is empty;   wherein the first refill bag is fillable while in the dispenser; and   wherein the first refill bag is configured to be removed from the counter-mount dispenser after the fluid is pumped out of the first refill bag.   
     
     
         16 . The counter-mount dispenser of  claim 15  further comprising a first refill bag. 
     
     
         17 . The counter-mount dispenser of  claim 16  further comprising a receiving area for a second refill bag. 
     
     
         18 . The counter-mount dispenser of  claim 17  further comprising refill selection circuitry for causing the actuator to dispense fluid from the first refill bag until the first refill bag is empty and to dispense fluid from the second refill bag until the second refill bag is empty. 
     
     
         19 . The counter-mount dispenser of  claim 15  further comprising a refill level sensor for determining whether a first or second refill bag is empty. 
     
     
         20 . The counter-mount dispenser of  claim 15  further comprising an indicator for indicating whether or not a refill bag is empty.