Methods and systems for auto-priming and maintaining liquid prime in a dispenser

A soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:

• a reservoir for holding soap or sanitizer;
• a reservoir liquid level sensor;
• a pump;
• a dispensing spout located remotely from the pump;
• an object sensor;
• wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and with the dispensing spout;
• wherein the dispensing spout is located remotely at a distance of at least 1 foot from the pump;
• a liquid present sensor located in fluid communication with a liquid flow path and located proximate the spout;
• circuitry for determining the reservoir contains liquid;
• circuitry for causing the pump to pump liquid from the reservoir;
• circuitry for receiving a signal form the liquid present sensor that liquid is present;
• circuitry for causing the pump to stop pumping liquid when liquid is present at the liquid present sensor;
• circuitry for receiving a signal from the object sensor that an object has been detected;
• and
• circuitry for causing the pump to dispense a dose of fluid.

A soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:

• a reservoir for holding soap or sanitizer;
• a reservoir level sensor for sensing a selected level of liquid in the reservoir;
• a pump;
• a dispensing spout configured to be mounted proximate a countertop and remote from the reservoir;
• an object sensor;
• wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and with the dispensing spout;
• wherein the dispensing spout is located remotely at least one foot from the pump;
• a liquid level switch;
• wherein the liquid level switch detects the presence of liquid in a liquid flow path from the pump to the spout;
• circuitry for causing the pump to pump liquid from the reservoir;
• circuitry for receiving a signal from the liquid level switch that liquid is present;
• circuitry for causing the pump to stop pumping liquid when liquid is present at the liquid level switch or when liquid in the reservoir is below a selected level;
• circuitry for receiving a signal from the object sensor that an object has been detected;
• and
• circuitry for causing the pump to dispense a dose of fluid.