CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/108,318, filed on Oct. 24, 2008, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Currently available automated liquid soap dispensers can deliver liquid soap automatically in response to the presence of a nearby object, such as a user&#39;s hand. These liquid soap dispensers typically employ an infrared sensor to detect the nearby object. Upon detection of the nearby object, the infrared sensor sends a signal to activate a motor, which in turn drives a shaft which drives a pump. The pump pumps the liquid soap to a spout of the dispenser which dispenses the soap. Typically, the motor is located outside of the dispenser, whereas, the pump is submerged in the liquid soap within the dispenser. The drive shaft penetrates the dispenser through an orifice typically at the base of the dispenser. A seal is typically provided surrounding the shaft and sealing the orifice. However, with use the seal wears out and the liquid soap leaks out of the dispenser. Often, the liquid soap leaks onto the motor or the motor circuitry causing failure of the motor. 
         [0003]    Furthermore, most liquid dispensers have reservoirs which are mounted below a countertop. Consequently, accessing of the reservoir for refilling with liquid soap is inconvenient. Typically a reservoir of the soap dispenser needs to be removed from below the counter so that it may be filled. When removed, tubing which is used to deliver the liquid soap to the spout is exposed and liquid soap on such tubing drips on the surrounding surfaces. Moreover, with some soap dispenser, the motor may have to be removed before the reservoir is removed for refilling. Thus, a soap dispenser is desired that overcomes the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In an exemplary embodiment, a fluid dispenser is provided. The dispenser includes a reservoir for storing the fluid to be dispensed, an outlet for dispensing the fluid, a pump in the reservoir for pumping the fluid to the outlet, a motor external of the reservoir, and a coupling magnetically transferring a force generated by the motor to the pump for operating the pump for pumping the fluid. In another exemplary embodiment, the coupling includes a first member external of the dispenser driven by the motor, and a second member in the dispenser for driving the pump, where the first member is magnetically coupled to the second member, whereby the first member drives the second member. In yet another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first and second members includes a magnet. In a further exemplary embodiment, the pump is submerged in the fluid to be pumped. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, the reservoir includes a body and a base portion, and the base portion is threaded or otherwise coupled to the body and the first and second members sandwich at least a portion of the base portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser also includes a sensor proximate the outlet for sensing movement proximate the outlet and for generating a signal in response thereto such that the pump pumps fluid in response to the signal. The motor, in an exemplary embodiment, is operable in response to the signal. In another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser also includes a neck extending from the reservoir defining a conduit in communication with the reservoir, a spout extending from the neck, and a lid on the spout being moveable for providing access to the conduit. The reservoir is finable through the conduit and the outlet is formed on the spout. A funnel coupled to the conduit may be included in the spout. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, the dispenser may also include a neck having a threaded outer surface, and a cap threaded, or otherwise coupled, to the reservoir neck and coupling the neck to the reservoir. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, a lock nut is also provided and is threaded on the outer surface of the neck. The cap includes a first surface and a second annular surface extending from the first surface. An opening is formed through the first surface, and the neck penetrates the opening and the first surface urges the lock nut toward the reservoir. In another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser may also include a neck extending from the reservoir having a threaded outer surface, a groove formed along the neck, a spout extending from the neck such that the outlet is formed on the spout, a first conduit coupled to the pump, a second conduit extending to the outlet, such that at least part of the second conduit is received in the groove, a conduit connector coupled to the neck and releasably connecting the first conduit to the second conduit, a first nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck and surrounding the portion of the second conduit received in the groove, a cap having an opening penetrated by the neck and threaded, or otherwise coupled, to the reservoir, such that the cap is retained in an axial direction by the first nut, and a second nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck and surrounding the portion of the second conduit received in the groove. 
         [0005]    In another exemplary embodiment, a fluid dispenser is provided including a reservoir, a neck extending from the reservoir having a threaded outer surface, a groove formed along the neck, a spout extending from the neck, such that the outlet is on the spout, a pump for pumping fluid from the reservoir to the outlet, a first conduit coupled to the pump, a second conduit extending to the outlet, such that at least part of the second conduit is received in the groove, a conduit connector coupled to the neck and releasably connecting the first conduit to the second conduit, a first nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck and surrounding the portion of the second conduit received in the groove, a cap having an opening penetrated by the neck and threaded, or otherwise coupled, to the reservoir, where the cap is retained in an axial direction by the first nut, and a second nut threaded on the outer surface of the neck and surrounding the portion of the second conduit received in the groove. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a third conduit is defined through the neck, and the dispenser further includes a lid on the spout providing access to the third conduit for refilling the reservoir. In another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser also includes a funnel in the spout and coupled to the third conduit, such that the lid provides access to the funnel for refilling the reservoir through the conduit. 
         [0006]    In yet a further exemplary embodiment, a fluid dispenser is provided having a reservoir, a neck extending from the reservoir defining a conduit there-through leading to the reservoir, a spout extending from the neck, where an outlet is formed on the spout, and a lid on the spout being moveable for providing access to the conduit for refilling the reservoir with a fluid. In another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser also includes a funnel in the spout and coupled to the conduit, such that the lid provides access to the funnel for refilling the reservoir. 
         [0007]    In any of the aforementioned exemplary embodiments the fluid is a liquid, such as a liquid soap. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, together with the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an automated fluid dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of reservoir body of the exemplary embodiment automated fluid dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view showing a base portion and a pump assembly of the exemplary embodiment automated fluid dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view depicting a neck and spout incorporated in the exemplary embodiment automated fluid dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art would recognize, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Moreover, it should be noted that the terms “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” and “lower” as used herein are terms used to denote the relative position of objects and not necessarily the exact position of such objects. For example, a “lower” object may in certain situations be located above an “upper” object. 
         [0014]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an automated fluid dispenser  10  such as a liquid soap dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The automated liquid dispenser  10  has a reservoir body  12  having a base end section  14  and a neck section  16  opposite the base end section. In the shown exemplary embodiment, an opening  18 ,  20  is defined by each of the base and neck end sections, respectively. A base portion  22  is threaded to the base section  14  to define the base of the reservoir ( FIG. 3 ). In other exemplary embodiments, the base portion  24  may be removably coupled to the base section using other means, as for example latches. The reservoir body  12  and the base portion  22  together define a reservoir  24 . A pump assembly  26  is adjacent to the base portion  22 . A housing (not shown) may be coupled to the reservoir  24  and surrounds the base portion  22  and pump assembly  26 . The reservoir body  12  is connected to a spout  28  via a neck  30 . When properly installed on a countertop  32 , only the spout  28  and possibly an upper portion of the neck extend above an upper surface  34  of the countertop. The remaining portion of the neck, the reservoir, the base portion and the pump assembly remain below the upper surface of the countertop. A sensor, and in an exemplary embodiment, an infrared (IR) sensor  36  is housed in a portion of the spout  28 . In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor is positioned behind or adjacent to a window  38  so that it can be protected from the outside elements, as best seen in  FIG. 3 . In an exemplary embodiment, the window is a non-plated surface that the sensor can sense through. When a user places his or her hand under a tip portion  40  of the spout  28 , it is sensed through the window  38  by the sensor  36 . In response, the sensor generates a signal which is transmitted via wiring or a circuit such as a flexible circuit  41  ( FIG. 1 ), or in some embodiments wirelessly, to the pump assembly  26 , or to a printed circuit board or other controller (not shown) to activate a pump of the pump assembly for liquid soap through a spout outlet  27 . 
         [0015]    In the shown exemplary embodiment, the base portion  22  has a bottom wall  42  which has a tiered outer surface  44 . A depression  46  is defined in the bottom wall and has a circumferential wall  48  and a base wall  50 . The circumferential wall  48  and the base wall  50  of the depression  46  define a tier of the bottom wall tiered outer surface  44 . A second depression  51  defined by a wall  54  having a dimension greater than a diameter of the depression  46  is defined on the bottom wall above the depression  46 . As a result, a shoulder  56  is defined between the two depressions  46 ,  51 . 
         [0016]    The pump assembly  26  includes a pump  58 , and a pump coupler  60  that is connected to the pump  26  by a pump shaft  62 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Rotation of the pump coupler rotates the shaft which in turns rotates and causes the pump to pump. In an exemplary embodiment, the coupler is a disc shaped member. Magnets  68  are incorporated in the coupler  60  at circumferentially spaced apart locations around the circumference of the pump coupler. In another exemplary embodiment, the coupler itself or any portion thereof may be made from a magnetic material. The pump  58  is seated on the shoulder  56  within the depression  51  formed on the bottom wall of the base portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the depression  51  has a shape complementary to the outer shape of the pump portion that is received within the depression. Such portion may merely be a section extending from the pump. The wall  54  defining the depression  51  serves to restrain the pump from rotating when the pump shaft  62  is rotated. When the pump is seated on the shoulder  54 , the coupler  60  is suspended in the depression  46 . In another exemplary embodiment, the coupler may be seated on the base wall  50  of the depression  46 . 
         [0017]    In another exemplary embodiment, the pump  58  may be fastened to the base portion with the pump coupler extending into the depression  46 . With such an embodiment, the second depression  51  may not be necessary. The pump may be a gear pump, a piston pump or a peristaltic pump or any type of pump. In the exemplary embodiment, the pump is accommodated in the reservoir and is submerged in the liquid soap which it will pump. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the pump includes an inlet  70  and an outlet  72 . A filter  74  is coupled to the inlet to prevent debris suspended in the liquid to be pumped from entering the pump. Tubing  76  is provided extending from the pump outlet to the spout outlet  27  for delivering the pumped liquid from the pump to the spout outlet. In another exemplary embodiment, the tubing may be composed of multiple tubing sections. 
         [0018]    The pump assembly also includes a motor subassembly  78  which includes a motor  80  and a motor coupler  82  coupled to the motor via a motor shaft  84 . The motor drives the motor coupler  82  via the motor shaft  84 . In the shown exemplary embodiment, the motor coupler includes a tubular portion  86  extending from a base portion  88 . Magnets  90  are mounted at locations circumferentially around the tubular portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the motor coupler, or any portion thereof, may be formed from a magnetic material. The magnets  90  or magnetic material are chosen such that they attract the magnets  68  or magnetic material on the pump coupler  60 . The motor coupler tubular portion has an inner surface diameter that is slightly larger than an outer surface diameter of the wall  48  defining the depression  46 . The motor shaft  84  is coupled to the base portion  88  of the motor coupler  82  and rotates the motor coupler about a central longitudinal axis of the tubular portion  86 . 
         [0019]    The motor subassembly  78  is coupled to the reservoir  24  such that the tubular portion  86  of the motor coupler surrounds the circumferential wall  48  of the depression  46 . The motor subassembly may be connected to the reservoir by any method. For example, the motor may be fastened to a housing  92  which is attached to the base portion  22  of the reservoir. The housing houses the motor coupler  82  and may be threaded, fastened or otherwise attached to the base portion  22  of the reservoir. An opening  94  allows the motor shaft  84  of the motor  80  located external of the housing  92  to penetrate the housing for driving the motor coupler  82 . In an exemplary embodiment, the connection between the motor subassembly and the reservoir is such that it allows for the easy removal of the motor or motor subassembly for replacement or servicing. 
         [0020]    When properly mounted to the reservoir, the magnets  90  on the motor coupler magnetically attract the magnets  68  on the pump coupler, which pump coupler is separated from the motor coupler by the walls  48  and  50  defining depression  46 , such that rotation of the motor coupler causes rotation of the pump coupler. As a result, as the motor rotates the motor coupler, the motor coupler causes the pump coupler to rotate which in turn causes the pump to pump out the liquid within the reservoir through the pump outlet  72 . As can be seen, the pump is coupled and driven by the motor via the magnets in the motor coupler and the pump coupler which sandwich the base portion of the reservoir. The thickness of the circumferential wall  48  of the depression  46  in the base portion is chosen such that the magnets on the motor coupler and the magnets on the pump coupler are capable of attracting each other through the circumferential wall with sufficient force such that they are magnetically coupled together such that rotation of the motor coupler will cause rotation of the pump coupler. The rotational energy of the motor is transferred magnetically through the base of the base portion  22  that is coupled to the reservoir without requiring any openings through the base portion, and thus, potential leak forming sites through the reservoir base. 
         [0021]    In an exemplary embodiment, at least a magnet is incorporated into one of the pumps and motor couplers while at least a metal piece is incorporated in the other of the pumps and motor couplers which is attracted by the magnet. The magnet and metal piece may be arranged circumferentially around their respective coupler. When multiple magnets and metal pieces are used, the magnets and metal pieces are arranged around their respective coupler such that each magnet is radially alignable with a corresponding metal piece. In yet another exemplary embodiment, each coupler may include magnets and metal pieces such that a magnet of the pump coupler is radially alignable with a metal piece of the motor coupler and a magnet of the motor coupler is radially alignable with a metal piece incorporated on the pump coupler. In other exemplary embodiment, each coupler may include a single magnet and/or metal piece. In an exemplary embodiment, a single magnet which is ring-shaped may be used as part of either the pump coupler and/or the motor coupler. The magnets and/or metal pieces may be mounted in depressions formed on the couplers or may be embedded in the couplers. In another exemplary embodiment the magnet(s) and/or the metal piece or pieces are mounted on a lower surface  93  of the pump coupler and un upper surface  95  of the base portion  88  of the motor coupler. With such an embodiment, the motor coupler may not need the tubular portion  86 . 
         [0022]    In one exemplary embodiment, the motor  80  is operated by a battery (not shown) or by any electrical, or other type of power source. A controller (not shown) may be incorporated to control the motor based on a signal it receives from the sensor. In some exemplary embodiments the controller is incorporated in the motor. Once the motor  80 , or the controller controlling the motor, receives a signal sent from sensor  36  through the circuitry  40  or wirelessly, the motor  80  drives the motor shaft  84  thereby making the motor coupler  82  that is connected to the motor shaft  84  to rotate as well. As the motor coupler  82  rotates, it rotates the pump coupler  60  via the magnetic coupling which cause the pump  58  to pump the liquid soap to the spout outlet  27  via tubing  76 . It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiments where the signal from the sensor is transmitted wirelessly the circuitry  40  is not required. The motor  80  may be a stepper motor that is programmed to deliver to one pump or a plurality of pumps of liquid soap. In other words, every time a signal is received from the sensor, the motor operates for a sufficient time to cause the pump to provide a predetermined amount of liquid soap to the spout outlet. Alternatively, the motor  80  or the controller may be programmed to cause the motor to operate and deliver the liquid soap for a period of time. Depending on the type of motor and program logic, the soap may dispensed in discrete amounts through an outlet  27  of the spout to the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0023]    By being removably coupled, e.g., threaded to the reservoir body, the base portion may be easily removed to allow for easy access to the pump. A seal may be incorporated at the interface between the base portion and the reservoir body to prevent leakage through the interface between the reservoir body and the base portion. 
         [0024]    In another exemplary embodiment, the base portion  22  may be integrally formed with the reservoir body  12  to form the reservoir  24 . In other words, the base portion is not a separate piece that this threaded or otherwise coupled to the reservoir body. 
         [0025]    The base portion  22  and/or the reservoir body  12  may be made of a plastic material such as propylene or high density polyethylene. In another exemplary embodiment, the base portion  22  may be made of a rigid plastic material that may incorporate a fluoropolymer. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, a conduit  100  is defined within the neck  30  that extends from a funnel  102  formed, or otherwise positioned, in the spout  28  to the opening  20  formed on the neck  16  of the reservoir body. A lid  104  coupled to the spout  28  provides access to the funnel. The lid may be hingedly coupled to the spout or may be completely removable from the spout. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the lid forms an outer surface of the spout. 
         [0027]    The conduit  100  communicates with the reservoir body  12  though the reservoir neck opening  20 . In this regard, the dispenser may be refilled with liquid soap by opening the lid and pouring the liquid soap through the funnel. As such, the dispenser does not have to be removed from the countertop in order to be refilled. In other exemplary embodiments, the conduit may extend to a location proximate the lid without incorporating a funnel. However, a funnel is desired as it will facilitate the pouring of the liquid into the conduit while minimizing or alleviating over-spilling it in the areas surrounding the conduit. 
         [0028]    In the shown exemplary embodiment, the neck  30  is a separate member that is attachable to the reservoir body  12 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the neck has a threaded outer surface  106 . A flange  107 , and preferably a gasket flange  107 , extends from a bottom end portion of the neck. A lip  109  extends axially below the flange  107 . The reservoir body neck section  16  also has a threaded outer surface  108  ( FIG. 2 ). A shoulder  110  is defined on the reservoir neck adjacent the opening  20 . Another opening  112  is formed through the shoulder for accommodating the tubing for delivering the liquid soap to the spout outlet. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a male tubing connector  114  is coupled to the opening  112 . In the shown exemplary embodiment, the opening  112  is bounded by a tapering inner surface  117  such that the diameter of the opening decreases in a direction toward the reservoir. With this exemplary embodiment the tubing  76  has at least two sections, a first section  118  and a second section  120 . The male tubing connector has a tapering outer surface portion  116  for engaging and exerting a force against an inner surface of a first section  118  of the tubing  76  to which it is connected. In other words, the tapering outer surface tapers from a larger diameter to smaller diameter in a direction toward the tip of the connector. The smaller diameter is smaller than the inner surface diameter of the first section  118  of tubing  76  while the larger diameter is larger than the inner surface diameter of the first section  118  of tubing  76 . A connector  122  is coupled to an end of the second section  120  of the tubing ( FIG. 4 ). The connector in the shown exemplary embodiment is a cylindrical connector which has an outer diameter that is greater than a smaller diameter of the inner surface  117  of the opening  112  and smaller than the largest diameter of the inner surface  117  of the opening  112 . In this regard as the connector  122  is fitted into the opening  112  lodges against the inner surface as it is pushed inward toward the reservoir forming a friction connection. In an exemplary embodiment, the connector  122  is more rigid than the tubing second section  120  such that it remains rigid, i.e. does not bend, as it is pushed into the opening  112 . In another exemplary embodiment, a connector  122  is not used and the tubing second section  120  is directly inserted into the opening  112 . With this exemplary embodiment, the tubing second section  120  outer diameter is greater than a smaller diameter of the inner surface  117  of the opening  112  and smaller than the largest diameter of the inner surface  117  of the opening  112  so as to be able to form a friction connection with the inner surface  117  of the opening  112 . A groove  124  is formed longitudinally along the neck  30  outer surface as shown in  FIG. 4  to accommodate a portion of the second section  120  of the tubing  76 . The tubing second section  120  portion is fitted into the groove. 
         [0029]    A first lock nut  130  is threaded on the threaded outer surface  106  of the neck and is external of the groove  124  and tubing second section  120 . In other words it surrounds the tubing second section  120 . A reservoir cap  132 , having a threaded inner surface  134 , and having a top section  136  having an opening  138  wide enough to be penetrated by the neck, is fitted over the neck and slid down until a top section  136  of the cap engages the first lock nut  130 . A retaining washer  137  which is limited in axial travel, sits on axial nut  130  and thus limits the axial travel available to lock nut  130 . Thus, the location at which the cap engages the first lock nut can be adjusted by how far along the neck the first lock nut is threaded. In an exemplary embodiment, the first lock nut  130  may be threaded far enough down onto the neck until it sits on the flange  107 . 
         [0030]    A second lock nut  140  is threaded on the threaded outer surface  106  of the neck above the first lock nut and the cap so as to surround the groove  124  and second tubing section  120 . An annular flange  142  may then be slid over the neck  30  on top of the second lock nut. The annular flange  142  has an inner opening that is penetrated by the neck. The diameter of the opening is smaller than an outer surface diameter of the second lock nut, such that it is axially engageable by the second lock nut. The flange opening diameter is greater than the outer surface diameter of the neck  30 . In the shown exemplary embodiment, the annular flange includes a radial groove  139  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) to accommodate the flexible circuit  41 . 
         [0031]    In another exemplary embodiment, the spout  28  may be connected or may be integral with the neck  30 . With this exemplary embodiment, the annular flange  142  is mounted over the neck through the bottom of the neck, followed by the second lock nut  140 , the reservoir cap  132 , the retainer washer  137 , the first lock nut  130  and the flange  107 . 
         [0032]    To connect the neck  30  to the reservoir body  12 , the neck flange  107  is seated on the shoulder  110  formed on the reservoir neck such that the lip  109  extending from the neck extends into the opening  20  formed on the reservoir neck and the connector  122  when used (or the tubing second section  120  when a connector  122  is not used) is seated in the opening  112 . The cap  132  is then threaded on the outer surface threads  108  of the reservoir neck so as to exert an axial force on the first lock nut which exerts an axial force on the neck for retaining the neck connected to the reservoir body. Other known means of coupling the cap to the reservoir body may also be used in lieu of threading. 
         [0033]    To disconnect the reservoir body from the neck, the cap is unthreaded or otherwise decoupled from the reservoir body and the reservoir body is removed. When that occurs, the connector  120  (or the tubing second section  120  when a connector  122  is not used) would separate from the reservoir neck. 
         [0034]    To connect the dispenser to a countertop, the countertop is formed with a hole  146  having a diameter large enough to receive the neck  30  but smaller than the outer diameter of the flange  142 . In an exemplary embodiment, the neck with or without the attached reservoir is fitted from a bottom surface  148  of the counter and through the opening  146 , thus protruding through a top surface  150  of the counter. The spout is then connected to the neck. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the spout may be designed such that it can be snap fitted onto the neck. For example, the neck has an upper portion  152  which snap fits into a lower portion of the funnel  102  ( FIG. 4 ). The second lock nut is then threaded onto the neck so as to move in an upward direction sandwiching the countertop  32  between the flange  142  and the lower surface  156  of the neck, thereby clamping the dispenser onto the countertop. By having an opening  143  that is larger than the outer surface diameter of the neck, when the second lock nut is threaded upwards on the neck, the annual flange  142  is retained in position and does not rotate by the flexible circuit  41  which is fitted in groove  139 . 
         [0035]    In another exemplary embodiment, the spout  28  may come pre-connected or integrally formed with a neck  30 . With this exemplary embodiment, the neck without the attached reservoir is fitted from a top surface  150  of the counter and through the bottom surface  148  of the counter. The reservoir is then connected to the neck, as described herein, from below the bottom surface  148  of the counter. 
         [0036]    Although the present invention has been described and illustrated to respect to multiple embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited, since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.
A fluid dispenser is provided. The dispenser includes a reservoir for storing the fluid to be dispensed, an outlet for dispensing the fluid, a pump in the reservoir for pumping the fluid to the outlet, a motor external of the reservoir, and a coupling magnetically transferring a force generated by the motor to the pump for operating the pump for pumping the fluid.