Magnetic Valve System
First Claim
1. A magnetic valve comprising:
- a hollow body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the hollow body is formed by a wall having an exit port located in the distal end of the hollow body and a fluid entry port at the proximal end of the hollow body;
a valve magnet with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the valve magnet is slidingly disposed in the hollow body and has an open state and a closed state, and wherein the valve magnet has a first polarity aligned with the proximal end and the distal end of the hollow body;
a biasing mechanism located at the proximal end of the hollow body, wherein the biasing mechanism biases the valve magnet into the closed state preventing fluid flow from the exit port, whereby a receptacle magnet with a second polarity brought into proximity of the exit port forces the valve magnet to slide into the open state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a magnetic valve system. Embodiments of the present invention provide a system to minimize the potential for mistakenly dispensing one fluid in place of another or desired fluid. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic valve, where a bias mechanism is provided to bias the magnetic valve into a closed position, whereby a receptacle having a magnet with a magnetic polarity arranged opposite to that of the magnetic valve exerts a force on the magnetic valve sufficient to over come the bias mechanism, and the magnetic valve slides into an open position or state permitting fluid to flow into the receptacle. When the receptacle is removed, the bias mechanism forces the magnetic valve back into the closed position, where no or minimal fluid is permitted to flow.
10 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A magnetic valve comprising:
-
a hollow body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the hollow body is formed by a wall having an exit port located in the distal end of the hollow body and a fluid entry port at the proximal end of the hollow body; a valve magnet with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the valve magnet is slidingly disposed in the hollow body and has an open state and a closed state, and wherein the valve magnet has a first polarity aligned with the proximal end and the distal end of the hollow body; a biasing mechanism located at the proximal end of the hollow body, wherein the biasing mechanism biases the valve magnet into the closed state preventing fluid flow from the exit port, whereby a receptacle magnet with a second polarity brought into proximity of the exit port forces the valve magnet to slide into the open state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A valve system for permitting dispensing of a fluid only into a receptacle designed to receive the fluid, the valve system comprising:
-
a hollow body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the hollow body is formed by a wall having an exit port located in the distal end of the hollow body and a fluid entry port at the proximal end of the hollow body; a valve magnet with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the valve magnet is slidingly disposed in the hollow body and has an open state and a closed state, and wherein the valve magnet has a first polarity aligned with the proximal end and the distal end of the hollow body; a biasing mechanism located at the proximal end of the hollow body, wherein the biasing mechanism biases the valve magnet into the closed state preventing fluid flow from the exit port; a receptacle having an opening to receive fluid from the valve, the receptacle having a receptacle magnet with a second polarity associated with the opening, whereby when the valve magnet comes into proximity of the receptacle the receptacle magnet forces valve magnet to slide into the open state. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification