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.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    All publications and patent applications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    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 minimize or prevent dispensing of contact lens disinfecting solution, typically hydrogen peroxide, unless it is into a contact lens disinfecting case. 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. This embodiment also includes a receptacle with a magnet, where the poles of the magnet are arranged such that when the valve comes into proximity with the receptacle, the magnet 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. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A contact lens user normally has several bottles of different solutions to care for contact lenses. One is a disinfection solution, most commonly hydrogen peroxide, another a rinsing or cleaning solution used to wet and/or clean the lens, of debris for example. On occasion a user will rinse the lenses with hydrogen peroxide mistaking it for the cleaning solution, and then place the lenses back in the eyes. The result is severe discomfort from the un-neutralized hydrogen peroxide. Mechanisms, devices and methods for minimizing the risk of this mistake are not presently available in the market place. This disclosure focuses on valve systems, devices and methods to prevent accidently dispensing one fluid in place of an intended fluid. 
         [0004]    Many examples of valve systems using magnets, and magnets in combination with ferromagnetic material to open a valve and permit fluid flow exist in the prior art. In general the prior art discloses a valve with magnetic properties (permanent magnet or magnetic material, e.g., iron) sealing a dispensing port under gravitational force. A magnetic force sufficient of unsealed position permitting fluid flow. For example, and referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,539 describes a valve for dispensing a fixed volume of liquid (e.g., liquor) from an inverted bottle  10  into a fixed volume dispenser  11  attached to the inverted bottle. The fluid is dispensed into receiver  30  (e.g., cocktail jigger) while dispenser  11  seals bottle  10 . Dispenser  11  has collar  12  into which and against which the neck of bottle  10  is inserted and sealed. Dispenser  11  also has elongated sleeve  13  disposed therethrough with one end of the sleeve extending and opening into bottle  10 , and the other end  18  extending down into fluid chamber  17 , thereby providing fluid connection between bottle  10  and chamber  17 . Sphere  27  is connected to cylindrical permanent magnet  26 , which is slidingly disposed in annulus  21 . Under gravitational force sphere  27  seals dispensing port  25 , where end  18  of elongated sleeve remains open and fluid from bottle  10  can fill chamber  17 . Receiver  30  has permanent magnet  31  with a polarity opposite to that of magnet  26  in dispenser  11 . Receiver  30  is brought into proximity of dispenser  11  and an opposing magnetic force, between magnets  26  and  31 , overcomes gravitational force and slides magnet  26  up annulus  21 , causing sphere  27  to unseal port  25  and to seal end  18  of sleeve  13 . The moving of sphere  27  unseals port  25  permitting the fluid in chamber  17  to flow through slots  28  and into receiver  30 , and seals end  18  of sleeve  13  preventing fluid flow from bottle  10 . When receiver  30  is removed from dispenser  11 , sphere  27  reseals port  25  under the gravitational force and unseals end  18 , where fluid from bottle  10  refills chamber  17 . Other references provide different ways of using magnets, gravity and ferromagnetic material to facilitate the sealing and unsealing of a fluid source. E.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,198,404; 4,261,485; 5,505,349; 5,586,589; 5,702,032; and 8,763,655. However, these examples do not provide a valve to prevent fluid flow from a vessel (e.g. a hydrogen peroxide bottle) without the aid of gravity, or permit flow from the vessel into a specific receptacle (e.g., lens disinfection case) designed to open the valve when the receptacle and valve are brought into proximity of each other. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a valve with a valve magnet that is biased into the closed position with a biasing mechanism, where the valve magnet may be forced into the open position by another magnet, which force overcomes the bias into the closed position. For example, one embodiment includes a hollow body with a proximal end and a distal end, where the hollow body is formed by a wall having an exit port located in its distal end and a fluid entry port at its proximal end. This embodiment also includes a valve magnet, where the valve magnet is slidingly disposed in the hollow body, and where the valve magnet has a first polarity aligned with the proximal end and the distal end of the hollow body. This embodiment biases the valve magnet into the closed state, whereby a receptacle magnet brought into proximity of the exit port forces the valve magnet to slide into the open state. The biasing mechanism may be a biasing magnet with a polarity such that the biasing magnet biases the valve magnet into the closed state. There may be an annular ridge in the wall between the proximal end and the distal end of the hollow body, and the valve magnet has an o-ring that seats against the annular ridge in the closed state. Alternatively, the valve magnet may have an o-ring located at the distal end thereof, where the o-ring seats against the distal end of the hollow body in the closed state. Alternatively, the valve magnet may have a hole extending at least partially into the distal end thereof with a piece of sealing material extending out of the hole such that the sealing material seats against the distal end of the hollow body in the closed state. In an alternative embodiement, a sleeve within the hollow body may be provided where the valve magnet with the sealing material extending therefrom is slidingly disposed therein. In a further embodiment, a guide may be provided inside the hollow body, where the guide has a channel with a proximal opening below the proximal end of the hollow body and a distal opening above the exit port, where the valve magnet, preferably having a rod shape, is slidingly disposed in the channel such that the biasing magnet forces the valve magnet into the closed state where the distal end of the valve magnet seats against the exit port. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0007]      FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate an exemplary prior art valve; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2A-2B  depict a dispenser bottle and valve system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A-3D  depict a valve system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A-4D  depict a valve system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5A-5E  depict a valve system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  depicts a valve system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  depicts a valve system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 8A-8D  depict receptacles in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a valve system having a valve member biased into the closed position to prevent fluid discharge whether upright or inverted. The valve member is opened by placing it in proximity to a magnetic field that overcomes the bias to open the valve member. The magnetic field used to open the valve is located on a receptacle purposed for receiving the fluid controlled by the valve, e.g., a lens disinfection case. Embodiments of valve systems in accordance with the present invention, therefore, do not permit dispensing a fluid, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, unless into a receptacle designed to receive that particular fluid. In this manner the present invention dramatically reduces the risk a user would accidently rinse lenses with hydrogen peroxide thinking it was only rinsing or cleaning solution. 
         [0016]    Unless specifically noted otherwise herein, the definitions of the terms used are standard definitions used in the art. Exemplary embodiments, aspects and variations are illustrated in the figures and drawings, and it is intended that the embodiments, aspects and variations, and the figures and drawings disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative and not limiting. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 2A-2B  depict solution bottle  200 , e.g., hydrogen peroxide solution bottle, valve  202  and receptacle  204  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Receptacle  204  has annular cap  206  with opening  208 , and receptacle magnet  209  (described more fully below) associated with opening  208 . Cap  206  detachably threads to receptacle  204  via threads  210  or is alternatively fixedly attached to receptacle  204  by any suitable means or integral therewith. Other embodiments of receptacle  204  will be more fully discussed below following the discussion of embodiments of the valve. Embodiments of valve  202  include a valve member  203  (more fully described below) biased into the closed position even when bottle  200  and valve  202  are in the upright position. A user places nipple  212  in the proximity of opening  208  and a magnetic field from receptacle magnet  209  exerts a force on and moves valve member  203  to an open position, thereby unsealing port  214  allowing a user to dispense fluid from bottle  200 . When receptacle  204  is moved away from valve  202 , valve member  203  is biased back into the sealed position preventing fluid flow out of port  214 . 
         [0018]      FIGS. 3A-3D  depict a first embodiment of valve  202  in accordance with the present magnet  302  fixed therein, valve magnet  304  and nipple  212 . Receptacle  204  in  FIG. 3A  and receptacle magnet  209  in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3D  are shown for demonstrative purposes, but will be more thoroughly described below. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 3B-3D  are cross-sections of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , where  FIG. 3B  is in disassembled form, and  FIGS. 3C and 3D  are in assembled form in closed and open states, respectively. Nipple  212 , having a preferred circular cross-section (not shown), has body  306  with walls  307 , annular space  308  therein, port  214  at the distal end of body  306 , and annular lip  312  on the interior of walls  307 . Valve magnet  304  has O-ring  314  aligned in groove  316 . Alternatively, O-ring  314  may be secured to distal end  320  of valve magnet  304  (see  FIG. 6 ) Valve magnet  304  is preferably a permanent magnet with its polarity arranged opposite to that of biasing magnet  302 . Valve magnet  304  in this embodiment has a conical shape with blunt distal end  320 , and shaped generally to be slidingly received in annular space  308 . Plug  303  is fit into the proximal end of body  307 , thereby turning annular space  308  into annular cavity  309 , within which valve magnet  304  may slide up and down. Plug  303  has biasing magnet  302  attached thereto, preferably on distal side  305  of plug  303 . Both biasing magnet  302  and plug  303  have hole  311  going therethrough to allow fluid to flow into and through valve  202  when in the open position. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3C  the magnetic field of biasing magnet  302  interacts with the polar opposite magnetic field of valve magnet  304  forcing valve magnet  304  down, and more specifically forcing gasket  314  to seat against annular lip  312 , thereby sealing valve  202  to a closed state. By virtue of this biasing mechanism valve  202  remains sealed despite its relation to gravitational force. The exterior of valve body  307  has fitting  318  to secure valve  202  into a solution bottle or a top that may be attached (e.g., by threading) to a solution bottle. Fitting  318  may be any type of fitting known to the skilled artisan for fluid tight attachment of one piece to another, for example and not by way of limitation a luer fitting, threads, pressure fitting, adhesive etc. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3D , valve  202  is depicted assembled and in the open state. Receptacle magnet  209  or magnetic field with a polarity preferably aligned to that of valve magnet  304  applies a force to valve magnet  304  as it comes into proximity with receptacle magnet  209  that overcomes the biasing force applied by biasing magnet  302  (and gravity as the bottle will be inverted to dispense fluid), which force slides valve magnet  304  within annular cavity  309  unseating gasket  314  from annular lip  312 , thereby allowing fluid to flow through hole  311 , past/around valve magnet and out port  214  into receptacle  204  (not shown in  FIG. 3D ). The skilled artisan will appreciate that channels or other surface deformity (not shown) may be magnet  304  from sealing hole  311 . The skilled artisan will also appreciate the user will squeeze the solution bottle generating pressure that will push valve magnet  304  away from biasing magnet to create the flow. In this embodiment a user could theoretically generate sufficient pressure to overcome the opening force exerted by receptacle magnet  209 , but the appropriate amount of squeezing will be easily learned so as to minimize or eliminate this issue. It will be further appreciated that the polarity of receptacle magnet may be opposite to that of valve magnet  304 . Aligning the polarities of the receptacle magnet with that of the valve magnet is preferred. It was found that insertion of the nipple into a receptacle with opposing magnetic field alignment did not work as well on a theory that a symmetric receptacle magnetic field had a void in the center, the natural position for a user to insert the nipple to dispense fluid. This void, in theory, did not generate the desired force unless the nipple was moved to an angle or outside the center. On the other hand, with the polarities aligned insertion of the nipple into the receptacle places the valve magnet in a position that the lower portion of the receptacle magnet will create the desired opening force. Receptacle  204  and its associated receptacle magnet  209  or magnetic field will be discussed in more detail below, following the discussion of alternative embodiments for the valve. Upon removal of receptacle magnet  209  and/or valve  202 , biasing magnet  302  will force valve magnet  304  back into the seated position, thereby returning valve  202  into its closed state. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 4A-4D  depict another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, valve  202  comprises sleeve  402  with biasing magnet  404  fixed therein ( FIGS. 4B-4D ), valve magnet  406  with seal  408  extending out therefrom, and nipple  212 . Receptacle  204  in  FIG. 4A  and receptacle magnet  209  in  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4D  are shown for demonstrative purposes, but will be more thoroughly described below. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 4B-4D  are cross-sections of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A , where  FIG. 4B  is in disassembled form, and  FIGS. 4C and 4D  are in assembled form in closed and open states, respectively. Nipple  212 , having a preferred circular cross-section (not shown), has body  410  with walls  412 , annular space  414  therein, and port  214  at distal end  415  of body  410 . Valve magnet  406  is preferably cylindrical shape and has a hole passing therethrough with seal  408  placed therein such that at least a portion of seal  408  extends out distal end  416  of valve magnet  406 . The skilled artisan will appreciate that seal  408  may pass all the way through or only lodged partially into the hole, and further that the hole need not pass all the way through valve magnet  406 . Valve magnet  406  is preferably a permanent magnet with its polarity arranged opposite to that of biasing magnet  404 . Valve magnet  406  in this embodiment preferably has a cylindrical shape and is shaped generally to be slidingly received in annular space  414  and pass up and seal may be used for seal  408  or any other feature of the disclosed embodiments used for creating a seal, for example and not by way of limitation, rubber or silicon. 
         [0024]    Sleeve  402  has sides  418  extending distally from plug  420 , where sides  418  form a cylinder with annular space  415 . As will be appreciated the cylindrical shape of sides  418  are complementary to annular space  414 , but the skilled artisan will appreciate that any complementary shapes may be selected so as to suit the purpose of forming cavity  422  in which valve magnet  406  may slide therein, as discussed more fully below. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 4C and 4D , sides  418  are inserted into annular space  414 , and plug  420  is fit into (e.g., press fit, snap fit, threaded, glued etc) the proximal end of body  410 , thereby forming cavity  422 , within which valve magnet  406  may slide up and down. Plug  420  has biasing magnet  404  attached thereto, preferably on distal side  405  of plug  420 . Both biasing magnet  404  and plug  420  have hole  421  going therethrough to allow fluid to flow into and through valve  202  when in the open state. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4C  the magnetic field of biasing magnet  404  interacts with the polar opposite magnetic field of valve magnet  406  forcing valve magnet  406  down, and more specifically forcing seal  408  to seat against port  214 , thereby sealing valve  202  to a closed state. By virtue of this biasing mechanism valve  202  remains sealed despite its relation to gravitational force. The exterior of valve body  410  has fitting  424  to secure valve  202  into a solution bottle or a top that may be attached (e.g., by threading) to a solution bottle. Fitting  424  may be any type of fitting known to the skilled artisan for fluid tight attachment of one piece to another, for example and not by way of limitation a luer fitting, threads, pressure fitting, adhesive etc. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 4D , valve  202  is depicted assembled and in the open state. Receptacle magnet  209  or magnetic field with a polarity preferably aligned with that of valve magnet  406  applies a force to valve magnet  406  that overcomes the biasing force applied by biasing magnet  404  (and gravity, as the bottle will be inverted to dispense fluid), which slides valve magnet  406  within annular cavity  422  unseating seal  408  from port  214 , thereby allowing fluid to flow through hole  421 , past/around valve magnet  406 , and out port  214  into receptacle  204 . Also provided, in preferred embodiments, are holes  426  in sides  418  that permit fluid flow between sides  418  and walls  412  when valve  202  is in the open state. The skilled artisan will appreciate that channels or other surface deformity (not shown) may be provided on or in proximal end  428  of valve magnet  406 , which will assist in preventing valve magnet  406  from sealing hole  421 . The skilled artisan will also appreciate the user will squeeze the solution bottle generating pressure that will push valve magnet  406  away from biasing magnet  404  to create the flow. In this embodiment a user could theoretically generate sufficient pressure to overcome the easily learned so as to minimize or eliminate this issue. Upon removal of receptacle magnet  209  and/or valve  202 , biasing magnet  404  will force valve magnet  406  back into the seated position, thereby returning valve  202  into its closed state. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5A-5E  depict another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, valve  202  comprises plug  502  with biasing magnet  504  fixed therein ( FIGS. 5B-5D ), valve magnet  506 , and nipple  212 . Receptacle  204  and receptacle magnet  209  are shown for demonstrative purposes, but will be more thoroughly described below. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5B, 5C and 5D  are cross-sections of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , where  FIG. 5B  is in disassembled form, and  FIGS. 5C and 5D  are in assembled form in closed and open states, respectively. Nipple  212 , having a preferred circular cross-section (not shown), has body  510  with walls  512 , annular space  514  therein, and port  214  at distal end  515  of body  510 . Valve magnet  506  is preferably a cylindrical-rod shape and may be conically shaped (not shown) at its distal end  516  to aid in sealing hole  536  and port  214 . Valve magnet  506  is preferably a permanent magnet with a polarity arranged opposite to that of biasing magnet  504 . Valve magnet  506  in this embodiment preferably has a cylindrical-rod shape and is shaped generally to be slidingly received in channel  518  of guide member  520  and pass up and down channel  518  as described below. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 5C-5E , particularly  FIG. 5E  (cross-section along line  5 E of  FIG. 5D ) guide member  520  has sides  522  that form channel  518 . Eight support arms  524  (two sets of four, upper and lower) spaced at ninety degrees around and extending at ninety degrees from sides  522  are provided at proximal and distal ends of channel  518  to support channel  518  within walls  512  of body  510 . Referring to  FIG. 5E , slots  526  run along the interior of walls  512  to receive and secure arms  524  within annular space  514 . Arms  524  form voids  528  to allow fluid to pass through body  510  and out nipple  212  when in the open state. The skilled artisan will appreciate that as few as 2 arms may be provided to secure guide member  520 , but 3 or more are preferred as providing more structural integrity. Further, upper and lower arms are preferred, though one or the other may be used, and when both used the number of arms on either do not need to be the same as shown in the depicted and described embodiment. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 5C and 5D , guide member  520  is inserted into annular space  514 , where legs  524  fit into slots  526 , and valve magnet  506  is slidingly disposed in channel  518 . In this embodiment annular lip  530  and  533  on the interior of walls  512  are provided as stops for arms  524  of guide member  520 . Plug  502  is fit into (e.g., press fit, snap fit, threaded, glued etc) the proximal end  511  of body  510 , thereby forming cavity  532 , within which guide member  520  is fixed, with valve magnet  506  disposed in channel  518  of guide member  520 . The skilled similar bodies described in other embodiments in this disclosure), or alternatively it may fit over the body, the only requirement being that the plug provide some sort of entry point to the valve for the fluid and that it create the cavity (e.g.,  532 ) within the valve as described herein. Alternatively the plug may be on the distal end. Or, in another alternative the body may be in two longitudinally cut pieces that are welded, glued or otherwise adhered together. The skilled artisan will appreciate many ways to construct and assemble the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0032]    Plug  502  has biasing magnet  504  attached thereto, fixed thereto or associated therewith, preferably on distal side  503  of plug  502 . The skilled artisan will appreciate that biasing magnet need only be associated with the plug or proximal end of the body so as to bias the valve magnet as described in this and other embodiments. Plug  502  has hole  505  going therethrough to allow fluid to flow into and through valve  202  when in the open position. As shown, biasing magnet  504  is an annular piece fit into distal side  503  of plug  502 . The skilled artisan will appreciate that biasing magnet  504  can take on any number of shapes and can be placed anywhere on plug  502 , or anywhere near proximal end  511  of body  510 , and could be included as part of body  512 . It will also be appreciated by the skilled artisan that biasing magnet  504 , in all the embodiments described herein, may take on any number of shapes. Body  510  of nipple  212  has annular gasket  534  disposed inside the distal end of body  510  with hole  536  line up with port  214 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 5C  the magnetic field of biasing magnet  504  interacts with the polar opposite magnetic field of valve magnet  506  forcing valve magnet  506  down, and more specifically forcing its distal end  516  into annular gasket  534  to seat against hole  536 , thereby sealing valve  202  to a closed state. By virtue of this biasing mechanism valve  202  remains sealed despite its relation to gravitational force. The exterior of valve body  510  has fitting  540  to secure valve  202  into a solution bottle or into a top that may be attached (e.g., by threading) to a solution bottle. Fitting  540  may be any type of fitting known to the skilled artisan for fluid tight attachment of one piece to another, for example and not by way of limitation a luer fitting, threads, pressure fitting, adhesive etc. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 5D , valve  202  is depicted assembled and in the open state. Receptacle magnet  209  or magnetic field with poles aligned with the valve magnet  506  applies a force to valve magnet  506  that overcomes the biasing force applied by biasing magnet  504  (and gravity, as the bottle will be inverted to dispense fluid), which slides valve magnet  506  within channel  518  unseating valve magnet  506  from hole  536 , thereby allowing fluid to flow through hole  505 , past/around/through guide member  520 , and out port  214  into receptacle  204  (not shown). The skilled artisan will appreciate that channels or other surface deformity (not shown) valve magnet  506  from sealing hole  505 . In addition distal end  516  of valve magnet  506  may be conically shaped to assist in seating and sealing hold  536 . Further annular gasket  534  may be provided with lip  535  around hole  536  where lip  535  deforms to assist in obtaining a better seal between valve magnet and hole  536 . The skilled artisan will also appreciate the user will squeeze the solution bottle generating pressure that will push valve magnet  506  away from biasing magnet  504  to create the flow. In this embodiment a user could theoretically generate sufficient pressure to overcome the opening force exerted by receptacle magnet  209 , but the appropriate amount of squeezing will be easily learned so as to minimize or eliminate this issue. In this embodiment valve magnet  506  has a smaller cross-sectional profiled than in other embodiments, making the amount of pressure required to overcome the opening force greater than in other embodiments. Upon removal of receptacle magnet  209  and/or valve  202 , biasing magnet  504  will force valve magnet  506  back into the seated position, thereby returning valve  202  into its closed state. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show alternative embodiments to that shown in  FIG. 3 . In both embodiments of  FIGS. 6 and 7  the biasing magnet  302  is replaced by biasing spring  602  and  702 . As the skilled will appreciate biasing spring may replace biasing magnet in any of the embodiments of the present invention. However, biasing magnet provides many distinct advantages over a spring, for example and not by way of limitation the biasing magnet does not have any moving parts and may be provided anywhere near the proximal end (e.g, inside, outside etc) as the biasing force is applied by physical or mechanical contact with the valve magnet). Further, and with reference to  FIG. 6 , annular gasket  314  is replaced by annular gasket  604  (e.g., o-ring) fit into groove  606  at distal end  320  of valve magnet  304 . Annular gasket  604  extends beyond distal end  320  to seat against hole  214  when in the biased closed position. As will be appreciated receptacle magnet  209  or magnetic field will open valve  202  as described above. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-D  the skilled artisan will appreciate that any arrangement of permanent receptacle magnets or providing a magnetic field with the proper polarity (e.g., DC through coil) and magnetic strength will operate to push the magnetic valve into the open position. This will be true whether the magnets exist on the rim of receptacle, as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 8  or on the body of the receptacle itself. Neodymium permanent magnets are the preferred choice for the high magnetic strength per unit mass of the material, making these magnets very compact. Preferably, as described above, the polarity of the receptacle magnet is aligned with that of the valve magnet. The inventors observed that using a ring of magnets around the rim of a receptacle with a polarity opposite to that of the valve magnet may not work as well as off-setting the receptacle magnets or aligning the polarity of the receptacle magnets to magnets or the aligned magnetic field do not have a void in the field around the center of the receptacle, the natural spot for a user to dispense, and the valve can remain unexpectedly and undesirably in the closed state (though this is quickly remedied by moving the valve relative to receptacle). By using the preferred align polarities, as the nipple enters the receptacle it is believed that the opposite polarity towards the lower portion of the receptacle magnet applies the desired force to the valve magnet. This theory is illustrated in  FIG. 8A .  FIGS. 8B-D  show a plan, top down view of cap  800  of a receptacle, with mouth  802 , rim  804  and receptacle magnet  806 . In  FIG. 8A  receptacle magnet  806  is distributed evenly around rim  804 . In  FIG. 8B , receptacle magnet  806  is offset or different thicknesses around rim  804 , and in  FIG. 8C , receptacle magnet  806  is broken in pieces around rim  804 , where the breaks can be uniform or asymmetric to provide the desired magnetic field. The inventors postulate the asymmetry of the magnets, with the polarities aligned either opposite to or the same as the polarity of the valve magnet, changes the magnetic field in a way such that insertion of the nipple directly into (e.g., oriented ˜90 degrees to the receptacle opening) near or in the center of the receptacle opening results in more reliable opening of the valve, such that users may not need to adjust the height or orientation of the nipple when they want to dispense fluid from the valve. 
         [0037]    Several embodiments of valve  202  have been presented herein. One commonality is all the embodiments have nipple  212  with a body structure that has a fitting on its exterior. This fitting in these embodiments serves to attach or secure nipple  212  and hence valve  202  either directly or indirectly to the solution bottle. This may be accomplished by any number of known mechanisms. For example, and not by way of limitation, the fitting may be threads that screw into/onto complementary female/male opening of the solution bottle. Alternatively, the fitting may be a luer fitting that is snap fit, as is well known, directly into a complementary fitting on the solution bottle. Alternatively, the fitting may attach to a complementary fitting on another member that then is secured to the solution bottle. What has been described herein are embodiments of the inventive valve, and for brevity details of well known mechanisms for securing the valve to the solution bottle have been left out. It should be noted that all the parts except the magnets can be made of any suitable material such as but not limited to injection molded plastics like polyethylene. The magnets may be neodymium or any other desired magnetic material, and may be coated with a material that, for example, may be easily sterilized. Further, the parts for the embodiments described herein may be designed to be assembled in any manner desired, for example the bodies described in multiple embodiments herein may be split along a line parallel with the distal and proximal ends and assembled by adhering or fusing the pieces together along with the other parts therein. While a number of exemplary embodiments, modifications, permutations, additions and combinations and certain sub-combinations of the embodiments, aspects and variations. It is intended that the following claims are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and combinations and certain sub-combinations of the embodiments, aspects and variations are within their scope.