U.S. patent application number 09/486535 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-21 for article comprising stackable containers.
Invention is credited to FORTUNE, SEAN PATRICK.
Application Number | 20020020634 09/486535 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 10818562 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020020634 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FORTUNE, SEAN PATRICK |
February 21, 2002 |
ARTICLE COMPRISING STACKABLE CONTAINERS
Abstract
There is provided an article (9) comprising at least two
stackable containers (1), each stackable container (1) capable of
holding an ophthalmic device (8), each stackable container (1)
comprising a container portion (2) for receiving an ophthalmic
device (8); a first section (4) having engagement means (6); a
second section (5) having engagement means; wherein the fist
section (4) of one of the stackable containers (1) is capable of
operably engaging the second section (5) of the other stackable
container (1) so that the stackable containers (1) may be
releasably joined by means of their respective first (4) and second
(5) sections.
Inventors: |
FORTUNE, SEAN PATRICK;
(KNIGHTSBRIDGE, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG
745 FIFTH AVENUE- 10TH FL.
NEW YORK
NY
10151
US
|
Family ID: |
10818562 |
Appl. No.: |
09/486535 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2000 |
PCT Filed: |
September 3, 1998 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB98/02644 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/5.1 ;
206/503 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/005 20130101;
B65D 21/0228 20130101; B65D 2585/545 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/5.1 ;
206/503 |
International
Class: |
A45C 011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 4, 1997 |
GB |
9718819.7 |
Claims
1. An article comprising at least two stackable containers, each
stackable container capable of holding an ophthalmic device, each
stackable container comprising a container portion for receiving an
ophthalmic device; a first section having engagement means; a
second section having engagement means; wherein the first section
of one of the stackable containers is capable of operably engaging
the second section of another or the other stackable container so
that the stackable containers may be releasably joined by means of
their respective first and second sections.
2. An article according to claim 1 wherein the container portion is
sealed.
3. An article according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the releasable join
is provided or enhanced by protrusions on the first section or
second section.
4. An article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein
the container is substantially cylindrical.
5. An article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein
the container comprises at least one annular ridge.
6. An article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein
the container is formed from polypropylene.
7. An article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein
the container is formed by injection moulding.
8. An article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein
one or more, preferably all, of the stackable containers has in
each respective container portion an ophthalmic device.
9. An article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein
the ophthalmic device is a contact lens.
10. An article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein
the containers are in a stacked arrangement (configuration).
11. A container for use in an article as defined in any one of the
preceding claims wherein the container comprises a container
portion for receiving an ophthalmic device; a first section having
engagement means; and a second section having engagement means.
12. A container according to claim 10 wherein each container has
ophthalmic device.
13. An article or container substantially as described herein and
with reference to any one of the Figures.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an article comprising at
least two stackable containers each of which may contain an
ophthalmic device. The present invention relates to a stackable
container for use in an article as described.
[0002] For very many years, contact lenses have been provided in
place of spectacles to correct imperfect human vision.
[0003] Until recently, owing to expense, a patient would be
provided with a pair of lenses (one for each eye) which could be
used repeatedly. To maintain the hygiene of these repeated use
lenses, the users have to purchase and apply numerous cleaning
products. This is inconvenient for the user both in terms of the
cost and the time involved. Failure to correctly clean the lens may
result in bacterial growth and damage to the lens, irritation to
the eye or possibly even damage to the eye.
[0004] Because of the above problems, there has been a demand for
"single use" or "daily disposable" contact lenses. As the name
implies, these lenses are used for a short amount of time and are
then disposed of. The user then uses a new pair of lenses. Thus,
the need to clean contact lenses may be avoided.
[0005] As will be appreciated, by using daily disposable contact
lenses rather than a repeated use lens for a year, a user will
require hundreds of lenses in contrast to the previously required
two or four lenses.
[0006] For the reasons described above, any lens which is to be
placed on the eye must be substantially free of bacterial
contamination. Thus, it has been a problem in the art to provide a
packaging for dispensing the large quantity of lenses required for
daily use in a manner which minimises the possibility of bacterial
contamination and also minimises the cost of the packaging. The
cost of packaging is a considerable proportion of the cost of
producing and providing a user with a lens. In order to make daily
disposable lenses attractive to consumers it is important to
minimize the cost of the lenses.
[0007] The prior art has addressed these problems by providing
lenses packaged in "blister packaging". Such packaging is used for
lenses marketed by Vistakon, Bausch & Lomb (B&L) and Ciba
Vision.
[0008] This type of prior art packaging has been simplified and the
expense thereof reduced by Award plc (a subsidiary of Bausch &
Lomb) by using the casting mould of the lens as the base of the
blister packaging.
[0009] However, blister packaging has a number of disadvantages.
Specifically, it is very bulky--a small number of lenses may only
be contained in a manageable sized pack.
[0010] Furthermore, to remain economic, blister packaging is
produced in strips and then packaged as several strips in a box.
Thus, individual lenses may not be dispensed without destroying the
overall package of the box or without cutting the strip. Cutting
the strip risks damaging the blister pack and causing bacterial
contamination. Furthermore, blister packaging can be difficult to
open in a controlled manner. On peeling the seal of the pack, the
lens or the fluid in which it is emersed may be thrown from the
pack. Furthermore, practitioners are extremely reluctant to sell
low numbers of lenses from such a pack because the remainder of the
pack is then rendered unsaleable.
[0011] The present invention seeks to overcome the problems
associated with packaging with blister packs, in particular the
packaging of contact lenses.
[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an article comprising at least two stackable
containers, each stackable container capable of holding an
ophthalmic device, each stackable container comprising a container
portion for receiving an ophthalmic device; a first section having
engagement means; a second section having engagement means; wherein
the first section of one of the stackable containers is capable of
operably engaging the second section of another or the other
stackable container so that the stackable containers may be
releasably joined by means of their respective first and second
sections.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a container for use in an article as described above
wherein the container comprises a container portion for receiving
an ophthalmic device; a first section having engagement means; and
a second section having engagement means.
[0014] The present invention is advantageous as it overcomes the
afore-mentioned problems associated with the prior art. In
particular, the article provides densely packed storage for the
ophthalmic devices contained therein.
[0015] Furthermore, one or more containers may be removed and
dispensed. This second feature is very advantageous in that when
containing, for example, contact lenses it allows for a dispensing
practitioner to dispense a low quantity of lenses. A practitioner
may dispense a few or even a single lens or pair of lenses for a
trial use e.g. to a new user or to a user considering switching to
a new type or brand of lens. Alternatively, the practitioner may
wish to dispense a low number of lenses for a specific use e.g. a
tinted lens on a sunny day. This is in contrast with the packaging
of the prior art.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment the ophthalmic device is a contact
lens.
[0017] Preferably, the second section of the container is distanced
from the first section.
[0018] Preferably, the first section of the container is at the top
of the container.
[0019] Preferably, the second section of the container is at the
bottom of the container.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
first and/or second section(s) of the container(s) is/are provided
with protrusions or nipples. These allow for an interference fit
between at least two stackable containers. Alternative preferred
embodiments means are provided to allow for a twist fit or a snug
fit between at least two stackable containers. In yet a further
preferred embodiment, the first and second sections are provided
such that a snug fit is obtained between at least two stackable
containers.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment the wall of the container provides
a shoulder. This shoulder may then engage with inner surface of the
wall of a similar container so as to provide a releasable join
between the two containers.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment the stackable container is
substantially cylindrical. This has the advantage that the
containers may be stacked without one having to arrange their
orientation before releasable joining.
[0023] In a yet further preferred embodiment, the wall of the
container extends across at least one end face thereof to form the
container portion for receiving an ophthalmic device.
[0024] Preferably, the container portion for receiving the
ophthalmic device is concave.
[0025] In a further preferred embodiment, the container comprises
at least one ridge. If the container is substantially cylindrical
this ridge may be annular. The provision of such a ridge increases
the rigidity of the container.
[0026] The container may be formed from any suitable material. Such
materials are well known in the packaging industry. In a preferred
embodiment, the container is formed from polycarbonate, polysulfone
or polypropylene. In a more preferred embodiment the container is
formed from polypropylene. This material is easy to handle, is
readily available and is cheap.
[0027] The material should be chosen such that it can withstand the
conditions to which the container will be subjected. For example,
if the container is to be sterilized by heat sterilization the
material should be chosen to withstand the temperature to which it
is to be subjected. Preferably the material should withstand
temperatures of greater than about 80.degree. C., more preferably
greater than about 100.degree. C., more preferably greater than
about 120.degree. C.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the container is formed by
injection moulding.
[0029] In a further preferred embodiment, the container portion of
the container is sealed. More preferably, the container portion is
sealed with metal foil or a metal foil/polymer laminate or a
polymer.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment the stackable container of the
present invention, or at least the top stackable container of the
article of the present invention, has removably attached thereto a
cover which may seal the container portion. More preferably, each
of the containers of the article of the present invention includes
such a cover. Preferably the cover is formed from a polymer, a
metal foil or a laminate thereof.
[0031] The stackable container may contain two contact lenses, one
for each eye of the user.
[0032] The container may have marking indicating which eye the lens
which it contains is to be used for. This is particularly useful
when the user has eyes that require a different degree of
correction relative to each other.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment the container is provided with an
indentation which allows an object e.g. a fingernail to be inserted
between the container and any container to which it may be
releasably joined. This allows for the containers to be readily
separated.
[0034] Preferably, the article according to the present invention
comprises two or more stackable containers in a stacked
arrangement. In a more preferred embodiment the article of the
present invention comprises at least 5, preferably at least 15,
more preferably at least 30 in a stack. In this preferred
embodiment, a first section of one stackable container operably
engages a second section of an adjacent stackable container.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, an article in accordance with the
present invention is "shrink-wrapped"--the procedure for achieving
this wrapping is well known in the art. In this preferred
embodiment it is further preferred that after a repeating increment
of containers a perforation in the wrapping is provided to assist
in the separation of the containers. The increment may be every 30,
24, 20, 14, 10, 7, 5, 2 or 1 containers or even combinations
thereof.
[0036] In a particular embodiment a container may be capable of
allowing inspection, particularly automated inspection, of an
ophthalmic device contained therein. In this embodiment, preferably
the container portion is transparent to visible light. Moreover,
preferably any cover on the container is transparent to visible
light. More preferably, both the container portion and any cover
are transparent to visible light.
[0037] The present invention may alternatively be defined as an
article comprising at least two stackable containers, wherein each
container comprises a cavity suitable for receiving an ophthalmic
device and a surface for resistive but removable engagement with at
least one other container.
[0038] A further embodiment of the present invention may
alternatively be defined as a stackable container comprising a
cavity suitable for receiving an ophthalmic device; a surface for
resistive but removable engagement, in use, with a similar
container.
[0039] A further embodiment of the present invention may
alternatively be defined as a stackable contact lens container
comprising a cavity containing an ophthalmic device and a surface
for resistive but removable engagement, in use, with a similar
container.
[0040] The invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0041] FIG. 1 is a container in accordance with the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 2 is a container in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 3 is a section of a container in accordance with the
present invention;
[0044] FIG. 4 is a container in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 5 is a enlarged view of a preferred feature of the
present invention;
[0046] FIG. 6 is a container in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 7 is a container in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 8 is an article in accordance with the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 9 is an article in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 1 illustrates a container 1 in accordance with the
present invention. The container comprises a container portion 2
and first section which is an annular ridge or shoulder 3 for
operable engagement with a similar container.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a elevation view of a container similar to that of
FIG. 1. The first section 4 and the second section 5 of the
container can be clearly seen. The container also has some further
preferred features. These are protrusions 6 for providing and/or
enhancing a releasable join with a similar container and an
indentation 7 for assisting in the separation of the container to a
similar container to which it may be attached.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a section of a container 1 similar to that of FIG.
1. The container portion 2 and the shoulder 3 may be seen.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows a container similar to that of FIG. 2. The
container has six protrusions 6 with a separation of approximately
60.degree..
[0054] FIG. 5 is an enlargement of a protrusion 6 of FIG. 4.
[0055] FIG. 6 is a container similar to that of FIG. 4. The
container has four protrusions 6 with a separation of approximately
90.degree..
[0056] FIG. 7 is a container containing a ophthalmic device,
specifically a contact lens 8, in the container portion 2.
[0057] FIG. 8 is an article 8 comprising five containers in a
stacked configuration. The first section 4 of each container, other
than the container at the top of the article, is operably engaged
with the second section 5 of another container. Similarly the
second section 5 of each container, other than the container at the
bottom of the article, is operably engaged with the first section 4
of another container. An indentation 7 is provided to assist in the
separation of the containers.
[0058] FIG. 9 is an article comprising thirty containers in a
stacked configuration.
EXAMPLE
[0059] A container was prepared by the preparation of a mould (not
shown) defining a cavity having the configuration of the container
of FIG. 2. The mould was filled with polypropylene using well known
injection moulding techniques. The moulded container was removed
from the mould.
[0060] This process was repeated several times to prepare a number
of containers.
[0061] A contact lens was dropped into the container portion of
each container and a volume of sterile solution, of the type
commonly used for contact lens storage, was dispensed into the
container portion.
[0062] A metal foil/polymer laminate sheet was then removably
adhered to the periphery of the container portion of each container
so as to seal the contact lens and solution therein.
[0063] The containers were then stacked by engaging the first
porion of each container with the second portion of the adjacent
container and vice versa.
[0064] Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
* * * * *