U.S. patent application number 10/719834 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for compact mirrored contact lens case.
Invention is credited to Eastman, Michael Anthony.
Application Number | 20050109638 10/719834 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34591443 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050109638 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eastman, Michael Anthony |
May 26, 2005 |
Compact mirrored contact lens case
Abstract
A compactly configured contact lens case for storing contact
lenses which includes at least one mirrored closure cap. The mirror
is viewable as the top surface of the closure cap. The contact lens
case includes two reservoirs that share a common base and are
coaxially oriented and threaded to accept cylindrical closure caps
that engage the opposite ends of the cylindrical body and have
inner peripheral surfaces that are coaxially related to the outer
peripheral surfaces of the two cylindrical reservoirs of the body.
The mirrors' primary function is to provide a close proximity view
of the insertion or abstraction of the contact lens into or from
the users' eye. The user will hold the mirrored closure cap
directly in front of the eye with one hand, while performing the
act of inserting or abstracting the contact lens into or from the
eye with the opposite hand.
Inventors: |
Eastman, Michael Anthony;
(Sebring, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Anthony Eastman
917 Eighth Avenue
Sebring
FL
33875
US
|
Family ID: |
34591443 |
Appl. No.: |
10/719834 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/5.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 15/04 20130101;
A45C 11/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/005.1 |
International
Class: |
A45C 011/04 |
Claims
1. A contact lens case for storing contact lenses comprising: a
base having a top side; at least one reservoir on the top side of
said base and having an outer surface; a flange for said at least
one said reservoir, said flange being attached to the outer surface
of said reservoir and having its own outer surface; and a
reflective surface covering for the outer surface of at least one
said flange and having a reflective outer surface.
2. The contact lens case of claim 1, wherein said outer surface of
said reservoir includes threads.
3. The contact lens case of claim 2, wherein each said flange has
an inner surface that includes threads adapted to engage said
threads of said reservoir.
4. The contact lens case of claim 1, wherein said outer surface of
at least one said flange includes a basin.
5. The contact lens case of claim 4, wherein said reflective
surface is adhered within said basin, and having a reflective outer
surface.
6. A contact lens case for viewing insertion or abstraction of
contact lens into or from the eye comprising: a base having a top
side; at least one reservoir on the top side of said base and
having an outer surface; a flange having a basin for said at least
one said reservoir, said flange being removably attached to the
outer surface of each said reservoir and having an outer surface;
and a reflective surface attached to the outer surface of at least
one said flange and having a reflective outer surface.
7. The contact lens case of claim 6, wherein said outer surface of
said reservoir includes threads.
8. The contact lens case of claim 8, wherein said flange has an
inner surface that includes threads adapted to engage said threads
of each respective said reservoir.
9. The contact lens case of claim 8, wherein said reflective
surface is of a depth that is less than that of the depth of said
basin and is secured within said basin by the folding toward center
of the additional depth of the said basin over the depth of said
reflective surface, and having a reflective outer surface.
10. A contact lens case for viewing insertion or abstraction of
contact lens into or from the eye comprising: a base having a top
side; at least one threaded reservoir on the top side of said base
and having an outer surface; a flange for said at least one said
reservoir, said flange being removably attached to the outer
surface of each said reservoir and having an outer surface; and a
reflective surface adhered to the outer surface of said at least
one said flange and having a reflective outer surface.
11. The contact lens case of claim 10, wherein said flange has an
inner surface that includes threads adapted to engage said threads
of each respective said reservoir.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to contact lens cases and
more particularly to a novel contact lens case that is designed to
have a compact configuration, while providing a reflective surface
(e.g. mirror) in the construction of one or more of the contact
lens cases' caps (or lids) in order to conveniently view the
insertion or abstraction of the contact lens into or from the
eye.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The use of contact lenses has become a popular addition, or
alternative, to the use of eyeglasses. Because it is commonplace
for those who have partially impaired vision to own and use both
eyeglasses and contact lenses, users of contact lenses often carry
in their possession the contact lens case in which to store the
contact lenses in the event they want to make the change from
wearing eyeglasses to wearing contact lenses, or visa versa, while
going about their daily activities. In addition, those who use
contact lenses often carry in their possession the contact lens
case in order to correct any problems that may occur with their
contact lenses while going about their daily activities. These
problems may include the drying of the contact lenses, or a foreign
object in their eye, such as a dirt particle or eyelash.
Oftentimes, the contact lens can be removed from the eye and
cleaned with water, or cleaned with the solution stored in the
contact lens case by inserting the contact lens in one of the
contact lens cases' storage reservoirs containing contact lens
solution, then re-inserting the contact lens into the eye.
[0005] During the aforementioned situations, when a user of contact
lenses has a need to insert or abstract the contact lens into or
from the eye while going about their daily activities, it is often
convenient, and sometimes necessary, for that user to have at his
or her disposal a reflective surface (e.g. mirror) to view the
insertion or abstraction of the contact lens into or from the eye.
Currently, an additional device with a reflective surface must be
carried on the user's person when these situations occur, or,
oftentimes, a reflective surface is not conveniently located or
available at all when these situations occur.
[0006] In light of the foregoing, it can be appreciated that there
is a need to have a reflective surface included in the construction
of a compactly configurated contact lens case, more specifically
the contact lens cases' cap (or lid). Several types of contact lens
cases have been provided in the prior art. While these units may be
suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they
would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention
as heretofore described.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,786 to Hucal discloses an integrated
contact lens and maintenance kit carrying apparatus for the
portable facilitated storage and carrying of the user's contact
lenses as well as a plurality of fluids normally utilized with such
contact lenses. Two lens storage elements are operably connected
with a plurality of fluid containers into an overall thin
substantially cylindrical elongated configuration. The peripheral
portions of the fluid containers and lens storage modules form the
substantially cylindrical configuration of the apparatus periphery.
The device includes indicia means associated the lens storage
modules and the fluid containers for facilitated identification and
selection of the fluids or lens eyes associated therewith.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,792 to Zautke discloses a contact lens
case including a pair of container caps with timing mechanism for
indicating when to perform a certain activity. These time-keeping
container caps comprising a cover and flange, one of which is
rotatable to reference calendar days, month names or other
time-related indicia.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. Des. 368,368 to Merrit discloses an ornamental
design of a triple contact lens case.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,409 B1 to Scala discloses a contact lens
case for tracking as time of use for both a left and right contact
lens. The case includes a base having a top side; a left side cup
and right side cup positioned on the top side of the base each
receiving a respective one of the left and right contact lenses; a
left side timing mechanism for indicating a month and date related
to use of the left contact lens; and a right side timing mechanism
for indicating a month and date related to use of the right contact
lens. The left and right side timing mechanisms may each include a
digital display indicating a month and date related to use of the
left and right contact lenses, respectively. Alternatively, the
left and right timing mechanisms may each include a month and date
wheel rotatably secure to the base for providing a month and date
related to a respective contact lens. The rotatable month and date
wheels of the left and right timing mechanisms each include a
locking mechanism for preventing unwanted rotation of the wheels.
The left and right side cups each include a side wall extending
from the base to form a pool and cover for selectively restricting
access to the pool formed by the side wall. The cover of the left
and right side cups each include indicia indicating which contact
lens is retained by the cup.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,339 B1 to Kroupa discloses a compact
case for storing contact lenses that is designed to be attachable
to a key ring and can be stored within the contact wearer's pocket
without being obtrusive. The contact lens case includes two
reservoirs that share a common circular bottom wall. The reservoirs
are coaxially oriented and are threaded to accept cylindrical
closure caps that seal the reservoirs. The cylindrical closure caps
engage the opposite ends of the cylindrical body and have inner
peripheral surfaces that are coaxially related to the outer
peripheral surfaces of the two cylindrical reservoirs of the body.
The contact lens case further comprises a tab that extends
tangentially outward from the central axis of the reservoirs. The
tab includes an aperture that is adapted to accept a removable clip
that allows for the attachment of the contact lens case to a key
ring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention comprises a novel contact lens case
that provides a compactly configured storage container for storing
contact lenses and a reflective surface for conveniently viewing
the insertion and abstraction of the contact lens into or from the
eye. The contact lens case is design so that it can be
inexpensively molded out of a polymer. The contact lens case
includes two reservoirs that share a common circular bottom wall.
The reservoirs are coaxially oriented and are threaded to accept
cylindrical closer caps that seal the reservoirs from loss of fluid
and the entry of contaminants. The cylindrical closure caps engage
the opposite ends of the cylindrical body and have inner peripheral
surfaces that are coaxially related to the outer peripheral
surfaces of the two cylindrical reservoirs of the body.
Furthermore, the top-end surface of one or more of the cylindrical
closure caps has adhered to or embedded into said cylindrical
closure cap a reflective surface, a mirror for example, allowing,
as its primary function, the user to view the insertion or
abstraction of the contact lens into or from the eye. The user will
hold the cylindrical closure cap containing the reflective surface
(e.g. mirror) directly in front of the eye with one hand while
inserting or abstracting the contact lens into or from the same eye
with the opposite hand. Thus allowing the user to view, at close
proximity, the action heretofore described.
[0013] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be
made in the specific construction illustrated and described within
the scope of the appended claims.
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, a contact lens
case for storing contact lenses comprising: a base having a top
side; at least one reservoir on the top side of said base and
having an outer surface; a flange for said at least one said
reservoir, said flange being attached to the outer surface of said
reservoir and having its own outer surface; and a reflective
surface covering for the outer surface of at least one said flange
and having a reflective outer surface.
[0015] In a further embodiment, the invention is a contact lens
case for viewing insertion or abstraction of contact lens into or
from the eye comprising: a base having a top side; at least one
reservoir on the top side of said base and having an outer surface;
a flange having a basin for said at least one said reservoir said
flange being removably attached to the outer surface of each said
reservoir and having an outer surface; and a reflective surface
attached to the outer surface of at least one said flange and
having a reflective outer surface.
[0016] In still a further embodiment, the invention is a contact
lens case for viewing insertion or abstraction of contact lens into
or from the eye comprising: a base having a top side; at least one
threaded reservoir on the top side of said base and having an outer
surface; a flange for said at least one said reservoir said flange
being removably attached to the outer surface of each said
reservoir and having an outer surface; and a reflective surface
adhered to the outer surface of said at least one said flange and
having a reflective outer surface.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of the present invention
showing the compactly configured contact lens case with a circular
mirror positioned parallel to and directly above a basin included
in the construction of one of the caps of said contact lens
case.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the present invention
showing the circular mirror within the basin that is included in
the construction of a cap of the contact lens case.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention fully
assembled.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention
presented fully assembled and illustrating the mirror within the
basin that is included in the construction of one of the caps of
the contact lens case.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mirrored contact lens
cases' cap with the mirror within the basin of said contact lens
cases' cap.
A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] While the present invention will be described fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is
understood at the outset that the following description will,
rather broadly, describe one embodiment of the invention in order
that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out
the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,
therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent
constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Further, the purpose of the
foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists,
engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with
patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical
disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to
define the invention of the application, which is measured by the
claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the
invention in any way.
[0023] In its broadest embodiment, the present invention comprises
a novel contact lens case that provides a compactly configured
storage container for storing contact lenses and a reflective
surface for conveniently viewing the insertion and abstraction of
the contact lens into or from the eye. The contact lens case is
design so that it can be inexpensively molded out of a polymer or
other similar materials. The contact lens case includes two
reservoirs that share a common circular bottom wall. In one
embodiment, the reservoirs are coaxially oriented and are
configured to accept cylindrical closer caps that seal the
reservoirs from loss of fluid and the entry of contaminants.
[0024] A most preferred embodiment of the invention is now
described with reference to the Figures. The compactly configured
contact lens case 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in an exploded side view
with a circular mirror 11 positioned parallel to and directly above
a basin 12 included in the construction of the top surface of one
of the caps 13 of said contact lens case 10. While shown as a
circular mirror, it is to be understood that the mirror may have a
number of geometric shapes and configurations.
[0025] The cap 13 is further constructed with a threaded inn r
surface to engage the threaded outer surface 16 of the contact lens
cases' base 15 to provide a seal. While shown as a threaded seal,
other configurations fulfill the spirit of the invention. The
opposite cap 14 similarly engages said base 15 while shown as a
threaded surface, other connection or sealing mechanisms are
envisioned by the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the present invention
showing the mirror 10 within the basin 12 that is included in the
construction of the cap 13 of the contact lens cases' base 14.
[0027] A side view of the fully assembled present invention is
shown in FIG. 3. In this view, the mirror 10 is concealed within
the basin of the cap 11 of the contact lens case. FIG. 4 is a
perspective view of the present invention presented fully assembled
and illustrating the mirror 10 within the basin that is included in
the construction of the cap 12 of the contact lens case. FIG. 5 is
a perspective view of a mirrored contact lens cases' cap 12 with
the mirror 10 within the basin of said contact lens cases' cap
12.
[0028] In operation, the mirrored case enables the user to quickly
and easily insert and adjust a contact lens. The present invention
has been described with reference to the enclosed Figures. It is to
be appreciated that the true nature and scope of the present
invention is to be determined with reference to the claims appended
hereto.
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