U.S. patent application number 10/942676 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for contact lens package.
Invention is credited to George Brock, Edward Dzwill, James Peck, Michael D. Schulte, Roger Smith, Michael Tokarski, Michael Scott Ulrich.
Application Number | 20060054514 10/942676 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35519755 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060054514 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tokarski; Michael ; et
al. |
March 16, 2006 |
Contact lens package
Abstract
A contact lens package includes a pair of shell members that are
removably attached to each other. An sponge member positioned
between the shell members contains a recess for housing a contact
lens and contact lens solution. One end of each of the shell
members contains a tab, the tabs being juxtaposed with one another
when the shell members are attached to each other. The package is
opened by pulling apart the juxtaposed tabs and separating the
shell members, thereby enabling access to the contact lens. The
tabs have aligned apertures for hanging the package from one end
thereof. An opposite end of the package is provided with a gusset
that is sized and shaped for positioning the package in a free
standing position. One of the shell members contains a window for
allowing visual exposure of the contact lens.
Inventors: |
Tokarski; Michael; (Ponte
Vedra, FL) ; Peck; James; (Maple Grove, MN) ;
Dzwill; Edward; (Flemington, NJ) ; Brock; George;
(St. Augustine, FL) ; Smith; Roger; (Grove City,
OH) ; Schulte; Michael D.; (Columbus, OH) ;
Ulrich; Michael Scott; (Columbus, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP S. JOHNSON;JOHNSON & JOHNSON
ONE JOHNSON & JOHNSON PLAZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
35519755 |
Appl. No.: |
10/942676 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/5.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2585/545 20130101;
B65D 75/522 20130101; B65D 2575/565 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101;
B65D 75/566 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/005.1 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/04 20060101
A45C011/04 |
Claims
1. A contact lens package, comprising a first shell member having a
first end and a second end; a second shell member having a first
end and a second end, said first and second shell members being
removably attached to each other such that said first ends of said
first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another and
said second ends of said first and second shell members are
juxtaposed with one another, said first ends of said first and
second shell members forming a gusset that is sized and shaped for
enabling the package to be situated in a standing position; and a
receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members,
said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens
and an amount of contact lens solution.
2. The contact lens package of claim 1, further comprising
separating means for separating said first and second shell members
from each other.
3. The contact lens package of claim 2, wherein said separating
means includes a first tab extending from said second end of said
first shell member and a second tab extending from said second end
of said second shell member, said first and second tabs being
juxtaposed with one another.
4. The contact lens package of claim 3, further comprising a first
plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said first
tab, and a second plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed
surface of said second tab, said first and second plurality of
bumps being sized and shaped so as to enable manual grasping of
said juxtaposed tabs.
5. The contact lens package of claim 1, further comprising hanging
means for hanging the package from a display rack.
6. The contact lens package of claim 3, further comprising a
hanging means, wherein said hanging means includes a first aperture
formed through said first tab and a second aperture formed through
said second tab and aligned with said first aperture, each of said
apertures being sized and shaped to fit over a peg of a display
rack.
7. The contact lens package of claim 6, wherein said receptacle
includes an inner surface and a recess formed in said inner
surface, said recess being sized and shaped to house and receive a
contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
8. The contact lens package of claim 7, further comprising viewing
means for viewing a contact lens housed in said recess of said
receptacle.
9. The contact lens package of claim 7, further comprising a sponge
member, wherein said sponge member is housed in said
receptacle.
9. The contact lens package of claim 8 wherein said sponge member
is shaped to house and receive a contact lens and an amount of
contact lens solution.
10. The contact lens package of claim 8 wherein said sponge member
comprises an amount of contact lens solution sufficient to saturate
a contact lens and a recess shaped to receive a contact lens.
11. The contact lens package of claim 10, further comprising a
viewing means for viewing a contact lens housed in said recess of
said sponge member.
12. The contact lens package of claim 11, wherein said viewing
means includes a window formed in an exposed surface of said second
shell member, said window being sized, shaped and positioned for
enabling said contact lens to be visually exposed.
13. A contact lens package, comprising a first shell member having
a first end and a second end opposite said first end thereof; a
second shell member having a first end and a second end, said first
and second shell members being removably attached to each other,
said first ends of said first and second shell members being
juxtaposed with one another and said second ends of said first and
second shell members being juxtaposed with one another; a hanging
means for hanging the package from a display rack; and a receptacle
interposed between said first and second shell members, said
receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens and an
amount of contact lens solution.
14. The contact lens package of claim 13, further comprising
separating means for separating said attached first and second
shell members from each other.
15. The contact lens package of claim 14, wherein said separating
means includes a first tab extending from said second end of said
first shell member and a second tab extending from said second end
of said second shell member, said first and second tabs being
juxtaposed with one another.
16. The contact lens package of claim 15, further comprising a
first plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said
first tab, and a second plurality of bumps protruding from an
exposed surface of said second tab, said first plurality of bumps
and said second plurality of bumps being sized and shaped so as to
enable manual grasping of said juxtaposed tabs.
17. The contact lens package of claim 15, wherein said hanging
means includes a first aperture formed through said first tab and a
second aperture formed through said second tab and aligned with
said first aperture, each of said first and second apertures being
sized and shaped to fit over a peg of a display rack.
18. The contact lens package of claim 17, wherein said receptacle
includes an inner surface and a recess formed in said inner
surface, said recess being sized and shaped to house and receive a
contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
19. The contact lens package of claim 18, further comprising
viewing means for viewing a contact lens housed in said recess of
said receptacle.
20. The contact lens package of claim 19, further comprising a
sponge member housed in said receptacle, said sponge member is
shaped to receive a contact lens and an amount of contact lens
solution sufficient to saturate a contact lens.
21. The contact lens package of claim 20, further comprising a
viewing means.
22. The contact lens package of claim 21, wherein said viewing
means includes a window formed in an exposed surface of said second
shell member, said window being sized, shaped and positioned for
enabling said contact lens to be visually exposed.
23. A contact lens package, comprising a first shell member having
a first end and a second end; a second shell member having a first
end and a second end, said first and second shell members being
removably attached to each other such that said first ends of said
first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another and
said second ends of said first and second shell members are
juxtaposed with one another, said first ends of said first and
second shell members forming a gusset that is sized and shaped for
enabling the package to be situated in a free standing position; a
receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members,
said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens
and an amount of contact lens solution; and viewing means for
viewing said contact lens housed in said receptacle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a contact lens package and,
more particularly, to a contact lens package adapted for improved
accessibility to the contents thereof and for retail display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Contact lenses, particularly disposable contact lenses, have
been conventionally packaged in "blister packs." In general, a
blister pack comprises a rigid plastic (e.g., polypropylene),
concave-shaped receptacle for receiving a contact lens and a
flexible cover, typically made from a laminate material (such as
metal foil), which is removably attached to the receptacle for
enclosing the lens therein. Within each blister pack are a single
contact lens and a sufficient amount of contact lens solution to
prevent drying of the contact lens and to maintain the contact lens
readily available for use.
[0003] Conventional blister packs are also not adapted to be
displayed on conventional display units, such as peg-hook-type or
wire-hook-type displays. Likewise, a blister pack for a single
contact lens is not adequate to be displayed on retail shelves.
Accordingly, there is a need for a contact lens package that is
adapted for display on conventional display units.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of an
exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a contact lens package
constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the contact lens
package of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line
3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the contact lens
package shown in FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the contact lens package
shown in FIG. 1 showing one shell member employed by the package
that is partially separated from another shell member employed by
the package;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a plurality of contact
lens packages shown in FIG. 1 situated in a free standing position
on a horizontal planar surface; and
[0010] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a plurality of contact
lens packages shown in FIG. 1 hanging from a display rack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
[0011] The invention includes a contact lens package, comprising,
consisting essentially of, or consisting of a first shell member
having a first end and a second end; a second shell member having a
first end and a second end, said first and second shell members
being removably attached to each other such that said first ends of
said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another
and said second ends of said first and second shell members are
juxtaposed with one another, said first ends of said first and
second shell members forming a gusset that is sized and shaped for
enabling the package to be situated in a standing position; and a
receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members,
said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens
and an amount of contact lens solution.
[0012] Further the invention includes a contact lens package,
comprising a first shell member having a first end and a second end
opposite said first end thereof; a second shell member having a
first end and a second end, said first and second shell members
being removably attached to each other, said first ends of said
first and second shell members being juxtaposed with one another
and said second ends of said first and second shell members being
juxtaposed with one another; a hanging-means for hanging the
package from a display rack; and a receptacle interposed between
said first and second shell members, said receptacle being adapted
to receive and house a contact lens and an amount of contact lens
solution.
[0013] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and
shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new
and improved contact lens package which includes first and second
shell members removably attached to each other. Each of such shell
members have a first end and a second end. Each such first and
second end of a single shell member are preferably in opposite
positions on the shell member, but can be located in other
positions on that shell member. In one embodiment the first ends of
the first and second shell members form a gusset that is sized and
shaped for positioning the package in a free standing position,
such as on display shelf. One of the shell members (for instance,
the second shell member) contains a window that visually exposes
the contact lens to enable a user to visually inspect the contact
lens (e.g., for damage) before opening the package. Preferably a
sponge member that holds solution is interposed between the first
and second shell members for housing a contact lens. The sponge
member holds an amount of the contact lens solution sufficient to
keep the contact lens saturated, thereby allowing the contact lens
to retain its intended shape and softness. The amount of solution
is between about 500 .mu.L and about 1,500 .mu.L, more preferably
between about 900 .mu.L to about 1,000 .mu.L. The preferred contact
lens solution is saline solution or packaging solution, but other
solution are contemplated by this invention including solutions
containing ocular medicaments. Preferably the sponge member
includes a recess for housing the contact lens.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
one end of each of the first and second shell members, opposite the
end of the gusset, contains a pull tab, the tabs being juxtaposed
with one another when the first and second shell members are
attached to each other. The package is opened by pulling apart the
juxtaposed tabs and separating the first and second shell members
from each other, thereby allowing access to the contact lens. A
plurality of bumps protrudes from an exposed surface of each of the
tabs, the bumps being sized, shaped and positioned to enable a user
to better grip the tabs when pulling them apart. The tabs have
aligned apertures for hanging the package on a peg hook or a wire
hook of a retail display rack.
[0015] Specifically, the present invention has been adapted for use
in housing a single contact lens and an amount of contact lens
solution. However, the present invention can be utilized to house a
plurality of contact lenses and an amount of contact lens solution
therefor. Further features and advantages of the invention will
appear more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is given below by way
of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a contact lens package 10
includes a first shell member 12, a second shell member 14, an
elliptical-shaped base 16, and a semi-elliptical-shaped sponge
member 18. The functions of the shell members 12, 14, the base 16
and the sponge member 18 shall be described hereinafter. The shell
member 12 includes a semi-elliptical-shaped body 20 and a
semi-elliptical-shaped tab 22 that radially extends from the body
20, thereby forming a bowling pin shape. Similarly, the shell
member 14 includes a semi-elliptical-shaped body 24 and a
semi-elliptical-shaped tab 26 that radially extends from the body
24, thereby forming a bowling pin shape. Preferably, the shell
members 12, 14 are identical in size and shape to each other. The
tabs 22, 26 are juxtaposed with one another when the shell members
12, 14 are attached to each other, which will be described in more
detail hereinafter. Also, the functions of the tabs 22, 26 shall be
described hereinafter.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 3, the body 20 of the shell member 12
includes a semi-elliptical-shaped, concave cavity 28 and an annular
flange 30 that extends around the periphery of the body 20.
Similarly, the body 24 of the shell member 14 includes a
semi-elliptical-shaped, concave cavity 32 and an annular flange 34
that extends around the periphery of the cavity 32. The shell
members 12, 14 are removably attached to each other at the flanges
30, 34, preferably by heat sealing. Alternatively, other attachment
means, such as adhesives, induction sealing or sonic welding, may
be utilized to attach the shell members 12, 14 to each other at
their flanges 30, 34. An impermeable seal (not shown in the
Figures) is formed between the flanges 30, 34 in order to prevent
the loss or evaporation of the contact lens solution from the
package 10 and to prevent contamination of the contents thereof
from foreign objects such as debris and dirt particles.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the body 24 of the shell
members 12 further includes a transparent circular-shaped window
36, whose function shall be described hereinafter. Alternatively,
the package 10 need not include the window 36.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the tab 22 of the shell
member 12 includes a circular-shaped hole 38 and a plurality of
circular-shaped bumps 40 that encircle the hole 38. Each of the
bumps 40 protrudes from an outer surface 42 of the tab 22.
Similarly, the tab 26 of the shell member 14 includes a
circular-shaped hole 44 and a plurality of circular-shaped bumps 46
that encircle the hole 44. Each of the bumps 46 protrudes from an
outer surface 48 of the tab 26. Preferably, the holes 38, 44 are
congruent when the tabs 22, 26 are juxtaposed with one another.
Similarly, the pattern of the bumps 40 is, preferably, congruent
with the pattern of the bumps 46 when the tabs 22, 26 are
juxtaposed with one another. The functions of the holes 38, 44 and
the bumps 40, 46 shall be described hereinafter. Alternatively, the
package need not include the holes 38, 44 and/or the bumps 40,
46.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 4, the tab 22 includes a pair of
arc-shaped, convex bands 50, 52 each of which transversely extends
across an inner surface 54 of the tab 22. The tab 26 includes a
pair of arc-shaped, concave grooves 56, 58 each of which
transversely extends across an inner surface 60 of the tab 26. The
functions of the bands 50, 52 and the grooves 56, 58 shall be
described hereinafter. The band 50 and the groove 56 are sized,
shaped and positioned to interlock with one another when the tabs
20, 26 are juxtaposed with one another. Similarly, the band 52 and
the groove 58 are sized, shaped and positioned to interlock with
one another when the tabs 20, 26 are juxtaposed with one another.
Preferably, the band 50 and the groove 56 are maintained in an
interlocking configuration by heat sealing. Similarly, the band 52
and the groove 58 are maintained in an interlocking configuration
by heat sealing. Alternatively, other attachment means, such as
adhesives, induction sealing or sonic welding, may be utilized.
Preferably, the tab 22 includes the two bands 50, 52, but it may
include a greater of lesser number than two. Similarly, the tab 26,
preferably, includes the two grooves 56, 58, but it may include a
greater or lesser number than two. Alternatively, the package 10
need not include the bands 50, 52 and the grooves 56, 58.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, the base 16 is positioned between
the cavities 28, 32 proximate to a lower end 62 of the body 20 and
a lower end 64 of the body 24. The base 16 is attached to the lower
end 62 of the body 20 and the lower end 64 of body 24, preferably
by heat sealing. Alternatively, other attachment means, such as
adhesives, induction sealing or sonic welding, may be utilized to
attach the base 16 to the body 20 and the body 24. An impermeable
seal (not shown in the Figures) is formed between the base 16 and
the body 20 and the body 24 in order to prevent the loss or
evaporation of contact lens solution from the package 10 and to
prevent contamination of the contents thereof from foreign
material. The bodies 20, 24 and the base 16 form a gusset 66, whose
function shall be described hereinafter. Alternatively, the package
10 need not include the base 16, whereby the lower end 62 of the
body 20 is attached to the lower end 64 of the body 24.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the sponge member 18 is
positioned between the cavities 28, 32 when the shell members 12,
14 are attached to each other. Preferably, the size and shape of
the sponge member 18 are substantially similar to the size and
shape of each of the cavities 28, 32 in order to allow the sponge
member 18 to firmly fit therebetween. It is also noted that the
size and shape of the sponge member 18 maintains the shape of the
package 10, specifically the size and shape of the body 20 of the
shell member 12 and the size and shape of the body 24 of the shell
member 14. One surface 68 of the sponge member 18 is attached to an
inner surface 70 of the cavity 28, preferably by an adhesive known
in the art (see FIG. 3). Alternatively, the surface 68 of the
sponge member 18 need not be attached to the inner surface 70 of
the cavity 28. The sponge member 18 includes a circular-shaped
recess 72 formed in an exposed surface 74 thereof. The recess 72
receives and houses a contact lens 76. It is noteworthy that the
absorbent member 18, preferably, includes a single recess 72 for
housing one contact lens 76. Alternatively, the sponge member 18
can include a plurality of recesses 72 for housing a plurality of
contact lenses 76. The sponge member 18 is saturated with contact
lens solution (not shown in the Figures), which can be any known
solution useful for storing contact lenses, such as saline
solution, water or buffered aqueous solutions, thereby keeping the
contact lens 76 saturated. The recess 72 may be partially or fully
filled with contact lens solution (not shown in the Figures). It is
noted that the preferred interior volume of the recess 72 is one
that is sufficient to house the contact lens 76 and enough contact
lens solution to retain the intended shape and softness of the
contact lens 76 (i.e., a convex-shape). Preferably, the window 36
of the shell member 14 is congruent with the recess 72 when the
shell members 12, 14 are attached to each other, thereby visually
exposing the contact lens 76 to a user.
[0023] While the body 20, the tab 22 and the cavity 28 of the shell
member 12 and the body 24, the tab 26 and the cavity 32 of the
shell member 14 are each preferably semi-elliptical in shape, it
should be noted that each can consist of other shapes and sizes.
Similarly, the sponge member 18 is preferably semi-elliptical in
shape, but it can consist of other shapes and sizes. Also, the
recess 72 of the sponge member 18 and the holes 38, 44 of the tabs
20, 26 are each, preferably, circular in shape, but each can
consist of other shapes and sizes.
[0024] The shell members 12, 14 and the base 16 are each,
preferably, manufactured from a foil/polymer laminate or
coextrusion, comprising a metal layer, such as aluminum, and a
polymer layer, such as polypropylene, coating the metal layer.
Alternatively, the shell members 12, 14 and/or the base 16 can be
manufactured from other materials, such as a combination of
polymers with various barrier and sealing characteristics formed
into a laminate or coextrusion. The sponge member 18 is preferably
manufactured from an receptacle sponge material, such as
MEROCEL.RTM. brand polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge, manufactured by
Medtronic Xomed, Inc. Alternatively, the sponge member 18 can me
manufactured from other materials.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, the package 10 is opened as follows. A
user uses his or her finger(s) or other means to separate the tabs
22, 26 from their juxtaposed position. The bumps 40, 46 allow the
user to attain a better grip when separating the tabs 22, 26. Next,
the user simultaneously pulls each of the tabs 22, 26 and peels
apart the shell members 12, 14, thus breaking the seals between the
bands 50, 52 and the grooves 56, 58 and the seal between the
flanges 30, 34. The seals between the bands 50, 52 and the grooves
56, 58 prevent inadvertent opening of the package 10. It is
noteworthy that the shell members 12, 14 are sufficiently flexible
to enable a user to easily peel them apart from one another. It is
also noteworthy that the strength of the seal between the shell
members 12, 14 is weak enough to allow a user to easily peel them
apart from one another, but strong enough for the package 10 to
retain a liquid-tight seal so as to prevent any evaporation of the
contact lens solution therefrom or any contamination of the contact
lens 76 and the contact lens solution from foreign materials. When
the aforesaid seals are broken and the shell members 12, 14 are
separated, the contact lens 76 is exposed and made accessible to
the user. It is noted that the window 36 enables a user to view and
inspect the contact lens 76 (e.g., for damage) before opening the
package 10.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, the gusset 66 enables the package 10 to
remain in a free standing position, for instance, in a vertical
position on a horizontal flat surface 78 (e.g., a retail display
shelf). Referring to FIG. 6, the holes 38, 44 enable the package 10
to hang from a wire-hook-type display rack 80 or a peg-hook type
display rack (not shown in the Figures). Alternatively, the package
10 need not include the holes 38, 44 and other known hanging means,
such as a hook member, may be utilized in their stead (not shown in
the Figures).
[0027] It will be understood that the embodiment described herein
is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *