U.S. patent application number 11/440361 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for packaging and supply of contact lenses.
Invention is credited to Ronald Shade Hamilton.
Application Number | 20060260957 11/440361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29798066 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060260957 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamilton; Ronald Shade |
November 23, 2006 |
Packaging and supply of contact lenses
Abstract
A package is provided for supplying contact lenses directly to a
wearer by mail or internet order. An outer mailing envelope (402)
contains packages of bulk quantity of lenses (210) and a trial
quantity of lenses (310) of the same prescription and manufacturing
lot. These are supplied simultaneously, the bulk lenses being
packaged with a tamper-evident seal (212) while the trial lenses
are accessible for use without breaking said seal. In the example
described, bulk and trial packs of lenses for two eyes are
contained within the same mailing envelope. Each bulk pack contains
92 lenses for three months' wear, plus a strip of four lenses in
the trial pack. The strip of trial lenses is taken from one of six
sheets of sixteen lenses included in the bulk pack. Prescription
and lot details can be read directly from the blister packs through
window in the bulk package, without breaking the seal (212).
Inventors: |
Hamilton; Ronald Shade;
(Blantyre, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W.
SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
29798066 |
Appl. No.: |
11/440361 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/GB04/04989 |
Nov 26, 2004 |
|
|
|
11440361 |
May 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/5.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2585/545 20130101;
B65D 85/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/005.1 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/04 20060101
A45C011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 29, 2003 |
GB |
0327786.0 |
Claims
1. A method of supplying contact lenses to a wearer, wherein a bulk
quantity of contact lenses and a trial quantity of contact lenses
of the same prescription as the bulk lenses are supplied
simultaneously, the bulk lenses being packaged with a
tamper-evident seal while the trial lenses are accessible for use
without breaking said seal.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bulk quantity of
lenses represents between two and three months' supply, the
quantity of bulk lenses ranging from 60 to 100 daily lenses.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bulk quantity of
lenses represents three months' supply, the quantity of bulk lenses
ranging from 88 to 96 lenses.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trial quantity of
lenses comprises fewer than ten lenses.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the trial quantity of
lenses comprises four or five lenses.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trial lenses are
supplied in a package attached to the outside of the sealed package
of the bulk lenses.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealed package for
the bulk lenses has an integral externally accessible pocket for
holding the trial lenses.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaged trial
lenses and bulk lenses are supplied within a single outer
envelope.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer envelope
contains packages of trial lenses and bulk lenses for each of two
eyes.
10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein lens identification
information for the lenses within the bulk lens package, such as
prescription, batch numbers and date of manufacture, shall be
visible before the seal on the bulk lens package is broken.
11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said trial lenses and
bulk lenses are sourced from the same manufacturing batch or
`lot`.
12. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lenses are
provided in one or more sheets, each sheet comprising a plurality
of cavities each holding at least one lens and being sealed by a
sealing foil.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cavities are
blisters integrally formed in a single sheet of formable
material.
14. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said cavities are
sealed by a common single sealing foil.
15. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the or each of said
sheets comprises a plurality of individually formed single-cavity
blisters attached to a common single sealing foil.
16. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein each sheet in said
bulk package holds between twelve and twenty lenses.
17. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sheet further
comprises weakened zones between rows of lenses that allow strips
of lenses to be snapped or torn off the sheet by the application to
the sheet of a bending moment or tearing action, respectively.
18. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the manufacturer
removes a row or column of lenses from a sheet, packages the rest
of the sheet with the bulk quantity of lenses and uses the detached
lenses as the trial quantity.
19. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the trial lenses
comprise a strip of blisters separated from a sheet of the same
type as are contained within the bulk pack.
20. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of
a wearer returning the bulk lenses within the unopened sealed
package, after wearing one or more of the trial lenses.
21. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the
preliminary step of taking an order from a wearer without the
intermediary of an ophthalmic practitioner, the lenses being of a
prescription specified by the wearer, said package being supplied
direct to the wearer.
22. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
preliminary step of taking an order from an ophthalmic
practitioner, the lenses being of a prescription specified by the
ophthalmic practitioner, said package being delivered directly to
the wearer for trial and use.
23. A contact lens package, said package containing a bulk quantity
of contact lenses and a trial quantity of contact lenses of the
same prescription as the bulk lenses, the bulk lenses being
packaged with a tamper-evident seal while the trial lenses are
accessible for use without breaking said seal.
24. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein said bulk quantity of
lenses represents between two and three months' supply, the
quantity of bulk lenses ranging from 60 to 100 daily lenses.
25. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein said bulk quantity of
lenses represents three months' supply, the quantity of bulk lenses
ranging from 88 to 96 lenses.
26. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein the trial quantity of
lenses comprises fewer than ten lenses.
27. A package as claimed in claim 26, wherein the trial quantity of
lenses comprises four or five lenses.
28. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein the trial lenses are
contained in a package attached to the outside of the sealed
package of the bulk lenses.
29. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein the sealed package
for the bulk lenses has an integral externally accessible pocket
for holding the trial lenses.
30. A package as claimed in claim 23, further comprising an outer
envelope containing the packaged trial lenses and bulk lenses.
31. A package as claimed in claim 30, wherein the outer envelope
contains packages of trial lenses and bulk lenses for each of two
eyes.
32. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein lens identification
information for the lenses within the bulk lens package, such as
prescription, batch numbers and date of manufacture, is visible
before the seal on the bulk lens package is broken.
33. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein said trial lenses and
bulk lenses are sourced from the same manufacturing batch or
`lot`.
34. A package as claimed in claim 23, wherein said lenses are
provided in one or more sheets, each sheet comprising a plurality
of cavities each holding at least one lens and being sealed by a
sealing foil.
35. A package as claimed in claim 34, wherein the cavities are
blisters integrally formed in a single sheet of formable
material.
36. A package as claimed in claim 34, wherein said cavities are
sealed by a common single sealing foil.
37. A package as claimed in claim 34, wherein the or each of said
sheets comprises a plurality of individually formed single-cavity
blisters attached to a common single sealing foil.
38. A package as claimed in claim 34, wherein each sheet in said
bulk package holds between twelve and twenty lenses.
39. A package as claimed in claim 34, wherein the sheet further
comprises weakened zones between rows of lenses that allow strips
of lenses to be snapped or torn off the sheet by the application to
the sheet of a bending moment or tearing action, respectively.
40. A package as claimed in claim 34, wherein the trial quantity
comprises a row or column of lenses removed from a sheet, the
remainder of that sheet being included within the bulk quantity of
lenses.
41. A package as claimed in claim 34, wherein the trial lenses
comprise a strip of blisters separated from a sheet of the same
type as are contained within the bulk pack.
42. A package as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a mailing
envelope or label for use by a wearer in returning the bulk lenses
within the unopened sealed package, after wearing one or more of
the trial lenses.
43. A package as claimed in claim 23, specifically adapted for
mailing directly to a wearer without the intermediary of an
ophthalmic practitioner.
44. A package as claimed in claim 23, further including an order
form and/or instructions printed with wearer-specific information,
for ordering a further package of lenses from a supplier.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of PCT/GB04/004989 filed Nov. 26,
2004 and published in English.
[0002] This invention relates to packaging for contact lenses, in
particular for packaging to support delivery direct from
manufacturer to customer. The invention further relates to
processes for the supply of contact lenses for trial and ongoing
use.
[0003] It is customary for opticians to allow users (or "wearers")
of contact lens a short trial period using "trial lenses" before
finalising the prescription details and supplying bulk, "commercial
lenses". The purpose of these trials is to allow the user to assess
whether or not the lenses are comfortable and give generally good
vision-correction, in line with the in-practice eye test (which
will have determined the likely necessary corrective power of the
lenses needed by the user). The trial period is normally for a few
hours, the user having been fitted with the trial lenses being
asked to go for a short walk and then to return to the practice.
This trial could then be extended for several days, for example 2
to 4 days, again to give the user, especially a new user, a chance
to become confident with the product before being issued with
quantities in bulk.
[0004] The trial lenses are often provided by the lens manufacturer
to the optician free of charge, and are often made available in
`not for resale` packs on the condition that they are provided on a
free of charge basis for trials purposes only.
[0005] It should be noted that although ideally the trial lenses
would be exactly the same as the commercial lenses, which would be
dispensed after a successful trial period, the latter will be, most
probably, from a completely different batch or "lot", albeit from
the same manufacturer. As such, the commercial lenses may vary
slightly in precise prescription (for example, the lens power)
and/or precise fit, due to slight batch-to-batch variation expected
in even the most advanced manufacturing processes.
[0006] While the prescription provided by the ophthalmologist or
optician is also generally accurate there can be variation of 0.25
dioptres. On top of this, contact lenses may be measured precisely
but then assigned to the nearest 0.25 dioptre stock-keeping unit.
The trial lenses may be from a batch that has had the power
allocated by being `rounded up` whilst the lenses dispensed for
regular use may have had the power reading `rounded down`.
Developments in Contact Lens Manufacture.
[0007] The introduction of mass-produced disposable contact lenses,
especially daily disposable lenses, has resulted in considerably
higher manufacturing standards and greater lens-to-lens
consistency. These lenses are made by the moulding of liquid
monomer in high precision optical moulds, unlike the more variable
method of individual lathe cutting which characterised contact lens
manufacture before the advent of disposable lenses. Processes of
this type are described in our co-pending applications WO 03/039969
(agent's ref 63965WO) and PCT/GB2004/003211 (agent's ref 64439WO,
not published at the present filing date).
[0008] Also, manufacturing processes, once largely unregulated,
have increasingly become subject to independent regulatory
approval. This has, inevitably, also resulted in a more consistent
contact lens products being produced and sold.
Developments in the Dispensing of Soft Contact Lenses.
[0009] The above improvements in manufacturing process consistency
have resulted in the distribution of contact lenses and their
associated cleaning solutions increasingly being made available
other than by the direct fitting/dispensing by a qualified
optician. For example, contact lens solutions are now sold by
supermarkets in all major countries and there is a trend for the
contact lenses themselves to be marketed by pharmacies, the user
simply selecting lenses of their desired prescription (lens power)
from a display rack. In some countries, for example Germany, the
supply of contact lenses does not require any form of consultation
or examination by an optician or pharmacy-type dispensers, and can
be readily sold by mail order, or other such direct-supply
means.
[0010] Lastly, the increasing acceptance of purchasing goods via
the Internet means that users are electing to obtain their lens
power prescription from an optician, but then choosing to purchase
the lenses via the Internet due to the lower prices available from
large Internet suppliers operating across international boundaries.
The Internet also means that, even in countries where strict
regulation requires the direct involvement by an ophthalmologist to
issue the prescription and then an optician to sell the lenses in
accordance with the ophthalmologist's written prescription, users
can and do, once in possession of their prescription, simply
purchase from an overseas supplier, for example via the
Internet.
The Loss of the Short User Trial.
[0011] It is evident that purchasing lenses based on the written
prescription from a pharmacy, or via the Internet or by mail order
eliminates the useful facility of the short user trial, described
earlier. The traditional short user trial may have some limitations
but it is, nevertheless, a valuable safeguard for the user.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a more
flexible method of supplying contact lenses while retaining or
improving upon the benefits provided by a short user trial.
[0013] Embodiments of the invention provide a direct purchaser of
lenses 1) a means for trialling lenses without having to commit to
purchasing large quantities, and 2) a way of maintaining quality
and prescription between trial lenses and bulk, commercial
quantities of the lenses. These embodiments also allow the supplier
of such lenses to 1) track lens batch numbers as efficiently as
possible, 2) return lenses to stock without the fear of tampering,
and 3) supply the bulk and trial lenses in a single transaction,
using a single manufacturing process.
[0014] The invention provides a method of supplying contact lenses
to a wearer, wherein a bulk quantity of lenses and a trial quantity
of lenses of the same prescription as the bulk lenses are supplied
simultaneously, the bulk lenses being packaged with a
tamper-evident seal while the trial lenses are accessible for use
without breaking said seal.
[0015] Said bulk quantity of lenses may represent two or three
months' supply (for example, between 60 and 100 daily lenses). For
three months' supply, the quantity of bulk lenses may range from 88
to 96 lenses.
[0016] The trial quantity of lenses may comprise fewer than ten
lenses, and preferably four or five lenses.
[0017] The trial lenses may be supplied in a package attached to
the outside of the sealed package of the bulk lenses. The sealed
package for the bulk lenses may have an integral externally
accessible pocket for holding the trial lenses. Alternatively, or
in addition, packaging for the trial lenses and the bulk lenses may
be supplied within a single outer envelope. Any of these unified
package designs simplifies handling and shipping for the
manufacturer and/or anyone else in the supply chain. It also saves
on distribution and packaging costs, and minimises the
opportunities for mistakes to arise.
[0018] Packaged lenses are generally provided with identification
information, such as prescription, batch numbers and date of
manufacture. Preferably the identification information of the trial
and bulk lenses is visible before the seal on the bulk lens package
is broken. The bulk lens package may in particular have an aperture
through which details of the contents can be seen without breaking
the seal on the bulk lens package. This allows the user to verify
their prescription before breaking the seals and allows anyone
handling the lenses to readily recognise the prescription.
[0019] The trial lenses and bulk lenses are preferably sourced from
the same manufacturing batch or `lot`. By sourcing the lenses from
the same batch the user can be assured that the lenses in the bulk
pack will have the same prescription and comfort as the lenses they
have trialled, when opening the bulk pack. This addresses a problem
in the more traditional methods of trialling lenses, described
already above. A further advantage to the manufacturer is that they
only have to trace one set of information for quality control
purposes, rather than separately for a trial pack and a bulk
pack.
[0020] The lenses may be provided in one or more sheets, each sheet
comprising a plurality of cavities each holding at least one lens
and being sealed by a sealing foil.
[0021] The cavities may be blisters integrally formed in a single
sheet of formable material. They may be individually sealed or
sealed by a common single sealing foil. Alternatively, the or each
sheet may comprise a plurality of individually formed single-cavity
blisters attached to a common single sealing foil.
[0022] In the bulk package each sheet may hold between twelve and
twenty lenses, depending upon the configuration of the sheet. For
example sixteen lenses in a sheet of four by four lenses, or
fifteen in a sheet of five lenses by three lenses).
[0023] The sheet may further comprise weakened zones between rows
of lenses that allow strips of lenses to be snapped off the sheet
by the application of a bending moment to the sheet, or for being
torn off. The manufacturer may remove a row or column of lenses
from a sheet, package the rest of the sheet with the bulk quantity
of lenses and use the detached lenses as the trial quantity.
Alternatively, the trial lenses may comprise a strip of blisters
separated from a sheet of the same type as are contained within the
bulk pack. Either method allows processing of the trial lenses to
be identical to that of the bulk lenses, right up to the last
packaging stage.
[0024] The method may further comprise the step of a wearer
returning the bulk lenses within the unopened sealed package, after
wearing one or more of the trial lenses.
[0025] The method may comprise a preliminary step of taking an
order from a wearer without the intermediary of an ophthalmic
practitioner, the lenses being of a prescription specified by the
wearer, said package being supplied direct to the wearer.
[0026] The method may comprise a preliminary step of taking an
order from an ophthalmic practitioner, the lenses being of a
prescription specified by the ophthalmic practitioner, said package
being delivered directly to the wearer for trial and use.
[0027] Trial lenses may be omitted when supplying the same wearer
subsequently, or may be included every time lenses are
supplied.
[0028] The invention further provides a contact lens package, said
package containing a bulk quantity of lenses and a trial quantity
of lenses of the same prescription as the bulk lenses, the bulk
lenses being packaged with a tamper-evident seal while the trial
lenses are accessible for use without breaking said seal.
[0029] The package may be used in performing the supply methods
according to the invention as set forth above. The package may have
any of the optional and advantageous features described above in
relation to the method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0031] FIGS. 1a and 1b are a plan and side elevation view
respectively of a "Foil", or sheet, of sixteen contact lenses, each
in its own sterile `blister` pack;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a stack of six such
sheets of 96 lenses, typically sufficient for just over three
months daily wear;
[0033] FIGS. 3a and 3b are plan views of a strip of four lenses
that has been separated from one of the sheets, and how it appears
in a trial pack of lenses, respectively;
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a shipping pack containing a bulk pack of
lenses for each eye, and respective trial packs;
[0035] FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate alternative forms of package;
and
[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates different processes for the supply of
lenses to wearers, using the packs of FIGS. 4 to 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0037] An Internet, mail order purchase or other direct purchase
scheme is most commonly used for obtaining a three month supply of
lenses, typically described as 90 lenses made to the prescription
(power) for the right eye and 90 lenses made to the prescription
for the left eye. The 90 lenses are generally provided on flat
sheets or `foils` of, say, 15 individually packed lenses (the
actual lenses being in sterile plastic `blisters`).
[0038] FIGS. 1a and 1b are a plan and side elevation view
respectively of a sheet 100 of 16 contact lenses of one
prescription (that is, for one eye), each lens in its own sterile
cavity or `blister` 110 sealed by a common foil 112. As can be
seen, the foil 112 covering each individual blister 110 containing
a lens is printed prominently at 120 with the power (prescription)
of the lenses within (in this example, -6.50 dioptres).
Manufacturers retain lot or batch numbers for the product made,
such batch numbers being a reference to the precise date and method
of manufacture employed for that particular batch. The batch number
is also printed over each number at 122, although the skilled
person will appreciate that other methods of identification or
tagging could be used to provide traceability. Other textual
information can be applied as shown, together with any desired
branding. These are not relevant to the invention presently
described.
[0039] The foil 112 incorporates zones 130 between rows of lenses
which are weakened (for example, by perforation), allowing strips
of lenses to be snapped off the sheet (still with sealing foil
intact) by the application of a bending moment to the foil 112, or
for being torn off.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a bulk quantity 200
of lenses comprising a stack of six of the sheets 100 totalling 96
lenses, sufficient for just over 3 months daily wear. These sheets
are contained within a box 210 provided with a tamper-evident seal
212. Six such sheets 100 provide a supply slightly exceeding the 90
lenses typically supplied. A manufacturer's "lot", or batch, would
consist of several thousand contact lenses all produced under
identical conditions, therefore the stacks of 96 lenses will
consist of 96 identical lenses sourced from a single batch. A
window 220 is provided in the box so that the power markings 120,
batch numbers 122 etc can be seen without breaking the seal 212.
The skilled person will appreciate that the 4.times.4 configuration
of blisters on each sheet is not essential, and that other formats
would suffice, such as 5.times.3 blisters per sheet.
[0041] FIGS. 3a and 3b are plan views of a strip 300 of four
blisters each containing a lens, that has been separated from one
of the sheets 100, and how it appears in a trial pack 310 of
lenses, respectively. The trial pack in this illustration comprises
a simple paper envelope, which may be printed with instructions for
use. The trial lenses are identical to the bulk quantities by being
sourced from the same manufacturing batch (and indicated as such).
The trial pack 310 is attached to, or incorporated with, the bulk
pack 210 of lenses, as will be illustrated below. The trial pack of
lenses may also have its own tamper-evident seal 320, to further
demonstrate integrity of the package to the user.
[0042] If the four lenses are separated from one of the sheets
shown in FIG. 2, then 92 blisters 110 containing lenses remain in
the stack 200. An alternative option would be to provide for each
bulk pack 210 each bulk quantity 200 as six full sheets (96 in
total), and source the trial strip of four lenses from another
sheet, albeit from the same batch. This approach may be
commercially advantageous for when a bulk pack 210 is returned
un-tampered, and the manufacturer wishes to return all six,
complete sheets to stock, without having to discard an incomplete
sheet. The choice may depend on whether trial packs are supplied
with all bulk packs, or only those for customers with a new
prescription.
[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a complete package comprising a rigid
outer envelope in the form of a shipping box 400 containing two
bulk packs of lenses, one per eye, and two trial packs 310, one per
eye. A large flap 402 that covers both packs is shown in its opened
state, revealing both bulk packs 210, each with its own window 220
for viewing the prescription and other identification legends 120,
122. Space is also provided for an L/R indicator 404 to be applied
to the pack to remind the wearer which set of lenses is for the
left eye and which is for the right eye (the prescription will
generally be different for each eye). The manufacturer may elect to
provide a further tamper-evident seal to maintain the complete
shipping pack in its closed state. The inside of flap 402 provides
a convenient surface for written or pictographic instructions for
the wearer. These can of course be placed on the individual packs
210 and/or separate leaflets. The two sets of 96 lenses in total
per eye can then be onward despatched to the end user.
[0044] The flap 402 includes a window 406 for mailing address
details to be seen by postal services when printed on a delivery
note (not shown) inside the package. This delivery note also can
contain prescription information, lot numbers, billing information,
instructions for re-ordering branding of the optometrist etc. As an
alternative to window 406 a label can of course be provided on the
outside of the box. In that case, however, the packer must take
care that the details on the label match the details and contents
provided inside.
[0045] By the simple expediency of incorporating a strip 300 of
four lenses 110 (or five, depending upon the configuration of the
"donor" sheet 100) the user can conduct a simple short trial for
each eye before breaking the bulk pack tamper seal 212 and opening
the bulk pack 210 of lenses. If the wearing of the trial lenses 300
contained in the trial pack 410 suggests some unsatisfactory
feature to the user (for example discomfort or incorrect
prescription) the person can be offered the chance to return the
bulk pack 210 unopened for full or partial credit. The provision of
such a trial quantity also has the beneficial psychological effect
of emphasising to the user the need to conduct an evaluation of the
lenses, and an easy to return pack 210 discourages the user from
persisting with the use of the product which may not be fully
satisfactory. A pre-paid return label or envelope (not shown) can
be provided if desired. By ensuring the bulk pack 210 is returned
(in the event of an unsuccessful trial) with the tamper evident
seal 212 in place the returned lenses can be returned to
manufacturer's stock.
[0046] Furthermore, it is clearly an advantage to have the trial
lenses 300 and bulk lenses 200 supplied from the same batch, and
the lot or batch number 120 readily readable without opening the
bulk pack 210. In addition to the obvious benefit of ensuring a
like-for-like-trial to regular-wear experience, the cost of
shipping is considerably reduced, as it is not necessary to ship
trial and commercial lenses separately. Regulations often insist
that the lens manufacturer and/or the dispensing optician record
the batch or "lot" number 120 dispensed to each patient. This
method of providing lenses 110, by sourcing the trial lenses 300
and the commercial, bulk lenses 200 from the same batch, greatly
simplifies the dispensing process and any subsequent for product
re-call which might be necessary if a problem affecting a
particular batch is uncovered after the lenses have been
despatch.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the bulk and
trial lens packaging concept, in which one strip of four trial
lenses 500 projects outside a sealed bulk pack 510 whilst still
remaining attached to its foil. The user snaps or tears off the
projecting strip of lenses without breaking the seal 515 on the
bulk pack, and uses these four lenses as trial lenses, the
remaining lenses remaining tamper-evident sealed until the results
of the trial are known. Tamper-evident sealing of the trial lenses
500 that project from the package 510 is provided by the
foil-sealing inherently provided with the packaging of contact
lenses in "blister packs". The skilled person will appreciate that
different configurations of the sheet may result in different
quantities of trial lenses (for example 3 or 5) projecting from the
bulk pack.
[0048] This embodiment still provides simple identification 520 of
the lenses (such as prescription, batch number and date of
manufacture), providing the advantages mentioned above, and without
the need for providing a window 220 in the package. Again, two such
packs, selected according to the prescription for each eye of the
wearer, can be combined in a single shipping pack such as that
shown in FIG. 4.
[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative shipping pack comprising a
simple padded envelope 600 in which each trial pack 310 is simply
glued to a side panel (or any panel) of the corresponding bulk pack
110. Again, the seal 112 on the bulk pack remains intact while the
trial lenses are used. An address window or mailing label 602 is
provided on the outer envelope, as described above with reference
to FIG. 4.
[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates another possibility, in which the bulk
pack box 700 is formed to include a pocket into which the trial
pack 310 can be slotted. This may help avoid damage to the trial
packs in transit, and may eliminate the need for an envelope around
the trial strip. Of course, the box 700 may be more complex to
manufacture, and thus more costly, than box 210 of FIG. 2.
[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates some of the supply processes enabled by
use of the packs described above. Parties to the first process are
the manufacturer or other provider P and wearer A. Wearer A knows
his or her own prescription and uses the provider's website or
other channel to place an order 802 for packs of the prescription
appropriate to each eye. Payment is made by credit card or the
like. Provider P despatches a pack 804 by mail or courier,
containing bulk packs of the correct prescription, together with
associated trial packs. Pack 804 may have the form shown in FIG. 4
or FIG. 6, for example.
[0052] Optionally, wearer A sets up a standing order for the supply
of further packs 806, 808, at pre-arranged intervals corresponding
to the number of lenses in each pack. It is a matter to be
determined by the provider whether every pack after the first pack
contains a trial pack, or only the first pack for a given
customer/prescription.
[0053] In another processes, wearer B first visits 820 an
ophthalmologist or similar intermediary O, for example in a high
street store, to establish his/her prescription and suitability for
daily lenses. The intermediary O then places the order 822 with
provider P. Thereafter, the first pack of lenses 824, with trial
lenses included, is shipped to wearer B. Again, wearer B tries the
trial lenses for a few days, before breaking the seal on either
bulk pack. Payment may be made at least initially to the
intermediary in this case, or payment details may be passed to the
provider P. Again, there is the option to set up a standing order,
which may be managed by the intermediary if they prefer, or
directly by the provider.
[0054] Furthermore, even where supply is direct from the provider P
to the wearer, branding of the intermediary can be used on the
packaging, invoices and so forth. This will maintain the illusion
of a bespoke service, while allowing the economies of direct supply
and mass manufacture to be maintained.
[0055] In any of these scenarios, if the trial lenses are not
successful, the wearer (B in this illustration) can return 826 the
bulk packs to the provider unopened using the package and return
label included. A refund of payment can be provided, because the
label will allow identification of the original order. Notification
can be passed automatically to the intermediary to arrange for
appropriate follow-up contact.
[0056] It will be appreciated that the invention opens up many
different supply scenarios, combining elements of those described
and other features. As well as benefits to the wearer from
accessing a safe, low-cost supply, intermediaries can benefit by
combining the advantages of direct supply with the best features of
their value-added services.
[0057] The skilled person will further appreciate that the exact
form of components and methods used can vary from the ones
described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of
invention.
* * * * *