U.S. patent application number 11/561533 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for contact lens package and applicator with method for its use.
Invention is credited to George Brock, James R. Davis, Edward Dzwill, Steve Grimes, James Peck, Michael Tokarski.
Application Number | 20070199831 11/561533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36617643 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tokarski; Michael ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Contact Lens Package and Applicator With Method For Its Use
Abstract
A contact lens package and applicator comprises a lens cup and a
lid that covers the lens cup to form a chamber for a contact lens.
The lens cup has a drainage member, such as a mesh or a perforated
plastic sheet, through which saline solution drains. In a first
orientation, the chamber is substantially filled with the saline
solution and, in a second orientation, the chamber is substantially
empty of the saline solution. The lid covering the lens cup is
movable between a closed position in which the contact lens is
concealed and an open position in which the contact lens is
accessible for direct application of the contact lens to the user's
eye.
Inventors: |
Tokarski; Michael; (Ponte
Vedra, FL) ; Peck; James; (Jacksonville, FL) ;
Dzwill; Edward; (Flemington, FL) ; Brock; George;
(St. Augustine, FL) ; Davis; James R.;
(Pickerington, OH) ; Grimes; Steve; (Westerville,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP S. JOHNSON;JOHNSON & JOHNSON
ONE JOHNSON & JOHNSON PLAZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
36617643 |
Appl. No.: |
11/561533 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11390650 |
Mar 28, 2006 |
|
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11561533 |
Nov 20, 2006 |
|
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60667138 |
Mar 31, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/5.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/005 20130101;
A61F 9/0061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/005.1 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/04 20060101
A45C011/04 |
Claims
1. A contact lens package, comprising: a container including a lens
cup and a lid removably covering said lens cup so as to form a
first chamber sized and shaped to contain a contact lens; a contact
lens within said first chamber; a predetermined quantity of a
liquid within said container; and a handle for manipulating said
contact lens package such that said contact lens package is movable
between a first orientation in which said first chamber is
substantially filled with said liquid and a second orientation in
which said first chamber is substantially empty of said liquid.
2. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein said contact lens
package includes a second chamber arranged to receive the entire
predetermined quantity of said liquid when said container is in
said second orientation.
3. The contact lens package of claim 2, wherein said lens cup
includes a drainage member through which the liquid drains from
said first chamber to said second chamber.
4. The contact lens package of claim 3, wherein said drainage
member separates said lens cup from said second chamber.
5. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein said drainage
member includes a mesh.
6. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein said drainage
member includes a plastic sheet having perforations
therethrough.
7. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein said lens cup and
said lid are sized and shaped so as to fit against each other, said
container further comprising a sealing element removably attached
to said container so as to form a liquid-tight seal between said
lens cup and said lid.
8. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein said lid is sized
and shaped to fit against said lens cup so as to form a
liquid-tight seal.
9. The contact lens package of claim 1 wherein said lid is hingedly
attached to said lens cup.
10. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein said handle and
said container are symmetrical about an axis common to said handle
and said container.
11. The contact lens package of claim 10, wherein said handle is
substantially conical in shape.
12. The contact lens package of claim 10, wherein said handle has
an exterior and has a plurality of ribs extending along said
exterior.
13. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein said handle
defines an opening and is hollow, said container having a plug
fitting arranged so as to form a friction fit with said handle when
said plug fitting is inserted into said opening.
14. A contact lens applicator, comprising: a container including a
lens cup and a lid covering said lens cup so as to form a chamber
sized and shaped to contain a contact lens, said lid being movable
between a closed position in which the contact lens is concealed
and an open position in which said contact lens is accessible to a
user for direct application of the contact lens to the user's eye;
and a handle for manipulating said contact lens applicator.
15. The contact lens applicator of claim 14, wherein said lens cup
is sized and shaped to hold said contact lens such that a
peripheral portion of the contact lens is exposed outside of said
lens cup when said lid is in said open position.
16. The contact lens applicator of claim 15, wherein said handle
and said container are symmetrical about an axis common to said
handle and said container, said handle having an exterior and a
plurality of ribs extending along said exterior.
17. A method of applying a contact lens using an applicator having
a lens cup and a lid covering the lens cup so as to form a lens
chamber sized and shaped to contain the contact lens and a quantity
of liquid, and a handle, said method comprising the steps of:
positioning the applicator in a first orientation such that the
lens chamber is substantially filled with the liquid; manipulating
the handle to thereby position the contact lens package in a second
orientation such that the lens chamber is substantially empty of
the liquid; moving the lid to an open position whereby the contact
lens is accessible to a user, and manipulating the handle to
thereby apply the contact lens to the user's eye.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of draining
the liquid from the lens chamber into a collection chamber internal
to the applicator through a drainage member.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional filing of U.S. Ser.
No. 60/667,138, filed on Mar. 31, 2005, a provisional patent
application.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to packages for the storage
and shipping of contact lenses. More particularly, the present
invention relates to packages having an internal drainage system
that allows separation of the saline solution from the contact lens
at the time that the lens is removed from the package and to
packages that may be used as contact lens applicators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Soft contact lenses have become increasingly popular since
they were first introduced in the 1970's. Due to progressive
reductions in manufacturing costs, soft contact lenses are now an
attractive and economical choice for the consuming public. Such
lenses may be frequently replaced by the consumers (e.g., on a
daily or weekly basis) and do not need to be cleaned or sterilized
as often as traditional contact lenses. Of course, the consumer
desires to keep a supply of lenses on hand that is commensurate
with the frequency with which the lenses are replaced. Therefore,
consumer demand for disposable contact lenses has led to a need for
disposable packages that are easy to use and inexpensive. The
packages should be constructed to provide safe storage and shipping
for the lenses. It is also desirable that the individual packages
be as small as possible, so that they may be easily and
unobtrusively stored and carried.
[0004] Contact lenses typically are packaged and stored in a
hydrated state, which requires that they be sealed in packages with
a storage solution. One widely-used contact lens package is the
"blister pack", which, in general, comprises a rigid plastic
container having a flat upper surface with a concave-shaped well
that contains a single contact lens with a quantity of storage
solution. The well is covered with a flexible cover that is sealed
along the perimeter of the upper surface. The blister packs are
boxed for shipping and storage until a lens is needed by a
consumer. The consumer then peels back the flexible cover from the
blister pack to expose the contact lens. The consumer then pours
the contact lens out into his hand, together with the saline
solution, and places the lens on the tip of his finger for
application to the eye.
[0005] A need remains for contact lens packaging systems that
include a saline solution for storage and shipping of the contact
lenses, but allow the saline solution to be separated from the lens
at the time that the lens is removed from the package so that the
consumer does not need to handle or otherwise come into contact
with the saline solution. A need also remains for contact lens
packaging systems that enable the consumer to apply the contact
lens directly to the eye, without the need to touch the lens with
the fingers.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] A contact lens package according to one aspect of the
present invention comprises a container with a lens cup and a lid
that covers the lens cup to form a chamber sized and shaped to
contain a contact lens, and a handle for manipulating the contact
lens package between a first orientation in which the chamber is
substantially filled with liquid, such as saline solution, and a
second orientation in which the chamber is substantially empty of
liquid. Preferably, the lens cup has a drainage member through
which the liquid drains into a second chamber in the contact lens
package. The drainage member preferably includes a mesh or a
plastic sheet having perforations therethrough. The handle and
container are symmetrical about a common longitudinal axis and the
handle, preferably, is substantially conical in shape with ridges
on its exterior. The handle is sized so that a consumer may grasp
it between his or her fingers.
[0007] A contact lens applicator according to another aspect of the
present invention comprises a container including a lens cup and a
lid covering the lens cup so as to form a chamber sized and shaped
to contain a contact lens and a handle for manipulating the contact
lens applicator. The lid is movable between a closed position in
which the contact lens is concealed and an open position in which
the contact lens is accessible for direct application of the
contact lens to the user's eye. Preferably, the lens cup is sized
and shaped to hold the contact lens so that a peripheral portion of
the lens is exposed outside of the lens cup when the lid is in its
open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of the
present invention considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
contact lens package according to the present invention in which
the contact lens package is sealed for shipping and storage.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the contact lens package
of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the contact lens package of
FIG. 1 in an upright and opened state.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the contact lens package
of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A preferred embodiment of a contact lens package 2 according
to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. Referring to FIG.
1, a contact lens package 2 has a contact lens container 4 and a
handle 6 that is mated to the contact lens container 4. The contact
lens container 4 includes a shell 8 and a lid 10 that is hingedly
attached to the shell 8 by a hinge 12.
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 2, the shell 8 includes an interior
cavity 14 having a rim 16. A drainage member 18, such as a mesh or
a perforated plastic sheet, is secured within the interior cavity
14 so as to define a first chamber 20 within the interior cavity 14
and a lens cup 22 that is formed from the drainage member 187 the
rim 16 of the shell 8 and the portion 24 of the shell 8 that is
between the drainage member 18 and the rim 16. The lens cup 22 is
sized and shaped to hold a single contact lens 26 so that the
peripheral edge 28 of the contact lens 26 extends beyond the rim 16
(see FIG. 3). The lid 10 has a rim 30 that is sized and shaped to
fit closely against the rim 16 of the shell 8, 50 that the lid 10
and the lens cup 22 form a second chamber 32 that sized and shaped
to contain the contact lens 26. A sealing strip 34 is removably
attached to the contact lens container 4 so as to secure the shell
8 and the lid 10 to one another and to form a liquid-tight seal
where the shell 8 contacts the lid 10. Preferably, the second
chamber 32 is smaller in volume than the first chamber 20, which is
sized to receive a quantity of saline solution 36. Still referring
to FIG. 2, the handle 6 is fabricated as a hollow conical piece
with an open end 38. The contact lens container 4 is provided with
a plug 40 at the end 42 of the contact lens container 4 opposite
the lid 10. The plug 40 is sized and shaped to form a friction fit
when inserted into the open end 38 of the handle 6, thereby
securing the contact lens container 4 to the handle 6.
[0015] The contact lens package 2 is shipped or stored with the
handle 6 uppermost, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the contact
lens 26 fully submerged in the saline solution 36 in the second
chamber 32. The consumer flips the contact lens package 2 over so
that the lid 10 is uppermost, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, allowing
the saline solution 36 to drain through the drainage member 18 into
the chamber 14. The consumer then pulls away the sealing strip 34,
releasing the lid 10 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and providing access to
the contact lens 26. Because the peripheral edge 28 of the contact
lens 26 extends beyond the rim 16 of the shell 8, the consumer can
use the contact lens package 2 as an applicator to transfer the
contact lens 26 directly to the eye, rather than transferring the
contact lens 26 with a finger. The handle 6 may be provided with
ridges 44 so that the consumer may securely grip the handle 6 while
manipulating the contact lens package 2 and transferring the
contact lens 26 to the eye.
[0016] The drainage of the saline solution 36 into the first
chamber 20 should leave the contact lens 26 free of the saline
solution 36. Therefore, it is preferable that the drainage member
18 be arranged to allow rapid and complete drainage of the saline
solution 26 from the lens cup 22 into the chamber 20. The drainage
member 18, therefore, is preferably an open mesh, as in FIG. 4,
although, as an alternative, a perforated sheet of a hydrophobic
plastic material may be used, as in FIG. 4.
[0017] The contact lens package 2 of the present invention can be
fabricated to have a lens cup 22 with a diameter of about 2-3 cm,
with its minimum dimension limited only by the size of the contact
lens to be stored. Similarly, the minimum volume of the chamber 20
is limited only by the volume of saline solution 36 to be provided.
For easy handling, the overall length of the contact lens package 2
may be about 6-10 cm. The resulting small overall size of the
contact lens package 2 allows it to be easily and unobtrusively
carried. The contact lens package 2 may be styled to provide the
same look and feel as a common item of about the same size, such as
a cologne bottle
[0018] 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 present invention. For example, the handle 6 and
shell 8 may be fabricated as a single piece with the shell 8 being
open to the interior of the handle 6. In another example, the
contact lens container 4 may be secured to the handle 6 by means
other than a plug. The lid 10 need not be secured to the shell 8 by
a sealing strip 34, but could be friction-fit to the shell 8.
Alternatively, the shell 8 and lid 10 could be threaded so as to
screw-fit with each other. All such variations and modifications,
including those discussed within the detailed description, are
intended to be included within the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *