U.S. patent application number 11/561707 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for snap and lift package for contact lens.
Invention is credited to George Brock, James R. Davis, Edward Dzwill, James Peck, Roger W. Smith, Michael Tokarski, Michael Scott Ulrich.
Application Number | 20080047848 11/561707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36617170 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080047848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tokarski; Michael ; et
al. |
February 28, 2008 |
SNAP AND LIFT PACKAGE FOR CONTACT LENS
Abstract
A contact lens package includes a first housing member and a
second housing member pivotably connected to each other. The
package also includes a holding mechanism for holding a contact
lens and a receiving mechanism for receiving contact lens solution.
When the housing members are in a substantially co-planar
orientation, the holding mechanism is positioned within the
receiving mechanism. When the housing members are in a non-planar
orientation, the holding mechanism is removed from the receiving
mechanism such that the holding mechanism is pivotable from a
closed position, in which the contact lens held in the holding
mechanism is inaccessible to a user, toward an open position, in
which the contact lens held in the holding mechanism is accessible
to the user.
Inventors: |
Tokarski; Michael; (Ponte
Vedra, FL) ; Peck; James; (Maple Grove, MN) ;
Dzwill; Edward; (Flemington, NJ) ; Brock; George;
(St. Augustine, FL) ; Davis; James R.;
(Pickerington, OH) ; Smith; Roger W.; (Grove City,
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: |
36617170 |
Appl. No.: |
11/561707 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11390634 |
Mar 28, 2006 |
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11561707 |
Nov 20, 2006 |
|
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60666877 |
Mar 31, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/5.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2585/545 20130101;
B65D 75/366 20130101; A45C 11/005 20130101; B65D 2575/367
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/005.1 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/04 20060101
A45C011/04 |
Claims
1. A package for a contact lens, comprising a first housing member
including receiving means for receiving contact lens solution; a
second housing member connected to said first housing member such
that said second housing member is pivotable relative to said first
housing member from a first position, in which said second housing
member is substantially co-planar with said first housing member,
to a second position, in which said second housing member is not
co-planar with said first housing member; and holding means for
holding a contact lens, said holding means being movable conjointly
with said second housing member such that said holding means is
positioned within said receiving means when said second housing
member is in its said first position and such that said holding
means is removed from said receiving means when said second housing
member is in its said second position.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprises a
receptacle formed in said first housing member.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein said holding means comprises a
pocket having a cavity sized and shaped so as to hold a contact
lens.
4. The package of claim 3, further comprising connecting means for
connecting said pocket to said second housing member.
5. The package of claim 4, wherein said connecting means includes a
board having one end releaseably attached to said first housing
member and an opposite end fixedly attached to said second housing
member.
6. The package of claim 5, further comprising a cover layer affixed
to said first housing member, said second housing member, and said
board such that said cover layer forms a liquid-tight seal which
prevents leakage of contact lens solution from said receptacle.
7. The package of claim 6, further comprising rupturing means for
rupturing said cover layer as said second housing member moves from
its said first position toward its said second position.
8. The package of claim 7, wherein said rupturing means includes
said one end of said board, whereby said one end of said board
ruptures said cover layer when forced against said cover layer
9. The package of claim 8, wherein said cavity is movable from a
closed position, in which said cavity is proximal to said board and
in which a contact lens held in said cavity is inaccessible to a
user, to an open position, in which said cavity is positioned
remote from said board and in which a contact lens held in said
cavity is accessible to a user.
10. The package of claim 9, wherein said board moves conjointly
with said second housing member as said second housing member moves
from its said first position toward its said second position.
11. The package of claim 10, wherein said first housing member
includes a first recess and said second housing member includes a
second recess, and wherein said one end of said board is
releaseably positioned within said first recess and said opposite
end of said board is fixedly received in said second recess.
12. The package of claim 11, wherein said first housing member
includes first gripping means for improving the grippability of
said first housing member and said second housing member includes
second gripping means for improving the grippability of said second
housing member.
13. The package of claim 12, wherein said first housing member
includes a first free end and said second housing member includes a
second free end, and wherein said first gripping means includes a
plurality of nibs formed in said first free end, and said second
gripping means includes a plurality of nibs formed in said second
free end.
14. The package of claim 13, wherein said cavity is positioned
above said receptacle when said cavity is in its said open
position; and wherein said cavity includes an opening sized and
shaped so as to allow contact lens solution in said cavity to pass
through said cavity and into said receptacle when said cavity is in
its said open position.
15. The package of claim 14, further comprising a first hinge
connected to said first housing member and to said second housing
member, said first hinge adapted to allow said second housing
member to pivot relative to said first housing member.
16. The package of claim 15, further comprising a second hinge
connected to said pocket and to said board, said second hinge
adapted to allow said pocket to pivot relative to said board.
17. The package of claim 16, wherein said pocket moves conjointly
with said board as said second housing member moves from its said
first position toward its said second position, whereby said cavity
of said pocket is movable from its said closed position toward its
said open position when said second housing member is in its said
second position.
18. The package of claim 17, wherein said cover layer includes a
laminate made from aluminum foil.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional filing of U.S. Ser.
No. 60/666,877, filed on Mar. 31, 2005, a provisional patent
application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a contact lens package and,
more particularly, to a contact lens package adapted for improved
accessibility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Typically, contact lenses have been packaged in blister
packs. Each blister pack is equipped with a single lens and has a
concave-shaped receptacle for receiving the lens and a cover
removably attached to the receptacle for enclosing the lens in the
receptacle. While conventional blister packs provide a convenient
means for shipping and storing contact lenses, they are not
designed to consistently provide easy access to the contact lenses.
Accordingly, there is a need for a contact lens package that
consistently provides easy accessibility to the contact lens
enclosed therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 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 a first housing
member and a second housing member pivotably connected to each
other. In a first position, the first housing member is
substantially co-planar with the second housing member, while in a
second position, the first housing member is not coplanar with the
second housing member. The package also includes a holding
mechanism, such as a pocket, for holding a contact lens, and a
receiving mechanism, such as a receptacle for receiving contact
lens solution. The holding mechanism moves conjointly with the
second housing member such that when the second housing member is
in its first position, the holding mechanism is positioned within
the receiving mechanism, and such that when the second housing
member is in its second position, the holding mechanism is removed
from the receiving mechanism.
[0005] Another aspect involves the positioning of the holding
mechanism when the second housing member is in its second position.
More particularly, the holding mechanism is movable from a closed
position, in which the contact lens held in the holding mechanism
is inaccessible to a user, toward an open position, in which the
holding mechanism is positioned above the receiving mechanism and
the contact lens held in the holding mechanism is accessible to the
user. The contact lens solution in the holding mechanism drains
through a hole in the holding mechanism and into the receiving
mechanism when the holding mechanism is in its open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] 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:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contact lens package
constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, showing the contact lens package in a closed
position;
[0008] FIGS. 2 to 4 are sequential perspective views of the contact
lens package of FIG. 1, showing the progressive movement of the
contact lens package as it moves to a fully open position;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the closed contact lens
package shown in FIG, 1;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines
6-6 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the fully opened
contact lens package shown in FIG. 4;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines
7-7 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the closed
contact lens package shown in FIG. 1; and
[0012] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the contact lens
package shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] FIGS. 1-8 show a contact lens package 10 including a pair of
housing members 12, 14 which are connected to one another. With
particular reference to FIG. 1, the housing members 12, 14 are
positioned adjacent to one another in a closed position, in which
the housing members 12, 14 are in a substantially co-planar
orientation. The contact lens package 10 is delivered to a user in
this closed position, as shown in FIG. 1. A hinge 16 is located
between the housing members 12, 14 so as to allow the housing
member 14 to pivot relative to the housing member 12 for purposes
to be described hereinafter.
[0014] Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, the housing member 12 has a
gripping rim 18 and a plurality of circularly-shaped nibs 20 which
protrude outwardly from the gripping rim 18. In similar fashion,
the housing member 14 has a gripping rim 22 and a plurality of
circularly-shaped nibs 24 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-8) which protrude
outwardly from the gripping rim 22. The nibs 20, 24 are designed to
allow a user to firmly grip the contact lens package 10 for
purposes to be described hereinafter.
[0015] With reference to FIGS. 2-4 and 8, the housing member 12 has
a substantially U-shaped recess 26 and a base 28 formed therein. In
similar fashion, the housing member 14 has a substantially U-shaped
recess 30 (see FIG. 8) and a base 32 (see FIG. 8) formed therein.
The base 28 of the housing member 12 is integrally formed with the
base 32 of the housing member 14.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2-8, the housing member 12 also has a
concave-shaped receptacle 34 formed within the recess 26 (see FIGS,
2-4 and 8). The receptacle 34 is sized and shaped so as to receive
a quantity of a conventional contact lens solution 36, such as
saline solution, for maintaining a contact lens 38 (see FIGS, 4 and
6-8) in a hydrated state.
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8, a substantially, rigid
board 40 is positioned within the recesses 26, 30 (both of which
are shown in FIG. 8) formed in the housing members 12, 14,
respectively The board 40 includes a first section 42 and a second
section 44 formed integrally with one another. The first section 42
is removably positioned within the recess 26 (see FIGS. 2-4 and 8)
formed in the housing member 12, while the second section 44 is
inlaid in the recess 30 (see FIG. 8) formed in the housing member
14 such that the second section 44 is fixedly attached to the base
32 (see FIG. 8).
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the contact lens package 10 includes
a cover layer 46 which covers the housing members 12, 14 and the
board 40. The cover layer 46 forms a liquid-tight seal between the
housing members 12, 14 and the board 40 so as to prevent leakage of
the contact lens solution 36 (see FIGS. 2-8) from the receptacle
34. The cover layer 46 is adapted to break in response to the
application of a predetermined force from, for example, the board
40. The cover layer 46 can be made from any suitable materials such
as polymers or laminates of polymers and metal foils. The cover
layer 46 can include indicia (not shown) printed thereon, such as a
product name.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6-8, the contact lens
package 10 includes a pocket 48 having an end 50 attached to the
first section 42 of the board 40. The pocket 48 has a main section
52 which includes a concave-shaped cavity 54 sized and shaped so as
to be accommodated within the receptacle 34 and so as to hold the
contact lens 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 6-8). The main section 52 of the
pocket 48 has an edge 56 surrounding the cavity 54. The edge 56 is
attached to the end 50 of the pocket 48 along a hinge 58. For
purposes to be described hereinafter, the hinge 58 is adapted to
allow the main section 52 of the pocket 48 to pivot relative to the
end 50. The cavity 54 has a small opening 60, the function of which
is discussed below. The board 40 serves to connect the pocket 48 to
the second housing member 14.
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the contact lens package 10 is
opened as follows. A user holds the gripping rim 18, preferably
gripping the nibs 20, of the housing member 12 with his or her
thumb and forefinger of one hand, while holding the gripping rim
22, preferably gripping the nibs 24 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), of the
housing member 14 with his or her thumb and forefinger of the other
hand. The housing member 14 is then pivoted about the hinge 16 such
that the housing member 14 and the board 40 move relative to the
housing member 12, thereby rupturing the cover layer 46 between the
housing member 12 and the board 40. When the contact lens package
10 is in its semi-open position as shown in FIG. 3, the housing
member 14 and the board 40 are positioned at an angle of about 90
degrees (i.e., substantially perpendicular) relative to the housing
member 12. In the semi-open position shown in FIG. 3, the pocket 48
is positioned adjacent to the first section 42 of the board 40 such
that the contact lens 38 is still inaccessible to the user. In
order to gain access to the contact lens 38, the user pivots the
main section 52 of the pocket 48 about the hinge 58 until the main
section 52 forms an angle of about 90 degrees with the end 50 of
the pocket 48 and, hence, with the first section 42 of the board 40
(see FIG. 4). When the main section 52 is so positioned, the cavity
54 is positioned above the receptacle 34, whereby the contact lens
solution 36 in the cavity 54 drains through the small opening 60
and into the receptacle 34. After the contact lens solution 36 is
drained from the cavity 54, the contact lens 38 can be removed by
the user from the contact lens package 10.
[0021] It should be appreciated that the present invention provides
a number of advantages and benefits. For instance, the present
invention provides a contact lens package 10 adapted for improved
accessibility.
[0022] 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.
* * * * *