TWI474791B - Snap and lift package for contact lens - Google Patents

Description

For breakage and pick-up packaging for contact lenses

The present invention relates to a contact lens package, and more particularly to a contact lens package that has been modified to have improved accessibility.

In general, contact lenses are housed in blister packs. Each blister pack is provided with a single lens and has a concave receptacle for receiving the lens and a cover removably attached to the socket for sealing the lens within the socket. While conventional blister packs provide a convenient means of transporting and storing contact lenses, they are not designed to consistently readily access the contact lenses. Therefore, there is a need for a contact lens package that consistently provides accessibility to the contact lenses contained therein.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings and disadvantages of the above-described prior art by providing a new and improved contact lens package comprising a first housing member and a second housing member pivotally coupled to each other . In a first position, the first housing member is substantially coplanar with the second housing member, and in a second position, the first housing member is not coplanar with the second housing member. The package also includes a retaining mechanism for holding a contact lens, such as a bladder, and includes a receiving mechanism for receiving a contact lens solution, such as a socket. The retaining mechanism co-moves with the second housing member such that the retaining mechanism is positioned within the receiving mechanism when the second housing member is in its first position and causes the second housing member to be in its second position The retaining mechanism is removed from the receiving mechanism in position.

Another aspect relates to the positioning of the retention mechanism when the second housing member is in its second position. More specifically, the retaining mechanism is pivotable from a closed position to an open position in which the contact lens held within the retaining mechanism is inaccessible to the user and is retained in the open position The contact lens within the retention mechanism is accessible to the user. The contact lens solution within the retaining mechanism is discharged through one of the apertures of the retaining mechanism and is discharged into the receiving mechanism when the retaining mechanism is in its open position.

In order to provide a more complete understanding of the present invention, the following detailed description of the invention with the accompanying drawings.

1-8 illustrate a contact lens package 10 that includes a pair of housing members 12, 14 that are interconnected. With particular reference to Figure 1, the housing members 12, 14 are positioned adjacent one another in a closed position wherein the housing members 12, 14 are in a generally coplanar orientation. The contact lens package 10 is delivered to a user in this closed position (shown in Figure 1). A hinge 16 is located between the housing members 12, 14 to permit pivoting of the housing member 14 relative to the housing member 12, the purpose of which is described below.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, the housing member 12 has a grip frame 18 and a plurality of circular projections 20 projecting outwardly from the grip frame 18. In a similar manner, the housing member 14 has a grip frame 22 and a plurality of circular projections 24 projecting outwardly from the grip frame 22 (see Figures 1, 2 and 5-8). The bumps 20, 24 are designed to allow a user to actually grasp the contact lens package 10, the purpose of which is explained below.

Referring to Figures 2-4 and 8, the housing member 12 has a generally U-shaped recess 26 and a base 28 formed therein. In a similar manner, the housing member 14 has a generally U-shaped recess 30 (see Figure 8) and a base 32 (see Figure 8) formed therein. The base 28 of the housing member 12 is integrally formed with the base 32 of the housing member 14.

Referring to Figures 2-8, the housing member 12 also has a female socket 34 formed in the recess 26 (see Figures 2-4 and 8). The socket 34 is sized and shaped to receive a conventional contact lens solution 36 such as saline to maintain a contact lens 38 (see Figures 4 and 6-8) in a hydrated state.

Referring to Figures 1-4 and 6-8, a generally rigid plate 40 is positioned within recesses 26, 30 (both shown in Figure 8) formed in housing members 12, 14, respectively. The plate 40 includes a first section 42 and a second section 44 that are formed to be integral with each other. The first section 42 is removably positioned within a recess 26 formed in the housing member 12 (see FIGS. 2-4 and 8), while the second section 44 is embedded in a recess formed in the housing member 14. Within 30 (see Figure 8) causes the second section 44 to be securely attached to the base 32 (see Figure 8).

Referring to Figures 1-8, the contact lens package 10 includes a cover layer 46 that covers the housing members 12, 14 and the panel 40. The cover layer 46 forms a fluid-tight seal between the housing members 12, 14 and the plate 40 to prevent leakage of the contact lens solution 36 from the socket 34 (see Figures 2-8). The cover layer 46 is adapted to break due to the application of a predetermined force from the panel 40. The cover layer 46 is made of any suitable material such as a polymer or a laminate of a polymer and a metal foil. The cover layer 46 may include indicia (not shown) printed thereon, such as a product name.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 6-8, the contact lens package 10 includes a bladder 48 having an end 50 attached to the first section 42 of the panel 40. The bladder 48 has a body section 52 that includes a concave pocket 54 that is sized and shaped to fit within the socket 34 and is adapted to hold the contact lens 38 (see Figures 4 and 6). -8). The body section 52 of the bladder 48 has an edge 56 that surrounds the pocket 54. Edge 56 is attached to end 50 of bladder 48 along a hinge 58. For reasons explained below, the hinge 58 is adapted to allow the body segment 52 of the bladder 48 to pivot relative to the tip 50. The pocket 54 has a small opening 60, the function of which is explained below. The plate 40 is used to connect the bladder 48 to the second housing member 14.

Referring to Figures 1-4, the contact lens package 10 is opened in the following manner. A user holds the grip frame 18 of the housing member 12 with the thumb and forefinger of one hand and preferably grasps the bump 20 while holding the grip of the housing member 14 with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand. The frame 22 is held and preferably the catch 24 is grasped (see Figures 1 and 2). Pivoting the housing member 14 about the hinge 16 then causes the housing member 14 and the plate 40 to move relative to the housing member 12, thereby breaking the cover layer 46 between the housing member 12 and the plate 40. When the contact lens package 10 is in its semi-open position as shown in FIG. 3, the housing member 14 and the plate 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 Figure 3, the pocket 48 is positioned adjacent the first section 42 of the panel 40 such that the contact lens 38 remains inaccessible to the user. To obtain access to the contact lens 38, the user pivots the body section 52 of the bladder 48 about the hinge 58 until the body section 52 forms a 90 degree with the end 50 of the pocket 48 (and thus the first section 42 of the panel 40). Angle (see Figure 4). When the body section 52 is positioned as such, the pocket 54 is positioned above the socket 34 whereby the contact lens solution 36 within the pocket 54 is discharged into the socket 34 via the small opening 60. After the contact lens solution 36 is expelled from the pocket 54, the contact lens 38 can be removed by the user from the contact lens package 10.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides many advantages and benefits. For example, the present invention provides a contact lens package 10 that has been modified to have improved accessibility.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary, and that many variations and modifications may be made 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 by the accompanying claims.

10. . . Contact lens packaging

12. . . Shell member

14. . . Shell member

16. . . Hinge

18‧‧‧Scratch the border

20‧‧‧

22‧‧‧Scratch the border

24‧‧‧

26‧‧‧ recess

28‧‧‧Base

30‧‧‧ recess

32‧‧‧Base

34‧‧‧ socket

36‧‧‧Contact lens solution

38‧‧‧Contact lenses

40‧‧‧ board

The first paragraph of the board

44‧‧‧The second paragraph of the board

46‧‧‧ cover

48‧‧‧ pocket

End of 50‧‧‧

52‧‧‧ main body

54‧‧‧ recess

56‧‧‧ edge

58‧‧‧ Hinges

60‧‧‧Small opening

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; and FIGS. 2 through 4 are sequential perspective views of the contact lens package of FIG. The contact lens package is moved to a fully open position for progressive movement; FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the closed contact lens package of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fully open contact lens package of FIG. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of the closed open contact lens package of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrow; An exploded perspective view of the contact lens package shown in FIG.

10‧‧‧Contact lens packaging

12‧‧‧Shell components

14‧‧‧Shell components

16‧‧‧Hinges

18‧‧‧Scratch the border

20‧‧‧

22‧‧‧Scratch the border

24‧‧‧

26‧‧‧ recess

28‧‧‧Base

30‧‧‧ recess

32‧‧‧Base

34‧‧‧ socket

36‧‧‧Contact lens solution

38‧‧‧Contact lenses

40‧‧‧ board

The first paragraph of the board

44‧‧‧The second paragraph of the board

46‧‧‧ cover

48‧‧‧ pocket

End of 50‧‧‧

52. . . Main body segment

54. . . Pocket

56. . . edge

58. . . Hinge

60. . . Small opening

Claims (14)

A package for contact lenses, comprising: a first housing member including a receiving mechanism for receiving a contact lens solution; and a second housing member coupled to the first housing member to cause the second The housing member is pivotable relative to the first housing member from a first position to a second position in which the second housing member is substantially coplanar with the first housing member, The second housing member is not coplanar with the first housing member in the second position; and a holding mechanism for holding a contact lens, the holding mechanism being movable together with the second housing member, such that the first The retaining mechanism is positioned within the receiving mechanism when the second housing member is in the first position, and the retaining mechanism is removed from the receiving mechanism when the second housing member is in the second position, wherein the receiving mechanism Included in a socket formed in the first housing member, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a pocket having a pocket sized and shaped to hold a contact lens, wherein the retaining frame is More include one for the capsule a plate coupled to the second housing member, the plate having a first segment releasably attached to the first housing member and a first securely attached to the second housing member Two paragraphs. The package of claim 1, further comprising a cover layer, the cover layer being fixed to the first case member, the second case member and the plate such that the cover layer forms a contact lens preventing solution The liquid tight seal of the socket leakage. For example, the package of the second item of the patent application, wherein the first paragraph of the board And operative to break the cover layer as the second housing member moves from the first position to the second position. The package of claim 3, wherein the first section of the panel breaks the cover layer when forced against the cover layer. The package of claim 4, wherein the recess is movable from a closed position to an open position in which the recess is adjacent to the plate and the recess holds one of the contact lenses is a user Proximate, in the open position the recess is positioned away from the plate and the recess holds one of the contact lenses accessible to a user. The package of claim 5, wherein the plate moves together with the second housing member as the second housing member moves from the first position to the second position. The package of claim 6 wherein the first housing member includes a first recess and the second housing member includes a second recess, and wherein the first segment of the panel is releasably Positioned within the first recess and the second section of the plate is securely received within the second recess. The package of claim 7, wherein the first housing member includes a first grip frame for lifting the grippability of the first housing member, and the second housing member includes for lifting A second graspable frame of the second housing member that is grippable. The package of claim 8 wherein the first housing member includes a first free end and the second housing member includes a second free end, and wherein the first gripping frame comprises a plurality of a bump in the first free end, the second grip frame includes a plurality of a bump in the second free end. The package of claim 9 wherein the recess is positioned above the socket when the pocket is in the open position; and wherein the recess includes an opening, the size and shape of the opening being defined Suitable for allowing the contact lens solution within the pocket to enter the socket through the pocket when the pocket is in the open position. The package of claim 10, further comprising a first hinge coupled to the first housing member and coupled to the second housing member, the first hinge adapted to allow the second housing member to be opposite The first housing member pivots. A package of claim 11 further comprising a second hinge coupled to the bladder and coupled to the panel, the second hinge adapted to permit pivoting of the bladder relative to the panel. The package of claim 12, wherein the bag moves together with the plate as the second housing member moves from the first position to the second position, whereby when the second housing member is The pocket of the bladder can be moved from the closed position to the open position in the second position. A package according to claim 13 wherein the cover layer comprises a laminate of aluminum foil.