Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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OPHTHALMIC LENS PACKAGE
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic lens package and, more
particularly, to an ophthalmic lens package adapted for improved accessibility
to
the contents thereof.
Background of the Invention
Ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses, intra-ocular lenses and overlay
lenses and 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 an ophthalmic
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 ophthalmic lens and a sufficient amount
of
contact lens solution to prevent drying of the ophthalmic lens and to maintain
the
ophthalmic lens readily available for use. While conventional blister packs
provide
many users with a convenient means for shipping and storing ophthalmic lenses,
some users have difficulty grasping the cover portion of the blister package
and
are frustrated by the process. This frustration can encourage those users to
use
sharp instruments to open their packages which can damage both the user and
the lens. Accordingly, there is a need for an ophthalmic lens package that
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provides easy access to its contents (i.e., contact lens and contact lens
solution)
on a consistent basis.
Brief Description of the Drawings
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:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a contact lens package constructed in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a closed
position;
FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the contact lens package of FIG. 1;
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; and
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the contact lens package shown in FIG.
1 in an open position.
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Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention includes an ophthalmic 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
pivotable
relative to each other between a closed position, in which said first and
second
shell members are removably attached to each other, and an open position, in
which said first and second shell members are pivoted away from each other; a
connecting means for connecting said first and second members at their said
first
ends; and a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members
while they are in their said closed position, said receptacle being adapted to
receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution. As used
herein,
"ophthalmic lens" refer to a device that resides on the eye, including but not
limited
to soft contact, lenses, hard contact lenses, intraocular lenses, overlay
lenses,
preferably soft contact lenses.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a contact lens package 10 includes a pair of
shell members 12, 14 and a pair of semi-spherical-shaped absorbent members 16,
18. The functions of the shell members 12, 14 and the absorbent members 16, 18
shall be described hereinafter. The shell member 12 includes a circular-shaped
body 20 and a semi-circular-shaped tab 22 that radially extends from the body
20,
thereby forming a pear shape. Similarly, the shell member 14 includes a
circular-
shaped body 24 and a semi-circular-shaped tab 26 that radially extends from
the
body 24, thereby forming a pear shape. Preferably, the shell members 12, 14
are
identical in size and shape to each other. The tabs 22, 26 are juxtaposed with
one
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another when the shell members 12, 14 are attached to each other (i.e., when
the
package 10 is in a closed position), which will be described in more detail
hereinafter. Also, the functions of the tabs 22, 26 shall be described
hereinafter.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the body 20 of the shell member 12
includes a circular-shaped, concave cavity 28 and an annular flange 30 that
extends around the periphery of the body 20 (see FIG. 4). Similarly, the body
24
of the shell member 14 includes a circular-shaped, concave cavity 32 and an
annular flange 34 that extends around the periphery of the body 24. 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 solution from the package 10 and to prevent
contamination of the contents thereof from foreign objects such as debris and
dirt
particles. The flange 30 is truncated at an end 36 of the body 20, while the
flange
34 is truncated at an end 38 of the body 24, thereby forming a living hinge
40. The
function of the hinge 40 shall be described hereinafter. As depicted ends 36
and
38 are opposite tabs 22 and 26, respectively and that is the preferred
location of
the ends 36 and 38. However the invention contemplates positioning ends 36 and
38 in other positions on flanges 30 and 34
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the tab 22 of the shell member 12 includes a
plurality of circular-shaped bumps 42, each of which protrudes from an outer
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surface 44 of the tab 22. Similarly, the tab 26 of the shell member 14
includes a
plurality of circular-shaped bumps 46, each of which protrudes from an outer
surface 48 of the tab 26. Preferably, the pattern of the bumps 42 is congruent
with
the pattern of the bumps when the tabs 22, 26 are juxtaposed with one another.
The functions of the bumps 42, 46 shall be described hereinafter.
Alternatively,
the package 10 need not include the bumps 42, 46.
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 band
50
and the groove 56 are sized and shaped to interlock with one another when the
tabs 22, 26 are juxtaposed with one another. Similarly, the band 52 and the
groove 58 are sized and shaped to interlock with one another when the tabs 22,
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 56 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.
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Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the absorbent member 16 is positioned
within the cavity 28, while the absorbent member 18 is positioned within the
cavity
32. Preferably, the size and shape of the absorbent member 16 are
substantially
similar to the size and shape of the cavity 28 in order to allow the absorbent
member 16 to firmly fit therein. Similarly, the size and shape of the
absorbent
member 18 are, preferably, substantially similar to the size and shape of the
cavity
32 in order to allow the absorbent member 18 to firmly fit therein. It is also
noted
that the size and shape of each of the absorbent members 16, 18 maintains the
shape of the package 10. In particular, the absorbent member 16 maintains the
size and shape of the body 20 of the shell member 12, while the absorbent
member 18 maintains the size and shape of the body 24 of the shell member 14.
The absorbent member 16 is attached to an inner surface 62 of the cavity 28,
preferably by an adhesive known in the art. Similarly, the absorbent member 18
is
attached to an inner surface 64 of the cavity 32, preferably by an adhesive
known
in the art. Alternatively, each of the absorbent members 16, 18 need not be
attached to respective cavities 28, 32. Preferably, the absorbent members 16,
18
are separate and distinct. Alternatively, the package 10 may include a single
frangible absorbent member (not shown in the Figures) which will be described
in
more detail hereinafter.
Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the absorbent member 16 includes a
circular-shaped recess 66 centrally formed in an exposed surface 68 thereof.
Similarly, the absorbent member 18 includes a circular shaped recess 70
centrally
formed in an exposed surface 72 thereof. When the shell members 12, 14 are
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attached to each other (i.e., when the package 10 is in a closed position),
the
recesses 66, 70 form a central chamber 74 (see FIG. 3) which houses a contact
lens 76 (see FIG. 4). The absorbent members 16, 18 are 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. It is preferred that
the
solution is an aqueous saline solution. The chamber 74 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 chamber 74 is one that is sufficient to house
the
contact lens 76 and enough contact lens solution to keep it saturated and
retain
the intended shape and softness of the lens 76 (i.e., a convex-shape).
While the body 20 and the cavity 28 of the shell member 12 and the body
24 and the cavity 32 of the shell member 14 are each preferably semi-circular
in
shape, it should be noted that each can consist of other shapes and sizes.
Also,
each of the tabs 22, 26 is, preferably, semi-circular in shape, but each can
consist
of other shapes and sizes. Similarly, each of the absorbent members 16, 18 is,
preferably, semi-circular in shape, but it can consist of other shapes and
sizes.
Also, each of the recesses 66, 70 of the absorbent member 16, 18 is,
preferably,
circular in shape, but each can consist of other shapes and sizes.
The shell members 12, 14 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 can be manufactured from other materials, such as a
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combination of polymers with various barrier and sealing characteristics
formed
into a laminate or coextrusion. Each of the absorbent members 16, 18 is
preferably manufactured from an absorbent sponge material, such as MEROCELO
brand polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge, manufactured by Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
Each of the absorbent members may be manufactured from other materials. The
material of the absorbent member should be should be able to absorb about 500
L to about 1500 L of solution, more preferably about 900 L to about 1,000
L.
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 42, 46 allow the user to maintain 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, which pivot at the hinge 40,
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 when it is in a closed
position. 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
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and the shell members 12, 14 are separated, the contact lens 76 is exposed and
made accessible to the user.
As previously mentioned, the absorbent members 16, 18 are, preferably,
separate and distinct members. Alternatively, the package 10 may include a
single frangible absorbent member capable of being torn apart at a weakened
section along its medial axis (not shown in the Figures) when the package 10
is
opened in the manner previously described.
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.
Specifically, the present invention has been adapted for use in housing a
single
ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution. However, the present invention can
be utilized to house a plurality of ophthalmic lenses and an amount of
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. All such variations and modifications are intended to
be
included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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