Contact lens package
A contact lens package includes a pair of shell members that are removably attached to each other. An sponge member positioned between the shell members contains a recess for housing a contact lens and contact lens solution. One end of each of the shell members contains a tab, the tabs being juxtaposed with one another when the shell members are attached to each other. The package is opened by pulling apart the juxtaposed tabs and separating the shell members, thereby enabling access to the contact lens. The tabs have aligned apertures for hanging the package from one end thereof. An opposite end of the package is provided with a gusset that is sized and shaped for positioning the package in a free standing position. One of the shell members contains a window for allowing visual exposure of the contact lens.
The present invention relates to a contact lens package and, more particularly, to a contact lens package adapted for improved accessibility to the contents thereof and for retail display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONContact lenses, 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 a contact 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 contact lens and a sufficient amount of contact lens solution to prevent drying of the contact lens and to maintain the contact lens readily available for use.
Conventional blister packs are also not adapted to be displayed on conventional display units, such as peg-hook-type or wire-hook-type displays. Likewise, a blister pack for a single contact lens is not adequate to be displayed on retail shelves. Accordingly, there is a need for a contact lens package that is adapted for display on conventional display units.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor 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:
The invention includes a contact lens package, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of 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 removably attached to each other such that said first ends of said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another and said second ends of said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another, said first ends of said first and second shell members forming a gusset that is sized and shaped for enabling the package to be situated in a standing position; and a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members, said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
Further the invention includes a contact lens package, comprising a first shell member having a first end and a second end opposite said first end thereof; a second shell member having a first end and a second end, said first and second shell members being removably attached to each other, said first ends of said first and second shell members being juxtaposed with one another and said second ends of said first and second shell members being juxtaposed with one another; a hanging-means for hanging the package from a display rack; and a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members, said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
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 first and second shell members removably attached to each other. Each of such shell members have a first end and a second end. Each such first and second end of a single shell member are preferably in opposite positions on the shell member, but can be located in other positions on that shell member. In one embodiment the first ends of the first and second shell members form a gusset that is sized and shaped for positioning the package in a free standing position, such as on display shelf. One of the shell members (for instance, the second shell member) contains a window that visually exposes the contact lens to enable a user to visually inspect the contact lens (e.g., for damage) before opening the package. Preferably a sponge member that holds solution is interposed between the first and second shell members for housing a contact lens. The sponge member holds an amount of the contact lens solution sufficient to keep the contact lens saturated, thereby allowing the contact lens to retain its intended shape and softness. The amount of solution is between about 500 μL and about 1,500 μL, more preferably between about 900 μL to about 1,000 μL. The preferred contact lens solution is saline solution or packaging solution, but other solution are contemplated by this invention including solutions containing ocular medicaments. Preferably the sponge member includes a recess for housing the contact lens.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, one end of each of the first and second shell members, opposite the end of the gusset, contains a pull tab, the tabs being juxtaposed with one another when the first and second shell members are attached to each other. The package is opened by pulling apart the juxtaposed tabs and separating the first and second shell members from each other, thereby allowing access to the contact lens. A plurality of bumps protrudes from an exposed surface of each of the tabs, the bumps being sized, shaped and positioned to enable a user to better grip the tabs when pulling them apart. The tabs have aligned apertures for hanging the package on a peg hook or a wire hook of a retail display rack.
Specifically, the present invention has been adapted for use in housing a single contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution. However, the present invention can be utilized to house a plurality of contact lenses and an amount of contact lens 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.
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While the body 20, the tab 22 and the cavity 28 of the shell member 12 and the body 24, the tab 26 and the cavity 32 of the shell member 14 are each preferably semi-elliptical in shape, it should be noted that each can consist of other shapes and sizes. Similarly, the sponge member 18 is preferably semi-elliptical in shape, but it can consist of other shapes and sizes. Also, the recess 72 of the sponge member 18 and the holes 38, 44 of the tabs 20, 26 are each, preferably, circular in shape, but each can consist of other shapes and sizes.
The shell members 12, 14 and the base 16 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 and/or the base 16 can be manufactured from other materials, such as a combination of polymers with various barrier and sealing characteristics formed into a laminate or coextrusion. The sponge member 18 is preferably manufactured from an receptacle sponge material, such as MEROCEL® brand polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge, manufactured by Medtronic Xomed, Inc. Alternatively, the sponge member 18 can me manufactured from other materials.
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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.
Claims
1. A contact 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 removably attached to each other such that said first ends of said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another and said second ends of said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another, said first ends of said first and second shell members forming a gusset that is sized and shaped for enabling the package to be situated in a standing position; and a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members, said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
2. The contact lens package of claim 1, further comprising separating means for separating said first and second shell members from each other.
3. The contact lens package of claim 2, wherein said separating means includes a first tab extending from said second end of said first shell member and a second tab extending from said second end of said second shell member, said first and second tabs being juxtaposed with one another.
4. The contact lens package of claim 3, further comprising a first plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said first tab, and a second plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said second tab, said first and second plurality of bumps being sized and shaped so as to enable manual grasping of said juxtaposed tabs.
5. The contact lens package of claim 1, further comprising hanging means for hanging the package from a display rack.
6. The contact lens package of claim 3, further comprising a hanging means, wherein said hanging means includes a first aperture formed through said first tab and a second aperture formed through said second tab and aligned with said first aperture, each of said apertures being sized and shaped to fit over a peg of a display rack.
7. The contact lens package of claim 6, wherein said receptacle includes an inner surface and a recess formed in said inner surface, said recess being sized and shaped to house and receive a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
8. The contact lens package of claim 7, further comprising viewing means for viewing a contact lens housed in said recess of said receptacle.
9. The contact lens package of claim 7, further comprising a sponge member, wherein said sponge member is housed in said receptacle.
9. The contact lens package of claim 8 wherein said sponge member is shaped to house and receive a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
10. The contact lens package of claim 8 wherein said sponge member comprises an amount of contact lens solution sufficient to saturate a contact lens and a recess shaped to receive a contact lens.
11. The contact lens package of claim 10, further comprising a viewing means for viewing a contact lens housed in said recess of said sponge member.
12. The contact lens package of claim 11, wherein said viewing means includes a window formed in an exposed surface of said second shell member, said window being sized, shaped and positioned for enabling said contact lens to be visually exposed.
13. A contact lens package, comprising a first shell member having a first end and a second end opposite said first end thereof; a second shell member having a first end and a second end, said first and second shell members being removably attached to each other, said first ends of said first and second shell members being juxtaposed with one another and said second ends of said first and second shell members being juxtaposed with one another; a hanging means for hanging the package from a display rack; and a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members, said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
14. The contact lens package of claim 13, further comprising separating means for separating said attached first and second shell members from each other.
15. The contact lens package of claim 14, wherein said separating means includes a first tab extending from said second end of said first shell member and a second tab extending from said second end of said second shell member, said first and second tabs being juxtaposed with one another.
16. The contact lens package of claim 15, further comprising a first plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said first tab, and a second plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said second tab, said first plurality of bumps and said second plurality of bumps being sized and shaped so as to enable manual grasping of said juxtaposed tabs.
17. The contact lens package of claim 15, wherein said hanging means includes a first aperture formed through said first tab and a second aperture formed through said second tab and aligned with said first aperture, each of said first and second apertures being sized and shaped to fit over a peg of a display rack.
18. The contact lens package of claim 17, wherein said receptacle includes an inner surface and a recess formed in said inner surface, said recess being sized and shaped to house and receive a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.
19. The contact lens package of claim 18, further comprising viewing means for viewing a contact lens housed in said recess of said receptacle.
20. The contact lens package of claim 19, further comprising a sponge member housed in said receptacle, said sponge member is shaped to receive a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution sufficient to saturate a contact lens.
21. The contact lens package of claim 20, further comprising a viewing means.
22. The contact lens package of claim 21, wherein said viewing means includes a window formed in an exposed surface of said second shell member, said window being sized, shaped and positioned for enabling said contact lens to be visually exposed.
23. A contact 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 removably attached to each other such that said first ends of said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another and said second ends of said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another, said first ends of said first and second shell members forming a gusset that is sized and shaped for enabling the package to be situated in a free standing position; a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members, said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution; and viewing means for viewing said contact lens housed in said receptacle.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 16, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 16, 2006
Inventors: Michael Tokarski (Ponte Vedra, FL), James Peck (Maple Grove, MN), Edward Dzwill (Flemington, NJ), George Brock (St. Augustine, FL), Roger Smith (Grove City, OH), Michael Schulte (Columbus, OH), Michael Ulrich (Columbus, OH)
Application Number: 10/942,676
International Classification: A45C 11/04 (20060101);