Compact contact lens case with time tracking device

Abstract

A compact contact lens case with a base having a top side, a top member with a right opening that receives a right receptacle for receiving a right contact lens, and with a left opening for receiving a left receptacle for receiving a left contact lens and positioned on the top side of said base, a right side receptacle for receiving a right contact lens, a left side receptacle for receiving a left contact lens, a cover for the right side receptacle for receiving a contact lens, a cover for the left side receptacle for receiving a contact lens, and a date wheel for indicating a date related to use of the contact lenses that is manually adjustable independently of a month wheel for indicating a date related to use of the contact lenses. The month wheel is manually adjustable independently of the setting of the date wheel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/561,175 filed Apr. 8, 2004. The prior application is hereby incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to contact lens cases with time tracking devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

The closest prior art of which applicant is aware is U.S. Pat. No. 6,382, 409 issued to Scala, “Contact Lens Case with Time Tracking Structure.”

The Contact Lens Case with Time Tracking Structure comprises a base having a top side, left side and right side cups positioned on the top side of the base which respectively receive a contact lens, a timing mechanism on the left side for indicating a date and month related to the use of the left contact lens, and a timing mechanism on the right side for indicating a date and month related to the use of the right contact lens.

While this and other contact lens cases with time tracking devices are described, existing contact lens cases with time tracking devices are substantially larger than the contact lens cases without time tracking devices that are provided to the contact lens wearer at the time the contact lenses are prescribed. Another problem with existing compact lens cases with time tracking devices is that they presume that the compact lens wearer will wear the left and right contact lenses beginning on different dates and therefore require the compact lens wearer to set and keep track of two different dates. That presumption requires the incorporation of a larger time tracking system that makes existing contact lens cases cumbersome and less accessible to a contact lens wearer. Therefore, there is a resulting need for an improved contact lens case.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compact contact lens case with a base having a top side, a top member with a right opening that receives a right receptacle for receiving a right contact lens, and with a left opening for receiving a left receptacle for receiving a left contact lens and positioned on the top side of the base is provided. The compact contact lens case also has a right side receptacle for receiving a right contact lens, a left side receptacle for receiving a left contact lens, a cover for the right side receptacle for receiving a contact lens, a cover for the left side receptacle for receiving a contact lens, and a date wheel for with indicia indicating a date related to use of the contact lenses that is manually adjustable independently of a month wheel with indicia for indicating a date related to use of the contact lenses. The month wheel is manually adjustable independently of the setting of the date wheel. Covers to seal the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens and to seal the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens are also provided.

These and other features of the invention are described in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the compact contact lens case of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is top view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is cross sectional side view of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a blow up of the cross sectional side view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens and a left receptacle for receiving a contact lens of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens and a left receptacle for receiving a contact lens of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the top member of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the top member of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the top member of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the base of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the base of the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a top view of the month wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a bottom view of the month wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 12C is a top view of the date wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 12D is a bottom view of the date wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a top view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a compact contact lens case, preferably of plastic, comprising a base 101 having a top side 102 with a top member 113 positioned on the top side 102 of the base 101. Attached to the top side 102 of the base 101 are mounting beams 135 and 154 with mounting ledges 136 on each of mounting beams 135 and 154. Attached to the top of mounting beam 154 are left knob 144 and right knob 145. Attached to the top side 102 of the base 101 are connecting posts 129 and 130, also seen in FIG. 10. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7 it is seen that the base 101 has a front indent 104 that receives a front flap 134 protruding from the top member 113 when the compact contact lens case of the present invention is assembled. The base 101 has a rear indent 143 that receives a rear flap 901 shown in FIG. 9, a bottom view of top member 113, when the compact lens case of the present invention is assembled.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, it is seen that the top member 113 has a right opening 141 that accommodates a right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 that holds sufficient solution for a contact lens worn in the right eye, and a contact lens worn in the right eye. The right opening 141 in top member 113 has a right seat 116 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 sits on the right seat 116. The right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 fits snugly in the right opening 141 in top member 113 and on the right seat 116. The right opening 141 has a post 115 that matches with a notch 122 in the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 so that the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 is prevented from inadvertently rotating or turning in the right opening 141.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, it is seen that the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 has a mounting sleeve 131 that matches with a right bottom receiver 106 on the top side 102 of the base 101 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11. The right bottom receiver 106 on the top side 102 of base 101 has a connecting post 105. Referring now to FIG. 6 it is seen that mounting sleeve 131 of right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 has a mounting sleeve 601. Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, and 11, it is seen that right bottom post 105 fits snugly into receiving sleeve 601 on bottom sleeve 131 of the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123. Right opening 141 is designated by indicia 139 on the top side 102 of top member 113 indicating that right opening 141 in top member 113 is for receiving a right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8, it is seen that the top member 113 also has a left opening 140 for receiving a left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 that holds sufficient solution for a contact lens worn in the left eye and a left contact lens worn in the left eye.

The left opening 140 in the top member 113 has a left seat 119. The left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 sits on left seat 119. The left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 fits snugly in left opening 140 in the top member 113, and on left seat 119. The left opening 140 has a post 120 that matches with a notch 133 in the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 so that the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 is prevented from inadvertently rotating or turning in left opening 140. The left receptacle for a contact lens 124 has a mounting connector 132 that matches with a left bottom receiver 103 on the top side 102 of the base 101. The left bottom receiver 103 has a connecting post 137. The left opening 140 is designated by indicia 138 on the top side 102 of top member 113 indicating that left opening 140 in top member 113 is for the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, it is seen that the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 has a mounting sleeve 132 that matches with a left bottom receiver 103 on the top side 102 of the base 101 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11. The left bottom receiver 106 on the top side 102 of base 101 has a left connecting post 137. Referring now to FIG. 6 it is seen that bottom sleeve 132 of left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 has a mounting sleeve 602. Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, and 11, it is seen that right bottom post 137 fits snugly into receiving sleeve 602 on bottom sleeve 131 of the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it is seen that in a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 is sealed by a right cover 125 for the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123, and that the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 is sealed by a left cover 126. The right cover 125 has indicia 127 indicating that the right cover 125 is for covering the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123. The left cover 126 for the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 has indicia 128 indicating that the left cover 126 is for covering the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, it is seen that the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 has threads 151 on the outside surface of its mounting sleeve 131 that mate with threads 404 on the inside of the right cover 125, allowing right cover 125 to be screwed on to right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123. The fit of the right cover 125 onto right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 sufficiently seals right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 to prevent solution for a contact lens from evaporating from right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123, and to prevent contamination of the solution for receiving a contact lens and of the contact lens contained in right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123.

The right cover 125 is one means of sealing right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 as recited in the claims. Other means for sealing right receptacle 123 for receiving a contact lens include but are not limited to a cap that snaps over right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, it is seen that the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 has threads 150 on the outside surface of its bottom sleeve 132 that mate with threads 403 on the inside of the left cover 126, allowing left cover 126 to be screwed on to left receptacle for a contact lens 124. The fit of the left cover 126 onto left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 sufficiently seals left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 to prevent solution for a contact lens from evaporating from the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 and to prevent contamination of the solution for a contact lens and of the contact lens contained in the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124.

The left cover 126 is one means of sealing left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 as recited in the claims. Other means for sealing the left receptacle 124 for receiving a contact lens include but are not limited to a cap that snaps over left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124.

The right cover 125 has serrations 153 that enable a user of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention to easily grasp the right cover 125 and screw the right cover 125 on to the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124.

The left cover 126 has serrations 152 that enable a user of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention to easily grasp the left cover 126 and screw the left cover 126 on to the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, it is seen that a date wheel 107 for indicating a date related to use of the contact lenses rotates about the mounting sleeve 131 of right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 in such a manner that the date wheel 107 is capable of being manually adjustable by the user independently of a month wheel 110. The date wheel 107 has date indicia 108 indicative of dates of the month. The date wheel 107 has an opening 109 that allows the bottom connector 131 of the right receptacle for a contact lens 123 to pass though the opening 109 and mate with the right bottom receiver 106 on the base 101 when the present invention is assembled.

The date wheel 107 and date indicia 108 are one means for indicating a date related to use of the contact lenses as recited in the claims. Other means include but are not limited to an electronic display, or a light emitting diode (LED).

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, it is seen that the month wheel 110 for indicating a date related to use of the contact lenses rotates about the mounting sleeve 132 of left receptacle for a contact lens 124 in such a manner that the month wheel 110 can be manually adjusted by the user independently of the date wheel 107. The month wheel 110 has month indicia 111 indicative of the numbers of the months. The month wheel 110 has an opening 112 that allows the bottom connector 132 of the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 to pass through the opening 112 and mate with the left bottom receiver 103 on the base 101 when the present invention is assembled.

The month wheel 110 and month indicia 111 are one means for indicating a month related to use of the contact lenses as recited in the claims. Other means include but are not limited to an electronic display, or a light emitting diode (LED).

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4A, 4B, 12A, and 12B, it is seen that the month wheel 110 has 12 indents 146 that receive left knob 144 on the top of mounting beam 154. The month wheel 110 has serrations 148 on its outside edge that enable a user of a first embodiment of the present invention to grasp the month wheel 110 and turn it.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4A, 4B, 12C (a top view of date wheel 107) and 12D (a bottom view of date wheel 107), it is also seen that the date wheel 107 has 31 indents 147 that receive right knob 145 on the top of mounting beam 154. The date wheel 107 has serrations 149 on its outside edge that enable a user of the present invention to grasp the date wheel 107 and turn it.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 8 and 9 it is seen that the top member 113 has a right side notch 114 so that when the base 101 is affixed to the top member 113 the date indicia indicative of dates of the month 108 are visible to the user of the present invention. The top member 113 also has a left side notch 121 so that when the base 101 is affixed to the top member 113 the month indicia indicative of the month 111 are visible to the user of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the invention, magnification or other assistive viewing devices can be attached to the notches 120 and 114 in the top member 113 to assist a user of the present invention in seeing the month indicia 111 on month wheel 110 and the date indicia 108 on date wheel 107.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4A, it is seen that a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled by affixing the base 101 to the top member 113 at several points as shown in the drawings.

Mounting sleeve 117 on the bottom of top member 113 fits snugly over bottom post 129 on the base 101 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Mounting sleeve 118 on the bottom of top member 113 fits snugly over bottom post 130 as shown in FIG. 1.

The date wheel 108 and the month wheel 110 each sit on the top of mounting ledges 136 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4A, and 4B.

Referring now to FIG. 4A it is seen that top member 113 serves as a ceiling for a left chamber 401 formed by top member 113, mounting beams 135 and 154, and mounting connector 132 for left receptacle for a contact lens 124. Top member 113 also serves as a ceiling for a right chamber 402 formed by top member 113, mounting beams 135 and 154, and mounting connector 131 on right receptacle for a contact lens 123. When top member 113 is affixed to the base 101 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the top member 113 with its mounting sleeve 117 fits snugly over connecting post 129. When the top member 113 is affixed to the base 101 as shown in FIG. 1, the top member 113 with its mounting sleeve 118 also fits snugly over connecting post 130.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 8, and 9 it is seen that mounting sleeve 131 on right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 and notch 122 on right receptacle for receiving a contact lens 123 fit over right bottom receiver 106 on base 101 and over post 115 on seat 116 of top member 113 respectively in such a way to ensure that date wheel 107 and its indents 147 properly seat on right knob 145. It is also seen that mounting sleeve 132 on left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 and notch 133 on left receptacle for receiving a contact lens 124 fit over left bottom receiver 103 on base 101 and over post 121 on seat 116 of top member 113 respectively in such a way to ensure that month wheel 110 and its indents 147 properly seat on left knob 144.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is seen that the month wheel 110 lies flush against the mounting ledge 136 of the base 101. Because the month wheel 110 lies flush against mounting ledge 136 of the base 101, because the top member 113 and its notch 121 fit sufficiently snug to the month wheel 110, and because the indentations 146 in the month wheel 110 receive left knob 144, sufficient pressure is applied to the month wheel 110 to prevent the month wheel 110 from inadvertently turning after a month indicia 111 is selected in notch 121 of top member 113 by a user of the present invention.

The date wheel 107 lies flush against the mounting ledge 136 of the base 101 as shown in FIG. 4. Because the date wheel 107 lies flush against mounting ledge 136 of the base 101, and because the top member 113 and its notch 114 fit sufficiently snug to the date wheel 107, and because indentation 147 in the bottom of date wheel 107 receive right knob 145, sufficient pressure is applied to the date wheel 107 to prevent the date wheel 107 from inadvertently turning after a date indicia 108 is selected in notch 114 in top member 113 by a user of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 6, it is seen that the mounting sleeve 131 on the right receptacle for a contact lens 123 fits snugly over the right bottom receiver 105. Right connecting post 106 mates snugly with the right connector 601 on the bottom of the right receptacle for a contact lens 123. The mounting sleeve on the left receptacle for a contact lens 124 fits snugly over the left bottom receiver 103. Left connecting post 137 mates snugly with the left connector 602 on the bottom of the left receptacle for a contact lens 124.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4A, 4B, 12A, and 12B, it is seen that when the compact lens case of the present invention is assembled, the fit of top member 113 to base 101 is sufficiently snug to apply enough pressure to date wheel 107 that the indents 147 in date wheel 107 mate snugly enough with right knob 145 to keep date wheel 107 from inadvertently turning when a date indicia 108 is selected by a user of the present invention. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4A, 4B, 12C, and 12D it is also seen that when the compact lens case of the present invention is assembled, the fit of top member 113 to base 101 is sufficiently snug to apply enough pressure to month wheel 110 that the indents 146 in month wheel 110 mate snugly enough with left knob 145 to keep month wheel 110 from inadvertently turning when a month indicia 111 is selected by a user of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 13A, it is seen that in a first preferred embodiment, the compact lens case of the present invention is 3.386 inches (86.00 centimeters) long and 1.771 inches (44.99 cm) wide.

Referring now to FIG. 13B, it is seen that in a first preferred embodiment, the base and top members of the compact contact lens case of the present invention when assembled are 0.413 inches (10.50 cm) in height, and that the compact contact lens case of the present invention is 0.826 inches (21.00 cm) high.

Referring now to FIG. 13C, a top view of a contact lens case 1201 without time tracking devices, it is seen that a contact lens case 1201 without time tracking devices is 2.563 inches (65.09 cm) long and 1.219 inches (30.96 cm) wide.

Referring now to FIG. 13D, a side view of a contact lens case 1201 without time tracking devices, it is seen that a contact lens case 1201 without time tracking devices is 0.531 inches (13.5 cm) high.

In a first preferred embodiment, the compact lens case of the present invention is only 13 percent longer than a contact lens case 1201 without time tracking devices. In a first preferred embodiment, the compact contact lens case of the present invention is only 16 percent higher than a contact lens case 1201 without time tracking devices. In a first preferred embodiment, the compact contact lens case of the present invention is only 15 percent wider than a contact lens case 1201 without time tracking devices.

The compact contact lens case of the present invention offers a smaller, aesthetically appealing, and readily accessible compact contact lens case that is easier to use than existing contact lens cases with time tracking devices, but yet is not substantially larger than contact lens cases without time tracking devices.

It is to be understood that the examples shown above are for illustrative purposes only, and that the particular materials and construction as well as other details are not to be construed in a manner that would limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A compact contact lens case, comprising:

A base having a top side;

a top member positioned on the top side of the base that has a right opening to receive a right receptacle for receiving a contact lens and a left opening to receive a left receptacle for receiving a contact lens;

a right receptacle for receiving a contact lens;

a left receptacle for receiving a contact lens;

means for indicating a month related to use of the contact lenses,

means for indicating a date related to use of the contact lenses;

means to seal the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens; and

means to seal the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens.

2. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means to seal the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens is a screw on cover.

3. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means to seal the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens is a screw on cover.

4. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means to seal the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens is a snap on cover.

5. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means to seal the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens is a snap on cover.

6. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a month related to the use of the contact lenses is a month wheel with month indicia indicating the number of the month.

7. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a date related to the use of the contact lenses is a month wheel with date indicia indicating the date of the month.

8. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a month related to the use of the contact lenses is an electronic display.

9. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a date related to the use of the contact lenses is an electronic display.

10. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a month related to the use of the contact lenses is a light emitting diode.

11. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a date related to the use of the contact lenses is a light emitting diode.

12. A compact contact lens case, comprising:

a base having a top side;

a top member positioned on the top side of the base that has a right opening to receive a right receptacle for receiving a contact lens and a left opening to receive a left receptacle for receiving a contact lens;

a right receptacle for receiving a contact lens that fits into the right opening to receive a right receptacle for receiving a contact lens;

a left receptacle for receiving a contact lens that fits into the left opening to receive a left receptacle for receiving a contact lens;

a month wheel having indicia that indicate a month related to use of the contact lenses;

a date wheel having indicia that indicate a date related to use of the contact lenses;

a screw on cover to seal the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens;

a screw on cover to seal the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens;

the left bottom receiver of the base;

wherein the month wheel rotates around the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens, the date wheel rotates around the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens, the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens and the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens are attached to the base;

one of the month indicia on the month wheel is visible through a notch on the left side of the top member;

one of the date indicia on the date wheel is visible through a notch on the right side of the top member; and

wherein the top member is affixed to the base and sufficient pressure is applied to the month and data wheels to prevent the month wheel and date wheels from turning after a month indicia and a date indicia are selected by a user of the compact contact lens case.

13. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means to seal the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens is a screw on cover.

14. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means to seal the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens is a screw on cover.

15. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means to seal the right receptacle for receiving a contact lens is a snap on cover.

16. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means to seal the left receptacle for receiving a contact lens is a snap on cover.

17. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a month related to the use of the contact lenses is an electronic display.

18. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a date related to the use of the contact lenses is an electronic display.

19. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a month related to the use of the contact lenses is a light emitting diode.

20. The compact contact lens case of claim 1, wherein the means for indicating a date related to the use of the contact lenses is a light emitting diode.