Systems and methods for identifying left and right use contacts on primary package

Abstract

Primary packaging for a contact lens includes an indicator on the primary packaging that indicates whether said contact lens is for use in a right or left eye of a lens wearer. A method of packaging a contact lens includes a lens manufacturer marking a contact lens package with an indicator as to whether a contact lens in the marked package is to be worn in a left eye or a right eye.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application and claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of previous U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/527,383, filed Mar. 11, 2005. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/527,383 is a nationalization and claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of a Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US03/28991, filed Sep. 15, 2003 and published as WO2004/024573. Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US03/28991 claims the priority of previous U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/410,773, filed Sep. 13, 2002. All of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties.

BACKGROUND

Contact lenses are worn directly on the eye and are widely used to correct vision problems. Consequently, lenses are manufactured with different characteristics or prescriptions as needed to correct the vision of different lens wearers. Often, lens wearers must distinguish between a right lens and a left lens. This is necessary because many lens wearers need a different prescription to correct the vision in their left eye as compared to the prescription needed to correct the vision in their right eye.

Traditionally, contact lenses have been either rigid (hard) or soft. Soft contact lenses are often disposable after a period of use. Consequently, a quantity of soft lenses are often packaged together and sold to supply the wearer with enough lenses to last for a period of time, such as six months or a year. A typical package has a “blister” molded out of high quality polypropylene. The blister contains a single contact lens and a quantity of solution needed to keep the lens hydrated. A film is then sealed over the blister and secured to the margin area around the blister so as to seal the lens and the hydrating solution within the blister. When a lens wearer needs to use the lens, the film is pealed away from the blister to allow access to the contact lens inside the blister.

One problem that many lens wearers face is keeping track of lenses with different prescriptions and knowing which lens corresponds to which of the wearer's eyes. Lenses are typically supplied by the manufacturer with a listing of the parameters of the lenses (such as the power, diameter, base curve, etc.), but there is no indication from the manufacturer as to in which eye a particular lens is to be worn. In the past, this information has not been used by the manufacturer, but has been the concern of the dispensing optometrist. Consequently, unless the dispensing optometrist indicates which eye a set of contact lenses are to be used in, the wearer must then ascertain this important fact for themselves. If the prescriptions needed for a wearer's two eyes are only slightly different, it may be very difficult, if not impossible, for the wearer to figure out for himself or herself in which eye to use a particular new lens.

Moreover, even if the dispensing optometrist designates whether a set of lenses is for a left or right eye on an outer package, the individual contact lens packages inside that outer package will not include that information. Once the outer package has been opened, it is typically not fully resealable. Consequently, individual lens packages may fall out of the outer package when stored. In such a case, individual lens packages from different outer packages designated for different eyes may easily become mixed up without the wearer being able to tell in which eye to use a given lens.

SUMMARY

The primary packaging for a contact lens includes an indicator on the primary packaging that indicates whether said contact lens is for use in a right or left eye of a lens wearer. A method of packaging a contact lens includes a lens manufacturer marking a contact lens package with an indicator as to whether a contact lens in the marked package is to be worn in a left eye or a right eye.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present system and method and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present system and method and do not limit the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates an individually packaged contact lens according to principles described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates the packaging of FIG. 1 being opened.

FIG. 3A illustrates an outer package according to principles described herein.

FIG. 3B illustrates an outer package containing a number individually-packaged left and right lenses that are each so marked according to principles described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a retort package for a contact lens according to principles described herein.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a flat pack package for a contact lens according to principles described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates another type of flat pack package for a contact lens according to principles described herein.

FIGS. 8-13 illustrate a packaging system for a supply of contact lenses according to principles described herein.

FIG. 14 illustrates another packaging system for contact lenses according to principles described herein.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate additional outer packaging that can be used with the system illustrated in FIG. 14 according to principles described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates another form of individual packaging for contact lenses according to principles described herein.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrated another form of individual packaging for contact lenses according to principles described herein.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrated a number of exemplary methods of doing business according to principles described herein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present specification describes methods, lens packaging systems, and devices for designating to a lens wearer on primary packaging from a lens manufacturer whether a lens is configured for use in the wearer's right or left eye. Consequently, the lens wearer is able to check a designation for a particular lens to ascertain whether the prescription of the lens matches the wearer's right or left eye.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “primary package,” “primary packaging,” or “primary case” will be used to refer to the packaging in which a contact lens or a supply of lenses are placed during the manufacturing processes and the packaging in which the lens or supply of lenses is then provided either directly to a lens wearer or to a dispensing optometrist or other eye care professional. Consequently, primary packaging is distinguished from any container or packaging that a lens may be placed in subsequent to being received by the lens wearer, such as a lens container in which the lenses are stored or cleaned during the period they are in service and after having been removed from the primary packaging of the manufacturer. If, however, the lenses are repackaged commercially before being provided to a lens wearer, that repackaging may still be considered “primary packaging” as defined herein. “Primary packaging” may refer to either or both of the packaging used to package individual lenses or the outer or shipping packaging used to package together a quantity of individually packaged lenses.

According to one of many exemplary embodiments described herein, a contact lens primary package contains at least one contact lens and includes an indicator on the primary package indicating whether the at least one contact lens is meant for use with a wearer's right eye or left eye. Specifically, the indicator may be provided on the primary package by the manufacturer of the lens. Alternatively, the indicator may be provided on the primary package by a lens wholesaler or a lens re-packager. In either case, the packaged lens or lenses are provided to the wearer or the wearer's eye care professional with the indicator already in place on the primary packaging.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present specification describes a primary package containing contact lenses to be worn in a right eye and contact lenses to be worn in a left eye. The primary package includes an outer or shipping package containing a quantity of individually packaged contact lenses, where the individual contact lens packages are marked with an indicator prior to shipment designating whether that particular lens is for use in the wearer's left eye or right eye.

In another exemplary embodiment described herein, contact lens primary packaging includes an indicator that indicates whether a contact lens in the packaging is to be worn in a wearer's left eye or right eye, where the primary package is marked with the indicator as containing a left eye lens or a right eye lens at the same time the package is marked with a prescription applicable to the lens in the package. This embodiment also includes a method of packaging a contact lens in which the contact lens is placed in the primary package and the package is marked with an indicator as containing a left eye lens or a right eye lens at the same time the package is marked with a prescription applicable to the lens therein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an individually packaged contact lens according to principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 1, a single contact lens (4) is contained in a blister package (1). The package (1) is made of a molded portion (2) that includes a flat portion (6) and a blister or boat (5). The blister (5) of the package (1) provides a volume in which the lens (4) is placed, typically with a quantity of hydrating solution. A foil cover (3) is then sealed to the molded portion (2) thereby sealing the contact lens (4) and the hydrating solution in the blister (5).

It should be noted that the packaging (1) described here, and in the other examples given below, is primary packaging produced by the lens manufacturer and then provided to the lens wearer. When a lens wearer needs the lens (4), the foil (3) is pealed from the package (1) as shown in FIG. 2. The lens wearer can then access and use the lens (4).

As described above, in the past, there has been no way for the lens wearer to ascertain from the primary package whether the lens is of the prescription for the wearer's right or left eye. Consequently, according to the principles described herein, an indicator (7) is provided on the primary package (1). This indicator (7) will indicate to the lens wearer whether the particular lens (4) in the package (1) is configured for the wearer's right or left eye.

The indicator (7) can take any of a myriad of forms. In the illustrated example, the indicator (7) is a letter, e.g., “L” for left or “R” for right. However, the indicator (7) can alternatively be any symbol or device that allows the lens wearer to determine whether the package (1) contains a right eye lens or a left eye lens. For example, the indicator (7) can be, but is not limited to, a letter, a word, a symbol, a shape, a color, or any other device that allows the lens wearer to distinguish a package containing a right eye lens from a package containing a left eye lens.

The indicator (7) may be printed or disposed on the foil (3) or the molded portion (2) of the package (1). The indicator (7) may be the color of the foil (3) or the color of some other portion of the package (1) such as the molded portion (2). Alternatively, the indicator may be the package (1) itself, such as incorporating a different package shape for a package containing a right eye lens compared to a package containing a left eye lens. Again, any device that allows the lens wearer to distinguish a package containing a right eye lens from a package containing a left eye lens can be used under the principles described herein.

Additionally, as mentioned above, the primary packaging can include an outer or shipping package that also bears an indicator of the eye for which the packaged lenses are intended. FIG. 3A shows an example of primary packaging that may be referred to as an outer or shipping package (13). Inside the outer package (13) are a quantity of individually packaged lenses (12). A single outer package (13) may be designed to contain enough lenses to satisfy the needs of a lens wearer for a particular period of time, such as 60 day, 90 days, six months or a year.

In the present example, all of the individually packaged lenses (12) in the outer package (13) are of the same prescription and are intended for use in a particular eye of the wearer. Consequently, the outer package (13) may also or alternatively bear an indicator (7) that indicates whether the individually packaged lenses (12) are right eye lenses or left eye lenses. As indicated above, the indicator (7) can be any device that allows the lens wearer to distinguish a package containing right eye lenses from a package containing left eye lenses.

The indicator (7) may be printed or disposed on the outer package (13) at a variety of locations. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the indicator (7) may be located on a flap or a front panel of the outer package (13). The indicator (7) may also be disposed at two or more locations on the outer package (13) to make it easier for a lens wearer to notice. The individually packages lenses (12) in the outer package (13) may also bear an indicator (7) as illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 1 above.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, an outer or shipping package (24) may contain a quantity of individually packaged lens (1) for both the wearer's right eye and left eye. In such a case, the outer packaging may not have any indicator (7), but the individual lens packages (1) within the outer packaging (24) may each have an indicator (7) to distinguish a package containing a right eye lens from a package containing a left eye lens. Additionally or alternatively, the individually packaged lenses may be organized within the outer package (24). For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the outer package (24) may contain a row or column (23) of individually packaged left eye lenses and a second row or column (21) of individually packaged right eye lenses. A divider (25) may be included in some outer packages (24) to divide the supply of individually packaged right eye lenses (21) from the supply of individually packaged left eye lenses (23). The outer package (24) may include additional indicators to indicate which supply within the outer package (24) corresponds to a wearer's right and left eyes. The outer package (24) can take any form that contains a supply of individually packaged left and right eye lenses.

The principles described herein can be applied to any of the myriad primary packaging arrangements that have been proposed or that may in the future be proposed for contact lenses. In another example, illustrated in FIG. 4, a contact lens (4) may be packaged between two flexible substrates (14, 15), such as film or foil. This type of packaging is referred to as retort packaging (18). In some retort packages, the lens is held in a compressed state to reduce the amount of space required by the packaged lens in outer or other packaging. This and other types of packaging on which the indicator described herein may be used are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/789,961, filed Feb. 27, 2004 by Newman and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 4, an indicator (7) of whether the packaged lens (4) is a right eye lens or a left eye lens can be included on the retort packaging (18). This indicator (7) may be disposed at any location on the packaging (18) and should be visible before the packaging (18) is opened. As indicated above, the indicator (7) can be any device that allows the lens wearer to distinguish a package containing a right eye lens from a package containing a left eye lens, e.g., a word, letter, symbol, packaging shape, etc. In another example, the color of one or both of the retort substrates (14, 15) may serve as the indicator. Also, as described above, a quantity of the individual lens packages (18) can be packaged together in outer or shipping packaging that also or alternatively bears an indicator (7).

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary form of primary packaging on which the indicator described herein may be used. As shown in FIG. 5, a contact lens may be packaging in what is called a flat pack (163). In a flat pack, the lens is compressed in a space that has been formed in a rigid substrate (34) and is then sealed in that space with a foil cover (26, FIG. 6). As with the blister packaging described above, the lens may be sealed in the packaging (163) with a quantity of hydrating solution.

When the lens is needed by a lens wearer, the foil cover (26) is pealed back as shown in FIG. 6. The wearer can then access and use the lens. A quantity of wetting solution (32) may also be included in the packaging (163) to assist the wearer in placing the lens comfortably on the eye. A tab (36) may assist the user in accessing the wetting solution (32). According to one exemplary embodiment, the tab (36) may be varied to distinguish a package containing a right eye lens from a package containing a left eye lens, e.g., a word, letter, symbol, packaging shape, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 5, an indicator (7) may again be placed on the flat pack (163), which is primary packaging, to indicate whether the lens in the package is configured for a wearer's right or left eye. In the example of FIG. 5, the indicator (7) is again a letter, in this case an “R,” indicating that the lens in the package is for use in a wearer's right eye. However, as in the other examples given herein, the indicator (7) can be any device that allows the lens wearer to distinguish a package containing a right eye lens from a package containing a left eye lens. Also, as described above, a quantity of the individual lens packages (163) can be packaged together in outer or shipping packaging that also or alternatively bears an indicator (7).

FIG. 7 illustrated another exemplary form of primary packaging (176) on which the indicator described herein may be used. As shown in FIG. 7, the contact lens (4) is packaged between two curved substrates (14, 15). These curved substrates (14, 15) may hold the lens in a compressed state, as mentioned above, and will have a contoured shape when sealed together. This contoured shape allows a number of individual lens packages to be neatly and conveniently stacked as is also shown in FIG. 7. As with other forms of packaging, the lens (4) may be sealed between the substrates (14, 15) with a quantity of hydrating solution.

Additionally, an indicator (7) may again be placed on the primary packaging (176) to indicate whether the lens in the package is configured for a wearer's right or left eye. In the example of FIG. 7, the indicator (7) is again a letter, in this case an “R,” indicating that the lens in the package is for use in a wearer's right eye. However, as in the other examples given herein, the indicator (7) can be any device that allows the lens wearer to distinguish a package containing a right eye lens from a package containing a left eye lens. Also, as described above, a quantity of the individual lens packages (176) can be packaged together in outer or shipping packaging that also or alternatively bears an indicator (7).

FIGS. 8-13 illustrate another lens packaging system with which the indicator described herein may be used. In this exemplary system, as shown in FIG. 12, each lens is packaged individually in a case (50) that is used in conjunction with a base member (62) shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring first to FIG. 9, the flat base member (62) that has two receptacles (64, 65) formed therein in which a case containing a contact lens can be releasably attached. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, each lens package (50) includes a boat (55) with an interior volume (53). A lid (54) is configured to be attached to the boat (55) to close the package (50). Inside the interior (53) of each boat (55), a lens (4) and a quantity of hydrating solution (58) are disposed. A film or seal (56) is then placed over the boat (55). The film (56) may be, as illustrated in the figures, a disk of generally moisture-proof film, such as an opaque lamination of polypropylene, aluminum foil and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). In some examples, the film (56) is sealed by heat or ultrasonic energy to the rim of the boat (55) by the manufacturer. The lid (54) is then secured to the boat (55) and also helps holds the film (56) in place. Consequently, the case (50) is an example of primary packaging. Some packages (50) will contain a left eye lens and some will contain a right eye lens.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the base (62) also includes indicia (66, 67) identifying each receptacle (64, 65) as being for either a contact lens case containing a left eye contact or a case containing a right eye contact. Consequently, the user places a package (50) containing a right eye lens in the right receptacle (65) and a package (50) containing a left eye lens in the left receptacle (64). The packages (50) may be labeled as to whether each contains a right or left eye contact, or may be dispensed from a tube as will be described below that indicates whether the package (50) contains a left or right eye lens.

Thus, the receptacles (64, 65) of the base (62) receive the boats (55) of the two cases (50). The base (62) may further include indicators (68, 69), one for each receptacle, which indicate the number of days that have elapsed since the package (50) currently in the receptacle (64, 65) was placed therein.

Referring to FIG. 8, the system also includes a tube (70) filled with packages (50) of contact lenses. In the illustrated example, all the packages (50) in the tube (70) contain lenses of an identical prescription which are, consequently, indicated for use in a particular eye of the wearer. An indicator (7) may be included on the tube (70) to indicate in which eye the lenses of that tube (70) are to be used. As in the other examples given herein, the indicator (7) can be any device that allows the lens wearer to distinguish a package containing a right eye lens from a package containing a left eye lens. As shown in FIG. 8, the indicator (7) can be disposed at any of several locations on the tube (70) or may be disposed in multiple locations on the tube (70). Individual packages (50) may be removed from the tube as shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 13, two or more tubes (70, 72, 74, 76) may be provided as part of the system being described. Each tube (70, 72, 74, 76) contains individually packaged contact lenses with a common prescription and is intended for use in a particular eye of the wearer. Thus, packages of left eye contacts are stacked on top of one another in the first tube (70), and packages for right eye contact lenses are stacked on top of one another in another tube (74). Of course, as shown in FIG. 13, the supply of contact lens packages for each eye may fill more than one tube. In the example of FIG. 13, there is a second tube (72) of left eye contact lens packages and a second tube (76) of right eye contact lens packages. These tubes (70, 72, 74, 76) are examples of primary packaging.

The tubes (70, 72, 74, 76) may each contain a specific number of lenses which suits the wearing modality or the purchasing preferences of the wearer, such as a six month supply of two-week lenses. When one package (50) is removed, the next one falls down into place.

A system sent to a customer may also include a bottle of multipurpose contact lens solution (82). This bottle could be equipped with a pump (84) or some other kind of push down system so that it dispenses an exact amount of solution (such as 3 ml) with one push. This would allow the bottle (82) to stay in place during use instead of a wearer having to pick up the bottle and carefully squirt out 3 ml of solution to fill the boat (55) when a contact lens (4) is placed in the package (50) for temporary (overnight) storage. The system supplied could also include a small bottle (86) for drops of a specialized fluid, such as wetting drops.

Referring to FIG. 14, another form of primary lens packaging is shown on which the principles of the present specification may be used. Like the previous example, the present system includes a base (112) to which two individual lens packages may be releasably secured. In the example of FIG. 14, the lens packages are attached in a receptacle using tabs or corners (122). As illustrated in FIG. 14, the system is shown with a lens package in place on the base (112) on the right side and an open receptacle (114) on the left for receiving an individual lens package (123).

Each lens package (123) is sealed with a cap (94). Each cap (94) may include lens parameter information (115), as well as a left and right designation (94). The left/right designation (94) may include a check placed next to the word or a symbol for left/right. This check mark may be applied when the lenses are pulled from inventory to be supplied to a wearer. Alternatively, an inventory of pre-marked packages of both left and right eye lenses may be maintained. In still another alternative, an inventory of pre-marked caps of both left and right eye (possibly of a different color) may be maintained so that the respective packages (123) can be designated as being for one eye or the other during assembly of a package. In this manner, the packages are readily distinguishable from one another as containing a left eye lens or a right eye lens.

Left/right indicators (116, 117) may be provided on the substrate (112). These indicators (116, 117) instruct the lens wearer in which receptacle (114) to place a package (123) bearing a right eye lens and in which receptacle (114) to place a package (123) bearing a left eye lens.

The base (112) may also include indicators (118, 119) for each receptacle (114) to indicate the number of days elapsed since the package (123) currently in that receptacle (114) was placed there. The indicators (118, 119) may be electronic or electrochemical indicators, and may be part of one assembly to save cost. A switch or triggering device in the receptacles (114) may used to reset the indicators (118, 119). Thus, the indicators (118, 119) may be prompted to indicate an elapsed number of days by counting from the moment the reset device is triggered, which would occur when the old package (123) is pressed out of the receptacle (114) of the base (112) or when a new package (123) is pressed in. The indicators (118, 119) may also change color once a certain number of days have passed. A battery may be provided to power the electronic indicators. Such a battery might last for a year or more. This would eliminate the need for the wearer to change it. The electronic components, such as the indicators (118, 119) and switches, could be insert molded into the base (112) when the base (112) is formed by injection molding.

FIG. 15 shows a shipping tube (130) in which the individual packages (123) may be shipped. The individual packages (123) may be equivalent to the packages (123) described in connection with FIG. 14 and may be used with the base (112) described above or a similar device. A tamper evident seal (132) may be applied to seal the top of the tube (130). The tube top (134) may also include an indicator (7) or indicia as to whether the lenses are for the left eye or the right eye.

As shown in FIG. 16, an entire system with two tubes (130, 140) of contact packages (123), and a base (112) may be packed in a secondary shipping pack (143). The wearer orders a supply of contact lenses with a first prescription for the left eye and with a second prescription for the right eye. The individual lens packages are taken from inventory and marked (or an inventory of one type of lens in both right eye and left eye designated packages is maintained and used), and the individual packages are placed in a shipping tube. The tubes (130, 140) and a new base (112) are shipped to the wearer in the outer secondary shipping pack (143).

Alternatively, the individual packages (123) can be arranged in other configurations for shipping. For example, the individual packages (123) can be arranged in an array with breakable links between the packages (123) for forming them temporarily into a flat, interconnected grid that is then placed in shipping packaging, perhaps stacked with other such grids, for shipment.

FIG. 17 illustrates still another form of primary lens packaging on which the principles of the present specification may be used. As shown in FIG. 17, a lens is sealed in a boat (208). As primary packaging, a foil seal (216) may be sealed over the boat (208) to enclose the lens and a quantity of hydrating solution. The seal (216) may also extend to attach a cap or lid (212) to the boat. After the seal (216) is removed, the cap (212) can be used to seal the boat (208).

An indicator (206) is provided on the boat (208), for example, on the foil seal (216), to indicate whether the lens in the package (202, 204) is for a wearer's right eye or left eye. As before, the indicator (206) can be any device that allows the wearer to determine whether the package (202, 204) contains a right eye lens or a left eye lens.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate still another form of primary lens packaging on which the principles of the present specification may be used. As shown in FIG. 18, each lens may be packaged in an individual package (10) that includes a flat base (22) on which is located a capped well for storing the contact lens. As illustrated in FIG. 18, a cap (14) is in place over the well (30, FIG. 19).

After the individual packages (10) are provided to a lens wearer, the primary packaging shown can continue to be used as a daily storage receptacle for the lenses in addition to having served as primary packaging. Two of the individual packages (10) can be secured together as shown in FIG. 18 to make a package storing both right and left lenses. The packages (10) may be secured together with interlocking tabs (28), also known as puzzle-lock tabs, that match corresponding spaces on the base (22) of the other package.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the package is first provided to a lens wearer as primary packaging for a lens, the lens is sealed, typically with hydrating solution, in a well (30) under a seal (56). The seal (56) may be of the same material as described above and may be sealed to the well using heating or ultrasonic energy. The seal (56) can be pealed from the well (30) using tab (39) to give access to the lens for the first time. Threads (35) or other interlocking means are used to secure the cap (14, FIG. 17) to the well (30).

Additionally, each package (10) may include an indicator of whether it contains a right eye lens or a left eye lens. This indicator may be the same as the indicators described above. Additionally or alternatively, as shown specifically in FIG. 18, each package (10) may be of a different color (12, 20) so as to indicate to a lens wearer which package (10) contains the right eye lens and which contains the left eye lens. One package may be clear or white and the other colored to indicate different lenses. As also shown in FIG. 18, both the base (22) and cap (14) of a particular package may be made the same color.

In a method of doing business to provide lenses to a wearer, a quantity of each type of individually packaged lens may be provided to the lens wearer. The lens wearer can then take two differently colored packages as needed, connected the packages as shown in FIG. 18 and know which package by its color contains the lens specific to each of the wearer's eyes.

The various primary packages described herein can be sterilized by autoclave, preferably at a temperature of 120° C. for a period of 20-30 minutes. Additionally or alternatively, the various primary packages described herein may be sterilized by any other means shown to provide the required degree of sterilization.

Additionally, the present specification discloses a number of novel methods for doing business in the area of contact lenses in connection with the packaging systems described above. As shown in FIG. 20, these methods may include or consist of a manufacturer or lens wholesaler providing an indicator on the primary packaging of a contact lens or lenses indicated whether the packaged lens or lenses are for use in wearer's right or left eye (200).

This method may also be described as producing contact lens primary packaging that includes an indicator that indicates whether a contact lens in the packaging is to be worn in a wearer's left eye or right eye, where the primary package is marked with the indicator as containing a left eye lens or a right eye lens at the same time the package is marked with a prescription applicable to the lens in the package. This method may also be described as producing primary packaging for a contact lens where the package is marked with an indicator as containing a left eye lens or a right eye lens at the same time the package is marked with a prescription applicable to the lens therein.

The exemplary method may also further include stockpiling a volume of contact lenses in primary packaging having an indicator on the primary packaging indicating that the lenses are for use in a wearer's right eye (201), stockpiling a second quantity of contact lenses in primary packaging having an indicator on the primary packaging indicating that the lenses are for use in a wearer's left eye (201), and responding to an order for either or both left and right eye contacts by shipping the requested contact lenses, according to the order, in the primary packaging that indicates in which eye each lens is to be used (202, 203).

Another exemplary method disclosed herein may be described as a method of doing business in the sale or distribution of contact lenses including: (a) receiving an order from a contact lens wearer for a supply of contact lenses (202) designed to be worn for a prescribed number of days, the order including lenses of a first prescription for use in the right eye of the wearer and lenses of a second prescription for use in the left eye of the wearer; and (b) shipping the contact lenses requested in the order (203) to the wearer in an outer package containing a plurality of individual contact lens packages, the plurality of individual contact lens packages comprising two different package types, a first of the package types containing lenses for the first prescription and the second of the package types containing lenses for the second prescription, the first and second package types being readily distinguishable from one another.

A method of filling an order for contact lenses described herein includes: (a) placing a contact lens with one prescription for the left eye in a package that indicates the contact is for use in the left eye; (b) placing a contact lens with a second prescription for the right eye in a package that indicates the contact lens is for use in the right eye; and (c) shipping the order.

Another method of selling or distributing contact lenses described herein includes: (a) receiving an order from a contact lens wearer for a supply of contact lenses designed to be worn for a prescribed number of days, the order including lenses of a first prescription for use in the right eye of the wearer and lenses of a second prescription for use in the left eye of the wearer; (b) shipping the contact lenses requested in the order to the wearer in an outer package containing a plurality of individual contact lens packages, the plurality of individual contact lens packages including two different package types, a first of the package types containing lenses for the first prescription and the second of the package types containing lenses for the second prescription, the first and second package types being readily distinguishable from one another.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe embodiments of the exemplary systems and methods. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the systems and methods to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

Claims

1. Primary packaging for a contact lens comprising an indicator on said primary packaging that indicates whether said contact lens is for use in a right or left eye of a lens wearer.

2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said packaging is packaging for an individual contact lens.

3. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said packaging is outer packaging for containing a plurality of individually packaged lenses.

4. The packaging of claim 3, wherein said individually packaged lenses each bear a second indicator that indicates whether said contact lens is for use in a right or left eye of a lens wearer.

5. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises a letter.

6. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises a word.

7. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises a check mark.

8. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises a symbol.

9. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises a color.

10. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said primary packaging comprises a blister package.

11. The packaging of claim 3, wherein said primary outer packaging comprises a box.

12. The packaging of claim 3, wherein said primary outer packaging comprises a tub.

13. The packaging of claim 3, wherein said primary packaging comprises a retort package.

14. The packaging of claim 3, wherein said primary packaging comprises a flat package in which the contact lens is in a compressed state.

15. The packaging of claim 1, further comprising a base to which an individual lens in said primary packaging can be releasably attached.

16. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said packaging further comprises interlocking members, each member including primary packaging for an individual contact lens.

17. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said primary packaging comprises a cap for sealing said contact lens in a lens compartment, said cap including indicia for indicating whether the lens in the package is for use in the left eye or right eye of said contact lens wearer.

18. The packaging of claim 17, wherein the cap includes indicia indicating parameters of the contact lens inside the package.

19. A method of distributing contact lenses comprising:

a) receiving an order from a contact lens wearer for a supply of contact lenses designed to be worn for a prescribed number of days, the order including lenses of a first prescription for use in the right eye of the wearer and lenses of a second prescription for use in the left eye of the wearer;

b) shipping the contact lenses requested in the order to the wearer in an outer package containing a plurality of individual contact lens packages, the plurality of individual contact lens packages comprising two different package types, a first of the package types containing lenses for the first prescription and the second of the package types containing lenses for the second prescription, the first and second package types being readily distinguishable from one another.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the package types are readily distinguishable because they are made of different colored material.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the package types are readily distinguishable because indicia on the packages signify the package as being for the left eye or for the right eye.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the packages have a left eye designation and a right eye designation, and a place for a check mark to be made by each designation, and a check mark in one of the places.

23. A method of packaging a contact lens comprising a lens manufacturer marking a contact lens package with an indicator as to whether a contact lens in the marked package is to be worn in a left eye or a right eye.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the contact lens for the left eye has one prescription and the contact lens for the right eye has a second prescription.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the package is marked for use in the left or right eye by one or more of a check mark, a color, a word, and a symbol.

26. A method of packaging a contact lens comprising a lens wholesaler marking a contact lens package with an indicator as to whether a contact lens in the marked package is to be worn in a left eye or a right eye.

27. A method of filling an order for contact lenses comprising:

placing a contact lens with a first prescription for a left eye in a package that indicates that contact lens is for use in the left eye;

placing a second contact lens with a second prescription for a right eye in a package that indicates that contact lens is for use in the right eye; and

shipping the order.

28. The method of claim 27, marking each package with one or more of a check mark, a color, a word, and a symbol to indicate whether a corresponding lens is for use in a right or left eye.

29. Primary packaging for a contact lens comprising:

an outer packaging for containing a plurality of individually packaged lenses; and

a plurality of individually packaged lenses contained within said outer package;

wherein said individually packaged lenses each bear an indicator that indicates whether said contact lens is for use in a right or left eye of a lens wearer.

30. The primary packaging of claim 29, wherein said individually packaged lenses are arranged in a first and a second stack;

said first stack including primarily individually packaged lenses for use in a right eye, said individually packaged lenses in said first stack bearing an indicator that includes a right eye indicator; and

said second stack including primarily individually packaged lenses for use in a left eye, said individually packaged lenses in said second stack bearing an indicator that includes a right eye indicator