Contact lens case

Abstract

A contact lens case includes first and second containers each including a wall having an inner surface defining a interior well for receiving first and second lens of a pair of contact lenses. The exterior of the first container is configured differently from the exterior of the second container to provide for both visual and tactile differentiation between the first and second containers. Each of the containers includes a visual indicator on the inner surface of the wall of the container. The visual indicators of the first and second containers differ from each other to provide for visual differentiation between the interior wells of the first and second containers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cases for contact lenses and, more particularly, to a contact lens case adapted to aid a user in rapidly distinguishing between left and right lenses of a lens pair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lens cases for contact lenses include left and right compartments defining interiors for respectively receiving left and right lenses of a pair of contact lenses. The lens case includes covers removably engaging the left and right compartments to enclose the lenses within the interiors of the compartments.

It is known to configure an exterior of a contact lens case to provide visual and tactile differentiation between left and right compartments of the lens case. U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,373 (Clevenger), for example, discloses a contact lens case (in FIG. 1 of the '373 patent) that is asymmetric with respect to an X-axis. Clevenger also discloses a lens case (in FIG. 3 of the '373 patent) having differently shaped covers and a lens case (in FIG. 2A of the '373 patent) in which the covers bear differing patterns on the exteriors of the covers. Clevenger also discloses a lens case (in FIG. 4 of the '373 patent) in which the exterior of the lens case includes the letters L and R on a bottom surface of the lens case.

What is needed is a lens case having an exterior adapted to provide both visual and tactile differentiation between compartments of the lens case, and also having interior wells within the compartments that are adapted to provide at least a visual differentiation between the interior walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a contact lens case comprises first and second containers. The first and second containers each include a wall having an inner surface defining a interior well. The interior wells of the first and second containers are respectively adapted for receiving a first lens and a second lens of a pair of contact lenses.

The exterior of the first container is configured differently from the exterior of the second container to provide for both a visual and a tactile differentiation between the first and second containers. Each of the first and second containers includes a visual indicator defined on the inner surface of the wall of the container. The visual indicator of the first and second containers differ from each other in appearance to provide for a visual differentiation between the interior wells of the first and second containers.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each container includes a flange on an exterior of the container. The flange of the first container having periphery that includes a plurality of substantially linear portions and the flange of the second container having a substantially circular periphery.

According to another aspect of the invention, a lens case is adapted for storing a pair of contact lenses having left and right lenses. The lens case comprises left and right compartments respectively for the left and right lenses of the pair of contact lenses. The left and right compartments each include a wall having an inner surface defining a well for receiving the associated lens of the pair of contact lenses. Each of the left and right compartments including a removable cover for enclosing the associated lens within the well of the compartment.

The left and right compartments each include a flange located on an outer surface of the wall. The flanges are configured differently from each other to provide for visual and tactile differentiation between the left and right compartments. Each of the left and right compartments includes a visual indicator defined on the inner surface of the compartment wall. The visual indicators of the left and right compartments differ from each other in appearance to provide for visual differentiation between the wells of the compartments.

The foregoing and other features of the invention and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lens case according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the lens case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the lens case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front side view of the lens case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the lens case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the lens case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the lens case of FIG. 1 shown without removable covers on the left and right lens wells.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, where like numerals identify like elements, there is illustrated in the figures a contact lens case 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the contact lens case 10 includes a first container (or compartment) 12 for storing a first lens of a pair of contact lenses and a second container (or compartment) 14 for storing a second lens of a pair of contact lenses. The first and second lenses of a lens pair frequently include left and right lenses respectively adapted (e.g., according to lens prescription) to be placed on the left and right eyes of a user. Accordingly, the first and second lenses of the pair of contact lenses are hereinafter referred to as “left” and “right” lenses. As described below, the containers 12, 14 of the contact lens case 10 provide for storage of a pair of contact lenses and are adapted to allow a user to rapidly distinguish between the left and right lenses. Preferably, the lens case 10 is formed from a moldable plastic material.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, each of the first and second containers 12, 14 of the lens case 10 includes a wall 16, 18 and a cover 20, 22 removably received by the wall. The lens case 10 is shown in FIG. 7 without the covers 20, 22. As shown, each of the walls 16, 18 of the first and second containers 12, 14 has an inner surface 24, 26 defining a interior well 28, 30 for receiving the first and second (i.e., the left and right) lens of a pair of contact lenses. Each wall 16, 18 preferably includes a substantially cylindrical portion defining a top open end of the interior well 28, 30 and provide access to the interior well for placement of the associated lens within the interior well and its removal therefrom. Each wall 16, 18 also preferably includes a substantially planar and circular portion at a bottom end of the interior wall 28, 30 and an intermediate portion between the substantially cylindrical portion and the substantially planar portion. As shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, the intermediate portion of the walls 16, 18 of containers 12, 14 are curved such that the associated portions of the interior wells 28, 30 are concavely curved.

Referring again to FIG. 7, each of the containers 12, 14 preferably includes a thread 32 formed on an exterior surface of the wall 16, 18 in the substantially cylindrical portion of the wall. The thread 32 is adapted to threadedly engage an internal thread formed on the cover for threaded engagement between the covers 20, 22 and the containers 12, 14. It should be understood that other known attachment mechanisms can be used, such as bayonet or press fit attachments.

Each of the interior wells 28, 30 preferably includes a patterned formation on the inner surface 24, 26 of the container wall 16, 18. As shown, the patterned formation on the inner surface 24 differs in appearance from the patterned formation on the inner surface 26 such that a user can visually distinguish between the interior wells 28, 30 when the covers 20, 22 are removed. Each of the patterned formations includes a plurality of radially-extending raised ribs 34 spaced about the interior well 28, 30. The ribs 34 on the inner surface 26 of interior well 30 preferably extend over a majority of the inner surface 26 from a common center point on the planar bottom portion. In contrast, the ribs 34 on the inner surface 24 of interior well 28 do not extend to a common center point on the planar bottom portion. To further distinguish between the interior wells 28, 30, the patterned formation on the inner surface 24 includes a pair of lines on the planar bottom portion defining an “L” to identify the first interior well 28 as the well-intended for receipt of the left lens of a pair of contact lenses.

The patterned formations can also be adapted to provide for tactile differentiation between the containers 12, 14 in addition to providing the above-described visual differentiation. Preferably, each of the patterned formations on the inner surfaces 24, 26, including the lines defining the “L” shape on inner surface 24 may be either raised or indented with respect to adjacent portions of the inner surfaces 24, 26. Constructed in this manner, a user touching the patterned lines on the inner surfaces 24, 26 in the planar bottom portions can tactilely differentiate between the first and second interior wells 28, 30.

The exteriors of the containers 12, 14 are also adapted to provide visual and tactile differentiation between the containers 12, 14. The first and second containers 12, 14 include flanges 36, 38 extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the walls 16, 18. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, the periphery of the flange 38 on container 14 is substantially circular about all of the container 14. In contrast, the periphery of the flange 36 on container 12 includes substantially linear edges. Preferably, the linear peripheral edges of flange 36 are arranged such that the linear edges form a portion of an octagon shape about at least part of the container 12.

The lens case 10 includes webs 40 connected to each of the flanges 36, 38 to interconnect the containers 12, 14 of the lens case 10.

As described above, the lens case 10 of the present invention is adapted, on both the exterior of the containers 12, 14 as well as within the interior wells 28, 30 of the containers 12, 14, to provide at least a visual means for differentiating between the first and second containers 12, 14. Regarding the exterior, the containers 12, 14 are constructed, preferably by including differing flanges 36, 38, to provide for both a visual and a tactile differentiation between the first and second containers 12, 14. Regarding the interior, the containers 12, 14 include patterned visual indicators on the inner surfaces 24, 26 of the walls 16, 18 for visually differentiating between the interior wells 28, 30 of the first and second containers 12, 14.

While the drawings and description refer to the caps are being attached by threads, it should be readily apparent that alternate mounting arrangements can be used including press fit and hinged arrangements. Also, while a tactile mechanisms has been used to differentiate between the two sides, it should also be apparent that color can be used in addition to or as an alternate for the tactile differentiation.

The foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A contact lens case comprising:

a first container; and

a second container,

the first and second containers each including a wall having an inner surface defining an interior well, the wells of the first and second containers respectively adapted for receiving a first lens and a second lens of a pair of contact lenses,

the first container and second containers having exteriors, the exterior of the first container configured differently from the exterior of the second container to provide for both visual and tactile differentiation by a user between the first and second containers,

each of the first and second containers including a visual indicator defined on the inner surface of the wall of the container, the visual indicators of the first and second container differing from each other in appearance to provide for visual differentiation between the wells of the first and second containers.

2. The contact lens case according to claim 1, wherein the visual indicator defined on the inner surface of the wall of each container includes either one or both of a pattern or symbol.

3. The contact lens case according to claim 2, wherein the visual indicator defined on the inner surface of the wall of the first container includes the letter L for identifying that the well of the first container is adapted for receiving a left lens of a pair of lenses having left and right lenses.

4. The contact lens case according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second containers includes a flange on the exterior of the container, the flange of the first container having a periphery that includes a plurality of substantially linear edges and the flange of the second container having a substantially circular periphery for visual and tactile differentiation between the first and second containers.

5. The lens case according to claim 4, wherein the substantially linear edges of periphery of the first container flange define at least a portion of an octagon shape about at least part of the first container.

6. The lens case according to claim 4 further comprising at least one web connected to the flanges of each of the first and second container.

7. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the wall of each container includes a substantially cylindrical portion defining an opening at a top end of the interior well, the wall of the container including a substantially planar and circular portion at a bottom end of the interior well, the wall of the container including an intermediate portion between the substantially cylindrical portion and the substantially planar and circular portion, the intermediate portion of the wall having an inner surface that is concavely curved.

8. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein the visual indicator defined on the inner surface of the wall of the first container includes the letter L on the substantially planar and circular portion of the wall for identifying that the well of the first container is adapted for receiving a left lens of a pair of contact lenses having left and right lenses.

9. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second containers includes a cover removably received by the wall of the container for closing an open end of the container adapted for receipt of the associated lens within the well of the container.

10. The lens case according to claim 9, wherein the wall of each container includes a substantially cylindrical portion defining the open end of the interior well, the wall including external threads defined on an outer surface of the wall adapted for threaded engagement with internal threads defined by the removable cover.

11. A lens case adapted for storing a pair of contact lenses having left and right lenses, the lens case comprising:

a left compartment for the left lens of the pair of contact lenses; and

a right compartment for the right lens of the pair of contact lenses,

the left and right compartments each including a wall having an inner surface defining a well for receiving the associated lens of the pair of contact lenses,

each of the left and right compartments including a removable cover for enclosing the associated lens within the well of the compartment,

the left and right compartments each including a flange located on an outer surface of the wall, the flanges configured differently from each other to provide for visual and tactile differentiation between the left and right compartments,

each of the left and right compartments including a visual indicator defined on the inner surface of the compartment wall, the visual indicators of the left and right compartments differing from each other in appearance to provide for visual differentiation between the wells of the compartments.

12. The lens case according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the visual indicators comprises formations on the inner surface of the associated compartment wall adapted to provide a tactile differentiation between the wells of the left and right compartments is provided.

13. The lens case according to claim 12, wherein the formations include raised ribs on the inner surface of the wall.