SNAP AND LIFT PACKAGE FOR CONTACT LENS

Abstract

A contact lens package includes a first housing member and a second housing member pivotably connected to each other. The package also includes a holding mechanism for holding a contact lens and a receiving mechanism for receiving contact lens solution. When the housing members are in a substantially co-planar orientation, the holding mechanism is positioned within the receiving mechanism. When the housing members are in a non-planar orientation, the holding mechanism is removed from the receiving mechanism such that the holding mechanism is pivotable from a closed position, in which the contact lens held in the holding mechanism is inaccessible to a user, toward an open position, in which the contact lens held in the holding mechanism is accessible to the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional filing of U.S. Ser. No. 60/666,877, filed on Mar. 31, 2005, a provisional patent application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a contact lens package and, more particularly, to a contact lens package adapted for improved accessibility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, contact lenses have been packaged in blister packs. Each blister pack is equipped with a single lens and has a concave-shaped receptacle for receiving the lens and a cover removably attached to the receptacle for enclosing the lens in the receptacle. While conventional blister packs provide a convenient means for shipping and storing contact lenses, they are not designed to consistently provide easy access to the contact lenses. Accordingly, there is a need for a contact lens package that consistently provides easy accessibility to the contact lens enclosed therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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 a first housing member and a second housing member pivotably connected to each other. In a first position, the first housing member is substantially co-planar with the second housing member, while in a second position, the first housing member is not coplanar with the second housing member. The package also includes a holding mechanism, such as a pocket, for holding a contact lens, and a receiving mechanism, such as a receptacle for receiving contact lens solution. The holding mechanism moves conjointly with the second housing member such that when the second housing member is in its first position, the holding mechanism is positioned within the receiving mechanism, and such that when the second housing member is in its second position, the holding mechanism is removed from the receiving mechanism.

Another aspect involves the positioning of the holding mechanism when the second housing member is in its second position. More particularly, the holding mechanism is movable from a closed position, in which the contact lens held in the holding mechanism is inaccessible to a user, toward an open position, in which the holding mechanism is positioned above the receiving mechanism and the contact lens held in the holding mechanism is accessible to the user. The contact lens solution in the holding mechanism drains through a hole in the holding mechanism and into the receiving mechanism when the holding mechanism is in its open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contact lens package constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the contact lens package in a closed position;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are sequential perspective views of the contact lens package of FIG. 1, showing the progressive movement of the contact lens package as it moves to a fully open position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the closed contact lens package shown in FIG, 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines 6-6 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the fully opened contact lens package shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines 7-7 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the closed contact lens package shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the contact lens package shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-8 show a contact lens package 10 including a pair of housing members 12, 14 which are connected to one another. With particular reference to FIG. 1, the housing members 12, 14 are positioned adjacent to one another in a closed position, in which the housing members 12, 14 are in a substantially co-planar orientation. The contact lens package 10 is delivered to a user in this closed position, as shown in FIG. 1. A hinge 16 is located between the housing members 12, 14 so as to allow the housing member 14 to pivot relative to the housing member 12 for purposes to be described hereinafter.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, the housing member 12 has a gripping rim 18 and a plurality of circularly-shaped nibs 20 which protrude outwardly from the gripping rim 18. In similar fashion, the housing member 14 has a gripping rim 22 and a plurality of circularly-shaped nibs 24 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-8) which protrude outwardly from the gripping rim 22. The nibs 20, 24 are designed to allow a user to firmly grip the contact lens package 10 for purposes to be described hereinafter.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4 and 8, the housing member 12 has a substantially U-shaped recess 26 and a base 28 formed therein. In similar fashion, the housing member 14 has a substantially U-shaped recess 30 (see FIG. 8) and a base 32 (see FIG. 8) formed therein. The base 28 of the housing member 12 is integrally formed with the base 32 of the housing member 14.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8, the housing member 12 also has a concave-shaped receptacle 34 formed within the recess 26 (see FIGS, 2-4 and 8). The receptacle 34 is sized and shaped so as to receive a quantity of a conventional contact lens solution 36, such as saline solution, for maintaining a contact lens 38 (see FIGS, 4 and 6-8) in a hydrated state.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8, a substantially, rigid board 40 is positioned within the recesses 26, 30 (both of which are shown in FIG. 8) formed in the housing members 12, 14, respectively The board 40 includes a first section 42 and a second section 44 formed integrally with one another. The first section 42 is removably positioned within the recess 26 (see FIGS. 2-4 and 8) formed in the housing member 12, while the second section 44 is inlaid in the recess 30 (see FIG. 8) formed in the housing member 14 such that the second section 44 is fixedly attached to the base 32 (see FIG. 8).

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the contact lens package 10 includes a cover layer 46 which covers the housing members 12, 14 and the board 40. The cover layer 46 forms a liquid-tight seal between the housing members 12, 14 and the board 40 so as to prevent leakage of the contact lens solution 36 (see FIGS. 2-8) from the receptacle 34. The cover layer 46 is adapted to break in response to the application of a predetermined force from, for example, the board 40. The cover layer 46 can be made from any suitable materials such as polymers or laminates of polymers and metal foils. The cover layer 46 can include indicia (not shown) printed thereon, such as a product name.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6-8, the contact lens package 10 includes a pocket 48 having an end 50 attached to the first section 42 of the board 40. The pocket 48 has a main section 52 which includes a concave-shaped cavity 54 sized and shaped so as to be accommodated within the receptacle 34 and so as to hold the contact lens 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 6-8). The main section 52 of the pocket 48 has an edge 56 surrounding the cavity 54. The edge 56 is attached to the end 50 of the pocket 48 along a hinge 58. For purposes to be described hereinafter, the hinge 58 is adapted to allow the main section 52 of the pocket 48 to pivot relative to the end 50. The cavity 54 has a small opening 60, the function of which is discussed below. The board 40 serves to connect the pocket 48 to the second housing member 14.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the contact lens package 10 is opened as follows. A user holds the gripping rim 18, preferably gripping the nibs 20, of the housing member 12 with his or her thumb and forefinger of one hand, while holding the gripping rim 22, preferably gripping the nibs 24 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), of the housing member 14 with his or her thumb and forefinger of the other hand. The housing member 14 is then pivoted about the hinge 16 such that the housing member 14 and the board 40 move relative to the housing member 12, thereby rupturing the cover layer 46 between the housing member 12 and the board 40. When the contact lens package 10 is in its semi-open position as shown in FIG. 3, the housing member 14 and the board 40 are positioned at an angle of about 90 degrees (i.e., substantially perpendicular) relative to the housing member 12. In the semi-open position shown in FIG. 3, the pocket 48 is positioned adjacent to the first section 42 of the board 40 such that the contact lens 38 is still inaccessible to the user. In order to gain access to the contact lens 38, the user pivots the main section 52 of the pocket 48 about the hinge 58 until the main section 52 forms an angle of about 90 degrees with the end 50 of the pocket 48 and, hence, with the first section 42 of the board 40 (see FIG. 4). When the main section 52 is so positioned, the cavity 54 is positioned above the receptacle 34, whereby the contact lens solution 36 in the cavity 54 drains through the small opening 60 and into the receptacle 34. After the contact lens solution 36 is drained from the cavity 54, the contact lens 38 can be removed by the user from the contact lens package 10.

It should be appreciated that the present invention provides a number of advantages and benefits. For instance, the present invention provides a contact lens package 10 adapted for improved accessibility.

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 package for a contact lens, comprising a first housing member including receiving means for receiving contact lens solution; a second housing member connected to said first housing member such that said second housing member is pivotable relative to said first housing member from a first position, in which said second housing member is substantially co-planar with said first housing member, to a second position, in which said second housing member is not co-planar with said first housing member; and holding means for holding a contact lens, said holding means being movable conjointly with said second housing member such that said holding means is positioned within said receiving means when said second housing member is in its said first position and such that said holding means is removed from said receiving means when said second housing member is in its said second position.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprises a receptacle formed in said first housing member.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein said holding means comprises a pocket having a cavity sized and shaped so as to hold a contact lens.

4. The package of claim 3, further comprising connecting means for connecting said pocket to said second housing member.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein said connecting means includes a board having one end releaseably attached to said first housing member and an opposite end fixedly attached to said second housing member.

6. The package of claim 5, further comprising a cover layer affixed to said first housing member, said second housing member, and said board such that said cover layer forms a liquid-tight seal which prevents leakage of contact lens solution from said receptacle.

7. The package of claim 6, further comprising rupturing means for rupturing said cover layer as said second housing member moves from its said first position toward its said second position.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein said rupturing means includes said one end of said board, whereby said one end of said board ruptures said cover layer when forced against said cover layer

9. The package of claim 8, wherein said cavity is movable from a closed position, in which said cavity is proximal to said board and in which a contact lens held in said cavity is inaccessible to a user, to an open position, in which said cavity is positioned remote from said board and in which a contact lens held in said cavity is accessible to a user.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein said board moves conjointly with said second housing member as said second housing member moves from its said first position toward its said second position.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein said first housing member includes a first recess and said second housing member includes a second recess, and wherein said one end of said board is releaseably positioned within said first recess and said opposite end of said board is fixedly received in said second recess.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein said first housing member includes first gripping means for improving the grippability of said first housing member and said second housing member includes second gripping means for improving the grippability of said second housing member.

13. The package of claim 12, wherein said first housing member includes a first free end and said second housing member includes a second free end, and wherein said first gripping means includes a plurality of nibs formed in said first free end, and said second gripping means includes a plurality of nibs formed in said second free end.

14. The package of claim 13, wherein said cavity is positioned above said receptacle when said cavity is in its said open position; and wherein said cavity includes an opening sized and shaped so as to allow contact lens solution in said cavity to pass through said cavity and into said receptacle when said cavity is in its said open position.

15. The package of claim 14, further comprising a first hinge connected to said first housing member and to said second housing member, said first hinge adapted to allow said second housing member to pivot relative to said first housing member.

16. The package of claim 15, further comprising a second hinge connected to said pocket and to said board, said second hinge adapted to allow said pocket to pivot relative to said board.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein said pocket moves conjointly with said board as said second housing member moves from its said first position toward its said second position, whereby said cavity of said pocket is movable from its said closed position toward its said open position when said second housing member is in its said second position.

18. The package of claim 17, wherein said cover layer includes a laminate made from aluminum foil.