Patent Application
20230123245
The present disclosure relates to a contact lens package and a set of the same.
Patent Document 1 discloses a disposable contact lens package, including:
a) a rigid support having an upper surface and a lens installation surface located above the upper surface; and
b) a means for removably and frictionally attaching two of the packages in a stacked relationship against each other.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Translation of PCT International Application Publication No. H11-508172
The investigation of the present inventor has revealed the following problems.
In recent years, contact lens packages are not only received at contact lens stores and opticians, but also mailed. A large number (e.g., several dozen) of contact lens packages are packed in a box for mailing. Such a box is then put in a purchaser's mailbox.
Space can be saved by adopting two contact lens packages that have the same shape and can be combined with each other, like the contact lens packages described in Patent Document 1. However, the investigation by the present inventor revealed that a box filled with contact lens packages could not pass through a slot of a mailbox depending on the size of the slot. If the box cannot be dropped in the mailbox, it is usually subject to redelivery.
The number of package delivery services handled has been increasing due to the recent expansion of EC and other services. Redelivery accounts for about 20% of the number of the services handled. The redelivery causes problems such as increased costs, labor shortages, and CO2 emissions, which have become major social issues.
One way to decrease the height of the box to reduce the possibility of redelivery is to decrease the vertical height of the two contact lens packages combined vertically to around the same level as the vertical height of a single contact lens package. On the other hand, in a case of the contact lens package described in Patent Document 1, the height of the two contact lens packages combined vertically is greater than the vertical height of a single contact lens package by a thickness of a rigid support (referred to herein as support portion), as illustrated in
It is an object of the present disclosure to make the vertical height of the two contact lens packages combined vertically equal to the vertical height of a single contact lens package.
A first aspect of the present disclosure provides
a contact lens package including:
In a second aspect of the present disclosure that is an aspect of the first aspect,
In a third aspect of the present disclosure that is an aspect of the first or second aspect,
In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure that is an aspect of any one of the first to third aspects,
In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure that is an aspect of any one of the first to fourth aspects,
In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure that is an aspect of the fifth aspect,
In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure that is an aspect of the sixth aspect, in the support portion, a corner on the side away from the housing portion and opposing the cutout corner is a bent portion which bends downward and whose vertical width is equal to at least the vertical width of the protruding portion.
An eighth aspect of the present disclosure provides
a contact lens package set combining contact lens packages A, B,
A tenth aspect of the present disclosure provides
a contact lens package set combining contact lens packages A, B,
According to the present disclosure, the vertical height of the two contact lens packages combined vertically can be equal to the vertical height of a single contact lens package.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereafter, with reference to the drawings. For the contents not described in the present specification, the known structure of the contact lens package may be adopted.
The contact lens package according to this embodiment has the following configuration.
“A contact lens package including:
In this embodiment, a depression direction (a protruding direction of the housing as viewed from the side) of the housing portion is referred to as downward (direction toward the bottom), and the opposite direction is referred to as upward (direction toward the top), as described above. In other words, when the plane formed of the support portion (an edge of a hole) in the vicinity of the housing portion is regarded as a horizontal plane, a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is referred to as a vertical direction, and a depression direction is referred to as downward. The bottom view illustrates the contact lens package viewed from below, and the top view illustrates the contact lens package viewed from above. The vertical direction is referred to as Z direction, the upward direction is referred to as +Z direction, and the downward direction is referred to as −Z direction.
The direction, in which the housing portion and an opening described below are aligned and which is a long direction when the support portion of the contact lens package is viewed from the top, is referred to as Y direction, the direction from the opening toward the housing portion is referred to as +Y direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as −Y direction. The direction, which is perpendicular to Z direction and Y direction and is a short direction when the support portion of the contact lens package is viewed from the top, is referred to as X direction, the side where the protruding portion and the penetration portion are arranged is referred to as +X direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as −X direction.
In the present specification, “the contact lens package being rotated 180 degrees from top to bottom” indicates rotation around X axis as a rotation axis.
The term “outer edge” used herein literally refers to, for example, an edge portion of the support portion as viewed from the top. The term “inner side” with respect to the outer edge is a side opposite to a side toward the outer edge, and refers to a direction away from the outer edge of the support portion, for example.
The contact, lens package set according to this embodiment has the following configuration.
“A contact lens package set combining contact lens packages A, B,
Two contact lens packages according to this embodiment, each designated as A and B, are prepared, and A, B are brought closer together while A remains in a normal position (the depression direction is downward and the protruding direction of a protruding portion 3a is also downward) and B is rotated 180 degrees from top to bottom around X axis direction as the rotation axis (i.e., the depression direction is upward and the protruding direction of a protruding portion 3b is upward), so that the protruding portion 3a of A is engaged with a penetration portion 4b of B, as illustrated in
The technical idea of the present disclosure is fully reflected not only in a set vertically combining the contact lens packages A, B, but also in a single contact lens package. In the illustration of the single contact lens package (e.g., contact lens package A), a contact lens package B is supposed. In such a case, the contact lens package B is also referred to as a virtual contact lens package. In the present specification, a term indicating each member constituting the virtual contact lens package (e.g., the protruding portion 3) is prefixed with “virtual” (e.g., virtual protruding portion 3).
The contact lens package A according to this embodiment includes a housing portion 1 which houses a contact lens, and a support portion 2 which is in contact with the housing portion 1 and supports the housing portion 1.
The housing portion 1 and the support portion 2 may be integrally molded using a resin. In addition, the contact lens package A may be disposable.
The housing portion 1 is depressed when viewed from the support portion 2, and the shape of the housing portion 1 is not limited as long as the contact lens (not shown) can fit inside the depression. In this embodiment, the housing portion 1 is exemplified as a bowl of an approximately spherical or approximately ellipsoidal shape. That is, the contact lens can be placed on the bottom 11 of the upper surface of the bowl.
When actually housing the contact lens in the bowl, a sealing member (seal) (not shown) may be attached to an edge of the bowl (also including a bowl vicinity part 21 of the support portion 2 in some cases) to seal the inside of the bowl.
At this time, the bowl vicinity part 21 of the support portion 2 may be sealed by, heat fusion. The bowl vicinity part 21 of the support portion 2 and the bowl as the housing portion 1 are connected by a step 22. The step 22 is a part of the support portion 2. A taper may be employed instead of the step.
The support portion 2 is not limited in shape except for features (protruding portion 3, penetration portion 4, opening 5, cutout portion 6, bent portion 7) which are provided to the support portion 2 and will be described below, as long as the support portion 2 is in contact with the housing portion l and can support the housing portion 1. The support portion 2 may have an approximately rectangular plate shape, except for the features described below. In this embodiment, a case is taken as an example where the housing portion 1 is depressed downward with respect to the plate-shaped support portion 2,
The support portion 2 includes the protruding portion 3 formed downward from a lower surface of the support portion 2, and the penetration portion 4 being at least one of the cutout and the through hole in the support, portion 2. In this embodiment, a case is taken as an example where a peripheral edge of the support portion 2 is cut out. However, the penetration portion may be a through hole formed by cutting out a portion other than the peripheral edge of the support portion 2.
In this embodiment, either a cutout or a through hole which corresponds to and engaged with the protruding portion 3 is referred to as a penetration portion 4 to distinguish it from the cutout portion 6 (described below), which is a cutout in the corner of the support portion 2, and also from an opening 5 (described below), which is formed alongside the housing portion 1 in the support portion 2.
This embodiment has a configuration such that the tip of the virtual protruding portion 3b is engaged so as to fit inside the penetration portion 4a, when the protruding portion 3a engaged so as to fit inside the virtual penetration portion 4b of the virtual contact lens package (i.e., B) is placed on the horizontal table S, the virtual contact lens package B having the same shape as the contact lens package A and being rotated 180 degrees from top to bottom and placed on the horizontal table S.
In the present specification, “fit inside the penetration portion 4 (or opening 5 described below)” means that an object is located in a closed area forming the through hole or the cutout, that is, in an area cut out from the support portion 2 in which the through hole or the cutout is not provided yet, in other words, the object is made stay within the area. The expression “within the area” encompasses a case where the object is in contact with the boundary of the area as well. For example, “bottom of the lower surface 12a of the housing portion 1a fits within the opening 5b” means that an apex of the bottom of the lower surface 12a does not protrude from the opening 5b.
It is preferable that a posture of the contact lens package A when the protruding portion 3a is placed on the horizontal table S while being engaged so as to fit inside the virtual penetration portion 4b of the virtual contact lens package B rotated 180 degrees from top to bottom and placed on the horizontal table S coincides with a posture of the contact lens package A as a single body placed on the horizontal table S. In other words, the contact lens package A included in the contact lens package set according to this embodiment is preferably self-standing on the horizontal table S in a set state as in a single body state, from a viewpoint of the posture stability in a still-standing state.
On the other hand, an additional protruding portion (not shown) is grounded in a still-standing state on the horizontal table S when it is in a single body state, but may rest on the lower surface of the support portion 2 of B when it is in a set state. In that case, however, a configuration is adopted where a vertical height in the set state never exceeds that in a single body state.
Note that the protruding portion 3a is suitable as a grounding point when it is self-standing as a single body on the horizontal table S. In addition to the protruding portion 3a, an additional protruding portion (not shown) may be provided and utilized as the grounding point. In that case, it is advisable to separately provide B with an additional penetration portion (not shown) corresponding to the additional protruding portion of A. Alternatively, bottom of the lower surface 12 of the housing portion 1 may be the grounding point. Alternatively, the bent portion 7 described below which is obtained by downwardly bending the corner (−X direction, −Y direction) of the support portion 2 may be the grounding point. In a case where at least the protruding portion 3, the lower surface of the housing portion 1, and the bent portion 7 described below are the grounding points, three-point supporting is achieved, which is preferable because of the stabilized still-standing state on the horizontal table S.
The opening 5a is preferably formed in a position and in a shape such that when the protruding portion 3a of the contact lens package A is engaged with the penetration portion 4b of the contact lens package B, the apex of the bottom of the lower surface 12b of the depression of the virtual housing portion 1b can be engaged to fit inside the opening 5a.
When this configuration is adopted, the contact lens packages of this embodiment are combined, so that the bottom of the lower surface 12b of the housing portion 1b of B can be housed in the opening 5a of the support portion 2a of A, as illustrated in
The position and shape of the opening 5 are not limited as long as the engagement can be realized. For example, the shape of the opening 5 may be an ellipse, a circle, a rectangle, a polygon, or any other shape, when viewed from the top.
It is preferable that the vertical width of the protruding portion 3 is equal to the vertical width of the housing portion 1. In this case, the protruding portion 3 and the housing portion 1 are the grounding points. Furthermore, these vertical widths are equal to the vertical width in the set state.
The term “vertical width” as used herein refers to a maximum vertical width of the contact lens package A or B as a single body grounded on the horizontal table S, or a maximum vertical width of a set combining A and B, in which A is arranged above B, grounded on the horizontal table S.
The term “equal” as used herein includes the case of a perfect matching and also a case of a substantial matching. The term “substantial matching” includes, for example, a case where there is a difference of less than 0.50 mm (preferably less than 0.30 mm, more preferably less than 0.10 mm).
This embodiment illustrates a case where the protruding portion 3 protrudes from the outer edge of the lower surface of the support portion 2, but the present disclosure is not limited to the case. However, in consideration of space saving when the contact lens packages A and B are combined, the protruding portion 3 preferably protrudes downward from the outermost edge of the support portion 2 or its vicinity (for example, more than 0 mm and about 2 mm or less inside from the outermost edge).
The protruding portion 3 and the penetration portion 4 being formed on the outer edge of the support portion 2 so as to be in contact with each other will further save space and facilitate position adjustment at the time of combination. However, the protruding portion 3 and the penetration portion 4 may be formed, separated from each other (for example, at a distance of more than 0 mm and about 5 mm or less). After all, when the arrangement of the penetration portion 4 of A and the position of the protruding portion 3 of B are symmetric (for example, with respect to Y direction), A and B can be combined. Therefore, there is no restriction on whether the protruding portion 3 and the penetration portion 4 are separated from each other.
There is no restriction on the shape of the protruding portion 3 (bottom view, side view). In disposable application, it is useful for the protruding portion 3 to be molded integrally with the support portion 2, for example, using plastic, but it does not have to be so.
Note that an additional small protruding portion 31 may be provided inside the protruding portion 3. In this case, the small protruding portion 31 may protrude inward so as to come into contact with the lower surface of the support portion 2 as illustrated in
The shape of the penetration portion 4 may be determined according to the shape of the tip of the protruding portion 3. In the top view of the contact lens package, in a case where the penetration portion 4 is the cutout, the outermost edge of the cutout (the opening of the cutout) may be wider than the inside (e.g., a portion 1 mm inside from the outermost edge). The width of the innermost part of the cutout (the bottom of the cutout) is not limited. However, the width of the innermost side of the cutout is preferably narrower than the outermost edge of the cutout (the opening of the cutout). It is because the protruding portion 3 can be more easily detached and the combined contact lens packages can be more easily released.
For example, in a case where the penetration portion 4 is a cutout, the outer edge side of the cutout may be processed, for example, chamfered or rounded, thereby making it easier to insert and detach (i.e., insert/detach) the protruding portion 3 of B through the outer edge of the cutout of A.
When the contact lens package is viewed from the top, the protruding portion 3 and the penetration portion 4 are preferably formed on the same side (+X direction) in the support portion 2.
When releasing the contact lens packages which adopt this configuration and have been combined with each other, the engaged state can be easily released by lifting the upper contact lens package A.
Furthermore, in the support portion 2, the cutout portion 6 is preferably formed by cutting out the corner (+X direction, −Y direction) on the side (−Y direction) away from the housing portion 1 and on the same side (+X direction) as a corner where the protruding portion 3 and the penetration portion 4 are formed.
When releasing the contact lens packages which adopt this configuration and have been combined with each other, the engaged state can be easily released by inserting a finger into the cutout portion 6, lifting up the contact lens package A on the upper side, and then turning it over to the −X direction.
In the support portion 2, the corner (−X direction, −Y direction) on a side away from the housing portion 1 (−Y direction) and opposing the corner (+X direction, −Y direction) is preferably the bent portion 7 obtained by bending the corner (−X direction, −Y direction) downward. In this embodiment, the bent portion 7 is configured separately from the protruding portion 3.
The vertical width of the bent portion 7 is preferably equal to the vertical width of the protruding portion 3. More preferably, the vertical width of the bent portion 7 is also equal to the vertical width of the protruding portion 3 and the vertical width of the housing portion. The downward bending angle of the bent portion 7 may be set appropriately to satisfy these conditions. As illustrated in
By adopting this configuration, the corner (−X direction, −Y direction) of the support portion 2 can be set as the grounding point. With this setting, at least the protruding portion 3 and the bent portion 7 can be set as the grounding points. When the ground contact area of the protruding portion 3 and the ground contact area of the bent portion 7 are increased, stable two-point supporting can be achieved. On the other hand, in a case where at least the protruding portion 3, the bottom of the lower surface 12 of the housing portion 1, and the bent portion 7 described below are the grounding points, three-point supporting is achieved, which is preferable because of the more stabilized still-standing state on the horizontal table S.
The technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above but includes various modes and modifications as far as the specific effects obtained by the constituent features of the disclosure and combinations thereof can be derived.
The contact lens package set of this embodiment adopts a configuration in which the two contact lens packages A and B are fixed not by friction as described in Patent Document 1, but by simple placement. In other words, as a means of fixing the contact lens packages of the same shape, the two contact lens packages are loosely fixed by simply placing the contact lens package A on the contact lens package B without friction, while being engaged. On the other hand, as a means of fixing the contact lens package, an engagement utilizing friction may be adopted, in addition to a configuration in which the contact lens package is fixed while being simply placed as in this embodiment. For example, the bent portion 7a of A can be engaged by friction with the corner (−X direction, +Y direction) on the housing portion 1b side in the support portion 2b of B.
According to this embodiment, the vertical height of the two contact lens packages when combined vertically can be equal to the vertical height of a single contact lens package. When the suitable example is adopted, the combined state of the contact lens packages can be more easily released. On the other hand, a fixing force is reduced.
To compensate for the fixing force, the bent portion 7a (−X direction, −Y direction) of A is preferably utilized to be engaged by friction with a corner (−X direction, +Y direction) on the housing portion 1b side of the supporting portion 2b of B. A bending direction and the dimension of the bent portion 7 (−X direction, −Y direction) or the shape of the corner (−X direction, +Y direction) of the support portion 2 may be set to be engaged by friction. Even in this case, it is still easy to release the combined state. It is because the engagement between the protruding portion 3a and the penetration portion 4b, which has been described so far, itself is easy to release, and furthermore, the frictional engagement by means of the bent portion 7 of A is easily released by inserting a finger into the above-described cutout portion 6a and lifting A.
In this embodiment, a case is illustrated as an example, where the protruding portion 3, which is separate from the housing portion 1, and the penetration portion 4, which corresponds to the protruding portion 3, are provided. On the other hand, the housing portion 1 being depressed downward may be utilized. That is, the housing portion 1a may be grounded on the horizontal table S when the contact lens packages A and B are combined.
In that case, the bent portion 7a on the corner of the support portion 2a may be used instead of the protruding portion 3a of this embodiment so that A as a single body can be self-standing when it is placed on the horizontal table S. To improve stability while being self-standing, the corner (+X direction, −Y direction) of the support portion 2a is not cut out, instead a portion extending from the corner (−X direction, −Y direction) to the corner (+X direction, −Y direction) of the support portion 2a may be utilized as the bent portion 7a. Alternatively, the corner (−X direction, −Y direction) of the support portion 2a may be utilized as another bent portion, instead of being cut out.
Further, in order to make the bottom of the lower surface 12a of the housing portion 1a have surface contact, not point contact, with the horizontal table S to improve stability while being self-standing, the protruding portion (not shown), which is in a shape of a cross as viewed from the bottom, may be separately provided as a part of the bottom of the lower surface 12 of the housing portion 1a, as illustrated in
The configuration including the above modifications is as follows. In the following configuration, since the bent portion 7 can be regarded as protruding downward, it is regarded as a kind of the protruding portion 3. In that case, the protruding portion 3 described so far may be referred to as a first protruding portion, and the bent portion 7 may be referred to as a second protruding portion. Similarly, the opening 5 is also regarded as a kind of the penetration portion 4. In that case, the penetration portion 4 described so far may be referred to as a first penetration portion, and the opening 5 may be referred to as a second penetration portion.
“A contact lens package, including:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-035638 | Mar 2020 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2020/038417 | 10/12/2020 | WO |
