The present invention relates to an ophthalmic lens package and, more particularly, to an ophthalmic lens package adapted for improved accessibility to the contents thereof.
Ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses, intra-ocular lenses and overlay lenses and particularly disposable contact lenses, have been conventionally packaged in “blister packs.” In general, a blister pack comprises a rigid plastic (e.g., polypropylene), concave-shaped receptacle for receiving an ophthalmic lens and a flexible cover, typically made from a laminate material (such as metal foil), which is removably attached to the receptacle for enclosing the lens therein. Within each blister pack are a single ophthalmic lens and a sufficient amount of contact lens solution to prevent drying of the ophthalmic lens and to maintain the ophthalmic lens readily available for use. While conventional blister packs provide many users with a convenient means for shipping and storing ophthalmic lenses, some users have trouble removing the lens from the contact lens solution and the lenses are damaged during removal from the package. Further, lens can often stick to the inner surface of the laminate and may damaged or lost when users open their packages. Accordingly, there is a need for an ophthalmic lens package that provides user's easy access to its contents on a consistent basis. This need is met by the following invention.
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:
The invention includes a package for enclosing an ophthalmic lens comprising, a deformable bottom comprising a deformable well, said deformable bottom comprising an outer surface, an inner surface and two or more deformable arms extending from said inner surface wherein said two or more deformable arms and said deformable well may be moved together between an open and a closed position, wherein an ophthalmic lens and its packaging solution are enclosed by said two or more deformable arms and said deformable well in the closed position and said ophthalmic lens is exposed when said package is in the open position.
As illustrated in
As used herein, “ophthalmic lens” refer to a device that resides on the eye, including but not limited to soft contact, lenses, hard contact lenses, intraocular lenses, overlay lenses, preferably soft contact lenses. Flexible cover 12 may be manufactured from a foil/polymer laminate or coextrusion, comprising a metal layer, such as aluminum, and a polymer layer, such as polypropylene, coating the metal layer. Alternatively, flexible cover 12 may be manufactured from other materials, such as a combination of polymers with various barrier and sealing characteristics formed into a laminate or coextrusion. In the illustrated embodiment, when package 10 is closed, flexible cover 12 is sealed to the top 15 of circular side wall 14 in order to prevent the loss or evaporation of the solution from the package 10 and to prevent contamination of the contents thereof from foreign objects such as debris and dirt particles. The preferred method of sealing the surface preferably by heat sealing. Alternatively, other sealing means, such as adhesives, induction sealing or sonic welding, may be utilized.
Packaging solutions for the ophthalmic lenses include but are not limited to saline solution, water or buffered aqueous solutions, and the preferred solution is aqueous saline solution. The packaging solution is present in a quantity sufficient to keep the ophthalmic lens saturated to retain its intended shape (i.e. convex shape) and softness when release from package 10.
The invention includes a method of packaging an ophthalmic lens comprising inserting an ophthalmic lens into a package comprising, a deformable bottom comprising a deformable well, said deformable bottom comprising an outer surface, an inner surface and two or more deformable arms extending from said inner surface wherein said two or more deformable arms and said deformable well may be moved together between an open and a closed position, wherein an ophthalmic lens and its packaging solution are enclosed by said two or more deformable arms and said deformable well in the closed position and said ophthalmic lens is exposed when said package is in the open position and sealing said package with a flexible cover.
Further the invention includes a package for an ophthalmic lens comprising, side walls and a deformable bottom comprising a deformable well, said deformable bottom comprising an outer surface, an inner surface and two or more deformable arms extending from said inner surface wherein said two or more deformable arms and said deformable well may be moved together between an open and a closed position, wherein an ophthalmic lens and its packaging solution are enclosed by said two or more deformable arms and said deformable well in the closed position and said ophthalmic lens is exposed when said package is in the open position.
Still further the invention includes a method of inserting an ophthalmic lens into the eye of a user comprising opening a package comprising, a deformable bottom comprising a deformable well, said deformable bottom comprising an outer surface, an inner surface and two or more deformable arms extending from said inner surface wherein said two or more deformable arms and said deformable well may be moved together between an open and a closed position, wherein an ophthalmic lens and its packaging solution are enclosed by said two or more deformable arms and said deformable well in the closed position and said ophthalmic lens is exposed when said package is in the open position pushing said deformable well from the outer surface of said package, removing the ophthalmic lens and inserting the ophthalmic lens into a user's eye.
It will be understood that the embodiments 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. Specifically, the present invention has been adapted for use in housing a single ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution. However, the present invention can be utilized to house a plurality of ophthalmic lenses and an amount of solution therefor. Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is given below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This application is a non-provisional filing of a provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 60/720,753, filed on Sep. 27, 2005.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60720753 | Sep 2005 | US |