The present invention generally relates to a case for storing contact lenses, and more particularly to a slim contact lens case with a thin and compact form factor.
A standard contact lens case typically features two caps that attach onto a case portion featuring two housing units for each contact lens. The caps often securely screw or snap onto the housing units to prevent solution from leaking out. However, existing contact lens cases are too bulky to be easily carried on your person. Contact lens wearers often forget or misplace their cases when traveling.
Thus, what is needed is a contact lens case with a thin and compact design, and that also makes storing and carrying contact lenses more convenient.
According to one aspect, a slim contact lens case is provided. The contact lens case comprises a body, a first lid and a second lid. The body includes a first upper surface, a first tray defining a first contact lens storage cavity, and a second tray defining a first contact lens storage cavity. Each of the first tray and the second tray are configured for receiving first and second contact lenses, respectively. The first lid is selectively coupled with the body in association with the first tray. The first lid includes a second upper surface, and is configured to retain the first contact lens in the first tray when the first lid is in a closed position. The first upper surface of the body is flush with the second upper surface of the first lid when the first lid is in the closed position. The second lid is selectively coupled with the body in association with the second tray. The second lid includes a third upper surface, and is configured to retain the second contact lens in the second tray when the second lid is in a closed position so that first upper surface of the body is flush with the third upper surface of the second lid when second first lid is in the closed position. In one example, the first upper surface and a lower surface of the body of the slim contact lens may be parallel to one another and be spaced apart between about 0.15 inches and about 0.35 inches.
In addition, the body may further include a first channel and a second channel defined therein, wherein the first channel and second channel are disposed around the first tray and the second tray, respectively. The first channel and second channel are configured to receive a first and second gasket, respectively, wherein the first and second gaskets are positioned to engage the respective first and second lids when the first and second lids are in their respective closed positions. Further, the lids may include a first connector adapted to selectively engage with a corresponding second connector defined in the body to maintain the lid in the closed position. Moreover, the body may have a through-hole defined in an outer edge of the body for receiving a keyring.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example embodiments of this invention.
The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, wherein like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views, and wherein:
The present invention is described below in enabling detail by the following examples, which may represent more than one example embodiment of the present invention.
Turning now to the drawings, with initial reference to
Each lid 4 may be pivotally connected to body 1 by a hinge 3, which may be a hinge with an axle, an elastic hinge, a pin, or another suitable attachment means to open and close lid 4. For example, hinge 3 may be a single pin that extends through a bore 8 formed in body 1 and an aperture 3a (
With particular reference to
As shown in
Channels 15 are recessed portions defined in the body 1 that surround each tray 2. In some example embodiments, channel 15 may have a circular or rectangular cross-section, or any other cross-sectional shape that is capable of retaining a gasket when seated in channel 15. Channels 15 may be integrated with body 1 and/or tray 2 (such as when using molding techniques or 3D printing techniques to produce the case), or they may be distinct parts that are attached to body 1 or the respective tray 2 in other example embodiments as well. As indicated above, gasket 5 engages with an inside surface of lid 4 to seal contact lens solution within tray 4 via compression of gasket 5 between channel 15 and lid 4 when lid 4 is in the closed position.
Each lid 4 may have a width that is substantially equal to the distance that the top edge of respective channel 152 is recessed within body 1. Further, each lid 4 may have a width that is substantially equal to a distance that the top edge of channel 15 is recessed within body 1, such that an upper surface 14 of each lid 4 lies flush with an upper surface 16 of body 1 when lid 4 is in the closed position, as best seen in
Since channel 15 and gasket 5 lie below upper surface 16 of body 1, the flush design of lids 4 with body 1 enables case 100 to have an overall thickness/depth (Z) between about 0.15 inches and about 0.35 inches, as shown in
To allow the user to differentiate between left and right contact lenses, case 100 may provide indicia 11, such as “L” and “R” engravings 11, for example, on body 1 that are next to the respective left and right trays 2 (see
As shown in
In a practical use case of this example embodiment, the user will open each lid 4 and fill each of the left and right trays 2 with contact lens solution. The user will then place each contact lens into the pool of solution located within the respective tray 2 of each contact lens. Each tray 2 is designed to receive the contact lens in any orientation, whether the convex side of the contact lens is face down or face up within tray 2. After placement, the user will then close the respective lid 4 of each tray 2 to secure the lenses in trays 2 and seal the contact lens solution within body 1 of case 100. The thin and compact nature of slim contact lens case 100 will allow the user to effectively carry the case within a wallet, carrying bag, purse, pocket, luggage compartment, or any other storage compartment capable of containing the contact lens case.
According to another aspect, an alternative example embodiment of a slim contact lens case 200 with a drainage port 57 is shown in
The partially hollow body 41 of case 200 can be filled with contact lens solution to clean and disinfect the inserted contact lenses, and can be easily drained via drainage port 57.
A practical use case of this alternative example embodiment of case 200 is similar to the example described above for case 100, except the user may fill either one of the left or right tray 42 with contact solution, as the fluid will disperse throughout body 41 of case 200 (due to its partially hollow nature, in combination with the function provided by radial supports 56 of trays 42). Further, the user will also need to ensure that drainage port 57 is closed when filling body 41 with contact solution and closing compartment lids 44 to secure the contact lenses in their respective trays 42 and seal the contact lens solution within body 41 of case 200.
Turning now to
Each recessed well 312l, 312r may be defined by a respective sidewall 3141, 314r having a thickness dimension d2, where d2 is less than d1 such that a respective bottom wall 316l, 316r is formed within body 310. One or more radially extending protrusions 318 may project upwardly from a bottom wall 316l, 316r into recessed well 312l, 312r. Protrusions 318 may prevent a contact lens from sticking to bottom wall 316l, 316r, while also allowing contact lens fluid to be positioned between the contact lens and bottom wall 316l, 316r. It will be understood that, during use, each recessed well 312l, 312r may be filled with contact lens solution to clean and disinfect a contact lens stored within its respective recessed well 312l, 312r.
With reference to
As seen in
As shown in
Opening 326 is dimensioned so as to easily receive a tab 322 therein whereby cap/plug 332l, 332r may be rotated such that each tab 334 slidably engages its respective slot 330. To aid the user, top surface 332a cap/plug 332l, 332r may include a grip bar 340l, 340r which is adapted to be gripped by the user's thumb and finger to rotate cap/plug 332l, 332r. When placing recessed well 312l, 312r in a closed orientation, each cap/plug 332l, 332r is rotated, such as in a clockwise direction as generally indicated by arrow 333, until tab 334 is snuggly received within second end 330b of slot 330 so as to enable closure of recessed well 312l, 312r as will be described in greater detail below.
As shown in
As further shown in
To allow the user to differentiate between left and right contact lenses, body 310 may include indicia 336, such as but not limited to an engraved letters “L” for “left” and “R” for “right”, near their respective recessed well 312l, 312r (see
In some example embodiments, such as those shown in
From the above, it should be noted that lens case 300 includes a body 310 and associated caps/plugs 332 that possess a relatively thin and compact form factor in comparison to standard contact lens cases. In one aspect, the thickness of lens case 300 is selected to be less that about 0.5 inches, and more preferably between about 0.25 inches and about 0.375 inches. This thin and compact nature of slim contact lens case 300 may thus allow the user to effectively and conveniently carry the case within a wallet, carrying bag, purse, pocket, luggage compartment, or any other storage compartment capable of receiving the contact lens case.
Turning now to
However, whereas cap/plug 332l, 332r includes a grip bar 340l, 340r to assist a user in rotating cap/plug 332l, 332r during use, cap/plug 352l, 352r includes a handle 360l, 360r for easy grasping. Each handle 360l, 360r may be pivotally secured within a respective recess 3621, 362r defined in a top surface of cap/plug 352l, 352r. Each handle 360l, 360r may thus be pivoted to extend generally perpendicularly to the plane defined by cap/plug 352l, 352r when the user is opening or closing lens case 350 (
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the method and apparatus. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. As used herein, the terms “having” and/or “including” and other terms of inclusion are terms indicative of inclusion rather than requirement.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2022/017656, filed Feb. 24, 2022, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/153,708, filed Feb. 25, 2021, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties.
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Rodriquez, Kari, “International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority”, PCT International Application No. PCT/US2022/017656 filed on Feb. 24, 2022, mailed on Jun. 10, 2022, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, VA (6 pages). |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20230404227 A1 | Dec 2023 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63153708 | Feb 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2022/017656 | Feb 2022 | WO |
Child | 18455985 | US |