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 to the contents thereof and for retail display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Contact lenses, 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 a contact 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 contact lens and a sufficient amount of contact lens solution to prevent drying of the contact lens and to maintain the contact lens readily available for use.

Conventional blister packs are also not adapted to be displayed on conventional display units, such as peg-hook-type or wire-hook-type displays. Likewise, a blister pack for a single contact lens is not adequate to be displayed on retail shelves. Accordingly, there is a need for a contact lens package that is adapted for display on conventional display units.

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 top perspective view of a contact lens package constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the contact lens package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the contact lens package shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the contact lens package shown in FIG. 1 showing one shell member employed by the package that is partially separated from another shell member employed by the package;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a plurality of contact lens packages shown in FIG. 1 situated in a free standing position on a horizontal planar surface; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a plurality of contact lens packages shown in FIG. 1 hanging from a display rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS

The invention includes a contact lens package, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a first shell member having a first end and a second end; a second shell member having a first end and a second end, said first and second shell members being removably attached to each other such that said first ends of said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another and said second ends of said first and second shell members are juxtaposed with one another, said first ends of said first and second shell members forming a gusset that is sized and shaped for enabling the package to be situated in a standing position; and a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members, said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.

Further the invention includes a contact lens package, comprising a first shell member having a first end and a second end opposite said first end thereof; a second shell member having a first end and a second end, said first and second shell members being removably attached to each other, said first ends of said first and second shell members being juxtaposed with one another and said second ends of said first and second shell members being juxtaposed with one another; a hanging-means for hanging the package from a display rack; and a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members, said receptacle being adapted to receive and house a contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution.

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 first and second shell members removably attached to each other. Each of such shell members have a first end and a second end. Each such first and second end of a single shell member are preferably in opposite positions on the shell member, but can be located in other positions on that shell member. In one embodiment the first ends of the first and second shell members form a gusset that is sized and shaped for positioning the package in a free standing position, such as on display shelf. One of the shell members (for instance, the second shell member) contains a window that visually exposes the contact lens to enable a user to visually inspect the contact lens (e.g., for damage) before opening the package. Preferably a sponge member that holds solution is interposed between the first and second shell members for housing a contact lens. The sponge member holds an amount of the contact lens solution sufficient to keep the contact lens saturated, thereby allowing the contact lens to retain its intended shape and softness. The amount of solution is between about 500 μL and about 1,500 μL, more preferably between about 900 μL to about 1,000 μL. The preferred contact lens solution is saline solution or packaging solution, but other solution are contemplated by this invention including solutions containing ocular medicaments. Preferably the sponge member includes a recess for housing the contact lens.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, one end of each of the first and second shell members, opposite the end of the gusset, contains a pull tab, the tabs being juxtaposed with one another when the first and second shell members are attached to each other. The package is opened by pulling apart the juxtaposed tabs and separating the first and second shell members from each other, thereby allowing access to the contact lens. A plurality of bumps protrudes from an exposed surface of each of the tabs, the bumps being sized, shaped and positioned to enable a user to better grip the tabs when pulling them apart. The tabs have aligned apertures for hanging the package on a peg hook or a wire hook of a retail display rack.

Specifically, the present invention has been adapted for use in housing a single contact lens and an amount of contact lens solution. However, the present invention can be utilized to house a plurality of contact lenses and an amount of contact lens 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.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a contact lens package 10 includes a first shell member 12, a second shell member 14, an elliptical-shaped base 16, and a semi-elliptical-shaped sponge member 18. The functions of the shell members 12, 14, the base 16 and the sponge member 18 shall be described hereinafter. The shell member 12 includes a semi-elliptical-shaped body 20 and a semi-elliptical-shaped tab 22 that radially extends from the body 20, thereby forming a bowling pin shape. Similarly, the shell member 14 includes a semi-elliptical-shaped body 24 and a semi-elliptical-shaped tab 26 that radially extends from the body 24, thereby forming a bowling pin shape. Preferably, the shell members 12, 14 are identical in size and shape to each other. The tabs 22, 26 are juxtaposed with one another when the shell members 12, 14 are attached to each other, which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Also, the functions of the tabs 22, 26 shall be described hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the body 20 of the shell member 12 includes a semi-elliptical-shaped, concave cavity 28 and an annular flange 30 that extends around the periphery of the body 20. Similarly, the body 24 of the shell member 14 includes a semi-elliptical-shaped, concave cavity 32 and an annular flange 34 that extends around the periphery of the cavity 32. The shell members 12, 14 are removably attached to each other at the flanges 30, 34, preferably by heat sealing. Alternatively, other attachment means, such as adhesives, induction sealing or sonic welding, may be utilized to attach the shell members 12, 14 to each other at their flanges 30, 34. An impermeable seal (not shown in the Figures) is formed between the flanges 30, 34 in order to prevent the loss or evaporation of the contact lens solution from the package 10 and to prevent contamination of the contents thereof from foreign objects such as debris and dirt particles.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the body 24 of the shell members 12 further includes a transparent circular-shaped window 36, whose function shall be described hereinafter. Alternatively, the package 10 need not include the window 36.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the tab 22 of the shell member 12 includes a circular-shaped hole 38 and a plurality of circular-shaped bumps 40 that encircle the hole 38. Each of the bumps 40 protrudes from an outer surface 42 of the tab 22. Similarly, the tab 26 of the shell member 14 includes a circular-shaped hole 44 and a plurality of circular-shaped bumps 46 that encircle the hole 44. Each of the bumps 46 protrudes from an outer surface 48 of the tab 26. Preferably, the holes 38, 44 are congruent when the tabs 22, 26 are juxtaposed with one another. Similarly, the pattern of the bumps 40 is, preferably, congruent with the pattern of the bumps 46 when the tabs 22, 26 are juxtaposed with one another. The functions of the holes 38, 44 and the bumps 40, 46 shall be described hereinafter. Alternatively, the package need not include the holes 38, 44 and/or the bumps 40, 46.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the tab 22 includes a pair of arc-shaped, convex bands 50, 52 each of which transversely extends across an inner surface 54 of the tab 22. The tab 26 includes a pair of arc-shaped, concave grooves 56, 58 each of which transversely extends across an inner surface 60 of the tab 26. The functions of the bands 50, 52 and the grooves 56, 58 shall be described hereinafter. The band 50 and the groove 56 are sized, shaped and positioned to interlock with one another when the tabs 20, 26 are juxtaposed with one another. Similarly, the band 52 and the groove 58 are sized, shaped and positioned to interlock with one another when the tabs 20, 26 are juxtaposed with one another. Preferably, the band 50 and the groove 56 are maintained in an interlocking configuration by heat sealing. Similarly, the band 52 and the groove 58 are maintained in an interlocking configuration by heat sealing. Alternatively, other attachment means, such as adhesives, induction sealing or sonic welding, may be utilized. Preferably, the tab 22 includes the two bands 50, 52, but it may include a greater of lesser number than two. Similarly, the tab 26, preferably, includes the two grooves 56, 58, but it may include a greater or lesser number than two. Alternatively, the package 10 need not include the bands 50, 52 and the grooves 56, 58.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the base 16 is positioned between the cavities 28, 32 proximate to a lower end 62 of the body 20 and a lower end 64 of the body 24. The base 16 is attached to the lower end 62 of the body 20 and the lower end 64 of body 24, preferably by heat sealing. Alternatively, other attachment means, such as adhesives, induction sealing or sonic welding, may be utilized to attach the base 16 to the body 20 and the body 24. An impermeable seal (not shown in the Figures) is formed between the base 16 and the body 20 and the body 24 in order to prevent the loss or evaporation of contact lens solution from the package 10 and to prevent contamination of the contents thereof from foreign material. The bodies 20, 24 and the base 16 form a gusset 66, whose function shall be described hereinafter. Alternatively, the package 10 need not include the base 16, whereby the lower end 62 of the body 20 is attached to the lower end 64 of the body 24.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the sponge member 18 is positioned between the cavities 28, 32 when the shell members 12, 14 are attached to each other. Preferably, the size and shape of the sponge member 18 are substantially similar to the size and shape of each of the cavities 28, 32 in order to allow the sponge member 18 to firmly fit therebetween. It is also noted that the size and shape of the sponge member 18 maintains the shape of the package 10, specifically the size and shape of the body 20 of the shell member 12 and the size and shape of the body 24 of the shell member 14. One surface 68 of the sponge member 18 is attached to an inner surface 70 of the cavity 28, preferably by an adhesive known in the art (see FIG. 3). Alternatively, the surface 68 of the sponge member 18 need not be attached to the inner surface 70 of the cavity 28. The sponge member 18 includes a circular-shaped recess 72 formed in an exposed surface 74 thereof. The recess 72 receives and houses a contact lens 76. It is noteworthy that the absorbent member 18, preferably, includes a single recess 72 for housing one contact lens 76. Alternatively, the sponge member 18 can include a plurality of recesses 72 for housing a plurality of contact lenses 76. The sponge member 18 is saturated with contact lens solution (not shown in the Figures), which can be any known solution useful for storing contact lenses, such as saline solution, water or buffered aqueous solutions, thereby keeping the contact lens 76 saturated. The recess 72 may be partially or fully filled with contact lens solution (not shown in the Figures). It is noted that the preferred interior volume of the recess 72 is one that is sufficient to house the contact lens 76 and enough contact lens solution to retain the intended shape and softness of the contact lens 76 (i.e., a convex-shape). Preferably, the window 36 of the shell member 14 is congruent with the recess 72 when the shell members 12, 14 are attached to each other, thereby visually exposing the contact lens 76 to a user.

While the body 20, the tab 22 and the cavity 28 of the shell member 12 and the body 24, the tab 26 and the cavity 32 of the shell member 14 are each preferably semi-elliptical in shape, it should be noted that each can consist of other shapes and sizes. Similarly, the sponge member 18 is preferably semi-elliptical in shape, but it can consist of other shapes and sizes. Also, the recess 72 of the sponge member 18 and the holes 38, 44 of the tabs 20, 26 are each, preferably, circular in shape, but each can consist of other shapes and sizes.

The shell members 12, 14 and the base 16 are each, preferably, 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, the shell members 12, 14 and/or the base 16 can be manufactured from other materials, such as a combination of polymers with various barrier and sealing characteristics formed into a laminate or coextrusion. The sponge member 18 is preferably manufactured from an receptacle sponge material, such as MEROCEL® brand polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge, manufactured by Medtronic Xomed, Inc. Alternatively, the sponge member 18 can me manufactured from other materials.

Referring to FIG. 4, the package 10 is opened as follows. A user uses his or her finger(s) or other means to separate the tabs 22, 26 from their juxtaposed position. The bumps 40, 46 allow the user to attain a better grip when separating the tabs 22, 26. Next, the user simultaneously pulls each of the tabs 22, 26 and peels apart the shell members 12, 14, thus breaking the seals between the bands 50, 52 and the grooves 56, 58 and the seal between the flanges 30, 34. The seals between the bands 50, 52 and the grooves 56, 58 prevent inadvertent opening of the package 10. It is noteworthy that the shell members 12, 14 are sufficiently flexible to enable a user to easily peel them apart from one another. It is also noteworthy that the strength of the seal between the shell members 12, 14 is weak enough to allow a user to easily peel them apart from one another, but strong enough for the package 10 to retain a liquid-tight seal so as to prevent any evaporation of the contact lens solution therefrom or any contamination of the contact lens 76 and the contact lens solution from foreign materials. When the aforesaid seals are broken and the shell members 12, 14 are separated, the contact lens 76 is exposed and made accessible to the user. It is noted that the window 36 enables a user to view and inspect the contact lens 76 (e.g., for damage) before opening the package 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, the gusset 66 enables the package 10 to remain in a free standing position, for instance, in a vertical position on a horizontal flat surface 78 (e.g., a retail display shelf). Referring to FIG. 6, the holes 38, 44 enable the package 10 to hang from a wire-hook-type display rack 80 or a peg-hook type display rack (not shown in the Figures). Alternatively, the package 10 need not include the holes 38, 44 and other known hanging means, such as a hook member, may be utilized in their stead (not shown in the Figures).

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.