CA1243818A - Apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses - Google Patents
Apparatus for sterilizing contact lensesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1243818A CA1243818A CA000500712A CA500712A CA1243818A CA 1243818 A CA1243818 A CA 1243818A CA 000500712 A CA000500712 A CA 000500712A CA 500712 A CA500712 A CA 500712A CA 1243818 A CA1243818 A CA 1243818A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- heating
- sterilizing
- temperature
- sterilizing chamber
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
Abstract APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING CONTACT LENSES
An apparatus for heat-sterilizing contact lenses, particularly soft lenses. The apparatus comprises a housing having a sterilizing chamber, heating means for heating the sterilizing chamber, and a temperature sensor adapted to detect the tempera-ture of the sterilizing chamber. The temperature sensor comprises a flexible sensor container, a material sealed into the sensor container, and a sealing end portion. The material sealed in the container has a melting point or liquefaction point corresponding to the temperature in a zone surrounding the sterilizing chamber. The sealing end portion has means for interrupting heating when the detected temperature reaches a pre-determined level.
An apparatus for heat-sterilizing contact lenses, particularly soft lenses. The apparatus comprises a housing having a sterilizing chamber, heating means for heating the sterilizing chamber, and a temperature sensor adapted to detect the tempera-ture of the sterilizing chamber. The temperature sensor comprises a flexible sensor container, a material sealed into the sensor container, and a sealing end portion. The material sealed in the container has a melting point or liquefaction point corresponding to the temperature in a zone surrounding the sterilizing chamber. The sealing end portion has means for interrupting heating when the detected temperature reaches a pre-determined level.
Description
~2~3~
~PPARATUS FOR STERII,IZING CONTACT LENSES
The present lnvention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses, particularly soEt contact 05 lenses. So~t contac-t lenses have to be disinfected at least once a day, for otherwise bacteria may settle and grow on them to cause untoward effec-ts on the eyes.
For the disinfec-tion of contact lenses, it is common practice to heat-sterilize them in a disinfectant fluid~ e.g. physiological saline, in a sterilizing vessel at 90 to 38C for 15 to 25 mlnutes.
The s-terilizing apparatus heretofore employed for this purpose comprises a sterilizing vessel containing a disinfectant fluid and a heating pla-te associated wi-th an electric heater, and soft contac-t lenses to be sterilized are put in the sterilizing vessel which is then placed on the heating pla-te to thereby heat-sterilize the lenses. The heating plate is connected to a thermostat which is adapted to sense -the -temperature of the heating plate and, when the temperature has reached a preset level, open the heater circuit to al]ow the lenses to be further hea-t-s-ter:ilized for a certain -time by -the residual heat of the heating plate and sterilizing vessel.
However, as the sterilizing vessel is generally built compactly, the thermal capacitance oF the whole ~3~
s-terilizing apparatus is not so large. Moreover, since the low ambient atmospheric temperature causes a rapid drop of -temperature of the apparatus, the s-terilizing vessel and the heating plate also suffer rapid decreases 05 in tempera-ture so that the temperature necessary for heat sterilization cannot be retained for a necessary time period. Accordingly, the sterilization of soft contact lenses tends to be insufficient. In addition, because the sterilizing apparatus is miniaturized, the instrumen-tation and switching mechanism of the heating sys-tem are complicated of necessity so that electrical troubles, particularly faults associated with the thermosta-t occur frequently.
The present invention, which was developed to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art apparatus, has as one of its objects the provision of a sterilizing apparatus which has a remarkably improved sterilizing performance.
It is another object of the present invention -to provide a contac-t lens sterilizing apparatus which is conducive to a minimum of temperature change by way of maintaining a zone surrounding a sterilizing chamber at a predetermined temperature so as to prevent direct dissipation of the residual hea-t in the apparatus.
It is still another object of the presen-t invention to provide a sterilizing apparatus which is :~43~
free from electrical troubles by way of employing a novel circuit breaker system which comprises a temperature sensor adapted -to detect -the temperature accurately for an exact swi-tching function in 05 association with a highly reliable microswitch.
The contact lens sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a housing having a sterilizing chamber, heating means for heating said sterilizing chamber, and a temperature sensor adapted to detect -the internal temperature of said sterilizing chamber, said temperature sensor comprising a flexible sensor container, a material sealed into said sensor container and having a melting or liquefaction point corresponding to the temperature in a zone surrounding said sterilizing chamber, and a sealing end portion for sealing said sensor container, said sealing end portion having means for interrupting hea-ting when the detected temperature reaches a prede-termined level.
Preferably, said hea-ting means for heating said sterilizing chamber comprises heating plate means disposed externally of wall means defining said heating chamber and heater means secured to said heating plate means and comprising positive characteristic thermisters.
Preferably, said flexible sensor container is bellows-shaped~
~3~
Preferably, said material having a me]ting or liquefac-tion point corresponding to the temperature in said zone surrounding said sterilizing chamber is microcrystalline wax.
05 Preferably, said means for interrupting heating at a prede-termined level consists of an engageable projection provided at said sea]ing end portion oE said sensor container and an associated actua-ting lever of a microswitch which is engageable therewith.
An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should, however, be understood that the invention is by no means limitecl to the particular embodiment.
Fig. 1 is a perspective exterior view oE the contact lens sterilizing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective exterior view showing the same apparatus with its door opened.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. l.
Fig. ~ is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a view showing -the reverse side with the bo-t-tom cover detached.
Fig. 6 is a view showing the inside of the outer housing.
Fig. 7 shows the sterilizing vessel, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view.
Fig. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view 05 showing the main part of the sterilizing apparatus.
Fig. 9 (a), (b) and (c) are side-elevation views of the main components for explaining the function of the circuit breaker system.
The contact lens sterilizing apparatus 1 according to the presen-t invention comprises a housing 2 made of synthetic resin or other suitable ma-terlal and an internal sys-tem which is described hereinafter.
As shown in ~igs. 1 an~ 2, tlle housing 2 consists of a body 3, a bottom cover 4 and a door 5 which can be opened and closed about a pivot at one side. ~ehind the door 5, there is a sterilizing chamber 7 in which a sterilizing vessel 6, which is shown in Fig. 7 (a), (b), is positioned for heat sterilization. The s-teri]izing vessel 6 is made of heat-resistant syn-thetic resin such as polycarbonate resin. Projecting from the body 3 is a push bu-t-ton 8, depression of which actuates a microswitch 9 disposed in the housing 2. A pilo-t lamp 10 adapted to indica-te the passage of an elec-tric current is provided at the front end of the body 3.
Referrlng to Figs. 3 and ~, heating means 11 are provided ex-ternally of top, bottom and rear partitioning wall means defining the sterilizing chamber 7. The heating means 11 comprises a top heating plate 12, a bottom hea-ting plate 13, and a top heater 14 and a lower heater 15 which are secured to 05 said heating plates, respectively. I'he top and bot-tom heatlny plates 12, 13 are each made of metal such as iron, brass or the like and the top and bottom heaters 14, 15 are positive-characteristic thermisters. The power is led in via a socket 16.
~eferring to Figs. 5 and 8, a temperature sensor 17 is disposed adjacent to the s-terilizing chamber 7.
This tempera-ture sensor 17 is supported by a re-tention member 24 in such a manner that its rear portion is vertically swingable, while its front end is pivotally supported by a pin 25. As better shown in Fig. 9, the -temperature sensor 17 comprises a sensor container 18, a body oE wax 20 sealed into the container, and a seal member 23 which seals off the front end of the sensor container. The sensor container 18 is made in a bellows-like configuration from a ~lexible synthetic resin such as silicone resin. The wax 20 is preferably a microcrystalline wax having a melting point correspond-ing to the temperature within a zone 19 surrounding the ' sterilizi.ng chamber 7. The seal member 23 is equipped with a rod member 21 whose displacemen-t is dependent upon -the degree of softening or hardening of the wax 20, ~2~
and an outer engageabl.e projection 22.
The engageable projection 22 of -the temperature sensor 17 is engaged by an ac-tuating lever 26. The actua-ting lever 26 is connec-ted to the forward end of 05 the push bu-tton 8 and has an engageable pawl 27 which engages said enyageable projection 22. The actua-ting lever 26 is normally biased upwardly by a spring 27'.
The actuating lever 26 is guided by a guide frame 28 at its upper end and supported by a support lever 29 at lQ its lower end. The microswitch 9, push-button 8, actuating lever 26, temperature sensor 17 and spring 27', taken together, constitute a circuit breaker system 30.
Though not shown, one terminal of the socket 16 is electrically connected to the electrode plate 31 oE
said top and bottom heaters 1~, 15, while the other terminal is connected to one terminal of said mic.roswitch 9. The other terminal of said microswitch 9 is connected to the top and bottom heating plates 12, 13. Thus, there is completed a heating circuit of socket 16 -microswitch 9 - -top and bottom heaters 14, 15 -top and bottom heatlng plates 12, 13 socket 16. Similarly, there is comp].eted a display circuit of top heater 1~ -pilot lamp 10 - top heating plate 12.
The func-tion of the contact lens s-terili~ing apparatus will be explained below.
~2~;~8~
Referring, firs-t, to Fig. 7, both covers 32 of -the sterilizing vessel 6 are removed and a disinfectant fluicl is pouxed into recesses 33. The soft contac-t lenses are immersed in the clisinfec-tant fluid ancl the 05 covers 32 are replaced. The sterilizing vessel 6 is then set in the sterilizing chamber 7 and the door 5 is closed. Then, the push-button 8 is pressed until it is locked ln the lower posi.tion.
When the push-button 8 is pressed [Fig. 9 (a)]
against the biasing :Eorce of the spring 27', it descends to actuate the microswitch 9, whereby the heati.ng circuit is closed to start heating and, at the same time, the pilot lamp 10 is energized to go on. As the push-button 8 is pressed t the actuating lever 26 also descends so -that its engageable pawl 27 rides over the engageable projec-tion 22 of the -temperature sensor 17 and is then engaged by the progection 22 underneath thereof, so as -to lock -the push-button 8 and actuating lever 26 [Fig. 9 (b) ] .
20As a current flows through the heating circuit and -the tempera-ture of top and bottom heating plates 12, 13 and top and bottom heaters 14, 15 rises, the rad:iant heat causes -the zone 19 to be hea-ted, wl-th -the result -that the temperature sensor 17 is also heated. As the -temperature of zone 19 and sensor container 18 reaches and exceeds the mel-ting point oE the wax 20, the wax 20 star~s melting and becomes soft as a whole. In this state, the upward force applied against the engageable projection 22 by spring 27' via the pawl 27 deforms the sensor container 18 about the pin 25 in such a manner 05 tha-t the engageable pawl 27 is released from the engageable projection 220 As the actuating lever 26 and push-bu-tton 8 ascend together under the action oE
spring 27' [Fig. 9 (c~], the microswitch 9 is actuated to open the heating circuit, whereupon heating is discontinued and the pilot lamp 10 goes off.
After lapse of a predetermined period of time after automatic reset of the push-but-ton 8, the sterilizing vessel 6 is taken out. The above sequence of events complete a heat sterilization of soft contact lenses.
According to the present invention, once the proper material to be sealed into the temperature sensor 17 is selected and its melting point or liquefaction -temperature is known, the sterilizing apparatus detects the retention temperature accurately.
Moreover, as the liquefaction time can be set by selecting the proper internal volume (the mass oE the substance sealed in) and manner of installation oE the sensor container 18, the device can be used as a useful timer and switching mechanism.
Further, since positive-characteristic thermisters 3~
are used as heaters 1~, 15 in the sterilizing apparatus of the present embodi.ment, there is no risk of the sterilizing chamber 7 being overheated. Moreover, as the temperature sensor 17 ensures a positive opening of 05 the heating circuit, the temperature of the sterilizing vessel 6 can be maintained substan-tially at a predetermined level for a prede-termined time period.
Furthermore, as the zone 19 surrounding the sterilizing chamber 7 accommodating -the heating means 11 and circuit breaker sys-tem 30 is maintained at a predetermined temperature so as to prevent direct dissipation of the residual hea-t of the sterilizing vessel 6 into the atmosphere, the temperature change oE
the sterilizing vessel 6 can be held -to a minimum.
lS Moreover, the apparatus is so designed that the circuit for the heating means 11 is opened by -the microswitch 9 which is driven by the temperature sensor 17, with -the result that chances of electrical troubles are substantially nil as compared with the conventional apparatus.
While, in -the temperature sensor 17 of the exemplary embodiment described above, a microcrystalline wax 20 having a melting point corresponding to the retention -temperature of the zone 19 was utilized, any other material having a melting or liquefaction point similar to that of wax 20 may of course be employed with equal success.
~PPARATUS FOR STERII,IZING CONTACT LENSES
The present lnvention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses, particularly soEt contact 05 lenses. So~t contac-t lenses have to be disinfected at least once a day, for otherwise bacteria may settle and grow on them to cause untoward effec-ts on the eyes.
For the disinfec-tion of contact lenses, it is common practice to heat-sterilize them in a disinfectant fluid~ e.g. physiological saline, in a sterilizing vessel at 90 to 38C for 15 to 25 mlnutes.
The s-terilizing apparatus heretofore employed for this purpose comprises a sterilizing vessel containing a disinfectant fluid and a heating pla-te associated wi-th an electric heater, and soft contac-t lenses to be sterilized are put in the sterilizing vessel which is then placed on the heating pla-te to thereby heat-sterilize the lenses. The heating plate is connected to a thermostat which is adapted to sense -the -temperature of the heating plate and, when the temperature has reached a preset level, open the heater circuit to al]ow the lenses to be further hea-t-s-ter:ilized for a certain -time by -the residual heat of the heating plate and sterilizing vessel.
However, as the sterilizing vessel is generally built compactly, the thermal capacitance oF the whole ~3~
s-terilizing apparatus is not so large. Moreover, since the low ambient atmospheric temperature causes a rapid drop of -temperature of the apparatus, the s-terilizing vessel and the heating plate also suffer rapid decreases 05 in tempera-ture so that the temperature necessary for heat sterilization cannot be retained for a necessary time period. Accordingly, the sterilization of soft contact lenses tends to be insufficient. In addition, because the sterilizing apparatus is miniaturized, the instrumen-tation and switching mechanism of the heating sys-tem are complicated of necessity so that electrical troubles, particularly faults associated with the thermosta-t occur frequently.
The present invention, which was developed to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art apparatus, has as one of its objects the provision of a sterilizing apparatus which has a remarkably improved sterilizing performance.
It is another object of the present invention -to provide a contac-t lens sterilizing apparatus which is conducive to a minimum of temperature change by way of maintaining a zone surrounding a sterilizing chamber at a predetermined temperature so as to prevent direct dissipation of the residual hea-t in the apparatus.
It is still another object of the presen-t invention to provide a sterilizing apparatus which is :~43~
free from electrical troubles by way of employing a novel circuit breaker system which comprises a temperature sensor adapted -to detect -the temperature accurately for an exact swi-tching function in 05 association with a highly reliable microswitch.
The contact lens sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a housing having a sterilizing chamber, heating means for heating said sterilizing chamber, and a temperature sensor adapted to detect -the internal temperature of said sterilizing chamber, said temperature sensor comprising a flexible sensor container, a material sealed into said sensor container and having a melting or liquefaction point corresponding to the temperature in a zone surrounding said sterilizing chamber, and a sealing end portion for sealing said sensor container, said sealing end portion having means for interrupting hea-ting when the detected temperature reaches a prede-termined level.
Preferably, said hea-ting means for heating said sterilizing chamber comprises heating plate means disposed externally of wall means defining said heating chamber and heater means secured to said heating plate means and comprising positive characteristic thermisters.
Preferably, said flexible sensor container is bellows-shaped~
~3~
Preferably, said material having a me]ting or liquefac-tion point corresponding to the temperature in said zone surrounding said sterilizing chamber is microcrystalline wax.
05 Preferably, said means for interrupting heating at a prede-termined level consists of an engageable projection provided at said sea]ing end portion oE said sensor container and an associated actua-ting lever of a microswitch which is engageable therewith.
An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should, however, be understood that the invention is by no means limitecl to the particular embodiment.
Fig. 1 is a perspective exterior view oE the contact lens sterilizing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective exterior view showing the same apparatus with its door opened.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. l.
Fig. ~ is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a view showing -the reverse side with the bo-t-tom cover detached.
Fig. 6 is a view showing the inside of the outer housing.
Fig. 7 shows the sterilizing vessel, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view.
Fig. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view 05 showing the main part of the sterilizing apparatus.
Fig. 9 (a), (b) and (c) are side-elevation views of the main components for explaining the function of the circuit breaker system.
The contact lens sterilizing apparatus 1 according to the presen-t invention comprises a housing 2 made of synthetic resin or other suitable ma-terlal and an internal sys-tem which is described hereinafter.
As shown in ~igs. 1 an~ 2, tlle housing 2 consists of a body 3, a bottom cover 4 and a door 5 which can be opened and closed about a pivot at one side. ~ehind the door 5, there is a sterilizing chamber 7 in which a sterilizing vessel 6, which is shown in Fig. 7 (a), (b), is positioned for heat sterilization. The s-teri]izing vessel 6 is made of heat-resistant syn-thetic resin such as polycarbonate resin. Projecting from the body 3 is a push bu-t-ton 8, depression of which actuates a microswitch 9 disposed in the housing 2. A pilo-t lamp 10 adapted to indica-te the passage of an elec-tric current is provided at the front end of the body 3.
Referrlng to Figs. 3 and ~, heating means 11 are provided ex-ternally of top, bottom and rear partitioning wall means defining the sterilizing chamber 7. The heating means 11 comprises a top heating plate 12, a bottom hea-ting plate 13, and a top heater 14 and a lower heater 15 which are secured to 05 said heating plates, respectively. I'he top and bot-tom heatlny plates 12, 13 are each made of metal such as iron, brass or the like and the top and bottom heaters 14, 15 are positive-characteristic thermisters. The power is led in via a socket 16.
~eferring to Figs. 5 and 8, a temperature sensor 17 is disposed adjacent to the s-terilizing chamber 7.
This tempera-ture sensor 17 is supported by a re-tention member 24 in such a manner that its rear portion is vertically swingable, while its front end is pivotally supported by a pin 25. As better shown in Fig. 9, the -temperature sensor 17 comprises a sensor container 18, a body oE wax 20 sealed into the container, and a seal member 23 which seals off the front end of the sensor container. The sensor container 18 is made in a bellows-like configuration from a ~lexible synthetic resin such as silicone resin. The wax 20 is preferably a microcrystalline wax having a melting point correspond-ing to the temperature within a zone 19 surrounding the ' sterilizi.ng chamber 7. The seal member 23 is equipped with a rod member 21 whose displacemen-t is dependent upon -the degree of softening or hardening of the wax 20, ~2~
and an outer engageabl.e projection 22.
The engageable projection 22 of -the temperature sensor 17 is engaged by an ac-tuating lever 26. The actua-ting lever 26 is connec-ted to the forward end of 05 the push bu-tton 8 and has an engageable pawl 27 which engages said enyageable projection 22. The actua-ting lever 26 is normally biased upwardly by a spring 27'.
The actuating lever 26 is guided by a guide frame 28 at its upper end and supported by a support lever 29 at lQ its lower end. The microswitch 9, push-button 8, actuating lever 26, temperature sensor 17 and spring 27', taken together, constitute a circuit breaker system 30.
Though not shown, one terminal of the socket 16 is electrically connected to the electrode plate 31 oE
said top and bottom heaters 1~, 15, while the other terminal is connected to one terminal of said mic.roswitch 9. The other terminal of said microswitch 9 is connected to the top and bottom heating plates 12, 13. Thus, there is completed a heating circuit of socket 16 -microswitch 9 - -top and bottom heaters 14, 15 -top and bottom heatlng plates 12, 13 socket 16. Similarly, there is comp].eted a display circuit of top heater 1~ -pilot lamp 10 - top heating plate 12.
The func-tion of the contact lens s-terili~ing apparatus will be explained below.
~2~;~8~
Referring, firs-t, to Fig. 7, both covers 32 of -the sterilizing vessel 6 are removed and a disinfectant fluicl is pouxed into recesses 33. The soft contac-t lenses are immersed in the clisinfec-tant fluid ancl the 05 covers 32 are replaced. The sterilizing vessel 6 is then set in the sterilizing chamber 7 and the door 5 is closed. Then, the push-button 8 is pressed until it is locked ln the lower posi.tion.
When the push-button 8 is pressed [Fig. 9 (a)]
against the biasing :Eorce of the spring 27', it descends to actuate the microswitch 9, whereby the heati.ng circuit is closed to start heating and, at the same time, the pilot lamp 10 is energized to go on. As the push-button 8 is pressed t the actuating lever 26 also descends so -that its engageable pawl 27 rides over the engageable projec-tion 22 of the -temperature sensor 17 and is then engaged by the progection 22 underneath thereof, so as -to lock -the push-button 8 and actuating lever 26 [Fig. 9 (b) ] .
20As a current flows through the heating circuit and -the tempera-ture of top and bottom heating plates 12, 13 and top and bottom heaters 14, 15 rises, the rad:iant heat causes -the zone 19 to be hea-ted, wl-th -the result -that the temperature sensor 17 is also heated. As the -temperature of zone 19 and sensor container 18 reaches and exceeds the mel-ting point oE the wax 20, the wax 20 star~s melting and becomes soft as a whole. In this state, the upward force applied against the engageable projection 22 by spring 27' via the pawl 27 deforms the sensor container 18 about the pin 25 in such a manner 05 tha-t the engageable pawl 27 is released from the engageable projection 220 As the actuating lever 26 and push-bu-tton 8 ascend together under the action oE
spring 27' [Fig. 9 (c~], the microswitch 9 is actuated to open the heating circuit, whereupon heating is discontinued and the pilot lamp 10 goes off.
After lapse of a predetermined period of time after automatic reset of the push-but-ton 8, the sterilizing vessel 6 is taken out. The above sequence of events complete a heat sterilization of soft contact lenses.
According to the present invention, once the proper material to be sealed into the temperature sensor 17 is selected and its melting point or liquefaction -temperature is known, the sterilizing apparatus detects the retention temperature accurately.
Moreover, as the liquefaction time can be set by selecting the proper internal volume (the mass oE the substance sealed in) and manner of installation oE the sensor container 18, the device can be used as a useful timer and switching mechanism.
Further, since positive-characteristic thermisters 3~
are used as heaters 1~, 15 in the sterilizing apparatus of the present embodi.ment, there is no risk of the sterilizing chamber 7 being overheated. Moreover, as the temperature sensor 17 ensures a positive opening of 05 the heating circuit, the temperature of the sterilizing vessel 6 can be maintained substan-tially at a predetermined level for a prede-termined time period.
Furthermore, as the zone 19 surrounding the sterilizing chamber 7 accommodating -the heating means 11 and circuit breaker sys-tem 30 is maintained at a predetermined temperature so as to prevent direct dissipation of the residual hea-t of the sterilizing vessel 6 into the atmosphere, the temperature change oE
the sterilizing vessel 6 can be held -to a minimum.
lS Moreover, the apparatus is so designed that the circuit for the heating means 11 is opened by -the microswitch 9 which is driven by the temperature sensor 17, with -the result that chances of electrical troubles are substantially nil as compared with the conventional apparatus.
While, in -the temperature sensor 17 of the exemplary embodiment described above, a microcrystalline wax 20 having a melting point corresponding to the retention -temperature of the zone 19 was utilized, any other material having a melting or liquefaction point similar to that of wax 20 may of course be employed with equal success.
Claims (5)
1. A contact lens sterilizing apparatus comprising a housing having a sterilizing chamber, heating means for heating said sterilizing chamber, and a temperature sensor adapted to detect the temperature of said sterilizing chamber said temperature sensor comprising a flexible sensor container, a material sealed into said sensor container and having a melting or liquefaction point corresponding to the temperature in a zone surrounding said sterilizing chamber, and a sealing end portion for sealing said sensor container, said sealing end portion having means for interrupting heating when the detected temperature reaches a predetermined level.
2. A contact lens sterilizing apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said heating means for heating said sterilizing chamber comprises heating plate means disposed externally of wall means defining said heating chamber and heater means secured to said heating plate means and comprising positive characteristic thermisters.
3. A contact lens sterilizing apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said flexible sensor container is bellows-shaped.
4. A contact lens sterilizing apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said material having a melting or liquefaction point corresponding to the temperature in said zone surrounding said sterilizing chamber is microcrystalline wax.
5. A contact lens sterilizing apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said means for interrupting heating at a predetermined level consists of an engageable projection provided at said sealing end portion of said sensor container and an associated actuating lever of a microswitch which is engageable therewith.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000500712A CA1243818A (en) | 1986-01-30 | 1986-01-30 | Apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000500712A CA1243818A (en) | 1986-01-30 | 1986-01-30 | Apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1243818A true CA1243818A (en) | 1988-11-01 |
Family
ID=4132375
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000500712A Expired CA1243818A (en) | 1986-01-30 | 1986-01-30 | Apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1243818A (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-01-30 CA CA000500712A patent/CA1243818A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |