CA2125651A1 - Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses - Google Patents
Case for storing and cleaning contact lensesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2125651A1 CA2125651A1 CA002125651A CA2125651A CA2125651A1 CA 2125651 A1 CA2125651 A1 CA 2125651A1 CA 002125651 A CA002125651 A CA 002125651A CA 2125651 A CA2125651 A CA 2125651A CA 2125651 A1 CA2125651 A1 CA 2125651A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- contact lenses
- blade bearing
- piston
- bearing means
- cleaning
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
- G02C13/00—Assembling; Repairing; Cleaning
- G02C13/008—Devices specially adapted for cleaning contact lenses
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
- A45C11/005—Contact lens cases
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Eyeglasses (AREA)
Abstract
Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses ABSTRACT
A case for storing and cleaning contact lenses comprising a container being filled with suitable cleaning liquid and movable mechanism screwed on top of the container. The contact lenses are mounted at suitable locations of the movable mechanism so that they may be immersed within the cleaning liquid and each lies in between a pair of reversely rotating blade bearing means. These blade bearing means are set in alternate clockwise and anticlockwise rotation when a top head cover of the case is pressed downwards and then returns under the action of a compression spring. This operation results in the above blades mildly sweeping off any proteinic or other remnants from both the inner concave and outer convex surfaces of the contact lenses.
A case for storing and cleaning contact lenses comprising a container being filled with suitable cleaning liquid and movable mechanism screwed on top of the container. The contact lenses are mounted at suitable locations of the movable mechanism so that they may be immersed within the cleaning liquid and each lies in between a pair of reversely rotating blade bearing means. These blade bearing means are set in alternate clockwise and anticlockwise rotation when a top head cover of the case is pressed downwards and then returns under the action of a compression spring. This operation results in the above blades mildly sweeping off any proteinic or other remnants from both the inner concave and outer convex surfaces of the contact lenses.
Description
212 ~ 6 rJ 1 C_se_f___st_rin~_and _l~a_lng contact lensos THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
_________________________ The i~vention relates to a case for ths storing of contact lenses comprising means for the removal of th~ proteinic and other rernnants both from the inner and outsr surfaces of th0 I enses .
THE_B~CKGRQyND ART
,, ':
Cas~s for contact lsnsss of the prior art are simpl~, small baskets, wherein eontact lenses are immsrsed and kept within puri fy i ng and preserving liquids. In this manner the lenses can b0 disinfected, -but the organic remnants on ths surface of the lenses, ~hich are the main cause of irritation 15 - of the eye and of dimn0ss of the lsnses themselves, ara not removed. That's why in many systems of contact lens~s cleaniny, soft rubbing of the lenses in bstween ths fingers or with a special cloth is suggested before ths sterilization. This specific activity is howevsr a vsry fine process and m~y be dangerous for the integrity of the lens, whereas it certainly reduces its ser-vice life.
For ths same purpose, micro-apparatuses of oscillation of the contact lensss within the liquid of purification have been also manu~actured. However such d~vices are bulky, thay ~ 21~3~
function with batteries and they are not suffioiently eff 8C tive.
The object of the present invention is therefore to efficiently overcoms the abovementioned probl0~ and drawbacks S of the prior art by providing a case for storing contact lenses, wherein ths lenses may also b0 cleaned by simple manual operation.
Tho case of the present invention can on th~ on0 hand be used as a typical casa in the form of a small basket for the contact lenses and on the other hand it comprise~ an incorporated system of thin soft rubber blades.. The blades can move and rotate on the same axis in both clockwi 3e and anticlockwisc course of rotation by instantaneously pressing a part of the apparatus with the finger. By means of their rotation, the bladas swe~p ths innsr and outsr surfaces of the lenses which have bcen placed in botwean tham, thereby romoving every for0iyn objsct, proteinic and othsr remnant~ stuck upon the Isn~es.
.
Th0 blades ara mada from soft rubber and they ar0 propsrly shaped so that the lenses may fit in betwsen them and thareby avold belng damaged or harassed during rubbing.
rhe ~ntire cas~ i 5 5 lightly largor than a con~sntional case, it is air-tight and water-tight, and is as handy to U58 as -thc conventional case. Further, the propesed case can be used in relatlon with all available contact lens cleaning systems, offering a substantial improvement in their cleaning performance.
_________________________ The i~vention relates to a case for ths storing of contact lenses comprising means for the removal of th~ proteinic and other rernnants both from the inner and outsr surfaces of th0 I enses .
THE_B~CKGRQyND ART
,, ':
Cas~s for contact lsnsss of the prior art are simpl~, small baskets, wherein eontact lenses are immsrsed and kept within puri fy i ng and preserving liquids. In this manner the lenses can b0 disinfected, -but the organic remnants on ths surface of the lenses, ~hich are the main cause of irritation 15 - of the eye and of dimn0ss of the lsnses themselves, ara not removed. That's why in many systems of contact lens~s cleaniny, soft rubbing of the lenses in bstween ths fingers or with a special cloth is suggested before ths sterilization. This specific activity is howevsr a vsry fine process and m~y be dangerous for the integrity of the lens, whereas it certainly reduces its ser-vice life.
For ths same purpose, micro-apparatuses of oscillation of the contact lensss within the liquid of purification have been also manu~actured. However such d~vices are bulky, thay ~ 21~3~
function with batteries and they are not suffioiently eff 8C tive.
The object of the present invention is therefore to efficiently overcoms the abovementioned probl0~ and drawbacks S of the prior art by providing a case for storing contact lenses, wherein ths lenses may also b0 cleaned by simple manual operation.
Tho case of the present invention can on th~ on0 hand be used as a typical casa in the form of a small basket for the contact lenses and on the other hand it comprise~ an incorporated system of thin soft rubber blades.. The blades can move and rotate on the same axis in both clockwi 3e and anticlockwisc course of rotation by instantaneously pressing a part of the apparatus with the finger. By means of their rotation, the bladas swe~p ths innsr and outsr surfaces of the lenses which have bcen placed in botwean tham, thereby romoving every for0iyn objsct, proteinic and othsr remnant~ stuck upon the Isn~es.
.
Th0 blades ara mada from soft rubber and they ar0 propsrly shaped so that the lenses may fit in betwsen them and thareby avold belng damaged or harassed during rubbing.
rhe ~ntire cas~ i 5 5 lightly largor than a con~sntional case, it is air-tight and water-tight, and is as handy to U58 as -thc conventional case. Further, the propesed case can be used in relatlon with all available contact lens cleaning systems, offering a substantial improvement in their cleaning performance.
2 ~2~3~''.3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION_O__THE_DR~WINGS
~ n illustrative 0mbodiment of this invention is herein prasanted with reference to tha accompanying drawings.
Fig.l shows a perspectiva analytical viaw of all th0 part~
of the casa with indications of th~ m~ntler of their ~embling.
Fig.2 shows a front sectional vi~w of tha case which is completely assembled.
Figs 3a-b and 4a-b show a front and rHar view of th~
frames 9 and lO respectivaly.
Figs 5a-c show a front, planar and sida vi~w of the base 4 of tha case.
Figs 6a-b show two views of the jaw 13.
Figs 7a-b show a top planar view and a semi-sectional view of container 3.
Figs 8a-b show a front and rear view of the small basket means 11. ~
Figs 8c-d show a side view and a side cross-sectional view oS th0 small basket ll.
Figs 9a-c show a sectional, front and rear view of the blade b~aring member 7.
Figs lOa-c show a s~ctional, front and rear view of the blade boaring member 8.
Fiys 11a-b show bottom and top planar viaws of the case cov~r maans 2.
Figs 11c-d show two side views of the case covering means 2.
Fig.12 shows a partially-sectional frontdl vl0w of h0ad -4- 2~6~
and piston maans 1.
Figs 13a-c show a front, rear and longitudinal vie~ of shaft 6.
DETP.ILED_DESCRIPTION_OF,,.~PREFERRED_EMBODIMENTS
The invention will now be made appar0nt to those skill-~d in ths art by re~erenc0 to th~ accompanying dr~wings wherain i~
depicted a preferred ~mbodlmant.
In a~cordace to the illustrated preferr0d ambodimsnt, the proposed case for storing and cl~aning contact 12nses comprisas a container 3 for the cleaning liquid, and a movable mechanism comprising a cov~r means 2 on top of abovementioned container 3, a head and piston means 1, on top of abovementioned cover means 2, a compression sprin~ 16 ~round piston memb~r 100 of head and piston maans 1, a jaw means 13 coDnected to the head and piston means 1 and to a contact lans supporting unit, th~
contact lens supporting unit comprising a central bass unit 4, a ~Jear 5 insert0d within a slot of the central base unit-4, a shaft 6 passing through the central base unit 4, bladc baaring means 7 and 8 mount~d on ~ithor sids of shaft 6 for the abrasive cleaning of the inner surface of contact l~nses, frame members 9 and 10 mounted on eith0r side of central base unit-4, 0ach of the frames 9 and 10 supporting a blade bearing means 11 for the abrasive cleaning of the outer surface of contact lenses, the above mentioned jaw m0ans 13 acting as transmis~ion means to transfer th0 move~ent of head and piston means 1 to the contact lens supporting unit so as to set in clockwise and anticlock~ise rotation respectively the blad~ baaring me-ans 11 --' 2~2~6~-~
for the abrasive cleaning of the outer surface of contact lenses and the bl~de bearing means 7 and 8 for the abrasiv~
cleaning of thc inner surface of corltdct lenses, wh~n one of such contact Icnses is placed in between blade bearing means 11 and 7 and the otherone of thesa contact lenses i 5 p laced in between blade bearing means 11 and 8.
~ nalytically, as depicted in F igg 1 ,2 and 7a-b, a generally cylindrical container 3 with slightly outwards tapered exterior surfaces is used to contain the cleaning liquid, such liquid being filled up to an indicated level 30 whic-h lies slightly belo~ the c~ntre of the contact lens supporting unit which is therçfora partially imm~rsed therein.
The upper open end of cleaning liquid containar 3 is provid~d with an external circumferential threading, wheraupon i 5 fitted when screwed the cover means 2.
The cover rn~ans 2 depicted in Figs 1,2 and lla-d has 3 g~nerally polygonal outer surfaca and a genne-rally cylindrical inner surfaee. The cover means 2 has a- central opening 20 to allow passage of piston 100 an~ a downward extending pair of 20legs 22, each leg 22 with a T-shap0d slot 23 to recaive the T-shapad prot~rusions of the central base unit 4- of ths contact lens supporting unit. The covcr means 2 has an internal bottom threading appropriats for screwing onto the abovementioned extarnal threading of cleaning liquid containar 3.
25The head and piston unit 1 depicted in Figs 1,2, and 12 comprises a generally cylindrical haad lQOa of a diam~ter such as to air-tightly fit within the internally cylindrical cipace -6- ~2~cfi ~
21 of the cover means 2 and a downward axtending piston mamber 100. Piston 100 has a diametar such as to pa~s through centr~l opening 20 of covsr means 2, whereas it is externally surrounded by a compression spring 16 extanding betwe~n the basernont of covar maans 2 and th~ cailing providsd by hqad lOOa. The jaw means 13 depicted in Figs 1, 2 and 6a-b i~ a n section with internally toothed legs 132 and 133, a central circular op~ning 130 at the top and r~ctangular opanings 131 on either side of the central circular opening 130.
10Piston 1 being form~d with a pair of flexiblt ribs 10~ and -- ~n int~rlrl~didt~ ~lot 105, is capdbl~ of ssqu~ntidlly pd~ing through surrounding compression spring 16 located within ~h0 inner space 21 of cover rneans 2, the central opsning 20 of cover msans 2, a rubbsr washer 12 and tha central circular 15opening 130 of jaw means 13, wher~by ribs 106 are compressed inwards whan passing through op~ning 130 and extend outwards after having pass~d through opening-130, thereby prsv~nting piston 100 from moving out from jaw means 13. Ba ides thi~, it is noted that the portion of piston 100 ~xtending above jaw means 13 has a diameter largor than that of the portion passing through the op~ning 130, so as to obstruct rapproch~tnent of jaw means 13 and head and piston means 1. In this way`thc ~ertical rnovement of hsad and piston means 1 will nscessarily lead to corresponding v~rtical movament of jaw means 13.
-- During the abov~ dascribed ass~mblying procass, h0ad 1 and spring 16 fit within the cylindrical intcrior 21 of th~ ~over rrl2ans 2, whilst the legs 22 being provid~d at th~ bottom of 2 ~
cover m~an~ 2 pass throu~31- the r~otangul~r opaning~ 131 ot JAW
msans 13.
The contact lans supporting unit first comprisss a central base unit 4 depicted in Figs 1,2 and 5a-c, which is made from two parallel plates 4a and 4b, has a generally rectangular shape and a central opening 40, a ~lot 41 in betwsen above mentioned plates 4a and 4b allowing ths introdustion of a gear 5 with a square central opening 50 within the central base unit 4, so that the central opening 40 of base unit 4 coincides with the opsning 50 of gear 5, a shaft 6 with a generally square cross section, corresponding to that of the cantral opening 50, passing through both these openings 40 and 50 and being rotatable togethsr with gsar 5. -Th~ c~ntrdl bdsa unit 4 is provJdsd with d pair of upp~r T-shaped protrusions 43 which enter within the abovementioned T-shapsd slots 23 of legs 22 of khe cover msans 2, thereby fixHdly conn~ct-lng the..central base unit 4 to ths cover means 2. In this assembled condition, legs 133 and 132 of jaw means 13 touch upon the vertlcal sides 45 and 46 oS c~ntral bass unit 4 and thsreby leq 133 lies within the side groove 42 of central base unit 4 and- allows engagenent of its intsrnally toothed surfacs 134 to gear 5, whersa~ leg 132 with two paral lel internally toothad strips 134a and 134b is allowed to engage with the toothed external ring of blads ~earing m~ans 11 on eithsr side of central ba5~ unit 4.
The shaft 6 depicted in Figs 1,2, and 13a-c has a gsnerally squaPe s~ction appropriately sized to Sit within the -8- 2 ~ 2 ~3 ~
central square opening 50 of gear 5, its two ends 61 and 60 being fixedly fitted within slots 7a and 8a respectively of corresponding blade bearing rneans 7 and 8, the latter also aoting as mean~ for securing shaft 6 in position within opening 50.
Each of the abovementioned blade bearing means 7 and 8 is pr~ferabl~ made from rubber and has a convex surface with an arrangament of radially disposed blades 70 and 80 respectively.
The radius of curvature of the convex surface of each of blade bearirlg means 7 and 8 is equal to the radius of curvature of the concave surface of the contact lenses, so that when ths contact lenses ara rnounted onto the convex surface of blad0 bearing nleans 7 and 8, the blades 70 and 80 respectively can perforrn abrasive cleaning ef the inner.concave surfaces of the contact lenses.
Frame 9 depicted in Figs 1,2, and 4a-b, and frarne 10 depictad in Figs 1,2 and 3a-b, are fitted on 0ither sido of central base unit 4 by means of a pair of arms 91 and 101 provided at the top of frames 9 and 10 respectiv01y, these arms being fitted onto shafts 44 extending on aither side of above mantioned T-shaped protrusions of 43 central base unit 4.
Each of the frames 9 ~nd 10 having a generaiiy rsctangular external shape and a circular interior such as to allow mounting of end blade-bearing means 11, has a slot 92 and 102 25 respectively, so as to elastically open the sa~e and allow ti~ht fitting of frames 9 and 10 within a corresporldingly circular groove 111 available in. each one of blade bearing~
:;.` ' ~ . ` . .' `. ` ` ' ; ~
~ ~ 2 .3 6~ ~L
_g means 11.
Each of the ~nd blade bearing ~ans 11 is mada from hard plastic and has a convex surface with an arrangement of radially disposed convex strips 112, the concave surface of which lies within the interior cavity of blade bearing means 11 and being covered by soft rubber so as to form an arrangement of radially disposed blades 113. The radius of curvature of the interior cavity of each of the blade b~aring mean~ 11 is equal to the radius of curvature of the conv0x surface of the contact lenses, so that when the contact lenses ar~ mounted within the interior cavity of blade bearing means 11, tha blad~s 113 can porform abrasi~e cleaning of the outer convex surfaces of the contact lenses, which are in contact with them. Each blade bearing means 11 is also provided with a circumfarential groove 111 witllin which fits tightly frdme 9 ~r 10. ~ljacent to thi 5 circumfer0ntial groove 111, each blade bsaring means 11 is provided with a circumferentially toothed ring 110, which is sngaged with toothed strips 134a and 134b of aboverrler,tioned jaw rnoans 13.
The above described device is set in operation as follows:
Container 3 is filled with the desired cleaning liquid up-to the level indicated by point 30, this lavel being such as to ! ' allow a partial immersion of the contact lens supporting unit within the cleaning liquid. Each one of a pair of contact lenses is then placed in between one of the pair of blade bearing means 11 and one of blade bearing means 7,8, the contact lenses being kept in place by the downw~rd protrusions - l o- 2 ~ 2 ~
93,103 of frame membars 9 and 10 r0spectively, whereby the movabla mechanism of the cas~ is ready to use. Next, the movable mechanism of the casa with the contact lenses install0d therein is placed within th~ cleaning liquid container 3Q and covsr mean~ 2 is ~or~wed onto th~ cl~aning liquid container 30.
In this way ths lensas are immersed in the clsaning liquid.
N~xt the user uses his finger to exert a downward pressur~ upon h~ad lOOa of the hsad and piston unit 1. Th~n ~s a result of this vsrtical downward movernent, jaw means 13 performs an equal vertical downward displacement and causes in th~ first place a clock~ise rotation~ of tha pair of blade bearing means 11 and an anticlockwise rotation of the pair of blade bsaring maans 7 and 8. Whsn head and piston means 1 has reached the bottom of its course, its movement is reversed by means of th~ pressure exerted by oomprassion spring 16 which is bound to rsturn itself and th~rsby th~ head and piston maans 1 to its initial position. During the subsequent upward v0rtical tr,ovement of jaw rneans 13 th0re results a rev~rsal in tha course of rotation, so that each of ths blade bearing means 11 now rotates anticlock~ise and each of blad~ bearing means 7 and 8 rotates clockwisa. Howaver each ons of th~ contact lsnsas still remains in betwean a pair of blad~ baaring means which rotate revsrs~ly, th~ir courss of rotation belng alternately changed as the vertlcal movsment of head and piston maans 1 and jaw means 13 rev~rses ~rom downward to upward. Thus- th~ rotating bladss 70,80 of blade bearing means 7,8 and 113 of blad~
bearing means 11 mildly ~weep the corlcava inner and conv~x 2~25~ ~
outer surfaces of the lenses and thereby claan thom from the proteinic and other r~mnants stuck upon them, aftsr a desir3d pluralit.y of instantaneous down~ard pressura actions onto head 100a of hcad and piston means 1 is p~rformad.
The case is mada completely air-tight and watar-tight by means of the elastic gaskets t2 and 15, the latter baing placed in tha yroove 24 of the top covar 2. In this manner the case is suitable for storing the lenses and it can be usad in all contact lens care taking systems.
It must herein be noted that tha invantion was descrlbed by refarence to an il~lustratlve but not confining embodirnent.
Various changes and emendments may ba parformed in the size, ~h~pe and form, material~ u~ed in the con~tructlon of v6r i ous components without departing from the scope and th~ aims of the present invention.
~ n illustrative 0mbodiment of this invention is herein prasanted with reference to tha accompanying drawings.
Fig.l shows a perspectiva analytical viaw of all th0 part~
of the casa with indications of th~ m~ntler of their ~embling.
Fig.2 shows a front sectional vi~w of tha case which is completely assembled.
Figs 3a-b and 4a-b show a front and rHar view of th~
frames 9 and lO respectivaly.
Figs 5a-c show a front, planar and sida vi~w of the base 4 of tha case.
Figs 6a-b show two views of the jaw 13.
Figs 7a-b show a top planar view and a semi-sectional view of container 3.
Figs 8a-b show a front and rear view of the small basket means 11. ~
Figs 8c-d show a side view and a side cross-sectional view oS th0 small basket ll.
Figs 9a-c show a sectional, front and rear view of the blade b~aring member 7.
Figs lOa-c show a s~ctional, front and rear view of the blade boaring member 8.
Fiys 11a-b show bottom and top planar viaws of the case cov~r maans 2.
Figs 11c-d show two side views of the case covering means 2.
Fig.12 shows a partially-sectional frontdl vl0w of h0ad -4- 2~6~
and piston maans 1.
Figs 13a-c show a front, rear and longitudinal vie~ of shaft 6.
DETP.ILED_DESCRIPTION_OF,,.~PREFERRED_EMBODIMENTS
The invention will now be made appar0nt to those skill-~d in ths art by re~erenc0 to th~ accompanying dr~wings wherain i~
depicted a preferred ~mbodlmant.
In a~cordace to the illustrated preferr0d ambodimsnt, the proposed case for storing and cl~aning contact 12nses comprisas a container 3 for the cleaning liquid, and a movable mechanism comprising a cov~r means 2 on top of abovementioned container 3, a head and piston means 1, on top of abovementioned cover means 2, a compression sprin~ 16 ~round piston memb~r 100 of head and piston maans 1, a jaw means 13 coDnected to the head and piston means 1 and to a contact lans supporting unit, th~
contact lens supporting unit comprising a central bass unit 4, a ~Jear 5 insert0d within a slot of the central base unit-4, a shaft 6 passing through the central base unit 4, bladc baaring means 7 and 8 mount~d on ~ithor sids of shaft 6 for the abrasive cleaning of the inner surface of contact l~nses, frame members 9 and 10 mounted on eith0r side of central base unit-4, 0ach of the frames 9 and 10 supporting a blade bearing means 11 for the abrasive cleaning of the outer surface of contact lenses, the above mentioned jaw m0ans 13 acting as transmis~ion means to transfer th0 move~ent of head and piston means 1 to the contact lens supporting unit so as to set in clockwise and anticlock~ise rotation respectively the blad~ baaring me-ans 11 --' 2~2~6~-~
for the abrasive cleaning of the outer surface of contact lenses and the bl~de bearing means 7 and 8 for the abrasiv~
cleaning of thc inner surface of corltdct lenses, wh~n one of such contact Icnses is placed in between blade bearing means 11 and 7 and the otherone of thesa contact lenses i 5 p laced in between blade bearing means 11 and 8.
~ nalytically, as depicted in F igg 1 ,2 and 7a-b, a generally cylindrical container 3 with slightly outwards tapered exterior surfaces is used to contain the cleaning liquid, such liquid being filled up to an indicated level 30 whic-h lies slightly belo~ the c~ntre of the contact lens supporting unit which is therçfora partially imm~rsed therein.
The upper open end of cleaning liquid containar 3 is provid~d with an external circumferential threading, wheraupon i 5 fitted when screwed the cover means 2.
The cover rn~ans 2 depicted in Figs 1,2 and lla-d has 3 g~nerally polygonal outer surfaca and a genne-rally cylindrical inner surfaee. The cover means 2 has a- central opening 20 to allow passage of piston 100 an~ a downward extending pair of 20legs 22, each leg 22 with a T-shap0d slot 23 to recaive the T-shapad prot~rusions of the central base unit 4- of ths contact lens supporting unit. The covcr means 2 has an internal bottom threading appropriats for screwing onto the abovementioned extarnal threading of cleaning liquid containar 3.
25The head and piston unit 1 depicted in Figs 1,2, and 12 comprises a generally cylindrical haad lQOa of a diam~ter such as to air-tightly fit within the internally cylindrical cipace -6- ~2~cfi ~
21 of the cover means 2 and a downward axtending piston mamber 100. Piston 100 has a diametar such as to pa~s through centr~l opening 20 of covsr means 2, whereas it is externally surrounded by a compression spring 16 extanding betwe~n the basernont of covar maans 2 and th~ cailing providsd by hqad lOOa. The jaw means 13 depicted in Figs 1, 2 and 6a-b i~ a n section with internally toothed legs 132 and 133, a central circular op~ning 130 at the top and r~ctangular opanings 131 on either side of the central circular opening 130.
10Piston 1 being form~d with a pair of flexiblt ribs 10~ and -- ~n int~rlrl~didt~ ~lot 105, is capdbl~ of ssqu~ntidlly pd~ing through surrounding compression spring 16 located within ~h0 inner space 21 of cover rneans 2, the central opsning 20 of cover msans 2, a rubbsr washer 12 and tha central circular 15opening 130 of jaw means 13, wher~by ribs 106 are compressed inwards whan passing through op~ning 130 and extend outwards after having pass~d through opening-130, thereby prsv~nting piston 100 from moving out from jaw means 13. Ba ides thi~, it is noted that the portion of piston 100 ~xtending above jaw means 13 has a diameter largor than that of the portion passing through the op~ning 130, so as to obstruct rapproch~tnent of jaw means 13 and head and piston means 1. In this way`thc ~ertical rnovement of hsad and piston means 1 will nscessarily lead to corresponding v~rtical movament of jaw means 13.
-- During the abov~ dascribed ass~mblying procass, h0ad 1 and spring 16 fit within the cylindrical intcrior 21 of th~ ~over rrl2ans 2, whilst the legs 22 being provid~d at th~ bottom of 2 ~
cover m~an~ 2 pass throu~31- the r~otangul~r opaning~ 131 ot JAW
msans 13.
The contact lans supporting unit first comprisss a central base unit 4 depicted in Figs 1,2 and 5a-c, which is made from two parallel plates 4a and 4b, has a generally rectangular shape and a central opening 40, a ~lot 41 in betwsen above mentioned plates 4a and 4b allowing ths introdustion of a gear 5 with a square central opening 50 within the central base unit 4, so that the central opening 40 of base unit 4 coincides with the opsning 50 of gear 5, a shaft 6 with a generally square cross section, corresponding to that of the cantral opening 50, passing through both these openings 40 and 50 and being rotatable togethsr with gsar 5. -Th~ c~ntrdl bdsa unit 4 is provJdsd with d pair of upp~r T-shaped protrusions 43 which enter within the abovementioned T-shapsd slots 23 of legs 22 of khe cover msans 2, thereby fixHdly conn~ct-lng the..central base unit 4 to ths cover means 2. In this assembled condition, legs 133 and 132 of jaw means 13 touch upon the vertlcal sides 45 and 46 oS c~ntral bass unit 4 and thsreby leq 133 lies within the side groove 42 of central base unit 4 and- allows engagenent of its intsrnally toothed surfacs 134 to gear 5, whersa~ leg 132 with two paral lel internally toothad strips 134a and 134b is allowed to engage with the toothed external ring of blads ~earing m~ans 11 on eithsr side of central ba5~ unit 4.
The shaft 6 depicted in Figs 1,2, and 13a-c has a gsnerally squaPe s~ction appropriately sized to Sit within the -8- 2 ~ 2 ~3 ~
central square opening 50 of gear 5, its two ends 61 and 60 being fixedly fitted within slots 7a and 8a respectively of corresponding blade bearing rneans 7 and 8, the latter also aoting as mean~ for securing shaft 6 in position within opening 50.
Each of the abovementioned blade bearing means 7 and 8 is pr~ferabl~ made from rubber and has a convex surface with an arrangament of radially disposed blades 70 and 80 respectively.
The radius of curvature of the convex surface of each of blade bearirlg means 7 and 8 is equal to the radius of curvature of the concave surface of the contact lenses, so that when ths contact lenses ara rnounted onto the convex surface of blad0 bearing nleans 7 and 8, the blades 70 and 80 respectively can perforrn abrasive cleaning ef the inner.concave surfaces of the contact lenses.
Frame 9 depicted in Figs 1,2, and 4a-b, and frarne 10 depictad in Figs 1,2 and 3a-b, are fitted on 0ither sido of central base unit 4 by means of a pair of arms 91 and 101 provided at the top of frames 9 and 10 respectiv01y, these arms being fitted onto shafts 44 extending on aither side of above mantioned T-shaped protrusions of 43 central base unit 4.
Each of the frames 9 ~nd 10 having a generaiiy rsctangular external shape and a circular interior such as to allow mounting of end blade-bearing means 11, has a slot 92 and 102 25 respectively, so as to elastically open the sa~e and allow ti~ht fitting of frames 9 and 10 within a corresporldingly circular groove 111 available in. each one of blade bearing~
:;.` ' ~ . ` . .' `. ` ` ' ; ~
~ ~ 2 .3 6~ ~L
_g means 11.
Each of the ~nd blade bearing ~ans 11 is mada from hard plastic and has a convex surface with an arrangement of radially disposed convex strips 112, the concave surface of which lies within the interior cavity of blade bearing means 11 and being covered by soft rubber so as to form an arrangement of radially disposed blades 113. The radius of curvature of the interior cavity of each of the blade b~aring mean~ 11 is equal to the radius of curvature of the conv0x surface of the contact lenses, so that when the contact lenses ar~ mounted within the interior cavity of blade bearing means 11, tha blad~s 113 can porform abrasi~e cleaning of the outer convex surfaces of the contact lenses, which are in contact with them. Each blade bearing means 11 is also provided with a circumfarential groove 111 witllin which fits tightly frdme 9 ~r 10. ~ljacent to thi 5 circumfer0ntial groove 111, each blade bsaring means 11 is provided with a circumferentially toothed ring 110, which is sngaged with toothed strips 134a and 134b of aboverrler,tioned jaw rnoans 13.
The above described device is set in operation as follows:
Container 3 is filled with the desired cleaning liquid up-to the level indicated by point 30, this lavel being such as to ! ' allow a partial immersion of the contact lens supporting unit within the cleaning liquid. Each one of a pair of contact lenses is then placed in between one of the pair of blade bearing means 11 and one of blade bearing means 7,8, the contact lenses being kept in place by the downw~rd protrusions - l o- 2 ~ 2 ~
93,103 of frame membars 9 and 10 r0spectively, whereby the movabla mechanism of the cas~ is ready to use. Next, the movable mechanism of the casa with the contact lenses install0d therein is placed within th~ cleaning liquid container 3Q and covsr mean~ 2 is ~or~wed onto th~ cl~aning liquid container 30.
In this way ths lensas are immersed in the clsaning liquid.
N~xt the user uses his finger to exert a downward pressur~ upon h~ad lOOa of the hsad and piston unit 1. Th~n ~s a result of this vsrtical downward movernent, jaw means 13 performs an equal vertical downward displacement and causes in th~ first place a clock~ise rotation~ of tha pair of blade bearing means 11 and an anticlockwise rotation of the pair of blade bsaring maans 7 and 8. Whsn head and piston means 1 has reached the bottom of its course, its movement is reversed by means of th~ pressure exerted by oomprassion spring 16 which is bound to rsturn itself and th~rsby th~ head and piston maans 1 to its initial position. During the subsequent upward v0rtical tr,ovement of jaw rneans 13 th0re results a rev~rsal in tha course of rotation, so that each of ths blade bearing means 11 now rotates anticlock~ise and each of blad~ bearing means 7 and 8 rotates clockwisa. Howaver each ons of th~ contact lsnsas still remains in betwean a pair of blad~ baaring means which rotate revsrs~ly, th~ir courss of rotation belng alternately changed as the vertlcal movsment of head and piston maans 1 and jaw means 13 rev~rses ~rom downward to upward. Thus- th~ rotating bladss 70,80 of blade bearing means 7,8 and 113 of blad~
bearing means 11 mildly ~weep the corlcava inner and conv~x 2~25~ ~
outer surfaces of the lenses and thereby claan thom from the proteinic and other r~mnants stuck upon them, aftsr a desir3d pluralit.y of instantaneous down~ard pressura actions onto head 100a of hcad and piston means 1 is p~rformad.
The case is mada completely air-tight and watar-tight by means of the elastic gaskets t2 and 15, the latter baing placed in tha yroove 24 of the top covar 2. In this manner the case is suitable for storing the lenses and it can be usad in all contact lens care taking systems.
It must herein be noted that tha invantion was descrlbed by refarence to an il~lustratlve but not confining embodirnent.
Various changes and emendments may ba parformed in the size, ~h~pe and form, material~ u~ed in the con~tructlon of v6r i ous components without departing from the scope and th~ aims of the present invention.
Claims (6)
1. Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses, comprising a cleaning liquid container (3) and a movable mechanism comprising d cover means (2) on top of said cleaning liquid container (3), a head and piston means (1) on top of said cover means (2), a compression spring (16) around said piston means (100) vertically oriented between a bottom of said cover means (2) and said head means (100a), a jaw means (13) fixedly connected to said head and piston means (1) and to a contact lens supporting unit, said contact lens supporting unit comprising a central bass unit (4), a gear (5) inserted within a slot (41) of said central base unit (4), a shaft (6) passing through a central opening (40) of said central base unit (4) and a central opening (50) of said gear (5), blade bearing means (7,8) on either side of said shaft (6) for the abrasive cleaning of inner concave surfaces of contact lenses, frame members (9,10) on either side of said central base unit (4), each of said frame members (9,10) supporting a blade bearing means (11) for the abrasive cleaning of outer convex surfaces of contact lenses and each of said frame members (9,10) comprising an arm (91,101) hooked onto shafts (44) of said central bass unit (4) to firmly connect said frame members (9,10) to said central base unit (4), said jaw means (13) acting as transmission means to transfer a reciprocating movement of said head and piston means (1) to said contact lens supporting unit setting in respective clockwise and anticlockwise rotation said blade bearing means (11) for the abrasive cleaning of the outer surfaces of contact lenses and said blade bearing means (7,8) for the abrasive cleaning of the inner surfaces of contact lenses when each of said contact lenses is mounted in between one of said blade hearing means (11) and one of said blade bearing means (7,8).
2. Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses according to above claim 1, wherein said shaft (6) is fixedly connected to said gear (5) and rotates together with it and wherein said shaft (6) extending on either end of said central base unit (4) comprises ends (60,61) whereupon are fitted said blade bearing means (7,8) being rotatable together with said shaft (6) and said gear (5) and acting so as to secure said shaft (6) in position onto said central bass unit (4).
3. Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses according to above claim 1, wherein each of said blade bearing means (7,8) comprises a slot (7a, 8a) for correspondingly, fixedly fitting at an end (60,61) of said shaft (6) and an arrangement of convex radially disposed blades (70, 80), said arrangement of convex radially disposed blades (70, 80) having a radius of curvature equal to the radius of curvature of the inner concave surface of said contact lenses.
4. Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses according to above claim 1, wherein each of said blade bearing means (11) comprises a circumferential groove (111) within which is tightly fitted one of said frame members (9,10), a circumferentially toothed ring (110) engaged with toothed strips (134a-b) of said jaw means (13) and an arrangement of radially disposed blades (113) within an interior cavity of said blade bearing means (11), said interior cavity having d radius of curvature equal to the radius of curvature of the outer convex surface of said contact lenses.
5. Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses, according to above claim 1, wherein said piston (100) of said head and piston means (1) has an end comprising a pair of flexible ribs (106) and intermediate slot (105), said piston (100) sequentially passing through said compression spring (16), a central opening (20) of said cover means (2), a rubber washer (12) and an opening (130) of said jaw means (13), said ribs (106) opening outwards after passing through said opening (130) of said jaw means (13) and fixedly connect said jaw means (13) with said head and piston means (1), wherein said cover means (2) extends downwards to a pair of legs (22), said legs (22) being fixedly connected to a corresponding pair of openings (131) of said jaw means (13), wherein said central base unit (4) comprises a pair of upper T-shaped protrusions (43), said T-shaped protrusions (43) firmly locking within a pair of T-shaped clots (23) of said legs (22) of said cover means (2) and fixedly connecting said central base unit (4) with said cover means (2), wherein said jaw means (13) is a n-section with internally toothed legs (132, 133), said legs (132, 133) touching upon vertical sides (45, 46) of said central base unit, wherein said gear (5) is engaged to said internally toothed leg (133) and said circumferentiably toothed rings (110) of said blade bearing means (11) on either side of said central base unit (4) are engaged to a pair of toothed strips (134a,b) of said leg (132) and wherein an instantaneous downward pressure of said head (100a) results to a vertical downward movement of said piston (100) and said jaw means (13), wherein said vertical downward movement of said jaw means (13) results to a respective clockwise and anticlockwise rotation of said pair of blade bearing means (11) and said gear (5) and associated pair of blade bearing means (7,8) and return of said compression spring (16) results to a vertical upward movement of said piston (100) and said jaw means (13), said vertical upward movement of said jaw means (13) resulting to a respective anticlockwise and clockwise rotation of said pair of blade bearing means (11) and said gear (5) and associated pair of blade bearing means (7,8).
6. A method for storing and cleaning contact lenses from the proteinic and other remnants stuck upon their inner concave and outer convex-surfaces, comprising the following steps :
- placing each one of a pair of contact lenses in between one of said blade bearing means (7,8) and one of said blade bearing means (11) of said movable mechanism of said case for storing and cleaning contact lenses as claimed in any of the above claims 1-5;
- filling said container (3) of said case for storing and cleaning contact lenses with cleaning liquid up to a predetermined level (30) such as to obtain a partial immersion of said contact lens supporting unit within said cleaning liquid;
- inserting said movable mechanism of said case for storing and cleaning contact lenses within said cleaning liquid container (30) and screwing said cover means (2) onto said cleaning liquid container (3) ;
- using one finger to exert an instantaneous downward pressure upon said head (100a) of said head and piston means (1), said downward pressure resulting to a vertical downward movement of said piston (100) and said jaw means (13), said vertical downward movement of said jaw means (13) resulting to a respective clockwise and anticlockwise rotation of said pair of blade bearing means (11) and said year (5) and associated pair of blade bearing means (7,8) and a consequent return of said compression spring (16) resulting to a vertical upward movement of said piston (100) and said jaw means (13), said vertical upward movement of said jaw means (13) resulting to d respective anticlockwise and clockwise rotation of said pair of blade bearing means (11) and said gear (5) and associated pair of blade bearing means (7,8), whereby a mild reciprocating sweep of the inner concave and outer convex surfaces of said contact lenses is effected by the alternately clockwise and anticlockwise rotating blades of said blade bearing means (7,8 and 11) and said contact lenses are cleaned from the proteinic and other remnants stuck upon their surfaces, after a plurality of instantaneous downward pressure actions onto said head (100a) of said head and piston means (1).
- placing each one of a pair of contact lenses in between one of said blade bearing means (7,8) and one of said blade bearing means (11) of said movable mechanism of said case for storing and cleaning contact lenses as claimed in any of the above claims 1-5;
- filling said container (3) of said case for storing and cleaning contact lenses with cleaning liquid up to a predetermined level (30) such as to obtain a partial immersion of said contact lens supporting unit within said cleaning liquid;
- inserting said movable mechanism of said case for storing and cleaning contact lenses within said cleaning liquid container (30) and screwing said cover means (2) onto said cleaning liquid container (3) ;
- using one finger to exert an instantaneous downward pressure upon said head (100a) of said head and piston means (1), said downward pressure resulting to a vertical downward movement of said piston (100) and said jaw means (13), said vertical downward movement of said jaw means (13) resulting to a respective clockwise and anticlockwise rotation of said pair of blade bearing means (11) and said year (5) and associated pair of blade bearing means (7,8) and a consequent return of said compression spring (16) resulting to a vertical upward movement of said piston (100) and said jaw means (13), said vertical upward movement of said jaw means (13) resulting to d respective anticlockwise and clockwise rotation of said pair of blade bearing means (11) and said gear (5) and associated pair of blade bearing means (7,8), whereby a mild reciprocating sweep of the inner concave and outer convex surfaces of said contact lenses is effected by the alternately clockwise and anticlockwise rotating blades of said blade bearing means (7,8 and 11) and said contact lenses are cleaned from the proteinic and other remnants stuck upon their surfaces, after a plurality of instantaneous downward pressure actions onto said head (100a) of said head and piston means (1).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GR920100472 | 1992-10-20 | ||
| GR92100472 | 1992-10-20 | ||
| PCT/GR1993/000019 WO1994009399A1 (en) | 1992-10-20 | 1993-10-19 | Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2125651A1 true CA2125651A1 (en) | 1994-04-28 |
Family
ID=10941218
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002125651A Abandoned CA2125651A1 (en) | 1992-10-20 | 1993-10-19 | Case for storing and cleaning contact lenses |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0629300A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07502612A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5154793A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2125651A1 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR920100472A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994009399A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5756044A (en) * | 1996-04-09 | 1998-05-26 | Ciba Vision Corporation | Apparatus and method for treating articles in solution with effervescent tablets |
| JPH1048579A (en) * | 1996-07-17 | 1998-02-20 | Kinzai Cho | Method and device for maintaining contact lens |
| US20100072082A1 (en) * | 2007-04-02 | 2010-03-25 | Dong-Won Kang | Contact Lens Storage Case |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3150406A (en) * | 1962-11-13 | 1964-09-29 | Milton L Obitts | Wash kit with contact lens storing and placing devices |
| US4187574A (en) * | 1978-07-27 | 1980-02-12 | Bausch & Lomb Incorporated | Contact lens cleansing apparatus |
| US4559662A (en) * | 1984-05-14 | 1985-12-24 | Kunold Jr Robert | Device for cleaning contact lens |
| US4826001A (en) * | 1988-04-11 | 1989-05-02 | Barnes-Hind, Inc. | Contact lens case |
| US5023971A (en) * | 1988-10-25 | 1991-06-18 | Pompe Larry W | Contact lens surface treatment apparatus |
| IL93191A (en) * | 1989-02-02 | 1995-12-08 | Beckrich Corp | Apparatus and method for cleaning contact lenses |
-
1992
- 1992-10-20 GR GR920100472A patent/GR920100472A/en unknown
-
1993
- 1993-10-19 AU AU51547/93A patent/AU5154793A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-10-19 WO PCT/GR1993/000019 patent/WO1994009399A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-10-19 CA CA002125651A patent/CA2125651A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-10-19 JP JP6509807A patent/JPH07502612A/en active Pending
- 1993-10-19 EP EP93922608A patent/EP0629300A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1994009399A1 (en) | 1994-04-28 |
| JPH07502612A (en) | 1995-03-16 |
| EP0629300A1 (en) | 1994-12-21 |
| AU5154793A (en) | 1994-05-09 |
| GR920100472A (en) | 1994-06-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |