CA3102397A1 - Portable multi-purpose contact lens unit - Google Patents

Portable multi-purpose contact lens unit Download PDF

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Publication number
CA3102397A1
CA3102397A1 CA3102397A CA3102397A CA3102397A1 CA 3102397 A1 CA3102397 A1 CA 3102397A1 CA 3102397 A CA3102397 A CA 3102397A CA 3102397 A CA3102397 A CA 3102397A CA 3102397 A1 CA3102397 A1 CA 3102397A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
contact lens
detachable
storage case
cleaning solution
unit
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.)
Pending
Application number
CA3102397A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Eric Dewar
Fatma Yilmaz
Valentina Zambrano Pineda
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA3102397A priority Critical patent/CA3102397A1/en
Publication of CA3102397A1 publication Critical patent/CA3102397A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45CPURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C11/00Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
    • A45C11/005Contact lens cases
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02CSPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C13/00Assembling; Repairing; Cleaning
    • G02C13/008Devices specially adapted for cleaning contact lenses

Landscapes

  • Eyeglasses (AREA)
  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)

Abstract

A portable multi-purpose contact lens unit ideal for removing or applying contact lenses while travelling in a convenient and hygienic manner. The unit consists of a reservoir to hold contact lens cleaning solution, a detachable contact lens case, a detachable top compai anent for sanitizing utensils and used liquid disposal, and a mirror on the bottom of the unit, making contact lens removal or insertion easy. The reservoir comprises a built-in manual spring-loaded push-valve allowing the flow of clean solution into the detachable lens case.

Description

Description Title Portable Multi-Purpose Contact Lens Unit Field of Invention This invention relates to increased accessibility and portability of a sanitary contact lens changing unit.
Background of the invention Contact lenses are an item that have gained a lot of popularity over the past decade, offering the population an alternative to traditional prescription eyeglasses.
Whether the contacts are worn for esthetic reasons or to address certain conditions, the application and removal of said lens require sanitary precautions to avoid ocular irritation or infection.
Traditionally, this precaution is taken via the use of handwashing or hand-sanitizing before removing or applying the lenses, which is mostly done 2 times a day out of the comfort of a bathroom.
While sanitary precautions are often taken when applying contacts at a chosen stationary area, they tend to be neglected when there is a need to change contacts in a different location.
The neglection might be due to a lack of simplicity, a lack of time or a lack of accessibility, as displayed in the following scenarios: A person might not be able to change contact lenses while outdoor camping, as there might not be a simple access to a sanitizing method.
Similarly, an individual may not be able to constantly access a sanitizing method on a road trip. Alternatively, Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11 an individual may not have access to a disposition method of used cleaning solution in an indoor public area. These represent only a few scenarios where the removal or application process of contact lenses requires improvement.
Furthermore, the application and removal of said lenses tend to be a multi-step process, traditionally requiring the individual to sanitize their hands, and to replace the previously used contact lens cleaning solution with a new solution before even initiating the contact with the eye.
We believe that this process can be optimized by combining some of these multi-step processes to make it a more linear process. As an example, the use of mechanisms such as a built-in manual spring-loaded push-valve within a contact lens unit could be used to release clean liquid solution into the contact lens case, to eliminate the need to manually refill after every use.
While a variety of contact lens products are already on the market, the patents found within this classification need improvement and optimization. Through prior art research, we were not able to come across a patent consisting of an all-in-one, ultimate contact lens unit, allowing individuals to change contact lenses in a simple, sanitary, and quick manner, independently of the physical location.
Related Prior Art Found From the beginning of the development of contact lenses in the 1960s, there has been a desire for the improvement in the convenience and portability of the contact lens cleaning solution along with the contact lens case. In 1971 the earliest patent for a "Contact lenses case"
was filed by Robert G. Sturgeon under patent number US 3695280A, which was released on Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11 October 3, 1972. This early contact lens case was made of a soft plastic which formed a reservoir to keep the lenses immersed in solution. The contact lens cups were closed via a pair of caps that were attached to flexible straps in order to prevent their misplacement.
Although this marked the initial development of contact lens cases, given its very basic and primitive design there is clearly a lot of room for improvement. Firstly, it only allows for the carrying of the contact lenses on their own. The user would have to carry the lens cleaning solution separately, adding more of a burden on the user. Additionally, the closing mechanism for the contact lens receiving cups and the caps was through ribs that don't generally provide a very secure seal to prevent the spillage of the contact lens solution.
The patent entitled "Contact Lens Case and Solution container Travel Apparatus"
(US20100252082A1), filed by Moo Young Lim in 2007, proposes a potential solution to carry a contact lens case and a container of contact lens solution, conveniently as single unit. The unit is comprised of a bottle carrying a maximum 3 oz. of lens cleaning solution, with a pocket on the external surface of the bottle, in which a contact lens case can be snapped in and out of the pocket. The applicant claims that this idea makes for convenient travel with contact lenses and addresses the problem of being unable to locate contact lens solution when needed. The device proposed by Young Lim exclusively addresses the conflict of being unable to carry contact lens solution and contact lenses conveniently. However, the efficiency of this idea is debatable as it would require the user to manually re-fill the contact lens case with the lens solution. The user would therefore require a steady surface and suitable environment to be able re-fill contact lens solution, which reduces the efficiency and conveniency of the proposed device.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11 In 2003, the patent "Contact lens container with circulating solution system"
(US20090229999A1) was submitted by Aaron Haggin. This patent presents the most similarity with our idea of addressing the problems with efficiently managing contact lenses when travelling, as displayed in the background of our invention. This invention consists of a portable compact contact lens storage case with an integrated reservoir for storing a supply of contact lens treatment solution with an internal system for applying and circulating said solution. In this invention, two lens receptables are located on the top surface of the compact container for holding contact lenses and a supply of treatment solution. Pivotally mounted on the rear of the base member with a hinge is a lid having a lid lock. This patent includes a distributor head, used to fill the 2 recessed chambers of the contact lens case with treatment solution. Like the 2 patents mentioned above, this invention already addresses the portability aspect of carrying both the contact lens treatment solution with the contact lens case in one package.
Furthermore, the use of a distributor head and pumping system addresses the multi-step process associated with the removal or application of contact lenses. While this patent is claimed to be an all-in-one portable contact lens case with an integrated container for storing contact lens solution, it does not address the potential eye infections or irritations associated with inappropriate hand sanitizing prior to initiating contact with the eye, as this sanitary precaution cannot always be taken. This patent also lacks a few optimization components that are necessary for the invention to allow lens changing safely in all locations, such as mirrors, lights, or sanitizing utensils.
Additionally, the device proposed by Haggin does not feature any removable parts, which limits aspects related to convenience. The treatment solution reservoir and container for holding contact lenses are integrated into a single unit. Therefore, the user cannot carry their contact lenses independently of treatment solution reservoir, which limits the use of the device. Our Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11 proposed idea consists of multiple detachable parts, therefore allowing the contact lens case to be used independently of the other compartments, which can be tailored according to the user's needs.
Brief summary of the invention The invention hereby presented pertains to a portable multi-purpose contact lens unit ideal for removing or applying contact lenses while travelling, in a convenient and hygienic manner. The cylindrical unit consists of a reservoir to hold contact lens cleaning solution, a detachable contact lens storage case, a detachable top compartment divided in order to allow for storing of sanitizing utensils and used liquid disposal, and a minor along with a wireless light source on the bottom of the unit. Each component of the unit is detachable allowing for convenient carrying of the unit as a whole for diverse functionalities of each individual component if necessary. The contact lens cleaning solution reservoir can hold a volume of up to 3.4 ounces, in compliance with the flight restrictions on liquids.
Furthermore, the size of the unit itself is sufficiently small to ensure utmost portability in any setting. When attached to the unit, the contact lens storage case sits on top of a detachable cap for the contact lens storage case that twists onto its bottom surface. If the user does not feel the need to carry the entire unit, the contact lens storage case can be detached, and the lid can be put in place to prevent spillage and maintain sterility. A mirror and a wireless light source are found under the detachable cap for the contact lens storage case. The mirror and wireless light source aid in making contact lens removal or insertion easy in poorly lit settings, extending the functionality of the unit and adding a novel feature to the array of contact lens cases currently found in the market. In order to hinder the development of biofilm (collection of micro-organisms including bacteria and fungi) which Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11 can lead to the development of eye infections, the contact lens case will be made of a polymer plastic with selenium covalently incorporated into it. Selenium has been shown to have antibacterial activity against multiple types of gram-positive bacteria. This antimicrobial activity, coupled with a low cost of production, make it ideal for our case. The detachable top compaitment is partitioned into two smaller sections, one to hold used contact lens solution and one to hold sanitizing utensils. Sanitizing utensils can include but are not limited to disinfectant wipes, alcohol wipes, etcetera.
Brief description of the drawings Figure 1. is an isometric view of the portable multi-purpose contact lens unit, wherein the detachable components are shown.
Figure 2. is an isometric view of the portable multi-purpose contact lens unit, wherein all the components are attached together Figure 3. is an isometric view of the detachable contact lens case and lid Figure 4. is an isometric view of the detachable reservoir Figure 5. is a side view of the liquid release mechanism Figure 6. Is a top view of the contact lens case Figure 7. Is a front view of the contact lens case lid Detailed embodiment of the invention Isometric views of the various of the portable multi-purpose contact lens unit, are displayed in Figure 1 through 4, the unit comprising a reservoir to hold contact lens cleaning solution 4, a detachable contact lens storage case 2, a detachable top compartment for sanitizing utensils 8 and used liquid disposal 9, a reflective surface 16 and a wireless light source 15 on the bottom of the unit. More specifically, Figure 2 represents an isometric view of the portable Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11 multi-purpose contact lens unit, wherein all the components are attached together. The detachable top compartment 11 is divided into two sections 8, 9, intended for the storage of sanitizing utensils or the storage of used cleaning solution, respectively.
The detachable top compai ______________________________________________________________________ intent 11 is attached to the top of the contact lens cleaning solution reservoir lid 7 through a clip-on mechanism. The top compaitment is opened through a detachable dual-ended lid 10, attached through a clip-on mechanism. As displayed in Figures 1 and 2, the contact lens cleaning solution reservoir lid 7 is attached to the reservoir 4 via a twist-on mechanism 12 to prevent spillage and contamination. Figures 1 and 6 display the functioning of the liquid release mechanism. As previously mentioned, a liquid release mechanism is included in the invention to optimize the multi-step process of applying or removing contact lenses. As such, the contact lens cleaning solution reservoir 4 comprises a built-in manual spring-loaded push valve 5 allowing the flow of clean solution into the detachable lens storage case 2. The liquid release mechanism is activated through the appliance of pressure on a mechanical actuator 6. The initial state of the built-in manual spring-loaded push-valve 5 is restored upon the release of pressure onto the actuator 6 via the use of a built-in spring return mechanism 14. As displayed in Figures 1 and 3, the detachable cap 3 for the contact lens storage case 2 can take on two different configurations, either on the bottom or top surface of the contact lens storage case 2, through a twist-on mechanism 13. As displayed in Figures 1 and 3, the detachable cap 3 for the contact lens storage case 2 can take on two different configurations, either on the bottom or top surface of the contact lens storage case 2, through a twist-on mechanism 13.
Figure 6 displays the top view of the contact lens case displays dimensions A
and B for the diameters of the contact lens case 2 and receptables 1, respectively.
Diameters of both Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11 receptables 1, are of equal dimension, B. Approximate dimensions of A and B
are, 2.5 inches and one inch, respectively.
Figure 7 displays a bottom view of the detachable cap for the lens storage case 3. The detachable cap for the lens storage case 3 attaches to the bottom or top surface of the contact lens storage case 2 via a twist-on mechanism 13 to ensure a tight seal and prevent spillage and contamination. On the bottom surface of the detachable cap 3 there is a reflective surface 16 which will facilitate contact insertion or removal for the user. Surrounding said reflective surface 16 there is a wireless light source 15 which will aid in contact insertion or removal in dimly lit settings.
Claims 1. A contact lens unit. The unit comprising of:
a. A contact lens cleaning solution reservoir;
b. A contact lens cleaning solution reservoir lid;
c. A contact lens storage case, comprising two lens receptacles;
d. A liquid release mechanism controlling the flow of lens cleaning solution from the reservoir into the contact lens storage case receptacles;
e. A detachable cap for the contact lens storage case;
f. A detachable top compai ________________________________________ intent intended for the disposal of used cleaning solution and an for the storage of sanitizing utensils;
g. A reflective surface;
h. A wireless light source.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11
2. The contact lens cleaning solution reservoir as in claim 1 is of a height, length, and width, and comprises an opening on the top surface as well as a bottom opening to dispense into both receptables of the contact lens storage case.
3. The liquid release mechanism as in claim 1 includes a valve, releasing lens cleaning solution into both receptables of the contact lens storage case.
4. The liquid release mechanism as in claim 1 is controlled by the use of an actuator.
5. The contact lens storage case as in claim 1 comprises means of attachment and detachment on the top and bottom surfaces allowing for the unit to take on multiple configurations.
6. The detachable cap for the contact lens storage case as in claim 1 comprises means of attachment and detachment on the top and bottom surfaces allowing for the unit to take on multiple configurations.
7. The reflective surface as in claim 1 includes, but is not limited to, a minor fixed on a detachable component of the contact lens unit.
8. The wireless light source as in claim 1 is fixed on a detachable component of the contact lens unit.
9. The contact lens cleaning solution reservoir lid as in claim 1 has means of attachment and detachment, allowing it to attach to both the contact lens cleaning solution and to the detachable top compartment.
10. The detachable top compartment as in claim 1 is divided in multiple sections and is opened through a detachable lid. The bottom surface of the detachable top compartment has means of attachment and detachment allowing for the unit to take on multiple configurations.
11. The multiple sections of the top compai _______________________________ intent as in claim 10 are intended for, but not limited to the storage of sanitizing utensils or the storage of used cleaning solution.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11
12. The means of attachment described in claims 5, 6 and 10 include, but are not limited to, twist-on mechanisms, clip-on mechanisms, and groove fittings.
\
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11

Claims (12)

receptables 1, are of equal dimension, B. Approximate dimensions of A and B
are, 2.5 inches and one inch, respectively.
Figure 7 displays a bottom view of the detachable cap for the lens storage case 3. The detachable cap for the lens storage case 3 attaches to the bottom or top surface of the contact lens storage case 2 via a twist-on mechanism 13 to ensure a tight seal and prevent spillage and contamination. On the bottom surface of the detachable cap 3 there is a reflective surface 16 which will facilitate contact insertion or removal for the user. Surrounding said reflective surface 16 there is a wireless light source 15 which will aid in contact insertion or removal in dimly lit settings.
Claims
1. A contact lens unit. The unit comprising of:
a. A contact lens cleaning solution reservoir;
b. A contact lens cleaning solution reservoir lid;
c. A contact lens storage case, comprising two lens receptacles;
d. A liquid release mechanism controlling the flow of lens cleaning solution from the reservoir into the contact lens storage case receptacles;
e. A detachable cap for the contact lens storage case;
f. A detachable top compai ________________________________________ tment intended for the disposal of used cleaning solution and an for the storage of sanitizing utensils;
g. A reflective surface;
h. A wireless light source.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11
2. The contact lens cleaning solution reservoir as in claim 1 is of a height, length, and width, and comprises an opening on the top surface as well as a bottom opening to dispense into both receptables of the contact lens storage case.
3. The liquid release mechanism as in claim 1 includes a valve, releasing lens cleaning solution into both receptables of the contact lens storage case.
4. The liquid release mechanism as in claim 1 is controlled by the use of an actuator.
5. The contact lens storage case as in claim 1 comprises means of attachment and detachment on the top and bottom surfaces allowing for the unit to take on multiple configurations.
6. The detachable cap for the contact lens storage case as in claim 1 comprises means of attachment and detachment on the top and bottom surfaces allowing for the unit to take on multiple configurations.
7. The reflective surface as in claim 1 includes, but is not limited to, a mirror fixed on a detachable component of the contact lens unit.
8. The wireless light source as in claim 1 is fixed on a detachable component of the contact lens unit.
9. The contact lens cleaning solution reservoir lid as in claim 1 has means of attachment and detachment, allowing it to attach to both the contact lens cleaning solution and to the detachable top compartment.
10. The detachable top compartment as in claim 1 is divided in multiple sections and is opened through a detachable lid. The bottom surface of the detachable top compartment has means of attachment and detachment allowing for the unit to take on multiple configurations.
11. The multiple sections of the top compaitment as in claim 10 are intended for, but not limited to the storage of sanitizing utensils or the storage of used cleaning solution.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11
12. The means of attachment described in claims 5, 6 and 10 include, but are not limited to, twist-on mechanisms, clip-on mechanisms, and groove fittings.
\
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-12-11
CA3102397A 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 Portable multi-purpose contact lens unit Pending CA3102397A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3102397A CA3102397A1 (en) 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 Portable multi-purpose contact lens unit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3102397A CA3102397A1 (en) 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 Portable multi-purpose contact lens unit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA3102397A1 true CA3102397A1 (en) 2022-06-11

Family

ID=81927005

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA3102397A Pending CA3102397A1 (en) 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 Portable multi-purpose contact lens unit

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA3102397A1 (en)

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