EP0887282A1 - Ready-for-sale container for the transport of contact lenses and contact lens provided for this container - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) has at least one hollow, closable space (4) for at least one contact lens (12), and can be provided with letterings and markings. It takes the form of a single component, and is made of a single plastics material. The space is closed by means of a pull-off foil. Also claimed is a contact lens which is characterised by the fact that it is accommodated in the proposed container.

Description

The invention relates to a ready-to-sell container for Transport of contact lenses with at least one to the outside open, closable cavity for receiving the contact lens, which labels and markings are attached to can be.

Such sales-ready containers for contact lenses are on the one hand needed to get the contact lenses from the manufacturer Point of sale and on the other hand for the customer to Home delivery of the contact lenses. There are many ready-to-sell containers known, which can be any Open and close the number of times. These serve on the one hand to enable the transport of the contact lens and on the other hand cleaning the contact lens too enable. These containers are usually quite complicated and very expensive to manufacture. As an an example for such containers, the containers from the US 4,091,917, UK 1 130 853 and US 3,880,278.

On the other hand, it is form-unstable soft plastic packaging known, but which of the contact lens to be transported when Transport does not provide adequate protection.

It is the object of the invention to be ready for sale To create containers for the transport of contact lenses, which on the one hand is very inexpensive to manufacture, very light can be packed and the contact lens during transport offers sufficient security.

This object is achieved by the characterizing Part of the first claim solved.

The ready-to-sell container according to the invention for the transport of Contact lenses has at least one open to the outside, closable cavity for receiving at least one Contact lens, with labels and Labels can be attached.

To accomplish the task, the container is in one piece and made of a single material, which is plastic and a tear-off film serves as a closure of the cavity.

Material is advantageously the plastic PP, but also any other injection-moldable and deep-drawable material can be used for the container.

The material thickness of the container is chosen so that the dimensional stability at least up to a pressure of two kilograms is guaranteed. This causes storage damage and damage largely avoided when handling the container.

The base and / or top surface of the container is under the supervision of essentially rectangular in shape and between basic and The top surface is walls on the side of the container appropriate. This facilitates the packaging of the container when Dispatch of the contact lenses to the dealers.

The side walls of the container are at least partially slightly sloping inwards towards the top surface.

At least one recess in at least the opposite ones side walls is near the base attached to be able to stack several containers laterally. The recess should be in the middle of the side wall be arranged and the recess in a side wall as one through opening be formed, said opening in the plane of the base area is greater than 30% of the side length and at least larger in the perpendicular to the plane of the base area than 25% of the height of the container.

The side walls of the container can be at least several straight surfaces. This is particularly the case if in the side walls of the container on the top surface a paragraph is formed all around, the width of this Paragraph in the plane of the top surface at least equal to Wall thickness of the side walls in the plane of the base and the depth of this paragraph perpendicular to the plane of the top surface at least one and a half times the wall thickness of the side Walls in the plane of the base area. With that the Container can be easily stacked vertically.

The base area within the side walls and underneath the cavity floor, what should be open on the one hand leads to considerable weight savings and on the other hand, an inspection of one placed in the container Contact lens allows when at least a middle part of the Bottom of the cavity is transparent.

The cavity for receiving the contact lens should at least be predominantly as a spherical section with a radius of at least 15 mm, preferably 20 mm to be a ensure a good receiving surface for the contact lens.

The cover area should be smaller than the base area and the Opening of the cavity should be formed in the top surface be. This makes it easier to remove the contact lens from the Container.

The opening of the cavity is central in the top surface arranged, so there is enough space on the top surface to to attach labels and markings to the container. This is particularly ensured if the distance between the Opening the cavity in the top surface at least ten millimeters in all directions in the plane of the top surface.

The diameter of the opening of the cavity in the top surface should be about half the length and / or width of the Top surface so that the container does not become too bulky.

The volume of the cavity should be between one and three Cubic milliliters, especially if the cavity is to Shooting a soft contact lens should serve and then at least for the most part with a suitable one Liquid is filled. Even when shipping hard Contact lens is filling the cavity with a suitable storage liquid advantageous because the Liquid the contact lens in the cavity from damage additionally protects.

The cavity should be covered with a sheet of soft plastic be closed, the flat edge around the opening of the Cavity on the top surface at least three millimeters wide should be. This measure also represents an easy removal the contact lens from the container safely and through the wide level edge around the cavity you get enough adhesive surface the sealing film to prevent the film from unintentionally peeling off to ensure from the container. Of course it has the film only in the area of its intended adhesive surface adhesive effect. The contact lens either gets through appropriate measures not in contact with the film or the Adhesive used has on the material of the contact lens no effect.

The contact lens according to the invention is in the invention Container introduced.

The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures explained, the following example is not a final one Has character for the invention and other advantageous Embodiments of the invention includes.

Figur 1

ein erfindungsgemäßer Kontaktlinsenbehälter im Schnitt;

Figur 2

der erfindungsgemäße Kontaktlinsenbehälter aus Figur 1 in Aufsicht;

Figur 3

eine leichte Abwandlung des in Figur 2 dargestellten Kontaktlinsenbehälters in Aufsicht; und

Figur 4a und 4b

eine weitere Abwandlung des in Figur 2 dargestellten Kontaktlinsenbehälters, gestapelt in einer Verkaufspackung in Aufsicht bzw. seitlicher Ansicht.

It can be seen in

Figure 1

an inventive contact lens case in section;

Figure 2

the contact lens container according to the invention from Figure 1 in supervision;

Figure 3

a slight modification of the contact lens container shown in Figure 2 in supervision; and

Figure 4a and 4b

a further modification of the contact lens container shown in Figure 2, stacked in a sales package in a top view or side view.

The ready-to-sell container shown in Figures 1 and 2 (1) is used to transport contact lenses (12) and has therefore an open cavity (4) for receiving the contact lens (12), which is followed by an adhesive film (11a) insert the contact lens (12) and fill the cavity (4) with a storage liquid (14) according to the state of the Technology is locked.

The container (1) is made in one piece and consists from a single material, the material being the plastic PP is. But it can also be any other injection molding processable Material for the container (1) can be used.

The wall thickness of the container (1) is almost the same everywhere and chosen so that the dimensional stability at least with normal Ensure handling to prevent storage damage and damage to avoid handling the container as far as possible.

The container (1) has essentially the supervision of rectangular shape with very rounded corners. Between its base (3) and top surface (2) are sideways walls (5, 5a, 5b). In the top surface (2) are two or four through holes (13) with a diameter of more than two millimeters. Due to the rectangular shape the packaging of the container (1) will be the shipping of the transporting contact lenses (12) to the corresponding Dealers relieved.

The side walls (5, 5a) of the container (1) are oriented slightly obliquely inwards on all sides towards the top surface at an angle α ₂ . Due to the slightly sloping side walls (5, 5a, 5b), the top surface (2) is smaller than the base surface (3), as a result of which the container (1) has a stable contact surface.

In the side walls (5, 5a, 5b) are close to the base (3) Cutouts (9a, 9b, 9c) attached to multiple containers (1) to be able to stack laterally and to save weight. Here are the recesses (9a, 9b, 9c) in the middle of the side walls (5, 5a, 5b) and are each as a continuous Opening trained.

The openings (9a, 9b, 9c) are in the plane of the base (3) greater than 30% of the side length and perpendicular to the Level of the base area (3) at least greater than 25% of the height the container (1).

The side walls (5, 5a, 5b) of the container (1) are made built up several straight surfaces, because in the side walls (5, 5a, 5b) of the container (1) on the top surface (2) all around a paragraph (8) is formed. The width (8a) of this paragraph (8) in the plane of the top surface (2) is greater than the wall thickness of the side walls (5, 5a, 5b) in the plane of the Base area (3) and the depth of this paragraph (8) perpendicular to Level of the top surface (2) is one and a half times that Wall thickness of the side walls (5, 5a, 5b) in the plane of the Base area (3), so that several containers (1) vertically easily are stackable.

The circular opening is in the top surface (2) of the cavity (4). This makes it easier to remove the contact lens (12) from the container (1). The cavity (4) is used for Inclusion of the contact lens (12) and the storage liquid (14). It is designed as a spherical section with a radius, which is larger than the largest radius in the cavity (4) inserted contact lens (12). This is a good receiving area through the bottom of the cavity (4) for the Contact lens (1) ensured. The cavity (4) could also another, suitable for the transport of contact lenses (12) Have shape, but the above Ball section shape as the simplest and most sensible solution imposes.

Is the opening of the cavity (4) is in the middle of the top surface (2) arranged. Due to the rectangular shape of the Container (1) remains sufficient on the top surface (2) Space to write on and / or on the container (1) Attach labeling foils (not shown in the figure) to be able to. To have enough free, flat surface around the cavity (4) To ensure on the top surface (2), the distance is the opening of the cavity (4) in the top surface (2) more than ten millimeters in all directions to the top edge of the Container (1).

The volume of the cavity (4) is three cubic milliliters, um both the inserted soft contact lens (12) and the Storage liquid (14) to offer sufficient volume. This volume can also be lower, especially if one on the filling of a storage liquid (14) waived (e.g. when transporting hard contact lenses), but due to the geometry of the contact lens (12) itself are one Volume changes set certain limits. Even when shipping from hard contact lenses (12) is the filling of the cavity (4) with a suitable storage liquid (14), since the liquid (14) the contact lens (12) in the cavity (4) can additionally protect against damage.

The cavity (4) is after inserting the contact lens (12) and, if necessary, additional filling with a storage liquid (14) through a tear-off film (11) Soft plastic closed with a tear-off tab (11a). To the Tear-off film (11) has a sufficiently large adhesive surface on the Surface of the top surface (2) around the opening of the cavity (4) To provide a flat edge around the opening of the cavity (4) on the top surface (2) of more than three millimeters Width. The tear-off film (11) can over itself extend the entire top surface (2) (the openings 13 or 10 should remain free if possible)

The tear-off tab (11a) makes it easy to remove the Tear-off film (11) ensures that the removal of Contact lens (12) from the container (1) is facilitated. Of the wide flat edge around the opening of the cavity (4) prevented unintentional detachment of the film (11) from the container (1).

Of course, the film (11) has only in the area of provided adhesive surface an adhesive effect or that Material of the adhesive used has the same material as the Contact lens (12) has no effect and does not come off in the Storage liquid (14).

The base area (3) is within the boundary walls (5, 5a, 5b) of the container (1) and below the bottom of the cavity (4) open. On the one hand, this leads to a considerable amount Weight saving and on the other hand enables an inspection one in the cavity (4) of the container (1) Contact lens (12) in its storage liquid (14). Around The middle part is to enable this control option (7) of the bottom (6) of the cavity (4) transparent. This Transparency is already mentioned through the entrance Material ensured so that despite this additional Request the whole container (1) (except for the tear-off film (11)) consist of a single, injection-moldable material can.

The tear-off film (11) can also cover the entire top surface (2) cover without restricting use of the inventive subject occur. If necessary, you can then the through holes (13) are pierced.

The container (1 ') shown in FIG. 3 is in principle constructed and manufactured exactly like that in Figures 1 and 2 shown container (1). Its top cover surface (2 ') around the Opening (7 ') of the cavity (4') is cruciform designed, around the opening (7 ') a sufficiently wider Adhesive ring (2a ') is available. Which is in the deck area (2 ') resulting recesses (10) can either be open or form a closed shoulder of the top surface 82 '). The cruciform top surface (2 ') fits into the recesses (Not shown in this figure, see corresponding to Figure 1) of the side walls (in this figure not shown, see according to Figure 1). Even if that Recesses (10) in the top surface (2 ') are open, see above there is still enough flat surface on the top surface (2 '), around labeling and / or labeling foils (in the figure not shown) to be able to attach.

The labeling and / or labeling foils (in the figure not shown) but can also cover the entire top surface (2 ') cover without restricting use of the inventive subject occur. The slide can if necessary, the recesses (10) can be pushed up from below, e.g. to better grasp the packaging.

Another one according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b Container (20) shown. It has on its four side walls (21) openings (29) in the form of circular sections. The Cutouts (30) in the corner area have the same shape as that Corners of the container (20) and thus allow a rotation-proof Stackability of several containers (20) into one sales unit, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b. Here lies each subsequent container (20) only in the area of one Cutout (30) on the container (20) lying in front of it and the successive containers (20) are laterally staggered. The cavity (24) has such a large radius (R = 13 mm) that a very good removal the lenses from the container (20) are ensured.

Claims (13)

Ready-to-sell container (1, 1 ') for the transport of Contact lenses (12) with at least one towards the outside open, closable cavity (4, 4 ') for receiving at least one contact lens (12), on which Inscriptions and markings are attached can, characterized in that the container (1) is in one piece that the container (1) from a single Material is that the container (1) is made of plastic and that the closure of the cavity (4, 4 ') is a tear-off film (11) is. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that the basic (3) and / or Top surface (2) of the container (1) in supervision is of substantially rectangular shape and that between the base (3) and top surface (2) laterally arranged walls (5) are attached to the container (1). Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 1-2, characterized in that at least a central part (7) of the bottom (6) of the cavity (4, 4 ') is transparent. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the volume of the cavity (4) between one and three Is cubic milliliters. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the side walls (5) of the container (1) at least partly towards the top surface (2) slightly sloping inwards are oriented. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 2-5, characterized in that in the side walls (5) of the container (1) on the A shoulder (8) is formed all around the top surface (2), that the width (8a) of this paragraph (8) in the plane of Cover surface (2) at least equal to the wall thickness (5 ') lateral walls (5) in the plane of the base (3) and that the depth (8b) of this paragraph (8) perpendicular to Level of the top surface (2) at least one and a half times the wall thickness (5 ') of the side walls (5) in the plane the base area (3). Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the material of the plastic PP is that the container (1) is made from only one material and that Material of the container (1) is injection molded. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 2-7, characterized in that the base (3) within the side Walls (5) is open. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 2-8, characterized in that at least one recess (9a, 9b, 9c) in at least the opposite side walls (5, 5a, 5b) close the base (3) is attached. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the cavity (4) through a tear-off film (11) made of soft plastic, Aluminum-plastic composite or plastic is closed and that the flat edge (2a) around the Opening of the cavity (4) on the top surface (2) is at least three millimeters. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the cavity (4) for receiving the contact lens (12) at least for the most part with a suitable one Liquid (14) is filled up. Ready-to-sell container for the transport of contact lenses according to one of claims 1-11, characterized in that six containers (20) put together to form a sales unit are and that the container (20) only in the area of Cutouts (30) are superimposed. Contact lens, characterized in that it is in one Containers (1, 1 ') according to one of claims 1-11 introduced is.

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