GB2465643A

GB2465643A - Assembly for carrying contact lenses

Info

Publication number: GB2465643A
Application number: GB0908327A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marcia Clapson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-26
Filing date: 2009-05-15
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-15
Also published as: GB0908327D0; GB0821573D0; GB2465643B

Abstract

An assembly 1 for carrying contact lenses comprises a housing 2, 3, a contact lens holder 10 and a toothbrush 5, wherein the housing 5 is arranged to contain the contact lens holder. The housing holds lens cleaning fluid in a liquid retention space 12 and the assembly may be demountable with the toothbrush detachably connect to the housing. The housing may further comprise a liquid reservoir 4 for storing contact lens cleaning fluid. The toothbrush can be held in a stowed or deployed condition and the housing serves as a handle for the toothbrush.

Description

ASSEMBLY FOR CARRYING CONTACT LENSES

Technical Field

The present invention relates to assemblies for carrying contact lenses.

Background

Contact lenses are prescribed for vision correction. The lenses have a wearable period specific to the user. After this period they must be disposed and replaced with a new pair. During this period the lenses must be taken out when they become uncomfortable and before sleeping.

This is to protect the health of the eyes and avoid both the eye and the lenses becoming overly dry. Once the lenses are removed they must be cleaned and disinfected in cleaning solution. To achieve this, the following equipment is required: a contact lens case, disinfecting solution and a disinfecting solution container.

A problem occurs when the user needs to store and clean the contact lenses whilst travelling. Carrying each piece of equipment separately can be awkward and take up luggage space. We have realised therefore that a transportable product, comprising the equipment for storage and cleaning would be desirable. It is assumed that users also need to clean their teeth whilst travelling and so we have realised that it would be desirable to incorporate a toothbrush with a contact lens case and a solution holder. Therefore, space in luggage is not required for a separate toothbrush.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly for carrying contact lenses comprising a housing, a toothbrush and a contact lens holder, and the housing arranged to contain the contact lens holder.

Brief Description of the drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an assembly for carrying contact lenses in a stowed condition, Figure 2 shows the assembly of Figure 1 in a deployed condition, and Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the assembly.

Detailed description

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown an assembly 1 for carrying contact lenses. The assembly 1 essentially comprises four parts or components, namely components 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The components 2 and 3 are of essentially tubular. form and together constitute a housing. The components 2 and 3 are detachably connectable by way of co-operable threaded portions 8a and 8b provided at respective end portions of the components 2 and 3.

Attached to an inner surface of the housing component 2 there is provided a contact lens holder 10. The holder 10 comprises a limb 12 which carries a pivot 11 to which two outer covers lOa and lOb are mounted. The outer coversl0a and lOb are arranged to pivot about axis x towards and away from an intermediate part lOc. In a closed condition each cover lOa and lOb defines, with a respective opposing surface of the intermediate part lOc, a volume arranged to receive a contact lens. As is evident from Figure 3 the covers lOa and lOb are apertured, as is the intermediate part lOc.

The housing component 3 defines an inner volume 12 which is dimensioned to receive the holder 10. In use, contact lens cleaning solution is provided in the volume 12, such that when the components 2 and 3 are in an attached condition the contact lenses held in the holder 10 the lenses are immersed in the solution. Advantageously, the threaded portions 8a and 8b form a substantially liquid-tight seal so as to prevent cleaning solution escaping from the housing.

A lower end of the housing 3 is provided with a threaded portion 14 arranged to detachable engage with a threaded portion of a solution storage vessel 4. The vessel 4 defines an inner volume 13 to receive the solution. Advantageously fresh cleaning solution can be stored in the vessel 4. The interface between the vessel 4 and the housing 3 is such that solution held in the volume 12 of the housing component 3 is kept separate from solution in the vessel 4. As and when fresh solution is required for use in the volume 12, the vessel 4 can be detached from the housing component 3 and the solution therein emptied into the volume 12.

The assembly 1 further comprises a toothbrush 2. A basal portion 5a of the toothbrush 5 is conveniently arranged to be retainingly engageable, by way of a plug, interference or snap fit connection with an aperture 2a provided at an uppermost end of the housing component 2. As is evident from Figures 1 and 2, the toothbrush can be attached to the housing component 2 in either a stowed condition (as shown in Figure 1) or a deployed condition (as shown in Figure 2). Inner volume 15 of the housing component is conveniently dimensioned so as to accommodate a major portion of the toothbrush 5 when in the stowed condition.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, when the toothbrush is in the deployed condition outer surfaces of the housing components 2 and 3 conveniently serve as a handle for the toothbrush. To that end, the housing component 2 is provided with thumb grips 7.

The above described embodiment advantageously provides a contact lens carrying assembly with an integral a toothbrush, which is extremely space efficient and easy to use.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Assembly for carrying contact lenses comprising a housing, a contact lens holder and a toothbrush, and the housing arranged to contain the contact lens holder.
2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, the housing arranged to hold lens cleaning fluid in a liquid retention space of the housing.
3. An assembly as claimed in 2 arranged to position the contact lens holder in the liquid retention space.
4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 comprising a liquid storage vessel for storing lens cleaning fluid separately from the liquid retention space.
5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, the vessel detachably connectable to the housing.
6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, the housing comprising two detachably connectable housing components, which, in a connected condition, define a contact lens holder receiving space.
7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6, the contact lens holder attached to one of the housing components and the other housing component arranged to receive the lens holder when the housing components are in an connected condition.
8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, the toothbrush detachably connectable to the housing.
9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8, the toothbrush arranged to be capable of adopting a deployed condition in which the toothbrush is exposed for use and adopting a stowed condition in which the toothbrush is stored in the housing.
10. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, the housing arranged to serve as a handle for the toothbrush.
11. An assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. Assembly for carrying contact lenses comprising a housing, a contact lens holder and a toothbrush, and the housing arranged to contain the contact lens holder, wherein the housing comprises two detachably connectable housing components, which, in a connected condition, define a contact lens holder receiving space, and an end portion of one of the housing components arranged to detachably connect the toothbrush to the housing component in a deployed condition in which the toothbrush is exposed for use and the end portion also arranged to connect the toothbrush to the housing component in a stowed condition in which the toothbrush is stored in a volume defined by the housing.2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, the housing arranged to hold lens cleaning fluid in a liquid retention space of the housing.3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 arranged to position the contact lens holder in the liquid retention space.4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 comprising a liquid storage vessel for storing lens cleaning fluid separately from the liquid retention space.5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, the vessel detachably connectable to the housing.6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, the contact lens holder attached to one of the housing components and the other housing component arranged to receive the lens holder when the housing components are in a connected condition.7. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, the housing arranged to serve as a handle for the toothbrush.8. An assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. (0