GB2551530A

GB2551530A - Contact lens dispensing container

Info

Publication number: GB2551530A
Application number: GB1610797.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ghadiali Jayesh; Fawdington Keith
Original assignee: OPTIC 18
Current assignee: OPTIC 18
Priority date: 2016-06-21
Filing date: 2016-06-21
Publication date: 2017-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-21
Also published as: GB2551530B; GB201610797D0; WO2017220684A1

Abstract

A contact lens dispensing container comprises an upwardly opening receptacle 1, an applicator and a peelable cover sheet 5. The receptacle 1 holds a quantity of storage solution and a single contact lens 2 supported on the applicator. The applicator comprises a lens support 10 and handle 9 extending from the support with handle grip 11 at its end. The applicator is movable in use from a stowed position wherein the support is located in the receptacle to a deployed position in which the handle may be gripped by a users fingers so that the support and lens can be removed from the storage solution and the contact lens applied directly to the eye. The peelable cover sheet prevents displacement of the applicator from the stowed position when the container is sealed. The lens dispensing container is simple to construct and easy to use.

Description

CONTACT LENS DISPENSING CONTAINER

This invention relates to a container in which a contact lens may be stored after manufacture and from which the lens may be dispensed for use by a wearer.

Conventional contact lens dispensing containers comprise a receptacle covered with a peelable foil sheet. When the wearer receives a container with a new lens, the foil sheet is removed and the storage solution and lens are tipped onto a user’s palm after which a finger is inserted into the lens to pick it up. Alternatively a finger may be placed directly into the solution to remove the lens. The lens is then inserted onto the eye by the wearer by placing the finger onto the eye. This procedure can be disadvantageous if the user’s finger and hand are not clean and sterile. Also, the lens may be difficult to locate visually and to manipulate as it is composed of transparent material. Further, there is a risk that the lens can be dropped, resulting in contamination or loss of the lens.

European patent application number 15167315.9 discloses a contact lens dispensing container comprising: a peelable cover sheet securable to the engagement surface to seal the container and peelable from the engagement surface to allow removal of the content lens in use; an applicator comprising a handle having first and second ends, the handle being pivotably mounted on the flange, having a carrier adapted to carry a contact lens in use, the carrier being located at the first end of the handle and a hand grip located at the second end of the handle; the applicator being moveable between stowed and deployed positions, wherein in the stowed position the carrier is received in the receptacle with the handle not extending above the engagement surface, and in the deployed position the applicator is rotated from the stowed position so that the carrier is located above the engagement surface to facilitate direct application of the contact lens carried by the carrier onto a wearer’s eye.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a contact lens dispensing container with simplified construction and which is easy to use.

According to the present invention a contact lens dispensing container comprises: an upwardly opening receptacle, an applicator and a peelable cover sheet, the receptacle being configured to receive a single contact lens supported upon the applicator and a quantity of storage solution, the receptacle having a peripheral flange surrounding the receptacle, the flange providing a substantially planar engagement surface to engage the peelable cover sheet; the peelable cover sheet being securable to the engagement surface to seal the container and peelable from the engagement surface to allow removal of the contact lens in use; the applicator comprising a lens support configured to receive and support a single contact lens and a handle extending from the support; the applicator being movable in use from a stowed position wherein the support is located in the receptacle; and a deployed position in which the handle is arranged so that it may be engaged by a user’s fingers so that the support and lens can be removed from the storage solution and the contact lens applied directly to a user’s eye; wherein the peelable cover sheet prevents displacement of the applicator from the stowed position when the container is sealed.

The engagement surface may include an upwardly opening socket extending downwardly from the engagement surface, wherein the socket is dimensioned to receive the handle of the applicator at a location below the planar engagement surface. Such an arrangement is advantageous because the handle of the applicator does not create a raised projection which extends upwardly against the overlying cover sheet. This avoids a risk of tearing of the sheet during transportation and storage. The socket may also be adapted to receive the handle of the applicator in the deployed position.

The socket may have a length, width and depth dimensions each of which are greater than corresponding length, width and depth dimensions of the handle, in order to receive the handle and facilitating manual removal of the handle from the socket.

Preferably the container is bilaterally symmetrical, having a longitudinal plane of symmetry along which the handle is located in the stowed position. Such an arrangement allows convenient manufacture and facilitates use by both right handed and left handed users.

The container may comprise an abutment adapted to receive and engage the handle of the applicator to correctly position the applicator and restrict movement thereof in the stowed position. This permits the handle to be maintained in the correct orientation as the cover sheet is peeled from the flange.

The abutment may comprise opposed projections extending upwardly from the engagement surface, the opposed projections defining a channel which is configured to receive and engage the applicator

The projections may comprise a raised lip extending upwardly from the circumference of the receptacle.

The projections may prevent lateral movement of the handle from the longitudinal plane of symmetry when the applicator is in the stowed position.

The container may include a fulcrum extending upwardly or distally from the engagement surface and arranged so that the handle rests upon the fulcrum in the stowed position.

The fulcrum may be comprise a formation located on the engagement surface.

The formation may comprise a projection extending upwardly from the engagement surface. The projection may have a domed or wedge shape in cross section.

The formation may be a portion of the circumferential edge of the receptacle.

Alternatively, the container may include a fulcrum extending upwardly or distally from the socket and arranged so that the handle rests upon the fulcrum in the stowed position.

The fulcrum may be comprise a formation located in the socket.

The formation may comprise a projection extending upwardly from the socket. The projection may have a domed or wedge shape in cross section.

The fulcrum may be located between or adjacent the opposed projections. The fulcrum and projections may be formed from a unitary construction and may be integral with the receptacle.

Preferably, the height of the fulcrum is less than the height of the projections in a plane perpendicular to the flange.

This has the advantage of allowing the applicator to pivot on the fulcrum between the deployed and stowed positions whilst restricting lateral movement. Alternatively, the fulcrum and projections may have substantially the same height.

The weight of the support and contact lens is greater that the weight of the handle so that the support and contact lens move downwardly when the cover sheet is removed. This allows the handle to be presented in a deployed position for ease of manual engagement by a user’s fingers.

The applicator is preferably not attached to the receptacle and may be freely removable without impediment from the container after removal of the cover sheet.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle rotates upwardly away from the engagement surface when moving from the stowed position to the deployed position after the cover sheet has been removed. This facilitates engagement of the handle by a user’s fingers.

Alternatively, the handle may be disposed substantially upon the engagement surface after the cover sheet has been removed, so that a user may manually engage and pick up the applicator by the handle to move the applicator and contact lens to the deployed position.

Alternatively, the handle may be disposed within the socket after the cover sheet has been removed.

The handle may be elongate having a minimum transverse width at a region received in and engaged by opposed sides of the channel. The handle may be laminar having a minimum width forming a neck to be received in the channel. The width of the neck may be dimensioned to fit between abutments formed by the sides of the channel extending through the raised lip. This prevents the applicator from slidably moving towards or away from the receptacle when the applicator is located within the channel.

The lip or other projections and the handle preferably have a generally similar vertical height so that a uniform surface is provided underneath the cover sheet.

The applicator may conveniently have the general configuration of a spoon to make it easier for a user to recognise and use correctly.

The handle may be angled downwardly from the neck of the handle towards the support so that the support may rest in a lower part of the receptacle when the applicator is in the stowed position. This allows the handle to lie substantially flat against the engagement surface or the base of the socket whilst enabling the lens support to be fully submerged within the storage solution when present.

The handle may comprise a rebate which engages the fulcrum. This facilitates movement of the applicator from the stowed position to the deployed position upon removal of the peelable cover sheet.

The lens support may comprise a depression forming a rim which is circular in plan view having a radius selected to co-operate with the convex surface of the contact lens.

The lens support may have one or more drainage holes extending between upper and lower surfaces thereof to permit drainage of storage liquid as the lens is removed from the container.

The receptacle may have a part spherical configuration with a radius selected to accommodate the radius of the intended lens. Preferred receptacles are circular in plan view, the socket extending radially from the receptacle, more preferably along the plane of symmetry of the container.

The flange may include an outwardly extending handle grip. This facilitates a user to hold and manipulate the contact lens dispensing container. In particular, the handle grip may facilitate a user to hold the receptacle while removing the peelable cover sheet.

The flange may include mutually opposing recesses within its sidewalls. This facilitates a user in holding the contact lens dispensing container between his thumb and fore finger. A spring may be provided between the handle and the socket or engagement surface to assist in urging the handle upwardly into the deployed position. The spring may comprise a leaf spring or helical spring, preferably secured to the body of the container allowing the applicator to be freely lifted from the container.

The contact lens dispensing container may be provided as a pack containing two or more conjoined containers.

In use the peelable cover sheet serves to retain the lens support of the applicator within the receptacle. The peelable cover sheet may also prevent movement of the applicator from a stowed position to a deployed position. The applicator may be configured to pivot upon removal of the cover sheet so that the handle is automatically located above the flange surface, thereby facilitating manipulation of the applicator by a user. The receptacle, applicator and cover sheet form a sealed container within which the contact lens and storage solution are retained in a sterile environment during storage and transportation before use.

The invention is further described by means of example, but not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate an embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 7 to 12 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention.

The contact lens dispensing container shown in the Figures 1 to 6 comprises a rigid polymeric receptacle (1) forming a part spherical well to receive a contact lens (2) and a quantity of storage solution. A rectangular flange (3) extends around the upper periphery of receptacle (1) to form a complete circumferential engagement surface (4) onto which a peelable sheet (5) may be secured as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6 in order to form a sealed container for the contact lens (2) and storage solution.

An upwardly opening socket (6) extends downwardly from the engagement surface (4). The depth of the socket (6) is less than that of the receptacle (1). The socket (6) is open at one end so that the socket is in fluid communication with the receptacle (1). The closed end of the socket (6) is tapered to facilitate entry of a user’s finger into the socket (6).

The socket (6) comprises a dome shaped projection (7) which extends upwardly from the socket (6). The projection (7) is located adjacent to the outer circumferential edge (8) of the receptacle (1) and the open end of the socket (6).

An applicator comprises a handle (9) with a lens support (10) at a first end and a handle grip (11) at a second end. The handle (9), lens support (10) and handle grip (11) form a continuous member. Part of the handle (9) located adjacent the lens support (10), is angled downwardly so that the lens support (10) is located within the receptacle (1) under the storage solution. The remainder of the handle (9) is located within the socket (6).

The lens support (10) may comprise a spoon-like concave receptacle (12) having a drainage hole (13) communicating between upper and lower surface thereof.

Alternatively, the lens support (10) may have a lattice or basket-like configuration or may comprise a number of outwardly extending arms to support a contact lens (2).

When assembled for storage of a contact lens, the handle (9) is located within the socket (6) so that the lens support (10) is disposed within the receptacle (1). The applicator is considered as being in a stowed position. The contact lens is then placed onto the lens support (10) and the storage solution added. Finally, the polymeric peelable cover sheet (5) is applied to form a sealed enclosure for storage of the lens until it is dispensed. The top surface of the peelable sheet (5) may be printed with information about the prescription and other characteristics of the lens.

When the peelable sheet (5) is removed by peeling from the flange (3), the container appears as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5.

Upon removal of the peelable cover sheet (5) the applicator may move from the stowed position to a deployed position by pivoting on the dome shaped projection (7). Pivotal movement from the stowed position to the deployed position (Figure 3) occurs because the weight of the lens support (10) and contact lens (2) are greater than the weight of the handle (9) so that the lens support (10) and contact lens (2) move downwardly with the handle (9) rotating upwardly when the cover sheet (5) is removed. The projection (7) is dimensioned to engage a rebate (14) in an engaging portion (15) of the handle (9). The rebate (14) is adjacent to a downwardly extending portion (16) of the handle (9).

When the applicator is in the deployed position, the handle (9) projects above the engagement surface (4). The applicator may be detached from the container. This facilitates a user to manually pick up the applicator by the handle and raise the applicator to the eye of the user so that the contact lens (2) may be placed directly upon the user’s eyeball without any need for touching the contact lens (2) or tipping it into the palm of a user’s hand.

Alternatively, upon removal of the cover sheet (5) the handle (9) of the applicator may remains within the socket (6). A user may manually pick up the applicator by the handle and raise the applicator to their eye so that the contact lens (2) may be placed directly upon the user’s eyeball without any need for touching the contact lens (2) or tipping it into the palm of a user’s hand.

The contact lens dispensing container shown in the Figures 7 to 12 comprises a rigid polymeric receptacle (31) forming a part spherical well to receive a contact lens (32) and a quantity of storage solution. A rectangular flange (33) extends around the upper periphery of receptacle (31) to form a complete circumferential engagement surface (34) onto which a peelable sheet (35) may be secured as shown in Figures 8 and 12 in order to form a sealed container for the contact lens (32) and storage solution.

The flange comprises a raised lip (36) located on the engagement surface (34), the lip (36) extends circumferentially around the receptacle (31). An aperture in the lip (36) provides abutments (37) which define a channel (38). The channel (38) is configured to receive and engage the applicator. The channel (38) prevents lateral movement of the applicator in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry. The channel (38) may also prevent lateral movement of the applicator along the longitudinal plane of symmetry.

An upwardly opening socket (39) extends downwardly from the engagement surface (34). The depth of the socket (39) is less than that of the receptacle (31). The socket (39) is open at one end so that the socket is in fluid communication with the receptacle (31). The closed end of the socket (39) is tapered to facilitate entry of a user’s finger into the socket (39).

The socket (39) comprises a dome shaped projection (40) which extends upwardly from the socket (39). The projection (40) is located adjacent to the lip (36) of the receptacle (31) and the open end of the socket (39).

An applicator comprises a handle (41) with a lens support (42) at a first end and a handle grip (43) at a second end. The handle (41), lens support (42) and handle grip (43) form a continuous member. Part of the handle (41) located adjacent to the lens support (42) is angled downwardly so that the lens support (42) is located within the receptacle (31) under the storage solution. The remainder of the handle (41) is located within the socket (39).

The lens support (42) may comprise a spoon-like concave receptacle (44) having a drainage hole (45).

Alternatively, the lens support (42) may have a lattice or basket-like configuration or may comprise a number of outwardly extending arms to support a contact lens (32).

When assembled for storage of a contact lens, the handle (41) is located within the socket (39) so that the lens support (42) is disposed within the receptacle (31). The applicator is considered as being in a stowed position. The contact lens is then placed onto the lens support (42) and the storage solution added. Finally, the polymeric peelable cover sheet (35) is applied to form a sealed enclosure for storage of the lens until it is dispensed. The top surface of the peelable sheet (35) may be printed with information about the prescription and other characteristics of the lens.

When the peelable sheet (55) is removed by peeling from the flange (33), the container appears as shown in Figures 7,10 and 11.

Upon removal of the peelable cover sheet (35) the applicator may move from a stowed position to a deployed position by pivoting on the dome shaped projection (40). Pivotal movement from the stowed position to the deployed position occurs because the weight of the lens support (42) and contact lens (32) are greater than the weight of the handle (41) so that the lens support (42) and contact lens (32) move downwardly with the handle (41) rotating upwardly when the cover sheet (35) is removed. The projection (40) is dimensioned to engage a rebate (46) in an engaging portion (47) of the handle (41). The rebate (46) is adjacent to a downwardly extending portion (48) of the handle (41).

When the applicator is in the deployed position, the handle (41) projects above the engagement surface (34). This facilitates a user to manually pick up the applicator and raise the applicator to the eye of the user so that the contact lens (32) may be placed directly upon the user’s eyeball without any need for touching the contact lens (32) or tipping it into the palm of a user’s hand.

Alternatively, upon removal of the cover sheet (35) the applicator may move from a stowed position to a deployed position, wherein the handle (41) remains within the socket (39) in the deployed position. A user may manually pick up the applicator and raise the applicator to their eye so that the contact lens (32) may be placed directly upon the user’s eyeball without any need for touching the contact lens (32) or tipping it into the palm of a user’s hand.

The receptacles and applicators of Figures 1 to 12 may be formed from a unitary moulding. Alternatively, the receptacle and applicator may be formed from separate components.

In use of the containers of Figures 1 to 12 a user may hold the container using a hand grip (19) while the cover sheet (5)/(35) is peeled from the flange (3)/(33). The hand grip (19) comprises a projection which extends outwardly from the flange (3)/(33). Alternately, a user may hold the container using mutually opposing recesses (20) located in the flange (3)/(33) sidewalls while the cover sheet (5)/(35) is peeled from the flange (3)/(33).

The dimensions of the components of the container are preferably selected so that the contact lens (2)/(32) conveniently rests upon the lens support (10)/(42) during storage without a need for manual adjustment during movement to the deployed position.

In a preferred embodiment the receptacle (1)/(31) may have a diameter at the upper surface of 19.5mm to 20mm and a length around the curved lower surface of 22mm with a depth of 4.5mm to 5mm. The lens support (10)/(42) may have a diameter of 10mm so that a contact lens with a typical diameter of 14mm may rest conveniently upon the lens support (10)/(42). Typically the contact lens (2)/(32) may have a diameter of 14mm and a radius of 8.3mm to 8.7mm, typically 8.6mm. Preferably the receptacle (1) may have a diameter of 1.2mm to 1.5mm, typically about 1.3mm of the diameter of the lens.

Claims

1. A contact lens dispensing container comprising: an upwardly opening receptacle, an applicator and a peelable cover sheet, the receptacle being configured to receive a single contact lens supported upon the applicator and a quantity of storage solution, the receptacle having a peripheral flange surrounding the receptacle, the flange providing a substantially planar engagement surface to engage the peelable cover sheet; the peelable cover sheet being securable to the engagement surface to seal the container and peelable from the engagement surface to allow removal of the contact lens in use; the applicator comprising a lens support configured to receive and support a single contact lens and a handle extending from the support; the applicator being movable in use from a stowed position wherein the support is located in the receptacle; and a deployed position in which the handle is arranged so that it may be engaged by a user’s fingers so that the support and lens can be removed from the storage solution and the contact lens applied directly to a user’s eye; wherein the peelable cover sheet prevents displacement of the applicator from the stowed position when the container is sealed.

2. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an upwardly opening socket extending downwardly from the engagement surface, wherein the socket is dimensioned to receive the handle of the applicator at a location below the planar engagement surface.

3. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the socket has a length, width and depth dimensions each of which are greater than corresponding length, width and depth dimensions of the handle.

4. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an abutment adapted to receive and restrict movement of the handle of the applicator in the stowed position.

5. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the abutment further comprises opposed projections extending upwardly from the engagement surface; wherein the opposed projections define a channel.

6. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the projections comprise a raised lip extending upwardly from the circumference of the receptacle.

7. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a fulcrum extending upwardly or distally from the engagement surface and arranged so that the handle rests upon the fulcrum in the stowed position.

8. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fulcrum comprises a formation located on the engagement surface.

9. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the formation comprises a projection extending upwardly from the engagement surface.

10. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the formation is a portion of the circumferential edge of receptacle.

11. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a fulcrum extending upwardly or distally from the socket and arranged so that the handle rests upon the fulcrum in the stowed position.

12. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fulcrum comprises a formation located in the socket.

13. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the formation comprises a projection extending upwardly from the socket.

14. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any of claims 7 to 13, wherein the handle comprises a rebate which engages the fulcrum.

15. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any of claims 2 to 14, further comprising a spring provided between the handle and the socket or the engagement surface.

16. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in claim 15, wherein the spring is leaf spring or helical spring.

17. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weight of the support and contact lens is greater that the weight of the handle so that the support and contact lens move downwardly when the cover sheet is removed from the engagement surface.

18. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applicator is not attached to the receptacle and is freely removable from the container after removal of the cover sheet.

19. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle rotates upwardly away from the engagement surface when moving from the stowed position to the deployed position after the cover sheet is removed.

20. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any of claims 2 to 19, wherein the handle is disposed within the socket after the cover sheet has been removed.

21. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle is angled downwardly from a neck of the handle towards the support so that the support may rest in a lower part of the receptacle when the applicator is in the stowed position.

22. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lens support comprises a depression forming a rim which is circular in plan view.

23. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lens support has one or more drainage holes extending between upper and lower surfaces thereof.

24. A contact lens dispensing container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flange includes an outwardly extending handle grip.

25. A pack containing a plurality of conjoined containers as claimed in any preceding claim.

26. A contact lens dispensing container substantially as hereinbefore described as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.