IE55545B1 - Contact lens cleaning method and article - Google Patents

Description

ο § 5 i 5 This invention relates to a fabric article for cleaning a conLact lens and a method for its use.

Both hard and soft contact lenses require regular and careful cleaning in order to maintain their usefulness. In particular, the cleansing techniques employed must preserve the efficacy and safety of the lens.

To remain efficacious, the structural integrity 10 and optical clarity of a lens must be maintained.

Maintenance of optical clarity requires that the lens not be obscured by foreign substances, that is, it must be substantially free of deposited substances such as cosmetics, microorganisms, body proteins, body lipids, and 15 the like, which are well known to cause significant clarity problems. Maintenance of the structural integrity of a lens requires the avoidance of gross damage such as fracture, chipping, and both deep and wide scratches. Generally, a lens must be handled gently to avoid fracture 20 or rupture and harmful scratching.

To remain safe in use a lens must fit comfortably in the eye so as to avoid irritation, inflammation, scratching and other damage to the eye, and it must allow the eye to receive sufficient oxygen and other essential 25 substances to maintain normal function. Also, the lens must not be contaminated by microorganisms which will proliferate and infect the eye.

State of the art lens cleaning methods are generally chemical in nature. Contact lens cleaning 30 solutions and compositions are known for both hard and soft contact lenses, and are described, for example, in U.S, Patent Specification Nos. 4,046,706; 4,013,576; 4,127,423; 4,104,187; 4/354,952 and '4,065,324. The solutions disclosed require soaking and/or heating and/or rubbing of the lens in the - 2 - lingers or palin of the hand. The inconveniences of soaking and heating are obvious, e.g., additional utensils and "|u tpmeriL are used, a heat source is used, and the lens is not available for use for extended periods of time.

. Two major problems created by rubbing in the hand include 1) the surface of the fingers or the hand may be loo rough and scratch the lens, and frequently the skin may lx· soiled with materials which are likely to cause scratching; and 2) the skin is a major source of 10 contamination of the lens by various microbes, oils, dust, chemicals, and the like, which are acceptable on the skin but not in the eye.

Another variation on lens cleaning solutions is disclosed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,394,179, This Application IS describes a liquid cleaning composition containing an inorganic particulate abrasive and a surfactant. The compositions are limited in their usefulness to silicone-containing contact lenses and other harder lenses and are not suitable for soft contact lenses. When used to 20 clean and remove deposits the methods suggested are immersing, spraying, rubbing, shaking and wiping, but no suggestion of using a non-woven fibrous mat is found.

A further variation on lens cleaning solutions teaches the use of a cleansing composition comprising 25 organic polymer particulate matter suspended in a carrier for use in cleaning soft and hard contact lenses.

Another variation of lens cleaning methods is found in the use of a kit including sponges or synthetic Loam of polyurethane such as are disclosed in U.S, Pgtent Specification 10 Nos. 3,063,083 and 4,187,574. It has been found that the sponges of the art suffer from several deficiencies including a lack of abrasive power to remove deposits, a tendency to plug too rapidly with deposited material, a rapid and progressive loss of sterility and a relatively 35 high cost. Another sponge-like product is available in Japan from Toyo Contact Lens Co., Ltd. Such a product is - 3 - described in The Derwent Abstract of Japanese Kokai JP 82,105,427.

U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,357,173 describes a lens cleaning method which uses a "cleaning and polishing cloth" together with a polishing material. The cloth is only described as a "conventional polishing cloth" such as velveteen which to one in the art implies a woven cloth. Since the non-woven webs of the invention are not conventional, this reference does not recognize the outstanding properties of such webs.

Swiss Patent Specification No. 572,119 discloses a process for the production of a non-woven web from a thermoplastic polymeric resin. The resulting webs are disclosed to be useful as filters, wiping cloths, thermal insulators, diapers etc. The webs may be composed of polyamide, polystyrene or polyester.

US Patent Specification No. 4,042,740 discloses pillowed webs of blown microfibers useful in sorption, filtering, insulation and other like purposes, which may be composed of polyalkylene, polystyrene, polyarylsulfone or polyvinyl chloride.

British Patent Specification No. 1,581,486 discloses non-vjoven cloths composed of a mixture of wool-pulp fibres and thermoplastic polymeric microfibres, the wood pulp fibres typically having irregular cross-sections of 30 jum x 5 jam and the polymeric microfibres having average diamters of less than 10 jam. Polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyamides, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and thermoplastic elastomers such as polyurethanes are disclosed as suitable polymeric materials.

The cloths are disclosed to be suitable as diaper material, polishing cloths, bandages, meat and poultry pads, makeup removal pads, barber and beauty aid products, disposable dishcloths, durable industrial or household wipes, napkins, wet wipes (if saturated with cleaners, astringents, etc.), placemats, tablecloths, cosmetic padding in brassieres and scrubbing cloths.

None of the above three publications relates to cleaning contact lenses.

US Patent Specification No. 3,406,418 discloses lens-cleaning material consisting of a non-woven cellulosic sheet of cloth or tissue paper containing solid, finely divided dispersed particles of fluorocarbon telomer. This publication also discloses a method of cleaning a lens with such material in which, however, it is stated that on ultra-fine and invisible film of fluorotelomer is left on the lens surface.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of cleaning a contact lens comprising the steps: a. providing a polymeric, non-woven fibrous web having an average fibre diameter up to 50jum, b. contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web for a period of time sufficient to loosen proteinaceous and particulate matter from said contact lens, and c. removing said lens form contact with said fibrous web, wherein said polymeric, non-woven fibrous web is selected from polymeric webs consisting of poly-alkylene, polystyrene, polyarylsulfone, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide and combinations, blends and copolymers thereof and contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web in the presence of moisture.

Preferably a surfactant in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 25 weight percent surfactant in a solvent is placed on the fibrous web.

In another aspect the invention provides an article which is physiologically acceptable to the eye, for use in cleaning a contact lens, the article comprising a low-linting, essentially non-sgratching polymeric non-woven fibrous web containing a surfactant suitable for use with a contact lens,and having an average fiber diameter up to 50 jam, said - 5 - polymeric, non-woven fibrous web being composed of polyalkylene, polystyrene, polyarylsulfone, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, or polyamide or a combination, blend or copolymer thereof.

Preferably said web has a web density in the range 80 to 97% voids and is associated with instructions for use of said article in cleaning a contact lens.

The advantages provided by the method of the invention include convenience, since it can, in some of its preferred embodiments, be practiced at any time the lens becomes soiled as shown by opacity or causes discomfort due to the presence of particulate matter.

No special apparatus is required and only a few seconds to a few minutes are necessary to clean the lens.

Additional major advantage's of the prom-nl invention are the avoidance or reduction of the problems of presently used cleaning methods, i.e., the present invention provides improved removal ot lens contaminants, reduced and minimized contact of the lens with the skin, improved safety due to improved removal of microbes and the like. Special disinfectants for the lenses are not routinely required in the non-woven webs, although disinfectants can be used if desired.

The articles of the invention may be provided in a variety of forms such as rolls of material, individual pads or groups of pads attached together loosely. They may be dry or premoistened; they may be sterile or non-sterile; they may be unpackaged or packaged in groups or as units.

Presently it is preferred to provide individually packaged premoistened sterile articles which may be disposed of after use. Preferably, the moisture is provided by an aqueous solution which may optionally contain adjuvants such as determents, surfactants, salts, buffers, hydrotropes, and preservatives. Preferably, the articles are discarded after a single use, since use renders them non-sterile. Alternatively, they can be sterilized by conventional methods to facilitate reuse.

As used in the present application; "non-woven fibrous web" means a sheet or pad of a non-woven network of fibers; "microfiber" means a filament structure having an average fiber diameter of up to 10 jum (microns); "filament" means a fiber of at least 60 cm in length; "linting" means the tendency of a nonwoven web to contain small, readily detachable fibers; "pad" means a layer or layers of fibers preferably having a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 7 mm; "scrim" means a fibrous lightweight woven or non-woven sheet material such as a "spun-bond" scrim which is defined as a material comprised of substantially continuous - 7 - uhI randomly deposited, molecularly oriented filaments oi i liennoplastic polymer as described and defined in U.S. p,iLent Specification No. 4,041,203; "ocularly safe" means would not impart to the lens any physical or chemical property not compatible with eye health; "essentially non-scratching" means any scratches formed would not interfere with visual acuity; and "staple fiber" means a fiber having a length of 1.3 cm to 60 cm.

The method of the present invention combines the scrubbing or abrasive action of a fibrous web with the action of a surfactant solution which dissolves loosened proteinaceous and particulate matter. Then the loosened material can be adsorbed very effectively by the web.

The common methods for cleaning contact lenses have two major flaws; 1) there is little scrubbing effect when skin is the "scrub brush", and 2) the solution which should be used to disperse soils removed from the lens runs off the skin and is therefore not very effective in dissolving and removing the soils.

The fibrous mat for cleaning contact lenses described herein contains the two elements which make it an effective device for removal of deposits from the lenses; 1) the fibers provide many "scrubbers" which, through an abrasive action, physically loosen and remove the bound surface deposits and 2) the interstices of the web are filled with and hold a surfactant solution which is then available to solubilize the dislodged soil and remove it from the lens.

The fiber diameter that is most desirable varies with the characteristics of the polymer. If the polymer is very soft and non-rigid, very small diameter fibers will have little strength and will not have good scrubbing ability, A soft, non-rigid polymer can, therefore, be made into a larger fiber diameter than a polymer that is hard and rigid. A polymer which is rigid will have good - 8 - scrubbing properties at large and small diameters but may cause deleterious scratches on the lens at larger (for example, greater than 10 jum (microns)) diameter.

It is generally true that the smaller the fibre diameter, the smaller the scratch the fibre can cause; therefore, the smallest fibres (i.e., up to 10 jum (microns)) are the most desirable. The characteristics of the polymer material from which the fibres are made also determine whether the fibrous mat is acceptable for use in cleaning a contact lens. It has been observed that fibres having a diameter of 50jum (microns) can be used to clean a contact lens without causing deleterious scratches.

The best fibre diameter is, therefore, a characteristic of the fibrous mat which must be determined for each type of polymer.

The rubbing method of the invention includes any of the following; 1) surrounding the lens with the web and rubbing, 2) fixing the lens in place with a holding means and rubbing the web over it, and 3) providing a web holding means such as a solid support system and rubbing the lens over it. Holding the lens in a hand and rubbing the web over it is also envisioned, but if this method is used it is desirable to hold the lens in such a manner as to minimize contact of the skin with the lens.

Fibrous webs of the invention are prepared by methods known in the art. Non-woven form webs may be prepared by melt-blowing as is known to those skilled in the art and described in, for example, U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,978,185 and V.A. Wente et al. "Manufacture of Superfine Organic Fibres", Naval Research Mbor.toriSrtt-iilftn, D.c. (O.S. Document No. 111437). Alternative techniques such as solutionblowing can also be used as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Specification No. 2,571,457. The method used to prepare the non-woven material is not critical. Non-woven webs have several advantages over woven - 9 - materials including ease of manufacture, low material cost, and allowance for variation in fibre texture and fibre density.

The materials useful to prepare non-woven fibrous 5 web compositions of the invention include polymers and copolymers of monomers which form webs. Suitable polymers include polyalkylenes such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamides such as the various nylons, polystyrene, polyarylsulfones, 10 polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), and polyurethanes such as polyether polyurethanes. The fibrous webs are in non-woven form because of ease in processing and their reduced cost. Non-woven webs may also be prepared from combinations of co-extruded 15 polymers such as polyester and polyalkylenes. Copolymers of these polymers are also included within the scope of the invention. Non-woven webs may also be combined webs which are an intimate blend of fine fibres and crimped staple fibres.

Among these fibres polyethylene has an advantage over polypropylene since it is readily sterilized by gamma - 10 - i nil. if ion. pnlyothy] eno terophthalnte has an ail vunl aye ovt*r the other fibers in that it provides very low linting after conventional non-wovon processing. Polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyesters and other web-forming I ibers may be processed by methods known as embossing and pillowing to provide very low linting.

Embossing is the process of heating a non-woven web at a temperature below its melting point while pressing it to form a patterned structure which is generally stronger and more rip-resistant and reduces linting.

Pillowing of non-wovens is described in detail in U.S. Patent Specification Nos. 4,042,740 and 4,103,058. The non-wovens of these patents are preferred in the present invention. Embossed or pillowed non-woven webs are most preferred as compositions of the invention.

The size of the fiber diameter and the chemical composition of the fiber must be considered when selecting a material for the web. If the characteristics of the polymer are such that it can scratch the lens material, It may be useful only when the fiber diameter is very small, so small that it does not cause significant scratching of the lens. In order to remove proteins, lipids, and other biologically originated contaminants from the lenses it has been found advantageous to use fibers with a relatively small diameter, i.e., a diameter qualitatively similar to that of the contaminants such as viruses and bacteria (which generally have a diameter in the micron range), and agglomerates of mucin with other proteins and lipids which generally form in the eye. In view of the lack of polishing and cleaning cloths available for consumer use on contact lenses, it is surprising that non-woven webs with an average fiber diameter of less than about 50 jum (microns), preferably less than 20jum (microns), and most nreferably ud to lOAim (microns) are most useful. Of course, the fibers will vary in diameter greatly depending upon variations in the manufacturing process. Average fiber diameters in the - Π - r-myc; of 0.5 to 50/jm (microns) are generally acceptable to provide efficacious cleaning.

It is also important to maintain fiber diameter below 50 microns to provide safe and effective cleaning and thereby minimize harmful scratching of the lenses. In view of the lack of suitable contact lens cleaning fabrics or cloths in the marketplace, it was surprising to find that the non-woven webs of the present invention do not produce unacceptable scratching of the lenses. It is known in the contact lens art that lenses gradually become scratched and damaged in normal handling and use. Hard contact lenses eventually become scratched such that vision is impeded and/or the comfort of the wearer is reduced. Lenses which are scratched may in some cases be grindable or polishable to renew their usefulness. Grinding and polishing are abrasive processes. It is believed that scratches that are very small, i.e., short and/or shallow will approximate grinding and polishing and they will not impair clarity of vision and not cause physical discomfort.

. Surprisingly, it has been found in the present invention that the use of mildly abrasive fibrous webs of small fiber diameter of less than 50 jum (microns) average fibre diameter do not produce unacceptable scratching when used in cleaning lenses. It is considered to be important to minimize the number of globs (lumps of polymeric material which were not extruded into fiber form) in the webs of the inventions, since these could be the source of scratches which, if not limited, may gradually reduce the clarity or comfort of the lens.

The wet fibrous webs of the present invention can be used without added agents in their most simple and least expensive form. A surfactant aids in the cleaning process by facilitating interaction between the fibers of the webs and the lens contaminants to be removed and by dispersing in solution the contaminants removed by the abrasive action of the fibers. The surfactant, which is used in an aqueous medium, may be part - 12 - ί| the manufactured product as delivered to the user, or it may be added by the user. Anionic, cationic, amphoteric, and nonionic surfactants can all be used, and in some cases combinations of either an anionic or a cationic surfactant wiLh a nonionic surfactant are useful. Some examples of suitable surfactants are anionics, such as; 1) Hamposyl” L30 (W. R. Grace Co., Nashua, NH), 2) Sodium dodecyl sulfate, 3) Aerosol 413 (American Cyanamid Co., Wayne, NJ), 4) Aerosol 200 (American Cyanamid Co.), 5) Lipoproteol” LCO (Rhodia Inc., Mammoth, NJ), 6) Standapol” SH 135 (Henkel Corp., Teaneck, NJ), 7) Fizul" 10-127 (Finetex Inc,, Elmwood Park, NJ), and 8) Cyclopol” SBFA 30 (Cyclo Chemicals Corp,, Miami, FL); cationics, such as; 9) Polyquart” H (Henkel Corp.); amine oxides, such as: 10) Standamox" CAW (Henkel Corp.), and 11) Barlox” H (Lonza Inc., Fairlawn, NJ); amphoterics, such as; 12) Deriphat” 170C (Henkel Corp.), 13) Lonzaine” JS (Lonza, Inc.), 14) Miranol” C2M-SF (Miranol Chemical Co.lnc., Dayton, NJ), 15) Amphoterge" W2 (Lonza, Inc,), and 16) Amphoterge” 2WAS (Lonza, Inc,); and nonionics, such as: 17) Triton” X-100 ( Rohm and Haas Co., Philadelphia, PA), 18) Brij" 52 (ICI Americas; Wilmington, DE), 19) Span” 20 (ICI Americas), 20) Generol” 122 ES (Henkel Corp.), 21) Fluorad” (3M Co., St. Paul, MN), 22) Triton” N-42 (Rohm and Haas Co.), 23) Triton” N-101 (Rohm and Haas Co.), - 13 - 24) Triton" X-4Q5 (Rohm and Haas Co.)/ 25) Tween" 80 (ICI Americas), 26) Tween" 85 (ICI Americas) , 27) Brij" 56 (ICI Americas), 2«) Pluronic" F-68 (BASK Wyandotte, Wyandotte, MI), and 29) Pluronic" F-127 (BASF Wyandotte).

It has been found that non-woven fibrous webs containing anionic surfactants are superior for promoting the removal of lipids in the method of the invention. Surfactant loadings of from 0,01 weight percent to 25 weight percent of the fibrous web have been used. Relatively little benefit is added when the surfactant level is raised above 1.0 weight percent for the preferred anionic surfactants of the invention such as the sarcosinate type surfactants, e.g·., Hamposyl" L30. For this reason loadings of 0.01 to 1.0 weight percent of surfactant are preferred.

Anionic surfactants are particularly preferred when used in combination with polypropylene or polyester fibrous webs.

In use, the web itself is moistened, the lens may alternatively or in addition be moistened, or if so desired, the cleaning may be done on an immersed lens. It may also be convenient or useful to rinse the lens and fabric during or after the cleaning process, although this is not required in the method of the invention. The moistening agent is generally water or primarily an aqueous solution, e.g., a soft lens can be moistened with saline solution, but these solutions may contain adjuvants, for example surfactants, disinfectants, antimicrobial agents, hydrotropes, buffers, and the like.

If a cleaning solution is used with the fibrous web of the invention the cleaning of the lens is facilitated since the web can hold the solution in place so that it is available to disperse the lens contaminants to be removed.

Alternative solvents may be selected and used iri conjunction with aqueous solutions or instead of aqueous solutions. For example lower alkanols, acetone, and the like, may be used if the solvents selected are removed from i In; Ions before reusing it and/or they are physiologically acceptable to the eye and not damaging to the lens, Non-woven, fibrous webs are useful in various size, shape, and packaging alternatives. A roll of non-woven, fibrous pads with or without a dispenser can be provided. Each single pad used to clean a lens may be packaged individually, or groups of pads may be packaged together. Large pads may be scored for subdivision by the user.

The non-woven, fibrous web may be provided in sterile or non-sterile form. It is preferred that the web be sterilized and delivered in a sterile state to the user. Sterile packaging is necessary to maintain sterility of the web, as is known to those skilled in the art. The packaging requirements will also vary depending upon whether the non-woven, fibrous web is provided moist or dry.

Sterility of the pads may be obtained using any conventional sterilization technique. It has been found particularly convenient to sterilize an already packaged pad with standard gamma ray techniques. Other sterilization methods include ethylene oxide treatment and autoclaving.

The sterilization method is varied depending on whether the web is dry or wet; the solvents present (if the web is wet); the presence, absence or type of surfactant; the type of fibrous web material; and the presence, absence, and type of packaging, as is known to those skilled in the art.

A preferred embodiment is a single moist non-woven, fibrous pad optionally loaded with surfactant in water and preferably packaged and then sterilized. If the packaging is, for example, aluminum foil with a backing, 15 - proservatives may not be necessary. A preservative is optionally added to extend the useful life of the product.

The density of the fibrous web will be a variable anil places a limit on the size of the Eibrous web pad, 5 Generally non-wovens with web density of about 80 percent to about 97 percent voids are useful in the method of the invention. Preferably there are at least 90 percent voids in order to allow the lens contaminant to be at least partially removed into the interstices of the fibrous web iO as the rubbing process proceeds. Webs of less than 80 percent voids have fibers packed very tightly and have been extruded under high pressure so that the webs become hard and abrasive and have insufficient open volume to accomodate proteinaceous and particulate contaminants. An 15 advantage of the fibrous webs of the invention is the increased surface area available to adsorb lens contaminants. Generally the web pads are sufficiently large to surround the lens front and back and allow the user to rub the lens, preferably with a radial motion 20 without touching the lens. The size of pads necessary to clean a lens will generally be in a range of about two centimeters wide and about five centimeters long. It will be readily apparent to the skilled observer that these dimensions may be varied without departing from the spirit 25 of the invention. The thickness of the fibrous pad is a variable that depends upon the web density, the tear strength of the pad under the conditions both of manufacture and of use, the web material used, and the conditions of use. A minimum useful thickness is about 0.2 30 mm, and thicknesses up to one centimeter may be used. The preferred thickness range is 0.4 to 5 millimeters for polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene pads. The shape of the pads may be rectangular, square, triangular, irregular or other. Pillow-webbed pads are 0.4 to 1.0 nun 35 in thickness, and preferably about 0.5 mm thick.

Surprisingly, both hard and soft contact lenses may be effectively and safely cleaned using the method and - 16 - -οιπροκ i t: ions op t.ho invontion. U*nses of the methyl methacrylate, silicone methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and fluorinated polyether type polymers have? invention. This cleaning is achieved without significantly damaging the lens.

Another variation of the invention is to provide the fibrous pad with a backing which is flexible or rigid.

This variation can be used to further isolate the skin of 10 the fingers from the pad and any solution optionally present in the pad. Alternatively, a backing is used to provide rigidity to a web. Such backings can be widely varied and include foils such as aluminum foil, polymeric films, formed cups of polymeric materials, and other 15 synthetic or natural materials. The backing can be attached by conventional adhesive or mechanical methods.

Another alternative is to provide the fibrous pad with a handle. The pad can optionally be contoured to fit on the end of the handle, or it can be contoured to match 20 the shape of a lens. One option would be a smaller contoured pad covering the end of a rod which could be used to scrub the lens to effect cleaning.

The fibrous webs of the present invention may be "scrimmed" using standard techniques as described in 25 patents such as u.s. Patent Specification No. 4,041,203.to provide webs with increased strength and reduced linting. It is envisioned within the scope of the present invention that a layer of scrim could be adhered or embossed on one or both surfaces of a fibrous pad.

The melt-blowing technique was used to prepare most of the non-woven fibrous webs of the Examples. All fibrous webs used in the Examples had at least 80 percent voids.

Objects and advantages of this invention are 35 further illustrated by the following examples, but the particular materials and amounts thereof recited in these examples, as well as other conditions and details, should not be construed to unduly limit this invention.

Example 1 - Evaluation of sliding of surfactant solution-treated fibrous web pads on soft contact lens material A 1.4 mm thick, 5.1 cm by 3,8 cm, hydrated liydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer sample (lens material) was moistened with a surfactant-containing test solution, then rubbed against a fibrous web which had been soaked with the same solution. Two rubbing motions were tested, a) back and forth and b) circular. Three surfactant-containing test solutions were used: 1) Allergan” Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution (Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Irvine, CA) , 2) Allergan" LC-65 (Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) and 3) Allergan” "Clean ’N Soak" (Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).

Non-woven web materials (fiber diameters up to 25 micrometers) evaluated were: polyethylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (with sodium benzoate), polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) mixture bicomponent web, polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) staple fiber (combined web, 40μΐϋ fiber diameter), polyurethane (of methane diphenyl diisocyanate and tetramethylene glycol), embossed polyethylene/poly-propylene mixture, nylon 6, nylon 6 variation, poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polypropylene pillowed, and polybutylene.

The data of this Example showed that solutions 2) and 3) provided the best lubrication for the webs shown when used to clean hydroxyethyl methacrylate samples.

There was no significant difference in the result obtained using back and forth vs. circular scrubbing motions.

Example 2 - Embossing of fibrous web pads A poly(ethylene terephthalate) blown microfibrous web of approximately 1.5 mm thickness, optionally folded into several thicknesses, was passed through a high intensity sheeting roll apparatus at various temperatures.

A rubber nip roller was used to control the pressure applied. A pattern of small hexagons was embossed. The webs produced are shown in the TABLE I.

TABLE I Roll speed Trial Temperature (°F) (°C) Pressure kq/cm2 Layers (meters minute) per Web produced 5 i 210 99 1.4 4 5.5 stiff web 2 185 85 0.7 4 5.5 stiff web 10 3 160 73 0.7 2 5.5 moderately stiff web, poor pattern on nip side 4 150 66 0.7 2 5.5 inadequate pattern on nip side 5 150 66 0.7 1 5.5 too thin 15 6 150 66 0.7 2 5.5 good softness, pattern on nip side could be better 20 7 150 66 3.5 2 5.5 good softness, good pattern The results of TABLE I show that successful embossing of fibrous web pads is dependent upon temperature, pressure, layers present, and roll speed used. Embossed webs provided superior cleaning when made into 2 5 webs of the invention.

Example 3 - Loading of surfactant on fibrous webs Solutions of 1.0 and 0.5 weight percents of surfactant in 95 percent aqueous ethanol were prepared.

Pads of microfibrous nylon 6 web (estimated less than 10 JO micron diameter fibers) about 4.8 mm thick and 2,5 cm by 5.1 cm in size were cut and weighed. Each pad was soaked with a measured volume (1 ml) of surfactant solution and dried completely. Drying was in the open air for about two hours and finally in an evacuated chamber for about 16 35 hours. The weight percents of surfactants used percent - 19 - Loaded (in parentheses) were: 1% Amphoterage™ W2 (8), 1¾ lirij” 56 (10.7), 1% Triton" X100 (13.4), 1% Tween" 85 (y.i), L'i. Pluronic" P68 (10.2), 0.5% Amphoterage" W2 (5.0), u.5% Urij™ 56 (4.7), 0.5% Triton™ X10U (4.9), 0.5% Tween™ 85 (7.9), and 0,5% Pluronic" F68 (5.4).

The data showed that different surfactants were useful in preparing webs and the percent loading was substantially proportional to the amount applied. When used to clean lenses the materials of all trials gave good results.

Example 4 - Comparison between cleaning with pads and cleaning by rubbing with fingers Discs of 12 mm diameter and about 0.2 mm thickness were cut from a sheet of a polymeric lens material which was prepared as described in Example No. 10 of U.S. Patent Specification No. 4440918, froir. 82.5 g of perfluoropolyether monomer, 10.0 g of methyl methacrylate, 7.5 g of N-vinylpyrrolidone and 0.5 g of 2,2-diethoxyacetophenone by irradiating under an ultraviolet lamp for one hour. Forty of these discs were placed individually in vials containing 1 ml of "artificial tears". Artifical tears are composed of 1 ml of the aqueous tear solution and 0.01 ml of lipid tear solution. The aqueous tear solution contained the following components for each liter of aqueous solution: 8.4 9 sodium chloride 0.08 g calcium chloride 1.38 g sodium phosphate 0.075 g glutamic acid 1.7 g lysozyme (hen egg white) 3.9 g bovine serum albumin 1.05 g gamma globulin (bovine) 0.24 g mucin (porcine submaxillary) The lipid tear solution contained 0.1 g oleic acid per ml of light mineral oil.

The vials were incubated at 37°C in a shaker hath for 3 days, then each disc was removed and placed in 8 ml oi culture media containing 1.0^ Pseudomonas aeruginosa per m I.. All ot the samples were then placed in a 37°C '1 incubator for 48 hours. The discs were then remove;! and handled as follows under sterile conditions: A) Each of 10 discs was rinsed 5 seconds on each side with "Allergan" Hydrocare" Preserved Saline". "Allergan” Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution" ("solution") 10 was added dropwise (10 drops) to a combined web, i.e., a blown microfibrous (about 10 jum (micron) fibre diameter) polypropylene pad having staple poly(ethylene terephthalate) (up to 40 l«r. (micron) fibre diameter) therein (Doodle Duster" 3M) (3.8 cm x 5.1 cm x 2.8 nun thick). The pad was folded 15 over the disc and rubbed between glove-covered fingers 20 times. The disc was placed in 1 ml of normal saline solution (hereinafter saline) then scraped with a rubber policeman moistened with the rinsed saline. Saline (1 ml) was added to the fibrous pad to rinse and then the saline 20 was squeezed out. A sample of 100 microliters of the saline rinse obtained from both the disc rinse (Disc Rinse A) and pad rinse (Pad Rinse A) was plated. The samples were incubated at 37°C to allow the microorganisms present to grow so that they could be quantitated.

B) The same procedure was followed as in part A) except no pad was used. Each of 10 discs was rinsed 5 seconds on each side with "Allergan Hydrocare” Preserved Saline". To each disc, held between glove-covered fingers, was added 10 drops of "solution", and the discs were rubbed 30 20 times (standard digital rubbing technique). Each disc was placed in 1 ml of saline and the disc was scraped with n rubber policeman moistened with saline. The fingers of the glove were rinsed with 1 ml of saline and the saline was collected. A sample of 100 microliters of the saline 35 rinse of both the disc rinse (Disc Rinse B) and the glove - 21 - rinse (Glove Rinse B) was plated. The samples were incubated at 37°C and then colonies of microorganisms were counted.

C) Controls were run by 1) placing three discs in a mixture o£ artificial tears and lipid and incubating in sterile culture media, 2) placing three discs in a mixture of artificial tears and lipid and incubating in culture media containing 105 Pseudomonas aeruginosa per ml, and 3) placing three discs from saline in culture media containing Ps. aeruginosa. All discs were scraped, rinsed, plated, and incubated as in A) and B).

The data are shown in the following TABLE II: TABLE II Sample Bacterial Colony Counts (cfub/100 microliters) Disc Disc no. scrapinqs A Pad rinse A scraeinas B Glove rinse B 1 24 about 1500 TNTC about 600 2 8 TNTCa about 600 about 1600 3 3 about 800 864 about 1000 4 4 about 1300 586 about 1000 5 2 about 1200 254 about 800 6 1 TNTC 551 about 1200 7 6 about 1400 436 about 1200 8 444 TNTC about 1100 TNTC 9 about 800 TNTC — about 900 10 8 about 700 383 TNTC Control 1) : all three discs gave zero colonies Control 2) : all three gave TNTC Control 3) : all three gave TNTC a TNTC = too numerous to count b cfu = colony forming units The results in TABLE II show that the use of the fibrous pad to clean a lens infected by bacteria is much more effective than the standard rubbing technique. This •in be seen by comparing the number of bacterial colonies In Disc Scrapings A with the number of bacterial colonies lound in Disc Scrapings B. Relatively few bacteria wore· ielt on the Discs A after the microfibrous pad cleaning. example 5 - Removal of protein by scrubbing Sixty preweighed discs of soft contact lens material (poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)) of about 1.27 cm diameter were soaked for eight days in the artificial tears solution described in Example 4 containing known weights of 10 various proteins. The protein was rubbed from the discs by rubbing the discs twenty times either with a pad (2.54 cm x 7.62 cm x 0.48 cm thick) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) blown microfiber soaked in 5,0 ml of a 0.3 percent solution of Hamposyl'" L-30 (adjusted for 100 percent solids) or an 15 article of polyurethane foam 2.54 cm x 7,62 cm x 1.2 cm thick soaked with 5.0 ml of 0.05 percent Triton” N-101 surfactant solution or it was removed by simply rinsing in saline. The data are shown in the TABLE III below. Saline rinse without rubbing was used to measure the amount of 20 protein on the lens before cleaning. Five discs per protein per treatment were used.

TABLE III Protein (micrograms) remaining on disc after after rubbing after rubbing 25 Protein saline rinse by foam by pad mucin 0.56 + .15 0.23 + .04 0.11 + .02 lysozyme 1.04 + .04 0.67 + .12 0.32 + .02 gamma globulin 1.48 + .25 0·81 + ,12 0.32 + .10 albumin 3.15 + .43 1.71 + .05 1.07 + .20 30 The results of TABLE III show that . much more of the protein is removed by the article of the invention than by the polyurethane foam article.

Example 6 - Cleaning contact lens materials Discs of a contact lens material used in Example I were dried liy gentle blotting; tliey wore then soiled (in implicate) with various potential eye contaminants as noted below. One disc of each pair was cleaned by adding 10 drops of Allergan* Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution and rubbing between the index finger and thumb of one hand 10 times on each side.

The second disc of each pair was placed on a 2.8 mm thick by 5.1 x 7,6 cm pad of Doodle Duster” which had been moistened with 10 drops of the same solution as above. The disc was rubbed 10 times between the forefinger and the thumb.

All discs were then rinsed on each side with a five second-stream of Allergan Hydrocare" Preserved Saline. The discs were blotted dry and scored blind by three observers on a scale of 1 to 5 (dirty to clean). The potential eye contaminants evaluated were: perfume -Emeraude" (Cotyr N.Y.C, NY), eye shadow (Helena Rubenstein, NY), Dial” aerosol deodorant (Armour-Dial, Inc., Phoenix, AZ), Revlon” liquid makeup (Revlon, Inc., N.Y.C., NY), Maybelline Ultra Lash” Mascara (Maybelline Co., N.Little Rock, AR), blusher (Estee Lauder, N.Y.C., NY), moisturizer (Merle Norman, Los Angeles, CA), petroleum jelly (Cheesebrough Ponds Inc., Greenwich, CT), PreSun” skin protectant (Westwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Buffalo, NY), Aqua-net” hair spray (Faberge, Inc., N.Y.C,, NY), and Erase” (Max Factor, Hollywood, CA). .

The data of this Example showed that in all cases except contaminant 10 (hair spray), using a non-woven fibrous pad in the cleaning process gave better results than rubbing between the fingers.

Kx.unp Li> 7 - Preparation and usi; of rectangular pulyc thy Lcm· pad A shoot of polyethylene blown microfibers (estimated fiber diameter 10 microns or less) of about L inm thickness was folded inLo three layers. A pad 20 mm wide by 5.5 cm long was cut from the sheet. This size was sufficient to cover a soft contact lens when the pad was folded over the lens. The pad was moistened with a 0.5 percent aqueous solution of Hamposyl'" L-30. This size pad was found to function well and allowed for scrubbing (i.e,, cleaning) of a soft contact lens.

Example 8 - Preparation and use of polyester pads A sheet of poly(ethylene terephthalate) blown microfibers (estimated fiber diameter 10 microns) of about 1 mm thickness was folded into layers and six pads of various sizes and conformations as shown in TABLE XV below were cut from the sheet.

Sample Conformation TABLE IV Layers Sizes (mm) 1 Square 3 50 x 50 2 Circle 2 25 (diameter) 3 Rectangle 3 20 x 80 4 Rectangle 3 30 x 80 5 Rectangle 3 20 x 55 6 Rectangle 3 26 x 78 Each of the pads was moistened with a 0.5 percent aqueous solution of Hamposyl” L-30. The pads were tested to assess their utility in rubbing the lens in a circular motion. All were useful, but some differences were observed. The two-layer pad was noticeably more flimsy than the three layer pads. Those pads which were larger than needed to cover the lens were generally perceived as unnecessarily large.

Ex.impIf ο - Two-pud ineLliod ot cleaning Λ sheet of poly (ethylene terephthalate) blown miuroflber web (about 1 mm thickness) was folded into two layers and a square of about 3.8 cm per side was cut. A a >syuare of about 5.1 cm per side was cut and wrapped around an index finger. The 3.8 cm pad was placed in the palm of the other hand and both pads were soaked with Allergan" LC-65 Solution. The lens was placed in the palm, centered on the pad and rubbed with the other pad. This method was 10 found to be useful for both hard poly(methyl methacrylate) and soft contact lenses.

Example 10 - One-pad method of cleaning A sheet of polyCethylene terephthalate) blown microfiber web of about 1 mm thickness was folded into two 15 layers and a rectangular pad of about 2.5 cm by 6.2 cm was cut and soaked in Allergan™ LC-65 Solution. A lens was placed in the center of the pad and the pad was folded over the lens. The lens was rubbed between the thumb and the index finger of one hand. This method was found to be 20 useful for cleaning of both hard poly(methyl methacrylate) and soft contact lenses.

Example 11 - Scratching comparison The size and number of scratches on two hard poly(methyl methacrylate) lenses were compared. One lens 25 had been in normal use by a person for about five years.

The other had been rubbed for a total of one hour using five-minute continuous rubbing intervals with the same poly(ethylene terephthalate) microfibrous pad (2.5 mm thick x 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm) of the invention. The lens was examined 30 after each 5-minute rub to determine the number and type of scratches that resulted from rubbing with the pad. This rubbing time is estimated to be about equivalent to one year of use if a lens were cleaned once per day for about 10 seconds.

The data are shown in TABLE V below. - 26 - X G JJ 0 tA c W C (A C cn Qi c (A fO CN W (0 CO W rO • X Φ •H ϋ 0) X • a) X • Φ X o 0 Ό •H £ rH X r-H rH X o rH X Ή • • > £ CN rH x Ό Φ c a) X £ g g c •H X) • X g CO g *3' g 0 0 X) > σ> rH σ» a 3 X C in • rH • c- >1 Φ • H, • H • H nj H rH +1 CN + 1 rH G x (A 0 <0 G **-» Ό Φ X (A iJ 0 Φ (A > Φ (A X X G ω 0 X 0 (A C (A c (A c i-3 X a c u tA (0 CN (A (0 © (0 <0 «3· m (0 X φ o Φ X • 0 X * 0) X • < H 0 *D •H rH 4J rH rH X © rH X o £h υ ε C/3 Φ G ΙΑ cn CO <0 X C • • • (A X 0 •eS* rH o C TD c u 1 1 1 a) •rH •rH 0 CN © <« rH > •rH f • • s CN rH o s vc VO CO CO ♦ • © + R VO oo CN · R 10 r*· r-cn · H +| rt ?| X W O 0) X Μ ϋ Φ X x m g u 3 o Z (A tA tA tA Φ Φ Φ X X X o e 0 o >1 X 3 X X > fO ♦H <0 Φ ro (0 u V U G U Φ 0 Φ u •H 0 £ tA as to Eh tA 27 The data of TABLE V show that the human worn lens had more scratches, and the scratches produced by the pud were about equal to or less than those from normal wear in averages for width, depth, and length, 5 Example 12 - Packaged article (peel-openable) In order to package the moist non-woven fibrous pad of the invention a package allowing for an extended shelf life (up to two years or more) is desired. A package was constructed having an upper sheet-like portion and a 10 lower sheet-like portion. The upper portion was called the printed film and had four layers. From the outside to the inside these layers consisted of: 1 sheet of bleached Kraft O paper (11.4 kilograms per m'), 0.0018 cm thick polyethylene film, 0.00089 cm thick aluminum foil, 0.0051 cm thick 15 polyolefin C-79 sealant (4-layered film available from Ludlow Co., Needham Heights, NA). The lower portion, called the unprinted film, also had four layers. From the outside to the inside these layers consisted of: 1 sheet of bleached Kraft paper (11.4 kiloorams perm ), 0.001 cm thick 20 polyethylene film, 0.00089 cm thick aluminum foil, and 0.022 cm thick Surlyn” 1652 film (Dupont Co., Wilmington, DL) (4-layered film available from Ludlow Co,).

A bag maker machine was supplied with an aluminum heat seal platten to seal the two layers together. The 25 platten had a 30° chevron design with a seal of 3.2 cm length and imprint width of 0.3 cm dimensions: width, 3,81 cm (1.5 inch) (inner)j length, 8,9 cm (3.5 inch) (inner). The package was prepared with the flat end open. Twelve such packages were prepared. An embossed poly(ethylene 30 terephthalate) blown microfiber pad (2.5 cm x 6.4 cm x 1.1 mm) was then inserted into each package. The pad was then treated with 2.0 ml of 0.5 percent Hamposyl'" L-30 aqueous solution. The package end was then heat-sealed. - 28 - ι-:χ<ιιιΐ[>1<· Η - Λ1 tnrnativu packaged article Λ lcur-ομυη package can be prepared using the pi" i π toil and unprinted layers of Example 12 but substituting polyethylene film or Surlyn™ 1652 film for the C-79 'j sealant. This package gives a welded sealed that can be torn open (rather than peeled back).

Example 14 - Cleaning of contact lens material with embossed and pillowed fibrous webs Twenty discs of about 12 mm diameter and about 10 0.3 mm thickness were cut from a sheet of polymeric lens material used in Example 4 and were rubbed until black on both sides with mascara (Maybelline Ultralash™), The discs were air-dried for one hour. Then the discs were cleaned using three types of microfibrous web pads (5.1 x 5.1 cm) 15 by rubbing ten times on each side using one pad per lens. Each pad was soaked with 1 ml of surfactant (0.1% of Hamposyl™ L-30 in saline, pH 7,4) solution immediately before use. Five discs were cleaned with each type of pad. The types of pad used were 1) polypropylene pillow web 20 (0.5 mm thick, 1 ml surfactant), 2) embossed polystyrene web (1.2 mm thick, 1.5 ml surfactant), and 3) embossed poly(ethylene terephthalate) web (1.1 mm thick, 1.0 ml surfactant).

In addition, five discs were cleaned using the 25 standard finger rubbing technique. Ten drops of Allergan™ LC-65 solution per disc were dropped onto the disc in the palm of the hand and the disc was rubbed ten strokes per side.

The cleanliness of each disc was then scored by 30 six people.

The results of this Example showed that all of the microfibrous web pads of the invention cleaned the lens discs much better than the standard cleaning method.

Example 15 A lens of the silicone methacrylate type IPolycon”, Syntex Ophthalmics, Inc., Phoenix, AZ) was cleaned by rubbing in the hand for 20 seconds with 'j Allergan'" LC-65 Solution. It was then examined at seven times magnification through an eyepiece. The number and placement of scratches was noted. The lens was then rubbed for 60 minutes (30 minutes on each side of the lens) with a polyethylene blown microfiber pad (3.8 x 3.8 mm x 2 mm 10 thick) loaded with Allergan™ LC-65 (contact lens cleaner). Only one significant scratch was observed (posterior) at ten times magnification.

Example 16 Bags constructed of Scotchpak” ET 29308 (3M, St, 15 Paul, MN) were used to package the moist microfibrous pad of the invention. The inner dimensions of each bag were 7 cm x 7 cm.

A microfibrous pad of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (6.35 cm x 2,5 cm x 1.1 mm thick) was placed inside each 20 bag and 1.0 ml of Cyclopol” SBFA-30 in standard saline (pH 7.4) was added. The bag was then heat-sealed at the top opening. Six bags were made in this way.

Example 17 - Cleaning with scrimmed microfiber pad Ten discs of the contact lens material used in 25 Example 4 (12 mm diameter, 0,25 mm thickness) were rubbed until black with Maybelline Ultralash” mascara, and then they were allowed to dry for one hour.

A scrimmed microfiber pad prepared by embossing together a blown microfiber web of polypropylene fibers 30 (estimated as 10/Jm (micron) fibre diameter) and spun bond polypropylene (estimated as 20 micron fiber diameter) was obtained. It was cut into square pieces 5.1 cm x 5.1 cm x 0.76 mm thick. Each square was loaded with surfactant by soaking in 0.1 percent Hamposyl" L-30 saline solution 35 immediately before use. One square was placed in the palm - 30 - ol: the hand, a disc was centered on the square and another square was wrapped around the index finger of the other hand. The disc was rubbed using the square wrapped around the index finger, 10 strokes on each side of the disc.

Good cleaning was obtained as determined by three individuals. The cleaning with pad was compared to cleaning by the standard digital rubbing technique (see Example 14) with lens cleaning solution. The pad was found to be greatly superior.

Example 18 In order to evaluate the correlation between fiber diameter, fiber type, and scratching of a lens material the polymer samples shown in the following table were utilized and the AJM test as described was performed. The lens material used was poly(methyl methacrylate), For each evaluation a rectangular specimen measuring 8.9 cm x 9.5 cm x 0,34 mm thick was taped onto a microscope stage. Under the microscope a clear area relatively free of scratches was found and landmarked. That area was photgraphed using 50x magnification and transmitted light.

A sample of non-woven web of about 5.1 cm x 5.1 cm was folded over four times to provide a rectangle of about 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm. This rectangular sample was wrapped around the end of a cotton swab and taped firmly in place. The wrapped swab was soaked in Allergan” LC 65 Cleaning Solution until dripping wet. The swab was then rubbed over the test area with a firm stroke for sixty seconds. After swabbing, the test area was again photographed. Scratches within a 4 mm2 area were measured. - 31 - ΣΖ Ο £ =¾ Ο C0 Γ—i —» 0 to 4J φ φ Ο U CM C (Q 0 ·„ •η 6 CM J-> V4 c α ο δ ‘Η U4 \ 1-1 ·Η W ϋ C Φ to 3 U Φ I Φ Ό C -C w ο α C (0 -Q Φ HH m & 0 CM U φ 4J Φ Ό X Φ ιΗ o ιΗ O'. Φ U K Φ CM α ,—. £ CM (Λ χϊ Ε C X Χ> ε Ο ί. to •Η Η1 ο u · " £ \ •γ- « ·" to (0 Ε •Q c 5 U λ-4 Ή Ϊ HI υ Ui φ χϊ •Η Φ Χ3 •Η ε * *ΪΤ Φ U4 Μ-1 Ο * 3 Ο υ rH Ό Ο ιΗ 5 ϋ « Φ Λ ε =* μ 4J Β X 3 Φ to 3 •η «Η > •Η Ό C ο φ CM «Η 0) 4J CM νο Γ- rH • ιΗ ·* Φ CM •Η ε rH Ε Φ X Φ to 04 φ to φ χ: U U jj Φ φ •Η XI S •rl 4-1 φ φ rH φ Ό Φ Φ φ 4-> ι> 10 0 φ •Η C CM 0 Χ> CM CO • W X i + | (0 >1 C in [> Φ U •Η CO ω Λ 0 vo · ϋ σι Λ o Χ> φ 4J \ CC Φ χ» D H < φ C Z Η Ο ο φ M 03 ι-Η fa +1 ο X « ζ Η fa in οο + 1 Ο X ω ζ Η fa ε 3 ro u W Ό φ C u Φ -U 0 Φ U +1 * U Φ k Δ 3 CM Φ E ϋ B to CO CO X) Φ •H 3 Φ VO •H •H £ C Φ IH Ό E o rH OJ + 1 ο\ ιΗ r- 00 + | ο ro CO Μ + | CM CM \ Φ Φ X u *H 4J Φ m Φ u >, C 0 Φ to 4J «Η i Φ φ to +> c >* 0 >1 3 rH Φ 0 H H o 0 u u O 0 rH fa a* D Q* to X3 .1 VO Η c Λ 0 +J Η Η >t Φ C Ε Φ ι~Η · α Ο Ε ζ X Φ Φ C 4J Φ Φ Η ιΗ >ι (0 SZ JZ 4J Χ> Φ Λ r α >1 Φ •Η Μ Ο Φ 04 4J Φ C Φ «Η >1 Ο* 0 U Οι >» pH ο α ι—I CM οθ - 32 - £ CN £ £ CN CN v£ B ε g VC e ε X rH vc (Λ V X 1—1 (U (0 6 X Φ Φ P P P P 0 Φ (U (0 IP X) •H •w ft ft c P (0 (0 3 i—( rH 0 P P W P 0) Φ P ε > > Φ 3 0 0 p •Γ-ι •P VC rH Ip rH fci3. Oo cn Xj <0 c 0 P 4J 0υΦ ρ c 3 0 P (0 co oc 0 tN (N 4J CN CO VO o Ό C 3 Λ (0 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 P P<μ Φ L·. tj o in X < ft £. D \ £ & H Q o X « 3 *π P υ c ro ip £ ft ft ft ft rH ft ft 5 ^ 3 i—1 z Z £ z Z a) c CN r- H H H w in c (0 CN ft ft rH ft ft P ο ε Φ S- Λ £ ε r* in •H E 0 rH σ\ VO • «*··. ft P 3 P « * « rH ft ft vp m rH ft ft Φ E. + 1 P ^ m *-* + | + 1 --S + 1 «—* o o Φ C P X CO rH σ> © rH S CTi c CN rH CN rH rH m CN φ w t c ε o VO rH σι P (0 Φ CN rH cn »—* 0 xx p ε ft P P 3 1 P *“N Φ ft W Xi •rH 0 ft a ft P P (0 Φ Λ p ft φ Φ φ Φ 5 W rH 5 ρ ε X *—» 1 «Λ* C P >t 1 (0 Φ Φ Φ Ό , V >i <0 Φ <0 >1 >1 (0 P 0 >t Φ >1 >i (0 •H c P P ft c XX XX P u ft Xi X c c ft Xi XI ft rH P P •H Φ ^ p Λ ft 0 P ft >1 0 P ft XX >1 C -C 3 C ft ft (/} « X H P (D Λ Ό P C •Η Ή £ X} 0 P ft >1 H 0 ft >ι Φ ft Φ P g Λ aft C w ^ P ft >1 Xi ft Φ P •K Γ** xi co *H s p P Ό 0)c u> P to c w (0 3 r* φ Q E Φ o rH 0 *“i a xj ό EGO (0 3 0 W ·ι-> Q The data of TABLE VI show that sample no. 4, melt-blovm polypropylene fibres of less than 10 /am (micron) diameter, gave superior results. Sample nos. 1, 3, 6, 7 and 9 representing different polymeric 5 compositions with fibre diameters up to 40 microns, gave good results.

Claims (6)

1. A method of cleaning a contact lens comprising the steps: a. providing a polymeric, non-woven fibrous web having an average fibre diameter up to 50 pm, b. contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web for a period of time sufficient to loosen proteinaceous and particulate matter from said contact lens, and c. removing said lens from contact with said fibrous web, wherein said polymeric, non-woven fibrous web is selected from polymeric webs consisting of polyalkylene, polystyrene, polyarylsulfone, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide and combinations, blends and copolymers thereof and contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web in the presence of moisture.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising placing a surfactant in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 25 weight percent surfactant in a solvent on the fibrous web.

3. The method according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said fibrous web is prepared by a melt-blowing technique.

4. An article which is physiologically acceptable to the eye, for use in cleaning a contact lens, the article comprising a low-linting, essentially nonscratching, polymeric non-woven fibrous web containing a surfactant suitable for use with a contact lens, and having an average fibre diameter up to 50 ^m, said polymeric, non-woven fibrous web being composed of polyalkylene, polystyrene, polyarylsulfone, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, or polyamide or a combination, blend or copolymer thereof. 5. An article according to claim 4 wherein said fibrous web has an average fibre diameter of up to 10 pm. 6. An article according to claim 4 or 5 wherein said article is embossed or pillowed. - 35 - 7. A package comprising an article as claimed in any of claims 4, 5 and 6 in association with an aqueous moistening composition. 8. A package as claimed in claim 7 comprising a 5 roll of said contact lens cleaning article. 9. A package as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 which is sterile. 10. A package as claimed in any of claims 7, 8 and 9 wherein said web has a web density in the range 80 to 10 97% voids and is associated with instructions for use of said article in cleaning a contact lens. 11. A contact lens cleaning article according to claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6, substantially as described herein with reference to the Examples. 15 Dated this 17th day of July 1984. BY: TOMKINS & CO., Applicants Agents' 20 (Signed)

5. , Dartmouth Road, DUBLIN

6. - 36 -