JP5450355B2 - Contact lens sterilization case - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a contact lens sterilization case used when a contact lens is sterilized using a hydrogen peroxide solution.

  When using a contact lens, it is necessary to periodically sterilize the contact lens. This is to prevent eye infection and eye damage caused by microorganisms such as bacteria and mold attached to the contact lens, and maintain a safe and comfortable wearing state. In recent years, surfactants and bactericidal preservatives have been developed as shown in JPO standard technology collection “Glasses”, page 323 (Non-patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-242428 (Patent Document 1). In many cases, contact lenses are sterilized using the added one-component cleaning / preserving solution, but users who are allergic to the antiseptic and preservatives contained in the one-component cleaning / preserving solution, and more For users who desire a certain sterilizing effect, a sterilizing method in which a contact lens is immersed in a hydrogen peroxide solution is still used. In this method, hydrogen peroxide disinfection systems that do not use multiple liquids and use only one liquid, mainly considering user convenience, are the mainstream, which uses the sterilizing power of hydrogen peroxide water. Specifically, the sterilization treatment is performed by the user himself / herself immersing the contact lens in an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide for several hours or more.

  By the way, the hydrogen peroxide solution is harmless as water and oxygen after decomposition, but if left undecomposed, there is a problem that it becomes an eye irritation. Therefore, conventionally, hydrogen peroxide is completely decomposed and neutralized before the end of the sterilization treatment of the contact lens by promoting and adjusting the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide using a catalyst such as platinum. It has been proposed. For example, see Japanese Patent No. 2660453 (Patent Document 2).

  However, the conventional contact lens sterilization case using hydrogen peroxide solution is very difficult to use, and in particular, in recent years when the use of the sterilization treatment with the one-component type cleaning / preserving solution is dominant. Improvements in usability were not considered. Specifically, a contact lens sterilization case using a conventional hydrogen peroxide solution includes, as described in Patent Document 2, a deep bottom cylindrical case body that opens upward, and the case body. A lid body screwed to the opening is included, and a lens holding portion and a catalyst holding portion are provided protruding from the lid body into the case body. In such a deep-bottom cylindrical case body, a pair of left and right is accommodated in a special bucket-shaped lens holding portion with the contact lens standing in the vertical direction with the optical axis of the contact lens oriented substantially horizontally. In addition to being very troublesome to store and remove the contact lens, there is a risk of damage due to the lens being caught in the bucket when the contact lens is stored. In addition, because the case body is deep, the stirring efficiency of the contained hydrogen peroxide solution deteriorates after the second half of the decomposition neutralization when the generation of oxygen gas is weakened. There is also a possibility that the sterilization treatment and the neutralization treatment become non-uniform due to the partial progress of the sum. Furthermore, since the case main body is a deep bottom cylindrical shape and is tall, even if it is placed on a table or the like, there is a problem that it easily falls down when touched with fingers, and hydrogen peroxide water tends to overflow.

  Note that, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-189224 (Patent Document 3) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-205706 (Patent Document 4), the optical axis of the contact lens is placed in a flat state in which the optical axis is oriented in a substantially vertical direction. It is also conceivable to use a flat contact lens storage container in which a shallow lens housing portion to be accommodated is opened upward to be sterilized using hydrogen peroxide. However, in such a flat-type contact lens storage container, Patent Documents 3 and 4 have no specific disclosure as to where and in what structure the catalyst for neutralizing the hydrogen peroxide solution is provided. In addition, an effective assembly structure of such a catalyst has not been studied.

  For example, in Japanese Translation of PCT International Publication No. 2002-526203 (Patent Document 5), in the flat contact lens storage container as described above, a platinum layer is simply not attached to the bottom surface of the shallow lens housing and the inner surface of the peripheral wall. Only a contact lens sterilization container using hydrogen peroxide has been proposed. However, simply depositing the catalyst layer on the entire inner surface of the container in this manner may reduce the decomposition efficiency of the catalyst by the contact lens covering the surface of the catalyst layer. Further, contact of the contact lens with the catalyst may cause heavy metals to adhere to the contact lens, which may cause problems such as allergies to the user or damage the lens.

  Japanese Patent No. 3368903 (Patent Document 6) proposes neutralizing hydrogen peroxide solution using an enzyme tablet containing catalase instead of a catalyst. However, the enzyme tablet must be put into hydrogen peroxide water every time it is sterilized, and its work and handling are troublesome and there is also a risk that the user forgets to put the enzyme tablet. Moreover, since there is a problem that the components contained in the enzyme tablet remain after neutralization of the hydrogen peroxide solution, it is not always an effective measure.

JP 2001-242428 A Japanese Patent No. 2660453 JP 2000-189224 A JP-A-6-205706 Special Table 2002-526203 Japanese Patent No. 3368903

JPO Standard Technology Collection, General, 2005, Glasses, p. 323, Technical name “13-3-1-1 Preservation in liquid”

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that a user can easily sterilize a contact lens using a hydrogen peroxide solution, in particular, the contact lens can be easily and quickly inserted and removed, and a metal catalyst. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel contact lens sterilization case that can effectively prevent problems such as adhesion of a heavy metal lens and lens damage due to the above.

In the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of lens housing portions for immersing and sterilizing the left eye contact lens and the right eye contact lens in a hydrogen peroxide solution is formed by opening upward. And the bottom surface of each lens housing portion is supported in a flat state with the concave or convex lens surface of the contact lens facing the opening, while the hydrogen peroxide solution In the contact lens sterilization case provided with a metal catalyst that exhibits a catalytic action in the decomposition reaction at a position where the metal catalyst is brought into contact with the hydrogen peroxide solution, the catalyst housing in which the pair of lens housing portions and the metal catalyst are housed Each of which is formed as a recess that opens upward, and at the upper end of the partition that partitions the pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion. A communication groove is formed between the pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion to allow the water surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution to continue, and the communication grooves provide a space between the pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion. The contact lens sterilization case is provided with an intercommunication path that prevents movement of the contact lens and the metal catalyst but allows the hydrogen peroxide solution to flow.

  In the contact lens disinfection catalyst of this aspect, the left-eye contact lens and the right-eye contact lens are accommodated in a flat state with respect to each one of the pair of lens accommodation portions. Therefore, the contact lens can be directly inserted into and removed from the lens housing portion through the opening of the lens housing portion with the contact lens sterilization case placed on a mounting surface such as a table. In particular, each lens housing is sufficiently shallow compared to the conventional vertical case, and the user can insert and remove contact lenses by inserting their fingers directly through the opening. Therefore, the operation becomes easy, and the presence or absence of the contact lens in the lens housing portion can be easily confirmed.

  In addition, the use of a metal catalyst as a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide solution eliminates the need for administration in the liquid each time treatment is performed, unlike the enzyme tablet described in Patent Document 6, and neutralization reaction in hydrogen peroxide solution. Can be exhibited with excellent durability, stability and reliability.

  In addition, a contact blocking means for preventing direct contact between the metal catalyst and the contact lens is constituted by a partition wall portion having an interconnection path provided between the metal catalyst and the lens housing portion. Problems such as adhesion of heavy metals to the lens and damage to the contact lens can be avoided as much as possible.

  In this embodiment, it is not necessary to fix or adhere the metal catalyst to the case, the selection range of the metal catalyst is increased, and the manufacturing and structure can be simplified. In addition, a net | network, a fence, a porous body, a narrow path, etc. can also be employ | adopted as a channel | path constriction means in a mutual communication path.

  In this aspect, the pair of left and right lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion are formed in different portions so that the maximum height dimension of the contact lens sterilization case can be increased while sufficiently securing the volume of each housing portion. It can be kept small. Further, not only can the contact lens be inserted into and removed from the pair of lens housing portions, but the metal catalyst can be easily inserted into and removed from the catalyst housing portion. It is also possible to visually confirm the state of the metal catalyst immersed in the hydrogen oxide water.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens sterilization case according to the first aspect, the contact lens is directly connected to the bottom surfaces of the respective recesses constituting the pair of lens housing portions without using other members. Is placed in a flat state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens sterilization case according to the first or second aspect, each of the recesses that the mutual communication path constitutes the pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion. Each of these is connected to each other to form an annular circulation channel.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to further improve the circulation efficiency of the hydrogen peroxide solution between the catalyst housing portion and the pair of lens housing portions. The catalyst housing portion is configured, for example, as in a fourth mode described later, whereby one catalyst housing portion can be more efficiently communicated with the pair of lens housing portions.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens sterilizing case according to the third aspect, the catalyst housing portion is provided between the pair of lens housing portions, and an opening of the catalyst housing portion is provided. A pair of adjacent communication passages connected to each one of the lens housing portions is formed at a portion opposed to the peripheral edge portion, and the pair of lens housing portions are connected via the catalyst housing portion, and A side-by-side communication passage extending in parallel with the arrangement direction of the lens housing portion and the catalyst housing portion is formed, and both end portions in the length direction of the side-by-side communication passage are connected to one of the lens housing portions. In addition, since the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the side-by-side communication passages is connected to the catalyst housing portion, the circulation passage is formed including the pair of adjacent communication passages and the side-by-side communication passages. Yes.

  In the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens sterilizing case according to the first to fourth aspects, a common recess surrounding the periphery of the opening portion in the pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion is formed. In the common recess, the pair of lens housing portion and catalyst housing portion are opened.

  In this aspect, for example, even when a finger is inserted into and removed from the lens housing portion when the contact lens is inserted into and removed from the lens housing portion, the hydrogen peroxide solution pushed out through the common recess passes through the common recess to the other lens housing portion, catalyst housing portion, etc. To flow quickly. Therefore, the rising amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution in the lens housing portion is suppressed, and the overflow of the hydrogen peroxide solution to the outside of the case is effectively prevented.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens sterilizing case according to the first to fifth aspects, an inward convex portion is provided on each inner side surface of the lid that covers the openings of the pair of lens housing portions. When the lid is attached to the opening of the lens housing part, the inward convex part enters into the hydrogen peroxide solution contained in the lens housing part.

  In the present invention, the contact lens is accommodated in the pair of lens housing portions, and then the lid is mounted, so that the hydrogen peroxide solution is pushed out from the pair of lens housing portions by the inward projection of the lid body. Thereby, since the liquid level of the hydrogen peroxide solution increases, the liquid level of the catalyst housing portion also increases, and the immersion state of the catalyst can be more reliably realized.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens sterilization case according to the sixth aspect, the lid is attached to the opening of the lens housing portion, so that the contact lens is mounted on the lens housing portion. With the lens surface on the concave side facing upward, it is positioned between the opposing surfaces of the bottom surface of the lens housing portion and the inward convex portion of the lid.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens sterilizing case according to any of the first to seventh aspects, in any of the pair of lens housing portions, the mutual communication path connected to the catalyst housing portion It is opened and connected at a portion of 1/5 or more of the length.

  In this embodiment, the circulation efficiency of the hydrogen peroxide solution stored in each of the storage units is improved and maintained between the catalyst storage unit and the pair of lens storage units, so that the catalyst storage unit actively proceeds. The neutralization reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution is efficiently applied to the pair of lens housing portions, and the entire concentration (progress of neutralization reaction) can be advantageously made uniform.

  According to the present invention, since the left and right contact lenses are accommodated in a flat state with respect to the lens accommodating portions formed to open upward, the contact lenses are accommodated when the contact lenses are sterilized. It can be directly and easily put into and out of the part. In addition, the lens housing portion for housing the left and right contact lenses and the catalyst housing portion for housing the metal catalyst are each formed as a recess opening upward, and a communication groove is formed in the partition wall portion. As a result, the metal catalyst functions as a contact blocking means for the contact lens, and the fluidity of the hydrogen peroxide solution between the recesses is improved, so that heavy metal adheres to the contact lens and contacts The neutralization treatment with respect to the hydrogen peroxide solution can be stably performed by the metal catalyst while avoiding problems such as damage to the lens.

The perspective view which shows the case main body which comprises the case for contact lens disinfection which is 1st embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the cover body which comprises the case for contact lens disinfection in cooperation with the case main body shown by FIG. The perspective view which shows the catalyst which comprises the case for contact lens disinfection in cooperation with the case main body shown in FIG. 1, and the cover body shown in FIG. The top view of the case main body shown by FIG. VV sectional drawing in FIG. VI-VI sectional drawing in FIG. The top view of the cover body shown by FIG. VIII-VIII sectional drawing in FIG. IX-IX sectional drawing in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the catalyst shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the catalyst shown in FIG. 3, which is a XI-XI cross-sectional view in FIG. 10. 1 is a contact lens sterilization case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is configured using the case main body shown in FIG. 1, the lid shown in FIG. 2, and the catalyst shown in FIG. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows another use condition of the case for contact lens disinfection shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the case main body which comprises the case for contact lens disinfection which is 2nd embodiment of this invention. The top view of the case main body shown by FIG. XVI-XVI sectional drawing in FIG. XVII-XVII sectional drawing in FIG. XVIII-XVIII sectional drawing in FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing a specific example of a catalyst constituting a contact lens sterilizing case in cooperation with the case main body shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 20 is a perspective view schematically showing a specific example of another catalyst that can be used instead of the catalyst shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a plan view schematically showing a specific example of still another catalyst that can be used instead of the catalyst shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Explanatory drawing explaining the mounting state of the catalyst shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a specific example of another catalyst that can be employed in place of the catalyst shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the case main body shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a specific example of still another catalyst that can be employed instead of the catalyst shown in FIG. 23. The perspective view which shows the case for contact lens disinfection which is 3rd embodiment of this invention. The top view of the container for contact lens disinfection shown by FIG. The perspective view which shows the case for contact lens disinfection which is 4th embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the case for contact lens disinfection shown in FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the case for contact lens disinfection which is 5th embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows a case main body 10 constituting a contact lens sterilizing case, FIG. 2 shows a lid 12, and FIG. 3 shows a metal catalyst 14 for sterilizing contact lenses. It is shown. Then, the metal catalyst 14 of FIG. 3 is assembled to the case main body 10 of FIG. 1 and the lid 12 of FIG. (See FIGS. 12 and 13).

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the case main body 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an elliptical upper base 18 and a peripheral wall 20 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge thereof. It is provided and it is set as the inverted dish-shaped hollow body opened below. The case body 10 is preferably integrally formed using a synthetic resin material such as polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene. Further, the case body 10 is entirely transparent, and a contact lens, a metal catalyst 14 and the like housed in the case body 10 are visible from the outside through the case body 10.

  Further, the case main body 10 is formed with a bowl-shaped support plate portion 22 that extends toward the outer peripheral side at the peripheral edge of the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 20. The support plate 22 enables the case body 10 to be stably placed on a flat horizontal support surface such as a table. The support plate 22 has a latching hole 23. By inserting a latching rod, hook or the like into the latching hole 23, it can be used for drying the lens case every day. The case main body 10 and thus the contact lens sterilization case 16 can be suspended and stocked at a store or the like.

  Further, a catalyst accommodating portion 24 is formed in the upper center portion 18 of the case body 10 at substantially the center. A pair of lens housing portions 26 and 26 for housing the right eye contact lens and the left eye contact lens are formed on both sides of the catalyst housing portion 24 in the major axis direction of the upper bottom 18. Each of the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 is a recess that opens to the outer surface of the upper bottom portion 18. The concave bottom surfaces of the lens housing portions 26 and 26 support the contact lens in a flat state with the convex lens surface facing the bottom surface and the concave lens surface facing the opening. When the target contact lens is sterilized, the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is injected and stored in both the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26, 26. The contact lens is accommodated, and the metal catalyst 14 described later is accommodated in the catalyst accommodating portion 24.

  In particular, each of the lens housing portions 26 and 26 is a hemispherical recess that opens with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the contact lens to be processed. Further, the catalyst housing portion 24 is opened in an elliptical shape having the major axis in the minor axis direction of the upper bottom 18, and the bottom surface 30 is a flat surface. The bottom surface 30 of the catalyst housing part 24 is positioned above (opening side) the deepest part of the lens housing parts 26, 26, and the catalyst housing part 24 is shallower than the lens housing parts 26, 26. Has been. The entire case body 10 including the lens housing portions 26 and 26 and the wall portions constituting the catalyst housing portion 24 is formed of a transparent material, and the displacement of the contact lens and the metal catalyst 14 housed inside the case body 10 is made. The wall is made visible for checking the situation from the outside. Further, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface 30 of the catalyst housing portion 24 is located on the upper side (opening side) than the deepest portion of the lens housing portions 26, 26, and the catalyst housing portion is more than the lens housing portions 26, 26. Although 24 is a shallow bottom, it is not limited to this structure. That is, it is possible to adjust the decomposition efficiency of the hydrogen peroxide solution, adjust the displacement amount of the catalyst 14 to be described later, etc. by changing the depth, volume, etc. of the catalyst housing portion 24, and accordingly the lens The catalyst housing part 24 may be deeper than the housing part 26 or may have a large volume.

  Further, partition portions 32 and 32 as contact blocking means are formed between the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 adjacent to the catalyst housing portion 24. As a result, contact between the metal catalyst 14 accommodated in the catalyst accommodating portion 24 and the contact lens accommodated in the lens accommodating portions 26, 26 is prevented. A pair of adjacent communication grooves 34 and 34 are formed in the partition portions 32 and 32 as mutual communication paths having a U-shaped cross section. That is, the catalyst housing portion 24 is communicated with the lens housing portions 26 and 26 on both sides through these adjacent communication grooves 34 and 34, and hydrogen peroxide is connected to the lens housing portions 26 and 26 and the catalyst housing portion 24. When the water 44 is injected, the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 can flow between the lens housing portions 26 and 26 and the catalyst housing portion 24 through the adjacent communication grooves 34 and 34. Accordingly, the pair of lens housing portions 26 and 26 are in communication with each other via the adjacent communication grooves 34 and 34 and the catalyst housing portion 24. Note that the depth of the adjacent communication groove 34 is shallower than the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portion 26. In addition, one opening of the pair of adjacent communication grooves 34, 34 connecting the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26, 26 is opened to face the left and right at the opening peripheral edge of the catalyst housing portion 24. Is formed. The other opening of these adjacent communication grooves 34, 34 is opened at a peripheral edge portion of the lens housing portion 26 at a portion of 1/5 or more of the circumferential length of the outer edge portion of the lens housing portion 26, 26. Yes. However, if the support rod 60 portion of the catalyst shown in FIG. 3 also has a catalytic function, the portion where the adjacent communication groove 34 and the end connection path 40 are added together is the outer edge of the lens housing portion 26. The opening is made at a portion of 1/5 or more with respect to the circumferential length of the portion.

  Furthermore, a substantially oval common recess 36 is formed on the upper bottom 18 of the case body 10 so as to surround the periphery of the catalyst housing 24 and the lens housings 26 and 26. The common recess 36 has a substantially elliptical shape that is slightly smaller than the upper bottom 18 and has an inclined bottom surface that gradually becomes deeper from the outer peripheral edge toward the center. The catalyst housing portion 24, the lens housing portions 26 and 26, and the adjacent communication grooves 34 and 34 are open at the bottom surface of the common recess 36.

  Further, the upper bottom portion 18 of the case body 10 is in contact with one end edge portion (upper end edge portion in FIG. 4) in the short axis direction with respect to the common recess 36 as a parallel communication path. A parallel communication groove 38 is formed. The parallel communication groove 38 extends linearly in the major axis direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4) of the upper bottom 18 that is the arrangement direction of the catalyst housing 24 and the pair of lens housings 26 and 26. At both ends in the length direction of the side-by-side communication grooves 38, end connection paths 40 and 40 are formed in the partition walls with the one lens housing portions 26 and 26, and the length of the side-by-side communication grooves 38. In the central portion in the vertical direction, a central connection path 42 is formed in the partition wall portion with the catalyst housing portion 24.

  In this embodiment, the depth of the parallel communication groove 38 is shallower than that of the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portion 26 and deeper than that of the adjacent communication groove 34. Further, the depth of the central connection path 42 is deeper than the end connection paths 40, 40 and the adjacent communication groove 34, and is substantially the same depth as the side-by-side communication groove 38. The depth of the end connection path 40 is shallower than the central connection path 42 and is substantially the same as the adjacent communication groove 34. However, the depth and volume of the parallel communication grooves 38, the central connection path 42, and the end connection path 40 are adjusted relative to each other or to the catalyst storage section 24, the lens storage section 26, etc. Since the liquid flow efficiency between the regions can be adjusted, or the decomposition efficiency of the hydrogen peroxide solution in the catalyst housing unit 24 can be adjusted, the present invention is not limited to the aspect of this embodiment. The width and depth of the adjacent communication groove 34 and the parallel communication groove 38 are set so that the movement of the contact lens accommodated in the lens housing part 26 to the catalyst housing part 24 and the parallel communication groove 38 can be restricted. Has been. That is, in this embodiment, the passage narrowing means is configured including the partition wall portion 32 and the adjacent communication groove 34 that partition the lens housing portion 26 and the catalyst housing portion 24, and the flow of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is allowed. On the other hand, the movement of the contact lens to the catalyst housing portion 24 and the movement of the metal catalyst 14 to the lens housing portion 26 are restricted. The configuration of the passage narrowing means is not particularly limited to restricting the passage width and the passage depth to a small size as long as the movement of the contact lens and the metal catalyst 14 can be prevented. May be provided separately to prevent the movement of the contact lens and the metal catalyst 14.

  Further, the side-by-side communication groove 38 is in communication with the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26, 26, and the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26, 26 are connected to the side-by-side communication groove. Communicating with each other via 38. The catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 communicate with each other through the adjacent communication groove 34 and the side-by-side communication groove 38, the end connection paths 40 and 40, and the central connection path 42. The housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 are not only connected in series, but are also connected to form a circulation channel with each other. That is, the circulation flow path is “catalyst accommodating portion 24 → adjacent communication groove 34 (left) → lens accommodating portion 26 (left) → end connection path 40 (left) → parallel communication groove 38 → end connection path 40. (Right) → Lens housing part 26 (Right) → Adjacent communication groove 34 (Right) → Catalyst housing part 24 ”or“ Catalyst housing part 24 → Adjacent communication groove 34 (Left) → Lens housing part 26 (Left) → End part The connection path 40 (left) → the parallel communication groove 38 → the central connection path 42 → the catalyst housing portion 24 ”and the like are configured.

  When the contact lens is sterilized, hydrogen peroxide solution 44 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is injected and stored in the catalyst housing 24 and the lens housings 26 and 26. As the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 to be injected, a 3% solution or the like that is commercially available for contact lens sterilization is preferably used. The hydrogen peroxide solution 44 reaches not only the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 but also all of the adjacent communication grooves 34, the side-by-side communication grooves 38, the end connection paths 40 and 40, and the central connection path 42. Thus, only the quantity which reaches the water surface position higher than those bottom surfaces is injected and stored. The catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 are communicated by the adjacent communication groove 34, the side-by-side communication groove 38, the end connection paths 40 and 40, and the central connection path 42 to form a circulation flow path. As a result, the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 stored in the catalyst storage unit 24 and the lens storage units 26 and 26 can flow through each other.

  On the other hand, the lid body 12 shown in FIG. 2 described above has a cover shape corresponding to the case main body 10 as shown in FIGS. In other words, an elliptical upper base 46 and a peripheral wall 48 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge thereof are provided, and an inverted dish-shaped hollow body that opens downward is formed. The lid 12 is preferably an integrally molded product of a synthetic resin material, similar to the case main body 10, but can also be made thinner than the case main body 10, for example, a resin film other than injection molding of a resin material, for example It can also be molded by a hot press or the like using the material. Particularly preferably, the lid body 12 covers at least the catalyst housing portion 24 so that the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 of the case body 10 can be visually recognized from the outside even when the lid body 12 is covered with the case body 10. However, more preferably, the portion covering the lens housing portions 26 and 26 is transparent.

  The lid 12 is a size larger than the case body 10 by a size substantially equal to the thickness of the lid 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 8 with the phantom line, the case body 10 is also covered so that the concave side surface of the lid body 12 overlaps the convex side surface of the case body 10. And is detachably mounted. Accordingly, the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 formed in the case body 10 are both covered with the lid body 12.

  The lid 12 is held in a state of being attached to the case main body 10 by the peripheral wall portion 48 being externally fitted to the peripheral wall portion 20 of the case main body 10. In order to prevent unintentional detachment from 10, a concavo-convex locking portion or the like may be provided between the peripheral wall portions 48 and 20. The lid 12 is formed with a crescent-shaped knob 50 that extends from a part of the peripheral edge of the lower end of the peripheral wall 48 toward the outer periphery. The lid body 12 can be easily removed from the case body 10 by picking the knob 50 of the lid body 12 placed on the case body 10 with fingers. In addition, in the state where the lid 12 is put on the case main body 10, a minute gap as a gas discharge path is formed between the lid 12 and the case main body 10, and through this gap, Oxygen gas generated with the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 can be discharged.

  In addition, a catalyst lid portion 52 is formed in the upper center portion 46 of the lid body 12 substantially at the center, and a pair of inwardly protruding portions is formed on both sides of the catalyst lid portion 52 in the major axis direction of the upper bottom portion 46. Lens lid portions 54 and 54 are formed. The catalyst lid portion 52 has a convex dome shape that swells to the outer surface side of the upper bottom portion 46. Each of the lens lid portions 54, 54 has a concave dome shape that swells toward the inner surface side of the upper bottom portion 46. The catalyst lid 52 and the lens lids 54 and 54 are both transparent, and the displacement state of the metal catalyst 14 accommodated in the catalyst accommodating portion 24 and the lens accommodating portions 26 and 26 are accommodated. The status of contact lenses can be confirmed from the outside.

  Then, the lid 12 is put on the case body 10 and assembled, so that the catalyst lid portion 52 of the lid body 12 and the catalyst housing portion 24 of the case body 10 and the opening portions of the pair of lens housing portions 26, 26 A pair of lens lid portions 54 and 54 are positioned so as to cover the respective openings. In this state, a cover space 56 covered with a catalyst lid portion 52 protruding outward is formed on the opening of the catalyst housing portion 24. Further, each lens housing portion 26 has a lens lid portion 54 protruding inward, and the central portion of the lens lid portion 54 extends from the surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 injected into the lens housing portion 26. It can be pushed inside.

  Further, the lens lid portions 54 and 54 of the lid body 12 have convex or concave surfaces as lens temporary placement portions. Preferably, the curvature of the convex surface or concave surface is set to a value close to the general curvature of the concave surface or convex surface of the contact lens. Thereby, the contact lens user removes the lid 12 from the case body 10 and places it on a flat horizontal support surface such as a table with respect to the convex or concave surface of the lens lid portion 54 facing upward. The removed contact lens can be temporarily placed before or after the sterilization process. In order to use the convex surface of the lens lid 54 as a temporary lens placement section, the lid 12 is inverted and placed on a table or the like in an open state. On the contrary, when the lid 12 is placed on a table or the like with the lid 12 opened downward without being inverted, the concave surface of the lens lid 54 can be used as a temporary lens placement portion.

  Further, the metal catalyst 14 shown in FIG. 3 described above has a suitably shaped block shape as shown in an enlarged manner in FIGS. In particular, in this embodiment, the outer shape is made to resemble a dolphin in the hope of attracting the viewer's interest.

  The metal catalyst 14 enters the catalyst housing portion 24 of the case main body 10 and is sized to be displaceable within the catalyst housing portion 24. In particular, the height dimension of the metal catalyst 14 is smaller than the depth dimension of the catalyst housing portion 24. More preferably, the height of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is smaller than the depth of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 injected into the catalyst housing unit 24, and the size of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 can be completely submerged.

  Furthermore, the metal catalyst 14 is provided with a support rod 60 that extends linearly from the outer peripheral edge. In particular, in the present embodiment, in the metal catalyst 14 having a longitudinal outer shape resembling a dolphin, the support rod 60 protrudes from one end in the length direction corresponding to the tail of the dolphin toward both sides in the width direction of the dolphin. Are integrally formed. In short, the metal catalyst 14 is provided so as to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the axis from the longitudinal center portion of the support rod 60.

  12 to 13, the support rod 60 is accommodated in the parallel communication groove 38 of the case body 10, and the metal catalyst 14 is accommodated from the central connection path 42 of the case body 10. It extends into the portion 24 and is accommodated. The support rod 60 is accommodated in the bottom portion of the parallel communication groove 38 of the case body 10, and the engaging projections 62 and 62 projecting on the opposing wall surface of the parallel communication groove 38 are engaged with the support rod 60. Accordingly, the support rod 60 is prevented from coming out from the parallel communication groove 38. In addition, the support rod 60 is easily allowed to rotate about the central axis in the state of being accommodated in the side-by-side communication groove 38, and the metal catalyst 14 is rotated along with the rotation of the support rod 60. However, displacement in the rising / sinking direction is easily allowed in the catalyst housing portion 24.

  As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, the support rod 60 formed on the metal catalyst 14 constitutes an engaging portion to the case main body 10, and the parallel communication groove 38 of the case main body 10. And holding projections 62 and 62 projecting from the opposing wall surface constitute a holding portion for engaging and holding the support rod 60. The engaging action of the support rod 60 and the holding protrusions 62 and 62 allows the metal catalyst 14 to be displaced from the case main body 10 from the case body 10 while allowing the catalyst accommodating portion 24 to move in the floating / sink direction. A holding means for preventing separation is configured. As a result, the metal catalyst 14 is retained in the catalyst housing portion 24 even when the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is discharged from the catalyst housing portion 24 after the sterilization process is finished or when the case body 10 is washed. Yes.

  In addition, when the metal catalyst 14 is immersed in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, at least a part of the surface that comes into contact with the liquid (hydrogen peroxide solution) 44 exhibits a catalytic action against the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44. Made of metal material. Thus, the metal catalyst 14 is a metal catalyst that exhibits a catalytic action in the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44. Any known metal material can be used, but a metal that can exhibit a stable catalytic action during a plurality of contact lens sterilization treatments is preferably used. Specifically, a metal made of platinum, silver, palladium, copper, manganese, cobalt, and aluminum, and at least one of these metal oxides are employed as the metal material of the metal catalyst 14.

  In addition, the metal catalyst 14 does not need to be entirely formed of the above-described metal catalyst material. For example, the inside of the metal catalyst 14 that does not touch the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, a part of the surface that touches the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, or the like can be formed of a material that does not exhibit a catalytic action. It is possible to adjust the mass (M) of 14 and increase the degree of freedom in forming the shape and the like. Specifically, it is possible to use at least one of plastic, metal, glass, and ceramic as a material that does not exhibit a catalytic action and is used in combination with the above catalyst material to form the metal catalyst 14. Further, such plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, polyurethane, modified polyphenylene ether, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyether imide, polysulfone, polymethyl methacrylate, and copolymer resins thereof. At least one selected from the group is preferably employed.

  In particular, as the metal catalyst 14 having a composite structure, for example, a base material 64 formed into an appropriate shape (for example, the illustrated dolphin shape) using a material that does not exhibit the catalytic action as described above is used. On the other hand, the one in which the catalyst layer 66 as a metal film made of a metal exhibiting the above catalytic action is adhered and formed is used. The catalyst layer 66 can be formed to cover the surface of the substrate 64 with an appropriate film thickness by a known thin film forming technique such as plating or sputtering.

  In addition, the metal catalyst 14 has a buoyancy (F) that acts in the hydrogen peroxide solution and is immersed in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 in the catalyst housing portion 24, so that the As the sum (decomposition reaction) progresses, it moves in the direction of rising / falling. Preferably, the value of M / F, which is the ratio between the mass (M) of the metal catalyst 14 and the buoyancy (F) acting on the metal catalyst 14 in the hydrogen peroxide solution, is set to be greater than 1 and less than or equal to 2. The The buoyancy (F) is a force acting on the single body of the catalyst main body 58. For example, the external force exerted on the metal catalyst 14 by the oxygen gas (bubbles) generated by the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is, for example, Not included.

  By the way, the adjustment of the buoyancy (F) can be realized by various measures. For example, the buoyancy can be adjusted by selectively changing the material of the base material 64 to a material having an appropriate specific gravity. Particularly preferably, a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 and 3 or less is used for the substrate 64.

  Further, the buoyancy can be adjusted by making the metal catalyst 14 have a hollow structure in which a void is provided. Any number of voids can be formed at appropriate positions by, for example, blow molding or vanishing core molding, but the foam structure may be formed by foam molding having closed cells.

  Note that the material and mass of the support rod 60 formed integrally with the metal catalyst 14 are not particularly limited. However, in consideration of corrosion resistance, moldability, strength, etc., it is desirable to mold with the same material as the metal catalyst 14. Further, since the support rod 60 is also immersed in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 in the side-by-side communication groove 38, at least the surface of the support rod 60 is used in cooperation with the metal catalyst 14 by using a material that exhibits catalytic action. It is possible to adjust the neutralization rate of the hydrogen oxide water 44. At that time, by forming a plurality of irregularities on the surface of the support rod 60, the surface area and thus the degree of freedom of adjustment of the catalytic action can be further increased. Furthermore, since the support rod 60 allows the displacement of the metal catalyst 14 in the floating / sinking direction based on the rotational displacement as described above, for example, a ring that protrudes on the outer peripheral surface and extends in the circumferential direction. A plurality of protrusions may be formed at appropriate intervals in the axial direction to reduce the contact area of the support rod 60 to the inner surface of the parallel communication groove 38 and hence the rotational resistance.

  When the metal catalyst 14 is immersed in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, oxygen gas is generated as the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is started by the catalytic action of the catalyst layer 66 on the surface. By contacting the metal catalyst 14 before the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is released from the liquid level to the outside as bubbles, buoyancy as an external force is exerted on the metal catalyst 14. By utilizing this oxygen gas buoyancy, the metal catalyst 14 can be displaced in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 according to the progress of the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of concave portions or convex portions are formed on the surface of the metal catalyst 14, and the head portion, the trunk portion, the tail portion, the back portion, the abdominal portion, the mouth are formed by these concave portions or convex portions. Part, chest fin, dorsal fin, tail fin, etc. are formed into a dolphin-like outline as a whole. In particular, on the bottom surface including the abdomen of the metal catalyst 14, a shallow concave recess 68 is formed as a concave portion that extends substantially over the whole and opens downward. And by providing these concave parts and convex parts, the metal catalyst 14 has sufficient surface area, and the catalytic reaction by the catalyst layer 66 is performed appropriately. Desirably, the surface area of the metal catalyst 14 is ³ to 30 cm ² per 10 ml of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44. Further, a discharge passage 70 is formed near the center of the metal catalyst 14 in a straight line in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the discharge passage 70 opens near the center of the recess 68. Note that the number and shape of the recesses 68 and the discharge passages 70 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and can be arbitrarily set.

  When the metal catalyst 14 is immersed in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, oxygen gas generated by the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is stored in the recess 68, so that the buoyancy of the oxygen gas is increased with respect to the metal catalyst 14. It works more effectively as an external force. Note that the buoyancy acting on the metal catalyst 14 with the oxygen gas stored in the depression 68 depends on the volume and position of the depression 68 (particularly, the separation distance from the support rod 60 which is the central axis of the swinging displacement in the floating / sinking direction). ) Can be adjusted by changing the setting. Further, excess oxygen gas passes over the peripheral wall of the recess 68 and is released upward from the outer periphery of the metal catalyst 14.

  When the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is almost completed and neutralized, the generation of oxygen gas stops. At this time, as long as the oxygen gas is stored in the recess 68, the buoyancy due to the oxygen gas acts on the metal catalyst 14. Keep doing. On the other hand, the oxygen gas stored in the recess 68 continues to be discharged to the outside through the discharge path 70 under a predetermined restriction.

  Preferably, the amount of oxygen gas discharged from the recess 68 through the discharge passage 70 per unit time is smaller than the amount of oxygen gas flowing into the recess 68 during the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 per unit time. Is set. As a result, the amount of oxygen gas stored in the recess 68 reaches the amount necessary for the metal catalyst 14 to float up substantially at the same time as or after the neutralization treatment by the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is completed. By eliminating the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, the metal catalyst 14 is maintained in a floating state during the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44. On the other hand, when neutralization of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is substantially completed, the buoyancy disappears and the metal catalyst 14 is removed. The catalyst 14 can be allowed to sink. Note that the amount of oxygen gas discharged per unit time through the discharge path 70 can be adjusted by changing the discharge resistance of oxygen gas through the discharge path 70. Specifically, for example, it can be adjusted by changing the cross-sectional area or cross-sectional shape of the discharge passage 70 or changing physical properties such as the degree of hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity on the surface of the discharge passage 70.

  In order to sterilize a contact lens using the contact lens sterilization case 16 having the above-described structure, the following method is performed. First, a contact lens user (user) places the case body 10 with the lid 12 removed on a table or the like, and a liquid storage portion formed including the catalyst storage portion 24, the lens storage portions 26 and 26, and the like. On the other hand, a hydrogen peroxide solution 44 for lens sterilization prepared in advance is injected and stored.

  Further, before or after the injection of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, the metal catalyst 14 is set in the case body 10. By this setting operation, the support rod 60 formed on the metal catalyst 14 is placed in the parallel communication groove 38 of the case body 10 and positioned at the deepest portion, so that the metal catalyst 14 is disposed in the catalyst housing portion 24. As a result, the metal catalyst 14 is brought into contact with the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 stored in the catalyst housing portion 24.

  Further, before or after injection or setting of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 or the metal catalyst 14 into the case body 10, the user removes the contact lenses from the right eye and the left eye, and the removed contact lenses are accommodated in the lens of the case body 10. It accommodates in the part 26.

  When the user removes the contact lens and puts it in the lens housing portion 26 after injecting the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 into the lens housing portion 26, the case before the removed contact lens is placed in the lens housing portion 26. It is good to place temporarily on the convex surface or concave surface of the lens cover part 54 as a lens temporary mounting part in the cover body 12 which removed from the main body 10 and mounted in the table etc. That is, when one of the left and right contact lenses is removed and placed in one lens housing portion 26, then the other contact lens is removed and placed in the other lens housing portion 26, the previously removed contact lens is removed from the lens housing portion. 26, the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 injected into the lens housing portion 26 touches the fingers. Therefore, when removing the other contact lens, the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 adhering to the fingers may touch the user's eyes and cause problems such as irritation. Therefore, as described above, after the binocular contact lens is removed and temporarily placed using the convex or concave surface of the lens lid portion 54 of the lid 12, the binocular contact lens is accommodated in the two lenses. By sequentially placing the contact lenses in the parts 26 and 26, even if the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 touches the fingers when the contact lens is placed in the lens housing part 26, it can be prevented from entering the eyes. is there.

  Thereafter, the case body 10 is covered with the lid 12 and assembled, whereby the contact lens sterilization process is started.

  In other words, the contact lens is sterilized for a predetermined time by immersing the right eye contact lens and the left eye contact lens housed in the lens housing portions 26, 26 in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44. Further, since the metal catalyst 14 is immersed in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 proceeds to generate oxygen gas. Then, at the beginning of the sterilization treatment, as shown in FIG. 12, the metal catalyst 14 put in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 in the catalyst housing portion 24 of the case main body 10 is its own. Due to the buoyancy and the buoyancy (external force) exerted by the generated oxygen gas, it is displaced upward and rises. Preferably, as shown, the upper portion of the metal catalyst 14 protrudes above the liquid surface and is exposed. Even when the lid 12 is put on the case body 10, the catalyst lid 52 covering the catalyst housing 24 is bulged outward in the shape of a hollow convex dome. A sufficient internal space is formed to allow the metal catalyst 14 to float and protrude.

  In this state, along with the sterilization treatment of the contact lens with the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 by the catalytic action proceeds. At this time, the lens cover portion 54 of the lid 12 enters the lens housing portions 26, 26 of the case body 10, and is maintained in a state where it is pushed into the hydrogen peroxide solution 44. As a result, the contact lens accommodated in the lens accommodating portion 26 is pushed into the liquid by the lens lid portion 54 and completely buried in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, and the intended sterilization treatment is stably performed. It has become so. At the same time, the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 injected into the lens housing portions 26 and 26 flows out from the lens housing portions 26 and 26 by the volume of the lens lid portions 54 and 54 being pushed into the liquid. The outflow of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 causes the liquid level of the other liquid storage part to rise, and the liquid level of the catalyst storage part 24 rises. Thereby, even if the injection amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 into the liquid storage portion is small, the liquid level of the catalyst storage portion 24 is ensured, and the contact of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 with the metal catalyst 14 is ensured. The floating operation and decomposition reaction of the metal catalyst 14 can be realized.

  When the sterilization treatment for a predetermined time is performed and the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is completed, oxygen gas is no longer generated, and the buoyancy exerted on the metal catalyst 14 by the oxygen gas disappears. As a result, the metal catalyst 14 sinks as shown in FIG. In particular, the metal catalyst 14 is placed in contact with the bottom surface of the catalyst housing portion 24 and is completely buried without being exposed from the liquid surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44. That is, in the present embodiment, during the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, the metal catalyst 14 is displaced upward by the action of buoyancy due to oxygen gas and floats up. As a result, the metal catalyst 14 sinks. The contact lens user visually confirms that the metal catalyst 14 is sinking on the bottom surface of the catalyst housing portion 24 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the sterilization treatment. It can be easily confirmed that the decomposition reaction is completed. Thus, the user can safely take out the sterilized contact lens from the liquid after confirming that the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is completed and it is completely water.

  As described above, when the user starts sterilization of the contact lens, in addition to the generation of bubbles (oxygen gas) from the periphery of the metal catalyst 14, the metal catalyst 14 floats and part of the metal catalyst 14 protrudes from the liquid surface. By visually recognizing that the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is definitely injected, it is possible to confirm that the sterilization treatment has been started normally. In particular, the fact that the metal catalyst 14 imitating a dolphin is emerging from the liquid surface is attractive and enjoyable for the user. In addition, it can be expected to encourage the user to voluntarily sterilize contact lenses periodically. As a result, the occurrence of ophthalmopathy caused by wearing a contaminated contact lens is prevented, and the use of a good contact lens is promoted.

  In addition, since the catalyst housing portion 24 is formed at a different location from the lens housing portions 26, 26, the volume of the catalyst housing portion 24 and thus the surface area of the metal catalyst 14 is sufficiently secured to achieve the desired catalytic action. Can be obtained. Moreover, since the opening of the catalyst housing portion 24 is formed separately from the opening of the lens housing portions 26, 26, the contact lens can be taken in and out of the lens housing portions 26, 26 without impairing workability. In addition, it was possible to easily confirm the floating / sinking of the metal catalyst 14 and to make the confirmation easier by projecting a part of the catalyst on the liquid surface during the floating.

  In addition, the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portions 26 and 26 that are opened independently from each other are also connected to each other by the adjacent communication grooves 34 and 34, the side-by-side communication grooves 38, and the like, and there are simply both ends of the flow path. Since the circulation flow path without the flow path end is formed instead of the serial communication, the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 by the metal catalyst 14 housed in the catalyst housing section 24 is caused by the lens housing section 26, It is easy to reach 26. Therefore, more uniform neutralization can proceed with respect to the entire hydrogen peroxide solution 44 in the liquid storage unit including the catalyst storage unit 24 and the lens storage units 26 and 26, and the target contact lens can be sterilized. The effect and stabilization of the time required until completion of neutralization can be achieved.

  Furthermore, the buoyancy exerted on the metal catalyst 14 is changed by changing the amount of oxygen gas generated as the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 progresses or by changing the position of the generated oxygen gas. As the buoyancy changes, the metal catalyst 14 is displaced in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44, and the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 is agitated and fluidized. Therefore, the catalyst housing portion 24 and the lens housing portion 26, as described above, Homogenization of the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 in the liquid container containing 26 can be achieved more effectively.

  Further, in addition to the pair of lens housing portions 26 and 26 communicating with each other through the communication grooves 34 and 38 and the connection paths 40 and 42, both are opened on the bottom surface of the common recess 36. Even when a finger is put into one lens housing portion 26 and a contact lens is taken out, the liquid pushed out from the lens housing portion 26 can be quickly moved to another region such as the other lens housing portion. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the liquid pushed out from the lens housing portion 26 in which the fingers are put from overflowing from the common recess 36 to the outside.

  Next, FIG. 14 shows a case main body 80 constituting a contact lens sterilizing case as a second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the case main body 80 includes a rectangular upper bottom 82 and a peripheral wall 84 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge thereof, and is an inverted dish that opens downward. It is a hollow body. In addition, the height of the peripheral wall portion 84 is set so that the long side portion on the back side is higher than the long side portion on the front side, whereby the upper bottom portion 82 is gradually inclined downward from the back toward the front side. It is considered as a slope. The contact lens user works from the front side (the lower side in FIG. 15) having a low height.

  Further, the case body 80 is formed with a concave liquid storage portion 86 that opens upward at the center portion of the upper bottom portion 82. The liquid storage portion 86 has an oval shape (oval shape) in plan view, and the bottom surface 88 is a flat surface extending horizontally. In addition, a step 90 is formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the liquid storage portion 86 so as to continuously extend the intermediate portion in the depth direction near the opening side over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. ) Has been expanded.

  In addition, a catalyst housing portion 92 that is circular and extends in the depth direction is formed in the central portion of one long side portion (the long side portion at the back) of the liquid housing portion 86 so as to protrude more than half a circle outward. ing. The catalyst housing portion 92 communicates with the liquid housing portion 86 through a communication window 94 formed in a portion of a half circumference or less that intersects the long side portion of the liquid housing portion 86.

  Furthermore, a pair of arc-shaped protrusions 96 and 96 project from the bottom surface 88 of the liquid storage portion 86 so as to face each other at the central portion in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 15). Yes. The arc-shaped protrusion 96 has substantially the same curvature as the semicircular portions at both ends of the oval-shaped liquid storage portion 86 and is substantially positioned on the circumference extending the semicircular portion. The pair of arcuate protrusions 96, 96 cooperate with the semicircular portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the liquid storage portion 86, and a pair of left and right substantially circular shapes on both side portions in the longitudinal direction of the liquid storage portion 86. Lens housing portions 98, 98 are formed.

  Note that both ends in the circumferential direction of each arc-shaped protrusion 96 are separated from the peripheral wall of the liquid storage portion 86, and a communication groove 100 is formed between the surfaces facing the peripheral wall. Further, the projecting height of the arc-shaped projecting portion 96 is set to be smaller than the depth of the liquid containing portion 86 and is substantially the same height as the step 90 or a height that does not reach the step 90 slightly.

  Further, a central communication region 102 is formed between the pair of arcuate protrusions 96 at the central portion in the length direction of the liquid storage portion 86. The central communication region 102 is connected to the pair of left and right lens storage portions 98 and 98 through the communication grooves 100 formed on both sides in the circumferential direction of the arc-shaped protrusions 96, and the peripheral wall of the liquid storage portion 86. It is connected to the catalyst housing portion 92 through a communication window 94 formed in the above. In short, the pair of lens housing portions 98, 98 communicate with each other via the central communication region 102 and also with the catalyst housing portion 92.

  The hydrogen peroxide solution is also stored in the pair of lens storage units 98 and 98 and the catalyst storage unit 92 by injecting the hydrogen peroxide solution into the liquid storage unit 86. It should be noted that the injection amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution is desirably adjusted so that the liquid level thereof is substantially the same as or slightly below the top of the arcuate protrusion 96. Further, in the present embodiment, in the liquid storage portion 86, the common concave portion 104 in which the pair of lens storage portions 98 and 98 are both opened is configured by the expanded opening portion above the step 90.

  Further, a metal catalyst 106 as shown in FIG. 19 is accommodated in the catalyst accommodating portion 92. Similar to the metal catalyst 14 of the first embodiment, the metal catalyst 106 may be formed of a metal catalyst made of a single material or a plurality of materials, and a metal catalyst layer is attached to the surface of an appropriate substrate. The composite material may be formed. Further, a void may be formed inside to adjust the buoyancy, or a concave portion or a convex portion may be formed to adjust the surface area and the acting buoyancy. In short, it suffices if there is a portion having a catalytic action on at least a part of the surface that comes into contact with the hydrogen peroxide solution by being accommodated in the catalyst accommodating portion 92 and thrown into the hydrogen peroxide solution. As long as the displacement is allowed and the displacement is generated with an appropriate buoyancy, it is sufficient.

  Specifically, in addition to the disk-shaped metal catalyst 106 having an outer dimension smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the catalyst housing portion 92 as shown in FIG. 19, for example, a tire-shaped metal catalyst 107 as shown in FIG. Etc. can be adopted. Note that the outer diameters of the metal catalysts 106 and 107 are made larger than the opening width of the communication window 94 so that unnecessary outflow from the catalyst housing portion 92 is prevented. Further, the metal catalysts 106 and 107 have a thickness dimension smaller than the depth of the hydrogen peroxide solution in the catalyst housing portion 92, and are levitated / sinked in the depth direction in the catalyst housing portion 92. It is possible.

  Also in the contact lens sterilization case of the present embodiment having such a structure, the hydrogen peroxide solution is injected and stored in the liquid storage portion 86 of the case body 80 and the catalyst storage portion as in the first embodiment. By putting the metal catalyst 106 in 92 and putting the contact lens in the pair of lens housing portions 98, 98, the contact lens can be sterilized. As in the first embodiment, a lid member corresponding to the surface shape of the case body 80 is prepared to cover the catalyst housing portion 92 and the lens housing portions 98 and 98 of the case body 80 during the sterilization process. May be.

  At the start of the sterilization treatment, the metal catalyst 106 floats in the hydrogen peroxide solution based on the action of the buoyancy of the metal catalyst 106 itself and the buoyancy (external force) exerted by the generated oxygen gas. On the other hand, when the sterilization treatment for a predetermined time is completed and the hydrogen peroxide solution is neutralized and the buoyancy (external force) of the oxygen gas disappears, the metal catalyst 106 sinks in the hydrogen peroxide solution.

  In addition, it is desirable that a part of the metal catalyst 106 protrudes above the liquid during the ascent and the metal catalyst 106 contacts the bottom surface of the catalyst housing portion 92 during the subsidence, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that there is a displacement of up / down in the vertical direction. Further, in this embodiment, in order to make it easy to visually check the rising / sinking displacement of the metal catalyst 106 in the liquid from the outside, at least the outer peripheral wall portion of the catalyst housing portion 92 in the case body 80 is transparent. desirable.

  In particular, in the case of a circular plate shape as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, it is desirable to integrally form a shaft-like portion that protrudes to one side on the central axis (not shown). By forming the shaft-like part, the shaft-like part hangs down in the liquid and the upper part of the disk plate is held almost stably in the horizontal direction, and unstable displacement such as inversion and vertical orientation is prevented. It becomes possible to prevent.

  In addition, the circular plate shape shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 not only fluctuates and sinks, but also swings and rotates according to the position where oxygen gas is generated by the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide. Prone to displacement. And the stirring action with respect to hydrogen peroxide water can be more effectively exhibited by these displacements of rocking and rotation.

  The case body 80 of the present embodiment can employ the rotational displacement type metal catalyst 108 shown in FIGS. The metal catalyst 108 has a shape similar to a screw or propeller, and a plurality of blades 112 project radially from the central boss portion 110. The tip diameter of the blade 112 is smaller than the inner diameter of the catalyst housing portion 92. Each blade 112 of the metal catalyst 108 has a predetermined inclination angle (an inclination angle corresponding to a screw angle or a propeller angle) in the circumferential direction.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the central boss portion 110 is supported by the support shaft 114 protruding upward from the bottom wall of the catalyst housing portion 92, whereby the metal catalyst 108 is moved to the catalyst housing portion. In 92, it is supported so as to be rotatable around a central axis extending in the vertical direction. It should be noted that the catalyst 108 of the present embodiment has a mass so that even when oxygen gas acts in the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide solution, the catalyst 108 sinks against its buoyancy and is maintained in the support state on the support shaft 114. Is adjusted.

  Such a metal catalyst 108 is rotationally displaced based on the action of the buoyancy (external force) of the oxygen gas acting on the blades 112 by being disposed in the hydrogen peroxide solution in the catalyst housing portion 92. Therefore, at the beginning of the sterilization treatment of the contact lens as described above, the metal catalyst 108 rotates relatively vigorously. When the sterilization treatment for a predetermined time is completed and the hydrogen peroxide solution is neutralized, the rotational force is increased. It disappears and stops rotating.

  Accordingly, by observing the occurrence and stop of the rotational displacement of the metal catalyst 108, the user can confirm the status of the sterilization treatment of the contact lens in the same manner as the metal catalyst 106 that moves up and down. .

  It should be noted that such a rotating metal catalyst 108 does not require high precision in adjusting the buoyancy of the catalyst itself as compared with the case where the floating / sinking metal catalyst 106 is employed. There is an advantage that the degree of freedom of selection is large, and the problem of malfunction due to the accuracy of buoyancy is also avoided.

  Another embodiment of the rotary catalyst is shown in FIG. The metal catalyst 120 of the present embodiment has a ring shape or a cylindrical shape, and is attached to a case main body (not shown) so as to be rotatable around its central axis in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 23, reference numeral 122 denotes a support shaft member, which includes a fixed shaft portion 124 that is fixed to a case main body (not shown). An annular metal catalyst 120 is rotatable with respect to the support shaft member 122. Is extrapolated to. For example, the metal catalyst 120 is fixed by fitting the fixed shaft portion 124 into the parallel communication groove 38 of the case body 10 of the first embodiment, and the support shaft member 122 is horizontally disposed in the catalyst housing portion 24. It is mounted so as to extend in the direction. Under such a state, the metal catalyst 120 rotatably supported by the support shaft member 122 is immersed in the hydrogen peroxide solution 44 in the catalyst housing portion 24 and is rotatably disposed. Of course, this metal catalyst 120 also allows the displacement of the floating / sinking in the hydrogen peroxide solution by setting the inner diameter dimension of the metal catalyst 120 to be sufficiently larger than the outer diameter dimension of the support shaft member 122. Anyway.

  Further, in the rotary type metal catalyst 120 shown in FIG. 23, in order to generate the rotational displacement more efficiently, the generated oxygen bubbles are trapped, and the buoyancy of the trapped oxygen bubbles is increased with respect to the metal catalyst 120. It is desirable to provide a bubble trapping portion that acts as a unidirectional rotational force. Specifically, the bubble trapping portion is suitably formed as a recess that opens to one side in the circumferential direction in the metal catalyst 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, on one or both end surfaces in the axial direction of the metal catalyst 120, a bubble trapping portion formed of a “<” shape or a “U” shape protrusion that opens in one direction of rotation. In addition to 126, a structure similar to a driving force generation mechanism such as a water turbine can be adopted as appropriate, such as a plate-shaped bubble trapping part that protrudes inclining toward one side in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the metal catalyst 120. It is.

  Note that the rotary metal catalyst 120 is not limited to the annular shape shown in FIG. 23. For example, a design effect is considered, or a working efficiency of a rotational force based on the buoyancy of oxygen bubbles is considered. For this purpose, various shapes such as a star shape, a propeller shape, a petal shape, and a gear shape can be selected.

  Furthermore, the case main body and the lid may be connected to each other via a bendable hinge. In that case, the case main body and the lid formed separately from each other can be connected by a hinge or the like, or integrally formed in a state of being connected by a thin bent portion. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 25 to 26 as the third embodiment of the present invention, the case main body 130 is formed by press molding using a synthetic resin film material such as polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene. And the lid 132 can be integrated. That is, the case main body 130 and the lid body 132 are formed with linear portions extending at a predetermined length on the outer peripheral edge portion, and are integrally connected to each other so that they can be bent. Then, the lid 132 is bent with respect to the case main body 130 and overlapped by bending the connecting portion 134. As a result, the lid 132 is overlaid on the upper surface of the case main body 130 where the liquid storage part 86 opens, and the liquid storage part 86 is covered. In order to improve the bending operability at the connecting portion 134, for example, it is also effective to make perforated discontinuous cuts. Moreover, in FIG. 25-26, in order to make the understanding easy, the code | symbol same as 2nd embodiment is respectively attached | subjected with respect to the member and site | part made into the structure similar to 2nd embodiment. Keep it.

  Next, FIGS. 27 to 28 show a contact lens sterilization case 140 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The contact lens sterilizing case 140 is formed with a pair of left and right lens housing portions 144 and 144 opened on the upper surface of a case body 142 having a horizontally long and substantially rectangular block shape. In addition, although not shown in figure, the cover body which covers the case main body 142 from upper direction and is attached so that attachment or detachment is possible is provided separately. The cover body is overlaid on the upper surface and the outer peripheral surface of the case main body 142, thereby covering the pair of lens housing portions 144 and 144.

  The case main body 142 has a hollow structure that opens downward, and is entirely formed of an integral resin molded product having a predetermined thickness. A flange-like portion 148 protruding on the outer peripheral surface is integrally formed on the peripheral edge of the lower end opening of the peripheral wall 146. The lower end surface is used by being placed on a substantially horizontal support surface such as a table. It is like that.

  Further, the upper wall 150 of the case main body 142 is formed with a substantially hemispherical recess 152 that opens upward at the left and right side portions, and the pair of recesses 152 constitute a liquid storage portion. Has been. Further, a saddle-like fence body 154 is assembled in each recess 152 in the accommodated state. The saddle-like fence body 154 is made of, for example, a molded product of a synthetic resin material, and has a shallow bottom or concave structure that becomes concave downward. That is, a porous structure in which gaps are formed between the skeletons by interconnecting a plurality of skeletons. In particular, in the present embodiment, a porous structure in which a skeleton extending substantially radially in the radial direction and a skeleton extending annularly in the circumferential direction are integrally connected, and the curvature radius of the spherical concave surface is the convexity of the contact lens 155. It is larger than the side radius of curvature.

  The hook-shaped fence body 154 is housed in the recess 152 of the case body 142 in a state of being convex downward, and the outer peripheral portion of the bowl-shaped fence body 154 is the inner peripheral wall surface of the recess 152 of the case body 142. As a result, the bowl-shaped fence body 154 is disposed and supported at the intermediate portion in the depth direction of the recess 152. In addition, on the inner surface of the recess 152 of the case main body 142, a fence body support protrusion 156 that protrudes inward at the intermediate portion in the depth direction is formed, and the outer periphery of the bowl-shaped fence body 154 is formed by the fence body support protrusion 156. The portion is locked, positioned and supported, and fixed as necessary, so that the bowl-shaped fence body 154 is fixedly assembled at a predetermined position in the recess 152.

  A lens housing 144 is formed in the recess 152 of the case main body 142 above the bowl-shaped fence body 154, and the contact lens 155 is accommodated in the lens while being supported by the bowl-shaped fence body 154. It is accommodated in the part 144. In short, in the recess 152 as the liquid storage portion, the upper region of the bowl-shaped fence body 154 is the lens storage portion 144. The contact lens 155 is sterilized by being immersed in hydrogen peroxide contained in the recess 152 while being supported by the bowl-shaped fence 154.

  Further, the recess 152 of the case main body 142 is provided with a bowl-shaped fence body 154 at the intermediate portion in the depth direction, so that the catalyst housing portion is formed at the bottom of the recess 152 below the bowl-shaped fence body 154. 158 is formed. The metal catalyst 160 is accommodated in the catalyst accommodating portion 158. The metal catalyst 160 may be formed of a metal catalyst made of a single material or a plurality of materials, like the metal catalyst 14 of the first embodiment, or a metal catalyst layer on the surface of an appropriate substrate. It may be formed of a composite material to which is attached. In particular, in this embodiment, there is no need to adjust the buoyancy, and the buoyancy may be separated and independent from the bottom surface of the recess 152 or the bowl-shaped fence body 154, or fixed to the bottom surface of the recess 152 or the bowl-shaped fence body 154. May be. In particular, in the present embodiment, the size and shape of the gap of the bowl-shaped fence body 154 are adjusted to allow the hydrogen peroxide water to be accommodated to flow, but the passage of the contact lens 155 and the metal catalyst 160 is blocked. It has come to be able to do. Therefore, contact with the contact lens 155 can be avoided while adopting a granular material or the like that is not fixed to the case main body 142 as the metal catalyst 160. In short, the movement of the metal catalyst 160 from the catalyst housing portion 158 to the outside is blocked by the hook-shaped fence body 154, and the contact blocking that prevents the metal catalyst 160 from contacting the contact lens 155 by the hook-shaped fence body 154. Means are configured.

  Accordingly, also in the contact lens sterilization case 140 of the present embodiment, the hydrogen peroxide solution is injected into the pair of left and right recesses 152 and 152 of the case main body 142 and formed in the pair of recesses 152 and 152. By inserting the left and right contact lenses 155 and 155 into the lens housing portions 144 and 144, respectively, the contact lenses 155 and 155 can be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide. At this time, each of the pair of lens housing portions 144 and 144 is opened upward by the upper wall 150 of the case main body 142, and the concave bottom surface of the lens housing portion 144 formed by the bowl-shaped fence body 154. Since the contact lens 155 is supported in a flat state and accommodated in the lens accommodating portion 144, the user can easily insert and remove the contact lens 155 with respect to the lens accommodating portion 144. Usability is demonstrated.

  In addition, by adopting the metal catalyst 160, the target neutralization reaction is stably expressed with respect to the hydrogen peroxide solution, and the sterilization treatment to the target contact lens 155 can be stably performed with high reliability. Can be done. In addition, since the direct contact of the contact lens 155 with the metal catalyst 160 is completely prevented, a decrease in catalyst efficiency due to the contact lens 155 adhering to the catalyst surface can be prevented. Furthermore, the progress of adhesion of heavy metal to the contact lens 155 is prevented as much as possible, and the contact lens 155 is prevented from being damaged due to interference with the metal catalyst 160 having a rough surface, so that the user can easily handle it. It becomes.

  Further, since the metal catalyst 160 is housed below the contact lens 155 housed in the lens housing portion 144, the oxygen catalyst generated around the metal catalyst 160 is floated above the metal catalyst 160. The hydrogen peroxide solution is efficiently circulated around the contact lens 155 in a certain lens housing portion 144. Further, since oxygen gas bubbles pass through the surface of the contact lens 155, a cleaning effect by contact with oxygen gas or convection can be expected.

  In addition, surface treatment is performed to the area | region which contacts the contact lens 155, for example, the concave side surface of the bowl-shaped fence body 154, etc. as needed. This surface treatment is exemplified by plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment, and the like, which can improve surface roughness by mirror finishing or the like, and can improve hydrophilicity or prevent the contact lens 155 from sticking.

  Also in the contact lens sterilization case 140 of the present embodiment, the case main body 142 and the lid body can be easily checked so that the neutralization state by the metal catalyst 160 and the sterilization state by the hydrogen peroxide solution can be easily confirmed. It is desirable to form at least one of the transparent resin.

  Further, FIG. 29 shows a contact lens sterilization case 170 as a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The contact lens sterilization case 170 includes a case body 172 that is horizontally long and has a solid rectangular block shape. The case main body 172 is formed with a pair of left and right liquid storage portions 174 and 174 that are open on the upper surface, and the hydrogen peroxide solution is stored inside the liquid storage portions 174 and 174. As in the fourth embodiment, the pair of liquid storage portions 174 and 174 are covered with a lid (not shown) that is detachably attached to the case main body 172.

  The liquid storage portion 174 has a circular concave shape with a circular bottom surface 176 and a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 178, and a substantially umbrella-shaped or bowl-shaped support protrusion 180 is provided in the storage state therein. ing. The support protrusion 180 is integrally formed with an umbrella-shaped head portion 184 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis with respect to the upper end of the straight columnar leg portion 182. Then, the lower end of the leg portion 182 is press-fitted and fixed to the support hole 185 formed in the center of the bottom surface 176 of the liquid storage portion 174, so that the support protrusion 180 is a central portion in the liquid storage portion 174. Is erected.

  The umbrella-shaped head portion 184 of the support protrusion 180 has a substantially concave spherical shape, and a substantially shallow dish-shaped lens housing portion 186 is formed on the upper end surface thereof. The umbrella-shaped head 184 is formed with a plurality of through-holes 188 penetrating in the thickness direction. The outer diameter of the umbrella-shaped head 184 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the liquid storage portion 174, and the inner peripheral surface 178 of the liquid storage portion 174 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the umbrella-shaped head 184. An annular gap is formed between the two. A contact lens 190 is placed on the lens housing portion 186 and supported in the housed state.

  Further, in the liquid storage portion 174, a catalyst storage portion 192 is provided on the bottom side of the umbrella-shaped head portion 184. In short, the liquid storage portion 174 is partitioned by the umbrella-shaped head portion 184 into a catalyst storage portion 192 on the bottom side and a lens storage portion 186 on the opening side. A metal catalyst 194 is accommodated in the catalyst accommodating portion 192.

  The metal catalyst 194 has an annular shape and is assembled in a loosely inserted state with respect to the leg portion 182 of the support protrusion 180. Further, the diameter of the central hole 196 of the metal catalyst 194 is smaller than the outer diameter of the umbrella-shaped head 184 of the support protrusion 180, and the metal catalyst 194 may come out of the support protrusion 180 and leave. It is prevented by the umbrella-shaped head 184. As described above, the umbrella-shaped head portion 184 of the support protrusion 180 restricts the movement of the metal catalyst 194 inside the liquid storage portion 174, and the contact between the metal catalyst 194 and the contact lens 190 stored in the lens storage portion 186. Contact blocking means for preventing contact is configured.

  The metal catalyst 194 may be formed of a metal catalyst composed of a single material or a plurality of materials, or may be formed of a composite material in which a metal catalyst layer is attached to the surface of an appropriate substrate. A hollow structure may be used. Further, similarly to the metal catalyst 14 of the first embodiment, a recess opened on the lower surface and a discharge path for the oxygen gas stored therein are formed, or the surface is uneven as in the metal catalyst 107 shown in FIG. , Blades are formed on the outer peripheral surface like the metal catalyst 108 shown in FIG. 21, or a bubble trapping portion that opens downward on the side peripheral surface like the metal catalyst 120 shown in FIG. Equally, the buoyancy is adjusted.

  As a result, the metal catalyst 194 floats based on the buoyancy effect of the generated oxygen gas during the neutralization reaction with respect to the hydrogen peroxide solution in the catalyst housing portion 192, and is axially above the leg portion 182 of the support projection 180. It is supposed to be displaced. Further, the buoyancy of oxygen gas acts on the unevenness formed on the surface of the metal catalyst 194, so that the metal catalyst 194 can be rotationally displaced about the central axis.

  On the other hand, when the neutralization reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution is completed, the buoyancy effect of the oxygen gas on the metal catalyst 194 is reduced or eliminated, and the metal catalyst 194 having a specific gravity larger than that of the hydrogen peroxide solution (water) is displaced and displaced. And generation | occurrence | production of oxygen gas is lose | eliminated and the metal catalyst 194 will be in the state mounted in the bottom face 176 of the liquid accommodating part 174 as FIG. 29 shows.

  Therefore, in the contact lens sterilization case 170 of the present embodiment, the left and right contact lenses 190 and 190 are placed flat on the concave bottom surfaces of the pair of lens housing portions 186 and 186, respectively, as in the fourth embodiment. Therefore, the contact lens 190 can be easily inserted into and removed from the lens housing portion 186, and the user can easily and quickly perform sterilization of the contact lens 190. It becomes. Further, by disposing the metal catalyst 194 on the contact lens 190 in a non-contact manner, the contact lens 190 can be sterilized with high reliability and stability, and the adhesion of heavy metal to the contact lens 190 is progressed. The contact lens surface can be effectively prevented from being damaged.

  In particular, in the contact lens sterilization case 170 of this embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the metal catalyst 194 is located only below the lens housing portion 186. As described above, the structure differs from the conventional structure in which the metal catalyst is disposed over the entire inner surface including the side peripheral surface of the lens housing portion 186. Therefore, the oxygen gas generated by the neutralization reaction rises in the hydrogen peroxide solution only from the lower portion of the contact lens 190 disposed at the approximate center of the lens housing portion 186 only at the central portion of the lens housing portion 186. . As a result, a circulating water flow is effectively generated in the hydrogen peroxide solution in the lens housing portion 186 so as to rise at the center portion of the lens housing portion 186 and to descend at the outer peripheral portion. An efficient stirring action is exerted on the hydrogen peroxide solution in the lens housing portion 186. Accordingly, the neutralization reaction in the hydrogen peroxide solution proceeds substantially uniformly throughout, and the sterilization treatment for the contact lens 190 can be performed more stably over the whole.

  In the present embodiment, it is desirable that at least one of the case main body 172, the umbrella-shaped head 184, and the lid is formed of a transparent resin. Accordingly, when the contact lens is sterilized with hydrogen peroxide, it is easy to visually recognize the metal catalyst 194 from the outside and confirm the progress of the neutralization reaction accompanying the sterilization.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been explained in full detail, this invention is not limited by these specific description. For example, also in the contact lens sterilization case 140 shown in FIGS. 27 to 28 and the contact lens sterilization case 170 shown in FIG. 29, the communication path that connects the pair of left and right liquid storage portions to each other is formed on the upper surface, for example. Further, a catalyst housing portion 24 as shown in the contact lens sterilization case 16 shown in FIG. 13 may be provided to communicate with a pair of left and right liquid housing portions. Thus, in addition to the metal catalyst stored in the pair of liquid storage units, it is possible to additionally install another metal catalyst in the catalyst storage unit.

  In the present invention, it is not always necessary to employ a movable metal catalyst. For example, in the case 140 for sterilizing a contact lens shown in FIGS. It is also possible to fix or deposit a metal catalyst on the surface of the center of the bottom portion, and only on the convex surface (the surface facing the bottom surface of the lens housing portion 144) that does not contact the contact lens 155 in the bowl-shaped fence body 154. A metal catalyst may be deposited. Alternatively, in the contact lens sterilization case 170 illustrated in FIG. 29, a metal catalyst may be fixed to the leg portion 182 of the support protrusion 180, or a metal catalyst may be formed on the surface of the leg portion 182.

10, 80, 130, 142, 172: case body, 12, 132: lid, 14, 106, 107, 108, 120, 160, 194: metal catalyst, 16, 140, 170: contact lens sterilization case, 24 , 92, 158, 192: catalyst housing portion, 26, 98, 144, 186: lens housing portion, 32: partition wall portion, 44: hydrogen peroxide solution, 60: support rod, 62: holding protrusion, 64: base material, 66: catalyst layer, 68: depression, 70: discharge path, 155, 190: contact lens

Claims (8)

A pair of lens housing portions for sterilizing the left-eye contact lens and the right-eye contact lens in a hydrogen peroxide solution are formed to open upward, respectively. A metal that exhibits a catalytic action in the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide solution while the concave or convex lens surface of the contact lens is supported in a flat state with the bottom surface of the contact lens facing the opening. In the contact lens sterilization case provided at a position where the catalyst is brought into contact with the hydrogen peroxide solution,
The pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion in which the metal catalyst is housed are formed as recesses that open upward, and the partition wall that partitions the pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion A communication groove is formed at the upper end of the portion and the water surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution is continuous between the pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion, and the pair of lenses is formed by the communication grooves. A contact lens characterized in that an intercommunication path is provided which prevents movement of the hydrogen peroxide solution while preventing movement of the contact lens and the metal catalyst between the housing portion and the catalyst housing portion. Case for sterilization.   2. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the contact lens is placed in a flat state directly on the bottom surface of each of the recesses constituting the pair of lens housing portions without using another member. Case for sterilization. Said mutual communication path, to claim 1 or 2 to form a circulation flow path of annular by communicating with each other each of the recess constituting the said pair of lens housing portion and said catalyst accommodating portion The contact lens sterilization case described. The catalyst housing part is provided between the pair of lens housing parts,
A pair of adjacent communication passages connected to each one of the lens housing portions is formed at a portion facing the peripheral edge of the opening of the catalyst housing portion, and the pair of lens housing portions are connected via the catalyst housing portion. And
A side-by-side communication passage extending in parallel with the arrangement direction of the pair of lens housing portions and the catalyst housing portion is formed, and both end portions in the length direction of the side-by-side communication passages are connected to one of the lens housing portions. And being connected to the catalyst housing portion in the longitudinal intermediate portion of the side-by-side communication passages,
The contact lens sterilization case according to claim 3, wherein the circulation flow path is formed including the pair of adjacent communication paths and the parallel communication paths.   The common concave part surrounding the periphery of the opening part in the pair of lens accommodating parts and the catalyst accommodating part is formed, and the pair of lens accommodating parts and the catalyst accommodating part are opened in the common concave part. The contact lens sterilization case according to any one of 4.   An inward convex portion is provided on each inner side surface of the lid body that covers the opening portions of the pair of lens housing portions, and when the lid body is attached to the opening portion of the lens housing portion, The contact lens sterilization case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a convex portion enters into the hydrogen peroxide solution contained in the lens housing portion.   By attaching the lid to the opening of the lens housing portion, in the lens housing portion, the bottom surface of the lens housing portion and the lid are placed with the contact lens facing the concave lens surface upward. The contact lens sterilization case according to claim 6, wherein the contact lens sterilization case is positioned between a surface of the body facing the inward projection.   In any one of said pair of lens accommodating parts, the said mutual communication path connected to the said catalyst accommodating part is opened and connected in the part more than 1/5 of circumferential length. The case for sterilizing contact lenses according to item 1.

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