JPWO2009069264A1 - Contact lens distribution case - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a lens holding member having a novel structure capable of stably holding a lens in a distribution process of a contact lens, and a contact lens distribution case using the same. In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a first member 12 in which a concave inner surface 22 and a first series of holes 26 communicating the concave inner surface 22 with the outer surface are formed, a convex inner surface 44 and the convex shape. The second member 14 in which the second communication hole 46 communicating the inner surface 44 with the outer surface is formed, and the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 in a state where the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped. The lens holding member 10 is provided with the overlapping contact portions 20 and 42 that set the distance between the opposing surfaces and form the lens accommodating region 76 between the opposing surfaces. A contact lens distribution case 90 was prepared by storing the storage solution 16 together with the storage solution 16.

Description

The present invention relates to a lens holding member that is housed and arranged in a contact lens distribution case that is used when storing and distributing contact lenses, and a contact lens distribution case using the same.

  Contact lenses, such as soft contact lenses and hard contact lenses, are stored and shipped in contact lens distribution cases (hereinafter referred to as distribution cases as appropriate) after being manufactured by a lens manufacturer. And transported from the dealer to the user.

  By the way, during storage and transportation in such a distribution process, various vibrations, inversions, external inputs, and the like are frequently applied to the contact lens accommodated in the distribution case in various unpredictable environments. There, the contact lens is mechanically weak, and even with slight distortion, the optical characteristics may change and affect the quality. Therefore, the contact lens is stably held in the distribution case and is free from deformation and distortion. Need to be provided to the user.

  However, the blister pack currently widely used as a distribution case for contact lenses is only examined for securing the case strength. As disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, some blister packs are used. A housing formed between a concave housing having strength and having an opening and a flexible sheet releasably attached to a flange-like portion formed in the opening of the housing It is only a thing which accommodates a contact lens in a free state in an area. Therefore, it has been difficult to ensure and guarantee sufficient reliability to be provided at the time of use by the user while maintaining the desired shape under various conditions as described above.

  In particular, in the case of a disposable lens or the like, there is a great demand for a compact distribution case because a large number of lenses are provided at once in a state of being accommodated in the distribution case. Therefore, as in Patent Document 3, a distribution case for accommodating a lens between the overlapping surfaces of flexible sheets has been studied. However, in the distribution case as described in Patent Document 3, the flexible sheet may be deformed by an external force in the distribution process, and it may be exerted on the contact lens. It was difficult.

JP-A-7-322911 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-23916 JP 2005-234576 A

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present inventor recognizes that a new and big problem is how to stably hold the lens in the distribution process until the contact lens is provided to the user. did. And based on this new knowledge, this invention provides the lens holding member of a novel structure which can hold | maintain a lens stably in the distribution process of a contact lens, and a contact lens distribution case using the same The task is to do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention made to solve the above-described problems will be described. In addition, the component employ | adopted in each aspect as described below is employable by arbitrary combinations as much as possible.

  That is, the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a first holding portion having a concave inner surface is provided, and the first holding portion communicates the concave inner surface with an outer surface. A second holding portion having a first member in which a hole is formed and a convex inner surface corresponding to the concave inner surface of the first member is provided, and the convex inner surface is provided on the second holding portion. A second member formed with a second communication hole that communicates with the outer surface, and the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface are brought into contact with each other in an overlapped state of the first member and the second member. An overlapping contact portion that sets a distance between the opposing surfaces and forms a lens accommodating region between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface, and the first member in an overlapping state that forms the lens accommodating region And a locking mechanism for releasably fixing the second member to each other. A lens holding member that is accommodated and arranged in a contact lens distribution case in a state in which the first member and the second member are held in an overlapping state by the lock mechanism and a contact lens is accommodated in the lens accommodation region It is in.

  According to the lens holding member structured according to this aspect, the lens housing area formed by the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface is shaped to be close to the contact lens, so that the contact lens is stably held in the distribution case. In addition, since the overlapping state of the first member and the second member is held by the lock mechanism, inadvertent opening of the first member and the second member can be prevented. At the same time, the first member and the second member can protect the accommodated contact lens from an external force or the like. For example, even when a part of the distribution case is formed of a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet Can be prevented from being applied to the contact lens. In particular, the rigidity of the lens housing region is advantageously ensured by the spherical inner surface of the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface. And, if such a lens holding member is accommodated in the distribution case together with the preservation liquid in a state where the contact lens is accommodated, the preservation liquid enters the inside of the lens accommodation region through the first series of holes and the second communication hole, The stored contact lens can be stored in a preservative solution, and the contact lens can be protected from various vibrations and shocks that have not been considered before. This makes it possible to maintain the desired shape and provide it to the end user.

  Furthermore, by using such a lens holding member, an effective effect can be exhibited regardless of whether the amount of the preserving liquid in the distribution case is large or small. In other words, when a certain amount of container capacity is secured in consideration of evaporation of the storage liquid, the lens moves in the distribution case by holding the lens in a stable shape at the desired position with the lens holding member. Thus, the risk of reversing or deforming can be reduced. On the other hand, when the container capacity is small due to a request for downsizing of the distribution case, such as a disposable lens provided in a large number of sheets, the lens holding member is formed by aligning the inner shape of the distribution case with the lens holding member. Thus, it is possible to set the storage liquid amount in the distribution case extremely small while ensuring the lens shape stably.

  In addition, the lens holding member according to the present invention can be suitably used in the lens manufacturing process. As is well known, contact lenses include surface modification treatments such as plasma treatment and corona discharge treatment for the purpose of improving hydrophilicity in the manufacturing process, hydration treatment to hydrate the lens, Various treatments such as a washing treatment for removing impurities such as reaction monomers are performed. Therefore, if the lens holding member according to the present invention is used, the lens can be stably held at an intended position by using a common lens holding member in each processing step. The lens can be protected by the first member and the second member from the water pressure and the like in the sum and cleaning processes, and the risk of lens damage in each process can be reduced. Since both the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface of the lens housing area communicate with the outside through the first series of holes and the second communication hole, the contact lens is kept in the state where the lens is housed in the lens housing area. Various treatments can be effectively performed. Furthermore, since each process can be carried out while the contact lens is housed and held in the lens holding member, a common lens holding member can be used in each process, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. It is not necessary to transfer the contact lens to each lens holding member, so that it is possible to avoid the possibility of lens damage due to mechanical contact during the transfer, and transfer equipment and processes are also unnecessary. The

  Furthermore, when the manufacturing process is completed, it is possible to store the contact lens together with the lens holding member in the distribution case in the state in which the contact lens is stored in the lens holding member, and the same lens holding in both the manufacturing process and the distribution process. A member can be used. As a result, the manufacturing cost and the distribution cost can be reduced, and the direct mechanical contact with the contact lens when the contact lens is transferred from the production line to the distribution case becomes unnecessary. In addition to reducing the fear, equipment and processes for transferring the lens can be eliminated.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to the first aspect, the overlapping contact portion is formed on the outer peripheral side of the concave inner surface of the first member and the second member. It is characterized by being formed so as to surround the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface on the outer peripheral side of the convex inner surface. According to this aspect, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface can be stably maintained at the desired dimension over substantially the entire circumference. Thereby, the further stable holding | maintenance of a contact lens can be achieved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to the first or second aspect, the first member and the second member are both plate-shaped. While the holding part has a concave dish shape, the second holding part has a convex dish shape.

  According to this aspect, the first member and the second member can be formed thin, and the lens holding member can be made compact and lightweight. Therefore, even if the first member and the second member are plate-shaped, the strength of the lens housing region is advantageous because the inner surface of the lens housing region has a spherical inner surface formed by a concave inner surface and a convex inner surface. Secured.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first member and the second member are overlaid. A cylindrical surface rising in the overlapping direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lens housing region formed between the opposing surfaces of the one holding portion and the second holding portion.

  The outer peripheral inner surface of the lens housing region in this embodiment refers to the outer peripheral edge of the inner surface of the lens housing region on the side where the concave inner surface is positioned, and refers to the inner surface positioned outside the outer peripheral edge of the contact lens. According to this aspect, the contact lens can be positioned and stably held in the lens housing area by bringing the outer peripheral edge of the contact lens housed in the lens housing area into contact with the cylindrical surface. I can do it.

  Here, the cylindrical surface may be formed on either the first member or the second member. Preferably, as a fifth aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to the fourth aspect, a circumferential groove extending so as to surround an outer peripheral edge portion of the second holding portion in the second member. A mode in which the cylindrical surface is formed by the outer peripheral surface may be employed. In this way, the contact lens can be held more stably by accommodating the outer peripheral edge of the lens in the circumferential groove.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the convex inner surface extends in the circumferential direction between a central portion and an outer peripheral edge portion. It is characterized in that a step portion is formed.

  The lens holding member structured according to this embodiment is particularly advantageously used for a soft contact lens that is hydrated in the manufacturing process. That is, according to this aspect, the outer peripheral edge part of the soft contact lens in a dry state before the hydration treatment can be supported by the step part. Thereby, the lens can be stably held in the positioning state in any state before and after the hydration treatment. Furthermore, this aspect is suitably used for a soft contact lens that is hydrated, particularly in combination with the fifth aspect. In this way, the soft contact lens before the hydration treatment is supported by the stepped portion, and the outer peripheral edge of the swollen soft contact lens after the hydration treatment can be accommodated in the circumferential groove. A more stable lens holding can be realized before and after the processing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the first member and the second member have a hinge connection structure that can be opened and closed. It is characterized by that. According to this aspect, the first member and the second member can be easily opened and closed, and the first member and the second member are maintained in the connected state without being separated from each other even when the lens holding member is opened. Therefore, the convenience of handling the lens holding member can be improved. In this case, as the hinge connection structure, for example, a hinge formed separately from the first member and the second member may be used. Preferably, the first member and the second member including the hinge connection portion are used. Are integrally molded. In this way, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member is that when the first member and the second member are opened by a predetermined amount in the lens holding member according to the seventh aspect, It is characterized in that an opening operation assisting part is provided that automatically expresses the open state of the two members and maintains the open state.

  According to this aspect, the lens holding member can be easily opened, and the open state is maintained, so that the lens can be easily taken out. Moreover, since the open state is maintained, the lens can be easily placed on the lens holding member in the lens manufacturing process. Here, as the opening operation assisting part, for example, it is provided across the first member and the second member so that the non-deformed state is expressed in the closed state and the open state of the first member and the second member, respectively. The first member and the second member are opened in the opening direction by a restoring force generated by elastic deformation based on an opening operation of a predetermined amount or more from the closed state of the first member and the second member. A structure that generates an acting force and maintains the open state by making the first member and the second member open again when the first member and the second member are opened is preferably used. A point hinge mechanism or the like is advantageously used.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to the eighth aspect, the first member, the second member, and the opening operation assisting portion are integrally formed. And According to this aspect, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing steps of the lens holding member can be reduced. Preferably, for example, the lens holding member is an integrally molded product by injection molding or the like.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the first member and the second member may be the first member. The part opposite to the hinge connecting part sandwiching the holding part or the second holding part is locked with each other. According to this aspect, the fixed state of the first member and the second member can be stably maintained by sandwiching both sides of the first member and the second member by the hinge connecting portion and the lock mechanism.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention relating to a lens holding member is characterized in that a plurality of the lock mechanisms are provided in the lens holding member according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. According to this aspect, by fixing the first member and the second member to each other at a plurality of locations, even if any of the lock mechanisms is inadvertently released for some reason, The fixed state of the one member and the second member can be maintained.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a surface modification treatment is applied to the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface. It is characterized by that. Examples of the surface modification treatment in this embodiment include plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment, polishing treatment, and laser processing. As a result, it is possible to suppress sticking of the contact lens accommodated in the accommodation region to the concave inner surface or the convex inner surface, or to make it easier to remove the lens.

  A first aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case is configured to include a case member having a storage portion for storing a storage solution and storing the contact lens in a dipped state, so that the lens manufacturer can contact the lens user. In a contact lens distribution case used for providing a lens, the lens holding member according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention related to the lens holding member is accommodated in the lens accommodation region. It is characterized in that the contact lens is accommodated in a state of immersion in a preservation solution by being accommodated in the accommodating portion of the case member together with the preservation solution in a caulked state.

  According to the contact lens distribution case structured according to the present invention, the contact lens can be protected from various vibrations and shocks during transportation by housing the contact lens in a protected state by the lens holding member. I can do it. Thereby, damage or deformation of the contact lens in the distribution process can be suppressed, and the desired lens shape can be held more reliably and provided to the end user. Here, as the case member, for example, at least a part of the case member may be formed of a flexible sheet that is easily deformable, such as a so-called blister pack, or the entire case member may be formed of a hard member. Etc.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case, in the contact lens distribution case according to the first aspect, at least a part of the wall surface of the housing portion in the case member is formed of a flexible sheet. This is a feature.

  According to this aspect, for example, by arranging the flexible sheet along the first member or the second member of the lens holding member, the distribution case can be made compact and the amount of the storage solution can be reduced. Since the contact lens inside the housing portion is protected by the lens holding member, it is possible to avoid the possibility that deformation of the flexible sheet due to contact with other members is exerted on the lens.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case, in the contact lens distribution case according to the second aspect, the case member overlaps the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet, The lens holding member is disposed between the overlapping surfaces, and the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet are sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member, To do. According to this aspect, by making the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet along the lens holding member, it is possible to further reduce the distribution case and further reduce the amount of the storage solution. In particular, it can be suitably used as a distribution case for disposable lenses that are provided together with a large number of lenses housed in the distribution case.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case, in the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to third aspects, the lens housing region of the lens holding member is opened by opening the case member. The contact lens housed in the second member is exposed in a state of being placed on the convex inner surface of the second member. In this way, the user can easily work from opening the case to wearing the lens while avoiding finger contact with the lens inner surface that contacts the cornea, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and improving convenience. Improvements can be made.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case is the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first member of the lens holding member with respect to the case member; The second member is fixed, and the first member and the second member are opened when the case member is opened. In this way, since the lens holding member is opened by opening the case member, the lens can be taken out more easily.

  Specifically, for example, as a sixth aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case, in the contact lens distribution case according to the fifth aspect, the lens holding member includes the first member and the second member. The case member has a hinge connection structure that can be opened and closed, and the case member overlaps the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet with each other, and the lens holding member is disposed between the overlapping surfaces. The front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet are sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member, while the first member and the second member are opposite to the hinge connecting portions. A mode in which the open-side end portion of each is fixed to one of the front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet is suitably employed.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case is the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the flexible sheet has an open state of the lens holding member. A bag-like portion that is opened toward the lens holding member and stores the storage solution is formed.

  According to this aspect, by storing the storage liquid in the bag-like portion when the distribution case is opened, it is possible to suppress spillage of the storage liquid accompanying opening. Thereby, the troublesomeness caused by the storage liquid spilling when the lens is taken out can be reduced. Here, the bag-shaped portion may be formed with a curved concave shape in the central portion of one flexible sheet, for example, or, for example, in the sixth aspect, the front-side flexible sheet and the The back side flexible sheet is fixed to each other on the hinge connecting part side of the first member and the second member, and when the lens holding member is opened, the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet are connected to the hinge connecting part side. A mode in which a bag-like part for storing a preservation solution with the fixed part as the bottom part is allowed to appear can be suitably employed.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case is the contact lens distribution case according to the seventh aspect, wherein the lens holding member has a hinge connection structure in which the first member and the second member can be opened and closed. And the case member superimposes the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet on each other, and the lens holding member is disposed between the superposed surfaces. The back side flexible sheet is sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member, while the open end on the opposite side of the hinge connecting portion of each of the first member and the second member is the The hinge is fixed to each of the front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet, and the hinge is connected to a sealing portion on the hinge connecting portion side of the front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet. Linking Min side 窄部 which is narrowed him to go to the edge portion of is formed, that is adapted to form an edge portion of the bag portion by 該窄 unit, characterized.

  According to this aspect, the lens holding member can be opened by opening the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet, and when the lens holding member is opened, the bag-like portion is It is positioned in an open state to the hinge connecting portion between the second members. At the same time, since the edge of the bag-like portion is formed as a constricted portion, the bag-like portion can be shaped into a bowl shape constricted from the opening toward the bottom. Thereby, it becomes possible to store a preservation | save liquid more stably and can suppress the spilling of the preservation | save liquid at the time of distribution case opening more.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case, in the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface of the lens holding member, and these A surface modification treatment is performed on the surface of the contact lens housed in the lens housing region formed between the concave inner surface and the opposing surface of the convex inner surface.

  Examples of the surface modification treatment in this embodiment include plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment, polishing treatment, and laser processing. And according to this aspect, the surface modification treatment is applied to both the inner surface of the lens housing region and the contact lens, thereby sticking the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface of the contact lens accommodated in the housing region. It is possible to suppress the lens and make it easier to remove the lens.

The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in 1st embodiment of this invention regarding a lens holding member. The perspective view of the open state of the lens holding member. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the closed state of the lens holding member. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the opening operation assistance part in the lens holding member. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the surface modification process using the lens holding member. The perspective view of the open state of the contact lens distribution case in 1st embodiment of this invention regarding a contact lens distribution case. The perspective view by the side of the front side flexible sheet of the contact lens distribution case. The perspective view by the side of the back side flexible sheet of the contact lens distribution case. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the closed state of the contact lens distribution case. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the open state of the contact lens distribution case. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the contact lens distribution | circulation case. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the contact lens distribution | circulation case in each process in the manufacturing method. The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in 2nd embodiment of this invention regarding a lens holding member. The perspective view of the open state of the lens holding member. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the closed state of the lens holding member. The perspective view of the contact lens distribution case in 2nd embodiment of this invention regarding a contact lens distribution case. The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in 3rd embodiment of this invention regarding a lens holding member. The perspective view of the open state of the lens holding member. The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in the 4th embodiment of the present invention about a lens holding member, the release state of a lock mechanism, and the open state. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing for demonstrating the locked state and releasing state of the locking mechanism in the lens holding member. The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in 5th embodiment of this invention regarding a lens holding member. The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in 6th embodiment of this invention regarding a lens holding member. Explanatory drawing of the closed state of the contact lens distribution case in 3rd embodiment of this invention regarding a contact lens distribution case. Explanatory drawing of the open state of the contact lens distribution case. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the open state of the contact lens distribution case. Sectional explanatory drawing of the lens holding member as 7th embodiment of this invention regarding the lens holding member used for the contact lens distribution | circulation case. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the closed state of the contact lens distribution case in 4th embodiment of this invention regarding a contact lens distribution case. Sectional explanatory drawing of the lens holding member as a further different aspect of this invention regarding a lens holding member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lens holding member 12 1st member 14 2nd member 18 Spherical recessed part 20 Flange part 22 Concave inner surface 24 Contact lens 26 First continuous hole 40 Spherical convex part 42 Flange part 44 Convex inner surface 46 Second communicating hole 76 Lens accommodation area

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a lens holding member 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The lens holding member 10 has a structure in which a plate-like first member 12 and a second member 14 are connected to each other by a plurality of (four in this embodiment) hinge portions 16 so as to be opened and closed. The closed state of the lens holding member 10 refers to a state where the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped (the state illustrated in FIG. 1), and the open state of the lens holding member 10 refers to the first member 12. And the state where the second member 14 is unsuperposed (the state shown in FIG. 2). Moreover, in the following description, the inner surface in each of the first member 12 and the second member 14 refers to a surface on the overlapping surface side, and the outer surface refers to a surface opposite to the overlapping surface.

  In particular, the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment is an integrally molded product including a three-point hinge mechanism 74 described later including the first member 12, the second member 14, and the hinge portion 16. The molding material of the lens holding member 10 is preferably a plastic synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene, and the lens holding member 10 is preferably formed by a conventionally known resin molding method such as injection molding. It is not limited.

  The first member 12 has a spherical concave portion 18 as a first holding portion having a bowl shape as a whole, and a substantially rectangular flat plate shape that protrudes from the outer periphery of the spherical concave portion 18 and surrounds the spherical concave portion 18. The flange part 20 is provided. In particular, the first member 12 in the present embodiment is a plate having a substantially constant thickness, and the spherical recess 18 is a recess that is recessed toward the second member 14 when the lens holding member 10 is closed. A concave dish shape having an inner surface 22 is formed.

  3, the spherical concave portion 18 is opposed to a spherical convex portion 40 of the second member 14 described later in a closed state of the lens holding member 10 to form a lens accommodating region 76 as shown in a model form in FIG. 3. The curvature of the concave inner surface 22 is made smaller than the front curve of the contact lens 24 to be accommodated. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spherical recess 18 has a plurality of first through holes 26 penetrating in the thickness direction of the first member 12, and the concave inner surface 22 has a first series. The through hole 26 communicates with the outer surface of the spherical recess 18.

  As will be described later, the number and specific shape of the first series of through-holes 26 are not particularly limited. In particular, in the present embodiment, the spherical recesses extend radially from the center of the spherical recesses 18. A plurality of first through holes 26 are formed in 18 radial directions and circumferential directions. Here, the ratio of the plurality of first through holes 26 in the concave inner surface 22 is larger than the ratio of the non-formed portion of the first through holes 26, and the spherical recess 18 in the present embodiment has a diameter of A plurality of beam-like skeleton portions 28 extending in the direction are combined to form a bowl shape. In addition, a disc-shaped portion 30 is formed at the center of the spherical recess 18, and an annular portion 32 extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the spherical recess 18 is formed between the center and the outer periphery. Thus, the strength of the spherical recess 18 is improved. A concave inner surface 22 is formed by the inner surfaces of the skeleton 28, the disk-shaped portion 30 and the annular portion 32, and a first series of through holes 26 are formed therebetween.

  On the outer peripheral side of the concave inner surface 22, a plate-like flange portion 20 that projects outwardly perpendicular to the opening direction of the concave inner surface 22 surrounds the concave inner surface 22 over the entire circumference of the concave inner surface 22. Is formed. In the present embodiment, the spherical concave portion 18 and the flange portion 20 are integrally formed. In other words, the spherical concave portion 18 is formed in the central portion of the flange portion 20. In particular, the flange portion 20 in the present embodiment has a flat rectangular shape with rounded corners.

  Further, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) hinge portions 16 are integrally formed at the end portion on one side of the flange portion 20, and these end portions serve as connection-side end portions 34. . Further, the flange portion 20 has a spherical recess 18 sandwiched between the central portion of the open side end portion 36 opposite to the connection side end portion 34 and protrudes toward the second member 14 when the lens holding member 10 is closed. The nail | claw part 38 is integrally formed.

  The connection side end 34 of the first member 12 having such a structure is connected to the second member 14 via the hinge portion 16. The second member 14 has a spherical convex portion 40 as a second holding portion having a bowl shape as a whole, and a substantially square flat plate shape that protrudes from the outer periphery of the spherical convex portion 40 and surrounds the spherical convex portion 40. The flange part 42 as a part is provided. In particular, the second member 14 in the present embodiment is a plate having a substantially constant thickness dimension, and the spherical convex portion 40 is convex toward the first member 12 when the lens holding member 10 is closed, A convex dish shape having a convex inner surface 44 having a shape corresponding to the concave inner surface 22 is formed. The thickness dimension of the second member 14 is substantially equal to the thickness dimension of the first member 12.

  As described above, the convex inner surface 44 forms the lens accommodating region 76 in the closed state of the lens holding member 10 (see FIG. 3), and the curvature of the convex inner surface 44 is the curvature of the contact lens 24 to be accommodated. It is larger than the base curve. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spherical convex portion 40 has a plurality of second communication holes 46 penetrating in the thickness direction of the second member 14, and the convex inner surface 44 has a second inner surface 44. The communication hole 46 communicates with the outer surface of the spherical convex portion 40.

  Further, the convex inner surface 44 includes a top-side convex surface 48 positioned on the center side and an outer peripheral-side convex surface 50 positioned on the outer peripheral side and extending in the circumferential direction of the top-side convex surface 48. Here, the curvature of the outer peripheral convex surface 50 is made smaller than the curvature of the top convex surface 48, and the convex inner surface 44 protrudes radially outward between the top convex surface 48 and the outer peripheral convex surface 50. Thus, a stepped portion 52 extending in the circumferential direction of the convex inner surface 44 is formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral portion of the dried contact lens 24 before water content is placed on the stepped portion 52, and the dried contact lens 24 is placed on the convex inner surface 44. Positioning can be performed at substantially the same center. Accordingly, the outer diameter dimension of the stepped portion 52 is set larger than the diameter dimension of the contact lens in the dry state and smaller than the diameter dimension of the contact lens in the swollen state after the hydration treatment.

  In particular, the spherical convex portion 40 in the present embodiment is formed in a bowl shape formed by combining a plurality of skeleton portions 54, similarly to the spherical concave portion 18, and a circular portion is formed at the central portion of the spherical convex portion 40. A plate-like portion 56 is formed, and an annular portion 58 is formed between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion. And the level | step-difference part 52 is formed by bending the substantially intermediate | middle part of each frame | skeleton part 54 extended toward the outer periphery of the spherical convex part 40 from the annular | circular shaped part 58 so that it may protrude outward.

  Here, preferably, the surface modification treatment is performed on each of the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44. Examples of such surface modification treatment include plasma treatment and corona discharge treatment conventionally used to improve hydrophilicity. Thereby, sticking to the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 of the contact lens 24 is reduced, and the contact lens 24 can be taken out more easily.

  Further, in particular, the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment is exposed with the contact lens 24 placed on the convex inner surface 44 when the first and second members 12 and 14 are opened. Yes. Specifically, for example, the contact area between the contact lens 24 and the convex inner surface 44 is larger than the contact area between the contact lens 24 and the concave inner surface 22 in a storage state in a lens storage region 76 described later. The difference between the curvature of the convex inner surface 44 and the base curve of the contact lens 24 is set to be smaller than the difference between the curvature of the concave inner surface 22 and the front curve of the contact lens 24, or By adjusting the degree of surface modification treatment applied to the inner surface 22 to make the surface roughness different from each other, the contact friction force with the convex inner surface 44 of the contact lens 24 is made larger than that of the concave inner surface 22, etc. Done.

  Further, a flange portion 42 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the convex inner surface 44 in the same manner as the first member 12. The flange portion 42 protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the spherical convex portion 40 in the direction orthogonal to the protruding direction of the spherical convex portion 40 and surrounds the spherical convex portion 40 in substantially the same manner as the flange portion 20 in the first member 12. The end portion on one side is a connecting side end portion 60 integrally formed with the hinge portion 16, while the end portion on the opposite side of the connecting side end portion 60 is sandwiched between the spherical convex portions 40. The end is an open end 62. Further, a locking wall portion 64 that protrudes slightly outward is integrally formed at the central portion of the open side end portion 62.

  Here, when the longitudinal dimension of the flange portions 20 and 42 in the first member 12 and the second member 14 is a dimension in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the connecting side end portions 34 and 60, the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 20. The dimension is made larger by the amount of the claw portion 38 than the flange portion 42. On the other hand, when the width direction dimension of the flange parts 20 and 42 is the dimension in the extending direction of the connecting side end parts 34 and 60, the width direction dimension of the flange part 20 is made smaller than the width direction dimension of the flange part 42. Yes. Thereby, in the closed state of the lens holding member 10, that is, in the overlapped state of the first member 12 and the second member 14, the first member 12 is protruded from the second member 14 by the amount of the claw portion 38 in the longitudinal direction. At the same time, the second member 14 is projected from the first member 12 in the width direction. As described above, when the end portions excluding the connecting side end portions 34 and 60 are shifted from each other in the overlapped state, for example, when the lens holding member 10 is directly opened with fingers, the first and second members are used. 12 and 14 can be easily opened by placing fingers on only one of them.

  Furthermore, a peripheral groove 66 that opens in the protruding direction of the spherical convex portion 40 is formed between the outer peripheral edge portion of the spherical convex portion 40, in other words, between the spherical convex portion 40 and the flange portion 42. An annular shape is formed over the entire circumference so as to surround the peripheral edge. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface 68 of the peripheral groove 66 is larger than the diameter of the stepped portion 52 and slightly larger than the diameter of the contact lens 24 to be accommodated. As shown in FIG. 3, when the contact lens 24 before water supported by the stepped portion 52 in a positioning state with respect to the convex inner surface 44 contains water and swells, as shown by the two-dot chain line, The peripheral edge of 24 is accommodated in the circumferential groove 66. Here, the outer inner peripheral surface 68 is positioned on the outer peripheral inner surface of the lens housing region 76 formed between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 in a state where the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped. The cylindrical surface rises in the overlapping direction of the first member 12 and the second member 14 (vertical direction in FIG. 3). As a result, the outer peripheral edge of the swollen contact lens 24 is brought into contact with the outer inner peripheral surface 68, so that the contact lens 24 can be held in alignment with the central portion of the lens housing region 76. . It should be noted that the outer inner peripheral surface 68 does not need to be strictly aligned with the overlapping direction of the first and second members 12 and 14 and may be formed with a slight inclination.

  The connection-side end portion 34 of the first member 12 and the connection-side end portion 60 of the second member 14 having such a structure are connected to each other by a plurality (four in this embodiment) of the hinge portions 16. Thereby, the 1st member 12 and the 2nd member 14 are connected so that opening and closing is mutually possible. Further, an elastic plate 70 is provided between the pair of hinge portions 16. As shown in FIG. 4 as a model, the elastic plate 70 has an inverted L shape, and both end portions of the connecting side end portions 34 and 60 are formed by thin deformable thin portions 72 that act as hinges. Each is connected to one. In particular, in the present embodiment, the elastic plate 70 is integrally formed with the first and second members 12 and 14.

  When the first member 12 and the second member 14 are opened from the closed state shown in FIG. 4A with the hinge portion 16 as a fulcrum, the elastic plate 70 is thin as shown in FIG. 4B. Based on the deformation of the portion 72, the lens holding member 10 is projected outward. Here, if the opening angle of the first and second members 12 and 14 is less than or equal to a predetermined opening / closing critical angle due to the elastic plate 70 trying to maintain its shape, the first and second members 12 and 14 are used. An urging force in the closing direction is exerted on the. On the other hand, when the first and second members 12 and 14 are further opened and opened larger than a predetermined opening / closing critical angle, a biasing force in the opening direction is exerted by the elastic plate 70, and FIG. As shown to (c), while being opened automatically to a predetermined open position, this open state is maintained. In short, in the present embodiment, the elastic plate 70 and the pair of hinge portions 16 provided on both sides thereof constitute a three-point hinge mechanism 74 as an opening operation assisting portion, and the first member 12 and the second member 14. Are connected to each other by a pair of three-point hinge mechanisms 74 so that the open state and the closed state can be selectively maintained.

  When such a lens holding member 10 is in a closed state in which the first and second members 12 and 14 are overlapped with each other, the concave inner surface 22 is replaced with the convex inner surface 44 as shown in FIG. A lens housing region 76 for housing the contact lens 24 is formed between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44. The distance between the opposing surfaces in the overlapping direction of the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 is set by the flange portions 20 and 42 being overlapped with each other and brought into contact with each other. Preferably, it is set within the range of 0.1 to 3.0 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and still more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

  As described above, the lens housing region 76 is partially formed by the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44, and communicates with the outside through the first communication hole 26 and the second communication hole 46. In addition, the outer inner peripheral surface 68 of the peripheral groove 66 serving as a cylindrical surface is positioned on the outer peripheral portion of the concave side surface including the concave inner surface 22 in the lens housing region 76.

  Further, in the closed state of the lens holding member 10, the claw portion 38 of the first member 12 gets over the locking wall portion 64 of the second member 14, and the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64 are locked to each other. As a result, the first member 12 and the second member 14 are fixed to each other and the closed state is maintained, and the engagement between the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64 is released, whereby the first member 12 and the second member 14 are The two members 14 can be opened. Thus, in this embodiment, the locking mechanism is configured including the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64, and the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64 include the spherical concave portion 18 and the spherical convex portion 40. The first member 12 and the second member 14 are connected to each other on both sides of the lens housing region 76 by being formed on the open side end portions 36 and 62 on the opposite side of the hinge portion 16. The closed state of the lens holding member 10 is stably maintained.

  In the accommodated state in the lens accommodating region 76, the contact lens 24 is protected by the spherical concave portion 18 on the lens front surface (surface opposite to the cornea in the worn state), and protected by the spherical convex portion 40 on the lens rear surface side. The Thereby, the entire contact lens 24 is protected by the first member 12 and the second member 14. Since the lens housing area 76 has a shape close to the contact lens 24 by the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44, the contact lens 24 is prevented from being reversed in the lens housing area 76, and the contact lens 24 It can be held stably. In particular, in this embodiment, as schematically shown in FIG. 3, the contact lens 24 in a dry state before hydration treatment is supported by the stepped portion 52 of the convex inner surface 44, while The contact lens 24 in the swollen state has its outer peripheral edge abutted against the outer inner peripheral surface 68 of the circumferential groove 66, so that the contact lens 24 can be placed in the lens housing region 76 in any state before and after the hydration treatment. The center part can be stably held in the positioning state.

  The lens holding member 10 having such a structure is preferably used in a contact lens manufacturing process, particularly in a soft contact lens manufacturing process in which hydration is performed. Below, the example of the manufacturing process of the soft contact lens using the lens holding member 10 in this embodiment is outlined.

  First, the lens holding member 10 is opened, and the contact lens 24 in a dry state before being hydrated and manufactured in a predetermined shape is placed on the convex inner surface 44. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the open state is maintained by the three-point hinge mechanism 74, the contact lens 24 can be easily and stably placed. Then, by closing the lens holding member 10, the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the lens accommodation region 76. In such an accommodation state, the contact lens 24 before the hydration treatment is stably supported by the central portion of the lens accommodation region 76 by the stepped portion 52 of the convex inner surface 44 as shown by the solid line in FIG. It has become.

  Then, a surface modification process such as a plasma process disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-50379 is performed on the surface of the contact lens 24 that has been held and held by the lens holding member 10. Since specific conditions and the like of the plasma treatment are described in detail in the publication, an outline will be described below.

  The plasma treatment described in the publication is performed in the atmosphere. First, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, the lens holding member 10 that houses and holds the contact lens 24 is set on the transport device 80. The conveyance device 80 is, for example, a belt conveyor or the like, and conveys the lens holding member 10 in the conveyance direction (from left to right in FIG. 5). Further, a pair of plasma generators 82 are disposed at a predetermined distance from each other on both sides of the transfer device 80 perpendicular to the transfer direction. The plasma generator 82 includes an electrode that generates plasma and a gas introduction pipe that blows out plasma generated between the electrodes to the outside. By introducing the gas between the electrodes, the plasma gas is introduced into the outside atmosphere. It blows out. These plasma generators 82 are arranged with the plasma gas blowing direction toward the transfer device 80. As shown in FIG. 5, the lens holding member 10 is preferably arranged so that the front and rear surfaces of the contact lens 24 accommodated and held are opposed to the plasma gas blowing direction of the plasma generator 82, respectively. The optical axis direction of the contact lens 24 is set in the transport device 80 so as to be equal to the blowing direction of the plasma gas.

  Then, when plasma gas is sprayed from both sides to the lens holding member 10 by the plasma generator 82, the plasma gas is brought into contact with the surface of the contact lens 24 through the first continuous hole 26 and the second communication hole 46. It is done. Thereby, the hydrophilicity of the surface of the contact lens 24 can be improved.

  If the lens holding member 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment is used, the contact lens 24 can be protected from the stress of the plasma gas by the first and second members 12 and 14, and the contact lens 24 can be skipped. The risk of being damaged or damaged can be reduced. In particular, since the lens housing region 76 has a shape close to the contact lens 24 by the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44, the contact lens 24 is stably held and the contact lens 24 is displaced in the lens housing region 76. It is also possible to suppress the risk of damage to the lens due to intense striking against the inner surface of the lens housing area 76 or the like.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, even the contact lens 24 before being hydrated can be stably supported in a positioned state at the central portion of the lens housing region 76 by being supported by the step portion 52. Thereby, the contact lens 24 can be stably positioned at an intended relative position with respect to the plasma generator 82, and the surface modification process can be performed more stably.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first and second communication holes 26 and 46 are formed to be sufficiently large, and the spherical concave portion 18 and the spherical convex portion 40 are both formed in a bowl shape. Sufficient plasma gas can be brought into contact with the contact lens 24 in the region 76. Further, when a part of the plasma passes through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46, the traveling direction of the plasma is variously changed by contacting the peripheral portions of the communication holes 26 and 46. Accordingly, it is possible to bring the plasma into contact with the surface of the contact lens 24 not only from the blowing direction of the plasma generator 82 but also from various angles. Can be done. Furthermore, by generating a phenomenon similar to arc discharge, which is thought to be caused by the concentration of plasma, in the vicinity of the first and second communication holes 26 and 46, the phenomenon occurs at the outer peripheral edge of the contact lens 24. This can reduce the risk of damage to the contact lens 24 that is considered to be caused by the heat of arc discharge at the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

  The above-described plasma treatment mode is merely an example. For example, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-40293, the lens holding member 10 that houses and holds the contact lens 24 is placed between both electrodes in a predetermined gas atmosphere. Conventionally well-known modes such as bringing the surface of the contact lens 24 into contact with the plasma gas through the first communication hole 26 and the second communication hole 46 by generating a plasma gas between the two electrodes are appropriately adopted. Is possible.

  Further, in the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment, the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 are also subjected to a surface modification process. For example, simultaneously with the surface modification process on the surface of the contact lens 24 as described above. Alternatively, surface modification treatment may be performed on the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44. Further, the surface modification treatment is not limited to the plasma treatment, and a conventionally known surface modification treatment such as a corona discharge treatment can be appropriately performed.

  After such a surface modification process is performed, the contact lens 24 is subjected to a hydration process and a cleaning process. In such hydration treatment and washing treatment, for example, treatment solutions conventionally used for hydration treatment and washing treatment of water-containing contact lenses such as deionized water, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, and physiological saline are stored. This is performed by immersing the lens holding member 10 having been subjected to the surface modification treatment in a water tank. As a result, the processing liquid passes through or is circulated through the lens housing region 76 through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46. As a result, the contact lens 24 held by the lens holding member 10 is hydrated and swollen in the lens housing region 76, and unreacted monomers are extracted and impurities such as dust adhering to the lens surface are removed. .

  If the lens holding member 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment is used, the contact lens 24 after swelling is accommodated in the peripheral groove 66 at the outer peripheral edge of the lens as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Since the outer inner peripheral surface 68 is stably held in the positioning state in the lens housing region 76, the lens holding member 10 can be prevented from being reversed or hit, thereby causing damage to the lens. Can reduce the risk of Further, since the first member 12 and the second member 14 can protect the contact lens 24 from the water pressure of the treatment liquid, the possibility of lens damage can be reduced. In addition, since the first and second communication holes 26 and 46 are formed to be sufficiently large, and the spherical concave portion 18 and the spherical convex portion 40 are both bowl-shaped, the treatment liquid is introduced into the lens accommodating region 76. The amount of inflow and outflow can be sufficiently secured, and both the hydration treatment and the washing treatment can be performed effectively.

  If the lens holding member 10 structured according to the present embodiment is used, the surface modification process, the hydration process, and the cleaning process are performed in a state where the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the common lens holding member 10. The manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the holding means for holding the contact lens 24 is different for each process. Furthermore, since the lens holding member 10 containing the contact lens 24 can be used in each process as it is, it is not necessary to handle the contact lens 24 directly such as transferring the contact lens 24 to a different holding means for each process. This can greatly reduce the possibility of lens damage, and eliminates the need for mechanical equipment and processes for transferring the contact lens 24. In particular, since soft contact lenses that require hydration are very soft after hydration, the risk of lens damage can be effectively reduced by reducing the chance of direct contact with the lenses.

  Furthermore, according to the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment, the closed state of the first member 12 and the second member 14 is stabilized by the lock mechanism including the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64. Since it is maintained and inadvertent opening is also suppressed, the stable holding of the contact lens 24 can be maintained through each process.

  In the above description, a soft contact lens that requires hydration treatment has been described as an example of the contact lens 24. However, the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment is also preferably used in the manufacturing process of a hard contact lens.

  For example, an oxygen-permeable hard contact lens is accommodated and held in the lens holding member 10 as the contact lens 24. Here, the contact lens 24 is housed and held in a state in which the outer peripheral edge portion is housed in the circumferential groove 66 and is aligned with the center of the lens housing region 76 by the outer inner circumferential surface 68. In this state, plasma treatment was performed under the conditions described in JP-A-2-220024, JP-A-6-1222779, JP-A-2003-50379, JP-B-63-40293, and the like. Thereafter, graft copolymerization of a hydrophilic monomer is performed, and hydrophilicity is imparted to the surface of the hard contact lens as the contact lens 24 housed and held in the lens housing region 76 of the lens holding member 10 in the closed state. Of course, the plasma treatment is merely an example, and plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment, or other surface modification treatment may be performed under other known conditions.

  After the surface modification process as described above is performed and, for example, a highly hydrophilic lens surface is formed on the hard contact lens as the contact lens 24, a cleaning process is performed. Even in such a case, the contact lens 24 is maintained in the accommodation holding state by the lens holding member 10, and the cleaning process is performed in the same manner as in the case of the soft contact lens described above. Is immersed in a water tank in which the processing liquid is stored, and the processing liquid passes through or circulates through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46. Thereby, impurities such as unreacted monomer and dust remaining on the surface of the hard contact lens as the contact lens 24 are removed.

  Even when the contact lens 24 is a hard contact lens, the lens holding member 10 can protect the contact lens 24 from the wind pressure of the plasma gas, the water pressure of the processing liquid, etc., as in the case of the soft contact lens. Each process can be performed effectively by being held in the positioning state in the lens housing region 76 and being stably positioned at the desired position. Further, since the first and second communication holes 26 and 46 are formed sufficiently large, the amount of plasma contacting the surface of the contact lens 24 and the amount of flow of the treatment liquid can be sufficiently secured, and each process is effective. Can be done. In addition, since the lens holding member 10 accommodating and holding the contact lens 24 can be used in common in each process, the number of direct mechanical contacts with the contact lens 24 can be reduced, and the lens damage can be reduced. The risk can be reduced, and mechanical equipment and processes for transferring the lens to different holding members can be eliminated.

  Although the lens holding member 10 having the structure according to the present invention has been described above, the lens holding member 10 having the structure according to the present invention is further transported and stored for providing a contact lens from the lens manufacturer to the end user. It is also suitably used for a contact lens distribution case used for the like. 6 to 10 show a contact lens distribution case (hereinafter appropriately referred to as a distribution case) 90 as a first embodiment of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case using the lens holding member 10. 6 shows an open state of the distribution case 90, FIG. 7 shows a front side flexible sheet 94 side described later in the closed state of the distribution case 90, and FIG. 8 shows a back side flexible sheet described later in the closed state of the distribution case 90. The conductive sheet 96 side is shown. 9 shows a model of the closed section of the distribution case 90, and FIG. 10 shows a model of the section of the distribution case 90 in the open state.

  The distribution case 90 has a structure in which the lens holding member 10 is provided in a housed state between a front-side flexible sheet 94 and a back-side flexible sheet 96 constituting the case member 92, and the front-side flexible sheet 94 is fixed to the first member 12 of the lens holding member 10, while the back side flexible sheet 96 is fixed to the second member 14 of the lens holding member 10.

  Each of the front-side flexible sheet 94 and the back-side flexible sheet 96 is an easily deformable flexible sheet, and is formed with an area that can cover the first member 12 or the second member 14 to be fixed. Has been. It should be noted that the base curve and the lens diameter of the contact lens 24 to be accommodated, or the manufacturer are provided on the surface or the fixing surface opposite to the fixing surface to the lens holding member 10 in the front side flexible sheet 94 and the back side flexible sheet 96. And information such as a production number and decorations such as appropriate characters and designs are appropriately applied by printing or the like.

  Examples of the front-side flexible sheet 94 and the back-side flexible sheet 96 include a layer made of, for example, polyolefin, polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) that can maintain water tightness, and Examples thereof include a layer made of inorganic vapor-deposited polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Examples of the polyolefin include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Moreover, as inorganic vapor deposition PET, alumina vapor deposition PET, silica vapor deposition PET, aluminum vapor deposition PET, etc. are mentioned, for example.

  The front-side flexible sheet 94 having such a structure is superimposed on the surface of the first member 12 opposite to the surface overlapped with the second member 14, and is opposite to the concave inner surface 22 of the spherical recess 18. While being fixed to the first member 12 by adhesion, welding or the like so as to cover the surface, the back side flexible sheet 96 is on the surface of the second member 14 opposite to the surface overlapped with the first member 12. It is overlapped and fixed to the second member 14 by adhesion or welding. In particular, in the present embodiment, the front-side flexible sheet 94 and the back-side flexible sheet 96 are spot-welded at two locations on the open side end portions 36 and 62 of the first member 12 and the second member 14, respectively. In addition, two spot welding surfaces 98 are formed on each of the open side end portions 36 and 62.

  Further, the front-side flexible sheet 94 and the back-side flexible sheet 96 are overlapped with each other, and the closed state is maintained by the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64 in a state where the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the lens accommodation region 76. In a state where the lens holding member 10 is disposed between the overlapping surfaces, the lens holding member 10 is fixed in a watertight manner so as to be peelable from each other so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member 10. In particular, in the present embodiment, the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are fixed to each other by heat sealing at the outer peripheral portion surrounding the lens holding member 10, and around the lens holding member 10, A seal fixing surface 100 is formed. As a result, between the overlapping surfaces of the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96, a housing portion 102 is formed in which the outer peripheral edge portion is sealed in a sealed state over the entire circumference on the heat seal fixing surface 100. The lens holding member 10 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102. In this case, the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are fixedly attached to the ends of the lens holding member 10 on the same side as the connection side ends 34 and 60 even when the distribution case 90 is opened and separated from each other. The end portions on the same side as the connection side end portions 34 and 60 in the flexible sheets 94 and 96 are the sealing end portions 103 and 104, respectively. The ends opposite to the portions 103 and 104 are open ends 106 and 108, respectively.

  The heat seal fixing surface 100 has three sides formed on the outer peripheral edge portions of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 except for one side on the open end portions 106 and 108 side, while the open end portion 106. , 108 side is positioned inward of both flexible sheets 94, 96 with respect to the open end portions 106, 108. As a result, even when both the flexible sheets 94 and 96 are sealed, the both open end portions 106 and 108 are free ends, and the both open end portions 106 and 108 are picked to hold both the flexible sheets 94 and 96. Can be opened easily. Furthermore, the central portion of one side of the heat seal fixing surface 100 on the same side as the open end portions 106 and 108 protrudes toward the open end portions 106 and 108 and has a hook-shaped portion 110 having a sharpened tip. Is formed, and the peeling operability is further improved.

  Further, the fixing strength of the heat seal fixing surface 100 is set lower than the fixing strength of the spot welding surface 98. Thereby, even if the front side and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are peeled from each other, it is possible to maintain the adhering state between these flexible sheets 94 and 96 and the first and second members 12 and 14. The lens holding member 10 can be opened following the opening of the flexible sheets 94 and 96. The adjustment of the fixing strength is performed by, for example, selecting the forming material of the flexible sheets 94 and 96 and the lens holding member 10, the heat seal temperature for forming the heat seal fixing surface 100, and the spot welding for forming the spot welding surface 98. For example, the fixing temperature difference may be set appropriately, for example, by setting the temperature lower than the temperature.

  Further, a concave housing recess 112 having a substantially similar shape that is slightly larger than that of the first member 12 is formed at the overlapping portion of the front side flexible sheet 94 with the first member 12. A concave curved portion 114 that covers the outer surface of the spherical recess 18 in a state of being overlapped with the first member 12 is formed at a portion that overlaps the outer surface of the spherical recess 18 in 112. The accommodating recess 112 and the concave curved portion 114 are preferably formed by drawing or the like. Thereby, the front side flexible sheet 94 is overlapped along the outer surface of the first member 12 so that the first member 12 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 112 while being superimposed on the first member 12. The On the other hand, the back side flexible sheet 96 superimposed on the second member 14 has a substantially flat shape.

  Note that the storage liquid 116 (see FIG. 9) is stored in the storage portion 102 together with the lens holding member 10. The type and material of the preservation solution 116 are not limited, and can prevent the contact lens 24 from drying and can keep the contact lens 24 ready for use. Saline solution. Thereby, the lens holding member 10 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102 together with the storage liquid 116 in a state where the contact lens 24 is accommodated. The contact lens 24 stored in the lens storage region 76 is immersed in the storage solution 116 by filling the lens storage region 76 with the storage solution 116 through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46. Thus, it is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102.

  If the contact lens distribution case 90 having such a structure is used, the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102 while being accommodated and retained by the lens retaining member 10. As a result, the contact lens 24 can be stably held in the distribution case 90, and the contact lens 24 can be protected from vibration, impact, etc. during storage and transportation. The closed state of the lens holding member 10 can be maintained even when vibration or impact due to transportation or the like is exerted on the lens holding member 10 by the lock mechanism constituted by the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64. .

  Further, particularly in the present embodiment, the case member 92 that accommodates the lens holding member 10 is constituted by the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 that conform to the outer surface shape of the lens holding member 10. While the shape of the contact lens 24 can be stably secured by the member 10, the case member 92 can be made compact, and the amount of the storage solution 116 stored in the storage unit 102 can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the wall surface of the housing portion 102 is formed of front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 that are easily deformable. However, by protecting the contact lens 24 with the lens holding member 10, external force or the like can be obtained. It is possible to avoid the possibility that the deformation of the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 due to the above will be exerted on the contact lens 24.

  When the contact case 24 is taken out by opening the distribution case 90, the open end portions 106 and 108 of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are picked and sealed from the open end portions 106 and 108. They are separated from each other toward the end portions 103 and 104. In this case, since the open side end portions 36 and 62 of the first and second members 12 and 14 are fixed to the front side and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96, respectively, the first and second members 12 and 14 are connected. It is possible to follow the peeling of the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96, and the lens holding member 10 can be opened as the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are opened. I can do it. At the same time, since the lens holding member 10 is provided with an opening operation assisting portion by the three-point hinge mechanism 74, both the flexible sheets 94 and 96 are peeled to a predetermined amount or more, and the first and second members are separated. When 12, 14 is opened beyond a predetermined opening / closing critical angle, a biasing force that biases the lens holding member 10 in the opening direction is generated, and the opening operation of the distribution case 90 can be performed more easily. I can do it.

  Further, in a state where the opening of the distribution case 90 is completed, the lens holding member 10 is maintained in the open state by the three-point hinge mechanism 74. Accordingly, the lens holding member 10 can prevent the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 from returning to the unopened state due to restoring force or the like, and the distribution case 90 is maintained in the open state. I can do it. Thereby, both the flexible sheets 94 and 96 do not become obstructive, and the contact lens 24 can be easily taken out.

  In particular, according to the lens holding member 10 of the present embodiment, the contact lens 24 is exposed in a mounted state on the convex inner surface 44 by an opening operation of the lens holding member 10, in other words, an opening operation of the distribution case 90. It has become so. Thereby, when taking out the contact lens 24 from the lens holding member 10, the opportunity of a finger | toe directly touching a lens inner surface can be reduced, and fear of bacterial infection etc. can also be reduced. Preferably, in order to more stably express the mounting state of the contact lens 24 on the convex inner surface 44, the first member 12 is positioned on the second member 14 in the vertical vertical direction. In this state, the case member 92 is opened. Then, according to the present embodiment, the front side flexible sheet 94 is placed along the outer surface of the first member 12, and the housing recessed portion 112 and the concave curved portion 114 are projected outward of the distribution case 90. On the other hand, when the back side flexible sheet 96 has a substantially flat shape, the case member 92 has a structure that can identify the upper and lower sides.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, the spherical concave portion 18 and the spherical convex portion 40 are both bowl-shaped, and the contact area between the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 and the contact lens 24 is reduced. Thereby, sticking of the contact lens 24 to the inner surfaces 22 and 44 is suppressed, and the contact lens 24 can be taken out more easily.

  In addition, the heat seal fixing surface 100 includes a region extending the sealing end portions 103 and 104 and a region extending from the both end portions of the sealing end portions 103 and 104 toward the open end portions 106 and 108 by a predetermined amount. The letter-shaped regions are maintained in a fixed state with each other even when the distribution case 90 is open. As shown in FIG. 10, the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are open when the distribution case 90 is open. As a result, a bag-shaped portion 118 opened toward the lens holding member 10 with the sealing end portions 103 and 104 as bottom portions is formed. In particular, the bag-like portion 118 in the present embodiment includes a part of the housing recess 112 formed in the front side flexible sheet 94. Thus, when the distribution case 90 is opened, the storage liquid 116 stored in the storage section 102 is stored in the bag-shaped section 118, and the storage liquid 116 is removed when the contact lens 24 is taken out. Troublesomeness such as spilling is reduced. Further, the lens holding member 10 causes the contact lens 24 to be lifted from the storage liquid 116 stored in the bag-shaped portion 118, and the storage liquid 116 passes through the first and second communication holes 24, 46 to form the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface. By discharging from the lens 44, the lens can be taken out more easily. Then, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 10, the lens holding member 10 can be further lifted by further pulling the open end portions 106 and 108 in a direction away from each other, and the lens can be taken out more easily. It is also possible.

  Note that the contact lens distribution case 90 having such a structure can be suitably manufactured by the following manufacturing method schematically shown in FIG. 11, for example. In the present manufacturing method, a soft contact lens that requires hydration treatment will be described as an example of the contact lens 24.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11A, a rectangular sheet-like front side flexible sheet 94 with no irregularities is prepared, and the first member of the lens holding member 10 with respect to the front side flexible sheet 94 is prepared. The housing recess 112 and the concave curved portion 114 are formed in the front side flexible sheet 94 by performing a drawing process for pressing the drawing die 122 having the molding surface 120 corresponding to the outer surface of the twelve.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the lens holding member 10 in which the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the lens accommodating region 76 is overlapped with the outer surface of the first member 12 superimposed on the front side flexible sheet 94. It arrange | positions so that it may accommodate in the part 112. FIG. Here, as the lens holding member 10, the surface of the contact lens 24 is preliminarily processed by surface modification treatment such as plasma treatment shown in FIG. 5 in a state where the dry contact lens 24 before hydration treatment is accommodated. And the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 are subjected to surface modification treatment at the same time. That is, the front-side flexible sheet 94 is superimposed on the lens holding member 10 that has been subjected to the surface modification process described above as a method for manufacturing the contact lens 24 using the lens holding member 10.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11C, a back side flexible sheet 96 is prepared, and is superposed on the front side flexible sheet 94 so as to sandwich the lens holding member 10, and the front side and back side flexible sheets 94, 96 are overlapped. The lens holding member 10 is fixed to each other by heat sealing to form a part of the heat seal fixing surface 100. A distribution case 90 at the time when this process is completed is schematically shown in FIG. In this step, heat sealing of the flexible sheets 94 and 96 is performed around the lens holding member 10 while avoiding a part of the sealing end portions 103 and 104, and a part of the sealing end portions 103 and 104. Is in a non-fixed state that has not yet been heat-sealed. The through hole 124 is formed by such a non-fixed portion, and the accommodating portion 102 formed between the overlapping surfaces of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 is not yet passed through the through hole 124 at the time of completion of this process. It communicates with the outside.

  And as shown in FIG.11 (d), using the conventionally well-known spot welding machine 126, the open side end part 36 and the front side flexible sheet 94 in the 1st member 12, and the open side end in the 2nd member 14 The spot welding surface 98 is formed by spot welding the part 62 and the back side flexible sheet 96 and fixing them together. A distribution case 90 at the time when this process is completed is schematically shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11E, both corners of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are punched, so that both are possible as shown in FIG. The flexible sheets 94 and 96 are rounded quadrangular shapes whose shapes are aligned so that the outer peripheral edges of the flexible sheets 94 and 96 overlap each other.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (f), the hydration process and the cleaning process are performed through the through holes 124 with the through holes 124 opened vertically upward. Such hydration treatment and cleaning treatment are performed by, for example, injecting the treatment liquid from the nozzle 128 through the through-hole 124 into the storage unit 102 and then discharging the treatment liquid injected into the storage unit 102 from the nozzle 128. Preferably, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-107415, a nozzle 128 having both an inlet and an outlet is used. The processing liquid may be injected and discharged at the same time through the through hole 124, and the processing liquid may be circulated in the storage unit 102. As a result, the processing liquid is injected or circulated into the housing portion 102, and the processing liquid enters the lens housing area 76 of the lens holding member 10 through the first and second communication holes 26, 46, and the water in the contact lens 24. Summing and washing processes are performed.

  Subsequently, after the processing liquid in the container 102 used for the hydration process and the cleaning process is discharged and the storage liquid 116 is injected into the container 102 through the through-hole 124, as shown in FIG. Further, the through holes 124 in the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are heat-sealed by a conventionally known heat-sealing machine 130 and fixed to each other, so that the entire circumference around the lens holding member 10 is obtained. A heat seal fixing surface 100 is formed. Thereby, the watertight container 102 is formed, and the lens holding member 10 holding the contact lens 24 is stored in the container 102 together with the storage liquid 116.

  As described above, the contact lens distribution case 90 can be obtained. According to the manufacturing method as described above, the distribution case 90 can be obtained using the lens holding member 10 used in the lens manufacturing process as it is. Thereby, the common lens holding member 10 can be used for both the lens manufacturing process and the lens distribution process, and the manufacturing cost and the distribution cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to transfer the lens after the manufacturing process to the distribution case, the opportunity to handle the lens directly can be reduced, and the risk of lens damage can be greatly reduced. I can do it.

  Furthermore, in this manufacturing method, the lens holding member 10 is subjected to surface modification treatment on the lens surface of the contact lens 24 and the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 at the same time, and the lens holding member 10 is then subjected to front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96. Are accommodated between the overlapping surfaces. As a result, the surface modification treatment can be performed on the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 constituting the substantial inner surface with which the contact lens 24 is brought into contact with the distribution case 90, and only the contact lens 24 is surface modified. As compared with the case where the treatment is performed, it is possible to improve the sliding of the contact lens 24, and the contact lens 24 can be taken out more easily. And according to this manufacturing method, since the surface modification process to the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 is performed simultaneously with the surface modification process to the contact lens 24, it is possible to reduce the number of manufacturing steps. It is possible.

  As mentioned above, although the lens holding member made into the structure according to the present invention and the contact lens distribution case using the same have been described in detail, these are merely examples, and the present invention is based on the specific description in the embodiment. The present invention is not construed as being limited, and for example, structures such as those of the embodiments exemplified below can be suitably employed. However, it should be understood that the structures shown below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, in the following description, about the member and site | part made into the structure similar to the above-mentioned 1st embodiment, respectively, by attaching | subjecting the code | symbol same as 1st embodiment in a figure, those Detailed description is omitted.

  First, FIGS. 13 and 14 show a lens holding member 140 as a second embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member. The spherical concave portion 18 in the present embodiment has a concave dish shape, and the first series of through holes 26 have a substantially square shape with rounded corners. On the other hand, the spherical convex portion 40 has a convex dish shape, and one second communication hole 46 is formed concentrically with the spherical convex portion 40 at the top of the spherical convex portion 40. In this case, it is of course possible to form one first through hole 26 or to form a plurality of second communication holes 46.

  The first member 12 and the second member 14 are connected to each other by a single hinge portion 16 so as to be openable and closable. In the flange portion 42 of the second member 14, a connection side end portion 60 provided with the hinge portion 16. Positioning projections 142 are projected at the ends of the pair of side pieces adjacent to each other in the same direction as the protruding direction of the spherical convex portion 40 and are integrally formed by extending in the extending direction of the pair of side pieces. ing. The pair of positioning protrusions 142 limit the relative displacement of the first member 12 with respect to the second member 14 in the closed state of the lens holding member 140, particularly the relative displacement in the opposing direction of the pair of positioning protrusions 142. It has become.

  Further, the open-side end portion 36 of the flange portion 20 extends outward from the open-side end portion 36 from one end portion to the center portion in the extending direction of the open-side end portion 36 and has a spherical recess. An engaging protrusion 144 is integrally formed so as to protrude in the same direction as the opening direction of 18. On the other hand, an engaging protrusion piece 146 that extends outward from the open end 62 and protrudes in the same direction as the protruding direction of the spherical protrusion 40 is integrally formed with the open end 62 of the flange 42. Has been. Note that the engagement protrusion 146 is formed in the open-side end portion 62 at a substantially half portion on the opposite side to the other engagement protrusion 144 in the closed state of the lens holding member 140.

  When the lens holding member 140 is in the closed state, the engaging protrusions 144 and 146 are maintained in the closed state of the lens holding member 140 by engaging the mutually opposing surfaces in pressure contact with each other. ing. Then, when the lens user or the like separates the projecting pieces 144 and 146 and releases the pressure contact state between the opposing surfaces, the engagement of the projecting pieces 144 and 146 is released and the lens holding member 140 is maintained in the closed state. Is released. Thus, in this embodiment, the lock mechanism is configured including the engagement protrusions 144 and 146.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the convex inner surface 44 is formed on the top convex surface 148 formed on the top of the spherical convex portion 40 and on the peripheral portion of the top convex surface 148, and goes around the top convex surface 148. The curvature of the top side convex surface 148 is larger than that of the peripheral side convex surface 150. Thereby, a stepped portion 52 that goes around the spherical convex portion 40 is formed between the top-side convex surface 148 and the peripheral-side convex surface 150. As in the case of the lens holding member 10, the contact lens 24 before the hydration treatment has an outer peripheral edge abutted against the stepped portion 52 as shown by a solid line in FIG. The contact lens 24 after the hydration treatment is held in the circumferential groove 66 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is held in a substantially concentric positioning state with respect to the portion 40. Thereby, any contact lens 24 before and after the hydration treatment can be held in a positioning state with respect to the spherical convex portion 40. As is apparent from FIG. 15, the stepped portion 52 in the present embodiment is formed by a bent portion that is a connecting portion between the top-side convex surface 148 and the peripheral-side convex surface 150 having different curvatures. As is clear from the above, the stepped portion 52 does not necessarily have to be formed with a planar spread.

  Further, as is apparent from the present embodiment, the opening operation assisting portion by the three-point hinge mechanism 74 provided in the lens holding member 10 as the first embodiment is not necessarily required.

  In the lens holding member 140 having such a structure, the storage solution is filled in the lens storage region 76 through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46. For example, one of the first and second communication holes 26 and 46 is covered with one of the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96, and then the other communication hole is filled. After the storage solution is injected, the communication hole into which the storage solution is injected is covered with the other of the flexible sheets 94 and 96. Preferably, the spherical concave portion 18 is positioned vertically downward, and the vertical lower portion of the spherical concave portion 18 is covered with a front-side flexible sheet 94 in a tray shape, so that the storage solution injected from the second communication hole 46 is stored. The second communication hole 46 is covered with the back side flexible sheet 96 after the storage solution is injected.

  And as shown in FIG. 16, the lens holding member 140 is arrange | positioned so that these 1st and 2nd members 12 and 14 may be covered in the closed state where the 1st and 2nd members 12 and 14 were piled up, respectively. The pair of front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are accommodated between the overlapping surfaces, and the periphery of the lens holding member 140 of both the flexible sheets 94 and 96 is welded over the entire circumference by heat sealing or the like. It is hermetically sealed by being immersed in a preservative solution by being bonded or the like. In FIG. 16, the front side flexible sheet 94 side is shown, and the back side flexible sheet 96 is not shown. Thereby, the contact lens distribution case 154 as the second embodiment of the present invention relating to the contact lens distribution case can be obtained.

  That is, the distribution case 154 according to the present embodiment has a bag-like body 156 formed by sealing the outer peripheral edge portions of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 over the entire circumference in a watertight manner. The storage solution is stored, and the lens holding member 140 in the closed state in which the contact lens 24 is stored and held in the lens storage region 76 is stored in a non-fixed manner without being fixed to the flexible sheets 94 and 96. Thus, the contact lens 24 is accommodated in a state of being immersed in a storage solution. Therefore, as the filling of the storage solution, for example, as in the case 90 in the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 11), the flexible sheets 94 and 96 superimposed on the lens holding member 140 are used. By making a part of the circumference non-fixed, a through-hole communicating with the inside and outside of the bag-like body 156 is formed, and after the preservation solution is injected through the through-hole, the through-hole is sealed with a heat seal. It may be equal.

  In the distribution case 154 according to this embodiment, the housing recess 112 and the concave curved portion 114 are formed in the front side flexible sheet 94, and the front side and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are the outer surfaces of the lens holding member 140. The distribution case 154 is made compact. Further, a notch 158 is formed in a part of the outer peripheral edge of the bag-like body 156.

  When the contact lens 24 is taken out from the distribution case 154, the bag-like body 156 is torn and opened using the notch 158, and the lens holding member 140 is taken out from the bag-like body 156, and then both engaging protrusions The engagement of 144 and 146 is released, and the lens holding member 140 is opened. As described above, in the distribution case 154 in the present embodiment, the case main body is configured by the bag-like body 156. As is clear from this, the case main body may be formed into a bag shape, or the front side. And the back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 may not be fixed to the first and second members 12 and 14.

  Next, FIGS. 17 and 18 show a lens holding member 160 according to a third embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member. The lens holding member 160 in the present embodiment has substantially the same structure as the lens holding member 140 as the second embodiment, and the convex inner surface 44 of the second member 12 has the same structure as that in the second embodiment. The step portion 52 is not formed, and a plurality of second communication holes 46 are formed in the spherical convex portion 40.

  As is apparent from the present embodiment, the stepped portion is not necessarily required, and the lens holding member 160 in the present embodiment that does not include the stepped portion is surface modified such as plasma treatment, particularly in a state where the hard contact lens is accommodated and held. It is suitably used for treatment, graft copolymerization, washing treatment and the like.

  FIG. 19 shows a lens holding member 170 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member. Unlike the lens holding member 140 according to the second embodiment, the lens holding member 170 in the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of second communication holes 46 and the stepped portion 52 is not formed. Further, the engaging protrusions 144 and 146 in the second embodiment are not formed, and the engaging hole 172 formed in the first member 12 and the engaging plate portion 174 formed in the second member 14 are provided. Including a lock mechanism.

  More specifically, the engagement hole 172 is formed with a square hole shape penetrating in the thickness direction of the flange portion 20 between the spherical concave portion 18 of the first member 12 and the open side end portion 36. On the other hand, in the second member 14, an engagement plate portion 174 is integrally formed with the flange portion 42 at a position overlapping the engagement hole 172 when the lens holding member 170 is closed. The engagement plate portion 174 has a rectangular plate shape that is substantially the same as the engagement hole 172. As shown in a model in FIG. 20, the pair of end edge portions facing each other in the engagement plate portion 174 is supported with respect to the pair of end edge portions facing each other in the retracting hole 176 penetrating the flange portion 42. The thin portions 178 are connected integrally. Thus, the engagement plate portion 174 is constructed between a pair of opposite ends of the retraction hole 176 so as to rise from the retraction hole 176 in the protruding direction of the spherical convex portion 40, and substantially the entire retraction hole 176 is formed. It is arrange | positioned so that it may cover. In addition, unevenness as shown in the drawing is formed on the surface of the engagement plate portion 174 as necessary in order to prevent the fingers from slipping.

  Further, a central thin portion 180 is formed in an intermediate portion of the pair of support thin portions 178 in the engagement plate portion 174 by cutting out an end surface facing the retraction hole 176, and the engagement plate portion 174 has a central thin portion. The portion 180 can be bent toward the retracting hole 176. Here, the engagement plate portion 174 enters the retraction hole 176 and is bent, and the retraction hole 176 forms an operation allowable space for the engagement plate portion 174. Therefore, the engagement plate portion 174 has a straight state in which the central thin portion 180 is not bent as shown in a model in FIG. 20A and a central thin portion 180 as shown in a model in FIG. Two states, a bent state where the fold is bent, are selectively expressed. In the present embodiment, the retraction hole 176 has a rectangular shape, and the engagement plate portion 174 is disposed so as to cover substantially the entire retraction hole 176. However, the shape of the retraction hole 176 has the shape of the engagement plate. The part 174 is not particularly limited as long as the part 174 is allowed to enter and an operation allowable space of the engagement plate part 174 is formed.

  Therefore, an engaging protrusion 182 that protrudes outward from the engaging plate portion 174 is formed integrally with the engaging plate portion 174 at a portion opposite to the flange portion 20 on each of both end surfaces where the support thin portion 178 is formed. Has been. On the other hand, in the engagement hole 172, when the lens holding member 170 is closed, a portion on the second member 14 side of the inner surface facing the surface on which the engagement protrusion 182 of the engagement plate portion 174 is formed is engaged. An engaging protrusion 184 that protrudes inward of the joint hole 172 is formed integrally with the flange portion 20.

  In the present embodiment, the open side end portion 36 of the first member 12 in which the engagement hole 172 is formed is the open side end of the second member 14 when the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped. It is preferable to protrude outward from the portion 62. In this way, when the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped, the lens user hooks the open-side end portion 36 of the first member 12 projected outward with the finger, so that the first The member 12 and the second member 14 can be easily opened. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a constricted portion 186 that is recessed inward of the second member 14 is formed on each side of the second member 14 that is connected to the open-side end portion 62. Is formed with anti-slip by a plurality of protrusions 188, thereby making it easier to grip the second member 14 and bend the engaging plate portion 174.

  In the lens holding member 170 having such a structure, when the lens holding member 170 is closed under the bent state of the engagement plate portion 174 and the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped, the engagement plate The part 174 is fitted into the engagement hole 172. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20A, when the engagement plate portion 174 is in a straight line state that is not bent, the engagement projection portion 182 of the engagement plate portion 174 and the engagement projection portion 184 of the engagement hole 172. Are brought into engagement with each other, and a locked state for maintaining the lens holding member 170 in a closed state is developed. In such a locked state, it is impossible or difficult to open the first member 12 even if the user tries to release the first member 12 from the second member 14, and the contact lens is accommodated and held by the lens holding member 170. Can be maintained.

  Then, when the user presses the engagement plate portion 174 toward the retraction hole 176 and bends the central thin portion 180 of the engagement plate portion 174 as shown in FIGS. The engaged state of the mating protrusions 182 and 184 is released, and the locked state is released. In this state, as shown in FIG. 19C, the user opens the lens holding member 170 by separating the first member 12 and the second member 14 from each other. As a result, the contact lens (not shown) is exposed from the lens holding member 170, and the lens can be taken out.

  In this embodiment, the operation allowable space into which the bent engagement plate portion 174 enters is formed by the through-hole-shaped retracting hole 176, but such operation allowable space is not necessarily formed through the flange portion 42. For example, it may be a depressed portion that is concave toward the engagement plate portion 174. Further, in the present embodiment, the engagement hole 172 provided in the first member 12 is provided in the second member 14, and the engagement plate portion 174 provided in the second member 14 is provided in the first member 12. You may do it.

  FIG. 21 shows a lens holding member 190 as a fifth embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member. In the lens holding member 170 according to the fourth embodiment, the lens holding member 190 is formed separately so that the hinge member 16 is omitted and the first member 12 and the second member 14 are separable from each other. Accordingly, the first member 12 is configured such that both end portions in the longitudinal direction (upper left to lower right in FIG. 21) protrude outward from the second member 14 in a state of being superimposed on the second member 14. ing. The engagement holes 172 are formed at both longitudinal ends of the first member 12, and the engagement plate portions 174 are formed at both longitudinal ends of the second member 14. As a result, the lens holding member 190 in the present embodiment is provided with a pair of lock mechanisms including the engagement holes 172 and the engagement plate portions 174. Further, a constricted portion 186 and a protrusion 188 are formed on both sides of each of the pair of engaging plate portions 174.

  According to the lens holding member 190, the pair of engaging plate portions 174 and the pair of engaging holes 172 are engaged with each other, whereby the first member 12 and the second member 14 are held in an overlapped state. . And by making both a pair of engagement board parts 174 into a bending state, the 1st member 12 and the 2nd member 14 can be isolate | separated from each other, and an overlapping state can be cancelled | released. According to the present embodiment, since a plurality of lock mechanisms are provided, even when one of the lock mechanisms is unexpectedly released, the overlapping state of the first member 12 and the second member 14 can be maintained. I can do it. As is clear from this embodiment, the first member and the second member may be separately formed so as to be separable from each other, and as other aspects, for example, they are superposed so as to be separable from each other by concavo-convex fitting. It is good also as a structure etc. hold | maintained to.

  The specific shapes and the number of the first communication holes 26 and the second communication holes 46 are not limited at all. For example, the lens as the sixth embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member shown in FIG. Like the holding member 200, the first series of through holes 26 may have a mesh shape, and the spherical concave portion 18 may have a bowl shape, similar to the lens holding member 10 in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, one second communication hole 46 is formed in a circular shape on the top of the convex inner surface 44, like the lens holding member 160 in the second embodiment. Of course, the first member 12 and the second member 14 may have different shapes and numbers of the first communication holes 26 and the second communication holes 46.

  Next, FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 show a contact lens distribution case 210 as a third embodiment of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case, and a lens holding member used in the contact lens distribution case 210 as a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The lens holding member 212 is shown as a model.

  In the present embodiment, a pair of side portions connected to the sealing end portions 103 and 104 are fixed to the sealing end portions 103 and 104 on the side of the sealing end portions 103 and 104 of the heat seal fixing surface 100. A constricted portion 214 is formed by constricting the surface 100 gradually. Due to the constricted portion 214, the width dimension (the vertical dimension in FIG. 23) in the extending direction of the sealing end portions 103 and 104 in the accommodating portion 102 becomes gradually smaller toward the sealing end portions 103 and 104. Being squeezed.

  As a result, when the distribution case 210 is opened, a bag-like portion 118 having an edge portion formed by the constricted portion 214 is formed, and as shown in a model in FIG. The bag-like portion 118 is shaped to gradually narrow from the opening portion close to the lens holding member 212 toward the bottom portion on the sealing end portions 103 and 104 side. Thereby, the preservation | save liquid 116 can be stored more reliably and the spill of the preservation | save liquid 116 accompanying opening of the distribution | circulation case 210 can be reduced more. That is, the depth of the bag-like portion 118 can be reliably ensured by the constricted portion 214, and the bag-like portion 118 is expressed with a shape that can easily store the storage liquid 116 having a predetermined depth. Further, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 25B, the lens holding member 212 can be further lifted from the bag-like portion 118 by further pulling the open end portions 106 and 108 in the direction of separating from each other. It is also possible to take out the lens more easily.

  Further, in the lens holding member 212 in the present embodiment, a pair of urging members 216 serving as opening operation assisting portions are provided between the first member 12 and the second member 14 on both sides of the hinge portion 16. Yes. The urging member 216 has, for example, a strip shape formed using a synthetic resin material, a rubber elastic body, or an appropriate metal material such as aluminum, similar to the first and second members 12 and 14. As shown in model form in (a), the arch shape is formed in the free state. Both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the urging member 216 are fixed to the outer surface of the connection side end portion 34 of the first member 12 and the outer surface of the connection side end portion 60 of the second member 14 by adhesion, welding, or the like.

  Then, as shown in a model in FIG. 26B, when the lens holding member 212 is opened, the urging member 216 is brought into the expanded state, whereby a restoring force is generated in the urging member 216. . If the opening degree of the first member 12 and the second member 14 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined opening / closing critical angle, the restoring force of the biasing member 216 acts as a biasing force in the direction in which the lens holding member 212 is closed. On the other hand, when it is larger than the opening / closing critical angle, the restoring force of the urging member 216 acts as an urging force in the direction of opening the lens holding member 212, and as shown in a model in FIG. The lens holding member 212 is opened and the opened state is maintained. As is apparent from the present embodiment, the opening operation assisting unit may be formed separately from the first member 12 and the second member 14.

  Next, FIG. 27 schematically shows a contact lens distribution case 220 as a third embodiment of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case. The distribution case 220 uses a so-called blister case as the case member 222. In FIG. 27, the lens holding member 10 as the first embodiment is illustrated as an example of the lens holding member housed in the case member 222. However, any lens holding member having a structure according to the present invention is illustrated. Members can also be employed.

  The case member 222 includes a rigid container body 226 having an opening 224 and a lid sheet 228 as a flexible sheet that can be easily deformed. The container body 226 is a hard member formed from, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. On the other hand, the lid sheet 228 is an easily deformable flexible sheet formed of the same member as the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 in the first embodiment, for example. Then, for example, the lid body 228 is fixed in a watertight manner so as to be peelable by heat sealing or the like on a flange-like portion formed so as to spread from the opening peripheral edge of the opening 224 substantially at right angles to the opening direction. And the lid sheet 228 is formed with a receiving portion 230.

  In such a housing portion 230, the lens holding member 10 is housed together with the storage liquid 116 in a state where the contact lens 24 is housed. Therefore, in the contact lens distribution case 220 according to the present embodiment, the opening 224 is formed by the lid sheet 228 after the lens holding member 10 storing and holding the storage liquid 116 and the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the container body 226 through the opening 224. It is manufactured by being covered. In the present embodiment, the lens holding member 10 is housed in a non-fixed free state in the housing portion 230, but the lens holding member 10 is attached to an appropriate part such as the inner bottom surface of the container body 226, for example. It may be fixed. 27 shows the accommodation state in which the first member 12 is positioned vertically above the second member 14, but the first member 12 is positioned vertically below the second member 14 and accommodated. Of course it is possible.

  Thus, the contact lens distribution case 220 can be configured by housing the lens holding member 10 having a structure according to the present invention in the case member 222 which is a so-called blister case. According to such a lens distribution case 220, the contact lens 24 can be protected by the lens holding member 10 in the housing portion 230. Therefore, the contact holding of the contact lens 24 in the housing portion 230 can be avoided even when the lens holding member 10 is housed in the housing portion 230 in a fixed state as well as in the free state. Further, according to the present embodiment, a part of the wall portion of the housing portion 230 is configured by the easily deformable lid sheet 228. However, since the contact lens 24 is protected by the lens holding member 10, it is caused by an external force or the like. The possibility that deformation of the lid sheet 228 is exerted on the contact lens 24 can also be avoided.

  In addition, the lens holding member 10 used in the manufacturing process is accommodated in the container main body 226 as it is together with the storage liquid 116 in the accommodated state of the contact lens 24, and the opening 224 is sealed with the lid sheet 228, thereby distributing the case. 220, and the lens holding member 10 used in the manufacturing process can be used in common in the distribution process, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the distribution case can be obtained. Since the direct mechanical contact with the contact lens 24 can be avoided when the contact lens 24 is accommodated in 220, the risk of damage to the contact lens 24 can be further reduced.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not construed as being limited to specific descriptions in such embodiments.

  For example, the flange portions 20 and 42 in each of the above embodiments are formed in a flat plate shape. However, as long as they can be overlapped with each other, the flange portions 20 and 42 are not limited to a flat plate shape. Like the member 240, the first member 12 and the second member 14 may be formed with a predetermined thickness. In the lens holding member 240, an outer inner peripheral surface 68 as a cylindrical surface is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the concave inner surface 22, and thus the outer inner peripheral surface 68 is formed on the first member 12. It is also possible. However, the outer inner peripheral surface 68 and the peripheral groove 66 are not necessarily required. Moreover, although the flange parts 20 and 42 in each said embodiment are made into the substantially square shape by which the corner | angular part was rounded, the shape of the flange parts 20 and 42 is not specifically limited, It is more than a triangle or a pentagon Various shapes such as a polygon, a circle, an ellipse, and a combination of arbitrary curves can be appropriately employed.

  Each of the lens holding members described above is housed in the case member, for example, in the same manner as the lens holding members in the first and second embodiments, even though the description of the housing state in the case member is omitted. Of course, it can also be used in the distribution process as a contact lens distribution case.

  Further, for example, in the distribution case 90 in the first embodiment, the front side flexible sheet 94 and the back side flexible sheet 96 may be integrally formed with a single flexible sheet.

  Furthermore, for example, the bag-like portion 118 in the distribution case 90 in the first embodiment is formed by the cooperation of the front side and the back side flexible sheets 94, 96. The storage liquid 116 is stored only in the housing recess 112 of the sheet 94, and only the housing recess 112 is used as a bag-like portion, so that the bag-like portion is formed only in one of the flexible sheets. You may do it.

The present invention is related to a contact lens distribution case to be used for distributed accommodates store contact lenses.

  Contact lenses, such as soft contact lenses and hard contact lenses, are stored and shipped in contact lens distribution cases (hereinafter referred to as distribution cases as appropriate) after being manufactured by a lens manufacturer. And transported from the dealer to the user.

  By the way, during storage and transportation in such a distribution process, various vibrations, inversions, external inputs, and the like are frequently applied to the contact lens accommodated in the distribution case in various unpredictable environments. There, the contact lens is mechanically weak, and even with slight distortion, the optical characteristics may change and affect the quality. Therefore, the contact lens is stably held in the distribution case and is free from deformation and distortion. Need to be provided to the user.

  However, the blister pack currently widely used as a distribution case for contact lenses is only examined for securing the case strength. As disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, some blister packs are used. A housing formed between a concave housing having strength and having an opening and a flexible sheet releasably attached to a flange-like portion formed in the opening of the housing It is only a thing which accommodates a contact lens in a free state in an area. Therefore, it has been difficult to ensure and guarantee sufficient reliability to be provided at the time of use by the user while maintaining the desired shape under various conditions as described above.

  In particular, in the case of a disposable lens or the like, there is a great demand for a compact distribution case because a large number of lenses are provided at once in a state of being accommodated in the distribution case. Therefore, as in Patent Document 3, a distribution case for accommodating a lens between the overlapping surfaces of flexible sheets has been studied. However, in the distribution case as described in Patent Document 3, the flexible sheet may be deformed by an external force in the distribution process, and it may be exerted on the contact lens. It was difficult.

JP-A-7-322911 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-23916 JP 2005-234576 A

In view of the circumstances as described above, the present inventor recognizes that a new and big problem is how to stably hold the lens in the distribution process until the contact lens is provided to the user. did. The present invention is based on this novel finding, capable of holding stably the lens in the distribution process of the contact lens, to provide a contact lens distribution case using the lens holding member of the novel structure Is an issue.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention made to solve the above-described problems will be described. In addition, the component employ | adopted in each aspect as described below is employable by arbitrary combinations as much as possible.

That is, the feature of the first aspect of the present invention is that it includes a case member having a storage portion for storing the storage liquid and storing the contact lens in a immersed state. in the contact lens distribution case used to provide a contact lens to, for the first holding portion co the first holding portion is provided with a concave inner surface first communication for communicating the concave inner surface to the outer surface a first member having a through hole is formed, convex on the said second holding portion for co When the second holding portion having a convex inner surface corresponding to the concave inner surface is provided in said first member A second member formed with a second communication hole for communicating the inner surface with the outer surface, and the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface by being brought into contact with each other in a superposed state of the first member and the second member Set the distance between the facing surfaces A contact portion superposed to form the lens housing areas between the facing surfaces of their concave inner surface and a convex inner surface, it can be used to release the second member before and Symbol first member in a state superimposed to form said lens receiving area A lens holding member configured to be fixed to each other, and the first member and the second member of the lens holding member are held in an overlapped state by the locking mechanism, and the lens is accommodated. While the contact lens is accommodated in the region, the lens holding member is accommodated in the accommodating portion of the case member together with the preservation liquid, so that the contact lens is accommodated in the preservation liquid while the case member is contained. At least a part of the wall surface of the housing portion is formed of a flexible sheet, and the flexible sheet holds the lens in the open state of the lens holding member. Towards timber in a contact lens distribution case adapted bag shape portion for storing the preserving liquid is caused to opening is formed.

According to the lens holding member in the contact lens distribution case structured according to this aspect, the lens housing region formed by the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface is shaped to be close to the contact lens. In addition, the first member and the second member can be held stably by the lock mechanism, so that the first member and the second member can be prevented from being inadvertently opened. I can do it. At the same time, the first member and the second member can protect the accommodated contact lens from an external force or the like. For example, even when a part of the distribution case is formed of a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet Can be prevented from being applied to the contact lens. In particular, the rigidity of the lens housing region is advantageously ensured by the spherical inner surface of the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface. And, if such a lens holding member is accommodated in the distribution case together with the preservation liquid in a state where the contact lens is accommodated, the preservation liquid enters the inside of the lens accommodation region through the first series of holes and the second communication hole, The stored contact lens can be stored in a preservative solution, and the contact lens can be protected from various vibrations and shocks that have not been considered before. This makes it possible to maintain the desired shape and provide it to the end user.

  Furthermore, by using such a lens holding member, an effective effect can be exhibited regardless of whether the amount of the preserving liquid in the distribution case is large or small. In other words, when a certain amount of container capacity is secured in consideration of evaporation of the storage liquid, the lens moves in the distribution case by holding the lens in a stable shape at the desired position with the lens holding member. Thus, the risk of reversing or deforming can be reduced. On the other hand, when the container capacity is small due to a request for downsizing of the distribution case, such as a disposable lens provided in a large number of sheets, the lens holding member is formed by aligning the inner shape of the distribution case with the lens holding member. Thus, it is possible to set the storage liquid amount in the distribution case extremely small while ensuring the lens shape stably.

In addition, the lens holding member in the contact lens distribution case according to the present invention can be suitably used in the lens manufacturing process. As is well known, contact lenses include surface modification treatments such as plasma treatment and corona discharge treatment for the purpose of improving hydrophilicity in the manufacturing process, hydration treatment to hydrate the lens, Various treatments such as a washing treatment for removing impurities such as reaction monomers are performed. Therefore, if the lens holding member according to the present invention is used, the lens can be stably held at an intended position by using a common lens holding member in each processing step. The lens can be protected by the first member and the second member from the water pressure and the like in the sum and cleaning processes, and the risk of lens damage in each process can be reduced. Since both the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface of the lens housing area communicate with the outside through the first series of holes and the second communication hole, the contact lens is kept in the state where the lens is housed in the lens housing area. Various treatments can be effectively performed. Furthermore, since each process can be carried out while the contact lens is housed and held in the lens holding member, a common lens holding member can be used in each process, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. It is not necessary to transfer the contact lens to each lens holding member, so that it is possible to avoid the possibility of lens damage due to mechanical contact during the transfer, and transfer equipment and processes are also unnecessary. The

Furthermore, when the manufacturing process is completed, it is possible to store the contact lens together with the lens holding member in the distribution case in the state where the contact lens is stored in the lens holding member, and the same lens holding in both the manufacturing process and the distribution process. A member can be used. As a result, the manufacturing cost and the distribution cost can be reduced, and the direct mechanical contact with the contact lens when the contact lens is transferred from the production line to the distribution case becomes unnecessary. In addition to reducing the fear, equipment and processes for transferring the lens can be eliminated.
In addition, according to the contact lens distribution case structured according to the present invention, the contact lens is protected from various vibrations and shocks during transportation by housing the contact lens in a protected state by the lens holding member. I can do it. Thereby, damage or deformation of the contact lens in the distribution process can be suppressed, and the desired lens shape can be held more reliably and provided to the end user. Here, as the case member, for example, at least a part of the case member may be formed of a flexible sheet that is easily deformable, such as a so-called blister pack, or the entire case member may be formed of a hard member. Etc.
Further, according to the contact lens distribution case structured according to the present invention, for example, by arranging the flexible sheet along the first member or the second member of the lens holding member, the distribution case can be made compact and the storage liquid can be stored. The amount can be reduced. Since the contact lens inside the housing portion is protected by the lens holding member, it is possible to avoid the possibility that deformation of the flexible sheet due to contact with other members is exerted on the lens.
Furthermore , according to the contact lens distribution case having the structure according to the present invention, when the distribution case is opened, the storage solution can be stored in the bag-like portion, thereby suppressing the spillage of the storage solution accompanying the opening. Thereby, the troublesomeness caused by the storage liquid spilling when the lens is taken out can be reduced. Here, the bag-shaped portion may be formed with a curved concave shape in the central portion of one flexible sheet, for example, or, for example, as described in the sixteenth aspect described later, The front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet are fixed to each other on the hinge connecting part side of the first member and the second member, and when the lens holding member is opened, the front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet are allowed. A mode in which a bag-like part for storing a storage liquid is developed with the flexible sheet as a bottom part of the fixing part on the hinge connection part side can also be suitably employed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to the first aspect, the overlapping contact portion includes an outer peripheral side of the concave inner surface of the first member and the second The member is formed so as to surround the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface on the outer peripheral side of the convex inner surface of the member. According to this aspect, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface can be stably maintained at the desired dimension over substantially the entire circumference. Thereby, the further stable holding | maintenance of a contact lens can be achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to the first or second aspect, the first member and the second member are both plate-shaped, While the 1st holding | maintenance part is made into the concave dish shape, the said 2nd holding | maintenance part is made into the convex dish shape, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to this aspect, the first member and the second member can be formed thin, and the lens holding member can be made compact and lightweight. Therefore, even if the first member and the second member are plate-shaped, the strength of the lens housing region is advantageous because the inner surface of the lens housing region has a spherical inner surface formed by a concave inner surface and a convex inner surface. Secured.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first member and the second member are overlaid, A cylindrical surface rising in the overlapping direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lens housing region formed between the opposing surfaces of the first holding part and the second holding part.

  The outer peripheral inner surface of the lens housing region in this embodiment refers to the outer peripheral edge of the inner surface of the lens housing region on the side where the concave inner surface is positioned, and refers to the inner surface positioned outside the outer peripheral edge of the contact lens. According to this aspect, the contact lens can be positioned and stably held in the lens housing area by bringing the outer peripheral edge of the contact lens housed in the lens housing area into contact with the cylindrical surface. I can do it.

  Here, the cylindrical surface may be formed on either the first member or the second member. Preferably, as a fifth aspect of the present invention relating to the lens holding member, in the lens holding member according to the fourth aspect, a circumferential groove extending so as to surround an outer peripheral edge portion of the second holding portion in the second member. A mode in which the cylindrical surface is formed by the outer peripheral surface may be employed. In this way, the contact lens can be held more stably by accommodating the outer peripheral edge of the lens in the circumferential groove.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a circumferential direction is formed between the central portion and the outer peripheral edge portion of the convex inner surface. It is characterized in that a stepped portion extending in the direction is formed.

  The lens holding member structured according to this embodiment is particularly advantageously used for a soft contact lens that is hydrated in the manufacturing process. That is, according to this aspect, the outer peripheral edge part of the soft contact lens in a dry state before the hydration treatment can be supported by the step part. Thereby, the lens can be stably held in the positioning state in any state before and after the hydration treatment. Furthermore, this aspect is suitably used for a soft contact lens that is hydrated, particularly in combination with the fifth aspect. In this way, the soft contact lens before the hydration treatment is supported by the stepped portion, and the outer peripheral edge of the swollen soft contact lens after the hydration treatment can be accommodated in the circumferential groove. A more stable lens holding can be realized before and after the processing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the first member and the second member can be opened and closed. It is said that it is said. According to this aspect, the first member and the second member can be easily opened and closed, and the first member and the second member are maintained in a connected state without being separated from each other even when the lens holding member is opened. Therefore, the convenience of handling the lens holding member can be improved. In this case, as the hinge connection structure, for example, a hinge formed separately from the first member and the second member may be used. Preferably, the first member and the second member including the hinge connection portion are used. Are integrally molded. In this way, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to the seventh aspect, when the first member and the second member are opened by a predetermined amount, the first member And an opening operation assisting section that automatically develops the open state of the second member and maintains the open state.

  According to this aspect, the lens holding member can be easily opened, and the open state is maintained, so that the lens can be easily taken out. Moreover, since the open state is maintained, the lens can be easily placed on the lens holding member in the lens manufacturing process. Here, as the opening operation assisting part, for example, it is provided across the first member and the second member so that the non-deformed state is expressed in the closed state and the open state of the first member and the second member, respectively. The first member and the second member are opened in the opening direction by a restoring force generated by elastic deformation based on an opening operation of a predetermined amount or more from the closed state of the first member and the second member. A structure that generates an acting force and maintains the open state by making the first member and the second member open again when the first member and the second member are opened is preferably used. A point hinge mechanism or the like is advantageously used.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to the eighth aspect, the first member, the second member, and the opening operation assisting portion are integrally formed. , Feature. According to this aspect, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing steps of the lens holding member can be reduced. Preferably, for example, the lens holding member is an integrally molded product by injection molding or the like.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the locking member is the first member and the second member. The part on the opposite side to the hinge connecting part sandwiching the first holding part or the second holding part is locked with each other. According to this aspect, the fixed state of the first member and the second member can be stably maintained by sandwiching both sides of the first member and the second member by the hinge connecting portion and the lock mechanism.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, a plurality of the lock mechanisms are provided. . According to this aspect, by fixing the first member and the second member to each other at a plurality of locations, even if any of the lock mechanisms is inadvertently released for some reason, The fixed state of the one member and the second member can be maintained.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the lens holding member of the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a surface modification treatment is applied to the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface. It is characterized by being given. Examples of the surface modification treatment in this embodiment include plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment, polishing treatment, and laser processing. As a result, it is possible to suppress sticking of the contact lens accommodated in the accommodation region to the concave inner surface or the convex inner surface, or to make it easier to remove the lens.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens distribution case according to the first to twelfth aspects, the case member overlaps the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet, The lens holding member is disposed between the overlapping surfaces, and the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet are sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member, To do. According to this aspect, by making the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet along the lens holding member, it is possible to further reduce the distribution case and further reduce the amount of the storage solution. In particular, it can be suitably used as a distribution case for disposable lenses that are provided together with a large number of lenses housed in the distribution case.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the lens member is accommodated in the lens accommodating region of the lens holding member by opening the case member. The contact lens that has been placed is exposed in a state of being placed on the convex inner surface of the second member. In this way, the user can easily work from opening the case to wearing the lens while avoiding finger contact with the lens inner surface that contacts the cornea, thereby reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and improving convenience. Improvements can be made.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the first member and the second member of the lens holding member with respect to the case member. A member is fixed, and the first member and the second member are opened when the case member is opened. In this way, since the lens holding member is opened by opening the case member, the lens can be taken out more easily.

Specifically, for example , as a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens distribution case according to the fifteenth aspect, the lens holding member can be opened and closed by the first member and the second member. In addition to the hinge connection structure, the case member overlaps the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet with each other, and the lens holding member is disposed between the overlapping surfaces. The sealing sheet and the back-side flexible sheet are sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member, while the first member and the second member are open on the opposite side of the hinge connecting portion. A mode in which the end is fixed to each of the front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet is suitably employed.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the lens holding member is capable of opening and closing the first member and the second member. The case member is configured such that the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet are superposed on each other, and the lens holding member is disposed between the superposed surfaces. The flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet are sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member, while the first member and the second member are opened opposite to the hinge connection portion. Side end portions are fixed to one of the front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet, and further, the front-side flexible sheet and the back-side flexible sheet are sealed on the hinge connecting portion side. At the end of the hinge connecting portion side窄部 which is narrowed him to go part is formed, that is adapted to form an edge portion of the bag portion by 該窄 unit, characterized.

  According to this aspect, the lens holding member can be opened by opening the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet, and when the lens holding member is opened, the bag-like portion is It is positioned in an open state to the hinge connecting portion between the second members. At the same time, since the edge of the bag-like portion is formed as a constricted portion, the bag-like portion can be shaped into a bowl shape constricted from the opening toward the bottom. Thereby, it becomes possible to store a preservation | save liquid more stably and can suppress the spilling of the preservation | save liquid at the time of distribution case opening more.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the contact lens distribution case according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects, the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface of the lens holding member, and the concave inner surface, A surface modification treatment is performed on the surface of the contact lens housed in the lens housing region formed between the opposing surfaces of the convex inner surface.

  Examples of the surface modification treatment in this embodiment include plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment, polishing treatment, and laser processing. And according to this aspect, the surface modification treatment is applied to both the inner surface of the lens housing region and the contact lens, thereby sticking the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface of the contact lens accommodated in the housing region. It is possible to suppress the lens and make it easier to remove the lens.

The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in the embodiment of the present invention . The perspective view of the open state of the lens holding member. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the closed state of the lens holding member. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the opening operation assistance part in the lens holding member. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the surface modification process using the lens holding member. The perspective view of the open state of the contact lens distribution | circulation case in embodiment of this invention . The perspective view by the side of the front side flexible sheet of the contact lens distribution case. The perspective view by the side of the back side flexible sheet of the contact lens distribution case. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the closed state of the contact lens distribution case. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the open state of the contact lens distribution case. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the contact lens distribution | circulation case. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the contact lens distribution | circulation case in each process in the manufacturing method. The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in 2nd embodiment of this invention regarding a lens holding member. The perspective view of the open state of the lens holding member. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the closed state of the lens holding member. The perspective view of the contact lens distribution case in another embodiment of the present invention . The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in another embodiment of the present invention . The perspective view of the open state of the lens holding member. The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in another embodiment of the present invention, the release state of the lock mechanism, and the open state. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing for demonstrating the locked state and releasing state of the locking mechanism in the lens holding member. The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in another embodiment of the present invention . The perspective view of the closed state of the lens holding member in another embodiment of the present invention . Explanatory drawing of the closed state of the contact lens distribution | circulation case in another embodiment of this invention . Explanatory drawing of the open state of the contact lens distribution case. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the open state of the contact lens distribution case. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the lens holding member as another embodiment of this invention . Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the closed state of the contact lens distribution | circulation case in another embodiment of this invention . Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the lens holding member as a further different aspect of this invention .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lens holding member 12 1st member 14 2nd member 18 Spherical recessed part 20 Flange part 22 Concave inner surface 24 Contact lens 26 First continuous hole 40 Spherical convex part 42 Flange part 44 Convex inner surface 46 Second communicating hole 76 Lens accommodation area

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a lens holding member 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The lens holding member 10 has a structure in which a plate-like first member 12 and a second member 14 are connected to each other by a plurality of (four in this embodiment) hinge portions 16 so as to be opened and closed. The closed state of the lens holding member 10 refers to a state where the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped (the state illustrated in FIG. 1), and the open state of the lens holding member 10 refers to the first member 12. And the state where the second member 14 is unsuperposed (the state shown in FIG. 2). Moreover, in the following description, the inner surface in each of the first member 12 and the second member 14 refers to a surface on the overlapping surface side, and the outer surface refers to a surface opposite to the overlapping surface.

  In particular, the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment is an integrally molded product including a three-point hinge mechanism 74 described later including the first member 12, the second member 14, and the hinge portion 16. The molding material of the lens holding member 10 is preferably a plastic synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene, and the lens holding member 10 is preferably formed by a conventionally known resin molding method such as injection molding. It is not limited.

  The first member 12 has a spherical concave portion 18 as a first holding portion having a bowl shape as a whole, and a substantially rectangular flat plate shape that protrudes from the outer periphery of the spherical concave portion 18 and surrounds the spherical concave portion 18. The flange part 20 is provided. In particular, the first member 12 in the present embodiment is a plate having a substantially constant thickness, and the spherical recess 18 is a recess that is recessed toward the second member 14 when the lens holding member 10 is closed. A concave dish shape having an inner surface 22 is formed.

  3, the spherical concave portion 18 is opposed to a spherical convex portion 40 of the second member 14 described later in a closed state of the lens holding member 10 to form a lens accommodating region 76 as shown in a model form in FIG. 3. The curvature of the concave inner surface 22 is made smaller than the front curve of the contact lens 24 to be accommodated. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spherical recess 18 has a plurality of first through holes 26 penetrating in the thickness direction of the first member 12, and the concave inner surface 22 has a first series. The through hole 26 communicates with the outer surface of the spherical recess 18.

  As will be described later, the number and specific shape of the first series of through-holes 26 are not particularly limited. In particular, in the present embodiment, the spherical recesses extend radially from the center of the spherical recesses 18. A plurality of first through holes 26 are formed in 18 radial directions and circumferential directions. Here, the ratio of the plurality of first through holes 26 in the concave inner surface 22 is larger than the ratio of the non-formed portion of the first through holes 26, and the spherical recess 18 in the present embodiment has a diameter of A plurality of beam-like skeleton portions 28 extending in the direction are combined to form a bowl shape. In addition, a disc-shaped portion 30 is formed at the center of the spherical recess 18, and an annular portion 32 extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the spherical recess 18 is formed between the center and the outer periphery. Thus, the strength of the spherical recess 18 is improved. A concave inner surface 22 is formed by the inner surfaces of the skeleton 28, the disk-shaped portion 30 and the annular portion 32, and a first series of through holes 26 are formed therebetween.

  On the outer peripheral side of the concave inner surface 22, a plate-like flange portion 20 that projects outwardly perpendicular to the opening direction of the concave inner surface 22 surrounds the concave inner surface 22 over the entire circumference of the concave inner surface 22. Is formed. In the present embodiment, the spherical concave portion 18 and the flange portion 20 are integrally formed. In other words, the spherical concave portion 18 is formed in the central portion of the flange portion 20. In particular, the flange portion 20 in the present embodiment has a flat rectangular shape with rounded corners.

  Further, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) hinge portions 16 are integrally formed at the end portion on one side of the flange portion 20, and these end portions serve as connection-side end portions 34. . Further, the flange portion 20 has a spherical recess 18 sandwiched between the central portion of the open side end portion 36 opposite to the connection side end portion 34 and protrudes toward the second member 14 when the lens holding member 10 is closed. The nail | claw part 38 is integrally formed.

  The connection side end 34 of the first member 12 having such a structure is connected to the second member 14 via the hinge portion 16. The second member 14 has a spherical convex portion 40 as a second holding portion having a bowl shape as a whole, and a substantially square flat plate shape that protrudes from the outer periphery of the spherical convex portion 40 and surrounds the spherical convex portion 40. The flange part 42 as a part is provided. In particular, the second member 14 in the present embodiment is a plate having a substantially constant thickness dimension, and the spherical convex portion 40 is convex toward the first member 12 when the lens holding member 10 is closed, A convex dish shape having a convex inner surface 44 having a shape corresponding to the concave inner surface 22 is formed. The thickness dimension of the second member 14 is substantially equal to the thickness dimension of the first member 12.

  As described above, the convex inner surface 44 forms the lens accommodating region 76 in the closed state of the lens holding member 10 (see FIG. 3), and the curvature of the convex inner surface 44 is the curvature of the contact lens 24 to be accommodated. It is larger than the base curve. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spherical convex portion 40 has a plurality of second communication holes 46 penetrating in the thickness direction of the second member 14, and the convex inner surface 44 has a second inner surface 44. The communication hole 46 communicates with the outer surface of the spherical convex portion 40.

  Further, the convex inner surface 44 includes a top-side convex surface 48 positioned on the center side and an outer peripheral-side convex surface 50 positioned on the outer peripheral side and extending in the circumferential direction of the top-side convex surface 48. Here, the curvature of the outer peripheral convex surface 50 is made smaller than the curvature of the top convex surface 48, and the convex inner surface 44 protrudes radially outward between the top convex surface 48 and the outer peripheral convex surface 50. Thus, a stepped portion 52 extending in the circumferential direction of the convex inner surface 44 is formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral portion of the dried contact lens 24 before water content is placed on the stepped portion 52, and the dried contact lens 24 is placed on the convex inner surface 44. Positioning can be performed at substantially the same center. Accordingly, the outer diameter dimension of the stepped portion 52 is set larger than the diameter dimension of the contact lens in the dry state and smaller than the diameter dimension of the contact lens in the swollen state after the hydration treatment.

  In particular, the spherical convex portion 40 in the present embodiment is formed in a bowl shape formed by combining a plurality of skeleton portions 54, similarly to the spherical concave portion 18, and a circular portion is formed at the central portion of the spherical convex portion 40. A plate-like portion 56 is formed, and an annular portion 58 is formed between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion. And the level | step-difference part 52 is formed by bending the substantially intermediate | middle part of each frame | skeleton part 54 extended toward the outer periphery of the spherical convex part 40 from the annular | circular shaped part 58 so that it may protrude outward.

  Here, preferably, the surface modification treatment is performed on each of the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44. Examples of such surface modification treatment include plasma treatment and corona discharge treatment conventionally used to improve hydrophilicity. Thereby, sticking to the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 of the contact lens 24 is reduced, and the contact lens 24 can be taken out more easily.

  Further, in particular, the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment is exposed with the contact lens 24 placed on the convex inner surface 44 when the first and second members 12 and 14 are opened. Yes. Specifically, for example, the contact area between the contact lens 24 and the convex inner surface 44 is larger than the contact area between the contact lens 24 and the concave inner surface 22 in a storage state in a lens storage region 76 described later. The difference between the curvature of the convex inner surface 44 and the base curve of the contact lens 24 is set to be smaller than the difference between the curvature of the concave inner surface 22 and the front curve of the contact lens 24, or By adjusting the degree of surface modification treatment applied to the inner surface 22 to make the surface roughness different from each other, the contact friction force with the convex inner surface 44 of the contact lens 24 is made larger than that of the concave inner surface 22, etc. Done.

  Further, a flange portion 42 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the convex inner surface 44 in the same manner as the first member 12. The flange portion 42 protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the spherical convex portion 40 in the direction orthogonal to the protruding direction of the spherical convex portion 40 and surrounds the spherical convex portion 40 in substantially the same manner as the flange portion 20 in the first member 12. The end portion on one side is a connecting side end portion 60 integrally formed with the hinge portion 16, while the end portion on the opposite side of the connecting side end portion 60 is sandwiched between the spherical convex portions 40. The end is an open end 62. Further, a locking wall portion 64 that protrudes slightly outward is integrally formed at the central portion of the open side end portion 62.

  Here, when the longitudinal dimension of the flange portions 20 and 42 in the first member 12 and the second member 14 is a dimension in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the connecting side end portions 34 and 60, the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 20. The dimension is made larger by the amount of the claw portion 38 than the flange portion 42. On the other hand, when the width direction dimension of the flange parts 20 and 42 is the dimension in the extending direction of the connecting side end parts 34 and 60, the width direction dimension of the flange part 20 is made smaller than the width direction dimension of the flange part 42. Yes. Thereby, in the closed state of the lens holding member 10, that is, in the overlapped state of the first member 12 and the second member 14, the first member 12 is protruded from the second member 14 by the amount of the claw portion 38 in the longitudinal direction. At the same time, the second member 14 is projected from the first member 12 in the width direction. As described above, when the end portions excluding the connecting side end portions 34 and 60 are shifted from each other in the overlapped state, for example, when the lens holding member 10 is directly opened with fingers, the first and second members are used. 12 and 14 can be easily opened by placing fingers on only one of them.

  Furthermore, a peripheral groove 66 that opens in the protruding direction of the spherical convex portion 40 is formed between the outer peripheral edge portion of the spherical convex portion 40, in other words, between the spherical convex portion 40 and the flange portion 42. An annular shape is formed over the entire circumference so as to surround the peripheral edge. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface 68 of the peripheral groove 66 is larger than the diameter of the stepped portion 52 and slightly larger than the diameter of the contact lens 24 to be accommodated. As shown in FIG. 3, when the contact lens 24 before water supported by the stepped portion 52 in a positioning state with respect to the convex inner surface 44 contains water and swells, as shown by the two-dot chain line, The peripheral edge of 24 is accommodated in the circumferential groove 66. Here, the outer inner peripheral surface 68 is positioned on the outer peripheral inner surface of the lens housing region 76 formed between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 in a state where the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped. The cylindrical surface rises in the overlapping direction of the first member 12 and the second member 14 (vertical direction in FIG. 3). As a result, the outer peripheral edge of the swollen contact lens 24 is brought into contact with the outer inner peripheral surface 68, so that the contact lens 24 can be held in alignment with the central portion of the lens housing region 76. . It should be noted that the outer inner peripheral surface 68 does not need to be strictly aligned with the overlapping direction of the first and second members 12 and 14 and may be formed with a slight inclination.

  The connection-side end portion 34 of the first member 12 and the connection-side end portion 60 of the second member 14 having such a structure are connected to each other by a plurality (four in this embodiment) of the hinge portions 16. Thereby, the 1st member 12 and the 2nd member 14 are connected so that opening and closing is mutually possible. Further, an elastic plate 70 is provided between the pair of hinge portions 16. As shown in FIG. 4 as a model, the elastic plate 70 has an inverted L shape, and both end portions of the connecting side end portions 34 and 60 are formed by thin deformable thin portions 72 that act as hinges. Each is connected to one. In particular, in the present embodiment, the elastic plate 70 is integrally formed with the first and second members 12 and 14.

  When the first member 12 and the second member 14 are opened from the closed state shown in FIG. 4A with the hinge portion 16 as a fulcrum, the elastic plate 70 is thin as shown in FIG. 4B. Based on the deformation of the portion 72, the lens holding member 10 is projected outward. Here, if the opening angle of the first and second members 12 and 14 is less than or equal to a predetermined opening / closing critical angle due to the elastic plate 70 trying to maintain its shape, the first and second members 12 and 14 are used. An urging force in the closing direction is exerted on the. On the other hand, when the first and second members 12 and 14 are further opened and opened larger than a predetermined opening / closing critical angle, a biasing force in the opening direction is exerted by the elastic plate 70, and FIG. As shown to (c), while being opened automatically to a predetermined open position, this open state is maintained. In short, in the present embodiment, the elastic plate 70 and the pair of hinge portions 16 provided on both sides thereof constitute a three-point hinge mechanism 74 as an opening operation assisting portion, and the first member 12 and the second member 14. Are connected to each other by a pair of three-point hinge mechanisms 74 so that the open state and the closed state can be selectively maintained.

  When such a lens holding member 10 is in a closed state in which the first and second members 12 and 14 are overlapped with each other, the concave inner surface 22 is replaced with the convex inner surface 44 as shown in FIG. A lens housing region 76 for housing the contact lens 24 is formed between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44. The distance between the opposing surfaces in the overlapping direction of the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 is set by the flange portions 20 and 42 being overlapped with each other and brought into contact with each other. Preferably, it is set within the range of 0.1 to 3.0 mm, more preferably 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and still more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

  As described above, the lens housing region 76 is partially formed by the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44, and communicates with the outside through the first communication hole 26 and the second communication hole 46. In addition, the outer inner peripheral surface 68 of the peripheral groove 66 serving as a cylindrical surface is positioned on the outer peripheral portion of the concave side surface including the concave inner surface 22 in the lens housing region 76.

  Further, in the closed state of the lens holding member 10, the claw portion 38 of the first member 12 gets over the locking wall portion 64 of the second member 14, and the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64 are locked to each other. As a result, the first member 12 and the second member 14 are fixed to each other and the closed state is maintained, and the engagement between the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64 is released, whereby the first member 12 and the second member 14 are The two members 14 can be opened. Thus, in this embodiment, the locking mechanism is configured including the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64, and the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64 include the spherical concave portion 18 and the spherical convex portion 40. The first member 12 and the second member 14 are connected to each other on both sides of the lens housing region 76 by being formed on the open side end portions 36 and 62 on the opposite side of the hinge portion 16. The closed state of the lens holding member 10 is stably maintained.

  In the accommodated state in the lens accommodating region 76, the contact lens 24 is protected by the spherical concave portion 18 on the lens front surface (surface opposite to the cornea in the worn state), and protected by the spherical convex portion 40 on the lens rear surface side. The Thereby, the entire contact lens 24 is protected by the first member 12 and the second member 14. Since the lens housing area 76 has a shape close to the contact lens 24 by the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44, the contact lens 24 is prevented from being reversed in the lens housing area 76, and the contact lens 24 It can be held stably. In particular, in this embodiment, as schematically shown in FIG. 3, the contact lens 24 in a dry state before hydration treatment is supported by the stepped portion 52 of the convex inner surface 44, while The contact lens 24 in the swollen state has its outer peripheral edge abutted against the outer inner peripheral surface 68 of the circumferential groove 66, so that the contact lens 24 can be placed in the lens housing region 76 in any state before and after the hydration treatment. The center part can be stably held in the positioning state.

  The lens holding member 10 having such a structure is preferably used in a contact lens manufacturing process, particularly in a soft contact lens manufacturing process in which hydration is performed. Below, the example of the manufacturing process of the soft contact lens using the lens holding member 10 in this embodiment is outlined.

  First, the lens holding member 10 is opened, and the contact lens 24 in a dry state before being hydrated and manufactured in a predetermined shape is placed on the convex inner surface 44. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the open state is maintained by the three-point hinge mechanism 74, the contact lens 24 can be easily and stably placed. Then, by closing the lens holding member 10, the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the lens accommodation region 76. In such an accommodation state, the contact lens 24 before the hydration treatment is stably supported by the central portion of the lens accommodation region 76 by the stepped portion 52 of the convex inner surface 44 as shown by the solid line in FIG. It has become.

  Then, a surface modification process such as a plasma process disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-50379 is performed on the surface of the contact lens 24 that has been held and held by the lens holding member 10. Since specific conditions and the like of the plasma treatment are described in detail in the publication, an outline will be described below.

  The plasma treatment described in the publication is performed in the atmosphere. First, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, the lens holding member 10 that houses and holds the contact lens 24 is set on the transport device 80. The conveyance device 80 is, for example, a belt conveyor or the like, and conveys the lens holding member 10 in the conveyance direction (from left to right in FIG. 5). Further, a pair of plasma generators 82 are disposed at a predetermined distance from each other on both sides of the transfer device 80 perpendicular to the transfer direction. The plasma generator 82 includes an electrode that generates plasma and a gas introduction pipe that blows out plasma generated between the electrodes to the outside. By introducing the gas between the electrodes, the plasma gas is introduced into the outside atmosphere. It blows out. These plasma generators 82 are arranged with the plasma gas blowing direction toward the transfer device 80. As shown in FIG. 5, the lens holding member 10 is preferably arranged so that the front and rear surfaces of the contact lens 24 accommodated and held are opposed to the plasma gas blowing direction of the plasma generator 82, respectively. The optical axis direction of the contact lens 24 is set in the transport device 80 so as to be equal to the blowing direction of the plasma gas.

  Then, when plasma gas is sprayed from both sides to the lens holding member 10 by the plasma generator 82, the plasma gas is brought into contact with the surface of the contact lens 24 through the first continuous hole 26 and the second communication hole 46. It is done. Thereby, the hydrophilicity of the surface of the contact lens 24 can be improved.

  If the lens holding member 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment is used, the contact lens 24 can be protected from the stress of the plasma gas by the first and second members 12 and 14, and the contact lens 24 can be skipped. The risk of being damaged or damaged can be reduced. In particular, since the lens housing region 76 has a shape close to the contact lens 24 by the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44, the contact lens 24 is stably held and the contact lens 24 is displaced in the lens housing region 76. It is also possible to suppress the risk of damage to the lens due to intense striking against the inner surface of the lens housing area 76 or the like.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, even the contact lens 24 before being hydrated can be stably supported in a positioned state at the central portion of the lens housing region 76 by being supported by the step portion 52. Thereby, the contact lens 24 can be stably positioned at an intended relative position with respect to the plasma generator 82, and the surface modification process can be performed more stably.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first and second communication holes 26 and 46 are formed to be sufficiently large, and the spherical concave portion 18 and the spherical convex portion 40 are both formed in a bowl shape. Sufficient plasma gas can be brought into contact with the contact lens 24 in the region 76. Further, when a part of the plasma passes through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46, the traveling direction of the plasma is variously changed by contacting the peripheral portions of the communication holes 26 and 46. Accordingly, it is possible to bring the plasma into contact with the surface of the contact lens 24 not only from the blowing direction of the plasma generator 82 but also from various angles. Can be done. Furthermore, by generating a phenomenon similar to arc discharge, which is thought to be caused by the concentration of plasma, in the vicinity of the first and second communication holes 26 and 46, the phenomenon occurs at the outer peripheral edge of the contact lens 24. This can reduce the risk of damage to the contact lens 24 that is considered to be caused by the heat of arc discharge at the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

  The above-described plasma treatment mode is merely an example. For example, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-40293, the lens holding member 10 that houses and holds the contact lens 24 is placed between both electrodes in a predetermined gas atmosphere. Conventionally well-known modes such as bringing the surface of the contact lens 24 into contact with the plasma gas through the first communication hole 26 and the second communication hole 46 by generating a plasma gas between the two electrodes are appropriately adopted. Is possible.

  Further, in the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment, the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 are also subjected to a surface modification process. For example, simultaneously with the surface modification process on the surface of the contact lens 24 as described above. Alternatively, surface modification treatment may be performed on the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44. Further, the surface modification treatment is not limited to the plasma treatment, and a conventionally known surface modification treatment such as a corona discharge treatment can be appropriately performed.

  After such a surface modification process is performed, the contact lens 24 is subjected to a hydration process and a cleaning process. In such hydration treatment and washing treatment, for example, treatment solutions conventionally used for hydration treatment and washing treatment of water-containing contact lenses such as deionized water, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, and physiological saline are stored. This is performed by immersing the lens holding member 10 having been subjected to the surface modification treatment in a water tank. As a result, the processing liquid passes through or is circulated through the lens housing region 76 through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46. As a result, the contact lens 24 held by the lens holding member 10 is hydrated and swollen in the lens housing region 76, and unreacted monomers are extracted and impurities such as dust adhering to the lens surface are removed. .

  If the lens holding member 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment is used, the contact lens 24 after swelling is accommodated in the peripheral groove 66 at the outer peripheral edge of the lens as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Since the outer inner peripheral surface 68 is stably held in the positioning state in the lens housing region 76, the lens holding member 10 can be prevented from being reversed or hit, thereby causing damage to the lens. Can reduce the risk of Further, since the first member 12 and the second member 14 can protect the contact lens 24 from the water pressure of the treatment liquid, the possibility of lens damage can be reduced. In addition, since the first and second communication holes 26 and 46 are formed to be sufficiently large, and the spherical concave portion 18 and the spherical convex portion 40 are both bowl-shaped, the treatment liquid is introduced into the lens accommodating region 76. The amount of inflow and outflow can be sufficiently secured, and both the hydration treatment and the washing treatment can be performed effectively.

  If the lens holding member 10 structured according to the present embodiment is used, the surface modification process, the hydration process, and the cleaning process are performed in a state where the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the common lens holding member 10. The manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the holding means for holding the contact lens 24 is different for each process. Furthermore, since the lens holding member 10 containing the contact lens 24 can be used in each process as it is, it is not necessary to handle the contact lens 24 directly such as transferring the contact lens 24 to a different holding means for each process. This can greatly reduce the possibility of lens damage, and eliminates the need for mechanical equipment and processes for transferring the contact lens 24. In particular, since soft contact lenses that require hydration are very soft after hydration, the risk of lens damage can be effectively reduced by reducing the chance of direct contact with the lenses.

  Furthermore, according to the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment, the closed state of the first member 12 and the second member 14 is stabilized by the lock mechanism including the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64. Since it is maintained and inadvertent opening is also suppressed, the stable holding of the contact lens 24 can be maintained through each process.

  In the above description, a soft contact lens that requires hydration treatment has been described as an example of the contact lens 24. However, the lens holding member 10 in the present embodiment is also preferably used in the manufacturing process of a hard contact lens.

  For example, an oxygen-permeable hard contact lens is accommodated and held in the lens holding member 10 as the contact lens 24. Here, the contact lens 24 is housed and held in a state in which the outer peripheral edge portion is housed in the circumferential groove 66 and is aligned with the center of the lens housing region 76 by the outer inner circumferential surface 68. In this state, plasma treatment was performed under the conditions described in JP-A-2-220024, JP-A-6-1222779, JP-A-2003-50379, JP-B-63-40293, and the like. Thereafter, graft copolymerization of a hydrophilic monomer is performed, and hydrophilicity is imparted to the surface of the hard contact lens as the contact lens 24 housed and held in the lens housing region 76 of the lens holding member 10 in the closed state. Of course, the plasma treatment is merely an example, and plasma treatment, corona discharge treatment, or other surface modification treatment may be performed under other known conditions.

  After the surface modification process as described above is performed and, for example, a highly hydrophilic lens surface is formed on the hard contact lens as the contact lens 24, a cleaning process is performed. Even in such a case, the contact lens 24 is maintained in the accommodation holding state by the lens holding member 10, and the cleaning process is performed in the same manner as in the case of the soft contact lens described above. Is immersed in a water tank in which the processing liquid is stored, and the processing liquid passes through or circulates through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46. Thereby, impurities such as unreacted monomer and dust remaining on the surface of the hard contact lens as the contact lens 24 are removed.

  Even when the contact lens 24 is a hard contact lens, the lens holding member 10 can protect the contact lens 24 from the wind pressure of the plasma gas, the water pressure of the processing liquid, etc., as in the case of the soft contact lens. Each process can be performed effectively by being held in the positioning state in the lens housing region 76 and being stably positioned at the desired position. Further, since the first and second communication holes 26 and 46 are formed sufficiently large, the amount of plasma contacting the surface of the contact lens 24 and the amount of flow of the treatment liquid can be sufficiently secured, and each process is effective. Can be done. In addition, since the lens holding member 10 accommodating and holding the contact lens 24 can be used in common in each process, the number of direct mechanical contacts with the contact lens 24 can be reduced, and the lens damage can be reduced. The risk can be reduced, and mechanical equipment and processes for transferring the lens to different holding members can be eliminated.

  Although the lens holding member 10 having the structure according to the present invention has been described above, the lens holding member 10 having the structure according to the present invention is further transported and stored for providing a contact lens from the lens manufacturer to the end user. It is also suitably used for a contact lens distribution case used for the like. 6 to 10 show a contact lens distribution case (hereinafter appropriately referred to as a distribution case) 90 as a first embodiment of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case using the lens holding member 10. 6 shows an open state of the distribution case 90, FIG. 7 shows a front side flexible sheet 94 side described later in the closed state of the distribution case 90, and FIG. 8 shows a back side flexible sheet described later in the closed state of the distribution case 90. The conductive sheet 96 side is shown. 9 shows a model of the closed section of the distribution case 90, and FIG. 10 shows a model of the section of the distribution case 90 in the open state.

  The distribution case 90 has a structure in which the lens holding member 10 is provided in a housed state between a front-side flexible sheet 94 and a back-side flexible sheet 96 constituting the case member 92, and the front-side flexible sheet 94 is fixed to the first member 12 of the lens holding member 10, while the back side flexible sheet 96 is fixed to the second member 14 of the lens holding member 10.

  Each of the front-side flexible sheet 94 and the back-side flexible sheet 96 is an easily deformable flexible sheet, and is formed with an area that can cover the first member 12 or the second member 14 to be fixed. Has been. It should be noted that the base curve and the lens diameter of the contact lens 24 to be accommodated, or the manufacturer are provided on the surface or the fixing surface opposite to the fixing surface to the lens holding member 10 in the front side flexible sheet 94 and the back side flexible sheet 96. And information such as a production number and decorations such as appropriate characters and designs are appropriately applied by printing or the like.

  Examples of the front-side flexible sheet 94 and the back-side flexible sheet 96 include a layer made of, for example, polyolefin, polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) that can maintain water tightness, and Examples thereof include a layer made of inorganic vapor-deposited polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Examples of the polyolefin include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Moreover, as inorganic vapor deposition PET, alumina vapor deposition PET, silica vapor deposition PET, aluminum vapor deposition PET, etc. are mentioned, for example.

  The front-side flexible sheet 94 having such a structure is superimposed on the surface of the first member 12 opposite to the surface overlapped with the second member 14, and is opposite to the concave inner surface 22 of the spherical recess 18. While being fixed to the first member 12 by adhesion, welding or the like so as to cover the surface, the back side flexible sheet 96 is on the surface of the second member 14 opposite to the surface overlapped with the first member 12. It is overlapped and fixed to the second member 14 by adhesion or welding. In particular, in the present embodiment, the front-side flexible sheet 94 and the back-side flexible sheet 96 are spot-welded at two locations on the open side end portions 36 and 62 of the first member 12 and the second member 14, respectively. In addition, two spot welding surfaces 98 are formed on each of the open side end portions 36 and 62.

  Further, the front-side flexible sheet 94 and the back-side flexible sheet 96 are overlapped with each other, and the closed state is maintained by the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64 in a state where the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the lens accommodation region 76. In a state where the lens holding member 10 is disposed between the overlapping surfaces, the lens holding member 10 is fixed in a watertight manner so as to be peelable from each other so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member 10. In particular, in the present embodiment, the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are fixed to each other by heat sealing at the outer peripheral portion surrounding the lens holding member 10, and around the lens holding member 10, A seal fixing surface 100 is formed. As a result, between the overlapping surfaces of the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96, a housing portion 102 is formed in which the outer peripheral edge portion is sealed in a sealed state over the entire circumference on the heat seal fixing surface 100. The lens holding member 10 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102. In this case, the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are fixedly attached to the ends of the lens holding member 10 on the same side as the connection side ends 34 and 60 even when the distribution case 90 is opened and separated from each other. The end portions on the same side as the connection side end portions 34 and 60 in the flexible sheets 94 and 96 are the sealing end portions 103 and 104, respectively. The ends opposite to the portions 103 and 104 are open ends 106 and 108, respectively.

  The heat seal fixing surface 100 has three sides formed on the outer peripheral edge portions of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 except for one side on the open end portions 106 and 108 side, while the open end portion 106. , 108 side is positioned inward of both flexible sheets 94, 96 with respect to the open end portions 106, 108. As a result, even when both the flexible sheets 94 and 96 are sealed, the both open end portions 106 and 108 are free ends, and the both open end portions 106 and 108 are picked to hold both the flexible sheets 94 and 96. Can be opened easily. Furthermore, the central portion of one side of the heat seal fixing surface 100 on the same side as the open end portions 106 and 108 protrudes toward the open end portions 106 and 108 and has a hook-shaped portion 110 having a sharpened tip. Is formed, and the peeling operability is further improved.

  Further, the fixing strength of the heat seal fixing surface 100 is set lower than the fixing strength of the spot welding surface 98. Thereby, even if the front side and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are peeled from each other, it is possible to maintain the adhering state between these flexible sheets 94 and 96 and the first and second members 12 and 14. The lens holding member 10 can be opened following the opening of the flexible sheets 94 and 96. The adjustment of the fixing strength is performed by, for example, selecting the forming material of the flexible sheets 94 and 96 and the lens holding member 10, the heat seal temperature for forming the heat seal fixing surface 100, and the spot welding for forming the spot welding surface 98. For example, the fixing temperature difference may be set appropriately, for example, by setting the temperature lower than the temperature.

  Further, a concave housing recess 112 having a substantially similar shape that is slightly larger than that of the first member 12 is formed at the overlapping portion of the front side flexible sheet 94 with the first member 12. A concave curved portion 114 that covers the outer surface of the spherical recess 18 in a state of being overlapped with the first member 12 is formed at a portion that overlaps the outer surface of the spherical recess 18 in 112. The accommodating recess 112 and the concave curved portion 114 are preferably formed by drawing or the like. Thereby, the front side flexible sheet 94 is overlapped along the outer surface of the first member 12 so that the first member 12 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 112 while being superimposed on the first member 12. The On the other hand, the back side flexible sheet 96 superimposed on the second member 14 has a substantially flat shape.

  Note that the storage liquid 116 (see FIG. 9) is stored in the storage portion 102 together with the lens holding member 10. The type and material of the preservation solution 116 are not limited, and can prevent the contact lens 24 from drying and can keep the contact lens 24 ready for use. Saline solution. Thereby, the lens holding member 10 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102 together with the storage liquid 116 in a state where the contact lens 24 is accommodated. The contact lens 24 stored in the lens storage region 76 is immersed in the storage solution 116 by filling the lens storage region 76 with the storage solution 116 through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46. Thus, it is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102.

  If the contact lens distribution case 90 having such a structure is used, the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102 while being accommodated and retained by the lens retaining member 10. As a result, the contact lens 24 can be stably held in the distribution case 90, and the contact lens 24 can be protected from vibration, impact, etc. during storage and transportation. The closed state of the lens holding member 10 can be maintained even when vibration or impact due to transportation or the like is exerted on the lens holding member 10 by the lock mechanism constituted by the claw portion 38 and the locking wall portion 64. .

  Further, particularly in the present embodiment, the case member 92 that accommodates the lens holding member 10 is constituted by the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 that conform to the outer surface shape of the lens holding member 10. While the shape of the contact lens 24 can be stably secured by the member 10, the case member 92 can be made compact, and the amount of the storage solution 116 stored in the storage unit 102 can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the wall surface of the housing portion 102 is formed of front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 that are easily deformable. However, by protecting the contact lens 24 with the lens holding member 10, external force or the like can be obtained. It is possible to avoid the possibility that the deformation of the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 due to the above will be exerted on the contact lens 24.

  When the contact case 24 is taken out by opening the distribution case 90, the open end portions 106 and 108 of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are picked and sealed from the open end portions 106 and 108. They are separated from each other toward the end portions 103 and 104. In this case, since the open side end portions 36 and 62 of the first and second members 12 and 14 are fixed to the front side and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96, respectively, the first and second members 12 and 14 are connected. It is possible to follow the peeling of the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96, and the lens holding member 10 can be opened as the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are opened. I can do it. At the same time, since the lens holding member 10 is provided with an opening operation assisting portion by the three-point hinge mechanism 74, both the flexible sheets 94 and 96 are peeled to a predetermined amount or more, and the first and second members are separated. When 12, 14 is opened beyond a predetermined opening / closing critical angle, a biasing force that biases the lens holding member 10 in the opening direction is generated, and the opening operation of the distribution case 90 can be performed more easily. I can do it.

  Further, in a state where the opening of the distribution case 90 is completed, the lens holding member 10 is maintained in the open state by the three-point hinge mechanism 74. Accordingly, the lens holding member 10 can prevent the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 from returning to the unopened state due to restoring force or the like, and the distribution case 90 is maintained in the open state. I can do it. Thereby, both the flexible sheets 94 and 96 do not become obstructive, and the contact lens 24 can be easily taken out.

  In particular, according to the lens holding member 10 of the present embodiment, the contact lens 24 is exposed in a mounted state on the convex inner surface 44 by an opening operation of the lens holding member 10, in other words, an opening operation of the distribution case 90. It has become so. Thereby, when taking out the contact lens 24 from the lens holding member 10, the opportunity of a finger | toe directly touching a lens inner surface can be reduced, and fear of bacterial infection etc. can also be reduced. Preferably, in order to more stably express the mounting state of the contact lens 24 on the convex inner surface 44, the first member 12 is positioned on the second member 14 in the vertical vertical direction. In this state, the case member 92 is opened. Then, according to the present embodiment, the front side flexible sheet 94 is placed along the outer surface of the first member 12, and the housing recessed portion 112 and the concave curved portion 114 are projected outward of the distribution case 90. On the other hand, when the back side flexible sheet 96 has a substantially flat shape, the case member 92 has a structure that can identify the upper and lower sides.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, the spherical concave portion 18 and the spherical convex portion 40 are both bowl-shaped, and the contact area between the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 and the contact lens 24 is reduced. Thereby, sticking of the contact lens 24 to the inner surfaces 22 and 44 is suppressed, and the contact lens 24 can be taken out more easily.

  In addition, the heat seal fixing surface 100 includes a region extending the sealing end portions 103 and 104 and a region extending from the both end portions of the sealing end portions 103 and 104 toward the open end portions 106 and 108 by a predetermined amount. The letter-shaped regions are maintained in a fixed state with each other even when the distribution case 90 is open. As shown in FIG. 10, the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are open when the distribution case 90 is open. As a result, a bag-shaped portion 118 opened toward the lens holding member 10 with the sealing end portions 103 and 104 as bottom portions is formed. In particular, the bag-like portion 118 in the present embodiment includes a part of the housing recess 112 formed in the front side flexible sheet 94. Thus, when the distribution case 90 is opened, the storage liquid 116 stored in the storage section 102 is stored in the bag-shaped section 118, and the storage liquid 116 is removed when the contact lens 24 is taken out. Troublesomeness such as spilling is reduced. Further, the lens holding member 10 causes the contact lens 24 to be lifted from the storage liquid 116 stored in the bag-shaped portion 118, and the storage liquid 116 passes through the first and second communication holes 24, 46 to form the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface. By discharging from the lens 44, the lens can be taken out more easily. Then, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 10, the lens holding member 10 can be further lifted by further pulling the open end portions 106 and 108 in a direction away from each other, and the lens can be taken out more easily. It is also possible.

  Note that the contact lens distribution case 90 having such a structure can be suitably manufactured by the following manufacturing method schematically shown in FIG. 11, for example. In the present manufacturing method, a soft contact lens that requires hydration treatment will be described as an example of the contact lens 24.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11A, a rectangular sheet-like front side flexible sheet 94 with no irregularities is prepared, and the first member of the lens holding member 10 with respect to the front side flexible sheet 94 is prepared. The housing recess 112 and the concave curved portion 114 are formed in the front side flexible sheet 94 by performing a drawing process for pressing the drawing die 122 having the molding surface 120 corresponding to the outer surface of the twelve.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the lens holding member 10 in which the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the lens accommodating region 76 is overlapped with the outer surface of the first member 12 superimposed on the front side flexible sheet 94. It arrange | positions so that it may accommodate in the part 112. FIG. Here, as the lens holding member 10, the surface of the contact lens 24 is preliminarily processed by surface modification treatment such as plasma treatment shown in FIG. 5 in a state where the dry contact lens 24 before hydration treatment is accommodated. And the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 are subjected to surface modification treatment at the same time. That is, the front-side flexible sheet 94 is superimposed on the lens holding member 10 that has been subjected to the surface modification process described above as a method for manufacturing the contact lens 24 using the lens holding member 10.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11C, a back side flexible sheet 96 is prepared, and is superposed on the front side flexible sheet 94 so as to sandwich the lens holding member 10, and the front side and back side flexible sheets 94, 96 are overlapped. The lens holding member 10 is fixed to each other by heat sealing to form a part of the heat seal fixing surface 100. A distribution case 90 at the time when this process is completed is schematically shown in FIG. In this step, heat sealing of the flexible sheets 94 and 96 is performed around the lens holding member 10 while avoiding a part of the sealing end portions 103 and 104, and a part of the sealing end portions 103 and 104. Is in a non-fixed state that has not yet been heat-sealed. The through hole 124 is formed by such a non-fixed portion, and the accommodating portion 102 formed between the overlapping surfaces of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 is not yet passed through the through hole 124 at the time of completion of this process. It communicates with the outside.

  And as shown in FIG.11 (d), using the conventionally well-known spot welding machine 126, the open side end part 36 and the front side flexible sheet 94 in the 1st member 12, and the open side end in the 2nd member 14 The spot welding surface 98 is formed by spot welding the part 62 and the back side flexible sheet 96 and fixing them together. A distribution case 90 at the time when this process is completed is schematically shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11E, both corners of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are punched, so that both are possible as shown in FIG. The flexible sheets 94 and 96 are rounded quadrangular shapes whose shapes are aligned so that the outer peripheral edges of the flexible sheets 94 and 96 overlap each other.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (f), the hydration process and the cleaning process are performed through the through holes 124 with the through holes 124 opened vertically upward. Such hydration treatment and cleaning treatment are performed by, for example, injecting the treatment liquid from the nozzle 128 through the through-hole 124 into the storage unit 102 and then discharging the treatment liquid injected into the storage unit 102 from the nozzle 128. Preferably, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-107415, a nozzle 128 having both an inlet and an outlet is used. The processing liquid may be injected and discharged at the same time through the through hole 124, and the processing liquid may be circulated in the storage unit 102. As a result, the processing liquid is injected or circulated into the housing portion 102, and the processing liquid enters the lens housing area 76 of the lens holding member 10 through the first and second communication holes 26, 46, and the water in the contact lens 24. Summing and washing processes are performed.

  Subsequently, after the processing liquid in the container 102 used for the hydration process and the cleaning process is discharged and the storage liquid 116 is injected into the container 102 through the through-hole 124, as shown in FIG. Further, the through holes 124 in the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are heat-sealed by a conventionally known heat-sealing machine 130 and fixed to each other, so that the entire circumference around the lens holding member 10 is obtained. A heat seal fixing surface 100 is formed. Thereby, the watertight container 102 is formed, and the lens holding member 10 holding the contact lens 24 is stored in the container 102 together with the storage liquid 116.

  As described above, the contact lens distribution case 90 can be obtained. According to the manufacturing method as described above, the distribution case 90 can be obtained using the lens holding member 10 used in the lens manufacturing process as it is. Thereby, the common lens holding member 10 can be used for both the lens manufacturing process and the lens distribution process, and the manufacturing cost and the distribution cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to transfer the lens after the manufacturing process to the distribution case, the opportunity to handle the lens directly can be reduced, and the risk of lens damage can be greatly reduced. I can do it.

  Furthermore, in this manufacturing method, the lens holding member 10 is subjected to surface modification treatment on the lens surface of the contact lens 24 and the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 at the same time, and the lens holding member 10 is then subjected to front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96. Are accommodated between the overlapping surfaces. As a result, the surface modification treatment can be performed on the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 constituting the substantial inner surface with which the contact lens 24 is brought into contact with the distribution case 90, and only the contact lens 24 is surface modified. As compared with the case where the treatment is performed, it is possible to improve the sliding of the contact lens 24, and the contact lens 24 can be taken out more easily. And according to this manufacturing method, since the surface modification process to the concave inner surface 22 and the convex inner surface 44 is performed simultaneously with the surface modification process to the contact lens 24, it is possible to reduce the number of manufacturing steps. It is possible.

  As mentioned above, although the lens holding member made into the structure according to the present invention and the contact lens distribution case using the same have been described in detail, these are merely examples, and the present invention is based on the specific description in the embodiment. The present invention is not construed as being limited, and for example, structures such as those of the embodiments exemplified below can be suitably employed. However, it should be understood that the structures shown below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, in the following description, about the member and site | part made into the structure similar to the above-mentioned 1st embodiment, respectively, by attaching | subjecting the code | symbol same as 1st embodiment in a figure, those Detailed description is omitted.

  First, FIGS. 13 and 14 show a lens holding member 140 as a second embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member. The spherical concave portion 18 in the present embodiment has a concave dish shape, and the first series of through holes 26 have a substantially square shape with rounded corners. On the other hand, the spherical convex portion 40 has a convex dish shape, and one second communication hole 46 is formed concentrically with the spherical convex portion 40 at the top of the spherical convex portion 40. In this case, it is of course possible to form one first through hole 26 or to form a plurality of second communication holes 46.

  The first member 12 and the second member 14 are connected to each other by a single hinge portion 16 so as to be openable and closable. In the flange portion 42 of the second member 14, a connection side end portion 60 provided with the hinge portion 16. Positioning projections 142 are projected at the ends of the pair of side pieces adjacent to each other in the same direction as the protruding direction of the spherical convex portion 40 and are integrally formed by extending in the extending direction of the pair of side pieces. ing. The pair of positioning protrusions 142 limit the relative displacement of the first member 12 with respect to the second member 14 in the closed state of the lens holding member 140, particularly the relative displacement in the opposing direction of the pair of positioning protrusions 142. It has become.

  Further, the open-side end portion 36 of the flange portion 20 extends outward from the open-side end portion 36 from one end portion to the center portion in the extending direction of the open-side end portion 36 and has a spherical recess. An engaging protrusion 144 is integrally formed so as to protrude in the same direction as the opening direction of 18. On the other hand, an engaging protrusion piece 146 that extends outward from the open end 62 and protrudes in the same direction as the protruding direction of the spherical protrusion 40 is integrally formed with the open end 62 of the flange 42. Has been. Note that the engagement protrusion 146 is formed in the open-side end portion 62 at a substantially half portion on the opposite side to the other engagement protrusion 144 in the closed state of the lens holding member 140.

  When the lens holding member 140 is in the closed state, the engaging protrusions 144 and 146 are maintained in the closed state of the lens holding member 140 by engaging the mutually opposing surfaces in pressure contact with each other. ing. Then, when the lens user or the like separates the projecting pieces 144 and 146 and releases the pressure contact state between the opposing surfaces, the engagement of the projecting pieces 144 and 146 is released and the lens holding member 140 is maintained in the closed state. Is released. Thus, in this embodiment, the lock mechanism is configured including the engagement protrusions 144 and 146.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the convex inner surface 44 is formed on the top convex surface 148 formed on the top of the spherical convex portion 40 and on the peripheral portion of the top convex surface 148, and goes around the top convex surface 148. The curvature of the top side convex surface 148 is larger than that of the peripheral side convex surface 150. Thereby, a stepped portion 52 that goes around the spherical convex portion 40 is formed between the top-side convex surface 148 and the peripheral-side convex surface 150. As in the case of the lens holding member 10, the contact lens 24 before the hydration treatment has an outer peripheral edge abutted against the stepped portion 52 as shown by a solid line in FIG. The contact lens 24 after the hydration treatment is held in the circumferential groove 66 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is held in a substantially concentric positioning state with respect to the portion 40. Thereby, any contact lens 24 before and after the hydration treatment can be held in a positioning state with respect to the spherical convex portion 40. As is apparent from FIG. 15, the stepped portion 52 in the present embodiment is formed by a bent portion that is a connecting portion between the top-side convex surface 148 and the peripheral-side convex surface 150 having different curvatures. As is clear from the above, the stepped portion 52 does not necessarily have to be formed with a planar spread.

  Further, as is apparent from the present embodiment, the opening operation assisting portion by the three-point hinge mechanism 74 provided in the lens holding member 10 as the first embodiment is not necessarily required.

  In the lens holding member 140 having such a structure, the storage solution is filled in the lens storage region 76 through the first and second communication holes 26 and 46. For example, one of the first and second communication holes 26 and 46 is covered with one of the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96, and then the other communication hole is filled. After the storage solution is injected, the communication hole into which the storage solution is injected is covered with the other of the flexible sheets 94 and 96. Preferably, the spherical concave portion 18 is positioned vertically downward, and the vertical lower portion of the spherical concave portion 18 is covered with a front-side flexible sheet 94 in a tray shape, so that the storage solution injected from the second communication hole 46 is stored. The second communication hole 46 is covered with the back side flexible sheet 96 after the storage solution is injected.

  And as shown in FIG. 16, the lens holding member 140 is arrange | positioned so that these 1st and 2nd members 12 and 14 may be covered in the closed state where the 1st and 2nd members 12 and 14 were piled up, respectively. The pair of front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 are accommodated between the overlapping surfaces, and the periphery of the lens holding member 140 of both the flexible sheets 94 and 96 is welded over the entire circumference by heat sealing or the like. It is hermetically sealed by being immersed in a preservative solution by being bonded or the like. In FIG. 16, the front side flexible sheet 94 side is shown, and the back side flexible sheet 96 is not shown. Thereby, the contact lens distribution case 154 as the second embodiment of the present invention relating to the contact lens distribution case can be obtained.

  That is, the distribution case 154 according to the present embodiment has a bag-like body 156 formed by sealing the outer peripheral edge portions of the front and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 over the entire circumference in a watertight manner. The storage solution is stored, and the lens holding member 140 in the closed state in which the contact lens 24 is stored and held in the lens storage region 76 is stored in a non-fixed manner without being fixed to the flexible sheets 94 and 96. Thus, the contact lens 24 is accommodated in a state of being immersed in a storage solution. Therefore, as the filling of the storage solution, for example, as in the case 90 in the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 11), the flexible sheets 94 and 96 superimposed on the lens holding member 140 are used. By making a part of the circumference non-fixed, a through-hole communicating with the inside and outside of the bag-like body 156 is formed, and after the preservation solution is injected through the through-hole, the through-hole is sealed with a heat seal. It may be equal.

  In the distribution case 154 according to this embodiment, the housing recess 112 and the concave curved portion 114 are formed in the front side flexible sheet 94, and the front side and back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 are the outer surfaces of the lens holding member 140. The distribution case 154 is made compact. Further, a notch 158 is formed in a part of the outer peripheral edge of the bag-like body 156.

  When the contact lens 24 is taken out from the distribution case 154, the bag-like body 156 is torn and opened using the notch 158, and the lens holding member 140 is taken out from the bag-like body 156, and then both engaging protrusions The engagement of 144 and 146 is released, and the lens holding member 140 is opened. As described above, in the distribution case 154 in the present embodiment, the case main body is configured by the bag-like body 156. As is clear from this, the case main body may be formed into a bag shape, or the front side. And the back side flexible sheets 94 and 96 may not be fixed to the first and second members 12 and 14.

  Next, FIGS. 17 and 18 show a lens holding member 160 according to a third embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member. The lens holding member 160 in the present embodiment has substantially the same structure as the lens holding member 140 as the second embodiment, and the convex inner surface 44 of the second member 12 has the same structure as that in the second embodiment. The step portion 52 is not formed, and a plurality of second communication holes 46 are formed in the spherical convex portion 40.

  As is apparent from the present embodiment, the stepped portion is not necessarily required, and the lens holding member 160 in the present embodiment that does not include the stepped portion is surface modified such as plasma treatment, particularly in a state where the hard contact lens is accommodated and held. It is suitably used for treatment, graft copolymerization, washing treatment and the like.

  FIG. 19 shows a lens holding member 170 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member. Unlike the lens holding member 140 according to the second embodiment, the lens holding member 170 in the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of second communication holes 46 and the stepped portion 52 is not formed. Further, the engaging protrusions 144 and 146 in the second embodiment are not formed, and the engaging hole 172 formed in the first member 12 and the engaging plate portion 174 formed in the second member 14 are provided. Including a lock mechanism.

  More specifically, the engagement hole 172 is formed with a square hole shape penetrating in the thickness direction of the flange portion 20 between the spherical concave portion 18 of the first member 12 and the open side end portion 36. On the other hand, in the second member 14, an engagement plate portion 174 is integrally formed with the flange portion 42 at a position overlapping the engagement hole 172 when the lens holding member 170 is closed. The engagement plate portion 174 has a rectangular plate shape that is substantially the same as the engagement hole 172. As shown in a model in FIG. 20, the pair of end edge portions facing each other in the engagement plate portion 174 is supported with respect to the pair of end edge portions facing each other in the retracting hole 176 penetrating the flange portion 42. The thin portions 178 are connected integrally. Thus, the engagement plate portion 174 is constructed between a pair of opposite ends of the retraction hole 176 so as to rise from the retraction hole 176 in the protruding direction of the spherical convex portion 40, and substantially the entire retraction hole 176 is formed. It is arrange | positioned so that it may cover. In addition, unevenness as shown in the drawing is formed on the surface of the engagement plate portion 174 as necessary in order to prevent the fingers from slipping.

  Further, a central thin portion 180 is formed in an intermediate portion of the pair of support thin portions 178 in the engagement plate portion 174 by cutting out an end surface facing the retraction hole 176, and the engagement plate portion 174 has a central thin portion. The portion 180 can be bent toward the retracting hole 176. Here, the engagement plate portion 174 enters the retraction hole 176 and is bent, and the retraction hole 176 forms an operation allowable space for the engagement plate portion 174. Therefore, the engagement plate portion 174 has a straight state in which the central thin portion 180 is not bent as shown in a model in FIG. 20A and a central thin portion 180 as shown in a model in FIG. Two states, a bent state where the fold is bent, are selectively expressed. In the present embodiment, the retraction hole 176 has a rectangular shape, and the engagement plate portion 174 is disposed so as to cover substantially the entire retraction hole 176. However, the shape of the retraction hole 176 has the shape of the engagement plate. The part 174 is not particularly limited as long as the part 174 is allowed to enter and an operation allowable space of the engagement plate part 174 is formed.

  Therefore, an engaging protrusion 182 that protrudes outward from the engaging plate portion 174 is formed integrally with the engaging plate portion 174 at a portion opposite to the flange portion 20 on each of both end surfaces where the support thin portion 178 is formed. Has been. On the other hand, in the engagement hole 172, when the lens holding member 170 is closed, a portion on the second member 14 side of the inner surface facing the surface on which the engagement protrusion 182 of the engagement plate portion 174 is formed is engaged. An engaging protrusion 184 that protrudes inward of the joint hole 172 is formed integrally with the flange portion 20.

  In the present embodiment, the open side end portion 36 of the first member 12 in which the engagement hole 172 is formed is the open side end of the second member 14 when the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped. It is preferable to protrude outward from the portion 62. In this way, when the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped, the lens user hooks the open-side end portion 36 of the first member 12 projected outward with the finger, so that the first The member 12 and the second member 14 can be easily opened. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a constricted portion 186 that is recessed inward of the second member 14 is formed on each side of the second member 14 that is connected to the open-side end portion 62. Is formed with anti-slip by a plurality of protrusions 188, thereby making it easier to grip the second member 14 and bend the engaging plate portion 174.

  In the lens holding member 170 having such a structure, when the lens holding member 170 is closed under the bent state of the engagement plate portion 174 and the first member 12 and the second member 14 are overlapped, the engagement plate The part 174 is fitted into the engagement hole 172. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20A, when the engagement plate portion 174 is in a straight line state that is not bent, the engagement projection portion 182 of the engagement plate portion 174 and the engagement projection portion 184 of the engagement hole 172. Are brought into engagement with each other, and a locked state for maintaining the lens holding member 170 in a closed state is developed. In such a locked state, it is impossible or difficult to open the first member 12 even if the user tries to release the first member 12 from the second member 14, and the contact lens is accommodated and held by the lens holding member 170. Can be maintained.

  Then, when the user presses the engagement plate portion 174 toward the retraction hole 176 and bends the central thin portion 180 of the engagement plate portion 174 as shown in FIGS. The engaged state of the mating protrusions 182 and 184 is released, and the locked state is released. In this state, as shown in FIG. 19C, the user opens the lens holding member 170 by separating the first member 12 and the second member 14 from each other. As a result, the contact lens (not shown) is exposed from the lens holding member 170, and the lens can be taken out.

  In this embodiment, the operation allowable space into which the bent engagement plate portion 174 enters is formed by the through-hole-shaped retracting hole 176, but such operation allowable space is not necessarily formed through the flange portion 42. For example, it may be a depressed portion that is concave toward the engagement plate portion 174. Further, in the present embodiment, the engagement hole 172 provided in the first member 12 is provided in the second member 14, and the engagement plate portion 174 provided in the second member 14 is provided in the first member 12. You may do it.

  FIG. 21 shows a lens holding member 190 as a fifth embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member. In the lens holding member 170 according to the fourth embodiment, the lens holding member 190 is formed separately so that the hinge member 16 is omitted and the first member 12 and the second member 14 are separable from each other. Accordingly, the first member 12 is configured such that both end portions in the longitudinal direction (upper left to lower right in FIG. 21) protrude outward from the second member 14 in a state of being superimposed on the second member 14. ing. The engagement holes 172 are formed at both longitudinal ends of the first member 12, and the engagement plate portions 174 are formed at both longitudinal ends of the second member 14. As a result, the lens holding member 190 in the present embodiment is provided with a pair of lock mechanisms including the engagement holes 172 and the engagement plate portions 174. Further, a constricted portion 186 and a protrusion 188 are formed on both sides of each of the pair of engaging plate portions 174.

  According to the lens holding member 190, the pair of engaging plate portions 174 and the pair of engaging holes 172 are engaged with each other, whereby the first member 12 and the second member 14 are held in an overlapped state. . And by making both a pair of engagement board parts 174 into a bending state, the 1st member 12 and the 2nd member 14 can be isolate | separated from each other, and an overlapping state can be cancelled | released. According to the present embodiment, since a plurality of lock mechanisms are provided, even when one of the lock mechanisms is unexpectedly released, the overlapping state of the first member 12 and the second member 14 can be maintained. I can do it. As is clear from this embodiment, the first member and the second member may be separately formed so as to be separable from each other, and as other aspects, for example, they are superposed so as to be separable from each other by concavo-convex fitting. It is good also as a structure etc. hold | maintained to.

  The specific shapes and the number of the first communication holes 26 and the second communication holes 46 are not limited at all. For example, the lens as the sixth embodiment of the present invention relating to the lens holding member shown in FIG. Like the holding member 200, the first series of through holes 26 may have a mesh shape, and the spherical concave portion 18 may have a bowl shape, similar to the lens holding member 10 in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, one second communication hole 46 is formed in a circular shape on the top of the convex inner surface 44, like the lens holding member 160 in the second embodiment. Of course, the first member 12 and the second member 14 may have different shapes and numbers of the first communication holes 26 and the second communication holes 46.

  Next, FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 show a contact lens distribution case 210 as a third embodiment of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case, and a lens holding member used in the contact lens distribution case 210 as a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The lens holding member 212 is shown as a model.

  In the present embodiment, a pair of side portions connected to the sealing end portions 103 and 104 are fixed to the sealing end portions 103 and 104 on the side of the sealing end portions 103 and 104 of the heat seal fixing surface 100. A constricted portion 214 is formed by constricting the surface 100 gradually. Due to the constricted portion 214, the width dimension (the vertical dimension in FIG. 23) in the extending direction of the sealing end portions 103 and 104 in the accommodating portion 102 becomes gradually smaller toward the sealing end portions 103 and 104. Being squeezed.

  As a result, when the distribution case 210 is opened, a bag-like portion 118 having an edge portion formed by the constricted portion 214 is formed, and as shown in a model in FIG. The bag-like portion 118 is shaped to gradually narrow from the opening portion close to the lens holding member 212 toward the bottom portion on the sealing end portions 103 and 104 side. Thereby, the preservation | save liquid 116 can be stored more reliably and the spill of the preservation | save liquid 116 accompanying opening of the distribution | circulation case 210 can be reduced more. That is, the depth of the bag-like portion 118 can be reliably ensured by the constricted portion 214, and the bag-like portion 118 is expressed with a shape that can easily store the storage liquid 116 having a predetermined depth. Further, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 25B, the lens holding member 212 can be further lifted from the bag-like portion 118 by further pulling the open end portions 106 and 108 in the direction of separating from each other. It is also possible to take out the lens more easily.

  Further, in the lens holding member 212 in the present embodiment, a pair of urging members 216 serving as opening operation assisting portions are provided between the first member 12 and the second member 14 on both sides of the hinge portion 16. Yes. The urging member 216 has, for example, a strip shape formed using a synthetic resin material, a rubber elastic body, or an appropriate metal material such as aluminum, similar to the first and second members 12 and 14. As shown in model form in (a), the arch shape is formed in the free state. Both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the urging member 216 are fixed to the outer surface of the connection side end portion 34 of the first member 12 and the outer surface of the connection side end portion 60 of the second member 14 by adhesion, welding, or the like.

  Then, as shown in a model in FIG. 26B, when the lens holding member 212 is opened, the urging member 216 is brought into the expanded state, whereby a restoring force is generated in the urging member 216. . If the opening degree of the first member 12 and the second member 14 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined opening / closing critical angle, the restoring force of the biasing member 216 acts as a biasing force in the direction in which the lens holding member 212 is closed. On the other hand, when it is larger than the opening / closing critical angle, the restoring force of the urging member 216 acts as an urging force in the direction of opening the lens holding member 212, and as shown in a model in FIG. The lens holding member 212 is opened and the opened state is maintained. As is apparent from the present embodiment, the opening operation assisting unit may be formed separately from the first member 12 and the second member 14.

  Next, FIG. 27 schematically shows a contact lens distribution case 220 as a third embodiment of the present invention relating to a contact lens distribution case. The distribution case 220 uses a so-called blister case as the case member 222. In FIG. 27, the lens holding member 10 as the first embodiment is illustrated as an example of the lens holding member housed in the case member 222. However, any lens holding member having a structure according to the present invention is illustrated. Members can also be employed.

  The case member 222 includes a rigid container body 226 having an opening 224 and a lid sheet 228 as a flexible sheet that can be easily deformed. The container body 226 is a hard member formed from, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. On the other hand, the lid sheet 228 is an easily deformable flexible sheet formed of the same member as the front and back flexible sheets 94 and 96 in the first embodiment, for example. Then, for example, the lid body 228 is fixed in a watertight manner so as to be peelable by heat sealing or the like on a flange-like portion formed so as to spread from the opening peripheral edge of the opening 224 substantially at right angles to the opening direction. And the lid sheet 228 is formed with a receiving portion 230.

  In such a housing portion 230, the lens holding member 10 is housed together with the storage liquid 116 in a state where the contact lens 24 is housed. Therefore, in the contact lens distribution case 220 according to the present embodiment, the opening 224 is formed by the lid sheet 228 after the lens holding member 10 storing and holding the storage liquid 116 and the contact lens 24 is accommodated in the container body 226 through the opening 224. It is manufactured by being covered. In the present embodiment, the lens holding member 10 is housed in a non-fixed free state in the housing portion 230, but the lens holding member 10 is attached to an appropriate part such as the inner bottom surface of the container body 226, for example. It may be fixed. 27 shows the accommodation state in which the first member 12 is positioned vertically above the second member 14, but the first member 12 is positioned vertically below the second member 14 and accommodated. Of course it is possible.

  Thus, the contact lens distribution case 220 can be configured by housing the lens holding member 10 having a structure according to the present invention in the case member 222 which is a so-called blister case. According to such a lens distribution case 220, the contact lens 24 can be protected by the lens holding member 10 in the housing portion 230. Therefore, the contact holding of the contact lens 24 in the housing portion 230 can be avoided even when the lens holding member 10 is housed in the housing portion 230 in a fixed state as well as in the free state. Further, according to the present embodiment, a part of the wall portion of the housing portion 230 is configured by the easily deformable lid sheet 228. However, since the contact lens 24 is protected by the lens holding member 10, it is caused by an external force or the like. The possibility that deformation of the lid sheet 228 is exerted on the contact lens 24 can also be avoided.

  In addition, the lens holding member 10 used in the manufacturing process is accommodated in the container main body 226 as it is together with the storage liquid 116 in the accommodated state of the contact lens 24, and the opening 224 is sealed with the lid sheet 228, thereby distributing the case. 220, and the lens holding member 10 used in the manufacturing process can be used in common in the distribution process, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the distribution case can be obtained. Since the direct mechanical contact with the contact lens 24 can be avoided when the contact lens 24 is accommodated in 220, the risk of damage to the contact lens 24 can be further reduced.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not construed as being limited to specific descriptions in such embodiments.

  For example, the flange portions 20 and 42 in each of the above embodiments are formed in a flat plate shape. However, as long as they can be overlapped with each other, the flange portions 20 and 42 are not limited to a flat plate shape. Like the member 240, the first member 12 and the second member 14 may be formed with a predetermined thickness. In the lens holding member 240, an outer inner peripheral surface 68 as a cylindrical surface is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the concave inner surface 22, and thus the outer inner peripheral surface 68 is formed on the first member 12. It is also possible. However, the outer inner peripheral surface 68 and the peripheral groove 66 are not necessarily required. Moreover, although the flange parts 20 and 42 in each said embodiment are made into the substantially square shape by which the corner | angular part was rounded, the shape of the flange parts 20 and 42 is not specifically limited, It is more than a triangle or a pentagon Various shapes such as a polygon, a circle, an ellipse, and a combination of arbitrary curves can be appropriately employed.

  Each of the lens holding members described above is housed in the case member, for example, in the same manner as the lens holding members in the first and second embodiments, even though the description of the housing state in the case member is omitted. Of course, it can also be used in the distribution process as a contact lens distribution case.

  Further, for example, in the distribution case 90 in the first embodiment, the front side flexible sheet 94 and the back side flexible sheet 96 may be integrally formed with a single flexible sheet.

  Furthermore, for example, the bag-like portion 118 in the distribution case 90 in the first embodiment is formed by the cooperation of the front side and the back side flexible sheets 94, 96. The storage liquid 116 is stored only in the housing recess 112 of the sheet 94, and only the housing recess 112 is used as a bag-like portion, so that the bag-like portion is formed only in one of the flexible sheets. You may do it.

Claims (21)

A first member having a concave inner surface, and a first member in which a first series of through holes communicating the concave inner surface with the outer surface is formed in the first holding unit;
A second holding portion having a convex inner surface corresponding to the concave inner surface of the first member is provided, and a second communication hole for communicating the convex inner surface with the outer surface is formed in the second holding portion. A second member,
The first member and the second member are in contact with each other in an overlapped state, thereby setting a distance between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface so that the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface face each other. An overlapping contact portion that forms a lens receiving area between the surfaces;
A locking mechanism for releasably fixing the first member and the second member in a superposed state forming the lens housing region, the first member and the second member A lens holding member, wherein the lens holding member is accommodated in the contact lens distribution case in a state in which the contact lens is accommodated in the lens accommodation region by being held in an overlapping state by the lock mechanism.   The overlapping contact portion is formed so as to surround the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface on the outer peripheral side of the concave inner surface of the first member and the outer peripheral side of the convex inner surface of the second member. The lens holding member according to claim 1.   The first member and the second member are both plate-shaped, and the first holding portion is formed in a concave plate shape, while the second holding portion is formed in a convex plate shape. Or the lens holding member of 2.   In the state where the first member and the second member are overlapped, the outer peripheral inner surface of the lens housing region formed between the opposing surfaces of the first holding portion and the second holding portion rises in the overlapping direction. The lens holding member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cylindrical surface is formed.   The lens holding member according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical surface is formed by an outer inner peripheral surface of a circumferential groove extending so as to surround an outer peripheral edge portion of the second holding portion in the second member.   The lens holding member according to claim 1, wherein a stepped portion extending in a circumferential direction is formed between the central portion and the outer peripheral edge portion on the convex inner surface.   The lens holding member according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member have a hinge connection structure that can be opened and closed.   When the first member and the second member are opened by a predetermined amount, an opening operation assisting unit is provided that automatically causes the first member and the second member to open and maintains the opened state. The lens holding member according to claim 7.   The lens holding member according to claim 8, wherein the first member, the second member, and the opening operation assisting unit are integrally formed.   As the locking mechanism, a portion of the first member and the second member that are opposite to the hinge connecting portion sandwiching the first holding portion or the second holding portion is locked with each other. Item 10. The lens holding member according to any one of Items 7 to 9.   The lens holding member according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the lock mechanisms are provided.   The lens holding member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a surface modification treatment is applied to the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface. In the contact lens distribution case used to provide the contact lens from the lens manufacturer to the lens user, comprising a case member having a storage part for storing the storage solution and storing the contact lens in the immersed state.
13. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the lens holding member is housed in the housing portion of the case member together with a storage solution in a state where the contact lens is housed in the lens housing region. A contact lens distribution case, wherein the contact lens is stored in a preservative solution.   The contact lens distribution case according to claim 13, wherein at least a part of the wall surface of the housing portion in the case member is formed of a flexible sheet.   The case member is configured such that the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet are superposed on each other, and the lens holding member is disposed between the superposed surfaces. The front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet The contact lens distribution case according to claim 14, wherein the lens holding member is sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member.   The contact lens housed in the lens housing region of the lens holding member is exposed in a state of being placed on the convex inner surface of the second member by opening the case member. The contact lens distribution case according to any one of 13 to 15.   The first member and the second member of the lens holding member are fixed to the case member, and the first member and the second member are opened when the case member is opened. The contact lens distribution case according to any one of claims 13 to 16.   The lens holding member has a hinge connection structure in which the first member and the second member can be opened and closed, and the case member overlaps the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet, The lens holding member is disposed between the overlapping surfaces, and the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet are sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member. 18. The contact according to claim 17, wherein an open side end portion of each of the one member and the second member opposite to the hinge connecting portion is fixed to each of the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet. Lens distribution case.   19. The bag according to claim 14, wherein the flexible sheet is formed with a bag-like portion that is opened toward the lens holding member when the lens holding member is in an open state and stores a storage solution. The contact lens distribution case according to any one of the above.   The lens holding member has a hinge connection structure in which the first member and the second member can be opened and closed, and the case member overlaps the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet, The lens holding member is disposed between the overlapping surfaces, and the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet are sealed so as to surround the outer periphery of the lens holding member. An open side end portion of each of the one member and the second member opposite to the hinge connecting portion is fixed to each of the front side flexible sheet and the back side flexible sheet, and further, the front side flexible sheet The constricted portion that is narrowed toward the end edge portion of the hinge connecting portion side is formed in the sealing portion on the hinge connecting portion side of the conductive sheet and the back side flexible sheet, and the constricted portion To form the edge of the bag-like part Contact lens distribution case according to claim 19 that.   Surface modification treatment is performed on the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface of the lens holding member, and on the surface of the contact lens housed in the lens housing region formed between the opposing surfaces of the concave inner surface and the convex inner surface. The contact lens distribution case according to any one of claims 13 to 20.

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