KR20230039573A - Contact lens packages and methods of handling and manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved contact lens package, and methods of use and manufacture/assembly. The contact lens package contains a contact lens and a packaging solution, and is configured to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution when a force is applied to a lever of the package and/or the package is pressed by a user.

Description

Contact lens package, handling and manufacturing method {CONTACT LENS PACKAGES AND METHODS OF HANDLING AND MANUFACTURE}

This patent application is filed on September 14, 2020 U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/077,779; US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/077,784, filed September 14, 2020; US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/124,835, filed December 13, 2020; and US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/243,525, filed September 13, 2021.

In a conventional contact lens package, the contact lens is typically seated in a molded plastic base (or "bowl") having a cavity that receives the contact lens in a concave-up orientation. As a result, the user experience for transferring a contact lens from the package to the eye is typically the user “fishing” the contact lens out of the bowl with their finger and then inverting the lens to ensure that it is in the correct orientation on the finger for placement on the eye. entails allowing This process requires multiple touches of the lens, which can transfer contaminants or pathogens from the hand to the lens and ultimately to the eye. Not only is this handling experience unhygienic, but it is cumbersome, demanding, and can place mechanical stress on the lenses that can tear, tear or distort when manipulated excessively. Some packages have been designed to provide lenses in an orientation with the convex face up to eliminate the need to flip the lens, but this often still requires the lens to be “fished” out of the packaging solution or otherwise removed from the lens to the eye. It requires manipulation of the lens and/or multiple touches of the lens to achieve transfer.

In view of the growing awareness around eye health and customer demand for a more convenient experience, a need has arisen for contact lens packaging that enables a less demanding and more hygienic contact lens handling process. In one aspect, a "single touch" package to the wearer of contact lenses - that is, the wearer of contact lenses can take a lens from a lens storage package with a single touch of one of his or her fingers and then with such a single touch It would be ideal to provide a package - capable of accurately positioning the lens on the eye with low precision. In this design, transfer and manipulation of the lens from one finger to another prior to placing the lens on the eye would not be necessary. Providing such a single touch package not only simplifies the lens preparation and insertion process; It will reduce the possibility of exposing the lens to additional bacteria on the wearer's other fingers or dropping the lens when the lens is being prepared for orientation and insertion onto the eye, which also reduces the possibility of dropping the lens on the side of the lens that is intended to come into contact with the eye. reduces the likelihood of touching

The design of a single touch lens package faces some distinct challenges. The wearer should ideally be able to consistently position the lens so that it adheres to the finger during removal from the package, and then the lens needs to be consistently released from the finger onto the eye. Contact lenses (both reusable and daily disposable types) each have their own unique surface, volume, and geometric properties. The finger size and force the contact lens wearer exerts on the lenses during delivery can also vary. These factors can affect the process for placing the lens from the package onto the finger and then onto the surface of the eye. Among other considerations, it would be desirable to allow the wearer to drain any packaging solution that could affect the ability of the wearer to adhere the lens to the finger, as variations in the amount of packaging solution adhered to the lens and package would be desirable. This is because it can affect the process of placing the lens on the finger. It would also be desirable for the package solution to drain in a controlled manner avoiding leakage. It would also be beneficial for the packaging solution to remain sterile and accessible to the wearer after opening to permit rewetting or cleaning of the lens. Also, the wearer may be concerned about the possibility of transferring germs or external products, such as cosmetics, to the contact lenses; Of course, the manufacture of the package itself must conform to expected industry standards recognized by the medical and commercial provider community.

Additionally, a single touch package should ideally not cause an excessive increase in product cost compared to current contact lens packages, as this may result in increased cost for the wearer population. The package should not make it difficult to retain the lens when removed from the package. Additionally, if the configuration of the package maintains or even reduces the volume of solution required to package the lens, this will reduce the ecological impact of the lens package. Similarly, it would be beneficial if all or part of the package could be made from recycled materials and/or be wholly or partially recyclable.

Moreover, it would be advantageous if the package consisted of materials already approved by various regulatory agencies and ideally would not require changes to the solution chemistry or lens composition. Optimally, also, the functionality of the package preferably does not include any electronics or other electrical components where such components could adversely affect the performance of the package or lens.

There are several desirable attributes that have made achieving the functionality of a single touch package challenging and often lack known attempts to create a single touch package. These attributes include, for example: i) the package should ideally protect the lens, i.e. it should ensure the integrity of the lens (eg lens shape and optical integrity) while at the same time To prevent compression or damage to; ii) maintaining hydration of the lens when the lens package is stored to retain the properties of the lens; iii) the lenses within the lens package should preferably be configured such that the lenses are completely submerged in the packaging solution when desired, but removed from such solution when ready to be transferred from the packaging; iv) that the package should generally have a highly heat treatable seal and contain both the lens and the solution; v) the package should preferably hold the lens in a desired convex orientation relative to the wearer; vi) the lenses should be positioned such that they can be easily removed by the wearer; and vii) that the package ideally should be able to effectively drain the packaging solution from the lens upon opening of the packaging and prior to lens removal, allowing easier transfer to the wearer's fingers and then onto the eye.

Known packages that seek to provide reduced-touch or single-touch orientation do not provide one or more of the desired properties described above for single-touch packages. For example, WO2014/195588, WO2009/069265, JP6339322 disclose packages providing lenses in a convex bowl down configuration. However, the lens support structure substantially matches the shape of the contact lens, which provides an undesirable contact area between the lens and the lens support. These references also do not mention a mechanism for effective solution drainage from the lens and lens support.

Similarly, US20200229560 discloses a package having a lens support supporting the concave (anterior or anterior) surface of a contact lens, or a grid supporting the peripheral edge of a contact lens, wherein upon opening of the lens package the packaging solution passes through the grid to the bottom chamber. to be drained by The foregoing drawbacks of the prior art are illustrative only and not exhaustive.

Accordingly, there remains a need for contact lens packages that provide a consistent single-touch lens removal experience, effective solution management, or address one or a combination of the aforementioned problems or deficiencies.

It has now been discovered that some or all of the foregoing and related objects may be achieved in a contact lens package having one or more aspects described herein. For example, a contact lens package of the present invention may contain a contact lens and a packaging solution, and the package is configured to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution when the package is squeezed by a user. The contact lens package may have a lid and a base, the base including a cavity containing the contact lens and packaging solution, and a lever, the lever configured to hinge along a pivot line within the base when a force is applied to the lever. . The package may further include a lens support, wherein a force applied to the lever causes the lens support to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution, at a location on the lens support that allows delivery of a single touch by a user. It intersects the pivot line to raise it. In some cases, the lever is a separate component coupled to the base by an attachment means. The pivot line may be defined by at least one void in the base and may be imparted into the base by one or more of a crease, cut, thinned line, etch, or the like. The base of the package may be made of plastic and the lid may be a film. In some cases, the base and lens support and/or lever and lens support are single integral components.

The lens support may be i) laser welded; ii) fever; iii) ultrasonic welding; iv) It can be bonded to the base by an adhesive or the like. The base may include one or more finger engagement features configured to assist the user in gripping the package or to direct the application of force as the lever hinges downward. Possible finger engagement features include a protrusion in the base at the distal end of the package and/or an overhang along at least a portion of the periphery of the package. A dimple sized to receive one finger or thumb of the user may be located at the end of the base proximal to the user. The finger engagement features may be paired such that one is located at the end of the base proximal to the user and the other is a distal finger engagement feature located at the end of the base distal to the user. Alternatively, the finger engaging feature may be located on any other opposite side or end of the package.

The lid of the package may include one or more lens-facing surfaces that extend downward into the cavity over the contact lens when the package is in a closed state. The lens-facing surface and the lens support can be configured within the cavity such that the optic zone of the contact lens is suspended in the packaging solution between the lens-facing surface and the lens support when the package is in a closed condition. The cavity of the package can receive a contact lens in a convex position when the package is in a closed or open state. And, the lens support may have a profile that does not substantially match that of the contact lens. When the package is open, the wet contact area between the lens support and the contact lens may be less than about 30 mm 2 , less than about 25 mm 2 , or less than about 20 mm 2 . The package may include a lid insert having at least one alignment feature and/or one or more lock-outs.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
1A-1D illustrate opening a contact lens package, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows a perspective view of a contact lens package in an open state, according to one embodiment.
3 shows an exploded perspective view of a contact lens package, according to one embodiment.
4 shows an enlarged view of a lid insert within a cavity in one embodiment.
5A and 5B show cross-sectional views of a contact lens package in a non-opened state, according to one embodiment.
6 depicts an air entry guide for a contact lens package, according to one embodiment.
7A and 7B show an embodiment of a lens support in side and top views, respectively.
8A and 8B show an alternative embodiment lens support in side and top views, respectively.
9 shows contact lens packages in one embodiment in a nested configuration.
10 shows an exemplary method of manufacturing a contact lens package, according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which figure numbers indicate certain elements. The following description is not intended to limit the myriad embodiments to a single preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiment as defined by the appended claims.

References in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “exemplary embodiments,” etc., indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic, but all implementations Indicates that an example may not necessarily include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Also, these phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. In addition, when a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic is described in connection with one embodiment, it is skilled in the art to implement that feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with another embodiment, whether explicitly described or not. It is suggested that it is within the knowledge of

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings: An advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that they can move from the package to the wearer's fingers and then from the fingers to the wearer without lens inversion, fall off the fingers, or additional manipulation. To facilitate consistent single-touch lens delivery to the eye of the eye. Consistent lens delivery includes a delivery rate of at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90% delivery upon first touch (or “dab”) of the finger. The lens is also "laid" on the finger, preferably without folding or inversion, and then transferred to and placed on the eye. The package of certain embodiments can provide the desired single touch delivery across a range of press pressures and finger sizes. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and whether the finger is wet or dry, can also affect the transfer rate, with higher temperatures generally improving lens transfer.

Lens(es) or contact lens(s) refers to an ophthalmic device that is placed on the eye. It has a generally hemispherical shape and has an optical correction, cosmetic enhancement, UV protection and visible light or glare reduction, therapeutic effect (including wound healing, delivery of drugs or neutraceuticals, diagnostic evaluation or monitoring), or their Any combination may be provided. The term lens includes soft hydrogel contact lenses, which are generally supplied to consumers in a hydrated package and have a relatively low modulus that allows the lens to conform to the cornea. Contact lenses suitable for use with the packages of the present invention include all hydrated contact lenses, including conventional silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Hydrogels are hydrated, cross-linked polymer systems that contain water in equilibrium and can contain at least about 25%, or even at least 35% water in the hydrated state. Hydrogels are typically oxygen permeable and biocompatible, making them excellent materials for producing contact lenses.

Conventional hydrogel contact lenses do not contain silicone-containing components and generally have higher water content, lower oxygen permeability, modulus, and shape memory than silicone hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels are made from monomer mixtures that contain predominantly hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate ("HEMA"), N-vinyl pyrrolidone ("NVP"), or polyvinyl alcohol. US Patent Nos. 4,495,313, 4,889,664 and 5,039,459 disclose the formation of conventional hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels may be ionic or nonionic, and include polymacon, etafilcon, nelfilcon, ocufilcon, lenefilcon , and the like. The oxygen permeability of these conventional hydrogel materials is typically less than 20 to 30 barr.

Silicone hydrogel formulations include balafilcon, samfilcon, lotrafilcon A and B, delfilcon, galyfilcon, senofilcon A, B and C, narafilcon, comfilcon, formofilcon, riofilcon, fanfilcon, stenfilcon, somofilcon, kalifilcon Include etc. "Silicone hydrogel" refers to a polymer network made from at least one hydrophilic component and at least one silicone-containing component. The silicone hydrogel can have a modulus ranging from 60 to 200, 60 to 150 or 80 to 130 psi, and a water content ranging from 20 to 60%. Examples of silicone hydrogels include acquafilcon, asmofilcon, balafilcon, comfilcon, delefilcon, enfilcon, fanfilcon, and Formofilcon, Galyfilcon, Lotrafilcon, Narafilcon, Riofilcon, Samfilcon, Senofilcon, Somofilcon , stenfilcon, and verofilcon, as well as all variations thereof, as well as U.S. Patent Nos. 5,998,498호, 제6,087,415호, 제5,760,100호, 제5,776,999호, 제5,789,461호, 제5,849,811호, 제5,965,631호, 제6,367,929호, 제6,822,016호, 제6,867,245호, 제6,943,203호, 제7,247,692호, 제7,249,848호 , 7,553,880, 7,666,921, 7,786,185, 7,956,131, 8,022,158, 8,273,802, 8,399,538, 8,470,906, 8,450,387, 8,487,058, 6,8,507 8,703,891호, 제8,937,110호, 제8,937,111호, 제8,940,812호, 제9,056,878호, 제9,057,821호, 제9,125,808호, 제9,140,825호, 제9,156,934호, 제9,170,349호, 제9,244,196호, 제9,244,197호, 제9,260,544호 , 9,297,928, 9,297,929, as well as WO 03/22321, WO 2008/061992 and Silicone hydrogels such as those prepared in US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0048847 are included. These patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Silicone hydrogels may have a higher shape memory than conventional contact lenses.

Hydrogel lenses are viscoelastic materials. Contact lenses can form optical distortions if the lenses interact with the package or any air bubbles within the package. The degree of optical distortion, and the time required for the distortion to alleviate, will depend on the chemistry and, to a lesser extent, on the geometry of the lens. Conventional lens materials, such as polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate-based lenses such as etafilcon A or Polymacon, have lower loss modulus and tan delta compared to silicone hydrogels, resulting in fewer and less severe losses as a result of contact with the packaging. Optical distortion can be formed. Incorporation of silicone (which generally increases the bulk elastic response), wetting agents such as PVP (which generally increases the viscous response), or coatings of conventional hydrogel materials (which can lower the elastic response at the lens interface) can improve lens viscoelastic properties. can change Conventional hydrogel contact lenses and silicone hydrogel contact lenses with short or stiff crosslinkers and/or stiffeners may have short shape memory and be less susceptible to deformation during storage. As used herein, a high or higher shape memory hydrogel exhibits an optical distortion from contact with a bubble or package of at least about 0.18 after 5 weeks of accelerated aging at 55°C. Viscoelastic properties, including loss modulus and tangent delta, can be measured using dynamic mechanical analysis.

Contact lenses can have any geometry or power, and can have a generally hemispherical shape with a concave posterior face that, in use, rests against the eye and a convex anterior face that faces away from the eye and contacts the eyelids during blinking. .

The center or apex of the lens is the center of the lens optic zone. The optic zone provides optical correction and can be from about 7 mm to about 10 mm in diameter. The lens periphery or lens edge is the edge where the anterior and posterior faces meet.

Wet lenses are the contact lenses and any residual packaging solution that adheres to them after the packaging solution has drained. The wetted contact is the aggregated contact area between the wetted lens and the lens support.

Embodiments may include a lens support surrounded by a sealable cavity, also referred to interchangeably as a chamber. The cavity may have any convenient shape and may include a package base and at least a lid, each of which is described in detail below. As used herein, the phrases “the lid,” “the lid,” “the base,” and “base” include both the singular and the plural. The lid and package base are sealed to each other to form a cavity that keeps the contact lens, support, and packaging solution sterile during transport and storage prior to use. Contact lens packages are made of materials that are compatible with contact lenses and solutions, as well as highly heat treatable and biologically inert.

A "film" or "multilayer film" is a film used to seal a package and is often referred to as lidstock. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packages can be used as a base, cap component, or both in the package of the present invention. A multilayer film comprises a plurality of layers including a barrier layer, foil layer, or coating, seal layer that seals the film to the rest of the package, and also includes a peel initiation layer, a lamination layer, stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance , layers that improve other package properties, such as barrier resistance to water or oxygen, and the like. The multilayer film forms a steam sterilizable (high heat treatable) seal. Multilayer films may include layers of PET, BON or OPP films to increase stiffness and temperature resistance, or EVOH or PVDC coatings to improve barrier resistance to oxygen or moisture vapor.

As used herein, “closed” or “closed” refers to a contact lens package that is closed and contains a contact lens in solution.

As used herein, "open" or "open" refers to a contact lens package after the sterile seal has been broken. According to the circumstances described herein, the open state extends to the package state when the user manipulates the package to cause the lens to be lifted from the packaging solution for delivery by the user.

As used herein, "wearer" or "user" refers to the person who opens the contact lens package. The user is generally referred to as the person who opens the package and delivers the contact lens contained therein to his or her eye. However, in some situations the user may be someone who handles the lens package on behalf of the wearer, such an eye care provider ("ECP") or other individual to assist the wearer.

The packaging solution is any physiologically compatible solution compatible with the selected lens material and packaging. The packaging solution includes a buffered solution having a physiological pH, such as a buffered saline solution. The packaging solution may contain known components including buffers, pH and tonicity adjusting agents, lubricants, wetting agents, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, coating components within the package, and the like.

A package base may form the bottom of the package. It can be made of any material suitable for packaging medical devices, including plastic. A packaging lid is generally in the upper portion of the package and is sealed with the base to form a cavity containing at least a portion of the lens support, lens, and packaging solution. The lid may be made of any material suitable for packaging medical devices including foil or molded sheets of plastic, laminated film, or plastic. Packages comprising plastic for one structure and foil or laminated film as the other, or packages comprising foil or laminated film as outer layers for lid and base, are known in the art and are examples of suitable combinations .

References throughout this description to the injection molding process and the use of materials commonly employed in injection molding are to be understood as illustrative. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other means of manufacture are possible within the scope of the appended claims, including but not limited to alternative molding processes, thermoforming, 3D printing, and the like. Likewise, references to heat seal and heat seal are illustrative of the embodiments described herein. Other means of securing the packaging components will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including the use of adhesives, glues, thermal bonding, welding such as thermal, ultrasonic or laser welding, or mechanical trapping.

Certain aspects of the present invention reduce significant optical damage to contact lenses due to interactions with air bubbles or inside the lens package that can occur during storage or transport due to gravity or other forces, such as mechanical pressure applied from outside the package. It can play a role in preventing or preventing it. As used herein, significant optical damage means a root mean square (RMS) value of about 0.08 μm or greater.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate handling a contact lens package comprising a contact lens in a packaging solution, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. An unopened contact lens package 100 having a lid 106 and a base 110 is shown in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the lid 106 is a multilayer film, also referred to herein as a foil, and the base 110 is composed of a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene plastic. While in this embodiment the lid 106 takes the form of a relatively flexible material (i.e., a multilayer film) and the base 110 takes the form of a relatively rigid material, other embodiments use substantially different materials for both the lid and the base. It should be understood that it may include components that are rigid. For example, in some embodiments, both the base and lid may be constructed from polypropylene plastic or other relatively rigid material. The base 110 includes a pivot line 114, wherein a portion of the base forming the lever 118 can hinge along the pivot line when a force is applied to the lever 118.

Base 110 further includes some optional finger-engagement features 122a-122c to assist the user in handling the contact lens package during the unboxing process. Disposed at the end of the base 110 proximal to the user is a finger dimple 122a, which can be sized to accommodate one finger or thumb of the user; An overhang 122b is disposed along the perimeter edge of the base 110; A protrusion 122c is disposed at the end of the package 118 distal to the user. The finger dimples 122a in this embodiment are also sloped downward so that a force, eg, pressure applied by a user's thumb, causes the lever 118 to hinge downward at the pivot line 114. The package 100 of this embodiment may additionally, for example, when a lever is pushed down or the package is squeezed by the user, i.e. the user manually at opposite ends of the package, i.e. one end It consists of a profile that slopes from the proximal end to the distal end to further encourage a downward moment in the lever when applying pressure, with one finger at and through the thumb at the other end. In this embodiment, the package 100 is configured such that a compressive force is applied to the distal and proximal ends. However, alternative embodiments are possible whereby the opposing forces involved in squeezing are applied to the sides of the package, such as, but not limited to, opposite opposite ends of the package, such as, but not limited to, the left and right sides.

In the first step shown in FIG. 1B , the user holds the non-opened contact lens package 100 by its base 110 . As shown, the user's grip on the package 100 provides a more secure grip on the package and/or at a later stage the contact lens contained in the package is lifted and delivered to the user's eye for presentation to the user. may be improved by one or more finger engagement features 122a - 122c positioned and configured to assist in the application of force to cause the finger to engage. A finger dimple 106 is positioned on the lever 118 of the base 110 and sized to allow the user's thumb 126 to grip the package. At the opposite end of the package 100, the user can grip the package as shown by placing a finger firmly under the overhang 122b and against the protrusion 122c at the end of the base 110. In the case of an overhang, the overhang area may be curved or flattened to provide increased area across which opposing forces may be supplied when the package is compressed. Next, the user peels open the foil 106 from the proximal end to the distal end of the base 110 in the direction shown by arrow 134, in this embodiment the user opens the foil (lid) 106 and the base. The package can be opened by opening the lid 106 involving breaking the sterile seal between 110. Although not necessary, in this preferred embodiment, the package is optimized so that the user can grip the base with one hand and peel and open the lid 106 with the other hand.

As shown in the step shown in FIG. 1C, the package lid 106 can be removed by complete removal of the lid, as shown in this example, or alternatively, a packaging solution (not shown) over the lens support 140. ) was opened by partial removal sufficient to substantially expose lens cavity 136 containing contact lens 138 suspended therein. With package 100 open, the user then applies force 142 to lever 118 . In this embodiment, the package is configured to be squeezed by the user whereby the user's hand or hands carefully apply opposing forces 142 and 146 at the proximal and distal ends of the package to the lever 118. generate more significant forces.

Referring to FIG. 1D , a force applied to the lever by the user causes the lens support 140 to lift the contact lens 138 out of the packaging solution (not shown). Ideally, the lens support is configured to lift the contact lens high enough above the package cavity where the lens is facing the user and thus visible and transferable from the support, but not so high that the lens will slide off the support under gravity. This may be achieved by an elevation angle of about 15° to 60° relative to the horizontal plane defining the top of the base when force is applied by the user. The lens support preferably, when lifted in this manner, taps (also interchangeably referred to as “pressing”) the convex surface of the contact lens 138 so that the tapping causes the contact lens to slide off the lens support. As in the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment in which the user transfers the contact lens 138 from the lens support 140 by allowing it to be released from 138 and attached to the user's finger 154, the packaging solution is applied in a single step by the user. It is configured to drain sufficiently from the contact lens to enable touch transmission.

In this embodiment, the contact lens 138 is conveniently provided to the wearer in a convex orientation, which is the convex orientation of the lens 138 without the need to reorient the lens prior to placing the concave side of the lens on the wearer's eye surface. means that the face is accessible to the wearer. However, it will be appreciated that other orientations, such as the concave orientation of a traditional blister package, are possible within the scope of the present invention. Transfer of the contact lens 138 from the lens support 140 may be by the wearer's finger 154 directly touching the lens or by an applicator film or other applied to the finger (eg, as described in US20190046353). This can be done indirectly by means of a cover, or by other delivery means such as a manual or automatic applicator device or tool. Upon delivery of the contact lens 138 from the package 100, the lens is placed so that the convex surface of the contact lens 138 rests against the finger 154 and the concave surface of the lens 138 rests against the user, as shown in the illustrated steps. It is placed on a finger 154 (or other delivery means), oriented for direct application to the eye surface of the eye.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 , FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the contact lens package 100 in an open state with the lens support 140 lifting the contact lens 138 out of a packaging solution (not shown). do. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the contact lens package 100 . Contact lens package 100 includes a base 110 having a proximal end (A) and a distal end (B). At its distal end (B), the base 110 includes a cavity 136 for receiving a contact lens 138 in a packaging solution and a lever 118 with which a force is applied to the lever 118. It is configured to hinge along the pivot line 114 in the base when being positioned. In this embodiment, the lever 118 is formed as part of an integral component that makes up the base 118 . More specifically, the base 110 comprising the lever 118 is formed as a one-piece injection molded polypropylene plastic part. Alternative materials and processes for forming the base will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, including thermoforming and 3D printing (using materials such as ABS, PLA, HIPS, PETG, nylon, etc.). Preferably, the material used for the base is relatively rigid and has a glass transition temperature (T _g ) measured according to ASTM D1238-10 (Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rate of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer) When it is about 125 ℃. In this embodiment, the pivot line 114 is defined by a plurality of voids 158 in the base. The apertures 158 are positioned in a linear configuration along the horizontal axis at the point where the lever 118 hinges. The absence of material that creates the void 158 provides sufficient relief along the lines in the base material to allow the lever 118 to hinge in the desired position when a force is applied to the lever by a user. The distance of the rising arm, ie the distance from the pivot line to the center of the contact lens when resting on the support, is about 10 to 12 mm, preferably 12 to 17 mm. The use of one or more air gaps is just one of the myriad ways in which a pivot line may be defined within the scope of the present invention. For example, in other embodiments where the lever is formed from the same material as the rest of the base, the pivot line may be formed by forming the material thinner along the pivot line to laterally crimp the plastic at the desired location, and/or to cut or , etching, or otherwise imposing a pivot line into the base material. Additionally, in embodiments where the lever takes the form of a separate component, the pivot line may merely represent the horizontal interface between the lever and the rest of the base. In such an embodiment, the hinge action along the pivot line may be achieved by a hinge component, a rotatable interlocking attachment, or the like. It should be understood that alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention where the lever is a separate component coupled to the rest of the base by means of an attachment. For example, the lever can be formed as a separate injection molded part and then attached to the rest of the base through a number of attachment means including laser welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, mechanical attachment, heat staking, and the like. It can be attached to a separately molded (or printed, etc.) part to form.

The underside of the base may be angled to allow the package to "fold", as in the illustrated embodiment, thereby the amount of primary packaging material and packaging solution required to keep the contact lens hydrated. In addition to reducing , it may enable more compact secondary packaging during storage and shipping (as further described with reference to FIG. 9 ). In this example, the base 110 slopes from the proximal end A to the distal end B at an angle of approximately 14° and has a footprint approximately 29 mm wide by 44 mm long and 9.5 mm high. . Preferred slopes range from about 10 to 20 degrees, but the slope can be made even steeper if desired, for example about 20 to 30 degrees. The base includes a well, or cavity 136, formed in the tapered region where the contact lens 138 and lens support 140 are accommodated when the package 100 is not opened. In this embodiment, the cavity has a volume of approximately 2240 μl, which is approximately 2080 μl of packaging solution administered, which is sufficient to completely submerge the contact lens 138 within cavity 136. Foil lid 106 is secured to base 110 via a heat treatable seal formed between beads 152 on the top surface of the base around the periphery of cavity 136 . Such seals may be formed by known heat sealing techniques and related devices.

A finger engagement feature (dimple) 122a sized to receive a user's finger or thumb is disposed at the end of the base 110 proximal to the user. For example, the pressure applied by the user's thumb is angled downward to cause the lever 118 to hinge downward at the pivot line 114. The location of the finger dimples in these dimples and the position of the user's fingers relative to the pivot line affect the amount of compression force required to cause the lever to hinge along the pivot line. In this example, the dimple depth below the pivot line is 4.5 mm as measured from the seal level to the base of the dimple.

Lens support 140 is coupled to lever 118 such that a force applied to lever 118 causes lens support 140 to lift contact lens 138 out of the packaging solution. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens support 140 is a separately molded (or printed) component that is fixedly attached to the lever 118 portion of the base. Attachment is made here via stakes 162 formed in the lever part of the base material. Lens support 140 has an aperture 166 corresponding to stake 162 such that when lens support 140 is placed on the base, stake 162 mates with aperture 166 . Heat is applied to the stake/opening using a hot plate to deform the plastic material using heat and force, holding the stake firmly in place like a rivet. Bonding is achieved by partially deforming stake 162 around opening 166 . Many other means of attachment other than heat staking are possible within the scope of the claims, including, for example, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, gluing, mechanical clipping, and the like. Additionally, note alternative embodiments in which the lens support may be formed as part of the same integral molded or printed component as the lever and/or the entire base. The point of attachment/attachment of the lens support to the lever is preferably about 2 to 5 mm forward of the peg/stake from the pivot line. In many embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment where the pivot line is formed by folds in plastic or other substantially rigid material, the pivot line may have a thickness, that is, may not be perfectly sharp. In this case, this separation between the attachment point and the pivot line may be necessary to maximize the angle of elevation for a given bending force.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 , the underside of the cap 106 includes a number of lens facing surfaces 168 which in this embodiment are formed as protrusions extending downwardly towards the convex surface of the lens. Lens facing surface 168 is generally shaped to mirror the convex lens surface of a contact lens to be received within lid cavity 136 . The lens facing surface 168 serves to align the contact lens over the lens support and protect the contact lens against significant optical damage due to gravity or air induced forces. In some embodiments, the lens facing surface also serves as an air entry guide by guiding air to enter the package over the contact lenses to reduce the incidence of contact lenses sticking to the package upon opening. In this case, the lens facing surface is provided on a molded plastic cap insert 170, where the cap insert 170 is attached to the inner surface of the foil cap 106 by a heat seal. However, in other embodiments, the lens facing surface may be integral to the cap rather than a separate component, for example where the cap is substantially rigid. It will be appreciated that all features described as being imparted on the lid insert are equally applicable to embodiments in which the same features are integral to the lid.

The lens facing surface of the present invention serves to support the lens when loaded by such forces to avoid or reduce significant optical damage. For example, gravity and interaction with air bubbles in the packaging solution can cause optical damage if not counteracted properly. In one aspect, the lens-facing surface, such as the lens-facing surface 168 of the illustrated embodiment, has a relatively large, at least about 3%, preferably at least about 20%, or Include as large an accessible surface area as possible. The accessible surface area is understood to mean the area of contact between a lens and a lens-facing surface when the lens is loaded, ie placed into contact under an applied force such as but not limited to gravity or bubble interaction. The accessible surface area determines the pressure applied to a region of the lens when/when it is loaded. The larger the area, the more the pressure is reduced. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens facing surface 168 has an contactable surface area of 100 mm 2 , whereas a conventional contact lens has a surface area of approximately 215 mm 2 . As discussed in more detail below, at least 10% of the surface area over the lens is left exposed to facilitate air entering and moving around the package so that the lens adheres to any lens-facing surface/lid insert. It is also desirable to reduce the tendency.

The lens facing surfaces 168 are also spaced to define an air exit channel 169 that allows air, particularly air bubbles in the packaging solution, to move away from the contact lenses and into the peripheral volume of cavity 136. The air outlet channel advantageously has a positive gradient towards the peripheral volume with a vertical elevation of at least about 2 mm. The air escape channels allow smaller air bubbles to escape from the area around the lens surface while simultaneously avoiding larger air bubbles from entering the space above the lens. To this end, a preferred embodiment comprises at least two air outlet channels each having a width of about 1 mm to 1.5 mm or preferably 1.5 mm to 2 mm, in particular 1.5 mm in the illustrated embodiment. In a related aspect, the air exhaust channels 169 advantageously form an “X” configuration. This configuration of the air exhaust channel positions relative to each other ensures that when the package is rotated to a sideways orientation, at least one of the channels always has its central axis from near the center of the cavity inclined with respect to a plane normal to gravity. This aspect utilizes the buoyancy force to cause air bubbles to move away from the lens regardless of the orientation the lens package assumes, thus reducing optical damage that might otherwise be due to air bubbles forcing the lens into the lens support, for example. .

Lid insert 170 is attached to the inner surface of lid 106 in this embodiment by a thermal seal between multilayer film lid 106 and planar surfaces 172a - 172d on the upper side of the lid insert. As discussed in more detail later herein, alignment of the base and lid insert during the heat sealing process and during storage may be assisted by including one or more alignment features in the base and/or lid insert. For example, alignment feature 174 in the illustrated embodiment takes the form of a column on the inner wall of cavity 136 of base 110 . Alignment feature 174 resists rotation and lateral movement of lid insert 170 during normal use or when pressure is applied to seal package 100 . Alternative alignment features such as, but not limited to, forming the cavity and cap insert (or integral part of the cap including the lens facing surface) in a non-circular shape such that the components inherently interlock and resist rotation may be incorporated. possible.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , an enlarged view of the lid insert 170 is shown when inserted within the cavity 132 of the base 110 . The location of alignment features (eg, columns 174 ) on the walls of cavity 136 of base 110 correspond to openings 178 in lid insert 170 . Column 174 and aperture 178 cooperate as an assembly to limit rotation and lateral movement of lid insert 170 . In another aspect, the lid insert is adapted to prevent the lens support from being lifted (outside of the expected time during opening) and due to external forces when sealing pressure is applied or during storage, transportation or when the user opens the package. It can be configured to ensure that the lens is not compressed within the package. For example, when pressure is applied overhead, such as when the lid is sealed to the base or when the lid insert, if any, is sealed to the lid (whether integral to or included in the lid insert). A lockout feature may be included to prevent cap features, such as the lens facing surface, from encroaching on the lens. Other lockout features may be included to stop the lens support from encroaching into the lens by forming a contact point between the lens support and cap insert (eg, due to bending the pack at a pivot prior to opening). Still, another lockout feature of this embodiment is created by ledge 180 along the periphery of the bottom of cavity 136. One function of ledge 180 is to avoid pinch points for the lens periphery during assembly. The height of the ledge above the cavity floor is made high enough so that the lens facing feature of the cap and/or cap insert rests at a height above where the lens is received below. In this embodiment, the ledge is approximately 0.8 mm high above the base of the lens. It should be understood that the ledge is another exemplary lockout feature of many possibilities. To be sure, the cap insert can be locked out at any level (eg, at the same level as the base of the lens, at the same level as the top of the pack).

5A and 5B show cross-sectional views of the contact lens package 100 in a closed state. Specifically, FIG. 5B shows a cross section generated across cut plane AA indicated in the perspective side view of FIG. 5A. As shown, the package 100 is configured such that the contact lens 138 substantially floats between the lens support 140 and the lens facing surface 168 when in a non-open state. The package of the present invention preferably minimizes contact with the contact lens when the package is closed, and the lens is suspended in the packaging solution. Ideally, the optic zone of the lens is free floating and contact with the lens support during storage is transient or non-existent. Depending on the orientation and buoyancy of the lens within the package solution, the lens may lie either with the peripheral edge of the lens on the bottom of a cavity in the base of the package or with the convex surface of the lens on the lens-facing surface. As shown, the contact lens package 100 is in a lid-up orientation with the peripheral edge of the contact lens resting on the bottom of a cavity 136 in the base 110 . However, the optic zone of contact lens 138 is effectively suspended between lens support 140 and lens facing surface 168 .

Cavity 132 is preferably substantially filled with a packaging solution, provided that the manufacturing process may not allow sealing the packaging under vacuum pressure. In this case, some amount of air is expected to be trapped in the cavity. If these air bubbles are not managed, they can interact with the lens and cause significant optical damage to the lens. Thus, a peripheral volume within the cavity may be provided, i.e. a volume within the cavity at the periphery relative to the position of the lens above the lens support. Ideally, such volumes are provided at the distal and proximal ends of the package, such as at 132' and 132" of cavity 132 of package 100, so that air bubbles have a location to exist regardless of the orientation of the package during shipping or storage. It should be.

In one aspect, the lens-facing surface can function as an air entry guide through arrangement and configuration that allows air entering the package upon opening to move over the contact lenses to avoid contact lenses sticking to the lid or its lens-facing surface. . As shown in FIG. 6 , contact lens package 100 is such that the foil lid is not shown and air is directed in the direction indicated by arrow 190 so that components as located within package 100 are visible in this embodiment. Package 100 is shown in an assembled, unlocked state, configured to open from a proximal end (A) to a distal end (B) to enter the package with a . To ensure air travels over the lens, cap insert 170 is configured such that the convex surface of lens 138 is exposed over the lens edge closest to point 192 where air enters the cavity when open. This can be accomplished by positioning the lens facing surface mostly over the lateral and distal surface areas of the contact lens and leaving at least about 10% of the surface area of the contact lens exposed proximal to the point 192 where air enters the cavity. . More specifically, in this embodiment, 15% of the surface area of the contact lens is left exposed.

The lens support of the present invention can be of many shapes capable of lifting a lens out of a packaging solution when a user applies force(s) to the package, such as squeezing the package as described in connection with embodiments herein. and can take the form. However, as noted, the lens support preferably maintains the lens in a desired convex orientation (bowl down relative to the base) and position (centered on the support) during shipping and storage. Ideally, the lens support can provide an open structure under the lens to allow the packaging solution to drain from the lens and support body when opened, without trapping water between the support body and the underside of the lens. It is also preferred that the lens support has a sufficient number of points of contact with the lens to prevent the lens from folding onto, rotating away from, or translating across the support. This allows the apex of the lens to be supported by the elastic stiffness of the lens itself, or to minimize sinking of the lens apex while limiting the contact area between the support and the lens. Too much contact between the support and the lens after the solution drains, and the water trapped between the support and the lens creates a surface tension between the lens and water on and around the lens support that is greater than the surface tension between the wearer's finger and the lens. , which can prevent efficient lens delivery. The sum of the contact between the lens and the lens support when the package is opened and the solution draining from the lens and the lens support is the total wet contact area, which may be less than about 30 mm2, less than 25 mm2, or less than 20 mm2; As described in , it is distributed at least around the lens periphery. As used herein, “wet contact area” refers to a lens after the lens is lifted and the packaging solution is allowed to drain for less than about 30 s, less than about 5 s, or less than about 2 s, depending on the intended user experience of the package. It refers to the area of direct solid contact between the lens support and the lens added to the area of any meniscus, reservoir or solution bridge formed between the lens and the lens support.

For lenses made of polymers with longer shape memory, the lens support may be designed to limit contact between the lens and support during storage. These contacts may be distributed around the lens peripheral edge. Contact between the lens optic zone and the lens support and lid interior (including any air entry guides) may be transient, or there may be no contact between the optic zone and the support, lid or air entry guide. Conventional hydrogel-like lenses with shorter shape memory are less prone to distortion from packaging contact, around the periphery and throughout the lens profile, including the lens center region (about 9 mm, or about 5 mm diameter). It can have distributed contact points.

The lens support of the present invention preferably allows both the fingertip and the lens to deform to match each other's shape when pressed, without causing damage to the lens or lens inversion during removal from too much pressure during pressing. Thus, an aspect of lens removal from the present package is to set the ratio of the contact area between the finger and the lens compared to the contact area between the lens and the lens support such that the contact area between the finger and the lens exceeds the contact surface area of the lens support on the underside of the lens. may be controlling. This will ensure that the surface tension between the finger and the lens exceeds the surface tension between the lens and the lens support. Thus, the lens will be attached to the finger for delivery and placement of the lens onto the eye.

The lens support preferably provides at least 2, at least 3, 3 to 14, 4 to 14, 3 to 8 or 4 to 8, 4 to 6, or 6 points of contact with the contact lens edge along the peripheral support. When two perimeter supports are used, the perimeter supports can be wider to provide stability without exceeding the desired contact area for consistent lens delivery. The peripheral contact points prevent the lens from rotating away from the lens and can be distributed in a number of configurations where the space between the furthest adjacent contacts is less than the diameter of the lens. As the number of perimeter supports increases, the likelihood that residual packaging solution will form a film between adjacent perimeter supports and that the solution will bridge between the support and the lens increases during drainage. Perimeter supports with less than 50% open space, such as those in the form of screens or strainers, usually provide insufficient drainage to ensure one touch transfer. Similarly, too much contact between the support and the lens after the solution drains, and water trapped between the support and the lens creates a barrier between the lens and water on and around the lens support that is greater than the surface tension between the wearer's finger and the lens. It can create surface tension, which can prevent efficient lens delivery. The width of the structural support member of the lens support varies between the widths required for efficient packaging solution drainage upon opening and the limitations of the selected molding process. It will be appreciated that suitable widths include from about 0.5 to about 1.5 mm, from about 0.5 to about 1, or from about 0.5 to about 0.7 mm, and that lens support designs with fewer points of contact may have thicker arms.

The lens support may achieve sufficient drainage of the packaging solution from the lens to enable single touch delivery through one or a combination of drainage techniques, referred to herein as channel drainage and back drainage. . Channel drainage involves the formation of a channel member on the lens support, wherein when the lens support is lifted, the packaging solution is channeled under gravity away from the lens along the channel member. On the other hand, back drainage refers to the enhanced drainage from the underside of the lens on which the lens rests on the lens support. This area below the apex of the lens tends to entrap the packaging solution due to the hydrophilic nature of modern contact lens materials. Improved backwater drainage may be achieved in some embodiments by designing a lens support having a central aperture below the apex of the lens of at least about 12 mm 3 .

Referring next to FIGS. 7A and 7B , an exemplary lens support 140 is shown in side and top views, respectively. Lens support 140 represents an example of a lens support that leverages a hybrid of backside drainage and channel drainage that evacuates packaging solution from the lens sufficient to enable single touch delivery. The lens support 140 includes a central support composed of three central support members 200a to 200c in a semi-circular configuration with a diameter of approximately 8 mm. The center support members 200a to 200c are raised by 2.5 mm by the post 204. Post 204 extends upwardly from channel members 204a and 204b, which transition along its length from proximal end A to distal end B to form a channel formation with perimeter support 208. do. These members cooperate to form a lens support 240 in a preferred convex orientation (bowl down relative to the base of the package) at seven points of contact as the contact lens is lifted from the package and the lens is lifted from the packaging solution. put it on a table

The design of the lens support 140 creates a central opening 212 to allow the packaging solution to drain back from the lens and lens support 140 when the package is opened and the lens support is lifted from the packaging solution. This allows the apex of the lens to be supported by the elastic stiffness of the lens itself and minimizes sinking of the lens apex while limiting the contact area between the support 140 and the lens. The design also provides sufficient support to the edge of the contact lens at points along the channel members 204a, 204b and along the perimeter support 208. This configuration sufficiently reduces the wet contact area between the lens support 140 and the contact lens to at least about 25 mm 2 as measured two seconds after the lens support 140 is lifted.

One of many alternative embodiments of a lens support within the scope of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B , illustrated respectively in side and top views. Lens support 300 represents an example of a lens support that relies on backside drainage to evacuate packaging solution from the lens sufficient to enable single touch delivery. Lens support 300 includes a central support 310 composed of four equally spaced radial spokes extending across a diameter of approximately 10.5 mm. The center support member 310 is raised 2.7 mm by the post 314. Post 314 extends upwardly from support member 318 including tabs 324, by means of which lens support 300 may be coupled to the base of the contact lens package in certain embodiments of the present invention. The perimeter support members 328, 330 are formed in a continuous bow-tie configuration to provide support to the edge of the contact lens when the lens is lifted from the package and placed on the support. The center and perimeter support members of the support 300 cooperate to provide a preferred (bowl down relative to the base of the package) contact point at five points of contact when the contact lens is lifted from the package and when the lens is lifted from the packaging solution. It is placed onto the lens support 300 in a convex orientation.

The design of the lens support 300 is such that there is sufficient opening between the spokes of the central support 310 to allow the packaging solution to drain back from the lens and lens support 140 when the package is opened and the lens support is lifted from the packaging solution. contains space This allows the apex of the lens to be supported by the elastic stiffness of the lens itself and minimizes sinking of the lens apex while limiting the contact area between the support 300 and the lens. The design also provides sufficient support to the edge of the contact lens at points along the perimeter support members 328, 330. This configuration sufficiently reduces the wet contact area between the lens support 300 and the contact lens to at least about 25 mm 2 as measured two seconds after the lens support 300 is lifted. It should be emphasized that the lens support embodiments shown and described herein are only two of many embodiments of a lens support within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. For clarity, a number of additional illustrative, but non-limiting, exemplary lens supports are shown in Appendix A.

As noted above, in one aspect, the contact lens package of the present invention may be configured to allow for a nested configuration. 9 shows two contact lens packages 100 shown as packages 100", 100" in a nested configuration. Nested configurations, such as those shown in which packages are securely fit together within a smaller volume, serve to reduce the amount of secondary packaging (eg, cartons or other containers in which primary packages are provided to consumers). useful. In this embodiment, the packages 100', 100' are arranged base-to-base and are designed to nest when inverted relative to each other from the proximal end to the distal end. The function of the overlapping contact lens packages 100', 100" is the taper of the base 110', 110" of each package and the stop for lateral movement of the base 110', 110" This is made possible by a combination of features, including finger engagement features (dimples) 122a', 122a".

Referring now to FIG. 10 , an exemplary method of manufacturing/assembly of a contact lens package according to one embodiment is shown. A first exemplary method of fabrication/assembly of the exemplary contact lens package 100 is shown as steps 1001A, 1002A, 1003A, 1004A, and 1005. In a first step 1001A, a contact lens 138 is placed, in this embodiment, on the lens support 140, with the contact lens concave surface on the lens support 140. placed on top The lens support may be pre-dosed with a packaging solution sufficient to allow the contact lens to bond to the support. In some alternative approaches, not illustrated, a lens support may first be inserted into the cavity, and then a contact lens may be placed on the support. In a next step 1002A, lens support 140 with contact lens 130 placed thereon is inserted into cavity 136 of base 110 . Next, in step 1003 , cap insert 170 including lens facing surface 168 is placed on the convex side of contact lens 138 . Next, in step 1003A, the cavity is dosed with a packaging solution sufficient to submerge the contact lens 138 completely and ideally as completely as possible without overflowing the cavity. Preferably, at least one of the fitments and/or surface features of the lid insert abutting the base cavity creates a friction fit such that the lid insert does not float out of position when packing solution is added to the cavity. . Finally, in step 1005, the lid 106 is sealed onto the base 110, for example by heat sealing a foil to the base as described in more detail above, so that the seal seals the cavity 136 in a sterile environment. ) in the contact lens 138 and packaging solution.

An alternative exemplary method of fabrication/assembly of the exemplary contact lens package 100 is shown as steps 1001B, 1002B, 1003B, 1004B, and 1005. In a first step 1001B, a package base 110 is provided with a lens support 140 coupled to the cavity 136 of the base 110. In this example, the lens support 140 is bonded to the base by a heat staking process as described in more detail above. However, as noted, other means of attachment are possible within the scope of the claims, including, for example, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, gluing, mechanical clipping, and the like. Next, in step 1002B, a contact lens 138 is placed on the lens-facing surface of the cap insert 170, in this embodiment the convex surface of the lens is the lens-facing surface of the cap insert 170 ( 168) is placed in contact with it. Lens 138 may be placed on the lid insert by manual or automatic means, such as through a lens delivery nozzle. Then, at step 1003B, cap insert 170 with contact lens 138 placed thereon is placed on lens support 140 in cavity 136 of base 110 . Next, in step 1004B, cavity 136 is dosed with a packaging solution sufficient to submerge contact lens 138 in cavity 136 completely and ideally as completely as possible without overflowing the cavity. Finally, in step 1005, the lid 106 is sealed onto the base 110, for example by heat sealing a foil to the base as described in more detail above, so that the seal seals the cavity 136 in a sterile environment. ) in the contact lens 138 and packaging solution.

In some methods of manufacturing/assembly of contact lens packages within the scope of the present invention, providing the packaging solution to the cavity is multiple doses at different stages of the assembly process, as opposed to all at once as described in the exemplary method above. can happen with For example, in an embodiment where a lens is placed on a lens support (eg, step 1001A above), the lens is secured to the lens under the surface tension of the solution before placing the lens on the lens support. It may be advantageous to pre-dosage a small amount of the packaging solution. Splitting the administration of the packaging solution may also be beneficial when filling cavities, for example by splitting a dose of approximately 2080 μL into two approximately equally sized doses, for example in steps 1001B and 1004B described above. there is.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, has used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments described herein have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

The Summary and Summary section may present one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the inventors, and are therefore intended to limit the invention and the appended claims in any way. Not intended.

Having described the foregoing description of specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, others may readily modify and/or adapt such specific embodiments to various applications by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. The general characteristics of the present invention will be sufficiently revealed to enable Accordingly, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phrases or phrases herein are for the purpose of explanation and not limitation, and that the terms or phrases herein are to be interpreted by those skilled in the art in light of the teachings and guidelines.

Packages of the present invention can be made using known materials and processes. Packaging materials may be virgin materials, recycled materials, or combinations thereof. The volume within the package cavity can vary depending on the design chosen.

Not every feature described herein need be incorporated into every package, and one skilled in the art, using the teachings herein, can combine features to provide a wide variety of improved contact lens packages. In summary, the contact lens package of the present invention includes several novel features that can be combined in a wide variety of combinations as described herein to provide the desired improved and/or single touch packaging. The breadth and scope of this invention should not be limited by any of the foregoing illustrative embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (63)

As a contact lens package,
Lid;
As a base,
a cavity accommodating the contact lens and packaging solution; and
a lever comprising: a lever configured to hinge along a pivot line within the base when a force is applied to the lever; and
A lens support, wherein at a location on the lens support enabling single touch delivery by a user, the force applied to the lever causes the lens support to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution and the pivot line. A contact lens package comprising the lens supports that intersect. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the lever is a separate component coupled to the base by an attachment means. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the pivot line is defined by at least one void in the base. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the pivot line is imparted into the base by one or more of a crease, cut, thinned line, and etch. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the base is comprised of a relatively rigid material. 6. The contact lens package of claim 5, wherein the lid comprises a film and the base comprises a plastic material. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the base and the lens support are a single integral component. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the lever and the lens support are a single integral component. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens support is formed by i) laser welding; ii) fever; iii) ultrasonic welding; and iv) adhesive. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the base includes at least one finger engagement feature configured to i) assist a user in gripping the package or i) direct the application of force such that the lever hinges downward. To do, contact lens package. 11. The contact lens package of claim 10, wherein the at least one finger engaging feature comprises a protrusion in the base at a distal end of the package. 11. The contact lens package of claim 10, wherein the at least one finger engaging feature comprises an overhang along at least a portion of the periphery of the package. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one finger engagement feature comprises a dimple sized to receive a finger or thumb of the user, the dimple located at an end of the base proximal to the user. Become, contact lens package. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one finger engagement feature is a proximal finger engagement feature located at an end of the base proximal to the user and a distal finger located at an end of the base distal to the user. A contact lens package comprising an engagement feature. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a lens-facing surface that extends downward into the cavity over the contact lens when the package is in a non-open condition. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lens facing surface and the lens support are configured within the cavity such that the optic zone of the contact lens is suspended in the packaging solution between the lens facing surface and the lens support when the package is in a non-opened state. , contact lens package. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the cavity accommodates the contact lens in a convex position when the package is in a closed or open state. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the lens support has a profile that does not substantially match the profile of the contact lens. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the wet contact area between the lens support and the contact lens when the package is open is less than about 30 mm 2 , less than about 25 mm 2 , or less than about 20 mm 2 . 2. The method of claim 1 including at least one lens-facing surface within the cavity on a convex surface of the contact lens, wherein when the package is in an unlocked state, the at least one lens-facing surface is positioned on the lens support. to align contact lenses; or a contact lens package configured to protect the contact lens against significant optical damage due to gravity, mechanical forces, or air induced forces. 21. The contact lens package of claim 20, wherein the at least one lens facing surface is provided on a cap insert, the cap insert being attached to the inner surface of the cap. 22. The contact lens package of claim 21, wherein the lid insert includes at least one alignment feature. 22. The contact lens package of claim 21, wherein the cap insert includes at least one lock-out feature. A contact lens package containing a contact lens and a packaging solution, the package configured to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution when the package is squeezed by a user. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the package includes a lever and a lens support, the lever configured to hinge along a pivot line in the base of the package when a force is applied to the lever, the lens support to the lever. wherein the applied force causes the lens support to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the package is such that, at a location on the lens support enabling single touch transfer by the user, the force applied to the lever causes the lens support to eject the contact lens out of the packaging solution. A contact lens package configured to cause lifting. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the lever is a separate component coupled to the base by an attachment means. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the pivot line is defined by at least one void in the base. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the pivot line is imparted into the base by one or more of a crease, cut, thinned line, and etch. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the base is comprised of a relatively rigid material. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the base and the lens support are a single integral component. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the lever and the lens support are a single integral component. 26. The lens support of claim 25, wherein the lens support is formed by i) laser welding; ii) fever; iii) ultrasonic welding; and iv) adhesive. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the base includes at least one finger engagement feature configured to i) assist a user in gripping the package or i) direct the application of force such that the lever hinges downward. To do, contact lens package. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein at least one finger engaging feature comprises a protrusion in the base at the distal end of the package. 36. The contact lens package of claim 35, wherein the at least one finger engaging feature comprises an overhang along at least a portion of the periphery of the package. 36. The contact of claim 35, wherein the at least one finger engagement feature comprises a dimple sized to receive a finger or thumb of the user, the dimple located at an end of the base proximal to the user. lens package. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one finger engagement feature is a proximal finger engagement feature located at an end of the base proximal to the user and a distal finger located at an end of the base distal to the user. A contact lens package comprising an engagement feature. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the lid of the package includes a lens-facing surface that extends downward into a cavity over the contact lens when the package is in a non-open position. 40. The lens-facing surface of claim 39, wherein the lens-facing surface and the lens support are configured within the cavity such that the optic zone of the contact lens is suspended in the packaging solution between the lens-facing surface and the lens support when the package is in a non-opened state. , contact lens package. 25. The contact lens package of claim 24, wherein the package holds the contact lens in a convex position when the package is in a closed or open state. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the lens support has a profile that does not substantially match the profile of the contact lens. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the wet contact area between the lens support and the contact lens when the package is open is less than about 30 mm2, less than about 25 mm2, or less than about 20 mm2. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, including at least one lens-facing surface within the cavity on the convex surface of the contact lens, wherein when the package is in a non-opened position, the at least one lens-facing surface attaches to the contact lens support over the lens support. to align the lenses; or a contact lens package configured to protect the contact lens against significant optical damage due to gravity, mechanical forces, or air induced forces. 26. The contact lens package of claim 25, comprising a cap insert, wherein the cap insert is attached to the inner surface of the cap. 46. The contact lens package of claim 45, wherein the cap insert includes at least one alignment feature. 46. The contact lens package of claim 45, wherein the lid insert includes at least one lockout feature. A method of handling a package containing a contact lens in a packaging solution comprising:
opening the lid of the package;
compressing the package, causing a lens support to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution; and
transferring the contact lens from the lens support to the eye of the user. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the squeezing step includes the user's hand applying force to opposite ends of the package. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein opposite ends of the package are a distal end and a proximal end of the package to the user. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein opposite ends of the package are a left side and a right side of the package for the user. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the lid comprises a foil and wherein the opening step comprises peeling the foil from at least a portion of the package. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein causing the lens support to lift the contact lens creates an elevation angle of about 15° to 60° relative to the horizontal plane defined by the top of the package. 49. The method of claim 48, further comprising transferring the contact lens from the lens support to the hand of the user, wherein transferring the lens taps a convex surface of the contact lens so that the tapping occurs. causing the contact lens to be released from the lens support and attached to the user's finger. A method of manufacturing a package comprising a contact lens in a packaging solution, comprising:
placing a contact lens onto the lens support;
inserting the lens support into the cavity of the base of the package;
positioning an insert comprising a lens facing surface onto the contact lens;
dispensing a packaging solution into the cavity; and
sealing a lid onto the base, enclosing the contact lens and packaging solution within the cavity in a sterile environment. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein placing the contact lens onto the lens support occurs after inserting the lens support into the cavity of the base. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein placing the contact lens onto the lens support comprises placing the concave side of the contact lens onto the lens support. 56. The method of claim 55, further comprising administering a packaging solution to the lens support prior to placing the contact lens onto the lens support. A method of manufacturing a package comprising a contact lens in a packaging solution, comprising:
providing a package base including a cavity to which a lens support is coupled;
placing a contact lens onto the lens-facing surface of the lid insert;
inserting the lens facing surface on which the contact lens is placed onto the lens support and into the cavity of the base;
dispensing a packaging solution into the cavity; and
sealing a lid onto the base, enclosing the contact lens and packaging solution within the cavity in a sterile environment. 60. The method of claim 59, wherein placing the contact lens onto the lens-facing surface of the cap insert comprises placing a convex side of the contact lens onto the lens-facing surface. 56. The method of claim 55, further comprising aligning the lid insert within the cavity of the base, wherein the aligning step comprises translating the lid insert over an alignment feature within the cavity of the base. , method. 56. The method of claim 55, further comprising aligning the lid insert within the cavity of the base, wherein the aligning step comprises translating the lid insert over an alignment feature within the cavity of the base. , method. 56. The method of claim 55, further comprising locking the lid insert within the cavity of the base, wherein the locking step causes a protrusion on one side of the lid insert to be secured to a sidewall of the cavity by friction. and applying pressure to the lid insert sufficient to do so.

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