SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONSUMER CONTACT LENSES RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit within the framework of 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of the North American provisional patent application No. 60 / 820,432 filed on July 26, 2006 entitled "Contact Lens Package", said application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Contact lenses are small lenses used directly in the eye and are widely used to correct variations in vision. Contact lenses have traditionally been either rigid (hard) or soft. One important consideration in the use of contact lenses is eye health, another consideration is comfort. The contact lenses are placed directly in the eye. Therefore, it is important that contact lenses and their packaging do not introduce unwanted contamination to the eye. Soft and most commonly used contact lenses are designed to be used for a specified number of days, and then they must be replaced. For example, many contact lenses should be used for only one day after which they should be discarded. This frequent replacement of the lenses of
Soft contact is highly desirable because it is difficult for a patient to properly sterilize or otherwise clean the unavoidable contamination that accumulates in the lenses over time. Another consideration in the use and manufacture of contact lenses is comfort. Contact lenses contemplated to be replaced more frequently may not be as comfortable for the user due to the frequent need to purchase or otherwise replace contact lenses. In addition, the secondary packaging of contact lenses is often difficult to understand. Traditionally, contact lenses are provided in a box that can contain multiple "blister packs" of contact lenses. Even though for certain contact lens wearers only one contact lens level or graduation is required, many users require a different graduation for each eye which may require ordering two different contact lens cases. Additionally, when contact lenses are purchased online or by telephone, the secondary packaging of contact lenses does not include prescription information for the patient. This can be problematic, especially if the patient requires contact lenses of different graduation for each eye since the patient may not always remember which contact lens graduation
corresponds to each eye. This problem can be increased if the user does not remember that he has to open a new contact lens case before discarding the previous set of lenses. It may be difficult for the user to determine which of the two contact lens cases is contemplated for a specific eye, especially since the user may have a significant visual impairment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The attached drawings illustrate several modalities of the present system and method and are part of the specification. The illustrated modalities are simply examples of the present system and method and do not limit its scope. Figure 1A is a front perspective view of a traditional secondary packaging for contact lenses, in accordance with the teachings of the prior art. Figure IB is a side perspective view of a traditional secondary packaging for contact lenses, in accordance with the prior art teachings. Figure 2A is a front perspective view of a traditional secondary packaging for contact lenses, in accordance with the teachings of the prior art. Figure 2B is a side perspective view of a traditional secondary contact lens package, in accordance with the prior art teachings. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a blister pack
primary for contact lenses, in accordance with one modality. Figure 4 is a perspective view of another primary package for contact lenses, in accordance with one embodiment. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a contact lens dispensing unit, in accordance with one embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a secondary packaging for contact lenses containing a six-month supply of contact lenses preloaded in contact lens dispenser units in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view of another secondary packaging for contact lenses in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 is a flow diagram of an example method. Figure 9 illustrates the packing and flow of a contact lens in accordance with an example embodiment of a contact lens packaging system. In the drawings, the same reference numbers designate similar elements but not necessarily identical. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present specification describes systems and methods for providing contact lenses to users. In accordance
with an example embodiment, the secondary packaging for contact lenses provided by the manufacturer includes the prescription information for a patient such as the patient's name, the name of the doctor who issued the prescription and his or her telephone number, usage information, and other information specifically related to the prescription for the patient. In addition, the present system includes a method for doing business in which contact lenses can be stored by a contact lens supplier and delivered to the consumer in an efficient and economical manner upon request. Further details of the present systems and example methods be offered below with references to the Figures. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are presented in order to provide a complete understanding of the present systems and methods. It be apparent, however, that the present apparatuses, systems and methods can be practiced without these specific details. In the specification, a reference to "a modality", "an example" or similar expressions means that a specific characteristic, structure or specificity described in relation to the example modality is included in at least this modality, but not necessarily in other modalities. The various cases in which it is used
the expression "in a modality" or similar expressions in various places in the specification does not necessarily all refer to the same modality. As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms "primary packaging", "primary packaging", or "primary packaging" be used to refer to packaging in which a contact lens is placed during manufacturing processes. This packaging is traditionally a "blister" package, but other primary packaging is also used. Similarly, the term "secondary case", "secondary case for contact lenses", "secondary packaging" shall be used interchangeably and shall be interpreted broadly as referring to any container or package in which a lens or a supply may be placed of lenses after having been placed in a primary package. A secondary packaging includes any box or package in which the manufacturer can place a supply of contact lenses for delivery to the user of the contact lens, to a distributor or to another recipient. As used herein in the appended claims, the terms "manufacturer" or "distributor" be used to refer to a third party contact lens provider offering contact lenses to individuals based on recipes. The terms "manufacturer" or "distributor" may refer to
any business, individual, or company that sells or distributes contact lenses, excluding optometrists, ophthalmologists or others who have personal contact with the patient. Turning now to the figures, Figures 1A and IB illustrate a front perspective view and a side perspective view, respectively, of a typical secondary contact lens package of the prior art. Similarly, Figures 2A and 2B show a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a secondary packaging for alternative contact lenses of the prior art. As previously mentioned, traditional secondary contact lens packages (100) provided by manufacturers such as those illustrated in Figures 1A to 2B do not inform or otherwise provide the user with prescription information. Accordingly, a user may have difficulty in identifying which lens case or graduation is contemplated for a particular eye. This difficulty is exacerbated by the fact that contact lenses are typically packaged in accordance with the graduation or power of the lenses. In practice, a user who does not easily remember his prescription will probably receive two boxes of glasses without information indicating which box contains lenses for the right eye and which box contains lenses for the
left eye, leaving the decision to choose the lens to the patient's criteria. As shown in Figures 1A-1B, traditional secondary packages (100) for contact lenses provided by manufacturers often include a power or graduation indicator (110). They may also include a mark (105) or a bar code (115). Secondary packaging can be constructed from numerous materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, plastic, or paper. In addition, the secondary packages may include, in accordance with several example embodiments, corresponding restraining fasteners (120) such as, for example, a tongue and groove fastening device, Sailboat, and / or an adhesive which may be sealed again. Typically, secondary packaging contains 1 to 200 contact lenses, depending on the size of the packaging and the type of contact lenses. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the present system includes one or more primary packages for contact lenses contained within a secondary package. In accordance with this example embodiment, the secondary packaging includes recipe information specific to a specific patient. As used in the present specification, and in the appended claims, the term "recipe information" is to be understood as
including specific information for a patient who receives contact lenses, such as information from the prescribing doctor, a doctor's phone number that he prescribed, or personal patient information not traditionally included in secondary contact lens packaging. Various components of the present system will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 3 to 9. Referring now to Figure 3, a typical primary contact lens pack (300) of the prior art formed in two parts is shown. As illustrated, the primary packaging for contact lenses (300) includes a blister packing member (310) sealed by a membrane (320) that forms a lid on the package (300) and that can be peeled off to release a lens from contact (325) content there. The primary contact lens package (300) illustrated in Figure 3 is shown with the membrane (320) peeled off to expose the contact lens (325). Typically, the blister pack member (310) includes a preformed blister pack having a recess with profile (315) formed therein that offers a recess into which a lens (325) can be placed. In accordance with traditional training methods, the blister packing member 310 is typically injection molded and the contact lens pack 300 is terminated with the connection of a seal membrane 320 that fits into a flange (330) to create a sterile seal.
During packaging, the contact lens (325) is immersed in a solution (335) that keeps the lens (325) hydrated until it is removed from the package (300). Figure 4 is a top perspective view of an alternative primary package for contact lenses that may be included in the present example system. As illustrated in Figure 4, the example packaging for contact lenses (400) includes a center substrate (425) having a top sheet member (430) connected to the upper surface of the substrate (425). The upper sheet member (430) may be connected to the upper surface of the substrate (425) by a secure but removable connection such that the upper sheet member (430) may be separated from the substrate (425) with a force of constant and relatively low traction. In addition, the upper sheet member (430) is connected to the upper surface of the substrate (425) sufficiently to allow the packaging of the example contact lens (400) to be autoclaved. In addition, Figure 4 shows that the upper sheet member (430) may contain several words and / or images including, but not limited to, these examples, a business name (415), a design (420), and / or information about the contact lens (410), for example, if it is the contact lens for the left eye or for the right eye, as well as instructions for use. According to an example mode,
Contact lenses in their primary packaging can be pre-loaded in one or several contact lens jets, as shown in Figure 5, before being packed in a secondary packaging. Figure 5 shows a contact lens dispenser (500) that may be included in the secondary packaging in accordance with that provided by the manufacturer, according to an example embodiment. As illustrated, the contact lens dispenser (500) may include a base member (510) and an articulated layer (515) connected to the base member. When loaded in the dispenser (500) of the present exemplary embodiment, the primary packing (520) for contact lenses is suitably flat, allowing each primary contact lens package containing a contact lens to be slid out. regardless of the container. As the upper primary package (520) for contact lenses is removed the dispenser can, according to an example mode, be configured to raise the level of the remaining packages allowing access to the next package. The spout (500) may also include a retainer (520) configured to hold the primary contact lens packings (520) on the spout. Particularly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the retaining device (525) can be configured to maintain the
primary packings (520) in place when the example contact lens dispenser (500) is agitated or kept upside down. The dispenser may also be configured to detachably house the contact lenses and their respective primary contact lens packages (520) contemplated for use in the left eye and in the right eye of the patient in some embodiments, the primary packaging (520 ) may contain a label such as an "L" or "R" in order to allow the user to easily differentiate between the lenses. In other embodiments, the primary package for contact lenses (520) may be of one color for the lenses contemplated for use in the left eye, and of a different color for the lenses contemplated for use in the right eye. In another example embodiment, the primary package for contact lenses (520) containing a contact lens intended for use in a patient's first eye is a first color such as blue, and the primary packaging for contact lenses (520) which contains a contact lens to be used in a second eye is a second color, for example white. As previously mentioned, any type of primary contact lens packages including in Figures 3, 4, and 5, may be included in the secondary packaging for contact lenses of the present example including
recipe information. Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a secondary packaging for contact lenses (600), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 6, the present secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) includes recipe information (640) specific for a contemplated patient. As mentioned above, the prescription information (640) may include information such as the name of the patient, the physician who issued the prescription, the physician's telephone number, instructions for use, a prescription number or other information specifically related to the prescription. the recipe for the patient. In the present exemplary embodiment, the recipe information (640) may be printed directly on the secondary package. Alternatively, the recipe information (640) may be affixed on the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) through any number of methods including but not limited to these examples, by printing the recipe information on an adhesive label and fixing the label on the secondary packaging for contact lens (600) before shipping the secondary packaging for contact lens (600) to the patient. In accordance with the system and method of the present example, the inclusion of prescription information (640) on the secondary packaging for contact lens (600) increases the level of safety experienced by the patient when using
contact lenses. First the inclusion of personal prescription information (640) allows a patient to make sure that the secondary contact lens pack (600) containing the contact lenses is specifically for him and contains contact lenses with the appropriate specifications. Second, the inclusion of the patient's personal prescription information (640) includes the name of the prescribing physician and / or contact information will offer the patient a convenient reference if a doubt arises. Again to Figure 6, the secondary seal for contact lens (600) of the present example also includes according to an example embodiment a left contact lens graduation indicator (625) and a right contact lens graduation indicator ( 630). A trade name (650), a bar code (635) or other information regarding contact lenses, the manufacturer, and the like may also be included. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, primary packaging for contact lenses (400) may be placed within the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) of the present embodiment. The primary packaging for contact lenses (400) may be individually contained within the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) or may be placed within contact lens jets (500) prior to insertion into the secondary packaging. In addition, the primary packaging for
Contact lenses (400) may be contained within separate receptacles or portions of the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) indicating for which eye of the patient the contact lenses contained in the primary contact lens packages (400) are contemplated. As illustrated in Figure 6, the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) present exemplary embodiment includes a bottom member (610). The bottom member is preferably made of a substantially resilient material and which retains the shape as for example, but only by way of example, cardboard or plastic. The bottom member may be configured to contain any number of contact lenses housed in the primary packaging for contact lenses. The bottom member (610) may be enclosed by a plastic cover (645); for example, a heat shrinkable wrap, vacuum sealed plastic, or the like, according to an example embodiment. This plastic (645) can be substantially clear and configured to allow a transparent view of the contents of the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600). Figure 7 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a secondary package for contact lenses. As illustrated in Figure 7, the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) includes recipe information (640).
As mentioned above, the recipe information (640) may include information such as the name of the patient, the name of the physician who prepared the prescription, the telephone number of the doctor who prepared the prescription, instructions for use, a prescription number , or other information related to the recipe. Again the recipe information (640) can be printed directly on the secondary packaging for contact lens (600). Alternatively, the recipe information may be printed by the manufacturer or distributor on an adhesive label and affixed on the secondary contact lens pack (600) before shipping the package to the patient. The example embodiment of a secondary packaging for contact lens (600) illustrated in Figure 7 also includes a contact lens graduation indicator (625) for a left eye and a graduation indicator (630) for eye contact lens for eye law. In addition, the markings placed on the outer surface of the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) may also include, but are not limited to, these examples a trade name (650), a bar code (635) and / or other information about the contact lenses, the manufacturer, etc. Additionally, similarly to the example embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the primary contact lens (400) packages placed in the secondary contact lens package (600) can be located
inside contact lens dispensers (500). Alternatively, primary packaging for contact lenses (400) can be placed directly into the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) without jets (500). The secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 can be manufactured from any number of structural materials including, but not limited to, these examples, cardboard, plastic, structural paper or any other suitable substantially resilient material. to the manufacture of containers. According to an example embodiment, the secondary packaging for contact lenses (600) illustrated in Figure 7 is a box structure made of a single sheet of cardboard, formed in order to be able to contain between one and several hundred packages. primary for contact lenses. The secondary packaging for contact lenses of the present exemplary embodiment also includes a corresponding fastener, such as a tongue and groove type fastener (615), configured such that after the initial opening of the package (600), the The user can close the package (600) again in order to store the unused contact lenses. METHODS OF EXAMPLE With reference now to Figure 8, a diagram of
flow illustrating an example method for providing contact lenses to consumers. In accordance with the example method, secondary contact lens cases provided to consumers include personalized recipe information. As illustrated in Figure 8, the example method (800) includes the manufacture (step 801) of contact lenses having different graduations and geometries. The contact lenses are then packaged (step 802) in a primary package. Once packaged, the contact lenses can then be grouped (step 803) in accordance with the statistically most common combinations and prescribed graduations and geometry. These most common combinations can then be packaged together in a secondary packing step
(step 804). Once packaged, the various combinations can then be stored in stock until they are printed and shipped (step 805) to the consumer. Additional details of the present example method will be offered below. As mentioned above, the initial step in the example method includes making contact lenses that include different graduations and geometries (step 801). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the manufacture of contact lenses can be carried out in accordance with any known lens manufacturing method,
including, but not limited to these examples, spin-casting, lathe cutting, or cast molding. In accordance with the present example embodiment, the manufacture of various graduations and geometries can be carried out in batches for each graduation and geometry, for greater efficiency. Once fabricated (step 801) the contact lenses, said contact lenses are packaged in primary packaging (step 802). While fabricated contact lenses can be stored in any number of primary contact lens packages, in accordance with an example embodiment, the contact lenses are packaged in one of the primary contact lens packages of example illustrated in FIGS. Figures 3 and 4. Once packaged in a primary contact lens package (step 802), the primary contact lens packages are grouped according to the statistically most common combinations of graduation and geometry prescribed by optometrists. In particular, in accordance with an example modality, it is possible to assemble the most frequently prescribed combinations of graduation and geometry and thus have sufficient combinations to satisfy the demand of more than 98% of the population. This allows a provider to easily store and locate a supply of contact lenses for eye
Left and contact lenses for right eye for a prescription combination of contact lenses. The research suggests that a thousand combinations can be an adequate number to service 98% who use contact lenses. For example, more than 95,000 people can have a prescription for -3.75 for the right eye and -3.25 for the left eye. The manufacturer may require to manufacture and store only a relatively small percentage of the total possible combinations in order to satisfy a very high percentage of the orders for contact lenses. Once the desired combinations of lenses have been fabricated, packaged in primary contact lens packages, and grouped according to the desired combinations, the combinations can be packed into secondary cases for contact lenses (step 804). As previously mentioned, the primary contact lens groups can be packaged in any number of secondary cases for contact lenses, including those illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The contact lens groupings contained in secondary lens packages Contact can be kept as stocks by a manufacturer or distributor until a request is received for the combination (805). In accordance with an example modality, once a
request for a specific combination has been received, including prescription information for the patient, secondary packaging for contact lenses can be marked and sent. The mark of the secondary case for contact lenses may include the prescription information specific to the patient using any number of marking methods including, but not limited to, these methods, printing methods for printing the information directly on the secondary case for lenses. contact such as for example laser printing or dot matrix printing, the application of a label or other adhesive substrate containing the recipe information, or other similar marking means. Alternatively, the prescription information may be provided in the secondary case for contact lenses during manufacture if a specialized combination of lenses is manufactured for a patient. The example system and method of the present invention allows the contact lens manufacturer / distributor to increase a comfort for patients in relation to the purchase and use of contact lenses. In accordance with the present system and method of example, the patient no longer purchases or receives two separate packages when requesting a supply of contact lenses for both eyes. This example method can also reduce costs for manufacturers. In particular, the sending of both sets of
Contact lenses in a single box can significantly reduce shipping costs. The manufacturers have not yet used the present method because it was thought that it was too difficult to have the thousands of different combinations necessary to service the entire population. Accordingly, it is an example element of the present example method to store only a percentage of the possible combinations of contact lenses instead of storing the entire range of possible combinations of contact lenses. In certain example embodiments, a manufacturer may store only the contact lens combinations necessary to service approximately 98% of the population. The research suggests that a thousand combinations may be adequate to service 98% of the population that wears contact lenses. EXAMPLE SYSTEMS Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown an exemplary system for providing contact lenses to consumers in accordance with the present exemplary systems and methods. The example system illustrated in Figure 9 can reduce costs for manufacturers and increase the convenience of ordering and using contact lenses for end users. As shown, contact lenses are manufactured first and packaged in a primary package (901, 902). The primary packaging can receive, in accordance with
an example mode, a label that indicates in which eye the contact lens should be placed. The contact lenses (901, 902) can be pre-loaded in dispensing units (903), if desired. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the dispensing units (903) can be configured to safely contain fifteen contact lenses for left eye (901) and fifteen contact lenses for right eye (902) in separate compartments. This separation of contact lenses can increase the overall comfort of the system. The dispensing units (903) can be packed in groups of six, for example in a secondary packaging for contact lenses (904). Although the illustrated secondary packaging (906) contains six dispensers (903), it will be understood that any number of dispensers (903) may be packaged together, including, but not limited to, these examples, one, three, six, or twelve dispensers. The secondary packaging (906) of the present embodiment also includes a label that contains recipe information. The label (906) can serve to reinforce the idea that contact lenses are medical devices and should be treated accordingly. The label (906) can also provide the user with usage information and information about the doctor who issued the prescription. Likewise, in the secondary packaging (904), there are labels (905) indicating the graduation of the
contact lenses contained within the packaging (904). After labeling, the secondary packaging can then be sent or otherwise delivered to the user (907). The effect of offering the user a single package having two contact lens graduations previously loaded in dispensing units can facilitate the acquisition and use of contact lenses. In conclusion, the system, method and apparatus of the present invention offer a more convenient and cheaper way to provide contact lenses to consumers. The inclusion of prescription information in the secondary packaging, and contact lenses for both eyes previously charged in dispensers will simplify the acquisition and use of contact lenses. The costs of sending contact lenses can also be reduced. The above description has been presented only to illustrate and describe modalities of the example systems, methods and apparatuses. It does not purport to be complete nor to limit the systems and methods to any precise disclosed form. Many modifications and variations are possible taking into account the teachings exposed above.