MXPA96004515A - Laminated barrier materials for the packaging of conta lenses - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging material made of clear laminated plastic film is described as forming a cover for at least one container, such as a base member of a bubble pack which is adapted to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. . More specifically, a material made of transparent or translucent multilayer laminated plastic film is described which forms a cover label for the container incorporating a silicone oxide barrier layer. The laminate can be printed on a surface extension thereof with a specific pattern of indexes and leyend

Description

LAMINATED BARRIER MATERIALS FOR PACKING CONTACT LENSES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a laminated plastic film sheet material for a single container or to connect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of bubble packages each of which is adapted to to contain a hydrophilic contact len + e in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, the invention relates to a clear or essentially transparent or translucent multilayer laminated barrier material that constitutes a cover label for the container or containers. Portions of the surface area of the laminate are printed on one or on opposite sides of an outer or exposed layer covering the container or a plurality of conners with a specific pattern of indexes and legends. The packaging of hydrophilic contact lenses in a sterile aqueous solution is well known in contact lens manufacturing technology. Particularly, packaging arrangements of that type generally consist of so-called bubble packages which are adapted to be employed in the storage and distribution of hydrophilic contact lenses for use by a practicing physician or a consumer attempting to wear the lenses. contact. Such hydrophilic contact lenses that can be disposable from a single use for short-term use, cheaply manufactured from hydrophobic polymeric maternal; for example, metacplat- or hydroxyethyl- (MEMA) copolymers containing from 20% to 90% or more of water, depending on the particular polyacrylate composition. These contact lenses are generally stored in a sterile aqueous solution, which ordinarily consists of an isotonic saline solution, in order to prevent dehydration and to keep the lenses in a ready-to-use condition. A container of the aforementioned type normally comprises a base member which is molded from plastic material injection molded or formed from heat; for example, such as polypropylene, and incorporates a cavity adapted to accommodate the contact lens in the aqueous solution that is sealed by a label forming tray, preferably in the form of a flexible structure of multilayer laminate material to provide a so called bubble pack. Fst-e 11 po of packaging arrangement has found wide use in view of the inherently advantageous storage properties thereof and of the easy-to-distribute nature of the package by simply detaching the flexible laminate from the base member, thereby enabling a The user has an easy access to the contact lens that is contained in the cavity of the base member. For example, a bubble pack that is adapted to provide a sterile sealed storage environment for a disposable, essentially single-use, hydrophilic contact lens, which is used for up to 8 hours at 1 hour. n 24-hour period, where the lens is immersed in an aqueous solution is-tcpi within the package is described in the FUA patent No. 4, h? , 020 granted to Mart i ez. In the aforementioned patent, the bubble package for storing and distributing a hydrophilic contact lens includes an inert or heat-formed injection molded base portion that incorporates a molded cavity which is surrounded by a flat flange. projection that extends around the edge of the cavity. A flexible cover sheet, such as rolled or laminated, adheres to the surface of the flange to seal the cavity in a manner generally hepneiic to liquids. The surface of the cover sheet can consist of a label and can be printed informative indices of the product stored in the bubble pack, the name and address of the manufacturer, and also incorporate various decorative designs and logos as desired; and also provide exchangeable information, such as lot numbers, expiration dates and the like in addition to the foregoing, as may be required by the rules of the FT) A. The aforementioned bubble packages are generally sold as single or single units and the printed information provided therein is complete for each bubble pack. However, it is often attempted to sell-sets or multiples of such interconnected bubble packages so that they can be separated, each containing respectively only a hydrophilic contact lens properly packaged in containers or rigid or boxes housing predetermined quantities of such sets of bubble packages. In that case, a plurality of base members each are adapted with a cavity to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution to be placed in a continuous array and covered by a sealed or single cover flexible sheet, this It is generally found in the form of a multi-layer flexible laminate sheet opaque in nature. The laminated sheet can be provided with debilitating lines and in conjunction with the base member there associated to be separated from the assembly when it is "accessed to gain access to the contact lens therein contained. This type of assembly structure of multiple interconnected bubble bundles allows compact packing of a plurality of joint bundles, each possessing a specified number of base webs containing interconnected contact lenses through a single flexible cover sheet, Within the limits of an adequate container, such as a cardboard box. In a cardboard box, a plurality of superimposed packages of bubbles can be stored in a compact manner; for example, each set having five packets of bubbles connected therein. The ca a can store six overlapping sets of bubble packs for a total of thirty; or in effect, a 30-day summit of contact lenses for one eye of the user respectively. The bubble packages that are formed with means of this structure comprise a plurality of heat-formed or injection-molded base members arranged in a contiguous manner each containing a cavity for housing a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution and where the resulting set of such base members; for example, five (5) base members are adapted to be sealable and are connected by a single flexible multilayer laminate sheet which also forms a common label. The multilayer laminate sheet includes an outer layer of a plastic film material of a suitable polyolefin, preferably but not necessarily pliester, which is adhesively bonded to the surface of a metal support sheet which may consist of aluminum and in which the outer layer is printed on both sides; in effect, on both opposite surfaces of the same. The surface of the outer layer of plastic film that will go to and adhere to the metal sheet is printed with suitable indexes and legends that may consist of permanent information with respect to the manufacturer and the product, logos, instructional material and decorative and advertising indexes relative to the product in the bubble pack; lentras that the opposite or outer surface may include adequate exchangeable information, such as expiration dates, lot numbers, adjustment parameter and other specific data for the packaged product. The inner surface of the outer layer of plastic film material can be printed by suitable lithographic printing, in a single color or multiple colors and also be provided with an appropriately printed background; while the product-specific changeable information is printed on specific areas of the surface that faces outward from the outer layer of film, can be printed on it through thermal transfer printing. Adhered to the opposite surface of the metal sheet is a layer of plastic film made of polypropylene, which is adapted to be adhesively sealed to the base member of the bubble pack, which is also constituted by a compatible polypropylene composition. . Although it has been proven that the aforementioned multilayer laminate sheet material is generally satisfactory in its use, particularly in its application to cover and seal the base member of the bubble pack containing the contact lens, there may occasionally be several problems in connection with the use of metal as the constituent of the laminate. Thus, for example, ho a iriet LLca, which generally consists of aluminum or similar, can cause an excessive seal or so-called "over-seal" and also a large variation in the force of detachment required to try to detach the cover starting from the base member in order to gain access to the contact lens contained in the latter. Moreover, in the adhesive bonding of laminated sheet material, a cover structure has been produced for the base member which may be subject to wrinkling, twisting and bending so as to essentially bend the bubble pack and cause it to lose its configuration, particularly during the seal with heat when the metal sheet acts as a so-called heat collector. In order to improve the aforementioned structure in the aspect of providing a laminate which is a label and a flexible cover for the base member of a bubble pack used for the containment of a contact lens, instead of using a sheet laminated, according to the present invention the cover is of an essentially transparent or translucent nature and consists primarily of adherent layers of clear plastic film which produces a more stable and lighter package at lower cones and resulting in a less clamped cover structure wrinkling, twisting and stooping of the bubble pack, while possessing a detachment force more uni-contusely cont. 1 ad. The present invention is directed to an aesthetic material of laminated plastic material comprising a label and seal cover for at least one container for sealing a product within said at least one container, said structure of material having a first layer of clear plastic that can be printed with a specific pattern of indexes and legends; a second plastic layer that can be adhesively fixed to a base member of the container; and a barrier layer on at least one of said first and second layers of clear plastic and adhesively attached thereto to form said structure of laminate material. The present invention is further directed to a packing arrangement for the sealed containment of a plurality of hydrophilic contact lenses each in a sterile aqueous solution; comprising: (a) a plurality of molded plastic base members continuously placed in a joint, each said base member having a cavity for containing a contact lens submerged in said aqueous solution, and said base member including a substantially flat ecs extending outwardly around the periphery of said cavity; and (b) a flexible unitary sheet of generally transparent cover extending over said plurality of base members and being sealed separately towards the surface of said flanges at least around the edge of each of said cavities, said ho of cover comprising a printed outer-transparent layer to define a specified pattern of indexes and legends extending scattered over the surface thereof, said laminated sheet being separable into segments each forming a cover for respectively base member associated with this , whereby the separation of at least one of said segments from said assembly after inspection of said printing pattern occurs. According to the present invention, the laminated clear plastic film structure is essential, although not necessarily, constituted of a basic three-layer construction possessing a first one capable of having a compatible heat seal with the base member of the laminate. bubble pack; in essence, a polypropylene film that can be easily heat sealed to the base member generally of polypropylene containing the contact lens; an outer layer consisting of a clear plastic printable film, preferably, but not necessarily, of a polyester composition; and an intermediate or central layer constituted of silicone oxide (S1O2), which imparts an adequate barrier and force properties that inhibit the transmission through them of oxygen, water, bacteria and the like to maintain the quality and integrity of the contact lens contained in the bubble pack, while also maintaining an internally sterile environment thereof. Alternatively, the barrier layer can be applied to the outer surface of preferably the outer layer of plastic film, rather than being interposed between the layers of plastic film. An additional advantage that is obtained by using a clear plastic film laminate, in addition to the lighter weight package and resulting lower manufacturing cost, and the inherently improved stability of the plastic film laminate, resides in that nature Clear or essentially transparent or translucent film allows inspection of the contact lens contained in the base member subsequent to sealing the package. Moreover, the essentially clear cover construction, due to the use of the plastic film laminate in the absence of any metallic sheet, also facilitates further processing through the sealed container; for example, the transmission of energy such as ultraviolet (UV) light within the container for the purpose of sterilizing the contents therein. An additional advantage that is derived by the elimination of any metallic sheet resides in that the inherently plastic material nature of the packaging arrangement is more compatible and protective of the environment through the use of a silicon oxide barrier material.

As indicated above in the present invention, while the silicon oxide layer interposed between or applied to the polypropylene film and the < With polyester film provides the properties of strength and strength, the polyester layer can be used through methods that are well known in technology such as > -, e makes reference to them before and is detailed in aspects later. Moreover, the polypropylene film, which is compatible with the heat-formed or injection-molded base member, which is also made of polypropylene, can be easily heat sealed thereto and does not need any adhesive. According to another aspect of the invention, suitable fixing coatings of clear nature, such as clear polyurethane, can be interposed adhesively between the silicone oxide barrier material and the respective layers of polyester and polystyrene to form the laminate pl multi-layered Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a novel laminate of clear plastic film which is adapted to be used as a cover material and e-tag for containers adapted to receive hydrophilic contact lenses in a sterile aqueous solution. The present invention is further directed to a clear plastic multi-layered laminate adapted to provide a foam structure for bubble packages containing contact lenses wherein an exposed outer layer of the Laminate is adapted to be properly printed.; while an additional film layer thereof is adapted to be heat sealed to at least one base member containing a contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. Yet, the present invention is directed to a clear multi-layer plastic film material adapted to form a cover structure for one or more containers housing hydrophilic contact lenses and incorporating a silicone oxide barrier layer to provide a barrier against the transmission of oxygen, water, bacteria and the like to protect the quality of the contact lens in maintaining a sterile environment within the sealed bubble pack. Still further, the present invention is directed to a multilayer clear plastic film cover structure incorporating a silicate oxide barrier layer for the packaging of contact lenses allowing treatment through the sealed container of the product. sealed by the transmission of energy, such as ultraviolet light, for the purpose of sterilizing the contents within the same. The aspects of the present invention can be determined from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 illustrates a view in sections through a portion of a clear multi-layer plastic film construction according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates the perspective view of a portion of the clear plastic film laminate used as a cover for a set of bubble packages, illustrating the printing on the outer layer of the laminate; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clear multi-layer plastic film laminate being arranged as a label and cover structure for a set of contiguously arranged and interconnectedly connected base members separately for the formation of a plurality of bubble pack containing contact lenses. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of one of the bubble packages shown as having been separated from the assembly of Figure 3 and; FIG. 5 illustrates the base member of the bubble pack of FIG. 4 with the cover sheet of the packet detached to facilitate access to the contact lens contained in a cavity formed in the base member of the bubble pack. Refi reigned now in more specific detail to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is a laminated structure 10 of multiple layers which essentially comprises a flexible cover layer for limb members adapted to receive side contact lenses in a sterile aqueous solution. In this exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible cover sheet 10 comprises a plurality of superposed layers of plastic film material having a transparent or translucent nature to provide a cover and shield structure. label substantially clear and capable of transmitting light to a bubble pack which will be produced, consisting of the combination of the flexible cover sheet 10 and a base member containing the contact lens as described below. In this case, the flexible cover layer 10 includes a first or outer layer 12 preferably constituted of a printable transparent or translucent polyester film and a second or internal layer 14 of an additional plastic film, preferably comprised of an adapted polypropylene. for sealing with heat and contacting surface portions of the member or base members who or who are constituted of compatible polypropylene formed by heat or injection molding. Interposed between the first layer 12 of plastic film constituted of polyester and the second layer of plastic film constituted of polypropylene is a barrier layer 16 constituted of silicone oxide (SIO2), and the last of which can be adhesively fixed to the surfaces adjoining or coming into contact with the respective films 12, 14 of polystyrene and polypropylene, through the arrangement of suitable coverings 18, 20.; for example, clear polyurothane or the like. It is also within the scope of the invention to apply the barrier layer 16 to the outer surface of the layer 12 of plastic film instead of interposing the barrier layer 16 between the plastic films 12 and 14. The use of the barrier layer 16 comprised of silicone oxide in place of the aforementioned or previously employed laminated sheet material such as aluminum foil, makes the entire roof sheet structure 10 essentially transparent or translucent, lighter in weight and lower in cost in its manufacture. Moreover, the removal of the metal foil makes the laminated structure 10 of more stable plastic film, and consequently provides a flexible construction of the cover sheet less subject to wrinkling, twisting or bending after forming the bubble pack, since that the heat adhesion of the metallic sheet sometimes causes over sealing or excessive sealing with a great variation in the force of detachment that is required to remove the flexible cover sheet from the base member, in view of the aluminum acting as a collector - heat during heat sealing of the flexible cover sheet to the base member during the formation of the sealed bubble pack; while a more protective environmental packaging arrangement is concurrently provided. Moreover, the plastic laminate cover construction 10 also allows additional processing or treatment of the contents subsequent to sealing the laminated plastic cover sheet to the base member in order to produce the sealed bubble pack, as which allows transmission through this energy such as ultraviolet light into the base member for the purpose of sterilizing the content, in this case, the contact lens within the cavity of the mirror; while the visual inspection of the contents of the package is facilitated concurrently through the clear cover 10. The intermediate or central barrier layer 16 constituted of silicate oxide forms a barrier to the transmission through it of oxygen, water and bacteria or similar, thus protecting the contact lenses in their sealed environment within the bubble packs. The use of the first outer layer or layer 12 made of a polyester, allows the latter to be printed easily on both of its sides before being laminated to the barrier layer 16 to provide the required information about it provided with the product. contained in the package or bubble packages. The essentially transparent or translucent polyester film material constituting the outer layer 12 of the plastic laminate 10 incorporating the oxide barrier < I know if it could have been previously printed properly as is conventional in technology. For example, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, the flexible cover sheet 10, which is illustrated, may be a continuous cover for a plurality of base members placed adjacent each containing respectively a contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution, and through suitable lithography 24 suitable indexes can be imparted on its bottom surface which can be in solid or colored halftones, including reverse printed legends as required. As much as the halftone indices on the polyester film network or layer 12 are printed on the inner surface 24, adjacent to the silicone oxide barrier layer 16, after viewing from the outside looking towards the external surface of the layer 12 of polyester film, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, in view of the transparency of the polyester film, vbisibly spread on the surface of the plastic laminate 10 are the different indexes and legends that may be representative of the company name, logo, various decorative and advertising issues and printed information that will be provided permanently for products of this type in general, as desired. Additionally, suitable printing fields 26a, 26b and 2? >; c can be clearly seen and defined from the outside of the first film layer 12. The necessary information required by the FDA rules specifies for the batch, dispatch number, adjustment torque and lens power applicable to the product or contact lens contained in the bubble pack, may be printed on the outer or exposed surface of the layer 12 of polyester film in superposition to the different fields of the printing 26a, 26b and 26c. This impression, as mentioned above, is imparted to the lower or inner surface 24 of the polyester film layer 12 in the < That the indexes and legends are applied through lithographic printing in the proper orientation such < } After affixing or adhesively bonding it to the silicate oxide barrier layer 16, the printed indices may be seen through the layer 12 from the top or outside of the laminate 10 in its correctly depicted pattern. The indices may be in medium or solid tones, including the reverse printed legends as required, and which may also include an additional color printing layer just below forming a colored or contrasting background, for example, such as a balcony or any other suitable color. Whereas the middle tone indices and the background below the network 12 of p > polyester film, are printed on the inside surface 24, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, in view of the transparency of the film? polyester, the different indices and legends < What can be represented by the name of the company? Several, < : decorative and bluish question and printed information that will be permanently provided for products of this type in general. While conventional lithography is used in the preferred embodiment, it should be noted that other forms of printing processes can be used. Prior to the formation of the adhesive bond between the upper layer 12 of polyester film and the adhesive 18 for the purpose of laminating the layer 12 towards the sheet or layer 18 of silicon dioxide, suitable printing is implemented. This impression, as mentioned above, is uneven on the lower surface of the polyester film 12 in which the indexes and legends, as mentioned above, are applied through color printing. In proper orientation such that after securing or adhesively bonding it to the layer 18, the indexes may be viewed at the top of the laminate 10 from the top of the laminate 10 in its correctly depicted orientation, as may be the case in FIG. US patent . No. 4,691,820 mentioned above. As the laminated sheet 10 is advanced guided on a series of rollers towards an array of print heads, an optical sensor unit scrutinizes and determines the location of at least one of the printing fields 26a, 26b or 26c on it. the lower surface of the layer 12, to cause the printhead array to advance a ceriumium print head to come into contact with the applicable print fields 26a through 26c, and through the heat transfer printing gap. , appropriately printing variable and changeable data towards the outer surface of the polystyrene film 12. Such data, for example, when the laminate is divided into label forrnacdoras of covers for the respective packages, can consist of suitable batch numbers changeable, dates expiration date and other physical data representative of the specific product housed in the package; for example, data regarding the power of a contact lens that is stored inside a package cavity while it is immersed in a sterile protective saline solution. In this way, the initial impression of the Permanent legends are provided on the undersurface of the polyester film 12, whose surface adhesively bonds to the ilicon oxide layer 18 and serves as a permanent display of the different generalized information that identifies the product and which refers to the company, advertising and logos or the like, while concurrently having at least one of the print fields serving as a record to print by thermal transfer printing, other specific data and variables related to the product on the surface external of the laminate 10.

The foregoing is described in connection with a flexible cover sheet 10 which consists of clear or essentially transparent or translucent layers of multiple layers 12, 14 incorporating an oxide barrier layer between them. In FIG. 16, and where the description essentially discusses the use thereof for a single or single bubble pack comprising a single base member which respectively houses a single contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution, it can easily be seen that A sheet of the flexible plastic material 10 may be commonly overlapped concurrently on a plurality of the base members distributed contiguously or adjunctly for the formation of an assembly or plurality of bubble packages. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the lines of separation between the adjacent base members for the formation of the respective bubble packages can be continuous cuts to separate the flexible sheet of cover 10 into individual segments forming a cover and a label for an individual bubble pack, or alternatively, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, can be provided only with discontinuous weakened lines in order to form an interconnected packet set <1e bubbles adapted to be subsequently separated as required by a user. In the event that the plastic cover sheet 0 0 laminate 10 is adapted to be placed on a plurality of base members to form the set of predetermined number of interconnected bubble packages, this can be determined from Figure 3 of the drawings. Placed to extend over the base members of plurality or set of bubble packs 32, in this particular case form a set 32 of five (5) packs, there is the flexible sheet of clear plastic cover 10 labeling and printed, + al as it is shown in detail in Figure 3, having a series of separate weakening parallel lines 34, such as perforations, discontinuous cuts or the like, provided to extend between each of the base members 28 positioned adjacently. This allows for adequate separation of the set 32 of single or single bubble packages 30 each containing a single contact lens without affecting the integrity of the remaining bubble packets, breaking the laminate 10 along a debilitating line 34, in accordance with the need of a user. The flexible sheet of clear laminate cover 10 is adhesively fixed to suitable regions of the flange surface 34 on the base members 28 of the bubble packages 30 facing the layer 14 of the flexible cover sheet 10, such as or sealing by heat, to at least close each side cavity containing a contact lens submerged in the sterile aqueous solution. Other sealing locations may also be provided at the desired locations between the surface of the layer 14 of the flexible cover sheet 10 facing the surface of the flanges 34 | "to provide suitable regions of adhesion therewith, while it is allowed that several portions between these components 10, 38 remain disconnected to thereby facilitate a finger coupling of the fingers to separate or detach the cut segment from the cover sleeve 10 of the base member 28 with in order to obtain access to the contact lens which is contained in its respective cavity In essence, Fig. 3 illustrates the set of packing arrangements 30 as or consisting of the set of a plurality of connected 32 bubble packs where each Bubble pack 30, as shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, includes a base member 28 consisting of an essentially flat flange of rectangular shape - 34 q ue has an integral portion of dependent wall 38 at one edge thereof. Misaligned towards an opposite edge of the flange 34 is a cavity 40 formed therein which is of essentially sern spherical configuration, generally in conformity with the curvilinear shape of a contact lens (not shown), adapted for its sealing in a sealed condition. while it is immersed in a suitable sterile aqueous solution. If nevertheless, other cavity configurations do not readily lend themselves to the invention, such as serpentine, oval, or the like. Similarly, the edge of the flange 34 opposite that of the dependent wall portion is also provided < ~ on dependent protuberances 41 q? e ayu «Jaran also in the placement of bubble packs in a box. The base member 28 of each bubble pack is constituted from plastic sheet material molded by injection or formed by heat; for example, such as polypropylene, in a manner similar to that described in the patent of F.U.A. "No. 4,691,820 granted to Martinez; which is assigned to the assignee of the present application. The aforementioned clear or essentially transparent film and silicone oxide barrier laminate, in addition to providing the advantages described above, may also have the layer 12 printed properly when used to provide an interconnected set of separable packets of bubbles to provide added protection to the integrity of the product contained within them. According to the above, in order to avoid potential deviations, the pattern of the permanent printed information on the inner or lower surface 24 of the layer 12 of polystyrene film which faces the ilicon oxide barrier layer 16 can be spread throughout of the length of the laminated sheet of cover 10, the entire length of the assembly 32 being substantially extended with the O '. which can be superimposed or extended specific information of a permanent nature, such as the addresses and names of the manufacturers, logos, product information and the like through the debilitating lines 34 formed in the flexible laminated sheet of cover 10; in effect, to extend over both sides of the same on the adjacent limb members forming bubble bundles arranged contiguously in conjunction with the laminated cover sheet overlying cover forrnadora, with which the separation of any particular package of bubbles 30 separating Along a debilitating line 34 will provide visual information to a buyer that the product has potentially been illegally converted to represent a similar but essentially more expensive product, such as a reusable contact lens in place of one disposable. The pattern of printing information of a permanent nature which is not accessible from the outside of the laminated sheet of cover 10, as long as this printing is on the inner surface 24 of the layer 12 of plastic film The polyester which sticks adhesively to the ld silicone oxide sweep layer can be falsified only by destroying the cover sheet 10. Thus, when it is separated, the individual package will no longer conform to the rules applicable as long as the complete identity of the manufacturer will not be found in the separate bubble pack. This will, in effect, quite easily provide a bubble-proof package for contact lens 30, in which the printed label is configured in a special manner in the form of the laminated cover 10 to prevent counterfeiters. potential The exchangeable information regarding the product contained in each bubble pack, such blunt batch numbers, expiration dates and contact lens power can be printed separately in the printing areas 26 a, 26 b and 26 c on the surface external or exposed to layer 12 of polyester film; The structure mentioned above can be easily and completely packaged in cartons in a high volume mass production process. Moreover, the present invention facilitates the user-friendly handling and storage of large numbers of contact lenses by physicians and patients in a highly organized and convenient manner. While it has been shown and described what is considered the preferred modalities of the invention, it will be understood, of course, that the various modifications and changes in form or detail can easily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the invention is not limited to the exact form and detail that is shown and described herein, or to nothing less than the entire invention described herein as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (35)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. A clear laminated plastic material structure characterized in that it comprises a sealing and label cover for at least one container for sealing a product inside said at least one container, said structure having a first plastic layer. clear printable with a specified pattern of indices and legends; a second layer of clear plastic that is adhesively fixed to a base member of the container; and a sweep layer on at least one of said first and second layers of clear plastic and adhesively attached thereto to form said laminate structure.
2. 2. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said barrier layer is interposed between said first and second layers of clear plastic.
3. 3. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said outer layer comprises a polyester film material having a surface adhesively fixable towards a front facing surface of said barrier layer, said pattern of indexes and Read the specifics printed on the surface of said polyester film material by looking? in front of said rod layer.
4. 4. A laminated structure in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in that said first layer of plastic film is constituted by a polyolefin.
5. 5. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said bar-rera layer comprises a layer of silicon oxide. ñ. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said first layer of plastic film is imprinted on both surfaces, and an outer surface of said film layer opposite said first printed surface being printed with additional indexes in specific regions. Of the same. 7. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized by a laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said additional indexes are imparted to the outer surface of said first layer of plastic film by transfer printing. thermal 8. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said second layer of plastic film is constituted of polypropylene. 9. A laminated structure according to claim 8, further characterized in that said at least one container is constituted of plastic material, and a releasable heat seal is formed between said container and said layer of polypropylene film. 10. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said at least one container comprises a base member molded by injection or formed from heat from a bubble pack having a reliable cavity to contain sealant-ament? n hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. A laminated structure according to claim 10, further characterized in that said cavity of said base member is in sealing engagement with a superimposed segment of said structure of laminated plastic material. 12. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said structure of clear laminated plastic material commonly forms said label and sealing cover for the set of a plurality of said containers arranged in contiguous manner; forming debilitating lines in said structure of laminated material to facilitate separation into segments each consisting of a single container, said pattern of indexes and legends being printed on the material structure extending over said debilitating lines such that predetermined regions of said impression are divided into said debilitating lines to form the indication of discontinuities in said printing pattern after the separation of said segments. 13. A laminated structure according to claim 12, further characterized by "|" each of said debilitating lines comprise perforations which extend at least partially through said structure of laminated material to allow the separation of said structure in said segments along said lines. debilitating, said segments forming each one cover for one of said containers respectively. 14. A laminated structure according to claim 12, further characterized in that said set of containers arranged in contiguous manner comprises a linear array consisting of a specified number of said containers, said structure of laminated material having a generally rectangular configuration covering said set. 15. A laminated structure according to claim 12, further characterized in that said pattern of printing of indices and legends is configured to form a protective printing pattern by inhibiting the mis-representation of product in said containers. 16. A laminated structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said printing pattern is applied to said first layer of plastic film by lithographic printing. 17. A packaging collar for sealingly containing a plurality of hydrophilic contact lenses each f * a sterile aqueous solution characterized in that it comprises: a) a plurality of molded plastic base members continuously placed in a joint each said base member having a contact lens cavity submerged in said aqueous solution, and said base member including a flat, solid flange extending outwardly around the periphery of said cavity; and (b) a flexible unitary sheet of generally transparent cover which is superimposed over said plurality of base members and being sealed separately towards the surface of said flanges at least about the edge of each of said cavities, said sheet cover comprising a transparent outer layer printed to define a specified pattern of indexes and legends extending scattered over the surface thereof, said laminated sheet being separable into segments each forming a cover for respectively a base member associated therewith, thereby the separation of at least one of said segments is given from said set after the inspection of «Jicho printing pattern. 18. A packaging arrangement according to claim 17, further characterized in that said outer layer comprises a clear plastic film material having a surface adhesively fixable to a surface of the barrier layer that is left facing it, said pattern specified by the indexes and legends and by the surface of said plastic film material being left facing said barrier layer. 19. A packaging arrangement according to claim 17, further characterized in that said weakening lines are formed in said laminated structure to facilitate separation in said segments, said pattern of indices and legends being printed on the structure extending over said lines. Thus, predetermined regions of said printing are divided into said debilitating lines to form the discontinuities in said printing pattern after the separation of said segments. 20. A packaging arrangement according to claim 19, further characterized in that said weakened lines comprise perforations made to extend at least partially through said laminate material. 21. A packaging arrangement according to claim 18, further characterized in that said outer layer of plastic film is constituted by a polyoleme, such as or poly ester. 22. A packing arrangement according to claim 18, further characterized in that said layer of Barrier comprises ilicon oxic. 23. A packing arrangement according to claim 18, further characterized in that said outer layer of plastic film is printed on both surfaces thereof, a surface of said film layer opposite said first printed surface being printed with "in". Additional actions in specific regions on each respective container. 24. A packing arrangement according to claim 23, further characterized in that said additional indexes are imparted to the outer surface of said layer of plastic film by means of printing by automatic transfer. 25. A packaging arrangement according to claim 20, further characterized in that an additional layer of plastic film is adhesively attached to the surface of said barrier layer opposite the surface of the laminate to the outer layer. plastic film fixed adhesively to the isma. 26. A packaging pad according to claim 25, further characterized in that said layer of plastic film material is made of oriented polypropylene. 27. A packing arrangement according to claim 25, further characterized in that said containers are constituted of plastic material and a heat releasable seal is affixed between each of said containers and said additional layer of plastic film. 28. A packing arrangement according to claim 25, further characterized in that said perforations extend through an additional layer of plastic film material. 29. An arrangement of ernp >according to claim 17, further characterized in that each of said containers comprises a base member of polypropylene molded by injection or formed by heat from a package "Je bubbles has a cavity to contain in a sealed manner a hydrophilic contact lens. in a sterile aqueous solution. 30. A packing arrangement according to claim 17, further characterized in that said set of contiguously arranged containers comprises a linear distribution consisting of a specified number of said containers, said laminated structure having a configuration covering said assembly. 31. A packaging arrangement according to claim 17, further characterized in that said pattern of printing of indices and legends is configured to form an f > atron protector of product printing in said container. 32. A packaging arrangement according to claim 17, further characterized in that said printing pattern is applied to said outer layer < The plastic film material by lithographic printing. 33. An ernpa arrangement «} ue de contorrn? da < J with claim 22, further characterized in that said ilicon oxide barrier layer inhibits the transmission thereto of oxygen, water and bacteria while allowing the passage of light through it. 34. A packaging arrangement according to claim 33, further characterized in that said light comprises ultraviolet energy to sterilize the contents of said packaging arrangement. 35. A packaging arrangement according to claim 17, further characterized in that said transparent cover sheet allows visual inspection of the contents of said packaging arrangement.