WO2002097518A1

WO2002097518A1 - Contact lens cleansing device

Info

Publication number: WO2002097518A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/000988
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bo Shin Lee
Original assignee: Green Hitec Co.,Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-05-26
Filing date: 2002-05-24
Publication date: 2002-12-05
Also published as: KR100436076B1; KR20010082408A

Abstract

A contact lens cleansing device capable of clearly and fast cleaning the contact lens (99) sunk in a cleansing liquid by a mechanical vibrating system. The contact lens cleansing device comprises a cleansing container (40) containing a contact lens (99) sunk in cleansing liquid, a dynamic force generating means(M) for generating a dynamic force and a vibration forcing means (61) for applying the vibration to the cleansing container (40) with the generated dynamic force.

Description

CONTACT LENS CLEANSING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a contact lens cleansing device, and more particularly to a contact lens cleansing device capable of clearly and fast cleaning the contact lens sunk in a cleansing liquid contained according as the cleansing liquid is moved up-down and right-left in order to remove alien matters such as a fatty matter or dusts from the contact lens.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, as the contact lens is weared for a long time, fatty matters or a lot of alien matters are attached onto the surface of the contact lens. To remove these matters from the contact lens, there have been a method to using cleansing liquid or medicines. Also, there are other method to effectively clear those matter from the contact lens; an ultrasonic wave cleansing device generating an ultrasonic vibration, a vibration cleansing device and a bubble cleansing device.

For example, the ultrasonic wave cleansing device removes the alien matters from the contact lens sunk in a cleansing land clears the contact lens by using an ultrasonic wave which is generated by an ultrasonic wave vibrator installed at a lower part of the container thereof. Namely, since the ultrasonic wave generates a vortex of cleansing liquid and increases temperature of the cleansing liquid, the alien matters such as proteins, fats are easily and effectively removed from the contact lens. However, although the alien matters such as proteins and fats on the contact lens can be easily removed therefrom, if the prior art device are applied to a hard lens or soft lens, they can be easily damaged.

Also, since the ultrasonic wave cleansing device does not work by a low DC voltage, a transformer must be employed to convert an AC voltage into a predetermined DC voltage. Therefore, the prior art devices cannot be portable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a apparatus including.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a contact lens cleansing device which is operated by mechanical vibrating system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a contact lens cleansing device operating by a battery and portable.

In carrying out our invention in preferred mode, we utilize a contact lens cleansing device, which comprising, a basket including plurality of holes, and keeping the contact lens therein; a cleansing container being kept the basket therein, and being able to seal a cleanser poured; a housing having a guiding portion declined in the center thereof, an opening formed in the center of the guiding portion for inserting the cleansing container therein, a rubber bulb groove portion formed in the vicinity of the guiding portion, and a first button hole formed in the vicinity of the rubber bulb groove portion; a cover coupled on the housing with a hinge, having a mirror attached inside thereof, and a second button hole corresponding to the first button hole; a base combined with a bottom of the housing; a motor installed between the housing and the base, electrically connected with a battery, and having a eccentric cam shaft; a tact switch for driving the motor and a substrate for mounting the tact switch; a button, one end thereof is contacted with the tact switch, and the other end thereof is installed to enable the sliding motion in the first and second button holes; and means for forcing the vibration to the cleansing container by the cam shaft, and installed between the base and opening.

Perferably, the rubber bulb is comprised of a hollow body having elasticity; a connecting pipe connected to the hollow body and bent to a predetermined angle; and a rubber bulb tip combined to an end of the connecting pipe with concave shape.

More preferably, the hollow body is formed with rubber. Moreover it is also preferable that the button is made of transparent materials or semi-transparent materials to transmit a light toward the sliding direction, and a light- emitting diode is further mounted on the substrate corresponding to the button.

Preferably, the basket is comprised of a cylinder body having a concave rib protruded respectively on the both side of a center wall for accommodating a concave portion of the contact lens; and a pair of a basket cover having a convex rib therein for accommodating a convex portion of the contact lens, and film hinged respectively to the both ends of the cylinder body, and wherein the plurality of holes are formed on the center wall, the cylinder body, and the basket covers.

More preferably, the center wall, the cylinder body, the basket covers and holes of the basket are integrally formed by injection molding.

Moreover it is also preferable that the vibrating means is comprised of a connecting rod which end is connected to the cam shaft, and a round shape vibrating member combined with the connecting rod; a container holder for holding the cleansing container, assembled within the vibrating member; and a vibrating rubber boots having a first ring combined between the container holder and the vibrating member and a second ring extended from the first ring and combined with the housing.

And, a first hoop is further formed on the container holder in contiguity with the cleansing container; and a second hoop is further formed on a surface of the cleansing container for being hooked with the first hoop. Moreover it is also preferable that a part of the base is comprised of a battery cover separatable from the base for exchanging the battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the contact lens cleansing device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the status that a cover of the cleansing device is opened shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of line A-A in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of line B-B in Figure 1 ; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the members mounted on the base according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a front view of the rubber bulb; Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a side view of Figure 6; Figure 9 shows a front view of the status that a lens basket is opened; Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of line C-C shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 shows a rear view of Figure 9;

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the status that the lens basket is closed; Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of line D-D shown in Figure 11; and Figure 14 shows an enlargement view of "A" portion in Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferable embodiments of the present invention will now be described detail in refer to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the contact lens cleansing device according to the present invention, and Figure 2 shows a plan view of the status that a cover of the cleansing device is opened shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1 and 2, the cleansing device of the present invention can be divided into a cover 10 and a housing 20.

The cover 10 is connected to the housing 20 by hinge for swinging, and a second button hole 12 is formed in the cover 10 to be visible. A mirror 11 is fixed on the inside of the cover 10.

A guiding portion 21 declined is formed in the center of the housing 20, and an opening 23 is formed in the center of the guiding portion 21 to insert a cleansing container 40. Also, a rubber bulb groove portion 25 for fixing the rubber bulb (or spuit) 24 is formed in the vicinity of the guiding portion 21, and a first button hole 22 is formed in the vicinity of the rubber bulb groove portion 25. A container holder 63 is provided in the opening 23 for fixing the cleansing container 40 inserted. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the A- A line in Figure 1, and figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the B-B line in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the base 30 is combined with the lower portion of the housing 20, and one portion of the base 30 forms a battery cover 72 for exchanging a battery B. This base 30 is assembled to housing 20 by a plural screw 71. The cleansing container 40 is inserted in the opening 23, and a basket 41 for keeping the contact lens 99 is provided in the cleansing container 40 with together the cleansing liqluid.

A motor M is provided between the housing 20 and the base 30, and an eccentric cam shaft S is installed at a shaft of the motor M. A cam shaft S is connected at the one end of a connecting rod 62, and the other end of the connecting rod 62 is connected to a circle type vibrating member 61. A container holder 63 is mounted on the upper surface of the vibrating member 61 to fix the basket 41.

A button 51 is cylinder shape and formed of plastic materials which is semi- transparency to pass the light. The one end of the button 51 is exposed pass through the first button hole 12 and second button hole 22. And, the other end of the button 51 is contact to upper surface of the tact switch 53 slightly

The tact switch 53 is mounted on the substrate P for switching the motor M driving, and a light-emitting diode 54 is installed just below the button 51. A detail description about "A" portion in Figure 4 will be done in Figure 14. In the preferred embodiment, although the one end of the connecting rod 62 is vibrated left-right direction by the cam shaft S, the constitution for vibrating up-down direction or up-down-left-right direction is also included in the technical boundary of the present invention.

A button sealing 51a made of rubber is assembled around the first button hole 22 for preventing dust go into the housing 20. Although it is not shown in Figure 4, the motor M, the battery B and the light- emitting diode 54 are connected electrically to the tact switch 53.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the members mounted on the base 30 according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, a pair of battery 1.5 volt, the motor M, the substrate P, circle shape vibrating member 61 and the connecting rod 62 are provided on the base 30. The tact switch 53 and the light-emitting diode 54 are mounted on the substrate P.

Figure 6 shows a front view of the rubber bulb (or spuit) shown in Figure 2, and figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of Figure 6, and figure 8 shows a side view of Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, 7, 8, a hollow body 24a is made of elastic material and the center thereof is empty. Also, the hollow body 24a is connected integrally with the connecting pipe 24b bent about 100 degrees. A rubber bulb tip 24c is curved so as to adhere closely with the contact lens 99, and is connected to the connecting pipe 24b.

Figure 9 shows a front view of the status that a lens basket shown in Figure 4 is opened, figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the C-C line in Figure 9, figure 11 shows a rear view of Figure 9, figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the status that the lens basket shown in Figure 10 is closed, and figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the

D-D line in Figure 11.

As shown in Figure 9 to Figure 13, the basket 41 is constituted of a cylinder body 41c and a pair of basket cover 41e(left, right) roughly. The center wall 41a is formed in the middle of the cylinder body 41c, and a concave rib 41b is protruded from both sides of the center wall 41a. This concave rib 41b is in contact with a convex portion of the contact lens 99.

The one end and the other end of the cylinder body 41c are connected to the basket cover 41 e by a film hinge, so as to swing as shown in Figure 12. Also as shown in Figure 11, plurality of hole H are formed in the basket 41, so that cleansing liquid can be flowed. And, as shown in Figure 13, a convex rib 41 d is formed inside of the basket cover 41e, so as to contact with a concave portion of the contact lens 99. This basket 41 is formed integrally by injecting the plastic materials into the mold. Figure 14 shows an enlargement view of "A" portion in Figure 4. As shown in

Figure 14, a vibrating rubber boots 80 is roughly constituted of a first ring 64a and a second ring 64b. The first ring 64a is fixed between the container holder 63 and the vibrating member 61, and the second ring 64b is fixed at the housing 20. Moreover, the first ring 64a and the second 64b are connected along the circumference direction. A first hoop 63 a is formed inside of the container holder 63 along the circumference direction, and the second hoop 40a is projected on the surface of the cleansing container 40 along the circumference direction. When the second hoop 40a passes the first hoop 63a, the cleansing container 40 is held at the container holder 63. Although it is not shown in the attached drawings, the power for driving the motor M also can be supplied from outer source.

Referring the constitutions described above, the operation of the contact lens cleansing device according to the present invention will be followed.

First, the contact lens 99 is positioned at the both concave rib 41b of the cylinder body 41c of the basket 41, then the basket cover 41e is swinged and closed as shown in Figure 12. Next, the basket 41 is put into the cleansing container 40, then pour the cleansing liquid into the cleansing container 40 as much as proper amount. In the next step, the cleansing container 40 is covered tightly, and held into the container holder 63.

After closing the cover 10, the user pushes the button 51. Then the tact switch 53 becomes ON status, and the motor M begins to rotation by the battery B, and the light- emitting diode 54 emits the light. By the rotation of the motor M, the cam shaft S vibrates the vibrating member 61 left and right directions. As shown in Figure 14, the vibration of the vibrating member 61 is transmitted to the cleansing container 40 via container holder 63. The waves and vortex of the cleansing liquid are transmitted to the contact lens 99 through the hole h. At this moment, the proteins, fats and other materials stained on the surface of the contact lens 99 are separated from the contact lens 99.

However, the vibration of the vibrating member 61, container holder 63 and cleansing container 40 is not transmitted to the housing 20 due to the vibrating rubber boots 80. Moreover, the vibrating rubber boots 80 also has a sealing function that the moisture can not permeated into the base 30. When the cleansing is over, the user holds the contact lens 99 using the rubber bulb 24 provided at groove portion 25 instead of fingers, then pus on the contact lens 99 hygienically. In other words, after the user grips and pushes the hollow body 24a, the user approaches the rubber bulb tip 24c to the convex portion of the contact lens 99 cleansed. Then by releasing the hollow body 24a, the contact lens is adsorbed to the rubber bulb tip 24c. And then the user puts the contact lens 99 to his eyes. Because the connecting pipe 24b is bent, the user uses the rubber bulb 24 conveniently. More convenient thing is that the mirror 11 helps the wearing.

As described above, the advantages offered by the contact lens cleansing device of the present invention are mainly that the user can switching the switch even when the cover 10 is closed or opened.

Moreover, the device is convenient and portable device because of the compact constitution of the cleansing device, and the mirror and rubber bulb can make it possible to wear the contact lens conveniently.

And more, the basket solve the problems that the contact lens is biased or sticked in the cleansing container. Especially, the user can easily recognize the operating status of the cleansing device by the light-emitting diode, and the exchanging of the battery is convient bacause the device uses the standard battery.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As so far described, according to the cleansing device can be clearly and fast cleaning the contact lens sunk in a cleansing liquid contained according as the cleansing liquid is moved up-down and right-left in order to remove alien matters such as a fatty matter or dusts from the contact lens.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A contact lens cleansing device, which comprising: a basket keeping contact lens, the basket forms a plurality of holes; a cleansing container containing the basket and sealing a cleanser together with the basket; a housing having a guiding portion declined in the center thereof, an opening formed in the center of the guiding portion for inserting the cleansing container therein, a rubber bulb groove portion formed in the vicinity of the guiding portion, and a first button hole formed in the vicinity of the rubber bulb groove portion; a cover coupled on the housing with a hinge, having a mirror attached inside thereof, and a second button hole corresponding to the first button hole; a base combined with a bottom of the housing; a motor installed between the housing and the base, electrically connected with a battery, and having a eccentric cam shaft; a tact switch for driving the motor and a substrate for mounting the tact switch; a button, one end thereof is contacted with the tact switch, and the other end thereof is installed to enable the sliding motion in the first and second button holes; and means for forcing the vibration to the cleansing container by the cam shaft, and installed between the base and opening.

2. The contact lens cleansing device according to claim 1, wherein the rubber bulb is comprised of a hollow body having elasticity; a connecting pipe connected to the hollow body and bent to a predetermined angle; and a rubber bulb tip combinned to an end of the connecting pipe with concave shape.

3. The contact lens cleansing device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body is formed with rubber.

4. The contact lens cleansing device according to claim 1, wherein the button is made of transparent materials or semi-transparent materials to transmit a light toward the sliding direction, and a light-emitting diode is further mounted on the substrate corresponding to the button.

5. The contact lens cleansing device according to claim 1, wherein the basket is comprised of a cylinder body having a concave rib protruded respectively on the both side of a center wall for accommodating a concave portion of the contact lens; and a pair of a basket cover having a convex rib therein for accommodating a convex portion of the contact lens, and film hinged respectively to the both ends of the cylinder body, and wherein the plurality of holes are formed on the center wall, the cylinder body, and the basket covers.

6. The contact lens cleansing device according to claim 5, wherein the center wall, the cylinder body, the basket covers and holes of the basket are integrally formed by injection molding.

7. The contact lens cleansing device according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating means is comprised of a connecting rod which end is connected to the cam shaft, and a round shape vibrating member combined with the connecting rod; a container holder for holding the cleansing container, assembled within the vibrating member; and a vibrating rubber boots having a first ring combined between the container holder and the vibrating member and a second ring extended from the first ring and combined with the housing.

8. The contact lens cleansing device according to claim 7, wherein a first hoop is further formed on the container holder in contiguity with the cleansing container; and a second hoop is further formed on a surface of the cleansing container for being hooked with the first hoop.

9. The contact lens cleansing device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the base is comprised of a battery cover separatable from the base for exchanging the battery. •

10. A contact lens cleansing device, comprising: a contact lens sunk in cleansing liquid; a dynamic force generating means for generating a dynamic force; and a vibration forcing means for applying the vibration to the cleansing container with the generated dynamic force.