WO2024100378A1

WO2024100378A1 - Apparatus for storing contact lenses

Info

Publication number: WO2024100378A1
Application number: PCT/GB2023/052861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Power
Original assignee: Daniel Power
Priority date: 2022-11-09
Filing date: 2023-11-02
Publication date: 2024-05-16

Abstract

Apparatus for storing re-usable contact lenses, the apparatus comprising a container 100 comprising a base 2, having therein at least one well 11, and a lid 1 configured to be removably secured over at least the at least one well 11 in said base 2 with its inner surface facing said well 11, the apparatus further comprising a first insert 6 configured to be removably disposed within said well 11 in said base 2, said first insert 6 defining a trough 13 that is shaped and configured to receive therein a quantity of contact lens solution and a contact lens, and a second insert 5 configured to be removably disposed adjacent the inner surface of said lid 1, the apparatus being configured such that, when said lid 1 having a second insert 5 removably disposed therein is secured over said well 11 having a first insert 6 removably disposed therein, the outer edges of said first and second inserts 5, 6 abut to form a sealed space therebetween.

Description

APPARATUS FOR STORING CONTACT LENSES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to apparatus for storing contact lenses and, more particularly to apparatus for securely storing and transporting contact lenses and contact lens solution.

Background of the Invention

Contact lenses are ocular prosthetic devices comprising thin lenses that are placed directly on the surface of the eyes, and can be worn to correct vision, or for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons.

There are many different types of contact lenses in use today; for example, soft lenses, silicone hydrogel lenses, gas permeable lenses, hybrid contact lenses and MMA lenses. In some cases, such contact lenses may be described as daily disposable contact lenses, which means each pair of lenses is discarded at the end of each day of wear, and a new pair is used the next day. However, some contact lenses are designed to be re-used for a period of days, weeks or months at a time, depending on the type of lenses they are. In this case, users need to store their contact lenses, when they are not being worn, in a quantity of contact lens solution (for cleaning them and to stop them from drying out). Typically, re-usable contact lenses would be stored in a plastic container comprising a base having two wells in it, arranged side-by-side, and a pair of lids configured to be secured over the wells. In use, a user would place a small quantity of contact lens solution and a contact lens in each well, and then apply the respective lids to the wells to seal them.

Users know that the re-usable contact lenses need to be cleaned and disinfected each day, to prevent protein build up and any other issues that may affect the health of a user’s eyes, the contact solution in the wells needs to be replaced every day, for the same reasons. However, problems can arise in relation to the container itself, in that it is difficult to ensure that the inside of the wells is thoroughly clean and disinfected each time the user needs to store their contact lenses therein. Furthermore, as well as being aesthetically unappealing, conventional contact lens containers tend to be relatively small and can be easily lost or damaged, especially during transport.

There is, therefore, a need for a contact lens storage apparatus that allows users to be confident that the space in which each contact lens is placed is clean and infection free each time they use it, and allows users to easily and conveniently carry/transport their re-usable lenses without fear of damage and less likelihood of loss or misplacement. Aspects of the present invention seek to address at least one or more of these issues.

Statements of Invention

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for storing re-usable contact lenses, the apparatus comprising a container comprising a base, having therein at least one pocket, and a lid configured to be removably secured over at least the at least one pocket in said base with its inner surface facing said pocket, the apparatus further comprising a first insert configured to be removably disposed within said pocket in said base, said first insert defining a well that is shaped and configured to receive therein a quantity of contact lens solution and a contact lens, and a second insert configured to be removably disposed adjacent the inner surface of said lid, the apparatus being configured such that, when said lid having a second insert removably disposed therein is secured over said pocket having the well of a first insert removably disposed therein, the outer edges of said first and second inserts abut to form a sealed space therebetween.

Beneficially, second insert may define a concave indent configured to fit over the opening of said well in said first insert.

In an embodiment, the base may have therein a pair of pockets in side-by-side relation, and said first insert defines a pair of wells in side-by-side relation configured to be received, in use, within respective said pockets. In this case, the second insert may define a pair of indents in side-by-side relation configured, in use, to fit over the openings of respective wells in said first insert. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise two second inserts, each defining an indent therein configured to, in use, fit over an opening of a respective well in said first insert. In another example embodiment, the apparatus may comprise two separate first inserts and two separate respective second inserts. In yet another example embodiment, the base may comprise a pair of pockets in side-by-side relation, a first insert comprising a pair of wells in side-by-side relation and configured to be removably disposed in respective said pockets, and the apparatus may comprise two lids, each configured to be removably secured over a respective pocket in said base, each lid being configured to removably receive therein a respective second insert.

In an embodiment, the lid may be hingedly affixed to a side edge of said base.

Optionally, the apparatus may further comprise closure means for releasably securing said lid over said base

Optionally, the base and/or said lid may have a bevelled edge.

Beneficially, the first and/or second inserts may be disposable. The first and/or second inserts may, beneficially, be treated with an antimicrobial coating or formed of a material having an antimicrobial additive embedded or incorporated therein.

In a preferred embodiment, the first insert and/or the second insert(s) may include means for enabling a user to remove it/them from the container; for example, a protrusion or tab attached to, or integrated with, the respective insert.

The apparatus may further comprise means for releasably securing and retaining the first insert in the base and the second insert in the lid of the container. Such means may comprise a ridge or lip located around a side wall of the or each well in said base, adjacent the open end thereof, enabling, in use, the trough(s) of the first insert to be engaged in a snap fit with respective well(s) in the base; and/or a ridge or lip located around a side wall of the or each cavity in said lid, adjacent the open end thereof, enabling, in use, the outer profile of the indents of the second insert(s) to be engaged in a snap fit with the respective cavity(ies) in the lid.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a storage container for apparatus substantially as described above, the storage container comprising a base and a lid, the base having therein at least one well configured to receive therein said first insert defining a trough that is shaped and configured to receive therein a quantity of contact lens solution and a contact lens and has an outer profile shaped and configured to sit, in use in said at least one well in said base, the lid being configured to be removably secured over at least the at least one well in said base with its inner surface facing said well, the inner surface of the lid defining at least one recess configured to removably retain therein a portion of a said second insert.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a first insert for apparatus substantially as described above, said first insert comprising a substantially planar piece of plastic or other material having formed therein at least one well, the outer surface of which is shaped and configured to sit, in use, in a respective said pocket in said base of a storage container substantially as described above, the or each well of said first insert and/or the or each said pocket in said base further comprising means for, in use, removably securing the or each well in a respective pocket.

A second insert for apparatus substantially as described above, said second insert comprising a substantially planar piece of plastic or other material having formed therein at least one indent, the outer surface of which is shaped and configured to sit, in use, in a respective said recess in said lid of a storage container substantially as described above, the or each indent of said second insert and/or the or each recess in said lid further comprising means for, in use, removably securing the or each indent in a respective recess.

Aspects of the invention solve the issue of combining an elegant and robust case with wells covered by a (preferably) disposable insert that is held within the case. It is desirable to have a case that can be manufactured to a high standard, in terms of materials and design, and that also allows for the inclusion of a (preferably) disposable insert to ensure high hygienic standards in the storge of contact lenses in contact lens solution. The outer casing should, ideally, be hard wearing and easy to clean. The locking or securing mechanism should be robust, so that if the case is knocked or dropped, it does not accidentally open and spill its contents. The inserts, on the other hand, can be made of a thin, resil iently flexible material to reduce waste, especially if (as is preferable) they are intended to be disposable. The inserts should fit securely onto the storage case base and lid, so that they do not come loose and, therefore, compromise the seal when the storage case is closed. The inserts should also be relatively easy to remove, preferably using one finger, so that they can be easily replaced on a regular basis. The seal created when the second insert is closed over the first insert should, ideally, be completely watertight to ensure that there is no leakage. Ideally, the (preferably disposable) insert is treated with an antibacterial agent, either as part of the manufacturing process or post-production. Example embodiments of the invention, described below, advantageously meet these technical requirements.

These and other aspects and optional features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of an example apparatus for storing contact lenses, in a closed configuration;

Figure 2 is a schematic rear perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , in a closed configuration;

Figure 3 is a schematic front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , in an open configuration;

Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of parts of the apparatus of Figure 1 , showing details of the ridges in the lid portion and the base portion that secures the respective inserts therein;

Figure 6 is a schematic front perspective view of another example apparatus for storing contact lenses, in an open configuration;

Figure 7 is a schematic front perspective view of another example embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a schematic exploded view of another example apparatus for storing contact lenses.

Detailed Description

In the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of examples and illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that variations and modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limited sense.

The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in some parts. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature applies to only one embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to make another embodiment.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, steps, elements, components and/or groups thereof As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.

Directional descriptors such as upper, lower, left, right, clockwise, anti-clockwise, front, rear and other similar adjectives are used for clarity and refer to the orientation of the invention as illustrated in the drawings, however it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention may not always be oriented as illustrated and the invention is not intended to be limited in this regard. Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus for storing contact lenses. In particular, embodiments of the invention are thought to find particular utility for storing re-usable lenses. This does not preclude their use for storing daily disposable contact lenses; however, daily disposable lenses are usually supplied in sealed strips of disposable blisters, each defining a small, sealed and sterile space containing a contact lens in a small quantity of contact lens solution and, as such, there is less likelihood that users of daily disposable contact lenses would find a need to store one or more contact lenses after it/they has/have been removed from their sterile blister. However, the storage case of the invention does not necessarily preclude such usage.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, an apparatus for storing contact lenses comprises a container or storage case 100 comprising a base portion 2 and a lid 1. The base portion 2 and lid may be formed of, for example, rigid plastic material or metal. The lid 1 is configured to be removably secured over the base portion 2. In the example shown, the lid portion 1 is hingedly affixed along a longitudinal side edge of the base portion 2, and a latch mechanism 8 may be provided at the opposite longitudinal side edge of the base portion 2 to releasably secure the lid 1 over the base portion 2. For example, a recessed latch release mechanism 8 including a button 3 (or other mechanical release element) may be used for this purpose, although other releasably securing mechanisms will be known to a person skilled in the art, and could be used, and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard. The upper circumferential edge of the base portion 2 and/or the lower circumferential edge of the lid 1 may be bevelled for ease of opening.

Of course, the base portion 2 and lid 1 need not necessarily be hingedly secured together. Indeed, they need not necessarily be permanently affixed together at all, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Referring specifically to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the base portion 2 may comprise a shell portion 9 and a core portion 10, shaped and configured to fit inside the shell portion 9 such that its upper circumferential edge is substantially flush with, or just below, the upper circumferential edge of the shell portion 9. In alternative embodiments, the shell portion 9 and the core portion may be integrally formed, rather than two separate components, and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard.

The core portion 10 defines a pair of concave pockets 11 arranged in longitudinally spaced-apart, side-by-side relation. A recessed spring-loaded latch 8 is mounted within a recess 8a in the upper circumferential edge of the core portion 10, substantially half way along the longitudinal side edge opposite that having the hinge 4 thereon. A button 3 is provided at the distal end of the latch mechanism to enable the latch 8 to be released to open the storage case 100.

A bottom insert 6 comprises a small, preferably (but not essentially) plastic, sheet having a substantially planar upper surface and defining a pair of wells13 that extend below the upper surface. The shape and outer profile of the wells 13 is such that they can be removably fitted into the concave pockets 11 in the core portion 10 of the base portion 2 such that the lower surface of the side edges of the bottom insert 6 rests against the planar upper surface of the core portion 10 around the concave pockets 11.

A top insert 5 comprises a small, preferably (but not essentially) plastic sheet defining a pair of side-by-side, substantially circular indents 5a therein, the outer surface of which extend beyond the upper surface of the top insert 5. The inner surface of the lid 1 is provided with an insert receiving portion 20 comprising a pair of side-by-side, substantially circular recesses 22 shaped and configured to removably receive therein the outer profiles of the indents 5a of the top insert 5, such that the planar upper surface of the top insert, around the indents 5a, rests against an inner surface of the insert receiving portion 20.

Means may be provided in/on the inner side wall of each of the concave pockets 11 in the core portion 10 of the base portion 2 and/or in/on the inner side wall of each of the recesses 22 in the insert receiving portion 20 of the lid 1 to ensure that the bottom and top inserts 6, 5 respectively are securely but releasably) held therein, in use. In an embodiment, the inner side wall at the open edge of each of the concave pockets 11 and/or the inner side wall at the open edge of each of the recesses 22 may be provided with a circumferential ridge 12 within which an outer circumferential portion of each respective well 13 and indent 5a engages, in use, to retain the respective top and/or bottom insert 5, 6 in place. As such, each insert 5, 6 can be pressed into the respective pocket or recess and will click into place. On the inside of the lid 1 there is a raised rim with a ridge that the top insert 5 is pressed against to locate the exact position of the top insert 5 so that it aligns with the bottom insert 6. When the top insert is pressed onto the rim or boss in the lid 1 it will click into place.

When the top and bottom inserts 5, 6 are mounted and retained in, respective, the lid 1 and the core portion 10 of the base portion 2, and the lid is pivoted closed around the hinge and secured by the latch 8, the bottom planar surface around the indents 5a of the top insert 5 abuts the upper planar surface around the wells 13 of the bottom insert 6 to form a pair of sealed spaces between the top and bottom inserts 5, 6.

In use, a user can place a bottom insert in the core portion 10 of the base portion 2 and a top insert in the insert receiving portion 20 of the lid 1 , place a small quantity of contact lens solution in each of the wells 13 of the bottom insert 6 and then place a contact lens into the pool of contact lens solution in each of the wells 13. Then, when they close a latch the lid 2, the top and bottom inserts 5, 6, together, form a respective sealed space around each contact lens.

The top and bottom inserts are beneficially disposable (and may be supplied in sterile packs), such that the user can simply remove and replace the top and bottom inserts 5, 6 to maintain their contact lenses in a clean environment. A small tab 7 is provided at an end edge of each of the top and bottom inserts 5, 6 to allow for easy removal thereof, as required.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, another example apparatus for storing a contact lens again comprises a base portion 2’ and lid T. The base portion 2’ comprises or incorporates a core portion 10’ defining a pair of side-by-side concave pockets. The inner cavity of the lid comprises or incorporates an insert receiving portion 20’ comprising a pair of side-by-side circular recesses’. In this case, a pair of bottom inserts 6’ define only one well T each, that can be removably retained, in use, within a respective pocket of the core portion 10’ of the base portion 2’. Similarly, a pair of top inserts 5’ each comprise a single indent 5a’ that can be removably retained, in use, within the recess of the insert retaining portion 20’ in the lid T. In use, once again, when the lid 1 ’ is closed over the base portion 2’, the planar side surfaces of the wells 13’ and indents 5a’ of the bottom and top inserts 6’, 5’ respectively abut to form a pair of single sealed spaces therebetween for receiving and securely storing a contact lens and a small quantity of contact lens solution. In this case, each of said top inserts 5’ and each of said bottom inserts 6’ may have a tab 7 or other protrusion at its outer edge, to enable the insert to be removed from the storage case, as required.

In another example embodiment, the bottom insert may comprise an integral pair of side-by-side pockets, but two separate top inserts may be provided. Similarly, in another example embodiment, the top insert may comprise two integral side-by-side indents, but two separate top inserts may be provided.

In yet another example embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings, the storage case may be designed to hold a single contact lens, in which case, a single well 11 ” is provided in the core 10” of the base 2” and a single recess may be provided in the lid, to receive single respective bottom and top inserts 6”, 5”.

Referring to Figure 8 of the drawings, in yet another example apparatus, a base portion 2”’ comprises a pair of pockets 11”’ in side-by-side relation, each pocket 11’” being configured to removably receive therein a bottom insert 6’” comprising a single concave well 13’”. Two lid potions T” are provided, each being configured to removably receive therein a respective top insert 5’” comprising a single indent 5a’”, and to be removably secured over a respective pocket 1T” of the base portion 2’”.

In all cases, the base portion 2 is beneficially heavier than the lid portion 1 so that the apparatus does not topple over when the lid 1 of the storage case 100 is opened to allow access to the inside of the storage case and the lenses inside.

The top and bottom inserts are beneficially disposable and made from any type of plastic, and they may or may not be treated with either an antimicrobial coating or have an antimicrobial additive embedded or incorporated therein. The (preferably disposable) inserts are held in place using a ‘pop on’ system that takes advantage of the flexibility of the material that the inserts can be made from. The locking mechanism of the storage case 100, in the described embodiments, includes a button, spring and latch, and may be configured to only lock the lid 1 and base portion 2 together securely when the top and bottom inserts are properly aligned. Thus, the latch will, beneficially, only engage when the lid 1 is pressed firmly down so as to engage the top and bottom inserts securely, thereby to avoid any potential leakage.

It should be noted once again that the examples described herein are for the purpose of illustration only. Although the solution has been described in conjunction with various specific embodiments, numerous modifications may be possible without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, from the foregoing description, that substitutions, variations, modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS Apparatus for storing re-usable contact lenses, the apparatus comprising a container comprising a base, having therein at least one pocket, and a lid configured to be removably secured over at least the at least one pocket in said base with its inner surface facing said pocket, the apparatus further comprising a first insert configured to be removably disposed within said pocket in said base, said first insert defining a well that is shaped and configured to receive therein a quantity of contact lens solution and a contact lens, and a second insert configured to be removably disposed adjacent the inner surface of said lid, the apparatus being configured such that, when said lid having a second insert removably disposed therein is secured over said pocket in said base having a first insert removably disposed therein, the outer edges of said first and second inserts abut to form a sealed space therebetween. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said second insert defines a concave indent configured to fit over the opening of said trough in said first insert. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inner surface of said lid defines a recess within which the outer profile of the indent sits, in use. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said base has therein a pair of pockets in side-by-side relation, and said first insert defines a pair of wells in side-by-side relation configured to be received, in use, within respective said pockets. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second insert defines a pair of indents in side-by-side relation configured, in use, to fit over the openings of respective wells in said first insert. Apparatus according to claim 4, comprising two second inserts, each defining an indent therein configured to, in use, fit over an opening of a respective well in said first insert. Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising two separate lids, each having a recess for removably receiving therein a second insert, each lid being configured to be removably secured over a respective pocket of said base.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising two first inserts, each having a well configured to be removably received in a respective pocket of said base, and two second inserts, each being configured to be removably received in a respective recess of said lid.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said lid is hingedly affixed to a side edge of said base.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising closure means for releasably securing said lid over said base.

11 .Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base and/or said lid has a bevelled edge.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second inserts are disposable.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second inserts are treated with an antimicrobial coating or formed of a material having an antimicrobial additive embedded or incorporated therein.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first insert and/or the second insert(s) includes means for enabling a user to remove it/them from the container.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said means for allowing a user to remove said first and/or second insert(s) from the container comprises a protrusion or tab attached to, or integrated with, the respective insert.

16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for releasably retaining the first insert in the base and the second insert in the lid of the container.

17. Apparatus according to claim16, wherein said means for releasably retaining the first insert in the base of the container comprises a ridge or lip located around a side wall of the or each pocket in said base, adjacent the open end thereof, enabling, in use, the well(s) of the first insert to be engaged in a snap fit with respective pocket(s) in the base.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said means for releasably retaining said second insert in said lid comprises a ridge or lip located around a side wall of the or each recess in said lid, adjacent the open end thereof, enabling, in use, the outer profile of said indent(s) of the second insert to be engaged in a snap fit with the respective recess(es) in the lid. A storage container for apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, the storage container comprising a base and a lid, the base having therein at least one pocket configured to receive therein said first insert defining a well that is shaped and configured to receive therein a quantity of contact lens solution and a contact lens and has an outer profile shaped and configured to sit, in use in said at least one pocket in said base, the lid being configured to be removably secured over at least the at least one pocket in said base with its inner surface facing said pocket, the inner surface of the lid defining at least one recess configured to removably retain therein a portion of a said second insert. A first insert for apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18, said first insert comprising a substantially planar member having formed therein at least one well, the outer surface of which is shaped and configured to sit, in use, in a respective said pocket in said base of a storage container according to claim 19, the or each well of said first insert and/or the or each said pocket in said base further comprising means for, in use, removably securing the or each well in a respective pocket. A second insert for apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 16, said second insert comprising a substantially planar member having formed therein at least one indent, the outer profile of which is shaped and configured to sit, in use, in a respective said recess in said lid of a storage container according to claim 19, the or each indent of said second insert and/or the or each recess in said lid further comprising means for, in use, removably securing the or each indent of said second insert in a respective recess.