Single-touch contact lens package

Abstract

The present invention relates to contact lens packages that allow single touch removal of the lens from the lens package. The lens packages include a lens support that holds the lens in a convex position. When the package is drained, the contact area between the support and the wetted contact lens is less than the contact area between a user's finger and the contact lens, thereby providing the desired single touch transfer.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] For many years, it has been widely accepted that providing "one-touch" packaging for contact lens users is ideal—that is, packaging where the wearer can remove the lens from the storage package with a single touch using only one finger and then place it correctly on the eye with just one touch. In this design, there is no need to transfer and manipulate the lens from one finger to another before placing it on the eye (as is currently common). Providing such one-touch packaging would not only simplify the lens preparation and insertion process; but it would also reduce the likelihood of the lens falling out or being exposed to additional bacteria on the user's other fingers when preparing to orient and insert it into the eye, and it would also reduce the likelihood of the contact lens being intended to touch the side of the eye.

[0002] The design of single-contact contact lens packaging presents several significant challenges. Ideally, the wearer should be able to consistently position the lens on their finger during removal from the packaging, and then consistently release it from the finger onto the eye. Contact lenses (both reusable and daily disposable) each have their unique surface, volume, and geometry. Finger size and the force applied to the lens by the wearer during transfer can also vary. These factors can affect the process of removing the lens from the packaging to the finger and then placing it on the eye. Among other considerations: users expect to be able to eliminate any packaging solution that might affect the ability to adhere the lens to the finger, as variations in the amount of packaging solution adhering to both the lens and the packaging can affect the process of placing the lens on the finger. Furthermore, wearers may be concerned about the possibility of transferring bacteria or external products such as cosmetics onto the contact lens; and, of course, the packaging itself should be manufactured in accordance with anticipated industry standards recognized by medical and commercial providers.

[0003] Furthermore, ideally, one-touch packaging should not result in an excessive increase in product cost relative to current contact lens packaging, as this could lead to increased costs for the user base. The packaging should not make the lenses difficult to hold when removed from the package. Additionally, if the packaging configuration is maintained, or even if the volume of solution required to package the lenses is reduced, the ecological impact of the lens packaging will be minimized. Similarly, it would be beneficial if the packaging could be made wholly or partially from recycled materials and / or wholly or partially recyclable.

[0004] Additionally, it is advantageous if the packaging is composed of materials approved by various regulatory agencies, and ideally, it does not require alteration of the solution chemistry or lens composition. Similarly, if such components may adversely affect the performance of the packaging or lens, the packaging should preferably not include any electronic or other electrical components.

[0005] Several desirable properties exist that make implementing one-touch wrapper functionality challenging, and these properties are often lacking in known attempts to create one-touch wrappers. These properties include, for example, the following:

[0006] Ideally, the packaging should protect the lenses. It should ensure the integrity of the lenses while preventing them from being crushed or damaged.

[0007] • Lens packaging should maintain lens hydration during storage. This will preserve lens performance. The lens in its packaging should be constructed such that it is fully submerged in the packaging solution when needed, but the solution should be removed before transferring to the wearer's fingers. The packaging should have a retortable seal and include both the lens and the solution.

[0008] The packaging should preferably hold the lens in the convex orientation desired by the wearer. The lens should be correctly positioned on the lens support so that it can be easily removed by the user.

[0009] • The packaging should allow the packaging solution to be effectively drained from the lens upon opening the package and before the lens is removed, so that it can be more easily transferred to the wearer's fingers and then to the eye.

[0010] WO2014 / 195588, WO2009 / 069265, and JP6339322 disclose packaging components with lenses shaped like convex bowls facing downwards. However, the lens support structure essentially matches the shape of the contact lens, which provides an undesirable contact area between the lens and the lens support. These references also fail to mention a mechanism for effectively draining solution from the lens and lens support.

[0011] US20190046353 discloses a contact lens storage container that facilitates easier lens removal. However, this packaging requires the user to pour out the packaging solution and does not provide the expected consistent one-touch removal.

[0012] US20200229560 discloses a lens support having a concave (front or front) surface supporting the contact lens or a package having a grid supporting the peripheral edge of the contact lens, and allowing the packaging solution to drain through the grid into the bottom chamber when the lens package is opened.

[0013] Therefore, contact lens packaging still needs to provide a consistent one-touch lens removal experience. Summary of the Invention

[0014] This invention provides a contact lens package in which a lens is placed on a lens support made of a suitable material that allows the package to simultaneously meet all other standard packaging requirements, such as adequate strength, sterilizability, and ease of opening. The package is filled with a saline solution to retain moisture in the lens during transport and storage. When the package is in the closed position, such as during storage or transport, the lens and lens support are covered by a base at the bottom and a cap at the top, which serve as a protective cover or shell (in addition to the other functions described herein). The cap is configured with a geometry such that, upon opening the package, a volume of air enters a packaging cavity beneath the cap and on the top of the convex side of the lens. This airflow prevents suction between the lens and the cap and holds the lens on the lens support with its concave surface facing down. The solution drains from the package, causing the lens to lose surface tension with the surface of the lens support. When in this position, the lens can then be adhered to by transferring it to the user's finger, as the suction exerted by the finger due to surface tension is greater than the suction exerted on the lens by the lens support. Therefore, the lens is now held on the user's finger from its convex side, and the user can transfer the concave side of the lens to the surface of the eye. Compared to current methods of contact lens application, the user can remove the lens from the packaging and place it on the eye in a single action.

[0015] This invention relates to a contact lens packaging, the contact lens packaging comprising:

[0016] A support member is provided to hold the contact lens in a convex position on the support member during storage and when the package is opened; wherein

[0017] The lens has a peripheral edge and a lens outline;

[0018] The profile of the support member does not substantially match the profile of the lens; and the wetting contact between the support member and the lens is less than approximately 20 mm. 2 Less than 18mm 2 or less than 15mm 2 .

[0019] The present invention further relates to a contact lens package, the contact lens package comprising:

[0020] Packaging base;

[0021] Packaging lid; and

[0022] A support member for holding a contact lens having a peripheral edge and lens profile in a convex position relative to the packaging base;

[0023] The base and cover are sealed to form a cavity containing the support, contact lens, and packaging solution;

[0024] The lens support includes a plurality of peripheral supports, each having a distal end extending at least 1 mm beyond the peripheral edge of the contact lens and providing at least 3, 3 to 14, 4 to 14, 3 to 8, 4 to 8, 4 to 6, or 6 contact points with the edge of the contact lens along the peripheral support. Furthermore, after the package has been opened and the packaging solution has been directed away from the lens and the support, the wetting contact between the support and the lens is less than approximately 20 mm. 2 Less than 18mm 2 or less than 15mm 2 .

[0025] The present invention further relates to a contact lens package, the contact lens package comprising:

[0026] A support member for holding a contact lens with a convex surface in a convex position relative to the support member; and

[0027] The lens-facing surface includes at least one air intake guide configured such that, when the package is opened by a user, the at least one air intake guide directs air into the package above the convex surface of the contact lens to reduce the likelihood of the lens adhering to the inner surface. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figures 1A to 1O These are diagrams of various lens support configurations.

[0030] Figure 2A This is a diagram of the contact lens packaging base of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2B This is a diagram of the contact lens packaging base and cover of the present invention.

[0032] Figures 3A to 3H This is a diagram of a cover showing an example of an airflow management feature within the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a diagram illustrating an example of an air-capturing feature within the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a diagram illustrating the contact lens packaging within the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6It is a graph of the RMS value of the contact lens based on the fill volume of the package.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a picture of the inside of the packaging lid. Detailed Implementation

[0037] This invention relates to a package for contact lenses (such as hydrogel contact lenses) that allows a user to remove the contact lens from the package by touching the apex or vicinity of the apex with their fingertip. Once transferred to the fingertip, the lens is in a position suitable for placement on the eye by the wearer, thereby simplifying the removal of the lens from the package and its insertion into the eye.

[0038] As used herein, the following terms have the meanings described above.

[0039] The advantage of the lens packaging of the present invention is that it provides a consistent one-touch lens transfer from the packaging to the wearer's finger, and then from the finger to the wearer's eye, without causing the lens to become inverted, fall off the finger, or be further manipulated. Consistent lens transfer includes a transfer rate of at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90% upon the first touch (or "tap") of the finger. The lens also ideally "sits" on the finger without collapsing or becoming inverted, and is then transferred to the eye when placed there. The packaging of the present invention provides the desired one-touch transfer across a range of finger sizes and tapping pressures. Environmental conditions such as temperature and whether the finger is wet or dry can also affect the transfer rate, with higher temperatures generally improving lens transfer. The lens transfer evaluated in this invention is performed at room temperature.

[0040] Contact lenses are ophthalmic devices that reside on the eye. They have a generally hemispherical shape and can provide optical correction, cosmetic enhancement, UV blocking and visible light or glare reduction, therapeutic effects including wound healing, drug or nutrient delivery, diagnostic assessment or monitoring, or any combination thereof. The term lens includes soft hydrogel contact lenses, which are typically provided to consumers in a hydrated state in packaging and have a relatively low modulus, allowing them to conform to the cornea. Contact lenses suitable for use with the packaging of this invention include all hydrated contact lenses, including conventional and silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

[0041] Hydrogels are hydrated cross-linked polymer systems containing water in equilibrium, and may contain at least about 25% or at least 35% hydrated water. Hydrogels typically possess oxygen permeability and biocompatibility, making them excellent materials for the production of contact lenses.

[0042] Conventional hydrogel contact lenses do not contain silicone-containing components and typically have higher water content, lower oxygen permeability, modulus, and shape memory than silicone hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels are prepared from monomer mixtures primarily containing hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (“HEMA”), N-vinylpyrrolidone (“NVP”), or polyvinyl alcohol. U.S. Patents 4,495,313, 4,889,664, and 5,039,459 disclose the formation of conventional hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels can be ionic or nonionic and include polymacon, etafilcon, nelfilcon, ocufilcon, lenefilcon, etc. The oxygen permeability of these conventional hydrogel materials is typically below 20-30 barel.

[0043] Silicone hydrogel formulations include balafilcon, samfilcon, lotrafilcon A and B, delfilcon, galyfilcon, senofilcon A, B and C, narafilcon, comfilcon, formofilcon, riofilcon, fanfilcon, stenfilcon, somofilcon, kalifilcon, etc. "Organosilicon hydrogel" refers to a polymer network made of at least one hydrophilic component and at least one component containing organosilicon. Organosilicon hydrogels can have a modulus in the range of 60psi-200psi, 60psi-150psi, or 80psi-130psi, and a water content in the range of 20% to 60%. Examples of silicone hydrogels include acquafilcon, asmofilcon, balafilcon, comfilcon, delefilcon, enfilcon, fanfilcon, formofilcon, galyfilcon, lotrafilcon, narafilcon, riofilcon, samfilcon, senofilcon, somofilcon, and stenfilcon, including all their variants, as well as those such as those in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,659,782, 4,659,783, 5,244,981, 5,314,960, 5,331,067, 5,371,147, 5,998,498, 6,087,415, 5,760,100, 5,776,999, 5,789,461, 5,849,811, and 5,965,631. 6,367,929, 6,822,016, 6,867,245, 6,943,203, 7,247,692, 7,249,848, 7,553,880, 7,666,921, 7,786,185, 7,956,131, 8,022,158, 8,273,802, 8,399,538, 8,470,906, 8,450,387, 8,487,058, 8,507 Organosilicon hydrogels prepared in WO 03 / 22321, WO 2008 / 061992 and US 2010 / 0048847.These patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Silicone hydrogels can have higher shape memory than conventional contact lenses.

[0044] Hydrogel lenses are viscoelastic materials. Optical distortion can occur in contact lenses if they interact with the packaging or any air bubbles within it. The degree of optical distortion and the time required for distortion to relax will depend on the chemical composition and, to a lesser extent, the lens geometry. Compared to silicone hydrogels, conventional lens materials, such as those based on poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) like Etafencon A or Polymacon, have lower loss modulus and loss tangent values, and are likely to exhibit less severe optical distortion due to contact with the packaging. Incorporation of silicone (which typically increases the overall elastic response), wetting agents (such as PVP) (which typically increases the viscous response), or coatings of conventional hydrogel materials (which may reduce the elastic response at the lens interface) can alter the viscoelasticity of the lens. Conventional hydrogel contact lenses with short or hard crosslinking agents and / or hardeners, as well as silicone hydrogel contact lenses, have short shape memory and may be less prone to deformation during storage. As used in this paper, after accelerated aging at 55°C for 5 weeks, hydrogels with high or higher shape memory exhibit optical deformation of at least approximately 0.18 due to contact with air bubbles or packaging. Viscoelasticity, including loss modulus and loss tangent, can be measured using dynamic mechanical analysis.

[0045] Contact lenses can be of any geometry or diopter and have a generally hemispherical shape, with a concave rear side that rests against the eye when in use and a convex front side that is away from the eye and is contacted by the eyelid during blinking.

[0046] The center of the lens is the center of the lens's optical zone. The optical zone provides optical correction and can have a diameter between approximately 7mm and approximately 10mm. The lens periphery, or lens edge, is the edge where the front and back sides meet.

[0047] Wetting lens refers to the contact lens and any residual packaging solution adhering to it after the packaging solution has drained. Wetting contact is the total contact area between the wetting lens and the lens support.

[0048] The contact lens package includes a lens support surrounded by a reversible, sealable chamber. This chamber can take any convenient form and may include a packaging base, which may have one or more compartments or base segments, the lens support, and at least one cap, each of which will be described in detail below. As used herein, the phrases “cap,” “lid,” “base,” and “base” cover both the singular and plural. The cap and packaging base seal against each other to form a chamber that keeps the contact lens, support, and packaging solution sterile during transport and storage prior to use. The contact lens package is made of a material compatible with the contact lens and solution, and is retort-safe and bio-inert.

[0049] "Film" or "multilayer film" is a film used for sealing packaging and is commonly referred to as a cover material. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packaging can be used in the packaging of this invention as a base, a component of a cover, or both. A multilayer film comprises multiple layers, including barrier layers, foil layers, or coatings, sealing layers, which seal the film to the remainder of the packaging, and may also include additional layers selected from peel-off initiation layers, laminated layers, and layers that improve other packaging properties such as stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, barrier properties to water or oxygen, etc. The multilayer film forms a steam-sterilizable (retortable) seal.

[0050] Multilayer films may contain PET, BON or OPP film layers to increase rigidity and temperature resistance, or contain EVOH or PVdC coatings to improve barrier properties against oxygen or moisture.

[0051] Packaging solutions are any physiologically compatible solutions that are compatible with the material and packaging of the selected lens. Packaging solutions include buffered solutions with a physiological pH, such as buffered saline solutions. Packaging solutions may contain known components, including buffers, pH and tension regulators, lubricants, wetting agents, nutrients, pharmaceuticals, packaging coating components, etc.

[0052] The packaging base may form the bottom of the package. The packaging base may be made of any material suitable for packaging medical devices, including flat foil or plastic sheets, laminated films, or plastics. The bottom of the lens support is disposed on and supported by the base surface facing the package cavity. The lens support may also be integral with the base. The lens support may rest on an inner surface of the packaging base, which may be horizontal or angled to hold the lens support and lens in an angled position when the bottom of the base is horizontal. When the base is angled, the angle relative to the horizontal is preferably at least about 15°, at least about 20°, about 20° to about 80°, about 20° to about 60°, or about 20° to about 40°.

[0053] The cap forms the uppermost structure of the package and seals with the base to form a cavity containing a lens support, lens, packaging solution, and any other features incorporated into the package. The cap can be made of any material suitable for packaging a medical device, including flat or molded foil or plastic sheets, laminates, or plastics. Packages comprising plastic for one structure and foil or laminate for another structure, or packages comprising foil or laminate as an outer layer of the cap and base, are known in the art and are examples of suitable combinations.

[0054] Lens support and transfer

[0055] The lens support holds the lens in the desired convex orientation (downward relative to the base bowl) and position (centered on the support) during transport and storage. The lens support is designed to provide an open structure under the lens bowl to allow the packaging solution to drain from the lens and support upon opening, without trapping water between the support; and to provide a sufficient number of contact points with the lens to prevent the lens from collapsing onto the support, rotating away from the support, or translating through the support. This allows the lens apex to be supported by the lens's own elastic stiffness, or to minimize apex sinking while limiting the contact area between the support and the lens. Excessive contact between the support and lens after solution draining and water accumulation between them can create surface tension greater than that between the wearer's fingers and the lens, interfering with effective lens transfer. The total contact area, including the contact between the lens and lens support when the package is opened and the solution drained from them, is less than approximately 20 mm². 2 Less than 18mm 2 or less than 15mm 2 And at least distributed around the periphery of the lens, as described in this article.

[0056] For lenses made of polymers with long shape memory, the lens support can be designed to limit contact between the lens and the support during storage. This contact can be distributed around the peripheral edge of the lens. Contact between the lens optical zone, the lens support, and the inside of the cap (including any air intake guides) can be transient, or there may be no contact between the optical zone and the support, cap, or air intake guide. Lenses (such as, for example, conventional hydrogels) have shorter shape memory, are less susceptible to deformation due to packaging contact, and can have contact points distributed around the periphery and throughout the lens contour (including the central area of ​​the lens (approximately 9 mm or approximately 5 mm in diameter)).

[0057] The lens support of this invention allows both the fingertip and the lens to deform to match each other's shape upon tapping, without causing the lens to invert or be damaged during removal due to excessive pressure during tapping. Therefore, one aspect of removing the lens from the packaging of this invention is controlling the ratio of the contact area between the finger and the lens to the area between the lens and the lens support, such that the contact area between the finger and the lens exceeds the contact surface area of ​​the lens support on the underside of the lens. This ensures that the surface tension between the finger and the lens exceeds the surface tension between the lens and the lens support. Thus, the lens will adhere to the finger, facilitating its transfer and placement on the eye.

[0058] Figure 1AFigures 1P illustrate examples of lens supports that can be used in this invention. Each of these lens supports can be used in any of the packages described herein. The lens support can provide light resistance on the lens during lens transfer to allow the lens to adhere to the finger. Figure 1A As shown in Figure 1P, the lens support can be designed in various configurations. It should be understood that the configurations depicted herein are illustrative examples. Within the scope of the appended claims, configurations not shown or configurations combining aspects of the depicted exemplary configurations are possible, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the balance of this disclosure.

[0059] The lens support provides at least 2, at least 3, 3 to 14, 4 to 14, 3 to 8, 4 to 8, 4 to 6, or 6 contact points along the peripheral support 105 with the edge of the contact lens. When two peripheral supports are used, they can be wider to provide stability without exceeding the contact area required for consistent lens transfer. The peripheral contact points prevent the lens from rotating off the lens and can be distributed in various configurations, where the space between the furthest adjacent contacts is smaller than the diameter of the lens. In one embodiment, three contact points are used, which can be arranged in an acute-angled triangle as shown in Example 16. All ( Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1H , Figure 1K and Figure 1L ) or most ( Figures 1M to 1O Peripheral supports can be evenly distributed around the periphery of the lens. With an increased number of peripheral supports, the likelihood of residual packaging solution forming a film between adjacent peripheral supports and solution bridging between the supports and the lens during discharge may increase. Peripheral supports with less than 50% open space, such as supports in the form of screens or filters, typically provide insufficient discharge and cannot guarantee single-touch transfer.

[0060] Figure 1G A lens support is shown comprising six planar peripheral supports 105 that engage at the center of the lens support and extend outward to the unsupported distal end. The channel member 115 is a structure that can be used to facilitate drainage of the packaging solution and is discussed in detail below.

[0061] When the package is opened, the peripheral support 105 provides a path for the packaging solution to drain from the lens. To facilitate drainage of the packaging solution, the peripheral support is typically transverse to the lens edge, which helps prevent the lens from wrapping around the support, is linear, and extends outward beyond the contact lens peripheral edge by at least 1 mm. If the distal end of the peripheral support extends less than 2 mm beyond the lens edge, the packaging solution may undesirably be trapped under the lens, potentially interfering with effective lens transfer. If the central peripheral end (such as...) Figure 1D If the "V"-shaped notch of the peripheral support member 105 is not connected to the central support member, then they can extend at least about 3 mm from the contact point with the lens toward the center of the support member, such as... Figure 1D As shown in the exemplary configuration. If the peripheral support extends less than 3 mm from the lens contact point toward the lens, the lens may slip off the peripheral support.

[0062] The peripheral support members 105 can be arranged radially around the center of the support member. They can be as follows: Figure 1G As shown, they are connected to each other, or as... Figure 1A and Figure 1B The connection is shown at the elbow 104, which serves as the end portion of the lens support arm. The peripheral support 105 can extend inwardly from at least a portion of the peripheral ring 109, as shown... Figure 1C and Figure 1D As shown. Furthermore, the peripheral support 105 can be connected to, for example... Figure 1E The central column or cylinder 107 shown, or any combination thereof. When the peripheral supports extend inward, they can be located at a single center point ( Figure 1G ), column or cylinder 107 ( Figure 1E They meet at ( ). One or more of the peripheral supports 105 meet with adjacent peripheral supports to form as shown. Figure 1D The opening center is shown. Alternatively or additionally, one or more peripheral supports 105 may extend inwardly from their distal ends at at least a portion of the peripheral ring to the unsupported proximal end within the circumference of the lens or to another point on the peripheral ring, such as... Figure 1C As shown. The peripheral support components can be planar, such as... Figures 1B to 1G As shown, or it can be at an angle, such as Figure 1A As shown. When at an angle, the angle can be from 0° to about 30° or from 0° to about 15° from the horizontal, and can be tilted toward the center of the support or the distal end of the peripheral support.

[0063] The distal ends of adjacent peripheral supports 105 can be connected to each other via terminal crossbars, which form a partial peripheral ring 109 (e.g., Figure 1B and Figure 1D (as shown) or full ring 109 (as shown) Figure 1C (As shown). For example, Figure 1D A lens support including a partial peripheral ring 109 is shown, the partial peripheral ring having a planar peripheral support 105 that is open, six-armed asterisk-shaped, and radially arranged around the center of the lens support.

[0064] When including a full or partial peripheral ring, it may have a diameter at least 4 mm larger than the contact lens (at least 2 mm from the edges of all contact lenses) to facilitate the drainage of the packaging solution from the lens and lens support. For partial peripheral rings with complex shapes, such as... Figure 1D A portion of the peripheral ring, the diameter of which is centered around the center of the lens support and measured across opposing peripheral ring segments 109. Peripheral ring diameters between approximately 16 mm and approximately 25 mm, between approximately 18 mm and approximately 25 mm, or between approximately 18 mm and approximately 24 mm will be suitable for commercially available contact lenses.

[0065] When a peripheral ring is included, the peripheral ring can rest on the base during storage, can be fixedly attached to the base, or can be attached to a vertical support, such as a leg, etc. Figure 1K As shown in the figure, support 110, such as Figure 1L The raised base fin section is shown, along with a central column or cylinder that holds the peripheral ring raised from the base. Vertical supports may extend from the base by approximately 4mm to approximately 5mm for horizontally positioned lens supports, or for lens supports that are tilted when the package is closed (such as...). Figure 1H The inclined lens support (described herein) may extend from the base by approximately 2 mm to approximately 5 mm, approximately 2.5 mm to approximately 5 mm, or approximately 3 mm to approximately 4 mm. When a vertical support is included, the vertical support may have the same length or may have different lengths to hold the lens at an angle relative to the horizontal. The upper limit of the height of the vertical support is limited by the desired dimensions of the package, as increasing the length of the vertical support will increase the overall height of the package and the required solution volume. The peripheral ring may also be attached to a lifting or pivoting structure, such as a lever or an extension channel member, as described below, to facilitate lifting the lens support from the base, thereby aiding in the drainage of the packaged solution from the lens.

[0066] The packaging base can also be designed such that the peripheral supports 105 (in) Figure 1H In an exemplary embodiment, the fins are shown as part of a raised structure, flush with each other, but the base plate 120 and the lens support 136 are angled together. Figure 1H The lens support can be a separate structure or part of the base, such as... Figure 1H As shown.

[0067] The lens support may further include at least one positioning structure (not shown) to prevent the lens from horizontally translating through the lens support, particularly for supports positioned at an angle in the package or during opening and removal. These positioning structures may include: a notch, pin, or stop in a peripheral support along the outer periphery of the lens; an open center support (described below); a positioning pin or tab inside the lens near the lens periphery, wherein the angle of the lens surface is steeper, such as located outside the central region of the lens (with a diameter of approximately 5 mm, 6 mm, or 7 mm); or combinations thereof.

[0068] like Figure 1E , Figure 1J and Figure 1H As shown, the lens support may further include an open-structure center support to provide additional resistance, drainage path, and / or increase the contact area between the finger and the lens during lens transfer. The profile of the center support may be designed to hold the lens in a convex position during transport and storage, preferably centered on the support without significant contact, and to provide the desired lens contact area after drainage and before contact with the user's finger. The center support may be configured to create a gap between the lens support and the lens, such as by having a substantially flat top that allows the top of the lens to be deformed by the finger and the finger pad to flatten, thereby creating the desired bias in the surface area. When the center support is present, it may be flat or slightly concave, preferably providing at least 0.5 mm between the lens apex and the top of the center support during drainage (to minimize contact between the lens apex and the support) and providing a lens-finger contact area greater than the contact area between the lens and the rest of the lens support (“substantially flat top” or “flat top”). If slightly curved, the center support may have a slightly concave curve with a radius of curvature of at least about 10 mm or at least about 6 mm, or more undesirably a slightly convex curvature of about 10 mm or higher. It is desirable to design the center support so that it does not contact the lens optical zone before lens transfer.

[0069] The top of the center support can have a diameter of approximately 1 mm to approximately 10 mm, approximately 3 mm to approximately 9 mm, approximately 5 mm to approximately 9 mm, or approximately 6 mm to approximately 9 mm. For center supports with a flat top area having a diameter less than approximately 5 mm, additional positioning structures may be required. The top of the center support can be oriented parallel to the lens periphery to form a shape such as... Figures 1A to 1F The column shown. When the user presses down on the apex of the lens to begin lens transfer, the top of the central support also provides resistance to the fingers.

[0070] The central support member may be formed by multiple arms. The arms may form a flat top section 101 and be supported by one or more columns 108 extending upwards from the base, as shown below. Figure 1J As shown; at least one peripheral support member 105, such as Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1E , Figure 1F As shown; at least one arm, as Figure 1D As shown; or a vertical support member 110 in the form of fins, such as Figure 1H As shown, or open support 110, such as Figure 1K As shown. When the arms extend beyond the flat top, they may include optional side sections 103, a shoulder transition 102 connecting the flat top 101 and the optional side sections 103, a peripheral support 105, and an optional elbow transition 104 connecting the optional side sections 103 and the peripheral support 105. The flat top sections of the arms may be joined at a center point 106, as shown. Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown; column 108, as shown in Figure 1i; ring; or can be connected to as... Figure 1E The open full cylinder or partial cylinder 107 shown, or the arm may be connected to the packaging base, or as a solid fin with a gap 106a in the middle of a substantially flat top 101. Figure 1H ).like Figure 1K As shown, these arms can also be attached to the bottom of a lens support having six arms, each arm having a curved side section 103 and a flat top section 101 formed by the upward-facing ends of these arms. Figure 1K As shown, the distal end of the peripheral support 105 can also be connected to each support from the base or directly to the base. Figure 1L ).

[0071] like Figure 1H and Figure 1M As shown, the fins, base, or both can be hollow to minimize the amount of packaging material used. Hollow or solid fins also replace the packaging solution, further reducing the amount required. The arms can be radially distributed around the center of the support structure.

[0072] The flat top section may also include an optional center fillet 106a centered on the flat top portion, such as... Figure 1A , Figure 10 and Figure 1N As shown. A center fillet may be included in a lens support with or without a central pillar, such as... Figure 1N and Figure 1AAs shown. When the center fillet is included, its longest dimension can be from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm; from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm or less than 1.5 mm. The center fillet can have any shape, including circles, triangles or squares with smooth or fan-shaped edges. The point of the triangle or square can be located on the arm, offset from the arm, and can be rounded or pointed.

[0073] Upon opening, the periphery of the contact lens rests on the peripheral support 105, and the lens may additionally rest on the central support or a portion of the central support (such as the shoulder transition 102). The side section 103 may have any shape that provides minimal contact during package opening and drainage and preferably does not contact the contact lens, thereby achieving a desired contact area difference during lens transfer. The side section may be straight (non-curved), such as... Figures 1B to 1F As shown. Figure 1J As shown, the lens may also lack side supports, with the flat top section 101 supported by a central pillar 108. As the solution drains, the lens may collapse toward the central support. The configuration of the peripheral support of the invention, including the central support (if present), and the profile of the lens support are substantially mismatched with the lens profile, preventing the lens from deforming or interacting with the lens support during drainage, allowing the lens to regain its shape, and preventing adhesion to the central support during lens transfer. Preferably, the lens support profile, substantially mismatched with the lens profile, includes a central support profile that provides a gap between the lens and the side supports (if present), provided at least by straight, angled side sections having an outward angle of no more than about 10° from the vertical direction, including a central support without side sections or with concave curves in the side sections. It should be understood that lenses with higher modulus (such as silicone hydrogels) may deform less and may require a less mismatched central support.

[0074] The height of the flat top section (when included) is measured from the point of contact between the lens and the peripheral support to the top of the shoulder and can vary depending on the sagittal depth and curvature of the contact lens. For effective transfer, it may be necessary to deflect the undeformed contact lens apex by at least about 0.5 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about 0.8 mm to about 1 mm. For contact lenses with a sagittal depth of 3.8 mm, a flat top section with a height of about 2 mm to about 3.3 mm, about 2.5 mm to 3.3 mm, or about 3 mm to about 3.5 mm can be used. A column height of less than about 2 mm can trap the packaging solution in the support base and cause the lens to deform and bend at the center. These heights, whether measured from the apex of the lens to the top of the flat top (if present) or from the base, will provide the desired contact area between the finger and the lens to provide consistent lens transfer without flipping the lens.

[0075] Removing the center post and leaving a gap in the center can also provide the desired lens transfer, especially for lenses with a neutral shape after drainage. The diameter of the gap can be between approximately 5mm and the diameter of the lens (e.g., Figure 1F and Figure 1M As shown, it provides a support with only peripheral support. The gap can be transparent or located below the lens base. Ideally, the gap extends at least 5 mm to provide sufficient drainage.

[0076] Any structure beneath the void preferably has a low surface area so as not to interfere with the drainage of the packaging solution. For example, for a void extending to the lens base, at least about 50% of the base void area will be transparent. Voids extending beneath the lens base may have structures with a larger surface area, as long as these structures do not protrude above the base.

[0077] The length of the arm can also vary, depending on where the arm is attached in the flat top area and the location of attachment, as well as whether the arm has peripheral supports. Arms attached to a central support (such as...) Figure 1A The image shown may have a length of approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 4.5 mm, approximately 2.5 mm to approximately 4.5 mm, or approximately 3 mm to approximately 4.5 mm from the shoulder to the center point. The length of the arm side section (when present) is determined by the height of the lens support and may be approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 4.5 mm, approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 3.5 mm, or approximately 2 mm to approximately 3.5 mm.

[0078] The side section can be perpendicular to the base, or it can have any angle less than the curvature of the lens (103a). Figure 1A An angle, or a curve, should be chosen such that the contact area does not exceed the desired area. Suitable angles include approximately 15° outward from the vertical or between approximately 1° and approximately 10°.

[0079] The angle 103b at the elbow transition between the side section and the peripheral support (when attached to the arm) may be between about 60° and about 120° or between about 80° and about 100°.

[0080] The number and shape of the arms can also vary, as long as they provide an effective drainage of the packaging solution upon opening and a desired balance between the contact area with the lens. The packaging of the present invention may have one or more, three to eight, or three to six arms forming a central support, which may be designed to provide the desired contact area between the lens and the finger, as well as resistance to finger touch along its flat top, but only briefly contacting the contact lens at optional side sections and shoulder transitions. The shoulder transitions may be radially arranged around the center of the support. The shoulder transitions may be spaced at approximately equal angles from the center. The arms may be planar, such as... Figure 1A As shown, it can be curved, for example, U-shaped (not shown), or it can be branched, for example, in a straight or curved "Y" shape 101b, such as... Figure 1B As shown, it is U-shaped or T-shaped. Branching of the arm can occur as follows: Figure 1B Within the flat top area shown, or occurring as... Figure 1C The peripheral support 105c is shown. The support may have all planar arms, all branch arms, or a mixture of planar arms and branch arms, for example, as shown in the figure. Figure 1C The two branch arms and two straight arms shown, the three branch arms shown in Figure 1b, or as shown in Figure 1b Figure 1A All planar arms are shown. Examples of suitable arm configurations include three to eight or six planar arms, three straight or curved Y-shaped arms, two to four planar arms and two branch arms (which can be straight or curved Y-shaped, U-shaped, or T-shaped), and two planar arms and two branch arms (which can be straight or curved Y-shaped, U-shaped, or T-shaped). The arm configuration can provide shoulder and peripheral support contact points arranged along the arm plane. Figure 1A ), or the contact points of the shoulder and peripheral support components that are offset from each other ( Figure 1C ).

[0081] Each arm has a cross-section sufficient to provide a resistive lens support to prevent lens collapse during drainage or excessive contact between the lens and the lens support during lens transfer. The lens support is preferably formed of a rigid material, and the resistance of the arm can be controlled by the modulus of the selected lens support material and the arm dimensions. Suitable rigid plastics for injection-molded small parts are materials such as polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers (COP), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), and mixtures thereof. Depending on the included additive packages, polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers typically have a flexural modulus in the range of 1100 MPa to 1800 MPa, COP and COC have a flexural modulus in the range of 1800 MPa to 2900 MPa, and blends of polypropylene and COP or COC may have a flexural modulus in the range of 1100 MPa to 2900 MPa. The polypropylene can be nucleated, rheologically controlled, or both, and both Ziegler-Natta and metallocene-catalyzed polypropylene can be used. Polypropylene polymers may also include additives, including processing aids such as glyceryl monostearate, zinc stearate and calcium stearate, fillers that can modify the properties of polypropylene, etc.

[0082] References to conventional injection molding processes and the use of materials conventionally applied to injection molding throughout this description should be understood as exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that other manufacturing methods are possible within the scope of the appended claims, including but not limited to alternative molding processes, thermoforming, 3D printing, etc.

[0083] The width of the arm can vary between the limitations of the selected molding process and the width required for effective drainage of the packaging solution when opened.

[0084] Suitable arm widths include approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1.5 mm, approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 mm, or approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 0.7 mm, and it should be understood that lens support designs with fewer contact points can have thicker arms.

[0085] The height of the arm can vary from the limits of injection molding to the height of the arm from the base, in which case the arm is a fin, such as... Figure 1E and Figure 1H As shown, it can be attached to a base, molded as part of a base, or rest on a base. When the arm is not a fin, it can have a height of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, or about 0.5 mm to about 0.7 mm. It should be understood that materials with lower modulus can benefit from arms with larger profiles in height, width, or both.

[0086] Suitable materials for lens supports must also be sterilizable, non-leaching, suitable for use with biomedical devices, and inexpensive. Preferably, these materials are also recyclable. Lens support materials may, but need not, be optically transparent. Lens support materials may be non-polar to facilitate drainage of packaging solutions. Non-polar materials are those with a contact angle greater than 90° at 25°C via a fixed droplet method using deionized water.

[0087] As can be seen, the lens support of the present invention can have various arm and peripheral support configurations and features, and is not limited to the specific combinations shown in the drawings and discussed herein.

[0088] Referring to the teachings of this application, other combinations of arm configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The only limitation on the arm design is the ability to mold the lens support, and the number and orientation of the contact points between the lens support and the desired drainage when open.

[0089] Packaging solution drainage

[0090] The packaging of the present invention may have additional features that, together with the lens support, allow the packaging solution to drain from the lens and the lens support. These additional drainage features provide a drainage path for the packaging solution. Upon opening, the drainage path creates an angled fluid film between two solid members (such as adjacent peripheral supports), a generally vertical fluid film between two solid members (such as a central column and a side section), or a steep or generally vertical path along a smooth solid surface (such as a side section). The shallower the angle of the drainage path, the easier it is to interrupt the flow path and promote the formation of packaging solution trapped between the lens and the lens support (including the reservoir and residual film). Angled drainage paths with angles between 10° and about 90° are suitable. Lens supports and drainage features with sharp edges and very long paths can also interrupt the drainage path.

[0091] As described above, an angled or raised lens support can provide the desired drainage. The lens support can also be horizontally positioned on the lens base and include a lifting structure, as described below. When a drainage channel is present, it cooperates with the lifting structure to create a temporary film of the packaged solution flowing out of the lens, and a path for the film to be discharged under gravity. In this way, when the package is opened and the lens support is lifted or tilted to drain the packaged solution, the drainage channel helps minimize the accumulation of the packaged solution between the back of the lens and the lens support structure. The drainage channel includes at least one channel member extending outward from an arc of the peripheral ring, at least a portion of the peripheral ring, or an arc formed by the distal end of a non-elongated peripheral support. The drainage channel includes a gap between two adjacent members, or, when using a single member, a slit within the single member. For lens supports without a full peripheral ring, the drainage channel gap can begin at any point inside the lens periphery. For, for, etc. Figure 1C , Figure 1I and Figures 1M to 1O The support member shown has a full peripheral ring, and the drainage channel clearance can begin from the inner edge of the peripheral ring, such as... Figure 1C As shown, or starting from any point inside the lens periphery. Excluding the peripheral ring, the drainage channel may extend beyond the peripheral ring or lens periphery by at least 2 mm, approximately 2 mm to approximately 4 mm, or approximately 2.5 mm to approximately 3.5 mm in length. The drainage channel gap provides space for airflow outside the contact lens periphery, thereby ensuring that air and packaging solution from the concave surface of the lens can be discharged upon opening without drawing the lens downwards onto the lens support. Therefore, in Figure 1E In the middle, the part of gap 111 located inside the periphery of the lens does not participate in drainage.

[0092] The upper limit of the drainage channel length is limited by the final dimensions of the packaging and lifting structure (if included).

[0093] Reference Figure 1B The drain channel member 115 can be formed by extending adjacent peripheral support portions 105 beyond the arc of at least a portion of the peripheral ring 109 and connecting the distal ends via crossbar 114 to form a gap or open channel 111 between the drain channel members 115. For example... Figure 1C As shown, the channel member 115 can be attached to at least a portion of the peripheral ring 109 and is coplanar with it. Figure 1D As shown, the drainage channel 113 can also be formed by extending the ring support structure 105 from a point 112 inside the lens edge to a point beyond the arc of the at least partial peripheral ring, and engaging it at the distal end with a crossbar 114. The drainage channel can also be formed by attaching the channel member 115 to the arm at any point, including when the arm is a fin (e.g., Figure 1F (As shown) Attached to the bottom of the fin. (As shown) Figure 1CAs shown, the drainage channel can also be formed by providing a gap in the peripheral ring from which a planar arm extends, such that the peripheral ring and the drainage slot 113 form a keyhole shape. When present, the peripheral ring / partial peripheral ring can be connected to the elongated arm.

[0094] The drainage channel component 115 can be straight, such as... Figures 1C to 1G As shown, it can be curved, such as Figure 1B As shown, the channel may open at the peripheral arc and taper gradually towards the distal end, or it may taper gradually from at least part of the periphery towards the distal end of the drainage channel. Any taper can be straight or curved. As the drainage channel tapers, it tapers towards the crossbar 114. The drainage channel can be from about 0.8 mm to about 3 mm wide, and when tapering, it can be about 1 mm or about 0.8 mm wide at the distal end or at the crossbar.

[0095] Within the scope of the appended claims, other drainage channel configurations not shown, or configurations combining aspects of the depicted exemplary configurations, are possible, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the balance of this disclosure. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the drainage channel may be omitted entirely. For example, when the lens support is fixedly angled relative to the bottom of the base, such as in Figure 1H In this case, drainage channels are not necessary, and the angle of the lens support provides the desired drainage when the package is opened.

[0096] Lens presentation

[0097] The packaging of the present invention may further include a lifting structure for use in

[0098] The lens support is lifted from the lens solution. The lifting structure can present the lens support and lens from the base and packaging solution in any suitable manner, including tilting the lens support upward, tilting the base downward, lifting the lens support upward from the base, lowering the base downward, or any combination thereof.

[0099] Drainage channels that mate with other features of the packaging can serve as lifting devices, or lifting devices may include additional structures such as springs, hinges, levers, pivot arms, folding elements, mechanical catchers, handles, and combinations thereof. Lifting members may include rigid, elongated members extending outward from a structure disposed along the bottom of the lens support, which may form part of the drainage channel. For example, a lens support having an elongated drainage channel 115 may include hinge lines in the packaging base, as shown in Figure 2. Such hinge lines may be formed from a flexible sheet serving as the bottom layer of the packaging base, having molded plastic rear and front sections that may be abutted against each other or separably attached to each other along a line of folding element 216. This allows the front 217 and rear 218 of the base to pivot along folding element 216, thereby lifting the lens support and lens 200 from the packaging solution. When folding elements are included, they are preferably located outside the arc of the peripheral ring and transverse to the drainage channel and drainage gap, as shown in Figure 2. When a folding member is included, the folding member defines the distal end of the drainage channel and, if not including the peripheral ring, should be positioned to extend at least 1 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, or about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm beyond at least a portion of the peripheral ring or the lens periphery. The folding member position along the channel member can be selected to provide desired lifting separation from the package and drainage of the packaged solution away from the lens support and the lens, such that when the cap is separated from the base to open the package, the distal end of the lifting structure pivots downward along the pivot axis, lifting the lens support from the packaged solution and draining the solution from the lens. Upon opening, the lifting structure pivots about the folding line at an angle of about 15° to about 80°, about 20° to about 70°, about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 60° relative to the horizontal.

[0100] For components with shorter channels (such as...) Figure 1C For a lens support with a keyhole configuration (as shown), if the peripheral ring is more than 4 mm larger than the diameter of the contact lens, the folding member may be adjacent to the peripheral ring. For a lens support with a longer channel member, the folding member may be located between approximately 0.2 mm from the distal end of the drainage channel, approximately 1 mm from that distal end, and approximately 2 mm from the length of the channel member from which the drainage flows from the peripheral ring to the distal end.

[0101] The drainage channel component is preferably rigid along the fold line and can be securely attached to the front section of the base plate. Any method for attaching the distal portion of the channel component to the base can be used, including adhesives, glues, any suitable welding (including but not limited to thermal, ultrasonic, or laser welding) or mechanical traps.

[0102] When the drainage channel is also used as a lifting mechanism, it may have any configuration suitable for serving as a drainage channel, including at least two elongated peripheral supports extending beyond the arc of at least a portion of the peripheral ring, a channel member extending from the peripheral ring, or a single channel member extending from the bottom of the lens support, any of which may be connected at their distal ends.

[0103] The lifting mechanism can also be a flexible attachment 245 located between the lens support 236 and the cover 235, and opposite the cover removal tab 228, such as... Figure 2B As shown. The flexible attachment can have any suitable structure, including hinges, flexible folding elements, pivot arms, mechanical catchers, etc. The action of pulling up the tab 228 and the cover 235 opens the package and also lifts the lens support 236 from the base 240, thereby presenting the lens 200 for the user to remove.

[0104] A simple ring, tab, or handle can replace hinge 245 as the lifting mechanism. The user can open the cap and lift the lens support from the solution by lifting the tab or handle.

[0105] Other hinge and lever configurations are known in the art, such as those disclosed in US20140027462, DE4415003, and JP6339322. Alternatively, the lens support side section may be deformable, replaced by a spring structure, or the spring structure may be included below the peripheral support or peripheral ring, such that in the closed position, the cap engages with the lens support to compress the support without compressing the lens. When the package is opened, the spring relaxes and the lens support lifts the lens over the packaged solution. In this configuration, the top sections of the peripheral and central supports (if present) are preferably made of a rigid material to limit contact between the lens and the lens support and to provide resistance during lens transfer. Any deformable structure incorporated below the peripheral support should be designed not to diminish any drainage features (including the peripheral support and ring) included in the lens.

[0106] It should be understood that a lifting mechanism that raises the lens parallel to the base may not require a separate drainage channel.

[0107] The rear, front, or both may further include a reservoir 219 for capturing the packaging solution as the lens is lifted from the base. The bottom of the package may include a retortable film, including multilayer films for packaging contact lenses, which may be formed of molded plastic or may have a retortable film bottom attached to the base wall of the molded plastic. Any combination of materials may be used for the base, provided they meet the aforementioned performance requirements.

[0108] build

[0109] The packaging of the present invention further includes a lid. In conventional contact lens packaging, the contact lens is located in a molded plastic base having a cup-shaped portion to receive the contact lens in a concave, cup-upward position. A laminated foil is heat-sealed to the molded plastic base. In the packaging of the present invention, the laminated foil forms the outer layer of the base of the packaging and optionally forms a lid. A lens support and optionally a packaging sidewall are attached to the base, and the molded plastic lid or flexible foil, as well as the molded plastic frame between the lid and the lens, are releasably attached to the packaging base via a retortable seal, thereby forming a cavity containing a lens solution, the lens, and the lens support. When the lid comprises a flexible sheet and a molded plastic frame, they can be separate or joined together by any suitable means, including adhesives, glues, thermal bonding, welding (such as thermal, ultrasonic, or laser welding), or mechanical traps, etc.

[0110] In addition to sealing the package, the lid can also be designed to control the flow of air into the package when opened. It is desirable that the contact lens remain on the lens support when opened, rather than adhering to the lid. To achieve this, the air entering the package when opened can be guided to travel first above the top of the lens.

[0111] Two features have been found to be advantageous in directing air above the lens when opened: an air inlet guide along the inner cover surface and an air inlet at a designed opening point (such as inside a boilable seal). The packaging of this invention may include one, both, or none of these features.

[0112] The air intake guide provides space for air to travel above the lens without being trapped or redirected, and also cooperates with the lens support to prevent the lens from lifting or slipping off the support structure until some air has entered the package above the lens. The contact area between the air intake guide and the lens is preferably low, less than approximately 50 mm. 2 or less than approximately 30mm 2 .

[0113] The air intake guide may be molded into the cap, on the inner surface of the cap, or as a protrusion from the cap, or it may be a separate structure disposed between the lens and the cap when the package is sealed. When the package is opened, the air intake guides air along a designed path into the package above the top of the lens, thereby ensuring that the lens remains on the lens support with the desired convex orientation. The air intake guide is positioned in the direction of movement of the cap when the package is opened. The air intake guide may have any orientation other than a path perpendicular to the desired airflow. When the package is designed to open from the front, the air intake guide is preferably positioned from the front to the rear of the package, and the intentionally designed path on the lens runs from the front to the rear of the package.

[0114] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, a suitable intake guide may include a pin 321 protruding from a cover surrounding the lens periphery. The pin may be rigidly mounted to a support ring or a molded plastic ring. Figure 3A ), or can be flexibly mounted on flexible sheets ( Figure 3B (e.g., cover material). Pins can be radially positioned around the periphery of the contact lens, typically within 1 mm of the lens edge. Air intake guides may include pins positioned around the entire periphery or primarily along the front, side, or both front and side. Pins can be as follows: Figure 3B The figures shown are adjacent to each other or can be as follows Figure 3A The spacing is shown. When using radial pins, the optical zone of the lens can be free of pins to facilitate airflow over the top of the lens, while the pins keep the edges of the lens from adhering to the cap.

[0115] The intake guide can also be in the form of continuous or discontinuous (broken) ribs. The ribs can be attached to the inner surface of the molded cover. Figure 3C ) or included via a separate molding structure ( Figure 3D The ribs are aligned parallel to the path of air entering when the package is opened. The ribs may be spaced at least about 2 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, or 2 mm to about 4.5 mm apart. The ribs may extend in a straight line from front to rear. Figure 3C and Figure 3D Or it can be bent around the optical area. Figure 3E This is to prevent the interaction between the ribs and the contact lens, which can cause optical deformation in high shape memory hydrogels. Figure 3G As shown, the ribs can pass "edge to edge" through the inner cover surface, or their starting or ending points can be off-edge.

[0116] The ribs can also extend away from the lens, thus forming a recess 337 that protrudes upward from the cover surface, such as... Figure 3H As shown below, such recesses can serve as air intake guides and air capture spaces during opening.

[0117] The rib may have a straight wall, a wedge-shaped portion, or an arc shape, or it may have a straight wall and an angled or arc-shaped wall. The angled or arc-shaped wall may be inclined along the curvature of the contact lens.

[0118] The rib height can be the same from the front to the back of the rib. Figure 3B The outer ribs of the middle part, or the front part may be larger than the rear part ( Figure 3C and Figure 3G ).like Figure 3C As shown by the central rib, the rib can have a shorter profile in the optical region, or as... Figure 3FAs shown, gaps (“fracture ribs” 322b) may exist within the ribs. The intake guide, including a central rib, effectively directs air in the desired direction while minimizing contact with the optical zone of the contact lens; this central rib has a progressively decreasing rib height across the optical zone. As shown, different height profiles and shapes can be incorporated into a single intake guide structure.

[0119] The rib may have a height of at least about 2 mm, extending from the inside of the cover toward or away from the contact lens and defining a separate air intake channel. The rib height may be at least about 2 mm at its highest point, such as at 522 (the air intake guide outside the optical zone), and from 0 mm to about 0.5 mm at its lowest point, such as at... Figure 3C and Figure 3G The rear part of the rib, or in Figure 3D , Figure 3E and Figure 3F The height of the central rib in the middle section. Below a peak rib height of 2 mm, air bubbles in at least some ribs may not diffuse to the entire top of the lens, and the lens may adhere to the cup-shaped portion. Rib heights above approximately 4 mm may undesirably increase the size of the package and the volume of packaging material, as well as the required packaging solution.

[0120] When using straight ribs with shorter profiles in center rib 322a ( Figure 3D The maximum length of the gradually decreasing profile along the rib is approximately 8.5 mm. When a curved rib with a shorter profile is used in the center rib 322a ( Figure 3D The maximum length of the gradually decreasing profile along the rib is approximately 9 mm.

[0121] In addition to minimizing the height profile of any portion of rib 322a that traverses the optical region of the contact lens, adjacent ribs 322b may be curved outside the optical region. When curved ribs are included, the diameter of the curved rib region may be up to 11 mm or between about 7 mm and about 11 mm or between about 8 mm and about 11 mm.

[0122] When the rib is part of a separate molded plastic frame, it may include cross supports on the rear side of the rib. However, the height of the rib should ideally maintain a gap of at least about 2 mm between the lens and the cross supports to provide the desired airflow. Preferably, when cross supports are used, they are located on the rear of the rib and do not protrude or extend into the path defined by the intake guides. Preferably, the intake guide structure has no lateral structures, such as cross supports, or has fewer than three, one, or no cross supports.

[0123] like Figures 3D to 3FAs shown, when the intake guide is a structure separate from the cover, the intake guide may also include a complete or partial ring surrounding the intake guide, such as in... Figure 3E The text is incomplete and appears to be a fragment of a larger document. A direct translation isn't possible without further context or clarification. Figure 3B The figure is shown as 327b. When in use, such an air intake guide can be attached to a lens support via a hinge (not shown) opposite the front of the air intake guide to form a clamshell structure around the lens. This clamshell structure can then be sealed in a single folded laminate or between two separate laminates, which can be the same or different.

[0124] In addition to forming a sealed cavity to contain the lens and packaging solution, the cap of the present invention can also cooperate with a lens support to keep the lens centered around the support, wherein the contact between the optical zone of the lens and the support and the cap is minimized. For lenses with high shape memory, the ribs can be designed such that any contact between the lens and the cap or lens support is transient when the package is sealed.

[0125] The second feature that may contribute to airflow control is the air inlet 324, which is shown in Figure 3G and Figure 3H In, and Figure 2B The symbol is 224. When an air inlet is included, it is located at the designed opening point inside the boilable seal, i.e. Figure 3G The front of the package. This opening can be directly aligned with the opening tab, such as... Figure 3G and Figure 3H As shown, or may be offset, but aligned with the opening tab 228, as... Figure 2B As shown. In this embodiment, the opening 324 protrudes at least about 1 mm or at least about 2 mm from the periphery of the contact lens edge and is located within the seal. The length of the protrusion is limited only by the desired dimensions of the package. The air inlet has a width between about 2 mm and the inner diameter of the sealing arc 325. The air inlet may be shallower than the cap and may be angled into the cap cavity, such as... Figure 3G As shown. In addition to the dimensions described above, the opening can have any shape, including but not limited to circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, or irregular shapes. The packaging of the present invention may forgo a separate air inlet, for example by providing a gap of at least about 2 mm between the inner cover wall and the lens support at the opening tab.

[0126] Figure 3GThis is an internal view of the cap and skirt area. The cap seals the film base along sealing line 326. An air inlet 324 is located at the front of the cap and includes a front section with three broken air inlet guide ribs 322a (which traverses the middle of the optical zone but has a shallow height within the optical zone) and 322b (which curves around the optical zone of the lens). The package is opened by pulling up a tab 328, which separates the cap from the base starting from the distal end of the air inlet tab. The tab can be of any form, including foil or plastic tabs, handles, pull rings, handles, etc.

[0127] Bubble Management

[0128] For some lenses, it may be desirable to minimize contact between the lens and any air bubbles in the packaging during sealing. While it is possible to design packaging that is bubble-free when sealed (e.g., by using a double-sided foil bag as an outer base and cover), air can still diffuse into the packaging during the lens's shelf life. Therefore, it may be desirable to include features within the packaging to trap air bubbles away from the lens, preferably in all storage orientations. As mentioned above, this may be even more desirable for lenses with longer shape memory.

[0129] The cover of the present invention may further include at least one air-trapping space remote from the optical zone of the lens for air within the sealed package to occupy. The air-trapping space is designed such that air is retained in at least one air-trapping space remote from the lens, regardless of package orientation. The volume of the air-trapping space may be equal to or slightly larger than the volume of the air to be sealed within the package and any air that may diffuse into the package during storage, to ensure that all air present at the time of sealing and any air that may diffuse in during storage remains remote from the optical zone of the lens.

[0130] Air capture spaces can be designed in a variety of ways. For example, such as Figure 3G As shown, the cover may further include a recess or pit 329 above the center of the lens support to force any trapped air upwards around the periphery 330 of the pit 329 and away from the lens apex (not shown). The depth of the pit is chosen such that when the package is sealed, the lowest point of the pit or any air intake guide inside the cover does not contact the lens apex. The gap between the optical zone and any air intake guide or pit is between approximately 0.25 mm and approximately 2 mm. Figure 4A This is an external view of a package including the lid of the present invention. The recess 430 is surrounded by an air-trapping channel 431. The recess formed by the recess diverts any entrained air into the air-trapping channel. The recess may have a diameter at least approximately the diameter of the lens optical area. The combination of the recess and the air-trapping channel holds entrained air in a position ranging from upright (base down) to 90°. When the package is inverted, air bubbles are above the lens edge, and this is not a problem.

[0131] Channel 431 may have the following characteristics: Figure 4A The ring shape shown, or any other connecting shape that provides a section above the center of the lid, is acceptable. For example, the air-trapping space can be in the form of a continuous channel around the inner sealing edge, with sections located above and below the apex of the lid, such as... Figure 4B As shown, it has three lifting channel portions 431a. The dimensions of the air-capturing channels can be determined based on the volume of air to be included in the package and the amount of air that will diffuse in during storage, which can be easily calculated. The channels can have any cross-sectional shape, including rounded edges, semi-circular or semi-elliptical shapes, rectangles, or squares. In some embodiments, the channels can have an internal width of about 1.5 mm to about 3 mm or about 2 mm to about 3 mm.

[0132] Instead of, or incorporated into, a channel, the air capture space may include at least two air chamber boxes protruding from the cover along the inner sealing edge. Figure 4B The lifting channel section 431a is an example of three air chamber boxes connected in a continuous channel. The air chamber box 331a can be linear or curved (e.g., ...). Figure 3H (As shown), parallel or transverse to the intake direction, and may be separated by recesses or connected by connecting channels 337. The air capture space may include at least one, two, three or more air chambers, with or without connecting channels. The air chambers may be wider, taller, or both wider and taller than the connecting channels.

[0133] The air chambers and connecting channels can have any moldable cross-sectional shape, including rounded edges, semi-circular or semi-elliptical shapes, rectangles, or squares. When it is desired for bubbles to pass between the chambers, the connecting channels can have an internal width of approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 3 mm, or in designs intended to prevent bubbles from leaving the chambers, the connecting channels can have an internal width of approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 2 mm.

[0134] Air capture channels and air chamber boxes may be contained in a cover with or without recesses.

[0135] Lens supports and caps can be designed to engage when in a sealed orientation to keep the lens centered around the support structure without resting on it. This is especially important for lenses with long shape memory, such as silicone hydrogel lenses, where the optics may deform due to prolonged contact with any packaging features or any air bubbles trapped in the packaging. Conventional hydrogel contact lenses can tolerate contact between the support, cap, and contact lens during storage and transport because they have shorter shape memory.

[0136] Lens supports can be designed in various configurations to provide the desired drainage and support, as long as they fulfill the primary function of providing sufficient drainage and contact with the lens to ensure a consistent "one-touch" lens transfer to the finger. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art of packaging that the packaging features described herein can be used in a variety of combinations to achieve the desired one-touch packaging. For example, if the packaging solution is trapped between the lens and the support, the efficiency of the drainage path can be increased, for example, by increasing the opening area below the lens support, reducing the contact area between the lens and the support, reducing sharp edges and shallow drainage paths, increasing drainage channels, having or not having tilting or lifting devices, or combinations thereof. If the lens adheres to the cap upon opening, air inlets and / or air vents can be added.

[0137] The benefits of the packaging of this invention are obvious in use. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Examples of packaging components of the present invention, including those with different combinations of features, are shown. These figures and descriptions are merely exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the packaging design of the present invention.

[0138] Figure 5A A view of the opened package 500 is shown. From top to bottom, the package 500 includes: a molded plastic cap 535 with a leak-free seal 526 on the outer periphery of the cap cavity. Below the cap 535 is an air inlet 524. Figure 5A The air intake is an integral structure within the cover, but it can also be a separate structure from the cover. The air intake guide 522 is in the form of a broken rib and guides air to flow above the lens 550 so that the lens will not adhere to the cover 535 when the package 500 is opened.

[0139] In a sealed state, the lens 550 is held within the space (lens cavity) formed between the packaging cover 535 and the lens support 536. The lens cavity can be designed such that the lens 535 (particularly in the optical zone) is not compressed during transport and only minimally contacts the internal features of the package, maintaining its integrity until the package is opened. Furthermore, the lens cavity should not provide too large a gap between the lens and the internal package features, so that the lens maintains the desired convex orientation relative to the packaging base during transport and storage.

[0140] The contact lens 550 rests below the cap 535 and above the lens support 536. The lens support can have various configurations as described above. Typically, the lens support 536 holds the lens in a desired convex position with minimal contact area when the package 500 is opened to ensure efficient transfer of the lens to the user's fingers. The lens support 536 is placed on a base 540 having a front base section 516, a base fold line 517, and a rear base section with a reservoir 519. The lens support is attached to the front base section 516 such that the lens support and the lens can pivot upward along the fold line 517 from the rear base section 518 when opened. When the package is closed and sealed, the base and cap form an inner chamber 544. The inner chamber 544 is designed to contain the correct volume of salt solution to allow the lens, lens support 536, and cap 535 to work together properly. Finally, the base 540 also includes an external reservoir 519 that captures any entrained solution discharged from the inner chamber 544 when the package is opened.

[0141] The package is opened by pulling upward on the tab 528, which breaks the seal 526. Air is introduced into the package in a controlled manner, via the air intake guide 522, causing the lens to deflect from the cap 535 and remain on the lens support 536. This gentle force, combined with the discharge of solution from the lens 550 and the lens support 536, keeps the lens generally in a "ready to use" position on the lens support 536. When the cap 535 is lifted, the front of the base 540 is lowered, causing the lens support 536 to pivot about the fold line 517 to discharge the packaging solution from the lens 550 and the lens support 536 and present the lens for transfer to the wearer's fingers. The central optical zone of the lens 550 generally does not contact the arm except at the peripheral support 505. The flat top region 501 provides resistance to enhance the ability to transfer the lens 550 to the fingers with a "touch".

[0142] The cap 535 and reservoir 519 may be polypropylene or any other material that can be used for medical device packaging, and the base 540 is formed of a foil or laminated film structure that is typically sealed to the cap 535 by thermal welding or any other method capable of forming a boilable seal.

[0143] Figure 5BAn enlarged view of another package of the invention is shown. The air intake guide has a full peripheral ring 527 and is a separate structure from the cover 535. The air intake guide peripheral ring 527 is connected to the lens support 536 via a flexible connector 545 (such as a hinge or folding member). The air intake guide and the lens support tightly surround the lens 550 like a clamshell, protecting the lens 550 from damage and holding it in the desired position. The base 540 and the cover 535 can be made of any sheet or laminate and can be a single sheet folded opposite to the pull tab 528, or can be two separate sheets that can be made of the same or different materials.

[0144] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the features of the package, including the lens support, cover, and air intake guide (however produced), can be designed to interact with the lens outside the optical zone to prevent damage to the lens's optical zone.

[0145] When the package is opened, air is directed above the lens 550, such as by lifting the cap 535 from the base 540, the air inlet 524, and the guide 522, gently biasing the lens away from the inside of the cap and ensuring the lens remains on the lens support 536. Any packaging solution contained in the package 500 is drained from the lens 550 and the lens support 536, such that only a minimal amount of packaging solution remains on the rear side of the lens 550 and the lens support 536.

[0146] This gentle force works in conjunction with the drainage of the solution and the arm of the lens support, so that the lens is usually in the "ready for use" position on the lens support.

[0147] Because the contact area between lens 550 and lens support 536 is minimized and the packaging solution is effectively extracted, the wearer can remove lens 550 from the packaging with a single touch of their finger and adhere the convex side of lens 550 to their finger. Therefore, the apex of lens 550 is positioned on the finger and can be applied directly to the eye, with its concave portion resting directly on the eyeball. The wearer does not need to transfer the lens from one finger to the other, as is common with current contact lens packaging designs. This improved series of steps not only makes the process easier and more convenient for the user but also reduces contamination caused by bacteria carried by the user's fingers.

[0148] Therefore, the present invention provides packaging that effectively guides the packaging solution away from the lens and lens support, and controls the ratio of the contact area between the finger and the lens to the area between the lens and the lens support, thereby ensuring that the surface tension between the finger and the lens exceeds the surface tension between the lens and the lens support. The resulting lens adheres consistently to the finger, providing the wearer with a "one-touch" lens transfer experience.

[0149] The packaging of this invention can be manufactured using known materials and processes. The packaging material can be natural, recyclable, or a combination thereof. The volume within the packaging cavity can vary depending on the selected design.

[0150] As described above, not all features described herein need to be incorporated into every package, and those skilled in the art can combine these features using the teachings herein to provide a variety of one-touch packages. For example, a lens support with a central lens support may be desirable for lenses with a modulus of less than about 25 psi, for new wearers unaccustomed to one-touch lens removal, or for wearers with a stronger tactile feel. Experienced wearers and wearers with a lighter tactile feel may require packages with only peripheral supports. It should also be understood that the packages of the present invention offer numerous opportunities to include decorative designs and features, such as in the design of peripheral supports and rings, arms, fins, air management compartment packages and channels, as well as in the overall package shape and profile.

[0151] In summary, the contact lens packaging of the present invention includes several novel functions that can be combined in various combinations as described herein to provide the desired one-touch packaging, including the following functions.

[0152] To prevent the lens from rotating away from the support, the following steps can be taken:

[0153] The lens has at least three contact points around its periphery, which can be arranged in an acute triangle.

[0154] Horizontal displacement of the lens through the support can be prevented by a horizontal or near-horizontal contact close to the periphery of the lens, wherein the angle of the lens surface is steeper (located outside the central region with a diameter of at least about 5 mm, about 6 mm, or about 7 mm), or the contact can be exactly outside the periphery of the lens.

[0155] After drainage, the lens is kept in a neutral or near-neutral shape to demonstrate lens transfer.

[0156] This can be achieved by minimizing the contact between the lens apex and the support, which can be achieved by providing a central lens support with a gap of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about 0.8 mm to about 1 mm between the top of the flat top portion and the lens apex, or by leaving a gap with a diameter of at least about 6 mm from the lens apex to approximately the level of the lens base.

[0157] Resistance to the fingers when tapping

[0158] This helps increase the surface area of ​​the fingers and control the force and contact time during tapping.

[0159] For lenses with low modulus, a reinforcing structure is needed below the lens apex, which also improves transfer consistency for lenses with higher modulus (including silicone hydrogels). When present, this structure should be at least as high as the lens base. The support structure can also be less than 2 mm below the lens apex.

[0160] • The shape of the surface can be flat or slightly concave (e.g., with a radius of curvature as low as about 10 mm), but it is less preferred to be slightly convex (with a radius of curvature as low as about 10 mm) or more concave (e.g., with a radius of curvature as low as about 6 mm).

[0161] • The diameter of the surface should be approximately 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 6 mm to 9 mm (to match the size of the fingertip).

[0162] • The surface does not need to be continuous; it can consist of a series of points or lines.

[0163] The optical zone is free-floating and its contact with the lens support is brief or nonexistent during storage. This can be achieved by positioning any central support slightly below the lens profile (so that the lens only contacts the support at the periphery).

[0164] The following testing methods were used in the examples.

[0165] The root mean square wavefront error (“RMS error” or “RMS”) measures the deviation of the wavefront of a lens from the intended design wavefront. When the intended design is unknown (such as when measuring commercially sourced contact lenses), RMS can be measured by comparing the wavefront of a lens packaged and sterilized in a conventional “bowl-up” lens package with that of the same lens repackaged and sterilized in the package of the present invention.

[0166] A calibrated double interferometry method is used to measure the root mean square (RMS) optical path wavefront deviation of a lens design target (“RMS”) measured in micrometers (μm), where spherical / cylindrical optical power and coma are removed, as measured using a 6.5 mm aperture. The instrument consists of a custom interferometer for measuring wavefront parameters and Lumetrics... The system consists of two low-coherence interferometers. The two individual instruments in the combination are similar to those in the Lumetrics Clearwave. TM Plus, and the software is similar to LumetricsOptiGauge Control Center v7.0 or later. Utilizing Clearwave TM Additionally, a camera is used to locate the lens edge and then calculate the lens center, which is then used to align a 1310 nm interferometer probe at the lens center for measuring sagittal height and central thickness. Transmitted wavefronts are collected using wavefront sensors (shack-Hartmann sensors) in series. Several parameters from the transmitted wavefront in contact with the lens are measured, and other parameters are calculated from those measurements.

[0167] Based on the collected data, the difference term was calculated by comparing the measured values ​​with the target. These data include the root mean square optical path wavefront deviation of the lens design target in μm (spherical / cylindrical power and coma deviations were removed), as measured using a 6.5 mm aperture (RMS_65).

[0168] Place the lens concave-side down in an optically high-quality glass cuvette free of scratches, streaks, water spots, or condensation, and fill it with the packaging solution. Only select lenses without visual defects (non-circular edges, debris and / or edge tears, folding in the packaging, inversion) for measurement. Allow the lens to float freely, ensuring no air is trapped beneath it. Place the cuvette with the lens in an interferometer and perform the measurement at 20°C.

[0169] Example

[0170] The following test methods were used in the examples:

[0171] The root mean square wavefront error (“RMS error” or “RMS”) measures the deviation of the wavefront of a lens from the intended design wavefront. When the intended design is unknown (such as when measuring commercially sourced contact lenses), RMS can be measured by comparing the wavefront of a lens packaged and sterilized in a conventional “bowl-up” lens package with that of the same lens repackaged and sterilized in the package of the present invention.

[0172] A calibrated double interferometry method is used to measure the root mean square (RMS) optical path wavefront deviation of a lens design target (“RMS”) measured in micrometers (μm), where spherical / cylindrical optical power and coma are removed, as measured using a 6.5 mm aperture. The instrument consists of a custom interferometer for measuring wavefront parameters and Lumetrics... The system consists of two low-coherence interferometers. The two individual instruments in the combination are similar to those in the Lumetrics Clearwave. TM Plus, and the software is similar to LumetricsOptiGauge Control Center v7.0 or later. Utilizing Clearwave TM Additionally, a camera is used to locate the lens edge and then calculate the lens center, which is then used to align a 1310 nm interferometer probe at the lens center for measuring sagittal height and central thickness. Transmitted wavefronts are collected using wavefront sensors (shack-Hartmann sensors) in series. Several parameters from the transmitted wavefront in contact with the lens are measured, and other parameters are calculated from those measurements.

[0173] Based on the collected data, the difference term was calculated by comparing the measured values ​​with the target. These data include the root mean square optical path wavefront deviation from the lens design target in μm (spherical / cylindrical power and coma deviations were removed), as measured using a 6.5 mm aperture (RMS_65).

[0174] Place the lens concave-side down in an optically high-quality glass cuvette free of scratches, streaks, water spots, or condensation, and fill it with the packaging solution. Only select lenses without visual defects (non-circular edges, debris and / or edge tears, folding in the packaging, inverted) for measurement. Let the lens float freely in the cuvette, taking care not to distort or damage the optical area, and ensuring no air is trapped beneath the lens. Place the cuvette with the lens in an interferometer and perform the measurement at 20°C.

[0175] Example

[0176] The following materials were used in the following embodiments.

[0177] Buffer solution: 1000g deionized water, 13.55gm NaCl, 27gm boric acid, 5gm sodium borate, 0.3gm EDTA, with a pH of approximately 7.4.

[0178] Packaging solution: RevitaLens Complete (alexidine 0.00016%; polyquaternium-10.0003% (PQ-1); EDTA).

[0179] Polypropylene: Isotropic polypropylene homopolymer, MFR 24 g / 10 min, from Total (Lumicene M3766).

[0180] Cover material: Multilayer film, including oriented polypropylene (12μm), aluminum foil (50μm) and polyester film (12μm).

[0181] Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2

[0182] Several lens support architectures were evaluated to determine the support features that provide the desired lens support, package solution drainage, and lens transfer. Each of the evaluated lens supports was 3D printed on a Form 2 using Formlabs clear resin. The lens supports were printed with drainage channels terminating at 90° levers to allow the support and lens to be lowered and raised from a package solution chamber measuring 30mm × 45mm × 25mm.

[0183] Remove the daily disposable ACUVUE MOIST contact lens from its packaging and place it on each lens support, immersing the support in the packaging solution to allow for complete wetting. Center the lens on the support. Immerse both the lens support and the lens in the packaging solution chamber for at least 5 seconds to ensure complete immersion without any air bubbles remaining beneath the lens. Use a dropper to remove the packaging solution to expose the peripheral support. Then, using a lever, slowly rotate the support out of the remaining packaging solution and allow it to drain until the solution appears to have been drained from the lens and support, or after approximately 10 seconds (whichever is earlier). Evaluate the permanent fluid film on the lens, the solution reservoir, and the internal bridge between the lens and support. Take photographs and evaluate lens coaxiality, the fluid-trapped area between the lens support arm and the lens, and lens distortion.

[0184] To ensure a consistent tapping surface and simulate low-adhesion fingers, wear nitrile rubber gloves on the hands used for tapping tests. Repeat the test at least 5 times for each support design, replacing the lens after 2 repetitions.

[0185] The results, along with representative photographs and CAD drawings showing the configuration of the lens support, are presented in Table 1.

[0186]

[0187]

[0188]

[0189]

[0190] As the packaging solution drains from the contact lens, a film of the packaging solution can form between the lens edge and peripheral ring. The film formed at the start of drainage is good, and for lens supports with good drainage, the film ruptures before drainage is complete. Once drainage stabilizes, the remaining residual film can interfere with lens transfer. The films recorded in the table are the residual films that remain after drainage has stabilized.

[0191] Examples of lens deformation and encapsulation on the support structure tend to retain more solution within the lens. This can be detrimental to tapping (Comparative Example 1) or slowing drainage (Example 4). The arrangement of both peripheral and central supports is important in reducing and preventing encapsulation. Six peripheral supports (Example 3) significantly reduce lens encapsulation compared to four peripheral supports (Example 4). Poorly distributed central supports (Comparative Example 1) exhibit more encapsulation than well-distributed central supports (Example 3).

[0192] Due to the surface tension of the film formed around the lens periphery, the peripheral ring can also reduce lens wrapping. Example 1 shows less lens wrapping than Example 2 (no ring).

[0193] Example 5 uses the same lens support as Example 3, but with the addition of a peripheral ring around the peripheral support. Both Example 5 and Example 3 demonstrate excellent drainage rates (medium-fast and fast, respectively) and excellent drainage efficiency, as evidenced by the absence of a permanent fluid membrane, a small solution reservoir, and only a light internal fluid bridge.

[0194] Example 6 is the same lens support design as Example 2, but the arms are solid fins attached to these peripheral supports. The filling in the arm structure slows down the drainage rate, but the drainage efficiency is the same as in Example 2, thus confirming that the lens support of the present invention with open arms or solid fins provides good drainage and consistent lens transfer. A comparison between Examples 2 and 6 also shows that the drainage rate can be reduced by removing structures (such as solid fins) beneath the lens support.

[0195] The lens support of Comparative Example 2 has a similar structure to that of Example 1, but with curved side sections that form heavy internal fluid bridges. This causes the lens to adhere to the lens support, resulting in an undesirable high lens-support contact area. The increased contact leads to a 0% transfer rate upon finger tapping. Therefore, a support structure that forms more solution bridges is unlikely to result in successful tapping. The lens support of Comparative Example 3 has a fully curved lens support with a smaller radius than that of Comparative Example 2, but still exhibits undesirable solution reservoirs and internal fluid bridges. Comparative Example 3 also has a fully curved top section that provides insufficient contact area between the lens and finger upon tapping (0% initial tap success).

[0196] Comparative Examples 3 to 4 and Examples 7 to 8

[0197] The lens support shown in Table 2 was used to repeat the lens support test as described in Example 1.

[0198]

[0199]

[0200]

[0201]

[0202]

[0203] Examples 9, 10, and Comparative Example 6 show significant lens movement during opening, which can be improved by providing one or more positioning guides along the top of one or more of the peripheral supports. Examples 9 and 10 demonstrate that a lens support with only peripheral supports and no central post provides good drainage and lens transfer. Example 10 has an 8 mm gap between opposing peripheral supports, with one side of the drainage channel extending to the center of the support. The lens support of Comparative Example 6 is similar to that of Example 10, but lacks a peripheral support arm extending below the center of the lens. The lack of structure at the center of the lens causes the lens to collapse in the center during drainage or when attempting lens transfer, and also provides insufficient resistance during lens transfer. The ACUVUE Moist lens used has a very low modulus, and lenses with higher modulus (such as silicone hydrogels) will not easily collapse. As shown in Examples 9 and 10, extending at least one peripheral support arm below the center of the lens reduces lens collapse in the center and provides good lens transfer. A flat dome can be designed to have sufficient surface area to attract the lens onto the dome, thereby preventing the lens from moving (Comparative Example 10), but it also prevents tapping.

[0204] Examples 11 to 14

[0205] Example 7 was repeated, but the diameter of the peripheral ring was varied, as shown in Table 5. A support with a 16mm peripheral ring traps the solution between the lens and the support. Supports with 18mm and 25mm peripheral rings both provide good drainage with minimal trapping of the packaged solution. Although the 16mm diameter used in the support of Example 14 is too small for a 14.2mm diameter lens, it is acceptable for lenses with smaller diameters.

[0206] Table 5

[0207]

[0208] Examples 15 to 16, Comparative Examples 8 to 10

[0209] Several lens support architectures were evaluated to determine the support features that provide the desired lens support, packaging solution drainage, and lens transfer. Each of the evaluated lens supports was 3D printed on a Form2 using Formlabs white resin. The lens supports have "L"-shaped handles printed on opposite sides to allow the support and lens to be lowered and raised from a packaging solution chamber measuring 30mm × 45mm × 25mm.

[0210] Remove the daily disposable ACUVUE MOIST contact lenses from their packaging and place them on each lens support while immersing the supports in the packaging solution to allow for complete wetting. Center the lens on the support. Immerse the lens support and lens in the packaging solution chamber for at least 5 seconds to ensure complete immersion and no air bubbles remaining beneath the lens. Slowly lift the lens holder from the chamber and place it on a support similar in size to the solution chamber, but with only the side handles supporting it. Allow the lens holder to drain for approximately 10 seconds (until the draining stops changing) before evaluating drainage and lens transfer. Take photographs and evaluate lens coaxiality, the fluid trapping area between the lens support arm and the lens, and lens distortion.

[0211] To ensure a consistent tapping surface and simulate low-adhesion fingers, wear nitrile rubber gloves on the hands used for tapping tests. Repeat the test at least 5 times for each support design, replacing the lens after 2 repetitions.

[0212] The results, along with representative photographs and CAD drawings showing the configuration of the lens support, are presented in Table 6.

[0213]

[0214]

[0215] Drainage and therefore tapping are better when a vertical or high-angle fluid film is formed between the lens and the drain reservoir (the base of the packaging or testing device) and breaks before tapping. Example 15 forms a fluid film between the lens periphery and the lower peripheral ring and drains well. Comparative Examples 10 and 9 do not form a vertical film and, despite having a geometry very similar to Example 15, both exhibit poor drainage. The lens support of Example 15, with a flat top section and straight side sections, and a width of 7 mm at the elbow, provides good drainage and minimal lens-lens support contact, which provides a consistent first transfer (80%) upon finger tapping.

[0216] In Example 15, when the membrane ruptured prematurely, the lens also failed to drain.

[0217] The horizontal membrane is insufficient for drainage. In Comparative Example 8, a membrane was formed between the lens and the outer ring; however, the lens still did not drain. The horizontal membrane also tends to be more difficult to break, thus hindering lens removal.

[0218] Examples 17 to 2 and Comparative Example 11

[0219] Package the ACUVUE OASYS 1Day lens in a container with Figure 5A The lenses were housed in a polypropylene package with a general configuration (polypropylene cap, in which a polypropylene lens support is secured to a laminated foil base, having a cavity volume of approximately 1150 μL). The lenses were sealed in packages containing buffer solutions as shown in Table 8 and steam-sterilized at 121°C for 18 minutes, with the package base at the bottom and the cap at the top (“foil up”). The lenses were then held in the foil-up configuration at room temperature. RMS values ​​were calculated for each lens, and the results are shown in Table 10 below. The number of samples used for each packaging solution is listed in the second column of Table 10. The control lenses were ACUVUE OASYS1Day lenses in their original, unopened packages, which were resterilized with lenses from Examples 17 through 20. RMS values ​​were measured and reported as averages.

[0220] Table 10

[0221]

[0222] As the volume of the packaging solution increases to the maximum fill value, both the magnitude and variability of the RMS value decrease, and the bubbles decrease accordingly. With the dome on top and the lens in a convex position, bubbles remain on and interact with the optical area of ​​the contact lens, inducing optical distortion, as shown by the higher and more easily changed RMS values ​​of Examples 17 and 18. In Example 20, the solution volume fills the cavity, so no bubbles interact with the contact lens, and the lens of Example 20 shows an average RMS of 0.029 + / - 0.008. Examples 19 also show acceptable RMS values, although they are more easily changed than the lenses of Example 20. Contact lens wearers may notice distortion with an RMS value of approximately 0.1.

[0223] Polypropylene allows some air to diffuse into the packaging cavity over time, so even if the cavity is filled with packaging solution (without bubbles), bubbles may still form during storage. Packaging with foil as an outer layer prevents bubble formation.

[0224] This invention includes the following embodiments / elements / features in any order and in any combination.

[0225] 1. A contact lens packaging package, the contact lens packaging package comprising:

[0226] A support member is provided to hold the contact lens in a convex position on the support member during storage and when the package is opened; wherein

[0227] The lens has a peripheral edge and a lens outline;

[0228] The profile of the support member is substantially mismatched with the profile of the lens; and the wetting contact between the support member and the lens is less than approximately 20 mm. 2 Less than 18mm 2 or less than 15mm 2 .

[0229] 2. A contact lens packaging package, the contact lens packaging package comprising:

[0230] Packaging base;

[0231] Packaging lid; and

[0232] A support member for holding a contact lens having a peripheral edge and a lens profile in a convex position relative to the packaging base;

[0233] The base and cover are sealed to form a cavity containing the support, contact lens, and packaging solution;

[0234] The lens support includes a plurality of peripheral supports having distal ends extending at least 1 mm beyond the peripheral edge of the contact lens and providing at least 3, 3 to 14, 4 to 14, 3 to 8, 4 to 8, 4 to 6, or 6 contact points with the edge of the contact lens along the peripheral supports. Furthermore, after the packaging has been opened and the packaging solution has been directed away from the lens and the support, the wetting contact between the support and the lens is less than approximately 20 mm. 2 Less than 18mm 2 or less than 15mm 2 .

[0235] 3. The contact lens package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when removed from the packaging solution, the support allows the packaging solution to drain from the lens and the support without trapping the packaging solution between the lens and the lens support.

[0236] 4. The contact lens package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lens further includes an optical region, and the lens support further includes a substantially flat top section with an open structure located below at least a portion of the optical region of the contact lens.

[0237] 5. The contact lens package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support further includes a gap located below at least a portion of the optical area of ​​the contact lens.

[0238] 6. The contact lens package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact lens remains uncompressed when the package is sealed.

[0239] 7. The contact lens packaging according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises at least two peripheral supports.

[0240] 8. The contact lens package according to claim 2 or 7, wherein the peripheral support is distributed around the periphery of the lens.

[0241] 9. The contact lens package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lens includes a vertex centered in the optical region, and the support further includes a central support having a height of no more than 0.5 mm below the vertex of the contact lens, as measured from the periphery of the lens.

[0242] 10. The contact lens package of claim 9, wherein the central lens support further comprises a diameter of about 1 mm to about 10 mm, about 3 mm to about 9 mm, about 5 mm to about 9 mm, or about 6 mm to about 9 mm.

[0243] 11. The contact lens package according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the central lens support has an open structure.

[0244] 12. The contact lens package of claim 11, wherein the central lens support includes a central post located below the apex of the lens.

[0245] 13. The contact lens package of claim 11, wherein the central lens support comprises a plurality of arms, each arm comprising:

[0246] A flat top section, optional side sections and optional peripheral supports, a shoulder transition connecting the top and optional side sections, and an optional elbow transition connecting the optional side and optional peripheral supports.

[0247] 14. The contact lens package of claim 13, wherein the plurality of arms in the flat top section are connected to each other at a center point below the lens apex, or connected to an open full or partial ring centered below the lens apex.

[0248] 15. The contact lens package of claim 13, wherein the plurality of arms are in the form of fins connected to the package base.

[0249] 16. The contact lens package of claim 13, wherein at least some of the arms have one end attached to the peripheral lens support and projecting upward, and the distal end of the arm forms the flat top section.

[0250] 17. The contact lens package according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the distal ends of the peripheral support are connected to a vertical support that lifts the peripheral support from the lens base.

[0251] 18. The packaging according to claims 2 to 17, the packaging further comprising at least a partial ring around the distal end of the peripheral support, the at least partial ring extending at least 2 mm beyond the peripheral edge of the contact lens.

[0252] 19. The package according to claims 13 to 18, wherein the package further comprises three to eight arms.

[0253] 20. The package according to claims 13 to 18, wherein the package further comprises three to six arms.

[0254] 21. The package according to claims 13 to 20, wherein at least two of the arms have a Y-shape.

[0255] 22. The packaging according to claims 13 to 20, wherein the packaging has three Y-shaped arms.

[0256] 23. The packaging according to claims 13 to 20, wherein the packaging comprises two straight arms and two Y-shaped arms.

[0257] 24. The package according to claims 21 to 23, wherein the Y-shaped arm includes a curve spanning the top portion of the Y.

[0258] 25. The package according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the arm is straight.

[0259] 26. The package of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the ring has a diameter between about 16 mm and about 25 mm, between about 18 mm and about 25 mm, or between about 18 mm and about 24 mm.

[0260] 27. The packaging according to claim 4, wherein the substantially flat top portion has a deflection height of 0.5 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about 0.8 mm to about 1 mm from the apex of the contact lens in the undeformed state.

[0261] 28. The packaging according to any one of claims 9 to 27, wherein the support further comprises a center rounded corner centered on the flat top section, the center rounded corner having a width of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm, or less than 1.5 mm in its longest dimension.

[0262] 29. The packaging according to claims 13 to 28, wherein each of the arm and the peripheral support has a width of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, or about 0.5 mm to about 0.7 mm.

[0263] 30. The package according to claims 13 to 29, wherein the arm has a width that provides moldability of the component and efficient drainage of the packaging solution when opened.

[0264] 31. The package according to claims 13 to 30, wherein each arm has a height of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm at the flat top section.

[0265] 32. The package according to any one of claims 9 to 29, wherein the flat top has a center point at the center of the lens support, and the shoulder is radially disposed around the center of the flat top.

[0266] 33. The package of claim 32, wherein the arms are attached at the center point and each arm has a length of about 1.5 mm to about 4 mm from the shoulder to the center point.

[0267] 34. The package according to any one of claims 9 to 33, wherein the angle with the vertical at the flat top and side sections of the arm reaches about 15° or is between about 1° and about 10°.

[0268] 35. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle between the side section and the peripheral support is between about 60° and about 120° or between about 80° and about 100°.

[0269] 36. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm is connected at the center of the flat top portion.

[0270] 37. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arms are radially distributed around the center of the support structure.

[0271] 38. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is substantially flat.

[0272] 39. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lens does not contact the arm-side section.

[0273] 40. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm-side section is straight.

[0274] 41. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one peripheral support is elongated and includes an opening extending distally at or before the periphery of the contact lens to form a drainage channel for draining packaging solution from the contact lens and the support structure.

[0275] 42. The packaging according to claim 41, wherein at least two peripheral supports are elongated and connected at their distal ends by an opening between them to form the drainage channel.

[0276] 43. The package according to claims 41 to 42, wherein the portion of the ring is connected to the elongated arm.

[0277] 44. The packaging according to claims 41 to 43, wherein the elongated arm is planar.

[0278] 45. The packaging according to claim 2, wherein the partial ring includes an outwardly extending tab having an open drainage channel for draining packaging solution from the contact lens and the support structure.

[0279] 46. ​​The packaging according to claims 41 to 45, wherein the drainage channel tapers toward the distal end of the outwardly extending tab, bends from the peripheral annular arc toward the distal end, opens at the peripheral annular arc, and tapers from the arc toward the distal end.

[0280] 47. The packaging according to claims 41 to 45, wherein the drainage channel has a straight wall.

[0281] 48. The packaging according to claims 41 to 47, wherein the length of the drainage channel measured from the arc of the peripheral ring is about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm.

[0282] 49. The packaging according to claims 41 to 47, wherein the drainage channel has a width of about 0.8 mm to about 3 mm.

[0283] 50. The package according to claims 41 to 47, wherein the drainage channel is tapered and has a width of about 1 mm to about 0.8 mm at the distal end.

[0284] 51. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support is made of a polymer with a contact angle greater than 100°.

[0285] 52. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lens support is configured at an angle of at least about 20° to the packaging base.

[0286] 53. The packaging according to any one of claims 2 to 52, wherein the peripheral support is parallel to the packaging base and is at least about 4 mm or at least about 5 mm away from the packaging base.

[0287] 54. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, the packaging further comprising means for lifting the lens support from the lens solution.

[0288] 55. The packaging according to claim 54, wherein the lifting device is selected from levers, springs, hinges, pivot arms, folding elements, mechanical catchers, handles, and combinations thereof.

[0289] 56. The packaging according to claim 41, 42 or 45, wherein the lifting device comprises: the drainage channel, the drainage channel being fixedly attached to the packaging base at a distal end of the drainage channel; and a hinge line in the packaging base, the hinge line being transverse to the drainage channel between at least a partial peripheral ring or arc formed by the distal end of the peripheral support and the fixed attachment point, the fixed attachment point being located between the drainage channel and the packaging base.

[0290] 57. The packaging of claim 56, wherein if the lens support does not include a peripheral ring, the hinge line extends beyond the at least partial peripheral ring or the lens periphery by at least 1 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, or about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm.

[0291] 58. The packaging of claim 54, wherein the lifting device lifts the lens from the packaging solution by tilting the lens support and the base away from each other to an angle of about 15° to about 80°, about 20° to about 70°, about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 60° relative to the horizontal.

[0292] 59. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, the packaging further comprising a reservoir for capturing a packaging solution when the lens and support are separated from the packaging base.

[0293] 60. A contact lens package, the contact lens package comprising:

[0294] A support member for holding a contact lens having a convex surface in a convex position relative to the support member; and

[0295] The lens-facing surface includes at least one air intake guide configured such that, when the package is opened by a user, the at least one air intake guide directs air into the package above the convex surface of the contact lens to reduce the rate at which the convex lens surface adheres to the inner surface.

[0296] 61. The contact lens package of claim 60, wherein the package internally defines a cavity comprising the support, at least one air inlet guide, the contact lens, and the packaging solution; and

[0297] When the package is opened and the packaging solution is discharged from the lens, the lens maintains a convex shape on the lens support before being touched by the user's fingers, and the support contacts the lens at at least two points distributed around the periphery of the lens.

[0298] 62. The package according to claim 60 or 61, wherein the lens has a profile, and the profile of the support member substantially does not match the profile of the lens.

[0299] 63. The packaging according to claims 60 to 62, wherein the contact area between the support member and the lens following the packaging is less than about 20 mm². 2 Less than 18mm 2 or less than 15mm 2 .

[0300] 64. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging further comprises a base comprising laminated foil.

[0301] 65. The packaging according to claims 60 to 64, wherein the contact area between the at least one air intake guide and the lens is less than about 50 mm². 2 or less than approximately 30mm 2 .

[0302] 66. The packaging according to claims 60 to 65, wherein the air intake guide is integral with the lens-facing surface as a protrusion from the lens-facing surface or a recess in the lens-facing surface.

[0303] 67. The packaging according to claims 60 to 65, wherein the air intake guide is part of a separate structure disposed between the convex lens surface and the surface facing the cover lens.

[0304] 68. The packaging according to claims 60 to 67, wherein the air intake guide is aligned parallel to the path through which air enters when the packaging is opened.

[0305] 69. The packaging according to claims 60 to 68, wherein the air intake guides are spaced at least about 2 mm, spaced about 2 mm to about 5 mm, or spaced about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm apart.

[0306] 70. The package according to claims 60 to 69, wherein the contact lens includes an optical region and a curved lens side section located between the optical region and the peripheral edge, and the air intake guide extends from the front to the rear of the package in a straight line, curves around the optical region, or a combination thereof.

[0307] 71. The packaging according to claim 70, wherein the air intake guide traversing the optical region has a shorter profile over the optical region.

[0308] 72. The packaging according to claims 55 to 71, wherein the air intake guide comprises continuous ribs, discontinuous ribs, and combinations thereof.

[0309] 73. The packaging according to claims 60 to 72, wherein the air intake guide has a maximum height of at least about 2 mm or about 2 mm to about 4 mm.

[0310] 74. The packaging according to claim 71, wherein the air intake guide profile on the optical region has a height of about 0.5 mm or less.

[0311] 75. The packaging according to claims 60 to 74, wherein the surface facing the lid is the inner surface of the packaging lid; and the packaging further includes a base that, together with the lid, forms the cavity comprising the lens support, the lens, and the packaging solution;

[0312] The package further includes: an opening tab for causing the cover to begin separation from the base along a sealing line forming the cavity; and an air inlet inside the sealing line and aligned linearly with the opening tab.

[0313] 76. The packaging according to claim 75, wherein the air inlet protrudes from the periphery of the contact lens edge by at least about 1 mm or at least about 2 mm.

[0314] 77. The packaging according to claim 75 or 76, wherein the air inlet has a width between about 2 mm and the inner diameter of the seal.

[0315] 78. The packaging according to claims 75 to 77, the packaging further comprising an opening tab for initiating the separation of the cap from the base along a sealing line forming the sealing cavity, wherein there is at least a gap of about 2 mm between the sealing line and the lens support at the opening tab.

[0316] 79. The packaging according to claims 75 to 78, wherein the air intake tab further comprises at least one air intake guide.

[0317] 80. The packaging according to claims 60 to 79, wherein the lens support, the lens-facing surface, and at least one air intake guide cooperate to keep the lens centered around the support, wherein the contact between the lens, the support, and at least one air intake guide is minimized.

[0318] 81. The packaging according to claim 80, wherein the contact between the lens, the at least one air intake guide, and the support is transient.

[0319] 82. The package according to claims 60 to 81, the package further comprising an air-capturing space remote from the optical zone of the lens for air in the cavity to occupy.

[0320] 83. The package of claim 82, wherein the air remains in the air-capturing space remote from the lens, regardless of the package orientation.

[0321] 84. The packaging according to claims 82 to 83, wherein the volume of the air-capturing space is equal to or slightly larger than the volume of air to be sealed in the packaging.

[0322] 85. The packaging according to claims 82 to 83, wherein the volume of the air-capturing space is equal to or slightly larger than the volume of the air sealed in the packaging and any air that can diffuse into the packaging during storage.

[0323] 86. The packaging according to claims 75 to 85, wherein the cover includes a concave dome above the lens and the lens support, the concave dome including a centrally located recess above the lens support.

[0324] 87. The packaging according to claims 82 to 87, wherein the air-trapping space comprises a channel surrounding the circumference of the cap within the seal.

[0325] 88. The packaging according to claim 86, wherein the air-capturing space is disposed around the circumference of the recess.

[0326] 89. The packaging according to claims 82 to 86, wherein the air-capturing space comprises at least two air chambers protruding from the cover along the periphery of the cover within the seal.

[0327] 90. The packaging according to claim 88, the packaging further comprising one, two, three or more air chambers protruding from the cover along the inside of the sealing line.

[0328] 91. The packaging according to claim 88, wherein the air chamber box is linear, arc-shaped, or a combination thereof.

[0329] 92. The packaging according to claim 90, the packaging comprising two planar air chambers spaced apart across the cover and oriented parallel or perpendicular to the opening tab.

[0330] 93. The packaging according to claims 82 to 92, wherein the air chamber box is connected via a connecting channel.

[0331] 94. The packaging according to claim 93, wherein the air chamber is wider, higher, or both wider and higher than the connecting channel.

[0332] 95. The package according to claims 93 to 94, wherein the channel has an internal width of about 1.5 mm to about 3 mm or about 2 mm to about 3 mm.

[0333] 96. The package according to claims 60 to 95, wherein the package includes a gap of at least about 0.25 mm and about 2 mm between the lens optical zone and any air ingress guide or recess when the package is sealed.

[0334] 97. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base and the cover are a single integral component.

[0335] 98. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base and the lens support are a single integral component.

[0336] 99. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base, lens support and cover are a single integral component.

[0337] It should be understood that the invention will be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A contact lens packaging package, the contact lens packaging package comprising: a. A support member for holding the contact lens in a convex position on the support member during storage and when the package is opened; wherein b. The lens has a peripheral edge and a lens outline; c. The contour of the support member does not match the contour of the lens; and the wetting contact between the support member and the lens is less than 20 mm. 2 , The lens further includes an optical region, and the lens support further includes a flat top section with an open structure located below at least a portion of the optical region of the contact lens.

2. The contact lens packaging according to claim 1, wherein the wetting contact between the support and the lens is less than 18 mm. 2 .

3. The contact lens packaging according to claim 1, wherein the wetting contact between the support and the lens is less than 15 mm. 2 .

4. A contact lens package, the contact lens package comprising: a. Packaging base; b. Packaging lid; and c. A support member for holding a contact lens having a peripheral edge and a lens profile in a convex position relative to the packaging base; d. Wherein the base and cover are sealed to form a cavity containing the support, contact lens, and packaging solution; e. The lens support comprises a plurality of peripheral supports having distal ends extending at least 1 mm beyond the peripheral edge of the contact lens and providing at least three contact points with the edge of the contact lens along the peripheral supports, and the wetting contact between the supports and the lens is less than 20 mm after the package has been opened and the packaging solution has been directed away from the lens and the support. 2 , The lens further includes an optical region, and the lens support further includes a flat top section with an open structure located below at least a portion of the optical region of the contact lens.

5. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein the plurality of peripheral supports are provided with 3 to 14 contact points with the edge of the contact lens along the peripheral supports.

6. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein the plurality of peripheral supports are provided with 4 to 14 contact points with the edge of the contact lens along the peripheral supports.

7. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein the plurality of peripheral supports are provided with three to eight contact points with the edge of the contact lens along the peripheral supports.

8. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein the plurality of peripheral supports are provided with four to eight contact points with the edge of the contact lens along the peripheral supports.

9. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein the plurality of peripheral supports are provided with four to six contact points with the edge of the contact lens along the peripheral supports.

10. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein the plurality of peripheral supports are provided with six contact points along the peripheral supports with the edge of the contact lens.

11. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein after the package has been opened and the packaging solution has been directed away from the lens and the support, the wetting contact between the support and the lens is less than 18 mm. 2 .

12. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein after the package has been opened and the packaging solution has been directed away from the lens and the support, the wetting contact between the support and the lens is less than 15 mm. 2 .

13. The contact lens package according to claim 1 or 4, wherein when removed from the packaging solution, the support allows the packaging solution to drain from the lens and the support without trapping the packaging solution between the lens and the lens support.

14. The contact lens package according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the support further includes a gap located below at least a portion of the optical area of ​​the contact lens.

15. The contact lens package according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the contact lens remains uncompressed when the package is sealed.

16. The contact lens packaging according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises at least two peripheral supports.

17. The contact lens package according to claim 4 or 16, wherein the peripheral support is distributed around the periphery of the lens.

18. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein the lens includes a vertex centered in the optical region, and the support further includes a central support having a height of no more than 0.5 mm below the vertex of the contact lens, measured from the peripheral edge.

19. The contact lens package of claim 18, wherein the central support further comprises a diameter of 1 mm to 10 mm.

20. The contact lens package of claim 19, wherein the central support further comprises a diameter of 3 mm to 9 mm.

21. The contact lens package of claim 19, wherein the central support further comprises a diameter of 5 mm to 9 mm.

22. The contact lens package of claim 19, wherein the central support further comprises a diameter of 6 mm to 9 mm.

23. The contact lens package of claim 18, wherein the central support has an open structure.

24. The contact lens package of claim 23, wherein the central support includes a central post located below the apex of the lens.

25. The contact lens packaging of claim 23, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of arms, each arm comprising: A flat top section, side sections and peripheral supports, a shoulder transition connecting the top and side sections, and an elbow transition connecting the side sections and peripheral supports.

26. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the plurality of arms in the flat top section are connected to each other at a center point below the lens apex, or connected to an open full or partial ring centered below the lens apex.

27. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein the plurality of arms are in the form of fins connected to the package base.

28. The contact lens package of claim 25, wherein at least some of the arms have one end attached to the peripheral support and projecting upward, and the distal end of the arm forms the flat top section.

29. The contact lens package of claim 4, wherein at least some of the distal ends of the peripheral support are connected to a vertical support that lifts the peripheral support from the package base.

30. The packaging of claim 4, further comprising at least a partial peripheral ring surrounding the distal end of the peripheral support, the at least partial peripheral ring extending at least 2 mm beyond the peripheral edge of the contact lens.

31. The package of claim 25, wherein the package further comprises three to eight arms.

32. The package of claim 25, wherein the package further comprises three to six arms.

33. The package of claim 25, wherein at least two of the arms have a Y-shape.

34. The packaging according to claim 25, wherein the packaging has three Y-shaped arms.

35. The packaging according to claim 25, wherein the packaging comprises two straight arms and two Y-shaped arms.

36. The package of claim 34 or 35, wherein the Y-shaped arm includes a curve that spans the top portion of the Y.

37. The package of claim 25, wherein the arm is straight.

38. The packaging according to claim 30, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral ring has a diameter between 16 mm and 25 mm.

39. The packaging according to claim 38, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral ring has a diameter between 18 mm and 25 mm.

40. The packaging according to claim 38, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral ring has a diameter between 18 mm and 24 mm.

41. The packaging according to claim 4, wherein the flat top portion has a deflection height of 0.5 mm from the vertex of the contact lens in the undeformed state.

42. The packaging according to claim 41, wherein the flat top portion has a deflection height of 0.5 mm to 2 mm from the apex of the contact lens in the undeformed state.

43. The packaging according to claim 41, wherein the flat top portion has a deflection height of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm from the vertex of the contact lens in the undeformed state.

44. The packaging according to claim 41, wherein the flat top portion has a deflection height of 0.8 mm to 1 mm from the vertex of the contact lens in the undeformed state.

45. The packaging of claim 18, wherein the support further comprises a center rounded corner centered on the flat top section, the center rounded corner having a width of 0.1 mm to 3 mm over its longest dimension.

46. ​​The packaging of claim 45, wherein the support further comprises a center rounded corner centered on the flat top section, the center rounded corner having a width of 0.1 mm to 2 mm over its longest dimension.

47. The packaging of claim 45, wherein the support further comprises a center rounded corner centered on the flat top section, the center rounded corner having a width of less than 1.5 mm in its longest dimension.

48. The packaging according to claim 25, wherein each of the arm and the peripheral support has a width of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

49. The packaging according to claim 48, wherein each of the arm and the peripheral support has a width of 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

50. The packaging according to claim 48, wherein each of the arm and the peripheral support has a width of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm.

51. The package of claim 25, wherein the arm has a width that provides moldability of the component and efficient drainage of the packaging solution when opened.

52. The package of claim 25, wherein each arm has a height of 0.5 mm to 5 mm at the flat top section.

53. The package of claim 25, wherein the flat top has a center point at the center of the lens support, and the shoulder is radially disposed around the center of the flat top.

54. The package of claim 53, wherein the arms are attached at the center point and each arm has a length of 1.5 mm to 4 mm from the shoulder to the center point.

55. The package of claim 25, wherein the angle with the vertical at the flat top and side sections of the arm reaches 15° or is between 1° and 10°.

56. The packaging according to claim 25, wherein the angle between the side section and the peripheral support is between 60° and 120°.

57. The packaging according to claim 56, wherein the angle between the side section and the peripheral support is between 80° and 100°.

58. The package of claim 53, wherein the arm is connected at the center of the flat top portion.

59. The package of claim 25, wherein the arms are radially distributed around the center of the lens support.

60. The packaging according to claim 4, wherein the base is flat.

61. The package of claim 25, wherein the lens does not contact the arm-side section.

62. The package of claim 25, wherein the arm-side section is straight.

63. The packaging according to claim 26, wherein at least one peripheral support is elongated and includes an opening extending distally at or before the peripheral edge of the contact lens to form a drainage channel for draining packaging solution from the contact lens and the support structure.

64. The packaging according to claim 63, wherein at least two peripheral supports are elongated and connected at their distal ends by an opening between them to form the drainage channel.

65. The package of claim 63, wherein the portion of the ring is connected to the elongated arm.

66. The package of claim 65, wherein the elongated arm is planar.

67. The packaging of claim 26, wherein the portion ring includes an outwardly extending tab having an open drainage channel for draining packaging solution from the contact lens and the support structure.

68. The packaging of claim 67, wherein the drainage channel tapers toward the distal end of the outwardly extending tab, bends from an arc of at least a portion of the peripheral ring surrounding the distal end of the peripheral support toward the distal end of the outwardly extending tab, opens at the arc of the at least portion of the peripheral ring, and tapers from the arc of the at least portion of the peripheral ring toward the distal end of the outwardly extending tab.

69. The package according to any one of claims 63 to 67, wherein the drainage channel has a straight wall.

70. The packaging according to claim 68, wherein the length of the drainage channel, measured from the arc of the at least partial peripheral ring, is 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

71. The packaging according to any one of claims 63 to 68, wherein the drainage channel has a width of 0.8 mm to 3 mm.

72. The package according to any one of claims 63 to 68, wherein the drainage channel is gradually tapered and has a width of 1 mm to 0.8 mm at the distal end.

73. The packaging according to claim 4, wherein the support is made of a polymer with a contact angle greater than 100°.

74. The packaging according to claim 4, wherein the lens support is configured at an angle of at least 20° to the packaging base.

75. The packaging according to claim 4, wherein the peripheral support is parallel to the packaging base and at least 4 mm or at least 5 mm away from the packaging base.

76. The packaging according to claim 63, the packaging further comprising means for lifting the lens support from the packaging solution.

77. The packaging according to claim 76, wherein the lifting device is selected from levers, springs, hinges, pivot arms, folding elements, mechanical catchers, handles, and combinations thereof.

78. The packaging according to claim 76, wherein the lifting device comprises: The drainage channel is fixedly attached to the packaging base at its distal end; The hinge line in the packaging base, the hinge line being transverse to the drainage channel between at least a partial peripheral ring or arc formed by the distal end of the peripheral support and a fixed attachment point located between the drainage channel and the packaging base.

79. The packaging according to claim 78, wherein if the lens support does not include a peripheral ring, the hinge line extends beyond the lens periphery by at least 1 mm.

80. The packaging according to claim 79, wherein if the lens support does not include a peripheral ring, the hinge line extends 2 mm to 4 mm beyond the lens periphery.

81. The packaging according to claim 79, wherein if the lens support does not include a peripheral ring, the hinge line extends 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm beyond the lens periphery.

82. The packaging according to claim 76, wherein the lifting device lifts the lens from the packaging solution by tilting the lens support and the base away from each other at an angle of 15° to 80° relative to the horizontal.

83. The packaging according to claim 82, wherein the lifting device lifts the lens from the packaging solution by tilting the lens support and the base away from each other at an angle of 20° to 70° relative to the horizontal.

84. The packaging according to claim 82, wherein the lifting device lifts the lens from the packaging solution by tilting the lens support and the base away from each other at an angle of 30° to 60° relative to the horizontal.

85. The packaging according to claim 82, wherein the lifting device lifts the lens from the packaging solution by tilting the lens support and the base away from each other at an angle of 40° to 60° relative to the horizontal.

86. The packaging according to claim 4, the packaging further comprising a reservoir for capturing packaging solution when the lens and support are separated from the packaging base.

Images