Packaged contact lenses

Abstract

The present invention discloses an airtight sealed blister package for contact lenses. The blister package comprises a base member (100) made of a plastic material and a sealing member (103) joined to the base member to form a blister cavity configured to hold an unworn contact lens and a contact lens packaging solution. The base member (100) has an upper surface (130) and a lower surface (132) and comprises a blister well (104) and a handle (106). The handle (106) is provided by a flange extending out of the blister well (104). The flange comprises a female connection feature and a male connection feature, the female connection feature being located between the periphery of the blister well (104) and the edge of the flange. The male connection feature is located outside the periphery of the blister well (104). The female connection feature on the base member is configured to interlock with a corresponding male connection feature on a substantially identical base member to mechanically fasten the base member to the substantially identical base member to form a base member assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaged contact lens. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a sealed blister package comprising: a base member; and a sealing member joined to the base member to form a blister cavity configured to hold an unworn contact lens and an aqueous solution. Background Art

[0002] Soft contact lenses (e.g., hydrogel and silicone hydrogel contact lenses) are stored in aqueous solutions to keep them hydrated and in usable conditions. Contact lenses are usually individually packaged in sealed blister packages. Blister packages provide a sterile and safe environment for unused contact lenses to allow them to be safely transported and stored until needed by end users. Conventional blister packages include a base member made of plastic material and a sealing member sealed to the base member to form a blister cavity. Typical blister packages of the prior art have a blister cavity in which unused contact lenses are stored and a handle that can be held between the user's fingers and thumb. The blister cavity is usually configured as a well in the base member, which can hold a certain volume of contact lens packaging solution and the contact lens itself.

[0003] Martinez US 4,691,820 discloses a molded blister package for storing and dispensing hydrophilic contact lenses comprising a base portion containing a cavity surrounded by a raised flange and a cover sheet sealed to the flange to enclose the cavity.

[0004] EP1752058 discloses a blister package for accommodating contact lenses, comprising a base member having a gripping area, the gripping area comprising a curved top surface shaped to accommodate a thumb and a curved bottom surface shaped to accommodate the inner curve of an index finger.

[0005] WO2021260353 discloses a blister package for contact lenses, comprising a base sheet and a sealing sheet, one of which comprises a bowl and the other comprises a dome.

[0006] US10390593 discloses a blister package comprising a thermoplastic base member having a clamping portion, a distal region, a first side region extending from the proximal region to the distal region, a second side region opposite to the first side region, and a cavity configured to accommodate a packaging solution and a contact lens.

[0007] JP2006016049 discloses a blister package for contact lenses, which comprises a container body including a hemispherical recessed section, a flange section extending to the outer periphery of the recessed section, and a support section.

[0008] WO 03 / 039969 discloses a package for contact lenses in which the overall volume of the package and the internal volume of the lens retaining cavity in the package are minimised.

[0009] The disclosure of US10390593 is considered as the most recent prior art. Compared with the disclosure of US10390593, the technical solution 1 of the present invention is characterized in that the base member has a female connection feature and a male connection feature, and the female connection feature is configured to interlock with the corresponding male connection feature on the substantially identical base member to mechanically fasten the base member to the substantially identical base member to form a base member assembly.

[0010] In use, the user usually removes the sealing member, removes the unworn contact lenses from the plastic base member and discards the empty blister packaging in the garbage bin that will not be recycled. Each individual plastic base member is too small to be recycled as plastics in the recycling center, because the plastic recycling process usually requires that the object has a size greater than the specified minimum size, and if these requirements are not met, the recycling line has the step of removing these smaller objects and will not recycle the object. This means that even if small pieces of plastic (for example individual plastic base member) are made of recyclable plastics, the small pieces of plastics may not be recycled owing to its small size. The material of the base member made into blister packaging is recyclable, and therefore it is necessary to solve this problem so that the contact lens packaging can be recycled in the same manner as larger plastic items.

[0011] The female connection feature is configured to interlock with a corresponding male connection feature on a substantially identical base member to mechanically fasten the base member to a substantially identical base member to form a base member assembly. The technical effect is that an object large enough to be recycled at a recycling center can be formed. The target technical problem is how to reduce the environmental impact of the base member disclosed in US10390593. Summary of the invention

[0012] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a hermetically sealed blister pack having the features set out in accompanying claim 1. Preferred but optional features of the hermetically sealed blister pack are set out in dependent claims 2 to 12.

[0013] The female connection feature and the male connection feature allow a plurality of base components to be mechanically fastened together to form a base component assembly. The base component assembly can be formed by the user when the user is ready to discard the blister pack. A base component assembly of a size and weight required for recycling by a recycling center can be formed. This allows the base component to be recycled, which reduces the environmental impact of the blister pack because it will not be discarded and sent to a landfill.

[0014] As used herein, the term "substantially identical base components" encompasses identical base components as well as base components having differences that are not material to the nature of the present invention.

[0015] The bulb well may have a concave inner surface depending from the upper surface of the base member and a convex outer surface depending from the lower surface of the base member. The bulb well may have a side wall.

[0016] The flange may be flat. The flange may have a thickness of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. The flange may have a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm. The flange may have a thickness of 0.5 mm. The flange may have a thickness of 0.55 mm.

[0017] The base member may have an outer edge which, in plan view, is symmetrical about a line extending through the center of the handle and the center of the bulb well.

[0018] The sealing member can be a laminated structure comprising one or more layers of foil and plastic material. The sealing member can be made of plastic material. The sealing member can be made of foil. The thickness of the sealing member can be from about 50 microns to about 100 microns. The sealing member can be printed with words or numbers. The sealing member can have a thickness of 60 microns to 70 microns. Suitable materials for the sealing member can be obtained from AMCOR (Switzerland). The sealing member can have an area equal to the area of ​​the top surface of the base member. The sealing member can have an area greater than the area of ​​the top surface of the base member. The sealing member can have an area less than the area of ​​the top surface of the base member.

[0019] The shape of the bubble shell well may be hemispherical or substantially hemispherical. The bubble shell well may be irregularly shaped. The bubble shell well may be cylindrical. The bubble shell well has a wall, referred to herein as a side wall. The side wall may include a flat portion that may be adjacent to the handle. The bubble shell well may have a periphery.

[0020] The base member may include two or more stabilizing feet. The base member may include three or more stabilizing feet. The stabilizing feet may extend downward from the lower surface of the base member. The stabilizing feet may be aligned vertically with the periphery of the bubble shell well. The stabilizing feet may extend downward from the lower surface of the base member so that it extends as far as possible to the farthest range of the bubble shell well. The stabilizing feet may extend downward from the lower surface of the base member so that it extends further than the farthest range of the bubble shell well. The stabilizing feet may extend far enough to provide stability to the base member when the base member is placed upright on a flat surface. The stabilizing feet may allow the weight of the blister package to be reduced while still providing a blister package that is stable when placed upright on a flat surface, without the need for a handle formed by a flange to serve as a stability support, and simultaneously maintain sufficient structural integrity during transportation and storage to avoid problematic deformation and sufficient structural integrity to properly protect contact lenses.

[0021] The base member may include at least two side tabs. The side tabs may be positioned on either side of the bubble shell well, wherein the side tabs extend downward from the upper surface of the base member. The side tabs may have a height of from 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm. The side tabs may have a height of from 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. The side tabs may have a height of 3.0 mm. The side tabs may have a height of 4.0 mm. The side tabs may have a length of 6.0 mm to 10.0 mm along the upper surface of the flange. The side tabs may have a length of 7.0 mm to 9.00 mm along the upper surface of the flange. The side tabs may have a length of 8.0 mm along the upper surface of the flange. The side tabs may increase the structural integrity of the base member. The side tabs may reduce the possibility of problematic deformation of the base member. When the base member is placed upright on a flat surface, the side tabs may increase the stability of the base member. The side tabs may provide a clamping area.

[0022] The female connection feature may include a hole in a flange of a base member. The hole in the flange of the base member may be rectangular. The hole in the flange of the base member may be oval. The hole in the flange of the base member may be circular. The hole in the flange of the base member may be key-shaped. The female connection feature may be located at a greater distance from the periphery of the bulb well than from the periphery of the handle. The female connection feature may be a hole extending through the flange. The hole may be located closer to the outer edge of the handle than the center of the bulb well. The hole may be located at a distance of 10.0 mm to 30.0 mm from the center of the bulb well. The hole may be located at a distance of 20.0 mm from the center of the bulb well. The hole may be a slot having a width of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The hole may be a slot having a width of 1.1 mm. The hole may be a slot having a width of 1.0 mm. The hole may be a slot having a width of 0.9 mm. The width of the hole may be the shorter dimension of the slot. The hole may be a slot having a length of 8.0 mm to 12.0 mm. The hole may have a slot having a length of 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. The hole may be a slot having a length of 9.0 mm. The hole may be a slot having a length of 10.0 mm. The side or length of the hole may be parallel to the end of the handle. The length of the hole may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base member. The length of the hole may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base member. The length of the hole may be between about 5 and about 45 degrees perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base member. The female connection feature may be a hole including a notch at the edge of the hole. The hole may include a notch in the longest side of the hole. The notch may be centered along the length of the hole. The notch may be eccentric along the length of the hole. The notch in the edge of the hole may protrude from the hole by 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The notch in the edge of the hole may protrude 1.1 mm from the hole. The notch in the edge of the hole may have a length of 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. The notch in the edge of the hole may have a length of 2.7 mm. The notch may have a square shape. The notch may have a curved shape. The notch may have an oval shape. The notch may have a circular shape. The female connection feature may include only one hole extending through the flange. The female connection feature may include more than one hole extending through the flange. One or more holes in the handle may reduce the weight of the base member.

[0023] The blister package may contain contact lenses. The contact lenses may be hydrogel contact lenses. The contact lenses may be silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

[0024] The base member may be made from a recyclable thermoplastic material.

[0025] The sealing member is hermetically sealed to the base member. The sealing member can be hermetically sealed to the base member at a sealing area. When observed in a top plan view, the sealing area can be generally annular. The sealing area can be located on the base member. When observed from a top plan view (i.e., from above), the sealing area may not be annular. The sealing area may have a vertex adjacent to the handle of the base member. As used herein, a vertex is understood to be a part of a geometric shape with the sharpest turn relative to the rest of the shape. For example, the vertex can be a point where two or more line segments intersect. However, if the line segment is curved, it can be understood that the intersection can be mixed in a manner that there is a region with a radius less than a part of the line segment away from the vertex. The sealing area with a vertex reduces the separation force required to separate the sealing member from the sealing area. If a lower separation force is required to separate the sealing member from the sealing area, the base member may have reduced structural integrity (ie, be less robust (and may therefore be made lighter)) without reducing the protection provided to the contact lens by the blister pack.

[0026] The sealed area may have a width from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm. The sealed area may have a width from 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm. The sealed area may have a width of 2.0 mm. The sealed area may have a width of 1.0 mm. The sealed area may have a width of 1.7 mm. The reduced width of the sealed area may improve the ease of opening the blister package while maintaining sealing.

[0027] The bubble shell well can hold a volume of 0.4mL to 1.6mL of contact lens packaging solution. The bubble shell well can hold a volume of 0.6mL to 1.4mL of contact lens packaging solution. The bubble shell well can hold a volume of 0.8mL to 1.2mL of contact lens packaging solution. The bubble shell well can hold a volume of 0.6mL of contact lens packaging solution. The bubble shell well can hold a volume of 0.7mL of contact lens packaging solution. The bubble shell well can hold a volume of 0.8mL of contact lens packaging solution. The base member can have a length from 40.0mm to 50.0mm and a width from 25.0mm to 35.0mm. The base member can have a length from 40.0mm to 50.0mm. The base member can have a length from 43.0mm to 47.0mm. The base member can have a length of 46.0mm. The base member can have a length of 46.31mm. The base member may have a width of 25.0 mm to 35.0 mm. The base member may have a width of 27.0 mm to 33.0 mm. The base member may have a width of 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm. The base member may have a width of 29.0 mm. The base member may have a weight of 2.25 g or less. The base member may have a weight of 1.0 g or less. The base member may have a weight of less than 0.90 g. The base member may have a weight of less than 0.80 g. The base member may have a weight of less than 0.72 g. The base member may have a weight from 0.40 g to 0.72 g. In an example, the base member has a weight of 0.70 g. The base member may have a weight of 0.72 g. The base member may have a weight of less than 0.70 g. The base member may have a weight of less than 0.65 g. The reduction in weight of the blister pack allows for further reduction in the environmental impact of the blister pack by reducing the amount of fossil fuels required to transport the blister pack.

[0028] The bubble shell well may have a depth of 5.0 mm to 8.0 mm at its center. The bubble shell well may have a depth of 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm at its center. The bubble shell well may have a depth of 6.0 mm at its center. The bubble shell well may have a depth of 6.7 mm at its center.

[0029] The flange of the base member may have a thickness no greater than the thickness of the side wall of the bulb shell well. The flange of the base member may have a thickness no greater than 95% of the thickness of the side wall of the bulb shell well. The flange of the base member may have a thickness no greater than 90% of the thickness of the side wall of the bulb shell well. The flange of the base member may have a thickness no greater than 85% of the thickness of the side wall of the bulb shell well.

[0030] The sidewalls of the bubble well may have a thickness of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. The sidewalls of the bubble well may have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm. The sidewalls of the bubble well may have a thickness of 0.6 mm. If the sidewalls of the bubble well are too thin, evaporation may occur through the plastic, which results in changes in the packaging solution, which may cause the contact lenses to dry out and become unusable. The bubble well sidewall thickness may allow the weight of the blister package to be reduced while still being thick enough to avoid any evaporation of the contact lens packaging solution. This allows the lenses to remain hydrated before use by the contact lens wearer.

[0031] The sidewalls of the bubble well can facilitate holding the base member in a base member carrier of a heat sealing system or machine. It is understood that a slot can be provided in the base member carrier to receive one or more sidewalls to provide a physical fit between the base member and the base member carrier to ensure that the upper surface of the base member remains stable and parallel to the surface of the heat sealing mold, which is pressed against the sealing member on top of the upper surface of the base member to seal the sealing member to the base member.

[0032] The flange of the base member may have a pressure ranging from 50,000 psi.mm 2 Up to 150,000psi.mm 2 The flange of the base member may have a stiffness from 60,000psi.mm 2 To 90,000psi.mm 2 The rigidity of the base member material can be 230,000 psi to 276,000 psi. The rigidity of the base member of the present invention is calculated by multiplying the flexural modulus of the base member material by the square of the thickness (in mm) of the flange. The flexural modulus can be measured using conventional equipment (e.g., equipment provided by Instron (Norwood, MA, USA)) or it can be provided by a plastic manufacturer as part of plastic technical data. The flexural modulus can be used as determined by the ISO 178 test method.

[0033] The flange includes a male connection feature. The male connection feature may include a clip, or a barb, or a combination thereof. The male connection feature may include a latch. The latch may be configured to interlock with the female connection feature. The male connection feature may be a protrusion. The male connection feature may be a protrusion on the outer edge of the handle. The male connection feature may be located at the clamping portion of the base member. The protrusion may have a length of 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm along the flange. The protrusion may have a length of 9.8 mm along the flange. The protrusion may extend 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm from the edge of the base member. The protrusion may extend 2.3 mm from the edge of the base member. Inserting the male connection feature of one base member into the female connection feature of a second substantially identical base member may engage the two base members together in a specific orientation and prevent the male connection feature from being removed from the female connection feature.

[0034] The male connection feature may include a key-shaped protrusion. The key-shaped protrusion may be configured to fit into the recess of the corresponding female connection feature on the substantially identical second base member. The key-shaped protrusion and the recess may be configured so that when the key-shaped protrusion is inserted into the recess of the second base member, the second base member is oriented in a specific manner relative to the base member. The male connection feature may be a protrusion including a tab. The male connection feature may be a rectangular protrusion with a tab extending from its side so that the protrusion is key-shaped. The male connection feature may be a rectangular protrusion with a tab extending from its side center. The tab may be positioned eccentrically along the side of the rectangle. The tab may extend downward from the upper surface of the flange. The tab may have a length of 2.0mm to 3.0mm along the flange. The tab may have a length of 2.2mm to 2.4mm along the flange. The tab may have a length of 2.3mm along the flange. The tab may have a height of 1.0mm to 6.0mm. The tab may have a height of 1.75 mm. The male connection feature may include a protrusion extending downwardly along the entire width of the end of the handle. The tab is sized and configured to fit into the female connection feature of a substantially identical base component. The male connection feature may latch onto the female connection feature of the substantially identical base component to mechanically fasten the base component to the substantially identical base component. The female connection feature may be a hole in the flange. The female connection feature may include a notch in the hole in the flange. The male connection feature on the base component is configured to interlock with a corresponding female connection feature on a substantially identical base component. This means that multiple base components can be attached together to, for example, form a base component assembly or a base component recovery unit, which means that the base component can be accepted for recovery in a recovery center.

[0035] The female connection feature may be a concave inner surface of the second well. The male connection feature may be a convex outer surface of the second well. The male connection feature may be a protrusion on the convex outer surface of the second well. The female connection feature may interlock with a corresponding male connection feature on a substantially identical base member by an interference fit between the male connection feature and the female connection feature.

[0036] The base member may include three stabilizing feet. The base member may include four stabilizing feet. The base member may include five stabilizing feet. The base member may include three stabilizing feet positioned approximately 120 degrees apart from each other around a vertical axis extending through the center of the bulb well. The base member may include four stabilizing feet positioned approximately 90 degrees apart from each other around a vertical axis extending through the center of the bulb well. The stabilizing feet may include a planar lower edge. The stabilizing feet may include a rounded lower edge. The stabilizing feet may include a curved lower edge.

[0037] When the base member is placed upright on a flat surface, it may have more than one point of contact with the surface. When the base member is placed upright on a flat surface, it may have more than two points of contact with the surface.

[0038] When the base member is placed upright on a flat surface, it may have more than three contact points with the surface. When the base member is placed upright on a flat surface, it may have more than four contact points with the surface. Multiple contact points between the base member and the flat surface may allow the force applied to the base member by the surface to be distributed across the base member. This may reduce the rigidity required in any individual area of ​​the base member (such as the bubble shell well), which may allow the weight of the material used to manufacture the base member to be reduced. The weight of the material used to manufacture the base member may be reduced without compromising the ability of the bubble shell package to provide appropriate protection for contact lenses.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the lower surface of the first base member is placed against the lower surface of the second base member, according to the same embodiment, there may be more than one contact point between the base members. There may be more than two contact points between the base members. There may be more than three contact points between the base members. There may be more than four contact points between the base members. The multiple contact points between the base members may allow the force applied to the first base member by the second base member to be distributed across the first base member and vice versa. This can reduce the rigidity required for any individual area of ​​the base member (such as the bubble shell well). The reduction in required rigidity can allow the weight of the material used to manufacture the base member to be reduced. The weight of the material used to manufacture the base member can be reduced without compromising the ability of the bubble shell package to provide appropriate protection for contact lenses during storage and transportation.

[0040] The bubble well may be strengthened by support ribs. The bubble well may be strengthened by two or more support members. The bubble well may be strengthened by three or more support members. The bubble well may be strengthened by support members so that the thickness of the side wall of the bubble well can be reduced without compromising the ability of the blister package to provide adequate protection for contact lenses.

[0041] The bulb well may have a perimeter. The perimeter of the bulb well may be enclosed by a sealing area on the upper surface of the base member.

[0042] The male connection feature may be a barb configured to be inserted into a female connection feature of a second base component from a first direction. The female connection feature of the second base component may be configured to prevent the barb from exiting in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0043] The male connection feature may include a first end defining a barb and a second end defining a barb. The first barb and the second barb may be configured to be inserted into a female connection feature of a second base member from a first direction and the female connection feature of the second base member may be configured to prevent the first barb and the second barb from exiting in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0044] As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the base component may be manufactured by injection molding a plastic material into a suitably shaped base component cavity in a conventional injection molding machine.

[0045] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a base component assembly as technical solution 13. Therefore, the base component assembly includes a plurality of base components, wherein the base component is made of plastic material and has an upper surface and a lower surface and includes a bulb well and a handle. The handle is provided by a flange extending from the bulb well. The flange includes a female connection feature and a male connection feature. The female connection feature is located between the periphery of the bulb well and the edge of the flange. The male connection feature is located outside the periphery of the bulb well. The female connection feature on the base component is configured to interlock with the corresponding male connection feature on substantially the same base component to mechanically fasten the base component to the substantially the same base component to form a base component assembly. The base component assembly includes base components that are each mechanically connected to one or more other base components in the assembly, wherein each mechanical connection is located between the female connection feature on one of the base components and the corresponding male connection feature on the other of the base components. The base component assembly may include at least 14 base components. The base member assembly may include at least 16 base members. The base member assembly may include at least 20 base members. The base member assembly may have a height of at least 15 cm. The base member assembly may have a height of at least 20 cm.

[0046] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a packaged contact lens according to technical solution 14 as described below.

[0047] The step of sealing member being sealed to the sealing area of ​​described base member can be implemented by pressing foil laminated sealing member against plastic base member under heat, so that the plastic layer of described foil laminated and described sealing area of ​​described base member are melted together.The step of sealing member being sealed to described sealing area can be carried out at a temperature of 210 degrees Celsius to 240 degrees Celsius.The step of sealing member being sealed to described sealing area can be completed using the heating die of the described flange of described base member being pressed against described sealing member under the pressure of 25PSI to 60PSI.Described heating die can press described sealing member against described flange 100ms to 1100ms time.

[0048] Desirably, the sealing area provides sufficient sealing between the base member and the sealing member to withstand the separation forces that occur during the contact lens autoclave sterilization process, and is relatively easy for a person to peel off using a person's fingers. If a lower separation force is required to separate the sealing member from the sealing area, the base member can be made lighter without reducing the protection that the blister pack provides to the contact lenses.

[0049] For example, the sealing region can be configured to provide an average separation force of less than 15 Newtons (N). In some embodiments, the sealing region is configured to provide a separation force of from about 4N to about 14N. In other embodiments, the sealing region is configured to provide a separation force of from about 6N to about 11N. In other embodiments, the sealing region is configured to provide a separation force of from about 8N to about 10N.

[0050] The peel strength can be measured using an INSTRON model 5943 machine. For these measurements, the pull angle is set to 45 degrees. Prior to testing the peel strength, the load cell of the machine is calibrated. Typically, the operating instructions are set by the manufacturer.

[0051] The sealing configuration can be adjusted by controlling the temperature of the surface of the heat sealing head of the sealing member pressed against the top surface of the base member, controlling the pressure applied by the sealing head to the sealing member, or controlling the time the sealing head is applied to the sealing member, or a combination thereof, as described above.

[0052] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for recycling a sealed blister package, comprising: removing the sealing member from the base member; removing the contact lens from the blister well; removing the liquid contact lens packaging solution from the blister well; mechanically fastening the base member to the substantially identical base member by interlocking the female connection feature on the base member with the corresponding male connection feature on the substantially identical base member to form a base member assembly. The method may also include the step of mechanically fastening an additional base member to the base member assembly to form an assembly comprising at least 14 base members fastened together to form a base member recovery unit. The method may alternatively include the step of mechanically fastening an additional base member to the base member assembly to form an assembly comprising at least 20 base members fastened together to form a base member recovery unit. The method may further include the step of mechanically fastening an additional base member to the base member assembly to form a base member recovery unit having a height of at least 15 cm. The method may further include mechanically fastening additional base components to the base component assembly to form a base component recovery unit with a height of at least 20 cm. The method may also include the step of placing the base component recovery unit in a recovery container. This may allow the base component to be recovered because the base component recovery unit has a sufficiently large volume to be recovered.

[0053] Of course, it should be appreciated that features described with respect to one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0055] Figure 1A A perspective view showing a contact lens packaging base member according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 1B A perspective view showing a contact lens package including a base member and a sealing member according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 2A exhibit Figure 1A a top view of a base member;

[0058] Figure 2B exhibit Figure 1A a top view of a female connection feature of a base member;

[0059] Figure 3 Display along Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the base member taken along line AA;

[0060] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A an end view of a base member;

[0061] Figure 5A yes Figure 1A A perspective view of an assembly of base components;

[0062] Figure 5B yes Figure 1A A side view of an assembly of base components;

[0063] Figure 6 The steps of a method for manufacturing a packaged contact lens according to a second embodiment of the present invention are shown;

[0064] Figure 7 Showing the steps of a method for recycling contact lens blister packaging according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] Fig. 8A A top perspective view showing a contact lens packaging base member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 8B exhibit Fig. 8A A bottom perspective view of a base member;

[0067] Figure 8C exhibit Fig. 8A a three-dimensional view of a base member assembly of a base member;

[0068] Fig.8D exhibit Fig. 8Aa side view of a base member assembly of a base member;

[0069] Fig.9A A top perspective view showing a contact lens packaging base member according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0070] Fig. 9B exhibit Fig.9A A bottom perspective view of a base member;

[0071] Fig. 9C exhibit Fig.9A A perspective view of an assembly of base components;

[0072] Fig. 10A A top perspective view showing a contact lens packaging base member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0073] Fig. 10B exhibit Fig. 10A A bottom perspective view of a base member;

[0074] Fig. 10C exhibit Fig. 10A a side view of a base member assembly of a base member;

[0075] Fig.11A A top perspective view showing a contact lens packaging base member according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] Fig. 11B exhibit Fig.11A A bottom perspective view of a base member;

[0077] Fig. 11C exhibit Fig.11A a side view of a pair of base members; and

[0078] Fig.12 A top view of a contact lens packaging base member according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] In an example embodiment of the present invention, the base member is a recyclable plastic material. The base member includes a blister well and a handle. The base member may include a stabilizing foot and a side tab. The base member includes a lower surface designed to face downward during use and an upper surface designed to face upward during use (e.g., when a blister package is used to present a water-containing contact lens to a person to remove from the blister package). The blister well extends downward from the upper surface of the base member having a concave inner surface and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the base member having a relatively convex outer surface. The blister well may have a periphery. The periphery of the blister well may be the position where the concave inner surface of the blister well intersects with the planar upper surface of the base member. The periphery of the blister well may be enclosed on the upper surface of the base member by a sealing area. This sealing area in use is the area where the base member of the blister package is hermetically sealed to the sealing member of the blister package. The flange extends from the periphery of the blister well to the edge of the base member. At the first end of the base member, the flange can extend to a curved edge at a constant distance from the periphery of the bubble shell well. At the second end of the base member, the flange can extend further than at the first end and form a handle suitable for being held between the thumb and fingers of the user when in use. The flange includes a female connection feature and a male connection feature. The female connection feature is located between the periphery of the bubble shell well and the edge of the flange. The male connection feature is located outside the periphery of the bubble shell well. The bubble shell well is dimensioned to hold contact lenses and contact lens packaging solutions. A plurality of stable feet can extend downward from the lower surface of the flange around the convex outer surface of the bubble shell well. When in use, the stable feet can allow the base member to be placed as the lower surface contact surface of the base member without tilting. The side tabs can extend downward from the edge of the flange on either side of the bubble shell well, so there can be side tabs, which extend symmetrically on either side of the line extending centrally from the first end of the base member to the second end of the base member, wherein the line passes through the center point of the bubble shell well. The female connection feature may be a hole extending through the flange of the base member. The male connection feature may be located at the end of the handle of the base member. The male connection feature may be a protrusion at the end of the handle. The protrusion may include a tab extending downwardly from the lower surface of the flange of the base member.

[0080] The contact lenses contained in the blister pack are preferably soft contact lenses. The soft contact lenses may be hydrogel contact lenses, as they have an equilibrium water content (EWC) of from 10% to 90%. Preferably, the soft contact lenses are silicone hydrogel contact lenses (i.e., hydrogel contact lenses comprising polymer units derived from at least one silicon-containing chemical).

[0081] Now refer to Figures 1A to 5B A first example embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 1AA base member 100 formed of a thermoplastic layer is shown. The base member 100 has a weight of 0.72 g. The base member 100 is made of a recyclable plastic material. The base member 100 has a length of 46.31 mm at its longest point and a width of 29 mm at its widest point. The base member 100 includes a bubble shell well 104 and a handle 106. The bubble shell well 104 is sized to accommodate a contact lens. The bubble shell well 104 has a side wall 105 ( Figure 3 ). Bubble well 104 has a perimeter 101. Perimeter 101 is generally circular and spaced from linear portion 154. Handle 106 provides a gripping portion that is configured to be held between a user's thumb and fingers. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the base member 100 is shown.

[0082] The base member has a lower surface 132 and an upper surface 130. The lower surface 132 and the upper surface 130 intersect at an edge 134 that extends around the perimeter of the base member.

[0083] The bubble shell well 104 is formed as a well in the upper surface 130 of the thermoplastic layer, which extends downward to form a concave inner surface. The thickness of the bubble shell well 104 side wall 105 is 0.6 mm, that is, the distance between the upper surface 130 of the base member 100 and the lower surface 132 of the base member in the area of ​​the bubble shell well 104 is 0.6 mm. The depth of the bubble shell well 104 is 6 mm at its maximum point. The bubble shell well 104 is sized to hold a maximum of 1.6 mL of contact lens packaging solution.

[0084] Figure 1B The base member 100 and the sealing member 103 are shown. The sealing member 103 is joined to the base member 100 at the sealing area 102, and the sealing area 102 is shown in dashed lines to indicate that it is located between the sealing member 103 and the base member 100 and is not directly visible from above. The sealing area 102 is used to hermetically seal the base member 100 to the sealing member 103 to form a bulb cavity. The sealing area 102 has a width of 1.5 mm. Figure 2A Show the top view of base member 100.Flange extends from the periphery of bubble shell well 104 to the border of base member 100.At the first end 138 of base member, flange extends to form a curved edge at a distance of 5mm from the periphery of bubble shell well 104.At the second end 136 of base member, flange extends further to form a substantially planar handle 106, which can be used as a clamping portion.Along the width of base member 100, flange extends from the periphery of bubble shell well 104 to form two flat edges 140 at the border of base member 100.Flat edge 140 has a length of 8mm.The distance between flat edges 140 is 29mm.

[0085] Two side tabs 122 (one of the tabs is at Figure 1A ) from the lower surface 132 ( Figure 3 ) extend downwardly from an area adjacent to the flat edge 140. The side tabs 122 have a height of 4 mm and a length of 8 mm. These side tabs increase the structural integrity of the base member 100 and serve to provide a grippable portion for a user to hold between his fingers and thumb when lifting the base member 100. The side tabs 122 also serve to stabilize the base member 100 when the base member 100 is placed upright on a flat surface.

[0086] The thickness of the handle 106 is 0.55 mm. At a distance of 8.0 mm from the second end 136 of the base member 100, there is a hole 110 extending through the thickness of the flange. The hole 110 is a female connection feature. Figure 2B The shapes of the isolated female connection features are shown. The hole 110 is a slot that is substantially rectangular in shape, having a length 142 of 10.5 mm and a width 143 of 1 mm. The hole 110 has a notch 146 on one side that extends a portion of the long side of the slot facing the second end 136 of the base member. The notch 146 has a length of 2.7 mm and protrudes 1.1 mm from the slot. Figure 2A As shown in FIG. 1 , at the distal end of the handle 106 (at the second end 136 of the base member 100), the handle 106 includes a protrusion 150 extending 2.3 mm from the edge of the base member 100. The protrusion 150 is a male connection feature. When viewed from above (eg Figure 2A ), the protrusion 150 has a linear outer edge 152. The linear outer edge 152 has a length of 9.8 mm. There is a tab 124 extending downwardly from the flat outer edge 152 of the protrusion 150 ( Figure 3 and 4 ).

[0087] The tab 124 has a length of 2.3 mm and extends 1.75 mm downward from the upper surface of the base member 100. Three stabilizing feet 116a to c extend downward from the lower surface 132 of the base member 100 and are vertically aligned with the periphery 101 of the bulb well on the upper surface 130 of the base member 100. The three feet 116a to c are arranged around the convex outer surface of the bulb well 104. At the first end 138 of the base member 100, one of the stabilizing feet 116a is positioned so that it is located in the middle of the width of the base member 100. The second foot 116b and the third foot 116c are located at Figure 4 13 and are arranged on either side of a centerline extending along the length of the base member 100 from the first end 138 to the second end 136. The center points of the three feet 116a-c are located approximately 120 degrees apart about an axis extending vertically downward through the center of the bulb well.

[0088] Figure 5A and5B 14 base components 100 according to this embodiment are shown as being joined together by inserting the protrusion 150 of one base component 100 into the hole 110 of another base component 100, wherein the tab 124 is used to hold each protrusion inside the hole 110 of each base component. The tab 124 has an inner surface 121, such as Figure 5B . The inner facing surface 121 of the tab 124 presses against an area of ​​the flange adjacent to the hole 110 of the other base member 100, thereby preventing the base members 100 from separating. Each base member 100 is joined to at least another base member 100 at approximately a 90 degree angle. The base members 100 in the assembly are joined in this manner so that half of the base members 100 are parallel to each other and the other half is joined to the first half at a 90 degree angle.

[0089] In accordance with Figure 6 In the method 200 of manufacturing a packaged contact lens according to a second embodiment shown in , a contact lens blister package according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided 202. A contact lens is placed into a blister well of a thermoplastic base member of the blister package 204. A volume of liquid contact lens packaging solution is placed into the blister well of the thermoplastic base member 206. A sealing member is sealed to a sealing area of ​​the thermoplastic base member 208. The method optionally includes a step 210 of autoclaving the sealed contact lens blister package to sterilize the contact lens and the packaging solution.

[0090] Figure 7 Show the steps of the method 300 of recycling the contact lens blister package of the present invention according to the third embodiment. The steps of the method are as follows. Remove sealing member 312 from thermoplastic base member. Remove contact lens 314 from blister well. Remove liquid contact lens packaging solution 316 from blister well in thermoplastic base member. In step 318, by interlocking the corresponding male connection feature on the female connection feature on the thermoplastic base member and the substantially identical thermoplastic base member to form a base member assembly, the thermoplastic base member is mechanically fastened to substantially identical thermoplastic base member. By inserting the protrusion of the thermoplastic base member into the hole of the substantially identical base member thermoplastic base member so that the tab is aligned with the notch in the hole, the thermoplastic base member interlocks with the substantially identical thermoplastic base member. Two base members form a base member assembly 320 together. The method optionally includes the step 322 of mechanically fastening additional thermoplastic base components to the base component assembly to form an assembly including at least 30 thermoplastic base components coupled together to form a base component recovery unit. The method optionally includes the step 324 of placing the base component recovery unit in a recovery container.

[0091] Another example embodiment of the present invention ( Figures 8A to 8D) is similar to the first example embodiment of the present invention but has some alternative features. Base member 400 includes a bubble shell well 404 and a handle 406. Bubble shell well 404 has a periphery 401. Periphery 401 is enclosed by a sealing area 402. A flange extends from the periphery of bubble shell well 404 to the boundary of the base member. At one end of the base member, the flange extends to form a handle 406. Base member 400 has a hole 410 extending through the thickness of handle 406. Hole 410 is a female connection feature. Hole 410 is a narrow slot that is substantially rectangular in shape. Hole 410 has an inner side wall 433. Hole 410 has a length 442 of 10.5 mm and a width 440 of 1.0 mm. The long side of hole 410 is parallel to the center line extending along the length of base member 400. Hole 410 has a notch 446 on one side, which extends a portion of one of the long sides of the narrow slot. The notch 446 is off-center along the length of the rectangle, which makes the hole 410 appear key-shaped. The notch has a length of 2.7 mm and protrudes 1.1 mm from the slot. There is an area 431 adjacent to the flange of the hole 410 on the upper surface of the base member 400. There is an area 429 ( Figure 8B ). On either side of hole 410, base member 400 has two larger holes 456a and 456b. Holes 456a and 456b reduce the amount of material required to manufacture base member 400 and thus reduce its weight. At the end of handle 406 farthest from bulb well 404, handle includes protrusion 425 ( Figures 8B to 8D ). Protrusion 425 is a male connection feature. Figure 8B This protrusion 425 is shown from the lower surface of the base member 400. The protrusion 425 has a lower surface 437 that is parallel to the lower surface of the base member 400. The lip 441 ( Figure 8C and 8D ) is parallel to the upper surface of the base member 400. There is a curved portion 439 ( Figure 8B The projection includes a surface 443 (eg, Figure 8C 443 is perpendicular to the lip 441. The projection 425 includes a tab 424 aligned with a notch 446 in the hole 410 on the second substantially identical base member. The tab 424 extends away from the lip 441 in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the base member 400. The projection 425 is shaped so that it can be slotted through the hole 410 ( Figure 8C ). The protrusion 425 is shaped so that the first base member 400a can be placed perpendicular to the second base member 400b, wherein the protrusion 425 is located in the hole 410. In this position, the lip 441 of the first base member 400a is close to the side wall 433 of the hole 410 of the second base member 400b (see Fig. 8A and 8B The tab 424 of the first base member 400a and the notch 446 of the second base member 400b (see Fig. 8A ) is aligned. A surface 443 perpendicular to the lip of the first base member 400a is adjacent to an area 431 ( Fig. 8A ).

[0092] Once the protrusion 425 of the first base member 400a is aligned with the hole 410 of the second base member 400b, the first base member 400a can be rotated 90 degrees so that the flange of the first base member 400 is parallel to the flange of the second base member 400b, as shown in FIG. Fig.8D In this position, the lip 441 of the first base member 400a is adjacent to the area 429 ( Figure 8B ) applies pressure. The lip edge 441 of the first base member 400a is used to prevent the protrusion 425 of the first base member 400a from running out of the hole 410 of the second base member 400b. The tab 424 of the first base member 400a and the notch 446 ( Fig. 8A ) are aligned. Thus, the action of rotating the first base member 400a 90 degrees relative to the second base member 400b can lock the two base members together.

[0093] Another example embodiment of the present invention ( Figures 9A to 9C ) is similar to the first example embodiment of the present invention but has some alternative features. Base member 500 includes a bubble shell well 504 and a handle 506. Where the concave inner surface of the well 504 intersects with the upper surface of the base member, the bubble shell well has a periphery 501. The periphery 501 of the bubble shell well 502 is enclosed by a sealing area 502. The flange extends from the periphery of the bubble shell well 504 to the boundary of the base member 500. At one end of the base member 500, the flange extends to form a handle 506. The base member 500 has a hole 510 extending through the thickness of the handle 506. The hole 510 is a female connection feature. The hole 510 is a narrow slot with a rectangular shape. The hole 510 has a length 542 of 10.5 mm and a width 540 of 1.0 mm. The long side of the hole 510 is perpendicular to the center line extending along the length of the base member 500. At the end of the handle 506 farthest from the well 504, the handle includes a projection 550 extending in the plane of the flange. The projection 550 is symmetrical about a centerline extending along the length of the base member 500. The projection 550 has a pair of hooks 551 positioned on either side of the centerline. The hooks 551 have a surface 535 facing the bulb well in the plane of the flange.

[0094] Fig. 9BThe lower surface of the base member 500 is shown. The hook 551 has a diagonally outwardly facing surface 523 that faces away from the base member 500 in the plane of the flange. There is an indentation 525 between the widest point of the hook 551 and the rest of the flange of the base member 500. At the end of the protrusion 550 farthest from the well 504 there is a tab 524 extending downwardly from the lower surface. The protrusion 550 and the tab 524 are male connection features. The tab 524 includes the outward end of the protrusion 521 of the base member in the plane facing away from the flange. The tab 524 includes an inwardly facing surface 527 that faces away from the base member. Fig. 9C According to this embodiment, the protrusion 550 and the tab 524 are shaped to be slotted through the hole 510 of the second substantially identical base member 500. The hole 510 is surrounded by the area 529 of the lower surface of the flange. The hole 510 is surrounded by the area 531 ( Fig.9A ). The hole 510 is surrounded by the inner side wall 533 ( Fig. 9B ) is defined. To insert the protrusion 550 and the tab 524 into the hole 510 of the second base member, the user must make a diagonal contact between the hook's diagonal outer surface 523 and the area 531 ( Fig.9A ). This will also apply pressure between the end of the protrusion 521 and the area 531 surrounding the hole 510 on the upper surface of the flange. The diagonally facing outward surface 523 and the end of the protrusion 521 will flex slightly under the pressure, allowing the surface to pass through the hole 510.

[0095] like Fig. 9C As shown in FIG. 5 , once the protrusion 550 has been slotted through the hole 510 of the other base member 500, the tab 524 and hook 551 are used to prevent the protrusion 550 from running out of the hole 510. The inner facing surface 527 of the tab 524 abuts against the area 529 of the lower surface of the flange surrounding the hole 510, which prevents the protrusion 550 from running out of the hole 510. The indentation 525 of the flange of one base member is adjacent to the inner side wall ( Fig. 9B The surface 535 of the hook facing the bulb well of the first base member ( Fig.9A ) is pressed against the flange surrounding the hole on the lower surface of the base member 529 and prevents the protrusion 550 from running out of the hole 510. Once the male connection feature of one base member (in this embodiment, the protrusion 550) has been mechanically fastened to the female connection feature of the second base member (in this embodiment, the hole 510), the male connection feature of the second base member can be mechanically fastened to the female connection feature of the third base member. This can be repeated to form an assembly of base members 500. Fig. 9CIt is shown how eight base members 500 according to the present embodiment are joined together by inserting the protrusion 550 of one base member 500 into the hole 510 in another base member 500, wherein the tab 524 and hook 551 are used to hold each protrusion inside the hole 510 of each base member 500. Each base member 500 is joined at approximately a 90 degree angle to at least one other base member 500. Joining the base members 500 in the assembly in this manner allows half of the base members 500 to be parallel to each other and the other half to be joined at a 90 degree angle to the first half.

[0096] Another example embodiment of the present invention ( Figures 10A to 10C ) is similar to the first example embodiment of the present invention but has some alternative features. Base member 600 includes a bubble shell well 604 and a handle 606. Where the concave inner surface of the well 604 intersects with the upper surface of the base member 600, the bubble shell well has a periphery 601. The periphery 601 of the bubble shell well is enclosed by a sealing area 602. A flange extends from the periphery of the bubble shell well 604 to the boundary of the base member 600. At one end of the base member 600, the flange extends to form a handle 606. The base member 600 has a second well 611 extending downward from the upper surface of the handle 606 to form a concave upper surface and extending downward from the lower surface of the handle 606 to form a convex lower surface. The concave upper surface of the second well 611 is a female connection feature. Fig. 10A The concave upper surface of the second well 611 is shown. Fig. 10B The lower surface of the base member 600 is shown. A protrusion 612 extends downwardly from the convex lower surface of the second well 611. The protrusion 612 is a male connection feature. The protrusion 612 is shaped to be able to be pushed into the second well 611 of another base member 600 according to this embodiment and then retained there by an interference fit. Fig. 10C It is shown how the protrusion 612 of the first base member 600 is slotted into the second well 611 of the second base member 600. The interference fit between the protrusion 612 and the second well 611 holds the two base members 600 together. This can be repeated to form an assembly of base members 600.

[0097] Another example embodiment of the present invention ( Figures 11A to 11C) is similar to the first example embodiment of the present invention but has some alternative features. Base member 800 includes a bubble shell well 804 and a handle 806. Where the concave inner surface of the well 804 intersects with the upper surface of the base member 800, the bubble shell well has a periphery 801. The periphery 801 of the bubble shell well is enclosed by a sealing area 802. The flange extends from the periphery of the bubble shell well 804 to the boundary of the base member 800. The flange extends from the periphery of the bubble shell well 804 to a curved edge 821 that is substantially equidistant from the periphery of the bubble shell well 801 around the well 804. The flange extends from the curved edge 821 to form a handle 806 on one side of the base member. The handle 806 is in a plane with the sealing area 802. Four projections 860 extend downward from the upper surface of the flange at approximately 90 degree intervals around an axis extending vertically through the center of the bubble shell well 804. The projection 860 is a male connection feature. Fig. 11B There is shown a protrusion 860 extending downwardly from the upper surface of the base member 800. The end of the protrusion 860 farthest from the upper surface of the base member 800 is hooked. Fig. 11C Shown when the well 804 slot of one base member 800 is inserted into the well 804 of the second base member 800 according to this example embodiment, the protrusion 860 fits over the curved edge 821 of the second base member in a slightly tortuous region 861. Region 861 is a female connection feature. The hook of the protrusion 860 is used to hold the protrusion in place and join the two base members 800 together. This can be repeated to form an assembly of base members.

[0098] Another example embodiment of the present invention ( Fig.12 ) is similar to the first example embodiment of the present invention but has some alternative features. Base member 900 includes a bubble shell well 904 and a handle 906. Base member 900 has a hole 910 extending through the thickness of handle 906. Hole 910 is a female connection feature. The hole is a narrow slot that is substantially rectangular in shape. The hole has a length 942 of 10.5mm and a width 940 of 1.0mm. The long side of hole 910 is perpendicular to the center line extending along the length of base member. Hole 910 has a notch 946 located centrally along the width of base member, and the notch extends a part of one of the long sides of the narrow slot. The notch has a length of 2.7mm and protrudes 1.1mm from the narrow slot. Handle 906 includes a protrusion 950 extending in the plane of the flange. Protrusion 950 is a male connection feature.

[0099] While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein.

[0100] If in the foregoing description, reference is made to an integral body or element with a known, obvious or foreseeable equivalent, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims to determine the true scope of the present invention, which should be interpreted as covering any such equivalents. The reader will also understand that the integral body or features of the present invention described as preferred, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that although in some embodiments of the present invention, such optional integral bodies or features may be beneficial, they may not be desired in other embodiments, and therefore may not exist.

Claims

1. A hermetically sealed blister package for contact lenses, wherein the blister package comprises a base member made of a plastic material, and a sealing member joined to the base member to form a blister cavity configured to hold an unworn contact lens and a contact lens packaging solution; The base member has an upper surface and a lower surface and includes a bulb well and a handle, the handle being provided by a flange extending from the bulb well; Features The flange includes a female connection feature and a male connection feature, wherein the female connection feature is located between the periphery of the bubble shell well and the edge of the flange, and the male connection feature is located outside the periphery of the bubble shell well; The female connection feature on the base component is configured to interlock with a corresponding male connection feature on a substantially identical base component to mechanically fasten the base component to the substantially identical base component to form a base component assembly, wherein the male connection feature includes a clip, or a barb, or a combination thereof.

2. The hermetically sealed blister package for contact lenses according to claim 1, wherein the base member has a weight of from 0.4 g to 0.72 g.

3. A hermetically sealed blister package for contact lenses according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the female connection feature comprises a hole in the flange of the base member.

4. The hermetically sealed blister package for contact lenses of claim 3, wherein the female connection feature is a hole comprising a notch at an edge of the hole.

5. A hermetically sealed blister package for contact lenses according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the female connection feature is located at a greater distance from the periphery of the blister well than from the periphery of the handle.

6. An airtight sealed blister package for contact lenses according to claim 1 or 2, wherein inserting the male connection feature of one base component into the female connection feature of a second substantially identical base component joins the two base components together in a specific orientation and prevents removal of the male connection feature from the female connection feature.

7. An airtight sealed blister package for contact lenses according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the male connecting feature comprises a rectangular protrusion having a tab extending from a side thereof so that the rectangular protrusion is a key-shaped protrusion, wherein the key-shaped protrusion is configured to fit within a recess of a corresponding female connecting feature on a substantially identical second base member, wherein the key-shaped protrusion and the recess are configured such that when the key-shaped protrusion is inserted into the recess of the second base member, the second base member is oriented in a specific manner relative to the base member.

8. An airtight sealed blister package for contact lenses according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the female connection feature is a concave inner surface of the second well and the male connection feature is a convex outer surface of the second well, and the female connection feature interlocks with a corresponding male connection feature on a substantially identical base member by an interference fit between the male connection feature and the female connection feature.

9. The hermetically sealed blister package for contact lenses according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blister well has a perimeter, the perimeter of the blister well being enclosed by a sealing area on the upper surface of the base member.

10. The hermetically sealed blister package for contact lenses of claim 9, wherein the base member additionally comprises three or more stabilizing feet extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base member and vertically aligned with the perimeter of the blister well.

11. The hermetically sealed blister package for contact lenses according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base member comprises at least two side tabs positioned on either side of the blister well, wherein the side tabs extend downwardly from the upper surface of the base member.

12. A base member assembly comprising a plurality of base members from a blister pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each base member is mechanically connected to one or more other base members in the assembly, wherein each mechanical connection is between the female connection feature on one of the base members and a corresponding male connection feature on another of the base members.

13. The base member assembly of claim 12, wherein the base member assembly comprises at least 14 of the base members.

14. A base member assembly according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the base member assembly has a height of at least 15 cm.

15. A method of making a packaged contact lens comprising: Providing a base member for a blister pack for contact lenses according to any one of the preceding claims; placing a contact lens in the bubble shell well of the base member; placing a volume of liquid contact lens packaging solution in the bubble shell well of the base member; sealing a sealing member to the sealing area of ​​the base member to form a blister package for a sealed contact lens; and The sealed contact lens blister package is autoclaved to sterilize the contact lenses and the packaging solution.

16. A method for recycling a sealed blister package for contact lenses according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: removing the sealing member from the base member; removing the contact lens from the blister well; removing liquid contact lens packaging solution from the blister well; The base member is mechanically fastened to the substantially identical base member by interlocking the female connection feature on the base member with a corresponding male connection feature on the substantially identical base member to form a base member assembly.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising mechanically fastening additional base components to the base component assembly to form a base component recovery unit comprising at least 14 base components; and placing the base component recovery unit in a recovery container.

18. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17, further comprising mechanically fastening an additional base member to the base member assembly to form a base member recovery unit having a height of at least 15 cm; and The base member recovery unit is placed in a recovery container.

Images