Contact lens package having a discharge operature and method of accessing a contact lens in a contact

Abstract

A contact lens package includes a base having a proximal end and a distal end, a solution recess between the proximal end and the distal end, a contact lens support in the solution recess, a top opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support and a through hole through a wall of the base adjacent to the recess, the through hole providing a fluid outlet for the solution within the recess. A removable cover covering the top opening may be removably attached over the top opening such that a user may remove the cover to access the contact lens. Using such a package, fluid can be expelled from the contact lens in the package prior to the user removing from the package, thus providing good adhesion between the user's finger or applicator and the lens over prior packages.

Description

[0001] I. Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application serial number 17 / 953947 filed on September 27, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] II. Background Technology

[0004] In conventional contact lens packaging, the contact lens is typically located in a molded plastic base having a cavity (or "bowl") that holds the contact lens in a bowl filled with a solution. Thus, the user experience for transferring the contact lens from the package to the eye typically involves the user "fishing" the contact lens out of the bowl with their fingers and then flipping the lens over so that it is properly oriented on their fingers for placement on the eye. This process requires multiple touches of the lens, which can transfer contaminants or pathogens from the hands to the lens and ultimately to the eye. This handling experience is not only unsanitary, but is also excessively cumbersome, messy, and mechanically stressful to the lens, which can tear, rip, or deform when over-handled.

[0005] Given the growing awareness surrounding eye health and customer demand for a more convenient experience, a need has arisen for contact lens packaging that enables a less messy and more sanitary contact lens handling process. Among other considerations: wearers desire the ability to drain away any packaging solution that may affect the ability to adhere the lens to a finger, as variations in the amount of packaging solution adhered to the lens and the packaging can affect the process of placing the lens on the finger. A mechanism for effectively draining packaging solution from a lens within a package prior to removing the lens from an opened contact lens package onto a user's finger may aid in the removal and insertion process.

[0006] The aforementioned deficiencies of the prior art are merely exemplary and not exhaustive.

[0007] There remains a need for contact lens packaging that provides consistent discharge of solution if desired by the user.

[0008] III. Summary of the Invention

[0009] It has now been discovered that some or all of the above and related advantages can be achieved in a contact lens package having one or more aspects described herein. For example, a contact lens package can have a base having a cavity that holds a contact lens and a packing solution, wherein the package is configured such that when the package is opened by a wearer, the packing solution is expelled from the contact lens.

[0010] Therefore, according to the principles described herein, a contact lens package includes a base having a proximal end and a distal end, a solution recess between the proximal end and the distal end, a contact lens support in the solution recess, a top opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support, and a through hole through the wall of the base adjacent to the recess, the through hole providing a fluid outlet for the solution in the recess. A removable cover covering the top opening can be removably attached to the top opening so that a user can remove the cover to access the contact lens. Optionally, the removable cover covers the through hole to block the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess until the removable cover is removed. The wall in which the through hole is formed can be an end wall at the distal end of the base. In such cases, the removable cover can include a cover flap that extends over the end wall to cover the through hole, thereby blocking the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess until the removable cover is removed. The cover flap can be removable in a manner that does not block the through hole without removing the cover on the top opening. In an alternative aspect, the removable cover can include a tab covering the through hole to block the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess. The tab can be removed without removing the cover over the top opening. In another option, the removable tab covers the through hole and is separated from any part of the cover to block the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess until the removable tab is removed.

[0011] In one optional configuration, the recess is formed by the bottom wall of the base, the end wall at the distal end of the cavity, and the front wall between the proximal edge of the base and the contact lens support. In one option, the front wall is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the bottom wall of the recess, for example, the front wall can be an inclined portion from the proximal end of the base to the bottom wall of the base. In another option, the front wall is generally parallel to the end wall to form a cavity that serves as the cavity of the recess. In one option, the through hole is adjacent to the intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

[0012] A contact lens in a contact lens package comprises: a base having a proximal end and a distal end; a solution recess located between the proximal end and the distal end; a contact lens support located in the solution recess; a contact lens held by the contact lens support; a packaged solution located in the recess; a top opening located between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support; a fluid port through a base wall adjacent to the recess and a removable cover blocking the fluid port that can be accessed by removing the removable cover blocking the fluid port; tilting the contact lens package to allow the solution to leave the recess through the unsealed fluid port and access the contact lens held by the contact lens support.

[0013] IV. Description of the Figures

[0014] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1A Shown is an unopened contact lens package according to the principles described herein.

[0016] Figure 1B A cover of a contact lens package is shown separated from a base of the contact lens package according to principles described herein.

[0017] Figure 1C The base of a contact lens package is shown with the cover removed according to the principles described herein.

[0018] Figure 1D A cross-section of base 118 of a contact lens package is shown with cover 112 removed, according to principles described herein.

[0019] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D Shown is the opening of a contact lens package, draining of packaging solution, and removal of a contact lens according to the principles described herein.

[0020] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D Shown is the opening of a contact lens package, draining of packaging solution, and removal of a contact lens according to the principles described herein.

[0021] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C An embodiment of a contact lens package having a drain aperture through an end wall according to the principles described herein is shown.

[0022] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D The unsealing method according to the principle described in this paper is shown. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C contact lens packaging, draining the packaging solution and removing the contact lens.

[0023] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C An embodiment of a contact lens package having a drain aperture through an end wall according to the principles described herein is shown.

[0024] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D The unsealing method according to the principle described in this paper is shown. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C contact lens packaging, draining the packaging solution and removing the contact lens.

[0025] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B Alternative locations for the exhaust orifices are shown in accordance with the principles described herein.

[0026] V. Specific Implementation Methods

[0027] Reference will now be made specifically to the representative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein reference numerals indicate certain elements. The following description is not intended to limit the numerous embodiments to one preferred embodiment. Instead, it is intended to encompass alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the embodiments defined by the appended claims.

[0028] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example embodiment," etc., mean that the embodiments may include a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it should be considered that it is within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art to implement such a particular feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0029] Lenses or contact lenses refer to 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 nutraceutical 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 a package and have a relatively low modulus, which enables them to conform to the cornea. Contact lenses suitable for use with the packages of the present invention include all hydrated contact lenses, including conventional and silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

[0030] A hydrogel is a hydrated cross-linked polymer system that contains water in an equilibrium state and may contain at least about 25% or at least 35% water in a hydrated state. Hydrogels generally have oxygen permeability and biocompatibility, making them excellent materials for the production of contact lenses.

[0031] Conventional hydrogel contact lenses do not contain silicone-containing components and generally have higher water content, lower oxygen permeability, modulus, and shape memory than silicone hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels are prepared from monomer mixtures containing primarily hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate ("HEMA"), N-vinyl pyrrolidone ("NVP"), or polyvinyl alcohol. U.S. Patent Nos. 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, and the like. The oxygen permeability of these conventional hydrogel materials is generally less than 20 barr-30 barr.

[0032] Silicone hydrogel preparations include balafilcon samfilcon, lotrafilcon A and B, delfilcon, galyfilcon, senofilcon A, B and C, narafilcon, comfilcon, formofilcon, riofilcon, fanfilcon, stenfilcon, somofilcon, kalifilcon, etc. "Silicone hydrogel" refers to a polymer network made of at least one hydrophilic component and at least one silicone-containing component. The silicone hydrogel may 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, verofilcon, including all variations thereof, and as disclosed 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, 5,96 5,631、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、8,5 07,577, 8,637,621, 8,703,891, 8,937,110, 8,937,111, 8,940,812, 9,056,878, 9,057,821, 9,125,808, 9,140,825, 9156,934, 9,170,349, 9,244,196, 9,244,197, 9,260,544, 9,297,928, 9,297,929 and the silicone hydrogels prepared in WO 03 / 22321, WO 2008 / 061992 and US 2010 / 0048847. These patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The silicone hydrogels may have a higher shape memory than conventional contact lenses.

[0033] Hydrogel lenses are viscoelastic materials. If the lens interacts with the packaging or any bubbles in the packaging, the contact lens may form optical distortion. The degree of optical distortion and the length of time required for the distortion to relax will depend on the chemical composition and, to a lesser extent, on the geometry of the lens. Compared with silicone hydrogels, conventional lens materials, such as lenses based on polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate such as Etafilcon A or polymacon, have lower loss modulus and loss tangent values, and may form less and less severe optical distortion due to contact with the packaging. The incorporation of silicone (usually increases the overall elastic response), wetting agents (such as PVP) (usually increases the viscous response) or conventional hydrogel material coatings (may reduce the elastic response at the lens interface) can change the viscoelasticity of the lens. Conventional hydrogel contact lenses and silicone hydrogel contact lenses with short or hard crosslinkers and / or hardeners have short shape memory and may be less prone to deformation during storage. As used herein, a high or higher shape memory hydrogel exhibits an optical deformation of at least about 0.18 upon contact with a bubble or packaging after accelerated aging at 55°C for 5 weeks. Dynamic mechanical analysis can be used to measure viscoelastic properties, including loss modulus and loss tangent.

[0034] The contact lens may be of any geometry or power and has a generally hemispherical shape, with a concave back side that rests against the eye when in use and a convex front side that faces away from the eye and is contacted by the eyelid during blinking.

[0035] Embodiments may include a lens support surrounded by a sealable cavity, which may also be interchangeably referred to as a chamber. The cavity may have any convenient form and may include a packaging base and at least one cover, each of which will be described in detail below. As used herein, the phrases "the cover," "lid," "the base," and "base" encompass both the singular and the plural. The cover and packaging base are sealed to each other to form a cavity that maintains the contact lens, support, and packaging solution in a sterile state during transportation and storage prior to use. The contact lens package is made of a material that is compatible with the contact lens and solution and is retortable and biologically inert.

[0036] "Film" or "multilayer film" is a film used to seal the package, and is generally referred to as a cover material. The multilayer film used in conventional contact lens packages can be used as a component of the base, cover, or both in the package of the present invention. The multilayer film includes multiple layers, including barrier layers, including foil layers, or coatings, sealing layers, which seal the film to the rest of the package, and may also include additional layers selected from peel-starting layers, laminating 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 sterilization (retortable) seal. The multilayer film may contain PET, BON or OPP film layers to increase stiffness and temperature resistance, or contain EVOH or PVDC coatings to improve barrier properties to oxygen or moisture.

[0037] As used herein, "unopened state" or "unopened" refers to a contact lens package that is enclosed and contains a contact lens in solution.

[0038] As used herein, "opened state" or "opened" refers to a contact lens package after the sterile seal has been broken. In the context described herein, the open state extends to the package state when the user has manipulated the package to lift the lens from the packaging solution for transfer by the user.

[0039] As used herein, "wearer" or "user" refers to a person who opens a contact lens package. A user is typically referred to as a person who opens a package and transfers the contact lenses contained therein to their eyes. However, in some cases, a user may be a person who handles the lens package on behalf of the wearer, such as an eye care provider ("ECP") or other individual who demonstrates or assists the wearer.

[0040] The packaging solution is any physiologically compatible solution that is compatible with the selected lens material and packaging. Packaging solutions include buffered solutions having a physiological pH, such as buffered saline solutions. The packaging solution may contain known components, including buffers, pH and tonicity adjusters, lubricants, wetting agents, nutrients, drugs, packaging coating components, etc.

[0041] References throughout this description to the use of injection molding processes and materials conventionally applied to injection molding should be understood as exemplary. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art 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. Similarly, references to heat seals are examples of the embodiments described herein. Other ways of fixing the packaging components will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including the use of adhesives, glues, thermal bonding, welding such as heating, ultrasonic or laser welding, or mechanical traps, etc.

[0042] Figures 1A to 1CComponents of a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention are shown. Figure 1A An unopened contact lens package 100 is shown in accordance with the principles described herein. Figure 1B The cover 112 of the contact lens package 100 is shown separated from the base 118 of the contact lens package. Figure 1C The base 118 of the contact lens package 100 is shown with the cover 112 removed. Figure 1D A cross section of the base 118 of the contact lens package 100 is shown with the cover 112 removed.

[0043] The unopened contact lens package 100 includes a base 118 and a cover 112 covering the base. The cover 112 may include an opening tab 110 located at the proximal end of the base, which may be integral with the cover 112. In an optional configuration, the opening tab 110 may be attached to or integral with the cover 112, but is not at least partially attached to the base 118, but is removably connected to the cover 112 so that the opening tab 110 can be grasped by a user.

[0044] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the cover 112 of the contact lens package 100 may also include a gripping member 106 that is operably connected to the cover 112 or the opening tab 110, such as Figure 1A . The gripping member 106 may be provided to assist the user in opening the package and may be made of plastic or, where appropriate, be an extension of the opening tab 110 or the cover 112. The gripping member 106 may be textured to assist in gripping to remove the cover 112, with its orientation being determined by Figure 1A In any of the embodiments described herein, the opening tab 110 and the cover 112 are formed from a film or multi-layer film as described herein.

[0045] like Figure 1C As shown in , the contact lens package 100 also includes a base 118 containing a cavity 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 120 includes a recessed portion 128 that retains the packaging solution when the package is in an unopened state. Figure 1D As shown in , the base also includes a lens support 122, which can be convex. Note that although shown as a convex lens support 118, the cavity 120 can include or be a "bowl" type lens support without departing from the principles described herein.

[0046] like Figure 1C As shown in , the base 118 includes a through hole or fluid orifice 124 at the distal end of the base 118, which is blocked or closed by the cover 112 or other mechanism (such as a tab 126) in the unopened state. Figure 1C As shown in , the base may include a recessed portion 128 adjacent to the contact lens support 122, the recessed portion 128 being in fluid communication with the contact lens support 122 and the opening so that fluid is discharged from the contact lens into the recessed portion 128 and out of the package 100 via the orifice 124. The orifice 124 is located adjacent to the fluid communication with the recessed portion 128 so that when the orifice 124 is unsealed, unblocked or punctured (e.g., the removable cover is removed), the packaging solution can be discharged from the recessed portion 128. When the contact lens package 100 is in an unopened state, as shown in FIG. Figure 1A 1, orifice 124 is fluidly sealed by cover 112 or other mechanism (such as tab 126). Cover 112 may also include wing 114, which extends over the distal end of base 118 of contact lens package, where the wing is sealed to base 118 to provide fluid seal of cavity 120 and / or orifice 124 until cover is removed by user. The distal end of cover 112 may include distal tab 126, through which user can break the fluid seal at the distal end of contact lens package to open orifice 124, thereby allowing packaging solution 130 to drain from cavity 120 in base 118. Draining solution liquid can be performed by tilting contact lens package to push solution through orifice by gravity or optionally by pushing or shaking package to cause inertial force to drain solution.

[0047] Optionally, the cover flap 114 provides a seal that blocks the orifice 124 in an unopened state. The contact lens package 100 may optionally include a removable tab 126 that blocks the orifice 124, whereby a user can remove the tab 126 from the cover 112 individually to drain the packaging solution from the recess 128 without removing the cover 112 from the base. For example, in one aspect, the tab 126 can be used to pry open the entire cover flap 114 to expose the drain orifice 124 (or drain orifice 224, such as FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C and FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D ), may be individually removable from the cover flap 114 (such as by a perforated or thinned structure, such as Figure 1A and Figure 4A 114) or may be a component that covers the discharge orifice 124 / 224 without the cover flap 114, such as Figure 3A.Such a configuration allows the user to discharge the packaging fluid from the recessed portion 128 without exposing the contact lens to the external environment, or without removing the contact lens or the risk of it falling out from the unsealed package during the discharge of the packaging solution via the orifice. In any embodiment in the described embodiments, the removable tab 126 can be a part of the package replacing the cover fin 114 or except the cover fin 114. In some embodiments, a protrusion or other additional structure can be provided in the base or the cover of the package to prevent the lens from sliding into the orifice and blocking the orifice. It should also be noted that, except the orifice, some embodiments can additionally include an air inlet route. The air inlet route can be realized in a variety of ways, such as by allowing the cover to be partially unsealed at the opposite two ends of the orifice.

[0048] like Figure 2A As shown in , to access the contact lenses, the user holds the unopened contact lens package 100 and pulls the opening tab 110 of the cover 112 of the package 100 in the direction of the arrow. Opening can be assisted by the user grasping the optional gripping tab 106, which is in turn attached to or integral with the opening tab 110 and / or the cover 112. Although not required, the user can grasp the package 100 with one hand and pull the opening tab 110 with the other hand. Figure 2B As shown in the steps shown in , pulling the opening tab 110 causes the cover 112 to bend and break the seal between the cover 112 and the base 118 of the package 100. The cover 112 can be a multi-layer film or laminated foil seal that is heat sealed to the upper portion of the package that contains the opening tab 110, the cover 112, and optionally the gripping member 106, the lens support 126, and the cover flap 114 at the distal end of the package 100.

[0049] As described above, the orifice 124 at the distal end of the package 100 is fluidly connected to the recess 128. Figure 2C As shown in , the cover 112 can be configured to fluidly seal the orifice 124, such that removal of the cover 112 unseals the orifice 124, thereby allowing the packaging solution 130 within the recess 128 to drain from the contact lens on the lens support and exit the recess 128 through the orifice 124. Figure 2D , thus exposing the contact lens 132 by removing the cap 112 and expelling the packaging solution 130 allows a user to access the contact lens 122 and tap the contact lens 132 to remove it for insertion into the wearer's eye.

[0050] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D The features of the optional distal tab 126 are shown. Figure 3A, the optional distal tab 126 can be configured to move away from the orifice 124 with the remainder of the cover 112 held in place. The user grasps the distal tab 126, which is heat sealed or otherwise removably attached to the base 118. Moving the distal tab 126 away from the base end wall 134 exposes and unseals the orifice 124, allowing the packaging solution 130 to be released from the recess 128. Draining the solution liquid can be performed by tilting the contact lens package to push the solution through the orifice by gravity.

[0051] exist FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C In the example of the embodiment, the distal tab 126 is integral with the cover 112, but this configuration is not required. The distal tab 126 can be separate from the cover 112 and / or can be below the cover flap 114, in which case movement of the distal tab 126 will remove the cover flap so that the cover 112 can be removed by grasping the cover flap 114 from the distal end of the contact lens package.

[0052] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Optional or alternative features of contact lens packages according to the principles described herein are shown. Figure 4A As shown in , an alternative configuration of the discharge orifice 224 is a through hole through the distal end wall 134 of the base 118, which is spaced apart from the lower edge of the distal end wall. Even though shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as having a circular or elliptical profile, the shape of the through hole 224 is not specifically any particular shape. Any other shape of the profile is possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, an arcuate or polygonal profile is possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. Figure 4A and Figure 4B Also shown is the cover 112 (without the cover flap 114 of FIG. 1 ) which is integral with the tab 126 . Figure 4C The cover 112 is also shown as being integral with the tab 126 , such that the tab 126 may be hinged relative to the cover 112 , but is not specifically designed to be removed from the cover 112 .

[0053] like FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D , the distal tab 126 can be configured to move away from the orifice 124 with the remainder of the cover 112 remaining in place. The user grasps the distal tab 126, which is heat sealed or otherwise removably attached to the base 118. Moving the distal tab 126 away from the base end wall 134 exposes and unseals the orifice 124, thereby allowing the packaging solution 130 to be released from the recess 128. Expelling the solution liquid can be performed by tilting the contact lens package to force the solution through the orifice by gravity. Figure 5DAs shown in , after draining the liquid, the user can then remove the cover 112 by grasping the opening tab 110 of the cover 112 or the optional grasping member 106 for removing the cover from the base to access the contact lens 132.

[0054] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C Optional or alternative features of contact lens packages according to the principles described herein are shown. Figure 4A As shown in , an alternative configuration of the discharge orifice 224 is a through hole through the distal end wall 134 of the base 118, which is spaced apart from the lower edge of the distal end wall. Even though shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as having a circular or elliptical profile, the shape of the through hole 224 is not specifically any particular shape. Any other shape of the profile is possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, an arcuate or polygonal profile is possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Also shown is the cover 112 (without the cover flap 114 of FIG. 1 ) which is integral with the tab 126 . Figure 6B The cover 112 is shown, and as shown, the tab 126 is optionally removable from the cover 112, which can be facilitated by the perforations 140 to reduce the force required for the user to remove or tear the tab 126 from the cover 112. Other frangible connectors may be used in place of the perforations, such as a thinned material structure or other frangible connectors (not shown).

[0055] In various alternative configurations (not shown), the tab 126 may be completely separate from the cover 112 , for example, heat sealed over the through-hole 224 alone. Figures 1A to 1D and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D A cover having a full flap 114 covering the distal base end wall 134 is shown, but in accordance with the principles of the present invention, in an optional construction, the contact lens package 100 may include a separate removable piece or tab 126 covering the drain opening 124 / 224 to prevent contact lens packaging solution from leaking from the recessed portion of the base before the drain opening 124 / 224 is unsealed.

[0056] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D Shows FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C handling of contact lens packaging. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C In the example of , the distal tab 126 is integral with the cover 112 but is removable therefrom. To access the contact lens, the user grasps the distal tab 126, which is heat sealed or otherwise removably attached to the base 118. Moving the distal tab 126 away from the base end wall 134 exposes and unseals the orifice 124, thereby allowing the packaging solution 130 to be released from the recess 128. See Figure 7B, the user can tear tab 126 off cover 112 so that cover 112 remains attached to base 118, leaving a contact lens cavity that is completely fluid-sealed from above by the cover even though drain aperture 224 has been unsealed. Draining the solution liquid can be performed by tilting the contact lens package to force the solution through the aperture by gravity. Figure 5D As shown in , after draining the liquid, the user can then remove the cover 112 by grasping the opening tab 110 of the cover 112 or the optional gripping member 106 for removing the cover from the base to access the contact lens 132. Although described herein as having a drain aperture in the distal end, distal edge, or distal wall of the base, the drain aperture may alternatively be included in any wall of the base as long as there is a means for blocking the drain aperture, such as a removable tab similar to the removable tab 126. See. Fig. 8A , the discharge orifice 124 may be in the side wall 142 of the base 118. Figure 8B , the through hole may be in the side wall 142 of the base 118. As described with respect to the previous embodiments of the tab 126, the tab 126 above the discharge orifice / through hole 124 / 224 in the side wall may be integral with the cover 112 or may be removable therefrom, for example, facilitated by perforations, thinning structures, or other frangible connections (not shown). Even in Fig. 8A and 8B In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the through hole 224 is shown as having an arc, circular or elliptical profile, and the shape of the through hole 224 is not specifically any particular shape. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, any other shape of the profile is possible. For example, an arc or polygonal profile is possible and within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] Therefore, according to the principles described herein, a contact lens package includes a base having a proximal end and a distal end, a solution recess between the proximal end and the distal end, a contact lens support in the solution recess, a top opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support, and an orifice through the wall of the base adjacent to the recess, the orifice providing a fluid outlet for the solution in the recess. A removable cover covering the top opening can be removably attached to the top opening so that a user can remove the cover to access the contact lens. Optionally, the removable cover covers the orifice to block the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess until the removable cover is removed. The wall in which the orifice is formed can be an end wall at the distal end of the base. In such cases, the removable cover can include a cover flap that extends over the end wall to cover the orifice, thereby blocking the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess until the removable cover is removed. The cover flap can be removable in a manner that does not block the orifice without removing the cover on the top opening. In an alternative aspect, the removable cover can include a tab covering the orifice to block the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess. The tab can be removed without removing the cover over the top opening. In another option, the removable tab covers the orifice, separate from any portion of the cover, to block the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess until the removable tab is removed.

[0058] In one optional configuration, the recess is formed by the bottom wall of the base, the end wall at the distal end of the cavity, and the front wall between the proximal edge of the base and the contact lens support. In one option, the front wall is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the bottom wall of the recess, for example, the front wall can be an inclined portion from the proximal end of the base to the bottom wall of the base. In another option, the front wall is generally parallel to the end wall to form a cavity that serves as the cavity of the recess. In one option, the orifice is adjacent to the intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

[0059] In the above aspects, the fluid seal (not shown) can be made of any suitable frangible material, which is suitable for packaging medical devices, including molded foil or plastic sheets, laminated films or plastics. The multilayer film used in conventional contact lens packaging can be used, and the fluid-sealed components. The multilayer film includes a plurality of layers, including a barrier layer, including a foil layer, or a coating, a sealing layer, which seals the film to the rest of the package, and may also include additional layers selected from a peeling start layer, a laminate layer, and a layer that improves other packaging properties (such as rigidity, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, barrier properties to water or oxygen, etc.). The multilayer film forms a steam sterilization (retortable) seal. The multilayer film may include a PET, BON or OPP film layer to increase rigidity and temperature resistance, or include an EVOH or PVDC coating to improve the barrier properties to oxygen or moisture.

[0060] For the purpose of explanation, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many specific details are not required to practice the embodiments. Therefore, for the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments described herein is presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the disclosed specific forms. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible.

[0061] The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0062] Without departing from the general concept of the present invention, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments will fully reveal the general nature of the present invention, that is, others can easily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments for various applications by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art without excessive experimentation. Therefore, based on the teachings and guidance presented herein, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terminology herein is for the purpose of description rather than limitation, so that the terms or wording of this specification should be interpreted by the technician according to teaching and guidance.

[0063] The packaging of the present 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.

[0064] Not all features described herein need to be incorporated into every package, and those skilled in the art, using the teachings herein, combine these features to provide various improved contact lens packages. In summary, the contact lens packages of the present invention include several novel features that can be combined in various combinations as described herein to provide desired improved packages. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should only be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A contact lens package, comprising: A base, the base having: a proximal end and a distal end; a solution well between the proximal end and the distal end; a contact lens support positioned in the solution well; a top opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support; a discharge orifice through a wall of the base adjacent the recess, the orifice providing a fluid outlet for a solution within the recess; a removable cover covering the top opening; and A movable tab is positioned over the discharge orifice.

2. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the movable tab is integral with the removable cover.

3. The contact lens package of claim 1 wherein the movable tab extends from the removable cover and is frangibly connected to the cover.

4. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the removable tab is separate from the cover.

5. The contact lens package of claim 1 wherein the removable tab is a wing extending from the cover over the wall of the base to cover the drain aperture, thereby blocking fluid egress of the solution within the recess until the removable cover is removed.

6. A contact lens package according to claim 1, wherein the removable tab is a wing extending from the cover over the wall of the base to cover the discharge orifice, thereby blocking the fluid outlet of the solution in the recess, wherein the wing is movable to unseal the orifice without removing the cover over the top opening.

7. The contact lens package of claim 6 wherein the tab is frangibly connected to the cover so as to be removable without removing the cover over the top opening.

8. A contact lens package according to claim 6, wherein the tab is frangibly connected to the cover so as to be removable without removing the cover over the top opening, and wherein the frangible connection between the cover and the tab is provided by a perforation between the cover and the cover tab.

9. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the wall is one of a side wall, an end wall, or a bottom wall of the base.

10. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the contact lens support is concave relative to the bottom of the recess.

11. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the contact lens support is convex relative to the bottom of the recess.

12. The contact lens package of claim 1 wherein the recess comprises a bottom wall of the base, an end wall at the distal end of the cavity, and a front wall between a proximal edge of the base and the contact lens support.

13. The contact lens package of claim 12 wherein the aperture is adjacent an intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

14. A method of accessing a contact lens in a contact lens package, the contact lens package comprising a base having a proximal end and a distal end, a solution well between the proximal end and the distal end, a contact lens support in the solution well, a contact lens held by the contact lens support, a packaging solution in the well, a top opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support; a fluid orifice through a wall of the base adjacent the recess and the removable cover blocking the fluid orifice, the method comprising: removing the removable cover to unseal the fluid orifice; tilting the contact lens package to allow the solution to exit the recess through the unsealed fluid orifice, and Access is provided to the contact lens held by the contact lens support.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable cover positioned over the top opening.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable cover over the top opening, the method further comprising removing the removable cover after tilting the contact lens package.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable cover over the top opening, the method further comprising removing the removable cover prior to tilting the contact lens package.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable cover over the top opening, and the removable cover is attached to the removable cover.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable cover over the top opening, and the removable cover is attached to the removable cover, and wherein the removable cover is integral with the removable cover.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the wall is an end wall and the movable cover is a flap extending along the end wall to cover the fluid orifice.

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