Contact lens package with venting aperture and method of accessing a contact lens in a contact lens package

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 over the contact lens support, and a through-hole through a wall of the base adjacent the recess that provides a fluid outlet for solution within the recess. A removable cover over the top opening can be removably attached over the top opening so that a user can remove the cover to access the contact lens. With this package, fluid can be drained from the contact lens in the package before the user removes it from the package, thus providing good adhesion between the user's fingers or an applicator and the lens over prior packages.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 953947, filed on September 27, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] In standard contact lens packaging, the contact lens is typically housed in a molded plastic base with a cavity (or "bowl") containing the contact lens within a solution-filled bowl. Therefore, the user experience of transferring the contact lens from the packaging to the eye often involves the user "fishing" the lens out of the bowl with their fingers and then flipping it to the correct orientation 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 unhygienic but also cumbersome, messy, and mechanically stressful on the lens; when excessively manipulated, the lens may tear, snap, or deform.

[0004] Given the growing awareness of eye health and the demand for a more convenient experience, there is a need for contact lens packaging that enables a less messy and more hygienic contact lens handling process. Among other considerations, wearers want to be able to expel any packaging solution that might affect their ability to adhere the lens to their fingers, as variations in the amount of packaging solution adhering to the lens and the packaging can affect the process of placing the lens on their fingers. Mechanisms for effectively expelling packaging solution from the lens within the packaging before removing the lens from the opened contact lens packaging onto the user's fingers could facilitate the removal and insertion process.

[0005] The aforementioned deficiencies of the prior art are merely exemplary and not exhaustive.

[0006] It is still necessary to provide contact lens packaging with consistent solution drainage (if required by the user). Summary of the Invention

[0007] It has now been found that some or all of the above and related advantages can be achieved in contact lens packages having one or more of the aspects described herein. For example, a contact lens package may have a base having a cavity that contains a contact lens and a packaging solution, wherein the package is configured such that the packaging solution is discharged from the contact lens when the package is opened by a wearer.

[0008] 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 located between the proximal end and the distal end, a contact lens support located within the solution recess, a top opening located 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 a solution within the recess. A removable cap covering the top opening may be removably attached to the top opening, allowing a user to remove the cap to access the contact lens. Optionally, the removable cap covers the through-hole to block the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess until the removable cap is removed. The wall in which the through-hole is formed may be an end wall at the distal end of the base. In such cases, the removable cap may include a flap extending over the end wall to cover the through-hole, thereby blocking the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess until the removable cap is removed. The flap may be removable without blocking the through-hole without removing the cap over the top opening. In an alternative aspect, the removable cap may include a tab covering the through-hole to block the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess. The tab can be removed without removing the cap over the top opening. In another option, the removable tab covers the through-hole and is detached from any part of the cap to block the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess until the removable tab is removed.

[0009] 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 to nor parallel to the bottom wall of the recess; for example, the front wall may 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 serving as the recess cavity. In one option, the through-hole is adjacent to the intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

[0010] A contact lens in a contact lens package includes: 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 orifice through a base wall adjacent to the recess and a removable cover blocking the fluid orifice, accessible by removing the removable cover blocking the fluid orifice; tilting the contact lens package to allow the solution to exit the recess through the opened fluid orifice and approach the contact lens held by the contact lens support. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Figure 1A An unopened contact lens package is shown, based on the principles described herein.

[0013] Figure 1B A cover for a contact lens package, detached from the base of the contact lens package, is shown, according to the principles described herein.

[0014] Figure 1C The base of the contact lens package with the cap removed is shown according to the principles described herein.

[0015] Figure 1D A cross-section of the base 118 of the contact lens package with the cover 112 removed according to the principles described herein is shown.

[0016] Figures 2A to 2D The process of opening the contact lens package, discharging the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens is illustrated according to the principles described herein.

[0017] Figures 3A to 3D The process of opening the contact lens package, discharging the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens is illustrated according to the principles described herein.

[0018] Figures 4A to 4C An embodiment of a contact lens package having an outlet through the end wall is shown, based on the principles described herein.

[0019] Figures 5A to 5D The opening method described herein is illustrated. Figures 4A to 4C The contact lens packaging, the discharge of the packaging solution and the removal of the contact lens.

[0020] Figures 6A to 6C An embodiment of a contact lens package having an outlet through the end wall is shown, based on the principles described herein.

[0021] Figures 7A to 7D The opening method described herein is illustrated. Figures 6A to 6C The contact lens packaging, the discharge of the packaging solution and the removal of the contact lens.

[0022] Figure 8A and Figure 8B An alternative location for the discharge orifice, based on the principles described herein, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0023] 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 a single preferred embodiment. Rather, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the substance and scope of the embodiments defined by the appended claims.

[0024] References to "an implementation scheme," "implementation scheme," "some implementation schemes," "example implementation scheme," etc., mean that the implementation scheme may include a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic, but each implementation scheme need not include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same implementation scheme. Moreover, when a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an implementation scheme, whether or not it is explicitly described, it should be assumed that implementing such a particular feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other implementation schemes is within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

[0025] 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 nutrient delivery, diagnostic assessment or monitoring, or any combination thereof. The term lens includes soft hydrogel contact lenses, which are typically provided to consumers in a hydrated state in packaging and have a relatively low modulus, allowing them to conform to the cornea. Contact lenses suitable for use with the packaging of this invention include all hydrated contact lenses, including conventional and silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

[0026] Hydrogels are hydrated cross-linked polymer systems containing water in equilibrium, and may contain at least about 25% or at least 35% hydrated water. Hydrogels typically possess oxygen permeability and biocompatibility, making them excellent materials for the production of contact lenses.

[0027] Conventional hydrogel contact lenses do not contain silicone-containing components and typically have higher water content, lower oxygen permeability, modulus, and shape memory than silicone hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels are prepared from monomer mixtures primarily containing hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (“HEMA”), N-vinylpyrrolidone (“NVP”), or polyvinyl alcohol. U.S. 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, etanerceptin, nelfilcon, ocufilcon, lenefilcon, etc. The oxygen permeability of these conventional hydrogel materials is typically below 20-30 barel.

[0028] Silicone hydrogel formulations include balafilcon, samfilcon, lotrafilcon A and B, delfilcon, galyfilcon, senofilcon A, B and C, narafilcon, comfilcon, formofilcon, riofilcon, fanfilcon, stenfilcon, somofilcon, kalifilcon, etc. "Organosilicon hydrogel" refers to a polymer network made of at least one hydrophilic component and at least one component containing organosilicon. Organosilicon hydrogels can have a modulus in the range of 60psi-200psi, 60psi-150psi, or 80psi-130psi, and a water content in the range of 20% to 60%.Examples of silicone hydrogels include acquafilcon, asmofilcon, balafilcon, comfilcon, delefilcon, enfilcon, fanfilcon, formofilcon, galyfilcon, lotrafilcon, narafilcon, riofilcon, samfilcon, senofilcon, somofilcon, and stenfilcon, verofilcon, including all their variants, and such as U.S. Patent Nos. 4,659,782, 4,659,783, 5,244,981, 5,314,960, 5,331,067, 5,371,147, 5,998,498, 6,087,415, 5,760,100, 5,776,999, 5,789,461, 5,849,811, and 5,96 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 Silicone hydrogels prepared as described in WO 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 WO 03 / 22321, WO 2008 / 061992 and US 2010 / 0048847. The entire contents of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. Silicone hydrogels can exhibit higher shape memory than conventional contact lenses.

[0029] Hydrogel lenses are viscoelastic materials. Optical distortion can occur in contact lenses if they interact with the packaging or any air bubbles within it. The degree of optical distortion and the time required for distortion to relax will depend on the chemical composition and, to a lesser extent, the lens geometry. Compared to silicone hydrogels, conventional lens materials, such as those based on poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) like Etafencon A or Polymacon, have lower loss modulus and loss tangent values, and are likely to exhibit less severe optical distortion due to contact with the packaging. Incorporation of silicone (which typically increases the overall elastic response), wetting agents (such as PVP) (which typically increases the viscous response), or coatings of conventional hydrogel materials (which may reduce the elastic response at the lens interface) can alter the viscoelasticity of the lens. Conventional hydrogel contact lenses with short or hard crosslinking agents and / or hardeners, as well as silicone hydrogel contact lenses, have short shape memory and may be less prone to deformation during storage. As used in this paper, after accelerated aging at 55°C for 5 weeks, hydrogels with high or higher shape memory exhibit optical deformation of at least approximately 0.18 due to contact with air bubbles or packaging. Viscoelasticity, including loss modulus and loss tangent, can be measured using dynamic mechanical analysis.

[0030] Contact lenses can be of any geometry or diopter and have a generally hemispherical shape, with a concave rear side that rests against the eye when in use and a convex front side that is away from the eye and is contacted by the eyelid during blinking.

[0031] Implementations 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 cap, each of which will be described in detail below. As used herein, the phrases “the cap,” “cap,” “the base,” and “base” cover both the singular and plural. The cap and packaging base seal against each other to form a cavity that keeps the contact lens, support, and packaging solution sterile during transport and storage prior to use. The contact lens packaging is made of a material compatible with the contact lens and solution, and is retort-safe and bio-inert.

[0032] "Film" or "multilayer film" is a film used for sealing packaging and is commonly referred to as a cover material. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packaging can be used in the packaging of this invention as a base, a component of a cover, or both. A multilayer film comprises multiple layers, including barrier layers, foil layers, or coatings, sealing layers that seal the film to the remainder of the packaging, and may also include additional layers selected from peel-off initiation layers, laminated layers, and layers that improve other packaging properties such as stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, and barrier properties against water or oxygen. The multilayer film forms a steam-sterilizable (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 against oxygen or moisture.

[0033] As used in this article, “unopened” or “unopened” refers to a contact lens package that is sealed and contains the contact lens in a solution.

[0034] As used herein, "opened state" or "opened" refers to a contact lens package after the sterile seal has been broken. In the context of this document, "opened state" extends to the package state when a user has manipulated the package to lift the lens from the packaging solution for user transfer.

[0035] As used herein, “wearer” or “user” refers to a person who opens and handles the contact lens package. A user is generally referred to as the person who opens the package and transfers the contact lens contained therein to their eyes. However, in some cases, a user may be a person who operates the lens package on behalf of the wearer, such as an eye care provider (“ECP”) or another individual demonstrating or assisting the wearer.

[0036] Packaging solutions are any physiologically compatible solutions that are compatible with the material and packaging of the selected lens. Packaging solutions include buffered solutions with a physiological pH, such as buffered saline solutions. Packaging solutions may contain known components, including buffers, pH and tension regulators, lubricants, wetting agents, nutrients, pharmaceuticals, packaging coating components, etc.

[0037] References to injection molding processes and the use of materials conventionally applied to injection molding throughout this description should be understood as exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that other manufacturing methods are possible within the scope of the appended claims, including, but not limited to, alternative molding processes, thermoforming, 3D printing, etc. Similarly, references to heat sealing are examples of embodiments described herein. Other methods of securing 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 trapping, etc.

[0038] Figures 1A to 1CAn assembly of a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1A An unopened contact lens package 100 is shown, based on the principles described herein. Figure 1B The cover 112 of the contact lens package 100, which is separate from the base 118 of the contact lens package, is shown. Figure 1C The base 118 of the contact lens package 100 with the cover 112 removed is shown. Figure 1D A cross-section of the base 118 of the contact lens package 100 with the cover 112 removed is shown.

[0039] 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 a proximal end of the base, the opening tab being integral with the cover 112. In an optional configuration, the opening tab 110 may be attached to or integral with the cover 112, but at least partially not attached to the base 118, but movably connected to the cover 112 such that the opening tab 110 can be gripped by a user.

[0040] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the cover 112 of the contact lens package 100 may also include a gripping member 106, which is operatively connected to the cover 112 or the opening tab 110, such as Figure 1A As shown in the diagram. The gripping member 106 may be configured to assist a user in opening the package and may be made of plastic, or, where appropriate, an extension of the opening tab 110 or the cap 112. The gripping member 106 may be textured to aid in gripping to remove the cap 112, and its orientation is as follows: Figure 1A The leftmost arrow indicates this. In any of the embodiments described herein, the opening tab 110 and the cover 112 are formed of a membrane or multilayer membrane as described herein.

[0041] like Figure 1C As shown, the contact lens package 100 also includes a base 118 containing a cavity 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 120 includes a recess 128 that retains the packaged solution when the package is unopened. Figure 1D As shown, the base also includes a lens support 122, which may be convex. It should be noted that although a convex lens support 122 is shown, the cavity 120 may include or be a "bowl" shaped lens support without departing from the principles described herein.

[0042] like Figure 1C As shown, the base 118 includes a through-hole or discharge port 124 located at the distal end of the base 118, which is blocked or closed by a cover 112 or other mechanism (such as a tab 126) in an unopened state. Figure 1C As shown, the base may include a recess 128 adjacent to the contact lens support 122. The recess 128 is in fluid communication with the contact lens support 122 and an opening, allowing fluid to drain from the contact lens into the recess 128 and out of the package 100 via an orifice 124. The orifice 124 is located near the fluid communication with the recess 128, allowing the packaging solution to drain from the recess 128 when the orifice 124 is opened, unblocked, or punctured (e.g., by removing a removable cover). When the contact lens package 100 is in an unopened state, such as... Figure 1A In this embodiment, the orifice 124 is fluid-sealed by a cap 112 or other mechanism such as a tab 126. The cap 112 may also include a flap 114 extending over a distal end of the base 118 of the contact lens package, at which the flap is sealed to the base 118 to provide a fluid seal for the cavity 120 and / or the orifice 124 until the cap is removed by the user. The distal end of the cap 112 may include a distal tab 126, which the user can use to open the fluid seal at the distal end of the contact lens package to open the orifice 124, thereby allowing the packaged solution 130 to drain from the cavity 120 within the base 118. Drainage of the solution liquid can be performed by tilting the contact lens package to force the solution through the orifice by gravity or optionally by pushing or shaking the package to induce an inertial force to drain the solution.

[0043] Optionally, the flap 114 provides a seal to block the orifice 124 in its unopened state. The contact lens package 100 may optionally include a removable tab 126 that blocks the orifice 124, allowing the user to remove the tab 126 separately from the cap 112 to drain the packaged solution from the recess 128 without removing the cap 112 from the base. For example, in one aspect, the tab 126 may be used to pry open the entire flap 114 to expose the drain orifice 124 (or drain orifice 224, as shown in the image). Figures 4A to 4C and Figures 5A to 5D As shown), it can be removed separately from the fin 114 (such as by a perforated or thinned structure, as shown). Figure 1A and Figure 4A The portion of the fin 114 shown, or an assembly that covers the discharge port 124 / 224 without the fin 114, such as Figure 3AAs shown in the diagram. This configuration allows the user to drain the packaging fluid from the recess 128 without exposing the contact lens to the external environment or posing a risk of removing the contact lens or it falling out of the opened package during drainage of the packaging solution via the orifice. In any of the embodiments described, the removable tab 126 may be a part of the package that replaces or is not part of the tab 114. In some embodiments, the protrusion or other additional structure may be provided within the base or cap of the package to prevent the lens from slipping into the orifice and blocking it. It should also be noted that, in addition to the orifice, some embodiments may include an air inlet pathway. The air inlet pathway can be implemented in various ways, such as by allowing the cap to be partially opened at opposite ends of the orifice.

[0044] like Figure 2A As shown, to access the contact lens, 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 gripping an optional grip tab 106, which is attached to or integral with the opening tab 110 and / or the cover 112. Although not required, the user can grip the package 100 with one hand and pull the opening tab 110 with the other hand. Figure 2B As shown in the steps, pulling the opening tab 110 causes the cap 112 to bend and disrupts the seal between the cap 112 and the base 118 of the package 100. The cap 112 may be a multilayer film or laminated foil seal that is heat-sealed to the upper portion of the package, which includes the opening tab 110, the cap 112, and optionally a gripping member 106, a lens support 122, and a flap 114 at the distal end of the package 100.

[0045] As described above, the opening 124 at the distal end of the package 100 is fluidly connected to the recess 128. For example... Figure 2C As shown, the cap 112 can be configured with a fluid-sealed orifice 124, such that the removal of the cap 112 through the orifice 124 allows the packaging solution 130 within the recess 128 to drain from the contact lens on the lens support and exit the recess 128 via the orifice 124. Figure 2D As shown, the contact lens 132, thus exposed by removing the cap 112 and draining the packaging solution 130, allows the user to approach the contact lens 122 and tap the contact lens 132 to remove it for insertion into the wearer's eye.

[0046] Figures 3A to 3D Features of the optional distal flap 126 are shown. (See example.) Figure 3AAs shown, the optional distal tab 126 can be configured to move away from the orifice 124 while the rest of the cap 112 remains 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 opens the orifice 124, thereby allowing the packaged solution 130 to be released from the recess 128. Discharge of the solution liquid can be performed by tilting the contact lens package to force the solution through the orifice by gravity.

[0047] exist Figures 3A to 3C In one example, the distal tab 126 is integral with the cover 112, but this configuration is not necessary. The distal tab 126 may be detachable from the cover 112 and / or may be located below the flap 114, in which case movement of the distal tab 126 will remove the flap, allowing the cover 112 to be removed by grasping the flap 114 from the distal end of the contact lens package.

[0048] Figures 4A to 4C Optional or alternative features of contact lens packaging based on the principles described herein are shown. For example... Figure 4A As shown, an alternative configuration of the discharge port 224 is a through-hole through the distal end wall 134 of the base 118, spaced apart from the lower edge of the distal end wall. Even though shown in Figures 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 invention. For example, arcuate or polygonal profiles are possible and within the scope of this disclosure. Figure 4A and Figure 4B Also shown is a cover 112 integral with the tab 126 (without the flap 114 of FIG1). Figure 4C A cover 112 integral with the tab 126 is also shown, such that the tab 126 can be hinged relative to the cover 112, but is not specifically designed to be removed from the cover 112.

[0049] like Figures 5A to 5D As shown, the distal tab 126 can be configured to move away from the orifice 124 while the rest of the cap 112 remains in place. A 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 opens the orifice 124, thereby allowing the packaged solution 130 to be released from the recess 128. Discharge of the solution liquid can be performed by tilting the contact lens package to force the solution through the orifice by gravity. Figure 5DAs shown, after the liquid is drained, the user can then remove the cover 112 by gripping the opening tab 110 or the optional gripping member 106 to remove the cover from the base to access the contact lens 132.

[0050] Figures 6A to 6C Optional or alternative features of contact lens packaging based on the principles described herein are shown. For example... Figure 4A As shown, an alternative configuration of the discharge port 224 is a through-hole through the distal end wall 134 of the base 118, spaced apart from the lower edge of the distal end wall. Even though shown in Figures 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 invention. For example, arcuate or polygonal profiles are possible and within the scope of this disclosure. Figure 6A and Figure 6B Also shown is a cover 112 integral with the tab 126 (without the flap 114 of FIG1). Figure 6B A cover 112 is shown, and as illustrated, a tab 126 is optionally removable from the cover 112, facilitated by a perforation 140 to reduce the force required for the user to remove or tear the tab 126 from the cover 112. Other breakable connectors, such as thinned material structures or other breakable connectors (not shown), may be used instead of the perforation.

[0051] With a variety of alternative configurations (not shown), the tab 126 can be completely separated from the cover 112, for example, by thermally sealing it separately over the through-hole 224. Figures 1A to 1D and Figures 2A to 2D A cover with a full flap 114 covering the distal base end wall 134 is shown, but according to the principles of the invention, in an optional configuration, the contact lens package 100 may include a separate removable piece or tab 126 covering the drain openings 124 / 224 to prevent leakage of the contact lens package solution from the recess of the base before the drain openings 124 / 224 are opened.

[0052] Figures 7A to 7D It shows Figures 6A to 6C The handling of contact lens packaging. Figures 6A to 6C In this example, the distal tab 126 is integral with the cap 112 but removable from it. 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 opens the sealing orifice 124, thereby allowing the packaging solution 130 to be released from the recess 128. See also Figure 7BThe user can tear the tab 126 off the cap 112, leaving the cap 112 attached to the base 118, thus maintaining a completely fluid-sealed contact lens cavity from above, even if the discharge port 224 is opened. Discharging the solution liquid can be performed by tilting the contact lens package to force the solution through the port by gravity. Figure 5D As shown, after the liquid is drained, the user can then remove the cap 112 by grasping the opening tab 110 or optional gripping member 106 to remove the cap from the base to access the contact lens 132. Although described herein as having a drain orifice in the distal end, distal edge, or distal wall of the base, the drain orifice may alternatively be included in any wall of the base, provided that a means for blocking the drain orifice is present, such as a removable tab similar to removable tab 126. See also Figure 8A The discharge port 124 can be located in the side wall 142 of the base 118. See also Figure 8B The through-hole may be in the sidewall 142 of the base 118. As described in the previous embodiment with respect to the tab 126, the tab 126 above the discharge port / through-hole 124 / 224 in the sidewall may be integral with or removable from the cover 112, for example, facilitated by perforations, thinning structures or other easily breakable connectors (not shown). Even in Figure 8A and 8B The via 224 is shown to have an arcuate, circular, or elliptical profile, and its shape is not specifically any particular shape. Any other shape of the profile is possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, arcuate or polygonal profiles are possible and within the scope of this disclosure.

[0053] 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 located between the proximal end and the distal end, a contact lens support located within the solution recess, a top opening located between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support, and an orifice through a wall of the base adjacent to the recess, the orifice providing a fluid outlet for a solution within the recess. A removable cap covering the top opening may be removably attached to the top opening, allowing a user to remove the cap to access the contact lens. Optionally, the removable cap covers the orifice to block the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess until the removable cap is removed. The wall in which the orifice is formed may be an end wall at the distal end of the base. In such cases, the removable cap may include a flap extending over the end wall to cover the orifice, thereby blocking the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess until the removable cap is removed. The flap may be removable without blocking the orifice without removing the cap over the top opening. In an alternative aspect, the removable cap may include a tab covering the orifice to block the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess. The tab can be removed without removing the cap over the top opening. In another option, the removable tab covers the orifice and is detached from any part of the cap to block the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess until the removable tab is removed.

[0054] 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 to nor parallel to the bottom wall of the recess; for example, the front wall may 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 serving as the recess cavity. In one option, the orifice is adjacent to the intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

[0055] In the foregoing, the fluid seal (not shown) can be made of any suitable breakable material suitable for packaging medical devices, including molded foil or plastic sheets, laminated films, or plastics. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packaging can be used as components of the fluid seal. Multilayer films comprise multiple layers, including barrier layers, including foil layers, or coatings, sealing layers that seal the film to the remainder of the package, and may also include additional layers selected from peel-off initiation layers, laminated layers, and layers that improve other packaging properties such as stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, and barrier properties against water or oxygen. The multilayer film forms a steam-sterilizable (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 against oxygen or moisture.

[0056] For purposes of explanation, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that practicing the described embodiments does not require many specific details. Therefore, for purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific embodiments described herein is presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

[0057] The summary and abstract section may set forth one or more embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the inventors, but not all exemplary embodiments, and is therefore not intended to limit the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0058] The foregoing description of specific embodiments, without departing from the general concept of the invention, will fully reveal the general nature of the invention, namely that others can readily modify and / or adapt such particular embodiments for various applications without excessive experimentation by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Therefore, based on the teachings and guidance presented herein, such modifications and adaptations are intended to fall within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terminology herein is for descriptive purposes and not for limitation, and that the terminology or terminology of this specification should be interpreted by those skilled in the art based on the teachings and guidance.

[0059] The packaging of this invention can be manufactured using known materials and processes. The packaging materials can be natural, recyclable, or a combination thereof. The volume within the packaging cavity can vary depending on the chosen design.

[0060] Not all features described herein need to be incorporated into every package, and those skilled in the art can combine these features using the teachings herein to provide a variety of improved contact lens packages. In summary, the contact lens packages of the present invention include several novel functions that can be combined in various combinations as described herein to provide the desired improved packages. The breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited to any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be defined only by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A contact lens packaging component, comprising: The base has: The proximal end and the distal end; A solution depression located between the proximal end and the distal end; Contact lens support located in the solution recess; A top opening located between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support; A discharge orifice passes through the wall of the base adjacent to the recess, the orifice providing a fluid outlet for the solution within the recess; A removable cover that covers the top opening; and A movable tab located above the discharge orifice, wherein the movable tab is a flap extending from the cover above the wall of the base to cover the discharge orifice and thereby block the fluid outlet of the solution within the recess, wherein the flap is movable to unseal the discharge orifice without removing the cover above the top opening. The flap is easily detachable from the cover so that it can be removed without removing the cover over the top opening.

2. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the breakable connection between the cover and the flap is provided by a perforation between the cover and the flap.

3. The contact lens package according to claim 1, wherein the wall is one of the side wall, end wall or bottom wall of the base.

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

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

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

7. The contact lens package of claim 6, wherein the discharge port is adjacent to the intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

8. A method for approaching a contact lens in a contact lens package according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the package further comprising a contact lens held via the contact lens support and a packaging solution located in the recess, the method comprising: Remove the movable tab to open the discharge port; Tilt the contact lens package so that the solution exits the recess through the opened discharge port. After tilting the contact lens package, remove the removable cover, and Approaching the contact lens held by the contact lens support.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wall is an end wall and the movable tab is a flap extending along the end wall to cover the discharge orifice.

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