Contact lens package with ejection port and method for accessing a contact lens therein - Patent Application 20070122999

Abstract

The contact lens package includes a base having proximal and distal ends, a solution well between the proximal and distal ends, a contact lens support within the solution well, a top opening between the proximal and distal ends and above the contact lens support, and a via through a wall of the base adjacent the well, the via providing a fluid outlet for the solution in the well. A removable lid covering the top opening may be removably secured over the top opening so that a user can remove the lid to access the contact lens. This package allows a user to drain fluid from a contact lens within the package before removal from the package, thus providing better adhesion between the user's finger or applicator and the lens than previous packaging.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 953,947, filed September 27, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional contact lens packaging, a contact lens is typically placed in a molded plastic base with a cavity (or "bowl") that houses the contact lens within a bowl filled with solution. As a result, the user experience for transferring the contact lens from the package to the eye generally involves the user "fishing" the contact lens out of the bowl with their fingers and then inverting the lens 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 hand to the lens and ultimately to the eye. This handling experience is not only unhygienic, but is also overly cumbersome and messy, and mechanically stresses the lens, which can tear, break, or distort when excessively manipulated.

[0003] In light of increasing awareness of eye health and consumer demand for a more convenient experience, a need has arisen for contact lens packaging that allows for a less cumbersome and more hygienic contact lens handling process. Among other considerations, variations in the amount of packaging solution adhering to the lens and package can affect the process of placing the lens on a finger, so it would be desirable for the wearer to be able to drain any packaging solution that may affect the ability to place the lens on a finger. A mechanism for efficiently draining packaging solution from the lens in the package before removing the lens from the opened contact lens package onto the user's finger can aid in the removal and insertion process.

[0004] The foregoing deficiencies of the prior art are merely illustrative and not exhaustive. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There remains a need for contact lens packaging that provides consistent solution delivery when desired by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] It has now been discovered that some or all of the foregoing and related advantages can be achieved in a contact lens package having one or more aspects described herein. For example, the contact lens package may have a base having a cavity for containing a contact lens and packaging solution, the package configured such that when the wearer opens the package, the packaging solution is expelled from the contact lens.

[0007] Thus, according to the principles described herein, a contact lens package includes a base having proximal and distal ends, a solution well between the proximal and distal ends, a contact lens support within the solution well, a top opening between the proximal and distal ends and above the contact lens support, and a via through a wall of the base adjacent the well, the via providing a fluid outlet for the solution in the well. A removable lid covering the top opening may be removably secured over the top opening to allow a user to remove the lid to access the contact lens. Optionally, the removable lid covers the via to block fluid outlet of the solution in the well until the removable lid is removed. The wall in which the via is formed may be an end wall at the distal end of the base. In such a case, the removable lid may include a lid flap extending over the end wall to cover the via to block fluid outlet of the solution in the well until the removable lid is removed. The lid flap may be removable to unblock the via without moving the lid over the top opening. In an alternative embodiment, the removable lid may include a tab that overlies the via to block fluid exit of the solution in the well. The tab may be removed without moving the lid over the top opening. In another option, the removable tab detaches from any portion of the lid to cover the via and block fluid exit of the solution in the well until the removable tab is removed.

[0008] In one optional configuration, the well is formed by a bottom wall of the base, an end wall at the distal end of the cavity, and a 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 well, for example, it may be a sloped portion from the proximal end of the base to the bottom wall of the base. In another option, the front wall is approximately parallel to the end wall, forming a cavity that serves as the cavity of the well. In one option, the via is proximate to the intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

[0009] A contact lens in a contact lens package having a base, the base having proximal and distal ends, a solution well between the proximal and distal ends, a contact lens support in the solution well, a contact lens held via the contact lens support, packaging solution in the well, an upper opening between the proximal and distal ends and above the contact lens support, and a fluid port through a wall of the base adjacent the well, and a removable cover blocking the fluid port, can be accessed by removing the removable cover from blocking the fluid port and tilting the contact lens package to allow solution to exit the well through the opened fluid port, accessing the contact lens held by the contact lens support. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] 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. [Figure 1A] 1 shows an unopened contact lens package according to principles described herein. [Figure 1B] 1 illustrates the lid of a contact lens package separated from the base of the contact lens package according to principles described herein. [Figure 1C] 1 shows the base of a contact lens package with the lid removed according to principles described herein. [Figure 1D] 1 shows a cross section of the base 118 of a contact lens package with the lid 112 removed, according to principles described herein. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates the opening of a contact lens package, the draining of packaging solution, and the removal of a contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates the opening of a contact lens package, the draining of packaging solution, and the removal of a contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 2C] 1 illustrates the opening of a contact lens package, the draining of packaging solution, and the removal of a contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 2D] 1 illustrates the opening of a contact lens package, the draining of packaging solution, and the removal of a contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates the opening of a contact lens package, the draining of packaging solution, and the removal of a contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 3B] 1 illustrates the opening of a contact lens package, the draining of packaging solution, and the removal of a contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 3C] 1 illustrates the opening of a contact lens package, the draining of packaging solution, and the removal of a contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 3D] 1 illustrates the opening of a contact lens package, the draining of packaging solution, and the removal of a contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a contact lens package having an evacuation port through an end wall according to principles described herein. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a contact lens package having an evacuation port through an end wall according to principles described herein. [Figure 4C] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a contact lens package having an evacuation port through an end wall according to principles described herein. [Figure 5A] 4A-4C illustrate opening the contact lens package, draining the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 5B] 4A-4C illustrate opening the contact lens package, draining the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 5C]4A-4C illustrate opening the contact lens package, draining the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 5D] 4A-4C illustrate opening the contact lens package, draining the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 6A] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a contact lens package having an evacuation port through an end wall according to principles described herein. [Figure 6B] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a contact lens package having an evacuation port through an end wall according to principles described herein. [Figure 6C] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a contact lens package having an evacuation port through an end wall according to principles described herein. [Figure 7A] 6A-6C illustrate opening the contact lens package, draining the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 7B] 6A-6C illustrate opening the contact lens package, draining the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 7C] 6A-6C illustrate opening the contact lens package, draining the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 7D] 6A-6C illustrate opening the contact lens package, draining the packaging solution, and removing the contact lens according to principles described herein. [Figure 8A] 10 illustrates an alternative location for the exhaust port according to the principles described herein. [Figure 8B] 10 illustrates an alternative location for the exhaust port according to the principles described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where reference numerals indicate particular elements. The following description is not intended to limit the myriad embodiments to a single preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments, as defined by the appended claims.

[0012] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic, but not all embodiments necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic is described in connection with one embodiment, it is believed to be within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0013] Lens(s) or contact lens(es) refer to ophthalmic devices that reside on the eye. They generally have a hemispherical shape and can provide optical correction, cosmetic enhancement, UV protection and visible light or glare reduction, wound healing, therapeutic effects including delivery of drugs or nutritional supplements, diagnostic evaluation or monitoring, or any combination thereof. The term lens includes soft hydrogel contact lenses, which are generally provided to consumers in a package in a hydrated state and have a relatively low modulus of elasticity that allows them to conform to the cornea. Contact lenses suitable for use with the package of the present invention include all hydrated contact lenses, including conventional hydrogel contact lenses and silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

[0014] Hydrogels are hydrated crosslinked polymeric systems that contain water in an equilibrium state and can contain at least about 25%, or at least 35%, water in the hydrated state. Hydrogels are typically oxygen permeable and biocompatible, making them excellent materials for the manufacture of contact lenses.

[0015] 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 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 formulations 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 typically less than 20-30 barrers.

[0016] Silicone hydrogel formulations include balafilcon, samfilcon, lotrafilcon A and B, delfilcon, galifilcon, senofilcon A, B and C, narafilcon, comfilcon, formofilcon, liofilcon, fanfilcon, stenfilcon, somofilcon, and califilcon. "Silicone hydrogel" refers to a polymer network made from at least one hydrophilic component and at least one silicone-containing component. Silicone hydrogels can have moduli ranging from 60 to 200, 60 to 150, or 80 to 130 psi, and water contents ranging from 20 to 60%.Examples of silicone hydrogels include aquafilcon, asmofilcon, balafilcon, comfilcon, delefilcon, enfilcon, funfilcon, formofilcon, galifilcon, lotrafilcon, narafilcon, liofilcon, samfilcon, senofilcon, somofilcon, and stenfilcon and belofilcon (including all variations thereof), as well as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,659,782, 4,659,783, 5,242 ... No. 4,981, No. 5,314,960, No. 5,331,067, No. 5,371,147, No. 5,998,498, No. 6,087,415, No. 5,760,100, No. 5,776,999, No. 5,789,46 1, 5,849,811, 5,965,631, 6,367,929, 6,822,016, 6,867,245, 6,943,203, 7,247,692, 7,249,848, No. 7,553,880, No. 7,666,921, No. 7,786,185, No. 7,956,131, No. 8,022,158, No. 8,273,802, No. 8,399,538, No. 8,470,906, No. 8,4 50,387, 8,487,058, 8,507,577, 8,637,621, 8,703,891, 8,937,110, 8,937,111, 8,940,812, 9,056,8 Silicone hydrogels such as those prepared in US Patent Nos. 78, 9,057,821, 9,125,808, 9,140,825, 9,156,934, 9,170,349, 9,244,196, 9,244,197, 9,260,544, 9,297,928, and 9,297,929, as well as International Publication Nos. 03 / 22321, 2008 / 061992, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0048847. These patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Silicone hydrogels can have a higher shape memory than conventional contact lenses.

[0017] Hydrogel lenses are viscoelastic materials. Contact lenses can develop optical distortion when they interact with the packaging or any air bubbles within the packaging. The degree of optical distortion and the length of time required for the distortion to relax vary depending on the chemistry and, to a lesser extent, the lens geometry. Conventional lens materials, such as polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate-based lenses like etafilcon A or polymacon, have lower loss moduli and tan deltas than silicone hydrogels and can develop less and less significant optical distortion as a result of contact with the packaging. The incorporation of silicone (which generally increases the bulk elastic response), wetting agents such as PVP (which generally increase the viscous response), or coatings on conventional hydrogel materials (which can reduce the elastic response at the lens interface) can alter the viscoelastic properties of the lens. Conventional hydrogel contact lenses and silicone hydrogel contact lenses with short or stiff crosslinkers and / or curing agents can have a shorter shape memory and be less susceptible to deformation during storage. As used herein, a high or higher shape memory hydrogel exhibits an optical strain of at least about 0.18 after 5 weeks of accelerated aging from contact with an air bubble or packaging at 55° C. Viscoelastic properties, including loss modulus and tan delta, can be measured using dynamic mechanical analysis.

[0018] Contact lenses may be of any geometric shape or power, have a generally hemispherical shape, and have a concave posterior surface that rests against the eye in use, and a convex anterior surface that faces away from the eye and contacts the eyelid during blinking.

[0019] An embodiment can include a lens support surrounded by a sealable cavity, also referred to interchangeably as a chamber. The cavity can have any convenient form and can include a package base and at least a lid, each of which is described in detail below. As used herein, the terms "the lid," "a lid," "the base," and "a base" encompass both the singular and the plural. The lid and package base are sealed together to form a cavity that keeps the contact lens, support, and packaging solution sterile during shipping and storage prior to use. The contact lens package is made from a material that is compatible with the contact lens and solution, yet is retortable and biologically inert.

[0020] A "film" or "multilayer film" is a film used to seal a package, often referred to as lidstock. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packaging can be used in the packaging of the present invention as the base, the lid component, or both. The multilayer film contains multiple layers, including a barrier layer, including a foil layer, or a coating, a sealing layer that seals the film to the rest of the package, and can also contain additional layers selected from peel-initiating layers, lamination layers, and layers that improve other packaging properties, such as rigidity, heat resistance, printability, puncture resistance, and barrier resistance to water or oxygen. The multilayer film forms a steam-sterilizable (retortable) seal. The multilayer film can include a PET, BON, or OPP film layer to increase rigidity and heat resistance, or an EVOH or PVDC coating to improve barrier resistance to oxygen or water vapor.

[0021] As used herein, "unopened" or "unopened" refers to a contact lens package that is closed and contains a contact lens in a solution.

[0022] As used herein, "opened state" or "open" refers to a contact lens package after the sterilization seal has been broken. Depending on the context described herein, the opened state extends to the state of the package when a user manipulates the package, causing the user to lift and remove the lens from the package solution.

[0023] As used herein, "wearer" or "user" refers to a person who opens a contact lens package. A user is generally considered to be a person who opens the package and transfers the contact lens contained therein to their eye. However, a user in some contexts may be a person who handles the lens package on behalf of the wearer, such as an eye care provider ("ECP") or another individual who demonstrates or assists the wearer.

[0024] The packaging solution may be any physiologically compatible solution that is compatible with the selected lens material and packaging. Packaging solutions include buffer solutions having a physiological pH, such as buffered saline solutions. Packaging solutions may contain known ingredients, including buffers, pH and elasticity adjusters, lubricants, humectants, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, package coating ingredients, and the like.

[0025] References throughout this description to injection molding processes and the use of materials conventionally applied in injection molding should be understood as exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that other means of manufacturing are possible within the scope of the appended claims, including, but not limited to, alternative molding processes, thermoforming, 3D printing, and the like. Similarly, references to heat sealing and heat sealing are exemplary of the embodiments described herein. Other means of securing package components will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including the use of adhesives, glues, thermal bonds, welding such as heat, ultrasonic, or laser welding, or mechanical traps, and the like.

[0026] 1A-1C show components of a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an unopened contact lens package 100 according to the principles described herein. FIG. 1B shows the lid 112 of the contact lens package 100 separated from the base 118 of the contact lens package. FIG. 1C shows the base 118 of the contact lens package 100 with the lid 112 removed. FIG. 1D shows a cross-section of the base 118 of the contact lens package 100 with the lid 112 removed.

[0027] The unopened contact lens package 100 includes a base 118 and a lid 112 that covers the base. The lid 112 may include an opening tab 110 at a proximal end of the base, which may be integral with the lid 112. In an optional configuration, the opening tab 110 may be fixed to or integral with the lid 112, but may be at least partially unattached to the base 118 and movably connected to the lid 210 such that the user can grasp the opening tab 110.

[0028] 1A and 1B, the lid 112 of the contact lens package 100 may also include a gripping member 106 operably connected to the lid 112 or the tear tab 110, as shown in FIG. 1A. The gripping member 106 may be provided to assist a user in opening the package and may optionally be made of plastic or may be an extension of the tear tab 110 or lid 112. The gripping member 106 may be textured to aid in gripping for removal of the lid 112, the direction of which is indicated by the left-most arrow in FIG. 1A. In any of the embodiments described herein, the tear tab 110 and lid 112 are formed from a film or multilayer film as described herein.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1C, the contact lens package 100 further includes a base 118 that includes a cavity 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 120 includes a well 128 that holds a packaging solution when the package is in an unopened state. The base further includes a lens support 122, which may be convex, as shown in FIG. 1D. It should be noted that while the cavity 120 is shown as a convex lens support 118, it may also include or be a "bowl"-type lens support without departing from the principles described herein.

[0030] 1C, the base 118 includes a via or fluid port 124 at its distal end, which is blocked or closed by the lid 112 or other mechanism, such as a tab 126, when in an unopened state. As shown in FIG. 1C, the base may include a well 128 adjacent the contact lens support 122, which is in fluid communication with the contact lens support 122 and an opening such that fluid may drain from the contact lens into the well 128 and out of the package 100 through the port 124. The port 124 is positioned adjacent and in fluid communication with the well 128, such that when the port 124 is opened, blocked, or punctured, for example, upon removal of a removable cover, packaging solution may drain from the well 128. When the contact lens package 100 is in an unopened state, as in FIG. 1A, the port 124 is fluidly sealed by the lid 112 or other mechanism, such as the tab 126. The lid 112 may further include a flap 114 extending over the distal end of the base 118 of the contact lens package, where it seals to the base 118 to provide a fluid seal for the cavity 120 and / or port 124 until the lid is removed by a user. The distal end of the lid 112 may include a distal tab 126 whereby a user may release the fluid seal at the distal end of the contact lens package to open the port 124 and allow the package solution 130 to drain from the cavity 120 in the base 118. Draining of the solution liquid can be accomplished by tilting the contact lens package to force the solution through the port by gravity, or optionally by squeezing or shaking the package to create inertial forces to drain the solution.

[0031] Optionally, the lid flap 114 provides a seal that blocks the port 124 in an unopened state. The contact lens package 100 may optionally include a removable tab 126 that blocks the port 124, such that a user may remove the tab 126 separately from the lid 112 to drain the packaging solution from the well 128 without removing the lid 112 from the base. For example, in one aspect, the tab 126 may be used to lift the entire lid flap 114 to expose the drain port 124 (or drain port 224 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5D), may be a part of the lid flap 114 that may be separately removable from the lid flap 114, such as by a perforation or thinned structure, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 4A, or may be a component that covers the drain port 124 / 224 in the absence of the lid flap 114, as shown in FIG. 3A. Such a configuration allows a user to drain packaging fluid from the well 128 without exposing the contact lens to the external environment or risking the contact lens shifting or falling out of the opened package during drainage of the packaging solution through the port. In any of the described embodiments, the removable tab 126 may be part of the package instead of or in addition to the lid flap 114. In some embodiments, a protrusion or other additional structure may be located in the base or lid of the package to prevent the lens from sliding into and blocking the port. Also, it should be noted that some embodiments may further include an air ingress path in addition to the port. The air ingress path can be achieved in a myriad of ways, such as by allowing the lid to partially open at the end opposite the port.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2A , to access the contact lenses, a user holds the unopened contact lens package 100 and pulls the tear tab 110 on the lid 112 of the package 100 in the direction of the arrow. Opening may be assisted by the user optionally grasping the grip tab 106, which is attached to or integral with the opening tab 110 and / or the lid 112. Although not required, the user may hold the package 100 with one hand and pull the tear tab 110 with the other. As shown in the step shown in FIG. 2B , pulling the opening tab 110 bends the lid 112 and breaks the seal between the lid 112 and the base 118 of the package 100. The lid 112 may be a multi-layer film or laminated foil seal that is heat-sealed to the top of the package, which includes the opening tab 110, the lid 112, optionally the gripping member 106, the lens support 126, and the lid flap 114 at the distal end of the package 100.

[0033] As described above, port 124 at the distal end of package 100 is fluidly connected to well 128. As shown in FIG. 2C, lid 112 may be configured to fluidly seal port 124 such that removal of lid 112 opens port 124 and allows packaging solution 130 in well 128 to drain from the contact lens on the lens support and out of well 128 via port 124. As shown in FIG. 2D, the contact lens 132 exposed by removal of lid 112 and drainage of packaging solution 130 allows a user to access and remove contact lens 122 for insertion into a wearer's eye.

[0034] 3A-3D illustrate features of optional distal tab 126. As shown in FIG. 3A, optional distal tab 126 may be configured to be moved away from port 124 while the remainder of lid 112 remains in place. A user grasps distal tab 126, which is heat-sealed or otherwise removably secured to base 118. Moving distal tab 126 away from base end wall 134 reveals and opens port 124, allowing packaging solution 130 to be released from well 128. Solution ejection may be accomplished by tilting the contact lens package, forcing the solution through the port by gravity.

[0035] 3A-3C, the distal tab 126 is integral with the lid 112, but this configuration is not required. The distal tab 126 may be separate from the lid 112 and / or may be underneath the lid flap 114, in which case movement of the distal tab 126 moves the lid flap, allowing the lid 112 to be removed from the distal end of the contact lens package by grasping the lid flap 114.

[0036] 4A-4C illustrate optional or alternative features of a contact lens package according to the principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 4A, in another configuration of the evacuation port 224, a via through the distal end wall 134 of the base 118 is spaced from the lower edge of the distal end wall. The shape of the via 224, while depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 as having a circular or oval outline, is not specifically defined. Any other shape in outline is possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, arcuate or polygonal outlines are possible and within the scope of this disclosure. FIGS. 4A and 4B also illustrate a lid 112 (without the lid flap 114 of FIG. 1) with an integral tab 126. FIG. 4C also illustrates a lid 112 with an integral tab 126 such that the tab 126 can articulate relative to the lid 112, but is not specifically designed to be removed from the lid 112.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D , the distal tab 126 may be configured to be moved away from the port 124 while the remainder of the lid 112 remains in place. A user grasps the distal tab 126, which is heat-sealed or otherwise removably secured to the base 118. Moving the distal tab 126 away from the base end wall 134 reveals and opens the port 124, allowing the packaging solution 130 to be released from the well 128. Ejection of the solution may be accomplished by tilting the contact lens package, allowing gravity to force the solution through the port. After ejecting the liquid, the user can remove the lid 112 by grasping the opening tab 110 or any gripping member 106 of the lid 112 to remove the lid from the base and access the contact lens 132, as shown in FIG. 5D .

[0038] 6A-6C illustrate optional or alternative features of a contact lens package according to the principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 4A, in another configuration of the evacuation port 224, a via through the distal end wall 134 of the base 118 is spaced from the lower edge of the distal end wall. The shape of the via 224, while depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 as having a circular or oval outline, is not specifically defined. Any other shape in outline is possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, arcuate or polygonal outlines are possible and within the scope of this disclosure. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a lid 112 (without the lid flap 114 of FIG. 1) with an integrated tab 126. FIG. 6B illustrates the lid 112, and as shown, the tab 126 may optionally be removable from the lid 112. This may be facilitated by perforations 140 to reduce the force required for a user to remove or peel the tab 126 from the lid 112. Instead of perforations, other frangible connections may be used, such as thinned material structures or other frangible connections (not shown).

[0039] In an alternative configuration (not shown), the tab 126 may be completely separate from the lid 112 and may, for example, be separately heat-sealed over the via 224. Although Figures 1A-1D and 2A-2D show the lid having a full flap 114 overlying the distal base end wall 134, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, in an optional configuration, the contact lens package 100 may include a separate, removable piece or tab 126 overlying the evacuation port 124 / 224 to prevent leakage of contact lens packaging solution from the well in the base prior to opening of the evacuation port 124 / 224.

[0040] 7A-7D illustrate operation of the contact lens package of FIGS. 6A-6C. In the illustrations of FIGS. 6A-6C, the distal tab 126 is integral with but detachable from the lid 112. To access the contact lens, 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 reveals and opens the port 124, allowing the packaging solution 130 to be released from the well 128. Referring to FIG. 7B, a user can peel the tab 126 away from the lid 112 so that the lid 112 remains secured to the base 118, thereby leaving the contact lens cavity completely fluidly sealed from above by the lid, even though the evacuation port 224 has been opened. Evacuation of the solution may be accomplished by tilting the contact lens package and forcing the solution through the port by gravity. After draining the liquid, the user can remove the lid 112 by grasping the opening tab 110 or optional gripping member 106 of the lid 112 to remove the lid from the base and access the contact lens 132, as shown in FIG. 5D . While described herein as having an evacuation port at the distal end, edge, or wall of the base, the evacuation port may instead be included in any wall of the base, so long as there is a means for blocking the evacuation port, such as a removable tab similar to removable tab 126. With reference to FIG. 8A , the evacuation port 124 may be in a side wall 142 of the base 118. With reference to FIG. 8B , a via may be in the side wall 142 of the base 118. As described with respect to the previous embodiment of tab 126, the tab 126 over the side wall evacuation port / via 124 / 224 may be integral with the lid 112 or may be removable from the lid 210, and may be facilitated, for example, by perforations, a thinned structure, or other frangible connection (not shown). The shape of the via 224 is shown in Figures 8A and 8B as having an arcuate, circular, or elliptical outline, but is not particularly specific in shape, and any other shape in outline is possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.For example, arcuate or polygonal profiles are possible and within the scope of this disclosure.

[0041] Thus, according to the principles described herein, a contact lens package includes a base having proximal and distal ends, a solution well between the proximal and distal ends, a contact lens support within the solution well, a top opening between the proximal and distal ends and above the contact lens support, and a port through a wall of the base adjacent the well, the port providing a fluid outlet for the solution in the well. A removable lid covering the top opening may be removably secured over the top opening to allow a user to remove the lid and access the contact lens. Optionally, the removable lid covers the port to block fluid outlet of the solution in the well until the removable lid is removed. The wall in which the port is formed may be an end wall at the distal end of the base. In such a case, the removable lid may include a lid flap extending over the end wall to cover the port to block fluid outlet of the solution in the well until the removable lid is removed. The lid flap may be removable in such a way as to unblock the port without moving the lid over the top opening. In another aspect, the removable lid may include a tab covering the port to block fluid outlet of the solution in the well. The tab may be removed without moving the lid over the top opening. Alternatively, the removable tab may separate from any portion of the lid to cover the port and block fluid exit of the solution in the well until the removable tab is removed.

[0042] In one optional configuration, the well is formed by a bottom wall of the base, an end wall at the distal end of the cavity, and a 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 well, for example, it may be a sloped portion from the proximal end of the base to the bottom wall of the base. In another option, the front wall is approximately parallel to the end wall, forming a cavity that serves as the cavity of the well. In one option, the port is proximate to the intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the fluid seal (not shown) may be made from any suitable frangible material suitable for packaging medical devices, including formed foil or plastic sheets, laminated films, or plastics. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packaging may be used as a component of the fluid seal. The multilayer film comprises multiple layers, including a barrier layer, including a foil layer, or coating, a sealing layer that seals the film to the rest of the package, and may also include additional layers selected from peel initiator layers, lamination layers, and layers that improve other package properties, such as rigidity, heat resistance, printability, puncture resistance, and barrier resistance to water or oxygen. The multilayer film forms a steam sterilizable (retortable) seal. The multilayer film may include a PET, BON, or OPP film layer to increase rigidity and heat resistance, or an EVOH or PVDC coating to improve barrier resistance to oxygen or water vapor.

[0044] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many of the specific details are not required to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

[0045] The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the inventors, and are therefore not intended to limit the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0046] The foregoing description of specific embodiments makes the general nature of the present invention fully apparent, and others, by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art, may readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments to various uses without undue experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and therefore should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in the light of the teaching and guidance.

[0047] The packages of the present invention can be manufactured using known materials and processes. The packaging materials can be virgin, recycled, or a combination thereof. The volume within the package cavity can vary depending on the design selected.

[0048] Not all features described herein need to be incorporated into every package; those skilled in the art can use the teachings herein to combine these features to provide a wide variety of improved contact lens packaging. In summary, the contact lens packages of the present invention incorporate several novel features that can be combined in a wide variety of 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 be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0049] [Embodiment] (1) A contact lens package comprising: a base, the base comprising: a proximal end and a distal end; a solution well between the proximal end and the distal end; a contact lens support within the solution well; an upper opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support; an exhaust port through a wall of the base adjacent the well, the port providing a fluid outlet for a solution within the well; a removable lid that covers the top opening; a movable tab above the ejection port. (2) The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the movable tab is integral with the removable lid. (3) The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the movable tab extends from and is frangibly connected to the removable lid. (4) The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the movable tab is separate from the lid. (5) A contact lens package as described in embodiment 1, wherein the movable tab is a flap extending from the lid over the wall of the base to cover the ejection port to block fluid exit of the solution in the well until the removable lid is removed.

[0050] (6) A contact lens package as described in embodiment 1, wherein the movable tab is a flap extending from the lid over the wall of the base to cover the ejection port to block fluid outlet of the solution in the well, and the flap is movable to unblock the port without moving the lid over the top opening. (7) The contact lens package of embodiment 6, wherein the flap is frangibly connected to the lid so that it can be removed without moving the lid over the top opening. (8) The contact lens package of claim 6, wherein the flap is frangibly connected to the lid so as to be removable without displacing the lid over the top opening, and the frangible connection between the lid and the flap is provided by a perforation between the lid and the lid flap. (9) The contact lens package of embodiment 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 embodiment 1, wherein the contact lens support is concave relative to the bottom of the well.

[0051] (11) The contact lens package of embodiment 1, wherein the contact lens support is convex relative to the bottom of the well. (12) The contact lens package of embodiment 1, wherein the well comprises a bottom wall of the base, an end wall at the distal end of the cavity, and a front wall between the proximal edge of the base and the contact lens support. 13. The contact lens package of claim 12, wherein the port is proximate 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 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 in the solution well, a contact lens held via the contact lens support, packaging solution in the well, an upper opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support, a fluid port through a wall of the base adjacent the well, and a movable cover blocking the fluid port, the method comprising: removing the movable cover to open the fluid port; tilting the contact lens package to allow the solution to exit the well through the open fluid port; and accessing the contact lens held by the contact lens support. (15) The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening.

[0052] (16) The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, and the method further comprises removing the removable lid after tilting the contact lens package. (17) The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, and the method further comprises removing the removable lid, performed before tilting the contact lens package. (18) The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, and the movable cover is secured to the removable lid. (19) The method of claim 14, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, the movable cover is fixed to the removable lid, and the removable cover is integral with the removable lid. (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 port.

[0053] (21) A contact lens package, a base, the base comprising: a proximal end and a distal end; a solution well between the proximal end and the distal end; a contact lens support within the solution well that is convex relative to the bottom of the well; an upper opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support; an evacuation port through a wall of the base, the port providing a fluid outlet for a solution within a well; a removable lid that covers the top opening; a movable tab above the discharge port; 1. A contact lens package, wherein the flap is frangibly connected to the lid so as to be removable without displacing the lid over the top opening, and the frangible connection between the lid and the flap is provided by perforations between the lid and the lid flap. (22) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the movable tab is integral with the removable lid. (23) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the movable tab extends from and is frangibly connected to the removable lid. (24) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the movable tab is separate from the lid. (25) The contact lens package of claim 21, wherein the movable tab is a flap extending from the lid over the wall of the base to cover the drain port to block fluid exit of the solution in the well until the removable lid is removed.

[0054] (26) The contact lens package of claim 21, wherein the movable tab is a flap extending from the lid over the wall of the base to cover the outlet port to block fluid outlet of the solution in the well, and the flap is movable to unblock the port without moving the lid over the top opening. (27) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the wall is one of a side wall, an end wall, or a bottom wall of the base. (28) The contact lens package of claim 21, wherein the well comprises a bottom wall of the base, an end wall at the distal end of the cavity, and a front wall between the proximal edge of the base and the contact lens support. (29) The contact lens package of embodiment 28, wherein the port is proximate an intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base. (30) A method of accessing a contact lens in a contact lens package comprising a base, the base having proximal and distal ends, a solution well between the proximal and distal ends, a contact lens support in the solution well, the contact lens support being convex with respect to a bottom of the well, a contact lens held via the contact lens support, packaging solution in the well, an upper opening between the proximal and distal ends and above the contact lens support, a fluid port through a wall of the base adjacent the well, and a movable cover blocking the fluid port, the method comprising: removing the movable cover to open the fluid port; tilting the contact lens package to allow the solution to exit the well through the open fluid port; and accessing the contact lens held by the contact lens support.

[0055] 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening. (32) The method of embodiment 30, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, and the method further comprises removing the removable lid after tilting the contact lens package. (33) The method of embodiment 30, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, and the method further comprises removing the removable lid, performed before tilting the contact lens package. (34) The method of embodiment 30, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, and the movable cover is secured to the removable lid. (35) The method of embodiment 30, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, the movable cover is fixed to the removable lid, and the removable cover is integral with the removable lid.

[0056] (36) The method of embodiment 30, wherein the wall is an end wall and the movable cover is a flap extending along the end wall to cover the fluid port.

Claims

1. 1. A contact lens package comprising: a base, the base comprising: a proximal end and a distal end; a solution well between the proximal end and the distal end; a contact lens support within the solution well that is convex relative to the bottom of the well; an upper opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support; an evacuation port through a wall of the base, the port providing a fluid outlet for a solution within a well; a removable lid that covers the top opening; a movable tab above the discharge port; 1. A contact lens package, wherein the flap is frangibly connected to the lid so as to be removable without displacing the lid over the top opening, and the frangible connection between the lid and the flap is provided by perforations between the lid and the lid flap.

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

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

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

5. 2. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the movable tab is a flap extending from the lid over the wall of the base to cover the drain port to block fluid exit of the solution in the well until the removable lid is removed.

6. 2. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the movable tab is a flap extending from the lid over the wall of the base to cover the ejection port to block fluid exit of the solution in the well, the flap being movable to unblock the port without moving the lid over the top opening.

7. 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.

8. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the well 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.

9. The contact lens package of claim 8 , wherein the port is proximate an intersection between the end wall and the bottom wall of the base.

10. 1. A method of accessing a contact lens in a 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, the contact lens support being convex with respect to a bottom of the well, a contact lens held via the contact lens support, packaging solution in the well, a top opening between the proximal end and the distal end and above the contact lens support, a fluid port through a wall of the base adjacent the well, and a movable cover blocking the fluid port, the method comprising: removing the movable cover to open the fluid port; tilting the contact lens package to allow the solution to exit the well through the open fluid port; and accessing the contact lens held by the contact lens support.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening.

12. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, the method further comprising removing the removable lid after tilting the contact lens package.

13. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, the method further comprising removing the removable lid performed before tilting the contact lens package.

14. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, and the movable cover is secured to the removable lid.

15. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the contact lens package further comprises a removable lid over the top opening, the movable cover is fixed to the removable lid, and the removable cover is integral with the removable lid.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the wall is an end wall and the movable cover is a flap extending along the end wall to cover the fluid port.

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