Contact lens packaging and opening method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved contact lens package. The package may be configured such that upon opening the package by a wearer, the package solution (130) is expelled from the contact lens (122) and substantially recaptured within the lid (112). The lens package may also include a lens support (126) to facilitate one-touch transfer, or a colored area to visually indicate to the wearer where to hold the package for opening.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] For many years, it has been commonly recognized that it would be ideal to provide contact lens wearers with "one-touch" packaging, i.e., packaging that allows the wearer to remove the lens from the lens storage package with a single touch of one of the user's fingers and then properly position the lens on the eye with that single touch. With such a design, the lens does not need to be transferred and manipulated from one finger to another before placing it on the eye (as is currently the case). Providing such one-touch packaging not only streamlines the lens preparation and insertion process, but also reduces the likelihood of dropping the lens or exposing the lens to additional bacteria on the wearer's other fingers as the lens is being prepared for orientation and insertion on the eye, and also reduces the likelihood of touching the side of the lens that is intended to contact the eye.

[0002] The design of a one-touch lens package faces several distinct challenges. Ideally, the wearer should be able to consistently position and adhere the lens to their finger during removal from the package, and the lens then needs to be consistently released from their finger onto the eye. Each contact lens (both reusable and daily disposable varieties) has its own unique surface, bulk, and geometric characteristics. Finger size and the force that a contact lens wearer applies to the lens during transfer can also vary. These factors can affect the process of removing the lens from the package onto their finger and then placing it on the eye. Among other considerations, variations in the amount of packaging solution that adheres to the lens and package can affect the process of placing the lens on the finger, so it would be desirable for the wearer to be able to drain any packaging solution that may affect the ability to adhere the lens to the finger. It would also be desirable to drain the packaging solution in a controlled manner that avoids leakage. It would also be beneficial for the packaging solution to remain sterile and accessible to the wearer after opening to allow for rewetting or cleaning of the lens. Additionally, wearers may be concerned about the possibility of transferring external products, such as bacteria or cosmetics, to the contact lens, and of course, the manufacture of the package itself should meet expected industry standards recognized by medical and commercial provider organizations.

[0003] Furthermore, one-touch packaging ideally should not result in an exorbitant increase in the cost of the product relative to current contact lens packaging, as this could result in increased costs to the wearer population. The packaging should not make it difficult to hold the lens when removed from the package. Additionally, if the package configuration were to maintain or even reduce the volume of solution required to package the lens, this would reduce the ecological impact of the lens packaging. Similarly, it would be beneficial if all or part of the packaging could be made from recycled materials and / or be fully or partially recyclable.

[0004] Additionally, it would be advantageous if the package were constructed of materials that have already been approved by various regulatory agencies and ideally would not require changes to the solution chemistry or lens composition. Optimally, the package's functionality, moreover, preferably does not incorporate any electronics or other electrical components where such components could adversely affect the performance of either the package or the lens.

[0005] There are several desirable attributes that make the functionality of one-touch packaging difficult to achieve and that are often lacking in known attempts to create one-touch packages. These attributes include, for example: i) the package should ideally protect the lens, i.e., ensure the integrity of the lens while preventing it from being crushed or damaged, ii) the lens package should maintain hydration of the lens when stored to maintain the properties of the lens, and iii) the lens within the package should preferably be immersed in package solution when desired and configured to remove such solution when ready for transfer from the package, iv) the package should have a retortable seal to accommodate both the lens and the solution, v) the package should preferably maintain the lens in a desired convex orientation relative to the wearer, vi) the lens should be precisely positioned for easy removal by the wearer, and vii) the package should allow package solution to be effectively drained from the lens upon opening the package and prior to removal of the lens, allowing for easier transfer to the wearer's fingers and then onto the eye.

[0006] International Publication Nos. WO 2014 / 195588, WO 2009 / 069265, JP 6339322, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20200229563 disclose packages that present lenses in a convex bowl-down configuration. However, the lens support structure substantially conforms to the shape of the contact lens, thereby providing an undesirable contact area between the lens and the lens support. These references also are silent about mechanisms for effective solution drainage from the lens and lens support.

[0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20190046353 discloses a contact lens storage container that increases ease of lens removal. However, the package requires the wearer to pour out the package solution and fails to provide the desired consistent one-touch removal.

[0008] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20200229560 discloses a package having a lens support that supports the concave (anterior or front) surface of a contact lens or the peripheral edge of the contact lens, and a grate that allows package solution to drain through the grate into a bottom chamber when the lens package is opened, preventing easy access to the solution by the wearer.

[0009] The foregoing deficiencies of the prior art are merely illustrative and not exhaustive.

[0010] Additionally, the introduction of new contact lens packaging that deviates from traditional blister packaging often presents challenges to wearers. New form factors and modalities may not be immediately intuitive. This frequently causes frustration and / or leads to lenses being damaged or contaminated during the opening process. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide contact lens packaging with visual or tactile cues that make the new contact lens packaging and opening experience more intuitive. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Thus, there remains a need for contact lens packaging that provides a consistent one-touch lens dispensing experience, effective solution management, or addresses one or a combination of the aforementioned challenges or deficiencies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] It has now been discovered that some or all of the foregoing and related objects can be achieved in a contact lens package having one or more aspects described herein. For example, a contact lens package may have a lid with a lid cavity containing a contact lens and packaging solution, the package configured such that upon opening of the package by a wearer, the packaging solution is expelled from the contact lens and substantially recaptured within the lid. In some cases, the packaging solution may be recaptured within the lid cavity. The contact lens package may include a lens support configured to hold the contact lens substantially out of the packaging solution when the package is in an open state, and the package may also include a gripping member configured to be held by the wearer during opening. In some embodiments, the lid is substantially rigid. In another aspect, the lid cavity can accommodate the contact lens in a convex position package when the package is in an unopened or opened state. The lid may also include a tear tab, such as a handle or ring pull. In some embodiments, the lens support of the package has a profile that does not substantially match the profile of the contact lens. When the package is in an open state, the wetted contact area between the lens support and the contact lens is about 25 mm 2 Less than 20mm 2 Less than 18mm 2 Less than or about 15 mm 2The lid may be less than 1 / 2" thick. The lid may further include one or more lens-facing surfaces with at least one air inlet guide. The lid of the package, in some embodiments, may be configured to hinge upon opening. In another aspect, the gripping member may include a recessed area contoured to matingly receive at least a portion of the tear tab when the package is in the unopened state. Additionally, in some embodiments, the package may also include termination means for preventing separation of the lid from the base once the package reaches the opened state.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lens support of the contact lens package may include a lens support having a first support member and a second support member configured to support a concave side of the contact lens in the cavity when the package is in an unopened state, and the package is configured such that when the package is in an opened state, the contact lens rests on at least a portion of the first support member and the second support member is moved away from the lens. In one aspect, the second support member pivots away from the first support member during opening. The first and second support members are, in some embodiments, a unitary component.

[0014] Furthermore, the second support member may be fixedly attached to at least a portion of the base of the package. The first support member and the second support member may further have a nested configuration when the package is in an unopened state. In some embodiments, when the package is in an unopened state, the peripheral edge of the contact lens rests on at least a portion of the second support member. Furthermore, the first support member may have a first profile that does not substantially match the profile of the contact lens. In another aspect, the second support member is integral with the base of the package. A drainage path may optionally be defined along the length of the lens support. A hinge may optionally be defined between the lid and the gripping member and traverse the drainage path, such that upon opening, the package bends along the hinge and package solution is expelled from the contact lens along the drainage path.

[0015] In certain embodiments, a contact lens package includes a cavity for receiving a contact lens and packaging solution, a lens support for holding the contact lens, and at least one lens-facing surface within the cavity above the convex side of the contact lens. When the package is in an unopened state, the at least one lens-facing surface is configured to: i) align the contact lens on the lens support; ii) facilitate air egress into the peripheral volume of the cavity; and iii) protect the contact lens from significant optical damage due to gravity, mechanical forces, or air-induced forces. In one aspect, the at least one lens-facing surface may be further configured to direct air entering the package above the contact lens to reduce the incidence of the contact lens sticking to the package upon opening. In one aspect, the lens-facing surface may include multiple protrusions toward the convex side of the contact lens. The accessible surface area between the at least one lens-facing surface and the contact lens is at least about 3 percent, and preferably greater than 20 percent, of the convex surface area of ​​the lens. The lens-facing surface may define at least two air egress channels that allow air to move from the contact lens into the peripheral volume of the lid cavity. The channels can have widths of about 1 mm to 1.5 mm or 1.5 mm to 2 mm. In another embodiment, the at least two channels can have a positive slope toward the peripheral volume and a minimum vertical rise of at least about 2 mm. In some cases, the at least two channels can be positioned relative to one another such that when the package is rotated on its side, at least one of the channels has a central axis from near the center of the cavity that is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to gravity.

[0016] Furthermore, the contact lens package can include a gripping member and a tear tab, wherein at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab includes a colored area that visually indicates to the wearer the correct orientation of the package or where to hold when opening the package. In some embodiments, at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab further includes a substantially transparent portion, wherein the colored portion and the substantially transparent portion are formed by a two-shot injection molding process. At least one of the gripping member and the tear tab may include a tactile feature, and / or at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab includes printed or embossed product information.

[0017] Certain embodiments of the contact lens package can have a substantially flat articulating base, a substantially rigid lid with a lid cavity that accommodates the packaging solution and contact lens in a convex position when the package is in an unopened or opened state, and a lens support configured to hold the contact lens substantially out of the packaging solution when the package is in the opened state.

[0018] The packaging of certain embodiments of the present invention can include holding the package with a gripping member of the package, i) bending the package to break the seal between the lid and the base of the package, ii) causing the package solution to be expelled from the contact lens and recaptured in the lid, and iii) pulling a tear tab on the lid of the package to present the contact lens to a wearer on a lens support, and removing the contact lens from the package. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] 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 illustrates steps for opening a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B]1 illustrates steps for opening a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] 1 illustrates steps for opening a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1D] 1 illustrates steps for opening a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1E] 1 illustrates steps for opening a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1A-1D show cross-sectional views of a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention at various moments in the opening process. [Figure 2B] 1A-1D show cross-sectional views of a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention at various moments in the opening process. [Figure 2C] 1A-1D show cross-sectional views of a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention at various moments in the opening process. [Figure 2D] 1A-1D show cross-sectional views of a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention at various moments in the opening process. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a contact lens package according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a contact lens package according to an alternative exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5A] 1A and 1B show an exemplary embodiment of a lens support in isometric and top views, respectively. [Figure 5B] 1A and 1B show an exemplary embodiment of a lens support in isometric and top views, respectively. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a perspective view of the underside of the lid and the interior of the lid cavity, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 shows alternative embodiments of the lens-facing surface of the lid in various orientations. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a contact lens package including a tinted region. [Figure 9]1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a contact lens package including a tinted region. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings. An advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that they facilitate consistent, one-touch lens transfer from the package to the wearer's finger and then from the finger to the wearer's eye without inverting the lens, dropping it from the finger, or further manipulation. Consistent lens transfer includes a transfer rate of at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90% transfer relative to the initial touch of the finger (or "dab"). The lens also desirably "rises" onto the finger without folding or inverting, and then transfers to the eye when placed on the eye. Certain embodiment packages can provide the desired one-touch transfer over a range of finger sizes and dab pressures. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and whether the finger is wet or dry, can also affect the transfer rate, with higher temperatures generally improving lens transfer.

[0023] 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 medicines 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 packaging 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 packaging of the present invention include all hydrated contact lenses, including conventional hydrogel contact lenses and silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Silicone hydrogel formulations include balafilcon, samfilcon, lotrafilcon A and B, delfilcon, galyfilcon, senofilcon A, B, and C, narafilcon, comfilcon, formofilcon, riofilcon, fanfilcon, stenfilcon, somofilcon, and kalifilcon. "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 acquafilcon, asmofilcon, balafilcon, comfilcon, delefilcon, enfilcon, fanfilcon, formofilcon, galyfilcon, lotrafilcon, narafilcon, riofilcon, and samfilcon. In addition to amfilcon, senofilcon, somofilcon, and stenfilcon (including all variations thereof), U.S. Patent Nos. 4,659,782, 4,659,783, 5,244,981, 5,314,960, 5,331,067, 5,371,147, 5,998,498, 6,087,415, 5,760,100, 5,776,999, 5,789,461, 5,849,811, 5,965,631, 6,367,No. 929, No. 6,822,016, No. 6,867,245, No. 6,943,203, No. 7,247,692, No. 7,2 No. 49,848, No. 7,553,880, No. 7,666,921, No. 7,786,185, No. 7,956,131, No. 8 , 022,158, 8,273,802, 8,399,538, 8,470,906, 8,450,387, No. 8,487,058, No. 8,507,577, No. 8,637,621, No. 8,703,891, No. 8,937,110 , 8,937,111, 8,940,812, 9,056,878, 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, 9,297,929, as well as silicone hydrogels such as those prepared in WO 03 / 22321, WO 2008 / 061992, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0048847, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Silicone hydrogels can have a longer shape memory than conventional contact lenses.

[0027] 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 of 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 may have a short 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The center or apex of the lens is the center of the lens optic zone. The optic zone provides the optical correction and can have a diameter of about 7 to about 10 mm. The lens periphery or edge is the edge where the anterior and posterior sides meet.

[0030] A wet lens is a contact lens and any residual packaging solution adhering to it after the packaging solution has been expelled. Wetting contact is the total contact area between the wet lens and the lens support.

[0031] 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 package 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.

[0032] 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 packages of the present invention as the base, the lid component, or both. The multilayer film includes 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 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 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.

[0033] As used herein, "unopened" or "unopened" refers to a contact lens package that is closed and contains a contact lens in a solution.

[0034] As used herein, "opened" or "opened" refers to a contact lens package after it has been opened and the contact solution has been substantially expelled from the lenses and / or the lenses have been substantially retained or lifted from the solution.

[0035] The packaging solution may be any physiologically compatible solution that is compatible with the selected lens material and package. 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.

[0036] The package base can form the bottom of the package. It can be made of any material suitable for packaging medical devices, including a flat sheet of foil or plastic, a laminated film, or plastic. The bottom of the lens support can be provided on or supported by the base surface facing the inside of the package cavity. The lens support can also be integral with the base. The lens support can rest on the inner surface of the package base, which can be horizontal or tilted, to hold the lens support and lens in an inclined position when the bottom of the base is horizontal.

[0037] The package lid is generally located at the top portion of the package and seals the base to form a cavity that contains the lens support, lens, and at least a portion of the packaging solution. The lid can be made from any material suitable for packaging medical devices, including a molded sheet of foil or plastic, a laminated film, or plastic. Packages that include plastic for one structure and foil or laminated film for the other, or foil or laminated film as the outer layer of the lid and base, are known in the art and are examples of suitable combinations.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Certain aspects of the present invention can help reduce or prevent significant optical damage to contact lenses due to air bubbles or interactions with the interior of the lens package that may occur during storage or shipping due to gravity or other forces, such as mechanical pressure applied from outside the package. As used herein, significant optical damage means a root-mean-squared (RMS) value of about 0.08 μm or greater.

[0040] 1A-1E illustrate steps for opening a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. An unopened contact lens package 100 having a tear tab 110, a lid 112, and a gripping member 106 is shown in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the tear tab 110 and the lid 112 are formed of a single plastic part. In a first step shown in FIG. 1B, a wearer holds the unopened contact lens package 100 with the gripping member 106 and pulls the tear tab 110 on the lid 112 of the package 100. Although not required, the wearer can grip the package 100 with one hand and pull the tear tab 110 with the other. As shown in the step shown in FIG. 1C, pulling the tear tab 110 bends the package 100 and breaks the seal between the lid 112 and the base 118 of the package 100. In this embodiment, the package 100 bends by hingedly moving along the base 118, which in this case is a multi-layer film or laminated foil seal heat-sealed to the top portion of the package, which is made up of the gripping member 106, lid 112, and lens support 126 of the package 100.

[0041] When the package 100 is opened, the packaging solution 130 is expelled from the contact lens 122 and recaptured within the lid 112, and in this case specifically within the lid cavity 132, i.e., the cavity formed in the lid 112 that contains the contact lens 122 and packaging solution 130 when the package is in an unopened state. Upon further opening of the package, the contact lens 122 is presented to the wearer on a lens support 126 that holds the contact lens 122 substantially out of the packaging solution 130. Holding the lens in this context means allowing the lens to rest supportively against the support, thereby allowing the wearer to remove the lens 122 from the package 100, as shown in the step illustrated by FIG. 1D . In this embodiment, the lens is conveniently presented to the wearer in a convex orientation, meaning that the convex side 122 a of the lens is accessible to the wearer without having to turn the lens before placing the concave side on the wearer's eye. However, it will be understood that other orientations, such as the concave orientation of a traditional blister package, are possible within the scope of the present invention. Transfer of the contact lens from the lens support 126 may be performed by the wearer's finger 124, either directly touching the lens, or indirectly by an applicator film or other covering applied to the finger (e.g., as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20190046353), or by another transfer means, such as a manual or automatic applicator device. During transfer of the contact lens 112 from the package 100, the lens is placed on the finger 124 (or other transfer means) with the convex side 122a of the contact lens in contact with the finger 124 and the concave side 122b of the lens facing for direct application to the wearer's eye surface, as shown in the step illustrated in FIG. 1E.

[0042] 2A-2D, cross-sectional views of a contact lens package according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are shown at various moments in the opening process. Starting with FIG. 2A, a contact lens package 200 is shown in a cross-sectional view in a sealed, unopened state. A contact lens 222 and packaging solution 230 are sealed within a cavity 232 between the base 206 and lid 212 of the package 200. The package 200 supports the lens 222 with a lens support 226 below the lens 222 and a lens-facing surface 234 above the lens 222. As described in more detail below, the lens-facing surface of the present invention can help align the contact lens on the lens support, minimize interaction with air bubbles in the packaging solution, and / or prevent significant optical damage to the contact lens. In some embodiments, the lens-facing surface also functions as an air inlet guide by directing air entering the package above the contact lens to reduce the incidence of the contact lens sticking to the package upon opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens-facing surface 234 is formed by protrusions 234a and 234b that extend downwardly toward the convex surface of the lens 222. However, other configurations are possible, such as, for example, a continuous inner surface that is thick enough or positioned close enough to the contact lens to provide one or more of the functions of a lens-facing surface described herein.

[0043] Opening of the package 200 is initiated by pulling on the tear tab 210, which in this embodiment takes the form of a handle / lever, as shown in FIG. 2B . As the tear tab 210 is lifted, the seal between the lid 212 and the base 218 begins to break at point 220, where the lid 212 is sealed to the foil seal that makes up at least a portion of the base 218. Air then enters the package 200, and the packaging solution 230 begins to move. As it moves, the packaging solution 230 is contained at an angle that the base 218 and lid assume relative to the gripping member 206. The surface tension of the packaging solution aids in its ability to remain in the space between the base 218 and the lid 222. The gripping member 206 and the lid 212 now meet at a hinge 240 defined by the gap between the gripping member 206 and the lid 212, which are separate components each sealed to the base 218. As shown in FIG. 2C , the package 200 opens further, with the right-hand base 218 of the hinge 240 moving away from the lens, allowing the solution to drain from the lens 222, and the lens support 226 holding the lens in a convex orientation upon opening. The seal between the lid and base 218 continues to break toward the distal end 246 of the package 200 as the base 218 and lid 212 cooperate to contain the package solution 230 and return it to the lid 212 by gravity. It should be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the lid and gripping member may be formed by a single, integral component, such as a single injection-molded part. In such embodiments, a gap may not be present, and a hinge or other articulation may be provided by a thin or thinned interface between the lid and gripping member. Similarly, while the illustrated embodiment utilizes a foil seal as the base material, other substantially flexible or substantially rigid materials configured to articulate, fold, or pivot / hinge in a predictable manner may provide the same or similar functionality.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2D , when the package 200 reaches the opened state, the package solution 230 is substantially recaptured within the lid 212, more specifically, within the lid cavity 232. Advantageously, the package solution 230 is expelled from the contact lens 222 as an integral part of the opening operation while maintaining the sterility of the package solution, which is beneficial if the wearer wishes to clean and / or rehydrate the lens. The lens 222 is also presented to the wearer in a convex orientation, thereby facilitating one-touch transfer. While recapture within the lid cavity is preferred, it will be understood that alternative embodiments of recapture within the lid are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, one or more features, such as a reservoir or dam, may be incorporated into the lid to achieve the same or similar functionality. In its opened state, it is preferred that the top portion of the package does not completely separate from the base. Maintaining a connection between the top portion and the base helps prevent the recaptured package solution from spilling from the package. By maintaining the connection, the lid also prevents the wearer from depressing the base, such as by tapping it with the wearer's finger, to impede the wearer's transfer of the lens. Maintaining the connection between the top portion of the package and the base after opening can, in some embodiments, be achieved by maintaining the opened lid in a substantially horizontal position after opening, for example, at the moment when the wearer can release one hand from the package to transfer the lens from the package to their eye. This aspect can be achieved by providing the package with a termination means to prevent the lid from separating from the base once the package reaches the opened state. Suitable termination means include an area of ​​material integral with one or both of the lid and base, a plastic frame, an additional seal at the distal end of the package separate from the recoverable seal formed between the lid cavity and the base, or a reinforcing material such as a plastic insert, plastic layer, double-layer foil, etc. When the termination means is an additional seal between the distal portion of the lid and the base and comprises a flexible sheet material, the seal may be created by any suitable means, including adhesives, glue, thermal bonding, welding such as heat, ultrasonic, or laser welding, or a mechanical trap.

[0045] In one embodiment, the lens support can advantageously include two or more support members. For example, as embodied in lens support 226, lens support 226 includes a primary support member 226a and a secondary support member 226b, each of which supports contact lens 222 within cavity 232 when the package is in an unopened state. As shown in FIG. 2C , upon opening, contact lens 222 rests on first support member 226a, and second support member 226b is moved away from the lens. More specifically, the secondary support members hinge away from base 218, allowing package solution 230 to drain into lid 212. In this example, the primary support members function primarily to hold the lens out of solution and facilitate effective lens transfer, while the secondary support members protect and support the lens, particularly the peripheral portion of the lens's concave surface, when the package is unopened. Although optional, splitting the support member into two functional support members, also referred to herein as a split support arrangement, can provide several advantages that are described in more detail below with reference to Figures 5A and 5B.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows an exploded isometric view of a contact lens package 100 and the components of the exemplary embodiment: the lid 112, lens support 126, gripping member 106, and base 118. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the base 118 is constructed of a laminated foil sheet. The top portion 306 of the package 100 includes the lens support 126, lid 112, and gripping member 106, which are formed of molded plastic and attached to the base 118 via a heat seal. The lid 112 is releasably attached to the package base via a retortable seal 114 around the lid cavity that contains the contact lens 122, lens support 126, and package solution. The lid 112 includes a tear tab 110 in the form of a raised ring pull angled at approximately 150° relative to the base 118. The lid 112 further includes an air inlet scoop 310 located along the point in the seal 114 that is initially broken when the tear tab 110 is engaged by a wearer. The scoop 310 is aligned with the tear tab 110. The air inlet scoop 310 is angled into the lid cavity 132 via a chamfer. In alternative embodiments, the air inlet scoop can have any shape, including, but not limited to, circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, or irregular. Packages of the present invention may also omit a separate air inlet scoop, such as by providing a gap of at least about 2 mm between the interior lid wall and the lens support at the tear tab 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the lid 112 also includes a depression or dimple 329 positioned in the lid 112 above the center of the lens support 126 to provide a volume for trapped air to move away from the lens 122 and toward the peripheral volume inside the lid cavity 132. The depth of the dimple is selected so that the lowest point of the dimple inside the lid, or any lens-facing surface inside the lid, does not touch the apex of the lens when the package is sealed.

[0047] The gripping member 106 includes a contoured area 320 to matingly receive the portion of the tear tab 110 that overlaps the gripping member 106 when the package is sealed / unopened. This arrangement effectively seats the tear tab 110 within the gripping member 106, which can provide additional lateral stability and facilitate a better seal between the top portion 306 and the base 118. Compared to relatively flat and / or thin alternatives, the thickened gripping member 106 to accommodate the contoured area 320 provides additional structural rigidity to the gripping member 106, which can advantageously create greater leverage and a more defined hinge or inflection point when the package is opened. The lens support 126 has a segmented arrangement with a primary support member 126a that is centrally located below the lens when the package is unopened, and a secondary support member 126b that surrounds the primary support member below the periphery of the contact lens 122 to provide support to the peripheral concave side of the lens 122 when the package is unopened.

[0048] As another example, FIG. 4 shows a contact lens package 200 and an exploded isometric view of the components of the exemplary embodiment: the lid 212, lens support 226, gripping member 206, and base 218. The base 218 is constructed of a laminated foil sheet. The top portion 406 of the package 200 includes the lens support 226, lid 212, and gripping member 206, which are formed of molded plastic and attached to the base 118 via heat sealing (or alternative attachment means such as adhesive, ultrasonic welding, etc.). The lid 212 is releasably attached to the package base via a retortable seal 214 around the lid cavity that contains the contact lens 222, lens support 226, and packaging solution. The lid 218 includes a tear tab 210 in the form of an arcuate, raised handle. The lid 218 further includes an air inlet scoop 410 located along the point in the seal 114 where the tear tab 110 is initially broken upon engagement by the wearer. The lid 212 includes a dimple 429 positioned in the lid 212 above the center of the lens support 226. The lens support 226 has a segmented arrangement having a primary support member 226a that is centrally located below the lens when the package is unopened, and a secondary support member 226b that surrounds the primary support member 226a below the periphery of the contact lens 222 to provide support to the peripheral concave side of the lens 222 when the package is unopened.

[0049] 5A and 5B show an exemplary embodiment of a lens support in isometric and top views, respectively. The lens support 126 maintains the lens in a preferred convex orientation (bowl down against the base of the package) and position (centered on the support) during transport and storage. The lens support 126 also provides an open space 510 that allows the packaging solution to drain from the lens and support 126 upon opening without trapping water between them, and a sufficient number of contact points with the lens to reduce the incidence of the lens collapsing onto, rotating from, or translating across the support. This limits the contact area between the support 126 and the lens while allowing the apex of the lens to be supported by the lens's own elastic stiffness, or minimizing lens apex sinking. Excessive contact between the support 126 and the lens and the trapped water between the support and the lens after solution drainage can create a surface tension between the lens and water on and around the lens support that is greater than the surface tension between the wearer's finger and the lens, potentially preventing efficient lens transfer.

[0050] For lenses made from polymers with longer shape memories, the lens support can be designed to limit contact between the lens and the support during storage. Such contact can be distributed around the lens periphery. Contact between the lens optic zone, lens support, and the interior of the lid (including any air inlet guide) can be temporary, or there can be no contact between the optic zone and the support, lid, or air inlet guide. Lenses with shorter shape memories, such as conventional hydrogels, are less prone to distortion from packaging contact and can have contact points distributed around the periphery and throughout the lens profile, including the lens central zone (approximately 9 mm, or approximately 5 mm diameter).

[0051] The lens support of the present invention preferably allows both the fingertip and the lens to deform to match each other's shape during dabbing, without causing lens inversion or damage during removal from excessive pressure during dabbing. Therefore, one aspect of lens removal from the package is to control the ratio of the contact area between the finger and the lens compared to the area between the lens and the lens support so that the contact area between the finger and the lens exceeds the contact surface area of ​​the lens support below the lens. This ensures that the surface tension between the finger and the lens exceeds the surface tension between the lens and the lens support. Therefore, the lens adheres to the finger for lens transfer and placement on the eye.

[0052] The lens support 126 is shown in a configuration associated with the package in an unopened state. In this embodiment, the lens support 126 has a split arrangement with one support member 126a, also referred to herein as the primary support member, in an inner position and another support member 126b, also referred to herein as the secondary support member, surrounding the primary member 126a to form a nested configuration. The primary support member 126a is positioned beneath at least a portion of the concave side of the contact lens 122 in an area outside the optic zone of the lens periphery to provide support to the peripheral concave side of the lens 122 when the package is unopened. As used herein to describe the functionality of the lens support when the package is unopened, "supporting" the contact lens does not mean requiring intimate contact with the lens. Conversely, the package of the present invention preferably minimizes contact with the contact lens when the package is closed, with the lens floating in the packaging solution. Ideally, the optic zone of the lens is free-floating, and contact with the lens support during storage is transient or nonexistent. However, gravity and air bubbles in the packaging solution can cause undesirable interactions between the lens and the package. If not counterbalanced, these interactions can result in significant optical damage. Accordingly, the inventors have recognized that ideally, a lens support should provide support to the lens in solution when the lens is "loaded," i.e., when pressed against the interior of the package by gravity and / or air bubbles. In the manner described with reference to the exemplary opening method of FIG. 2C , the primary support member 126 a is configured such that, when the package is in the opened state, the contact lens rests on the secondary support member support 126 a, and as the packaging solution is expelled from the lens, the secondary support member 126 b is moved away from the lens, thereby leaving the lens preferably, but optionally, sufficiently unwetted on the central support member to enable one-touch transfer by the wearer.

[0053] The primary support member 126a in this embodiment has a plurality of central support arms 126a' and peripheral support arms 126a" and includes a central support portion onto which the lens is centered and ultimately rests when the package is opened. The central support arm 126a' is elevated relative to the peripheral support arms 126a" and secondary support member 126b via posts 520. Upon opening, the peripheral portion of the contact lens will rest on the peripheral support 126a", and the lens may additionally rest on the central support support 126a". The design of the primary support member 126a represents one of numerous examples of a support profile that does not substantially match the lens profile. Compared to known lens supports that substantially match the profile of the lens, the mismatched profile of the primary support in certain embodiments of the present invention (of which only one is shown in the illustrated embodiment) reduces the wetted contact area between the primary lens support and the lens to, among other things, approximately 20 mm 2 Less than 20mm 2 Less than 18mm 2 Less than or about 15 mm 2 Further, the primary lens support preferably comprises a plurality of peripheral supports having distal ends extending at least 1 mm beyond the contact lens periphery to provide at least 3, 3 to 14, 4 to 14, 3 to 8, or 4 to 8, or 4 to 6, or 6 points of contact with the contact lens edge along the peripheral supports and wetting contact between the supports and the lens after the package is opened and the packaging solution is directed away from the lens and supports.

[0054] In this embodiment, the primary lens support 126a and the secondary lens support 126b are a unitary component formed as a single piece of molded plastic. The primary support member 126a and the secondary support member 126b are attached via primary cantilever 530 and secondary cantilever 540, respectively, which join to cross member 550. Cross member 550 is then attached to the base of the package. While cross member 550 serves as the single attachment point between the primary support member 126a and the package base, the secondary member 126b is additionally fixedly attached to the portion of the base that pivots during opening by an additional via heat seal (not shown). As a result, the secondary support member 126b pivots with that portion of the base during opening, subsequently expelling packaging solution from the lens and primary support member 126a, while the primary support member remains relatively fixed in space or lifts at an angle relative to the horizontal as the package hinges open (as exemplarily described above with reference to FIGS. 2C and 2D ). The pivoting of the base, also called hinging (or more generally articulating), creates a hinge line along which the secondary cantilever 540 bends when pivoting and across which the primary cantilever 530 remains relatively straight when opening.

[0055] The primary and secondary cantilevers 530 and 540 can provide the additional benefit of helping to direct packaging solution along the drainage path away from around the lens in the lens cavity (as more generally described in connection with FIGS. 2A-D ) and preferably toward recapture in the lid. More specifically, the cantilevers 530 and 540 can function as drainage channels along the overall drainage path, creating a temporary film of packaging solution flowing away from the lens and acting in conjunction with gravity to drain this film. In this manner, the drainage channels help minimize stagnation of packaging solution between the back of the lens and the lens support structure when the package is opened and the lens support is held out of the packaging solution. In certain embodiments, the drainage channels may comprise a gap between two adjacent members, e.g., cantilevers, or, when a single member is used, may comprise a division in the single member. In lens supports without a peripheral support member, the drainage channel gap can begin at any point inside the lens periphery. In supports with a peripheral support member, the drainage channel gap can begin either at the inner edge of the peripheral member or at any point inside the lens periphery.

[0056] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the secondary support member 126b has a convex partial dome profile 570 that partially mirrors the profile of a contact lens. The partitioning arrangement that allows the secondary support member 126b to move away from the lens upon opening ensures that the secondary support member does not come into physical contact with the lens when the package is opened and the lens is presented for transport. Thus, excessive wetted area that would otherwise exist between the lens and the lens support can be avoided, while the benefits of having a profile that somewhat mirrors the lens (i.e., additional support and protection for the lens) are maintained by the secondary support member 126b when the package is unopened, such as during storage, shipping, and handling.

[0057] A divided lens support arrangement, such as the embodiment illustrated herein, can provide several advantages, including the secondary support 126b filling a larger volume within the cavity, thereby reducing the amount of solution required to hydrate the lens, reducing the incidence of the lens sticking to the lid during opening by increasing the surface area that contacts the lens and presses it against the lens support as air enters the package, reducing lens damage, and limiting air bubble migration and lens inversion. In achieving some or all of these advantages, the lens support, whether unitary or divided between secondary and primary and possibly other components, is preferred, but optional, to fill as much of the space under the contact lens and under the periphery of the lens as possible.

[0058] It should be emphasized that the embodiment of the lens support shown and described herein is one of numerous embodiments of a lens support within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It is understood that other embodiments are possible, including, for example, embodiments in which the lens support has a single support means (e.g., a primary support but no secondary support), or primary and secondary support members formed as separate pieces. Furthermore, while the secondary support member 126b is formed as the same piece as the primary support member 126a, in other embodiments, the secondary support may be formed separately, i.e., a separate piece, and / or may be made integral with the package base. Furthermore, the functionality and advantages of a lens support within the scope of the appended claims may be achieved in other alternative designs, such as the primary support member surrounding the secondary support member, or the support member may be seated both inside and outside the primary lens support in an arrangement that moves away from or separates from the lens upon opening.

[0059] 6, a perspective view of the underside of the lid 112 and the interior of the lid cavity 132 is shown, according to one embodiment. The lid 112 includes a lid cavity 132 configured to be positioned over a contact lens in a convex position within the lid cavity 112 when the package is unopened. The lid 112 includes a plurality of lens-facing surfaces 610, which in this embodiment are formed as protrusions that extend downward toward the convex surface of the lens. The lens-facing surfaces 610 are generally shaped to reflect the convex lens surface of a contact lens housed in the lid cavity 132. In this case, the lens-facing surfaces 610 function to i) align the contact lens over the lens support, ii) facilitate air outflow into the peripheral volume of the cavity, and iii) protect the contact lens from significant optical damage due to gravity or air-induced forces. The lens-facing surface 610 also acts as an air inlet guide by directing air entering the lid cavity, as assisted by the air inlet scoop 114, over the contact lens to reduce the incidence of the contact lens sticking to the lid upon opening.

[0060] As previously mentioned, gravity and air bubbles in the packaging solution can result in optical damage if not properly contained. The lens-facing surfaces of the present invention can be designed to support the lens when loaded by these forces to avoid or reduce significant optical damage. In one aspect, a lens-facing surface, such as the lens-facing surface 610 of the illustrated embodiment, includes a relatively large accessible surface area, at least about 3 percent, preferably at least about 20 percent, or as large as possible, while still accommodating any desired air outflow channels. Accessible surface area is understood to mean the contact area between the lens and the lens-facing surface when the lens is loaded, i.e., placed in contact under an applied force, such as, but not limited to, gravity or air bubble interaction. The accessible surface area determines the pressure exerted on an area of ​​the lens when / if the lens is loaded. The larger the area, the greater the pressure reduction. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens-facing surface 614 is approximately 225 mm 2The contact lens has an accessible surface area of ​​22% of that of conventional contact lenses.

[0061] The lens-facing surface 610 is also spaced apart to define a plurality of air outflow channels that allow air, particularly bubbles in the packaging solution, to migrate from the contact lens to the peripheral volume 618 of the lid cavity 132. It is advantageous for the air outflow channels to have a positive slope toward the peripheral volume with a vertical rise of at least about 2 mm. In embodiments such as the exemplary embodiment described herein, the minimal headspace above the lens created by the dimples 329 (shown in FIG. 3 ), combined with the presence of the peripheral volume 618, generally results in any large air bubbles, e.g., bubbles greater than 2 mm in diameter, seating above the lens. Thus, the air outflow channels are generally primarily concerned with allowing smaller air bubbles to escape from the area around the lens surface while preventing larger air bubbles from entering the space around the lens from the peripheral volume when the package is in a particular orientation. To this end, preferred embodiments include at least two air outflow channels, each having a width of about 1 mm to 1.5 mm, or preferably 1.5 mm to 2 mm. In a related aspect, the air outflow channels 614 are advantageously positioned relative to one another so that when the package is rotated on its side, at least one of the channels 614 has a central axis from near the center of the cavity that is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to gravity. This design aspect leverages buoyancy to allow air bubbles to escape from the lens regardless of the orientation of the lens package, thus reducing optical damage that might otherwise result from, for example, air bubbles pressing the lens into the lens support. The channels 614 in this embodiment are also positioned and sized to allow the peripheral spoke members 126a″ (shown in FIG. 5B ) to allow an uninterrupted path between the lid and the spokes when the package is opened.

[0062] 6, a termination means in the form of a mounting surface 620 may also be noted on the distal end of the lid 112. This heat seal 620 functions as an additional seal to the retortable seal 114 on the surface around the periphery of the lid cavity 132. In this way, the lid 110 is less prone to completely separating from the base when the retortable seal 114 begins adjacent the air inlet scoop 114 and moves distally and breaks when the tear tab 110 is engaged. Upon opening, preferably after recapture of the packing solution within the lid, the heat seal 620 can hold the lid cavity in a relatively horizontal orientation, which facilitates preventing solution within the lid cavity 132 from spilling from the package.

[0063] The lens-facing surface 610 is generally shaped to reflect the convex lens surface of the contact lens contained within the lid cavity 132, and is sloped from its periphery toward the lowest point of the dimple 329 inside the lid cavity 132 to create a minimal headspace above the apex of the lens when the package is sealed and the contact lens is suspended in the packaging solution. As a result, no significant air bubbles can be present at or near the apex (and optic zone) of the lens, thus minimizing detrimental air bubble interactions.

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 7 , alternative embodiments of the lens-facing surface of the lid 712 are shown in various orientations. The air outflow channels 714 are advantageously positioned relative to one another so that when the package is rotated sideways, at least one of the channels 614 has a central axis from the center of the cavity that is inclined relative to a plane 720 perpendicular to gravity. As discussed above, this design leverages buoyancy to allow air bubbles to escape from the lens regardless of the orientation of the lens package, thus reducing optical damage that might otherwise result from, for example, air bubbles pressing the lens into the lens support. Again, it will be understood that the lids, as well as the other components specifically described and illustrated herein, may be mixed and matched to form countless permutations, for example, various lens supports (including unitary, as opposed to segmented, supports) may be employed.

[0065] 8 and 9 show exemplary embodiments of contact lens packages including colored regions and / or tactile features. In FIG. 8, contact lens package 800 includes a gripping member 806 and a tear tab 810. In this embodiment, lid 812 includes tear tab 810 in the form of a handle. The lid is constructed of a single-piece molded plastic part formed by a two-shot injection molding process with lid cavity 832, and the seal and surrounding area other than tear tab 810 are substantially transparent. To distinguish tear tab 810 from the rest of the lid and, in this embodiment, from the gripping portion, tear tab 810 is colored (e.g., blue, green, or any other color, preferably a Pantone color that can be easily distinguished by the wearer). The color may be opaque, translucent, or completely light-transmitting, as desired. In this manner, the colored handle serves as a visual indicator to the wearer of the correct package orientation for opening and that the package will be opened by engaging the tear tab.

[0066] Two-shot injection molding is known in the art and is often referred to as 2k molding or double injection molding. This process allows a single injection-molded part to be formed using two different but compatible injection molding materials, or the same material in different colors. In this embodiment, polypropylene plastic is utilized, but other materials may be used, including any substantially rigid plastic suitable for injection molding small parts, such as polypropylene homopolymer. Two-shot molding equipment can be programmed to perform two injections during one cycle. In the first cycle, a nozzle injects one plastic into the mold. Then, the mold is automatically rotated, and a second plastic is injected into the mold through a second nozzle. The molding equipment copolymerizes the two plastics to form a molecular bond between them, resulting in a one-piece part.

[0067] The gripping member 806 of the lens package 800 further includes a tactile feature 820 in the form of a dimpled area that can serve multiple functions, including providing tactile feedback to the wearer that their hand is correctly placed to open the package and / or provide a less slippery grip between the wearer's hand and the package. The tactile feature 820 is colored while the remainder of the gripping member 806 is substantially transparent, thereby visually distinguishing the tactile feature 820. The gripping feature may be formed by the two-shot injection process described above. Any form or arrangement and shape or element of the tactile feature is possible. For example, in some embodiments, the tactile feature may be raised instead of recessed, may be any shape, logo, or other branding, or may be a raised or recessed word or number. The tear tab (handle) 810 also provides printed product information, particularly prescription information for the contact lenses contained inside the package. Printing can be performed by any means suitable for plastic parts, including digital inkjet printing, screen printing, flexographic printing, pad printing, laser printing, and the like.

[0068] A contact lens package 900 embodied as shown in FIG. 9 includes a gripping member 906 and a tear tab 910. In this embodiment, the lid 912 includes the tear tab 910 in the form of a handle. The lid 912 and integral handle 910 are constructed of a single, substantially clear, molded plastic part. The gripping member 906 has a color to distinguish it from the lid and the rest of the lens package 800. The gripping member 906 further includes a tactile feature 820 in the form of a dimpled area that can serve multiple functions, including providing tactile feedback to the wearer that the wearer's hand is correctly placed for opening the package and / or to provide a less slippery grip between the wearer's hand and the package. In this embodiment, the tactile feature 902 has the same color as the texture of the gripping portion. The gripping portion 906 includes branding 930, which may be formed by molding, embossing, etc., and can provide additional tactile feedback. The tear tab (handle) 901 is also provided with printed product information, such as prescription information for contact lenses contained inside the package. Numerous combinations of colored and tactile features are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0069] The visual and tactile cues disclosed herein may be particularly important for the novel contact lens packages of the present invention, which depart significantly from conventional contact lens packages in both configuration and opening method. In conventional packages, a contact lens is seated in a molded plastic base with a bowl for receiving the contact lens in a concave, bowl-upward position. Aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated by the figures herein challenge these conventions in one or more ways, for example, by presenting the lens in a convex orientation, by locating the lens cavity at the top of the package instead of the bottom, by opening a substantially rigid side instead of a flat foil, and / or by recapturing the packaging solution in the lid. The addition of visual or tactile features can create a more intuitive opening experience for the wearer.

[0070] 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.

[0071] The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the inventors, but are not intended to limit the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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 packages. 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 and / or one-touch 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.

[0075] [Embodiment] (1) A contact lens package comprising: A lid with a lid cavity for containing a contact lens and packaging solution. Equipped with A contact lens package configured such that upon opening of the package by a wearer, the package solution is expelled from the contact lens and substantially recaptured within the lid. (2) The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the packaging solution is recaptured within the lid cavity. (3) The contact lens package of claim 1, further comprising a lens support configured to hold the contact lens substantially out of the packaging solution when the package is in an open state. (4) A contact lens package according to claim 1, further comprising a gripping member configured to be held by the wearer during opening. (5) The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the lid is substantially rigid.

[0076] (6) A contact lens package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lid cavity accommodates the contact lens in a convex position package when the package is in an unopened or opened state. (7) A contact lens package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lid is provided with a tear tab. (8) The contact lens package of embodiment 3, wherein the lens support has a profile that does not substantially match the profile of the contact lens. (9) When the package is in an open state, the wet contact area between the lens support and the contact lens is about 25 mm 2 Less than 20mm 2 Less than 18mm 2 Less than or about 15 mm 2 4. The contact lens package of embodiment 3, wherein the contact lens package is less than 100%. (10) The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a lens-facing surface having at least one air inlet guide.

[0077] (11) A contact lens package according to claim 1, wherein the base is configured to hinge when opened. (12) A contact lens package according to claim 4, wherein the gripping member includes a recessed area contoured to matingly receive at least a portion of a tear tab when the package is in an unopened state. (13) A contact lens package according to claim 1, further comprising a lens support comprising a first support member and a second support member configured to support the concave side of the contact lens within the cavity when the package is in an unopened state. (14) The contact lens package of claim 13, wherein the package is configured such that when the package is in an open state, the contact lens rests on at least a portion of the first support member and the second support member moves away from the lens. (15) The contact lens package of embodiment 13, wherein the second support member pivots away from the first support member during opening.

[0078] (16) The contact lens package of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the gripping member and tear tab having a colored area that visually indicates to the wearer the correct orientation of the package or where to hold it when opening the package. (17) The contact lens package of claim 13, further comprising termination means for preventing separation of the lid from the base when the package reaches an open state. (18) The contact lens package of embodiment 13, wherein at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab further includes a substantially transparent portion, and the colored portion and the substantially transparent portion are formed by a two-shot injection molding process. (19) The contact lens package of embodiment 13, wherein at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab comprises a tactile feature. (20) The contact lens package of embodiment 13, wherein at least one of the gripping member and tear tab has printed or embossed product information.

[0079] (21) A contact lens package, a lens support including a first support member and a second support member configured to support a concave side of a contact lens contained within the cavity when the package is in an unopened state; 1. A contact lens package, wherein the package is configured such that when the package is in an open state, the contact lens rests on at least a portion of the first support member and the second support member moves away from the lens. (22) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the second support member pivots away from the first support member during opening. (23) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the first support member and the second support member are an integral component. (24) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the second support member is fixedly attached to at least a portion of the base of the package. (25) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the first support member and the second support member have a nested configuration when the package is in an unopened state.

[0080] (26) The contact lens package of embodiment 21, wherein the second support member is configured such that the peripheral edge of the contact lens rests on at least a portion of the second support member when the package is in an unopened state. (27) The contact lens package according to any one of embodiments 21 to 26, wherein the first support member has a first profile that does not substantially match the profile of the contact lens. (28) The contact lens package according to any one of embodiments 21 to 26, wherein the second support member is integral with the base of the package. 29. The contact lens package of claim 21, further comprising a drainage path defined along the length of the lens support. (30) The contact lens package of embodiment 29, further comprising a hinge defined between the lid and the gripping member and spanning the drainage path, wherein upon opening, the package bends along the hinge and the package solution is expelled from the contact lens along the drainage path.

[0081] (31) When the package is in an open state, the wet contact area between the primary lens support and the contact lens is about 25 mm 2 Less than 20mm 2 Less than 18mm 2 Less than or about 15 mm 2 27. The contact lens package of any one of embodiments 21 to 26, wherein the total weight of the contact lens package is less than 1000g. (32) A contact lens package, a cavity for containing a contact lens and a packaging solution; a lens support for holding the contact lens; and at least one lens-facing surface within the cavity above the convex side of the contact lens, wherein when the package is in an unopened state, the at least one lens-facing surface is configured to: i) align the contact lens over the lens support; ii) facilitate air outflow into a peripheral volume of the cavity; and iii) protect the contact lens from significant optical damage due to gravity, mechanical, or air-induced forces. Contact lens packaging. (33) The contact lens package of embodiment 32, wherein the at least one lens-facing surface is further configured to direct air entering the package above the contact lens to reduce the incidence of the contact lens sticking to the package upon opening. (34) The contact lens package of embodiment 32, wherein at least one lens-facing surface has a plurality of protrusions directed toward the convex side of the contact lens. (35) The contact lens package of any one of claims 32 to 33, wherein the accessible surface area between the at least one lens-facing surface and the contact lens is at least about 3 percent of the convex surface area of ​​the lens.

[0082] (36) The contact lens package of embodiment 32, wherein the at least one lens-facing surface defines at least two air outflow channels that allow air to move from the contact lens into the peripheral volume of the lid cavity. (37) The contact lens package according to embodiment 36, wherein each of the at least two channels has a width of about 1 mm to 1.5 mm or 1.5 mm to 2 mm. (38) The contact lens package of any one of embodiments 36 to 37, wherein each of the at least two channels has a positive slope toward the peripheral volume and a minimum vertical rise of at least about 2 mm. (39) A contact lens package according to any one of embodiments 36 or 37, wherein the at least two channels are positioned relative to one another such that, when the package is rotated sideways, at least one of the channels has a central axis from near the center of the cavity that is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to gravity. (40) The contact lens package of embodiment 32, wherein the lens support has a profile that does not substantially match the profile of the contact lens.

[0083] (41) When the package is in an open state, the wet contact area between the lens support and the contact lens is less than about 25 mm2, about 20 mm2 2 Less than 18mm 2 Less than or about 15 mm 2 33. The contact lens package of embodiment 32, wherein the contact lens package is less than 100%. (42) A contact lens package, a gripping member and a tear tab; A contact lens package wherein at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab includes a colored area that visually indicates to a wearer the correct orientation of the package or where to hold when opening the package. (43) The contact lens package of embodiment 42, wherein the at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab further includes a substantially transparent portion, and the colored portion and the substantially transparent portion are formed by a two-shot injection molding process. (44) The contact lens package of embodiment 42, wherein at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab comprises a tactile feature. (45) The contact lens package of embodiment 42, wherein at least one of the gripping member and the tear tab has printed or embossed product information.

[0084] (46) A contact lens package, a substantially flat articulating base; a substantially rigid lid having a lid cavity for containing the package solution and the contact lens in a convex position when the package is in an unopened or opened state; a lens support configured to support the contact lens substantially out of the packaging solution when the package is in an open state; A contact lens package comprising: (47) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, wherein the package is configured such that upon opening of the package by a wearer, the package solution is expelled from the contact lens and substantially recaptured within the lid. (48) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, wherein the packaging solution is recaptured within the lid cavity. (49) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, further comprising a lens support configured to hold the contact lens substantially out of the packaging solution when the package is in an open state. (50) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, further comprising a gripping member configured to be held by the wearer during opening.

[0085] (51) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, wherein the lid is substantially rigid. (52) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, wherein the lid cavity accommodates the contact lens in a convex position package when the package is in an unopened or opened state. (53) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, wherein the lid is provided with a tear tab. (54) The contact lens package of embodiment 49, wherein the lens support has a profile that does not substantially match the profile of the contact lens. (55) The contact lens package of embodiment 49, wherein the wet contact area between the lens support and the contact lens when the package is in an open state is less than about 25 mm2, less than about 20 mm2, less than about 18 mm2, or less than about 15 mm2.

[0086] (56) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, wherein the lid further comprises a lens-facing surface having at least one air inlet guide. (57) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, wherein the base is configured to move in a hinged manner when opened. (58) The contact lens package of embodiment 46, wherein the gripping member includes a recessed area contoured to matingly receive at least a portion of a tear tab when the package is in an unopened state. (59) The contact lens package of claim 46, further comprising termination means for preventing separation of the lid from the base when the package reaches an open state. (60) A method for opening a contact lens package according to any one of embodiments 1 to 59, the method comprising: holding the package with a gripping member of the package; i) bending the package and breaking the seal between the lid and the base of the package; ii) causing package solution to be expelled from the contact lens and recaptured within the lid; and iii) pulling a tear tab on the lid of the package to present the contact lens to the wearer on a lens support; removing the contact lens from the package; A method comprising:

Claims

1. 1. A contact lens package comprising: a lens support including a first support member and a second support member configured to support a concave side of a contact lens contained in a cavity when the contact lens package is in an unopened state; The contact lens package is configured such that when the contact lens package is in an opened state, the contact lens is placed on at least a portion of the first support member and the second support member moves away from the contact lens.

2. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the second support member pivots away from the first support member during opening.

3. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are a unitary component.

4. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the second support member is fixedly attached to at least a portion of a base of the contact lens package.

5. The contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein the first support member and the second support member have a nested configuration when the contact lens package is in an unopened state.

6. 2. The contact lens package of claim 1, wherein the second support member is configured such that a peripheral edge of the contact lens rests on at least a portion of the second support member when the contact lens package is in an unopened state.

7. 10. The contact lens package of claim 1, further comprising a drainage path defined along the length of the lens support.

8. 8. The contact lens package of claim 7, further comprising a hinge defined between the lid and the gripping member and spanning the drainage path, wherein upon opening, the contact lens package bends along the hinge and packaging solution is expelled from the contact lens along the drainage path.

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