Contact lens dispensing device

Abstract

A novel contact lens fitting device provides single-touch contact lens handling capability. The device is designed to hold multiple contact lenses in individual reservoirs, each containing a solution to keep the lenses hydrated. The device is equipped with an actuator that allows a contact lens to be dispensed from its reservoir to a fingertip, ready for insertion into the eye.

Description

Contact lens dispenser and processing method This disclosure relates to a contact lens dispensing device and a device for dispensing contact lenses. In conventional contact lens packaging, contact lenses are typically housed in a molded plastic base with a cavity (or "bowl") that holds the lens in a concave-side-up orientation. Therefore, the user experience of transferring a contact lens from the packaging to the eye generally involves the user "fishing" the lens out of the bowl with their fingers and then flipping the lens so that it is correctly oriented on their finger for placement on the eye. This process requires multiple touches to the lens, which can transfer contaminants or pathogens from the hands to the lens and ultimately to the eye. This handling experience is not only unhygienic but also excessively cumbersome, troublesome, and mechanically stressful on the lens; excessive manipulation can cause the lens to tear, crack, or deform. While some packaging is designed to present the lens in a convex-side-up orientation to avoid the need to flip the lens, such packaging often still requires "removing" the lens from the packaging solution or further manipulation and / or multiple touches to transfer the lens to the eye. Due to increasing awareness of eye health and customer demand for a more convenient experience, there is a need for contact lens packaging that enables a less cumbersome and more hygienic contact lens handling procedure. Ideally, this would provide contact lens wearers with a "single-touch" package, meaning that the wearer can remove the lens from the storage package with a single touch of one finger and then correctly position it on the eye with that same touch. In this design, there is no need to transfer and manipulate the lens from one finger to another before placing it on the eye. Providing such single-touch packaging not only simplifies the lens preparation and insertion process but also reduces the likelihood of the lens falling out or being exposed to additional bacteria on the wearer's other fingers during preparation for orientation and insertion. It also reduces the likelihood of touching the side of the lens intended to touch the eye. Therefore, there is still a need for contact lens packaging and applicators that address the combination of the aforementioned challenges or shortcomings. It has been found that a contact lens fitting device having one or more of the embodiments described herein and packaging therein can achieve some or all of the aforementioned and related objectives. For example, in one embodiment according to the principles described herein, a contact lens fitting device includes: a tube having a first end and a second end; a plurality of removable discs, etc., in the tube and movable within the tube, wherein the space between two adjacent discs within the tube is hermetically sealed to hold one of the contact lenses therein; and a propulsion mechanism that causes the discs toward the first end of the tube. In another embodiment, a device for fitting contact lenses includes a holder. The holder includes a container having an end opening, a base plate, and a wall extending from the base plate to the end opening to define a cavity sized to receive a plurality of removable trays; a removable cover at the end opening and combined with the wall to provide an airtight seal to the cavity; and a propulsion mechanism that causes the removable trays toward a first end of a tube, after which a cartridge is inserted into the holder, the first end of the tube being adjacent to the end opening of the holder. The holder can be designed to receive a cartridge containing the removable trays. Reference will now be made in detail to the representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein element symbols indicate certain elements. The following description is not intended to limit the many embodiments to a single preferred embodiment. Rather, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined in the appended claims. The terms "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and "some embodiments" indicate that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures, appearances, or characteristics, but each embodiment may not necessarily include that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a specific feature, structure, appearance, or characteristic is described with respect to an embodiment, it is assumed to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect the relationship of that feature, structure, or characteristic to other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not. The following terms used herein have the following meanings. The advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that they facilitate a consistent, single-touch lens transfer from the packaging to the wearer's finger and then from the finger to the wearer's eye, without causing the lens to be inverted, fall from the finger, or be further manipulated. "Lens" or "contact lens" refers to an ophthalmic device placed on the eye. It has a generally hemispherical shape and provides optical correction, cosmetic enhancement, UV blocking and reduction of visible light or glare, therapeutic effects (including wound healing, delivery of medications or nutrients, diagnostic assessment, or monitoring), or any combination thereof. The term "lens" includes soft hydrogel contact lenses, which are typically provided to consumers in a hydrated state in packaging and have a relatively low modulus, allowing the lens to conform to the cornea. Contact lenses suitable for use with the packaging of this invention include all hydrated contact lenses, including conventional and polysiloxane hydrogel contact lenses. Hydrogels are hydrated cross-linked polymer systems containing water in equilibrium, and may contain at least about 25% or at least 35% hydrated water. Hydrogels are generally oxygen-permeable and biocompatible, making them excellent materials for the production of contact lenses. Conventional hydrogel contact lenses do not contain polysiloxane-containing components and typically have higher water content, lower oxygen permeability, modulus, and shape memory than polysiloxane hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels are made from a mixture of monomers primarily containing hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate ("HEMA"), N-vinylpyrrolidone ("NVP"), or polyvinyl alcohol. U.S. Patents 4,495,313, 4,889,664, and 5,039,459 disclose the formation of conventional hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels can be ionic or nonionic and include polymacon, etafilcon, nelfilcon, ocufilcon, lenefilcon, and the like. The oxygen permeability of these conventional hydrogel materials is generally below 20 to 30 lbs. Silicon hydrogel formulations include balafilcon, samfilcon, lotrafilcon A and B, delfilcon, galyfilcon, senofilcon A, B, and C, narafilcon, comfilcon, formofilcon, riofilcon, fanfilcon, stenfilcon, somofilcon, kalifilcon, and similar compounds. "Polysilicon hydrogel" refers to a polymeric network composed of at least one hydrophilic component and at least one polysilicon-containing component. Polysilicon hydrogels can have moduli of 60 to 200, 60 to 150, or 80 to 130 psi, and water content ranging from 20% to 60%.Examples of polysiloxane hydrogels include acquafilcon, asmofilcon, balafilcon, comfilcon, delefilcon, enfilcon, fanfilcon, formofilcon, galyfilcon, lotrafilcon, narafilcon, riofilcon, samfilcon, senofilcon, somofilcon, stenfilcon, and verofilcon (including all variants thereof), and U.S. Patents 4,659,782, 4,659,783, 5,244,981, 5,314,960, 5,331,067, 5,371,147, 5,998,498, 6,087,415, 5,760,100, 5,776,999, 5,789,461, 5,849,811, and 5,960,0 ... 5,631, 6,367,929, 6,822,016, 6,867,245, 6,943,203, 7,247,692, 7,249,848, 7,553,880, 7,666,921, 7,786,185, 7,956,131, 8,022,158, 8,273,802, 8,399,538, 8,470,906, 8,450,387, 8,487,058, 8,50 Polysilicon-oxygen hydrogels prepared according to patents 7,577, 8,637,621, 8,703,891, 8,937,110, 8,937,111, 8,940,812, 9,056,878, 9,057,821, 9,125,808, 9,140,825, 9156,934, 9,170,349, 9,244,196, 9,244,197, 9,260,544, 9,297,928, 9,297,929, and WO 03 / 22321, WO 2008 / 061992, and US 2010 / 0048847. The entire contents of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference. Polysilicon-oxygen hydrogel has a higher shape memory than conventional contact lenses. Hydrogel lenses are viscoelastic materials. Optical distortion can occur if the contact lens interacts with any air bubbles in the packaging. The degree of optical distortion and the time required for the distortion to relax will vary depending on the chemical composition and, to a lesser extent, the lens geometry. Compared to polysiloxane hydrogels, conventional lens materials (such as those based on polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate, e.g., etafilcon A or polymacon) have lower loss modulus and tanδ, and may exhibit less and less severe optical distortion due to contact with packaging. Polysiloxane (which typically increases the bulk elastic response), wetting agents (such as PVP, which typically increases 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 polysiloxane hydrogel contact lenses with short or rigid crosslinking agents have short shape memory and may be less prone to deformation during storage. As used in this paper, hydrogels with high or higher shape memory exhibit optical distortion of at least approximately 0.18 when in contact with bubbles or packaging after accelerated aging at 55°C for 5 weeks. Dynamic mechanical analysis can be used to measure properties including loss modulus and tanδ viscoelasticity. Contact lenses can have any geometry or power and have a generally hemispherical shape, having a concave rear side that rests against the eye when in use and a convex front side that faces away from the eye and contacts the eyelid during blinking. The center or apex of the lens is the center of the lens's optical zone. The optical zone provides optical correction and can have a diameter between approximately 7 mm and approximately 10 mm. The periphery or edge of the lens is the edge where the anterior side and posterior side meet. "Film" or "multilayer film" refers to a film used to seal the packaging and is commonly referred to as a cover material. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packaging can be used in the packaging of this invention as a base, a cover component, or both. A multilayer film comprises multiple layers, including barrier layers (including foil layers), or coatings, sealing layers (sealing the film to the remainder of the packaging), and may also include additional layers selected from peel-off initiation layers, laminates, and layers that improve other packaging properties (e.g., stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, barrier resistance to water or oxygen, and the like). The multilayer film forms a steam-sterilizable (thermal sterilization) seal. The multilayer film may include PET, BON, or OPP film layers to increase stiffness and temperature resistance, or include EVOH or PVDC coatings to improve resistance to oxygen or water vapor. As used herein, "wearer" or "user" refers to a person who opens the contact lens packaging. A user is generally someone who opens the packaging and simultaneously transfers the contact lenses contained therein to their eyes. However, in some situations, a user may be someone who handles the lens packaging on behalf of the wearer, such as an eye care provider ("ECP") or another person who demonstrates or assists the wearer. The packaging solution is any physiologically compatible solution that is compatible with the selected lens material and packaging. Packaging solutions include buffer solutions with a physiological pH (such as buffered saline solutions). Packaging solutions may contain known components, including buffer solutions, pH and tension regulators, lubricants, wetting agents, nutrients, pharmaceuticals, coating components in the packaging, and the like. The injection molding process and materials commonly used in injection molding mentioned throughout this description should be understood as illustrative. Those skilled in the art will understand that other manufacturing methods are feasible within the scope of the appended claims, including but not limited to alternative molding processes, thermoforming, 3D printing, and the like. Similarly, the mention of heat seals and heat seals is illustrative of the embodiments described herein. Other means of securing packaging box components will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including the use of adhesives, glues, thermal bonding, welding (such as thermal, ultrasonic, or laser welding), or a mechanical trap, and the like. Based on the principles described herein, a novel contact lens dispenser with a single-touch contact lens handling function holds multiple contact lenses in individual pods or compartments, each containing a sterile packaging solution to keep the contact lens hydrated. The dispenser is equipped with an actuator that allows a contact lens to be dispensed from its pod to a fingertip, ready for insertion into the eye. As described herein, a "pod" can be an individual sealed packaging element or compartment, or a volume defined by adjacent structures such as a tray or separator. Based on the principles described herein, a contact lens fitting device that facilitates the application of a lens to a wearer's eye with a single touch may include a tube (or other elongated shape containing a cavity extending therethrough), designed to hold a plurality of contact lenses within the tube. These contact lenses are held within the tube and separated from each other by a removable disc, puck, or other enclosed separator or partition, or contact lens case. For convenience, the term "disk" is used throughout to describe structures movable within a tube according to the principles described herein; however, it should be understood that the structure is not limited to having a curved or circular profile. Furthermore, in the instruction manual, the term "tube" is used for convenience, but the structure is not limited to a curved or circular profile. Based on the principles described herein, the tray or reservoir can move within the tube, and the contact lens is held in the solution within the reservoir or removable compartment or between two adjacent trays. The movement of the tray or removable compartment within the tube is accomplished via a propulsion mechanism, which will be further described herein. For example, but not limited to, the propulsion mechanism may be a spring-loaded device, a ratchet, a helical thread, or the like, which, when actuated by the user, causes the tray to move toward the end of the tube. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a contact lens fitting device according to the principles described herein. As shown in Figure 1, the contact lens dispenser 100 includes a body / cylinder 104 having a cavity containing a pressable plunger 108 for advancing a contact lens 112 and releasing the contact lens to the user. Although the dispenser is shown as a cylinder, it should be understood that the actual form of the dispenser is not limited and can be any cross-section within the principles described herein. The cylinder 104 may include more than one opening. In the illustrative embodiment, a first opening 116 of the cylinder 104 (also referred to herein as the "end" and "end opening") (see Figures 2A to 2C) releases the contact lens, while a second opening 120 through a sidewall 124 of the cylinder allows removal of a removable tray, reservoir, or divider from the cylinder 100 (see Figure 1). When the user presses the plunger 108, the plunger advances the removable cartridge within the cylinder, causing the contact lens 112 to be released through the end 116 of the cylinder 100. The actuation mechanism of the plunger 108 may be a spring, such as, but not limited to, a tension spring, a ratchet, a helical thread, or other suitable or known actuation mechanism. Although the applicator is described herein as cylindrical, it is not limited thereto and may have other elongated shapes containing an inner cavity or a cavity therein, suitable for properly holding the removable cartridge within and allowing the removable cartridge to advance within the cavity to release the contact lens and remove the removable cartridge. Figures 2A to 2C illustrate the release of contact lens 112 and the removal of removable storage case 128. As shown in Figure 2A, the contact lens 112 is held in a solution 132 within a cavity defined by a removable reservoir 128. The removable reservoir 128 includes a base 136 and a peripheral wall or protrusion 140 extending away from the base 136 to form the wall of the cavity holding the contact lens 112. In one embodiment, the peripheral wall 140 may be a protrusion, provided that the cavity for holding the contact lens 112 in the solution is equipped with an airtight seal, as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2A through 2C. The peripheral wall 140 is spaced from the center of the base 136 by a first distance. One edge or outer edge 144 of the peripheral wall 140 is spaced from the base by a first length sufficient to form a wall of the cavity for holding the contact lens 112. The removable reservoir 128 includes at least one additional protrusion 148. The additional protrusion 148 extends from the base and is shorter than the peripheral wall 140 at a location between the first wall 140 and the contact lens 112. An airtight seal 152 covers the expansion formed by the edge or outer edge 144 of the peripheral wall 140, thereby forming an airtight sealed volume. The peripheral wall 140 is foldable so that it can be compressed or folded, causing the base 136 to move from a first position to a second position, thereby causing one end of the additional protrusion 148 to move from a first position to a second position. Referring to Figure 2B, the removable storage compartment 128 may further include a supporting outer edge or protrusion 156 adjacent to the edge or outer edge 144 of the peripheral wall 140, the supporting outer edge or protrusion 156 extending in a direction not parallel to the peripheral protrusion. The cylinder 100 may include a flange 160 adjacent to the end opening 116, the flange abutting the supporting outer edge / protrusion 156 to prevent the removable storage compartment 128 from being pushed through the end opening 116. That is, the diameter or width of the end opening 116 with the flange 160 is smaller than the diameter or width of the removable partition 128 at the supporting outer edge / protrusion 156. Given that the peripheral wall 140 is foldable as the removable cartridge 128 is advanced toward the end of the tube with opening 116, the flange 160 cooperates with the supporting outer edge / protrusion 156 to prevent the removable cartridge 128 from advancing further. Therefore, the force provided by the advancement mechanism causes the peripheral wall 140 to fold, allowing the base and additional protrusion 148 to continue advancing toward the end of the tube. In one embodiment, the additional protrusion 148, during its movement from a first position to a second position, may pierce or break the airtight seal covering the cavity, thereby allowing the contact lens to be released from the cavity, for example, by gravity through opening 116 to the user. In this case, the additional protrusion 148 should have sufficient rigidity, and the airtight seal should have sufficient fracturing capability to allow the additional protrusion to break the airtight seal 152. The additional protrusion 148 may include end geometry or elements (such as a tip) to facilitate piercing, breaking, or removal of the airtight seal. In another embodiment, the removable reservoir 128 may further include a swing arm 164 or two swing arms extending from the edge of the peripheral wall 140 in a direction not parallel to the peripheral wall 140. At least a portion of the swing arm may overlap the end of the additional protrusion 148 such that when the propulsion mechanism causes the removable reservoir 128 toward the end of the tube and the flange 160 prevents the removable partition 128 from advancing and the peripheral protrusion folds, the additional protrusion 148, which moves from the first position to the second protrusion, abuts and moves the swing arm 164, which then pivots from a fulcrum (adjacent to the flange 160 in FIG. 2) to pierce or remove the hermetic seal 152. The swing arm 164 may include geometry or elements (such as a cusp) to facilitate piercing, breaking, or removing the hermetic seal. The continued advancement of the swing arm 164 causes the airtight seal 152 to be removed from the path of the contact lens 112, which is then released by gravity through the opening 116 to the user. The end of the swing arm should have a relatively low contact surface area that interacts with the lens (e.g., less than about 10 mm) to prevent the lens from adhering to the swing arm. In this type of embodiment, the additional protrusion 148 should be rigid enough to move the swing arm 164, and the swing arm 164 should be flexible enough or sufficiently hinged to move with the movement of the additional protrusion 148, but with sufficient rigidity at the end of the swing arm 164 to pierce or remove the airtight seal 152. In alternative embodiments, for example, where the supporting protrusion 156 is long enough to provide rotational force and coupled to the swing arm such that the wall of the package twists rather than the crushing action shown in the depicted example, the additional protrusion (such as the additional protrusion 148) may not be necessary. In the above-described embodiment, the airtight seal 152 may be made of any suitable crackable material suitable for packaging medical devices, including molded foil or plastic sheet, laminated film, or plastic. Components of multilayer films and airtight seals used in conventional contact lens packaging cases may be used. The multilayer film comprises a plurality of layers, including barrier layers (including foil layers), or coatings, sealing layers (sealing the film to the remainder of the packaging), and may also include additional layers selected from peel initiation layers, laminated layers, and layers that improve other packaging properties (e.g., stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, barrier resistance to water or oxygen, and the like). The multilayer film forms a steam sterilizable (thermal sterilization) seal. The multilayer film may include PET, BON, or OPP film layers to increase stiffness and temperature resistance, or include EVOH or PVDC coatings to improve resistance to oxygen or water vapor. Although described above as a protrusion, the extra-protrusion 148 may be a circumference or peripheral flange extending wholly or partially around the diameter within the peripheral wall 140. Similarly, the swing arm 164 may be a circumference or peripheral flange around the diameter within the peripheral wall 140. As shown in Figure 1, the removable cartridge 128 is removed after the contact lens is released by tilting or otherwise pulling through the opening 120 in the wall 124 of the cylinder 100. Figures 3A through 3D illustrate the use of another embodiment of the invention. Figure 3A illustrates a contact lens fitting system 300 comprising a body 304 having a plurality of removable discs 306. As can be seen in Figure 3A, the system includes a cover 302 which can be attached to the body (e.g., via a hinge 305) or can be completely or partially removed from the body 304. As will be described later, the cover 302 can be configured to lift the topmost of the removable discs 306 to sequentially expose a contact lens 312 dome on top of the next removable disc. Figure 3A shows two of the removable discs, one of which, removable disc 306a, is held in place by the cover 302, while the contact lens 312 is positioned on a removable disc 306b. The system further includes a latch 310 which can be used to hold the cover in a position to close the end 314 of the cylinder 300. The illustrated latch engagement consists of a catch and a lever, which will be described in further detail herein, but any suitable latch may be used in the system without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The removable disc 306 can be held in place by a catch, outer edge, or flange until removed or ejected. The cover 302 may further include a plunger (not shown) communicating with a button 318 for ejecting the removable disc 306a from the cover 302. In operation, as seen in Figure 3A, the user presses or otherwise activates the latch 310 to open the cover 302. The removable disc 306a is held in place by the cover 302 (e.g., by an outer edge, flange, or stop), such that when the cover 302 is opened, the top disc 306a is pulled out from the top of a stack of removable discs to expose the contact lens 312 now on the top disc 306b within the cavity of the tube or cylinder 300. As seen in Figure 3B, the user can then gently touch the surface of the contact lens 312 (in this case, the apex of the convex side of the contact lens 312), which is held to the user's finger by surface tension, to remove the contact lens 312 from the now top removable disc 306b. The user can then insert the contact lens 312 into their eye (not shown). As shown in Figure 3C, the previously held topmost disc 306a, now held in place by the cap 302, can be ejected by pressing the plunger (not shown) via the button 318, detaching the removable disc 306a from the cap on which it is housed. As shown in Figure 3D, the user can then close the cap 302 onto the end of the cylinder 300, thereby holding the topmost disc in place for later retrieval and removal to sequentially expose the next contact lens. As will be described in detail later, when the cap 302 is closed, the topmost removable disc engages with a structure within the cap 302, so that when the cap 302 is opened, the topmost removable disc moves with the cap 302. As illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, the cap 302 can be connected to the applicator body. The cover 302 may include a recess in one of its interior peripheries, such that the force of the actuation mechanism causes the flange of the uppermost of one of the removable discs to be received in the recess. The device may include a stop that holds the removable discs against the tension of the propulsion mechanism until the stop is released. The stop may be released by actuating a button, such that actuation of the button causes one of the removable discs adjacent to the end opening to advance and leave the end opening. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the removable disc and the contact lens thereon can be directly loaded into a cap / cylinder mechanism, as described above, or as illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B. The system may include a holder 400 and a cartridge 401 pre-loaded with a plurality of removable discs, wherein the solution between these removable discs contains contact lenses. Whether the removable disc is directly loaded into the dispenser or into a cartridge, the configuration of the removable disc described herein and the principles of loading contact lenses within a tube and interacting with them remain applicable. As shown in Figure 4B, a film (such as a foil) or cap may be applied to the end of cartridge 401, above the topmost contact lens in cartridge 401. Although not illustrated, a direct-loading dispenser may include a film (such as a foil) or cap above the topmost contact lens in the direct-loading dispenser. The cap may contain any material suitable for covering the contact lens, and as previously described herein, "film" or "multilayer film" refers to a film used for sealing packaging and is commonly referred to as cap material. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packaging can be used in the packaging of the present invention as a base, a cap component, or both. The multilayer film comprises a plurality of layers, including barrier layers (including foil layers), or coatings, sealing layers (sealing the film to the remainder of the packaging), and may also include additional layers selected from release initiation layers, laminates, and layers that improve other packaging properties (e.g., stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, barrier resistance to water or oxygen, and the like). The multilayer film forms a steam sterilizable (thermal sterilization) seal. The multilayer film may include PET, BON, or OPP film layers to increase stiffness and temperature resistance, or include EVOH or PVDC coatings to improve resistance to oxygen or water vapor. Referring now to Figure 5, which illustrates a removable disc 306 in an applicator 300, the applicator 300 including an actuating mechanism, such as a spring 522, for example, a tension spring or the like. In an illustrative embodiment, the tension spring 522 provides a relatively constant force that causes the removable disc 306 to move upward from the bottom of the applicator 300 toward the cover 302. The spring pushes the removable disc 306 upward from the bottom of the tube or cavity of the cylinder / applicator 300. In one embodiment, actuation of the latch 310 removes the topmost removable disc 306, thereby causing a structure in the cover 302 to hold it in place. The cover or cap 302 uses the recently used removable disc 306 to seal the topmost disc. In another embodiment, if the topmost disc is held in the cover by a structure within the cover before the cover is opened, the topmost disc can be removed by opening the cap or cap. Referring to the latch 310 in Figure 5, pressing the latch disengages a brake pawl 526 from the lever 530 in the cover 302, thereby causing the top removable disc 306 to engage with the cover 302 for removal together with the cover 302. As shown in Figure 6, each removable disc 306 includes a central dome 634 surrounded by a flexible flange 638. When the applicator 300 or cartridge 401 has an inner cavity or cavity within a cavity, the flexible flange 638 forms an interference fit with the inner cavity wall. The flexible flange 638 can be separated from the central dome 634 by a channel 640. The channel 640 may be U-shaped, but in any case, it includes an inner wall 744, an outer wall 748, and a base plate 752, best seen in Figure 7. The bottom side of the inner wall of the topmost removable disc 306 is adjacent to the upper side of the inner wall of the next lower removable disc 306, and so on in the remaining stack of removable discs in the applicator or cartridge. The bottommost removable disc 306 is held in place by the force of a spring 522. The adjoining of the two discs creates an airtight, sealed space between the top side of the central dome of the lower disc and the bottom side of the central dome of the removable disc. The central dome is sized to hold the contact lens thereon. With a sterile solution maintained in this airtight, sealed space and the contact lens on the central dome within this airtight, sealed space, the contact lens can be held in the dispenser in a sterile environment until ready for dispensing, as described above. The adjoining of the two adjacent discs may include an interference fit between the bottom side of the inner wall of the upper disc and the top side of the inner wall of the lower disc, as shown in Figure 7. The fit between the adjacent discs can be enhanced by a taper or angle of the inner wall relative to the inner wall of the dispenser / cassette cavity. Such a taper or angle can provide a luer lock between the inner walls of the two adjacent discs. For example, each inner wall of the removable disc may be angled at approximately 10 degrees relative to the wall of the dispenser / cassette tube. In one configuration, the bottom side of the outer wall of the upper disk may be adjacent to the upper side of the outer wall of the lower disk. An airtight sealed volume may be formed by the bottom wall of the upper disk, the inner wall of the bottom disk, the outer wall of the bottom disk, and the bottom wall of the adjacent bottom disk, that is, in the channel of the lower disk. Furthermore, the outer wall of the disc may taper or be angled to form a Luer lock when joined. For example, the outer wall may taper or be angled relative to the inner wall of the applicator / cassette cavity. Such taper or angle can provide a Luer lock between the outer walls of two adjacent discs. For example, each outer wall of a removable disc may be angled at approximately 10 degrees relative to the wall of the applicator / cassette tube. In any of the embodiments described herein, a removable tray or compartment containing contact lenses stored therein may be provided in a case, such as that shown in FIG. 4B, wherein contact lenses and associated trays / packages are stacked within the case. The case may be tubular (e.g., cylindrical or other form) having an inner cavity sized to receive various configurations of contact lenses, removable trays, or packages. The loading case may then slide into the cavity of one of a complementary applicator (such as applicator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 or applicator 400 in FIG. 4A). In an illustrative embodiment, the case of FIG. 4B is pre-loaded with a predetermined number of removable trays (as shown in FIG. 5, 6, and 7), as shown in FIG. 5, which contain contact lenses between each tray for removal according to the operations shown in FIG. 3A through 3D. As shown in Figure 4B, if the case does not contain individual packages (as in the dispensers of Figures 1 and 2), but instead has removable trays along with contact lenses in the space between the removable trays formed by the cavities defined by the two of these removable trays, a cap 403 can be placed over the top tray (which may have a contact lens on it, or may be a "blank" tray or other top cover) in the stack of the case, such that when inserted into the holder 400 which includes the body 304 and the cap 302, the user can remove the cap 403 to expose the top contact lens or the top tray / cover. The cap 403 itself may contain any material that engages with the outer edge of the case wall 405 to provide an airtight seal, such as a film used for sealing packaging and commonly referred to as a cap material. The cap 405 may be made of any suitable material suitable for packaging medical devices, including molded foil or plastic sheet, laminated film, or plastic. Such multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packaging can be used in the packaging of the present invention as a base, a cap component, or both. The multilayer film comprises a plurality of layers, including barrier layers (including foil layers), or coatings, sealing layers (sealing the film to the remainder of the packaging), and may also include additional layers selected from release initiation layers, laminates, and layers that improve other packaging properties (e.g., stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, barrier resistance to water or oxygen, and the like). The multilayer film forms a steam sterilizable (thermal sterilization) seal. The multilayer film may include PET, BON, or OPP film layers to increase stiffness and temperature resistance, or include EVOH or PVDC coatings to improve resistance to oxygen or water vapor. The casing wall 405 can be any material (including plastic) suitable for packaging medical devices. A cover is typically placed at the upper part of the packaging and sealed to the casing 405 to form a cavity or inner chamber for receiving a removable tray, lens, and packaged solution. Packaging comprising plastic for one structure and foil or laminated film as another structure, or packaging comprising foil or laminated film as an outer layer and substrate of the cover, is known in the art and is an example of a suitable combination. Although not illustrated, the case 401 of Figure 4B further includes a movable structure that, when acted upon by the spring 522 of the retainer 400, causes the removable discs to advance upward toward the opening of the case's inner cavity, making the top disc accessible at the end of the case and retainer for the user to touch and remove the contact lens from the top disc. The movable structure may include foil or plastic to maintain the sterile nature of the case's interior. In one embodiment, the sterility of the contact lenses within the case may be maintained, for example, by a bottom removable disc that is movable within the case and within the cavity, while maintaining an airtight seal to maintain the solution within the case and / or cavity containing the contact lenses formed by the bottom disc. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, a contact lens fitting device is used to fit one of a plurality of contact lenses. The device includes a tube having a first end and a second end. A plurality of removable discs are present in the tube. These removable discs are movable within the tube, and the space between two adjacent discs within the tube is hermetically sealed to hold a contact lens. The fitting device includes a pushing mechanism that causes the discs towards the first end of the tube. The removable discs may be disposable. In one embodiment, the removable disk includes a central dome surrounded by a flexible flange. The flange forms an interference fit with a wall of one of the inner cavities of the tube. A U-shaped channel 640 separates the flexible flange of each removable tray from a periphery of the central dome. The U-shaped channel of each removable tray may include an inner wall, an outer wall, and a base plate. In one embodiment, the inner wall of a first removable tray is adjacent to the upper side of the inner wall of a second removable tray. The adjacency of the inner walls of the first and second adjacent trays provides an airtight seal for the space between the two adjacent trays. The adjacency between the inner walls of the first and second adjacent trays may be by means of an interference fit. The channel may also function as a stop for solutions stored in each package. For example, as illustrated, the channel is located at a lower level than the lenses within the tray, thus allowing complete dispensing of the lenses once the storage compartment is opened. The taper of each inner wall relative to one wall of the tube is sufficient to provide a Luer lock between two adjacent inner walls. The inner walls of each adjacent disc may form an angle of approximately 10 degrees relative to the wall of the tube. In one configuration, the bottom side of one outer wall of a first adjacent disc may be adjacent to the upper side of one outer wall of a second adjacent disc. An hermetically sealed volume can be defined by the bottom wall of the first adjacent disc, the inner wall of the second adjacent disc, the outer wall of the second adjacent disc, and the bottom wall of the second adjacent disc. In one embodiment, a taper of each outer wall relative to a wall of the tube is sufficient to provide a Luer lock between two adjacent outer walls. The outer walls of each adjacent disc may form an angle of approximately 10 degrees relative to the wall of the tube. Generally, the central dome is sized to receive the contact lens thereon. Each disc may further include a wall between the central dome and the flexible flange. This wall may have a height greater than that of the central dome to separate the disc from an adjacent disc and hermetically seal a space between the central dome, the wall, and a disc adjacent to the upper side of the central dome. Each disk may also include a wall extending from one surface of the disk opposite the apex of the central dome, between one outer edge of the central dome and the flexible flange. This wall may have a height greater than that of the central dome to separate the disk from one of the adjacent disks in the tube and to hermetically seal a space between the wall, the bottom side of the disk, and one of the central domes of an adjacent disk. The applicator may further include an actuator mechanism to cause the propulsion mechanism to eject from the first end of the tube one of the topmost discs, thereby presenting one of the contact lenses at the first end of the tube. The contact lens fitting device may include a cap sized to hermetically seal the first end of the tube. The cap may be hinged or pivotally connected to the first end of the tube. The device may include a latching mechanism for securing the cap to the tube. The latching mechanism may include an actuator mechanism that causes a push mechanism to eject from the first end of the tube one of the topmost discs, thereby presenting one of the contact lenses at the first end of the tube. The latch may include a tooth and a complementary recess such that when the tooth is positioned in the complementary recess, the cap is secured to the container. The latch may be actuated by a button to disengage the tooth from the complementary recess. The dispensing device may include a holder comprising: a container having an end opening, a base plate, and a wall extending from the base plate to the end opening to define a cavity; a removable cover at the end opening and combined with the wall to provide an airtight seal to the cavity; and a pushing mechanism that causes the discs to be inserted into the holder toward a first end of the tube, the first end of the tube being adjacent to the end opening of the holder. For example, the pushing mechanism may be a spring within the cavity. The spring may be, for example, a tension spring at the bottom of the cavity. The spring may be, for example, a coil spring at the bottom of the cavity and biased toward the end opening. The device may further include a cartridge that can be inserted into the holder between the base plate and the end opening. The cartridge may include a tube having a cross-sectional profile smaller than that of the container and having a first end and a second end. The plurality of removable discs can be accommodated within the tube and are movable within the tube such that the space between two adjacent discs within the tube is hermetically sealed for holding a contact lens. The container / dispenser may include a stop that holds the removable discs under tension against the propulsion mechanism until the stop is released. The device may include a stop that holds the removable discs under tension against the propulsion mechanism until the stop is released. The stop may be released by actuating a button, such that actuation of the button causes one of the removable discs adjacent to the end opening to advance away from the end opening. The cover may include a recess in one of its interior peripheries, such that a flange of the uppermost of one of the removable discs is received in the recess by a force of the actuation mechanism (such as a biasing force). A pressable plunger may be present, extending from an outer surface of one of the replaceable covers through the replaceable cover to the interior of one of the removable covers. Pressing the plunger from the outside of the replaceable cover can cause a partial deflection of one of the inner surfaces of the replaceable cover, thereby displacing the removable disc. In another embodiment, the removable disc may include: at least one peripheral protrusion having a first height and extending from a first surface of the disc, the peripheral protrusion being spaced from a center of the disc by a first distance and having an edge spaced from the first surface by a first length; and another protrusion having a second height and extending from the first surface and being spaced from the center of the removable disc by a second distance, wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance; and an airtight seal covering an expansion formed by the edge of the peripheral protrusion, thereby forming an airtight sealed volume. The peripheral protrusion is foldable from the first height to a third height smaller than the second height, such that when the peripheral protrusion is folded from the first height to the third height, the rigid protrusion breaks the airtight seal. The airtight sealed volume holding a contact lens is defined by the peripheral protrusion, the rigid protrusion, and the airtight seal. Therefore, the contact lens can be held in a solution within the airtight sealed volume. The peripheral protrusion may include a flexible material and / or a hinge to assist foldability. For example, the hinge may be a movable hinge. A supporting outer edge may be present around the edge of the peripheral protrusion, the supporting outer edge including a projection extending in a direction not parallel to the peripheral protrusion. The device may also include a rib adjacent to a radial region of the hermetic seal and extending in a direction not parallel to the hermetic seal and away from the peripheral protrusion. The removable disc may also include at least one swing arm extending from the edge of the peripheral protrusion to a position adjacent to one end of the at least one rigid protrusion. A ridge may also be present at the opening along one inner wall of the tube and configured to prevent movement of the removable disc, such that the peripheral protrusion is compressed when a force is applied in the axial direction toward the second end of the tube. Alternatively, a pressable plunger may be present, adjacent to the cover or cap at the first end of the tube and operatively connected to the inner cavity of the tube, to cause at least one of the removable discs toward the second end of the tube. Pressing the plunger causes at least one of the removable discs toward the second end of the tube, thereby compressing the peripheral protrusion, causing the rigid protrusion to advance toward the hermetic seal and causing damage to the hermetic seal. The pressable plunger may be biased away from the inner cavity of the tube. The pressable plunger may include a button. The pressable plunger is a button, and a lever is biased away from the first opening of the tube. A slit or opening may also be present in one wall of the tube or container, through which the removable disc can be removed from the tube. For illustrative purposes, specific nomenclature has been used in the foregoing description to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many specific details are not required to practice the described embodiments. Therefore, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments described herein is for illustrative and descriptive purposes only, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. The [Summary] and [Abstract] paragraphs may set forth one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the present invention, and are therefore not intended to limit the invention and the scope of the appended claims in any way. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will fully reveal the general nature of the invention, enabling others to easily modify and / or adapt them for various applications of such specific embodiments by means of knowledge applied in the art, without excessive experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teachings and guidance presented herein. It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for illustrative purposes and not limiting, and that the terminology used in this specification is to be interpreted by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings and guidance. The packaging of this invention can be manufactured using known materials and processes. The packaging material can be virgin, recycled, or a combination thereof. The volume within the packaging cavity can vary depending on the chosen design. The following provisions further illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: 1. A contact lens fitting device for fitting one of a plurality of contact lenses, the device comprising: a tube having a first end and a second end; a plurality of removable discs, all within and movable within the tube, wherein the space between two adjacent discs within the tube is hermetically sealed to hold one of the contact lenses therein; and a propulsion mechanism that causes the discs toward the first end of the tube. 2. The contact lens fitting device of claim 1, wherein the removable discs are disposable. 3. The contact lens fitting device of claim 1, wherein each removable disc comprises: a central dome surrounded by a flexible flange that forms an interference fit with a wall of an inner cavity of the tube. 4. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 3, wherein a U-shaped channel separates the flexible flange of each removable disc from a periphery of the central dome. 5. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 4, wherein the U-shaped channel of each removable disc includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a base plate. 6. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 5, wherein a bottom side of the inner wall of a first removable disc is adjacent to an upper side of the inner wall of a second removable disc. 7. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 6, wherein the adjacency between the inner wall of the first of two adjacent discs and the inner wall of the second of the two adjacent discs provides an airtight seal for the space between the two adjacent discs. 8. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 6 or 7, wherein the adjacency between the inner wall of the first adjacent disc and the inner wall of the second adjacent disc includes an interference fit. 9. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 5 to 8, wherein a taper of each inner wall relative to a wall of the tube is sufficient to provide a Luer lock between two adjacent inner walls. 10. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 5 to 9, wherein the inner wall of each adjacent disc forms an angle of approximately 10 degrees relative to a wall of the tube. 11. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 5 to 10, wherein a bottom side of an outer wall of a first adjacent disc is adjacent to an upper side of an outer wall of a second adjacent disc. 12. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 5 to 11, further comprising an airtight sealed volume defined by the bottom wall of the first adjacent disc, the inner wall of the second adjacent disc, the outer wall of the second adjacent disc, and the bottom wall of the second adjacent disc. 13. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 5 to 12, wherein a taper of each outer wall relative to a wall of the tube is sufficient to provide a Luer lock between two adjacent outer walls. 14. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 5 to 13, wherein the outer wall of each adjacent disc forms an angle of approximately 10 degrees relative to a wall of the tube.15. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 3 to 14, wherein the central dome is sized to receive the contact lens thereon. 16. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 3 to 15, wherein each disc further includes a wall between the central dome and the flexible flange, wherein the wall has a height greater than the central dome to space the disc from an adjacent disc and hermetically seals a space between the central dome, the wall, and a disc adjacent to one of the upper sides of the central dome. 17. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 3 to 15, wherein each disc further includes a wall extending from one surface of the disc opposite the apex of the central dome between one outer edge of the central dome and the flexible flange, wherein the wall has a height greater than the central dome to space the disc from an adjacent disc in the tube and hermetically seals a space between the wall, the bottom side of the disc, and the central dome of an adjacent disc. 18. A contact lens fitting device as described in any of the preceding clauses, further comprising an actuator mechanism that causes the propulsion mechanism to eject from the first end of the tube one of the topmost of the discs, thereby presenting one of the contact lenses at the first end of the tube. 19. A contact lens fitting device as described in any of the preceding clauses, further comprising a cap sized to hermetically seal the first end of the tube. 20. A contact lens fitting device as described in clause 19, wherein the cap is pivotally connected to the first end of the tube. 21. A contact lens fitting device as described in clause 19 or clause 20, further comprising a latching mechanism for securing the cap to the tube. 22. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 21, wherein the latching mechanism includes an actuator mechanism that causes the propulsion mechanism to eject the topmost of one of the discs from the first end of the tube, thereby presenting one of the contact lenses at the first end of the tube. 23. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 1, wherein the disc is disposable. 24. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 1, wherein each disc includes: a central dome surrounded by a flexible flange that forms an interference fit with a wall of an inner cavity of the tube. 25. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 24, wherein the dome is sized to receive the contact lens thereon. 26. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 24 or clause 25, wherein each disc further comprises a wall between the central dome and the flexible flange, wherein the wall has a height greater than that of the central dome to separate the disc from an adjacent disc and hermetically seal a space between the central dome, the wall, and a disc adjacent to one of the upper sides of the central dome.27. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 24 to 26, wherein each disc further includes a wall extending from a surface of the disc opposite the apex of the central dome between an outer edge of the central dome and the flexible flange, wherein the wall has a height greater than the central dome to separate the disc from an adjacent disc in the tube and hermetically seals a space between the wall, the bottom side of the disc, and the central dome of an adjacent disc. 28. An apparatus for fitting contact lenses, comprising: a holder including: a container having an end opening, a base plate, and a wall extending from the base plate to the end opening to define a cavity, the cavity being sized to receive a plurality of removable discs therein; and a removable cover at the end opening and combined with the wall to provide an airtight seal to the cavity; and a pushing mechanism that causes the removable discs toward a first end of a tube, after insertion into the holder, the first end of the tube being adjacent to the end opening of the holder. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the pushing mechanism is a spring within the cavity. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the spring is a tension spring at a bottom of the cavity. 31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the spring is a coil spring at the bottom of the cavity and biased toward the end opening. 32. The device as described in any one of clauses 28 to 31, wherein the container further includes a latch securing the removable cover to the container. 33. The device as described in clause 32, wherein the latch causes the removable cover to form an airtight seal over the end opening. 34. The device as described in clause 32, wherein the latch includes a tooth and a complementary recess such that when the tooth is positioned in the complementary recess, the cover is secured to the container. 35. The device as described in clause 34, wherein the latch is actuated by a button to disengage the tooth from the complementary recess. 36. The device of claim 34, further comprising: a cartridge insertable into the retainer between the base plate and the end opening, the cartridge comprising a tube having a cross-sectional profile smaller than that of the container and having a first end and a second end; the plurality of removable discs, etc., in the tube and movable within the tube, wherein the space between two adjacent removable discs within the tube is hermetically sealed for retaining one of the contact lenses therein. 37. The device of any claim 36, wherein the container further comprises a stop that retains the removable discs under tension against the actuation mechanism until the stop is released. 38. The device of claim 37, wherein the stop is released by actuating a button. 39. The device as described in any one of clauses 36 to 38, further comprising a button that actuates to cause one of the removable trays adjacent to the end opening to move forward and leave the end opening.40. The device of any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein the replaceable cover further includes a groove in a periphery of an interior portion of one of the removable covers, such that a flange of the uppermost of one of the removable discs is received in the groove by a biasing force of the actuation mechanism. 41. The device of claim 40, further including a pressable plunger extending from an outer surface of one of the replaceable covers through the replaceable cover to adjacent to an interior portion of the removable cover. 42. The device of claim 41, wherein pressing the plunger from the outside of the replaceable cover causes a portion of an inner surface of the replaceable cover to deflect, thereby displacing the removable disc. 43. The device of claim 42, wherein pressing the plunger from the outside of the replaceable cover causes an inner surface of the plunger to displace the removable disc. 44. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 1, wherein each removable disc comprises: at least one peripheral protrusion having a first height and extending from a first surface of the disc, the peripheral protrusion being spaced from a center of the disc by a first distance and having an edge spaced from the first surface by a first length; at least one rigid protrusion having a second height and extending from the first surface and being spaced from the center of the removable disc by a second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance; and an airtight seal covering an expansion formed by the edge of the peripheral protrusion, thereby forming an airtight sealed volume. 45. The contact lens fitting device as described in clause 44, wherein the peripheral protrusion is foldable from the first height to a third height less than the second height, such that when the peripheral protrusion is folded from the first height to the third height, the rigid protrusion breaks the airtight seal. 46. ​​A contact lens fitting device as described in clause 44 or 45, wherein the hermetically sealed volume is defined by the peripheral protrusion, the rigid protrusion, and the hermetically sealed element. 47. A contact lens fitting device as described in clauses 44, 45, or 46, further comprising a contact lens in a solution within the hermetically sealed volume. 48. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 44 to 47, wherein the peripheral protrusion comprises a flexible material. 49. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 44 to 48, wherein the peripheral protrusion comprises a hinge. 50. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 44 to 49, wherein the peripheral protrusion comprises a movable hinge. 51. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 44 to 50, further comprising a supporting outer edge surrounding the edge of the peripheral protrusion. 52. The contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 44 to 51, further comprising a supporting outer edge surrounding the edge of the peripheral protrusion, wherein the supporting outer edge includes a protrusion extending in a direction not parallel to the peripheral protrusion.53. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 44 to 52, further comprising: a supporting outer edge surrounding the edge of the peripheral protrusion, wherein the supporting outer edge includes a protrusion extending in a direction not parallel to the peripheral protrusion; and a rib adjacent to a radial region of the hermetic seal and extending in a direction not parallel to the hermetic seal and away from the peripheral protrusion. 54. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 44 to 53, further comprising at least one swing arm extending from the edge of the peripheral protrusion to a position adjacent to an end of the at least one rigid protrusion. 55. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 44 to 54, further comprising: a cover at the first end of the tube; and an opening at the second end of the tube. 56. The contact lens fitting device of claim 55, further comprising a ridge configured at the opening along an inner wall of the tube to prevent movement of the removable disc, such that the peripheral protrusion is compressed when a force is applied in the axial direction toward the second end of the tube. 57. The contact lens fitting device of any one of claims 44 to 56, further comprising a pressable plunger adjacent to the cap at the first end of the tube and operatively connected to the inner cavity of the tube to urge at least one of the removable discs toward the second end of the tube. 58. The contact lens fitting device of claim 57, wherein pressing the plunger urges at least one of the removable discs toward the second end of the tube, thereby compressing the peripheral protrusion, thereby causing the rigid protrusion to advance toward the fluid seal and causing damage to the airtight seal. 59. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 57 to 58, wherein the pressable plunger is biased away from the inner cavity of the tube. 60. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 57 to 59, wherein the pressable plunger is a button. 61. A contact lens fitting device as described in any one of clauses 57 to 60, wherein the pressable plunger is a button, and a lever is biased away from the first opening of the tube. 62. A contact lens fitting device as described in any of the preceding clauses, further comprising a slit in one wall of the tube or container, through which the removable disc can be removed from the tube. Not all features described herein need to be incorporated into every package, and those skilled in the art can use the teachings herein to combine such features to provide a wide variety of improved contact lens packaging features. In summary, the contact lens packaging of the present invention has several novel functions that can be combined in a wide variety of ways to provide desired improvements and / or single-touch packaging. The breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited to any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be limited only to the following claims and their equivalents. 100: Contact lens dispenser; cylinder; dispenser 104: body / cylinder 108: plunger 112: contact lens 116: first opening; end; end opening; opening 120: second opening; opening 124: cylinder sidewall; wall 128: removable reservoir; removable compartment 132: solution 136: base 140: peripheral wall or protrusion; first wall 144: edge or outer edge 148: additional protrusion 152: airtight seal 156: supporting outer edge or protrusion; supporting protrusion 160: flange 164: swing arm 300: contact lens dispenser System; cylinder; applicator 302: cover; cover 304: body 305: hinge 306: removable disc 306a: removable disc; top disc 306b: removable disc; top disc 310: latch 312: contact lens 314: end 318: button 400: retainer; applicator 401: box 403: cover 405: box wall; cover; box 522: spring; tension spring 526: brake pawl 530: lever 634: central dome 638: flexible flange 640: channel; U-shaped channel 744: inner wall 748: outer wall 752: base plate The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following more detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. FIG1 illustrates an example of a contact lens fitting device according to the principles described herein. FIG2A to FIG2C illustrate the fitting of contact lenses from the fitting device of FIG1 according to the principles described herein. FIG3A to FIG3D illustrate another example of a contact lens fitting device according to the principles described herein. FIG4A and FIG4B illustrate features of a contact lens fitting device according to the principles described herein. FIG5 illustrates a contact lens stored in the contact lens fitting device illustrated in FIG3A to FIG3D. FIG6 illustrates an exemplary removable disc of the contact lens fitting device of FIG3A to FIG3D, FIG4A and FIG4B or FIG5. FIG7 illustrates details of adjacent discs in the fitting device of FIG3A to FIG3D, FIG4A and FIG4B or FIG5. 100: Contact lens applicator; cylinder; applicator 104: Body / Cylinder 108: Plunger 112: Contact lenses 116: First opening; end; end opening; opening 120: Second opening; opening 124: Side wall of a cylinder; wall

Claims

1. A contact lens fitting device for fitting one of a plurality of contact lenses, the device comprising: a tube having a first end and a second end; a plurality of removable discs within the tube and movable therein, wherein a space between two adjacent discs within the tube is hermetically sealed to hold one of the contact lenses therein; and a propulsion mechanism that causes the discs toward the first end of the tube; wherein each removable disc includes a central dome surrounded by a flexible flange that forms an interference fit with a wall of an inner cavity of the tube.

2. The contact lens fitting device as described in claim 1, wherein the removable disc is disposable.

3. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible flange is separated from one periphery of the central dome by a U-shaped channel.

4. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the U-shaped channel of each removable disc includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a base plate; optionally, a bottom side of the inner wall of a first removable disc is adjacent to an upper side of the inner wall of a second removable disc; and optionally, wherein: (i) the adjacency of the inner wall of the first adjacent disk and the inner wall of the second adjacent disk provides an airtight seal for the space between the two adjacent disks; and / or (ii) the adjacency between the inner wall of the first adjacent disk and the inner wall of the second adjacent disk includes an interference fit.

5. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein (i) the taper of each inner wall relative to one wall of the tube is sufficient to provide a luer lock between two adjacent inner walls and / or between two adjacent outer walls; and / or (ii) the inner wall and / or outer wall of each adjacent disc forms an angle of about 10 degrees relative to one wall of the tube.

6. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein (i) a bottom side of an outer wall of a first adjacent disc is adjacent to an upper side of an outer wall of a second adjacent disc; and / or (ii) the device further includes an airtight sealed volume defined by the bottom wall of the first adjacent disc, the inner wall of the second adjacent disc, the outer wall of the second adjacent disc, and the bottom wall of the second adjacent disc.

7. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the central dome is sized to receive the contact lens thereon; optionally, wherein (i) each disc further includes a wall between the central dome and the flexible flange, wherein the wall has a height greater than that of the central dome to separate the disc from an adjacent disc and hermetically seal a space between the central dome, the wall, and a disc adjacent to one of the upper sides of the central dome; or wherein (ii) each disc further includes a wall extending from one surface of the disc opposite the apex of the central dome between one outer edge of the central dome and the flexible flange, wherein the wall has a height greater than that of the central dome to separate the disc from an adjacent disc in the tube and hermetically seal a space between the wall, the bottom side of the disc, and the central dome of an adjacent disc.

8. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuator mechanism that causes the propulsion mechanism to eject the topmost of one of the discs from the first end of the tube, thereby presenting one of the contact lenses at the first end of the tube.

9. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cap sized to hermetically seal the first end of the tube; optionally, wherein (i) the cap is pivotally connected to the first end of the tube; or (ii) the device further comprises a latching mechanism for securing the cap to the tube; further optionally, wherein the latching mechanism comprises an actuator mechanism that causes the propulsion mechanism to eject the topmost of one of the discs from the first end of the tube, thereby presenting one of the contact lenses at the first end of the tube.

10. A contact lens fitting device for fitting one of a plurality of contact lenses, the device comprising: a tube having a first end and a second end; a plurality of removable discs within the tube and movable therein, wherein a space between two adjacent discs within the tube is hermetically sealed to hold one of the contact lenses therein; and a pushing mechanism for causing the discs toward the first end of the tube; wherein each removable disc includes: at least one peripheral protrusion having a first height and extending from a first surface of the disc, the peripheral protrusion being spaced from a center of the disc by a first distance and having an edge spaced from the first surface by a first length; At least one rigid protrusion having a second height and extending from the first surface and spaced from the center of the removable disc by a second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance; and an airtight seal covering an expansion formed by the edge of the peripheral protrusion, thereby forming an airtight sealed volume.

11. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the peripheral protrusion is foldable from the first height to a third height less than the second height, such that when the peripheral protrusion is folded from the first height to the third height, the rigid protrusion breaks the airtight seal.

12. The contact lens fitting device as described in claim 10 or 11, wherein: (i) the airtight sealed volume is defined by the peripheral protrusion, the rigid protrusion, and the airtight seal; and / or (ii) the device is further contained in a solution within the airtight sealed volume as a contact lens.

13. The contact lens fitting device as described in claim 10, wherein: (i) the peripheral protrusion includes a flexible material; and / or (ii) the peripheral protrusion includes a hinge; optionally, the peripheral protrusion includes a movable hinge.

14. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a supporting outer edge surrounding the edge of the peripheral protrusion; optionally, wherein the supporting outer edge includes a protrusion extending in a direction not parallel to the peripheral protrusion; further optionally, wherein the device further includes a rib adjacent to a radial region of the hermetic seal and extending in a direction not parallel to the hermetic seal and away from the peripheral protrusion.

15. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising at least one arm extending from the edge of the peripheral protrusion to a position adjacent to one end of the at least one rigid protrusion.

16. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 1 or 10, comprising: a holder comprising: a container having an end opening, a base plate, and a wall extending from the base plate to the end opening to define a cavity, the cavity being sized to receive a plurality of removable discs therein; and a removable cover at the end opening and combined with the wall to provide an airtight seal to the cavity; a cartridge insertable into the holder between the base plate and the end opening, the cartridge comprising a tube having a cross-sectional profile smaller than that of the container and having a first end and a second end; the plurality of removable discs, etc., in the tube and movable within the tube, wherein the space between two adjacent removable discs within the tube is airtightly sealed for holding one of the contact lenses therein; after the cartridge is inserted into the holder, the first end of the tube is adjacent to the end opening of the holder.

17. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the actuation mechanism is a spring within the cavity; optionally, wherein: (i) The spring is a tension spring located at one bottom of the cavity; or (ii) The spring is a coil spring located at the bottom of the cavity and biased toward the opening at that end.

18. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the container further includes a latch securing the removable cover to the container; optionally, wherein: (i) the latch causes the removable cover to form an airtight seal over the end opening; or (ii) the latch includes a tooth and a complementary groove such that when the tooth is placed in the complementary groove, the cover is secured to the container; further optionally, the latch is actuated by a button to remove the tooth from the complementary groove.

19. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the container further includes a stop that holds the removable discs against tension against the actuation mechanism until the stop is released; optionally, wherein the stop is released by actuating a button.

20. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a push-button that actuates to cause one of the removable discs adjacent to the end opening to advance away from the end opening.

21. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the removable cover further includes a groove in a periphery of an interior of one of the removable covers, such that a flange of the topmost of one of the removable discs is received in the groove by the biasing force of the actuation mechanism.

22. The contact lens fitting device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a pressable plunger extending from an outer surface of the removable cover through the removable cover to be adjacent to an interior of the removable cover; optionally, pressing the plunger from outside the removable cover causes a portion of an inner surface of the removable cover to deflect the removable disc; further optionally, pressing the plunger from outside the removable cover causes an inner surface of the plunger to displace the removable disc.

Images