Contact Lens Blister Package Light Collimation Cavity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for inspecting and packaging contact lenses are inefficient, leading to increased production time and costs, and there is a need for improved systems to enhance productivity and maintain the sterility of contact lenses during inspection and storage.
Innovation Solution
A contact lens blister package with a thermoplastic base member featuring a light collimation cavity and a flange for sealing, which allows for the inspection of hydrated contact lenses using partially collimated light to produce a uniform bright field image, facilitating defect detection and maintaining sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional inspection methods are used for contact lenses, then inspection can be performed, but production time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is pre-formed with a specific curved geometry that automatically collimates light when the contact lens is placed inside with saline solution, eliminating the need for separate collimation equipment and preparing the inspection environment in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity structure itself serves the dual function of holding the contact lens and collimating light through its curved bottom surface, allowing the system to perform inspection functions using its own inherent geometry rather than requiring external辅助设备
2Measurement precision
If complex inspection systems are implemented, then inspection accuracy improves, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light collimation function is extracted from external optical equipment and integrated into the cavity structure itself through its curved bottom surface, simplifying the overall inspection system while maintaining collimation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds the contact lens, contains the saline solution, and provides light collimation through its curved geometry, reducing the need for separate components
3Ease of operation
If contact lenses are inspected in non-sterile conditions, then inspection process simplifies, but lens sterility cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The blister package uses a sealed cavity structure that acts as a protective barrier, maintaining sterility while allowing optical inspection through the transparent walls without requiring opening the package
Solution Approach 2:
The saline solution in the cavity acts as an intermediary medium that allows light to pass through for inspection while maintaining the sterile environment, enabling non-contact optical inspection of the contact lens
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient inspection and packaging of contact lenses, reducing production time and costs while ensuring the sterility and quality of the lenses, thereby enhancing productivity and quality control.
Implementation Method 1
The cavity (16) comprises a curved light collimation bottom surface (34). Partially collimated light is directed through the cavity (16), the liquid (60), and the contact lens (62) to produce fully collimated light.
Implementation Method 2
The cavity (16) comprises a curved light collimation bottom surface (34)
Data Source
AI summary
A contact lens package (10) includes a base member (12) including a cavity (16) dimensioned to accommodate contact lens and a liquid therein. The combination of the cavity, the contact lens, and the liquid cooperate to collimate partially collimated light (112) directed toward a bottom surface of the cavity. The cavity can be sealed by attaching a removable sealing member (14) to the base member around the cavity. A method of inspecting ophthalmic lenses using the present packages is also described.