Contact Lens Packaging Cavity with Tapered Chamfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses tend to curl, fold, or invert in traditional drop-shaped packaging containers, and may get irreversibly damaged during the sealing process due to being sandwiched between the shell and cover foil.

Innovation Solution

A packaging container with a chamfer portion surrounding the bowl portion of the cavity, featuring a tapered outlet section and a ramp section, which prevents curling and folding of the contact lens while maintaining the overall drop-shape and sealing contour, ensuring the contact lens does not get trapped during sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the overall volume of the cavity is reduced to provide closer confinement of the contact lens, then curling and folding of the contact lens is prevented, but the contact lens may get sealed between the cover foil and shell during heat-sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact lens stabilityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity is segmented into two distinct portions: a bowl portion with a partially spherical section for accommodating the contact lens, and a chamfer portion with a tapered outlet section forming a tip towards the flange. This segmentation allows the bowl portion to provide stable confinement while the chamfer portion with its tapered tip facilitates easy removal and prevents the lens from reaching the sealing area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chamfer portion extends in a radial direction from the bowl portion towards the flange, creating an additional dimensional space. This radial extension provides a transition zone that prevents the contact lens from directly contacting the sealing contour area, thus avoiding sandwiching during heat-sealing while maintaining stable confinement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cavity volume is reduced to prevent curling and folding, then contact lens stability improves, but the packaging process must be adapted with modified sealing parameters and contour

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact lens stabilityVSAvoidpackaging process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chamfer portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a transition zone preventing lens contact with the sealing area, maintains the overall drop-shape of the cavity, and facilitates easy removal of the contact lens through its tapered outlet section. This multi-functionality allows the packaging process to remain unchanged while achieving lens stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cavity volume is reduced to confine the contact lens, then curling and folding is prevented, but the risk of contact lenses getting sealed between cover foil and shell increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact lens stabilityVSAvoidlens damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chamfer portion acts as an intermediary zone between the bowl portion and the sealing contour area. Its tapered outlet section forming a tip towards the flange creates a physical barrier that prevents the contact lens from reaching the sealing area, thus eliminating the risk of sandwiching during heat-sealing while maintaining stable confinement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3768606B1Packaging container of a contact lens
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 ALCON INC
  • EP3768606B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3768606B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3768606B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A packaging container (1) for a contact lens comprises a shell (2).The shell (2) comprises a cavity (10) having a drop-shaped perimeter (12), and a flange (20) having a flat upper surface (22) extending around the drop-shaped perimeter (12) of the cavity (10) in an upper surface plane (24). The cavity (10) comprises a bowl portion (30) including an at least partially spherical section (32) for accommodating the contact lens, and a chamfer portion (40) surrounding the bowl portion (30). The chamfer portion (40) is arranged between the bowl portion (30) and the drop-shaped perimeter (12) of the cavity (10) and includes a tapered outlet section (42) forming a tip towards the flange (20) to facilitate removal of the contact lens from the cavity (10).