Contact Lens Packaging with Integrated Fingertip Cleaning Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable packaging for contact lenses does not effectively prevent germ and foreign object transfer from fingers to the lenses during removal, potentially causing inflammation and disease, and existing solutions like sterile adhesive films are cumbersome and impair tactile perception.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cleaning system with a cleaning pad impregnated with cleaning or disinfecting agents within the packaging's cleaning chamber, allowing for easy and reliable fingertip cleaning before removing the contact lens, and using a peelable closure member for easy handling and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sterile adhesive film is applied to the fingertip to prevent germ transfer, then the risk of contamination is reduced, but the tactile perception is impaired and the application requires skill
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning pad serves as an intermediary element between the finger and the contact lens. Instead of requiring the finger to directly touch the lens (which would transfer germs) or applying a separate adhesive film (which impairs tactile sensation), the user wipes the finger on the cleaning pad to remove contaminants while maintaining natural tactile perception. The cleaning pad is integrated into the packaging structure, providing a convenient intermediary cleaning surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning pad is prepared in advance within the packaging structure, impregnated with cleaning agents, and positioned to be accessible before contact lens removal. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for separate cleaning steps or adhesive film application, allowing the user to quickly wipe their finger on the pre-positioned cleaning pad without adding complexity to the usage process.
2Ease of operation
If the closure member is designed to be easily opened, then user convenience is improved, but the packaging structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is segmented into distinct functional zones: a peelable seal portion that allows easy opening by pulling, and a fixed seal portion that maintains structural integrity. This segmentation enables simple user operation through a single pulling motion while preserving packaging stability during storage and transport, avoiding the need for complex locking mechanisms or multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member integrates multiple functions into a single component: sealing the product cavity, providing a tab for easy grasping and pulling, and maintaining structural connection between the packaging elements. By merging these functions into one integrated closure member rather than using separate seals, latches, and tabs, the design achieves ease of operation without increasing overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the cleaning pad is made absorbent to hold cleaning agent, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of agent leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning pad is positioned within the cleaning chamber with its absorbent properties localized to the specific area where finger contact occurs. The pad is impregnated with cleaning agents in controlled amounts, providing sufficient absorption capacity for effective finger cleaning while the enclosed chamber structure prevents overflow or leakage to other areas. The local concentration of cleaning agents in the pad ensures effectiveness without creating leakage risks.
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 minimizes the risk of germ transfer, ensures easy and quick cleaning of the fingertip, and facilitates recycling by maintaining the closure member on the packaging, allowing for efficient and hygienic contact lens removal while enabling space-saving and cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning pad which absorbs and holds cleaning and/or disinfecting agent
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning pad can consist, for example, of an open-pored plastics material, a textile material, a porous sponge material
Implementation Method 3
the first closure member and/or the further closure member are sealed onto the molded structure by thermosealing
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable packaging for at least one contact lens. The disposable packaging has at least one molded structure which forms at least one product cavity for accommodating the contact lens. The molded structure has at least one cleaning chamber having a cleaning system for cleaning and/or disinfecting fingers. The cleaning system includes a cleaning pad which absorbs and holds cleaning and/or disinfecting agent, the cleaning pad being fixed in the cleaning chamber and the surface of said pad being exposed when the cleaning chamber is opened.