Contact lens packages with sliding or tilting lens transfer and methods of handling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025049184-A1
Application number	US-202218719005-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 13, 2022
Priority date	Dec 13, 2021
Publication date	Feb 13, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved contact lens packages and methods of use and manufacture/assembly. A contact lens package includes a base and a lid connected to the base. The base includes a base cavity that houses a contact lens and packaging solution, and at least one projection (140) disposed at least partially within the base cavity. The at least one projection may extend along an internal surface of the base toward an end of the base cavity. The lid extends over and cover the base cavity when the package is in an unopened state. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the base cavity is formed by a bowl comprising a main portion (236) and a channel portion (238) extending away from the main portion.

First claim

1 .- 15 . (canceled)

16 . A contact lens package comprising:
a base comprising:
a base cavity that houses a contact lens and packaging solution; and
at least one projection disposed at least partially within the base cavity, the at least one projection extending along an internal surface of the base and comprising a lens engagement surface configured to engage the contact lens and facilitate sliding of the contact lens out of the base cavity; and
a lid connected to the base, wherein the lid extends over and covers the base cavity when the package is in an unopened state.

17 . The contact lens package of claim 16 , wherein the base cavity houses the contact lens such that a convex surface of the contact lens faces the internal surface of the base.

18 . The contact lens package of claim 16 , wherein the base cavity has an elongated shape defining a longitudinal axis of the base cavity, and wherein the at least one projection extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the base cavity.

19 . The contact lens package of claim 18 , wherein the at least one projection is disposed entirely within the base cavity.

20 . The contact lens package of claim 19 , wherein the at least one projection extends from an intermediate region of the base cavity toward an end of the base cavity.

21 . The contact lens package of claim 16 , wherein the at least one projection extends from an intermediate region of the base cavity to an end of the base cavity.

22 . The contact lens package of claim 16 , wherein the lens engagement surface comprises a concave portion and a convex portion.

23 . The contact lens package of claim 22 , wherein the at least one projection has a height relative to the internal surface of the base, and wherein the height varies along a length of the at least one projection.

24 . The contact lens package of claim 23 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a pair of projections spaced apart from one another.

25 . The contact lens package of claim 24 , wherein the base cavity has an elongated shape defining a longitudinal axis of the base cavity, and wherein each of the projections extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base cavity.

26 . The contact lens package of claim 25 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a rib.

27 . The contact lens package of claim 25 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a pair of ribs spaced apart from one another.

28 . The contact lens package of claim 27 , wherein the base cavity has an elongated shape defining a longitudinal axis of the base cavity, and wherein each of the ribs extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base cavity.

29 . The contact lens package of claim 28 , wherein the lid does not cover the base cavity when the package is in an opened state, such that the contact lens is accessible to a user through an opening of the base cavity when the package is in the opened state.

30 . The contact lens package of claim 28 , wherein the base is substantially rigid, and wherein the lid is flexible.

31 .- 53 . (canceled)

54 . A contact lens package comprising:
a base comprising:
a base cavity that houses a contact lens and packaging solution; and
a bowl that forms at least a portion of the base cavity, the bowl comprising a main portion and a channel portion extending away from the main portion, the channel portion comprising a lens engagement surface configured to engage the contact lens and facilitate sliding of the contact lens out of the base cavity; and
a lid connected to the base, wherein the lid extends over and covers the base cavity when the package is in an unopened state.

55 . The contact lens package of claim 54 , wherein the base cavity houses the contact lens such that a convex surface of the contact lens faces an internal surface of the base.

56 . The contact lens package of claim 54 , wherein the base cavity has an elongated shape defining a longitudinal axis of the base cavity, and wherein the channel portion extends away from the main portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the base cavity.

57 . The contact lens package of claim 54 , wherein the channel portion has a first end adjacent the main portion and a second end disposed opposite the first end.

58 . The contact lens package of claim 54 , wherein the channel portion extends away from the main portion toward an end of the base.

59 . The contact lens package of claim 58 , wherein the second end of the channel portion is spaced apart from the end of the base.

60 . The contact lens package of claim 59 , wherein the base further comprises a ramp disposed between the second end of the channel portion and the end of the base.

61 . The contact lens package of claim 57 , wherein a depth of the channel portion decreases in a direction from the first end of the channel portion toward the second end of the channel portion.

62 . The contact lens package of claim 61 , wherein a maximum depth of the channel portion is less than a maximum depth of the main portion.

63 . The contact lens package of claim 62 , wherein a width of the channel portion decreases in a direction from the first end of the channel portion toward the second end of the channel portion.

64 . The contact lens package of claim 63 , wherein a maximum width of the channel portion is less than a maximum width of the main portion.

65 . The contact lens package of claim 64 , wherein the lid does not cover the base cavity when the package is in an opened state, such that the contact lens is accessible to a user through an opening of the base cavity when the package is in the opened state.

66 . The contact lens package of claim 65 , wherein the base is substantially rigid, and wherein the lid is flexible.

67 .- 78 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Johnson & Johnson Vision Care

Inventors

• Popwell Sam Jonathan
• Ward Daniel Graham
• Sams Stephen
• Honey William Stephen

Classifications

• B65B55/22

  Immersing contents in protective liquids · CPC title

• B65B7/28

  by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers · CPC title

• B65D2585/545

  Contact lenses · CPC title

• A45C11/005 Primary

  Contact lens cases (A45C11/046 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65D75/326 Primary

  and forming one compartment · CPC title