Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – With work or work parts movable during treatment
Patent
1990-01-16
1992-07-14
Pal, Asok
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
With work or work parts movable during treatment
134 1, 134184, 134901, B08B 312
Patent
active
051294109
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that ultrasonic vibrations can be used to clean and help sterilize soft contact lenses. Firstly an ultrasonic device is used to produce sound frequency vibrations which are then transmitted into a tank means containing soft contact lenses and lens cleaning fluid and the contact lenses appear to remain virtually stationary.
The ultrasonic device generates an unseen wave of highly accelerated cleaning molecules which continuously bombard the lens surface. The contact lenses do not appear to move, nevertheless, an imperceptible scrubbing action is created which helps to remove proteins, mucins and other deposits from the lens surface. GB-A-1484945 discloses such a device which also uses heat disinfection to complete the process. However such a process is fairly time consuming and the device may prove too costly for general public use.
Electro-mechanical means may be used to produce high energy vibrations which can be employed to much the same effect as sound vibrations in an ultrasonic device. The high energy device once again transmits its vibrations into tank means. This generates an unseen wave of cleaning molecules to clean the surface of the lens. As one can observe, the lens cleaning fluid and the contact lenses will appear to remain virtually stationary throughout the entire process. Although such a device would be less expensive to produce, the cleaning time will still be relatively long such as 12-13 minutes. There is also a question as to whether such subtle devices can successfully remove dirt and other foreign bodies adhering to the lens.
The present invention provides a convenient, safe, but more important, quick and effective method of cleaning contact lenses. There is provided a cleaning apparatus for cleaning contact lenses, comprising an electrically operated motor, a support arm, vibration generating means operating within a frequency range of 10 to 100 Hz, preferably 20 to 45 Hz, more preferably 35 to 45 Hz, and tank means for receiving contact lens fluid. A contact lens holder receives the contact lenses and communicates with the tank means to enable unimpeded transfer of cleaning fluid therebetween. The holder is directly coupled to the motor by means of the support arm which is drivable by the motor to impart reciprocating motion to the holder in a rotational or linear sense. The vibration generating means, is operable during the reciprocating motion such that vibration is imparted to the contact lenses simultaneously with the reciprocating motion.
In one embodiment, the electric motor will provide a linear reciprocating agitation at its output. The agitation may be slow or a rapid movement thus a rheostat or speed control may be comprised in the cleaning apparatus. The motion in the tank means, whether linear, i.e., side to side or rotary, causes the contact lenses to move about and wash themselves automatically in the lens cleaning fluid.
Conveniently, said tank means define a pair of discrete tanks, each for receiving an individual contact lens. Alternatively, there may be a single tank chamber divided into two separate regions or with two central perforated baskets each of which is to hold an individual contact lens. A sponge or polystyrene attachment may be present in the tank means such that an abrasive rubbing action will be imparted to the contact lenses whilst the machine is in operation. A heating element may also be present in the tank means to provide heat disinfection once the lenses have been cleaned.
The process hereby disclosed is particularly advantageous to people with busy schedules as the process may be achieved in about 30 to 60 seconds when operating at a vibrational frequency of 20 to 45 Hz. An operating frequency of 35 to 45 Hz is most preferred.
The apparatus comprises tank means for receiving at least one lens, said tank means defining a discrete region for receiving each lens. With a lens disposed in such a region and an appropriate cleaning fluid in the tank means, thorough cleaning of the lens is effected.
Preferably,
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