Special receptacle or package – For eyeglass or spectacle – Contact lens
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-13
2001-11-20
Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For eyeglass or spectacle
Contact lens
C134S901000, C422S300000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318549
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a packaging and bactericidal treatment device for contact lenses.
In order to avoid any infection of the eyes, it is essential for contact lenses to be protected from any bacterial contamination, or else to be decontaminated before they are put in place on the cornea.
That is why devices exist for enabling contact lenses to be immersed in a bactericidal treatment solution. Such a device includes, in particular, means for suspending said contact lenses, which means are generally associated with means for closing the container of bactericidal solution.
Unfortunately, those devices are impractical.
The container of treatment liquid is difficult to transport, in particular since said container is generally small.
In addition, in the event of a handling error, the contact lenses fall to the bottom of the container, and are difficult to retrieve.
Furthermore, if the closure means are not locked properly, the container is not sealed properly, and bactericidal fluid can leak out, which can adversely affect the protection both of the contact lenses and also of the user.
Moreover, after immersion, the contact lenses, which are curved to some extent, sometimes retain very small amounts of bactericidal solution.
Unfortunately, bactericidal solutions generally contain a preservative agent which causes undesirable side effects on the human organism.
An object of the present invention is to solve the preceding technical problems satisfactorily by providing bacterial decontamination and protection by means of the packaging itself.
The invention achieves this object by means of a packaging and bactericidal treatment device for contact lenses, said device being characterized in that it comprises:
firstly a housing provided with at least one cavity receiving a support element which has bactericidal action and whose outside face has curvature matching the curvature of the contact lenses; and
secondly, at least one lid designed to cover said cavity and whose inside face is provided with at least one socket which is suitable for being engaged in guided manner into said cavity, and which receives a wedge element having bactericidal action and whose outside face has curvature complementary to the curvature of the support element so that it protects and/or decontaminates a contact lens by holding it stationary in said cavity between said support element and said wedge element.
According to an advantageous characteristic, said support element and said wedge element are made of a porous material containing a non-migrant anti-bacterial agent.
According to another characteristic, said wedge element is radially clamped in the socket.
According to yet another characteristic, the edge of said cavity is provided with a collar whose inside wall is provided with a bevel serving to guide the socket.
Similarly, the peripheral edge of the socket is provided with a guide bevel.
Preferably, the end wall of the cavity is provided with a bore of small diameter and in which the support element is radially clamped.
Provision is made for the outside face of the support element to be concave, and for the outside face of the wedge element to be convex and to project beyond the peripheral edge of the socket.
In a specific embodiment, the support element and the wedge element are removable cylinders having the same diameter.
The respective dimensions of the cavity and of the socket are determined so that the outside wall of said socket comes into sliding contact with the inside wall of said cavity.
In a particular embodiment, the housing is provided with two cavities.
In a first variant embodiment, the device has a single lid which is provided with two sockets designed to be inserted into said cavities, and which is assembled to the housing by interfitting with peripheral radial clamping, so that the resulting assembly forms an accurately circularly symmetrical cylinder.
In a second variant, the device has two lids (
2
a
,
2
b
), each of which is provided with a respective socket (
20
a
,
20
b
).
In order to reinforce the biological protection, the housing and the lid(s) may be made of a plastics material containing a non-migrant anti-bacterial agent.
The device of the invention is of simple structure and it is easy to use, while it also improves, in particular, contact lens deposition and extraction. It offers full safety for storing and transporting lenses even in the event that it is subjected to impact, to being tipped over, or to the housing being turned upside down.
The device thus gives contact lenses mechanical and bacterial protection that is highly effective.
In addition, the device forms packaging that is particularly ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4942959 (1990-07-01), Sauber et al.
patent: 5199559 (1993-04-01), Dark
patent: 5439572 (1995-08-01), Pankow
patent: 5657506 (1997-08-01), Pankow
patent: 0049767-A2 (1982-04-01), None
patent: 0830865-A2 (1998-03-01), None
patent: WO-95/26756-A2 (1995-10-01), None
patent: WO-96/36371-A1 (1996-11-01), None
Bougamont Jean-Louis
Hennemann Pascal
Leuliet David
Bacon & Thomas PLLC
Bui Luan K.
Rexam Sofab
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