Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a contact lens package and, more particularly, to a package adapted to contain multiple contact lenses.

Background of the Invention

Conventionally, contact lenses have been packaged in blister packs.

Each blister pack typically comes with a single lens and has a receptacle for receiving the lens and a cover in the form of a foil laminate or a lid stock removably attached to the receptacle for enclosing the lens in the receptacle.

While conventional blister packs provide a convenient means for shipping and storing contact lenses, they are not adapted for display on a conventional retail display unit, such as peg-hook-type or wire-hook-type displays or display shelves. Accordingly, there is a need for a contact lens package adapted for display on a conventional retail display unit.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new and improved package for contact lenses. More particularly, the package includes a first panel having a housing means, such as wells or receptacles, for housing a set of contact lenses in the first panel and a covering means removably attached to the first

panel for enclosing the set of contact lenses in the housing mechanism. The package also includes a second panel attached to the first panel. The second panel is pivotable relative to the first panel between a first position, in which the second panel is folded onto the first panel, and a second position, in which the second panel is pivoted away from the first panel. When the second panel is positioned in its first position, the first and second panels form a substantially flat package which is adapted for display on a conventional display unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of two exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contact lens package constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines 2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the contact lens package shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the contact lens package of FIG. 1 , the contact lens package having panels which are shown in their partially open positions;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the contact lens package of FIG. 1 , the panels being shown in their fully open positions;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a contact lens package constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a lid panel of the contact lens package being shown in its closed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the contact lens package of FIG. 5, a lid panel being shown in its open position; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the contact lens package of FIG. 5, illustrating the movement of the lid panel from its closed position to its open position.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention includes a package for at least one contact lens, comprising

a first panel comprising at least one housing means for housing at least one contact lens in said first panel and a covering means removably attached to said first panel for enclosing at least one contact lens in said housing means; and

a second panel attached to said first panel, said second panel being pivotable relative to said first panel between a first position, in which said second panel is folded onto said first panel, and a second position in which said second panel is pivoted away from said first panel. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a contact lens package 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The package 10 is made from a sheet 12 folded upon itself to form a pair of panels 14, 16. More particularly, sheet 12 includes integrally formed

or living hinges 18 located between the panels 14, 16 such that the panels 14, 16 are pivotable relative to one another. A cutout 20 is formed in the sheet 12 between the hinges 18 so as to facilitate the pivotal movement of the panels 14, 16. As a result, the package 10 can assume a folded orientation (see FIGS. 1 and 2), in which the panels 14, 16 are pivoted toward each other and are hence positioned adjacent to one another, or an unfolded orientation (see FIG. 4), in which the panels 14, 16 are pivoted away from each other and are hence positioned remote from one another. In Figure 4, panel 14 has a shape which is basically identical to the shape of the panel 16, those panels may have non- identical shapes.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, the panels 14, 16 include a set of wells or recesses 22, 24, respectively. Each of the wells 22, 24 has an open upper end 26 (see FIG. 2) and is sized and shaped so as to receive (i.e., house) therein a contact lens 28 and a conventional contact lens solution. These housing means, wells 22, 24 project outwardly from the panels 14, 16, respectively, thereby providing substantially planar sides 30, 32, respectively, and hence allowing the package 10 to be folded into a substantially flat or slim package unit.

A cover layer 34 (see FIG. 4) is affixed to each of the sides 30, 32 of the panels 14, 16, respectively, in a conventional manner so as to seal off the open ends 26 of the wells 22, 24 and to thereby enclose the contact lenses 28 therein. More particularly, the cover layers 34, are perforated or sliced along a predetermined line so as to form a plurality of individual covers 36, each of which seals off a corresponding one of the wells 24. Each of the covers 36 has a tab 38

which is folded over onto its corresponding cover 36 and which is releasably attached thereto. Each of the tabs 38 is adapted to be gripped by a user's fingers when peeling off (see phantom in FIG. 4) or detaching a corresponding one of the covers 36 from the corresponding panel 14, 16 (see FIG. 4). Each of the cover layers 34 has a banner section 40 (see FIG. 4) extending across a corresponding one of the panels 14, 16. The banner sections 40 can be pre-printed with indicia, such as a product name, instructions and other writings and graphics.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, prongs 42 are provided on the panel 14, while receptacles 44 are provided on the panel 16 (42 and 44 are non- limiting examples of retaining means). Each of the receptacles 44 is sized and shaped so as to receive and releasably retain therein a corresponding one of the prongs 42 such that the package 10 can be releasably maintained in its folded orientation. Each of the panels 14, 16 also includes a mounting hole 46. The mounting holes 46 are adapted to align with one another when the package 10 is in its folded orientation. The mounting holes 46 are sized and shaped so as to receive therethrough a hook or a wire 48 (see FIG. 1) of a conventional display (e.g., a peg-hook-type or wire-hook-type display). In this manner, the package 10 can be conveniently and easily placed on such a display.

The sheet 12 can be formed by any conventional processes. For instance, the sheet can be made from a polymer material with the use of a conventional injection-molding process. Alternatively, the sheet 12 can be formed by die-cutting a blank from a suitable material and then forming the wells 22, 24, the prongs 42 and the receptacles 44 into the blank with a conventional

thermoforming process. Sheet 12, is made from conventional materials including but not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene, nylons, olefin co-polymers, acrylics, rubbers, urethanes, polycarbonates, fluorocarbons.

The cover layer 34 may be formed of conventional construction, for example from an adhesive laminate of an aluminum foil and one or more polymers such as polypropylene film, or any other polymer, extruded film, or co-extruded film that can be sealed to sides 30 and 32 to form a hermetic seal. Examples of cover layers are disclosed in the following patents, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,054,090 and 5,656,362. In use, the package 10 is opened from its folded orientation to its unfolded orientation by pivoting the panels 14, 16 away from one another. When the package 10 is opened, the covers 36 can be peeled off from the panels 14, 16 to remove the contact lenses 28 therefrom. The package 10 can then be folded back into its folded orientation for storing unused contact lenses 28. It should be appreciated that the present invention provides a number of advantages and benefits. For instance, the present invention provides a contact lens package that can be displayed easily in a retail outlet on a conventional display. More particularly, the package 10 can be hung from a wire or peg hook in its folded orientation. Moreover, because the package 10 can be folded substantially flat, it can be stacked or arranged with other identical or similar packages on a conventional display shelf. In addition, due to its substantially flat folded shape, the package 10 is adapted for easy shipping, storage and/or

distribution. As a result, the package 10 can be shipped easily to a retail outlet and can be carried conveniently by a user.

It should be noted that the package 10 can have numerous variations and modifications. For instance, the panels 14, 16 can be formed as separate pieces that are pivotally attached to each other. Moreover, one of the panels 14, 16 can be eliminated, thereby providing a contact lens package having a single panel. Alternatively, the package 10 can be equipped with more than two panels, thereby allowing the package 10 to include additional wells for storing more contact lenses. The prongs 42 and the receptacles 44 can also be replaced with other mechanisms (e.g., a hook-and-loop or VELCRO ^® fastener). Further, the covers 36 can be formed separately and applied to the panels 14, 16 individually.

FIGS. 5-7 depict another embodiment of the present invention. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, which correspond, either identically or substantially, to the elements described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred. Unless otherwise stated, the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7 is constructed and assembled in the same basic manner as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, there is shown a contact lens package 110 constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the package 110 includes a pair of panels 114, 116 integrally formed with one another. Integrated hinges (i.e., living hinges) 118 are formed between the panels 114, 116 such that the panel 116 is pivotable relative to the

panel 114. As a result, the panel 116 is movable between a closed position (see the broken line representation of the panel 116 in FIG. 7) and an open position (see FIG. 6). The package 10 can thus be folded substantially flat so as to be stacked or arranged with identical or similar packages on a conventional display (e.g., a display shelf). Velcro-type fasteners 142 are provided on the panels 114, 116 so as to maintain the panel 116 in its closed position.

The panel 114 includes a plurality of wells 122 (see FIG. 7), each of which is sized and shaped so as to receive a contact lens and a conventional contact lens solution. A transparent covering layer, 134 is made from a polymer that may be hermitically sealed to panels 114 and 116 to cover the plurality of wells, 122. Covering layer 134 is attached to the panel 114 and is perforated so as to form a plurality of individual covers 136. Each of the covers 136 is provided with a tab 138 for facilitating its peeling or removal from the panel 114. Alternatively, the covering layer 134 can be opaque. With reference to FIGS. 5-7, unlike the panel 114, the panel 116 is not provided with wells. The panel 116 includes a plurality of substantially circular openings 150 positioned such that, when the package 110 is in its folded orientation, each of them is aligned with a corresponding one of the wells 122 of the panel 114. In this manner, the contact lenses contained in the wells 122 are visible to (i.e., can be viewed by) a user or consumer through the openings 150 without opening the package 110. The panel 116 thus functions as a lid for the panel 114.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the panel 116 can be provided with indicia, such as a product name, instructions and other writings and graphics, placed thereon. For instance, the panel 116 can include the letters "L" and "R" placed or printed on opposing sides of the panel 116 so as to indicate that the contact lenses corresponding to each of the letters are for the right or left eye of a user. Due to the fact that two wells are positioned on each side of the panel 114, the package 110 is adapted to provide a two-day supply of daily disposable contact lenses. Alternatively, the package 110 can be equipped with additional wells, thereby providing an additional number of contact lenses. Also, the package 110 can be provided with a total of two wells (i.e., the package 110 can be a one-day pack).

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.